The Magic of Music (with CShades)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Oniya on 26-03-2009, 22:01:04</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 22:01:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae Adams paced the small dressing room as if it was a cage.&nbsp; He wasn't worried about the show itself - he knew every word and every note as if it was part of his very being - but of the aftermath.&nbsp; It probably wouldn't be <em>too</em> bad, since this particular show was booked at the large, open-air stage of a 'performing arts center', but it always seemed as though the better the show, the more it affected him.<br><br>A month ago, Lethe's agent had them performing at a dingy, smoke-laden club.&nbsp; The show had gone forward, even above Dae's protests - and to his credit, he'd been able to keep it together until the final set was over.&nbsp; He'd been a wreck after that, pushing his way past the crowd of autograph seekers and firing up the black and silver motorcycle that he preferred over the tour bus.<br><br>He'd ridden for over an hour, randomly turning up one street and down the other, never actually getting more than fifteen miles from the hotel that the band was staying at.&nbsp; When he'd gotten in, the rest of the band had greeted him with irritated silence.<br><br>This wasn't <em>then</em>, however.&nbsp; Other than a few sideways comments, the mood in the back was one of anticipation.&nbsp; Anticipation that was soon rewarded by the raising of the curtain and the glare of lights, moments before the clear air was filled with sound.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 01:19:54</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>It had been a long day already, but Toreal wasn't really half as tired as his current companion. "You pretty much dragged me here" he murmured to her as they found their seats close to the stage. His first requirement had been that one, actually, that they would sit under the sky rather than in a closed box. "So you had better not fall asleep." <br><br>He wasn't sure about what she liked so much about this group, but it made no difference to him. He could listen to the night instead and let her enjoy herself, and then they could have dinner. Toreal was certainly looking forward to dinner --he had reservations for one of the best gourmet restaurants in the city, and intended to use them come hell or high water; you didn't get the kind of subtleties a good chef could device where he came from, magic was always limited to experience, creativity and imagination after all.&nbsp; <br><br>He watched the curtains rise, listened to the music begin, and didn't pay much attention to it until something, somewhere, started to tickle at his senses.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 02:08:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The set started out with a few of the crowd's favorites - pounding beats and the intricate chase of synthesizer and guitar.&nbsp; Dae's voice rose in harmony above the growl of the bass player's.&nbsp; His fingers flew over the neck of a black electric guitar ornamented with fine silver lines.&nbsp; <br><br>Then, after the crash of a final chord and the roar of applause, that same guitar cut the night with a strangely delicate melody.&nbsp; Alone in the spotlight, Dae closed in on a stationary microphone, singing with a high, clear tenor.<br><br>Even the fans nearby who had sung raucously along with the first few songs fell silent, fixed with rapt attention on the slim figure on the stage.&nbsp; Despite the fact that he was standing still, there was still a sense of energy about him - something barely reined in as the notes beckoned the audience to jion the singer in a flight of fantasy.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 03:47:53</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It was the music.<br><br>Suddenly, Toreal leaned back on his seat and started to pay particular attention to the colors of the music. It was hard to distinguish at first, where the sensation flowed and retreated, intermingling between the instruments, the bass and the counterpoint. At least until the solo began, that is.<br><br>There was no further doubt after that. Truth be told, Toreal wasn't a fan of this particular type of music, which is probably why he hadn't become aware of the situation before; it had taken him a lost wager to show up, and even reluctantly so. He could now understand the drive.<br><br>He leaned forward at the first sound of his voice, and looked around as if to confirm the effects.&nbsp; Just imagine what mayhem that voice could wreak in an opera house. He definitely did, and it caused a slow, satisfied grin to grow upon his lips. "Beautiful" he whispered into his companion's ear, letting himself be lost and follow in the waves of sound. <br><br>Lately, quietly, he would ask a question, and then another, learning what she would know about this man --or what any fan would know, in any case. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 05:24:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Most of what she knew was rumors.&nbsp; The band had risen to moderate prominence.&nbsp; They hadn't made the top 10 yet, but a number of songs had come close.&nbsp; Of the five band members, only Dae was never seen with some pretty young thing hanging off of him - which only made him that more intriguing to the female fans.&nbsp; <br><br>"He doesn't wear a ring - of course, that might have something to do with his fingering, but it <em>does</em> make for a lot of speculation on the message boards," she said with a smile.&nbsp; "Not that I've ever tried my luck, but word is that most of the girls that hang out near the stage door are actually trying to thaw the Ice Prince, but the luckiest they'll get is one of the other four."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 07:57:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Rumors were good, and interesting enough. He relaxed and listened to the rest of the concert, weighing the young man's strength and control, while at the same time keeping an open watch of the surroundings for anything else going on; wherever magic was not shielded or controlled properly in this realm, it would be bound to attract all kinds of unwelcome attention eventually. Truth be told, that was probably true for any realm.<br><br>Toreal didn't attempt to reach the backstage this time. There would be a barrier of unmoving fans, and he didn't really care to contend with that for the -what was it?- Ice Prince's attention.<br><br>Instead he took his companion home, and set to find out where the group was to be staying the night, and made for it. There, he left a small box in the check-in desk, with the band lead's name on the card and a small, handwritten note: Meet me. <em>You know you must.</em> He signed it fluidly, <em>Tore'al Ken Alatair.</em> On the other side of the note there was the name of his favourite restaurant, and a single word: <em>Tomorrow.</em><br><br>Inside the box he left a simple silver brooch in the shape of a lyre. Nothing that the young man would be able to use unwittingly or without precise knowledge, really, but an object of art and magic that would call only to those able to see its true glow.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 15:09:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				As the show progressed, the power of Dae's voice ebbed and flowed, depending on the song he was singing.&nbsp; Certain songs were magically inert, for all that the crowd still surged to their feet.&nbsp; Others were almost palpable in their energy, to the point that the faint scent of forest soil tickled the nose.&nbsp; Through it all, however, Dae seemed oblivious to what was making itself felt through his music.&nbsp; <br><br>When the show ended, he accepted the applause along with the rest of the band.&nbsp; His slightly sheepish smile caused a nearby group of girls to chatter about how sweet he looked.&nbsp; Then, somehow, he managed to slip away, the sound of the motorcycle drowned out by the other noises of the venue.<br><br>*******<br><br>It was late when Dae returned to the hotel.&nbsp; The band wouldn't be heading out immediately - there were promotional appearances and the like that would take a few days out of their schedule - and so they had taken the opportunity to stay in a more upscale suite.&nbsp; <br><br>"A package for you, sir," said the concierge as Dae walked in, helmet under one arm.&nbsp; At first, the singer frowned - it wouldn't be the first time that a fan had managed to track him down, and he wondered what embarrassing item was about to be handed to him.<br><br>The size of the box took him by surprise.&nbsp; It was too small to contain clothing or even a photograph.&nbsp; As he walked to the elevator, he opened the card.<br><br><em>Ken - not a screaming fan-girl, then,</em> he mused.&nbsp; The rest of the name was foreign, but not harsh as he sounded out the syllables.&nbsp; The restaurant looked decent enough though, and so the next day he ventured out, his identity concealed by a baseball cap and sunglasses as he approached the maitre d'.<br><br>"I'm looking for a 'Ken Alatair'?" he asked.&nbsp; "He left a message that I should meet him here."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 17:51:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The restaurant was upscale enough, and the maitre'd nodded immediately, clearly expecting him and not phased at all by the attire. "He has the roof" he stated, "If you would follow me?"<br><br>Said roof was open to the elements, and perhaps not the most hospitable place for a windy day even if the array of decorative plants kept some of it at bay. Toreal was clearly enjoying it. Standing by the edge of the roof rather than sitting at the table, it took the maitre-d's introduction to get him to turn to his newly arrived guest; dressed in a simple black shirt and slacks with a small silver brooch holding his hair back, he was nearly the complete opposite of Dae's.<br><br>"Welcome," he offered, not walking ahead but rather waiting where he was. "You will have a drink with me, won't you?" He did have a wide-mouthed glass in his hand, and lifted it to the pair in a greeting gesture. <br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 18:30:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Once out of the public eye, Dae removed both the hat and the shades, folding both into pockets on his jacket.&nbsp; The wind was at the playful side of wild, and teased at the singer's hair, catching a few wisps that had fallen loose from the elastic.<br><br>"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Alatair," Dae said, giving him a nod.&nbsp; "I must say that this is the most unusual way that a promoter has arranged a sit-down with me."&nbsp; <br><br>The deduction was more guess than anything else.&nbsp; Tor'eal didn't look like the typical reporter, and the setting pointed to more of a budget than most of the press had available.&nbsp; Of course, he didn't look much like the typical promoter either, but Dae was more concerned with navigating the etiquette of the situation.&nbsp; He liked to keep a clear head with anything that might be professional, but refusing could be seen as an insult.<br><br><em>Pace it</em> he thought, then turned to the maitre d'.&nbsp; "Something light - it's still a bit early for me," he said, before looking back to his host.&nbsp; "Your message was pretty sketchy on details," he hazarded.&nbsp; "I'm assuming my manager knows about this?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 21:23:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal smiled at the greeting, seizing the opportunity to watch the young man from up close. "The pleasure is mine." He failed to adress the promoter comment right away, focusing instead on the young one's face and eyes. He looked for traces of familiarity: a slanted eye, a higher cheekbone, anything that would give him an idea of origin, kind or kin. <br><br>The maitre'd nodded at the request for something light, and Toreal waited for him to turn and be out of hearing&nbsp; range when he continued. "You may call me Toreal" he stated, his voice a quiet one, closer to the bass ranges than to the tenor ones --he definitely had the shoulder breadth for it. "And I don't know why your manager would know unless you had told him. Between us, I doubt you even need a promoter in any case."<br><br>He took a step ahead, stretching his hand to offer a handshake. "I am very glad you made it."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-03-2009, 21:51:38</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The indications were subtle, but unmistakably there.&nbsp; The hand that grasped Toreal's was long-fingered and fine boned, although the grip itself was firm and steady.&nbsp; The deep green of Dae's eyes was something that would normally require contacts.&nbsp; The curve of his ear beneath the blond hair had a slightly higher arc than average.<br><br>"I haven't - but just so you know - Toreal -&nbsp; I can't sign to anything without going through the usual red tape."<br><br>The voice was where everything came together.&nbsp; Even speaking, there was an element of music to it that was far easier on the ear than human speech had a right to be.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 00:10:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal smiled inwardly at his findings, letting the strength of his handshake remain in place longer than it necessarily should. He was beautiful, for a most-human. And that voice struck more than one chord within him. <br><br>"That's quite all right," he agreed. "I don't need any signature from you." That could be taken many ways, but he did not bother to elaborate. He felt for the magic then, something that anyone with any knowledge would notice right away, just as his thumb slid just a little higher up along Dae's hand toward his wrist.<br><br>Well, here came a waiter with the drink, a simple cocktail with more kick from the lemon than from the alcohol in it -still, it had a perfectly balanced taste, with a hint of mint and just enough sugar to counter the acid. <br><br>His hand still didn't let go, and the man's hazel eyes looked straight into green, searching.<br><br>"Did you enjoy my gift?"<br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 07:00:57</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's very - unusual," Dae replied.&nbsp; His eyes dropped to Toreal's hand, obviously noticing something was going on, even if he couldn't identify what that something was.<br><br><em>As Toreal searched, he would have no trouble locating the magic.&nbsp; The raw energy of it pressed against the form encasing it without any of the structure that would result from directed practice.&nbsp; It waited, seeking escape when and how it could.</em><br><br>"The - uh - artistry isn't something I've seen before."&nbsp; There had been an awkward pause as Dae attempted to make sense of why this stranger was still holding his hand.&nbsp; And why something in his chest seemed to be straining like a leashed hound.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 07:59:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Again he dismissed the waiter with a gesture of his half-full glass and waited for him to be gone. His grip on Dae's hand tightened then -not a painful thing per se, but a call for attention instead. "I think you noticed more than the artistry" he stated, matter-of-fact. <br><br>Then, he took a step closer.<br><br>Up close, it would be easier to feel his presence; not just the physical way, but the generally soothing sensation of shielded, ordered power meeting the edges of a disorganized one. "You do realize that you will need to learn to control it, before it controls you."<em> Or before someone else decides it would be worth the trouble to claim it for themselves</em>.<br><br>He watched those forest-green eyes directly, his own confidence better than any armor or glamour. Claiming wasn't such a bad word, in his mind. Not when he liked the package so much.<br><em><br>It was a tempting idea.</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 18:22:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae's eyes widened.&nbsp; He could feel the odd restlessness fade, which was almost as unsettling as when it had him in its full grip.&nbsp; His gaze sharpened, meeting Toreal's stubbornly.&nbsp; "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.&nbsp; "Control what?"<br><br>He didn't pull away, even though he could feel the tendons of his wrist shifting beneath the other's fingers.&nbsp; Toreal knew too much for Dae to dismiss him entirely - there <em>had</em> been more to the brooch.&nbsp; He had been able to make out the lyre's shape even when the hotel room was pitch-dark.&nbsp; Even touching it had a sense of familiarity, like a family heirloom.<br><br>"What's your angle?&nbsp; I'm pretty sure this isn't some kind of business meeting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 21:54:37</strong>
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				Toreal just smiled rather than answering the first question, taking a step back just as he let go of the hand.<br><br>"That" he replied succinctly, taking a long drink from his glass while he waited for the energy to flare back. He knew&nbsp; it wouldn't take long. <br><br>"I am not sure about angles, but you must me want to think that yours is ...obtuse." <br><br>He paused, leaning slightly against the security railing as he looked down to the street and watched the flurry of humanity that would come and go in its eternal rush. "When did it start?" he asked, hazarding a moment later: "It can't have been too long ago."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 23:51:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The effect was staggering.&nbsp; Dae was used to the feeling building over the course of days as a concert approached.&nbsp; The period where Toreal had soothed it only masked the energy for a while, and the resurgence hit him like a physical blow.<br><br>"Who <em>are</em> you?," he asked, after a long swallow of the drink he'd requested.&nbsp; For the first time, he wished he'd gotten something a little stronger.&nbsp; "Actually - don't answer that.&nbsp; What do you know about that?&nbsp; How did you make it stop?&nbsp; I've been dealing with that for - almost three years now?&nbsp; Shortly after we started touring, anyways."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 01:19:32</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"It depends." Truly, everything in the world does. He ignored the who question even before Dae changes his mind, and moved on to the real answers. "I can feel it, like you can. I am not sure yet of exactly what you will use it for, or just how it responds to you. It is close enough to mine that my shields can spill into you and help the energy shape itself, but you need to learn to do it yourself."<br><br>He didn't approach again to prove his point, but there was a hint of challenge in his voice when he added, "You can come closer,&nbsp; in any case, if you want to put the theory to a test."<br><br>Holding his drink right below his nose, Toreal continued speaking as he waited. "That's a simple way to put it, at least. As for what I know, it would take more than an evening to explain, and we have dinner waiting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 03:41:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae's posture stiffened slightly, and he took a few, long-legged steps over towards the rail, pointedly directing his attention out over the rail, even though he was coming into the same range where Toreal had done - whatever he'd done.<br><br>After barely enough time to verify what had just been explained to him, he looked back towards Toreal.&nbsp; "You've got my attention, for whatever you wanted to talk to me about.&nbsp; Did you want to discuss this while we eat, or wait until after?"<br><br><em>It all seems so 'convenient',</em> he thought.&nbsp; <em>This stranger comes out of nowhere, and just happens to have all the answers?</em>&nbsp; He sipped at his drink again as he waited for Toreal's response.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 07:31:22</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				While Dae was looking away, Toreal would have been looking directly at him, weighing just how close he would make it. At an arm's distance, the young man wouldn't feel a difference, at half that distance he would be in his personal space, and moving past that he would find the relief he searched. For a full effect, he would have to come much, much closer. <br><br>He knew that wouldn't happen, but was still curious enough to see how far he would go. When Dae looked back, he found Toreal's eyes staring right back at him. "We can do both," he decided, stepping away from the railing and around Dae to walk toward the table. "I want to talk about getting you to prevent it from getting out of control. People don't really like it when the unexplained happens, and it is always painful when they decide to take an interest."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 17:06:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae skirted through that zone of influence, coming within inches of Toreal before reaching the rail.&nbsp; He was able to feel some of the same decrease, even if it wasn't as complete as when they had been in contact.<br><br>It was all very convincing.<br><br>"I'm not promising anything, but I'm willing to listen to what you've got to say," he said, joining Toreal at the table and sitting opposite him.&nbsp; He shrugged.&nbsp; "So far, you've had better results than anything else I've tried."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 19:24:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>With a quiet half-smirk Toreal set his glass down on the side of the table, and that was enough of a gesture for the waiter to return. There were no menus in sight and he didn't ask for the order but rather worked to serve the first course, a colorful medley of greens and golds with the accompanying wine. "You have said that twice" the older man pointed out. "Yet I am more interested on what you have to say."<br><br>Once the waiter left, he continued, quiet but purposeful. "Have you had strange things happen around you of late?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 19:33:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae poked at the plate.&nbsp; "Not - not <em>around</em> me, exactly.&nbsp; More of <em>to</em> me," he said, then looked intently at Toreal.&nbsp; "It's like - being inside makes my skin crawl.&nbsp; It's usually after a show, sometimes even during one if we're playing at just the wrong gig.&nbsp; I mean, it's a damn good thing I never got into the pill scene, or else the cops would've had me in rehab for sure."<br><br>He took a few contemplative bites of his food, and a measured sip of wine before continuing.&nbsp; "But at the same time, I can't really see leaving the stage.&nbsp; I think I'd go completely nuts if that happened."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 20:07:40</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The contrast in the food was measured as much in texture as in taste, a fresh combination of natural, subtle tastes to tease the palate without overpowering it. Toreal took a bite as Dae spoke, and nodded in approval.<em> He'd have to remember this one.</em> "Because you have to do something with all that's boiling inside you" he agreed to the last statement, settling in place. <br><br>"I think we can safely say that at least it is all coming from you and not something else." Three years are a long time to go unnoticed with that kind of display, but that wasn't a bad thing. "What would you call the wrong gig?" <em>At least he was relaxing some.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 20:24:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae wrinkled his nose, not at the food, but at a far too vivid memory.&nbsp; "Okay - there was this place last month.&nbsp; Club called 'The Chamber'.&nbsp; It wasn't a <em>bad</em> club - I've gone slumming at places worse than that, but even when we were doing sound-check it seemed... I don't know.&nbsp; It was like there were too many people there when it was just the five of us.&nbsp; After the show - I was a wreck."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 21:01:55</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal leaned closer as Dae spoke, listening attentively to the other man's expression as much as his voice. He continued to eat now and then, and the fork was soon enough put down. "As if you needed miles between yourself and any other person?" His question was posted quietly, with a 'been there' kind of tone. "Why do you think that was?" He passed the ball again, reaching for a leaf on his plate with his fingers and plucking it out to bring to his nose. "What was different then?"<br><br>He shook his head then, smiling. "I am sorry if I ask too many questions. I am only surprised of finding you out here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 21:43:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Different - you mean between that night and any other show?"&nbsp; Dae snorted softly.&nbsp; "I can tell you that, no problem.&nbsp; I've been noticing that there are two things that make it worse."&nbsp; He ticked off the points on his fingers.&nbsp; "One is if the show itself gets really intense - you know, when the audience and the music and everything just - click.&nbsp; The other is if it's a small place.&nbsp; Ninety - ninety-five percent of the shows we did on this leg were in places like last night's."<br><br>He took another bite of the meal.&nbsp; "It's going to be harder soon.&nbsp; We've got maybe a month of good weather left, and then things have to go indoors again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>29-03-2009, 23:41:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nodding, Toreal lifted his glass to drink, taking a little break before answering. "It isn't a lot of time," he admitted. "It often takes years to learn the basic things." It wasn't an offer, either, but he was compelled to take action one way or another. It wouldn't do for the boundaries to close like the Queen had threatened the last time the human world had nearly learned the truth of magic. <br><br>"Haven't you found other outlets -other than singing, that is." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>30-03-2009, 03:26:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not - not really," Dae admitted.&nbsp; "Of course, it's not like I can't go into a sound booth and cut loose for a while.&nbsp; We actually got something that hit the top twenty the last time I did that."&nbsp; He grinned, and for a moment the burden of his situation fell away.&nbsp; It returned all too soon, though.&nbsp; <br><br>"I don't know.&nbsp; After that night at the Chamber, I've been thinking about suggesting a bit of a break.&nbsp; We haven't done the final bookings for any winter shows yet - I could get my head on straight, write some more riffs - maybe even get out of the city for a week or two in there.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>30-03-2009, 12:53:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You should."&nbsp; That was not a chance to be missed, after all. "Get out of the city, that is.&nbsp; I have a property close enough, if you would like to join me there for a while." Toreal sat back, grinning slightly at his own words. "I realize we have just met, but we are still kindred." He seemed at ease as he spoke, his manner as relaxed as his tone.&nbsp; "Your music would be welcome, and I could try to show you how to do what I do."<br><br>The next course was set on the table as he spoke, but Toreal was paying absolutely no attention to it. "There is no rush to decide, of course, only an idea." He let it hang there, though, as he contemplated the new plate.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>30-03-2009, 17:53:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sudden invitation caught Dae by surprise, and the explanation was even more of a bombshell.&nbsp; He leaned forward, stabbing the air with his fork.<br><br>"Kindred?&nbsp; Look, my family might not understand the whole 'rock and roll lifestyle', but they still let me into the family reunion parties.&nbsp; I - think I would have remembered a name like 'Toreal'."<br><br>The suggestion that he might find a way to ease his growing anxiety problems was a strong lure, however, and once he finished making that observation, he continued to watch for Toreal's reaction instead of merely sitting back and dismissing the strange claim.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>31-03-2009, 01:36:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal simply returned the look. "And you think this power than runs through your veins is just something that happened to you?" His tone is designed the idea sound egregious.&nbsp; "Just like those eyes of yours, or your hands, or your voice, you were born with it, Dae, and so was I. There is a reason why my control can affect you without my needing to work in it, and it can only be because they are the same kind.&nbsp; Does your family come from the old world?" He let his voice change to something closer to his true one as he spoke, if only to stress his point.<br><br>He waited for Dae's answer even if he already knew it, adding a quiet: "What kind of name is Dae, even if given by yourself?" before Dae could.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>31-03-2009, 04:20:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae flushed a little at the second question.&nbsp; "It - actually comes from the Greek word for 'guardian spirit' - not that I'm Greek or anything."&nbsp; Of course, with his coloring, the idea of Mediterranean ancestry would be ludicrous.&nbsp; "We're actually mostly UK on my father's side, and - I guess you could call my mother's side 'northeastern Europe'.&nbsp; Sort of a mash of a bunch of little countries up in that area."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>31-03-2009, 19:52:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The older civilizations were a lot closer to the otherworld than the ones these days" Toreal agreed. "There were several of us in Britain and Eire back then. Scotland too, but it was so cold there."&nbsp; He didn't start eating again after saying that; on the contrary, the other man put his cutlery down again.&nbsp; "Still, I wasn't aware of you either, until very recently. I am glad I am, now." <br><br>He waited a little longer and then offered, "So shall I let them know to prepare a room?" So much for the no rush part.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>31-03-2009, 22:53:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Look - I can't promise anything right now.&nbsp; I need to talk to the rest of the band, if nothing else.&nbsp; Even if I was just going to take off for an overnight."&nbsp; Dae looked down at the table, struggling between this unexpected salvation and his responsibility.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>31-03-2009, 23:46:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal lifts an eyebrow in amused surprise. "Really?" He can't quite help the mirth to show on his voice at the reply. "You always consult them before staying somewhere overnight? It can't help your romantic life at all." The last comment is just a little curious, nudging of itself.<br><br>At least until he hides his lips behind his drink, barely holding back the heat in his gaze.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>01-04-2009, 16:54:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae blushed hotly.&nbsp; "It's not like that.&nbsp; I just don't want them checking the drunk tank or the hospitals."&nbsp; He knew that would be the first possibility that would come to mind - not that he'd found someone to spend the night with.<br><br>For some reason, that made him angry.&nbsp; "Look - let me know where to get in touch with you, and I'll take care of this," he said, pushing back from the table.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>01-04-2009, 17:32:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I think you will," Toreal agreed, leaning back on his seat. The fluster over Dae's cheeks spoke volumes to him,&nbsp; hence the tone in his words was a knowing one and more than a little self-satisfied. Anger was good, very good. <br><br>"As for contacting me, you can call my cell, though I might be out of area." He reached into his jacket to pull out a card and place it on the table, easy to reach. "Or you could do the easiest thing, and think of me. An object of mine might help,&nbsp; if you can use it to focus your thoughts." He didn't try to hold Dae back, at least. He'd have all of him soon enough.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>01-04-2009, 18:31:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae scooped up the card, looking over it quickly before tucking it into his jacket pocket.&nbsp; "I'll keep that in mind," he said.&nbsp; "Regardless, I should have an answer for you later tonight."<br><br>He was already thinking of ways that he could make the 'absence' seem logical and beneficial to the group as a whole.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>01-04-2009, 20:36:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The card was a simple one, silver on white, with the name and number written in cursive-like characters. Toreal watched Dae leave, eyes trained on the other man's figure. He finished his meal alone.&nbsp; <br><br>The entrance to the property would have been hard to find if the young man didn't have the sight, but the instructions given over the phone were clear enough, if odd --it sounded as if Toreal found it easier to explain through landmarks than numbering and roads, for example, and the image of a tree with knots in the shape of two people was easier for him to remember than the I-62 road signs.<br><br>The gate opened even as Dae approached it, and the meandering path between the woods that stemmed from it had no visible destination or end. After each turn, a new length of greenery and nature left to its own course was revealed until it finally opened into a green, well-lit clearing. Near the edge there stood a moss-grown willow, and its slender branches extended over the side. Beyond it was an oak, just apart from the bushes; then the ground gently rose, and an old apple tree stood right out of the group, as if intruding into the clearing by its own right.<br><br>All worries about the hurried, dangerous pace that was the City, were distant at this point. There was the babbling of water nearby, and among the grey leaves of the willow another flit of motion; visible now and then against the sky a little brown bird flew from one branch to another, not to be distinguished at the moment from the many other little birds that could be seen around. Toreal was right there, seated inside the circle. Who knows just how long he had been waiting.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 00:03:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae left his bike just inside the gate.&nbsp; It didn't seem - right - to disturb the setting with his motorcycle, no matter how well-tuned it was.&nbsp; As he walked down the path, he felt a strange sense of belonging, as if he actually <em>was</em> visiting a relative's house.<br><br>But that was insane.&nbsp; He would have noticed a name like that.&nbsp; He would have heard about an uncle or cousin that was 'a little different'.&nbsp; Hell, it hadn't taken a week for news that a cousin out in Arizona had taken up reading cards full time to reach him - on the road in Florida.<br><br>As he came around the final curve, he felt just a bit awkward, with his helmet under one arm, and the faint smell of exhaust still clinging to his leather jacket.&nbsp; "Nice place you've got here..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 00:20:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal looked up and smiled when he felt the approach, greeting Dae with a wave of his hand. "Welcome" he greeted the young man, and something like a squirrel darted off towards the woods. A rather weird squirrel, if one knew enough to tell the difference. He stood up and extended his hand to shake his guest's, the effect the exact same as it was the first time they touched. <br><br>"And thank you. They kept trying to build in it in spite of it being sacred ground, so we bought it all. If you see an old native man or three let them be, they come and go all the time." That said he sat back down, picking up a silver flute from the ground in front of him and setting it atop his lap. "Do you only play the electric guitar, or have you tried other instruments yet?" <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 04:01:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I actually started on an acoustic," Dae replied.&nbsp; "It was a three-quarter size that I bought at a garage sale.&nbsp; Bright red and the kid who'd owned it had put a cowboy sticker on it."&nbsp; He chuckled softly at the memory.&nbsp; "It was enough to teach me the fingering until I could find a full-sized acoustic.&nbsp; I still mic the full-sized up for a couple of songs."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 10:28:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"So strings it is" he stated, smiling again. "Let's see how easily you pick up something new, then, just as a curiosity.&nbsp; I'll have a guitar brought out later." There, it was that easy.&nbsp; Toreal sat back down on the grass, patting it in front of himself in silent invitation. <br><br>With his other hand he plucked the flute and offered it ahead, watching Dae's reaction. "Don't worry about what you know and what you don't, just play with it and see what happens." Not much in the instructions department, that, but enough to stress the point. It was an old fashioned irish flute, without keys in order to allow the fingers to do all the work.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 15:51:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae sat down awkwardly, one long leg stretched out in front of him and the other bent so he could rest his elbow on it.&nbsp; He took the offered instrument and turned it over in his hands.&nbsp; "I haven't played anything remotely like this since playing pop bottles in fourth grade," he said.&nbsp; Carefully, he positioned his fingers to cover all the holes on the flute, wet his lips, and blew into it experimentally.<br><br>A screech answered his efforts, making him wince, shake his head, and try again, this time achieving a pure tone.&nbsp; <br><br>"That's better," he said, more to himself than to Toreal.&nbsp; <br><br>He started playing slowly, not in any recognizable tune, but in a wandering melody in the flute's basic scale.&nbsp; It was far from a masterwork, but there were echoes of the same energies that had swirled around the stage the night before.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 21:34:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The screeching sound made Toreal wince slightly, but it wasn't as if it was a totally unexpected result. He remained silent through the exploration, nodding in agreement to the 'that's better' comment whether it was for him or not, and leaned forward to rest a hand upon Dae's closest thigh.<br><br>It was a faint touch at first, keeping contact with the young man to feel the energy from up close. This time he relaxed his internal grip a little and alowed his own magic to follow rather than hold, closing his eyes as they mingled.<br><br>It was a rather intimate exchange, and as such one that he wouldn't accept in most circumstances... but Dae didn't really know how to take advantage of it, so he didn't really consider any danger. Not at first.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 02:13:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Dae became more comfortable with the flute, his musical talent showed through.&nbsp; The basic melody was soon augmented by grace notes and quarter-tones, adding a certain wildness to the melody.&nbsp; His magical aptitude, on the other hand, was still childish - a possible prodigy, but one working with crayons on butcher paper instead of paints on canvas.&nbsp; Half the time, he seemed to be following it rather than controlling it.<br><br>From the outside, he appeared mesmerized by his own playing.&nbsp; His eyes were almost shut, and he was barely aware of Toreal's physical contact with him.&nbsp; Only a brief furrow between his eyes made any indication that he noticed that the other was somehow sharing the experience of playing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 21:41:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal found himself smiling into the exchange when the melody picked up and filled with the sound to match the setting. It was new, and yet somehow familiar. <br><br>It had been a long time since he had allowed such closeness, and the longer he did, the more he found himself falling into a completely different kind of spell. Music was not something that Toreal would normally consider a fulfilling passtime, but as it was, today he was finding it more so. Like a siren's call, sound and motion moved him closer so that by the time the song came to a pause he was nearly lost to it.<br><br>He opened his eyes to look at Dae's face again, and then started to withdraw slowly so as not to scare or interrupt him. "Can you feel the change?" It wasn't more than a breath of air, but it didn't need to be.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 04:28:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I felt - something," Dae said, turning the flute over and over in his hands.&nbsp; There had to be something more to it than a simple tube with holes in it.&nbsp; "Never thought I'd be able to get that kind of tune out of this little thing..." he mused before looking curiously over at Toreal.<br><br>"So tell me - if you're my long-lost cousin, do I have any other relatives waiting to pop out of the woodwork?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 07:29:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Upon closer examination, Dae could feel the metal of the flute was warmer than it should and, while it had a hint of energy clinging to it, there didn't seem to be nearly as much as on the small lyre brooch that he had been gifted with. </em><br><br>Toreal shook his head at the question, studying his companion a little more before finding the best answer. "I suppose you can say there are a lot, but none close enough to visit right now. I think." The latter was said with a tilt of his head and a light loss of his gaze, as if he were looking at nothing in particular for a moment. "No, No one close enough. Some are better lost than found, too, but we'll get there eventually." There was no reason to scare him yet.<br><br>"Is that all the questions you have?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 18:08:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hardly," Dae laughed sharply.&nbsp; "I don't pretend to understand any of this, but you obviously know what's going on - what's <em>been</em> going on with me.&nbsp; And you know how to stop it.&nbsp; You have to admit, that has to pique my interest."&nbsp; Holding the flute loosely in his left hand and resting that arm back on his knee, he leaned forward.<br><br>"Naturally, I want to know - what you know about it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 21:35:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It would take you a few centuries."<br><br>Toreal's tone on saying so was completely deadpan, as if he would have truly meant such an egregious thing. The grin he offered Dae a moment later was something else, in between amused and thoughtful. He set his arm across his own knee then, mirroring the other man's position as his fingers toyed with the side of the hanging flute in a lazy caress.<br><br>"We had better stick to the basics for now. Stopping it is not a possibility, I think, nor something that you would want to do -you don't cut off your arm just because it itches. What you need is to control and understand it, but it all hinges on what you can believe in." He smiled slightly, shaking his head.<br><br>"Do you believe in magic?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 04:05:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You mean pulling rabbits out of a top hat, sawing a woman in half, that sort of thing?" Dae asked skeptically.&nbsp; "When you start performing, you get to see the back end of a lot of that stuff.&nbsp; For the 'Lethel' tour, we used smoke and pyro to have the band 'appear' out of nowhere."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 08:44:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"Not really, no." Toreal smiled a little, plucking the flute from between Dae's fingers and lifting it to his lips. "I mean real magic, the stuff of legends and stories, of dancing circles of Old People in a clearing of the woods under the full moon and music that makes people do things." It sounded like a taunt. Almost.<br><br>His lips closed gently against the mouthpiece, right where Dae's had been a moment longer. He didn't quite blow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 05:44:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae looked a little uncomfortable.&nbsp; "Well - I had to do a little research for some of the albums," he said slowly.&nbsp; He looked down at his hands, then back at Toreal before carefully continuing.<br><br>"I - I can't - exactly write it off?&nbsp; If you understand what I'm saying?&nbsp; I mean - there's people dressing up in robes and getting together in Central Park in the middle of summer - I guess there has to be at least <em>something</em> to it..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 06:26:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"Something" Toreal agreed, and his words blew a note or two out of the flute.&nbsp; "Something that gathers around you, more so when you play, I'd say.&nbsp; Something that needs a way out." There were a few other notes, but not necessarily in time with the man's words.<br><br>"I can say, I have never been the best with music." The tune that comes from the flute afterward is something of an old, easy, catchy melody, nothing that requires major skill. "But you can tell that."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 19:08:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I've heard worse," Dae said politely, but truthfully.&nbsp; "And - maybe things do get a little weird when I've been playing, but - what exactly are you saying?&nbsp; That I'm - doing <em>magic</em>?&nbsp; I'd think I'd know if something like that was happening..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 19:33:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's more like magic is doing you, at this point."&nbsp; &nbsp;The amusement in Toreal's tone was anything but feigned. "Are you telling me that you don't know?" The flute continued to play a few notes, even after Toreal set it down.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 20:07:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae's eyes followed the flute, obviously surprised by its continuing activity before meeting Toreal's again.&nbsp; "Look, like I told you before, this isn't something that makes my life any easier.&nbsp; I've been to a number of professionals who haven't been able to help - they've said it was everything from 'repressed issues with my parents' to 'performance anxiety'.&nbsp; 'Magic' is a new one, though."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 21:36:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You can call it anything you want," Toreal allowed, leaving the flute to lay upon its bed of green, "I suppose it'sthe most generic term for something so hard to explain to those who can't sense the flow of the world around them. speaking of that, It may help me explaining to you if I do it in your terms rather than mine. can you describe the difference between when we are close and when we are not?" His extended hand is just another offer. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 07:40:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae extended his own hand, letting his fingers hover a moment before resting lightly on Toreal's palm.&nbsp; Even through the string calluses, he could feel the warmth of the other's skin.&nbsp; He closed his eyes in concentration.<br><br>"It feels - quiet.&nbsp; Not - not silent, but it's like a lot of the noise has been filtered out."&nbsp; He pulled his hand back.&nbsp; "And now it's like someone turned the microphone towards the speakers.&nbsp; Not <em>quite</em> enough to make a full feedback loop, but enough to start one."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 20:42:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal felt the contact and looked up, seeking eyes that he didn't find. If Dae was concentrated on the sensations, he was as well but in something else altogether. He waited for the hand to withdraw before letting his fingers curl enough for their tips to be felt against the leaving palm. "Your fingers, they are hardened," he mourned. "Either way, this filter that you sense, that is what I use to keep it under control, through will, mostly." <br><br>He gestured, shifting onto his knees for balance. "It will take time to learn, I think. Can you feel the noise -here?" He reached for Dae, setting his hand open against the center of the man's chest.&nbsp; He didn't ask for permission.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 22:06:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I couldn't make my music without that," Dae said with a grin.&nbsp; "Bleeding on the strings is usually a bad thing."&nbsp; The light-hearted comment was cut off as Toreal touched him.<br><br>"Not - when you do that," he said.&nbsp; It wasn't a feeling he was used to, and especially not when being <em>touched</em> by someone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 07:32:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal smiled at Dae's comment on strings, but he left his own answer for later. He didn't take his hand away. "Of course you can, it is just not as -loud- when it aligns in place." There was something to his touch, or perhaps it was his face when he looked at Dae's chest in a focused way. He looked different, somehow. <br><br>Then he moved, and that impression was gone when Toreal settled behind Dae in a swift motion that somehow did not dislodge his hand. He was close enough to make all seem extremely quiet. "How about now?"<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 17:06:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Between the man's sudden movement and the quelling of the magic's pressure, Dae was left reeling.&nbsp; "It's - it's like my ears just popped.&nbsp; There's nothing - <em>pushing</em>... What are you doing?"<br><br>The question could have referred to any number of things - from the simple act of calming the wild energies to the fact that Toreal was essentially embracing him.&nbsp; Either way, Dae's heart was pounding.&nbsp; Things were rapidly leaving behind what he considered 'normal'.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 18:02:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Focus -here-." Toreal tapped Dae's sternum meaningfully. It isn't as if the older one is not affected by the closeness, and he has to shift the angle of his hips somewhat to avoid giving it away. The pressure is firm but not enough to be alarming in most scenarios, and it helps.<br><br>"Now, do you feel it?" <br><br>His own eyes focused on the side of Dae's neck, and his nostrils widened to catch his scent. It had been a long time since he'd been attracted to a male, but now he knew he was.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 18:21:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae wrenches his attention inwards, trying to get some sort of handle on what Toreal is trying to show him.&nbsp; After all, there couldn't <em>really</em> be more to it than that, could there?&nbsp; As with the flute, he has some instinctive ability, but nowhere near the same sort of control.<br><br>"I - I think so..."<br><br>Maybe that's the only reason for the warmth starting to center there.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 21:28:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal tried to focus on the energies that gathered together and differenciating their colors and ranges. What would normally have been child's play was made quite difficult by the fact that he hadn't been one of those for several centuries. A child wouldn't have been distracted by this youngling's scent or the way his back just /fit/ against his chest. Nor would they get lost in the swirl of joined energy. He was too close, but he didn't want to be any further away. <br><br>That's why his voice was lower, its warmth wafting against Dae's neck. "You should sense it here. Some compare it to colors, others to touch or other senses. Perhaps you do with sound?" He forced himself to concentrate, finding the center of Dae's power and separating himself from it so he could feel it pulse. "Breathe it in."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 05:19:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae listened to the silence, slowly finding that even with the imposed stillness, there was a tone - two tones, actually, one fainter than the other.<br><br>"Is that - what <em>is</em> that?" he asked.&nbsp; The more he listened to it, the clearer the tone got, although the fainter tone was never quite overpowered by it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 07:32:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>There was silence for a moment, and the question made Toreal smile. "That's the part of you that makes you one of us," he replied, quietly. "Breathe in, and feel it change, the difference between it and all that's around it, then we will try to see if you can do more." <br><br>Now that he had found it, Toreal started to move his hand back, only he didn't quite succeed, it only lowered a little instead.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 20:03:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"One - of 'us'?" Dae asked, but it didn't stop him from exploring this new aspect of himself.&nbsp; The tone itself was unmistakably familiar - he recognized it as being one of the root tones in several of his more crowd-gripping songs.&nbsp; Could he have been using this - magic - unconsciously?<br><br>The other tone faded a little more as Toreal's hand moved, but in an almost tantalizing way, teasing at his awareness like an overtone.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 21:09:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"We are kin, remember?" That was all of Toreal's answer to the young man's question for the time being, focusing on what was important.&nbsp; <br><br>"Remember to tell me what you find out, or I won't know how to explain it. There should be a pulse -now." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 22:23:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Okay - I'm not sure if it's what you're calling a pulse, but I can 'hear' something - a pair of tones - even with whatever it is you're doing.&nbsp; So I'm guessing that's all inside or something."<br><br>The more Dae focused, the more he could hear very faint melodies, muffled as if they were behind a wall or through earplugs.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 01:17:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Slowly, Toreal weakened his own shields a little more, letting the magic extend and grow to seek its own shape. He could sense the two mingling, and closed his eyes at the sensation. "You should feel it growing now, taking shape. If you can sense its rhythm, playing the song should be easy soon enough." He was using easier analogies at least.&nbsp; <br><br>Something about his voice was off, though. He sounded distracted.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 04:31:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah..." Dae said, somewhat distracted in his own right.&nbsp; His fingers were curling and stretching as if creating phantom chords as the second tone grew a little louder.&nbsp; "Should have brought something to get this down on..."<br><br><em>The magic in Dae's soul recognized what Toreal was doing - what he offered.&nbsp; The older man had the experience that Dae lacked.&nbsp; He could give the musician direction.&nbsp; He could fully waken that ancient blood.&nbsp; There would be a price, and consequences, but magic always demanded such things...</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 05:36:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Dae would have felt it. A portion of the energy going away, an entirely different song that stretched into the distance and disappeared before collapsing into itself. A moment later a merry sound filled the clearing, like laughter but not quite while a breeze played with Dae's hair and deposited parchment and quill at his feet.<br><br>Toreal just smiled, and offered a quiet "Thank you" a second before said breeze disappeared. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 07:43:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The stir of breeze made Dae open his eyes just in time to see the writing supplies float to the ground.&nbsp; "What the hell?&nbsp; I - didn't do that... Did I?"&nbsp; As he was about to reach for them, he noticed where Toreal's hand had fallen to - not quite inappropriate, but nearing it.<br><br>He felt like he should say something, but he was even more surprised that he was trying to justify it.&nbsp; <em>It's an accident - it just fell there from when he was doing that thing... that made everything quiet.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 07:53:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not entirely." Dae chuckled. "A friend did it when we asked nicely."<br><br>He left his hand where it was, totally careless.&nbsp; <br><br><em>It was hard to follow, really, but there was a different pattern in the clearing now, one that moved far too randomly to be pinned to a certain location. Now here, then there, for those who noticed and followed it, it would be easy to see the changes where it formed. The flight of a leaf changing direction, the swirling of the grass underneath, the flutter of a bird moving from one branch to another.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 19:05:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae leaned forward to get the paper, his eyes frequently caught by the unexpected motions.&nbsp; It was almost enough to shift his attention away from how his movements affected the contact and position of Toreal's hand.<br><br>When he sat back up and started writing, however, he was <em>very</em> aware of how that warmth and pressure sat just above where his torso and thigh met.&nbsp; He could almost feel his own pulse beneath that casual weight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 00:00:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal's hand slid a little lower with Dae's motion, and he found himself starting to tighten his grip in a possessive reaction that sent a shiver through him when he realized what it was. "What are you writing?" His question was idle, and yet filled with curiosity as he looked over the young man's shoulder.<br><br>If that just so happened to bring his breath in direct contact with Dae's neck, it was pure coincidence.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 03:38:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What I'm - hearing," Dae said, hesitating over applying the physical sense to something that wasn't physical at all.&nbsp; Two lines of music were starting to wind across the paper: a primary melody with an intricate accompaniment.&nbsp; Occasionally, there was a quick grid of chording, but he wasn't focusing on that as much.<br><br>"This part sounds almost familiar," he said, tapping the melody line, "But I can't quite place -"&nbsp; As he finished the words, he half turned, and just missed colliding with Toreal.&nbsp; The sentence trailed off as his eyes met those of his mysterious host.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 19:13:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Reading music wasn't something Toreal had ever bothered to learn. Nevertheless, he looked at it as if he could somehow decipher it. A moment later, that wasn't half as important anymore because Dae's lips were there and&nbsp; it was an invitation that he found very hard to resist.<br><br>In fact, he didn't resist it at all.<br><br>Eyes locked, and Toreal's suddenly flared with hunger. Rather than reaching to take the kiss, he lifted his free hand to guide the mostly-human chin higher until he could feel Dae's lips against his own. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 22:41:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae had barely a moment to react from the time that he saw that look in Toreal's eyes to the time that his lips were pressing against the other man's.&nbsp; It was as awkward a kiss as any teen ever had, despite the fact that Dae was safely beyond the legal drinking age.&nbsp; <br><br>Rationalizing it as some Old World custom didn't work - not when his heart was racing like a schoolgirl's and a warmth was seeping across his face.&nbsp; There was a surge in the energies around him as well.&nbsp; Something he'd never imagined was stirring, and Toreal was coaxing it awake.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 06:16:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He could hear the young man's heartbeat rushing, and Toreal smiled against his lips, sensing the awkwardness and the surprise and relishing each of them for what they were.&nbsp; So that was what it was about. He could feel himself stir and harden at the very thought of Dae's innocence.&nbsp; <br><br>He moved his hand, however,&nbsp; from subtle leading to a more meaningful caress along the other man's jaw and neck, just enough to hold and soothe with its strong, experienced grip. He didn't say a thing, either, but used his thumb instead to put pressure at the end of his jaw, a small, firm circle designed to get those lips to open by themselves, whether Dae wished to or not. And then he was taking over the kiss. It was a selfish one, where he would impose rather than share, thoroughly taking possession -and advantage- of the other man's mouth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 07:31:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ever since Lethe had come on the music scene, Dae had had a reputation as 'the Ice Prince.&nbsp; It wasn't one that he'd actively cultivated - he just found that the clinging groupies at the stage door didn't appeal to him.&nbsp; He hadn't suspected that there was more to it than 'not finding the right one', since his fellow band members hadn't stirred anything in him either.<br><br>As such, he was completely unprepared when the kiss went beyond any type of 'normal' explanation.&nbsp; His body tensed as his jaw was forced to yield, but it was impossible to protest - not with Toreal's mouth sealed over his own.&nbsp; He was sure he was flushed with conflicting reactions, and that heat was flooding dizzily through his brain.<br><br><em>He's not - I'm not - This isn't -</em><br><br>The parchment fell from his fingers, as did the quill, and his right hand came up to grasp Toreal's wrist - and froze.&nbsp; Try as he might, Dae couldn't even begin to make his hand take that extra step of breaking that hold.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 18:30:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal's grip on Dae's face tightened at the first sign of the interfering threat, but when the hand stopped.. well, then he began a certain kind of caress along his neck, a calming motion that kneads slowly with restrained strength, the kind one uses with fragile objects.&nbsp; There were other sensations, too, the hard planes of his body, shifting when he pulled even closer, the strong play of his tongue, deep kissing from the start without bothering to tease.<br><br>There was the thrumming of that second 'sound' growing closer and louder, just slightly less restrained than before.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 19:50:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was power in that second 'sound', gradually guiding the central melody.&nbsp; Dae was no longer able to focus on that, however.&nbsp; His attention was completely dominated by the fact that he was pinned in a passionate embrace by another man.<br><br>It was almost the same as stepping out on stage.&nbsp; There was an anxious knot in his stomach, but also - something more?&nbsp; <br><br>He made another attempt to regain control of the situation, feeling his own strength testing Toreal's, but there was an answering surge as he felt both velvet and iron in the other's hold on him.&nbsp; Strength met strength - again, just enough to be apparent, but not enough to break away.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 20:29:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The surge of strength met with a grunt of approval from Toreal's throat, a sound that vibrated through it and his mouth, pouring into the kiss. He caressed Dae's tongue, tasting and exploring the textures while toying with trapping it under his own and letting this particular fire rage without control or restraint. <br><br>That was when the hand at his hip began to move, neatly stroking over it and his thigh to reach lower, seeking purposefully. That particular motion is also used to hold the younger man against himself in a rather forward way, forcing him against his solid frame.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 22:23:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae took a startled breath as the warmth of Toreal's hand slid over his leg.&nbsp; That hand was getting dangerously close to revealing what Dae himself was trying to deny - that he wasn't entirely unaffected by the plundering of that kiss.<br><br>Now he was able to find his voice, muffled as it was by Toreal's lips and tongue.&nbsp; His own noise was more panicked as a distinct pulse shot through him.<br><br><em>I can't </em>really<em> be feeling this?</em> he thought.&nbsp; But it was only a matter of inches before Toreal would discover the effect he was having on the young singer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 16:38:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It didn't take long for Toreal to find his goal. <br><br>Not that he needed a confirmation after the panicked cry, but his eyes flickered with mirth, delight and lust all together as they looked upon the one he held.&nbsp; His hand closed, taking full possession of his findings and pulling in a slow, proprietary way.&nbsp; Slowly, the older man broke the kiss to study the younger one against me. <br><br>"I'd like to say it was a nice surprise," he murmured against Dae's lips, "but I think you would catch the lie."<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 18:09:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now that his tongue was free, Dae found it almost impossible to use it.&nbsp; Like any man his age, he was familiar with the feeling of a hand working him into full arousal, even through his jeans, but it had always been his <em>own</em> hand.<br><br>Toreal was expecting his reaction.&nbsp; Somehow, this virtual stranger knew that this sequence of events would turn out just this way.&nbsp; <br><br>"You - <em>planned</em> this?" he asked, fighting to keep his voice under control.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 18:54:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Very slowly, Toreal's smile grew all the way to his eyes. "Not exactly. But I knew it would happen." Perhaps not this soon, perhaps not consciously, but he had known.<br><br>Once he found what he wanted, measured and brought it into near-full bloom, Toreal slid his hand upwards to start on the top button. "Are you telling me you didn't?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 19:37:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No - look - guys don't - <em>do</em> this for me," Dae protested, although the release of pressure as Toreal started to unbutton him said something completely different.&nbsp; His extended leg had turned outward, instead of drawing up to defend that last bit of security.&nbsp; A sliver of white cotton beneath the jeans was parted neatly by the pink of flesh beneath it.<br><br>There was something different about Toreal.&nbsp; Dae had known that from the beginning.&nbsp; His self-assurance alone was something beyond Dae's experience - the way he had simply taken that kiss...<br><br>Even thinking about it made the music in his head swirl into a crescendo.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 22:34:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes, I can definitely /sense/ that" Toreal replied, totally deadpan. "I'm sure nor do women. It happens." He just couldn't stop himself from smiling at the idea.&nbsp; He slid the fabric aside and pulled the cotton down to palm bare skin.&nbsp; "So, what can you tell me about this?" He pulled once, slow but meaningful.<br><br>He noticed the change in the patterns and smiled again, saying absolutely nothing about it yet.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 23:36:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae hissed softly as that slow caress sent strange thoughts through his head.<br><br>"I - I don't know.&nbsp; Maybe it's got something to do with - whatever it is that you did with my head.&nbsp; The way you made the noise stop."<br><br><em>You're one of us.</em>&nbsp; Was there another meaning that Dae had missed to that?&nbsp; Maybe it hadn't been a declaration of blood relation, but something else?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 00:10:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do you think so? Let's see." <br><br>The older one closed his eyes and focused inwardly, calling his shields closer and closer to him until they were within himself. It was a very difficult thing to do and took a great deal of effort, but he was powerful enough by now. This also meant that Dae's energy would come back to full strength, all the while Toreal's hand closed around his shaft tightly.<br><br>"How about now?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 05:33:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The accompaniment faded to a teasing whisper as the main melody surged exultantly.&nbsp; Dae gasped under the competing pressures of what Toreal told him was 'magic', and the baser reaction from where the other man was touching him.&nbsp; <br><br>No - not competing.&nbsp; The surge in the magic was echoed by the carnal surge.&nbsp; The pulse he could so clearly feel under Toreal's grip.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 05:59:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae's lack of response didn't surprise the older one this time. He gave him time to get used to the return of the sensations before he moved on, resting his lips upon the side of his neck.<br><br>The contact started soft, but it didn't finish the same way since Toreal soon brought his teeth out and into the frey. "Tell me when you know." He wasn't going to stop any time soon, in either case.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 20:47:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A shiver went down Dae's spine as he felt the first brush of teeth.&nbsp; "I can't - none of this makes sense."&nbsp; Logically, it didn't.&nbsp; On a purely physical level, however, there was an undeniable chemistry.&nbsp; The next nip brought a groan from the musician's lips as reason started to give way.<br><br>Whether he could explain it or not, he was increasingly turned on by what was happening.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 22:42:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Toreal wasn't unaffected by the situation, and the effort to lower and contain his own power was drawing heavily on his resources. Once he got the answer, he loosened it to a manageable level. There, that felt a whole lot better.<br><br>"Do you still think it comes from me?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 04:16:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Again, the accompaniment rose, but Dae shook his head.&nbsp; Toreal wasn't the ultimate <em>source</em> of what was happening, even if he seemed to be 'helping' the process.&nbsp; He was sure it wasn't entirely coming from <em>him</em>, either, but it was seeming less and less important to find out.&nbsp; He was rock hard, and the novelty of another's hand was adding to the experience even if it <em>was</em> another male's.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 07:00:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>The nod was all Toreal needed. His grasp released Dae's hardness then and slid further down between his legs to cup his hands around his testes and squeeze. It was a gentle squeeze, if perhaps scary at first, and it slowly worked the sensations around.<br><br>If a finger or two strayed behind, well, that was just all according to plan.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 15:45:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dae's breath caught as he felt that new pressure, and his heel dug into the soft grass of the clearing.&nbsp; It pushed him slightly away from Toreal's hand, but also pushed him slightly into the older man's chest.&nbsp; It made Toreal's reaction to the encounter equally obvious.<br><br>It was surreal.&nbsp; Other than the two men, the clearing was serene.&nbsp; It was hardly the place that the city-bred Dae had envisioned for a sexual encounter - that had leaned more towards a hotel room, possibly an apartment.&nbsp; And yet, here he was, being fondled - not entirely unpleasantly - by a man he had barely met.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 18:31:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal's hand followed, guiding Dae just where he wanted him. Now the musician would be able to feel him fully behind, every inch of him that pressed against his body. Some inches were more important than others, really, and this time he had no reason to conceal them. His length came to rest against Dae's buttocks, unmistakable.<br><br>At the same time he led him back, the pressure of teeth increased at Dae's neck, not enough to hurt, but right there in the line.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 19:55:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Another shudder coursed through Dae, and his neck arched at the near-bite.&nbsp; He wanted to pull away - but only to the point where he could feel the resistance.&nbsp; He was fighting the taut sensation under Toreal's fingers, but only enough that he could feel that control slipping away from him.<br><br>His own reactions scared him.&nbsp; The fact that - on some level - he was responding to Toreal's strength in this way.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 06:50:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Toreal was enjoying himself. He could feel Dae's reticent acceptance of what he was doing to him, and was more than ready to take full advantage of it. When his lips pressed a dry kiss on the bite-mark left on Dae's neck, that is when his hand insinuated further, tracing a slow circle behind the younger man's sack to find the tight ring behind.<br><br>"Say yes" he murmured into his ear.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 18:47:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This was further than Dae had gone himself - daring to hint at that threshold between accepted pleasure and the taboo.&nbsp; He was shocked to feel a jolt of adrenaline as that finger brushed over the rim.<br><br><em>Say yes.</em>&nbsp; It was so simple.&nbsp; A single word.&nbsp; Barely a breath.&nbsp; More than Toreal's voice was urging him to say it - to let the exploration cross into darker territory.<br><br>"Oh god," he breathed, but there was no real plea to the Divine in it.&nbsp; He had come to the edge of a cliff, and it was crumbling beneath him.<br><br>"Y-yes..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 01:53:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The grunt of masculine pleasure at Dae's answer was unmistakable. It ran through Toreal's chest and he could feel it against his back all the way to the vibration of the old one's breath against his neck. "Good choice" he murmured, even though it had never been much of one.<br><br>His touch slid further, his arm flush against Dae's erection while his wrist bent around and under his balls so that he could circle the crinkled surface there. He didn't ask again, only started exerting pressure with the tip of his middle finger just where he wanted to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Magic of Music (with CShades)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 05:02:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was a disconcerting feeling.&nbsp; The muscles weren't used to feeling pressure from that direction, and resisted - although the narrow tip of a finger was well-suited to break down that resistance.<br><br><em>How did I end up in this situation?</em> Dae wondered.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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