[open]

[bachjones]

 "The salty sea sighs
the wind leaves its edges of salt
Everyone - unwittingly - says
goodbye
to the promise of the Summer-"

Bach stopped stringing his guitar. The ocean had been calling, it was clear that there was a story waiting, but right now his mind couldn't catch up with his fingers. The guitar already knew, while he was struggling to get the pieces together. 

"Fuck." He punched the sand next to him before getting up from his beach chair for a stretch. Corry was sweet, but he couldn't have sex with his half-sister wasn't possible in his book. And he had kind of looked forward to sex, the last time had been too long. Maybe he should find Essie ..

"Where the fuck did I come up with unwittingly anyway? That's not a story-word .." 

Comments

[louise_abasi]

"Because you won't hurt me?"

She looks at the door. "Okay. I guess I should - continue walking Osha. It was nice to see you again, Rhodri."

[risesandthefalls]

"You could always come in," he says, eyebrow raised. "I've got tea. And a few half-finished pieces you could look at. I could finish something for you."

[louise_abasi]

"Pieces of what?"

She lingers at the door. "If you don't mind a dog pawing through your place, I can't leave her outside. Sorry."

[risesandthefalls]

"Art pieces. Jewellery." He opens the door. "Bring her in."

[louise_abasi]

"You are a collection of never ending surprises. Okay."

She nods. "My day was empty anyway."

[risesandthefalls]

"I do my best," he says, flipping on the light as they step into the studio. "Make yourself comfortable, sweetheart."

[louise_abasi]

"Oh, this is .."

Different. "I never even considered a studio but this is certainly inspiring ..how did you find it?"

[risesandthefalls]

"It was standing empty," he says, smiling, going to start tea. "And I needed somewhere to work."

[louise_abasi]

"So you just ..moved in?", she frowns. "You're not paying anything for it?"

[risesandthefalls]

"I'm paying rent," he says, with an eloquent roll of his eyes. "All legal and above board."

[louise_abasi]

"I'm sorry, I'm just hot wired to notice any problem to the system."

"Osha, stay down", she distracts herself and hopefully him. "Keep your big paws away from the fragile stuff."

[risesandthefalls]

"Most of it's wood, so it'll take a knock," he says, bringing a tea-pot and a pair of cups to the bench. "I've been playing around with a few things in silver, but I haven't decided on whether it's working or not yet."

[louise_abasi]

"That sounds like it could be a nice combination as well. May I walk around freely?"

[risesandthefalls]

"Help yourself," says Rhodri, pouring tea and perching on a stool.

[louise_abasi]

"You know you can tell me to leave when you're done with us, right?"

She still doesn't know what to think about this entire adventure. "I can take that."

[risesandthefalls]

"I think I can stand the two of you for a little while longer," he says, blowing across the surface of his tea.

[louise_abasi]

"You're the best host I ever met", she responds dryly.

"tea would be nice, yes."

[risesandthefalls]

Duly chastened, Rhodry puts down his own cup to pour her tea.

"I'm not entirely used to company."

[louise_abasi]

"We- we don't, honestly I can leave, Rhodri."

She shows him a sheepish grin. "My social skills are a bit rusty after two months of lock up and magical delusions."

[risesandthefalls]

He leans passed her to set her tea on the bench and takes the opportunity to graze his hand over her hip.

[louise_abasi]

She meets his eyes. "I still owe you a reward for what you did for me at the hospital."

[risesandthefalls]

"You don't owe me anything," he says, though his hand stays where it is. "It was a once in a lifetime act of altruism."

[louise_abasi]

"So how should I view this?" She gestures at his hand. "Hospitality?"

[risesandthefalls]

He moves, holding both hands up in something like surrender. Tilting his head so his hair tumbles into his eyes.

"I didn't think. I don't seem to, where you're concerned."

[louise_abasi]

"Oh."

Louise wasn't sure if that was a good thing. "How should I view that? As a compliment or a complaint?"