Your Other Left [o]

[flowerpower]

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Sometimes she wondered if perhaps her body unconsciously had the compulsive urge to simply wander. She looked at all the shops around her, and found none that were familiar to her, apart from the shop she worked at. However, even then she could not for the life of her remember the way back to her home. Sighing heavily she looked around again, she did find a few faces that were familiar to her and would gladly and easily enough point her in the right direction, but the problem was getting the courage to even move towards one of them. She quietly berated herself for her cowardice, at this rate she was a going to be waiting out here until nighttime. Groaning with defeat she simply sat herself delicately on the ground, and pondered. How was she to return home unscathed with her sanity intact and all without asking for directions.

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ It was just a typical day here in the peninsula for Terrence. He took his usual walk around town, greeting the friendly faces around him and taking in the serenity around him. If he weren't trained to be an assassin, he would probably take in the calmness around him more. Sure, his jumpiness stopped after a while, but he was still wary. Of what, he wasn't really sure, but it's just become a habit. He slowed down a little when he heard a light groan. His ears strained to find the source, and his body moved towards it with caution. It took less than ten steps to get there; when he did, however, he didn't expect a woman his age, sitting on the ground and looking troubled. He made as little noise as possible as he got closer. Then, he knelt down in front of her. "Hey, are you alright? You aren't hurt anywhere, are you?"

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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Having heard not a thing from the stranger's approach, Adina jumped, startled from her thoughts by his voice. Unsure of what to do she sat as still as a statue for a few moments before tentatively bringing her eyes up to look upon this intruder that was kneeling before her. Had she done something to garner his attention so? Had she perhaps offended him in some way by sitting here? She had not thought that it would be considered a crime, but then again she was in a new environment, perhaps they did thing differently. What was she to do--wait, had he asked her a question? 'Oh no...I have to answer back! It would be rude not to, but...what did he say?!' Her thoughts ran rampant as she tried to recall, but came up with nothing. She involuntarily squeaked in panic and could already feel her heart beating a mile a minute. She had to get away from this stranger before she embarrassed herself and fainted before his feet. "I-I...." she stuttered, unsure of what to say to excuse herself. She could feel her face grow redder by the second. In her state of terror, she did the only thing she knew to hide from the stranger. She curled up into a ball, covering her head with her arms and burying her face in the haven of her knees.

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ He's met a ton of people from his travels, but never had he seen someone as shy as this. So, he flinched when she squeaked like a mouse. He was pretty confused, and her burying her face into her knees was not helping at all. At this point, he was a little unnerved and stammered. "H-Hey... I get that you're shy and all, but I won't hurt you. Promise." And with that, he got up from his kneeling position and sat down next to her. He brought his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, before turning his head to her. Aghhh... Should I... No, she'd probably run away. ...Or faint. I'm not gonna be surprised if she faints if I do that. He sighed a little and turned his head up, looking at the clouds in the sky. "The name's Terrence. Terrence M. Knight. What's yours?"

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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The familiar heavy weight of guilt laid in her chest. She wanted to tell the boy...no, man that she knew he meant her no harm. Otherwise he would have done so already right? 'Or is he trying to make me fall for a false sense of security? Gah! What am I thinking, of course not, he doesn't even know me...right? But what if he's one of mother and father's spies?! Oh no...' Her imagination running wild, and possibly going into the direction of a horrible and agonizing death in which she is the victim of, she tried to reign it in as well as she could before she scared herself half to death and was forced to run away. If she were to run now, she'd only get more lost than she was and possibly have to speak with more people. She didn't respond to his first statement, but she did take a peek at the man when he had introduced himself. 'Terrence? What a peculiar name, I wonder if it means anything.' She didn't speak for a few moments, unsure of what to say. 'I should introduce myself as well, that is what is proper...right? Surely they follow the same etiquette as back home.' Lifting her head slightly, but still looking away from the man, she tried not to think about his close proximity to her person and tried to introduce herself. "M-my name..." she hesitated, it was safe to tell him right? He wouldn't go around using her identity for anything deplorable right? "My name is...Adina." Her voice was as soft as always, barely above a whisper and almost breathy. Her upbringing reminded her to say her last name, telling her that she should be proud of the family she had been born into for they were wealthy, noble and influential. But she also reminded herself that her family had no power here, so her first would suffice, for now at least. Feeling some of her panic subside, she questioned the man."W-why...why are you...speaking to me?" She had wondered why he had approached in the first place, she could barely even remember if the man had said anything to her before his sudden introduction. 'I wonder if everyone here is so...open?'

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ Terrence caught the hesitation and began running many thoughts throughout his mind. She seemed... Scared... Uncertain. But for what reason? There could be someone after her, but everyone in this town in close, or at least bears no ill will towards any one person. Maybe she's running from something... Whatever the case, he shoved it to the back of his mind. Thankfully, he held his straight face while his mind was working. He was still looking up at the clouds as he replied. "Adina, hm? Odd name, but mostly everyone here has some defining name." What Adina asked Terrence next added yet another piece for his mind to work with. It ought to be as clear as day why someone would talk to her. She looked so dejected and down. I guess she was like this just recently. Most of these people would try to do what I'm doing if they saw her. But still... There's something going on... Terrence turned his head to Adina and frowned a little. "What do you mean? You looked so down. And someone like you shouldn't be sitting on the ground like this. So, what's wrong?" His tone was genuinely gentle, yet coaxing; it was just the way his uncle had taught him to speak in cases like this. He could damn the assassination techniques, but these other skills were boons.

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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Adina looked at him oddly for a second, what did he mean by 'looked so down'? As if it would give her the answer, she looked down at the ground, then moved from her feet, up to her knees then checked her chest, arms and legs. There weren't any odd marks on her, nor was she injured. Did he mean her state of dress? She examined her clothes, her long-sleeved, baby pink shirt seemed okay, her sky blue skirt wasn't damaged, and her light brown sandals were as they always were. Her small pout turned into a frown. She found nothing wrong...unless her clothes were not what the locals would deem appropriate, but everyone seemed to be wearing something similar to her attire. "I don't understand...nothing seems to be amiss." She looked back up at the stranger, but found that making eye contact only made her panic return so she kept them to the ground. "Y-your concern is unwarranted, and...and your observation, m-mistaken." She replied to his earlier question, but as she reviewed what she said, a habit she had grown to do after unknowingly insulting her supervisor once, she made the effort not to do so again, she found her heart racing again, wondering if anything she'd said might offend the man. 'D-Did I seem too blunt? I was only telling him that nothing's wrong and he shouldn't worry...perhaps maybe I should have said it in a more upbeat tone? B-but that would seem like I'm trying too hard...right? O-Or that I'm hiding something...even though I'm not. Wait...he said I shouldn't be here on the ground...or something...' She stopped her thought and her eyes widened in realization, and without warning, she jumped to her feet, standing up straight and bowing in apology. "I-I I'm so sorry! I was not aware that sitting on the ground was not permitted here! I'm really sorry, I merely wanted to rest my legs for a moment, and I hadn't read any warning signs. I'm sorry for my carelessness it won't happen again!" She said in a rush as her thoughts ran with her words. 'How could i have been so foolish? this was probably why he approached me in the first place. I should have checked if there had been 'no loitering' signs around. Oh...I must have looked like an idiot, just sitting there and getting in everyone's way. How inconsiderate of me!'

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ ...This girl. Is she for real? Though he didn't realize it, Adina was actually scaring him a bit. But not in the normal sense of the word; he just wasn't used to someone acting like the way Adina did. He wasn't going to abandon her though. At this point, he was pretty determined to help her. His frown deepened as he listened to Adina. It really pained him to see someone like this. It's like she thought the whole world was after her. Even he didn't feel like that at the peak of his paranoia. So, just as he was about to reply, he flinched back and looked up at Adina as she began apologizing for something so small. Screw determined, Terrence was willing to die trying to help her out at least a little bit. As stressed as he was, he as still being careful. He wouldn't put it past her if she ran if he did anything too hasty. So, as he slowly got up, he spoke in the same gentle voice he did before. "A-Adina! Please, you didn't do anything wrong. You looked like you were having trouble with something, so I just wanted to help you out. N-Now tell me, is there something wrong?"

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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She'd been about to assault him with another barrage of apologies, but stopped as he explained that he merely wanted to know why she seemed troubled, and had simply wanted to help her. A wave of shock hit her like a bullet train, and on the caboose of said train, was shame, guilt and a bit of despair sitting as passengers. Hesitantly, she stood straight from her bow and tried to look up at the man. Her eyes teared up and her lip trembled as she tried to speak. "Y-you mean...to say that I have done nothing wrong? Y-you're not angry with me?" He voice shook slightly as she continued. "You...merely wanted to help me? Uwuu..." She bowed her head in shame. "You wanted to help me..." she murmured, "...and I had the audacity to think so ill of you." Covering her face with her hands in a poor attempt to hide her embarrassment, and find some sort of control to her rampant emotions, she hiccuped trying to suppress a sob. "I'm such a horrible person! Thinking the worst when you only wanted to help me. I'm sorry! So sorry!"

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ Well, there's one problem solved. Now he had to keep Adina from bawling her eyes out; he did have a reputation to uphold, and he did not want to be known as a man who made a woman cry. She seemed to have a knack for having great timing, as she began apologizing profusely as he was about to comfort her some more. This definitely caught him off guard, but he rebounded just as quick. "It's alright, really! But, uh... Do you mind me asking something?" Terrence sighed as he thought about how to ask his question. He can't be too subtle, but he can't be overly blunt either. It took a few seconds before he spoke again. He brought his head up and looked at her with the softest face he could muster after he sighed again. "You seem so insecure about yourself and others. Why? Is there anything I can do to help?"

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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" A question...?" she murmured quietly. She sniffled and straightened herself again to address the man properly. She waited patiently for his inquiry, unsure of where to look, so she simply let her eyes roam on anything but the person in front of her. Once he'd spoken, she tilted her head to side in confusion. "You wish to assist me with my...insecurities?" she repeated, unsure if perhaps she heard him wrong. "Well...I don't particularly have a problem with others," she thought of the people she met everyday, sure she was a little wary of them, but only because she didn't really know how to approach them. They weren't like her family, and they certainly weren't her servants. Co-workers she could deal with, but strangers, such as this man were different. Everyone was unique in some way and because of that, Adina was unsure how to act around them. She certainly didn't want to offend anyone. "... and as for myself...only I can fix myself, right? So whatever assistance you wish to offer would be wasted on me. The sentiment is appreciated though." She tried to give a smile, but it felt more like a light grimace on her part. She never could fake her emotions, a skill her mother had tried to instill in her. "Oh!" She exclaimed suddenly, having realized something. "Um...you wouldn't happen to know where a small house surrounded by gardenia bushes would be...would you?" There was a slight chance that the man probably didn't know, after all she hadn't been here that long, and her house still needed some fixing up, having been vacant before hand, most people probably thought it was still empty.

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ It seems as though she's still wary of him. He could pretty much feel the awkwardness she has with him. She also seems to have a little self-esteem issue too. It'll be a challenge, but it certainly won't be impossible. But, for now, the only thing Terrence could do to reply was sigh. "If you say so... One of my mentors told me this though: 'You'll never know if you don't try. The outcome may surprise you.'" Just as he was about to walk away, Adina asked her about a house. It was one of the houses he knew, considering a few people at the Baccar were chattering about a pretty woman that just recently moved there. That, and he had passed by it during his little stroll. Terrence nodded at Adina as he spoke. "Yep, I just walked by it before I saw you. C'mon, follow me." Terrence walked leisurely, going straight for a bit before turning left. He took a couple more steps and stopped in front of a quaint home that still looked rather abandoned, surrounded by bushes of gardenia. He bent down to sniff some of the flowers and hummed. "It's a nice place. Guessing you still need to settle in, hm?" He stood straight again and looked at the house for a bit. "I can help out. It's not like I have anything better to do right now."

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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'Surprise me? But...I don't like surprises.' She tried to keep her face neutral at that, but a slight frown still showed. She wondered if perhaps she should tell the man that not all surprises were good ones. After all, when she tried to talk to her parents about living a life of her own, her parents told her that they didn't want her in the first place, she was definitely surprised by that outcome. A slight smile returned to her features when he said that he recognized the house she had described, even though it was fairly vague. "Oh! That's wonderful, thank you." She expressed her gratitude and proceeded to follow. As they walked, she minded her distance, her hands folded in front of her and kept her posture straight. Just because she was somewhere knew didn't mean she could slack off on how to present herself. However as she looked at the man walking a few steps ahead of her, he seemed so...relaxed. Like nothing troubled him or that he was simply able to take everything in stride. 'He sure did stay fairly calm when I was in hysterics.' She slightly blushed in embarrassment. Her parents would be more ashamed of her for her blatant show of such horrid weak emotions. When they reached her little home, she sighed wistfully, and remembered that the life she was living now, was what she wanted...but in her mind, her parents hadn't hated her. Her home was small, but provided what she needed. A pale yellow house with a reddish brown shingled roof. The paint was chipping away and was covered in mold, the singles needed some repair, considering a large section had been removed and the gaping hole it left was covered by from wooden boards. There was a small porch in the front, with a swing and the gardenias surrounding were a little over grown, almost covering the whole railing. There wasn't much of a yard to speak of except that the grass was a little long and weeds were growing everywhere, the backyard was no better. The outside of the house spoke for itself, but inside was another story, for another time. The man's voice broke her from her thoughts and she turned to him with a smile. "O-oh...I couldn't possibly impose on you more than I already h-have." She reddened slightly at having troubled the poor man to begin with, now he was being unusually kind again and offering to help her with moving in. She was so unused to being treated so...nicely. Usually it was her trying to be nice. 'This is a little stressful for my heart.' She supposed, that after her refusal, he'd be inclined to leave, but somehow she felt guilty for letting him leave so suddenly without a proper form of thanks. "U-Um...well..." she hesitated for a moment. She wanted to ask to him inside, and if he was willing, she could make him some tea and biscuits as thanks. But inviting a stranger into her home so suddenly seemed inappropriate and too forward. "I-I would like to thank you, I have some baked goods in the house and um...if you don't mind waiting a few moments...um...you could sit on the porch swing while you wait. Although you might want to be careful...it's a little old..ahaha..." She sighed again, she really needed to fix-up her house, especially if any more kind strangers decided to pop-up. It was embarrassing enough for her to be found in such a state of distress, they certainly didn't need to find her house in the same state either.

[zana100]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=cellspacing, 0, true][atrb=width, 500px, btable][atrb=class, slidebox, btable][atrb=cellpadding, 0, true][atrb=style, background: #101010;][atrb=valign, middle] words • #### tagged • Adina

[atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, background: #fafafa; color: #444; font-family: 'arial narrow'; padding: 10px; width: 330px!important;] ▶ As they walked, Terrence was running by some things in his head; almost all of the thoughts were ways to help out Adina. Her most glaring issue was her self-esteem, that much was certain. And she seems pretty pessimistic, always looking and thinking of the worst possible outcome. By the time they reached the house, he had a few plans in mind. When he heard Adina's refusal for help, Terrence waved it off as he spoke. "You aren't imposing anything, Adina. I willingly want to help out. Getting materials and tools shouldn't be too hard, nor is finding help." He'd probably have to let Ross and Rowan take over the kitchen for the next few days, but it shouldn't be that big of a problem. Then, when Adina mentioned food, Terrence's stomach growled. His face grew a little pink as he faced away from her and scratched his cheek. "Y-Yeah, I wouldn't mind a bite to eat. I'll try not to eat too much." It probably wasn't smart passing up food before he took his walk. He even passed by the general store, and they had some pretty awesome-smelling pastries. Oh well, at least he was gonna get some food now.

by rinne of gangnam style.

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[flowerpower]

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Adina tried not to look too dejected by his insistence in helping her. Truth be told, she was grateful, but she wasn't quite ready to take that step yet. It had taken her a while back then too, when Mira, the daycare owner she used to work for, had offered her help. Back then, she hadn't wanted to involve Mira in her squabbles with family, but she too, like this man were...insistent. She never could refuse people like that... 'How troublesome.' "W-well....if you insist, it would be rude of me to refuse again...right? Especially since you're so willing. However, if it's alright with you..." she fiddled with her hands, her eyes cast down to look at her feet. "...I'd like to do things on my own first, and perhaps call upon your service only when I truly need it." She looked up at the stranger and gave a strained smile. "B-besides...there really isn't much to do right now, I don't have the financial means yet to repair much of anything." Walking up the steps to the porch she gestured to the swing. "Please have a seat. And don't worry about eating too much, I'd actually prefer it if you do. Because it would mean that you like what I've prepared...right?" Taking out her house-keys from her pocket she opened the door but stopped short. "I hope tea is alright with you, I'm not really into the whole 'soda' business."