Wings of a Butterfly

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru wasn't used to being questioned, including when he was going out of his way to give her what she needed. It's not like he gave clothes to all the servants. One brow rose as he looked down at her. Was their something special about this veil?

He narrowed his eyes at her, leaning in close to give a slight tug on the end of the fabric. Mostly he was testing the quality and its significance. "And why is that?" he asked in a low tone. It was a tone that dared her to avoid his question or hide it from him. She could only assume the worst if she didn't answer.

Even though the veil wasn't too bothersome to his nose, he did not have the ability to intimidate her with eye contact with the fabric on. He couldn't see her expression and had to concentrate all the more with the shifting of her scent and the sound of her increasing heartbeat.

[Birdie]

She could not help but release a small cry when the fabric was tugged upon. She worked hastily to fix it as she was acutely aware of the subtle shift in the cloth. She was nervous. Very nervous. For the second time that day she would have to try to explain her affliction. It was something she was not proud of and even was occasionally ashamed. Her voicing such would have caused any priests or servants in her vicinity to chastise her for the lack of appreciation toward her gift.

She turned her face away from him, his presence much too close and overbearing on the little butterfly. Her wings fluttered in agitation and she wrung her hands together. "Due to my stature, if one of common or unblessed birth were to look upon me, I would strike them blind." Beneath the veil she blushed, embarrassed at having to admit this whole thing to the man who saved her life. "Perhaps I should go... I must change as you request. Thank you my lord," she said as she brushed past him as quickly as she could to make it toward the door. Running away from this awkward problem seemed to be her best option at this point.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

And running away from the problem was the last thing Sesshoumaru would allow her to do. Common or unblessed birth? Did she truly fear for his safety? He was deeply insulted! A low growl rumbled through his chest as he grabbed at Birdie's sleeve and tugged her back toward him.

"We shall test this." he stated, turning her towards him and yanking the veil off her head. Just so she couldn't hide again, his hand immediately glowed and drenched the fabric in poison leaving it as nothing but a black sticky substance before it dissipated all together.

[Birdie]

Brigantia cried out as she was pulled back from her destination. She whirled around, looking up into Sesshomaru's angry face. "Please, don't," she begged, but it was too late. The cloth was torn from her head and turned to black sludge in the blink of an eye. Her dark eyes filled with tears as she looked upon her savior for the first time with out the protection of the veil. His features were so much sharper, clearer. With out the veil the world was so much brighter as well. She wondered if it was her own brilliance which caused this.

His face was a pleasent enough one, heart shaped with high cheekbones. Her eyes were all black and surrounded by thick, pale white lashes. She barely had a nose, simply flesh that gave the subtle appearance of one. Below that were soft, pink cupid's bow lips. Her hair was long and silvery in color, and from the top of her head protruded a pair of antenna. She was a pale little thing from her lack of time spent in the sun.

But it did not seem that Sesshomaru was harmed in anyway. Her eyebrows knit in confusion. Tilting her head to the side she studied him. "You are alright, my lord? Were you born of the gods? I do not understand." Her whole body shook as she tried to comprehend what was happening.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru hadn't expected anything to happen but he still felt like this proved some of his power to the little hanyou. He made eye contact with a stubborn tilt in his jaw and narrowed eyes. Born of the gods, what ignorance.

His hand went out, gripping at her chin lightly he forced her head up to intensify the battle of stares, just daring this 'blindness' to show up. "The gods do well to fear the likes of me." he said with intense pride. But then he realized that it wasn't just his own power that would make her threat faulty and he released his hold on her chin and turned away.

"But no. You are of common and unblessed birth, so this power of yours is doubtful." Although hanyou's wouldn't be considered 'common they were of the lower stature even below a commoner.

Sesshoumaru glanced about the room, making sure everything had been taken care of before walking towards the door. He paused, waiting for Birdie to exit before him. There was no way he was going to leave someone in his personal study by themselves.

[Birdie]

The grip on her chin caused her fight or flight responses to kick into overdrive. Like a deer in the highlights she stared wide eyed back. her lips parted as every fiber in her being screamed for her to run away and hide. Her body shook and she whimpered pitifully. She could see why the whole of the estate was afraid of him. She could say nothing back to him. She understood very well how half-breeds were though of.

She could not help but to breath a sigh of relief when he released her. Brigantia found interest in the floor and walked to the door in shame. Her fingers were clasped together tightly in front of her as she moved demurely. Her mind was on autopilot, doing everything that had been taught to her since birth. Out the door she went in silence and down the hall with out a second look back at Sesshomaru.

Once she had made it to her room with the door closed safely behind her, Brigantia began to cry. She had loved those people at the temple but had they lied to her? How could a demon be above the gods? Had she no ability? Were all those desperate prayers spoken to the wrong ears. She covered her face in her hands as she stood in that room.

Now she had no veil to hide safely behind. What if the servants were blinded by her, as their lord was simply that powerful? She feared to leave the room. She did not want to see Sesshomaru again.

Collecting herself, Brigantia decided that changing her clothing would be a good idea. So would a bath. She collected the clean clothing and did her best to sneak out, hiding her tear stained face. Luckily she made it to the hotsprings with out encountering anyone. She made sure to enter the springs designated for the servants, leaving her clean clothes in a good spot. She took the time to clease her body properly before sitting moving into the springs. Once the water touched her skin, her wings seemed to dissolve in an array of dust and light. They would return once she was dry. She spent only a little time in the hotsprings, uncomfortable with the thought of someone happening upon her.

Drying off, she placed the clean clothing over her body and retrieved her dirty ones. Putting them on was somewhat awkward, as it had not been designed to accomodate her wings. In the end she allowed it to hang off her shoulders as to allow her wings to appear without mishap. She was not sure what to do with the dirty clothes so she brought them back to her room with her. She now took the time to survey the room properly, touching everything she wanted to touch and become comfortable with the energies in the room. It was well loved, with the same sort of vibrance as the garden. It was a special place, she felt. Why would she being staying in such a special place if she was so despised by Sesshomaru?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru would finally have his own free time now that all business had been taken care of. But he only found himself willingly being cooped up in his bedroom. The only other room with an exit to the gardens it shared a wall with Brigantia. It wasn't much so spying, as...

He had no true excuse since his ears and nose were completely concentrating on the room with its thin walls. But he didn't dare stalk her as far as the hot springs. Finally deciding that he couldn't stand to be confined any longer he shoved the sliding door open to the garden. The night air was comforting and the sun shown off the random speck of colors and petals.

It hadn't been tended to since she had left. It was an irritating thought but it still had a welcoming feel for him. He could relax here. Sliding down onto the floor, he pressed his back against the open doorway. He was still technically in his room but his mind was much elsewhere. Although he would find his posture and pose uncivil there was nothing that could stop the regal aura he let off.

Even so, he was much more relaxed and even approachable.

[Birdie]

As she spent more time with herself, her mind of course only managed to turn to the sadder things. She could only remember the events of last night. It tore a hole in side of her which she could not fill. Her whole family and the lifestyle she had grown comfortable with were ripped away from her. New truths were being forced upon her and she did not much enjoy the change.

Finally she rallied herself, becoming tired of her depressing ways. No need to dwell on sadness. Brigantia needed a distraction. She decided it was too late to go back to help out with the laundry, not to mention the loss of her veil. Instead she went to tend to the garden plot she had been assigned. She worked diligently with the plants, listening to their happiness and occasionally joining in their songs. Each fruit tree and vegetable root had something to say to her. It was difficult to keep up with their conversations, they spoke quickly and excitedly as they had never been able to communicate with those who took care of them before.

Much too soon she ran out of things to distract her in that garden. With a sigh she went to the well and wash her hands. While cleaning the mud from her fingers (for at least the third time that day) she noticed that overgrown wild. She decided that would be the best place to find her next distraction. She went in through the back way, so as to avoid any contact with the house. For a long while she wandered through, completely forgetting where she was until she came back to the house. She stood in the gardens, looking over the place she would now call home. It certainly did not feel like home.

She placed her fingers next to her temples and frowned. No more sad thoughts! Be happy! Be bright! She tried very hard to make herself feel better but something always managed to bring her down. She glanced up from her mini pep talk and found the last person on earth she wanted to see at this particular moment. Quickly she ducked behind some overgrown berry bushes. It seemed he had not seen her yet and so she watched him from this position.

Brigantia had to admit, if she had not already, that he was a very handsome demon. He wore his title well, even alone. And he was full of pride, but it was not misplaced. While she felt some humility would probably do the lord good, it was not really necessary. He was every ounce what a lord of a castle should be. She felt only a small pang of jealousy at her lack of comfort in what would be her role here. Seeing him in that state, Brigantia wished to go and speak to him. She knew not what to talk about. She had never been able to hold conversations with anyone before.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru gazed through the garden, eyes upcast towards the bright waning moon. He could relax and through memories and thoughts he actually didn't pay attention or notice Brigantia. He was only recently starting to get used to the thought of having this building by himself again.

But as he took in a deep soothing breath there was no way he couldn't notice the new addition to the night air. It was subtle, and sweet and his eyes scanned the overgrown garden with a sudden intensity. Gold eyes glistened as it landed on its target. And for a moment he just stared, not sure what to do with the intruder interrupting his night.

Soon Sesshoumaru forced himself to relax, realizing that this would happen sooner or later with his split second decision to place her in that room. He looked away, laying his head back against the rim of the door. He fought with himself to speak or not, but before he could actually make a decision his mouth seemed to move before his brain did.

"Did you find yourself useful?" he asked, eyes turning back to look in her direction again. It was an odd choice of words...an odd equivelant to 'how was your day?' or 'what did you do?' It had taken Rin many years to decipher such phrasing.

[Birdie]

She just about jumped ten feet in the air when she heard him speak. A deep blush covered her face as she moved out from behind the bush and slowly approached the demon. She had hoped he would not notice her at all, she could have decided then that talking to him as a bad plan and just return to her room. It seemed that her luck had been used up. She stood in the grass, hands folded in front of her, and eyes properly lowered before she replied.

"Not as useful as I should have liked," she said. "It will make it difficult without the veil." She momentarily reached up a hand as if to fix the piece of cloth in question but it was not there. The hand returned to its resting place. "I should like to learn many more things." She glanced up at him once. Even closer his relaxed, noble features were much more handsome. Turning her eyes downward, Brigantia dared not look at him again.

"I hope your night is going well, my lord?" She chewed on her lower lip. Conversation. Small talk. It was all very hard work she found.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

He wasn't one for small talk. At least that's what he had believed. But he had been missing...something. For quite some time. Closing his eyes, he slowly nodded. He didn't want to make much eye contact either. "Many important matters have been seen to." the last thing he wanted to think or talk about was those wasted hours spent with a brush in his hand. The smell of ink always gave him a headache.

"Yours has not, however." he added in, unable to stop himself from getting a quick look at her. There was a lot more on the Brigantia subject that was still bothersome. The gossip could not be avoided nor her lack of...usefulness. Both he had intended to ignore and maybe it would blow over like it had done for Rin. And if she wanted to learn..."Do you want an aide?" It seemed wierd that someone would need to be taught how to do physical labor. But it could be arranged. "Not many will help you on their own."

[Birdie]

She winced slightly at the mention that her own night was not going well. What exactly did he mean? Had he heard her cry? Was he aware of her stupidity involving having to scrub the floors twice, or perhaps her venture in laundry? She quickly shook her head at the idea of having someone to help her specifically. Her hair and antenna bounced with the movement.

"No, my lord. I would not want to be intrusive in that way. I am sure everyone already has so many duties that adding my troubles on to their plates would just be a burden. And it would take much longer to pay back my debt that way." The debt... tears stung the corners of her eyes but she quickly wiped them away and forced a demure smile on her face. No crying in front of him. "I thank you very much for the offer, my lord. It is much appreciated." After a long pause where she took time to glance at the moon she said, "It is a beautiful night..." Should she leave now? What more could she possibly say?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

"Hnn..." The sound was in agreement with her comment as he looked over the garden again. The skies were clear and with so little wind it was soothingly peaceful. He had also run out of words, but found himself satisfied with the silence. Just him and the strange hanyou he had somehow picked up.

In his silence his mind brought up the debt again, and he turned his head to look at her straight on. "How will you know if it has been repaid? What will you do when the debt is done?" they were questions that caught his attention and he spoke them without thought. If he had kept his attention on Brigantia when she first spoke of the debt he might have asked the questions on another day.

[Birdie]

She frowned a little at his questions. "That is hard to explain, my lord." The answers were complicated and she was not sure how to explain what it was like to hear and feel everything that happened around her, the absolute awareness. For a long moment she stood in silence, uncomfortable with his unabashed staring. Finally she thought of a fairly decent way to help him understand the complexities of her ability. She moved up into the hall and sat beside him. "Please, may I see your arm for a moment?"

When she received what she had requested she pushed back his sleeve to reveal his bare forearm. She flipped it so that it was palm up, the inner part of the arm (the most sensitive part) skyward. She gently skimmed her long nailed fingers along his arm. The touches were light and even as she moved her fingers back and forth. "I hear the whole of the world. I feel it always in my soul. Every day, all of the time it is there, just like this rippling through my mind and all over inside of my spirit. There are different patterns for everything." And to prove this each finger moved a little discordantly or together in swirling motions to create different patterns.

"Sometimes they play together to make songs, the sort of songs you feel more than hear. It is also hard to explain... When there is a debt, it sort of hangs on. A great imbalance in the symphony of the world. The player who does not play his instrument well." One of her fingers pressed down on Sesshomaru's flesh while the rest stayed light. The motion was slowed down, but the effect was similar. "The reality is that everything keeps playing on and on in the correct way. But the debt, or the imbalance between us just makes noise that is hard to ignore. As the debt is repaid it is like the musician is learning his instrument until he is able to play in harmony with the rest of the universe." Again to demonstrate the finger that had been dragging slowly let up until it was at the same pressure as the rest of her fingers. Then she slowly let up until she no longer was touching Sesshomaru.

Feeling she had explained things satisfactorily, she placed her hands in her lap. Clasping her fingers together, Brigantia stared at them. "As for what I shall do when the debt is repaid, I do not know. Perhaps I shall leave and see the whole of the world. I think I should like that very much. I have not seen anything. Or as many things as I should have." She offered him a small smile before looking out into the gardens.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru hesitated. For what seemed like forever. But it almost made him seem like a coward to ask a question and then not go through with it. So with a hard set in his jaw he gave her his arm. He wasn't sure what he was expecting but the small caresses made him visibly tense.

The lord concentrated on her words, trying to distract himself from the constant motion of her fingers. But her voice was soothing and he became entranced. He slowly relaxed his arm into her hold, and although the answer he was given was tolerable at best, the caresses he had recieved were much too distracting.

As soon as Sesshoumaru was released he blinked himself back to reality. It was so easy for her to let go and yet his skin still tingled. He tensed his arm, flexing his claws in the process before recoiling the appendage back into his own lap. He did not make eye contact again and narrowed his eyes on a crack in the floorboard of the hallway.

"You will not last long." he commented dryly, finding his night had been spoiled with too much relaxation.