HARD LESSONS • open

[Aurora Dawn Morningstar]

And of course he did the typical man thing and shrugged it off. Oh but he made a nice save by speaking aloud and not assuming she somehow magically knew what was in his head. She smiled to herself as he professed his error. He got brownie points for that one few men were… well manly enough to admit their errors no matter how small. The thought crossed her mind that the act was more than a little sexy. She would never say it out loud but it was without a doubt sexy. “It’s okay we are all human right?” she said but she wasn’t now was she?

She had to stifle an outright laugh at the low muffled shush that fell from his lips. Good she was getting to him excellent, really excellent. Things couldn’t be more lovely, two people that clearly didn’t like one another playing at being polite. Honestly it had to go south the question was when and how far? She took the glass he offered and was in the middle of pondering just how slow he was giving her wine while she was on duty when the scent hit her nose. She almost felt bad for thinking it since the beverage in her glass was clearly alcohol free. Okay he was smarter than she thought, oh who was she kidding of course he wasn’t. This was just luck probably!

His response to her comment about his place screamed that he had done the work himself which was nice. A handy man was a catch where she grew up and while she wasn’t 100% into the handy man type she couldn’t stop her brain from picturing him a hot and sweaty, covered in dirt from working hard. Oh god she really had to stop thinking about such things it was pointless and almost painful really. “Well you’re doing an excellent job.” She pointed out as he sat across from her then allowed herself to take a sip of the sparkling beverage. She didn’t bother to turn and see what he was looking at, one guess would give you a nosey little boy that despite her lack of love for children still made her want to laugh.

And then there it was, it was bound to happen. This however was not what she had imagined was going to be the cause. Oh the look on his face was priceless and very clearly offended and she was way confused. What had she said? It was perfectly fine to be a gay man in today’s world after all. And the rapid fire questions hit her hard and made her realize her mistake for which she was truly sorry but felt more than a little defensive. As he raised his voice at her, “Really I don’t live in a cave and a man can be clean and, model and like art without being gay Judas.” She shot back but he really didn’t give her time to explain nor did she really plan to tell him why she thought what she did.

She was going on the defensive when he insisted on making her feel like a complete ass with the story of a lost love and a child. “Okay god I’m sorry I didn’t mean any harm by it. I mean Christ it’s your fault not mine. How was I supposed to know you weren’t gay? I mean you didn’t even look at me.” She shot without meaning to and looked down and away. Bit her lip and said f**k it to herself. “If you must know I assumed you were gay because you never even looked at me.” She said eyes flashing fully committed to this line of attack now. “Call it vanity if you want but men look at me Judas, they notice me most of the time even gay men but you nothing am I truly so unappealing to you?” she asked annoyed at herself as she now realized he had inadvertently hurt her pride by not at least acknowledging her apparent physical attributes.

[Judas Michael Cross]

in the calm before the storm

another legend will be born

We’re all human right? Instead of rolling his eyes, the man’s eyes jolted down to the side, keeping his sarcastic words to himself. “Of course not. Not all of us are human or even close to being pure.” Not everyone was human. He could tell that something was off about her, but he was not going to question it. He did the mistake of doing that to one person already and it turned out that they didn’t even know what they were to begin with. That was an awkward conversation that he wished to not have again. So if she wanted to know what he was he might as well say something. Not many people would believe him, or so he thought. An angel? Really? Someone was egotistical, right? That was far from the truth indeed.

Since they were starting ‘anew’ per se, he decided to sit down and have a drink together if she accepted the invite. She did, so the two went in the kitchen while his son, Kaseem continued to watch the television in the next room. However, Kaseem was paying more attention to the conversation between his father and the stranger inside their house. They started talking as he got both of them something to drink. He was a little handyman – had to be over the years. He had to use nature to his advantage in more ways than one. Judas was by no means a professional, but he was pretty decent with his hands – in more ways than one, that was for sure. “Thanks…” He wasn’t used to compliments all the time. More so ones not about his photography or modeling, but something different.

Now what she said next seemed to burn something within Judas. That’s right: she offended him. This is what happens when he isn’t a jerk and when he doesn’t go all criminal and cope a feel on every girl that walks into his path. Sigh, yay for morals! When she replied, almost defending herself by saying that she didn’t live in a cave and a man can be clean and model with the love of art without being gay – Judas just gave her a dimmed glare, “Then why state that I am a homosexual?!” He questioned, “Even more so when I can be what I am now without being gay!?” He was straight as straight can be… Being called gay was an insult to the man. He may have no problem with gay people or the beliefs, but directly to him – it was insulting.

She had no clue who he was… Or what he had been through. Judas folded his arms across his chest as she spoke. What he wanted was an apology. A real one. Not some half-arsed one. Now shw switched the tables on him by saying it was his fault. The man started to grind his teeth. “Ever heard of having respect? I could undress you with my eyes and think of many things about your body, but I don’t. Why? Because I was raised to have respect for a woman. I was raised to know that women are more than just a piece of arse and eye candy. Sure, you’re exotic and attractive – something I’m into, but I’m not going to just look at you just so you feel violated and or feel better about yourself.” By god, he could continue and elaborate but he refrained. Well, as much as he could…

Call it vanity. Well, at least she was honest about it. “I have seen better but you’re not unappealing to me. Like I said, I have some morals and manners I abide by. If you want men to violate you with their eyes and more, then my door is that way. If you want a man to respect you for the time being, then stay.” He tried to remain calm, but being literally called gay was still stuck with the man. Yeah, so gay he had a girl and had a son. Yup, so gay. “Truth be told I did look at you – back when I was taking the photographs. Why stare at something I already remember and have photographs of?” He shook his head, arms still folded against his chest as if he was awaiting some sincere and direct apology or something.

Aurora Dawn Morningstar // 718

MADE BY KERRO !

[Aurora Dawn Morningstar]

Aurora didn’t miss it, the way he looked down and away at her comment. She was a trained professional after all. It was a little worrisome to her. Did he somehow know that wasn’t true? That she wasn’t human at all? It seemed unlikely few seemed able to tell and those that could usually weren’t human themselves. Her brow furrowed a touch but she held her smile unwilling to let her concern show even a little. Oddly enough it never occurred to her it was him that might not be human here. He certainly seemed the epitome of every pig headed human man she had ever met.

Regardless of their more than a little bumpy start she soon found herself sitting in his kitchen. The man himself sat across from her and his adorable son was in the other room. This was okay right? They could do this, the two of them didn’t have to go at one another like they had so far. They were both grown adults and they didn’t really know one another; had no history so there was no real need for the hostile behavior that had been displayed thus far right?

She swirled the juice in her glass and took what she was certain was a safe course of action. Can’t go wrong with compliments after all. His place looked great and his reactions to her words of approval implied he was in fact the one that did the work. That’s all good no problem he took the compliments with way more humble grace than she had imagined he would all things considered. So far so good.

But of course it couldn’t last the two of them were it seemed like oil and water… no really dynamite and match. It was a harmless comment and stray thought and while completely wrong still harmless. Oh his eyes were burning a whole right through her and she tried to bite back an angry retort all her own. “Well now I never actually used those words Judas. I asked if you have a life partner that description does not exclude a female as said partner.” She insisted although yep she had thought gay sure enough. “Jesus Christ I truly did not mean to insult you already!” she exclaimed her face burning now.

He just wouldn’t let it go and before she knew it she was confessing everything even her completely stupid reasoning for her thought pattern. OH he was looking at her now eyes hard arms folded over his chest drinking in her very embarrassing words. And there it was, his foreign upbringing but she wasn’t from his homeland and she clearly didn’t think like he did. “You think acknowledging that someone is attractive is disrespectful? Really well you are an idiot.” She snapped god lord was he brought up in the dark ages? Really!!! “I wasn’t implying you should have slammed me against a wall and taken me like some bru…” she was saying when his word finished filtering into her head “Wait you think I’m exotic and attractive?” she asked.

He just couldn’t do it… it was clearly not within him and she sighed softly as he proceeded to turn a compliment into an almost insult. She shifted in her chair and gave him a solid smile “You can look at someone with appreciation without violating them as you to so eloquently put it. I assure you there is certainly no disrespect intended when I look at you and think now there is an attractive man.” She said softly making no move to leave. And then he offered more even if he didn’t realize it which made her smile wider. Her small hand reached out to rest lightly on his folded stiff arm, meant to reassure him much like she would a victim of a crime. “I am truly sorry I offended you it was never my intent.” She offered in voice softer and kinder than he would have heard from her before. “But I have to ask you why you would chose to rely on memories or photographs when the real person is right here in front of you? Telling you openly that she finds you physically appealing and would like nothing more than to see if there might be something more substantial beyond that.” She pulled her hand back but her eyes remained glued to his face. “I am sorry if such words are somehow offensive to you but honestly I don’t find anything wrong with being honest about how someone makes you feel.” She added softly. There is was all laid out in the open for him and If he wanted her to go she would but dear god she hoped he would not.

[Judas Michael Cross]

in the calm before the storm

another legend will be born

Everything happens for a reason. Why did events lead them to the kitchen for something to drink was even beyond him. He guessed that he just wanted her to calm down and this was a nice gesture to give to her. Everything was going smooth, or well, better than it originally was. He received a compliment about his house… Though that didn’t last long as he took her comment the wrong way. Judas wasn’t homosexual at all, it was just something he hated being called as he didn’t necessarily believe in it. Nonetheless, the man reacted. “It was strongly implied!” Were the first words out of his mouth. Recollecting a bit, Judas added on, “You asked if that was really my son and if my partner was around. You were checking to see if I was gay!” Judas was wondering why didn’t she just ask where his wife was. At least then he’d explain that he didn’t have one, and the woman of his dreams was dead, thus leaving him as a single father.

“Ever feel violated by a man’s stare? I was raised not to give that to someone I just met. Those looks are for women whom I truly care about, not someone I just met.” He did have a point there. At least some people had some morals, whether ‘extremist’ or not, they were there. As things continued to unravel, Judas got more and more irritated with the beautiful woman. It seemed like everything out of her mouth just aggravated the man… Just like possibly everything out of his ticked her off. They were both stubborn, that was for sure. They were both mules in a sense. As she caught on, Judas grumped a bit, tightening his folded grip against his chest. “I know beauty when I see it.” Doesn’t mean he’d dissect you with his eyes that you feel creeped out more than flattered.

Then – it happened. She apologized. Something that Judas usually could not do first and often ended a lot of friendships with his stubbornness. This happened right after she basically called him an attractive man. “I guess you’re right…” He spoke, trying to refrain from adding on and elaborating on some things of his culture. As for the attractive, he knew, or had a feeling. He was a model so… There was something there, right? Judas glanced at her, looking at her now as if he got the hint. She thought he was nice to look at. Guess what? He thought the same. There was no doubt about that. When she placed her hand on his folded arms, his grip lessened and he relaxed some more. Even though these two were stubborn mules, one at least was stronger than the other to let things go. That was Aurora.

When she asked why he relied on photographs instead of the real thing in front of her, Judas’s reply was short, simple, and to the point, “Memories fade and living things die.” Depressing response, but it was true. If he had a camera back in the past, he’d take pictures of his family and friends – mainly his family. He forgot what his mother looked like… His father… His brothers… A large chunk of his past… It was due to his age. It happened such a long time ago that he forgot. Though he could live life in the moment, Judas didn’t put both his feet in that saying. Close, but no. As for her latter part, Judas unfolded his arms and tilted his head – observing her in detail, “There’s more substantial worth with me.” He was referring to multiple things, but refused to elaborate on it, “I am all for getting to know people better in a multitude of areas, if that’s what you mean.” Friends, “bed warmers”, lovers, co-workers, neighbors, whatever; Judas was all for it. With his façade, he looked as if he wasn’t going to let one fight ruin anything – even more so when she apologized first. “I appreciate honesty. What I don’t appreciate is being called something I am not.” And there it is, his honor, his ego.

With a small sigh, Judas turned his back to her to grab himself some orange juice and a little bit of alcohol in the mix. It wasn’t much, just enough. “Kaseem, go upstairs.” Upstairs meant his room, but saying “to your room” inferred something more negative like a grounding or punishment. Upstairs meant he didn’t want him around right now because of reasons. With a whine, then a tense stare from his father, Kaseem turned off the television then headed upstairs sad, and in defeat. “Since you look comfortable or maybe you want to move to the couch and become even more comfortable – let’s talk.” He spoke, trying to start a little conversation since she did say she wanted something more… Unless he took that the wrong way… Which was friends and bed warmers, but who knows. “Why did you join?” The FBI of course.

Aurora Dawn Morningstar // 832

MADE BY KERRO !

[Aurora Dawn Morningstar]

It seemed the two of them were never going to get along not even when she was trying to be nice.  He of course took the words life partner to mean he was homosexual.  Now to be fair that was in act what she was thinking but she didn't think of that as an insult. "Okay maybe it was but I didn't mean it as and insult." she said smoothly eyes on his face as she spoke. "I can only say I'm sorry so many times.  I certainly know better than to make assumptions." she said softly then looked at his a little sheepishly "If it helps I'm glad you not." she said truthfully.  She could be a pain in the butt but she was always honest and she was much to her own surprise glad the man across from her was not gay.


He asked if she ever felt violated by a man's stare.  "No not really." she said truthfully but quite often she failed to pay attention to the looks she got unless the person in question was of interest to her. But she suspected she knew what he was getting at.  He went on to explain he was raised to look at people that way.  That such looks were for loved ones.   That comment alone was very telling and she leaned back looking at him harder.  People in her generation didn't give a Sh*t about such things and now she found herself wondering if there was more to the man across from her then met the eye.  This man was more stubborn than any she had ever met.  It was clear he had foreign  upbringing and honestly the thought that perhaps he was older than he seemed still played in her mind.  He said he knew beauty when he saw it and she was quite sure he did.  "Yes I imagine you do." she agreed.


She surrendered a hard thing for her really but she did it and she offered up a compliment as well.  She half expected the latter to somehow offend him but she wasn't about to lie about what she thought because he was an idiot.  "I know I am right." she pointed out unwilling to give in more than she had already.  He really was pushing the limit of her patience.   But wait he wasn't arguing and glaring at her.   He stole a sidelong glance.  So she gave him a soft reassuring smile.  Her hand on his arm allowed her to note the way he relaxed a touch.    Good he was going to give himself a heart attack being so uptight.

Her brow rose at his response.  She understood what he was saying but again she wasn't dead. Not yet anyway.    "I get that Judas I do so that line of thinking makes sense when someone is gone.  I'm not gone.  I'm right here." she insisted.  This man was living in his past without looking forward that much as clear.  Oh and he was caving, she was good at making than happen when she put her ego to the side.  His arms unfolded and he was really looking at her now.  She smiled at him, a soft kind smile "I have no doubt there is." she confirmed watching his face as he seemed to consider things more.  "That is what I mean." she agreed. And D*mn it he just couldn't let Sh*t go.  She was inclined to just leave because she sure as hell wasn't going to apologize again when he was being an ass.  "Got that." she said stiffly and glared at him her expression as neutral as she could make it.

He turned away doing god knew what and she took the time to force her annoyance down.  She actually started a touch when he suddenly told his son to go upstairs.  She hadn't expected him to say anything at all so the sudden sound in the quite made her jump.  The boy whined making her smile a touch.  She wasn't one for kids and that was just one of many reasons why but it did in fact make her smile to herself.  The television when off and the boy vanished up the stairs leaving them alone downstairs.  "Oh well sure okay the couch sounds fine." she said simply.  She moved to follow him taking a seat on said couch "So?" she mumbled softly then looked to him and D*mn it if he didn't pick one of the worst topics he could.  She didn't like to talk about why she joined up but she would try although not very hard.  "Someone I loved was killed and I wanted to make sure I could stop it from ever happening again." she said simply and offered nothing more on the subject.  Surely he would see it wasn't her favorite subject and let it go.