A starlight melody (open)

[madelyn]

Madelyn felt his hand in her hair. Only Lucian stroked her hair for her. He knew how much it relaxed her and he enjoyed helping her relax and be just a normal girl for once. Madelyn left her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warm embrace. It wasn't that she was cold, dressed in a sweater and some blue jeans but he was more warm than she could have imagined and she wished she could have stayed there longer. A deep connection had been made between them and she would never let it go. For once you had her trust it was hard to shake but easily broken if done the wrong things. Most didn't get to win her over so easily but he had, the second in her life to do so.

Cold. It hit her harshly when he pulled away and told her she was stunning. She blushed deeply having never been told that by anyone. She turned a bright red but her smile and her eyes told him thank you and that she felt pretty, suddenly, now that he said that. He didn't know of the marks that covered her back, nor the scars that marred her body where clothing prevented the eyes from seeing. Perhaps one day she would tell him her story. So few knew the full thing. Only Jonathan had. Not even Lucian knew it all. She smiled brightly at him when he leaned back. She moved up to him and leaned aginst him sideways. Her chest against his side. Her stomach too. Her head leaned against his shoulder she was in that position where he could put his arm around her if he wanted to.

She was sticking close for now. Finding a new friend and one she could trust so much. He looked at Jason and told her that he was a nice person. Thankfully he didnt ask her to trust him. For currently, alive, there were two people in the world she trusted. Lucian and Shin. Period. No one else. None. She nodded softly as she nuzzled into him a little more. Madelyn was the kind of girl that enjoyed the soft carresses and the gentle caring touches that any would give to her. After eleven years of pain it was only feasible that she would enjoy such things. She would give Jason a chance but like almost everyone else he would have to earn her trust and being male, that was a very hard thing to do.

She pointed up at the stars looking at Shin again. She head tilted against his chest softly one of her eyes looking up at the sky the other was pressed against his sweater. Her hand was on the center of his chest stroking softly. Her hand opening and closing softly on his chest. It was an absent thing to do, it showed that he had her complete trust. He knew that allready and she enjoyed that she had found a new friend in the least. Then she looked up at him biting her lower lip she locked their eyes again and asked something she shouldn't. Would he come with her. Would he stay with her tonight. Would he hold her so the nightmares didn't come and would he be there if they did. This was what she asked him. One night. Nothing romantic, just one person there for another. She needed him. And it seemed that he didn't mind at all.

[Shin Daisuke]

As he leaned against the railing, Madelyn pressed herself up against his side, placing her head upon his shoulder; he almost instinctively wrapped one arm around her and gently caressed her hair, sensing that she enjoyed this feeling, that it calmed her. She pointed at the stars and he gazed into them, feeling the wealth of the universe watching over them. “Someone once told me, that the spirits who are no longer bound to this world, rise up to the heavens and become the stars” He said quietly, gazing at their beauty. He could feel her hand gently moving upon his chest, clenching and releasing. It was a nice feeling, and one he knew meant a lot coming from her.

Slowly he looked down at the young girl and she bit her lower lip nervously. She was alone, and frightened… “Shhhh…” He cooed. “I won’t leave you this night… I will stay and keep you warm… Keep you safe from the demons in your sleep…” He soothed her gently with his voice, as his hand played upon her golden threads, placing his other hand on the other side of her head, gently holding her and closing his eyes. “I will be your guardian tonight… Your keeper, and protector…” He gently told her, bringing the hand he had brought around down cupping her chin ever so carefully, and stroking her cheek softly as he wished to help bring her mind into a calmer state… “Just leave it to me Madelyn…” He spoke gently, letting her know that he was still there, and would not leave her side.

[Jason]

jason had been politely ignoring the two of them. Well ignoring wouldn't be the best way to describe it as he had seen the instant connection between Shin and Madelyn. He quietly stood up from leaning on the railing and cast one more glance at the two of them.
Well at least they seemed to hit it off well. I don't think I've seen people connect like that so quickly never something I really got good at. I should probably leave them be. He thought and silently made his way from the balcony. After all it wasn't like he had any feelings of jealosy. If he wanted to get to know Madelyn and Shin it wasn't like he couldn't find them when he wanted to.

[madelyn]

Madelyn felt his arm come around her. She smiled gently as she looked up at him. He seemed to care for her immediatly and she loved the fact that he would be there for her. He stroked her hair and talked of the stars. She nodded softly closing her eyes and merely enjoying his company. It had been so long since she had immediatly connected with a person. And that person was the one she had married. And even now, she felt a closeness to Shin that she had not felt since Jonathan. It was as if Jonathan was reaching out to her, only this time he had his words and could speak to her yet could still read her heart.

Looking down at her he saw that she wanted him to be beside her. To hold her in her sleep to help her dream the peaceful dreams. It had been a long time now since she had been held in her sleep and it was now something that she looked forward to. He wanted to protect her and wanted to be there for her. He promised to keep her demons away and to be there, all night. She smiled softly as she pulled back gently, just barely and looked up into his eyes as he gently stroked her face. Slowly her eyes closed, it was amazing, this feeling. Like being loved, once agian, being special, once more, being that someone that the other person needed just to survive through the day.

She nuzzled softly into his hand and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Her eyes opened again and she looked up at him. Come with me, come with me to my room. I want to be with you, I want to make you tea and sleep a peaceful sleep in your arms. She told him softly. She took his hand gently in hers entwining their fingers. Showing him that she wanted him to come with her. Showing him that she needed him right now. She blushed softly as she turned and began to lead him away from the balcony so they could go to her room.

[Shin Daisuke]

Madelyn stayed close to him, keeping herself in contact with Shin, and he smiled, knowing that it comforted her. She let her cheek be stroked as a blissful expression crossed her face, as though she hadn’t been touched tenderly in so long. Jason was gone, slipped away into the night, and Shin knew it was for the best. He would make it up to him later, but for now… Tonight was for Madelyn… Tonight, he gave himself to her frail touch, keeping her safe.

Her fingers interlocked with his, and she led him inside from the balcony. Her tiny figure sliding across the floor with a certain grace that struck Shin as true beauty. She wanted to make some tea, and then sleep in his arms, he simply nodded and squeezed her hand carefully, letting her know that he was there with her. He let the hold break, just long enough so that she could make their drinks, assuring her with his eyes that he would go nowhere, and that he would hold her again very soon.

As the young girl made the tea, he sat carefully upon a chair, leaving his lap out from the table in case she wished to sit there, and admired her room. While his was somewhat stagnant and bland, with only his books open on tables to show that someone lived there, her room was filled with that which identified her. She lived in such a way as to escape the reality of the world, and her room reflected this… Full of colours and objects… Her own universe in which nothing existed beyond that which she desired…

His eyes returned to her figure, noting her soft skin, and the tender way she interacted with her world. She was the physical creation of that thing called beauty, and somehow, she seemed to become this simply by existing. Her past demons did now haunt Shin too. ‘Why do we harm the things that are so pure?’ He wondered in silence, feeling sorrow for the pain he knew she had endured.

[madelyn]

They entered her room. Her room was rather large. It had a living room with two doors leading off from it. One led to the babies room that she was still putting together and the other led to her own bedroom and hence forth to the bathroom that was in there as well. The living room was done in soft beiges. Different shades of browns. Only a few dark accents the rest were that light almost sand color that seemed to show no dirt but still had that classy feel to it. There was a glass top coffee table that matched the glass top dining table. Black iron chairs went around the table with plush and soft sand cushions. There was a piano, a beautiful grand piano that was black sitting close to the balcony. The key guard was open meaning she had played not too long ago.

Madelyn entered the kitchen and sat the soft baby blue tea pot on the stove filled with water. She was silent almost no matter what she did. She moved with a quiet grace that was innate. Nothing she seemed to do made much noise. Even the water seemed more quiet around her presence. Small tea bags were taken from a box and placed into large mugs with roses on them. She hummed softly under her breath a melody that someone had written for her. It was just her, the way she moved the way she seemed to live and enjoy every moment. Her eyes would dance back to him, Shin. On the walls were her wedding pictures and pictures of her and Jonathan together doing things before his death. But you could tell by the lack of masculinity in the room, that he had been gone, and she no longer lived in the same dorm that she had.

When the kettle blew it was off the stove and quieted quickly as she poured the steaming liquid into the two mugs. She pulled out some fresh cookies made not two days ago and placed them on a plate incase he was hungry. Placing them all on a bamboo tray she came into the living room. He sat at the table. But far enough back to where she could sit in his lap. It was as if he knew her habits already without her even having to say anything. It was comforting in a way. She placed the tray down and smiled as she sat down gently in his lap. She was a very light weight girl even with the twins on the way she barely weighed anything. She sighed softly as she leaned into him sitting herself side ways so they could still look into each others eyes and she could lean against him.

And she did, lean against him. Her hot mug of tea in her hands and her head nuzzled gently in his shoulder. Her life had been hard and there were few she could trust. It was nice to meet a new person that she could.

I want to know about you, tell me, about you.

She looked up into his eyes and said. She leaned there against him as if it was where she was meant to be. Little sips of her drink now and then as she waited to hear his story and in the mean time she listened to the beat of his heart. It was so soft and so soothing she could nearly fall asleep just listening to it's soft and gentle rythum.

[Shin Daisuke]

She sat into Shin’s lap, and gently placed her head against his chest, sipping at her tea ever so slightly. Shin caressed her hair gently and took his tea with his left hand. “Ok then…” He said softly, taking a sip of his drink and placing it back down. “I grew up in a small village in Japan with my grandfather… He was a kind man, always looking out for the villagers, and of course myself…” He said with a smile. “He showed me that I could communicate with the spirits, and how the nice ones were very helpful. I used to play with all the forest spirits all day, dancing around and playing hide and go seek.” He cradled the small girl very gently as he spoke. She felt like a soft doll, precious and loved. But she was so much more than a simple doll.

“I grew up among the spirits, knowing little of the other children in the village. They were far too interested in finding the most daring things to do. I wished only to enjoy my days, and the spirits of the forest were more than happy to play with me…” He paused to take a sip of his tea, savoring its flavor on his tongue a moment before swallowing. “It’s good” He said simply, his soft gaze falling upon Madelyn’s tiring figure. “When I was older, I met my father, whom it turned out was only there to tell my grandfather to start my training. I was disappointed, but I didn’t let it bother me. I learned all I could about the magic I would use, and how we worked together with spirits to help us do our duty. I even befriended and captured a few spirits of my own” He let his arm leave Madelyn a moment as he tapped his deck, before returning it to her back, rubbing gently in a soothing pattern.

“And then… I saw the face of evil…” He said slowly. “A monster attacked me one evening, and I drew a card without thinking… And I drew out Ihriel the consumer…” His eyes glazed over as the dark memory haunted him a moment. But they soon softened and he smiled again. “But it was ok… I beat the monster and went home” He told her, skipping the gruesome details. “I spend the rest of my time training and conversing with the spirits of my home, and soon enough, I was sent here to finish my training with the some of the greatest wizards in the world…” Shin moved his arm to bring Madelyn into more of a full hug, before finishing his tale. “Someday I will become the head of my family, and bare a male child with a wife, so that he may then succeed me as the head of the family… But such a destiny I do not wish for… However, I’ve little choice, and so I live like there is no tomorrow, and in that way, I decided to protect you.” He cooed softly, looking down to see if she was still awake, of if she had drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

[madelyn]

He began to tell her his story in between the sips of his tea. Madelyn closed her eyes as pictures flooded her mind. For this young girl, when someone told her a story or she read a book she saw the story in a movie form in her mind. Making up the characters. Little Shin and his grandfather. The way he began to learn his magic by the deck of cards at his waist. She felt him rubbing her back and she nuzzled into his embrace even more now than before. Enjoying that he would sit her with her, a girl that he just met. She looked up at him when he spoke of facing evil and her eyes went wide with worry. Seeming to read that he told her quickly that he had been okay and she smiled softly nodding gently.

The story finished and she smiled as her eyes opened and she looked up at him. It was time to tell a very very condensed version of her own life. She swallowed softly and took another sip of her tea before setting it down and taking her hand laying it over his heart as she began to tell him of her life.

"I grew up in Kansas." she said softly in her beautiful angelic voice only four people in eleven years had ever heard. "My parents died when I was young. And I was sent elsewhere."

The rest she couldn't tell with words. Sitting up in his lap she locked eyes with him. Telling him how her uncle hated that she didn't speak after the death of her parents. How he beat her to get her to speak but it had never once stopped. How he would chain her up and lash her back. It was still covered in hundreds upon hundreds of slash marks. How he would cut her, to get her to scream, trying to get her to make any noise. How one night on her birthday he had gone too far and knocked her completely out and bleeding badly. Telling him that he took her to the hospital afriad he was in trouble that he had killed her. The doctors turned him in and she was free. She learned her magic by accident. Never having spoken she loved music. And when she had been with a family they had shown her school and there she had learned the beauty of music. How one day in the woods she had made things grow in a clearing when she had played her music and that was how she had gotten here.

She told him about meeting Jonathan on her first day. As quiet as she and as shy. How they had been inseperable. Gotten married and that was who's children she carried within her. She told him how Jonathan died. How he had been but a experiement, a clone, a project. His time had expired and he had left her behind. How now she was lonely but for her best friend Lucian. And now Shin. She could only hope that he got the whole story from her eyes because she hadn't the voice to tell him all of it.

[Shin Daisuke]

Madelyn spoke, and her voice was so beautiful. She told him that she had been born in Kansas, but that her parents died when she was young, forcing her to be sent to live with her uncle. Her eyed told the rest, as she remembered her uncle’s cruelness, and harsh intentions. She told him of the lashings and the cuts he gave her, just to bring an end to her silence, and how in doing so, he almost silenced her forever… She told him about it all with her heart, and as her story progressed, she would notice the slight signs of tears welling in Shins eyes. His expression did not become excessively sad, but the tears were real.

All of that had happened to her, and now, even her love, Jonathan had been taken from her, leaving her with only the music in her heart, and a sole friend. “Madelyn…” He spoke softly, and gently took her head in his arm, pressing her into him in a genuine hug. “You’ve survived so much, and yet your soul remains so pure… An angel in the guise of a young girl.” He said softly, caressing her hair gently.

“Would you show me your back?” He asked gently, seeing her surprised expression. “I want… I want to see the scars…” He explained in a soothing voice. Weakly, she nodded, seeming to put herself in his hands, as nervous as she was about such things. She turned on his knee, and slowly gripped the edges of her sweater, carefully lifting it, exposing the pale skin of her back to his eyes. She had indeed been beaten badly, her scars still prominent, ever after so long… Gently, he reached out with fingertips, and slid then slowly across the old scars, being very careful not to make Madelyn uncomfortable.

“Even with these scars, you’re still beautiful” He said quietly to her, caressing her skin softly, and then, leaning in gently and kissing her bare back. He gently kissed each scar he could see individually, placing his lips gently against the damaged skin. He did this so that he might help make them seem less of a painful memory, and more a defining feature. He moved slowly and with the utmost care, taking the time to admire her figure before each kiss. And finally, he pulled back, placing his warm hand against the middle of her back, and whispered gently “Does that help?”

[madelyn]

He seemed to be shocked by how much in her life she had gone through. But she couldn't help it nor could she change it now. But he asked something. Something that no one since Jonathan had asked. Asked to see the scars on her back. She swallowed hard and nodded softly as she shifted on his lap. She was scared to show her marks. They were ugly and there were hundreds on her back. If they weren't still puffy from the scar tissue beneath then they were those fine white lines that showed that she had been torn. She would never heal completely and she didn't care. If they were gone she would be pretty. But they were there and she knew deep down they were hideous.

His fingers came out softly. Running across her back. Her eyes closed as the senstive skin made her almost shiver. She smiled softly at the touch. No one had.. done that since him. What he said to her next surprised her in many ways. He told her she was still beautiful and tears leaked from her eyes as he said that. Lucian had said that before but now.. now so had Shin but she had never once thought she was, and still didn't. But she gasped suddenly when he moved in close letting his lips carress her skin. She sighed nearly moaning softly every time his lips came in contact with her skin. It was amazingly sensitive and not to mention she hadn't been touched intimatly in months.

He pulled back his hand on her back asking her if she was better. If his kisses made it better. She turned with her tears drops shimmering like diamonds on her cheeks. Looking into his eyes thanking him for .. for accepting her. For loving who she was no matter what she looked and sounded like. She turned softly her hand running up to cup his cheek stroking it her eyes searching for that answer. It was there but.. confused. He enjoyed her company but he wasn't sure what they were. Neither was she. She smiled softly and blushed. She leaned in softly and placed her lips so softly on his. As if a feather were kissing him her breath seeming to stop and her heart to race as she kissed him softly. Several moments she let it set there, before she moved back and blushing she looked into his eyes.

She wondered now what he would think of her. What he would think of the kiss. She didn't know, she hadn't actually felt this way about someone since Jonathan. She searched him for his answer waiting for his sign. It seemed so odd that it was just like Jonathan when he had met her, so fast they had been together, a whirlwind love. And now.. it seemed, perhaps he was speaking to her through this boy. Perhaps it was just that there happened to be another kindred soul waiting.

[Shin Daisuke]

As Shin kissed her old wounds, she let out a gentle gasp, and quietly moaned with each passing contact he made. Her body shivered at his touch, and could tell that it had been a long while since anyone had been so attentive to her tender little body. As he asked his question, she turned to face him, slight tears welled in her eyes and dampening her cheeks. She didn’t answer, but he no longer needed one. She placed her hand upon his face and looked deeply into him, searching now for his feelings, but they were confused and unsure. He now knew that he cared deeply for Madelyn, but he did not know just how deeply.

Slowly, the small girl levered herself up, and kissed him softly upon the lips, her kiss as gentle as the warmth from a fireplace. She sat back, and again searched for an answer in him. And this time, the answer was clearer. He leaned into her, kissing her softly, and then kissing away the tears under each eye, taking their salty taste into himself and clearing her face up. “I want you to be ok with this” he said gently, placing a single finger softly under her chin. He knew now how he felt about her, and though it was strange, he did not worry about how fast it had happened. He wanted to make her feel safe, and now he understood how to do that…

Carefully, he placed an arm behind her, and then another behind her knees. He slowly lifted the girl, still amazed at how light she was. He carried her slowly into her room, and placed her on the bed, climbing onto it himself and intertwining his fingers with hers. “Madelyn…” He said quietly. “My love is yours, if you want it” He then gently kissed her, cradling her small figure in his arms.

[madelyn]

Madelyn looked into Shin's eyes. She blushed softly at what she saw there. Realization settling in. It was there before he even told her. Gently leaning in he kissed her softly and she kissed him back softly her heart beating in her chest like she hadn't felt in some time. The kiss broke and she felt his lips gently kissed her cheeks effectively removing her tears. She gasped softly at each of these kisses and then he pulled back looking into her eyes. She didn't have to speak to him. He knew what she meant no matter what. He could read her heart and her soul and she loved that. She loved that he could look at her and know what she was feeling and thinking.

A small finger of his was underneath her chin. He told her that he wanted her to be okay with this and she nodded softly. There was something about him that called to her. An attraction of the highest sense. His arms came up positioning themselves just right and he picked her up as if she weighed nothing. She leaned against him and nuzzled into him softly. She knew where they were going. He opened the door to her bedroom. It was done in crisp white linens. The bed was a queen covered in Duve's and soft quilts. Sheets that were nearly like flannel they were so soft the way she did her laundry. Having a full set apartment here. He lay her down gently and she got under the covers holding them so he could as well.

He entwined their fingers and she smiled softly looking into his eyes. She lay there in the dark and she smiled at the words he told her softly in the night. That if she wanted his love. It was all hers. She gasped as she looked at him and moved closer still gently so that they were touching a bit more. He wanted to give her his love, she could see it in his eyes that it was already there that love that she wanted and needed. She smiled brightly.

"But.. can you be for my children. And.. can you be even though.. even though I still wear my wedding rings?" she asked softly as she looked at him. She had to know. She couldn't just commit to something if she wasn't sure it was the best for her children. "There are two children. Jonathan and Melody." she whispered to him.

[Shin Daisuke]

As they lay there in her bed, under the sheets on that cold night, Madelyn asked him just how far his willingness stretched. Would he be there for her children as well? Would he understand her wish to keep the band of marriage on her finger? “The ring is a token of the one you lost… I would never take that from you…” He said quietly. “And the children… They are yours, and so too shall I watch over them as I watch over you…” He added as he gently stroked the young girl’s stomach with his free hand.

He gently kissed her on the forehead, bringing his free arm up and over her body, holding her in a close embrace. He felt at peace with Madelyn, as she seemed to with him. She was small and frail, and he knew that he would do anything to protect her from whatever might seek to bring her harm. Her two unborn children were not seen as a complication to him, but somewhat of a blessing. He knew now that he loved this girl, and he would protect her babies as though they were his.

“Goodnight Madelyn… When you awake in the morning, I will be here for you” He told her tenderly, holding her close and letting their bodies intertwine under the sheets. Her heart beating against his, her breath flowing over his neck, and the sent of her hair filling his mind. “I will be here for you” He repeated softly, slowly stroking her back and lulling her to sleep.

[madelyn]

Madelyn watched him as he spoke to her. She smiled softly as he told her that she wouldn't mind her keeping her rings on. She had never taken them off since the day she had gotten them from Jonthan. Even now, in his grave, Jonathan wore the ring that she had gotten him. He told her that he would definatly love and protect her children and she sighed softly. She was such an innocent young girl. A sweet one. She closed her eyes as he began to gently rub her stomach. It felt so good, the stretching skin often got uncomfortable. She was only sixteen and a very small girl at that.

He pulled her closer so she lay in his arms right against him. She settled into his arms her face in the crook of his neck. Her breath running across it. She could feel his breath in her hair and it was oddly comforting. She closed her eyes and relaxed in his warm warms. He rubbed her back gently as she was comforted. But the last words he told her meant the most to her. That he would be there for her when she woke. That .. he would be there. Softly she gripped his shirt in one of her small fists and softly,.. she cried. She needed someone in the night and in the mornings for her those were the hardest times of the day.

She didn't cry out of sadness but of happiness. She cried because there was now one more person in her life that wanted to protect her. To cherish her. To love her. And thus she fell asleep her body stopped moving as she listened to the gentle sound of his heart beat as she slept peacefully in his arms. Her breathing was regular and she was having no nightmares. Her fist, her left hand, clenched his shirt as if begging him not to leave. As if begging him to hold true to his promise. That for him being there for her, she too would be there for him.

Goodnight, Shin. Was her last thought, as she slept.

[Shin Daisuke]

Tears fell upon Shin’s shoulder where Madelyn laid her head. He knew that they were not to be feared, she was happy, and she could barely contain it. Her emotions were so fluid and expressive; he kissed the nape of her neck and felt as her hands clenched his shirt. She was still so terrified that when she awoke, he would be gone. But he had no intention of moving anywhere until she too was awake in the morning. He would stay with her as long as it took…

Soon, she fell asleep, and Shin smiled as he felt her grip loosen oh so slightly. He looked upon her beautiful face, and just watched her sleep, for the longest time. His smile warm and his eyes soft, he could feel her sleeping soundly, not a nightmare to be found. Shin kissed her one final time on her cheek, and then, very slowly, he too came under the spell of the night…

- - - Several Hours Later - - -

Rain… The gentle rapping of rain against a bedroom window in the morning. Shin’s eyes slowly opened, and he found that he and Madelyn were still in the same position they had been the night before. His head was slightly hazed, as he looked about the room, realizing it was indeed not his own. But slowly, as he focused on the rain that tapped along the window, he came to remember the events of the night before. Madelyn, and her small figure lay there in his arms, and he recalled what he had said to her the night before. He could feel her small hands still clutching his shirt, and he smiled his warm and gentle smile.

Slowly, he kissed the young girl’s cheek, bringing his arm up to stroke her hair, gently caressing her lovingly. He looked upon her as he had the night before, watching her as she slept soundly in his arms. He watched as she breathed, and as she dreamed of better things. He slowly brushed her hair behind her ear, and slowly, he began to softly sing a tune to her, not loud enough to startle her, but just loud enough to gently rouse her from her sleep. “Everything’s gonna be all right… Rockabye… Rockabye… Everything’s gonna be all right… Rockabye… Rockabye…” His voice was soothing, and showed that even without the help of a muse, he could sing well enough. He sung so gently to her, as he stroked her hair softly.