Perhaps without sight;

The ENLIGHTENED Buddhism || 27 || The Elevated "KINDNESS IS A LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE DEAF CAN HEAR, AND THE BLIND CAN SEE." Caretaker || Blind || Twin

[blindxbuddhist]

Naomi was holding Finley in her arms, softly singing an Anne Murray song – Sleepytime. It was her go to choice song for Finley, as it probably would have been the song she sang to her own child. Though the probability of that was lower than it had ever been before. She was always joyful when Tessa trusted her to look after Finley, and it also made her feel seen as the capable individual she knew she was. Naomi was currently where the restaurant had been, near a window. She couldn’t see out from it, but that didn’t mean Finley couldn’t enjoy the view. She had cleared six steps in either direction, and was gently bouncing the child as she sang to her to sleep to the beautiful view.

“I would know those footsteps anywhere.” Naomi whispered with a warm smile, smiling as she turned towards the steps headed towards her, though didn’t move forward; she mapped out the side to side just fine, but when people left things about often, it made it hard to guarantee the path would be clear. “She was the perfect angel while you were away. Like always. You’re back safely?” She asked as Sasha got up and trotted over to the woman in greeting – it was always one of her first questions, wanting to confirm the other hadn’t been bit or scratched.

@driftingtess

[blindxbuddhist]

the-unholy-venus‌:

“I think a bit of both if I’m honest,” she joked. Vee couldn’t help but wonder how she had even survived this long. Sure, it seemed like she was a member of the Elevated which meant she would be safe for the most part, but how she found them, she’d never know. “Oh no, I’m not part of your group. I’m with another group so I’m just passing by.” She was ready to shake her head at her question but luckily remembered she couldn’t see, “Oh no, you don’t need to do that, thank you.” Though they may not be hostile, she still wasn’t going essentially walk into a lion’s den. 

“What group are you part of, then?” Naomi asked, genuinely interested. She let her guard down a bit more, relaxing her shoulders, and starting to pet Sasha behind the ears. “It’s rather unfortunate – these days, where kindness has seemingly faded into the background; considered to be high and naive in standards.” Naomi slid her backback from her shoulders, getting to one knee as she felt around first pulling out a collapsible bowl, and filling it half way with water for Sasha. She then pulled out a half eaten package of crackers, and an almost empty thing of peanut butter.

She slid her bag on her shoulders, then stood back up, crackers and peanut butter in hand. “I think if we wish to rebuild our world, kindness should be considered a lot more. Or we’re just going to end up even worse off than we were before.” She took a couple steps towards the woman, holding out the crackers. “It’s not much, I’m afraid, but it would mean a lot if you would allow me to thank you for your help. There isn’t much left in this world at the moment, she if we, as humanity, lose our humility and compassion towards others, it is most certain, that we will not become everything we could be; and we will turn on one another faster than the undead.”

[blindxbuddhist]

the-unholy-venus‌:

Vee came to a halt when the dog barked at her. Her hand instinctively went to her weapon, ready to use it if the dog attacked. She didn’t like the idea of killing a living dog but she would if she had to. Luckily, Vee didn’t have to make that choice as the girl calmed the dog. “No problem, I mean it would have ate me too so…” she joked before shaking her hand. It felt strange to shake someone’s left hand but she didn’t comment. “I’m Vee, it’s nice to meet you too Naomi. I have to admit, I’ve been told I make a good entrance more than once,” she joked.

“Are such entrances habits, or are you just lucky enough to seize the moments?” Naomi asked with a soft chuckle, taking half a step back after the handshake. It was true that she was too trusting in this world – shown enough by how fast she was willing to put away her weapon – but she also wasn’t naive. She was blind in a world full of monsters, and that made her a rather easy target. Though, the only gun she carried was in her bag, and it contained but two bullets; just in case her and Sasha didn’t have a painless way out of things. “Are you new to the group, then? Or just passing on by?” Then something occurred to her. “Has anyone offered you something to eat, yet, Vee? If you’re hungry, it’s the least I could do for your help.”

[blindxbuddhist]

the-unholy-venus‌:

Vee was scouting around an area close to where the Elevated were located. She usually didn’t venture this far on her own without any sort of backup but there were a few places she knew of from before the damned doomsday that might have been missed. 

She watched the girl when she came into view for a few sort minutes. Judging by the dog and the way she hit the object, the girl must have been blind. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a walker shuffling it’s way towards her. With a quick swipe of her machete, it fell to the ground. She slipped the weapon into her homemade holder and headed slowly over to the girl. 

“It’s alright,” she told her calmly when she spoke up, “I’m not going to hurt you; are you okay?”

The giant white dog stepped over Naomi in a protective manner, and barked aggressively. Though, Naomi didn’t need this to know she hadn’t heard the woman’s voice before now. “It’s okay, Sasha.” She soothed, sitting up and petting the dog, though she kept her own small knife clasped in her hand. “Thank-you – for ridding of the undead, I mean. We haven’t met before, though.” Her voice soft, words not rushed, the blind woman gave a warm smile, before finally making the decision to return the knife to its’ holding place, then held out her left hand. “I’m Naomi. And the marshmallow you see beside me here is Sasha. It’s lovely to meet you. I’d certainly say you make a wonderful entrance.”

[blindxbuddhist]

noahhollo‌:

naomi’s comings and goings with sasha were nothing new. they were like clockwork, reliable, comforting even, that mundane routine could still be found in these times. normally, he’d let her go off without a second thought, knowing the lookouts would keep an eye on her, keep her safe — but there’d been more walkers than usual around lately, and he didn’t feel right about letting her go completely alone. after a few minutes hesitation by the door, he decided to go out there, just to keep an eye on things, make sure she didn’t get swarmed ( it was becoming far too common lately ). 

coming outside just in time to see her fall, his attention was immediately diverted by the stray walker, quickly taken out by one of their lookouts up top — before he even had to reach for a weapon. thank fuck they had good people here. he made his way over, careful not to startle her ( she was armed, after all ), but also careful not to be too loud, lest another walker be around. “just me, naomi,” was his greeting. “you alright? sorry, not to like parent you or anything, there’s just been a lot of activity lately.”

“Noah.” Naomi spoke softly, confirming to herself she wasn’t in any danger. She carefully slid the small knife away, bringing herself to her feet. Of course, Naomi was barely taller than five feet, and the white King shepherd by her side was just under three feet tall at the head; needless to say, she looked even smaller next to the dog. But small didn’t mean weak, and though no one needed hay bails tossed here, she helped out when she could; including agreeing to help with guard duty sometimes – obviously close to the tower. It wasn’t her that was helpful much, but Sasha, who never failed to growl in the direction of the walkers.

“No, I understand, thank-you.” She stood herself up, doing a mental check over herself once more, confirming that she was without injury. “Sasha isn’t growling anymore, so either it shuffled away, or someone took care of it.” She held no real fear when going for her walks, because between Sasha and the sighted guards on the ground and in the sky, she knew she was safe. Plus, her twin helped her navigate the outside area; cars that were unlocked and where they were; trees she could easily climb and await Sasha going to fetch help (something Nadia worked tirelessly to train her to do). “It was my own fault, really – I took a few steps without Sasha or the walking stick. It was foolish to assume everything would be the same.”

The woman crouched down, and kissed the top of the dog’s head, before going into her bag and pulling out a tennis ball. “Play time.” Standing up, the warm smile remained on her lips as she held out a hand towards Noah, palm up, other hand holding the tennis ball. “How about Sasha and myself join you for your shift – she’ll have someone to throw the ball for her, and you’ll have an extra pair of ears in her. You just have to promise if there’s a swarm, that you get Sasha somewhere safe.” Her voice was still soft and sweet, not rushed or worried. “And remember to come back to let me out of a tree later, once it’s safe.” Being out and about, Naomi knew she was a liability – it was why she had Nadia help her, hours every single day for the first couple months. There were many places she could hide; but if it was a tree, Sasha couldn’t be kept safe, whereas she could. It wasn’t so much self sacrificial, as her being realistic. Should a small or even large swarm come along, it would be more dangerous for everyone, trying to get Naomi back safely (depending how far and the circumstances).

Leaving her and coming back later made more sense. But, there were enough guards that it didn’t worry her. Even still, Sasha was her best friend. “Do you remember the feeling of the beach? Standing at the water’s edge.. bare foot, closing your eyes and letting the sun wash over your skin? The sounds as the waves crept up, cooling over your skin? A camp fire after sunset? The way it crackled and left your clothes with an after smell? It feels like we’re all scrambling to survive, but are forgetting to stop and remember the small things that remind us to live. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too much, to request someone willing, to procure a few board games. I know it seems redundant, to have someone searching for a simple toy. After all, you can’t truly live if you don’t survive. But would it be so bad? To offer some semblance of normalcy, to keep the sanity?”

[blindxbuddhist]

At least twice a day (and sometimes three or four times), Naomi made the fifteen minute descend down the stairs to the CN tower, and twenty-five minute climb back to the top. Always at sunrise and sunset, to allow her guide dog, Sasha, to do her business. Often she would even walk around the area a little, and that’s what she had been doing this evening. The cool air felt remarkable on her skin, and it reminded her of working evenings on the farm, moving hay bails, and turning horses in and out.

The tower wasn’t ideal in some ways – there was limited space, and communal living meant things were always going to be moved around; and people had far better things to do than be careful where they sat their bag, or if they moved a piece of furniture over a few inches. The white king shepherd was only about five feet away, sniffing at some grass to do her business on, when Naomi tripped over something that definitely hadn’t been there that afternoon.

“That’s new..” She groaned to herself, as she lay there, taking inventory of herself. She chuckled softly when she felt a cold nose to her face, and reached up to give Sasha a small pat. “I think I’m alright, Sash.” However, her heart began to race when she heard the dog growl; Sasha only growled when there was a walker nearby. Listening closely, Naomi couldn’t hear grunts or shuffling of one, herself, which was somewhat of a relief, because it meant it wasn’t close enough for her to hear it. She did, however, hear footsteps of the living, and wrapping one hand around the pliable (leather loop handle, and not a hard metal one) grip on Sasha’s harness, her left hand reaching for the knife she kept on her – and she stood up slowly. “Hello?”

[blindxbuddhist]

Introduction to Naomi Davies

[devilxwithin]

Letting out a slight amused chuckle, she nodded. “Okay, won’t encourage her,” she spoke as she moved her hand up and down her arm in comfort. “Yeah, but that doesn’t matter,” she smiled. “I’d of been with you either way.

[blindxbuddhist]

"I don't..it's hard to uhm.. I don't know if moving out is.. there's the a-academy and.. and work and Little Lyric and..god, you and uhm.." December was unnecessarily stressing herself out about the entire thing. One one hand, she was having a child, and she felt obligated to be on her own now. On the other, her family was much needed support. Especially if she wanted to keep her job and start at the academy. Then there was the fact, she refused to do anything but breast feed, which meant about six months after the baby was born, she couldn't work. And another six months before she would feel okay starting her training to get into her aunt's unit. Or her mother's; but her aunt's boss told her she just needed to pass the academy. Plus, she was a hacker and that was off book and not exactly legal. Fitting right in with her aunt's unit. "You uhm..kissing me is probably- stops the thinking.." She blushed.

[devilxwithin]

Nix raised her free hand up to December’s face and she wiped away a few tears, even though it was kinda pointless because they continued to fall. “You are… and you’re going to be a great one,” she nodded. As Ember curled into her, she wrapped her arms around her and quirked a brow at the words she said next, lowering her gaze, she looked down to read the text and chuckled. “You’re mom’s a riot,” she spoke as she kissed the side of her head. “So, officially, will you be my girlfriend?”

[blindxbuddhist]

"I..I hope so." December took great comfort in the blonde's arms, starting to take deep breaths. "Don't..don't encourage her." She gave a light chuckle, still blushing. She didn't like to complain about her mother much, because she loved her; she knew she was lucky to have such an incredible mother. And in the scheme of things, the embarrassment wasn't all that bad, and was for laughs. Of course, when Phoenix asked her that question, she only started to cry again, nodding. "Yes..I-I'd like that..very much. Kid of uhm..doing this backwards, aren’t we?"

[devilxwithin]

Nix let out a small chuckle, as she sniffled slightly herself. “You’re a cute mess,” she whispered as she slowly looked up towards her. “You didn’t ruin anything, Babe,” she continued as she pulled away from December when she turned to pick up her journal, as it was help out to her, she slowly raised her hand and took hold of it as she read the note and her eyes continued to well up with tears. “Lyric is a beautiful name and I am glad you’ve decided to keep her or him if it turns out to be a boy, Reed is cute too,” she began as she lowered it and took a step forward. “I’m going to be here for you and the bub,” she whispered softly again and she tentatively moved her hand to rest on the other woman’s stomach.

[blindxbuddhist]

December began crying even harder, both her hands now covering over Nix's that was on her stomach. "I-I'm going to be a mother.." Through tears, she actually smiled as she looked down to her stomach, deciding to curl into her- ..well, whatever they were. After curling into Phoenix, the tears died down a little. "Pregnancy hormones.." She murmured lightly. Just then her phone went off and she read the text.

'When you two are done making up, Mistletoe's making lunch. Just remember safe sex!'

"Not even remotely funny, Mom.." She grumbled, blushing as she showed the beautiful woman with her the text. Instead of getting up, she snuggled even more into the older woman. "Thank-you.."

[devilxwithin]

Phoenix stood there as she watched December’s reaction, her heart was pounding in her chest at a rapid rate that the breath she took in was extremely shaky, as the other began to speak, she listened to everything, her eyes darting down to the small visible bump and it caused her to smile slightly once more before her eyes moved back up to the younger woman. Once she finished speaking, Nix didn’t respond, instead she walked the distance to where Ember was and leaned down pressing her lips against the others in response. “I love you,” she mumbled into her kiss.

[blindxbuddhist]

December kissed Phoenix back, tears only getting worse, especially after those three words were said to her. At some point, she pulled away, wiping at her eyes and then blowing her nose. "God, I'm a..a mess.." She blushed. "Way to ruin the moment, Ember.." The kiss just would of gotten on snotty. Wiping at her eyes, she looked to the girl before her. "I love you, too.." She picked up the journal and flipped to one of the beginning pages (an older entry), holding it out for Phoenix to read.

Hello, Baby. In a few months, I'll finally know if you're a girl or boy. You feel like a girl, though I'm not sure why. But I can't keep calling you 'Baby,' now, can I? So I'm going to call you Lyric. I hope you like the name as much as I do. If you are a boy, you'll be Reed, I think; I don't care what gender or sexuality you are..just that you are. And that you're healthy. And please, when you're old enough to realize that your mother thinks she's funny with the theme names, remember it's your grandmother's fault for starting it.

Because I've decided to keep you. Your grandmother gave up one of your aunts, and..whether or not you'll meet her is to be seen; not even I have. Grandma was a badass. Call her Grandma somtimes, just because I know she'll tell you to call her Nana or Leah. She's incredible. But she gave up her child because she was very young - younger than I am. But I do have the finances and I'm not where she was. I can't give you up, Lyric. And sixteen years from now, when you're reading this, I hope you feel I made the right choice.

[devilxwithin]

Smiling slightly, Nix nodded as she tilted her head to the side, she went silent again for a moment as she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I know, it’s okay,” she replied quietly as she took a step closer to her. “I’m not the best with relationships, can’t really seem to keep one, everyone just seems to not want me after a while, but it’s their loss in the end, but… I love you and deep down I knew that when you said those words to me, but I was worried about things being rushed and you deciding I’m not the one you wanted,” she began as she poked her tongue out and licked her dry lips. “I need to stop being scared and living in the past, I need to be in the now and I do love you and I’m not just saying that because it’s something you’d want to hear, I honestly mean it…”

[blindxbuddhist]

The moment those words left Phoenix's lips, December couldn't help but to look up, if only to gage the seriousness in her voice. When Phoenix finished, December closed the journal and stared at the cover. "I thought..I knew what love was." A hand came over to rest on her stomach; where a small baby bump was visible. "But the truth was, I only..accepted what I thought I deserved. And then- you smiled at me. And treated me so-" Tears falling from her face, she looked up at the other girl. "I know what love is now. And it's you. And I-I know uhm..Lyric complicates things, but I- I'm scared, too. To want and be wanted by someone who..who makes me feel good about myself.. but fuck all that? Because I love you, Nix. And uhm..words don't- can you..kiss me? And- and s-say those w-words again? Please? Then we can uhm..can just..go from there?"

[devilxwithin]

Phoenix stood there for a moment as she tried to think of something to say – anything really – but it was failing her for a moment as she lowered her gaze to the floor and shuffled on the spot. “I care about you,” she finally let out as she raised her gaze back up to look at the younger woman. “A lot and I want to tell you something, if you’ll listen…”

[blindxbuddhist]

December nodded, biting her lip before just playing with the pen in her hands over the open journal. "I'll listen. But 'Nix? I- I don't want you to think I'm mad at- and uhm..just know I'm really sorry. For not coming back after I said I would and- not answering your calls or texts or uhm..I'm just really sorry.." She whispered out, curling more into herself.

[devilxwithin]

“Hey…” Phoenix whispered out softly once she entered Decembers secret room, she really needed to talk to the girl and just hoped she’d listen and not get angry that she was invading her personal space, she was a little worried about going into the room, seeing as it was meant to be private.

[blindxbuddhist]

December was writing in a beautiful journal that she had bought, specifically for her growing child. To write to them, even a little, every day. She had been doing it since she found out she was pregnant. Because when she first found out, she really wasn't sure if she was going to keep the baby, but wanted them to at least know how hard it would of been; that they were loved even before they were born. She had been calling the child Lyric, feeling like she was a girl, but she also liked Reed for a boy - that's when Phoenix walked in and she became nervous, unable to make eye contact. "Hi.."

[warxpaiint]

Once they arrived at her place, she turned the car off and got out, watching as her niece moved inside and she blew out another sigh as she followed her in. Closing the door behind them, she made sure December was okay and quickly went to tell her friend that she was home, thanking them for looking after Felix. She returned back to the couch with a blanket and placed it over the top of her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Standing back up, she pulled out her phone to call Leah as she walked out of the room.

[blindxbuddhist]

Leah rode in on her motocycle, getting off and walking into her sister's place, only pausing when she saw her daughter asleep on the couch. She crouched in front of her and kissed her forehead, wiping away the drying tears as she ran a hand through her hair, re tucking her in and going to her sister. "I was already out and I don't want to wake her and make her ride my bike tonight. Can she crash here?" She hugged her sister and kissed her cheek, sighing. "Is she really alright, Hails?"

[warxpaiint]

Hallie just decided not to talk about this anymore as she could tell that her niece was probably embarrassed enough. “Sure, kiddo. Let’s go and get warm,” she smiled as she slowly stood up and pulled the younger girl up after. She wrapped an arm around her once more as she led her to her car.

[blindxbuddhist]

December instantly passed out in the car ride back to her aunt's, barely registering that they were there when the car pulled in. She got out groggily, taking her laptop and phone, not saying a word. She walked in like a zombie, finding the couch and passing out again, before the tears dried on her face.

[warxpaiint]

Hallie’s head tilted to the side a little as she listened to her talk. ‘Why should she have been mad? If she wasn’t then that means she really cares about you and wants to be there for you. She didn’t have to be mad, Sweetie,” she spoke as she went back to listening and she blew out a silent breath. “What did she say when you said you loved her?” She asked curiously just so she could get an understanding of what happened. “No,” she shook her head. “I’ll cover for you, say that you came over to mine and fell asleep and I lost track of time, your mother might be a little annoyed at me for not telling her, but it won’t last forever.”

[blindxbuddhist]

"Maybe I don't exactly deserve that. You're my Aunt, you're supposed to say otherwise, but..but I don't.." She was starting to get cold, and huddled into her aunt for warmth, but to also hide the embarrassment. "Sh-she..she doesn't feel the same. I don't want to talk about it." She was so grateful that her aunt was going to cover for her, or she'd get a whole speech about being out so late by herself and all that. "Thank-you..can we go now? I just..want to sleep.."