Without Words :. Amelia .:

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia smiled when her cell returned Amelia's reply. She laughed lightly. Looking to her friend she spoke. "Yes I suppose we well." She was sure Amelia was joking. "Maybe Satar will grow on the idea as well." She added. Lamia was glad that at least one of her furries was content around Amelia, she only hoped that Satar would become comfortable as well. He was the most territorial of them.

The dark haired Russian would have agreed, there were many a times she wished she could see. Her eyesight was growing worse quickly and as it grew worse so to did her memories of being sighted. Speaking English wasn't easy for her. She and Criss often spoke a mix of the two. Though both preferred to speak full Russian it was best that both practice their English as well. There were somethings that leaked out fully though they always said 'brat' for brother and 'sestra' for sister. It was a habbit they couldn't break. She saw the slight blurred movement of Amelia's hand as she waved to Satar. "He wouldn't take kindly to that, he'd bite back." She replied with a laugh. After a slight hesitation she added, "You sign yes? Stupid question.. But do you think it'd be possible to teach me?" She asked sounding hopeful. Though Amelia couldn't hear it she might have been able to 'see' it in how she spoke the words. "I could teach you in return, Russian perhaps?" She offered knowing it be only fair that Amelia got something in return. Though the teen would have likely been happy being able to sign rather than texting back and forth.

That was exactly what Lamia feared too. She truly was in the dark. Even though her eyes saw better at nite without the harsh light of the sun burning her eyes, still it wasn't any better. Lamia often felt trapped too, lost in her own world by her senses. Only knowing what she could touch, smell taste or hear. Without sight she was missing out, just as Amelia could without hearing and speech. She truly understood. "Ahh, do not say that. I am an odd sight too." Lamia told her with a shake of her head in a 'no'. "You should. Beethoven could feel the vibrations yes? He was great. My brat..forgive my brother, Beethoven is one of his favorite classical musicians." She smiled then added, "You wish to pull Beethoven. When was younger I stared at the light bulbs until my head ached just to see colors and shape." She admitted. If to prove that she understood wanting something she couldn't have.

Star was more apt to sit still of petted or asleep, so a portrait of her would be hard because she wouldn't want to sit still. But if Amelia wanted to try it she was more than welcome. Otherwise she'd have to work from a picture which might not be as easy to use. Lamia was truly excited about it, she would be eager to 'see' the finished piece. "Poems mostly, but I have a few short stories too." She answered, wondering a moment if she might have one in English with her. Most of her writings were in Russian though.


OOC :I thought it was good. ^^ // An net I don't trust my Internet company. This time supposedly it was a wire from the box to the wall.. is' one BS excuse after another. Every few weeks or so it flakes out. >.< So for now it works.. but personally, they're idiots.

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[sarahnobles]

It was beginning to surprise Amelia how many of her the people she met where interested in signing. She was sure Lamia could learn, but she doubted she could read what anyone signed to her, maybe some words, but not all. There where many slight changes and details in the hands that could drastically change the meaning of a word. Then again Hellen Keller could understood what people signed to her. Amelia wasn’t sure how, but that was something they could look into. She nodded and texted, lol I can barely learn Spanish, but if u want to try to teach me Russian Ill give it a shot. Actually id love to read ur poetry if it isn’t private? It wasn’t that the sophomore was uninterested, foreign languages just weren’t her strong point. However she didn’t work too hard in Spanish. She could read a little and write even less, but she could never understand the teacher when she spoke. It was too difficult and she didn’t have the patience for it. signing will be easy, well start w/ the alphabet. She waited a minuet, for Lamia to receive the text then slid over so she was sitting close to the Russian. Taking one of her hands she bent the girl’s finger into a fist with her thumb at the side. A Next she straightened the hand and bent her thumb slightly in front, B. She smiled, but then wondered if she should have asked permission before getting so close. Lamia might not be a touchy feely sort of person. Making Lamia uncomfortable wasn’t something she wanted to do.

It was shocking how someone so different from herself understood her so well. She had expected Lamia to laugh at her Beethoven comment if she had understood it, instead she shared her own story. Her heart ache to how Lamia colors, as an artist she couldn’t imagine a life without colors.

For the most part Amelia preferred pictures to work off of. Live models where more fun, but it was easier with a picture. The subject stayed still, the lighting wouldn’t change, and she could take a break whenever she wished.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

It wasn't quite the same for Lamia, no one had ever asked her to teach them braile. But few knew she was blind so that was likely why. Lamia was truly interested in learning it could be fun. She could learn it, if she put her mind to it, it just might be a little harder for her being without sight. Not to mention just a little awkward to have people touching her hand every time the signed to her that'd be the only way she'd catch the meanings. The movements otherwise would be far to blurred for her eyes to pick up. Lamia smiled at the reply back. "I cannot learn Spanish either. My accent is to think. Hard enough to think in English half the time. I could teach you written perhaps might be easier." Lamia told her then added. "I have some in English. Not with me right now though, Criss my laptop he forgot his." Lamia said with a smile. She didn't mind Amelia reading her poems. Most were in Russian though. But it wouldn't take much to translate ones that she thought Amelia may like. Spanish for Lamia wouldn't have worked. For her her mind worked naturally in Russian she had enough trouble grasping English, when anyone spoke in another language besides the two she got so confused. Lamia got the text and nodded. She started to speak but felt Amelia move. She felt someone touch her hand. She knew it had to be Amelia. She flinched on slightly having not expected the touch, or the lessons so soon. 'I did not expect lessons to begin so soon.' She text to Amelia not sure if she was watching her face. Lamia let Amelia shift her hand into the letters. She knew some of them but not all. 'Go on if you want..' She assured her. It was true she hadn't expected the touch, nor was she big on close contact with anyone other than her brother.

Lamia did get it, she had her own story, she shared it. Ideas for her stories and poems came from what she heard for her that was her gift, so she understood Amelia being an artist needing sight.

Live models moved and Star wasn't likely to sit still so it would be hard to get her to mellow out.

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[sarahnobles]

Unlike Lamia Amelia didn’t have much of an interest in foreign language simply because she was no good at it. Russian she would try for Lamia, but her patience would certainly grown thin very quickly. Brail would probably go the same way. English was enough for her even if it wasn’t a universal language. Amelia cocked her head to the side, is written Russian different from spoken? Why would it be easier to teach her to write in Russian over whatever normal Russian was?

Amelia smiled and texted, no time like the present. You could say Amelia was touchy feely. She had always been, maybe it had something to do with how expressive she was with her body language, but more likely it was just how she was. She was rather trusting and didn’t shy away from contact. She worked her way through the alphabet, even if Lamia didn’t remember all of it, it was a good start. If she was serious about learning she could practice in class with her hand under the desk or at home. In her old school she and her friends would sign to one another under the desk all the time, it was easier then passing notes. Of course most of the teachers caught on very quickly and it was difficult not to get caught. Her science teacher Ms. Terran was an expert at spotting the silent communication. However her old language arts teacher would get so caught up in whatever the class was reading it was as if they where unsupervised.

When she finished with the alphabet her hand found Star again. Because Lamia seemed okay with questions she decided it would be safe to ask another. do u like the US? It had to be difficult switching language and culture by moving half way around the world. For Amelia moving to Chicago had been a huge change, she could imagine moving to another country. Not to mention or poor foreign language skills.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia didn't have much interest either. She'd much rather speak Russian all the time. But living her in the states she was more less forced to learn it. As long as Amelia was interested Lamia was willing enough for either, Russian or braille. Nodding in a 'yes' Lamia replied. "Like English is different in spoken to written." She explained. If "Russian English" it might have been easier written, but cyrillic written Russian would have been harder but not impossible.

Nodding, "Is true yes." Lamia wasn't touchy feely. Had some random person touched her she'd have gotten growly or nervous. But she knew Amelia well enough or at least enough not to be totally freaked by the sudden touch. She was interested, though the words may be harder for her to grasp. She if using sign language would likely have have to spell each word out. Which would end up rather time consuming. When it came to notes, Lamia was rather quick and sneaky when it came to texting her brother. She did that, both of them texting back and forth through out the day. She had, had teachers from both sides. The strict ones who would jump on anyone out of line an those that didn't seem to care or even notice.

Star purred when Amelia began petting her again. During the mini lesson she had been sitting quietly watching them. Lamia smiled lightly, she started to speak, but Amelia sent a text. Lamia hesitated, the question was random and kind of hard to answer. Almost like how much could she say, or was willing to. Finally though she found the words. "It is honestly mixed. No, in the weather, far to warm for my likes. I have traveled a bit, lived in the states since twelve. No place has weather like Russia. Bitter cold and snow. Yes, in that I and my .. brother are far from the crap back home." She replied, knowing her words might warrant more questions. But she was willing to answer them as best she could.

....
OCC : I should be studying for finals.. >.< I keep getting distracted.

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[sarahnobles]

Amelia wasn’t really sure what the difference between written and spoken was. Probably because English was her native language and she never noticed. Or maybe because she didn’t really speak it she always read it, one way or another.

Amelia could be sneaky with texting if the situation called for it, but normally she tried to focus in class. Besides she couldn’t ‘hear’ the teacher if she was looking down at her phone. Now that she was making friends she could have to get better at texting and ‘listening’ at the same time if she wanted to talk to anyone in class. Lets face it, who really wants to listen in chemistry? Besides that science made absolutely no sense at all.

Amelia could be rather random, spontaneous as well. But her question wasn’t too random, after all it was a get-to-know-each other meeting. She was surprised to hear Lamia liked the cold, most people preferred a warmer spring day. Amelia would take the cold for purely superficial reasons. She liked winter clothes better then summer, mixing and matching all her layers. Summer was so dull as far as wardrobe went, but their where bathing suits.

A frown worked its way onto her face as Lamia stroked. She looked down at Star as if waiting for the cat to explain. Her statement did bring up more questions, but Amelia felt some things should be willing given, not asked or demanded. It sounded as if Lamia’s ‘crap’ was one of those things.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

There was a difference between written and spoken in any language. For Lamia the spoke was harder, partly due to her accent and because she had to think harder to keep herself speaking English. Writing was only a little bit easier, but not by much.

Lamia was rather good with hiding the fact that she was texting too. Plus it helped that she had Braille on her keys that made it even easier since she didn't have to look at all to see what she typed. Not that her blurred eyes would have helped much in that. She was forever texting back and forth with her brother. Chemistry wasn't Lamia's favorite subject either. However, for her the hardest in her schedule was painting. Partly because the teacher didn't like her style, she used only blacks grey and white. The teacher wanted color and shape. Why would Lamia paint in a way she couldn't understand? Couldn't 'see' only feel. Her world was mostly dark so too were her paintings. She more less ran errands now for the teacher since they came to an agreement in that area.

The dark hair Russian was more the opposite, she liked to plan things out to have each detail map as best she could. Criss was a lot like Amelia, he was the random spontaneous one crazy kind of 'head in the clouds' attitude. Cold for Lamia was all she was use to. Russia was cold and snowy. She was only tanned because of the summers here. In Russia most of the time it was the leather jackets and warm clothes. Even here she often wore or had a jacket with her. Summers were just to dry and to hot for her taste.

Star looked to Lamia a moment as if in some feline way she understood. Her eyes then drifted back looking up at Amelia. Her lips moved a little as she mewed softly. Lamia sighed closing her eyes. She hadn't meant to have it come out quite like that. So blunt. "Issues in family mostly.." She said looking back to Amelia. "Dad drinks a lot. Or did died about two years ago. Mom little better in department of support. Both did not know how to help me. Criss took care of me. He raised me not them. There is more to it.. but I do not wish to say just now."

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[sarahnobles]

Amelia would be appalled to learn that Lamia’s art was being forced back down inside her. Art is a personal thing, individual to each person. Many of the worlds most famous works contained no color and considering Lamia was almost nearly blind she could change the world of art with her style. Her style which was unique and special. Besides even Amelia who adored colors, the brighter the better, often drew with nothing more then a lead pencil. Art should have no boundaries or rules.

Amelia wasn’t able to hide the surprise she felt at all the information Lamia presented her. It was more then she expected to be trusted with, already she could see Lamia was a private person. She nodded in an understanding way before remembering Lamia might not have even seen the gesture. It was strange, using words and texting without any body language to back it up. Facial expression and body language probably made up ninety percent of what Amelia said. u and criss are good for each other. She texted, unsure of how to respond. In a way they where lucky, although they had had a difficult past, they each had someone they could count on for unconditional support and love. She supposed it was only fair for her to inform Lamia about her family or something personal. Of course her past wasn’t exactly….as unpleasant as her friends had been. With the exception of her mother’s death she had a very wonderful life. She was lucky, she was blessed with understanding parents and a father who never fell apart no matter what life threw at him. First a deaf child, then his wife passing, surely that was the thing that destroyed families. After a minuet she sent, b4 dad and I came to Chicago we lived in California with my mom. She died when I was ten.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Maybe it wasn't forced back, Lamia probably in some ways 'gave up' She had her passion mostly in writing and acting on the side. Partly too that a teacher once had told her basically that she wasn't good enough. So she retreated into herself and took up writing and acting more heavily. When Lamia does drawn art now it's for herself or Criss, but she is far to critical of what she can't see.

Lamia honestly hadn't meant for that to come out. It just had, she wasn't one to say such. If Amelia had asked, Lamia would have told her something, but not all that she did. "Thank you. I would be lost without him." She said with a smile. It was the truth, Criss truly was Lamia's world her everything. She needed him and he needed her. Lamia cringed slightly at Amelia's text. "I am sorry. That was hard I am sure..." She replied then added. "I did not mean to say that of my past. I do not do so often." Her voice almost made her sound sullen, as if she felt bad that she had let it slip. Not to Amelia, she doubted the words would ever be used against her, or could be. But Lamia being a private person, not letting her private life mix often with her personal.

"Happier topic sound good yes?" Lamia quick to change the subject. "Classes, friends, dorm. Anything you pick, just enough of dweling in past for the moment."

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[sarahnobles]

OOC: I have no muse, but I feel bad for taking so long so 4give my crappy post

Lamia was a somewhat confusing. There was no reason to regret what she had said, the actions of her parents had no reflection upon her and a difficult past only made her a stronger person. It was, but I have Dad Amelia smiled, despite the fact that Lamia couldn’t see it. She wouldn’t say her father was her whole world, but he was a large part of it. He had raised her and loved her, in return she loved him.

Although Amelia was happier to love into lighter and easier territory she wasn’t exactly sure what to say next. It seemed wrong somehow to just jump topics. She crossed her legs as she thought for a moment, her gaze once again on Star. What is your room like? My dorm is covered with paper, that I draw on when im bored. Homemade wall paper. Its really bright. You could describe Amelia’s half of the dorm room as distracting, there was something to look at wherever you turned your head weather it was a half drawn sketch or a bright poster or even her yellow bedspread. It was almost obnoxious, but Amelia loved it. Despite its chaotic appearance it was actually rather neat.

The sophomore imagined Lamia’s room to be more…subdued. Large decorations, maybe varying in shades of dark colors. A soft carpet and very organized. Even if Lamia was sleep walking she could find whatever she needed her room would be that neat. It might be large to, lots of space. Lamia didn’t seem like the type to have or be cluttered. Perhaps her brother would have cluttered, they seemed to be opposites in as many ways they where similar. Besides weren’t most famous musicians known for clutter?

She wondered why the school didn’t have a marching band, that was something even Amelia could enjoy. The band and flag girls or whatever you called them would show the music. She would just have the muted version. If Mr. Smirnov was the music teacher she could ask him some time.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

OOC: Only if you forgive mine back.. and the delay getting it to you..

....

Lamia didn't mean to be confusing, speaking English wasn't easy for her. Nor was talking of her past, she would rather forget it and pretend it had never happened, though she knew she couldn't do that really. No matter how much she wanted to. Criss was her everything, he was her world. He was both her light and her eyes in many ways. They were close, and it showed in everything about them.

The past just made Lamia squirm, flooding her mind with memories she didn't want to dwell upon if she didn't have to. But she could understand too that it maybe wrong to jump so quick, but she couldn't or didn't want to deal. Her fingers moved lightly over the keys 'The change is good.. forgive but the past.. I don't like to think it if I do not have to.' She text to Amelia giving her a moment to read the message then when spoke, hoping that she was looking once more at her lips. "Dark much. Purples and blacks. Nothing on walls just.. wall paper Criss call 'egg white' I like your wall paper it sounds pretty, large canvas." She smiled, imagining the bright colors that were probably there, in her mind she could see the bright colors without them hurting her eyes. But being around or exposed to them in real-life made her eyes burn.

Lamia was the one who had to have everything just right. Her room had but three pieces of furniture. Her bed, a chest of drawers for what didn't hang and a small nite stand where she stores her meds. The bed was always made and the only thing ever allowed on her floor were the pet toys. Even then she preferred them in one corner. He brother on the other hand. 'Cluttered' would describe his well. He had a bed chest of drawers and a nite stand much like Lamia only his was full to the brim with decks of cards. His other corners had his guitars. Plus a few others in their cases slid under his bed. His room wasn't as cluttered as one would associate with musicians but it wasn't the neat and tidy of his sister's by any stretch.

A marching band would be interesting, being as this was a school dedicated to the arts it was strange that they didn't have one. Criss would have loved it if they had one, he'd likely speak up someday about it.

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[sarahnobles]

Unlike Lamia Amelia’s past was a happy one, remembering the past made her happy. Although she missed her Mother dearly, memories of her still made her smile. It was understandable why the other girl wouldn’t want to think about it, it was also very sad. No child deserved a childhood like the one Lamia possessed.

Amelia was pleased with herself, her assumptions had been correct. Perhaps she should look into interior design after she finished her art tour. Such large dreams in such a small package, to say Amelia aims high is an understatement. The sophomore nodded while texting, The canvas wallpaper started when I was idk 4 or 5. so I wouldnt draw on every wall in the house. Her mother had been furious when she had drawn a bright yellow sun as tall as herself on the living room wall with a few clouds scattered around the room. Her father had laughed and taken pictures, after he had calmed down of course. In the end the wall was repainted and so began the ‘canvas’. It was ironic, Amelia’s room could be described as loud with bright colors, yet she had no idea loud was. Loud and big or obvious or noticeable. They where all one and the same to her.

A marching band might be too expensive for the school. Much of the budget was already spent on art supplies, instruments, teachers, books, etc. A marching band would mean uniforms, flags, rifles, probably more directors. A new set of drums, etc etc. Not to mention the cost to transport the band to competitions. Her cousin Sarah was a flutist in her high school marching band, they had one director from drum line, one for the brass, one for mallet percussion, an assent director, director, and one person who wrote all the sets. A set apparently was where everyone stood at each point and how they moved there.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia's past had its moments. Not all of it was hell growing up no more than all of it was a bed of roses. She just like her brother, dwell upon that part of her past. Mostly she could move on. But somethings just can't be forgotten no matter how hard one tries. A drunk abusive father, who didn't seem to give crud about his children, and more his youngest, a blind child who needed extra help? He would rather drown his woes in a bottle of vodka and take out any built up anger on his wife and kids. That wasn't fair. That was why she and her brother had ran.

While Lamia wasn't quite as dark as her brother in her taste and style she did have a like of the darker colors, partly because the bright hurt her eyes. Amelia would likely be good at interior design. Her lack of hearing, made her eye for detail better, likely enough. Like Lamia her lack of sight made her a better listener and a good judge of what she hears rather than by what is seen. Smiling lightly, "You draw well I bet. I see it too, drawing on walls as kid, crayon marks there and here." Lamia laughed a little. Had Lamia ever done that as a kid, it would have been worse. She'd have gotten a swift beating with her father's belt. Lamia didn't understand words like that with double meanings. Loud was used with sound and color. Like if a color was bright it was considered loud. Perhaps it was just her Russian accent and breeding that confused her of the English wording, but still it just didn't make sense.

Probably true on the band. The though well off enough, as far as Lamia knew, couldn't afford the whole marching band. Those were expensive with a lot of things to keep running. Instruments, uniforms, guns flags, and the trips, not to mention keeping up interest. It wouldn't be easy to keep up with. Lamia's playing abilities were limited, however, she managed easily enough on the electric keyboard, her brother had taught her that. He was the true musician though. His passion was the guitar and the drums on the side. Lamia hadn't even seen a marching band, she'd heard a few, but to see the movements they did in perfect unison that would have been interesting to her. Criss usually described the moments to her, as best he could but sometimes his voice wasn't enough to paint the picture of what was around her.

....
Soo very sorry for the delay on this.
Partly so my muse died and
other just summer was in and out quite a lot.

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[sarahnobles]

Amelia blushed slightly at her friend’s comment. my art is ok, but no where near brilliant. That’s why I came here. I want to be the best. Amelia would be best, if it killed her she would be one of the greatest artist of the century, which was likely because most artist didn’t experience fame until after their death. Hopefully the determined sophomore wouldn’t have to endure such a fate. Besides the school had a high success rate, many students went on to colleges like Julliard U never told me ur major the fifteen year old pointed out, with a music teacher for an older brother she assumed Lamia was a music major, but it was never good to just assume. It would fit though, without sight her other senses should be heightened. Maybe she even had perfect pitch or something special like that.

In time, when Lamia became more fluent and familiar with English double meanings and such wont confuse her. Her English poetry would grow in leaps and bounds once she mastered the language. Amelia brushed some loose hair away from her face and crossed her legs, she was getting stiff from sitting so long. Star seemed content still, but then again what did she have to complain about? She had an attentive, gentle mother (Lamia) and Amelia to pet her for as long as she wished. Lamia seemed content as well. She didn’t even seem fazed with how weird the conversation was, to be more accurate how it was being carried out. It was still weird how they used their phones even though they sat right beside each other. What was even weirder, at least for Amelia, is the fact that with Lamia’s phone she had a voice. Lamia literally heard what she was saying. It was pretty cool, for someone who couldn’t even squeaked to have a voice, at least in a sense.

OOC:don’t worry about it. And ugh I have no muse. It was torture to force this post out.

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

If Lamia had known she had made Amelia blush she still wouldn't have felt bad. She admired any who could draw. Lamia could but it wasn't easier for her without sight "You will get there. Just do not push to hard. The muse does not like it." She chuckled lightly her accent thicked as she spoke just then. As she tried to form the right words and yet speak English too. Also too the words she used, 'the muse' was more to writting, but an artist needed a muse too right? Lamia often felt her writing would become popular in death too. "Julliard good school yes. I have not decided on university yet." She said to Amelia. "Surprisingly not music. My brother is musical one. I cannot play, I am acting major. I want to write though.. the screen plays. That the dream." She said offereing more information than Amelia had asked for.

The differences in the words in English was confusing. Her brother's English was near perfect. While both still held their accent hers was often times thicker, and her words when she spoke English came out out of context and out of order. Star still purred and had since lay down between Amelia and Lamia greatly still enjoying the teen's gentle hand. Satar still lingered near Lamia now down in her lap his head tucked under his wings. But ever so often an obsidian black eye would be seen poking from beneath the white as he looked at Amelia. The conversation and the method for it was odd for some perhaps, but for Lamia and Amelia it was perfectly normal. Also the voice Lamia heard was harsh and almost rebotic. Not at all lovely, like seh imageined Amelia would sound of she had her voice. But still it worked. Lamia listened what she heard, and imagined a softer sweet almost 'child-like' voice for the teen across from her.

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