Chapter 3, Off-Kilter

Chapter 3 Blurd, written pagan 8/18/2014
People take for granted their normal "safe," lives. The ability to just go out and meet people. Don't get me wrong, normal people have their draw backs too. I mean making friends for them is a lot more dangerous. Friendship for them is surprisingly like Russian Roulette. It's all about dumb luck. You make a friend with a random stranger who gives you a rush or ends up hurting you, usually severely.  You run into a person. Neither of you knows anything about the other and you take a chance and hope you live to see the other side.



Yeah, you can find out things. Information always leads to risk assessment. Where we're from it's easy. What's your name? Oh, I've heard of them. Are you from that family? Excellent, I now know you're family, where you're from and maybe even what you're about. Our Aunt brought us here to learn to interact with normal people. Alright so our first friend, we kinda knew a little about. Mostly because Kar wouldn't stop asking questions on the plane over here. I wonder if she ever finds out if she'll be upset that we knew who she was before we said anything? We were already warned that "stalking" or "creeping" would annoy people and usually scare women. It's not like we brought binoculars and are planning to get in your house without permission. Though apparently you don't have to take it that far to upset people. Was knowing her name before she knew who were were considered creepy? I mean it couldn't be helped, we were told not to initiate. " Let her make the first move if she wants. She's very focused. She might just ignore you." But you didn't ignore us. The thought makes me smile. Please don't be mad at us. We never meant for things to change.



~Cade

Shaeyde 6/12/2013

"Oh you have got to be kidding me. Maybe I'm the crazy one."

-- Shutting the door to the storage closet securely behind me, I blinked as I looked around the bathroom. I hadn't been in there all that long. Had I seriously been so distracted that I missed the squeak of the door that I'd commented on needing to be oiled for weeks announcing her departure ? I mean heck, I hadn't even heard her pee, not that I'd been specifically listening or anything. Drawing a deep breath and exhaling, I splashed my face with some cool water a time or two before carefully patting it dry with some paper towels. Still not helping with the headache that had started to build, I went over to take a seat on the small bench that lined one wall for just such purposes. Putting my head down between my legs, I slowly tried settling my breathing. I'd head back out to the guys in a minute, just one. As soon as I was sure I was okay and not imagining crazy broads or feeling like I was warm enough to explode if things got any worse. --

Pagan
June 12, 2013

The headache isn't getting better but at least it's not getting worse, and you still feel warm. The A/c is cold enough you almost want to shiver, but you don't. You stand up slowly and the world tries to tilt a little. The whole room's not spinning, but you do feel a little light headed. You splash a little more water on your face before you go back to the dance floor. For a moment when you open the door and the air changes, you catch another fading wiff of the mystery chick's perfume. It's kind of distinctive, the sweet musk of jasmine and the almost light scent of waterlilies. If you had to put a word to it she smelled like night blooming flowers by flowing water. You don't smell it again. You make it back to the dance floor and find Kar and Cade are sitting by the bar, with your backpack. They are joking with Mike, the bar has started to wind down. ( Say it's nearly midnight, sunset about 8 met them about 9, dinner and dancing, then this little excursion, which you were only gone like 15/20 min. this place doesn't get a lot of the uber late clientel) "There you are, was starting to wonder if you ditched us, but then we found this so figured you were around."n Kar smiles in his typical exubriant fashion.

Cade does his customary eyebrow raise and a slow blink, "Are you alright? I was starting to worry."

Shaeyde
June 12, 2013

-- I must have eaten something wrong. Or maybe it was something off with one of my drinks. It could have even been something about the sudden flux of uncontrollable emotion...Was I having an actual panic attack ? It was doubtful as I was able to walk well enough even if I felt a little lightheaded. My bigger concern was driving home tonight. I could always hope I felt better within the next bit, or worst case scenario, maybe get David or Mike to drive me. I had no intentions of letting my companions of the evening know anything was wrong. The woman was still on my mind though, her unique scent one that stuck with me even after I stopped catching the little telltale whiffs of it here and there.

By the time I reached the group of them at the bar, my dress was likely dry enough from any water I might have dripped on it while splashing my face. If anywhere was damp, it would be the curling tendrils of my hair that were tightening into little waves right around my temples. Flashing the best smile I was able at Kar, I moved forward just enough to brush a chaste kiss to his cheek as a silent sort of thanks for remembering my bag. Settling onto the empty stool between the two of them, my hand found one of Cade's and gave the faintest of squeezes in an attempt to show him I was okay. Taking a second longer than perhaps was needed to draw back, I shot a look over the bar at Mike. --

"If it's not too much trouble, think I could catch a ride home when I split from these two hooligans ? I think I'm more tired than I realized and I'm not sure I should be driving."

Pagan
June 12, 2013

You lean over to see if Mike will give you a ride since you feel like shit. He looks a little concerned, he can't cause he works till close. Unfortunately so does David. Cade offers to drive you home, Kar can follow in their wheels. You nod feeling too crappy really to argue. As you start to walk back it gets harder to keep the world from tilting. Cade grabs your bag from you and takes the weight off. It was nice that was getting unbearably heavy on your shoulder. Cade noticing you're not doing so hot, shoulders your bag and wraps an arm around your waste, "Damn," he mutters pulling you into his shoulder, "you are burning up." You get off the busy streets with the bars and head across the park. Kar has been walking in front a few steps, occasionally moving a drunk person or two out of your way. You get to the bridge and the breeze off the water feels amazing. There are the occasional streetlights, but plenty of shadow on both sides of the bridge. It's pretty empty this time of night. It's a good 50 yards across.

You get about dead center when Kar stops, Cade of course stops. You see the glow of a cherry at the far end of the bridge. And this guy, (#1) walks into the streetlight looking at all of you, behind him is a guy in a hoodie, you can't see his face but his hands are in the hoodie pockets. Your really feeling shitty disorientated, they're talking to Cade and Kar, but your not getting much, you pick up the #1 saying "the girl" and "filthy Heirs?" Kar keeps between you and Cade and the strangers. #1 walks up to Kar, mutters something. Kar glances at the other one who pulls his hood back. You figure dude must be wearing a mask or some kinda costume make up, no one is that ugly. Leathery skin pulled tight over the skull, uneven patches of hair, red eyed and all teeth seem sharpened to a point. Kar takes half a step back and #1 decks him. Kar grunts but manages to connect with the guy's face. #1 doesn't even turn his head and laughs a cold cruel laugh, before he back hands Kar and sends him flying a good 10 feet into the railing. You hear metal ring as he makes impact. Cade hisses and swings you easily into his arms.

The monster in the hoodie, clicks his tongue and waives a black gun, not directly pointed at you, waives his finger like he's scolding you. Kar's trying to pull himself up off the concrete and #1 is closing on him. There's another noise like a hiss mixed with a faint whistle. The gun goes flying out of the freak's hand and over the edge. The noise happens again and the monster's left knee gives. A third time and the one closing on Kar stumbles as his ankle blooms in red. A slightly husky female voice with an exotic accent yells, "Run! Go!" The strange sound happens two three more times as Cade turns to run. The big guy#1 is starting to get up and so is that Monster, Kar looks dazed. Someone brushes past you. Midnight black hair, a gun, a flash of a blade, and the last impression you get before you close your eyes, so your not sick while Cade runs with you in his arms, is the flash of a green flame pattern on a leather jacket.

Cade tries to be gentle but he needs to be fast now and breaths apologies in your ear. You hear the sequel of tires, someone yells you hear a bullet graze the alley wall as Cade ducks into it. That's pretty much when it occurs to you someone is shooting at you. Cade slips behind a dumpster and places a few fingers to your lips to keep you quiet. He's trying to control his own breathing. You hear the crunch of someone's shoes, they stop in front of the dumpster but he doesn't look behind it. A painfully slow few seconds pass, before someone hisses, "shit lost 'em" and you hear the quick footsteps retreat. Cade is slowly peaking out behind the dumpster, when you lul your head up. On the fire escape to the 3rd floor is a strange looking girl with blue hair and a strange outfit. She puts a finger to her lips and smiles, your not sure but you think you see fangs. She winks. You blink. She disappears. You must pass out, at some point you remember Cade shaking you, "Caro, come on Caro, you need to wake up enough to drink this, it'll make you feel better. Please." Your laying on a bed, at least it feels soft like a bed. You feel like your burning up, your skull has to be fractured to hurt this bad. You don't know if the moisture on your face is sweat or tears. You fade out a gain. You come back with someone is slowly pouring something cool and soothing down your throat. On instinct you cover the hand holding the glass to your mouth with your own hand and down the rest of it. This process repeats a few times. The pain fades. It washes away with the wonderful cool liquid. A soft hand on your forehead, a soothing masculine voice purrs comfort. "Rest Caro, sleep, we'll still be here when you wake, please sleep." Yes sleep you're so tired, so very very tired.

Pagan
June 12, 2013

You sleep till it feels like you've slept for ages. You eyes open and you're lying on a bed and it's not one you recognize. Your under the covers but you are naked, completely. Your dress and stuff are sitting on a chair next to the bed, a small note on top. (if you read it, all it says is: Caro, sorry I will be right back, they found Kar. They say he's gonna be fine. Just needed to check on him. It's safe here. Back in a min. ~Cade, ps sorry and I will try to explain everything. Next to the chair is an end table, on it is a pitcher of slightly luminescent pale blue fluid and a half full glass of it. The room is dimly lit with what look like old school gas lamps dimmed down to a faint glow so you can see the room but not bright. It should seem darker but you can pick out any detail. This room looks like it was carved from stone, also there's no traditional door. There's a door way, but thin opaque fabric seems to be drawn across it. There's faint murmmers, like a few people are whispering in the room on the other side of the cloth "door." You give the room a once over. Your backpack is sitting on the floor by the foot of the bed.

Shaeyde
June 13, 2013

If I hadn't been progressively getting worse, it might have actually been enjoyable to have Cade's arm slung around me the way it was. For the moment it was just nice because it gave me something to lean into as I made my best attempt to walk a straight line. His comment about my temperature merely earned him a quiet, "See I knew you thought I was hot" before my head rested against his shoulder. When we were passing over the bridge, the sense of almost relief brought about by the breeze had a quiet sigh of pleasure unfurling from my lips, a hand subconsciously reaching out towards the water that promised to soothe whatever was causing me to feel like warmed over butt. The only thing to distract me from that was when we stopped so unexpectedly at the middle of the bridge. Why oh why of all nights did I have to feel so out of sorts ? I usually never got sick.

My eyes widened when I saw what had to be an illusion. Maybe it was makeup but nothing ever looked that real, and it wasn't like this was the movies or something. Maybe I was just that tired and had passed out, leaving this all to be a dream. When the impact of Kar hitting the rail sounded I knew that this wasn't make believe but very, very real. Cade's swift movement only went further to confirm that thought. One of the last things I saw was Kar struggling to get up before whoever these people were got to him. Watching enough movies to realize that crying out right now might only distract him and thus cause him further harm, I went to bury my face against Cade's shoulder when the world seemed to explode into action around us. That last glance showed me an all too familiar jacket, which wrought from me the mumbled comment of, "Thought I was rid of her." As close as he was likely holding me, he may or may not have heard it, his focus already being distracted as it was.

Teeth found purchase in my lower lip, eyes closed as tightly as i could bare so that I didn't loose my dinner all over poor Cade. I suppose one of the few things that kept me focused and not taking the opportunity to just slip under to make it all go away was the sound of his apologies pressed so close to my ear. That and that strange but by no means unpleasant scent of his. Arms banded around his waist, as best as I could, some vain attempt to help ease the burden of my wight, minimal as it seemed to be to him. I vaguely felt the touch of his fingertips on my lips, a plea for silence that I was all too willing to comply to. The last time I opened my eyes it was to see another strange woman above us. Fangs. She so did not have fangs. Maybe I was hallucinating by this point which may have been a good thing considering all the weirdness I was seeing.

I slept then. I think. Or maybe there was mercy somewhere and I passed out completely. The next span of time was all jumbled. Some sleep. Waking partially again to so much pain that lopping off my head might just have been kinder. Cade's voice pleading with me to wake up and drink something. It sounded like he was still worried. Poor Cade. I still hadn't heard Kar's voice. Where was Kar ? I faded again waking only to joining my hand to that masculine one to drink something. I drank willingly. Almost desperately as whatever the beverage was, it stole the pain. Took the heat away and left me feeling....I wasn't sure other than I was tired. Taking some strange sort of confidence in that voice, I finally actually slept.

Shaeyde
June 13, 2013

When I finally woke up again, I knew I'd lost track of time, a fact that left me rather uncomfortable. Had I missed classes ? Had entire days went passed ? Was my Father back and wondering where I was ? Seeing the clothing from the evening at the club flashed it all back, the quick reading of the note leaving me worried for Kar. I wanted to trust Cade's words that he'd be okay, but people said that all the time when someone was badly hurt so that other people didn't overly worry and freak out. His words of explaining everything left me with a bad taste in my mouth as the conversation I'd overheard slammed to the forefront of my mind.

Could I have prevented Kar getting hurt and Cade getting shot at if I'd just said something ? Or maybe if I'd actually stayed in the bathroom with that crazy woman ?

Scrubbing away the warning sting of tears that came at the thought, I scolded myself. I was not the type of girl to do what ifs. I would face this head on, just like I did everything else. Digging the sheet out from under the rest of the covers, I slid free of the bed and wrapped it around me. I was slender enough that it allowed for several full wraps of cloth which should keep anything too important from showing through. That pitcher of luminescent fluid was kind of worrisome. Was I going to glow now too ? Was that what I had been drinking ? I was quietly cursing myself when I caught the whispers of voices coming from outside of the fabric door. Remembering how good the liquid had made me feel the first time, I warily finished filling the glass.

Taking a tentative sip of it, half expecting to explode or something else crazy to match with the rest of it, I crossed the room, a hand moving to part the would be veil between me and whoever was out there. Half hoping half praying that it would at least be Cade if not Kar as well, I realized I wasn't sure what to expect.

Pagan
June 13, 2013

The blue fluid is cool and tastes like mineral water, only more refreshing. It’s odd to feel it “wash away” any fatigue or weakness as it slides down your throat. Without intending to, you down the rest of the glass before your across the room. Drinking it’s as natural as breathing. It’s in your mouth you swallow, like with oxygen you just inhale. You pause to listen for a moment before lifting the curtains. I don’t know how surprised you are when you hear Chuck and his wife talking to another man. Chuck does not sound pleased.
“Damn it, how did this happen?’ his voice stays a whisper but the fact that he’s upset makes it come out more of a hiss. An unknown masculine voice mummers uncertiantities. “She’s at least alright then? What about the other kid, Kar?”

It’s Chuck’s wife Donna that answers, “She’s just going to need some rest, Mamma M’s with Kar, says he should be fine, poor boy took a nasty blow to the head, but he should be right as rain in no time, especially with Mamma M looking after him.”

Chuck lets out a breath in relief. “What about that Shadow? Do we have anything on her?”

“Not since she dropped Kar off at the back door. She was buy the river but we lost her trail. We don’t have a way to contact her. If it’s not over she might just show up again.”

“Why is it, this one young Shadow seems to know more about what’s going on in my home than I do, or my Regis Shadow?” Chuck actually growls this out at the man across the room. A small scuffling across the room, and you hear the everyone, shift their stance to turn and look.

“Sorry, I just want to sit with, Caro,” it’s Cade’s voice.

“Of course boy, of course,” Chuck’s voice lost all animosity and sounds more like the man you remember as a family friend. “How’s your brother doing?”

“He’ll be fine, thank you for asking,” you can hear a slight scuffle of Cade’s shoes on the floor, closing to the fabric of your proverbial door.

Shaeyde
June 13, 2013

"Which means he's not fine now."

-- Fighting to bar back the bite from my voice that came from the overwhelming levels of surprise and confusion as well as the concern that was still evident for Kar, I stepped through the cloth and into the outer room before Cade ever made it to me. Fingers of one hand tightly clenching the sheet to me, the other held painfully tight to the glass. It never occurred to me that the she and the her they were talking about could be me, I mean why would it ? I was just some simple girl who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had listened enough to the conversation that I was starting to maybe piece small things together and I wasn't sure I was liking any of the potential answers. --

"Also, don't call him a kid. Either one of them. Granted they're not legal to drink yet, but they might as well be. Kids don't deal with the things that happened last ni...Well whenever it was. Between the two of them they kept me safe. And kept themselves alive. As for Shadow, do you mean the psycho chick I met in the bathroom at your club, Sir ? The one that smelled..Well she smelled nice and then disappeared. No offense but she said she was your family ? I hate to argue but if she is, what's the deal ? Is she the milk man's baby ? I only ask cause the jacket isn't exactly one you see all the time and I saw it before I went dead weight on poor Cade. But I want to see Kar. I need to make certain with my own eyes that he's okay."

-- Looking down at my feet then, half disbelieving how I'd just talked to one of my bosses, I hid behind the fall of my hair that was a tumble of chocolate curls at the moment. A cowards move perhaps but it was a defense mechanism that was familiar to me and at the moment, familiar wasn't a bad thing. Rubbing my bare foot anxiously against what was presumably a stone floor if it matched the walls, I nibbled at my lower lip again, knuckles of both hands going white as my hands tightened even further, both around glass and sheet as I waited for any of them to turn and lay into me for the way I'd spoken, so out of turn. --

Pagan
June 13, 2013

You get a quick impression of another room made of stone with no windows. There's a sink built into one wall, and examination table, near it, a small filing cabinet, a free standing metal cabinet, and maybe that's a standing shower in the far corner. Cade's sharply inhaled breath, is followed by the scuffle of his shoes, you also hear Chuck as he takes one of those deep inhales, like he hadn't taken a deep breath since this whole thing started. Donna, under her breath breaths, "oh thank goodness." Standing across the room is possibly the most non descript man you've ever seen. Short brown hair, medium skin tone and a face that's neither hansome or ugly. Just a regular Joe would be the only thought that comes to your mind. You finish what you have to say and before Cade can even give you a hug, the glass in your hand crack's just a fraction of a second before it shatters. Just enough time for you to loosen your hold so you don't grind the shards into your bones. Yeah, that kinda sucks, alot. Cade makes a concerned sound in the back of his throat.(not a whimper damn it.) He turns your injured hand in his so you can keep one hand holding your sheet up while he looks at it. "Oh Caro, are you alright, i mean other than this. Come over by the sink let me help you clean this. Mamma M is gonna be here any minute she wanted to see you too." Assuming you let Cade take you to the sink. (For future reference remember that you grew up with Chuck as your dad's best friend so he's kinda like an uncle to you.)
Donna, takes a seat on the examination table, more to be out of the way. Chuck ambles over to the free standing cabinet and starts pulling out some gauze and bandages. Cade begins quickly but delicately removing the shards of crystal from your hand. The small cuts are bearly bleeding, but you have a fairly deep one over the lower part of your palm. Cade turns on cool water and slowly starts to rinse your cuts as he pulls the last shards free. Even with the water running you hear Chuck long before you see him. Chuck is 6 foot even with sharp features. His cloud grey eyes are usually warm and kind. You know from seeing him deal with some asshole patrons they can also be steely and cold. Chuck sets the bundles of gause and bandages down on the counter next to Cade. He puts a large, long-fingered hand on your shoulder. Assuming you don't flinch he leans in, making sure not to block Cade's light as he works on your hand. He uses that soft voice he used to use when you were little and you'd be sick. It reminds you of when you had the chicken pox, he came over to watch you while your dad was at work and you mom was visiting relatives. He brought you a stuffed panther to "eat the chicken pox" so you would get better. Then he let you curl up on his lap and watch cartoons. "Caro, I'm glad your alright? You're right, I shouldn't call them boys, old habit. I'm sorry. How are you feeling, they said you would need to rest for a while before you got up and moving. I can bring you a chair." Theres's some slight movement and the nondiscript man in the corner must have handed the folding chair to Chuck, who sets it up and gently helps you sit. The strange blue liquid had swept away your fatigue but it was crawling it's way back up your legs and making your head feel kinda lightly fuzzy. You can still function just fine, but you get the feeling another twenty minutes and you'd be weaving on your feet. "Now you said you met the girl at the club. Did you get her name Caro?" Chuck's voice isn't judging he sounds geniunely concerned and curious.
Mr. Nondescript chuckles, "She didn't give you a name either?" Chuck's eyes go cold as he turns from you to Mr. Nondescript. He stops chuckling and sighs. "I'm just saying, a vague description, no name, a distinct leather jacket, and she smelled good. Your asking me to find one person in a city of over a mil. Oh with an accent, and one we know isn't local. I advise we don't waste the man power hunting her down. If it's not taken care of she'll show back up. Are you sure she didn't say who sent her."
"Joe,"Chuck's voice is controlled, "She helped make sure people didn't die tonight. People we care about. I don't care who sent her. You're right, we will wait and hope she shows back up. You're dismissed."

Joe, as Chuck called him, closes his mouth. "Yes my Primus," and bows and walks out the door.

Shaeyde

June 14, 2013

"She spoke Russian. Her accent was fluid as if it was either her native tongue or she's naturally bi to multi lingual. Though on second thought the accent could have been something other than Russian but it sounded right to be something of European to Eastern European. Enough right that it pained her to hear my lack of one. Her eyes were different too. An odd sort of mix between cobalt and green. Even with heels, she was shorter than me. Her scent....I just have to remember it. And Cade...Really, I'll be fine. It's just a little cut. I'll heal, promise."

-- I wanted to, more like needed to remember her scent. Scents were definitive. Taking advantage at the moment of how close Cade was, I leaned into him. Counting on how the first day at the Pavilion he had let me more or less bask in his scent, I hoped he would do the same now. If he did, the hand holding the sheet, modesty forgotten reached down to clasp his gently. Using his scent, so distinct as a sort of focal point, I rolled back through my memories until I was in the bathroom again. My cheeks may or may not take on a flushed, rose hue again, and if they did I was too focused to notice much less care. Stopping the rewind, I fast forwarded just enough to where I was exiting the bathroom. It was faint there but it was the most recent whiff I had caught to memory. Locking onto it and pulling it with me, I kept my hand in Cade's for a moment longer, but pulled back to be able to look over my shoulder at Chuck. Flashing him a small, tentative smile, the memory of the stuffy he had given me making me suddenly miss Velcro which in turn brought my mind back to Kar as well. --

"Jasmine and waterlilies. She smelled like night flowers. And the jacket. There were green flames running up it. I think. But enough of her. I'd love to see Momma M but if she's coming here, then whose with Kar ? You had better not be leaving him alone after what he went through. Oh...There was a second girl too. That one I'd never seen before. My memories of her aren't so clear though. If Momma M is coming here though that means she can take me back with her to see Kar. Cade can come with, right ?"

-- Going to stand up from the chair, the rush of dizziness was swift, but thankfully brief. Enough so that as I started swaying towards Cade, I caught myself and straightened with a gentle shake of my head. If I had to judge I didn't have a lot more time in me before walking would be getting interesting. --

"So is someone going to tell me why we got jumped before or after Momma M gets here ? Also if I'm going to get cancer or go up like a darned fleet of lightning bugs from this stuff I've been drinking, that'd be nice to know too. It's going to be a real blast redoing my wardrobe if I am."

Pagan
June 14, 2013

It’s actually Cade who speaks before Chuck, “Actually I think Mamma’s going to be bringing Kar in a minute,” Cade shrugged, “He wanted to make sure you were alright. I think I can safely say we also want to know why they jumped us, it clearly wasn’t random.” Cade fixes Chuck with a flat stare.

Chuck leans back against the wall, “I’m sorry I don’t even know much. The mystery shadow showed up at Haven a few,” he pauses to check his watch, “four hours ago, got in contact with me, and told me,” Chuck gives you a hard to read but definitely pained expression. “Actually Caro why don’t you sit, this is going to take some explaining. I’m going to tell you as much as I know, but there are a lot of things we’re going to have to explain to you. I promise I’ll do the best I can to find out what’s going on. No, by the way, the Waters aren’t radioactive. You won’t start to glow, and your not gonna turn into a she-hulk or spider man. Sorry.” He gives you a playful smile like he usually does when he teases you, and Donna retrieves the pitcher from the other room and pours you a new glass. “That’s actually going to help you feel better, and recover more quickly. It’s a rough experience. Though I should have know it wouldn’t keep you down long. Donna, honey, would you be a dear and scrounge up some food for Caro and the twins?’ Donna smiles and gets up. She squeezes you’re shoulder as she walks past and offers that reassuring smile she always seems to have saved just for you. As she swings another curtain open to leave the room, Mamma M walks in followed by Kar.
He’s moving a little stiff, and most of the left side of his face is a nice shade of purple. The instant he sees you he smiles a cheeky grin, and flinches when it reaches the purple parts of his face. Settling for a half smile, he puts one hand over the left side of his face and shrugs. (Note if you glomp him he will be happy for the hug, but he’s gonna hiss cause it hurts a little) “Did I miss the party?” he asks, his enthusiasm only slightly curbed by pain.

Shaeyde

June 14, 2013

"You can also explain what they meant by the Heir, or maybe it was heirs. Then there's the Her they were talking about. Heck even why the one looked like he was chastising me for being with the two numskulls I was out and about with."

-- I tried to hide how excited I was at the news that Kar would be here soon, some part of me still refusing to believe he was well enough to meet my demanding standards until I laid eyes on him. Giving a slight nod at Chuck's words, rather than sitting I shifted enough to turn and slip an arm around Cade's waist, my head resting lightly on his shoulder. --

"You should remember me, I hate taking stuff sitting down if it's avoidable. As to she-hulk or Spider man ? I don't think I'd look good in that much green, and while tarantulas are cool, I'm not sure I'm cool with the whole red and blue costume. Besides, I more like the idea of being Batman or Iron Man's sidekick. They were human and still kicked massive butt. There is Tygra though. I think I could get behind the whole cat-girl thing. The real question is recover from what ? I know I felt like warmed over behind but other than that, I'm not the one who got hurt."

-- I turned quick enough to press a quick kiss to Donna's hand when she squeezed my shoulder, the touch helping further still to ease some of my uncertainty. I was refocusing to say something to Cade when I saw Momma and Kar enter the room. Giving a low sound of displeasure, I shot a slightly displeased look at both Cade and Chuck before pulling away from the older of the twins and moving carefully towards the younger.

Looking up at Kar, eyes expressing the sorrow at his state of affairs that my words seemed inadequate for, I reached a bandaged hand up to settle gently over his. Wanting nothing more than to glomp him and give him a good solid squeeze and scold him for being a hero, I restrained myself, not certain that it wouldn't hurt him more. Instead he got a quiet smattering in Greek pressed to his ear, idle, silly words of praise and affection for his courage. When finally I drew back, a quiet smile, my usual for her was offered to Momma before I flung myself at her, sheet and all. --

Pagan
June 14, 2013

Assuming you whispered to the side of his face that's not so tender, Kar rubs his cheek across yours. He whispers back, "I have no idea what you said, but I'm glad you're alright too."
Smiles and catches your launch and pulls you in tight. "My goodness, your awake." She laughs and squeezes you tight. "Did I miss the grand explanation Chuck, no? Well good, why don't we all go sit on the bed and Chuck can explain some of the questions you have. " Still with an arm around you she leads you, the twins and Chuck back into the side room you woke up in. Chuck takes the chair with and sets it across from the bed and sits down. Mama takes the back corner and if you allow, Mamma leans you into her shoulder, Kar leans on yours and Cade takes Mamma's other shoulders. She blinks at Chuck to begin.

"Um shoot! Don't put me on the spot or anything. Um, alright Caro, there are some things we've been keeping from you. Please understand we held it back because you could have a normal life and not have to worry about some of the crazy things that's happening right now. Now I also want to let you know, there may be some changes but you can still have your life. It's not over, it's just a little different. Alright, that said. Let's start off with Heirus, not Heir not heiress, well it's kinda like a shape shifter. Minus the stupid Hollywood monster bullshit. Think of it as a person who sometimes changes into an animal. Some people are born with it. Some people are dormant until they hit a point when their body is ready for it. You feel really sick and dizzy and hot. It usually lasts about 24 hours and most people sleep for that time. When it's finished the Heirus has a mark, it looks like a tattoo, and it's unique to the Heirus. Once they finish "waking up," so to speak they are stronger, heal quicker, some find they have special talents. That's um.. That's what your recovering from Caro. Even now that cut on your hand probably looks a day or two old. In an hour, it will probably be a pink line. By noon no one will ever know you cut yourself."

He's been speaking at a slow pace, letting his words sink in. Mamma is at your back with comforting arms, Kar at your side gently nuzzling your shoulder just like Cade did earlier at the zoo. Cade has an arm drapped across Mamma's lap so you can feel a reassuring hand on your arm.(He's take your hand if your not too mad at him)

Shaeyde
June 14, 2013

"I said I was proud of you even if you're crazy. Your brother is lucky to have you. You shouldn't have risked yourself like that though. We could have found another way. Well more like the two of you could have, we're not leaving you behind again. I don't care how close to unconscious I am. Not happening."

-- It all was whispered quietly against his good ear while the lot of us arranged ourselves on the bed. There weren't words for Mamma, just a very thorough squeeze as I more than willingly allowed her to guide me to the bed so that I could relay that brief message to Kar. Keeping the sheet wrapped snugly, an arm slid around Kar, carefully holding close to him. While the lot of my weight was on Mamma, more than once I found myself carefully nuzzling in against him, just tiny brushes, delicate things of affection and praise that he had so completely earned. It was a good thing I had because you might say the information hit me like a ton of bricks.

Saying I blinked a few times as I looked at my bandaged hand was an understatement. Carefully unwrapping it from the painstakingly placed gauze, I balled it up and kept it clenched in one hand while I looked at the cut that had been the largest of them all. I'd be darned, but he was right. Refusing to hyperventilate as none of this made a whole bunch of sense, I was suddenly more thankful then ever for the surprisingly welcome presence that Kar offered. While he may have just been nuzzling, I burrowed into the warmth and scent of his throat and just closed my eyes. I didn't even argue when Cade took my hand, merely acknowledged that he had by the barest of flexing of my fingers. Very very quietly, but still easily enough heard with as close as they were, --

"So we have no idea what triggered it last night ? Or why they attacked us. Or who they are. If I had to guess I'm physically reacting to it better than you expected, aren't I ?"

Pagan
June 14, 2013

Chuck smiled a sad but sympathetic smile from across the room at you. "Everything a time, and everything a place, I'm sorry Caro, I can't give you a why. Sometimes it just happens. I don't know who they are but I do know what they are. Yes, Caro I said what. I wish I could have eased you into this a little more slowly, but you need to know this. The things that attacked you are what we call Ultio. It literally means the Avenging, but when you break it down they're vampires. Blood drinking, walking corpes without souls. We Heirus have been fighting to keep the Ultio in line for centuries, hell some would even say a few millennium. As for who attacked you and why, I can tell you all the information I have, and no that mystery woman is not related to me. She said that to get me on the phone, it's kind of a catch phrase other Heirus can use when they need to speak about this kind of thing in front of humans.

When that young woman showed up, all she told me was big players were moving and gave me a list of targets. Said she'd give me a full briefing of her intel, but we needed to verify the safety of about a dozen people first. She wanted to know where you were specifically, asked for you by name. Said she didn't know what you looked like, but needed to know that and your current location. When I told her you were in the club earlier, she suddenly described you to a tee. She rolls her eyes, swore and ran off without a word. Wasn't even 15 minutes later Cade came busting in the back door with you.
We send a team out to help, and less than five minutes later she's dropping Kar off at the back door. Yelled something at David and was running like hell. He thinks she said 'if you want something done', but wasn't sure. This shadow definately knows something is going on. We have people watching all the names she gave us, and so far you were the only one who got attacked. She'll show back up. Now the only thing we can do is wait."
That's about the time Donna comes back with a huge tray of food. Like 12 cheese burgers and an entire plate of french fries. This is when you realize your starving.

Shaeyde
June 14, 2013

-- Something clicked to me then, rather suddenly as I peeled myself out from between the crush of bodies that a moment ago had felt so welcoming. Putting pieces together, starting from when I'd first met them at the Zoo, not even twenty-four hours ago, I crawled off the bed and after a few weaving steps planted a hand on the wall to turn back and look at the two on the bed.

They didn't know me. Couldn't have known what I'd become. To think they had come there looking just for me would be way too egotistical. Kar hearing me, quiet as I'd been over the music and the way he'd been able to catch me so quickly. Both of their scents being so unique but strangely inviting as well as their eyes. Humans didn't have eyes like that. Then there was their seeming social, well more like lack of social skill. Of course they would have been kept hidden away. Even if I was right, they'd had no reason to tell me. I was a stranger to them. One that they'd went out of their way to keep alive tonight. If I was healing this quickly and hadn't completed my transitory stage yet...Damn tears. Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Turning and carefully walking back to where Kar was sitting on the bed, I ignored the smell of food no matter how much my stomach was growling. Reaching a hand out hesitantly, I brushed it as carefully as I was able against the bruised side of his face. If he allowed, I leaned in, totally closing in on his personal bubble until I could gently rub my cheek against his injured one. Quietly, even quieter perhaps than my earlier words, --

"It was worse, wasn't it ? You got seriously injured protecting Cade and I when had I come and said something, we might not have left the way we did. I'm sorry Kar, so, so sorry."

-- Going to my knees then at the side of the bed, impropriety of the action long gone from my mind, I pressed my forehead to his upper thigh, quiet tears falling upon his jeans. I couldn't deny it all was truth, what my mind had thought illusions earlier proving just how much risk I had put the both of them in. --

Pagan
June 14, 2013

Kar reaches down and much easier than he should be able to pulls you into his lap, setting you head in the crook of his shoulder, rubbing his cheek against your forehead, whispering softly. "Hey, Hey don't do that. Please Caro don't. If you had said something we there wasn't anything that would change. We would have tried to get you home and safe first, we would have taken care of you first before we tried to find out who the hell she was. Please don't cry Caro, I'm healing just fine, I'll be completely healed in no time at all. It will be alright, it was my fault I was surprised when the creeper took off his hoodie. I won't let it happen again it. It's gonna be ok. We're safe here, we'll be ok. I promise we'll be alright."

Mamma M and Cade have slowly wound around you. Their presence is comfort, warm and safe. All things that you desperately need. Cade's head winds up against your side also rubbing a cheek against the sheet, your arm over his shoulder. Mamma seems to have found a way to wrap around all three of you, her thumb drawing lines on your jaw and neck. Kar slowly holds you, every so often coaxing you to take a drink of the Waters, a nibble of a french fry, a taste of meat and bun. He's painfully slow, and always murmuring soothing words in your ear. They are more than content to hold you until you fall asleep. And sleep you do, floating in dark water, warm, velvety, you drift away.

Pagan
June 14, 2013

Again you flow through this lovely dark water of unconsciousness. You slowly come conscious with someone whispering in your ear and gently shaking your shoulder. "Hey, hey Caro wake up." It's about that moment you realize you've been sleeping between the twins. You should feel awakard, but instead it's still strangely conforting and warm and you might have to fight just a hair not to snuggle in and go back to sleep. You don't feel like but as you so aptly put it, but still sleepy. so sleepy. "Caro, wake up the crazy lady showed up. I'm not sure what's going on but Mamma M said we should probably get up" That's when the smell of tasty wafts in from the other room.

"I'll leave the breakfast in here, gotta run, hope your feeling better Caro!" Donna's voice rings from the other room. Your nose has picked up the scent of bacon and eggs, toast and orange juice. Some part of your brain knows you shouldn't be able to smell oj from across the room, but you'll worry about it later. The boys slowly slink our from behind you.

"we'll let you get dressed in peace. Mamma also brought you some jeans and stuff." As Kar walks out of the room. "We'll save you some bacon."

Shaeyde
June 15 2013

- Gods almighty I was a frackin mess. I was weeping like a baby all over poor Kar's jeans and there didn't seem to be any stop to the waterworks in the near to foreseeable future. As if having a Creeper kick the crap out of him wasn't bad enough, I was now in the process of drowning him. Yet there he was picking me up like I didn't weigh even as much as a feather and trying to console me. When had this gotten so turned around ? This wasn't what I intended but it felt too good to argue. If I wasn't going to believe anybody else, I should believe him, right ?

I curled into him then, tilting my head just enough so that I could slowly sweep my tongue over his jaw a time or two. Remembering the action as one that Velcro had done to me on more than one occasion when I was sad or distressed, I think in a way it had also been him claiming me as his. This was my way of marking him, even if the only people who ever knew of it were the three here. The last thing I distinctly remember was finding Cade's hand and dragging it to my lips, mimicking the delicate licking action on the underside of his wrist, right in one of the places where the pulse flowed strongest. I may have eaten something but the thing that stuck with me clearest was that I had marked them both in my own little way and that I hoped they weren't going to be competitive over that too.

-----

Awkward land was somewhere far, far away. Most likely off with Never Never Land and Oz. I was warm. Content and secure between the press of their two bodies regardless of if at least one of my parents would have an apoplexy about me sleeping with two boys in nothing but a sheet. I didn't feel violated, so I hadn't been, right ? The thought drew a sound, half snort, half giggle from me as I tried not to sink deeper back between the two of them. I would have stayed there, finding some way to keep them there with me till I heard the mention of psycho chick. Okay so that right there might have had me springing out of bed, looking red as Rudolph's nose. half tripping over the sheet, I also caught the scent of breakfast. Orange juice, was that actually fresh squeezed ?

"Oh no you don't I saw how you two ate the other night. And knowing my luck you'll go out there and hear all the secrets that people are so scared to tell me. You'll wait right here and close your eyes like proper gentlemen while I get dressed."

I managed to catch them both as they were trying to sneak out of the room, little scoundrels. If they conceded to my request, I found the mentioned clothes and after dropping the sheet, quickly scrambled into them. Happily barefoot still, I ran my fingers through my hair, looking around for a brush, a hair tie. Something, anything to keep me looking like a ragamuffin.

Pagan
June 15, 2013
(Please note not sure if Chapter 4 is starting at wake up or breakfast, but definatly before story time) will post this at start of chap 4 list after blurb.)

The boys turn their back and you get dressed, doing your best not to look at yourself. Part of your brain knows if you see this mark it means everything is true and you're different somehow. If you don't see if maybe you can deal with it. Maybe. You search for something to run through your hair and you notice a small hand mirror, a brush and a small baggie of hair ties and clips. A small post it not on the bag simply reads: Thought you might want some ~Donna. You pull your hair back and realize both Kar and Cade are two steps closer to the door. They both turn and Kar grins, Cade smirks. "So," Kar looks at you and looks at the door. "Can we eat now, I'm starving." That's when it occurs to you, there's not a mark on his face. He must read part of your reaction and chuckles. "Come on," and they lead you into the other room.

Piles of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and orange juice, it is in fact fresh squeezed, wait on the desk with a few chair. You all lay into it, not even bothering to speak for a few minutes. If one of you wants something you nod at it an someone else passes, there is no room for words between breaths. This is how the boys manage to eat so much. You probably ate more than you did in the entirety of yesterday than you did today. "Mamma has a plan," Cade is the first one to speak between mouthfuls. "So the mystery shadow came in and gave her report to Chuck, he's busy running the Sanctuary. Mamma got strings pulled so the shadow is going to be teaching the story of our origin to some kids. This way you get the story and after we get some time to ask her questions before she disappears again." Cade checks his watch, "We can finish eating before we head down to her room."

Kar frowns as he chews another mouthful of eggs. "How badly was she hurt?" Cade shrugs as he inhales an entire piece of buttered toast. Kar continues to frown and chew thoughtfully, "I was pretty out of it by the time she started dragging me back, I'm not sure but I though maybe she was messed up too, but if she stayed out all night... I'm not sure."