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Honey, I'm Hooooome!

It'd been a pretty good night. Loads of tips, and since it was girl night, she'd been allowed to go unbound, which was a helluva lot more comfortable. A little buzzed, she still had in all of her various piercings from work. Luckily, none of them had ever gotten infected, Jan was the healthy, hardy sort. A hooded tanktop, a thick, rainbow belt, suspenders, and well-fitting boardshorts rounded out the outfit.

The freckled girl had almost headed home when she remembered what she'd told Ancelin, and headed in the opposite direction. Luckily, the club wasn't far from either of their apartments. At about 2:45am, she unlocked the door and made her way inside. Shoes were discarded by the front door and her keys, wallet and sunglasses were left on the kitchen counter when she got a drink.

A quick stop in the bathroom, a few minutes, and brushed teeth later and she opened the door to Ancelin's bedroom, movements as quiet as ever, only... The light was on?

"Hey," The tipsy girl's grin was a charming as always.

Ancelin had wanted to stay up until Jan had gotten home. But let's face it, little miss 'I'm a good girl' couldn't stay up past midnight to save her life. So there lay Ancelin on her bed in her room, with all the lights still on.

There was a romance novel and a CD player laying at her side, the little speakers still plugged into her ears even though the CD had ended hours ago. An had changed into her jammies already, but she had taken to wearing the bottoms with the top the past week rather than just going with just her panties.

The girl exhailed softly in her sleep, not really a snore, but her breaths where loud enough to know she was sleeping. The girl smacked her lips as if her tongue was dry from breathing with her mouth, and she rolled over onto her other side.
"Nnnnh.. No.. No stop.." An muttered in her sleep, apparently she was having a bad dream.

Jan, realizing that Ancelin was actually asleep, didn't lose her grin and moved farther into the room, gently removing the cd player, headphones, and book from the bed. Making a face at the novel's cover, she tossed it onto a spare chair, setting the other objects on a dresser. Sliding onto the bed, Jan lightly shook Ancelin's shoulder, rousing her from her nightmare.

"Hey, Ance... Couldn' stay up, eh?"

Ancelin moaned softly and opened her eyes to Jan's shaking, before she rolled onto her back to look at the taller girl.
"Oh Jan.. Yeah.." She nodded as she rubbed her eyes and let out a big yawn. She had brushed her teeth just before laying down, so thankfully 'morning breath' hadn't taken ahold of her mouth yet.

"How was work?" she asked as she smiled up at the blond, rolling closer to her as she wrapped an arm around Jan's side to give her a tight hug.

Jan didn't move away from the physical contact, brushing her bangs from her eyes with a relaxed, warm smile. "Et was gal's nigh', so et was gay girls, naw guys. Tha's always a pleasan' change." And the reason Jan looked extra-hot. She put in a little more effort on girls' nights. Just because. "Course, I had'a wear my gear."

Like the charming tongue piercing that flashed as she spoke. "Wha' were ya dreamin' bout?"

Ancelin nodded her head as she listened to Jan. She didn't really seem to notice the peircings and metal, still groggy from her half sleep. After she was content to hug the taller girl she let go and sat up, streching her body.

She slumped and frowned at the question about what she was dreaming about.
"I've been having nightmares these past couple nights.. This time I was walking home from work and someone grabbed me and pulled me into an alley and.." She got silent, not wanting to say the next part. She shook her head and looked to Jan, smiling softly.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I made some vegetarian stuffed pepers with the food you brought me earlier." she said softly. Lately, An had been trying to improve her cooking skills. Which was why there where a few cook books stashed in with her hoard of romance novels under her bed.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Ance. Tha' sounds bad." The blond reached over Ancelin to flick off the lights. "Naw, I'll eat en a few hours when we git up 'gain. No poin' en you rousin' yerself even more." Not bothering to undress or anything like that, Jan slid under the covers, warm body against Ancelin's back. "Y'thin' you'll be able t'sleep betta now?"

Ancelin smiled softly and nodded her head as she felt Jan's body curl up against her own.
"Yeah.. I'm sure I'll be able to sleep fine with you here." An whispered as she let her body relax against the matress once again.

Even with the lights turned off the room wasn't completely black. The lights in the fish tanks left part of the room in a faint glow. Which was good because Ancelin didn't like being in the pitch darkness. The pheasant girl reached back and gently stroked Jan's arm while her head rested on a pillow.
"I'm glad you here.. I feel so much safer with you around."

"Et's naw a big deal. No prollem. Jes' git some rest, alrigh'?" Jan blew lightly on the back of Ancelin's neck, seeking to lighten the mood, before sighing and relaxing. "G'nigh', Ancelin." They would talk, eat, whatever, during a more decent time of day.

Ancelin nodded her head and sighed contently as she took hold of Jan's hand and pulled it over to the front of her body. She held onto the blond's arm until she fell asleep.

Ancelin dreamt again that night, still sexual in nature. But in no way whatsoever was that a bad thing. Apparently the presence and sent of the young woman beside her was enough to ease the girls nightmares.

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Ancelin had her day off today, thankfully, so there was no need to set an alarm. The pheasant girl awoke around 11am and rolled over onto her back. She turned her head and looked to the sleeping Jan, before she let out a soft smile.

An sat up, careful not to disturb the sheets laying over the potato girl, before she thought to herself quietly. She quietly snuck out of the bed, and then carefully proceeded to brush her teeth, fix her hair, and prepare breakfast. She'd save a shower for later incase Jan decided to join her.

A good half hour later she walked back into the room with a tray in hand. She had brought the breakfast into the room so the two girls could dine together in the comfort of her bedroom.
"Jan.. It's time for breakfast." She spoke softly as she leened over and gave the girl a kiss on the cheek. All the while being careful not to spill the contents of her tray that she was holding out to the side.

Jan'd gotten a good eight hours of sleep or so, which was nice. She didn't tend to oversleep, so when Ancelin reentered the room and gave her that kiss, she let her eyes open, taking in the bedroom, An's good-morning face, and the breakfast... True to farmer lore, Jan was a hearty eater and grinned at the sight of the meal. Of course, she may have been a superior cook but a meal you didn't have to prepare yourself was a meal you didn't have to prepare yourself!

"'Mornin, Ance! This's migh'y sweet o' ya." Reminded her of the last time they'd had a little sleepover. Hadn't Ancelin made her breakfast, then, too?

Ancelin smiled and crawled back onto the bed, sitting next to the girl. She set the tray onto the matress in front of them. To prevent juice from spilling she had brought two empty glasses and put the orange juice in a capped bottle.

She had made omellete with diced onion, tomato and cheese for the main meal, and then had popped those stuffed pepers out of their container. They where best served cold anyways. She also had some toast with jelly spread on them and a bowl of mixed fruit.

"I hope it tastes alright." An said as she poured some of the juice into the two glasses. "Vin-vin says my cooking has been getting better. I've been practicing." She said, she wasn't going to add the fact that she had been forcing Vincent to eat her food every day.. That part didn't need to be mentioned.

"Did you sleep okay?" She asked, sipping from her glass.

Jan began to tuck in. It didn't take long. The food disappeared rapidly, and the fit blonde look satisfied as she swallowed her juice down. Obviously, Ancelin had practiced making breakfast enough on Vincent for it to be good for Jan, and the girl's morning appetite was impressive, anyway. She'd slept in really late, for her. It was almost time for lunch.

"I slept jes' fine. How 'bout ya? No nigh'mares?"

Ancelin chewed on her meal slowly and contently. Her bubble butt didn't come from nothing, An had a good sized appitite. Which was good because she made plenty to go around. The girl nodded her head at the question, and flushed a little as she started to remember it.

"I 'ad a crazy dream 'bout figh'in' giant locusts." Jan chuckled. "Wha'd ya dream 'bout?" a purely innocent question, and the blonde picked up a piece of toast, biting into it with obvious pleasure. Good food was good.

Ancelin giggled at Jan's dream, covering her mouth to avoid spitting up food. She swallowed it down and picked up her glass.
"Uh... Just a wet dream, nothing special." An muttered quickly before she stuck a spoon full of that peper into her mouth.

"So how did you end up defeating the locusts?"

Jan's grin was almost scary, with it's ferocity. "Fire." Maelon probably would've wet his pants. Speaking of wetting... The blonde's brows rose slightly and she took another drink of juice. "Nothin' special? Why? Y'ave 'em a lot?" You couldn't blame a girl for being curious.

Ancelin cursed Jan's hearing, apparently it was well enough to hear what she said. An shook her head lightly.
"Not alot.. But Shi-shi says there would be something wrong with me if I didn't have them. So that means they're nothing special, right?" She said matter of factly. It was true. An hung her head and let out a scoff of a laugh.

"That statement was followed by a 'I would know. I have them every night!'" she said, sometimes she wondered if there was something wrong with her gaurdian.

Oh, there most certainly was. Jan's laugh was low and she finished her breakfast. She'd had a dream not too long ago, involving Dee, leather cuffs, and chocolate. It'd been a good one. Nonetheless, the blonde sin'aeis was willing to let Ancelin slide on her sex dream.

"Lyrus got a cat... I mean, well, a lil' kid. Kin'a like a cat." Sure, Ancelin didn't seem to like it when Jan talked about any of her friends, but... There wasn't much to talk about.

Ancelin's face paled at the word 'cat'. Urgh, she hated them so. Infact, one had attacked Erik. She wasn't sure if she told Jan about that yet.
"Oh?" She asked as she looked to the girl.
"I haven't seen Lyrus in a long time. How is he doing? Besides adopting a child, that is." she asked. She didn't know Lyrus ALL that well.. But she had heard a good deal of talk about him. Somehow him adopting a child just seemed a little out of character for him. But, as she had said, she hadn't seen him in a long time.

"Eh, he's alrigh'. We've 'ad a recen' dis'greemen' 'bout summat, but he's doin' pretty well fer 'imself. Th' kid, I named 'im Benjamin, he's cute. I go over ev'ry other day t'elp out with 'im." Rolling her shoulders, Jan moved the tray from the bed to the dresser, so she could stretch out her long legs, and laid back down, expression thoughtful as she clicked her tongue ring along her teeth.

She should probably go home soon to change her club clothes.

Ancelin nodded her head as she folded her arms over her knees, watching Jan spread out. She began lacing her fingers together, twiddling her thumbs slowly.
"That's a cute name.." She said softly as she looked to the young woman. She had a soft pause, before she glanced off to the other side of the room.
"You wanna take a shower? There's some of Shi-shi's clothes from the last time she stayed over. They'd probably fit you." she suggested.

Jan's face brightened. That'd be nice, really, to shower. "Tha's a good idea..." Swinging her legs over the side of the bed the blonde stretched her arms high above her head, yawning. God, that felt great. "S'there towels en th'bathroom alrea'y?"

Ancelin got off the bed and walked over to her dresser before she opened the bottom drawer and retreived Tenshi's old clothes. She then stood up and pushed it shut with her foot.
"Yup, fresh clean towels. They're hanging on the rack above the toilet." she said as she turned around and held the clothes out for the taller girl. Depending on if she got an invite to join her, she'd probably just go to the kitchen and wash the dishes from their breakfast.

"There's a spare tooth brush in the medicine cabnet too that you can use, still in the package."

"I know," a quick grin "Tha's wha' I used las' nigh'." The blonde accepted the clothing with a thank you and headed for the bathroom. A few moments after the water was turned on, she stuck her head out the door. "Ance... Kin ya gimmie a hand? I keep turnin' on th'hot water, 'n et's jes' cold." What she didn't know was that the faucets in Ancelin's house were reversed. Something that could be fixed easily, but something that was annoying to those that didn't know.

"Oh, the handels are on the wrong sides." An said as she quickly followed the girl into the bathroom. She bent over and turned on the cold water knob. She stuck her hand under the water waiting for it to get warm, and after it took too long Ancelin grimaced.

"One moment." She said with a soft smile before she got into the tub and lifted her foot. She then gave the shower wall that the faucets where attached too three good kicks. A squeeling could be heard, and then a few pops, and finally hot steam started to come from the water flow.

An then turned on the cold using the handel marked 'H' and stepped out of the tub, adjusting her bangs as she smiled at Jan.
"It should work just fine now." she grinned.

Her laughter was delighted. She'd never seen Ancelin do something so... Butch, really. Grinning back for a moment, there was suddenlt the awkward second where the realization that she was going to be naked soon, and that Ancelin was still in the bathroom, but it would be weird to mention she was still there, hit. "Ah..." Jans fingers found their way into her own hair again.

"Than's."

Ancelin giggled a little as she put a hand up to her mouth to hide her smile. Secretly, Ancelin loved doing that every morning. It gave her a nice rush to suddenly assault the wall like that, and after all, nobody was getting hurt.

"I'll uh..." Ancelin said, realising that she was probably in the way. "Let you get to your shower then." She said as she quickly trotted out of the room. She shut the door behind her and let out a little sad sigh. Oh well, maybe next time.

Well, Jan had no idea if she'd have let Ancein join her, because the thought hadn't crossed her mind. You never knew if you didn't ask. Oh well. Jan clicked the lock on the door and stripped down, getting into the hot water. Twenty minutes later, she was out, a towel around the important parts and a second around her neck, collecting the drips from her rapidly drying hair.
"...Ance...?" Jan padded out into the livingroom area. "Showers free, ef ya wan' et"

Ancelin was in the kitchen, finishing up washing the dishes. The good thing about living in an apartment complex, multiple water heaters. Not to mention this place used gas rather than electric.

"Alright. I'll be there in a minute." Ancelin called from the kitchen as she stacked the clean plates in the cabnet. She picked up a bowl that she had prepared while the girl was in the shower and set it on the ground.
"Erik, breakfast!"

The pheasant came trotting out of the cage that was by the bathrom door and looked up to Jan. Ah, it was the woman again. He tilted his head to the side as he looked at her, before he quickly scuttled into the kitchen to the bowl. He began pecking away at the grain, and Ancelin smiled as she stroked his back.

"Do Shi's clothes fit okay?" An asked as she started to walk back towards the bedroom, not laying eyes on the taller girl yet.

After waving at Erik in greeting, Jan raised an eyebrow at the blue-haired girl's back.

Ancelin obviously hadn't realized that Jan wasn't in the bedroom changing, so the blonde followed after the shorter girl. The clothes were still on the bed, after all. Jan'd set them there on her way out, since she hated when they got steam all over them. Entering the room a moment or two after Ancelin, she shrugged smoothly. "Dunno. Pass me tha' shirt, alrigh'? I thin' I'll wear m'boardshorts, though."

When Ancelin entered the bedroom she realised that Jan was still naked. Her cheeks flushed and she nodded.
"Oh, yeah sure." She said as she grabbed the shirt from the bed and held it out to the potato girl. It was a black t-shirt that said "When I snap you'll be the first to go" in sketchy white lettering. It would probably fit the girl since what Tenshi had over her in width Jan made up for in length.

Once An handed the girl the shirt, she picked out some of her own clean clothes and set them on the bed.
"I'll just be a few minutes." An said as she went into the bathroom, leaving the door open as she started the water to shower. She left the door open so the room could vent, she hated getting out into a steamy and murky room.

Jan, not a fan of dirty underware, but often a fan of going comando [ah, yes, one can never quite get away from their nudist roots] simply slid on her shorts, doing the belt. A bra was slid on, the shirt was tugged on and tied at the waist to get rid of the extra room. With her towel touseled hair and cheeky piercings, the outfit didn't look bad at all.

When she left the room and headed down the hall, she spotted the open door and did her best not to stare to see if Ancelin was in the shower or not. She'd never seen the other sin'aeis naked, or, not since they were kids, and to be honest, she was a tad curious. Not exactly a fan of the television, she knew where she'd spend the next twenty minutes, avoiding the bathroom.

Ancelin came out of the bathroom nice, clean and dry. She had left the towels in the hamper that was in the bathroom. She poked her head out, and when she was content to see that Jan was in the living room, she dashed over to her bed and quickly slid into her panties, bra, and dress.

"Sorry to make you wait." An said as she walked into the living room, using the towel she had saved to dry her long blue hair.

"Naw, et's cool. I dun 'ave work t'day, but I shoul' prolly be goin' soon, anyway. Git en some plan'in, 'n swing by Lyrus's place." Jan shrugged, fingercombing her hair before glancing up at Ancelin from where she sat, on the floor, rather than on the couch. "Nice mad dash t'yer room, by th'way." Grin.

Ancelin made a very deep frown. Not at the notion of Jan leaving. She had spent the entire day before with Jan, and then she was sweet enough to stay overnight and then have breakfast with her. No, it was the strong fear that Jan had seen all the scars on her back.

"You didn't.. See anything weird, did you?" An said as she reached behind her back. Her hair went pretty far down her back, but she was afraid it might not cover everything up. She folded her arms behind her sides and pressed her fingers to her spine over her dress. She really didn't want anyone to see those scars.

"... Ah... Weird?" Jan just stared at her. Other than a human pheasant charmingly dashing around naked, what was weird? Blue hair? A slow blink. Another. "Wha're ya talkin' bout?"

Ancelin let out a releived sigh as she pressed her fingers to her chest. She then smiled happily.
"No, no. Nothing. I was just afraid maybe my butt looked bad." She winked playfully.

"Say hello to Lyrus for me when you see him. Perhaps I could go with you sometime in the future to see him. It's been so long." She suggested, trying to change the subject. "I don't have work ether. But I think I'm gonna go over to Shi's house today and hang out with Oliver and Vin-vin."

"Y'coul' swing by anytime. I dun' think he'd mind et all." jan'd given Ancelin directions to his apartment/junk shop before. "As fer yer butt, et looked fine. Those scars 'er from yer accident, eh?" Jan's tone was mildly curious.

Ancelin's body sank to her couch when Jan said the last thing. It felt as if her heart had made a cannon ball into her stomach. Damn it.. She did see them. She let out a slow nod.
"Mmhmm." She simply said. She despised how those scars looked. They took up almost her entire back. They where jagged, some dark, all affecting her otherwise perfect skin. She folded her hands together and smiled softly.

"Results of the skin grafts." She said, at least she knew Jan wouldn't think less of her for them. If she remembered correctly, Jan admired those with such marks. Shows of character or sum such.

Nope, Jan didn't give a flying s**t about how they looked. "Ah." She smiled. "They react like reg'lar skin?" That was the more important part. Who cared what the skin looked like if it wasn't a danger, bad, or was numb?

Ancelin nodded her head. She was thankful to like such an open minded person.
"Oh yeah. It's just like normal skin. It's a little sensative and tender sometimes to the touch. But it's not like I have no feeling in them." quiet the contraty, Ancelin remembered the painful process of having them put on when they started reattaching the nerves. She would of rathered just not have any feeling in her back than to have had to go threw that process.

"I'm s'posin' we'll have t'test out jes' 'ow sensitive et really es, sometime, eh?" Jan laughed and got to her feet, moving to the kitchen counter to grab her keys and wallet, and then sliding on her flipflops. "I'm gonna git outta 'ere, but ef ya need somethin', call."

Ancelin nodded her head and stood up before she walked to the taller girl. She reached out and gave her a gentle hug, before she opened the door for her.
"Alright. Thanks for coming to cheer me up. It really helped brighten my mood." An said honestly as she looked to Jan's brown eyes.

"Like I said las' nigh', tha' wasn' a prollem. I'm jes' glad y'weren' mad about Steve." Not that she'd have regretted it if Ancelin HAD been upset. The blonde squeezed Ancelin's hand before stepping out the door into the sunlight. Nice day. She'd get a lot done in the garden.

Ancelin smiled and waved to the potato sin as she walked down the hall and went down the stairs. Once the girl was out of sight she closed the door and locked it. She rested her back against the door and let out a subtle sigh. Then she smiled.

Doctor! Doctor! Tell Me The News.

Now, Ancelin had never been got a “lady doctor” before. In fact, Tenshi had only vaguely told her what all went on at one of these appointments. But after the… incident Tenshi insisted that she go and get a check up.
“Shi-shi.. I’m scared. Why do I have to do this again?”
“I assume he didn’t use protection.” Tenshi said with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. She was still very, very, very angry about what had happened. But she had decided it would be best to wait until Steve was healed before she hurt him again. Ancelin frowned and hugged her arms around her stomach as she shook her head.
“No…”
“Then A: You may be pregnant. And B: You may have a venereal disease,” she said as her brow created a deep crease in her forehead.

Ancelin frowned, it wasn’t bad enough that the whole thing had happened, but now she could be sick or pregnant? Ancelin didn’t want to deal with this. She just wanted to block the whole thing out of her mind. And now she was having to have something embarrassing like have someone check her out.. down there.

Tenshi reached out and gently took Ancelin’s hand, before giving it a firm squeeze.
“Don’t worry… I’m here for you An.” Tenshi said as she gave Ancelin a tender smile. It was something nobody accept Indu ever saw anymore. Tenshi’s smile. Ancelin had assumed it was long dead and buried. Ancelin smiled softly and returned the squeeze, before she looked over at the play area.

There where children playing in a little plastic play pen filled with mind development toys. An frowned. What if she was pregnant? She didn’t know how those like her reproduced. And under the assumption she was like Tenshi and Indu, she might be having one of those. Ancelin wasn’t ready to become a mother. Ancelin wasn’t ready for any of this.

Just then a woman in nurse scrubs opened the door with a clip board in hand. She was announcing the next patient.
“Ancelin Kuronaho?” she said, Tenshi and Ancelin then stood. The two walked over to the door and went in, Ancelin nodding a ‘good morning’ to the woman.

Ancelin got weighed and her height measured. Her standard 5’4 and 140 pounds. She got her temperature taken, perfectly natural. Her blood pressure 187 over 96, a little high, but not by much. Shockingly enough, Tenshi went threw all of this too. Same as usual.
“Shi-shi… Did you have an appointment too?” Ancelin asked as she looked to the older woman, Tenshi smirked.
“I’m going to do for you what someone very close to me did for my first exam. I’m gonna get checked up so you’ll know what to expect, and then it’ll be your turn.” Tenshi explained as she leaned against the wall. “I know I never really told you what they do.. This way you’ll see it first hand, and nothing will be a surprise.” She added, and Ancelin let out a bright smile.

“Why hello there Tenshi, Ancelin. How are my two lovely ladies doing today?” came the voice of Dr. Brownwell. She was Tenshi’s Ob-gyn, and had been for the past 35 years. Once Tenshi picked a doctor, she stuck with them until they retired, and that was that. It was only natural that Tenshi would schedule her beloved adopted-daughter’s appointment with someone she trusted on herself.


The appointment went smoothly. Tenshi got checked out first, showing Ancelin exactly what to expect. Her face went pale when she saw the instrument Brownwell had dubbed “The Duck Bill.” Ancelin’s turn came and Tenshi held her hand the entire time, gently arranging the blue bangs a crossed her forehead. Even though the appointment was far from pleasant, Ancelin was willing to do it all over again simply for the closeness she had to Tenshi that day.
“Shi-shi…” An said softly as she looked up to her guardian. Tenshi’s eyes where on Brownwell’s hands as she did the standard pelvic exam.
“Yes, An?” Tenshi said as she looked down to the girl.
“I love you.”
“… I love you too.”

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“Well, now that that’s over,” said Brownwell as she walked back over to the counter. They had done a pregnancy test before everything had started, and now the results would be able to be read.
“Good news, it’s negative.” She said as she looked over to the two women. Both Ancelin and Tenshi’s bodies slouched and they let out loud relieved sighs. Brownwel couldn’t help but giggle at how in sync it was.

“Tenshi…” Brownwell said, Tenshi tilted her head up to show that her attention was gained. “Do you want to contact the authorities? I have all the proof you’ll need.” she said, it was obvious to her from the exam and the test that something very bad had happened to An.
“No. It’s alright, we’ve taken care of it.” Tenshi said. The woman nodded her head and looked to An with a sympathetic gaze. Ancelin looked down at the floor in embarrassment and hugged her arms around her stomach. Tenshi reached down and gently stroked the girl’s back.

Once the appointment was over the two women stood outside the office with their arms crossed. Tenshi’s arms high over her chest, Ancelin’s low and around her stomach.
“So..” Tenshi said, before she turned her head to the younger girl. “Common, I’m taking you to dinner.” Ancelin let out a bright smile.
“Okay.”

Returning Nightmares

It was dark, she could barely see. She was running, out of breath like she had been running for a long time. Her heels had broken.. Where was her shirt? Someone was after her. Someone big. She made a turn down what she believed was a small outlet road, but it was a dead end. An alley. She turned around, she could still get away if she moved fast enough. She could scale the fence. She ran, but there was a crack in the pavement. Fall. Cold water over hard concrete, she could feel her skin tear as it connected with the pavement and broken glass. The man who was chasing her.. He was getting close. Struggling to stand, but it was too late. He was there, he was over her, holding her down and ripping at her bra.
"No.." She cried out as hot tears ran down her eyes.

"NO!!" Ancelin screamed as suddenly sat up in her bed. She closed her legs and hugged her blanket to her chest as her eyes shot around violently.. Fish tanks.. Her keyboard.. Erik's cage.. She was home, at her apartment. She was safe. "Not again.." She whimpered as she ran her hand threw her bangs, the other wiping tears from her eyes.

"Did you have another nightmare?" asked Erik from his nest in his cage. The pheasant looked over to his master with concerned eyes. Ancelin nodded her head as she looked over toward the bird.
"Mmhmm.. This time I was being chased down town." she muttered as she hugged her legs to her chest. The pheasant wobbled from his cage over to the edge of Ancelin's bed, before he flapped his wings and flew up to the mattress. His yellow eyes looked up to An with sympathy, as he nudged his cheek against her hand. An reached out and stroked his back.

"I don't think I can fall back asleep.. Do you want to go watch a movie with me?" An said as she looked to the bird, Erik cooed.
"Okay. Can we watch that one about the parrot who gets separated from the little girl again?"
"You mean Polly? Yeah.. Common, I'll go make us some popcorn." An said as she scooted to the edge of her mattress and tucked her feet into her slippers. Erik fluttered down to the floor and scuttled into the living room, girl following.

An would fall asleep midway threw the movie on the couch. It was going to be another restless night.

Birthday Celebrations with Tyler

Ancelin sat out on the bench in front of Pet Heaven, flipping threw a phone book. She was still wearing her uniform, apparently she had just gotten off work. But wanted to use the store's yellow pages before she went home. She sipped idly at a glass of tea that she had gotten from a vending machine as she turned the page, running her finger down a page that said "self defense classes".

"Karate.. No... Takwando.. Nope. Ninjitsu? Psh!"

Was she supposed to call him? Was he supposed to just show up? Was what he carried too expensive? Too personal? Too casual?

Such thoughts plagued the poor kid, Tyler, as he walked down the street. He held under his arm a package, wrapped in plain brown paper, nice and neat. His eyes were pointed towards the sidewalk, a hat pulled down low over his head. His lips were moving, muttering along as he worried about today.

Ancelin sighed and slapped the thick book shut in her lap. Nothing seemed to fit the bill, she'd have to go to the local YMCGAY and look into womens defense classes. She lifted her two tone eyes dully and glanced over her seroundings, before she saw a familiar face acrossed the street. Ah, Tyler. She was supposed to meet him today for her birthday, right?

"Hey, Tyler! Over here!" She called out as she stood, leaving the book in the bench. She waved her hand back and forth over her head waiting for him to spot her.

As Ancelin called out, Tyler nearly jumped out of his skin in shock. He lost his balance, falling over to the sidewalk and getting a nice lump on his arm and hip from the unforgiving concrete.

He rubbed his sore spots, picking himself up slowly as he dusted himself off. It seemed he was dressed better than usual right now. Jeans, shirts, hoodies, and baseball caps were the norm for him. Now he was wearing rather a fedora, a nice long coat, and what seemed to be fancy clothes under it, slacks, a nice shirt and jacket, even some slick leather shoes.

Seeing Ancelin he slid his package behind his back, away from her eyes as he swallowed down and rose his eyes towards her.

Ancelin tossed the phone book back inside the store and grabbed her tea, before she glanced both ways for oncoming traffic. After all, she didn't want to get hit by a car again. She quickly crossed the street and gave Tyler a once over, before she smiled.
"Wow when I asked you if you wanted to do something for my birthday I didn't expect you to go all out on me. I'm flattered." She said before she helped him dust off.

"You didn't mess up your nice suit did you? I feel bad just wearing my work uniform."

"Oh... um... my fault. Just thought..." he trailed off as Ancelin dusted him off, shying away from the contact, his eyes glued on to her hands as she did so.

"It's... been a while..." he continued. That was all he really was willing to say. Either unable or unwilling to acknowledge their last parting of ways and the circumstances behind it.

"And you mentioned... no one had really given you anything before," or so he recalled the last time he brought her a Gift of any sorts. "So I wanted this to be nice."

Ancelin smiled softly and nodded her head after she finished dusting Tyler off.
"Well.. Tell ya what, since you dolled up for the occasion I'll call Vin-vin and have him bring me a change of clothes from my apartment. And then we can see if there's any real restronts for us to go to tonight." She said with a nod, before she popped out her cell phone. Why couldn't they just go to her apartment? Because An was never going to be alone in a room with a man again that wasn't Vincent. Although, sweet and innocent Tyler didn't need to know about that.

Vin-vin? Who was that? Her real boyfriend? Her Girlfriend? The very mention did cause his spirits to sink several levels. Not that he would actually ever tell her or show it. Instead he smiled at her warmly, pushing all those worries downward for now, "Well it's your day..."

That was all he could manage to get out, he could feel a lump in his throat that threatened to crack his calm exterior. He swallowed it down again, smiling once more.

Ancelin hit the speed dial number and enter before holding the cell up to her ear. After a few seconds, An's expression got more focused and she parted her lips.
"Hey.. Vin? Yeah, it's me. Listen I just got off work and one of my friends met me to celibrate my birthday, but I forgot a change of clothes.. Do you think you could stop by my apartment and get me one of my evening gowns and heels? And possibly give Erik some water?" a pause.. "Yeah, Shi-shi has the keys. Alright, I'll see you in a little while then." she said, before she hung up and looked to Tyler.

"He said he'll be here in about 45 minutes.. You wanna go in the store while we wait? You've never seen where I work before, right?" She said, not even realizing that Tyler might of be jealous of her adoptive-brother.

"Well... um... I suppose so..." Tyler said, quite willing to take the distraction in this case rather than focus on the every growing lump of worries that threatened to crack open at any time. Vin... Shi-shi... Erik? Sounded like she had quite the harem stocked up. And the clothes she chose? Sounded really dressed to the nines. A shiver past through him despite his wishes.

"Um... there's no dogs there, are there?" Canines and him have never gotten along. In fact, it seemed just about every dog instinctively disliked him to the point of trying to break off their chains to attack him.

Ancelin nodded her head as she took Tyler's hand and redid her check for road saftey, once content she lead him back acrossed the road.
"Yeah. But they're all in cages. Accept for the really little guys who are in display cases, but they can't get out." she explained, before she looked to him.
"Do you have a problem with dogs?" she asked. After all, Ancelin dispised cats.. Sadly she had to bear with working with them every day. Why was it everyone always wanted to play with the kittens? PAH!

Tyler definately took on a deeper shade of skin when Ancelin grabbed his hand. Thankfully he managed to tone it down a little by the time she finally looked back towards him. Oh yeah, he was real smooth, and still thought Ancelin had no idea. And he wasn't about to put himself out there.

"Well... um... Dogs have a problem with me..." he answered as he locked his eyes ahead. He could have been approaching an executioner for all the tension and fear that came across him. "Dunno why... but they've bitten me more than a few times..."

Ancelin frowned and looked inside the shop threw the glass windows. Currently there where two dousenhound puppies in one of the display pens and a chiwawa in the other.. Both very small dogs. But still, if they where going to make him uncomfortable..
"Maybe we should just wait out here then until Vincent gets here.." She said as she twirled a braid in her hand. She then eyed the bench, as if suggesting that they should both sit down.

"Um... I'm sorry..." he stammered towards Ancelin, looking again at the shop. He swore he could see those damn evil midgets already growling and hackling up, trying to break out and attack him. He shivered again, though for completely different reasons.

Seeing Ancelin eye the bench he tensed up again, stammering out, "Oh... um... you've been working all day. Uh... how about we sit down and I can give you your gift?"

Ancelin shook her head.
"Oh, no need to apologize. I can't stand dealing with the cats in there, so I know how you feel.. Sorta. Besides, I've been in there all day. I'd rather just sit out here and catch up with you." She smiled. She sat down on the bench on the far end. She wasn't about to shun Tyler, but ever since the incident.. She'd been a bit shy around men.

"You got me a present? Aww, you're so sweet." She said as she held her hands up to her cheeks, blushing a little.

So what did it mean? Why did she sit away from him? Why was she doing that with her hands? Tyler was frowning a little, trying to figure it all out as he took out his package, holding the brown paper wrapped box out towards Ancelin. It seemed a bit light for its size, and if she shook it, would bring out a little gasp from Tyler and a shifting of the balance.

"Well, um... hope you like it..." He was staring at Ancelin's face like it was a bomb about to go off as soon as she started to crack into it.

Ancelin took the box and set it in her lap, before she began to lightly pick at the wrapping paper. This seemed to be a habit of alot of the Kuronaho women, neatly opening gifts rather than ripping them apart like a wolf going for the spoils. She undid the paper and then neatly refolded it before tucking it under the side of her bottom. Finally she used her nail to undo the tape on the box and opened the lid, peering inside.

Inside was three smaller gifts, well padded into the box with liberal amounts of colored tissue papers. Green, Red, and Blues in this case. Seems he even put it into a pattern, or something of one, with alternating colors.

Inside was a small tin. With a nice, shiny label IDing it. A sampler pack of different luxury teas he presumably had to have pulled from some import stores. Some fairly esoteric stuff in there. In the middle? A plastic baggy. One with water inside, what he was worried about 'breaking'. His purchase today right before he arrived, containing three small fish, colored blue and white. He forgot what they were called already. On the far side? A flower, a simple blue rose with white tips.

He shrugged and nervously smiled, "Just things that reminded me of you and that I thought you might have liked."

Ancelin covered her mouth and let out a delight filled squeel. Something Ancelin never, ever did. Her feet kicked a bit and she turned her body towards Tyler and smiled.
"Oh I love them! Thank you!!" She explaimed as she reached out and gave Tyler a tight hug. Now that was the pitcher there that said she loved it, she hugged him. She hugged everyone when they gave her things she loved.

Once the girl was done squeezing the life out of the poor dear boy she went back to the box and pulled out the bag with the fish, eyeing them to gauge there health. She then smiled and put her eyes right up to the bag, as if mimicing the behavoir of fish who would follow fingers against the glass.
"Hello there pretties!"

Squeeze the life out of him was about right. Tyler just about collapsed the moment that Ancelin let go of him, crashing right into the bench. He had a smile on his face, from ear to ear as she pulled out her fishies and introduced herself.

It was quite the struggle to get back to normalcy, and sitting back up straight on the bench. He had inched closer to her during the whole thing.

All inhibitions Ancelin might of had in fear towards the male sex had disapeared as Ancelin had emerced herself in her gifts. She gently set the fish down, and then picked up the rose and sniffed it. Oh, looked like she was going back to the woman at the flea market to have this one dipped too! She set it down, and then looked at the teas.
"Oh wow.. Jade leaf! You can only get this stuff in import shops." she said, flipping threw the various bags.

She turned her head back towards Tyler, eyes glowing as if she could cry.
"You are so sweet. Thank you."

"Ah... ah..." Tyler stammered out as he saw her on the verge of tears. Her words only added to his confusion over the whole issue. His jaw was hanging open, stunned as he watched her. All the while his mind was working overtime playing out so many different questions and results.

In the end however, he answered, "Um... you're welcome. Just... glad you're happy."

Ancelin gave another little squeel as she picked up the fish again. As the two sat there, a red Astin Martin pulled up and the driver window rolled down, revealing a 'young' looking man with long brown hair and shades. He lifted the shades up and peered out the window.
"Hey Anny, Ma' couldn't find the key you gave her. So is it cool if I just drive you and your friend to your apartment so you can change there?" he asked, before he glanced over at Tyler. His expression went concerned. "I can drive you guys to your restront afterwards to. So I'll just chill while you change?"

Ancelin stood up with the box in hand, gently placing the wraper paper inside as she nodded.
"Yeah, that's fine. I need to put these fish in a tank anyways." She said, before she looked to Tyler.
"Oh, Tyler. This is Vincent. Vin-vin, meet Tyler." She said, bobbing her head from person to person.
"Yo." Vincent said as he shot Tyler a friendly grin. With his overly accented cainines.

Vin-vin? Maaaaan. He looked pretty cool. Probably really charming. Some damn pretty boy too. Tyler grinned sheepishly to hide his embarressment and worries as he hurried over to open the door for Ancelin.

"Um.... hello..." Tyler said, not looking at Vincent as he drew closer to him.

"So... you live with her?"

Ancelin slid into the seat and scooted over to the other window, with the box sitting in her lap. She then pat the seat beside her as her other hand went to get her seat belt.

Vincent pushed his sun glasses up on the bridge of his nose again and shook his head as he waited for the two to get inside.
"I used to. Th' lady who adopted An is my ma. So I'm kinda like her brother." Vincent explained. Until the twins came along, Vincent was the only person in the Kuronaho household that was blood related to Tenshi.

Kinda... creepy... Tyler thought. A lot about this "Vin-Vin" struck him as such. From the pointy teeth to just the mere vibe he got off this guy.

Finally he sighed, shaking it off as he scooted in next to Ancelin, closing the door behind him. With a bit of fumbling he managed to find both sides of the buckle, pulling it across and hooking himself in.

Ancelin was close to him. Closer than usual. He suddenly was acutely aware of that, keeping his eyes down, towards his lap and away from Ancelin. Or their chauffer.

Vincent shifted the car into the proper gear and took off once the door was shut.
"Don't go too fast, Vin. I got fish in here and I don't want them to get shook around." An said as she leaned forward. Vincent glanced at the rear view mirror and nodded, before notably slowing down to actually obay the speed limit.

"A'right. I'll be sure to avoid potholes then." Vincent said, thankfully, An's apartment wasn't as far away as the Kuronaho household.
"So Tyler.. What is it that you do?" Vincent asked to break the silence, and to make sure that this guy didn't have the potental to be another Steve.

"Well... um... I'm an apprentice..." Tyler answered. He frowned, and shrugged up his shoulders closer to his neck. His hands came together, his left rubbing on the back of his right.

"I... rather not discuss work. This is supposed to be a fun day, all about Ancelin, right?"

He held his breath, wondering if the topic was going to be deflected back towards the Phesant Girl.

Vincent frowned.
"I aent trying to give you the third degree. I just have to look out for An. Make sure she never gets hurt again." He explained calmly. He wasn't trying to act like those freakish fathers on TV or anything. Ancelin frowned.
"Vin." She said sternly, as if telling him to shut up. Vincent took a deep breath and turned the corner, shifting gears.
"Yeah yeah. I just worry." replied.

Ancelin frowned and looked out the window. It seemed she kept alot from Tyler. But this new topic was something that he didn't need to know.

Hurt her? The hell did he think he was? That titanic bitchy girl sister of hers? He scowled a little thinking of that. It was, after all, the last time he had seen her 'hurt', and the first thing that came to mind.

"... So..." He had nothing to say, but the silence and foul moods seemed to be crushing him.

Vincent pulled over to the side of the road once they got to the apartment and he flipped the egnition off. He pocketed his keys and stepped out of the car, before opening the side Tyler was on.

Ancelin opened the door on the passenger side and stepped out, before slamming it shut with her foot. She hurried around to the sidewalk and held the box out to Vincent, before she began shuffling for her keys.
"This'll be your first time seeing my apartment, wont it?" She asked, looking to Tyler in the car.

Tyler nodded slowly as he got out of the car. With only minimal stumbling with the buckle to free himself from the evil metal contraption. Walk was so much easier.

"Yeah.... thought you still lived on that huge estate til just today. When did ya move?"

"About a three weeks to a month ago. I think."
Ancelin lead the two men into the apartment building and up the stairs to her room. Vincent removed his sunglasses and slipped them into his coat pockets. He stayed quiet, seeing as he didn't want to upset An's friend any farther.

Once the three got to the third door on the second floor, An got out her key and unlocked the door.
"Erik, I'm home." She said as she called out into the seemingly empty apartment. Slipping her shoes off as soon as she got inside.

Erik? Who was Erik? Another guy?

A nervous chuckle escaped Tyler's lips as he waited at the doorway. Waited for what? Who knows. He'd step aside if "Vin-Vin" wanted through. But he wasn't taking a step inside for now. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, his legs locked, prepared to wait for however long it took her to get dressed.

In his experiences this could be an hour long wait.

Vincent passed Tyler into the apartment, kicking off his boots before he walked over and set the box on the table.

An opened her bedroom door and turned on the light, peering inside.
"Erik, come out. I want you to meet my friend." She said, before she looked back at the door. She blinked, before beconing for Tyler to come in.
"Come on in and close the door. I don't want the neighbors cat to get in again."

The reason for why became apparent as bird the size of a chicken but much more outragous looking wobbled into the doorway and tilted it's head. A Lady Amhert's Pheasant.
"This is Erik. Erik, that's Tyler. Be nice to him okay?" she said, the bird looked up to her and cooed, before it began to waddle acrossed the room to greet the man.

Tyler stepped gingerly inside, pulling the door close behind himself. He breathed another sigh of relief as he heard the door click shut, and he took his first look around Ancelin's apartment.

He really had no idea what to expect... other than it being immaculately clean.

And that expectation was shattered a moment later as he saw an animal coming towards him. He froze, remaining perfectly still as he watched Erik come closer, and closer, and closer.

"Is it gonna bite, scratch, or poop on me?"

Ancelin's apartment looked much like the pet store she worked at in some ways. The entire left wall was lined with large fish tanks. On the wall farthest from the door was an old orangish yellow couch with throw pillos and a blanket tossed on it, serounded by a wooden coffee table and two end tables that held lamps and a phone.

To the right was a small walk in kitchen that took up a quater of the room, the other quater being taken up by a kitchen table with six chairs. On the wall that Tyler was standing by was a wooden entertainment system with a TV and several various music devices. CDs filling up the bottom shelves to the brim. And, of coarse, it was spotless.

"No, Erik is just like a little feather covered human. He's perfectly behaved." An said, as she retrieved the fish bags from the box and set them inside a tank full of common house fish.

"I'm going to wash up and change while the water in the bags adjusts to the tank. Feel free to get a drink or watch TV while you wait for me." She said before she closed her bedroom door.

Vincent folded his hands in front of him and glanced over at Erik, who was currently clucking and walking about the room.

The Lost Egg