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 Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:24 pm
Flinching at how easily Sionce spoke of committing suicide, Fiach vaguely wondered if his friend had ever tried it. Many thoughts ran through his head, as he tried to form a question, that wouldn't seem callous or rude. Coming up with little to nothing, he settled for patting Sionce on the back. A movement he hoped showed compassion and not concern.
Staring for a moment at the taxi cab, not really able to make himself get in, Fiach sighed. Making a mock bow and a gesture towards the cab's doors, he politely muttered, "After you...I guess..."
Why couldn't Sionce have been the one driving? This...is a nightmare.
Trying to smile politely, so he didn't look like a total wuss, he hoped Sionce wouldn't ask him any questions about why he was blanching at getting into the taxi.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:36 pm
Art eyed the figure as he approached the car and took a heavy drag on his cigarette, quickly taking a motion to throw it out and away before Sionce got more into view. When Fiach pulled up beside and seemed to give off an air of fear, Art sighed deeply and turned to look at Sionce.
"Nice pansy you got there Sionce. Don't tell me he's your girl?"
"Not quite Art, we're working on that."
Sionce let out a little grin at his friend and then at Fiach, climbing into the car without any hesitation. He moved all the way over and leaned his elbow against the window frame, his gaze immediately turning out and over towards the scenery around.
"Hurry up Fiach, we need to go."
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:41 pm
Half growling at Art, Fiach hesitated for just a second more before ducking into the cab himself. Glaring at the large man from the back seat, he tried to make himself comfortable, all while trying not to imagine the wreck. At first unable to really say anything as he focused on not having a panic attack, he slowly turned his head towards Sionce and muttered, "And just what are you working on, Sionce?"
He hoped it didn't come out too snappy, but being in a car with someone else the driver made him very uncomfortable. Fiach's right hand kept tapping away on his leg, while the other one pulled his hat lower over his eyes.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:54 pm
Sionce turned and looked at Fiach for a moment before smiling one again, his left eyebrow raised in a sarcastic smirk of sorts. His face seemed to mirror it as he spoke, and for a moment he once against felt naked.
"You'll see someday."
When Sionce had his mask...he could hide his face. Now, without it and for everyone to see, Sionce felt totalyl naked. His every expression, down to the bitterness that resided in most of his being, was visable on his face and couldn't be left to the imagination. His eyes told the backing to what he was saying, the curve of his eyebrows of the tug of his lips only giving more of an 'okau-go'.
After his quick comment he quickly turned his face away from Fiach and back towards the mirror, but once the reflection of his apperance came into sight he quickly scrunched his eyebrows and slammed his eyes shot, opting not to look at the nudity that was his face.
"Art, are we going?"
"Sure kiddo, no worries. I'll take care and get us there on time, jsut make sure your little chickie there doesn't puke or something all over my car. I can't stand to take Asia to the cleaners again."
"We'll keep that in mind. Let's go."
His sentences were curt and sharp towards his companion, and as Art sighed and slid behind the wheel Sionce moved and placed one of his hands over his eyes. Covering them like this was much better, he thought. So much better.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:02 pm
Confusion at Sionce's response lit Fiach's face, and he raised an eyebrow when Sionce said that he'd see someday. Peering closely at his friend's face, he worried about him. It must be hard to be faced with having nothing to hide behind...
Shaking his head slightly, he turned his attention to the man named Art. His lip curled slightly in distaste at how the man was treating him, but knew that he partially deserved it. He was acting like a wuss, and he knew it. But he couldn't help it. Every time he sat in a car, he had flashbacks of the crash that had taken Aine's life.
Pulling the brim of his hat so that his eyes were well hidden from the mirror, Fiach turned his head slightly, so that only the set of his jaw was really visible. His displeasure at being called a "chickie" and having someone suggest he might puke showed when he said, to no one in particular, "I don't get car sick. I just..." Sighing, he shook his head and hunched down in the seat. He hoped no one heard him leave that sentence unfinished, he'd hate to explain it away.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:13 pm
They sat in silence for most of the ride, as Sionce and Art had opted not to respond to Fiach's bit comment, and as the airport drew near there was clearly a change in Sionce's color.
His skin was growing paler, and if one looked close enough they could see a bead of sweat run down his cheeks and cling to his chin before dropping off moments later when it was replaced by another. His whole body was experiancing fear - a fear he prayed that moving away had stopped from occuring - all over again, and for the part of it he felt like any moment would bring him into a bout of carsickness.
"Hey kiddo, we're here. You sure you're going to be alright? You came out looking worse than your partner here."
Sionce nodded at Art's concerned questioning, and he feigned a smile as he moved his hand away from his lips and towards the handle of the door. There was no point in staying in this taxi any longer, as they'd be back shortly with Emile, so the sooner he got out the better.
"Thank you Art, for agreeing to cart us around. I should be back out with my sister in about ten minutes, if that's an alright wait for you. I'll make suer to pay your parking fee if you want to wait in the garage, so...."
"No worries, I'd do anything for you. You've helped me out many a time you know, so returning the favors the least I can do."
"Thank you again."
Sionce pulled the door handle up and pushed the door open, quickly taking a step out and onto the walkway of the local airport. His legs felt like jelly beneath him, his stomach butterflies and acid, yet he managed to keep an outwardly calm apperance.
He only had to last one day. Only one day.
Across the airport, waiting at a terminal, a lady lit up a cigarette only to be told by the airport officals to put it out. Smashing it into an ashtray and spitting to the side, the woman looked around and then back at her watch with a snarled look of frustration.
"That little s**t's late."
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:21 pm
Breathing a sigh of relief when they pulled up to the airport terminal in one piece, Fiach gave a thin smile before turning to look at his friend. Noting the drop of sweat rolling down Sionce's face, Fiach grew worried about this Emile they were going to meet. He almost reached his hand over to remind Sionce he was there, but before he could move Sionce stepped out of the car.
Sighing, Fiach gave what he hoped pass a polite nod, and sent a silent "thank you" to Art. Not really wanting to say it out loud, because he knew he'd sound the fool if he did. Ducking his head as he stepped out, Fiach stretched as only a tall person can after a car ride. Sitting in the backseat always left him a little stiff.
Walking over to Sionce he impishly grinned and clapped his friend on the back. "Don't forget, you're not alone, Sionce." Hoping that could help ease Sionce's nerves, he walked close next to him. Feeling almost as if he were a bodyguard, considering he was so much bigger than Sionce and was there "to protect him" at Trisste's request.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:38 pm
At the touch to his shoulder Sionce quickly spun around, his eyes wide with complete fear and his jaw slightly open from the effect that being startled leaves on the body.
"I...I'm sorry, did you say something? We don't really have time to talk, I think her plane has already landed. I pray to anything that she hasn't been docked and let off or..."
"Sionce!"
A sharp, raspy voice filled the air and called out the name of the trembling youth on the crosswalk. The sound of a cough followed suit, and Sionce turned his trembling eyes to a spot only ten yards away from his current location.
"[ What the hell are you thinking, coming late? I've been waiting for you for the last ten minutes, you worthless piece of s**t. ]"
"[I...I am really sorry, Eldest sister. There was traffic, and it took longer to find a taxi than I-]"
"[I don't want your pansy a** excuses like always. Jesus, you haven't changed in all these years since you ran away from home like the pathetic lot you are.]"
Emile Molyneux slowly made her way over as she spoke to her brother, the French she spouted at him angry and filled with a smoker's wit jsut like Sionce had described. She paused a few feet away from her brother's frame, and for a moment it was hard to tell the pair apart. Down to the skin tone, hair, and eyes - she was the perfect match that let anyone know they were siblings in every way.
"[First of all, why did you-]"
Emile paused in her verbal battering when she caught Fiach from the corner of her eye, and with a quick snatch to Sionce's tie she pulled him forward and pressed her face close to his own.
"[Who's that? Your partner? Finally coming out of the closet as the little f** you really are?]"
"[That's...his name is Fiach, and he's my boss. He came along today to help me carry luggage, as I wasn't sure if you'd have a lot. You didn't specify if you were going to be staying for a short while or a long while, so I thought-]"
"[Whatever. Get my s**t and we're going.]"
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:45 pm
Fiach's blue eyes narrowed as he was left out of what was obviously an argument in French. From Emile's posture, it was clear she was attacking, and from Sionce's...Well, it appeared Sionce would truly rather die than be there right that moment. Fiach wanted nothing more than to step between the two.
Annoyed at being left out of the conversation, and upset his friend was obviously being harassed and nearly assaulted in the middle of an airport, Fiach stepped close to the woman. Eyes flashing, he mentally steeled himself before reminding them, "Speak English."
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:13 pm
"English, eh? I figured you'd speak French or at least understand it."
Emile turned and looked fully at Fiach, her cold eyes burrowing into his own. Her thoughts of him were pretty apparent from the simple glance over, her nose wrinkling up in disgust as his rumbled appearance.
"After all you're my brother's boss, aren't you? Boss or no, he couldn't have gotten a job without having to screw someone."
"Emile..."
"Shut up, f**. Didn't I tell you to get my bags from over there? I only brought one so your pansy a** would be able to carry it without too much trouble, so I expect you to get it and get moving. I haven't got all day."
Sionce bowed his head and moved to pick up the bag sitting at Emile's feet, and as his fingers wrapped around the handle he raised it up with no problems. It felt rather light, but in reality was probably quite heavy. Thanks to working with heavy monitors, modems, and other equipment on a daily basis Sionce was indeed much stronger than he appeared and for a moment Emile seemed a little uneasy.
"Eldest sister, there's a car waiting for us out front to take you to my home or a hotel, whichever you prefer. Of course you're more than welcome to stay with me at my home for as long as you like, but...."
Sionce sounded pathetic in his speech, which had turned back to English as well. It was clear Sionce was superior in speaking as well towards his sister, as his words were strong and held no trace of accent, while hers were weak and so deep with French topping that it took a moment or two for anyone to understand what she was saying.
With a wave of her hand Emile showed she wasn't interested in listening to Sionce speak any further, and once again she turned her sharp gaze on Fiach. With a deep frown on her face she opened her mouth to speak.
"What about you, Sionce's sugar daddy? Are you coming along or did you only want to get this far?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:24 pm
Shaking his head, Fiach sighed. He already couldn't stand this woman. Vaguely, he wondered just how Sionce had put up with her as long as he had. Giving a tight lipped smile, he responded to her French comment in his slight Irish lilt, "I imagine you can't speak Irish, so English it will have to be."
He really didn't like close minded people, especially ones who thought they were the only people worth a dime in this world. Rolling his eyes at the comment of her brother's inability to get a job, he scratched at the stubble on his chin. Continuing to keep his eyes on hers, he felt like he ought to say something about how her brother had gotten the job. But wasn't sure how well it would go over. Technically, as Sionce's boss, he couldn't let her think that people could get ahead in his company that way. It was wrong and broke so many rules and ethics.
As she snapped at him once more, he gave her an indifferent look and a shrug. "Your brother got the job because he's the best tech whiz in the city." Wishing momentarily that they wouldn't have to fit into that cab with this woman, he nodded his head that yes, he was in fact coming along. Not really trusting himself to speak when it came to matters of letting someone else drive him around.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:37 pm
"Feh, I imagine it's because it the only thing he's good for...besides being someone you can vent your anger on."
Emile snickered as she watched Sionce pale over her last few words, and as they slowly made their way towards the parking deck where Art was sure to be waiting she pulled a cigarette out from one of her pockets and carelessly lit it up. Sionce flinched at the action but kept his gaze straight and his walking gait normal, almost as if he was trying his best not to let her see...it still bothered him.
"You don't smoke, do you Mr....what was it? Finch? Filch?"
"His name is Fiach, Eldest sister."
Sionce's voice piped in after what had seemed to be a few moments, and he spoke Fiach's name with a bit of caution attached to it. Sure, he was correcting his sister and trying to stand up a bit for his friend against the abuse...but he was also correcting his sister.
"Please, do try to remember that."
"Whatever. I thought we'd taught you never to speak unless you were addressed."
"I'm sorry, but I thought...."
"Thinking isn't your forte either, so keep your damned trap shut or I'll ensure it stays that way."
Emile took a deep drag from her cigarette and blew the smoke into Sionce's face, a smile crossing over her lips as she watched him wince and cough slightly as it barely danced across his cheeks. This was pure heaven for her, but for Sionce...this was becoming a hell.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten that time when you were about...what was it? Seven?"
She gave off a heartly laugh which ended up being more of a coughing sound and then took another deep drag off the filter before tapping the ashes out against her fingernail.
"Has he ever told you that story, Mr. Fiach?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:47 pm
Wincing at the mispronunciations of his name, he sighed and was just about to correct her, when Sionce did it for him. His lips curled in slight distaste as he watched her light one up, his mother had smoked, as had most of the pub goers back in Ireland. It wasn't something he liked - the smoke always made it difficult to play the flute.
"No. I do not smoke." Pausing momentarily, he scrunched up his nose and frowned as he noted how she spoke to her brother. His frown deepened as he noticed Sionce's wince at the smoke that brushed across his face - and how she seemed to delight so in his discomfort.
As she started to cough, he wondered at her health. With a cough like that, that often, her lungs couldn't possibly be in good shape. He wished she'd put that cigarette out, but didn't feel comfortable telling her so, though he was fairly sure his face displayed his disgust openly.
Adjusting his hat, he quietly answered her last question, "No, he hasn't. When talking about the company, personal stories don't often come up. And I prefer to keep it that way. Keeps it from interfering with work, you see." He hoped he sounded official about the matter, he wasn't comfortable saying that no he didn't know Sionce's past even though he was allegedly Sionce's best friend. It brought up some phantoms of the past he would rather never deal with again.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:27 pm
"Really? I think it's a funny story actually, so I'm surpised that he didn't tell you. You see, one when he was seven he tried to smart off to Hannah Marie, one of the twins in the second oldest set. Unlike me, who would have simply yelled it off, she took a hammer and hit him in the jaw until Ann Marie pulled her off. Broke his jaw in two places she did, and he looked like a swollen rabbit for months."
Emile covered her lips with the few fingers that were holding her cigarette as she talked, and she laughed as though the memory was one that everyone could possibly enjoy - not the memory of Sionce having his face beaten in by a hammer at a young age.
"Oh, and then after that...do you remember Sionce? We told Mother and Father that you'd been playing where you shouldn't have and they beat you for not listening! Oh, the look on your face as Papa came towards you with that belt was priceless!"
Sionce bit his lower lip as he tried to purse back any urge to speak, and he could only weakly nod his head in agreement towards the story that Emile was spouting off. He did remember getting his jaw broken, and that was actually the second time it had happened. He prayed she didn't remember the first, which had been caused by her and Mercy pushing him down a flight of stairs when he wouldn't give them his lunch snack.
"I...remember. It is a funny story, isn't it?"
A forced smile crossed Sionce's lips, and a fake laugh slowly escaped from the back of his throat. It sounded more like he was choking on tears than laughing, and as he turned and looked over Emile's head (as she was at least four inches shorter than him) at Fiach, he prayed down that Fiach wouldn't...say anything. He wouldn't....do anything.
Not that Sionce knew Fiach to be THAT impulsive, so...perhaps...
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:34 pm
Seeing the sibling's reactions to the story made Fiach want to do something. Hit something, yell, curse, something. Anything. It frustrated him that she could treat her sibling in such a cruel, callous manner. Seeing people being hurt always made Fiach want to step in to do something. It was, in fact, the only reason he had stopped that day to help Sionce. He'd been getting hurt, and he had wanted to help make it stop.
The fact that he couldn't do anything just about killed Fiach. One look at Sionce's face showed that should Fiach do anything, Sionce would be the one getting punished. Someone getting hurt for what he did wasn't something he could stomach, so with a small, tight smile at Sionce over Emile's head, he gave her a short nod.
"Very funny, indeed."
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