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 Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:46 pm
“Honestly? I want to know what you don’t want me to know but that’s rude an invasive,” Tatiana spelled out, parroting either Trox or Cam. Or even both of them. She smiled and relaxed her shoulders and considered the older Frei, “Well, how about we start simple. You and me? We’re young, I’m very young. Trox calls me ‘Just hatched’-- even though I didn’t come from an egg. But eventually? I want to not be young, not be reliant. So in five years time I hope I have my own place. Maybe even more body, or my own legs-- but I don’t know if we can get those I’ve never seen them on a Raevan. So- in five years, where do you want to be? Or-- what do you want to have experienced?”
The first question was indeed a loaded one, Tatiana pulled Cruz closer slightly more out of apology for being difficult and want for him to be closer. Although she didn’t mind. He smelled like sun and grass and something sweet and oddly wintery. The Hamsa gladly gripped their hands interlocked and moved her long ponytail over her shoulder, allowing her spine to rest against the cool bark of the shaded tree.
“If you don’t want to answer that- it’s ok but you have to ask me a question instead….” she mediated, pursing her lips as she followed a line of his eyebrows with her gaze. She brightened- definitely a fan of his green hair.
--
“It’s not crap!” Harrison called from upstairs, suddenly being able to hear them. Cam rolled his eyes- obviously the man was wearing headphones before or something. For now the cajun would blame it on age. Camille shrugged at Anita and gave a sigh.
“H’assume it’s all th’things he don’t want to bring to th’ new household, wha’ widda not-wife and he moving in together. Domecile.”[/colo] Camille offered with a half shrug, ]“H’was specifically instructed tha’ you were to have firs’ go since ‘h’had my chance while I was livin’ here’.”
“Exactly, and yenno. You receive a disability check and run a business. Anita is a normal girl with a job and if she wants any of this without needing to pay for it? I’m game to help,” Troxel announced as he re-emerged wearing a simple t-shirt advertising his crossfit gym.
“Hey again! Real hello, air hug because I’m sweaty,” Harrison announced, spreading his arms wide and picking up the seltzer bottle, taking another swig, “Got desk supplies, the desk if you want it, an end table, a chair… and a bunch of dishes from Germany…”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:48 pm
Cruz tilted his head. There wasn’t a whole lot he didn’t share. He knew honesty was important. Was there truly anything he would keep from someone, especially another Raevan? The croc thought this over for a moment until reality struck. He had been keeping secrets. For a few months now, in fact. If he were Tango, his ears would have folded back as he understood this. He was not. Instead, his fingers merely gave Tati’s a light squeeze and he busied himself with abiding her request.
Five years was difficult for Cruz to fathom. He hadn’t even yet made it to three and already it felt like an eternity. And legs? He had seen Raevans with stomachs, certainly, but no legs. What an interesting possibility.
”Can answer,” he smiled, though was quick to retreat back to his thoughts. The response had to be precise, worthwhile, like all of Tati’s words -- she had so many. ”See myself… helping. I want to help people.” Cruz looked back up, cupping her hand in both of his. For a moment he regarded her -- and he found her safe. ”You love Love?” the croc asked, leaning closer to impart the one secret he had, ”Kisses and hugs are very important. We know. ‘Nita… she doesn’t have them. Only wants them from one person but doesn’t know who that person is. Or…” he tightened his lips, losing his smile briefly as he looked at the grass, ”...or won’t say.”
Cruz inhaled through his nose and met Tatiana’s eyes, smile returning. ”Want to help ‘Nita find this person. To kiss and love them. Then, I want to help everyone else, too. Everyone that doesn’t know or can’t find it.” He hoped, if nothing else, his desire made sense. Then he prayed, silently, that Tatiana would keep this between them.
--
”Stuff!” Anita corrected herself loudly.
She grimaced and returned to her juice. The offer of her getting first dibs confused Anita further but, in light of her new title as ‘adopted daughter’, she chose not to question it. Even then, Camille explained and Trox elaborated upon his return.
”It’s a really nice offer,” she smiled gratefully at the man now that he was shirted. His air-hug made her laugh and she returned it one armed. ”Man, I dunno. I don’t think we have room for anymore furniture in the apartment.” The plates were tempting, though; she was sure her mom would be interested in those. ”I’ll have to look, though, huh? Are you-- did you want anything?” Anita turned to Cam as she slid off the stool.
Whether she had first dibs or not, she didn’t feel entitled to them. Cam lived here, evidently, and that was reason enough in her mind that he should get first pick.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:48 pm
Tatiana’s smile softened exponentially, a warmth developed in her rune and spread through her heart and limbs. Cruz was sweet and actively thought about his words. He was genuine but not in a Forrest Gump sort of way. Maybe a little. But that was more than fine in her book. She slung her available arm over Cruz’s arm, nodding excitedly as he divulged what seemed to be his covert plan. The hamsa hunched her shoulders and tilted her head, looking Cruz in the eyes as she listened.
“That’s admirable,” Tatiana said definitively. She hummed and nodded, confirming her word choice, “Very admirable. In fact you are the most admirable raevan I’ve met. ‘Nita is very important to you.”
That is where she was jarred. Harrison was her guardian and she loved him very much. He was friendly, kind and looked out for her. He helped her but also made her learn on her own. She was allowed to be independently dependent on him. However there was always a slight hierarchy. She’d never once thought of doing something to improve Harrison’s life. Cruz had found a long term purpose with Anita for now, finding her a soulmate. She lifted some fingers, gently taking a few green strands between forefinger and thumb. She smiled bashfully and scrunched her shoulders once more.
“Troxel found someone he loves to love and kiss,” Tatiana started, wondering if she could help in any way, “Camille has too- only I don’t think he’s allowed to love or kiss them. He was sleeping one time and called mentioned a ‘fine piece of tall blond freckled cajun a**’. Uncle cam is a bit vulgar in his words sometimes.”
Tatiana laughed and flushed brighter, “Harrison told me he’s gotta move on because he’s barking up the wrong tree. Maybe you could put him on your list, Cruz? He’s been hurt a lot- physically and probably emotionally and havin’ someone who can make him smile all the time would make me feel better. Maybe I can help you with ‘Nita if you help me with Cam?”
She laughed then and shook her head, pressing a finger to Cruz’s bottom lip and gaining a very playfully stern face, “But it’s got to be a secret. Cam hates blind dates and hates being helped.”
--
Cam gave Anita a wide eyed look, replaying what she asked in his mind as he was a bit sidetracked in his own thoughts for a moment. His brows lofted higher and he barked out half of a laugh shaking his head and waving his hands. Poor thing was playing the self guilt game a bit again. He snorted and held up his glass.
“Don’t worry about me, Anita,” He took a sip from the glass and nodded towards the stairs, “I’m all set, I’ve ransacked enough out of this guy. You can only be so hospitable for so long. Besides, he’s my sugar daddy and already bought me things for my new apartment…”
The former medic’s face darkened a bit with a sly smile as he perched his chin on the backs of his folded hands, “ ‘Sides! H’cain’ make it upstairs. Not on this prosthetic an’ h’m also hammered.”
The hardest ingredient in his beverage was the pomegranate juice but hey, a game’s a game.
“Anita! Don’t worry about Doc down there. You get first dibs! You replied first and as I said, you need it more than he does!” Harrison called down from above, voice reverberating from the stairwell.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:50 pm
”Admirable,” Cruz repeated, liking the sound of it in relation to his goal. ‘Admirable’ meant something that was or should be admired, looked upon positively. That quelled most of the frei’s worries. For so long now he hadn’t confided his intent to anyone but Tango and Justin. It was difficult, keeping secrets, and he didn’t like it. Truly he would prefer to be up front about his plans with Anita but he knew she wouldn’t like them.
Apparently she and Cam had something in common, though he couldn’t say that she ‘hated help’.
The news that Trox was happy kissing and loving someone caused the croc’s rune to pulse and glow. He smiled and nodded until she explained Camille’s part. ”Oh--” he stifled, closing his lips tight so as not to interrupt her. Cruz shook his head. ”Not good…” Strange, though, that description certainly sounded familiar -- minus the ‘Cajun’ and ‘a**’ parts, anyway.
Her offer widened Cruz’s eyes. Without meaning to, the croc floated a bit higher from their perch against the tree. Their hands clinging together kept him from drifting too high and he soon righted himself. ”Yes. Yes, I want to help.” Cruz turned to face Tati more fully just as her finger pressed upon his lips. He smiled and let to stay. ”Yes… ‘Nita’s is secret, too. Please don’t tell.”
There was a renewed hope in him. He couldn’t be sure what they could do together in this, especially if they weren’t in person, but the mere idea of having someone else fully on board was exhilarating. Justin, of course, was helpful in his own way -- or tried to be. Things were more difficult now, though. Anita was showing signs of wanting to kiss someone but there was no telling who that person was. He couldn’t ask without putting Anita on guard. Making her suspicious. He had to be careful or all of his plans up til now would fall apart.
--
”Just wanted to make sure,” Anita shrugged and smiled uneasily.
After taking a moment to finish off her juice, she rinsed the cup out in the sink and set it down. She managed a laugh at Cam’s monologue waved a hand airily. ”He’ll figure it out sooner or later.”
With that, Anita gave another smile and shrug before making her way towards the stairs. Trox had already long disappeared up them and she took her time ascending, peeking just enough into rooms to check if he was there or not for fear of intruding on personal spaces or other members of the household. Once Troxel was located, Anita offered him a short wave. She crossed the threshold into the room and glanced around to orient herself.
”Anybody ever tell you you got a lot of dogs?”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:50 pm
“Not good is right,” Tatiana agreed, nodding solemnly. She smiled sadly, dropping Cruz’s hair from her grasp, hand returning to his shoulder, “It’s gotta hurt when you like someone who don’t like you back the same way but statistically it has to happen sometime, right?”
The Hamsa dropped the gloomy cloud spiraling around her and forced a bright smile. Cruz’s words were safe with her. Unlike her guardian, Tatiana could keep a secret. She gave a small wink and pecked the croc’s cheek before pulling back and looking up at the branches. The dappled light reflected in pleasant ways off the willows long branches. The feathers of her ears perked forward, displaying their array of blue and teal.
“I’m excited,” She said, a devious fire lighting in her rune. She felt the energy spread through her lungs and she untangled her fingers from Cruz, lightly launching forward and wrapping her arms around his neck, clinging tightly in a hug, “Thank you so much for letting me help you, Cruz!”
--
Harrison grinned brightly, waving back at Anita and gesturing to the pile of things he had assembled for Anita’s picking and choosing. A few of the things were in boxes- flatware, dishes, pots and pans he no longer needed as he’d since upgraded. A few standard issue materials were strewn about the mess- flight gloves, duffle bags, rain jackets and pants- all in military camo.
A fair amount of hockey paraphernalia, gaudy gifts he never put up, clocks, picture frames- the whole nine yards. Bedding had it’s own pile, soft blankets, pillows and duvet sets all barely touched and stacked neatly on a white armchair.
“Have at, Anita. Anything in here is for the taking. Gotta make a nursery or something. Then the whole moving thing,” He paused at her comment, staring at her with a level look before barking out a laugh.
“Oh yeah? I have a lot of Dogs? Trigger, Apache, Kiowa, Belle and Camille,” Trox gave a long drawn out huff and shrug before nodding, “Five strays. Guess I’m what you’d call a halfway house or something. Only one of my tenants got out though.”
Troxel winked and shook his head, “More like I kicked the free loader out. Eating my food, drinking my booze. He cooks and is clean so I can’t honestly complain,” He nodded down at the pile and gestured again, “Go ahead, have at. Dig in, y’see something? Make yourself a pile. Want the chair? It’s a nice chair.”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:53 pm
Tatiana’s question gave Cruz pause. He heard a lot about that possibility from others but he had never experienced it himself. He wasn’t hurt that Anita wouldn’t feed him with a kiss to the lips, that she wasn’t so quick to snuggle with him as she was with Tango. It never hurt him to be turned down for a kiss on the mouth, as often there were alternatives.
More specifically, it hadn’t hurt that Anastacia didn’t want to be his friend. He had scared her; what worried him more was that she might still be scared, not that she liked him. It was difficult, then, for the croc to put those feelings into a more human perspective. Why, after all, would you be upset that someone didn’t want to hug and kiss you specifically if they still wanted to be your friend? It seemed, to Cruz, that friendship was severely undervalued by comparison to this strange ideal of a relationship. Of course, any time he asked what people truly wanted out of a relationship, out of a person, they clammed up and became embarrassed.
These things were so unnecessarily complicated.
Cruz wasn’t left much time to linger on the thought as Tati adjusted herself. The peck to his cheek was warm and unexpected. The croc gave an appreciative rumble and huddled ever closer to the hamsa.
”Me too,” he smiled, ”Thank you for wanting to.”
--
Anita scoffed and shrugged at Trox’s response. So Cam was a dog too, just like the hooks downstairs labeled. A stray. She didn’t really understand but, as far as she was concerned, she’d gotten enough backstory for today.
”Where you guys moving to?” It seemed there were a lot of changes afoot that she wasn’t privy to. That was a bit distressing. ”And ah, thanks--”
She huddled closer to the collections, peeking through and taking her time. There was certainly a lot of interesting stuff here for the picking. Trox’s insistence about the chair made her laugh but she shook her head. ”Afraid I can’t do the chair,” she glanced its way before looking back at the blankets and pillows, ”nice as it is. Hey, um-- if it’s kind of too many hand-me-downs in a row, it’s cool, but I actually know someone else who could use having a couple extra blankets and pillows lying around… would you mind if I took them to pass along or should I just shop for me and Cruz?” The practical items like dishware were really tempting, besides, so it was looking more like they would leave Trox’s place with something in tow whatever the case.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:54 pm
Tatiana beamed, staying close for a moment before pointing behind Cruz at the small pond. Their scheming and plotting could wait until she had more ideas to bounce off the older frei, for now the weather was hot and her back was beginning to get sticky against the bark. That and the hamsa was sure she felt a few spiders crawling on her back. Unpleasant to say the least. She pressed close to Cruz, more to get away from the bark before twisting and grabbing hold of his wrist again.
“Do you like to swim, Mr. Crocodile?” The Hamsa asked coyly moving backwards to the lake. By now all of Troxel’s dog pack, or the three that decided to join them were busy panting in the shade or chewing on sticks. Kiowa had made a show of stealing sticks and playing hard to get with tango before giving up and plopping down next to the non-pack member and began sharing a chewing stick with the other dog. Tatiana was cautious to avoid the canines as she moved down the slight slope to where the willow branches barely touched the water. She took her scarf off, dropping it by Belle who was wet from the pond water and contentedly lying with her rear legs splayed, catching as much cooling breeze as she could.
“Because I love it,” She continued turning and diving into the shallow lake, wings pressed tight to her back.
--
Harrison paused mid lift, squinting his face in thought before giving a small shrug, “Well? Not too far from here- staying local but- We’re still looking. The housing market is pretty terrible right now so it’s a matter of hitting the big three in my book, big three in Doucettes book and big three in the Raevans’ books.”
He set the box containing flight manuals and outdated sectionals onto the chair, grinning and holding up thumb through middle finger, as he spoke he tapped each respective finger, “My big three are space, roomwise, distance to work and accommodations and price. Don’t as me for Doucettes. I know Tatiana’s are, ‘Idun, wanna, move’ but hopefully she’ll fall in love with the new place as quickly as she took to this one.”
“No? Can’t do the chair? Damn. Hate to see this thing go to waste. Are you sure? Maybe your buddy needs it instead?” Harrison started before rolling his wrist, “And yeah, of course. I’ll have Cam do a final comb and you have free reign to shoot your man a text, give him my number and he can come pick anything up- or she? Or however you want to work it. I just need this stuff gone.”
Harrison offered a smile, uncapping his seltzer and drinking some more. His face was beet red in the heat, especially from all the heavy lifting. He turned the window fan on full blast and sat down for a minute, happily hydrating and relaxing in the breeze.
“So how have you been? How’s Cruz?” Harrison inquired, eyes still shut in a blissful moment of tasty bubbly water and an artificial breeze.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:55 pm
”Yes,” Cruz rumbled as he lifted away from the tree and was pulled along toward the pond. The dogs calming down and just enjoying each other’s company, the sun and environment, was a nice sight and he gave Tango a smile. The saarloos paused in his step, panting, and let his ears fall back for just a moment. Cruz always liked when dogs panted, their eyes half lidded; they were smiling.
Suddenly, Tatiana dove beneath the water. A small splash hit him and Cruz closed his eyes, relishing the coolness it offered. Hydration was important, as was maintaining a moderate body temperature.
The croc grinned and followed after. Water wrapped around him and soaked through the way sweat could not. He stayed submerged, breath held with his eyes open. It was blurry and hard to see but he caught sight of the other frei’s colorful ribbon. Before pulling his head up, Cruz arched his half-formed back across the surface; his fin-like wings broke the water and shuddered. When he finally breached, his ponytail had nearly come undone and hung low, green hair gaining a slight wave in its soaked state and clinging to his face.
--
”Yeah, and the economy’s a piece of s**t,” Anita gave a sympathetic shrug. His explanation gave her a short chuckle. She didn’t know Doucette but it was easy enough to pick up on the details.
Trox earned another shrug from Anita as she knelt down to examine the contents of one of the boxes. ”Yeah, unfortunately.” With her head bowed, Anita’s face was easily hidden by her messy bangs and both braids hanging over her shoulders. Even so, she bent over further and stared hard at the dishware when Trox referred to her friend as ‘your man’. It was an innocent comment, she realized, as he corrected himself and touched on other options. Her cheeks felt warm.
She laughed it off. ”Sure thing, I will certainly ask. Maybe he knows a guy who knows a guy.” Hell, maybe Damien would take it.
”Oh, I’ve been good. Same old, same old.” That wasn’t wholly the case but it was the easiest answer. ”After all that s**t last Summer, though, it’s really nice just to sit on your a** and do nothing. Cruz has been good, too. Thanks again for inviting us and-- this--” she gestured to all of the stuff laid out, ”--he and your girl seem to really be getting along. I think he’s been wanting to make more friends.”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:56 pm
“Better!” Tatiana called as she too surfaced, ponytail still intact, high and tight on her head. She spread her arms out, floating backwards on her wings and wiggled her fingers. This was so soothing and cooling. She didn’t know why she didn’t swim more often. And it was better now that Cruz was here to enjoy the simple pleasure with her. She floated towards him, moving slowly until the top of her head bumped into his arm.
“Oh hiya there,” She greeted, smiling brightly as she flicked droplets towards the crocodile’s face. Simple pleasures indeed. She fluttered her wings beneath the surface and made crab like pinching motions with her hands before reaching towards Cruz’s nose playfully.
“So Anita wants to kiss someone but you don’t know who, Cam wants to kiss some he’s not allowed to because it’s not mutual, and you don’t care who you kiss so long as there’s kissin’?”
Tatiana thought for a moment, trying to suss out if she’d encountered anyone she wanted to kiss exclusively but honestly couldn’t. She barely knew anyone outside of her family and all the Raevans she’s met- well she’s just barely met them. Revontulet still did not count in this tally.
--
Harrison took Anita’s words at face value, despite her posture and body language. There was obviously more but he honestly wasn’t willing to dig into the young gamer’s life. He stretched out his legs and bent forward, trying to pull on the muscles in his lower back. They were always the first to get tense and tight. His mind followed a tangent based on the errant thought that there was indeed a lot of humidity. It escalated slightly and he muttered “Gee, hope there’s a storm system coming through or something to break up this heat.”
He turned his attention back to Anita and nodded, “Hey, take anything pack it into a box, I’ll carry it out to your car. And if your buddy, or your buddy’s buddy or if your buddy’s buddy’s buddy needs any of this, you let me know. Okay?”
Harrison stood up slowly, stretching some more before pulling a box off the desk, filled with photos of his military promotions and speeches following the crash and capture. He slid past Anita and deposited the box in the room adjacent to theirs and dusted his hands off as he walked back in, “Any keepers?”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:57 pm
It was nice, Cruz thought, to swim in the unsalted and calm waters of a pond without the breaking tides of the ocean. Living so close to the beach, the apartment building right on it in fact, gave Cruz ample time to dip himself. He supposed the pond was a lot like a giant bathtub compared to the sea, only you could keep your clothes on and others could swim with you.
Tati's playfulness was a joy to the croc. His eyes and smile were bright as the water hit him. Her soft pinch of his nose brought forth a laugh and Cruz brought his palms together just at the water's surface, squeezing them shut to send a small jet of water aimlessly skyward in the hamsa's general direction.
”Mmm,” he rumbled in thought. Yes, that sounded right. Cruz nodded. ”Kissing friends is best. Most others don't like it so much.” The croc tapped his temple with a claw, ”Think like 'Nita. Keep the kisses hidden in themselves. They wait and wait for the right kisser but they don't look. It's silly.” The thought jogged Cruz back to how easily Tatiana had agreed to kissing him and his smile softened. ”Thank you for your kisses. You taste very sweet.”
–
Anita scoffed, ”Yeah, that'd be nice.” She knew someone else that was probably praying for rain, too.
”Oh, sure. Thanks.” Anita looked away from the plates to search for an empty box. There was a smaller one at the corner of the room, which she retrieved while Trox took one of the other boxes out. ”Yeah, if you're really fine parting with 'em then I think I'm gonna have to snag these plates and s**t. Can never go wrong with kitchen stuff.”
She squatted down and pulled one of them out to properly examine, running her fingers over it. ”And if Cam doesn't want them, I'll steal the bed stuff, too.”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:58 pm
Tatiana laughed herself, rolling off her back to float in a more upright position, she grabbed at some water droplets as they fell and hit her, suddenly entwined in the softest orbital force. Mist drops rotated around her wrists, the thinnest portion of her incomplete body. Orbiting her impossible gravitational pull. The light barely danced off of them- almost unnoticeable and mistaken for the glinting of her many bracelets and pretty charms. Regardless of how the water landed, those few moments suspended in the air as they fell back down were quite a little taste. The filled her tongue with fresh hydration and she cooed.
“Thank you for the water,” She murmured slowly moving to the shore under the tree, fingers gripping her gauzey scarf as she floated by to dig her fingers into Kiowas fur. She smiled back at Cruz and called out as her mind got back to thinking, “I think you’re mistaken. Anita has a kissing friend, that’s you. But, like Harrison and Camille, they need something more than that.”
She settled in the long bladed grass, pulling the strands between her fingers and plaiting them neatly. She took the time to consider her words cautiously before squinting up at the Croc, blue feathers in her lashes somehow more luminescent. Although she had just been in the water, the only dampness was in her dress. Both skin and hair dried within an instant as her body repelled the drops of water.
“Friends are not bad, and you should never discount the love between friends. However, when you are born, the energy that makes your spirit is split between many. So ‘Nita is missing pockets of her soul. Maybe a piece of her soul was in the crocodile that fed you? Maybe not.”
Tatiana continued wondering just how much of her personal beliefs she could spout at the Croc before he became uncomfortable, “But there’s a select few out there that share a large amount of the energy that creates you. Those are special and are held at a higher level in some respects than friends. It can also be said they they are held at lower levels in some respects than friends.”
… Now she was trying to not confuse herself, “The fact is, love in it’s purest form is completion of a soul, that’s why they’re called soul mates. And everyone is different in their beliefs- Polyamorous or monogamous- those mean you can love many or you love one.”
Tatiana pulled the braided witch grass, holding it out to Cruz with a grin, “C’mere I’ll put it on you like a bracelet-”
She paused before continuing, focusing on her work, “It’s okay but I believe that ‘Nita, Harrison and Camille are all monogamous. They have enough of their energy that they are only looking for one person that completes them in the love department. But what do I know- I’m just hatched…”
--
Troxel simply shrugged, raising a brow at the collection at his feet, chuckling at Anita’s comment, “Yeah, Doc’s nearly crippled again because the humidity hurts his stump. And his buddy- the equally cotton mouthed one I assume needs rain for plants or something. Whenever it happens I just hope it happens quick. I have a full flight week in the next week.”
He paused, tapping his finger against his upper lip and squinted at the bedding, making sure none of his mother’s sentimental quilts made it onto the pile before nodding and packing them into a box, “Oh yeah, Cam doesn’t need them. You see, we moved around a fair amount when we were in the service. Often times we’d pick up these throws from the PX until our household goods arrived from whatever part of the country they were stuck in. Trust me- I’m sure he has a fair amount being shipped over from Louisiana right now.”
“I can only imagine, Tatiana’s been itching to meet with more Raevans since the crab boil-- I mean if she and Cruz seem to be hitting it off? If you ever feel inclined to look after Tatiana while I’m at work and Cam’s pretending not to be a drunk, I’d absolutely pay you,” He picked up the boxes of dishware and loaded the bedding on top of it before taking long strides out the door and down the stairs, heading to the unfamiliar car in the driveway, “Where is Tatiana at anyway?”
“I’m not a drunk! I go to meetings.” Cam’s voice chided from the kitchen.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:59 pm
Cruz’s brows lifted with his smile at Tati’s thanks. It had been a playful gesture but the fact he had accidentally fed the other frei lit his face up with satisfaction. Now he fully understood how it was that she fed, since he had put it into practice; he wouldn’t forget.
When she said he was mistaken, the croc’s smile faltered. He floated closer with his head inclined, eyes on hers and gently pointed ears perked. Immediately he was treated to an explanation that, at first, he had qualms with. Tatiana stating he was Anita’s kissing friend was not accurate, for she never allowed him to kiss her lips and instead fed him with pecks on the head strictly out of necessity. Her affection was clear but shown in other, less physical ways; she gave him just enough to get by and took no kisses from him.
Her lecture on matters of the soul pulled Cruz back physically. His eyes widened -- not quite in horror but obvious discomfort. ‘Nita was missing parts of her soul? That sounded painful. Awful. Initially, Cruz wanted to reject the very idea but the more he listened the less he could. It made sense for other creatures to be born incomplete. Raevans were this way from the start, so the possibility that humans and other creatures were also lacking parts of themselves was not a difficult concept for Cruz to wrap his mind around. No, this made perfect sense and it was distressing. That only served to put more importance on his task; not just for Anita, but everyone.
”So some people,” he started slowly only when Tatiana had finished speaking, ”are born less complete than others.” Cruz placed a hand over his own heart, not far from his rune. It glowed beneath the murky water just as hers did. Maybe that wasn’t quite right, why some people only needed or wanted one person to complete them while others required more. Friends, family, or people you kissed, it was all the same to Cruz; they were all important and they were all soul mates.
He nodded. Whether he fully understood or not, Cruz thought he did -- and he agreed. Tatiana was good at explaining herself, though sometimes her words were unnecessarily large. It was a damn sight better than how most people tried to explain things to him: he didn’t need to ask a bunch of questions after she finished. That was satisfying.
Cruz smiled at the hamsa, then turned to look across the bank at the gathering of dogs. Tango was starting to become restless, ignoring the other dogs in favor of gnawing on the zip-line. ”Oh--” the croc dug his claws into the damp earth surrounding the pond and pulled himself out. It took considerably more effort than usual, with him weighed down by water. ”He’s not used to being stuck. Need to bring him back inside.”
---
Anita gave the boxes and their contents another once over while Trox spoke of the weather. She had to scoff at his mention of Cam’s buddy, whom she now knew to be Mordekai. Equally cotton mouthed? Most of the time his accent seemed rather light, maybe it got stronger when they were together. A smirk forced one side of her mouth up as she recalled the man thickening his twang as a joke over coffee.
”Okay, if you’re both sure, I’d love to take ‘em,” Anita looked at Trox with her residual grin before piling them up. She was ready to take them herself but the pilot was quick to assist with the box as well as the linens and pillows. Anita thanked him several more times as they began their journey down the stairs and to her car. All she could do in response to Cam’s assertion was laugh uncertainly; Anita had no place in their banter, she didn’t know either of them well enough to joke between them accordingly.
”Oh, dang-- you don’t really have to, but uh-- thank you. They seem to be getting along great, um,” with a glance around the property once they were out the front door, Anita paused and looked back over her shoulder, pointing vaguely to where the pair said they were going, ”They went out back with the dogs.”
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:59 pm
Camille perked at the sound of Harrison struggling through the door. Standing, he took his drink and made his way outside, brows knitted as he tried to make out exactly how big of a load Harrison was clearing out.
“Jeez, Sorry Anita. H’shoulda helped widda’,” He took a breath, setting his glass down on the wooden step and moved over to the car, “Y’all playing tetris nicely or do you need help?”
”I’ll go grab that bedding, Cam can you fetch Cruz and Tati? I’m sure Anita’s got better things to be doing,” Harrison said as he moved back towards the house to grab the rest of the bedding. Cam sighed through his nose and nodded, glancing at the other guardian.
The cajun slowly made his way back through the house and onto the back porch, cupping his hands around his mouth he gave a loud shout.
“Tatiana? Cruz? Y’all gotta come back in, now. Ya hear?” Camille shouted before slowly making his way over to the small fire pond.
--
“Cam thinks that’s why people need other people,” Tatiana explained as she moved with Cruz, “And I think it explains why we can have many friends, never cap out but still have someone that is a bit different than the rest. Everyone is special that shares a soul and friendship no matter how small the fragment. But that special person is someone you need to see every day and live together because it’s completing.”
Eventually the hamsa shrugged the entire train of thought off of her mind. That was a lot of explanation for now. She was a bit worn out sharing her beliefs on soulmates, dating and love. Then she heard the telltale holler of her southern uncle. The feathers of her ears perked and she grabbed Cruz’s hand, pressing the tiny grass bracelet into his palm. “You keep that, kay? Cam’s callin’ us, you probably have to head out.”
As she spoke and aided the herding of the dogs, she pouted. She didn’t like it when people left- and it was so rare she was able to relax with a fellow raevan. Tatiana bit her lip, fingers intertwining with Cruz’s as they made their way down the hill. She saw her uncle but something was different, identical to where their two runes fell there was a dim glow in the human. It was a brown green, muddled and faint. His turmoil was visible- and it clicked. Her soul theory flickered in and out of view.
Quickly she tapped Cruz’s shoulder, pointing to Cam’s stomach. “You see? That’s his fragmented soul. I wonder if it glows brighter when he’s with someone who shares that energy… don’t you see it?”
Honestly the Hamsa was babbling to herself aloud as she often did. It was new, and faint, she had to squint to make sure it was still visible. The tighter she gripped the mistletoe frei the more sure she was of the sight.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:01 pm
”Oh, no, it’s okay,” Anita assured Cam with a weak laugh. She glanced to Trox as he deposited the other items into the back seat of her Oldsmobile. The pillows from upstairs were tucked in her arms but the blankets, as Trox noted, were still upstairs. ”Thanks, though, and for the juice too,” she offered to Cam, following a sympathetic look to Trox as he went back inside to fetch the remnants.
Anita tucked the pillows around the box as a sort of cushion for the ride. By the time she stepped back, Cam was already gone to the backdoor and in the process of fetching the freis. She sat on the edge of the car seat, leaving the door open for easy access to Trox once he returned.
---
Cruz watched as Tati lingered at the edge with him. He smiled and listened, all too eager to soak up more of her point of view. It puzzled him, as Tatiana confessed, that the views she explained so poignantly were not from her but delivered to her by another. There were times when Cruz thought he understood ideas explained to him, at least in part, and he adapted them into his own beliefs, but she had explained things so completely and intimately that he couldn’t fathom them being from someone else in totality.
It seemed all of his ponderings had certainly distracted him. Cruz clutched the newly woven gift in his hand and realized, faintly, that he had overlooked her previous offering of it -- he had been so enthralled in what she was telling him that he completely zoned out.
”Sorry,” he fumbled softly as they pulled themselves from the water. The croc smiled down at the makeshift bracelet and was quick to apply it, wiggling his fingers and twisting his wrist. ”Thank you, Tati.”
Their fingers found each other again and Cruz sighed, content. She was nice to be around, to touch and talk to. If he was getting called in order to leave, he hoped it would not be long before they could see each other again. On the way to the house, the two stopped to wrangle up the dogs. Tango was returned to his leash under Cruz’s control and the raevans navigated back hand in hand. The saarloos was panting, tired and thirsty but undoubtedly enjoying his time with the other pups. He smiled, catching the placid motion of Tango’s tail wagging side to side as he walked.
Both freis paused some distance from the house, Camille in plain sight and waiting for them. What came from Tatiana next caused Cruz to tilt his head. He leaned forward to get a better look at Cam, trying to find the energy she was referring to. There was nothing of the sort that he could see -- but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.
”I don’t…” he confessed quietly, with an obvious measure of disappointment, ”what does it look like?”
Tango was too tired to pull but his panting was enough to keep Cruz wanting to press on. Getting the dog a drink before traveling in the car sounded like the best idea. ”Hello,” he offered Cam a smile once they were within earshot, ”can he have some water?” Cruz rustled Tango’s leash slightly. The wolfhound lifted his head to stare at Cam, wide mouth open and tongue lolling.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:01 pm
“You see it right?” Tatiana asked again, smile pinching her cheeks into dimples. She released Cruz’s hand to wave, broadly and sweeping as they came down the slight hill. The warmth of Cruz’s entwined fingers was quickly leached away and as it faded so too did the light flowing over Cam’s heart. She paused regarding her uncle and flushed red, cheeks burning and feathered pinna curled forward and stood perpendicular to the sides of her face. The hamsa all but prayed that the comment would be swooped up in the jumble of moving back to the house and disregarded.
Meanwhile, Camille struggled over the grassy knoll as the earth became uneven and eventually stopped. Breath slightly labored as he responded to Tatiana’s large wave. She seemed to be pulling the green haired frei in her wake. Luckily Tango had very little to get caught up in- that is in the way of legs- and surely had no trouble keeping up with his energetic niece. He was ill equipped to actually take hold of Tatiana as she threw his arms around his neck.
“Ew! Tatiana, ya’s all wet,” Cam exclaimed eyes widening as he tried to move the disembodied bust off of him. Her arms were wrapped tight, laughing as the medic managed to swing her around and disentangle them, “Cruz an’ Tango~”
Tatiana moved past Cruz to attempt and call Troxel’s pack back into the house. Promising chow-chow and treats as the three bounded in towards them. during that time Cam had managed to bury his face between Tango’s ears, scratching under the wolf-dogs jaw as he regarded Cruz.
“Lil’ boy din’ have summat pond watuh?” the medic asked, straightening himself and guiding the Bishop family back into the mudroom, large tin bowls of water sat by the crates. Filled and cleaned as of that morning, “Can’ say h’blame ‘em. Y’all go swimmin’ too, Cruz?”
Tatiana filtered back in with Kiowa, Apache and Belle, dripping on the floor slightly causing Camille to tut at her and give her a very pointed look. He moved his hands onto his hips, standing at the full five foot two inches the lord graced him with and spoke with lofted brow. “Noy y’all know yer pappa ain’ gonna ‘preciate drippin’ errwhere, baby girl.”
“But what about Cruz?” Tatiana whined, trying to keep from smiling because technically she was being chided- even though it was coming from a hammed up cajun. She looked over her shoulder a the Croc and gave him a reassuring smile that this was all in jest.
”That’s called diming your buddy out, Tati,” Harrison stated as he trundled down the stairs, the residual picks of his purge finally on it’s way out of the house and into Anita’s car, ”Don’t be a blue falcon-- heya Cruz.”
Harrison tossed the croc a bright grin and a few fingered wave as he moved past the gathering in his mudroom. He spun just short of the main door and jutted a chin to the Raevans.
”Not rushing y’all out but Cruz, I think you and Tango are about to head out with Anita. Thanks for dropping by though! Make sure Ani knows that you’re welcome over any time ok? Tatiana you given Cruz your phone number yet?” He supplied before stepping out into the sun and loading everything in finally. He closed the trunk and gave Anita a bright grin, “Tatiana’s givin’ Cruz her number now. You’ve got mine and I’m honestly open to keeping an eye on them if they’d like to use the pond or let Tango run around. Everything’s hectic right now with the baby on the way…You all set though?”
Back inside Tatiana did comply with Troxel’s reminder, wings fluffing that yes she did indeed have a phone.
“Hang on!” the Hamsa called as she moved into the kitchen. She took out Harrison’s pad of sticky notes, emblazoned with the picture of a helicopter in the desert, and carefully wrote the number for her cellphone in very legible numbers.
“I’ve got messaging, pictures and voice calling, I really want to spend time with you again” She announced upon returning, holding the paper out to Cruz with a large grin, “And you said you were gonna try help me with him once things are buttoned up.”
Tatiana failed at subtlety as she pointed to Camille who responded with a very wide eyed deer-in-headlights look but he didn’t comment. Tatiana thus far had been attempting to enlist just about everyone she encountered with ‘What Ales You’ staffing requests and patrons. She was a strong believer that no legs were far superior to one leg. Tatiana waved her hands at Cam’s response and focused back on Cruz, moving close and embracing him like she had her uncle- arms circled around his neck.
“I’ll miss you so don’t be gone long, okay?”
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