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First Time Home!
8.19.o5

Latpas burst dramatically through her weathered front door, nose wind-kissed pink, hair scraggly and tangled, absolutely soaking wet, and, most of all, unconditionally overjoyed. She kicked her soggy, squelching sandals off in the mudroom, shook her damp scarf from her shoulders, and breezed into the cozy den with the air of someone who has just fallen in love for the first time; starry-eyed, graceful, and adoring.

She settled gingerly onto the couch, careful not to shake the two loosely blanketed bundles in her arms. Eyes closed, listening to the thunder rumbling overhead, she pinched herself, hard. And it hurt. A lot. Which could only mean one thing. She had indeed been granted with the guardianship of the Aduthule twins Reve and Mathus. Which could mean a whole lot of things. Mathus was going to be difficult to handle, as she learned through their brief stays with her, and would constantly give all the members of the family nightmares.

Everyone would have to learn to adjust. Sesame would have to prevent himself from being eaten by her latest charges. Aygul would have to be a bit more social, and just come out and meet them. Chara would have to be a bit less social, and not bother Reve too much.

Reve blinked blearily and yawned, flapping his wings in Latpas's face as he did so. He snuggled more comfortably against her chest, and fell asleep again.

Latpas could feel her eyelids drooping. She knew that she would, inevitably, fall asleep in a very awkward position on the couch, Mathus would wake up and end up breaking something... And she would have to... have to...

Mathus opened one red eye lazily, scanning the area. He wriggled out of the slightly damp blankets, whisking his tail out from under his brother. He stretched his wings as he hopped down fom the couch. Maybe he'd learn how to fly someday, when he was older; it could be useful for many clever wrongdoings...

Tentatively, he prodded the stiped-stockinged ankle in front of him. One of Latpas's eyelids twitched. No further response. He smirked, then opened his mouth wide, revealing sharp, gleaming baby teeth, and sunk them into the unsuspecting ankle.

Latpas's scream of horror and pain is not something that can be expressed with letters only, but this should give you the general idea: AAAAAAAAIEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWGHHHHHH! Multiply that by a hundred or so decibels, the grin of smug satisfaction on Mathus's face... priceless. Unless you have to pay medical bills.

She swore loudly and leapt to her feet, glaring at Mathus with sheer rage in her eyes. For a fleeting second, terror raced across his countenance, but it was soon replaced by another heartless smirk as he raced out of the room, melting into the shadows in the hallway.

Latpas sunk back onto the couch, sitting accidentally on Reve's tail. He cooed discontentedly for a moment until she released it. She glanced anxiously at her sock, which was now soaked with blood. Feeling slightly nauseous, she hobbled to the bathroom, Reve tagging along at her heels.

Rummaging through her cabinets, she found what she needed: bandages, and lots of them, antibacterial ointment, (Hey, who knew what germs that psychopath had in his mouth?) and a half pound bag of Jolly Ranchers. (Very consoling, those are.) She collapsed onto the floor. Flinching, she inched the sock down a few millimeters. No good. It would take her hours to get it off, and by then the wound would have stewed in its own juices... She hardly dared think of it. Again she ransacked the cabinets, searching for a pair of scissors. No luck there.

Exhausted, Latpas sunk down onto the floor once again. Her head spinning, she closed her eyes, and breathed slowly. A small tug on her sock alerted her that other forces were working with her, and she glanced down to see Reve gnawing gently at the blood-soaked sock, his eyes calm and caring. After what seemed a painful eternity, the sock lay with a ragged opening down the middle, exposing the injured ankle.

Her stomach in her throat, Latpas leaned forward to inspect Mathus's work. A circle of tiny holes tatooed her ankle, each one connected to a line of split skin, courtesy of her reflexes which must have jerked her away right as he bit down his hardest. Apparently Mathus wanted to see the damage done, too, because his striped head popped into the doorway for a split second before disappearing once more.

Gritting her teeth, she soaked a washcloth in warm water and dabbed at the wound. Her ankle stung enough to drive her mad, and every gentle touch sent pain searing up her leg. She halted, halfway through, tears in her eyes and hands shaking.

Reve, forever gentle and endearing, slowly wrested the stained washcloth from her clenched fist, and finished the job for her. He patted the area dry with a fresh washcloth, and started in with the ointment.

Really, it could have been worse. Reve was very prudent in his actions, applied the ointment liberally, and wrapped the ankle, taking extreme care not to harm her more. Latpas stood up, wobbling slightly, and scooped up her darling Thule.

Reve nestled against her and cooed, "Murphlx," in reply.

All of this said and done, Latpas set out with renewed purpose, to find that troublemaker Mathus, and administer the punishment he was due...

Reflections on a Certain Sleepover... And a Lot More
1.4.o6

Dear diary,

It has been a while since I've written here, hasn't it? I admit, I've been busy. With Mathus, who wouldn't be? Anyway, since the last time I wrote in my diary, the Twins have been to a sleepover, gone trick-or-treating, stuffed themselves on turkey at Thanksgiving, and celebrated Christmas for the first time, so this might be kind of a long entry.

We received our invitation to the sleepover at Sajhiri's tower a few days beforehand, and I must admit, I was absolutely loath to let Mathus attend after his behaviour, but I suppose it would have seemed odd to show up with one and not the other, and some social interaction would be good for them. I trundled them and all of their overnight baggage into the car and headed over to the tower. It was a lengthy ride, and Reve, as calm as he usually is, was fidgeting in the back seat, the picture of the excited child. (Mathus just acted lethargic and rather bored. He's such a wet rag!)

Even before we made it over to the festivities, Reve seemed to have made a new friend. The little Fire 'Thule, Nuria, was just as eager as he was, which proved to be troublesome as the flames which graced her head and tail flared up with her excitement, as Reve found; I suppose he found a friend, or at least an ally in Nuria's twin sister, the Ice 'Thule, Danica, whose hands cooled his burning fingers. (Mathus sulked behind me and schemed, I suppose. It's so hard to tell what he's thinking sometimes.) The guardian of the Fire and Ice twins went by the name of Kay, and was very pleasant, although she seemed to be very new to the whole Aduthule business also, and new only a tiny bit more about it than I did.

Around back, at the campfire, Reve stuck to Danica like glue. I suppose that even though he is so social, the sight of so many Aduthule at once might have made him quail at the idea of interacting. Even during the scary stories he sat close by her. Mathus was slinking around with a shifty-looking green 'Thule by the name of (I think I head one of the guardians point him out as their own, but I can't remember which one.) Gaspar. He seemed to be eyeing the other Aduthule with great interest, especially the pair with the interconnected halos. I think they were trying to cook something scary up during the storytelling, because they were creeping around suspiciously. Thank goodness for Sedare! (Sajhiri's Patience 'Thule) She caught them lurking around and kept her eye on them for the rest of the night. Despite Mathus's plans being foiled, I think he and his brother both had a lovely time.

Halloween was an interesting affair. I took them both to the costume store, and Mathus immediately rushed over to the goblin and ghouls section and selected the most gruesome mask there. I was horrified and asked him to, "Find something a little less disturbing!" At this point, there must have been some mental communication between himself and Reve, because the next costume he picked out was an angel, complete with a long flowing gown (odd for a boy) and glittery halo. I was suspicious when Reve selected a demon costume, but they were both satisfied with their selections. Trick-or-treating was an adventure, to be sure. I'd rather not discuss it.

Thanksgiving was rather laid back, as my family neglected to come and join me, and chose a cruise in the Bahamas instead. Ah well, to each his own! The boys loved the turkey, but didn't really understand the concept behind the whole 'giving thanks' thing.

Christmas was amazing! Reve, especially liked everything about it; Mathus, I think, was only interested in the presents. Reve even got into the spirit of other holidays, and dressed up as Saint Lucia on the 13th and made us all breakfast. (Note to self: Teach Reve to keep his tail out of the toaster when he makes bagels!) By the start of the New Year, I think all three of us were a bit tired of sugar cookies and Santa hats, so we cleared out the decorations the next day. All except the Christmas lights. Reve loves those.

After that, things kind of mellowed down until I had the good fortune to receive tickets to 'The Phantom of the Opera' and took them both to see it, which was probably a mistake; they were absolutely obsessed, and tugged on my hands in the direction of the souvenir store to buy them posters and masks and programs and CDs and authentic costumes... We rang up such a sky high total that the entire cast came to greet us and thank us for our worthy contribution to the acting community. What a day.

At least I can sometimes see Mathus when he's creeping along in a dark hallway with that white mask on...

Until another day,
Latpas October Rethelm, alias Lattie <3

Somebody's in Trouble!

It really wasn't his fault. That was all that mattered.

After all, Latpas had said.

She had said they could go exploring in the towns.

She had said they could dig up weedy-looking flowers that they found in the woods, or on the edges of peoples' yards.

But she had said they weren't to go bothering the neighbors, too, and apparently, that was just what they had done.

They had squandered their freedom, he was sure. It had taken so long to convince her that they were old enough to go out by themselves. Even through all of the tedious memorizing of names and addresses and phone numbers, they were convinced that it was going to be all that they had hoped. And now... everything was wrong, Reve thought. This would never be right again.

Mathus had insisted that it would be fine! just fine! if they went and took a few tulips. That garden had plenty of them, after all, surely they wouldn't miss just a few. But, of course, it wasn't fine. It was nowhere NEAR fine, Reve realized, wringing his hands. He glanced nervously at his twin, who was reclining casually in the straight-backed chair and kicking his feet against the battered rungs.

Angry tears stung Reve's eyes as he pleaded telepathically to his brother. "Can't you stop doing that? Haven't you done enough destruction for one day?"

Mathus glared at his brother spitefully and gave the rung an extra hard kick. After all, what did his silly, daydreaming brother know about anything? They weren't in trouble! This was just a little fuss compared to what he was planning. This was just getting them ready for what was to come.

Latpas burst through the door, led by a scowling old gentleman, and by the look on her face, she apparently agreed with Reve.

"Could I have a moment with these two? Alone?" She asked the man through clenched teeth, but her furious eye was on the twins. He nodded and backed out of the room, muttering.

Both of them. For once, her glare was not directed to Mathus. Reve shrank lower into his chair, closed his eyes against the environment. His head swam, his stomach churned. Oh, no, he thought desperately, Not now, please. He gritted his teeth, and his stomach obeyed, He was not going to make matters worse by getting sick all over a neighbor's kitchen floor!

As soon as the man was safely out of sight, Latpas sank to her knees before the Aduthule and grabbed their hands, shaking her head.

"I told you very clearly, did I not, that you were to stay out of trouble at all costs? And what did you go and do?!" Her voice rose dangerously, and her azure eye was crystal. Hard and sharp. And her pale, freckled skin made the brilliant blue stand out all the more, the silver-trimmed eyepatch made the single eye all the more imposing and terrifying. "You both may not realize why you are in so much trouble over a few flowers, but you are mainly out of my favor because you disobeyed me when I made myself very clear." She pinched Mathus' hand slightly, but he stared defiantly at the floor. "Especially you, Mathus." (She still had not punished him for the anklebiting episode, and was determined to make up for her soft-heartedness by being adamant about the consequenses this time.) Her brow knitted as she turned to Reve. "I am more surprised at you, however."

The white Thule's lower lip trembled, and his hand waved feebly in the direction of his stomach.. He longed to tell Latpas that his stomach felt terrible and all the guilt was just making it worse, but he didn't trust himself to say anything without... well, you know... He begged her to understand with his eyes. She had to understand!...

Unfortunately, Latpas was less perceptive to these sorts of things when she was distracted by troublemakers, and continued. "Mr. Nichols is very upset about what happened today. You managed to destroy half of his entire garden, and badly damage the other half, as well as crack his stone mosaic birdbath when you two knocked it over." Suddenly her face seemed very old and tired, so unlike it usually was. All of the spunk seemed gone from her expression, and Reve felt a twinge of empathy.

"And as such, the birdbath was... very valuable," (her face paled even more as she recalled the price) "...and you will have to repay him in some way, either by working until you have enough to pay for the repairs or for just working. For him, that is." She sighed. "I really wish you both hadn't done this, but the damage is done and there's nothing we can do about it now." Latpas was about to continue, but Reve's expression caught her eye. It was a mix between fear and pleading that she couldn't quite place given the situation, until Mathus' lazy voice sounded.

"If we don't leave soon, Reve's going to explode, if you get what I mean," he drawled, leaning on the arm of his chair. "Very soon," he added unhelpfully.

Recognition dawned in her eyes.

"Oh."

Noticing the silence, Mr. Nichols, who had been listening outside the door, poked his head in. "Everything all right?" He asked cheerfully (he was very happy about the decided punishment).

After another glance at Reve, who was growing greener by the moment, she grabbed him up and motioned for Mathus to follow. "Not exactly. I'll... um, send you a ckeck for the birdbath." She said distractedly, trying to manouever around Mr. Nichols, who was standing very unhelpfully in the doorway.

"And the flowers," he reminded her seriously.

"And the flowers," she replied desperately, "Of course. Now, please, Mr. Nichols, before---"

Too late. Reve's cheeks bulged and Mr. Nichols was sprayed with a delicious mix of --- well, we'd rather not say and you'd rather not hear.

Perfect chance! Latpas leapt through the doorway and ran across the yard to her car. Without a backward glance at piteous Mr. Nichols, she hopped in and sped away. She glanced in the rear-view mirror at her twins and cracked a smile. "Perfect timing, Reve. Couldnt've been better."

Mathus punched his brother lightly in the arm, grinning. Maybe there was hope for him after all.

Eleven-thirty. It was nearly time.

Reve knew it, but he was sitting slumped on the floor next to his bed. A knapsack sat at his side, filled with crackers and cookies and all sorts of things that would keep him alive if Mathus' mission were to go amiss. But still... His conscience nagged him relentlessly. That soft little voice in the back of his head, whispering incessantly---

This is wrong.

It was, and boy, did he know it.

Tell Lattie.

Couldn't. Mathus would hunt him down.

Don't go! Just stay here!

Impossible. Mathus wasn't stupid, even though he sometimes acted like he was.

He had no choice but to go and see what this was all about. He had to admit he was curious. Standing in the doorway with his pack, he reasoned against his better judgment and decided to take someone along with him. Remembering Mathus' words, bring no one with you, it seemed like more of a death sentence than a good idea, but it was dark, and kind of scary outside, and some company would do him good.

But who should he bring? Obviously someone small, so he could hide them in his backpack and Mathus wouldn't know. Sesame was small, but he was also loud and would probably object to being cooped up in a pack. Caspian, the Water Seraphii, who had just come out of his rock a week or two previously, was tiny, but the cloud that he slept on often began raining, and Mathus might notice it if his pack started dripping or something.

Almost all of his other siblings were bigger than he, and finally he decided to take his baby 'sister' Chara, and packed her comfortably into his knapsack, wrapping her gently in a blanket and thoughtfully securing the tiny hummingbird egg she always kept with her so it wouldn't get broken.

He closed the backpack gingerly, leaving room for Chara to breathe; she kept peeking out and giggling, thinking it was all just a great game. Reve motioned for her to be quiet and hide, and she kept herself curled in the spacious pack, hidden among bags of cookies.

Shouldering the pack, which he found not very heavy, thankfully, he walked softly out of the room and stopped before the back door. He stared nervously outside.

It was dark.

Very dark. In fact, the moon was completely obscured by a cloud and the yard seemed a black abyss; the first step he took out the door might send him spiraling downward endlessly!

Reve shook his head, knowing that he was letting his imagination run away with him again, and fixed his sights on a large black blob jutting into the sky; the old oak tree. Cautiously, and with great mistrust, he took a step on the the lawn.

The grass was cool and pleasantly scratchy beneath his bare feet, but they recoiled at the slightest touch of a rock, or a stick; it seemed that anything might be a threat on this dark night. As he neared the sprawling tree, he squinted fruitlessly for a sign of his brother, but he was nowhere in sight. His unease growing, he peered behind the tree and around it, steadying himself with the familiar touch of the rough bark.

"Mathus?" he whispered anxiously. No response.

The night was frighteningly quiet, and Reve began to shiver in the chill. Just as he turned to walk back to the house, thinking that maybe Mathus had just been playing a trick on him, a hand slammed over his mouth, and he tried to scream, but found he couldn't.

He felt his ear tickle with someone's warm breath, and heard a voice, dangerously familiar and terrifying, whisper, "Just keep still, and no one gets hurt!"

[Post saved for the kidnapping of Reve. O:]

Many hours later, Latpas woke fully, and found that she could move a bit, her headache had lessened, and her tongue had lost that horrible cottonly feeling. A foot-tall figure was kneeling beside her head.

"Lattie? Are you... okay?" Sesame asked gently, softly brushing his guardian's pale cheek. "Does your eye hurt?"

"M..my eye? What's.. wrong with..?" she asked, nearly in her normal voice.

"You mean you haven't...? Well, you haven't seen it?"

"Sh-show me!" she commanded, but nervously. How was she supposed to know how she had changed from her... journey! She hadn't spoken to anyone or looked in the mirror in the longest time.

"I don't think you should see for a while... you're too weak still."

Latpas shook her head, wincing at a sudden sharp pain in her neck. "No, I have to see. Now!"

Sesame gave in at last and ran off to find a hand mirror, leaving Latpas lying on the floor, breathing a little heavily.

The blonde lad returned, lugging a hand mirror that was as tall as he was.

"All right, here you go," he puffed, lifting the mirror to give it to his caretaker. "I don't think that you're going to... like it."

Latpas impatiently took the mirror. And gasped. There was something wrong with her eye. Horribly wrong. And her hair! Everything had changed.

Her once heavily freckled skin had turned a ghastly shade of pale. Her trademark perky orange pigtails were gone, replaced by a mop of (currently) tousled, messy black hair that fell constantly into her eyes. And her eye. Oh, her poor eye.

The left one. The one that had been covered with a silver-trimmed eyepatch after a rather nasty fall off of a cliff that she usually tried to forget. Oh, it was there now, all right. But it certaintly wasn't the bright blue it had been before the accident.

It was completely blank. No pupil, no iris. Just a stretch of slightly purple eyeball that had an eerily bright pearly sheen.

She let the mirror drop from her hand.

"So the stories were true," she whispered, her face was twisted into an odd little smile.

Sesame made himself noticeable by sitting on her stomach. "What stories, Lattie?"

"Sorry, not for your ears, Ses. They'd give you nightmares."

"I don't care! Please Lattie, if you tell me, maybe I can help you get better!" His eyes were painfully bright. "And you've given me my fill of nightmares. Why've you been gone all this time?" Sesame's shoulders slumped as he turned and walked out of the room.

Latpas opened her mouth to speak, but though better of it. After a few minutes it became clear that Sesame was not going to come back for a little while. Latpas slipped into yet another uneasy sleep.

___________________________

It was dark outside when Latpas woke for the third time. She sat up slightly and leaned against the wall. She noticed Mathus, sitting as far away as possibly, while still being in the same room. His face was twisted in an expression of disgust.

"It was my turn to watch over you," he said silkily, answering her unasked question. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."

"Oh, thanks!" Latpas snorted.

Mathus ignored her. "I won't pretend that I'm happy to see you back, but at least you might be a distraction to keep her away from me."

By 'her,' Latpas assumed that he meant Shia, the spirit of Halloween, who had a bit of a spoft spot for Mathus. And suddenly, as if his words had conjured her out of thin air, Shia appeared behind him, saying, "Now Mathus, that wasn't very nice!" And looking at Latpas, she continued, "Poor guy! He just needs a little love!" And with that statement, she flung her arms around the neck of a very unwilling Nightmare Thule (Latpas was surprised that he had stayed around that long).

With a very un-Mathuslike squeak, he flapped his small wings and scurried up the stairs.

Shia smiled warmly at her. "We've all missed you so much. Even though some of us won't admit it. Now, I'm going to go check up on everyone, and I'll be back down in a bit. Rest well!"

[More to come! *tempting* whee ]