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 Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:20 pm
He 'cornered' me during the lunch period. I couldn't tell if he was overjoyed to see me or furious that I hadn't come to see him. it was a bit of both, to be honest. Back and forth, yelling and cheering--he almost cried. Lyrus never cries.
I'm not sure if I'm touched that he cares so more, or feel extremely guilty that I made him so upset.
I didn't mean to, you know. I didn't have much choice in the matter. I could have called or something, I suppose... It just slipped my mind.
Anywho, once he calmed down, we caught up on...er...everything. He wants to come stay over here. I told him I'd think about it, and then we'd have to ask Moo, and so on and so forth. I doubt Moo, how she is right now, would even notice if he left, but it's the principle of the matter.
And then there's the Ven factor.
I... Lyrus is a lot like Ven, just less...evil. Like, they're both prone to violence, and they both have horrible tempers, but Lyrus actually seems to care. He's got a few good friends, and, hell, he missed me. He's a sweet kid, he just has his bully moments.
But he and Venoch... They would clash. They'd both try to rule over the other, in a sense, and someone would get hurt, I'm sure. Lyrus wouldn't ever 'sink beneath' a monkey, and Ven doesn't take no for an answer. I see a fight.. And knowing Ven, and knowing what's happened to me living with him.... I really don't want risk Lyrus.
So I told him I would think about it. And maybe I'll have him and Ven meet before hand, and if that goes well, I'll say yes. But until I get -my- courage up enough to risk that, he's staying at Moo's. We're going to hang out ever so often, though. Oh, he's older now--not sure if I mentioned this. So he's much more agreeable than when he was a toddler and always wanted his way.
Like I said, nice kid. There's room in the apartment.. Gah, we'll see.
It all comes down to Venoch.
--Banda
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:21 pm
"Twila!" She called over to the girl from the clothesline as she spotted her leaving the home. "Where going?"
"Shopping," she answered, not even bothering to glance over her shoulder let alone stop walking.
"Want go with you?" Noyama questioned, more hopeful than anything. Her ears lowered when the girl continued and shook her head.
"I'm okay!" Twila called in reply. "See you later!" And she was gone. The last of them to leave, actually.
Despite her bitter feelings toward Noharu, Kilah had become surprisingly fond of Karoko...as much as one like Kilah could, anyway. She'd gone somewhere with her, and with Lucky, hence why the protector wasn't worried. Sango had gone off to visit her friends, and Kotoki...That boy wasn't social anyway. Who knew where he was.
Shrugging the dissapointment the rejection of her company brought on, she pulled out another shirt and hung it carefully up. The familiar dark purple color stared back at her, "Don't make me slap a b***h." written across it in white. Definetly Kilah's.
It was sheer coincidence that Banda happened to be in the area. He had spent most of the morning at the SkullMonkey HQ, but, when no one had shown up, Venoch's restlessness had finally convinced him to leave. They had left, the infant perched on his usual spot on Banda's shoulder, the physical embodiment of a shoulder demon. Or so Venoch liked to think.
The walk home led them past this area, and it wasn't long before Banda recognized the place. On a whim, he changed directions and, ignoring complaints from Ven, started for Noyama's house--passing Twila on the way, in fact.
It was long before house, clothesline, and girl came into view. Grinning faintly, Banda slowed his pace and raised a hand in greeting, ignoring an annoyed his from his shoulder. "Noya? Hi, um...Need any help with that?"
The focus she'd had on the shirt had been intense for such a simple task. That which was reading the white writing. She could understand only 'me', and frowned at that. Kilah had been right. She should know how to do these things!
In the midst of arguing with herself over what to do about her daughters recent anger issues she was positive sparked from the fact she hardly qualified as a 'good' mother figure, a voice broke her thoughts and brought her back to the present. "Oh, hel-" And she froze, staring at him for a few seconds. "-lo."
The pause was short, but long enough for her to think. Kilah didn't talk to her, she only talked with Lucky. Still, Kilah was loud, and it wasn't uncommon for everyone in the house to hear everything she said. Suddenly aggravated, the demons ears lowered again, in a more fierce way than they had last time.
"No," she answered angrily, an odd tone for her. Sharply, she turned back to her task. In the surprise of Banda alone being here, Venoch went completely unnoticed for now. Not that Noyama was a very observant one...
"Oh." Banda's smile faltered, hand closing and sinking back to his side. Her tone had gone unnoticed--he couldn't hear her, after all--but her expression was enough to hint at it. Briefly he debated simply leaving. She didn't seem to happy to see him, after all. Ah well, there went that hope...
However, Venoch had something else in mind. This was somewhere new and, bitchy woman or not, he intended to explore it. The young SM crouched on Banda's shoulder, eyeing the distance to the ground, then ran down his caretaker's back, talon-like claws reopening holes they had already torn in the fabric before he jumped to the ground and started away. Every few days Banda would sew them up again, but his beloved coat still looked the worse for wear.
Banda's back arched slightly in an attempt to avoid the claws and once Ven was on the ground he shot the infant a frown, while the demon ignored. Sighing, he decided he might as well make the best of the situation and tried again, leaving the infant to his explorations and waking towards Noya. "You sure? Everything'd be hung up faster, and the.. Maybe we could talk? Or something..?"
Noyama leered at him. "Maybe you should go fall off the face of the Earth, since you're so good at it," the teenager muttered in the island language. It hardly seemed nesscary, since she could just as easily say it and English and he wouldn't hear it. It was in times of anger she reverted to her native tounge.
"No, no help," she repeated, a hint of warning in her voice. It wouldn't have any effect what so ever, but... Well, quite frankly she was just pissed off. "What talk about?" It was more of a hiss than a question.
As rare as her temper once, when it finally came out, it seemed vicious enough to rival Kilah's every day attitude.
By now Banda was very confused, and more than a little hurt. Had he done something wrong? Noya had said something he couldn't understand, even if he had been able to hear it, and what followed was rather...cold, and angry, and not at all like the Noyama he remembered.
"I-i dunno," he admitted, eyes falling to the ground. Out of habit, he lifted his hand to rub the back of his neck, confusion getting the better of his words--it was hard to pronounce anything correctly when you couldn't hear yourself and were too busy worrying to pay attention. "Jus' mizzed ya, an' was aroun', so I.. Dunno, though' I'd drop by an' say hi, an', ah... I'm sorry for both'rin' ya.."
When his words stopped...being real words, the guilt hit her harder than she'd expected considering being furious three seconds ago. People must have had to struggle to understand her like that--no wonder Kilah was always so mad at her! There was silence for a while, Noyama not being at all productive clutching the same shirt the entire time and staring at the ground.
"Am sorry," she apologized after most of the awkwardness had passed, finally hanging the shirt up. Kicking the basket to the side, she turned her attention to only him, frowning. "Go away for long time! Not okay! Understand like woman Kilah speak of, but not okay, Banda! Lyrus worry! Noyama worry!"
It was by sheer luck that Banda noticed her apology, having glanced up to search for Ven so that they might leave and stop bothering her, and happening to catch the movement out of the corner of his eye. He relaxed a bit, managing a faint smile once more, though her frown left him uneasy. However, her words cleared things up a bit. "Oh..."
He took a moment to rerun her words through his head, then nodded slightly in agreement, sighing. "I apologize, I hadn't meant for any of it to happen... Moo just kicked me out, and, um, I didn't want to bother anyone by asking for help, so I've been busy trying to find a job and somewhere to stay and... Wait, what woman?" He quirked a brow, confused. He liked someone?
She relaxed, sighing in relief. It was only natural to expect an arguement. It hardly seemed (to her) like something Banda would protest against, but she'd been prepared for it anyway. "Not okay, Banda. Ask for help important! Friends help friends! For helping!"
When he appeared to be confused, her eyes narrowed and searched his face for any sign he was lying. Either she wasn't good at finding such things, or he was being honest. Whichever it was, she seemed satisfied he really didn't know. "Am wrong? No person? Banda with person, yes?" Person was easier to say than woman. That just...annoyed her...
Nodding slightly, he managed a faint smile, but let his eyes wander back towards the ground. "I just... didn't want to get in the way." People had their own lives and, as well as he knew his friends would have taken him in without question, he didn't want to interrupt that. If he hadn't had such good luck with the job and the apartment, however, he would have eventually sought someone out.
Now came the confusing bit. He glanced back up, thinking. He was with someone? When had he said...Oh. Jo. Lyrus must have mentioned her to Kilah or someone, and.. Yeah, that made more sense. "Well, no. I met up with an old friend of mine, and now I'm renting the apartment behind her house. We're not together or anything. She, uh..." To spill, or not to spill? "...She came home drunk from a part one night, and came into the wrong building. Ended up at my house and I left her stay the night, just to be sure she didn't get sick or hurt herself or anything, and the next morning she left and I haven't seen her since. So, no, I'm not with anyone."
Noyama blinked once before staring at him warningly. The 'If you're lying, I'll claw your eyes out' kind of stare. It was surprising she could pull that look off, but she got by. Her expression softened and she nodded her head, believeing every word.
Turning back to the clothesline, she sighed heavily in relief. Her eyes flickered to the basket, and suddenly she found the chore annoying. So...'screw it', as Kilah would say. Turning toward the house, she motioned for Banda to follow her. There were many questions, but they could wait...
Her stared was unnerving. It was the kind of stare Banda would associated with Noharu, not her sister. He audibly sighed in relief when it faded, smiling, though it faltered somewhat when she turned away. Hoping she hadn't said anything he should have 'heard', he merely nodded in reply to the gesture, but hesitated. Should he leave Venoch? He wasn't sure where the infant had gone...But he was fairly sure the demon could take care of himself. A quick glance around, and he followed behind Noya for the house. At least she wasn't mad anymore...
Unlike the first room which lacked any, the kitchen had a nice amount of funiture. It was also the most evolved room in the house. Most of the time, Noyama stayed out of it. The stove, fridge, and the sink against the wall tended to scare her.
A table was in the center of the room, and took up the majority of it. Three chairs lined each side, and two on each end. She pointed for him to sit down and opened the cabinet over the sink. It was painfully obvious how much she hated this part of the house--but the other rooms lacked chairs, and supposedly chairs were good.
"Banda want tea?" The girl asked, making sure to look over her shoulder enough so he could read her lips when she spoke.
Banda, on the other hand, was somewhat reassured simply by the fact that the house had a kitchen at all. He wouldn't have been at all surprised if it hadn't, but it made the whole situation seem somewhat more real when even Noyama had a fridge.
With her gesture, he nodded and sunk down onto one of the chairs, gaze following her over towards the sink. At the offer he automatically shook his head, but quickly reconsidered, nodding once more and murmuring a reply. "If it's not too much trouble, thanks.." He was tempted to ask if she wanted his help, but decided against it after reflecting back to her reaction to the laundry question, and settled for waiting silently in his chair, pulling his hat off and absently wringing it in his hands.
Noyama nodded and hummed to herself and gathered the drinks. Setting the cup down infront of him, she giggled and gestured with her now free hand toward his hat. "Kilah does that." It must be a thing with hats.
Personally, she hated the things. They hurt her ears. Sitting down--for once in a chair, not on the floor--she shifted awkwardly. These things were so uncomfortable! Why others prefered them she'd never know. "So, um... Kitty at house tell about other person. Not like you? Why not like Banda?"
Banda blinked and, upon realizing what she meant, blushed faintly and set the hat on the table. "Yeah, I guess it's habit... Thank you," he added, and distracted himself with picking up the cup and taking a sip. Banda loved his hat. His hat and his jacket. Particularly his jacket, even though it had been the reason Moo had kicked him out, though he didn't know it.
Kitty at the House? Since when had the house had a.. Oh, Jaxom's kitten, right. "I honestly don't know," Banda admitted quietly. Then, shrugging slightly, he took another sip of his tea before continuing. "She said something about me spoiling her house and kicked me out. Wouldn't let me back in to get any of my stuff, either... I met up with Lyrus not long ago, and he tried to explain, but according to him she's just crazy. I'm sure there's more to it than that... Moo wouldn't just kick me out."
"Oh, yes, Moo is good person," Noyama agreed quickly. She'd only met her a few times, but had liked her. She certainly didn't seem like the type to just decide to throw someone out of her house! Noyama was never a good judge of character, though, so if she hadn't trusted Banda's opinion she'd have had a few doubts.
"Must be crazy," the teenager muttered, growling her words a little. That kitty had been annoying. Cute, but annoying. "Jaxom." The name was spoken as if she was trying it out. Kilah had something with that boy, then suddenly hated him, and if she ever said his name the Sin'aeis went crazy. Shrug. She didn't know him.
She did know Lyrus, though. "Lyrus smart boy," she continued, nodding wisely, sipping her own tea. "Lyrus know crazy or not." Leaning back and fidgeting, she shot a glance toward the doorway. Everyone had been gone so long, and it would be just her luck for them to come in at the worst times.
Nodding his agreement, Banda sat back in his chair and set his cup on the table. "She really is, if a bit absent minded. But she wasn't acting like herself, and apparently she hasn't gotten any better... Maybe Lyrus is right." Though it was highly doubtful. Moo had seemed sane enough, she just hadn't seemed like, well, Moo. She had been someone completely different.
"Lyrus is very smart," Banda admitted, smiling, but added, "When he wants to be. And I'm not altogether sure that that's a good thing. He seems much more sensible now that he's older, though. He may be coming to stay with me, since I can't go back to Moo's and he doesn't much like it there... I'm worried how Ven'll react, though."
Sighing, Banda lifted a hand to run through his hair, but froze midway when the sleeve slipped down his arm and quickly let his hand fall to recover it. Without explaining, he leaned forward to rest both arms on the table, one hand idly toying with the sleeve of the opposite arm, which had obviously recently been torn and reswen. Perhaps that was the problem. "They're too alike, and one's bound to hurt the other sooner or later."
While she found his behavior odd, she didn't find it odd enough to question about it. As far she was concerned, she was already being nosey, but she agrued back with the little voice in the back of her mind saying that she was only worried. Voices in the head. Not a good thing. Plenty of people seemed to have them, so she wasn't concerned. "Hm, yes, Sin'aeis very smart."
Kilah was smart. Too smart for comfort. They all were like that as far as she knew. "Ah, fight." Twila and Kilah did that a whole lot, and recently Kotoki and Kilah had been as well. "Kilah fight with sisters and her brother many times every day. Punch and kick and then forget and move on." Maybe that was another Sin'aeis thing. Such violent children. "Lucky smack both of them and say shut up or claw eyes out. Behave after that."
"Well, yes..." Banda could certainly understand that. Kilah didn't exactly seem the type to get along well with siblings. Lyrus certainly wasn't. "Lyrus fights with our brothers all the time. The ones around his age, anyway. But Venoch..." he trailed off, searching for the words to explain without making the young SM seem like some monster. Which, really, he was, but Banda was too nice to admit it.
"Venoch has these, eh...talons, sort of, and uses them without hesitation. And then Lyrus has his knives, and he's not much better.. And even though Lyrus knows not to stab any of his family--I think--I know for a fact that if Ven got mad, he'd hurt Lyrus, and Lyrus would retaliate and, well.." Someone would die. Hands down. Even as young as he was, Venoch had nearly killed two SMs at the HQ a few weeks back. Banda had many scars now from the demon's outbursts, and didn't want Lyrus to suffer the same....or worse.
She looked thoughtful, but did nothing other than nod. Every time her mouth opened she risked saying something stupid, and now that risk seemed to be at it's highest. Normally, she'd thoughtlessly embarass herself and not even realize it. There were a few people she was more careful around, Banda being one of them.
"Sassy got big," she said finally, smiling weakly. "Big, pretty wings now, too." Another heavy sigh, her finger tapping against the cup in a seemingly nervous way. "Clothes are ripped," she observed casually.
"That's good to hear," Banda replied, smiling, glad for the subject change. Relaxing somewhat, he reached for his glass once more, taking a small sip before continuing. "Tell her I say congrats, if you think she'll remember me. I'm sure she's lovely. I'd still like to paint her sometime..." It was rare for Banda to wait to paint an actual subject. He tended to dwell more on things such as landscapes, or skies, or strange things that no one could really say what they were. But Sassy was good.
He tensed slightly when she mentioned the rips, but soon nodded, taking a moment to drain his glass before he replied. "Yeah, I keep trying to fix them, but Ven tears them up again...Not intentionally," he quickly added, pulling his arms down off the table and out of sight. "He likes to ride on my shoulder, and rips them sometimes when he's climbing down." That was true for the back, anyway.
"When come home will tell her." Pegasus were smart, especially Sassy. She wasn't forgetful at all, and would definetly remember Banda. Noyama was dissapointed she'd been running off a lot lately. She had friends now in other places.
This time, his behavior prodded her curious side more than the first time had. "Act very odd," she slowly said, eyeing him suspiciously. It didn't seem like the way he'd act had it been as simple as one of his 'family' members clawing at him. "Something bad. Wrong. Wrong with Banda, yes. What is the wrong?"
There was a brief moment where he considered making up an excuse, or simply changing the subject. Knowing Noya, she probably wouldn't pry if he did it right. But at the same time... Well, he should tell someone, at least, right? After a beat, he lifted his arms back to the table and pulled back the sleeves, setting his hands palm upward on the table. An array of gashes in various stages of healing literally covered his forearms and, by the looks of it, up past his elbow to who knew how far. The sight was far from attractive; very few of the cuts had been dressed at all, and many looked to require stiches. Banda hadn't bothered.
"He scares me sometimes," Banda began quietly, staring sadly down at one particularly nasty cut. "I though, when I adopted him, that I could make him get better, but... He'll be growing soon, and I don't know what to do with him. It's hard enough for me to control him right now, and I'm scared that, if he gets mad, he'll.." He trailed off, sighing, and, raising his arms, clasped his hands and rested his forehead against them. "I swear he can't be that bad."
She was surprised, but not all that surprised. Then came a mixture of feelings--anger, annoyance, and quite a bit of it directed toward herself. Was she the first he'd told of this? More importantly, the only? And she wasn't near smart enough to help him!
Frowning, she thought of what she'd do in his place...and still had no idea. People said bad things about Kilah to her, but she was just a mean girl, she'd never acted out against anyone (yet) aside from Twila, who admittedly deserved the majority of what she got. Happy to get off the damn chair anyway, she stood and walked over to him, hesitantly reaching out.
Faster, she retracted her hand, looking boarderline devestated. What a horrible life poor Banda had! Noharu making him deaf again, getting thrown out, being ripped apart literally by his own family. "I...I not sure, Banda. Can't...change him or anything?" Change as in make nicer. At least enough to not fear for your life when around him.
His head remained bowed for a moment--he hadn't heard her rise to her feet, after all--but he soon lifted it, realizing anything she might be saying would go unnoticed otherwise. He blinked vaguely at the now-empty chair, then glanced sideways to her in time to see her withdraw her hand. Briefly, but only briefly, he felt a bit hurt by this, but it soon passed. He smiled wearily, managing a slight shrug. "I've tried... He wasn't bad when I first adopted him, but as he's grown he's just gotten..heartless. He likes inflicting pain and, well...he's small now, but he'll get bigger, and.. I dunno. Do you think he'll grow out of it? ...Maybe?"
"Not know," she answered honestly, sadly. Noyama? Far from a parenting expert. Without Sango and mostly Lucky, Kilah would no doubt be that bad as well. She contributed nothing to keep her family in line--they were hardly 'her' family. Sango seemed more like a mother than she did. "Perhaps."
"Why so mean?" She didn't expect him to know, but maybe... She'd always assumed Kilah was mean because of her eyes--well, the ones she use to have anyway--so maybe there was a specific thing that triggered this one to be so cruel? "Maybe fix?"
Perhaps wasn't good enough. Banda had kept up his charade through 'Perhaps'. Perhaps meant there was a chance. A chance that Ven could get better, or a chance that he could kill someone--possibly Banda himself, at this rate. But what else could he do? He had chosen to take in the demon. He couldn't just toss him back out.
"I don't know," Banda murmured, barely above a whisper. A moment passed and he sighed, clearing his throat and speaking more clearly. "He's always been cruel, from the beginning. That's why no one else would adopt him. And I felt bad, because he reminded me of me, and my brother...In that he was different from the rest," he added quirkly, to assure her that he and Isto hadn't got around slicing people's hands open when they were pebbles. "But, I mean.. I though everyone was judging by appearance, and for a while he did seem like a good kid.. He still has good moments, too. Just..not often. I don't know what to do about him.."
"Understand well," Noyama said regretfully. She meant that to the fullest extent, too. The more he talked about it, the more familiar it seemed. Which just supported the fact she couldn't help, since she had no idea what to do in the situation herself. It differed in a few areas, but--
As if on que, a blue-colored boy with chocolate brown hair and very observant eyes strolled into the kitchen. Without so much as glancing at them, he moved to the fridge and yanked it open. The low rumble it emitted made Noyama jump despite hearing it many times before.
"Kotoki," she called unsurely, though sounded more dissaproving than anything. "Guests here." Finally, his eyes focused on her, then on Banda, lingering much longer on the latter.
"Hello," he said flatly, his eyes the same as his voice. "Is that your monkey snooping around here...Banda, right? I've heard of you from Akilah and Lucky. Fortunately, it's all been good, and I'm inclined to believe them. It's always the good ones who have the demonic children." He glared momentarily at Noyama.
Though she had no advice to offer, hearing that someone understood at the very least was enough to cheer Banda somewhat. She was the first he had trusted with the knowledge, afraid that most would take Ven away or worse. He really wan't -that- bad. He just didn't seem to realize he caused pain...or if he did, he didn't care. And seemed to enjoy it.
Brushing away his thoughts, Banda glanced over to the new arrival, quirking a brow in surprise with his words, but soon nodding slightly and gracing the boy with a smile. "Thank you.. I think. And yes, that's Venoch. He hasn't, er... gotten into any trouble, I hope?"
Oh please, please, please don't let Ven have hurt anyone.
"If the answer you want to hear is no you're in luck," he muffled. Noyama quickly got him tea as well, and he sat down where she had been across from Banda, keeping in mind not to hold the mug up too high so the other could hear what he's saying. "However, I'd advise you keep track of him while he's here. Lucky would probably murder him if he wrecked her room." Lucky was cool, too, and he didn't want her upset. Now, Kilah or Twila's room getting wrecked would be hilarious. "In fact, it's perhaps best to go get him now and come back without him if you're so keen on the idea of visiting Noyama here."
"Kotoki!" Noya hissed from across the room. Honestly, that boy was so rude! And he was so...polite about it!
Breathing a sigh of relief, Banda reached for his own cup while keeping his eyes on Kotoki. However, he flushed bright red with the boy's following words and left the cup where it sat, straightening up somewhat. "No, no, he's right. I, ah, shouldn't have risked bringing Ven here. I'm very sorry."
Keeping his eyes averted, he climbed to his feet and let his sleeves fall to hide his arms once more. After a moment of silence, he looked up and forced a smile, nodding politely to Noya. "Maybe som--...Well, it was good seeing you again. Um, thanks for the tea," he added, and after another quick nod hurried for the door, intent on finding Venoch before the demonic SM could cause any damage. From there, back to the apartment...
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:39 am
Lyrus has never exactly gotten along with his brother and, with Moo out of it, I dare say Jaxom's taking advantage of him.
Of course, that may just be an exageration by Lyrus. Jax can be a bit pompous at times, but he's a good kid.
Generally.
We moved Lyrus in yesterday. He's taking Venoch's room, because Ven usually sleeps with me anyway.
It was Ven's idea, in fact, which surprised me. But Venoch seems to like the idea of having someone closer to his own age around.
Neither of us have many belongings here, so sharing a room is no trouble at all.
However, when we went to retrieve Lyrus' things, I managed to get out a lot of my own as well. My own things, most of my art and supplies...a few other things I knew the old Moo wouldn't mind me taking, and the new Moo wouldn't notice were missing.
Nothing too big or valuable, of course. Just little things that weren't already here and make life a lot easier.
Like the coffee machine.
The old crappy one. But still.
Coffee.
Um, anyway. So, yeah, Lyrus is here, things are good, and I'm going to go now because there's a huge pile of stuff in the living room that needs to be put away.
--Banda
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:40 am
It's cute, I suppose, but Lyrus never exactly seemed the type. He's not very affectionate, generally speaking. More likely to stab you in the foot than consciously smile.
But people change as they grow up. He certainly has, anyway. This is just the icing on the cake.
A few days back, Lyrus went to the Sin'aeis mansion to see if any of his friends were around. They weren't, but he met a new girl--Anisia, I think her name is.
His story was rather garbled... Something about getting eaten by a plant and only escaping because Anisia cut him out.
And somewhere during the course of that, he decided he liked her.
He hasn't actually admitted it, of course. I doubt he ever will to me. But he's certainly acting that way.
For example: he's spent every free moment since that incident creating a glass flower for her. The exact duplicate of the one that lured him into the trap, he claims.
It is...amazing. There's no other word for it. That flower is so lifelike, so... I don't know. It's magnificent. I never knew he was so skilled.
he brought her the flower this morning, and now he's acting as if nothing ever happened.
He's turned his sights to his Halloween costume--he's decided to go as a sultan. Where he ever even heard of a sultan, I'll never guess, but at least he's ating more like his old self.
He's making the sword, and I'm making...everything else. It should turn out nice, though.
Venoch's going as himself. What better for a demon than Halloween?
--Banda
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:41 am
I must say, he's rather terrifying at times. Not so different in appearance. Just bigger. Bigger horns, bigger claws, bigger body... Yup, he's growing up.
He hasn't changed much in demeanor either. Extremely quick tempered, fight before reason..and I do mean fight. Sometimes I swear....well..there has to be some good in him, right?
...Right?
It's just scary sometimes. Before...he scratched and clawed and whatnot, but he did have his good moments, and I honestly thought he was happy to be here. Now...
Now I'm starting to fear for my life. And Lyrus'.
If this gets worse with age, I'm going to have to send him home to Moo's before long. It's just not safe here for him...
Of course, it's not like it's constant or anything. Lately, Ven's been spending a lot of time away from home, and most of the time when he is here, he's sleeping.
I'm not sure where he goes. Whenever I ask, he just sneers and ignores me. Or, well, sometimes he says he's gone hunting.
He 'hunts' just about anything smallish that moves. I say that meaning he hasn't brought back anything too large just yet. But plenty of small things.
Birds, mice, squirrels, moles... He brought back a rabbit once.
It's...not pleasant. He doesn't even do anything with them afterwards. He just acts all pleased with himself and dumps them in the back yard, then goes to kill something else.
I caught Lyrus buring the rabbit, bless him.
That's the difference between the two.
Anyway... I'm not sure what's with Ven. He's not...normal.
A few days ago, he came home all torn up and with a huge gash down his side, bleeding horribly. And all he said when I offered to clean it for him was the dog had come off worse.
And then the next morning he was fine. Untouched.
It's eerie.
Oh, and he hasn't lit up on my arms.
--Banda
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:21 pm
"Mooom! Aunt Noyama already told you he can still read lips."
"He should probably learn to use his before he learns to read other peoples..."
Karoko was well aware she'd basically made the poor guy deaf, but when she said that, she glanced at her cluelessly. The teenager waved her arms around frantically, laughing nervously.
"Nothing!" she insisted innocently. Karoko didn't buy it, but also didn't prod about it. Didn't sound like anything she REALLY wanted to know...
"This is it," Karoko announced, knocking on the door once they'd reached it. This about the twenty-third time she'd had to do this, and each time it got more and more awkward. For her, anyway. Noharu didn't get embarassed over anything!
Knocking on the door was really no good to anyone nowadays. Banda had never been able to hear the knock in the first place, so Lyrus was usually the one to answer the door for the few visitors they received. And now, with the lamb Sin gone, there was next to no chance of a warm welcome, much less any welcome at all. The few who had come a-calling had ended up wandering off, figuring Banda was out of the house.
Not so.
In fact, by sheer chance, Banda wasn't even the only one home this day. Venoch had just been settling down for a nap when the knock on the door attracted his attention. Leaving his comfortable pillow-bed, he hopped to the floor and, slinking from corner to corner, made his way to the far-too-open entrance hall. Only then remembering the door knob was too high.
Frowning, he changed directions and slipped towards the small living room, where Banda was catching a much-needed nap on the couch. Grinning maliciously, he crouched, sneaking closer, and closer... Without further ado he pounced, claws sinking deep into the flesh around Banda's nearest ankle.
The SkullMonkey awoke with a start and nearly kicked Venoch across the room before he recognized the demon. Wincing, he lifted his foot and attempted to pry Ven off, noting out of the corner of his eye the demon's mumbled 'Get the door, dumbass'.
Foot finally free, he stood and quickly limped the short distance to the front door, hopes rising as he opened the door. Maybe someone had found Lyrus? Who else would be coming to--oh. More than a bit confused, Banda glanced questioningly from Noharu to the little girl with her, debating whether he should just close the door and hope the woman didn't stab him or anything. "Um...Hello?"
"Wow, you look like s**t," Noharu spat out, eyes a bit wider than before. Karoko glared dissaprovingly at her, but in all honest, it wasn't meant as an insult. Even so, the look from her daughter temporarily silenced her.
"Hello, Mr. Banda," Karoko greeted politely--a tone wasted on a deaf man, but she spoke in it automatically so it really didn't matter. Her smile was equally so. "My name's Karoko, I'll be over there." Facing Noharu, she covered one side of her mouth with her hands and mumbled, "And you better be nice and actually apologize, or I'll bring you back."
As the bat-eared girl walked away, Noharu turned and stuck her tounge out. She turned back to face Banda, raising an eyebrow. "Er..." Okay, how was she going to even START this one?
Such a pleasant greeting. Really, he hadn't expected any less. And it was true, so why should she say otherwise? In recent days, Banda had all but given up on personal appearance, concerning himself instead with searching for his lost charge and avoiding Venoch's claws. Clothes were wrinkled, hair was matted, and scores of various sized wounds covered what parts of his skin were visable--and likely those that were not. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.
But at least he was clean?
"Thank you, Noharu, I'm well away of that," he replied wearily, nothing in his tone to show he had taken any offence, because he hadn't. Managing a genuine, if tired, smile to Karoko, he nodded slightly in reply, watching as she started away and, because of her hand, completely missing the exchange between her and Noharu.
Speaking of whom... "So... What brings you here?" he attempted, breaking the lingering silence. The mere idea of having a decent conversation with Noharu was bizarre, but the girl, Karoko, had seemed nice enough, so maybe the motives for the visit were good.
"Daughters making me apologize to some people," the fox demon offered in a voice she was glad he couldn't hear, because it sounded pathetic. And by pathetic, she meant defeated. Noharu had lost to a kid she could just kill if she hadn't become so... not murderous.
Daughter was such a weird word to say, and it wasn't often she did say it. Usually, if she said 'Karoko' people knew who she was talking about. "So, uh..." Scratching her head, she sighed heavily. "I'm sorry I kissed you and made you deaf and tried to kill your kid--or brother or whatever--multiple times, probably some you're not aware of. And I'm sorry for telling my sister you were gay, though I don't really know if that's a lie or not."
Woah, woah, woah, hold the phone. Noharu, Noharu had a daughter? And was actually listening to her? This was certainly something new. But Noharu's family life wasn't exactly something he had ever concerned himself with, so he let it slide by. She would probably be surprised by the little demon he had living with him.
As the apologies began, Banda was hard pressed not to look away. He couldn't, really, if he wanted to know what she was saying, but at the same time it was all rather embaressing. It was like some high school bully coming back years later and randomly apologizing for everything. He hadn't done anything to deserve her attacks and, well...Lyrus might have, but all the same.
And the last flat out surprised him. He blinked, then blushing faintly, lifted a hand to brush his hair out of his eyes, sighing. "Yes, well, apology accepted." He was silent a moment, then, turning, started back inside. "And I'm not. If you'd tell Noyama. Or something."
Making this guy blush was too easy. She bet if she had mentioned something about him being a good kisser, she could've gotten him to look more like a tomato than a person--or whatever he was.
"Yeah, I will." Another sigh, and she tucked her arms behind her head. "Listen, for the record, I never had anything against you personally. I think your kids a little a a*****e, but as far as men go I think you're...okay. At least, I wouldn't have came near you if my sister didn't like you, because I only hurt you to hurt her, ya know?" Because that totally justified it. At least, she thought so.
Her eyes moved away, a thoughtful look directed to the sky. "He's gone, hm? Lyrus?"
It was completely by chance that Banda happened to notice her speaking and paused to 'hear' her out. He hadn't expected much of a conversation from her after the apologies, but he wasn't adverse to talking with her, at the very least.
In terms of something he would do, he logic made no sense whatsoever to him. But in terms of what she would do... Well, yes, he could see her being a bit vindictive. "It's alright, really," he assured her, managing another weak smile. "I kinda had a feeling that was it, actually. My brothers used to do the same sort of thing to each other. It's no big deal."
Of course, he hadn't heard a thing since she had smashed his headphones, and Moo had been too out of it to remember to make him new ones. But he could deal with being deaf. He had no choice in the matter, after all.
With her final words, his smile faltered, eyes falling towards the ground as he nodded. After a pause, he sighed, shrugging slightly and pulling up one sleeve to display the grotesque array of wounds. "I've been having a lot of trouble with these lately, finally got to the point where I asked an..aquaintance of mine to help out. He gave me some stuff to aid the healing, but it knocked me out to boot. And, from what I gathered, while I was out Lyrus pissed him off..."
Again pausing, he sighed once more, letting the sleeve fall. "Drugged him up, left him somewhere is my guess. He wouldn't tell me where. I've been looking for him, but..." He shrugged.
Yep, she knew it.
Noharu was no seer, no mind reader. It was just, for someone with only one working eye, she could read other peoples well. Noyama had the same look in hers all the time when Kilah had gone missing however many amount of times. She had to give the kid credit, she'd survived a lot.
Modest as ever, Noharu. Which, as always, was not at all. Without blinking, her hands reached out and took his arm, pulling the sleeve back up and making an unpleasent face. Damn, she'd killed people without ******** them up this bad before.
Her face lowered a bit so she was looking up at him, so she knew he could see her talking. "Listen, these Sin'aeis things... I've tried to kill a few of them. A lot. They're like throwing a tennis ball at a wall--they keep bouncing back and smacking you in the face. Wherever that little brat is, he'll eventually come back."
Out of habit, Banda cringed away when she reached for his arm, but, realizing she meant no harm, patiently held it still while she inspected the wound. It was a rather disgusting sight, all in all. There was no way he could bandage so many and still function properly, and so he had left them open, cleaning them well every so often, and temporarily covering them with gauze when excessive bleeding had him feeling light headed.
Though hands and neck were flecked with wounds, they were nothing compared to what his clothes hid. His arm was literally caked with scabs and reopened scars, some of which had taken on a greenish tinge despite his care. There were just too many. It was a wonder he could sleep at all, having to put pressure on such injuries.
He had slept very little of late.
"I know the Sins're good at...bouncing back from the grave, but," he shrugged helplessly, fighting a pained expression. "I can't help but worry. He's been gone for weeks now. This happened shortly after he heard Kilah died, and.. I'm honestly not sure what to think. How he's managing, if he is, and if he'll ever come back at all, given how upset he was over her death. It's weighing on my conscious knowing he's out on the streets somewhere. I've been there."
Found out Akilah died? How?
Noharu didn't know about Karoko parading around handing out her 'death tapes' as the girl called them. If she had, she'd probably have been angry over it. Because she was Noharu, and she was just like that.
"What do you mean?" she asked without thinking, then shook her head. "Nevermind. But, Akilah's alive, so when he comes back you can tell him not to worry about that. And, if he surived being her friend, I'm sure 'the streets' aren't going to hurt him any. Hell, he'll probably be better when he comes back. Chicken girl was."
Noharu had never been on 'the streets', but she had been locked in a cellar for years, had her eyeshot out thanks to her own mother, and had her first daughter thrown into a volcano. That was probably close enough, right?
You'd have thought she was a friend of his, examining his arm so intensely like that. Finally, she let him go and lifted a hand to his face, tilting it forcefully so she could see his eyes better. Having only one, she had to strain usually to focus on something. "You should try sleeping. I hear it's great."
"She's alive?" He raised a brow, then shook his head. No surprise there, really. This was Kilah, after all. She always popped up again sooner or later. "Glad to hear she's alright," he continued absently, preoccupied. Well, that would certainly cheer Lyrus, but...
He frowned, shaking his head once more. "There's a lot that goes on out there. And knowing Iago, he wouldn't have left him in anywhere nice. Not to mention it's midwinter and his coat's still in his bedroom. How'm I supposed to not worry?"
He let his arm fall back to his side, the sleeve lazily falling back into place to his his wounds. However, any further words were cut of as she raised her hand to his face, causing him to tense immediately for fear of who knew what. Grinning sheepishly with her words, he let himself relax with a nod, half-heartedly attempting to tug his head free. "The cuts keep me awake, mostly."
She had to admit, it was kind of amusing to watch him flinch or cringe every time she touched him. Did he really expect her to hurt him with Karoko standing right over there? If she didn't care what Karoko thought, she wouldn't be here to begin with. Ah, emotional ties were such a pain in the a**.
"You got some psycho b***h girlfriend or something?" Noharu wouldn't be surprised with the answer, she had a feeling. When he tried to pull away she let him, crossing her arms and gazing up at him expectantly, ears twitching.
It wasn't so much that he expected her to hurt him. More that past experience around her had resulted in some form of hurt or other and, regardless of earlier apologies, it was hard reminding himself that she might just be...remotely nice? That, and most touches of late resulted in a wince due to the cuts and such. So flinching was habit.
"No," he replied shortly. Though a psycho b***h girlfriend might just be less trouble. "I have a short tempered demon with a love for blood living with me. His name's Venoch, he's about a foot tall, he's killed so many birds that they don't come near out house anymore, and his claws are about as long as my fingers," he finished, voice holding almost a bored tone. Venoch was Venoch. He was used to it. Or, as used to it as he could get.
"I'm too nice to kick him out," he added sarcastically.
"True," Noharu agreed, despite his tone of voice. He was one of the only people she knew still alive who would give shelter to such a horrid little thing. Lock him in the cellar and shoot his eye out, she thought with a snort. That'll fix any kid.
She decided against saying that out loud since he wouldn't be able to hear her tone, and her past records didn't support her speaking jokingly of such things. "Birds are extremely annoying creatures," she offered half-heartedly. What? They were.
Quickly, she glanced over her shoulder to see if Karoko was ready. As always, the probably too patient for her own good kid just sat there and examined the grass. Noharu's eyes flickered back to Banda.
"You know, in all seriousness, that kid might be smart enough to fix your little headphone things soon. Admittedly, I almost feel guilty for doing it. Except the first part." She grinned and tapped her lips playfully, eyes sparking.
Not that she honestly enjoyed kissing men, but it was too good an opportunity to make him red again to pass up. For whatever reason, it was amusing. Maybe she liked the color.
"When you can't hear bird song, seeing them around is the next best thing," he countered dryly. He didn't sound upset, persay, but resigned. He had accepted his lot in life. And that, apparently, was a living scratching post, deaf even to his own cries for help.
Though her following words did provoke a deep blush, it faded quickly as he brushed the comment aside, focusing instead on the faint hope she had restored. "You think she could? I wouldn't want to be a bother, I mean, but it would be..a huge relief. I could get the blueprints from Moo's, maybe? I threw the old ones away when Moo told me they couldn't be fixed." They were tricky, those headphones. Even Acia hadn't been able to fix them on her own, and shortly after Moo began on a new pair she had...well, lost it and kicked him out. But no crying over spilled milk, eh?
Noharu seemed surprised. Her faith in Karoko was more than she'd ever had in anyone, but she hadn't expected him to do anything more than brush the idea away. Most people laughed and reminded Noharu she was just a kid (and a 'shrimpy' one at that), then asked her if she was crazy.
"Well...yeah," she said. "Seriously, the girls really smart. Why do you think I haven't killed her yet?"
...Why hadn't she killed her yet?
Banda was willing to try just about anything at this point. Just because he could manage without his headphones, didn't mean he enjoyed it. Life was so much less..nerve wracking when you could hear someone sneaking up behind you, or didn't have to stare someone down to hold a conversation. For a brief few months of his life he had the gift of hearing and now... Now he would do just about anything to get it back.
However, Noharu's surprise had his smile falter, eyes lowering apologetically. He wasn't supposed to have accepted, then? "I don't doubt it. But, eh, don't worry about it. It's a lot of trouble for someone you hardly know. Your apology was enough of a gift."
Ah, crap.
This is why she didn't talk to people. Never ended well. "Don't bullshit me," Noharu said sourly, making a face. It wasn't her fault she was so expressive! If only she had the talent to display her feelings with her ears like Noyama had. Stupid sister got everything.
"I made you deaf and you honestly think that? Of course not," she answered for him. "Dracula can fix them, just get her whatever you think she'll need." 'Dracula' had once been a constant-name for Karoko, but these days it only slipped out once in a while when the fox demon was frustrated (more than usual).
She'd stopped using it since the poor girl, as a toddler, had gotten the impression she was some sort of evil monster and freaked out. Kids didn't seem worth the trouble most of the time.
Banda blinked. "Well, I..." Yes, yes he did. This was Noharu, after all. But if she was going to be all noble and such all of a sudden, far be it from him to stop her.
His smile slowly returned, and he even saw fit to let the 'Dracula' comment slide, though he had a feeling the bat-girl wouldn't have been happy about it. Looking happier than he had in quite some time, thoughts of Lyrus temporarily forgotten, he nodded his thanks, grinning in a tired srt of way. "I will, but I'll have to sneak over to Moo's for them, so it might be a few days. I'll..find some way to get them to you. And thanks," he added, catching himself.
"Noyama's house burned down so her little monsters are invading mine." Not just hers, but Pukio's, too. Plus anyone Noharu had living with her already. Her once quiet home had become very active and that much more loud. "But Kilah knows the way to my house, and she's staying at that mansion for a while. I'll assume you know the way there." Hell, if she knew it, he should. "Hey, Karoko!"
Almost immediatly, the girl stood at her said, smiling brightly. Noharu placed a hand between her ears and ruffled her hair roughly. "Got an important job for you, mecha-dork, but we're going for right now."
"Alright," Karoko chirped, not so much as asking what this job was.
Ack, her house had burned? As if the barn fire hadn't been bad enough... Poor Noyama. "Alright, good. I'll get Kilah to show me the way, then." Kilah who was, in fact, alive, despite everything Lyrus had told him. Kilah was alive, and Lyrus would, possibly, never know.
Shoving away his thoughts, he graced Karoko with a smile when she approached. "Thank you both for dropping by. Company's always welcome. Keeps Venoch off my back for a while." That, and it was nice having someone to talk to who wasn't...well, Lyrus or Ven. Grinning sheepishly, he straightened up, running a hand through his hair. "You're both welcome to come by whenever."
"We'll keep that in mind, thank you," Karoko said politely, but his words threw her off. What had Noharu said to make him say that? Or was the guy really friendly to such an extent? Jeesh, how weird!
"I'll tell Noyama you're not gay," Noharu said with a grin, waving lightly and snatching her daughters hand. "Later." She turned and drug Karoko with her, explaining the situation as they walked down the road.
Before they were out of sight, Karoko smiled and nodded. A good sign.
The blush returned, but Banda made no effort to hide it, merely waving slightly as they started away and, once they were out of sight, turning and heading back inside.
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:25 pm
All but empty, anyway. There was a sole other inhabitant occupying the building at present, sitting low on the couch with his knees pulled up against his chest. Any and all attempts at hiding his habits had been forgotten in light of present circumstances, and a faintly smoking 'cig' dangled from between two fingers, held awkward over a makeshift ashtray--a small drinking glass.
The artist was at the end of his rope. Deathly pale and starved for sleep, he looked as if he had been tossed out on the streets once more--which he had in a sense. Between avoiding Venoch and searching for Lyrus, he hadn't been home in a while. His clothes were dirtied from sleeping outdoors, his faithful jacket sewn and resewn where Venoch had shred the sleeves. He was a rather pitiful sight all in all, looking as if he might have a heart attack with faintest unexpected sound.
Thankfully, he couldn't hear.
It wasn't long before she saw the bedraggled son of her friend, sitting on the couch like some dejected ragdoll. Somehow, she wasn't startled to see him. He was so unobtrusive that his sudden appearance was more of a soft realization than a surprise.
"Hello," Em said, softly- it didn't matter how loudly she said it, anyway- and she came into the light, leaning up against the wine-colored wingback chair with a concerned look on her face. There were a million things she might have said first- that he looked half starved, was he alright, where was Banda, where was Moo... what was wrong? ...But instead, when her lips parted, what came out was "I wish you wouldn't smoke. It'll be the death of you."
Had Banda not been partway through a long drag on his cigarette with the woman's appearance, he likely would have jumped clean off and over the couch. As it was, the soothing effects of the drug had him merely lifting a brow, the echos of a smile gracing his face. His gaze shifted slightly to fix on her lips, translating her words and, without complaint, tapping the 'cig' clean and dropping it in the cup. "I won't while you're here, anyway... Horrible habit, but I can't stand to drop it."
"Well, the problem with smoking is, it can definitely stand to drop you." She came around the side of the chair and took a seat, leaning over with her arms on her thighs, her fingers interlocked between her knees. "How've you been, Banda?" She said, guessing by his attire that his answer was likely to be dire.
"Mn, unfortunately." After sending the ashtray-cup a mournful glance, he returned his eyes to Emelyn, straightening up now that he was in the presence of another and letting his legs slide down to a more natural position. Briefly he considered protesting, not answering, lying, anything to avoid recounting the recent events coloring his life. But he hadn't had a chance to really talk with anyone in a while, and he did not want to risk alienating her to the point of leaving. "Could be worse... Could be better, but course be worse." Things could always be worse. "How about you?"
She unclasped her hands and lifted them up in a half-shrug, half 'what are you going to do' look. But she gave a soft, small smile. "It could definitely be worse. The shop is doing well, the kids are growing. ...Moving out," she said, a cursory explanation of what could be explained as a 'dip' in her usual Pollyanna mood. She eased up, sitting back against the chair with a sigh. "But I'm not letting you go that easily," she said. "You don't look well."
Smiling faintly, he nodded his understanding. Moo had been the same way once upon a time, hiding sighs and going about business as usual after Jack and Isto had moved out. He found himself wondering if she had ever gone back to normal... Remembered who everyone was, realized he was no longer there. She had chased him away the first time--It hadn't been worth the risk to check back.
Refocusing on Em's voice--or lips, rather--, he hesitated. How far could he trust this woman? She was a friend of Moo's, yes, and of Isto's. But Moo had tossed him aside, and Isto...well, he hadn't spoken with Isto in months. But what harm could it cause? "Things've been...rough. Ven's getting more violent by the day, I lost Lyrus, school's...well, half my students failed and I haven't heard from the college in a while now," he finally murmured, somewhat apologetically.
"Oh, Banda. I'm so sorry." She bit her lip, knowing that her own daughter was one of the slackers in his art class. "You... lost Lyrus? What happened?'
Banda wasn't particularly bothered by the fact. In truth, only one of his students had passed--and then only because he knew Banda outside of school and did the work so as not to hurt the artist's feelings. Kailee had dropped out, Rome had blackmailed him, and Lundy and Milla had simply stopped showing up. Banda was seriously considering resigning... But he desperately needed the money, and graduation was right around the corner. Hopefully next semesters students would work out better.
"I lost him," Banda replied quietly, face falling. "I, well--
How to explain? A moment passed in silence then, sighing, he shrugged off his jacket, setting it aside. His point couldn't possibly have gone unnoticed. A myriad of wounds, some half healed, some newly reopened, nearly all tinted a sickly green with untreated infections, covered his arms to dissappear up his short sleeves where, presumably, they continued. The sight was, simply put, utterly disgusting, which explained the jacket even indoors...as well as the haggard attempts at resewing it all along the sleeves. "Ven... He's not a bad kid, but his temper..."
Pausing, he shook his head, then returned to the subject of the lamb Sin. "Lyrus was always bothering me to get these treated, but I never did 'cause I thought they'd take Ven away. But they just got too bad over time... too many, badly infected...and I finally asked this, er, doctor I know to help me out. He gave me some medicine for 'em, but it knocked me out for a few hours... From what I talked out of him afterwards, Lyrus pissed him off while I was out of it, be drugged up Lyrus and dumped him off somewhere... Wouldn't tell me where, and I haven't been able to find him. It's been a few weeks now.."
"Oh God... Banda, you need to get those properly taken care of." The woman was more than apalled. The mother in her was practically screaming, reaching out to this boy. She put her hand over her mouth, then realized that she'd effectively cut off his method of understanding. "Banda... I don't know if I can help you find Lyrus, but I'm sure if you talk to your mother she can help. ...But more than that- I don't want you staying with Venoch alone if he's getting this dangerous." What Emelyn said next was completely off the cuff, but completely heartfelt. "Banda, why don't you come to live with me for a while? I can help you take care of Ven until I can find out if there's a way to calm him."
"I know, but..." He shrugged helplessly, feeling rather vulnerable without his jacket. Venoch wasn't a bad kid. He was just....well, Venoch. But that didn't make him bad, and the last thing Banda wanted to do was have him taken away. Nor did he want to bring any of this to Moo's attention. "No!" he snapped, then, grimacing apologetically, lowered his voice. "I mean, no, Moo... Moo's a little out of it and, uh, doesn't like me much as it right now. If she found out I lost Lyrus, who knows what she'd do. And Ven's not...dangerous so much as unpredictable. He has a temper, but he's not going to -really- hurt me or anything." Not yet, anyway. Venoch was smart enough to know that without Banda around there would be no dinner. Now, once Ven was an adult...then he would start worrying.
Blinking twice to be sure he had 'heard' correctly, he shook his head,. Though touched by her generosity, he would have none of it. "I appreciate the offer, Em, really. But I couldn't... I mean, it's one thing to have Lyrus staying with Ven and I.. They actually get along pretty well. But I wouldn't want to risk Ven potentially hurting you or any of your family."
"Banda, you're covered in infectious wounds," she indicated almost frantically to his sliced up arms. "I know you're a wonderfully capable person- practically a father to those kids... in fact, you're much more a father than a brother. But as a mother, I really can't stand by you trying to handle this all your own. You look... not half-ragged. You look practically torn to pieces. There's no halves about it." She scooted forward in the chair, wanting to reach out to him but not willing to risk his feeling more uncomfortable than he obviously already was.
"And don't worry about me and my family. We live with Sk, after all. He may not be as evil as little Ven, but it means we're always on our toes. Besides, I think Sk and Ven could take each other- in spades. ...Please come, if only for a little while. To get some rest while we help you take care of things. It doesn't have to be a long stay. Just long enough to get some rest."
"I know," he mumbled quietly, more for the sake of protesting than actually convincing her. This would have normally been the point where one lowered their eyes, shrugged away the conversation, and attempted to make escuses for why they would be perfectly fine on their own. However, lack of hearing dictated that Banda keep his eyes focused on Em so as not to appear rude, and this meant actually acknowledging her words and genuinely responding to them.
However, he was still reluctant. Banda had never been fond of charity. He had attracted a good deal of it growing up deaf, and even nowadays when people heard of his situation. And after the first few times, he had quickly grown used to politely turning down any and all offers and going on his merry way. Even though the new offer wasn't based around his handicap, the reluctance was still there, and, for the time, he continued to protest. "I'll be fine, trust me. I know I look bad right now.. But I haven't been home for a few days, s'all. I had a tip on where Lyrus might be, so I went searching for him... I just haven't had a chance to get home since then and, eh, didn't bring much gold with me. Once I get home and get a real rest, real meal, I'll be okay...And my arms are getting better, I promise. You should've seen them a week or so ago."
"Are you sure? I'm sorry to press this on you all of a sudden, but it's just that it's... the first thing that springs to mind." She rubbed her forehead. "And the second... and the third thing," she admitted. "Tam is moving to Aekea. She's been putting it off for a long time, mostly for Sk, not for me. But it's been hard to see her go. And now Rhea had a growth spurt, and Milla will be graduating soon and going to college. I'm feeling the empty nest syndrome," she said, again- softly, more for herself than Banda. The words were hard to hear. "I'm sorry. I know it's a little selfish of me to want to fill the nest with little... chaotic Ven."
"I..." Trailing off, he reconsidered her offer while listening to her explanation. Hard to hear or not, Banda caught them. Volume was judged in the angle by which he could see her lips, not her voice itself. Smiling weakly in response, he lifted a hand to run through his hair, pushing it back from his face in another nervous habit he had developed. "I.... Ven's...hardly someone you would want to replace Tam or Milla." He had met both SMs on occasion, and they were at least -generally- nice.. He had even gotten along well with Tam. "Your children're all so...perfect, I guess. It'd be a shame to darken your home with a smudge like Ven." Or himself, for that matter.
"Perfect?" Emelyn laughed. "You're a sweet boy to say so. But didn't you just say that most of your students flunked out of your class?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "It was sweet of you not to mention Milla by name, but we both know that's the case. She's a smart girl, but she thinks she can get away with anything. She's always skiving off what she's supposed to be doing..." she waved a hand before her. "But never mind, I'm not going to get into that now." It was more a reminder to herself than anything else. "But you're right. I'd never try to replace the girls. ...Or any of the kids, really. ...Just... try to keep myself distracted with something."
He chuckled softly, a hint of weariness lifting form his face. "Well, no one's completely perfect. At least she's remotely kind. I'm scared to send Ven to school, though it'd make my life a lot easier..." He sighed heavily, but smiled, not quite as bothered as before...though his hand reached for his jacket nonetheless. "I won't deny that I could use the help... I just don't want to see any of you hurt. Ven just lashes out without warning. He's completely unpredictable and completely merciless... He only tolerates me because I've raised him and I supply dinner."
"Trust me, as soon as Sk senses the threat in the house, I doubt Ven will be focused on anything but trying to kill him. And that cat has a million lives. I think the rest of us would be safe. ...And I'm sure beneath it all, Ven cares about you more than that."
She did have a point. He words provoked a tired smile and, after a moment's hesitation, he pulled his jacket back on, gritting his teeth until he grew used to the fabric brushing his wounds once more. "That's true, I suppose... I... Well, if you're sure, I mean... It'd be a huge help, and, I guess, we could always leave again if things didn't work out, um.."
Em nodded, smiling. "You could leave at any time. Stay as long as you need to get some rest. Tam's staying with Aspyn while they look for a place to live... so you can stay in her room, if you'd like. Or, if you'd rather, I could move Rhea into Tam's room, and you and Ven could have the attic."
"I'll leave that decision to..Rhea. Is that right?" New names were always difficult, especially with some of the strange ones you got around Gaia. Reading the word was one thing, pronoucing it correctly without hearing how to do so was another entirely. "I'll sleep on the floor if I have to, but this... Thank you, Em, so much. I won't be any trouble, I promise, and I'll make sure Ven doesn't, er..hurt anyone."
"Even if he does, really, don't worry about it. You're not responsible for his actions. He's too volatile a soul to be reigned in by anyone. But don't fret- I think after a lifetime of living with Sk, I can handle it. And the girls won't be spending much time in the house. ...They don't, these days," she said. "And yes, it's Rhea. You said it perfectly." She smiled. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Banda was differently abled- he was so capable and resourceful that it didn't often come up. "Anyway, no matter what, you won't be sleeping on the floor."
"Mn, you say that now," he mumbled, but smiled, said smile only growing upon learning he had spoken correctly. Climbing to his feet, he reached for his makeshift ashtray and removed the half-smoked cig, pocketing it. Waste not, want not. "For now, I should probably head home... Have to let Ven know and get everything together and whatnot. Not that there's much..." He grinned sheepishly, obviously overjoyed by the turn of events, but stubbornly attempting to hide his excitement. "Um, when should we...drop by?"
"Stop by whenever you'd like. I'm up at all hours, and if not, Sk will probably wake me up in some annoying fashion to let me know that there are guests. ...I don't know if you've actually been to the house in a while, Banda... not since you were little. So here, let me write down the address for you..." she ducked into her pocket for a scrap of paper, and found an old post-it with an order voucher number on it, and scribbled it out with a pen she had to go searching for in the room. She wrote on the back "corner of 27th street- white house w/ red trimmings, red minivan in the driveway.' She also wrote down her phone number and the number to the shop, and rolled her eyes at herself. "It's not nearly the size of what you were probably used to with your mother, but it's home."
"Anything's better than nothing," he chuckled, smiling brightly. Which, though the apartment was certainly better than nothing, there was no way of knowing for sure if they would have it for much longer. Gladly accepting the note, he skimmed it once before pocketing it as well, gracing Em with another grateful smile. "Again, thank you, Emelyn... You've no idea what a help this'll be. You've already been a huge help! I haven't had a chance to just sit and talk with someone in ages."
"Well, I've been glad to have your company as well." She couldn't restrain herself any longer, and reached out to squeeze the boy's hand gently. She chastised herself for the lack of self-control with still thinking about him as a 'boy'. These days... he was a parent. With incredible responsibilities and heartbreaks to contend with. "You're the one who's saving my sanity," she continued, freeing his hand. "It will be nice to have someone to talk to who isn't one of my children."
Absently returning the gentle squeeze, he sighed, shaking his head. "How well I know that feeling..." Falling silent as she released his hand, he waited a moment before straightening his coat and slipping his hands into his pockets. "Well...I look forward to seeing you again soon, Em. I'll probably drop by with Ven some time tomorrow afternoon..." He paused, running his hand through his hair once more, then awkwardly added, "Um, good night, then." Ven would be upset if he came home too late...especially considering he had been gone for days.
"Alright. I'll see you then." She stayed seated, watching him straighten his coat and ready himself to leave, a smile on her face and a strange glow emanating from inside her. She didn't entirely know what she'd just done... or why. But whatever it was, it felt right- and she wasn't willing to rescind something that made her feel so good. "Goodnight, Banda."
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:38 pm
And now the packing was done. He would be sorry to leave the place, but Emelyn's offer had just been too good to refuse. And, now that he didn't have to pay rent, he could afford treatment for the wounds littering his arms. And maybe hire a team to help find Lyrus... Heftng one of the boxes, he started out of the door and across the lawn for the road. It was a bit of a walk to Em's, and he had many trips to make before he was done. Might as well get started now.
Jo stood wide eyed at the widow, watching as Banda brought the boxes out one by one. No she wasnt spying...she was just, watching with interest. What was he doing? Where was he going? Was he leaving? He heart began to speed up for some reason, though she begged it to stop in her mind. No, they werent really that close...but seeing Banda always made her feel more cheerful. It was something to look forward too. If he was leaving he she would have no excuse to go and see him, and he probably wouldnt go out of his way to see her..she had to get the scoop on what was going on. She glanced around, making sure that no one was around, then sliped out the door. Banda was already halfway down the road, so she hand to walk fast to catch up too him. When she got to his side, she tried to make it look as though she had no idea what was going on. "Oh hello Banda. Im was just taking a stroll, ya'know, getting some air...whats that?" she said, pointing to the box in his arms.
It took him a moment to realize she was beside him, having failed to hear her, and when he did he actually jumped slightly, a faint blush rising in his cheek as he shifted the box in his arms. "Oh, hey Jo... It's, uh...Just some of my stuff." He paused briefly, fighting a grimace. He had been afraid of this... "I'm, um, moving out. Emelyn offered to let me stay with her to give me a hand with Ven, and she's feeling pretty lonely with most of her kids out of the house now, so I said sure."
Jo stoped walking, a little taken aback. It was true! "Your..your leaving me? I mean uh, the apartment?" She said, trying to cover up the first part, and fighting back a blush. She continued walking next to him, her heart thumping wildly against her rib cage. "Is it the rent? I can tottaly make Doomi lower it or ill pay it or something and ill take care of Ven and Lyrus for you if you want even though im really not any good at that kind of thing. And I know the plumbing in there insnt that good but we could hire a plumber even though plumbers scare me cause they always smell and there butts always hand out...." She stoped and caught her breath. There was a long pause while she thought for a moment "Im sorry. Im jabbering on trying to get you to stay...but your probably happy to get rid of me." She said sheepishly, pushing her bangs back from her face. Oh yes she was guilt triping him. Maybe she should feel bad for it? Naaw
Luckily, Banda didn't catch the slip. As fast as she was speaking, he had to work to focus on the words she did mean, not the ones she had accidently spoken. "No, no, don't worry about it Jo, really. I've given it a lot of thought, and I think this is better all in all..." Trailing off, he fell silent with a sigh, wincing slightly and shaking his head. He probably would have taken her hand had he not been holding a heavy box. "It's nothing like that, Jo, I just... I don't want you to get hurt," he explained meekly.
Jo instinctively took the box out of his arms and carried it herself, pausing for a moment to push up her glasses awkardly with the box in her arms. She thought about his words for a moment, sorting things out in her head. She wasnt quite sure what he meant.."You couldnt hurt me, im tough." She said grinning up at him. She stared at him for a moment, trying to remember before he came. Life had certianlly been alot duller. She frowned, and looked back down at the ground.
He protested briefly as she took the box from him, remaining where he stood as she continued away. He words were all but lost to him, though somehow he managed to piece them together. Grimacing, he started after her, reached a hand to rest on her shoulder. "Jo..." He paused. How to explain. "It's not...that simple. I'm not worried about hurting you myself... I mean, not to sound cocky or anything, but..." he stumbled over his words, feeling a blush rise in his cheeks. Finally just giving up, rather than making a total fool of himself, he let his hand fall and pulled up one of his sleeves, displaying the array of wounds in various stages of healing literally covering his arms, many of which were tinged a foul green with infection.
When Jo felt him touch her shoulder, the skin underneath his findertips rippeled, and she gave a shudder. She shook it off and stoped to listen to him, shifting the weight of the box from arm to arm. She cocked an eye at him, trying to figure out what he was trying to say. When he rolled up his sleeves, she nearly droped the box. "Oh my God Banda!" She said, and placed the box down rather hurridely. She hoped there wasnt anything breakable. She stepped closer and examined his arm, reaching out a fingertip, and touching the skin lightly, but she ammeditely pulled it away. "What..Who.." She sputtered, still staring fixedly at his arm. "Whats going on Banda?"
He had seen that coming. His grimace remained at the box was half dropped on the ground--it was a good deal of Lyrus' glass belongings. Hopefully none of them were broken... Lyrus'd have his head if...when he came back. As to his arms... Banda winced slightly at the light brush, more from having someone in such close proximity to the wounds than from any real pain. He was used to them by now. A light brush wasn't going to make things worse. Sighing, he folded his arms, attempting to hide the wounds--and failing miserably--without pulling his sleeves back down. "Venoch...just... He doesn't know his own strength, you know..?"
"No I dont know! Banda, hes tearing you apart!" She said, starting to shake, and though she tried to hold them back, a couple tears starting rolling down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away." She forced herself to tear her gaze away from his arms, and she stared fixedly at the pavement next to him. "Couldnt you just give him back to Emelyn? Or-or set him free in the woods or something? This is serious Banda, I mean look at you." She glanced back at him, staring him in the eyes, her crying becoming more heavy. "Banda im scared for you!" The words came out shakey, and not really thinking, she steped forward and wraped her arms around him, sobbing into his shirt.
He frowned deeply at the first sight of tears, arms falling once more as he took a step towards her, hands moving to rest lightly on her shoulders. "Jo, please..." Only to be interrupted by her suggestions for getting rid of the demon. His eyes widened in surprise, and immediately he shook his head. "Jo, it's not that simple. He's...he's like a kid to me, you know? And he's just a kid, regardless of his behavior. I can't just toss him out, I know how that fe--" And then she embraced him, and he blinked, momentarily stunned. Moments later he sighed, awkwardly wrapping his arms around her as well, holding her in a reassuring embrace. "Hey, it's all right, I promise... Em's going to give me a hand with him, okay? That's why I'm moving..."
Jo nodded, and stood there for a moment in his arms, and then stepped back, wiping her eyes. "I know I know, im sorry Banda..." She took a much needed deep breath, and let out a small forced chuckle. "Im just over reacting. I guess it really is best then, if you move. Im just..gonna miss you, ya'know?" She said, crossing her arms over her chest and shifting uncomfortable. She glanced back at his arms, wincing a little at the green and red gashes. "Hey, why dont we go back to Doomis and maybe put some disinfectent on those. No offense but there looking pretty nasty." She said, craking a smile. She turned and picked the box back up, being more gentle with it.
He released her as she pulled back, though he watched her almost fearfully, worried that she would begin crying again. When she didn't, he cracked a smile, automatically reaching to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It's not like I'm leaving for good, right? I'm just movin' in with Emelyn for the help.. I'll still be around, promise." He seemed about to say more, but instead simply blushed and let his hands fall back to his sides, absently raising a hand to rub the back of his neck. "I, uh... Tried it, actually, it, um... Doesn't help."
Jo blushed lightly as Banda pulled back her hair. She couldnt help but smile at his words. So he would be back. He wouldnt leave her all alone in this boring dungeon full of screaming crying siblings. "Thats,,,a bummer." She said, scratching her head, not really sure of what else to say. There was a pause, and she figured this as a cue to exit. He probably need to take more boxes over anyway. "I better let you get back to your..moving." She said, handing him the box back. "If you need to borrow my truck its in the driveway, the keys are probably still in it." She said. "Well, bye for now Banda." And in a quick fluid motion, she gave him a kiss. A small one, but still, a kiss. And then, without turning back, she walked off towards the house.
Nodding slightly, pleased to see her cheered, he pulled his sleeves back down and accepted the box, carefully shifting it in his arms to make himself more comfortable. "Thanks, I may have to take you up on that." And then, for a brief second, they were kissing--and she was gone, walking off down the sidewalk. A deep blush rose in his cheeks and, without a word, he shifted the box and started away, continuing for Emelyn's. He could use the walk. Mayhaps he'd borrow the truck later.
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:08 pm
The walk hadn't taken quite as long as expected, and Banda was in a pleasant mood upon reaching Em's home. Pausing at the front door, he shifted the box in his arms and reached out a hand, hesitating only a beat before knocking. Hopefully someone was in.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!! Holy hell in a handbasket, Mom, he jumped out of the linen closet!" It was the first sound that would greet Banda after his knock.
"Don't say hell, Milla."
"You do."
"I'm an adult. You're not. …What did he knock over?"
"He didn't knock anything over."
"But I thought I heard a…." then there was silence, followed by the light patter of footsteps, and the door swung open to reveal Emelyn, a stack of red-leather bound books under one arm and a surprised, albeit happy look on her face.
"Banda! Hi! I was wondering where you'd gotten off to. Come in!" She said warmly, backing away from the door.
Would have had he been able to hear, anyway. As it was, Banda heard none of the exchange--Noharu hadn't contacted him with news on his new headphones yet--and was still smiling, albeit somewhat nervously, when Emelyn greeted him at the door. The woman's warm welcome was enough to put him at ease.
"Thanks," he replied with a smile, shifting the box in his arms and stepping inside. "Sorry for the short notice, the appartment doesn't have a phone... Not that I could've used it," he admitted, laughing.
"No, no, not at all. Short notice nothing- Casa de Em's is open any time. Is that box all you have? Do you have any more we can help carry? Tam is home, she's got some free arms."
"Yeah… and you can always strap up the two beast girls to a cart- have them carry everything in." At that moment, Sk walked by, spouting his sarcastic spew all over the front entryway. Em frowned- not for the sake of what he'd said- by now, Sk's caustic runoff was a staple in her life… but rather, at something she'd realized.
"I'm sorry- I didn't even think," she said, turning back to Banda so he'd have full view of her lips, "can you even read cat's lips?"
"There's more back at the appartment.... I could only carry one," he explained. Walking the whole way, anyway. He probably could've lugged over a few more had it been closer. "But Jo caught up with me and said I could use her truck to bring over the others, so it's no problem."
Sk's dry remarks were lost entirely to Banda; he hadn't even known the cat was speaking until Emelyn looked over, and then he only managed to pick up a word or two due to the odd angle. Yerch, humans were so much easier. Ever from the side, it was fairly simple to tell what they were saying. But cats...
"I've never tried," he replied, once he had turned his attention back to Em and caught her words. "But I think I'll catch on pretty quickly? If I can read a SM's, skull and all, I doubt a cat'll be too difficult."
Emelyn waved her hand briefly in the air and shook her head with a curt smile. "No, don't worry about it. You'll probably enjoy your stay more if you don't know what Sk is saying. He's a beast. ...Here, let me take that from you," she reached out for the box, and inclined her head to point to the stairs. "Tam is actually packing tonight- and she and Aspyn are moving into their apartment in Aekea steadily over the next few days. ...So until then, you have a choice of sleeping in my office, or in the living room. I can set up a couch for you in either place."
"A point," he chuckled, passing over the box and absently rubbing one arm. Wounds were tolerable, but chaffing against them from a weight in his arms was never comfortable. He followed her gaze towards the stairs with a nod, but almost immediately returned his eyes to Emelyn. He didn't want to be a bother by having her repeat anything. "Whichever's easiest for you guys. If all else fails, I can even stay at the appartment for a few more days. It wouldn't be a problem."
"No, don't be silly," Em said, holding the box at waist level. With anyone else, she would have turned and put the box in the living room, which was directly to the right of where they were both standing, talking as she went- but with Banda's careful eyes on her every motion of her head, she was acutely conscious of the (ever slight) special needs of her houseguest, and she waited until she'd finished her sentence before walking over and putting the box near her rocking chair. Only then did she come back and return to her train of thought. "You're no trouble at all. This house has been much more full. ...Besides, after Tam leaves, you'll be doing me a favor, and keeping my mind off it." She said it jokingly... but more than not, it was very true. Emelyn had never coped especially well with her children growing up and leaving her. Suddenly, Em sucked in her bottom lip in thought, then released it, looking at Banda with slightly furrowed brows. "Speaking of a full house...where's Ven?"
If Banda noticed her special consideration, he said nothing, though his smile was grateful. As little as he enjoyed being reminded of his disability, it was extremely awkward for him whenever whoever he was conversing about simply forgot and went about business as usual. Often he would completely miss large portions of the conversation, end up desperately confused, and simply nod and smile until the chat came to an end--hoping he was reacting accordingly all the while. Emelyn was certainly a blessing.
With the first mention of Venoch, however, his smiled faltered. Banda shrugged slightly, raising a hand to rub almost nervously at the back of his neck. "I, uh, left him at the appartment. He's fine--hunting birds outside, I shouldn't wonder. I just didn't want to dump too much on you guys at once... Figured I'd let you know he was coming before he actually got here."
"Hunting.... birds?" Em said incredulously. "None of my kids ever did that- it's certainly not a skullmonkey trait." A part of her wondered- very plainly... Oh Banda... what have I stuck you with? She had given the devilish creature to him to take care of- taking it successfully off her own hands... but to what end? Banda was exhausted- had been abused... and who knows what else, thanks to Venoch. Emelyn said a silent, appreciative prayer that the boy had accepted her invitation. Perhaps now she had a chance to make things- at least slightly right.
Tam picked that moment to come down the stairs. "Mother... where are the trash bags? ...Oh. Hi Banda." The anthro-girl paused at the second-to-last step, remembering only in that instant what her mother had told her about his staying here.
Emelyn answered without turning her head- not that Banda needed the benefit of such boring conversation- but it was better not to leave him in the dark, regardless. "They're the same place they've been forever."
"Oh. Yes. Because I clean SO much, and would have intimate knowledge of where your mind has decided the trashbags would be." The redhead leaned against the banister and rolled her eyes. Emelyn didn't see this- but knew, like a mother always would, that she'd done it.
Em pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. "Unfortunately," she said, "you will still get a day or two's dose of sarcasm from that one. …Tam- they're in the drawer next to the sink. …So are you hungry, Banda? Would you like something to eat? …Or I can drive you back to the apartment in the minivan- we can pick up Ven."
"He...likes to hunt," Banda replied meekly. Oh, Banda knew good and well that hunting was not typical of SMs, but it was certainly a trait of the demon. Mice, birds, the occasional squirrel... Venoch had even brought home a rabbit once before, which Lyrus had kindly buried in the backyard when the demon had wandered off once more. Venoched lived for the hunt, and Banda was quite content to allow him that right--it was either the mice or him, and, as much as Banda pitied the poor creatures, his bore the brunt of Venoch's wrath often enough that he shouldn't have to feed the demon's bloodlust as well.
His eyes lifted towards the stairs as Tam came into view, eyes widening somewhat in surprise. He hadn't seen the girl in..gods knew how long, certainly not since she had attained fifth stage. A pleasant surprise, to be sure, but Banda merely smiled, nodding slightly in greeting and replying with a 'Hallo Tam' before falling silent for the duration of their conversation.
Chuckling softly, he shrugged. "It could be much worse, I'm sure." A pause. "Thanks anyway, but I ate before I left. I drive would be quite welcome, though... The walk wasn't too bad, but all the same." If she wanted to pick up Ven that badly. Personally, he'd be fine leaving the demon there for a few more hours.
"Well, it's up to you. We can go now- later. Whatever." The woman threw up her hands in a simple glee, then pointed to the living room. "Come on, come sit down. No need to stand here in the doorway." She walked ahead, going to the light blue couch and collapsing on one end. She'd only just sat down that Sk came screeching in from the kitchen, leaping into the air. Em put her hands out. "SK! Don't tackle him- he can't even see you!" But the cat didn't listen.. and continued his furied leap. Em closed her eyes, not willing to view the 'attack'... only to feel a thump... on her own stomach. Opening her eyes, she saw that Sk had leapt- not for Banda, but for her, and was now curling up in her lap.
Whenever sounded perfectly fine to him. Laughing softly, he followed to take a seat on the other end of the couch, making himself comfortable with a sigh. And then Em was yelling at someone, arms outstretched, and Banda was terribly confused--and the cat came to rest on her lap. Banda blinked, raising a brow, and, relaxing, chuckled softly. "You had me worried for a minute there..."
Em rolled her eyes at the inky black cat, wanting very much to bop him on the head, but wanting even more so not to be scratched... so holding back the compulsion. "Sorry about that. I thought he was going to jump you." Sk huffed a breathy laugh, and Em rested a hand on his soft black fur. "Such a little beast," she said, not just a small amount of affection in her words. She looked up at Banda. "...Is Venoch ever... sweet? Or, at least- does he ever make it seem like he's happy- like he has a hope?" They were forward words- but Emelyn didn't see the point to beating around the bush. Particularly when she felt that a great deal of the boy's situation was her fault.
"Wouldn't be the first time something like that's happened," he replied, grinning. And, actually, didn't mean Venoch. Oh sure, the demon had done the same many, many times, but Banda used to get it all the time back at Moo's, what with his thousands of younger siblings...and occasinally the 'older' ones. He probably had more past bruises from joking with Jack and Isto than Venoch could ever give him.
He spared Sk a smile, but glanced back up to Em when he noticed he speaking, smile faltering somewhat at her words. With a slight shrug, he slumped down in his seat, idly claspng his hands on his lap. "He...used to be? When he was younger, he had his sweet moments here and there. I always thought he'd grow out of the bouts of violence... Seems like the opposite's happening." He paused briefly, faintly smile returning as he shrugged once more. "He's not...all bad, though. He still has his moments here an there. When he's tired, or particularly pleased after a hunt... He also calms down a lot once he's had time to, er...shred something." Namely, Banda's arms. The demon's disguised apologies after particularly bad attacks were one of the reasons Banda tolerated them.
"I'm so sorry it's gotten so bad," Em said. "I didn't know when I gave him to you that there would be such ramifications. I really... never meant for all this to happen," Em said simply, petting Sk as she spoke- so as to silence him from speaking. She didn't need the cat to make her feel any worse than she already did. ...Luckily, the beast remained silent.
"Oh, no, it's alright," Banda insisted, shaking his head. "He really is good company some of the time. If it were for the, er, infections, I wouldn't even mind the wounds. I just couldn't afford to have them seen to between one thing and another...which is partially why I accepted your invitation to come here," he admitted sheepishly. "I don't have to pay rent anymore... So I can put that money towards fixing up my arms." Sighing softly, he ran a hand through his hair. "He's not a bad kid... He's just... He sees things differently from everyone else. I don't think he realizes what he's doing his wrong. I'm still hopeful for the future."
"Hopefully we can find some way around his violent tendencies?" Em said hopefully- glad for once that Banda was deaf, so he could'nt hear the supreme lack of hope in her voice. Tam picked then to come in out of the kitchen.
"Whose violent tendencies?" She said, alarmed, coming up before the two. "Who's been hurting you, Banda?"
A reply died on his lips with Tam's return--he noticed her out of the corner of one eye and immediately fell silent. As much as he appreciated her concern...he really didn't want to alienate anyone else against Venoch right off the bat. He had a feeling Tam wouldn't be as inclined to welcome the demon as he mother was. "I've just been...having some problems with Ven," he evaded, smiling weakly.
"Ven? Is that the little demon one?" Tam said, her eyes leveled in thought. Emelyn sighed and ran her fingers through the pokes of hair that had snuck out from beneath her goggles. Of all the wonderful traits and skills that her eldest daughter possessed... tact... was not one of them.
"No, dear. He's just a little Skullmonkey. No more demonic than you were at that age. He's just going through a rough patch right now," Em said, likely lying through her teeth. "Besides, it's a bit of a forward question to ask a guest."
He smiled his thanks to Emelyn for having jumped in--he wouldn't have thought to reply the same. Twisting the truth was one thing, but..Banda wasn't a very convincing liar. "Yeah. Emelyn's just offered to help work things out with him... Between school and work, he's..draining."
Tam realized that her mother had summarily cut her from the conversation- and she didn't understand why she had to beat around the bush when someone was getting hurt. So she threw up her arms with a huff and left, stomping up the stairs with her newly-obtained trashbags. Emelyn watched her go with a solemn expression, wondering if this was the last time she'd watch the young woman have a fit, agitated with her mother. "Funny," she said, changing the subject in a way that seemed rather abrupt- but that had really been fermenting for quite some time, "you never think it's the awful things you'll miss. Tam has always gotten frustrated- thrown little... fits, because people don't see things her way. She's much better now than she used to be- but still... I think I'll miss them." She forced herself not to turn around and look at the family picture that sat on the table next to the couch. It had been taken when Tam was just a girl, and before Tawn had moved away. ...She could picture its image clearly in her mind- so there was truly no need to look at it- beyond depressing herself.
"Do you miss your mother, at all?" She asked- putting Banda on the spot so much more than Tam ever had.
Banda felt a bit guilty for tossing Tam from the conversation. She was only trying to help, after all. But it would make things better in the long run if fewer people knew what was really going on, he decided.
The movement of Emelyn's lips pulled his attention back to the conversation, though her question momentarily stunned him. It was particular weakness of his, speaking of his (former) familiy, specifically his mother. Venoch was one thing--he was real, he was tangible, he was there. But Banda hadn't seen Moo or any other family member (save Lyrus) for months, and the most recent memories he had of them were painful. It wasn't something he particularly enjoyed bringing up.
"Of course," he replied quietly, shrugging slightly. "I miss them all... Moo wasn't quite herself when I last saw her. She, uh..had an accident in the lab and didn't remember me... Or anyone else, for that matter. But something about me offended her, I guess.. It's why I left the House. She threw me out," he finished bluntly. "I should've told you sooner, I guess... I wasn't living with her when you gave me Venoch. I actually didn't have a home at the time... But I didn't want him killed just because he was different."
"Oh..." she breathed- a sound of surprise and defeat. "Oh, Banda- I never would have let him die. I would have kept him away from Pove no matter what. If you hadn't taken him in... and your... your mother doesn't even know where you are? The last time I saw her, she seemed fine. Maybe she's gotten over whatever happened. Have you called her? Does she know where you are?" She lifted her hands up from Sk to press them to her heart... for it felt like her natural 'mother's concern' was bleeding out from that spot. Sk growled slightly for being ignored- but she disregarded it- and him.
The artist merely shrugged slightly. He knew Emelyn wouldn't have given up the pebble to Pove so easily, but...the woman quite obviously hated Ven, had wished death on him more than once. Banda didn't doubt she could get her hands on the child if she wanted to. And if he didn't have a family, she would have that excuse.
He shook his head. "The last time I was in contact with her was when Lyrus moved in..and then I spoke through him, didn't actually talk with her myself. But she was still out of it then, so it was for the better... I don't know. I haven't seen anyone. Isto and Jack've been so busy with their own lives, not that I have any way of contacting them.. No phones, you know?"
"Oh. That's right," Em said, nodding. Then- almost without warning- she let out screech and looked to her lap. Sk- tired of being subjugated to 'lap kitty' had gouged her thigh with one needle-sharp claw, then jumped down to walk haughtily into the kitchen. Em seethed, and gave Banda a pat on the leg. "Hold on. ...I'm going to go get this taken care of- and then we can go get Ven." With that, the woman stood and made her way to the kitchen, taking with her all her thoughts, hopes- and also regrets for the young man and his ward.
"Turn right at the next stop," he replied before returning his eyes forward, watching out of the corner of his eye should she need his help again. He had never been particularly fond of car rides--at least, of sitting in front and having to keep up a conversation. It was extremely awkward and embarassing to have to constantly stare at someone in order to keep up with what was being said, and often a good deal more trouble to try and read lips sideways, even if it wasn't as embarassing. Probably why he had learned to drive. Imagine him trying to speak to someone and not hit every mail box he passed. "We're in the apartment behind Doomi's house."
"Oh, well I can find that one easily enough," she said before they started again- then she continued to drive without a word. It was peculiar, being in a car when it was so quiet- the woman was the 'perpetual Mom'- taxi'ing her children one place or another. Even in those early days, when it had just been her & Sk, she'd not had a need for a car- living above the shop.
In any case, she was glad when they reached the apartment, and Emelyn pulled up and stopped the car. She unbuckled, turned to Banda and smiled. "Well, I hope Ven is around …And that he's okay." Demon or not- Em still was of the mother mentality that you shouldn't leave children on their own.
…Little did she know that Ven wasn't the average child…
"I'm sure he's fine," Banda replied with only a weak smile. More than certain, in fact. Venoch had never been, as far as Banda could remember, hurt in any way. Oh, he was sure the demon must have obtained some scratches here or there in his 'adventures', but Venoch was either extremely skilled at hiding them or healed astonishingly quickly. Has Banda to pick, he would have chosen the latter.
In either case, as often as Venoch went out wandering on his own, Banda thought nothing of leaving him home alone for short periods of time. Odds had it that Ven wasn't home anyway--mores the better, in Banda's opinion. They could bring some more stuff to Emelyn's, pick Ven up that evening when he was tired. Yes. That would work.
"Come on in," Banda offered, smile brightening somewhat before he climbed out of the car and headed for the door. Unlocking it--the back was left open for Ven, the front kept locked--he steped inside and aside for Emelyn to enter. "It's not much, especially with everything packed. But, yanno, enough while it lasted."
"It's just fine," Em said, walking in and letting her purse fall to the crook of her arm from her shoulder as she did. "You should see the apartment above the shop." She smiled, wondering where all this nostalgia was coming from tonight. "Apartments are those little habitats you have to have when you're young. It's just part of the whole process. ...So... where is Ven?"
Chuckling softly, he closed the door behind them, nodding. The apartment had been nice. Truthfully, had Banda not had to take care of Venoch, he would have been perfectly happy going back to the streets. It hadn't taken much to sustain himself there. And, aside from the problems with finding showers and clean clothing, it had been rather enjoyable. He wouldn't mind going back.
However, here, now, in the condition he was in on top of having to take care of the demon, that was no possibility. Maybe once Venoch was an adult... Though, at the rate things were going, he doubted it. "He's probably around her som--"
"I'm right here," a voice snapped from up ahead before Venoch peered around the couch. The demon frowned his displeasure upon seeing their 'guest', but almost immediately lost interest in her, slinking forward a few steps before sitting directly ahead of the pair, pointed tail loops forward before him. "Why did you pack my room?"
Banda briefly appeared stunned into silence. The demon had...grown in his absence, was already the size of an adult Skull Monkey...yet, undoubtably, still had some growing left to do. His gaze flickered towards the pointed tail and elongated claws before returning to Venoch's face. Cracking a smile, he replied, "We're moving in with Emelyn, remember? I told you a few days ago."
Holy cow... he's huge. It was the first phrase that went running through Emelyn's mind- and after that initial surprise of seeing the Skull Monkey... that the phrase had been content to march about inside her mind, and not continue its way outside... where others could hear it. "Mm," she said only, as if corroborating Banda's statement. "We've already got everything ready for you two."
"I told you I don't want to go," the demon responded, utterly ignoring Emelyn in favor of fixing his eyes on Banda. His tone was surprisingly patient, but insistent. There would be no questions asked.
Of all things, it was the tone of voice that worried Banda the most. Since when did Venoch talk anything out? As a child, the demon was much more prone to snapping comments or temper tantrums to get his way--Lord knew that had been the previous result when they had last discussed the move. Nonetheless, Banda simply shrugged, smile remaining, albeit forced. "And I told you we're going. End of discussion." But after a beat, "You'll like it there, I promise--Em has a Skull Monkey close to your own age. Someone for you to talk to, eh?"
Venoch raised a brow, briefly considering the 'offer', but it seemed more for show than anything. Without a word, he rose and slipped past the pair for the door, opening it with only a bit of effort and darting outside. With his departure from the room, Banda breathed a sigh of relief, sending Emelyn an apologetic look...not so much for Ven's behavior as having mentioned Milla. "He's grown since I left."
"Holy cow..." Em said, that first half of her thought said aloud, "he's bigger than Milla." As soon as she'd said it, though, she regretted it. She didn't want Banda to regret accepting her offer... and so she smiled, indicating to the door. "Well, it looks like he's... a little more logical now. He's coming, after all. That's a good sign."
Quite the contrary, Banda wasn't at all surprised by her remark. Venoch's size had surprised him as well, and not only because the demon had grown. Banda would bet anything that if her were to change back to his adult form, Venoch would be as big as he was...if not bigger. The thought was somewhat unnerving, and he quickly brushed it aside, instead returning to Emelyn and her words. "Perhaps..."
Somehow, he doubted it. That had been far too easy. For a moment he was silent, simply staring after the demon, and finally he shook his head, snapping back to his senses and refocusing on his guest. "When we get back to your house... Tell Milla to avoid him, would you? He's only met two other SMs and...it didn't end well. He agreed to that far too easily."
Em shook her head. "I really wouldn't worry about it. My kids all know how to take care of themselves. ...I mean, I know they're not nearly the same- but they are used to Sk, after all. It's permanent 'Alert Alpha' in our house," she said, putting a hand out to touch Banda's arm soothingly. "We'll just see how it works out, alright? I think the biggest thing we have to worry about is Sk. I don't think they'll get along."
Somehow, Banda wasn't terribly reassured. Nonetheless, he merely nodded, sending a final glance after Venoch before smiling weakly and glancing around the room. "If you're sure... I'll just grab a few of these boxes and we can head back. Actually, we may be able to make it in one trip if we cram 'em all in..."
"Here, let me take a few." Emelyn picked up one of the boxes Banda had indicated, and went outside. Once she was near the van, she used her keypad to open the trunk, and slid the box inside. She didn't bother to look about for Venoch.
Venoch, in fact, was sprawled out on the grass only a short way from the driveway, watching in a bored manner as Emelyn walked past with the box. The demon seemed completely disinterested save for the occasional cat-like twitch of his tail, a lazy house cat torn between dozing in the sun and hunting a proffered meal.
Banda followed shortly behind Emelyn with a second box, and it wasn't long before the others were packed away as well. There hadn't been very many, and the majority actually belonged to Lyrus. Banda was reluctant to part with them on the off chance that the boy did return. Until such time, they would remain piled in a corner of his room at Emelyn's.
Once they were all packed, Em turned so that her face was visible to Banda- but, truly, she was speaking mostly to Venoch- who she'd seen, lazing in the grass on her trip back to the apartment for a second box. "Alright. Everyone in the car. Venoch, if you don't want the back, you can sit up front. Banda had it on the way up."
Oh, Venoch liked that concept. Smirking faintly, he climbed to his feet and, all but prancing past Banda, leapt lightly to the front seat and pulled the door closed behind him. Banda merely grinned, encouraged thusfar by the demon's good behavior, and climbed into the back.
"Alright," Em said after she crawled into the car and pulled her seatbelt on. "Onward." She tilted her head slightly to where the larger-than-life, horned SM sat. "Are you pro or con the radio being on?" She gestured to the backseat. "I know Banda doesn't much care. ...In my family, the rule is, the person in the passenger seat gets to pick the radio station." ...Which was why Milla usually claimed it, she thought to herself. The girl always liked to be in control, no matter what.
"I don't like music," Venoch replied shortly, amusing himself by digging a hole in the seat with one claw. Not any music that he knew of, anyway. Far too cheery-fun, dancy toe-tapping beats and whatnot. It was shameful. Not that he had been around much music at all. With Banda deaf and himself disinterested, the small radio they did have was rarely used.
"Oi... Ven... watch the seat, please," Em said, pulling the car out of the driveway and peering over her shoulder as she did. "If I have to get that hole sewed up, my kids are just going to pick at the threads."
The demon appeared not to have heard, simply slipping his claw further into the self-made hole and 'daintily' slitting a long tear in the cushion.
In the back seat, Banda visably flinched.
Emelyn answered by pressing the automatic button for the window on Venoch's side to completely roll down. Then she turned up the air conditioner and twisted the control next to her steering wheel so that they would be aimed- full blast- at the demon SM.
Venoch hissed his displeasure, sinking his claws into the cushion and hunching low in his seat in an attempt to avoid the wind from the window and air conditioner, glaring daggers straight at the vent as if it were responsible, not Em.
Emelyn didn't say a word, just continued to drive the last few minutes until they arrived at the house. Then, with a turn of the key, the car engine died- and, with it- the air conditioning. The automatic roll-up button would work until someone opened a door, so before anyone had a chance, and before she'd said a word, she rolled up that window. Then she unsnapped her seatbelt, and turned to face Banda- not Venoch. "We can get the boxes later." Then she turned to Ven. "Here we are."
Venoch seemed about ready to attack the vent as the air conditioning faded, but he settled for worming his claws free of the seat and escaping out the door, trotting for the house without hesitation, tail lashing behind him.
Banda made a grab for him, but missed with the seat in the way, watching helplessly as the demon ran off for the house. After a moment, realizing Emelyn was speaking, he turned his attention to the woman, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry, what? I missed... Oh, and the seat--I'll repair that, don't worry."
"Don't worry about the seat," she said, trying to keep an eye on the SM while also keeping her mouth to Banda. "You're here to relax, remember? I'll get someone to take care of it when I go into the shop tomorrow." With that, she left the car and trotted up to the house after Venoch.
"But--" And Emelyn was gone, Banda blinking after her. After a beat he climbed out of the van, taking a step before hesitating and glancing back to the boxes piled inside. Should he bring them in? Or maybe that was what she had been saying? Finally deciding keeping an eye on Ven was more important for the time being, he hurried after the pair.
"Ven, wait up a minute will you, please? If you barrel through that door, it's likely one of my kids will try and be all nice and harrass you." Em said, not trying to outrun the boy, but rather, coming up close enough that he could hear her.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Emelyn told him to wait up, naturally he did just the opposite, hurrying ahead and pushing open the door without a word, slipping inside and immediately setting about searching the house.
Em turned to face Banda- again, just mouthing the words, and not speaking them aloud. "Jackass little bugger, isn't he?" Her eyes narrowed- but, deep inside, she took it as a challenge. Here was a child- for, despite all his demonic tendencies- that's just what he was- a child- who was on a wayward path. She didn't wait for Banda to respond- which was impolite- but she figured the boy would be more upset if she let the demon roam her home and destroy things randomly. So she followed Ven in the house.
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:42 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:08 pm
Two whole years...On the one side, it sounds so short. Two years. Two. but on the other.. Two years is an age for a SkullMonkey.
In two years, I've lost my hearing, lost my mother, been readopted into a new family, learned to paint, regained my hearing, lost it again, started smoking, been thrown out of my house, lived homeless, found a job, adopted a kid, dropped out of college, found an apartment, lost my brother, moved out again--and here I am now.
It seems like...such a waste, looking back. Of the highlights, few are happy. Or have had good results, anyway. But at the same time.. I'm happy with it, I guess. It was my life. My making. And I'll accept the consequences.
Some things I'd change, I think... Smoking, for one. Losing touch with Noyama, with Isto. Giving up on school... Not taking earlier precautions with Ven.
I should have asked for help sooner. I don't know why I didn't. It wasn't pride, persay. I'm not a particularly proud person, I think. More...fear of rejection. Making myself vulnerable in asking for help, and being refused... Not, I think, that that has actually happened.
It's a trust issue... I guess it started when my first mum left. Can't say I rightly remember her. I can't remember anything from before the accident. The HQ took me in shortly after it, plus that was so long ago...
Ahh, I'm rambling. I don't even remember the original point of this entry. My birthday, was it? Or is it. It's my birthday. Hmm...
My last birthday wasn't anything spectacular. If was nice, though... Moo baked a cake. We had a little family thing. It was fun. I don't know what I expected this year... Moo doesn't know where I am, nor, as far as I know, does she even remember me. Emelyn doesn't know it's my birthday--I didn't want to trouble her or her family with it. And Ven..
Well, I have a lovely addition to my collection of wounds thanks to Ven. Darling boy.
I really, just... Oh, I don't know. I miss being carefree. I feel like...growing up was suddenly thrust on me, and... I want to go back. Back to being a kid.
I talked to Isto about this once..a while back.. He's the same way. It's even worse for Slush, he says. And I can't say I blame them. Married, six kids... but at least their life is stable.
I wish... I had someone.
Happy 2nd Birthday,
--Banda
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:51 pm
Ring. Ring. Ring. And there was Moo, sounding far too bright and cheerful...but that was rather typical. "Hello~? You've reached the Jivvin House, Moo speaking."
"Moo! Hello! It's Em."
"Em! Hi! How are you? My, it's been...ages." A pause. "You didn't just call to remind me Isto hasn't visited in a while, right? Because I'll attack you with Tawn jabs."
"Oh, no. In fact, I've not even seen Tawn in a while. He and Sarabi and the boys have been playing mother avoidance, I'm sure! ...No, I actually called about another son of yours."
"Oh, I seriously doubt that, Emmy darling. Why would tawn and Sarabi want to--Banda?!" The woman choked, cheerful tone fading in an instant. "You haven't seen him, have you? Is he alright? He's been missing for months. No one's been able to find him, and recently Lyrus went searching and vanished as well, and..."
"Ohh, I'm so glad I called then. You have no idea. ...Yes, I've seen him. He's fine. In fact, he's here at the house with me. I found him in the SMhq the other day, all scratched up because of Venoch. I convinced him to come spend some time with me for a while, give him a chance to rest. ...But I don't know about Lyrus. I'm sorry."
"He's alright?" She relaxed audibly, breathing a sigh of relief. "And with you? Oh, thank God... What's a Venoch? Rest? What's going on? Where has he been? ....Oh, I'm not terribly worried about Lyrus. Jaxom keeps assuring me he's fine... Keeps hearing updates from Lyrus's friends. But all the same."
"What's a... Venoch? Hold on, back up a second. You don't know who Venoch is?"
"...Should I? I can't say I've heard of him before. Banda's been gone for...quite a while now. He left in... Well, last I saw him was August, before my accident. He was gone by the time I was better, but it was a few months, so.."
"Well...... Venoch is- for lack of a better word, Banda's son. Or at least Banda's his guardian."
A long silence stretched over the line before Moo finally replied. "Banda has a...son? And never told me?"
"...He... he doesn't think you've been yourself lately, I think. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything. That, and ...well... Ven is a handful. He's a SkullMonkey... but he's... well... off."
"I've been fine since mid December," she quietly replied, then sighed. "Off? Mmn, trust Banda to follow in my footsteps... Poor boy. Thank you so much for taking him in, Emelyn."
"He really is a testament to you. I don't know anyone else who would have taken this little guy in. Suffice it to say, we're all pretty sure he's demonic. And he might be technically dead. We... uhgm... don't really know."
"Demonic? ...And dead? My lord, Em, what's going on? And I thought Isto was a mess--dead SMs now? ...pardon, but shouldn't I have been notified when Banda took on this child? Or something?"
"It's all a big mess. Something to do with Pove, and another SM that's... ... oh Moo, I'm sorry, at the time I didn't know he wasn't still living with you. I didn't find out the situation he was in until just recently. He's only been here a few days. ...He doesn't know I'm calling you."
"I wonder where else he's been..." she murmured, mroe to herself than to Emelyn. "It's been so long... Yesterday was his birthday, you know. Two years. I baked a cake in case he showed up... Tell him he's welcome to it if he wants to come home, would you? ...Or even just visit?"
"It was his birthday? Ohhhh... he never told me. Oh that's awful. Moo, of course I'll tell him he can come home. Or... or you can come over, let him know that you're... yourself again."
"He wouldn't.. It's not like him," she muttered absently. "I may just take you up on that... But I would rather not surprise him. Banda's never taken well with surprises, always been kind of jumpy... We'll see. Isto'll be glad to know he's safe."
"Well, in any case, you should see Ven. No matter how bizarre he is... he's your kin, now. Not that you need more kooks in your family."
"There's always room for another kook," she replied, brightening up somewhat. "I would like to meet him. Another grandbaby~... I'm winning."
"It's not a contest. You have more kids than I do, thus, it's reasonable you have more grandkids. Fool. Besides... it's quality, not quantity!"
"Psh, ridiculous. Even proportionally I'm winning, considering half of my boys are far too young to even consider children... Of the ones of age, I have.. Ten grandchildren now? Ha!"
"Well sweetheart, I can't help it if your kids are little slutbunnies."
"That's spread between three children, darling--and six of them are Isto's. I'm not sure that exactly qualifies him as a slutbunny... But I may still call him that when next we speak. And then there're Jack's three, and now Banda's... Ahh, I feel old."
"'Cause you aaare."
"Mmn, doesn't mean I look it~."
"With all the eternally young people that there are in Gaia, that's not saying much. ...But yes. You haven't a single grey hair amidst all the blue. I'll give you that."
"Eternally young my rear, I'm getting older by the day. but no wrinkles yet~! That's certainly cheer worthy."
"Ugh, if only all I had to worry about was my age. ...Tam is moving out, you know. She's already moved all her things downstairs and is spending the last night or two on the couch. Banda'll be up in her room."
"Is she? My... Kama's the only one of my oldies left here. Though Jaxom's growing like a weed, wonderful boy... He's been a big help since everyone's moved out. Mn... You've no idea how tempted I am to drag Banda back here this instant now that I know where he is. You really don't mind him staying there?"
"No... I don't mind him at all. ...Venoch is getting on my nerves, but I think at least Sk has been keeping him occupied. Otherwise I doubt I'd have a house left."
"Mn.. Demonic. I'm curious about this little SM. He can't be all that bad, can he? It doesn't seem possible."
"Well... I really don't know. But Pove called him a murderer, and Banda says he hunts. ...And he's very... destructive. Not just property. He's covered poor Banda in scratches and cuts."
"I've never known another SM like him."
"Murderer? ...Well, Pove's a bit of a loon--I'll let that slide. But poor Banda... Nothing serious, I hope? It sounds like the child's just a bit..wayward. Lyrus was quite the same when he was younger."
"Oh, I thought the same thing, Moo. But in the last few days, I've become pretty damn convinced that he's something... different. Banda seems to think he's stalking Milla."
"Well, different isn't necessarily b--Stalking? ...Just how old is this boy?"
"Stalking. As in, the only other SM's he's ever encountered, he's attacked. Banda seems to think Milla's got something to worry about. ...So she's been spending a lot of time at the center, or out with Rhea. ...Oh, how old is Ven? Well, he just turned into a teenager when Banda and I went to pick him up at the apartment. But Moo, he's immense. Big as a full grown SM."
"Well that's...delightful. I'll have to talk to Banda about it when I see him? And a teen, you say? And that big? Goodness.... Imagine an adult. Or even a fifther. ...On that note, Emmy, I'd listen to Banda--be careful with Ven around Milla. Teenage boy, unpredictable as he is? I wouldn't risk anything."
"I'm learning to trust his instincts."
"Probably a good idea."
"Anyway, Moo- I'm glad to hear you're doing well. ...You really should come around. If you want, I'll let Banda know you're coming so he's not surprised. But I really think you should drop in. ...If you want, I'll take the kids with me somewhere for the day so you can talk to him alone."
"Thanks so much for calling me, Em.. Just knowing he's safe is extremely reassuring. Would you mind horribly if I come by tomorrow? I'd very much like to see him..."
"Sure thing. I'm going to the shop around 9, and if you want, I can empty the house of all the assorted kids and evil cats?"
"That would be wonderful, if it's not too much trouble... I'll try to get there around the time you're leaving. Banda wouldn't hear me knock--not, I think, that he would answer if he did, seeing as it's your house. But all the same."
"So... do you want me to let him know tonight?"
"Hmm... I'll leave that to you to decide. At least give him a Happy Birthday, would you? He pretends he doesn't care...but I know it'd give him a smile."
"Will do. And I'll try not to give the boy a beating for not letting me know."
"That's Banda for you," she chuckled. "Night, Emmy. It was nice talking with you."
"Goodnight, Moo. Take care."
Click.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:10 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:16 am
Jo was confused. Really confused. She lay across the couch,her head propped up on the arm rest and her arms dangling over the edge. She couldnt stop thinking about the other day. She thought maybe Banda..well..he seemed interested..but he had told her to go..it was all to hard to think about. She felt embarressed and dissapointed. She floped over, laying her arm on her head and moaning. At that moment, Doomi came in through the kitchen door. "Hey Jo can you get some milk pleeeeasekthanksbye." and then she was gone. Milk? Ugh. Maybe it would take her mind off Banda. She lazily got off the couch, grabbed the money Doomi had left for her, and headed out the door. She walked with her head down most of the way, which she knew by heart. When she was almost there, she lifted her head up, and froze. She handnt remebered Banda's house was on the way to the grocery market. "Stupidstupidstupid." She hissed. Then her heart stopped completely. He was right there, on the corner. She stood still, her eyes wide, hopeing he wouldnt notice her.
Lost in his own worrisome thoughts, it was a short while before Banda even noticed her approach, let alone recognized her. However, once he did, he immediately straightened up, sputtering out 'Jo' before realizing what a fool he must look. Clearing his throat, he attempted a smile, shoving his hands in his pockets to keep from wringing them. "H-how're ya?"
"Ah..." Jo looked around nervously, feeling awkward. "Im good, I guess." She took a step forward, then took a step back. She wasnt really sure what to do with herself. Did Banda even want to see her? But he was talking to her..he could have just egnored her completely. She forced an uneasy smile. "What about you?"
He shifted nervously from foot to foot, unable to keep still. One pocketed hand searched for a cigarette, but simply gripped it tightly--he doubted smoking would improve what chances he'd probably already ruined. "F-fine,'m fine," he replied, losing hold of his words to his nerves. It was difficult to speak properly when he couldn't hear himself, and much moreso when he was nervous and not focusing on it. "I, ah, I want... wanted t' 'pologize for the, ah, the other day, I... I didn' mean, um.."
"No no its fine." Jo answered, a little suprised. "I was being a little forward. You were right to tell me to go." She griped her hands infront of her, and stared at the ground, her cheeks turning pink with embarressment. God she was an idiot. She expected just to throw herself at Banda, and he would like her? Ha, well she was obviously wrong.
"Oh... No, no, Jo, that's not--" He stuttered and fell silent, desperately attempting to organize his thoughts. Then, stepping forward a pace, he tried again. "I mean, I k-kissed ya first, yanno? You didn'. You 'aven' done anythin' wrong, I swear it. I jus'--" He paused once more as he realized how far his speech had sunk, flushing bright red and ducking his head to regain his composure. "I... Ven could've walked in, an'.. I didn' want you gettin' hurt.."
Thats right, he had kissed her. But still, she had asked him if he liked her..and she still hadnt gotten an answer. "Right, right. I forgot about him." Jo said, her head snaping up, thinking of the red SM. Her face suddenly filled with concern. "He didnt find out and hurt you did he? I really didnt mean to cause any trouble really..are you ok?" She took a couple hesitant steps towards him, still a little unsure of herself.
"Oh, no, I'm fine," he assured her, relaxing a tad with her concern. Smiling weakly, he closed the remaining distance between them, taking her hands in his own. "Look, I shouldn't have... The other day, I mean, that was pretty crappy of me. It's nothing personal, okay? Quite the contrary... Ven's just...really possessive, and I was scared of how he'd react if he knew we...ah.."
Her hand tingled as he took them, and she sucked in a deep breath, almost forgetting to let it out. She griped his hands tightly, not wanting to let them go. Jo nodded at his words, but the last part caught her a little. "If he knew we were what?" She questioned, regetings saying it, not wanting to ruin anything.
Banda blinked, alternately torn between appearing terrified and flustered--his body seemed to feel the same, debating between paling and blushing, all and all making him appear rather ill. "Well, I mean... That is to say, uh... T-t'gether?" he attempted meekly.
"Right." Jo said, her stomach churring with excitment, or maybe that tuna sandwich she had had for lunch, well whatever it was she didnt care. "It was kinda nice though, wasnt it?" She really looked at him for the first time since she arrived, and noticed he wasnt looking to good. She stuck her hand out to push the hair out of his eyes, letting her fingers linger there for a moment before taking them back. "You alright?"
"It was," he admitted, breathing a sigh of relief at the positive reaction. He managed a smile, automatically leaning into her fingers slightly when they came to rest on his cheek, straightening up only with her question. "Hmm? Ah, I'm fine, just.. didn't get much sleep last night, you know."
"Really? Me neither." It was true, Jo had in fact, spent most of the night tossing and turning and worrying over Banda. Well atleast now they had everything settled..sorta. They just had to watch out for Venoch. At the thought, she amediattley began peeking around, looking around for the creature, even though she hadnt even seen him before, and she wasnt planning on meeting him now. "Is Ven here now?" She said, a tint of fear in her voice.
"I'm sorry," he replied, genuinely concerned. As she began to glance around, he raised a brow, following her eyes from place to place until the movement of her lips caught his attention. "Oh, no, I don't think s.. I haven't seen him for a few days."
"Alright, I just didnt want him to catch us or anything." She said, shifting the wait to the other leg. The last thing she wanted to happen was Banda get hurt again, just after his arms were finnaly starting to look better. "I can go if you want."
"No," he immediately insisted, keeping hold of her hands. He spared a glance towards the house, then cocked his head to the side, smiling. "Whatsay we go get something to eat? No muffins this time."
"Sure thing." Jo said, craking a smile. She had completely forgotten about the milk, but it didnt matter. She let go of one of his hands and started to walk. "Where should we go?" This was nice. Oooh this was nice. Walking hand in hand going to get food that would hopefully not poison her. Yes, it was excellent.
Smiling, he started downt he sidewalk at her side, lightly holding one of her hands in his. "Wherever you'd like," he insisted, givng her hand a quick squeeze. "It's my treat." Not that he could afford much, but he could splurge for the evening. It was a special occasion.
"Ya sure? Cause I have plenty of money from babysitting and stuff." She said continueing down the street. She knew the perfect place, nice, but not expensive, She continued on in silence for a couple of minutes before decideing to strike up another conversation. "How is that other one that was living with you? I forgot his name, sorry."
TBC?
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:56 pm
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