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 Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:49 pm
[Shock and Dismay]
After she finished putting away the groceries, which she had to do with one arm because Iqbal was squealing in her ear on the other side, Kam made her way upstairs and set Iqbal down for a nap. He seemed adamant about being wide awake, but after the fit he had thrown Kam knew he had to be tired. She hummed to him, placing Fortune in with him and turning on the baby monitor. She had learned from experience that he would sleep better without her in the room watching him.
"You just take a nap sweets. Mommy needs to go check on Sha."
Kam smiled at Iqbal and poked his nose, prompting him to look at it cross-eyed before yawning widely. His little eyes dropped as she hummed again, a nameless tune she remembered hearing as a child.
Satisfied, Kam made her way out of the room and down the stairs to poke her head in Chandra's room.
"Sha?" Kam flipped on the lights that were off. This in and of itself was not odd at all, Chandra often liked to sit in the dark. But the fact that the room was totally empty when the lights were flipped on was. Kam blinked at the room, but supressed the vague feeling of unease she felt. Chandra had probably slipped downstairs while she was putting Iqbal down for his nap.
However, once she got downstairs Kam still didn't see Chandra anywhere and a quick check with Riana revealed that no one had actually seen her daughter since that morning.
Kam sat ont he couch in shock, her head in her hands. How could she lose a child? God only knew what had happened to her baby! She should have checked on her before leaving, how could she have just assumed everything was alright? She hit herself in the forehead hard enough to prompt tears for the second time that day feeling guilty. This was so terrible! Who lost a child?
Kam started to cry, totally at a loss as what to do. Finally she stood, wiping away tears. She should call the cops. No matter how much she worried they would take away her daughter, at least they might be able to find her.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:50 pm
[Demons from the Past, Part 2]
As the sun slid behind the horizon, Chandra found herself at the end of her road. It had been some time since the cookie cutter family houses had fallen by the wayside. The road here was flanked by dead grass and an occassional filthy overgrown hovel. Around these nothing moved except for skinny dogs that watched Chandra and growled, too scared to attack but too mean to turn tail completely.
There were no dogs in sight now, just stretches of browning grass and sprawling bushes that looked like they had petrified long ago, their elongated fingers trying desperately to claw their way to freedom. At the end of the road she stood on, a new dirt road (if it could be called that) stretched out at right angles.
Chandra sat down in the middle of the road to think about her choice. There hadn't been a car on the road (that looked like it could run) for miles.
Neither of her choices look promising, prompting Chandra to question her resolve. Perhaps searching for her supposed past had been a poor plan.
As she was sitting on the road, staring down at the ground, Chandra failed to notice the sound of someone apporaching from the rear until his shadow encroached on her field of vision. She didn't move, feeling exposed. Nowhere nearby would serve as a decent hiding place assuming she could even outrun her unwelcome guest and she had no weapons here in Life.
He stopped behind her, just letting his shadow lay over her like a blanket. When he spoke his voice was like a caress, soft and silky. Totally innappropriate for speaking to a child of her age.
"You look good Sha."
The way he said her name, her nickname, made her stomach clench uncomfortably. It was like he knew her. Knew about her inside, her likes, her dislikes, all about her. It scared her in a way that nothing else in her short life had. Her eyes went wide and she tried to speak, managing only a terrified whimper. She teared up, frozen like prey that knows it is overpowered. Her voice had sounded so weak, so childish, so tiny. Coming here had been stupid she realized. He could kill her or worse and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
He laughed, pleased and he knelt behind her. Two strong hands slid slowly over her shoulders to remove her backpack. On the way back his fingers ruffled the delicate feathers of her wings.
"I love your fear. You're so pure, so helpless."
He stood again, hefting her backpack, te canvas rustling comfortably.
"Do not hurt Anil."
She turned finally, twisting her neck so she could look at him. The sun was still peeking over the horizon, holding on by a sliver. It made it hard to make out his features, creating a nightmarish illusion. Tall, slender, and faceless, he was clothes in a loos black shirt and slacks.
He held out a hand for hers, slinging her backpack over the other shoulder.
"Come and take my hand Sha. I'll take you to my house."
Suddenly calm, she reached up and put her pale hand in his, marveling at how small and fragile it looked there.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:51 pm
[Demons from the Past, Part 3]
They walked that way for a while, her hand clutched in his. She trailed behind him, her shorter legs working much harder to keep pace with him. The sun disappeared and she slowed even more, stumbling on the dirt road when it was only dimly illuminated by the moonlight. Normally she would have preferred the dark, but she felt out of control of the situation and it made her cautious.
His house loomed in the distance, two turrets thrusting into the sky and blocking out the moon as they got closer. Oddly the house didn't appear familiar to her even though the man beside her did.
Chandra glanced up at him, studying his features as they walked. He was pale, as she was, and his eyes were slightly sunken. His hair was shaggy and looked like it was due for a cut, the dark brown strands getting in his eyes. She couldn't remember anything specific about him or how she knew him, just had a general feeling of comfort and affection. There was something else too, but she was either too young or too inexperienced to name it. Conversely, the feelings of comfort and affection made her distrust him. She was almost positive it was some sort of trick, something he was projecting at her somehow. She didn't know him and she rarely felt that way about even people she knew.
He glanced down at her as they approached the front gate, a twisted monstrosity of wrought iron, frowning as he caught her studying him with her large amber eyes. They halted, steps away from the house and he knelt. She could smell the dead on him as he leaned close to her, but that told her nothing. She already knew he must have a power like that to have invaded her to leave his message.
"I always was catching you looking at me."
Kneeling in front of her, he ran a finger gently down her cheek. Then he looked into her eyes and cupped her cheek in his palm. He leaned in close, looking at her lips. Chandra blinked and then turned, breaking both the contact and the uncomfortable gaze. He narrowed his eyes, suddenly cold and stood. His hand snatched hers and he dragged her roughly through the gate and up to the house.
"I have a lot of questions for you."
His voice was frosty as he pushed her into the house and slammed the door behind them. Chandra stumbled as he released her arm, putting her hands out to save herself from the cherry wood floor. She winced as her still sore hand caught her weight, but made no noise. She would not give him the pleasure that her whimper seemed to have given him before.
As she looked up, pushing herself to her feet, a woman that resembled a poorly done or unfinished wax statue emerged from the darkness beyond the foyer. She paused in front of the man, who Chandra had yet to name. He tossed Chandra's backpack at the woman, who caught it deftly, and then started up the stairs, tossing down a gruff command.
"Show Miss Chandra to her room. She'll be staying with us for a while. The red room should do nicely."
He smirked down at Chandra, obviously amused with his choice of rooms.
"I'll be visiting her later, make sure she has dinner in her room. Whatever she prefers."
He disappeared down the upper hall and the wax woman turned without a word, clearly expecting Chandra to follow. Chandra tried the knob on the front door, but found it stuck. She wasn't really surprised it wouldn't be that easy to reverse her mistake in coming here. She glared up the stairs and then proceeded after her guide.
The red room was aptly named. Done in a late baroque style, it was much to elaborate for Chandra's taste. A large bed dominated the center of the back wall, surrounded by heavy maroon velvet curtains. Her guide had pulled them back and placed Chandra's backpack there before leaving. Chandra heard the door locked behind her and sighed, trying not to cry.
To one side of the room was a heavy wooden dresser which upon inspection was filled with nothing but the lingering smell of mothballs. The walls were papered in a garish pattern of gold and maroon swirls, producing a dizzying illusion of motion in the flickering candlelight. The other wall was home to a door, which led to a small and surprisingly simple bathroom. Scattered about the room and walls were various pieces of art including several pictures of very unfriendly looking men with the same general look as the one who had trapped her here.
"Anil?"
After her inspection of the space, Chandra sat on the bed and pulled her bag into her lap. She pulled the curtains shut around her, giving her the illusion of privacy and security, before pulling out her gembird egg. It appeared to be in good shape which lifted her spirits a tiny bit. At least she would have someone to talk to, even if they couldn't talk back.
Exhausted from her journey, Chandra curled up around the egg and closed her eyes. She fought sleep for a little while, but eventually gave in.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:52 pm
[Shock and Dismay, Part 2]
"We'll keep looking ma'am, but ... " The sad looking policeman sat Kam down on the couch gently before he continued sympathetically. "Every hour she is missing means we have a smaller chance of finding her."
Kam was already crying, having started when she answered the door and noticed the policeman was alone. They hadn't found her daughter and it was already the next day. Where was her baby?
The policeman gave Kam a half hearted smile as if he wanted to say he still had hope, but knew she would realize he was lying. Twenty-four hours was a long time for a child to be missing, especially one so young. Kam's only hope was that since Chandra wasn't a normal child, the normal rules didn't apply.
Kam let the officer out the door, and closed it behind him before sinking to the floor and burying her face in her hands. She rocked back and forth as she sobbed, banging the door with her back but not noticing. She didn't notice anything at all until she heard Iqbal screech from the top of the stairs.
In a second she was up, wiping her face and sprinting to him. In all honesty, he screeched all the time even if nothing was wrong just so he could be the center of attention, but Kam was feeling overprotective so she ran to him anyway.
He was laying on his back in the crib, perfectly still as he looked at Fortune. Fortune was precariously perched on the side of the crib with his head tilted so that one eye looked down at Iqbal.
Kam reached into the crib and pulled Iqbal out, hugging him to her chest and turcking his head under her chin. She rocked him a little, not wanting to upset him with her sadness.
"Everything ok sweets? Mommy's having a bad day, but everything will be okay."
She wasn't sure about that last part, but it sounded good. She was probably setting Iqbal up to have false expectations about how good life was, but that was the fun of being a child right? You hadn't yet seen how ugly the world could be.
Iqbal gurgled sleepily from under Kam's chin as she rubbed his back, clearly enjoying the attention. She enjoyed the contect too, it was nice to know one of her kids was safe.
So she could be the phone in case the police called, Kam brought Iqbal downstairs with Fortune trailing behind. She sat on the couch in the living room carefully and stretched out her legs, shifting Iqbal so he had his back to her chest. Settled, she started humming and found it hard to keep her eyes open. She had been out all the night before looking for Chandra, running purely on fear and worry, but apparently she had reached her limit and she dozed a little with Iqbal cradeled in her lap.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:53 pm
[Demons from the Past, Part 4]
Chandra woke to the sound of the door opening. She sat up in the bed, staring at the backside of the heavy velvet curtains. Their heavy folds had offered at least the illusion of protection before, but now Chandra just felt blind. She had no way of knowing who or what lurked beyond them.
As she backed up so her back was to the headboard, the foot steps halted and the surtains pulled back. The wax woman stood there, still clothes in her maid's uniform that looked like it was probably from the 1920s.
"What do you wish to eat for dinner?"
The voice was genderless and emotionless, seemingly disembodied since the woman had no mouth. Chandra just looked at her and hugged Anil's egg to her chest. When it was clear the woman wouldn't leave, Chandra swallowed and spoke.
"Nothing. I do not want his food."
She tried to keep the fear out, holding onto the anger she felt at being trapped here. The anger she felt at being stupid enough to come here.
The woman did nothing to acknowledge Chandra's defiance and simply turned. She left the room, closing and locking the door behind her.
In the interests of not being caught blind again, Chandra clambered out of bed, still hugging Anil to herself. Something about having the egg in her arms made her feel more secure, less alone.
It turned out she didn't have long to wait. Not long after she had come to stand by the large empty wardrobe, studying the graind of the wood, the door opened again. This time, the sound was explosive as the door was flung open with such force that it banged against the wall. Framed by the now open doorway was the man. He was dressed in the same clothes and his hands were clasped behind him emphasizing, she supposed, that the doors had been opened by some sort of magic. His expression was neutral, but she could feel his anger rolling off him in waves. It was weakening the barrier to death even further as powerful emotions could. He posed there in the doorway for a moment before speaking.
"Sha. I have been informed that you have refused my generous hospitality."
He moved into the room and she stepped back, slamming into the wardrobe and clutching Anil tighter. She could no longer retreat, but he kept advancing until he was right in front of her. When he knelt to her height, she could feel his breath on her face.
"I find that to be rude."
He hardly finished the word rude, before Chandra's head snapped to the side as he casually backhanded her. She looked back at him wide eyed and lifted one hand up to touch the now numb right side of her face. Her hand came back with a little bit of blood on it and she just stared at it. No one had ever laid a hand on her like this in Life. Life was supposed to be safe and Death where she faced her enemies.
"You will join me for dinner Sha. Then you and I can discuss our past, since it appears to me that you have forgotten at least part of it."
He reached out and gently took the hand she was still staring at, looking at the blood himself for a second before licking it off, slowly while looking her right in the eyes. When he was done, he stood and left the room. The door slammed shut behind him, while the wardrobe opened and pushed Chandra away.
She looked inside, one hand clasped against her now aching cheek. There was now a single piece of clothing hanging in the center. Chandra sighed and placed Anil on the bed carefully. She didn't want to change her clothes to whatever unfamiliar garment was hanging in the creepy wardrobe, but she wanted to get hit again less. Perhaps if she played along, he would get lax and let her go.
Hesitantly, Chandra pulled the dress down from where it was hanging and held it in front of her. It was dark red, which she wrinkled her nose at, and made of some sort of satiny fabric. It had a low scoop neck on top of a structured bodice which cinched into the waist and then flared out to a large, swirling skirt. Not something Chandra would ever choose to wear, mostly because there appeared to be nowhere for her book. She sighed and threw it on the bed, beginning to remove her clothes so she could change.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:54 pm
[Demons from the Past, Part 5]
Chandra finished lacing up the back of the dress as best she could and then laid her hands on the skirt. The blood colored fabric rustled under her touch, unnerving her. She looked up, ready to grab Anil, only to find the egg was broken into pieces all over the bed.
"Oh no!"
Chandra started gathering up the pieces desperately. Anil had been with her through everything so far, how could she lose him now? How had the egg even been broken? That thought halted Chandra's motion and she glanced around the room, eventually spinning all the way around to find a small blue bird hopping around in the wardrobe. Delighted, Chandra bent towards the bird, snapping him up into her arms before he could get away.
"Anil!"
She looked at him, considering whether this was a good development or not.
"This may not have been a good time for you to hatch."
Anil just cocked his head to one side and studied her. Chandra wasn't sure if he could understand her or not. She set him down on the floor and held up the hem of her skirt.
"I don't want to leave you alone. The skirt is long enough, so you can stay beneath it."
Happily, Anil skipped under her skirt looking more fascinated with the darkness than whatever she had just said. Chandra sighed and let the hem back down to brush the floor. The motion was timed perfectly, giving her time to straighten as the door was opened again.
Instead of the man, this time it was the wax woman again, still dressed in her ancient clothing. The woman paused, but said nothing, and then turned and started off. Clearly, she expected Chandra to follow. Chandra did, walking slowly for Anil's sake. Luckily the rustle of the fabric covered up the sounds made by Anil's feet on the dark wooden floor.
The wax woman led Chandra (and Anil) back into the front lobby and then down a hall underneath the stairs that led into the back of the house. Eventually the wax woman halted in front of a pair of carved wooden doors. The carvings were innocuous, depicting a general forest scene.
Chandra looked from the door to the wax woman, who had stepped to the side and was staring back out towards the lobby. Perhaps she was to go in herself? Chandra put one hand on the door knob, only to have the door swing open of its own accord beneath her hand. She stood her ground, knowing this guesture was meant to impress.
The door opened into a large dining room. A long table sat in the center, covered in a delicate white lace tablecloth. The two places at either end were set with simple blue and white china and crystal. It seemed homey and low-key, totally out of place in the gothic house.
The man was seated at the head of the table to Chandra's right and he didn't bother to rise at her entrance. He simply motioned to the other end of the table dramatically, a half full glass of red wine in his hand. Chandra slowly made her way over to her end of the table, eyes cast down so as not to meet his.
Once at her end, she slipped into the seat there, careful not to expose Anil. She looked up suddenly as the door clicked shut, relieved to see it was only the wax woman.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:55 pm
[Demons from the Past, Part 6]
"So.." The man spoke slowly, drawing out the word and inviting Chandra to look up at him. "I hope you are enjoying my hospitality."
He made it clear that was a command more than an inquiry into her well being. Chandra said nothing, keeping her body perfectly still. The man pursed his lips, obviously displeased, and stood fluidly. Even disfigured by his look of displeasure his face was still attractive, holding an almost unreal edge of beauty. Something gained from the dead? Chandra was afraid to speculate. She had a feeling their was a lot of history here she would rather not explore.
As he made his way to her end of the table to stand behind her, Chandra shivered slightly. The room seemed colder and darker with every step he took in her direction. Normally that would be a comforting thing, but it didn't comfort here. The dark was much more his domain than hers and she understood that.
"Who are you?" Chandra said, as he put his hands on her shoulders, pressing down slightly. She had started to accept her captivity here. Perhaps she could gain something from it while she plotted a way out of this.
"So quickly forgotten." The man made a tsking sound, something usual reserved for small children (as Chandra was) while starting to massage her shoulders, which had been left mostly bare by the dress. "And I thought you loved me Chandra."
"Loved you?" Chandra considered this, waiting for something to spark her memory. He did feel familiar, almost dangerously so - but he didn't feel safe. "I am too young to love." It was a stock answer, her way of puching away the question. It did seem a bit odd that she would somehow love a man when she wasn't even sure what that emotion felt like.
"You weren't always." He said it softly, leaning close to her ear and then brushing his lips against it.
Chandra froze, realizing that contact with him was uncomfortable only because she distrusted his motives. He didn't burn, didn't exude the warmth of life most of the other people she knew did. He was cold. Just like her - just like the dead.
"Are you?" Chandra turned, ignoring the pressure he put on her to stop the motion. She faced him, studying him fully with her wide eyes. "Are you one of the dead?" Her voice hushed at the end of the question as if she didn't even want to admit the possibility.
He just chuckled and removed his hands from her, straightening to his full height.
"Not as dead as you should be. You died Chandra. I saw your soul pass into death. And yet you now sit here before me, given a new life and a new body." He leaned in close again, a jealous look in his eyes. "You should have been punished, sent to hell to serve for your sins. You played with death Chandra, helped a necromancer manipulate the dead for his own ends. And yet, and yet - you have been rewarded and sent back. Why?"
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes and Chandra realized she was talking to a shell. Essentially a puppet, the man in front of her was no longer one of the living. His soul was kept somewhere else, to direct his body from afar. The Book of the Dead mentioned that many necromancers did this to cheat life a little longer, using many bodies to extend their life beyond that of a single one.
"I do not know." Chandra stood, pushing the man back as she did so. Now that she knew him for what he was, she was determined to escape him. "I do not know. If I did I would not tell you."
The puppet, as Chandra was now thinking of it, scowled - its face no longer trying to look human. As he lunged for her, he growled.
"You will tell me and you will show me. Then together we can master the dead... and the living."
Chandra just looked at him in disgust and picked up her voluminous skirts in both hands.
"I will tell you nothing." She said it softly, but determined and turned - quickly slipping out of his grasp and under the table. Once there she pulled out the book of the dead and her flute, both of which she had known better than to leave at home. She flipped the book open, allowing it to open where it would since this had served her in the past.
The man knelt and peered at her with an amused expression. "Your book will not help you here." He clapped and the book slammed shut, surprising Chandra enough to make her look up at him.
The man laughed as he met her eyes and spoke condescendingly. "You have forgotten less than I know. Once here, you belong to me."
Chandra looked back down at her flute and swallowed. She had seen enough of the page the book opened to to know this wasn't going to be easy or safe. Slowly, she lifted the flute to her lips and arranged her fingers deliberately before beginning. At first it seemed as if no sound was coming out, but after a bit Chandra noticed that the man had stopped moving and was staring at the flute in horror.
"How?" He managed to choke out before his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed.
Chandra eyed him for a moment and then stopped playing. She re-stowed the flute and the book and then crawled out from under the table, scopping Anil up into her arms as she stood.
She had to get out while the link between this body and the spirit was severed, so she looked around the room desperately. There seemed to be only two options: to go back out to the wax woman, or to take the door that most likely led to the kitchens. After a moment of indecision, Chandra dove for the kitchen door. In the end the evil she didn't know seemed easier to deal with.
And she was right. The kitchen was deserted (confirming her earlier suspicions about "dinner") and the window over the sink looked big enough to slip out. A few cuts with a large butcher knife later, Chandra and her now short red dress were on their way out the window. She only hoped that she could get far enough away from this house before the man started on her trail. His longer legs would obviously make better time than her.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:56 pm
I have learned to write my thoughts. My penmanship is not good according to Kam and I still do not know how to spell many words. But I can write. This will be how I will keep my memories safe this time.
I met a new Legend. He also had the moon but on a scarf. I do not know what this means. I hope to see him again. He was not scared by my coldness.
Kam has been weird lately and Iqbal is gone. As are the fairies. I am the only one left. I think it is because Kam is having nightmares. I know because I have them too. I think they are the same.
She is always awake when I go into her room after one of them.
I do not like that she has them too because the things she sees often come true later. I do not want the dreams to come true. I do not want to kill people and then make them serve me.
I want people to like me without making them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:57 pm
Phew. Normally I wouldn't write in here, but I seem to have lost my other journals. Big things have been happening lately.
Ruya and Sunil are gone, sent to live in Maine with my brother for a while. I can only imagine what they'll think of college life, but I really had little choice. After finding Sunil at the airport (long story!), I just couldn't take their shenanigans anymore - especially on top of all my work and these ghastly dreams I keep having.
TamLin and Riana have run off together. I certainly didn't see that one coming, but there you go. I found a note when I got home about a week ago attached to the refrigerator by a magnet. It said something along the lines of: We've decided to run off together because we hate living with you. - Riana and TamLin. Normally I might be upset, but in this case I was relieved. I didn't really like living with them either.
And the worst news - Iqbal has gone to a new home. I blew up at Fortune after she tried to maim Anil (Chandra's gembird) and Iqbal just wouldn't stop crying. So I yelled at him too. In fact, I think I slapped him. I'm not real sure and I would rather not dwell on it. Long story short - he is in a better home. It broke my heart to do that, but I honestly believe it is better for him.
Just about the only person who can put up with me lately is Chandra and I think that is because she just doesn't notice how stressed out I am. She never seems to notice emotions, which worries me. In my dreams she doesn't either.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:03 pm
[Visitor]
Kam was puttering around in the kitchen, humming Christmas carols to herself, when she heard a knock at the front door. She wasn't really sure who would be coming to visit at this time of the day, or anytime really, but she brushed the flour off her hands and made her way through the living room to the front door.
"Hello?" She said, while swinging the door open.
She wasn't sure what she expected, but a pale woman with piercing dark blue eyes and long dark purple hair wasn't it.
"Hello?" She repeated quietly, unsure what to make of the cloaked woman at her door.
Mictecacihuatl arched one delicate eyebrow at the woman who answered the door. Clearly not the one she was seeking. While talented, this woman had no affinity with the Dead or she wouldn't be looking at Mictecacihuatl like that.
"I am Mictecacihuatl. May I come in or must I wait outside in the snow all day?"
The cold here was nothing like death, so it didn't really affect her. However, she found it best to explain her actions to the living. Otherwise they got suspicious and difficult. Mictecacihuatl didn't want any difficulties here. Yet.
Without waiting for the gray haired woman within to say anything, Mic removed one ivory hand from under her cloak and pushed in on the screen door.
"Mi - ?"
Thrown off, Kam backed up as the woman pushed in on the screen and entered her house. After blinking up at the woman, who seemed curiously amused by her, Kam made a guesture towards the couch.
Her guest slowly made her way there, dragging the edge of her cloak (which curiously was not wet) along the carpet, and seated herself on the couch. Since she had spread her arms out to take up almost the entire couch, Kam remained standing.
"What are you doing here?" She said slowly, having regained the use of her mouth. "Do I know you?"
The woman seemed vaguely familiar now that Kam got a good look at her, but she couldn't place her.
"Not yet." Mic said imperiously. "You're seeing ahead."
Disappointed the woman seemed to be growing less intimidated by her, Mic decided to get down to business. She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes in the direction of the stairs. The one she wanted was up there. Would it be better just to go? Or to find some other way to her goal?
"I'm not here to see you." She finally said with a small contemptuous laugh at the absurdity of that. "I'm here to see the owl who used to walk into death."
Through her still narrowed eyes, Mic waited for the woman's reaction.
"Chandra?" Kam blurted out quickly without thinking.
Realizing this probably gave the woman more information than necessary, Kam decided to dance around the issue.
"Why are you looking for this... owl?"
Kam placed her own arms over her chest in an attempt to look more authoritative. The woman on the couch was sprawled out in a way that made her look like she was sitting on a throne, completely negating the height advantage Kam shuld have had by standing.
Mic dismissed the gray aired woman with a wave of one imperious hand at the sight of someone descending the stairs. A child with white and black hair with wings? This was most likely the one she sought, although some sort of barrier made it tough to tell.
"Hello there." Mic said kindly, standing up to her full height. "I've come a long way to meet you."
She made her way over to where the child stood, one foot still on the last stair and noted the young one's neutral expression with admiration.
"You are Chandra, the owl who walks into death?"
Chandra didn't answer the odd woman in front of her, but looked to Kam instead. She swivelled her head on her neck to face Kam like an owl, which made Kam shiver uneasily. She liked it best when Chandra seemed the most like a normal child.
"Why is one of the Dead in our house?"
Coming from Chandra's lips, it almost seemed like a reasonable question. Kam just shook her head and sighed.
"I don't think she is one of the Dead." It had that ring of truth Kam had come to recognize, so she went with it. "I don't believe she means you harm." That was mostly true, although not completely.
Chandra simply nodded, not moving one more muscle than was necessary, before facig the stranger again.
"I am Chandra. Who are you?"
"I am Mictecacihuatl and I am here to guide you."
Guide sounded good, although watch over would probably have been more accurate. Mic reached up and removed her cape, draping it over one skeletal arm.
"You haven't been into death in a while," she said, noting Chandra's involuntary widening of her eyes. "I know why and I can help you."
"I will stay here." She announced, turning to Kam without waiting for Chandra. "I am sure you have room for me."
She raised an eyebrow at Kam again, as if daring her to speak, before making her way past Chandra and up the stairs. Halfway up she paused and called back, "Come along Chandra, we have much to discuss."
Discuss? What the hell was going on here? Kam looked at Chandra sternly, ready to tell the girl not to go - when the buzzer in the kitchen started going off. Kam rushed out to the kitchen, hoping to catch the cookies before they burnt.
She was gone just long enough for Chandra to head up the stairs, her face neutral but her mind whirling with thoughts. Who was this woman if not one of the Dead? Was she a necromancer like Chandra herself? Did she know the man Chandra had escaped from?
Whether she was here to help or not, she had answers. Cursing her own curiosity, Chandra resolved to find those answers out - no matter what the cost.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:04 pm
[Conversations with the Devil
I don't really like Mictecacihuatl.. Chandra thought to herself as she stared at the taller, older woman. It was a new sensation, really, not as much hatred as... annoyance? That was it, annoyance. Mictec, as Chandra had decided to call her, simply because it seemed to piss her off, was annoying.
"Show me the book." Mictecacihuatl said, over enunciating each word as if she honestly thought Chandra hadn't understood her the first time she had made that rather unreasonable request.
"No." Chandra deigned to answer, realizing that stony silence wasn't going to work with this woman. "It does not like you."
And it was true, as odd as it was for a book to have feelings about people - the book clearly didn't like Mictec at all. The one time Chandra had even thought about opening it for Mictec, crimson blood had started to seep out of the cover and Kam had come running up the stairs demanding someone stop the screaming with her hands over her ears.
"I don't care," Mictec hissed, moving her head towards Chandra's, "I want to see it. I need to know what it says."
A few strands of long dark purple hair escaped from where Miuctec's hair was drawn together into a ponytail at the base of her neck and she impatiently pushed it back behind her ear. Chandra stood completely still and didn't even bother to blink. She wasn't going to give over the book and that was final, but she didn't really want to pick a fight with Mictec either. Kam had said the stranger wasn't one of the Dead, but Chandra had her doubts. The woman "felt" like one of the Dead, her soul completely claimed by darkness. The living usually had at least some gray area, having not yet started the final journey.
Mictec's hand shot out towards the book, moving much faster than Chandra would have guessed was possible. The book had apparently anticipated this however and leaped forward, snapping shut on Mictec's hand. Mictec's eyes widened and her perpetual condescending smirk fell for a second before she pulled back her hand. There was no bite mark, but a dark rash had started to spread up her arm like some sort of allergic reaction.
"I told you it did not like you." Chandra said patiently as if to a small child, before continuing in a logical tone of voice. "I do not like you. The book does not like you. You should not be here."
Rather than enrage her, as Chandra had feared, this seemed to please Mictec. A smile played on the edges of her thin lips and almost reached her eyes.
"You don't have to like me, but you're going to be sorry if you kick me out."
"Why?" Chandra said, furrowing her brow in mock confusion. "I do not see a need for you here."
Triumphantly, Mictec sat backwards onto Chandra's bed and placed her hands in her lap demurely.
"You haven't visited death in a long time, but you dream about it every night." she said sweetly. "Why is that?"
Chandra just blinked, unwilling to show any signs of her frustration. Every conversation was like this. Mictec would hint that she knew things that Chandra did not and then refuse to share them. After several minutes of strained silence, Mictec giggled. It was a grating high pitched noise and Chandra rustled the feathers on her wings in annoyance.
"You're afraid of running into Kiran. You think that after your last run-in, he might not be so taken with you as before."
Chandra tried to look unimpressed, but failed. His name was Kiran? That did sound familiar. But why? Who was he and what did he have to do with her supposed past?
As if she could read minds, and perhaps she could, Mictec continued.
"He loved you once, but like most emotions - that has been twisted by his powers. If you meet again, he'd probably kill you - just so he could make you love him."
Mictec grinned, as if that thought was the most amusing thing she had ever said, and pulled out her ponytail to let the hair fall freely around her face. Chandra wasn't listening or looking at Mictec. She was looking somewhere beyond Mictec and into her own foggy memories. Kiran? The name made her feel warm inside in a not unpleasant way, but she couldn't quite reconcile that with the cruel man she had recently encountered. Absently she stroked the cover of the book. There had to be a way to get back her memories.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:05 pm
[Christmas Decorating]
Kam hummed to herself as she hung an ornament on the tree in the living room. This would be her first Christmas away from her family and she was determined to make it the best Christmas ever.
Done hanging the small set of ornaments she currently had, Kam stood back and took stock of the room. The tree was decorated, a few colorfully wrapped presents rested below, and the cinnamon flavored candles were merrily scenting the entire house. All in all, it was a beautiful scene and it gave Kam a sense of peace.
Which, as always, was short lived. The sound of something being thrown across the wall preceded Chandra's arrival at the bottom of the stairs. She gave Kam a blank look and quickly slipped into the kitchen. As she disappeared around the corner, Mictecacihuatl swept to the bottom of the steps herself. Her striking face was screwed into an expression distaste and she made her way over to stand in front of Kam.
Using her height advantage the best she could, Mictecacihuatl just looked down at Kam and didn't say a word.
"Yes?" She knew she should just ignore the strange woman, but Kam just wasn't in the mood to play games.
"Yes?" Mictecacihuatl mocked with a sneer. "You should be more polite when you speak to me." She said as she placed her hands on her hips.
Chandra's head appeared in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen, but she remained silent. The tension bteween Kam and Mic was none of her doing or business. Truthfully, she wished Kam would just snap and kick Mic out.
Kam rolled her eyes, seemingly oblivious to Mic's intimidation tactics.
"I will speak to you in whatever manner I choose. This is my house." As Mic opened her mouth to speak again, Kam held up her right hand and continued. "And the next time you throw something at my walls I will personally hunt down whatever vessel contains your corrupted soul and destroy it."
Mic raised an eyebrow at Kam's presumptuous statement, but did not contradict her. Kam smiled, happy to have made her unwelcome house guest silent. Chandra's head disappeared again before reappearing with a sugar cookie stuffed into her mouth.
Without a word, but somehow making it clear she was amused by Mictecacihuatl's discomfort, Chandra made her way back to the stairs. With a quiet snarl, Mic turned to follow her.
It had not been part of her plans that the one with such potential be guarded and she was finding it wasn't to her liking. Perhaps she would have to dispose of Kam, despite the fact that that would make manipulating Chandra more difficult.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:06 pm
[Home is Where the Heart is]
Mictecacihuatl was waiting for Chandra when she got home. The lights were off in the foyer, even the one Kam usually left on, so Chandra knew something was going on when she walked in the door. Carefully, she unzipped and removed her jacket and then hung it on its hook beside the door. Then she waited, her eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness and noting Mic's presence on the couch in the living room.
"You left the house." Mic said, without turning to face Chandra. Her long dark hair was down, shading the side of her face from view. "Where did you go?"
Chandra made her way into the living room, while trying to suppress all of the thoughts she currently had about visiting the HQ. That was her haven and she didn't want Mic to go there.
"You are not my mother. I do not have to explain my movements to you." She kept her voice neutral, trying to not to appear defensive.
Mic stood and faced Chandra, her dark blue eyes appearing odd in the darkness, almost as if they were lit from within. She brought one of her hand up to push several long strands of hair back behind her shoulder. Chandra was obviously hiding something. Mic smiled slowly, feeling the stiff muscles in her face respond. It had been a while since she had needed to deal with the living and their need for emotion.
"You are protecting something or someone." Mic knelt so that she was at eye-level with Chandra. "That's very cute, but I have to wonder if it isn't a bit naive. I doubt they would protect you in the same way." Mic let that sink in before she stood again, and brushed past Chandra for the stairs. She stopped on the second step and leaned back, casually tossing out one last parting word.
"Especially if they knew what you were."
Chandra remained in the dark for several minutes after Mic had left. She had been successful in hiding the HQ and Dare from the stranger, but she still felt like she had lost. It was an odd feeling and Chandra squashed it.
Dare had said he would help with her past, which meant she would soon know who this Mictecacihuatl really was and why she was here. Also, she would get to see Kiran before he became twisted - back when she had known and liked him. At least according to the information she had gleaned from her memories at his house and Mic's ambiguous statements.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:07 pm
I have asked Dare to help me look into my past. I do not know what to expect. I just hope that he can either not see or that I am not as I feared.
Mictecacihuatl says that I am meant for the dead and not the living. She says that I should not worry about the living because they would not worry about me. I do not believe her. I have friends among the living. But she says friends are a lie and I do not need them.
I felt odd when I spoke to Dare today. I do not know why. Maybe it was all the cookies. I ate a lot because they were very good.
Christmas is a weird holiday. Kam could not explain to me why we celebrate it if we are not religious. I like the cookies but the tree does not make sense. The presents do not make sense. And Mictecacihuatl says that the whole thing is so typical of the living. If I do not understand does that make me more like the dead?
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:08 pm
[Dreaming?]Quote: Chandra slipped into the HQ, again bundled against the cold in her long black jacket. Once inside the warm building, Chandra shed the coat and sat on the couch. She leaned back and closed her eyes, resting but trying not doze off completely. She had taken to napping rather than sleeping so that she didn't dream.
Quote: He'd begged and pleaded with his mother, but Dare hadn't been able to convince her to drive him to the HQ. Something about being busy on the phone to some lawyers.. So, once again bare without his guitar, he trudges through the thickening snow down the path toward the Headquarters. It's not that far, he assures himself with a deeply rooted shiver. Something about the boy couldn't stand the cold for very long, but he isn't sure why this would be. Not long now, just keep on walking..The side of the large building becomes a sight for sore eyes as it appears on the horizon of white. Tugging the jacket tighter around his person, he gladly quickens his pace to speed up the agonizing walk.
Quote: Despite her best intentions, Chandra had dozed off on the couch and was dreaming deeply. Chandra opened her eyes to find herself in the HQ. Obviously she had fallen asleep on the couch, but she didn't remember any dreams so she counted herself lucky. She clambered off the couch and began to pace in an effort to keep herself awake. She had her back to the door when it opened, throwing a cold breath of air on her back.
She turned, wondering which of the Legends it was, but saw nothing. The front step was empty of people and the night outside was deathly silent. Unconcerned, Chandra made her way to the door slowly - sure that it had blown open in the wind...
Quote: Dare kicks aside a pathway up to the front door. He could see someone else's footprints, small ones, or at least smaller than his own. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to him that anyone's been around to tend to the snow that fell recently. Despite the rush of cold as snow enters his boots, he continues to kick aside a pathway. It becomes jagged and roughly off centre, but he's generally proud of his delaying abilities. However much he can't seem to stand the cold, snow is a different story. Jumping sharply on the welcome mat to bang off excess snow, he forgets that this probably gives away his arrival even before his entrance. Pressing against the door as he twists the handle, the rush of warm air is a great relief to his popsicled body.
Quote: As she leaned out into the cold to make sure no one was out freezing by the steps, a hand darted out of the darkness to grab her forearm. Frozen in shock, Chandra didn't even fight as she was dragged out into the darkness.
Her progress was halted by the body of her captor as her clutched her against him. Her head was only level with the bottom of his ribcage, so she couldn't see who it was. She had a sinking suspicion that was confirmed as he spoke.
"Oh my dear. How good to see you again."In the HQ, Chandra's body was cold - far colder than usual and a small whimper escaped her lips as she lay there on the sofa.
Quote: Dare struggles to get the heavy door closed as the wind provides a resistance. Finally hearing the satisfying click as the lock reaches its destination, he stands up straight and throws his jacket onto the banister. " 'Lo?" he calls out, trying to find the owner of the footsteps. Or, were they leading away from the Headquarters..? Dare hadn't taken notice, and all of the evidence was lost now. Frowning gently at the dilemna - he didn't want to have come for nothing - he sheds his boots on the mat and ventures deeper into the building. From the angle at which he enters the room, he only spots the top of Chandra's head. A lighthearted smile spreads itself across his face, and he approaches just as gladly. So someone was here! His mouth opens as he's about to say something, but it closes seconds later. Asleep? Oh nonono. She'd been the one to tell him he shouldn't be sleeping and woke him from his lazy slumber.. he'd pay her the same courtesy! [Boys will be boys..] Crouching down beside the couch, he lightly pokes her sleeping body in the arm. Even through the fabric of her clothing, he can feel the sharp drop of body temperature - low for even her. He gives her a perplexed look..
Quote: The poke brought Chandra awake with a start. Before she was even fully aware of her surrondings, she had jumped off the couch and backed away from Dare. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him and then at her surroundings. "I was... dreaming?" She said quietly, giving Dare a hard look.
Quote: Dare's eyes widen at her sudden movement, and he quickly sprawls backwards on the floor. Breathing a little more heavy than normal, he replies to her statement. "I could tell that you were asleep.. Do you always get that cold?" He moves off of his arms awkwardly, sitting up straighter. "Er, I mean.. well, you were really cold just a minute ago when I touched your arm.." He trails off; he wonders, judging by her reaction, whether it was a good idea to ask.
Quote: Chandra turned her head to hide her reaction to Dare's question. Cold? She was cold when she went into Death and left her body behind. To have it happen during a dream... that was not good. Composed, her eyes back to their normal size and her breathing once again even, Chandra turned her head back to face Dare. "No. I do not always get cold while sleeping." She left it at that, not sure how much else would be wise to share. "Thank you for waking me. I was having an unpleasant dream."
Quote: Dare nods, almost solemnly. "Just returning the favour, like how you woke me up last time. I don't think I was as relieved as you, though," he points out, not trying to have it mean anything. "Must come with the whole bad dream territory." Having not experienced any kind of horror in a dream, he doesn't have good insight on the fear that they can induce. Glancing over at the clock, he screws up his face gently. Already past midnight? How could that be, he'd left the house a lot earlier than that.. Shaking his head, his attention returns on Chandra. "Are you alright, now?" he asks in a quieter tone, genuine concern leaking into his voice.
Quote: "No." Chandra shook her head decisively. "I am not. I cannot sleep without dreaming, but my dreams are very unpleasant and they seem real." She crossed her arms over her chest and looked Dare up and down, her emotions warring. Telling someone more about what was going on might help, but Dare wasn't necessarily to be trusted. She narrowed her eyes as she weighed her options. Eventually her suspicious nature triumphed. She moved forward and settled herself on the couch once again. With Dare here, she had no fear of falling asleep again. "How are you Dare?"
Quote: Dare presses his hands together and can't help but notice as he's being looked up and down. He tries to pass it off in his mind as a result of the jumpiness, or maybe one of those things that girls just.. do? You'd think someone who's grown up with so many girls would write off that option, but no.. Blinking, he tries to make it seem as though her abrupt change of subject doesn't phase him. "I'm doing alright. Tr- Er, my friend's been helping me learn about my abilities again. I think.." He dances around his words, being extra careful with what he says, now that he knows he truly is being surveillanced. "I think I'm getting better at it, and should be able to help you very soon." He subconsciously tugs at the cuff of his sleeve, providing an afterthought. "At least, I hope I can help."
Quote: "So do I." Chandra said calmly, placing her hands in her lap. The more she spoke with Dare, the better she felt. "I want to know who these people are." She fiddled with her clothing a little and looked down. She was starting to feel warm and it was a vaguely unpleasant feeling. She didn't want it to stop, however, she wanted to understand it. Perhaps Dare would have an explanation? She would never have asked if she hadn't been overtired and still troubled by her dream. It was much too revealing. "Dare? Do you ever feel warm inside? Or like you've eaten something bad, but in a good way?" She looked up and moved one of her hands to gently rest on her stomach.
Quote: He nods in agreement. Anything that can disnerve Chandra, the one he relies on the most to be consistant and stable, can't be anything good. Maybe it is naive for him to assume that someone can remain the same forever, but it never hurts to hope. "Warm inside?" he repeats, quickly analyzing her question. He wonders exactly in what context she refers to the warm feeling. Leaning back onto his elbows, he takes a good moment to try and answer her as best as he can. "Well," he begins, "It depends on what you mean. But it's usually a fuzzy feeling inside, meaning something's unfamiliar but in a good way.." He brushes away his bangs from in front of his eyes, as they'd once again fallen and begun to bother. There is no taming them, however, as they fall back seconds later. He gives up, and tries to think of a better way to explain. "It's a nervous happiness, I think. I get it, but not really a lot or anything.." He trails off, feeling a bit awkward. Why had she asked? Or was she just getting sick? Yes, that must be it..
Quote: "Nervous happiness... " Chandra repeated, again looking down at her stomach. "But I have nothing to be happy about." She said matter of factly. "Perhaps I am just sick." She took her hand off her stomach as she looked up again and placed it on top of the other in her lap. She had a calm look on her face and her eyelids were starting to droop. She had clearly come to the end of her rope as far as staying awake. "I should go home." She sounded regretful and didn't budge, just blinked a couple times slowly.
Quote: He cocks his head to the side, noticing as she struggles to remain awake. "You want me to make sure you get home alright? If you're sick, you shouldn't go alone." It would mean going out of his way in the frigid night's air, but his own tolerances would have to wait. If Chandra was sick, and fell asleep in the snow before she gets home, he wouldn't forgive himself. Dare starts to get up onto his feet, though slowly and unsure.
Quote: Chandra also began to get to her feet, pushing herself heavily out of the couch. The thought of just remaining there all night was tempting, but she knew she needed to go home. "No." She said carefully as she gained her feet. "I am capable of going home on my own." It came out a little more childish than she intended. As she looked up at Dare, she thought about apologizing, but it just seemed like too much. He was used to her, he would undestand. She made her out to the foyer to grab her coat and began slowly to put it on, sliding one arm in at a time.
Quote: "If you're sure," he replies with a hint of a sigh, shrugging gently. He wouldn't push her, of course. He knows she's capable of deciding these things on her own. In fact, it usually stumps him at how she can say so little, and yet have it mean so much more. Dare follows her out, keeping a slower pace so he's not right behind. Another check of the time reminds him of the significance of the day they've just entered. "Happy holidays, if I don't see you before then, Bii." He immediately nips at his tongue for allowing the infant nickname leak into his speech. The times were changing so much faster than he felt they should; she'd always been the older and wiser one. It just seems twisted to be looking down at her now. Nothing had really changed.. or did it? Did it change so slowly that he hadn't even noticed? In light of remembrance - and desperate to break out of the phase of awkward thinking patterns - he brightens up and immediately reaches for his jacket. "Made something for you," he murmurs, digging into the pockets for the small gift. "Dunno if you'll like it, but I had some materials and felt like carving again." He produces a bracelet. It isn't wrapped up, nor accompanied by a card. The edges are worn dull from vigorous work; yellow and black beads enlighten the black and white themed charm. On the inner edge is an engraving, done by the sharpest point of Dare's own knife: Made for Chandra, your friend Dare He sheepishly holds it out to her. "My sister, she told me I should get into the spirit of the season a little.. I dunno why everyone does it but I made you something anyways."
Quote: Chandra took the present solemnly and turned it over in her hands to inspect it before placing it on her wrist decisively. It went well with her clothes and would go well with her room, she reflected. She felt bad not to have anything for him. "Thank you." She said, fingering the bracelet. "I do not have anything for you. I will have something the next time we meet." It wouldn't do to be in debt to someone she needed a favor from. She would think about what she knew of him and make or find him a gift. With that decided, she turned to go. With her hand on the doorknob to the outside, she turned back to look at Dare again. She opened her mouth to ask him to open the door for her, but then shut it and turned back. If her dream was some sort of premonition, she would not feel good about Dare falling into it anymore than she wanted to herself. She steeled herself and then opened the door and stepped out onto the front steps. It was snowing and she put her face up to enjoy the cold drops that fell on her upturned face. Thinking that even the cold was different here, she brought her face back down to face forward and set off for home.
Quote: Dare watches silently out the window as she leaves. The afore mentioned "fuzzy feeling" begins to disturb his stomach as her figure disappears from his sight; he quickly tries to brush it off. I'll stay here the night, he decides tiredly. Mum seemed too caught up when I left to notice if I was gone, and it's too cold out to walk now..Having that figured out, he takes up Chandra's previous spot on the couch and lies down to sleep.
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