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 Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:40 pm
 ● ● ● | esther bradley
Appreciative of the attempt to comfort her, Esther subconsciously placed her hand over C.T.'s as she took deep breaths, forced herself to slow down, but she caught herself before her hand could linger there for too long. What was she doing? It didn't matter. What mattered was that five o'clock was very far away. As reassuring as C.T. was being, Esther knew she was going to fret and overthink right up to the designated time. Maybe if she put that frantic energy to good use, she would be able to keep her sanity--and avoid upsetting C.T. too much. Like C.T. had said, they had the advantage, but was that enough? If her father was going to scheme his way out of this, they needed more than just a hostage and a deadline.
Alright, she couldn't keep sitting. She needed to stand, to walk, to talk out her thoughts. Pushing back the covers and climbing out of the bed, Esther began pacing in front of C.T. She tried to keep her pace relatively even, but it was inconsistent, speeding up when inspiration struck and slowing down when she began to worry again. "I think we need a back up, in case my dad tries to spin things in his favor," she said. "I don't have the information you want from my dad, but I think I've got some other dirt on him that will ruin his precious public image." After a few more steps, she finally slowed down to the point she was almost still--almost--and looked at C.T. "If he tries to pull a fast one on us, you should tell him that I spilled the beans about... something I'm going to have to think about more... and that you'll broadcast my statement live to homes all across the area. To the homes of his supporters."
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:54 am
  A back up plan? C.T found herself relieved to see that not only was Esther taking this situation deathly serious, but that the girl had even found a way to add her own input, not that C.T didn't have a back up plan, it was just that the back up plan that she did have, wouldn't be favorable for anyone. This plan to try and extort information out of Jacob Bradley by using his daughter as a bargaining chip, was all in all the only peaceful plan that she and her people had come up with. Their back up plan was war, it had been discussed amongst C.T and the groups of other leaders in the immediate area, who had expanded the plan throughout the state. If peace wasn't broached soon. There would be war, and there was no way around it. Humans and supernaturals alike had lucked up when Esther had been captured by mistake, it gave the plan for peace, one last breath. C.T briefly contemplated telling Esther about the fallout that would follow if they werre to fail, but instead decided to keep her mouth shut, she didn't want to worry the girl. A pang of guilt, tinged in C.T's stomach, as she settled on withholding this information but....she wasn't exactly lying, and with that justification she was able to swallow her guilt, and much of her pride. She needed to get over this stupid obligation she felt towards Esther. But Esther was making it hard for C.T to be tough with her. The warmth C.T felt on her hand, when Esther placed her smaller hand atop of hers, and the comfort that accompanied it, which quelled her knee jerk reaction too flinch away. 'What is she doing to me?'"Dirt is good, it slows his campaign, and the more we can leak the more willing he will be too cooperate, because as of yet he doesn't or at least shouldn't know that we are planning to completely ruin him." C.T encouraged, watching as Esther stopped her pacing and began to fidget in place. C.T smirked scoffing a laugh before shaking her head. "You're still panicking" C.T said humorously before running a hand through her brown hair.
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 12:31 pm
● ● ● | esther bradley
When C.T. brought attention to the fact that Esther was still panicking, Esther, now conscious of her frantic movements, forced herself to stop figeting and smiled apologetically at the other girl. "I-I know, I'm sorry," she said, rubbing the back of her neck anxiously. She pursed her lips and looked down, trying to will away the nervous energy rapidly consuming her being. Be calm, be still, and take deep breaths. Sitting down beside C.T., Esther subconsciously began wringing her hands, her body hasty to replace the pacing with another form of movement, until she realized what she was doing and slipped her hands under her legs to keep them stationary. Now finally motionless--or as motionless as she was going to get--she turned to C.T. again.
"But if we do have to go that route," she said, picking up where they had left off, "we need to be careful about how we go about it. We don't want the public to see you and yours as more villainous and terrifying than they already do." Wait, we? Esther and C.T. were partners in this, but that particular use of we had implied that C.T.'s goals were now Esther's, as well. That was different. At the beginning, Esther had one objective and one objective only: to break free from her family and move far, far away. And shortly after, she had sympathized with C.T., but had still remained fixed on her original intentions. Now she was beginning to wonder if she was whole-heartedly doing this for the others, too--if she was doing this for C.T. "I-I mean," she quickly tried to correct herself, clearing her throat, "I'm sure you wouldn't want that. So we, uh... we've got to be cautious. I would imagine that our..." There it went again. "...I m-mean your ultimate goal is to be accepted back into society, right? To have others see how you've been mistreated. How you deserve better. Right? And in that case, we've got to make sure that humans see all of you in as positive a light as possible. That goes for this whole situation, really."
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:21 am
C.T actually laughed a bit at Esther's uncertainty before shaking her head at the girls constant correction it seemed Esther was struggling with associating herself with C.T's people, but not because of the prejudice that they often faced, it just looked as if Esther didn't believe she could put herself in the same light. If only she knew, if she understood, how much C.T wanted to invite the girl to her family, for all that she has managed to do for C.T in her short stay. Maybe C.T should just tell her? It would probably be best if she got the truth of her chest now, as it was now, she felt like she was stepping on egg shells around Esther and she was getting vibes that Esther felt the same. "We," C.T spoke simply, before continuing "It is ok for you too say 'we'. You are as close to one of us, as a human can get. You have been there for me and my family when you have no obligation to us.....to me. So don't mince words." C.T waited to make sure her point was made before continuing. "Yes our goal, is acceptance. We want to open the eyes of the ignorant and show them the truth and honestly you are now an integral part in making that happen, the public know now that we have you and that will lower our image, however if things go well. It might help, if people know that we worked together, if they can see the unity. They might open their eyes to the possibilities"
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 6:35 am
● ● ● | esther bradley
We. Esther smiled gently and nodded, liking how that sounded. We. As strange as it seemed, Esther had never really been part of a we before. Not voluntarily, anyway. She was enjoying this change of pace.
Esther was beginning to wonder what the outcome of all of this would be should everything go the way they wanted. Before she hadn't cared too much, because it wasn't like she was going to be around long enough to find out the consequences of their actions, but now... How would the public react to everything that her father had done? Would they be as horrified as she was? Or would they in their twisted, brainwashed minds find his dealings justifiable? "Okay, so, best case scenario," she said, picturing in her mind the coveted world without prejudice. "Humans are appauled by what my dad has done and reject him from society, then welcome Supernaturals back in. All of your rights are restored and you can do basically whatever you want." She waited a moment to let the concept sink in--it was likely borderline unfathomable for C.T., all things considered. Then she asked, curious, "What would you do?" She wanted to know how C.T. would live in a perfect world, where she was no longer discriminated against, where she was free to do as she chose. Where did C.T. see herself in a new, accepting society?
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:35 pm
'Best case scenario, your father ends up dead, and the public opens their ******** eyes to reality.'"Yes, all we want is to be treated equally." C.T spoke, instead of saying what she truly wanted. It probably wouldn't be best to talk so openly about killing the girls father, hated or not, the man was just that, her father and familial bonds are strong. "After that... I don't know what I'll do. I've never pt much thought into it really." C.T said honestly. "This place and these people are all I really have now, but if this goes right, they will all have their families to return too. Maybe I'll just stay here." C.T said with a shrug.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 6:38 am
● ● ● | esther bradley
Stay here? But if everyone else left... Esther took a moment to imagine what the warehouse would be like if C.T. was here by herself. It would be big, quiet, lonely, dead. The furniture would eventually gather dust and words would echo off of the walls like bouncing balls. And there C.T. would be, her family gone to be with their families. The image stirred something in Esther that she couldn't explain, a sort of pain that made her want to protect C.T. from this hypothetical life of nothingness. C.T. probably wasn't happy now, but there was no way she could be happy here alone. She hadn't survived Jacob Bradley and fought for the rights of her family to end up like that. It wasn't fair.
Esther shifted on the bed so that she was facing C.T., meeting the girl's gaze. "You should come with me," she said, and noticed immediately that there was a hint of something in her voice that she didn't recognize. A pleading, almost, except not as needy as that. "I have nowhere to go after this, so I might just go everywhere. I mean, why not? And you can come with me. And maybe on the way, you'll find someplace where you feel at home, or that really intrigues you, or something. But if everyone leaves, C.T., don't stay here. Not unless you honestly think you wouldn't be happier somewhere else, with someone else."
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 3:52 pm
"Come with you?" C.T asked blankly not sure if she had heard the girl right, there was no way that the girl wanted her to travel with her could she? C.T didn't understand, how Esther could want someone like her around, someone who could be so cold, someone who could at any moment collapse and need to be taken care of. Someone who was broken. "You can't really mean that Esther." C.T spoke denying everything. "You can't just say things like that to me, you'll give me this false hope and I don't think I can take it." That sounded a bit too weak for C.T's liking so she tried to force out a laugh, something to try and defuse the situation, but she couldn't manage it so she just sighed. "I don't want to be alone Esther, I don't. But for a long time, loneliness was the only thing I knew, so I'm used to it. I don't want to force you to have to deal with me. I'm not the best person to be around."
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:58 pm
● ● ● | esther bradley
"And you think I am?"
Esther hadn't expected C.T. to say yes right off the bat, but she hadn't expected this, either. This... doubt in herself, lack of self-confidence. Then again, Esther supposed that after the way Jacob Bradley had treated C.T., it was only natural that her sense of self-worth would be miles below sea-level. That desire to protect C.T., to take care of her, that Esther had felt moments ago returned ten-fold. Without thinking about the consequences, she took both of the other girl's hands into her own.
"I don't want to be alone, either," she said softly but firmly, her gaze never leaving C.T.'s. "I mean it--I want you to come with me. I want you to stay with me for as long as you'll put up with me, or until you find somewhere or someone that makes you feel happy and safe and not alone anymore. Say you'll think about it at least. Please?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:58 pm
"You are better than me." C.T said softly. But any other resistance she had melted when Esther took hold of her hands and just spoke to her. It was one of the talk that Mag use to giver her, when she was slowly breaking. C.T met Esther gaze and almost had to look away due to the intensity, it was intimidating, how committed she was and C.T wasn't used to this feeling. The warmth that had went through her, when Esther spoke to her, she just couldn't quantify her feelings. "Esther...why? Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice to me? I don't understand." C.T said softly squeezing Esther's hands gently, again surprised at herself for not flinching away at the girls touch like she would have earlier. She had grown so comfortable around Esther, maybe the girl felt the same?
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:24 pm
● ● ● | esther bradley
Now that Esther's motives were being questioned, Esther's courage began to crumble. Blinking, she looked away, but she didn't let go of C.T.'s hands. Not yet. The way C.T. was holding onto Esther's own hands was both surprisingly comforting, making Esther feel at peace, and a little bit nerve-wracking. What should she say? Should she give C.T. some tough, closed-off answer? But she wasn't a good liar; this had already been established. No, honesty was best here. Right?
"Because you... well, you amaze me, C.T.," she said, voice a touch weaker now. "You've been to ******** hell and back, but here you are, essentially running a place for those thrown out by society to live in safely and contentedly and choosing messages of peace over ones of bloodshed. Most people in your situation wouldn't be so strong. I know I wouldn't. I would've gone on a violent rampage a long time ago." She hesitated a moment and chewed on her lip, trying to string together the words that would form the next sentences. They were all falling into place more easily than any other words in her life, even though she didn't understand where some of them had come from. But did she really want to let it all out? "And you're the first person in a really long time to actually listen to me," she went on. "Not merely hear. Listen. You've let me into your family, your home, your life. You've shared with me so much. You've had no reason to. No obligation."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 1:00 am
C.T felt so ashamed to have Esther praising her so openly for going for a message of peace when truly all of this peace they were working for was shrouded in violence. Esther didn't know about C.T's plan B, and it took all of C.T's self control to not just blurt the truth out to the girl now, but even then. C.T knew she would have to tell Esther the truth, eventually, if this all didn't work out, Esther would see the kind of monster she truly was.. Why not just tell her now? "I am not as peaceful as you think I am Esther. Not too long before you agreed to work with us, an agreement had been reached between multiple groups like my own across the state. These negotiation we have with your father, are our last resort at a peaceful resolve, after that we plan on taking our freedom." C.T said solemnly, she hardened herself, hardened her resolve for Esther's reaction, because she knew that if she didn't she would break. "This wasn't the option I wanted, but if it comes to violence. I will not back down Esther. Do you understand? I am not as strong as you think I am. I'm not, I'm tired Esther. I would love to travel with you, to just be able to live uncontested. But I don't think that's the life I deserve.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:23 am
● ● ● | esther bradley
"...after that, we plan on taking our freedom."
Esther's face fell, and she met C.T.'s gaze again and withdrew her hands. "W-What? What are you saying?" She wasn't sure what that meant, we plan on taking our freedom. C.T.'s response was too vague for Esther to understand that it was a full-out war that was being spoken of. A war for freedom, one that would likely begin with the murder of her father. Even when C.T. began talking directly of the possibility of violence, Esther didn't realize the chaos that this Plan B involved. She appeared somewhat relieved when C.T. used the words if it comes to violence, because this phrase suggested the violence would be more of a defensive strategy than an offensive one.
"Of course you deserve that life, C.T.," Esther said as she shook her head in disagreement with C.T.'s comment, animated again."And of course if it comes to violence, then violence must be resorted to. If they react with force, you'll have to defend yourselves. I wouldn't want you to stand passively by while your people are attacked."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:59 pm
C.T wanted to cry, yea that was it, she wanted to just curl up and let more than a few tears flow from her eyes. She probably needed a good cry right about now. Mag had told her that crying was a good way to relieve pent up frustration it was almost like therapy. But C.T didn't want to cry in front of Esther, she didn't want to force the girl to be any nicer to her than she already was. "Ok, I will come with you, when all of this is over we will leave together." C.T said softly, but there was just one more thing, one more bit of resistance C.T had to offer, she had to give Esther one more opt out. "But what about your lover? Wouldn't you want to return to her? I wouldn't want to be in the way of that." C.T said honestly "Do you think you would be able to find her?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:30 pm
● ● ● | esther bradley
Almost as quickly as Esther's face lit up with excitement, it fell again. "There was, uh... there was another part of the story I didn't tell you," she said, turning away slowly. She wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself, her entire figure more or less collapsing inward. Although the bitterness lingered, Esther knew she wasn't going to cry. She had spent so many nights crying herself to sleep that she wouldn't be surprised if her tear ducts had stopped working in retalliation from overuse.
"About a week and a half after Elizabeth was taken away, her parents were informed that she had been killed," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper now. "Turns out, the soldiers who had picked her up had basically dropped her off on a street corner in one of the Supernatural slums, with only the clothes on her back to survive off of. She was left defenseless and scared, and someone took advantage of that, apparently. I mean, it's not like any of us were really surprised." To this day, Esther wished she had done more to protect Elizabeth. Sometimes when she tried to fall asleep, she saw Elizabeth's shaking form standing in a dimly-lit alleyway, eyes bright with terror, pleading with her soon-to-be killer. Elizabeth had been alone, completely alone. Esther shuddered involuntarily. She tried to shake it all off, and said, "But anyway, like I said. I've got nowhere to go, so we can go anywhere."
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