|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:00 pm
Who: Alex & Zeke
When: Midday, weekend
Where: Java & Jive (a coffee house in Gambino); Lab 305
Weather: Cool, clear and breezy
Ooooh, she did not want to do this.
Alex sat at the coffee house, elbows on the mahogany table in front of her with her fingers laced together and her face from her lips down hidden by them. Green eyes were unfocused, going over what it was she wanted to say in her head, even if the analogy she had in mind wasn't perfect. She'd left her hair down, the black curving over her exposed skin; she wore a sweater that dipped off of one shoulder, the sleeves long and barely allowing her fingers to poke through the edges. Blue jeans and sneakers filled out the ensemble, and for once, she almost looked normal, if not a little girlish. If the man she was meeting hadn't known she was there, it might have been easy to miss her, looking as out of sorts as he did.
Despite her far-off and somber expression, her feet ticked to an inaudible rhythm in her mind, unable to deny the certain level of excitement that was threatening to bubble out of her chest and onto her lips. The pensive nature of why she was at the coffee shop to begin with was all that was keeping her in check. There was a hell of a war being waged within her, and it seemed that both sides had suffered causalities and not a one had a leg up on the other. The Italian's heart felt heavy, and she still wasn't wholly convinced that she should be doing this...that she should be doing this to him.
The woman sighed softly against her fingers, eyes sliding to the side. She didn't have a choice, not really; there wasn't anyone else in the world she could trust with this...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:08 am
The phone call he had gotten from Alex just this morning had caught Zeke off guard. Well, not the call itself - he enjoyed talking to the Italian woman - but the reason of which she called him. Their talk had been brief, as Zeke was on his way to a doctor's appointment, but Alex had seemed rather off. Like she was nervous, excited, but also uncertain all in one package. She didn't give away too much which was odd to him, but simply said she was in Gambino and wanted to meet him at a coffee shop. What she had to tell him, she said, was best suited for face to face. His sister knew how to pile on the intrigue that was for certain and once he was free of a physical and tetanus booster, Zeke had made his way to the shop she had told him she'd be. It was a larger shop, more on the street than the ones he would go to back in Durem, but larger crowds would actually bring about more privacy for the two meeting here; especially now during the midday hours. What would be said would be best suited for their ears only, though Zeke didn't know it quite yet.
A bell chimed lightly overhead as he let himself into the establishment and after absorbing a pleasant wave of strong coffee aroma, his caramel brown eyes immediately started to scan the sea of faces and hair colors already occupying seats. Many blonds, brunettes, and redheads but not one raven-wing bla--He spotted her. Sitting in the far right corner, back facing him. Even with her hair down and wearing not her usual ensemble, Zeke had a definite feeling it was her. The veterinarian decided to forgo ordering a cup to immediately move towards that seat, pulling his windbreaker off as he moved. A few quick turns around tables and patrons and he was at her side but unnoticed, now-bare forearms slipping out to hug the older woman around the middle.
"Hey pretty lady." The smile on his face was apparent in his voice and he gave Alex a fond squeeze. A quick peck on the cheek sealed his familiarity and the greeting, then Zeke was moving to sit across from her, eyes bright with good humored mirth as he took his seat. When they rested on her face, his smile faltered just a little, pierced brows knitting close with concern. She didn't look happy. She hadn't sounded happy - at least not fully - over the phone but...What had happened? What was wrong? The obvious suspects were immediately pushed from his mind; if it had been about her brother, her Raevan charge, anything like that, she would have told him the moment he picked up his cell. With those options out his mind drew a blank. He shouldn't assume the worst until it came from her lips and better to get right to the center of the problem than dance around it and/or sugar coat it. His hand reached out and touched one of Alex's own, his smile faded to a soft but still interested shadow of its former self.
"You look nice." A compliment to start her off, make her smile a little at least, and his own flickered up just a bit at that. "So," He squeezed her hand once before withdrawing it to his own side, rubbing his shoulder where the bandage covering his booster was dully throbbing beneath the sleeve of his red t-shirt. He should ask her how she is, but he could tell 'not very well' by just looking at her. If whatever it was was out the moment they met today, maybe she'd be a little better by the end of it, and he'd be better too. "What's on your mind sis?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:08 pm
Her far off stare was broken by a familiar and loved voice, immediately leaning into the warm squeeze and tilting her head to accept the kiss, unable to return one at her given angle. Alex tried to school her expression into something more happy and cheerful at seeing Zeke - her heart swelled with affection for the younger man just by his very presence - but her mind was weighed with heavy thoughts, her dark eyes betraying her. She could tell by the look on his face, the way his smile didn't quite shine as fully as it had mere seconds ago.
"Hey Cakes," she greeted him softly, cursing herself as even her voice gave her away. Her lips tugged in the barest ghost of her former smile, the expression lingering there still guarded, and perhaps a touch guilty. "Thanks, flatterer." The reply came out a bit more like herself, a dry and knowing tone that escaped her as soon as it left her lips; Alex knew Zeke was trying to soothe her, not even knowing the problem, and she loved him all the more for it.
The woman rested her hands on the table, extending her fingers in quiet askance for his own. Only when his hands slipped into her unusually cold ones did she really look him in the eye, hers as green as his bi-colored hair and his a caramel to compliment it. Her thumbs drew over his knuckles, gaze faltering for a few seconds to find the words she needed. To Alex, this was a very big moment - she already knew her brother was not going to be happy with her, but she had no choice!
"I...had a friend," she started, her voice lower than usual and hesitant. "This friend...it'd be wrong to say we were friends, really, but we had an understanding, as much as I disliked it. You could say it was a business relationship." Alex licked her lips, her heart thumping in her chest. "The deceased was considered dangerous. They hurt many people, encouraged them to do wicked things - but didn't mean to. It was an illness, a...a type of madness that could not be treated until a lot of damage had been done."
A long, steady breath was taken, and it calmed her to know she wasn't shaking too much yet. Her hands squeezed the ones in her hold, eyes resuming to look into Zeke's, though they became rather keenly piercing and observant. "They passed only recently and left behind a child. Now - no one knows if this madness is hereditary. No one knows if...if the child will follow their parent's footsteps. No one knows if the child is capable of...hurting, maiming - or worse, we don't know. They're an enigma."
There was another thoughtful pause, though her gaze did not waver. If anything, it continued to sharpen. "Zeke, I would like to give a young, bright person this child, because I can't care for it myself - it's complicated, but I'll be more clear in a moment. I can't just give it to any home who desires a child - it could be dangerous." Alex drew in another, shorter breath before pressing on. "If I picked...if I asked you to take care of this child, how would you feel about that? Be honest with me - don't spare my feelings." She promptly bit her bottom lip, though despite her outward show of worry, she was watching, trained eyes sharp for any sign of misgiving on the man's face.
She had to know. She had to be certain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:24 am
He chuckled light at the 'flatterer' remark, and his lips parted to say something witty back (something that would probably involve her brother, given his track record of flattery) but as the words started to line up on his tongue Alex extended her hands. Zeke looked mildly surprised for a moment and then slowly shut his mouth again, words swallowed back down and forgotten. His own automatically extended and slipped into hers, but then that thought train left the station and various, rather silly ideas started cropping up. While only seen in movies by him, the 'across the table double hand hold' was something that usually was a sign that the person who offered up their hands in the first place had something very large and very emotional to say. Zeke braced himself for the worst, his mind not focusing on any one idea.
Oh god she's got some kind of sickness, she's had some kind of premonition or bad omen thing, she's preg--
Before that last idea could fully develop - and thank god it didn't because his face was blanching and if that one had cropped up in all its glory he might have blurted it out right then - Alex started to speak. His brows that had knitted in concern just under a couple minutes ago relaxed and instead started to make the high climb up his forehead. His head cocked to the side, watching her face intently though what she first said didn't make sense to him. A dangerous business partner that had an illness that made others do bad things? He should have focused on it, but instead he brushed that to the side in favor of attributing it to nerves. She looked the part and he could just feel her cold hands trembling as they held and brushed over his. He wouldn't rush her, wouldn't question her now, he would just listen and let what she said wash over him. Her slow breath earned Alex's hands a firm but fond squeeze from his own, smile still small but saying more than any words could just then.
"They passed only recently and left behind a child. Now - no one knows if this madness is hereditary. No one knows if...if the child will follow their parent's footsteps. No one knows if the child is capable of...hurting, maiming - or worse, we don't know. They're an enigma."
His bangs and hairline ate his eyebrows. Concern made way for curiosity, especially at what she was suggesting. The word 'adoption' made its way into his head but that too was stomped out by her saying she couldn't care for it herself. From the remains of that idea came one word, not Alex but...
"Me?"
It was said in surprised voice, but flattery and awe leaked through too. "Well..." He started off, biting down on the inside of his lip before he said too much too fast without thinking. How did he feel, other than the copious amounts of shock and surprise? An enigma of a child whose lineage contains a possibly hereditary and very dangerous illness? His brown eyes trailed from her face to her hands, noticing now how tightly she was gripping his. She would only ask him of this if she trusted him and felt him the best possible choice right? He had a feeling she would have already talked to Brad about this, and if she was here now he must've been willing, if not rather reluctant at least but sure of his loved one's capabilities. Like Alex did before, the veterinarian drew in a long breath, releasing it slowly and almost sounding like a sigh.
"The saying goes that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'," He began again, his words spoken slowly, carefully, so nothing would get jumbled and he'd have to backtrack too much. "But...That's just a saying, isn't it? I mean, you hear of stories all the time of children growing up in abusive or violent households or against impossible odds and yet they grow up and make something of themselves, sometimes doing good for society. Their existence totally obliterates that saying." He couldn't name names now, his mind was on a single track; take everything in, process it, then answer her questions.
"You say the child is an enigma, and that it's unknown if this illness is hereditary but I like to think that a child - even with such circumstances - can grow up and be their own person. That, even if their parent was a cruel son of a b***h, their offspring could end up being the best person on the planet despite it. Giving them the benefit of the doubt as it were. They're just a kid after all, they've got room to grow and with the right person - or people - guiding them, well, a lot can happen in a few months to a year, ya know?" The smile he had greeting Alex came back then, and the flattery took prevalence as he paused once again to think. She really did trust him, didn't she? He loved her all the more.
"Now, the fact you're asking me if I would take care of such a child knowing the possible risks is very, very flattering. You must've thought a whole lot on this and finally determined I was the most trustworthy and best possible person." A pause. He shook his head and chuckled. "Yeah, that doesn't sound self-centered at all. Sorry sis." His smile faded down and Zeke chewed the inside of his lip just that much more. He could already tell this wasn't a hypothetical situation, the air around their table was much too tense and Alex's tone and expressions were genuine. What child was this? Whose? And when would he get to see him or her? "But, the fact you are asking me still stands and among that flattery I feel surprised, how shocking, but also...Able. If you asked me to, I would say 'yes'...I am saying 'yes'." He squeezed her hands once more.
"A child from a home like that, a parent like that, needs to know that they're not a lost cause; that even with the off chance they could have that sickness, they'd still have a family who cares about them and that they'd have a normal, healthy life...No matter what cropped up. And saying this - I think I could do that just fine. The child deserves a chance, Alex, come what may or what may have been. They're a kid, they shouldn't be stained or labeled with something out of their control!"
The look in his eyes was sincere and borderline stern, his brows settling down at their normal position while in his chest his heart was hammering. He neglected once more to mention her brother and the fact he was wanting to move in with the older man but like before, his thoughts told him she probably already ran this by him. Zeke took in another long breath, his eyes closing for several heartbeats before opening; goofy smile spreading across his face once again to ease this tension and show that even with all he just said, he was still his dork of a self.
"What I mean to say is...Yeah, I'd do it." He chuckled, standing just enough to reach across the wooden surface to wrap his arms around her shoulders and press a fond kiss to her worry-creased forehead, lingering there as he spoke once more. "Feelings unspared sis, this is what I feel. I'd do my damnedest, but you probably know that already, don't you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:58 pm
"You," she affirmed softly, and it was the last thing she would say until she knew.
And so, the Italian listened. She knew Zeke would mull it over, much as she had, to weigh all that she had said and question his heart. That was why she loved him so: much like her, they both thought with their hearts though they reacted with logic (well, she did most of the time...when it came to business, at least). She knew that this man, of any, would know how to find one's place in the world, irregardless of anyone else's opinion.
Alex's expression didn't move during the younger man's out-loud musings, being the attentive listener she needed to be. On the one hand, this was business of the most extreme and important type; on the other, this was her little brother, Zeke, who she'd do anything for and whom she was purposely putting in harm's way. Though...even as his words met her ears, she felt like she'd already heard everything he was saying. The woman had anticipated no less than the young veterinarian's complete optimism and faith. It made her proud of him, but also made her stomach sink as the finality of the situation began to settle.
She only nodded to the inquiry of having given it a lot of thought; the truth was much less glamorous, in that she'd thought of him instantly and had spent the following days up to calling him trying to convince herself to pick someone else. He had just fit the bill entirely too well.
Green eyes finally fluttered to a close as he said 'yes.' She was dimly aware of his arms around her and the lips on her brow, though she leaned into him some both in gratitude and as a means for comfort. Her throat felt tight, but she wouldn't let the threat of emotion to creep into her eyes. Her work wasn't done yet. "Yes, I knew you'd say that," she replied, her voice pensive. Her hands lit behind his shoulders to hug him in return briefly before giving him a small, almost timid smile. "Let me do one more thing to try and change your mind, and then...I'll come clean with you."
Shifting her position so her back was to the bulk of the gathered and her legs curled on the seat next to her, she rested her elbow into the middle of the table with her arms tucked near her chest. Alex moved her fingers to her sleeves, pausing and giving Zeke a rather sharp look. "Breathe a word of this to your boyfriend and I'm taking Altair hostage." It was the most playful thing she'd said, but she was quite serious. Her fingers slid the fabric of her sweater upwards, half way up both of her forearms, and there she let Zeke look.
The skin that was exposed was in various states of healing; while the majority of her skin seemed to be mostly healed between her natural olive color and the pink of a finished job, there were other patches that still bore jagged, angry red swaths with stitches that almost looked slick and raw. The worst of it was the apparent skin grafts, oblong patches that almost looked normal but stood out against the damage wear and tear of her arms. She nodded to her arms, flexing her fingers and watching the skin pull, knowing her physical therapy and treatment was not yet done. Though her healing had been exemplary due to her care and choice of vitamins, she had gotten very lucky to heal as well as she was with minimal scarring.
"This is two-months of a healed by-product of what I'm asking you to take on," she said, turning her arms this way and that so Zeke could see the full extent of the damage dealt. "Or worse. We don't know yet, and we can't possibly know until the child grows..." She faced him then, her tone changing into something guilty. "Zeke, I'm putting you in incredible potential danger." Alex's gaze leveled with the man, her lips pressed in a firm line. This is it. "But I also firmly believe you're the only one who would give this child a fair chance and never hold its past over its head, not be afraid of it and smile all the while. That you would love this one and raise it like your own. You know I wouldn't ask you if I could think of anyone else that would be even remotely suitable...but there isn't."
Her eyes searched his face before she deflated a little, shaking her head in a sad manner. "Damn you for being perfect, Zeke."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:08 pm
"Yes, I knew you'd say that,"
It was something that under a different circumstance he would have beamed to, maybe laughed a little as per his nature, but that tense air was suffocating and Zeke could only manage a small, grim smile and a brief nuzzle of the Italian woman's loose hair. This situation wasn't hypothetical, it was real, serious and despite being normally so happy-go-lucky, the veterinarian knew when times called for seriousness and abided to them. He let her hug him back before seating himself again, his elbows resting on the table and his fingers threading much like Alex's had before he arrived. His chin didn't rest on them however, even that pose seemed to lackadaisical for this. Instead his head was erect, eyes sharp with concern, though once more a smile flashed over his pierced features at that threat. Not a word, threat or no threat. She was his sister and if she asked something not be told, he'd respect her wishes.
But the sight of her arms made him curse his upstanding ways then and there, recoiling back in a jerking fashion as air hissed inward past his lips and clenched teeth. Sweet Jesus, what had happened to her? He was a doctor - of animals but a doctor nonetheless - and he'd seen similar before but...
"God...Alex." He breathed the words as he forced his body forward again. His eyes scanned over her arms and gingerly one of his hands reached out to take one of her own. The other ghosted over her skin, just feeling warmth radiating off her skin though his mind registered it as more than just that. He couldn't begin to imagine the pain she had been in, was still in. Despite the horror, there was a twinge of joy to see that she was healing up so well, but that was stamped out as fast as the adoption thought when she started to speak once more. All he had just said and this was caused by this child's parent? Zeke's eyes shut, nodding slowly as her words sank in.
"I'd be lyin' if I said this didn't shake what I just said." He murmured, squeezing her hand considerably more gently now. His free hand returned to him and he rubbed his face, leaning into the touch as his eyes opened once more to capture his big sister's gaze. "Jeez sis...I won't tell Brad, but dammit you make me want to." His smile was gone and instead a blank slate was there, the corners of his lips on a quivering borderline of a frown. His shoulders were noticeably more slumped as well; his whole posture weighed down by the level of severity this conversation just ran full tilt into.
"Zeke, I'm putting you in incredible potential danger."
He sighed. He knew this, could feel it when she talked about the enigma child. He was shaken of course, but...but what he said still held strong in his core. A child was a person, and people are all different from one another. Sure there are similarities and then the whole nature verses nurture debate, but that part of Zeke - the part of him who saw the world's goodness, an almost childlike quality he possessed - told him that in the right place, with the right people, even a child from such an environment could be good. Nature played a role, genetics always do, but nurture shaped the nature. Another sigh passed his lips then, nodding at her words. She had no other options, she knew what she was doing, didn't like it, but could only trust him with this. He could feel his heart in his throat now.
"I understand the risks, I see what the parent has done to you...The b*****d." He frowned then, brow furrowed as his eyes flicked down to her arms. These would heal. It'd take time, but they'd heal. Physical always does, but the mental, emotional ones...The ones this child would likely suffer without him there...? He bit his lip once more and tasted a drop of coppery iron. "And I understand you. I...Heh, not perfect." A small smile. "But I still stand by what I said just now. Everything, all those musings. Just because the parent was capable of this," He gestured to her arms. "Doesn't mean the child should be branded forever with the same. It's not fair to him or her. And besides, they may be completely different in the end."
His eyes closed once more, listening to the blood pounding in his ears. This was so serious; each smile meant to ease the other was drowned under more groundbreaking revelation. The coffee shop felt way too hot now and Zeke tugged at his collar, swallowing at though his throat was bone dry. His mind kept racing and he was the one shaking now, but even then one little part was kept sane and tugged at him gently, bringing a well-loved face with black hair and indigo eyes to mind. Zeke winced. If there were risks on the vet, there would be risks on him too.
"I'm going to assume now that Brad doesn't know about this." Her arms and want of him not to tell the older Italian already gave him his answer. The last thing Zeke would want would be to put him in any sort of danger. If it meant not moving in together or staying apart more often...For his safety he'd do that and more, just to be absolutely certain the child was fine. Another sigh with a firm nod of certainty and Zeke was looking her dead in the eyes. Come what may...
"I'll do it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:42 pm
She laughed. It was a low, dry sound, knowing full well what he was seeing and how it must make him feel. She had, in a round-about way, cornered the younger man: she'd seen if he'd accept the idea in theory, and then forced the cold reality onto him. It was cruel, it was unfair, and Alex hated herself a little for it, though she knew she would have hated herself in full if she'd not given him full warnings and whole truths to let him accept the burden that her offer carried...
"He saw the stage of where this happened, and I asked him not to tell you for the exact expression on your face." Her smile was thin, her heart sore. Alex was not deceptive by nature, but it had been important that what happened to the Raevans - what happened to her - was not aired out. Granted, she didn't tell B what had happened either, which had made him quite unhappy, but he understood her business came with such measures.
When Zeke's eyes closed, she slid her sleeves back down and waited. No matter how truthful his words were, it didn't mean he was affirming his response just yet. Minds change. People change when they realize all that was at stake. In truth, Alex also knew she was endangering her brother, but she also felt that the relationship the two had would help - as far as she knew, no Raevan owner had two parents in its life. If any two could raise what would spawn of the fel virus, if any one could bring that sunshine and moral into its life...
"No," she replied solemnly, "it is your decision first. Not his." The last thing Alex wanted to do was rile up that angry old coot and have Zeke decide he didn't want to do it. When Zeke gave her those words, she felt an explosive spectrum of emotions: gratitude, shock, guilt, relief and a sense of foreboding. Her shoulders slumped and her expression reflected all of her conflicting thoughts, lips parted though wordless. She couldn't go back now...neither of them could.
Alex slipped out of her side of the table and moved to Zeke's, sliding in and almost on to the man in her tight, affectionate hug about his shoulders. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, trying to fight the hollowness she felt. "You're such a good man," she finally found her voice, though it was strained with all the emotion she was carrying, "and I've been so vague with you, even up to now." The woman pulled back enough to give Zeke a wavering smile, her eyes touched with a shine of those unshed feelings within. "Come, walk with me. My proposal isn't finished yet, and it's time you get the whole story."
Moving out of the seat again, she waited for him to get up and grab his jacket before she took his arm, leading him out of the warm coffee house and out into the chill air. The bright blue sky and the hustle and bustle of Gambino seemed...wrong, considering what the two had to carry. Alex turned them down the street, leaning against Zeke and holding his bicep as though hugging his arm.
"The 'parent' is a fel essence, Zeke, a self-replicating fel virus that infected over half the Raevans in existence. The 'child' will be a Raevan produced from that essence - though its powers will be bound by powerful magic." Alex turned her eyes up to the sky, feeling a pang in her chest at the thought of the being whose eyes rivaled that blue. "Zul was infected, and that's where my burns come from." Her green gaze turned back to the younger man, squeezing his arm. "The child will be your Raevan."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:39 pm
"I see." In that moment he saw how similar the two of them really are; should he have been the one with the burns on his forearms, he would have kept them hidden so others wouldn't worry about him either. He was the one to make others smile, it was just who he was. He loved Alex, he really truly did. The same words were spoke and accented with a nod as she told him she talked to him first, so he could make a relatively unbiased judgment. That and he could just imagine how his boyfriend would react if his sister sat him down and told him this before coming to Zeke first. A hoarse chuckle left him at the simple thought and he quickly shook his head to clear it for now. Even with that in mind, he was standing by his words. This child, whom he still figured was a regular human child, would be his to care for. And by god, he'd be the best damn parent ever.
When he gave his 'yes' to this proposition once more, his inner feelings were just as conflicted as Alex's. Despite the swirl of negative and positive ones, a neutral emotion triumphed over each of them - excitement. It started low in his gut beneath the rest, but soon pushed its way out of the fray and spread throughout him. His heart hammered all the more at this nerve-wracking sensation but unlike before the muscle felt considerably, and oddly, lighter. This feeling was only added on to as Alex came over and hugged him; the younger man pulling her fully onto his lap to return the gesture, holding her tight against him and oblivious as well as uncaring to any and all stares from the other coffee house patrons. Right now, it was just the two of them; the rest of the world beyond this table was foggy and out of focus.
"You're a good woman, Alex." He could hear her emotions welling up and wasn't surprised his own voice matched. "And I have a feeling you had to be vague. Like it was a test or something." He smiled back, still not as vibrant as his greeting smile and he clearly looked tired then, but it was close enough. He let her go and silently agreed to her invitation, grabbing his wind breaker and slipping it on before he moved off and out of the bench-style seat. Zeke let himself be willingly led out, once more in a silent understanding and not rushing her to speak.
When they were outside he made to wrap an arm around her, but she was quicker and the veterinarian didn't dare dislodge her. Instead, his cheek rested on her hair and the pair looked almost couple-like, though utterly solemn in their slow procession and appearances. That expression and his haywire inner feelings were then changed to surprise as Alex's analogy cover was then ripped off to expose what was truly underneath. He had never heard of such a thing though a few months ago he had heard about various, seemingly random incidents on the news. He hadn't attributed them to anything but pranks, except for that string of poison-based murders at a few popular Durem nightclubs. That one had kept him off the rave scene since then, though there had been no word of the serial killer cropping up anywhere since. That one was scary, though like the written off ones, not attributed to anything...Odd.
"So this virus...Caused a lot of trouble." That was putting it lightly he was sure, but as she mentioned Zul his mind went back to the Frei. He had seen him at Christmas and the Raevan had been a ball of energy and good health. Speaking of him, where was he now? "I take it he's at home, huh?" Zeke needn't mention the demonic Frei's name, Alex would pick up who he was talking about easily enough. At any rate, this was a serious matter and he was certain Alex didn't want her charge to be in that atmosphere as this was explained. She'd probably prefer to do it on her own time, after the virus...The Raevan...had its guardian in order. He raised his head and looked down at her, just an inch or so between their heights.
"You're talking in future tense, using 'will', so I'm guessing the Raevan isn't born yet." The first time he had met a Raevan - Zul - Alex had told him they were made of two key things; a Fel Essence and a Soul. The former was known, but so far there was nothing about the latter. He had a feeling she was pacing herself for his sake, but he felt he was handling this all well enough as is. "What will its soul be Alex?" He tried to have a level tone, but hints of concern and interest littered his voice. Alex's Raevan had been given to her as is, so she had no say in his creation. Maybe, with such a situation as this, Alex and her superiors at the Lab would have planned something out in advance. Something safe, to counteract the virus even though it would be bound by magic. A virus on one end...He knew enough about viruses to know they were tough buggers, and with one causing Zul to harm Alex this wouldn't be a Raevan to joke with. Its soul would be a large deciding factor too, wouldn't it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:32 pm
Alex turned her eyes up to Zeke, as best as she could with him leaning on her head. "It gave them a smörgåsbord of things to deal with, including but not limited to: delusional behavior, a loss of control of their powers, violence...I have a report compiled and ready for you to read." She smiled, though she felt cold just remembering what had happened, not that long ago. The woman released Zeke's arm and instead tugged it around her shoulders, her own free limb slipping around his back. "Zul's waiting for us at the Lab, actually," she chuckled, squeezing his arm. "He doesn't remember anything that happened, and I do my best not to remind him. All I told him was that we had a potential candidate for the virus that made Laz sick..." She looked a little surprised. "Laz, ah, Lazarus, he's the oldest of the Raevans. He's a Sigel - that means he's at the second stage, he has a full torso...ah, well, that adds in to the other thing I want to ask you anyway. He's Kyou's, so you'll see him around."
A secretive smile curved her lips at his question, knowing Zeke well enough to know there was that touch of curiosity, even if she hadn't heard it. They really were two peas in a pod. Squeezing the arm around the man, she replied simply, "That's yet to be determined, but I imagine it'll be whatever you want it to be." Alex couldn't stop the grin that formed, eyes sliding slyly to the side. "It'll be yours to determine. Though, you'll probably have Zul all over you to help - he's going to flip when he see's that it's you I'm bringing into the fold." Alex trusted Zeke implicitly; she knew he wouldn't choose anything that would only encourage the Raevan to be of a vicious or temperamental nature. He was a veterinarian. He knew more than any that such creatures were only a product of their environment.
"But," she continued, lifting her index finger of the hand that was still holding Zeke's around her shoulders, "no matter what you choose, we'd need to see the Raevan...a lot. It will need to be under strict surveillance for a while - Kyou is going to put a curse on it to block its malevolent abilities. It's a very delicate situation." Alex tilted her head back to smile up at Zeke, and now, there was excitement leaking into that vibrant green gaze. "So, back to what I said about the thing I wanted to ask you, here's the next part of my proposition - will you work with us, part time? Maybe on the weekends, or evenings if you want. It's really up to you."
The Italian grinned, near ear to ear. She didn't have to say that he'd probably be working with her, and that there was plenty of fun, shenanigan and good food to be had.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:44 pm
He listened to her list off a few of those symptoms of the Fel virus and nodded as she spoke of the report. The veterinarian would very much like to read that, possibly take it home with him for a completely thorough look-through and more than likely several pages worth of notes about what was contained within. In his mind, it'd be best to familiarize with what they had dealt with and what he could possibly deal with - seal of curse magic or not. Be prepared after all! As Alex moved he needn't her tugging to place his arm around her shoulders, the limb moving freely and willing to position itself there. His head kept up this time, hugging her to his side though the gesture was still weary on his part.
"Is he? I'd like to see him again." He said in regards to her charge's whereabouts. Though all he knew was that Alex's burns were caused by the demonic Frei, he would be a good man and not say a thing to the Raevan. His head quirked as she spoke of Laz but as she spoke of his stage's appearance, a look of 'oh right!' dawned on his face - mind going back to months prior when he had met another Raevan with the exact same physique. "So he's like Rivener?" A smile, she probably wouldn't be surprised he knew that name, what with how Zul talked of him. "I met him once; at a deli when I was getting lunch for my coworkers. Alex, it was so cool, he had a flying whale with him!"
Memories of Beauregard came back and Zeke smiled once again, this time genuine and wiping a good deal of the tiredness off his features. God, that singing red whale was so neat! Zeke neglected to mention Rivener had been all too ready to sting him for just asking if he was who he was; the little red whale's voice filling his ears with that deep baritone harmony. Regrettably, he didn't get to linger on the thoughts, as Alex's expression made him loft one of his dark brows. Her words then made him raise the other, surprised that the choice would possibly be his.
Well in that case...
He hadn't put thought into anything like this before, save for that time Alex had explained to him what made the Raevans. Back then, he had figured he couldn't do such a thing, but this situation was changing his mind readily. First - and most importantly - it'd have to be something safe. No poisons, no toxins, possibly no fangs, claws, or abilities that would cause harm to others. Even with magic, the Raevan would have enough on that end without the soul's influence. So what would be good? Birds, plants, rocks (silly as it sounded), turtles...Maybe a goldfish! Ideas brewed readily and Zeke found himself unable to linger on any one idea before another five popped up. The cool air was calming his nerves and he could feel the seriousness of the coffee shop steadily draining between them; at least for now. Lighthearted excitement brewed in its place and despite the dangerous nature of the Essence, the sheer knowledge he'd get to take on the project and join the ranks of the Lab members was enough to put a slight bounce in his slow steps. Alex's words didn't fall on deaf ears though and Zeke hung on to each one. Need to see the Raevan often? Naturally, given the circumstances. Surveillance? Precautionary measures my dear! Delicate situation most certainly, but he'd do it all and more and he'd be prompt about it too.
"So, back to what I said about the thing I wanted to ask you, here's the next part of my proposition - will you work with us, part time? Maybe on the weekends, or evenings if you want. It's really up to you."
Bombshell.
"S-Seriously?" Brown eyes locked with green as he searched her face for any signs of fooling, though even at a glance he could tell his sibling wasn't in the slightest. Zeke did work full time at the veterinary clinic - slash - shelter, and he was working towards a graduate degree, but working within the Lab itself would make it easier on all parties for the Raevan to be monitored regularly, even when part time. "I could do weekends, yeah! I actually decided to opt for online classes this semester - just to try it out - so I'd be a bit more free during the weekdays. I could just explain my situation and see if I can't get some ease on my work hours..." He was blithering like an idiot, making plans before things happened, but still!
"I'd love to sis. It'd make it easier on all of us and I think it'd be best. Plus you know I'm always up for helping when called upon!" His grin matched her own, good humored mirth back in those caramel colored eyes of his. Their silence, talk, and walk hadn't lasted more than fifteen minutes or so but soon they had come to a stop. His eyes lifted from his sibling's face, looking before him at the two-story white building they had stopped just short of. The sign on his left declared their destination though even the man who had never been there before knew where they were.
Lab 305.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:46 pm
A delighted laugh escaped the woman, her nod enthusiastic, eyes full of bright mischief. "Very serious!" Alex giggled at Zeke, her face earnest and barely restraining her excitement as he searched her expression for any sign of misleading. Giggling started to escape her as the bi-colored hair man began to ramble a bit, releasing him and covering her lips with her fingertips though it did little to stem her mirth.
His agreement made her crow with delight. The Italian pumped her fists into the air and did a bit of a circular dance at his side, joyous and inarticulate sounds of that excitement following her around. "My job just got a lot more interesting!" she claimed with a wide grin. Alex side-stepped the younger man until she was behind him, pushing on the balls of her toes and jumping on his back. Her arms slipped around Zeke's shoulders but didn't hook around his neck - she knew better! - knees holding onto his sides. She couldn't be blamed for living up to the nickname he had given her so fondly, not when she felt fit to burst with happiness.
"This year is awesome," she declared in breathless giggling against his hair. Squeezing him and not ready to get down for anything, she lifted one hand and pointed to the building. "Your future work site, sir! Onwards, to lessons in soul bottles and a tour!" Alex had no intention of walking on her own, it seemed, snuggling contently into him from behind, her eyes vibrant. They weren't even close to done with the day yet!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:13 pm
Her excitement really was infectious! Zeke couldn't resist bursting into laughter with her, hugging her to his side once more before she broke away and climbed aboard his back. He leaned forward to help the Italian woman in her climb and his arms folded back and just beneath her bottom to keep Alex from sliding off. Their laughter carried, echoed off the building and hibernating trees, people on the opposite sidewalk turning their heads to stare at the two seemingly mad adults.
"Yes! We'll raise hell first and take names later sis!" His enthusiasm was greatly renewed, eyes bright and figurative tail bushy. It'd be a wonder if he could calm down ever again! Zeke shifted his sibling farther up his back so she wouldn't drag him down or back, attention geared towards those double doors Alex so readily pointed at. What lay beyond was the future, good or bad; though right now nothing could be negative! "Yes ma'am!" He called to her and the open air, his legs already in gear and carrying them both at a fast trot toward the building.
One door later and the pair was inside. Alex would likely not be phased by the building, but to the veterinarian the front room was being taken in fully, eyes casting here and there with shock and awe. The place certainly had that familiar sterile scent of a laboratory, but this area looked more like the front room of someone's home, just laid with tile and with a receptionist's desk out front. There was no overhead chime of a hanging bell so it was likely Zul would not be aware of their presence unless he heard their voracious laughter. Zeke didn't know where to step first, interested in going anywhere and everywhere he could get away with, so his head turned to look over at his sister, keen eyes focusing on her rather than the ceiling where something dark was scuttling in otherwise open view.
"Tour now, yes? Where to?" Complete sentences would only slow him down!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:32 pm
The woman held on as the younger man trotted towards the door, resting her cheek against his. She could feel the excitement beating in her chest, the joy and thrill of being able to work with Zeke and knowing he'd taken on a great responsibility - not just any menial thing, but to care for a life, to shape it in a way that only he could. As the doors quietly whisked shut behind them and the veterinarian began to look around, she allowed herself another quiet moment of reflection, eyes momentarily downcast and her smile a touch sad; Alex could never pretend that she was okay with what she had put on him. No matter what happened, she would always be afraid, the back of her mind whispering potential hazards.
When his head moved, her smile was immediately back in place, her eyes resuming their excitable glow. "Let's go over the soul bottle first," she waggled her slender brows at him, "or I'll plum forget it." Alex shifted her weight just a little, letting Zeke know she could (and should!) get down to be a better tour guide. Once she was released, she took a bit of a jump-skip, grabbing Zeke's hand and skipping to the front desk. There, on the varnished wood, was a silver suitcase, and it was to that part of the desk that she lead him too. She put her free hand on top of it, turning to look at him with a smile, though there was gravity in her gaze. "This--"
"Zeke? It's Zeke??"
It was the only warning either of them got before the young man was enthusiastically circled by a wide-eyed, grinning Frei. Zul zipped in tight circles around the two before giving a slowing beat of his wings to lower himself back to 'normal' height, taking Zeke's free hand. His hair was disheveled - he'd been watching for them outside on the second story side patio - and as the man had thought, he'd only known they were in the building from their laughter. Bone wings trembled and flapped to display the excitement he was trying to keep to a minimum, brilliant blue eyes turning between the two. "You didn't tell me!" he accused his woman, grin irrepressible. To Zeke, the grin grew, "You're working here too?"
Alex began to laugh, some of her anxiety easing out of her chest again. She lifted her hand from the suitcase and wrapped both of the males up in a hug, pleased that Zul was humoring her by slipping a hand around her back. "You have to wait Zul, it's my turn to be excited and jumpy, you can do it after I explain the soul bottle, okay?" Once upon a time, the woman hadn't liked to discuss the creation of Raevans around her Frei; it had felt inappropriate, somehow. That was then, and after all their time together, both as individuals and as employees of the Lab, it was a truth that the demon had to learn and accepted. Unlike most of the Raevans, Zul was fine with the idea that he'd come from something else, even if he only knew vaguely what he himself had been composed of.
He was excited, in that moment, to know what Zeke would be in ownership of. Zul found their composition to be a fascinating thing, if not a bit of a reflection of the Guardian themselves. What would Zeke pick? The demon scoffed at his woman's words, though he maintained a smile and floated back a little when Alex released them. "Okay," he agreed, "then do it."
A light giggle returned her charge's impatient insistence, turning on heel back to the suitcase and popping it open. Within the black folds were two glass objects, one large and one small; it was the large one her fingers curled around to lift. Alex still wasn't comfortable with holding the essence, though she did motion to it with her chin and her index finger. "That, my dear brother, is the fel virus." She couldn't help it, shivering visibly as her green eyes lingered on the phosphorescent purple life swirling within. "There's nothing to do with it, but I wanted you to see it." To know what you're up against.
Turning to face Zeke, she leaned a bit against the desk and displayed the bottle like a telemarketing presenter; the bulb of the bottle rested snuggly in the palm of her hand, her forefinger resting against the intricate top so that the whole thing was unhindered and visible for the man. "This is the soul bottle," she explained in a mock-professional voice, "which has magic properties." The finger lowered down the neck of the bottle to indicate the red and black cloth. "This is a soul indicator. Souls can only be caught if they're over this corresponding color." Alex couldn't help but grin a little, adding, "I picked this for peace. Like a red cardinal or something."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:17 pm
Zeke let Alex down quickly but safely when the woman physically requested it, perking at the phrase 'soul bottle'. He hadn't the time to turn around or even ask where he should go to see this object, she grabbed him too quickly. The younger man laughed airily as his sibling skipped before him, even managing to get a quick hop of his own in at the end though he was dragged along after her for the duration of the short trip.
"Ooh a fancy metal suitcase." He teased before she could speak, watching her hand rest on it before locking eyes with her once more. That gaze didn't last, Zul's voice piercing the air made him start to turn, but the Frei was quickly upon him. Like Alex, Zeke started to laugh again, completely taken over by the Raevan's enthusiasm and surprise. He squeezed Zul's hand and enjoyed that warmth the Frei produced, nodding as a question was tossed in his direction. "I am kiddo! Alex dropped the bombshell just a little while ago and you're both stuck with me now." The younger man slipped his hand from Zul's and instead wrapped that arm around the Frei, his other wrapping around Alex and squeezing as tight as he could. First family (though not "legally" as Alex would likely say) and now co-workers. Completely and utterly awesome.
While the three beings were chattering and laughing amongst themselves, the dark body that had been scuttling across the ceiling had made its - her - way over, though she wasn't caring or wary enough of the giants to stop and make with the merriment. The light pouring through the Lab's front windows all but blinded the creature with already poor eyesight and she was rapidly making her way towards the shadows where she would be safe from that. Her body was made of two segments; a head with several pairs of eyes and a pair of small yet threatening fangs, and her abdomen which was large, bulbous and shiny black chitin. Her spindly legs moved gracefully despite her haste and while she moved as fast as she could, four of the eight remained against the ceiling at all times. Her back was to the humans and the Raevan on the floor and her belly was hidden close to the tiles. If any of the three looked up, they would be unable to see the bright red hourglass on her belly; the tell tale sign of a member of the genus Latrodectus - infamously known as the black widow spider.
Along her route she had been laying down a near-invisible thread, a safety line of sorts in case some predator came along and knocked her down. It would save her from plummeting to her certain doom, or at the very least, keep her from the conversing humans. From her position the three were foggy shapes near more foggy shapes and she was unable to see Zul's still rapid wing beats. The air cast and moved from those bony appendages hit the ceiling where she was still moving, rocking her and then causing her to lose her grip. Her lifeline of silk snagged her mid-fall, causing the spider to bounce and dangle not unlike a bungee jumper, though her fall was anything but preplanned.
Like before when he had turned his head to Alex, Zeke was blissfully unaware of the nearly one inch-long creature dangling above them all. The Italian woman's pointing to the inside of the case drew his attention greatly. His fingers drew across the desktop as he walked around the front, coming to a stop at the opposite side and peering into the case. The virus inside expanded, contracted, spun and almost appeared to dance within its reinforced glass prison. He didn't catch his sibling's shiver, eyes stuck on the vial and the thing inside it. Fingers just brushed against the glass but did not remove it from the cushioned interior. Even though he was generally careful, he didn't trust himself to handle the virus, at least, not yet.
"So this is it..." He breathed. It was pleasantly purple and looked so innocent yet...His attention turned toward the still-excited Frei bobbing off to the side. He was perfectly fine now, yet Zeke didn't even want to begin to imagine how he had been under the influence. Alex's motions drew him to look at the soul bottle. To his surprise, it looked kind of like a light bulb or a giant, plain-colored Christmas bauble with a little bandanna-looking thing swathed on the side. What struck him about that feature was what Alex said about the corresponding color. How would he know what color a thing's soul was? When she spoke of cardinals, however, he broke into a grin.
"Cardinal huh? That makes sense, but when I see red and black, I think ladybugs." He quirked a grin at his suggestion. They were harmless right? They did help more than hinder and kept gardens free of aphids and other pests. The only thing he'd have to worry about was where to find one in the middle of January. Maybe a butterfly garden and there was one in Barton after all...He reached for the bottle, wanting to touch it and feel its weight for himself. Holding the bottle in his own two hands would solidify everything up to this point in, Zeke was feeling beyond amazed this was happening to him. Kinda like a dream, even if there was a nightmare sitting placidly in front of him. As his hands were almost upon the bottle, Zeke could see Zul growing more and more excited just behind Alex. He was bobbing up and down and his wings were fluttering more than a little rapidly, which amused Zeke to no end. However, it was not amusing in the slightest to the still-dangling spider. Each flap of leathery wings caused yet another gust of wind to hit against her. She was blown back and forth in a wide arch and her pliable thread was steadily becoming stretched to its limit. Soon, it snapped.
She plummeted at an angle, legs flailing and spinnerets producing more silk though there was nothing for it to stick to and save her. The world below her that was oh so cloudy from up on the ceiling was coming and going into sharp clarity that it physically stung. She would land on the linoleum for certain, break some legs, and then get stepped on. The sad end of little miss widow who was doing nothing but traveling from point A to point B. Except, that didn't happen. The angle of her return swing had been close enough to the humans that her chitinous body arched up before she fell down. From that position, she had cleared the floor and the certain death there and had instead come to rest on some hard to grip material that made a high-pitched brushy sound as one part of it rubbed against another on the opposite side of one giant's torso. Her legs moved gingerly and her eight eyes took in what they could of the bright area, but like before she was unable to see far. What she could see, however, was that she had come to rest on Zeke's shoulder and the human hadn't noticed her fall at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 4:42 pm
It all happened so quickly, and yet in such perfect slow motion.
One moment, her hands were extending with the bottle securely between her fingers for Zeke to hold, her smile full of warmth and an underlying sense of duty. She could feel Zul's anxiety next to her, his impatience and excitement a byproduct of being fed properly and his energy that had not yet been expended; she could hear the papers on her - their - desk rustle, the rattle of a pen as it rolled over the wood surface and clinked against what she assumed was the sticky note paper weight. She could see the amazement in her dear brother's eyes, the warm caramel almost earthen in the light of the reception room, speaking of ladybugs. It was a good idea, ladybugs. Yes, ladybugs were nice and docile. Ladybugs...
As her mind started to repeat itself inanely, Alex realized her gaze had moved from Zeke's face to something black. Something rather large, falling from the ceiling, colliding with his shoulder. She almost reached forward to brush it off, and in that moment, she was grateful her hands were full with the bottle yet, because no sooner did she think to brush the stray bit of lint or dust from his shoulder, did said bit of lint skitter upwards.
It skittered.
It was spindly.
It had eight legs.
It was a black widow.
To many, it was just a spider, painful as its bite might have been, just another nuisance in the great wide world. To Alex, it was the bane of her existence and proof of evil in the world, the source of any fear she had in the animal kingdom and a cause of every heeby-jeeby she'd ever had. Her sun-kissed skin suddenly drained into a slightly sickly pale ghost of itself, her green eyes widening, pupils dilating large enough to swallow any color left in her iris. "Spider," she squeezed through tight, bloodless lips, her whole body moving into fight or flight. This was a bad sign, as Alex did not flee from anything.
She saw Zeke look startled and saw his hand lift to brush it off, but she wasn't going to have any of that. Straight out of a spy movie, she dropped one hand back to the desk behind her and vaulted herself over the wood and briefcase alike, her fear-stricken eyes never leaving the black devil as it was brushed from Zeke's windbreaker. While it may have appeared she was trying to get away, all she was really doing was getting leverage so her next movement didn't hurt her companion.
The fear leaked out of her features, and in its place was a blank neutrality that was only made dangerous by the hardening of her gaze. Alex saw the black body whisked off Zeke's broad shoulders, and before she could think, before her mind could scream about what she was about to do, she was already doing it. The injury in her arms did nothing to diminish their strength, which was in full effect as the soul bottle in her hands went from held reverently to lobbed at the still falling arachnid. The bulbous glass whisked by Zeke's windbreaker, narrowly missing it but hitting her mark with an eerie accuracy. The black widow had barely fallen the length of Zeke's bicep when the bottle caught it, the momentum of the hurled object carrying the contraption and its passenger with deadly speed towards the floor.
She swore it took ages for the bottle to reach the floor, but when it did, it stuck. The spider had been liquefied, but more than that, the beast had been large enough to act as an adhesive to the glass, holding it firm to the floor.
Her body trembled as she exhaled in a slow, quiet manner. The muscles that now shrieked in agony at being used so abrasively began to relax, her heart remembering to beat as the arachnophobia finally began to recede from her veins. Alex blinked a few times at the sudden silence.
"That was awesome," came the demon's voice, the inflection of his words leaning on the true meaning of the word rather than the slang. Zul chuckled to himself, floating around his statuesque woman to observe the damage, reaching for the bottle, though he effort was cut short at the sudden shriek Alex produced.
And shriek she did. It was rather girly and high for the tomboy, but it didn't matter now. She grabbed Zul's armband and yanked him back before dancing a few steps further behind the desk. Her arms trembled as she tucked them tight to her body, shaking her head hard back and forth to undulate the now squeak-like noise pressing passed her lips. She bounced from leg to leg in a quick and rapid motion: as a whole, she was doing a splendid rendition of the Heeby Jeeby dance. "Get it AWAY!" Alex cried out, wiping the imaginary spiders from her arms and ignoring the protest of her not yet fully healed skin. "Gross, gross gross gross gross, oh GOD that's nasty!"
The demon stared at his woman, slack-jawed before erupting into heart-felt laughter, leaning one hand on the desk for support as he doubled over. The day simply could not be any more amusing if it tried. "What is...what was that?" Zul crowed with teasing delight, putting his free hand against the side of his face. This stint would not soon be forgotten!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
