Now she sat on the bus stop bench scrolling down the schedule and routes before letting out a groan. “Of course that was the last one of today.” She hissed, eyeing the time at the top of her phone. 9:55pm. So she might have spent the entire day at the mall and surrounding areas. Isaac had told her to get a few more items after all. She could only wear the same pants so many times before they started to get far too thin.
Grabbing the handful of bags at her side, Vera huffed to herself as she walked back towards the park located between the mall and a set of apartments. With it getting dark, less and less people were out but she figured it was better than being alone with who knew would show up at the bus stop.
Finding an empty bench near a light and setting her bags to the side, Vera pulled out her phone and shot Isaac a quick message.
Sorry but I missed the last bus back to the terminal. If it isn’t too much trouble, think you could pick me up? I’m outside… Stopping, Vera picked her head up and scanned for a landmark. Waterman’s Condos.
Hitting send, she leaned against the bench and looked up at the light fading from the sky. “He better have had a emergency…” She grumbled about the bus driver.
~~~
Isaac was only about five minutes away from home when his cell phone dinged and his car bluetooth announced that he had a new text message. To his knowledge she was suppose to have been home over an hour ago, this was late even for her.
Once he reached a stoplight he grabbed his phone from the center console and texted back Yeah, I’ll be there in ten. At least it was late enough that he didn’t need to worry about traffic.
~~~
Vera had been watching a young couple strolling arm in arm across the open lawn. She was smiling at them when her own phone begin to flash white light. She still hadn’t asked Isaac how to get that part to stop but it helped when she wasn’t paying attention….which was most the time.
Flipping the screen over, she read his message and put the phone back on her lap as she waited. Her eyes went back to the couple who were now sneaking a kiss. “Ah young love.” She sighed, before looking away to the emptying street off in the distance.
~~~
“You look like you might be pining over someone yourself.” Meridiana peered over the young woman’s shoulder intrigued when she saw the name was that of of man.
“Just miss the bus?” She asked casually. From where she stood, the Corrupt Senshi of the Succubus watched as the 162 reached “T” intersection and made a right four blocks away. “The driver’s an a**, he does this often.”
“Sorry, where are my manners. My name is Mary, short for Meridiana.” She reached out a hand in greeting with a friendly smile upon her red painted lips.
~~~
The voice made Vera jump and twist back to look over her shoulder at the woman who was talking. Not just anyone but one that was sure never had man problems in her entire life. She was beautiful! From the long rose-red hair all the way down to the shoes. Everything complimented her beautifully. Though the small horns in her hair made Vera question yet they seemed to fit perfectly.
It was only second nature that Vera quickly flipped her phone over as her eyes fluttered. “Good to know it isn’t just me.” The voice was still a bit surprised as she tried to calm her racing heart. “I couldn’t come up with how I might have insulted him unless he though I just looked like I needed the exercise...jerk.” The last bit she added for good measure before turning ever so slightly.
“Nice to meet you Mary. Call me Vera. Not short for anything.” She offered back with a sweet smile noting how even as this woman did, she looked alluring. Some females had all the luck. “I hope I don’t disturb you with all my staring but I have to say that you are rather lovely.”
~~~
“Why thank you.” Meridiana smiled genuinely then took a seat beside the young woman. “It’s nice to meet you Vera.”
“I wouldn’t take it too personally though. It’s the last run before their shift ends then they get to go home. In the drivers mind, if you’re not at the stop too bad.” Sucks but that’s why she was grateful to never have had to deal with that problem. One of the benefits of coming from old money.
“Looks like you went on quite the spree.” The succubus glanced down at the bags, intrigue written all over her face.
~~~
Shifting on the bench to make sure she wasn’t in the woman’s personal space, Vera nodded at the comment about the bus driver. It did make sense. She didn’t like it but what Mary said was true. If she was in their shoes she might have done the same thing. After all, all day listening to people whine? It had to get old.
It was still rude though.
The mention of her bags made Vera flinch slightly with a blush. “I might have over done it but once I got in there, the possibilities were well…” She eyed her stash. “Endless? Almost everything I bought can be mixed and matched together so nothing is a one time deal. I just hope Isaac isn’t too upset at me. I tried to stick the sales racks but when you see the right piece sometimes it just…” Looking back at the woman, Vera gave a shrug. “It’s too perfect to pass up. Especially when it is a piece that you can wear to several different things.”
Sighing, Vera then leaned against the edge of the bench. “I may need to break down and finally get a part time job. Isaac has been good to me since….” Vera stopped mid-sentence and blinked. “I’m so sorry! I’m rambling again aren't I?”
~~~
“Oh no, it’s ok, you’re fine.” The corrupt placed her hand on the womans back comfortingly. “Don’t worry about it, I listen to this kind of stuff often. It’s no biggie.” Meridiana shrugged nonchalantly and began secretly syphoning some of the woman’s energy.
A little here a little there. Probably still on a high from the shopping spree that the Succubus doubted her evening companion would notice too much.
“Tell me about this Isaac guy?”
~~~
Vera visibly relaxed at the touch though the words made her crack a smile. “I’m not sure if that is supposed to make me feel better or not. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who seems to think you have a very warm nature but also, now I feel bad to take up your time with my ramblings.” A puff of air came out of her nose as she looked back out onto the grass.
“Isaac is...well roommate is one way to put it I guess. I’m staying with him until either my memory returns or I get back onto my own two feet well enough that I can find something else. I owe him everything as he opened up his home and life to me when he could have just as easily walked away. Finding a random woman in the woods with no memory doesn’t sound like the start of anything easy but he’s been there for everything…”
Her eyes flickered to the side as if she was dealing with guilt over emotion. “I have to find a way to pay him back. Even now, calling him to come get me makes me feel...helpless.”
~~~
“Hmm,” Meridiana canted her head to the side curiously. “I’m not really well versed in the memory loss department but I’m sure he doesn’t hold it against you or anything of that nature. He isn’t taking advantage of you now is he?” All of a sudden she became rather serious in both tone and posture.
~~~
The move in her body jerked Vera’s head back to look at the woman. Her shift changed the posture of her back, turning now to face Mary as her knee came up on the bench ever so slightly. “No! Not at all! Nothing like that.” Vera offered in a ‘please let me clear the air’ tone. Last thing she wanted was to ruin Isaac’s reputation at all!
“He’s a perfect gentleman. A bit of a workaholic but being a soldier, I can’t fault him for that. I’m just glad he did not have to go back for a another tour of duty.” And she was rambling again. Was this just who she was or was this the comfort of her own voice?
“Anyway, he and I are nothing like that.” Her hand motioned out towards the grass at the couple she had been watching. “He’s my friend and currently provider until I hopefully get a job.” She had a few applications saved on her phone to fill out at least. “I might owe him my life but I want to make sure he can keep living his.”
~~~
“IF that makes you happy then I guess that’s ok.” There was a look on Meridiana’s face that suggested that it could be more than just roommates if the woman really wanted it. “He might be trying to be sensitive to how you’re feeling or not want to take advantage of your memory loss but have you ever considered that maybe…” Her voice trailed off as she too motioned to where the couple had been.
“Sure you could get a job and he may appreciate the help but don’t you think he might take it that you’re eager to leave?” Unless the guy was like a 4 on the hotness scale then a lot of this would make sense.
~~~
“Maybe.” Vera offered as a response, unsure of really what to say. All this time she just considered herself a burden on Isaac’s life. Someone who came in as an unexpected expense of time and money. “Sorry. I second guess myself alot. Trying to sort through the fog of my brain makes me a bit crazy at times.” Vera chuckled before looking towards Mary.
“Thank you for listening though. I know I’m just another whining woman but it is nice to just chat with another female for once. I guess I’m just a romantic sap in a way. Makes me wonder if I had someone before…” She tapped on her head.
~~~
“Hopefully talking it out has helped relieve some of the stress. It is a heavy burden to bare.” The corrupt used the opportunity to syphon off some more energy from the “you must be feeling tired from it all.”
A yawn was her response. Talking, letting everything out of her system seemed like a wash of relief, one that came with the feeling of want to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a good book. “Guess more has been on my mind than I thought. Thank you.”
A few blocks away Isaac sat at the cross street of Marion and 8th waiting for the light to turn green so he could make a left. For there being no traffic some lights really took an obscene amount of time to finally change, you’d think the city would have invested in the motion sensors for this reason specifically. With nobody around and no cameras set up Isaac actually contemplated going for it but then the countdown on the cross walks finally began.
When finally he was permitted to go what he saw made him pause. Vera wasn’t alone. While that wouldn’t normally give him reason for concern he knew, without even powering up, that the woman with her was not normal. Long rose-red hair spilled over her shoulder onto the gum covered ground a tell-tell sign of a corrupt. While he’d never met one in person before, Isaac know from his conversation with Stibnite that their goals aligned with their own; energy and starseeds.
“I’m going to get an earful later…” The muscles in his jaw tensed as he pulled his car over to the curb and got out. No doubt Stibs would have something to say about this once she found out but at the moment Isaac didn’t care. Once he was well enough away from his car he powered up, normal clothes shifted into his lieutenant uniform and it was at that moment Dravite’s suspicion was confirmed.
“Oh?” Meridiana seemed to perk up, an excited smile tugging the corners of her lips when an ally’s aura flared up in the near vicinity. Sapphire eyes regarded the man when he stepped into view. “You’re new.” She stated as a matter of factly. “I’d ask if you’d like to join us but three is kind of a crowd and, you see, it’s kind of a woman thing going on here.”
Dravite remained undeterred and approached the two without hesitation. “Give back what you took from her and leave.”
The corrupts mouth dropped in an unflattering way. “Why… I wouldn’t-” She began to say when the Lieutenant grabbed ahold of her arm and pulled her to her feet. “Don’t play coy with me Senshi she’s off limits.”
Everything played out before the raven haired woman in a flash. From the moment she turned to see who Mary had been addressing to watching this strange man grab her new ‘friend’, Vera had been sitting with her jaw slightly open. He had marched their way declaring she was off limits? Off limits from what? Not to mention just who the heck was this man in some strange fluffy outfit. Vera had never seen him before in her...recent life!
“I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong...HEY! Let her go!” Vera spoke up as the man grabbed Mary. Clearly the exchange they were having had nothing to do with her besides making it clear she was off limits. Just who the hell did this man think he was?
“It’s fine… I’m fine.” Meridiana’s tried to console the upset woman then turned her attention fully back to the intruding man...lips pursed in annoyance she tried to twist herself out of his strong, almost bruising, grip. “How about…” She tried to jerk her arm away to no avail. “Ughhh,” the Senshi of the Succubus let out a sound of almost feral frustration. “Let me go now or I’ll-”
“You’ll what? Hit me with your magic?”
“I could do that…” With how quickly this run in turned ary, she in truth forgot about that she could attack him, ally or not the man was still competition in the eyes of their superiors.
“Try,” He dared, ice blue eyes narrowing in a way that sent a shiver up her spine. “I didn’t think so… As I said, she’s off limits.”
“Fine! I’ll leave her alone. No need to act like I was doing something wrong.” The corrupt spat out. “I really was just listening to what’s bothering her.”
Temporarily satisfied he let go of the corrupts arm who in turn took a few steps away. A look of horror of embarrassment lit her cheeks an unflattering shade of red. “Hey Vera?” Meridiana looked at the woman a bit flustered but not quite ready to say goodbye. “If you have feelings for this roommate of yours, the best advice i can give you is to just kiss him…” Men were often dense and had difficulty seeing what was right in front of them. “If you need a demonstration…”
Dravite didn’t miss the change in her tone, or the way Corrupt’s back straightened just enough for her to appear to be looking down at him despite the fact she was shorter by several inches. No, he didn’t miss any of it. However, he had no idea what this Senshi’s magic was and the last thing he wanted was for Vera to get hurt. So, without an ounce of hesitation, he stepped between the two women just as a whip appeared in Meridiana’s hand “Eyes on me…” She said in a very seductive tone.
Grabbing one of the bags next to her, one with a new pair of shoes in a large box in it, Vera had been about ready to use it as a weapon to smack into the back of the strange male’s head when Mary did something even stranger.
Immediately, the Lieutenant's will to fight diminished until he was nothing more than an obedient slave waiting for his orders.
“You see… Vera… All you need to do is just walk up to him.” Meridiana stated as she closed the small amount of distance between her and the other Negaverse Agent. “Grab ahold of his shirt and just lay one on him… like this…” The Senshi of the Succubus took ahold of the man’s jacket with one hand and reached up to card slender fingers through his rather silken snow colored hair. Her movements were non-forceful, gentle even in the way she pulled Dravite down to meet her waiting lips.
~~~
In a flash, a whip appeared in her hand and three words came out of Mary’s mouth that sounded almost as if she had been working her way into the man’s attentions. Dropping the bag with a dull thud, Vera felt her face turn red when Mary walked over, grabbed the man and pulled him into an embrace.
“Uh...Mary? I don’t think...um...are you sure….” Her voice was mumbling because though the man wasn’t fighting her rose haired friend and suddenly seemed willing, just seconds ago he had been about ready to bite her head off.
“Is this a practical joke? Just what the heck is going on? Mary who are you?” Did she just spill her guts to a TV crew going to mock her for the public? Oh she was going to die…
~~~
Meridiana pulled away from the sensational kiss, a look of triumph in her clear blue eyes she locked gazes with the man as if challenging him to break her spell. “Oh this is quite real sweetheart. I am who I will always be, a servant to those who need comforting; whatever form it may be.” The corrupt rose up on her tippy toes and nipped the man’s ear for good measure.
“You need not be afraid of me my dear, I can promise you that. I only wanted to help you relax.” She held her hands up and took many steps away from the Lieutenant knowing her magic was about to wear off soon and it was in her best interest to not get punched in the face again. Those bruises took weeks to finally go away. Thank god for make-up she found herself saying near every morning when it was time to get ready for work.
Bound by her magic, Dravite could not find the strength to strike the Corrupt. However, in her retreat he did manage to summon his weapon; the long chain held tight in both hands in preparation for this curse to fully wear.
~~~
Red eyes dashed between man and woman. To the smile on the woman’s face and the chain suddenly appearing in the male’s hands. A single word formed in her mind but she pushed it aside. Magic wasn’t real after all. Magic was just sleight of hand and mirrors with smoke. This had to be some gemic. Some planned out prank she had walked in on.
But though her mind raced with the notion of logic and the animal drive to fight or run in that very moment, Vera’s body wasn’t listening.
Leaving the fallen bag where it dropped, she moved as fast as she could to stand in front of the male who had just forced something that appeared very real into his hands. Whatever Mary had called, she had not used. He on the other hand did not look so kind.
Without a word, she stood three steps in front of him with her arms held out, red eyes looking up at his blue. “I don’t know who you are but I won’t let you hurt someone who has done nothing wrong.”
~~~
A few seconds passed without a word until finally he found the will to reply. “So you think…” His cold gaze leveled with Vera’s fiery eyes.
The tension became thick in the silence that followed until finally Meridiana cut through it with a single word. “See.”
“It’s as I said, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I remain unconvinced.” Dravite stated flatly. “Just remember, if you hurt her or steal her energy again, I will come after you. Damn the consequences.” Refusing to dismiss his weapon, the Lieutenant turned around and retreated back the way he came to the car he left parked in front of the cupcake store.
Minutes passed until he was finally able to calm down enough and text Vera that he was near.
~~~
Vera held the man's eyes until the point he turned from her. Only when he was some distance away did she allow her arms to drop back to her side. Her knees gave way a moment later and she dropped to the ground, eyes still focused on the place the male had disappeared.
“What...what did I just do?” Vera's voice was shaking as she finally glanced back to her fallen bag. Everything in her body was tired now, drained as if she wanted to sleep for a week. That little outburst had burned everything she hadn't already. Where was an espresso when you needed one.
“Mary are you…” hair covered part of her vision in the half turn of her head. She couldn't get the words out because she wasn't sure anymore who she should be more afraid of: the two of them or herself…
A buzzing sound on wood jerked her thoughts back to the present. Scrambling as best she could, Vera grabbed for the phone that had fallen off her lap, praised the heavens the screen was still in one piece, and looked at the text. Isaac sure had taken his time…
Sending back a quick message that she would meet him by the park entrance, Vera covered another yawn, grabbed her bags and looked back once more. Words were escaping her as she eyed the woman she had poured her guts out too. Right now, she wish she hadn't but how was she to know this would happen...whatever this was.
“Thank you.” was all she could manage as she turned to head off to meet Isaac. Truth was she meant it. Oh the convo hadn't stopped her from wanting to get some sort of a job but it had made her realize maybe she shouldn't jump to conclusions about getting out of his life just yet. She just needed to be useful.
And not put her life on the line.
One knee buckled at the stare of the man she had just stood before. It was cold and tore at part of her she didn't know was there. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought worry. But now that was silly.
~~~
Isaac rolled down the passenger window as he pulled up to the bus stop. “Hey,” A pang of guilt struck him then when he caught sight of how exhausted she looked. “Sorry I’m late.” His lips pursed into an irritated thin line as he leveled his piercing gaze at the corrupt.
A shiver raced up Meridiana’s spine and it was in that moment she knew exactly who he was. That look the man gave held a promise of retribution should she delay the woman leaving. “Take care Vera. Remember what I said.” The corrupt winked at the woman then waved goodbye once she got into the car. “Lucky girl.” She commented as the two drove off down the street.
~~~
Piling herself and her shopping into the car, Vera couldn't help it. Her eyes fluttered close as she let out a sigh for her body to finally relax. Never had that car seat felt so welcoming.
“Thanks Isaac. I hope it was too far out of your way to pick me up. But you are never going to believe what just happened…” with a soft yawn, Vera gazed over at the man and smiled. “I met the most interesting woman while waiting for you.”
~~~
“Oh?” He replied trying to sound interested despite already knowing who she was referring to. There was no doubt in his mind that the Corrupt had been syphoning energy from Vera. Especially since it was still too early in the evening for her to be looking so exhausted. Not to mention that it was what they were tasked to do as agents.
That aside, the senshi had done more than just simply give him a kiss. She had managed to strip him of his will and make him compliant to her whims.It irritated him to no end and yes, he was going to talk to Stibnite about this next time he saw her.
~~~
“Yes.” Vera leaned her elbow on the frame of the door to rest her head against her folded hand. “Her name was Mary and she just had this aura about her. Hard to really place it but it has been a long time since I felt that comfortable talking to someone I just met.” Her eyes looked over at him with a smile.
“She also didn’t have any fear about some guy walking up and just grabbing her. I have no idea if she knew him or not but the guy seemed odd...and kept saying weird things about me.”
~~~
Times like this Isaac wished he could just admit to her who he was, that it was him that had stepped up in her defense instead of having to play ignorant. She deserved the truth but he was bound by confidentiality and the last thing he wanted was for her to be pulled into this war too.
“Like what?” he asked despite already knowing what transpired at the bus stop.
~~~
“That I was off limits.” Vera’s eyes were drifting slightly to flutter close. “I don’t even know him and he’s calling me off limits. Off limits to what even? Talking to other women?”
Chuckling to herself, she picked her head up and looked out the front window. “But ignoring the creepy man who decided I was his, how was your day?”
~~~
“Unless he recognized you as someone he knew before your accident there’s no way of knowing. But by the sounds of it you were being targeted by someone. There’s only one kind of woman who wears a dress like that unattended, walking around the streets striking up intimate conversations and I can guarantee you it wasn’t because she was waiting for the bus.”
“Maybe he thought she was trying to recruit you into becoming a lady of the night…” Isaac shrugged. In truth it didn’t bother him one bit to sully that woman’s image; the whore. Who the hell did she think she was forcing him into submission. Despite her stubbornness and heavy handedness, not even Stibs would resort to such tactics. His will was his own and not something a scantily clad senshi could toy with without repercussions.
“At least your safe.” He finally added after several seconds of silence. “I would have got there sooner but the lights weren’t cooperating. Tomorrow we’re going to get you a taser incase something like this happens again. At least you’ll have some sort of defence. And on that note I’d like you to take a few classes in women's self defense. There’s a police officer, Erica Griffin, she teaches a class twice a week I hear she’s pretty good.”
As he finished talking Isaac pulled the car into the driveway and turned off the ignition. “I’m sorry. I just want you to be safe while you’re trying to figure things out.”
~~~
Vera didn’t say anything as Isaac talked. Truth was he had a point: she didn’t know who this was and that outfit had been rather something else but Vera had just ignored it. It wasn’t like people didn’t wear less in the mall. Who let those girls out of the house at that again anyway.
But as he spoke of the taser and the self defense class, Vera only nodded. “If you think it is for the best then sure. Would be better than using a bag of shoes anyway.” The words were said softly as she reached for the door handle but stopped short of opening it. Silence flooded her ears but she was fighting to try and figure out just how to word it.
“Should I…” The words sounded strange no matter how she played them out in her mind. She wasn’t as ‘forward’ as the woman Isaac was now warning her about but she needed to clear the air. If she wanted to sleep again at least. “Should I start looking for a place of my own? Well after I find I job at least but I…” She what...felt bad?
~~~
For a moment Isaac remained silent, waiting patiently for Vera to continue. However, when it became apparent that she had nothing more to say on the topic he shifted in his seat so he was turned towards her. “If you feel that you’re ready to get a job then I think it would be a good idea. As for finding a place of your own, that is completely up to you. You’re welcome to continue staying here but if you’d feel more comfortable in your own place I understand.”
~~~
“I just want to stop being a burden on you. I know you would let me stay as long as I needed, you are just that caring, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Memory or not, I’m becoming at least somewhat functional on my own so I know I could handle at least a part time something…”
There was a deep sigh before she looked over at him, gave a clearly forced smile and then a nod. “It wouldn’t be anytime soon. I have to save up money first and manage to pay you pack at least for half the dinners. But just a thought. Besides, I’m sure you would like your guest room back at some point before I turn it into a female sanctuary.”
~~~
Her last comment startled a laugh out of Isaac. It’s true that since she started living with him there were a few more feminine touches around the house. Hand towels hung over the bath towels for instance. Honestly he didn’t pay it much mind but now that she had mentioned it he saw the truth in her statement.
“For starters, you’re not a burden so just toss that train of thought. And second, you don’t need to pay me back. Now if you want to pay off the card you used to buy all that I won’t stop you.” He eyed the bags of clothes and shoes with a raised brow. Thankfully he wasn’t hurting for money but… he wasn’t really looking forward to seeing the bill from today either.
~~~
Turning her head to gaze back at her bags, Vera let a sly smile cross her face. “Then I guess I should take back the gift I got you as well. Oh well. Such a shame.” Now she moved with a yawn to open the door and slide out. Red eyes stopped a moment to smile softly at him. “Thank you Isaac. For everything. I do owe you my life after all.”
She moved to slip out of the car but her mind couldn’t help but see Mary’s face looking at her like ‘well?’.
Vera waved the image aside. After all, one thing at a time. The later wasn’t very important. “Still, I’ll just have to take the gift back tomorrow.” She teased.
~~~
Isaac shrugged as he reached for the handle to open the door. “I’m sure we can make an exception this time.”
Now that they were home and he had finally had a chance to calm down it felt as if a weight had been lifted. Where this protective nature came from, he hadn’t a clue, but it got his adrenaline going in ways he hadn’t experienced in a long while. At least Vera wasn’t opposed to his suggestions regarding a women's self defense class or carrying a taser.
After locking his car he walked along the path from the driveway to his front door, blissfully cool air causing strands of snow colored hair to fall in front of his face. “Just so you know though. Tonights your turn for dinner. I need to take a shower.” After running all those drills today the dried sweat on his back was feeling kind of itchy.
~~~
Shifting her bags in her hand as he made a comment about dinner, Vera felt everything wash away that had been making her feel down. The simple idea of something as every day as their routine brought back the comfort she had been missing since opening her mind and heart up to the worry that was there.
A pair of eyes narrowed at the back of his head as she let out a groan of annoyance but it was all in jest of course. Oh she would cook...try at least. Otherwise it would be toast and cereal yet again if she managed to burn dinner into a black crisp once more.
“Well I guess I can manage something. After all, you just answered what that smell was standing down wind.” Following behind him and into the house, she headed for her room to drop off the bags and called out “Just don’t be all night! You wouldn’t look good as a rasin.”
~~~
“Hey,” In all seriousness he pointed a finger at her. “Watch it…”
Isaac chuckled then shook his head, she can be such a brat sometimes. he thought with a grin before unlocking the front door and stepping inside. Can’t say she doesn’t make life interesting that’s for sure.
Sirene Naiads
From forever ago never got transferred to the forums
