i am titanium.
chapter eighteen. you can shoot me down but i won't fall. october sixteenth :: 2027
Alcott: Ma? *The shocked, sudden call made even Eliza lift her head. She was wrapped around Rory like vine on a tree, needing him for the support, tears still on her cheeks. Devin was through the doors, a few specialists from St. Mungos' expressing the fact he "shouldn't be moved until more tests were ran" with his parents now. The nurse had promptly kicked all of them out.
Lynn was sitting with Hols' family, Nick beside both of them. It amazed Alcott quietly how ramrod straight her back was: Hols' quiet strength had always impressed him, but never so stark a show had he been privy too. He'd been on his way to her when his mother's frantic face had appeared, stalling him cold. A cursory, hasty glance around the waiting room and he started towards her again, thinking to avoid a scene, to avoid her seeing Shawn. Alcott was embarrassed, anxious and his hand lifted.* What are you...
*Lyndsea's eyes had scanned only a second before locking on him. It seemed an instant later he was in her arms. Bloody -- when had she learned how to grip so tightly? Eyes widening, blinking as he felt wet eyes bury in her neck, his bewilderment didn't preclude a small smile.* Ma, I'm all right, really. *That only made her grip tighter. He thought it would be bad form to point out that she was actually aggravating the scratches on his chest. The scratches she could know nothing about. Pulling back stubbornly, he kept one hand tight on her shoulder to reassure, looking in her eyes.* I'm fine. I swear.
Lyndsea: *It didn't matter that he said he was fine. Until she had her arms around her son, she couldn't be convinced. She could see in his shock he didn't understand that - and another pain of guilt went through her. The call from Chris had been horribly familiar to her even as it was vague on the details. Her son had been involved in x traumatic event in which y person might never recover. A full investigation was of course underway to discover the depth, and would have results for her soon. Frantic and angered, she had marched out of the house instantly, not realizing until she was halfway through Hogsmeade that one of her shoes was blue, the other black. She'd fixed it in a single hand wave; she couldn't allow herself to walk into the school like that.
Now she held her son's gaze, a little surprised to realize he still had no idea what she was doing there. His hand reassured her even as his eyes unnerved her.* Are you? *Her voice quivers even as she nods, a loose blond strand falling in her eyes. Every other piece of her was put together: her coat pressed and lint-less, her make-up spotless and invisible save shiny lips, the diamond ever on her finger. Lyndsea's question was stern, her gaze on Alcott stubborn. Her son was known to dodge when things bothered him, ever his father's son. She'd let him get away with it too long.*
Alcott: *There was a glint in his mother's eyes, and he nods breathlessly at her. Then he shuts his mouth, realizing she had to be an instant from telling him to close it. Her heart a jackhammer in his ear, he realized suddenly: his mother was terrified. Oh, Lord she was never going to want to let him out of her sight. A tiny smile on his lips, he nodded again,* Yeah, really. I wasn't even at the party, I swear. *No, I was just a savage, furry four-legged animal running around loose, mindless and blood-thirsty.* I was with Hols. *His ear hurt.* What are y--
Lyndsea: Alcott. *Now it was her voice that was stern, her eyes flashing with fury Alcott realized he mimicked too often.* Of course I came as soon as I heard. What do you think went through my head when I f--*The sharp tone dies out as she sees the numerous people a dozen feet or so away. Her eyes narrow.*
Alcott: *Oh. He hadn't thought of that. Even as he looks over his shoulder, takes in the crowd, he knew what his prim and proper mother had just cut herself off from saying. It astonishes him as much as it makes him smile. There was a pause as he looks back at her reaching to take her hand and squeezes her shoulder again. Half-smirk still on his lips and he says quietly,* I'm sorry.
Lyndsea: *If she had surprised him by showing up...her heart ached. She knew they weren't going to have fixed things through a few letters, a few conversations...but she also had never thought his depth of distrust included thinking she wouldn't be there when a friend of his was hospitalized and a loose monster could just as easily have attacked him. Hadn't their tiny family been through enough? Locking her gaze with him, her voice choked,* Alcott, when I got that call...
Alcott: You thought it had happened again. *His stomach bottoms out, hating that he'd worried her as relieved as he was to see her come running. Fear sparks in his gut, wondering again when he was going to be able to stop thinking of that awful night. It seemed seared in his memory, a nightmarish history that seemed to cast every subsequent terrible event worse. The reason was simple. Alcott didn't believe in coincidences. And every long night, of pain and loss that followed made it seem that far from being that...sympathetic backstory, that character-building moment in his past that he could tell teary-eyed at a party over a beer to a pretty girl: this seemed to be a pattern.
He squeezes her shoulder again. Holding her gaze, he promises firmly with fire in his own eyes,* Ma. You aren't going to lose me too. Nothing is going to happen to me. *He leans forward to kiss his mother's forehead, then slips into spanish for a moment, adding other breathless reassurances. His eyes shut as he realizes how untrue his own words were. Devin lay fighting for his life -- Nadia missing -- Shawn there, with Hols...oh, he was anything but fine. If he told her now though, wouldn't he just scare her more? He was hugging her again before realizing it.*
Lyndsea: *Half convinced she must be dreaming as her son's arms close around her, she shuts her eyes again and lets out a long exhale. As comforting as his words were, she shook her head as she listened; the look in his eyes made it only too clear she had every reason to worry. If his hugging her wasn't enough of an indicator already.* I won't let it. *An uncommon anger in her voice, she snaps. Her heart had skipped another beat just to hear him voice aloud that deep, all-consuming worry that she'd had since the first ultrasound.
Over his shoulder, she cast her glance around the room again warily; those old worries of appearance were coming back. It wasn't an issue of vanity. Falling apart again would give them something, give away a part of her she wasn't willing to give. The world had taken enough from her family already. As she pulled back, she was halfway through starting to ask them to move, saying,* Max-,* when her son cut her off, sudden aggravation in his voice.*
Alcott: It's all right. *Whatever excuse was about to pass his mother's lips, he didn't want to hear it. Though he half prepared to ask; which was it going to be? He had to work? Such a lame excuse. Uncle Max was more creative than that, Brackners were.* Let me guess, *A bitter, wry smirk appeared,* another escaped tiger in Surrey's zoo? You know, if they didn't bloody try to keep animals in cages --
Lyndsea: What? *Bewildered, she's too confused to frown. It only takes her a few moments to realize that her son thinks he isn't coming. Her gut twists. How many excuses had she made over the years? Hundred's and thousands. For Max's absence, for Harper's, for her own. She shakes her head quickly, quietly.* No, I was just going to say we should fin--
Alcott: Uncle Max? *For the second time, his expression clouds, voice and breath stolen by happy confusion.*
Max: *Appearing at the door, he doesn't give the room a second glance. The moment he lays eyes on his nephew and Lyndsea, a wide-eyed relief takes him and then he's by their side.* Oh thank God-
Lyndsea: There you are. *Turning to him, she smiles. It's brief, but genuine.* What did--
Max: The Headmaster is apparently setting up the meeting with the governors for the afternoon. *He reports to Lyndsea quickly, kissing her cheek in greeting and pretending he doesn't see Alcott look away and clear his throat when he does so. His eyes stay on his nephew, hand lifting, * Al, are you okay?
Alcott: *A lump appeared in his throat. He chokes on it. Clearing it again comically, rubbing over and over a revolving Adam's apple, he nods.* Yeah, yeah I'm fine, I swear.
Max: What happened?
Alcott: What are you doing here? *They ask at the same time, and Alcott pretends he doesn't see his mother wince again.*
Max: *His brows furrow.* What do you mean? *He rubs his hand off on his chest, providing the barest of excuses for the extended hand to his nephew's shoulder.*
Alcott: I mean, *And it was suddenly that wry explanatory tone, as if he thought his uncle two years old,* neither of you are on the board of governors, Grandfather is. He can get his own mail.
Max: You mean, *His own voice hardens in that parental 'how-dare-you' that he usually avoids,* what are we doing worrying about you, when we've never cared before.
Lyndsea: Max. *She flinches, her gaze darting around the room.*
Alcott: *He did so love that their family was so blunt: it made so many things easier. Despite the sudden knife to his chest, a flare of vindicated flames rears up in defense,* Yes, that's exactly what I meant, actually. *Was everyone in his life taking Devin's course in psychology?*
Max: Alcott. *flatly, despite his eyes widening further in guilt.* Of course we're going to worry about you! We're your family. Whatever mistakes have been made, that doesn't change.
Alcott: I've had this lecture from Gramps already. *He snaps, his hand coming up to rub his forehead. Lord, he wanted his bed, his pillow, his-- no. No, he knew what he wanted. His eyes flutter over his uncle's shoulder to look at her, gaze stuck on Hols' from across the room. Only Max wasn't done.*
Max: *In a screaming whisper, blunt,* You think we're not going to bloody drop -everything- when we hear a friend of yours is missing, another hospitalized, that there was a wolf loose on the bloody school grounds? *His hand came up, as Alcott swivels back around astonished and tense. He missed the flash in his nephew's eyes.* I went to the Headmaster to get the information, not because I'm my father's owl or whatever smart alec remark you want to come up with, but because we're not going to let this go unanswered, we aren't just going to act like this is bloody okay!
Lyndsea: Max. *Her eyes are on the room stretching behind them, seeing that anger reflected in the other occupants eyes. Most were trying to give them privacy, or already wrapped up in their own quiet conversations -- but as his voice got louder, it wasn't just Holly-Rae (and Devin's sister) who was looking around.*
Max: *He cuts himself off, rubbing at his own forehead and looks to the floor. That wouldn't help. He knew neither of them were embarrassed, had long understood the reasons behind Lyndsea wanting to keep things quiet as a family, but truthfully? He couldn't think of a better way to correct Alcott's apparent misconception that neither one of them gave a fuck, than to passionately point out it was the opposite.
It had always been the opposite, even more for Lyndsea than him. His brother would be proud to see the defiance in Alcott, the fearless fire that roared up against any slight, percieved or real. It cut his throat, constricted his chest. Didn't Alcott understand, he was all their family had left of Harper? How terrified they were that they wouldn't let him live his life, that they would just lock him in a protective bubble to protect him from the world? If they had it there way, his nephew wouldn't be allowed out of the house, let alone in a dark forest on a full-fucking-moon. And they knew -- both of them, Sandor and Rosalia did, his parents did (his mother in particular), Lyndsea's parents did -- that they couldn't do that. They had to let him live as he would. He wasn't some trumped up glass-replica of his father, however alike they were. Alcott was his own person, a screwed-up, sarcastic genius in his own way.
Breath harsh and forceful, by the time he looked back to meet his nephew's eyes again, both of their expressions had softened. Holding his gaze steadily, his voice was back to an actual whisper,* Alcott. *It was firm.* I know I'm not your father. I never wanted to be -- anyone's, in fact, really. *There was a tiny chuckle in his voice, and he heard it echo in Alcott's snort.* And if I could bring him back, if I could somehow by sheer force of angry will yank that sarcastic, pain in my ass older brother of an angel out of the clouds -- I would in a heartbeat. Okay? I'd give anything.
Alcott: Okay. *Incredulous, amused, wrong-footed and still resentful, the quick retort was defensive. His exhale is heavy, his eyes as wide as his uncle's. Something is swelling in his chest, and he rubs at it, painful.*
Max: Okay, good. *He's nodding, nodding frantic with the desperation he understand that. It wasn't like it was a mystery to him why his nephew would have thought he sought to replace his brother, but he ignores the guilty thought angered.* It doesn't have a damn thing to do with how much I care about you. It doesn't change that we're going to worry.
Alcott: I got it. *He's quieted, and his gaze distant. His uncle stops, seeming to realize he'd gotten through. For that he was grateful. It was still heavily on his mind, that snapped 'a blood wolf loose on the grounds' -- the phrasing he was shocked to realize he was thankful for. He would have thought Uncle Max more partial to 'monster,' or 'animal' at least.* Thanks. For coming.
Words stick in his throat, his gaze trapping itself across the room. Quietly focusing on scant breath, he tries to quiet a flash of fear. The deep-set knowledge that it was time was only reinforced by her look. If he had cast his gaze an inch to the side, he would have seen the challenge of an arched eyebrow from Lynn, or perhaps the desperate agreeing, sympathetic nod from Eliza who still clung to Rory. Alcott didn't. His gaze was locked on Hols. Every word that left his uncle's mouth, the fact his mother was clinging to his shoulder -- it was obvious. None of them needed to tell him what he already knew. What he needed in that instant was strength. Feverish with the slow curl in his heart of the flame that flickered in response to her knowing eyes, Alcott swallowed heavily.
Then he looks to his mother and takes both of her hands, gaze flicking between those who'd run to the hospital-wing when it was his friend laying there.* Listen, I need to tell you something. *He clears his throat.* Both of you. *Honestly, was his throat going to stick the entire time? Looking between them and the room warily, he gestured to the door.* Just...not here.
There was quiet agreement from them both, and Al pretended he didn't hear his mother's heart skip a beat. Walking out of the room with them was harder than he thought it would be; each step heavy as he prayed his tired feet remember how to work. His lungs supporting words would be a nice addition too, but he wasn't much for miracles. Besides, Lynn had taken so many of them up already. Devin deserved better than that.
Looking back only once, he nodded to Hols before the door closed, a thankful smile on his lips. The heavy infirmary door's swing made the decision final. Thought breathing new life into him, Alcott stuck his hand in his pocket and walked briskly. He thought about an abandoned classroom, thought about spells that he could cast, before realizing with an abrupt stop they were on the fourth floor.
With a single glance back to his mother, asking, she seemed to know instinctively in the questioning gaze what he meant as he remarks, "We can't be overheard."
She nods steely-eyed, appearing to catch her breath. Uncle Max blissfully doesn't protest or question what either of them meant. By the time they rounded the corner and stopped in front of the painting, Alcott was wondering if he wanted to let his uncle in the room after all -- but it was too late. His mother had stepped in front of it. The smile on her face made it worth it.
"You?!" The grumpy little man threw both hands up, a cup tipping over on his table and spilling painted-wine all over him. Alcott found himself chuckling with his uncle; his mother's smile only widened.
"I'm so pleased you remember me." Her words were crisp. Eyes trailing over his ruined doublet, judgement clear, she asks with thinly-veiled disapproval, "Do I have t--"
"Oh, for bloody's sake, just go in!" Flustered, the man darted sideways into the next painting as his swung open.
"Thank you." Lyndsea smiled, bright. She was through the door with more agility than either Max or Alcott expected, not waiting for them. Alcott giggled, saluting the portraiture before hurrying in after them. It wasn't until they were in the mural room that his apprehension was back. His mother was examining the lamp, curious while his Uncle had begun pacing, apparently feeling just as comfortable as she. Alcott didn't think twice of it; it was a Brackner family secret. He wouldn't be surprised if it went back to Gramps first.
"This broke, didn't it?" His mother asks, looking up as she taps the shade. Alcott grins guiltily, relieved by the brief question as he thinks suddenly of how he and Hols had broken it.
"It...might have fallen over."
Uncle Max winks at him, and Alcott just chuckles through his mother's disapproving headshake. It was hypocrisy at it's finest, he thought amused, knowing full-well what his father and mother had done in there too.
"Listen." Rubbing at the back of his neck, awkward, he decides abruptly to rip the band-aid. Let the wound fester if it would. It wouldn't heal in the dark. No, just the scratches on his chest would do that.
"This isn't the first time a few of us were in the forest, messing around. Last April. We just...were cheering up Devin, being stupid, it doesn't matter -- what matters is that night was a full moon too. Eliza, Devin...they helped me fight it, so I was mostly fine but...I was bitten."
Uncle Max stopped pacing. Bewildered hurt on his face, he just seems to continuously swallow air as he looks at his nephew. His mother shuts her eyes, letting out a long, heavy exhale. It confuses Alcott as silence stretches. He's not used to it, he realizes in shock, hair raising on the back of his neck. Their heart-rates were steady despite fighting for breath. There was no shout, no bullet, no blood.
He clears his throat, but he wouldn't let his gaze lower. The sun on the wall was lifting higher, a pink and gold sky turning blue. It was out, he thought. It was done. They knew. If he was about to be disowned, it was better they do that now than continue to keep this secret. There was enough to deal with. Closing his eyes briefly, he feels a drop of blood from the bandage wrapped around his thigh. Good, he thought bitterly. Count his sins, they were many, and there was no bloody sunrise coming for him if he didn't bleed it out first. Nadia was more important, Devin's well-being was. Hols' was entirely, and Hols was right.
"Al."
He'd opened his eyes, and suddenly realized his mother was in front of him. Amazed, Alcott wondered briefly how he'd missed her moving. How had he not heard her? How deafening was this silence?
"It's okay." Throat constricted, his eyes had tears pearling in them as he heard her, he was once again sure he was mistaken. How many hits could he take in one morning? Lightning didn't fucking strike the same place twice, let alone twelve times. He rubbed at his throat, face breaking,
"Ma..."
"It's okay." Lyndsea repeats herself, pulling him into a hug that shouldn't have been possible, considering her smaller height and lack of werewolf strength. Alcott folds. Tears still shining in his eyes, he's bewildered and choked, even as he grips on to her. He looks sideways, looking for Uncle Max. He was shaking his head, rubbing at furrowed brows. But they were over understanding eyes, sorrowful eyes.
"I don't unde-- I don't understand, you're not...?"
"Not what?" Lyndsea's question was quiet. It made him guilty for what he'd thought: thinking he'd scare her, thinking he'd hurt her. Bloody hell, though. He'd never been so grateful to be so blasted wrong.
"You're not scared of me?" The quiet question was a knife that cut through the glass silence, ravaging his throat on that way out. Max seemed to crumple across the room, muttering his name and his mother gripped him harder.
"Oh, Al." She murmurs it, tears in her own crinkled eyes and she turns to kiss the top of his head. "I could never be. "
"Never. For you, yes." Uncle Max cuts in, seeming at last to be breathing steadily. He's closer too. When the hell had he moved? Maybe he wasn't a blasted wolf after all, the abilities weren't apparently there. Shadows in his eyes, Alcott pulls back and rubs the tears away. It appeared there was nothing else he could do.
"Did you --" His uncle starts, but Alcott shakes his head instantly, even as he still wonders.
"No. No, Devin--"
"Was making Wolfsbane." Lyndsea interjects to his utter shock. Alcott's mouth gapes with the sudden speechlessness. This only makes his mother smile.
"You really think after fourteen years with your father I can't tell what some ingredients are for?" It's a quiet nudge of a question, but it makes Alcott smile too. He chokes on his chuckle. Then he starts nodding. Uncle Max seems to catch it a second later, and rubs at his own throat.
"Now, after last night, are you --"
"I'm fine." Alcott's defensive tone is back for a heartbeat, before he softens. "I--Eliza, Hols, they helped bandage me this morning. I took Pepper-Up, not that I really...needed it. It's just a few scratches. I'll heal. That's...one of the things."
He wondered briefly how much they knew of wolves. Then again, no matter how much reading one did...he knew flatly there was no way to really know. Let alone separate fact from fiction. He wasn't convinced that nothing could kill him but that silver bullet to the heart -- but then, he'd sliced himself up pretty damn good and healed perfect well. Stabbing himself wasn't an experiment he was keen on trying.
"Hols?" Lyndsea's question was pointed. Alcott narrows his eyes instantly, snapping just as pointedly, "Ma, Hols' saved my life."
That, as nothing else seemed to have, shocked her. His glare was met with a quiet acceptance, a sudden nod, and she smiles again.
"Then I need to thank her."
Apparently, Alcott thought briefly, he wasn't done being surprised. Even as he says bluntly, "Yes, you should."
"Al." Max cut into him, reprimanding with an arched eyebrow. Alcott didn't care. He had been furious his mother had been cold when she met Hols'. Granted, she had tried to sneak out at four in the morning. The situation...may not have been ideal.
"Sorry."
"Don't." Lyndsea chuckles the tiniest bit. Her own look to Max was scolding; one her son knew only too well. Another silence stretches, but Max finally asks,
"What happened last night?"
Alcott clenches his teeth. He tells them briefly of the argument with Hols, of Victoria smashing the potion, skipping over the lioness to insinuate that Hols comes and knocks him out before he could have hurt someone. It wasn't the important part, and that wasn't his secret to tell. They listened quietly, interjecting to assert only mild admonishments, and that he would arrange to turn from then on the mornings before. It was more than he could have asked for. Rubbing at a dry throat, he looks at the ground and says quietly,
"There was... something else. When we were arguing...I, I was furious." Lord, was he terrified of his rage right now. He could remember it too well, how hard his heart had pounded, how heavy his head felt; the look in Hols' eyes as his own turned amber-gold. Throat constricted, he cuts out, "And I--I don't know, it felt like I could have turned right then, even though the moon wasn't up yet. I was out of control."
"Oh, Al." His Uncle Max shakes a sympathetic head at him. Alcott holds his gaze stubbornly, voice shaking with emotion and certainty.
"I never want to feel that way again."
"We'll figure it out." Lyndsea says softly, casting the briefest glance back to his uncle. Max smiles too in agreement. Alcott can't find the words for his gratitude. He looks down to his shoes, relieved and relaxed for the first time in...months if he's honest, he thinks. It left the path forward simple: find Nadia. That was what mattered now. And they would, he fucking knew that, because they had to. And Devin would wake for the same reason.
Letting out a long low breath, he finally thinks of another way to thank them both and reaches into his back pocket. When he pulls out the flask, his mother throws her hand up and exclaims, "Oh for heaven's sakes." It makes them all laugh. They only laugh harder when it's his mother who finishes it in one, long burning gulp after snapping out her hand, determined to prove the boys up.
Brackners, Alcott thinks. He smiles.
&.
Her skirt was halfway up and blouse undone when she heard. Rory stilled too, his hand slipping through tangled strands to fall to his side dumbfounded. Color draining from her feverish cheeks, Eliza turned to bury her face in his chest again. Her cheek stuck. That almost made her laugh. His arms came around her in an instant, enveloping her in a warm embrace and patting her hair down. Thank God he understood her, didn’t complain as she again changes their mood.
Rory had found her only a few minutes after Sam had; he’d been in the middle of offering condolences and she’d been in the middle of figuring out if she wanted to hug him or smack him. The moment Rory appeared, she decided, and he’d had to grab her hand before telling Sam to beat it. That he was ‘sure that his family would need him now,’ Rory was always so polite. Too polite. Eliza had burst into tears, which spilled freely for the better part of a half hour until she couldn’t find anymore to give him.
Then she’d sat talking, and talking, and talking as was her custom while he looked at her fondly. She talked about how angry Devin’s father had looked and how frightening a combination his mother and Nadia’s mother were (Lynn had never exaggerated, and that was as shocking as anything). How startled Alcott was when his mother appeared (She loved Lyndsea’s shoes) -- and then his uncle (Max made the best bewildered faces; Rory said it was like he was perpetually on Candid Camera and then had to tell her what that was). How Sam’s mother had greeted her, kissed her cheek and she felt guilty for not telling Mrs. Roswell the truth again of how he’d been hurt -- before cutting off startled, realizing how close to the truth she was. His thumb brushed her cheek, his wide blue-eyes empty of judgement. She told him about Alcott in a daze, only to be told through a guilty smile he already had guessed; he kissed her cheek and pointed out it was a bit easy to put together when he was the one with her on every full moon.
Eliza blushed, and went on talking. It made it easy to forget that Devin was lying in a hospital bed, that no one could find Nadia, that Alcott was with his mother and uncle -- no, she just couldn’t think about this. She talked about the fact that the hospital wing should let her put up brighter colors, and wondered if they could steal every copy of the evening Prophet before Alcott, or Lynn, or Hols saw them (and then wondered why she had never subscribed). She talked so fast she asked how he kept up, and whacked his shoulder when he said he was “well-compensated.” She asked if Rory knew what a shower scrunchie was and he answered her by taking the scrunchie out of hair. He’d still been toying with the loose strands when she had run out of breath and decided to kiss him to cut herself off.
He’d been startled when she reached to loosen his belt, and she’d been startled when he pulled away. That had never happened before. He was flattening a mess of blonde curls to her cheeks and tracing her bottom lip with his thumb, recatching his breath. Hasty questions of ‘are you sure this is a good idea?’ and just plain ‘are you sure?’ had fallen on ears out-of-sync, like she heard him through a radio.
The emotion in his eyes made her silent heart skip a phantom beat in her chest. It occurred to Eliza she could drown in those bright blue eyes. Then she realized that was exactly her intention. It wasn’t like it would be her first time, or even their first time, she said quietly that when surrounded by pain, finding pleasure wasn’t disrespectful. It was necessary for life, for sanity, for carrying on.
And well, to his credit, he had met her lips hungrily an instant later. Boys never needed to be convinced too badly, Eliza thought amused. As she plucked his mouth as if he provided her breath, she undid the belt and let actions hide the fact that she knew why he hadn’t objected further. Rory knew her. He’d never make her feel as if she had to beg. The quiet knowledge -- that instinctual understanding -- makes her feel more alive than anything.
It occurs to her she’d never said those three little words, and wonders if she should, when her back met a wall. He knew why she hadn’t, she thought, fumbling for the silver handle. Eliza had said those words once. When he said them back she believed him (of course she believed him, she was fifteen and no one had ever said them to her before and so she was sure that no one could say them and not mean them, because why else would you say them?), and so now she couldn’t say them, but he got that. He understood. Rory seemed determined to make it up to her right now. He pressed her into the wall in the darkened alcove, his lips earnest against hers as their mouths moved together, and finds the handle to push it open. He even let her go in first, teasingly with his lips bright maroon, saying ‘Ladies’ first’ and winking. Eliza lets him after her.
She shuts the door. Giggles replace tears as with a kick her heels skirt beneath a Slippery-When-Wet sign and his elbow litters the marble with unused syringes. She slams her hand over his swollen lips as he laughs: why couldn’t boys ever be quiet? Tapping her own lips with an index finger, Rory looks abashed, sheepish, grinning against her palm. Lipgloss glitters from her skin as she pulls her hand back. He was on her mouth again in an instant.
Were zippers always that loud? The rip echoes in the tiny chamber as he lifts her onto a shelf. A wireframe shudders beneath the flurry of movement more than her (for she’s light, she swears, and her legs are wrapped around him as a monkey might). The top is stark white, and she thinks for an instant what they were doing was entirely the opposite of sterile. Pointing it out was forgotten as his hand slipped under the bunched skirt. She even forgot to be upset the fabric was wrinkled.
It was heaven to drown in his kisses, to fall beneath his hand and talented fingers -- a more perfect death than she could ever invent, and she could feel herself whispering prayers into his mouth, his skin: don’t let go, she pleaded, don’t let me go. He grips her tighter in response, moving faster, breathless. His hands paint her skin as they move, leaving pink strokes on delicate porcelain. He stills suddenly, and she whimpers. But he only unclips the hoop earrings (experience, he mutters in her ear through teeth toying with the tip), and sets them atop his jacket.
She gives over to the sensation of heady warmth, for a little while anyway, when she heard the high-pitched voice only too familiar for her and startles.
“--to leave now, you can’t be-- ”
“You’re not doing that to me again, not now -- she’s my daughter, Mary!”
“That didn’t matter to you before!”
Rory stills as she does, too much a gentlemen, for he couldn’t have recognized the voices (she thinks briefly). But she did. She recognized them both. Oh God. He lets out a ragged breath as her forehead sticks to his bare chest. The open flaps of his shirt dance across her cheeks.
There were more shouts:
“You walked out that door and you haven’t,”
“You told me to go! In fact you threw a hairbrush at me!”
“Because I was scared! I was nineteen!”
Eliza whimpers into Rory’s chest, trying not to think this was the first time she’d heard her parents talk to each other since she was still in the womb. They had spoken of each other (her father more than her mother, and she’d met him three months ago), but never had they been in the same room. Willing them to stop mentally as Rory pets her hair, he leans forward.
“You don’t have to go out there if you don’t want to,” Rory murmurs, his voice husky.
“I should,” she whispers, stricken. The pain on her face hardens Rory’s. Oh no, she thinks. What predicament did she leave him in? Actually that wasn’t a question; she had evidence of it, hard against her leg. Maybe there was a way she could finish him quickly, she thinks quickly, looking down; she didn’t want him to hate her.
“I’m sorry, I’m so...”
It’s clear she surprises Rory, and he tries to quickly recover from his confusion by shaking his head at her. Slipping both hands back up to cup his cheek, he smiles at her, reassuring.
“Shh. We’ll have all the time in the world after.”
Rory locks his gaze on hers until she smiles back at him -- only to whimper hearing the smash. Her mother had thrown something. She misses her father’s exclamation as Rory presses his lips to hers again, fast and harsh. Grateful, she meets the kiss until she has no breath, then whimpers and pulls herself off the counter.
Redressing takes only a minute, even as she sees him muttering something about “grandmother working on the farm in the summer with the piglets,” and looking skywards taking deep breaths. That makes her smile. The continuing shouts take it away an instant later.
“--a photograph on her fifth birthday, you weren’t nineteen then!”
“And you could have fucking come found her on that birthday! Excuse my french!”
“For Go--“ He went into actual French at that point, too fast for her rudimentary skills to pick up the individual words. It appears her mother doesn’t have that problem.
Only then does it occur to her, walking out of this closet right now would make it very bloody clear what she had been doing...especially, with Rory. Maybe she should go first, distract them and let him slip away. Eliza rejects that only because she doesn’t want him to leave. She wonders if they’d care. As her mother had just pointed out: she’d had her at nineteen. Couldn’t they be proud of her as her parent’s daughter? Or were they going to be disappointed -- would they think she was just going to repeat their mistake?
She’d always known both of them thought it was, after all. It was her Grandmother’s religion who had insured she was born. Eliza had always wondered about that. She was glad to be there, glad to be alive and having been born obviously was what made that possible. Yet it was also her Grandmother’s religion that meant she threatened her father -- that meant she had lived without him the first sixteen years of her life and by the sounds of it, if her mother had it her way, would have been her entire life.
“--Oh, but if it was Mari who talked to you, of course--!”
“She’s my agent, for bloody,--”
“Agent, don’t make me laugh, with those high-white heels and scarlet plumped lips -- how many injections did those take anyway?”
“You do realize you’re wearing white heels right now don’t you?”
“You always do this, you always fixate on these irrelevant little,-- ”
“Or wait, I’m sorry, are they ‘ivory? Maybe--’”
“For God’s sakes, stop!”
Eliza was through the door before she realized it, screeching. The sudden appearance of their daughter made Mary Culpeper and Claude Simmons stop cold. Mary’s purse was open; it was remarkable as she swivels that nothing else litters the ground, even though it was clear several of the contents had already bounced off Claude. Further words fail her as they both swivel around.
“Eliza, baby...”
Mary was wearing a proper dress of printed flowers, a bright blue scarf dangling beneath perked-up sprayed curls. Her hair looked almost blond today (she must have been to the stylist that week), twenty-galleon sunglasses pushing it back.
“Honey...”
Claude wore a sweater with a hole in it, over a silver and black band shirt. There was paint on the skinny jeans, and a stick of gum visible in the leather jacket’s pocket. His hair was mussed by wind and apparent haste, his shoes looked like they’d been bought in 1983 and worn ever since.
They couldn’t look more different, she thought, and yet their expressions were one and the same. Shock was quickly replaced with apology, pain to realize they’d been overheard. Terror, fury, anguish, hurt -- it made her wince, as she fumbles for words.
“Can’t you just...just...”
“We didn’t know you were there.” Mary’s voice is small, looking more horrified. Eliza hates that she hears the ‘we’ and feels the urge to smile. Her parents, regarded as a ‘we’...that fifth birthday they mentioned felt a lot closer. Wasn’t that what she’d always wished for when she blew out the candles? In fact, speaking of birthdays -- her father had only met Devin and Nadia for a few hours at her birthday that year. Why would he be there? Why would her mother?
Claude only had looked at her a second, his face clouding over as he spots the sheepish Rory. He waves half-hearted from behind her, his gaze one of caught defiance. Mary sees him too and immediately shakes her head, looking down those ivory heels. Eliza’s name half falls from her lips, and that’s enough to drive Eliza to words.
“Oh no, don’t. Please, it’s not -- honestly -- ” She said it breathlessly, trying not to pay attention to the tears in her eyes. “Rory has been --,”
“We know what.” Claude interjects, breathing harsh. He’s glaring at Rory. Rory stiffens, looking between them both, and then seems to come to a decision. Eliza’s gaze flickers in confusion, but she’s grateful to realize he was stepping closer to her.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Rory says, even as he reaches for her hand. “But I’m not going to apologize for actually being there for her.”
If she was a moment from words, this cuts her off. It cuts off all three of them.
“What?” Claude straightens, taken aback.
“Excuse me?” Mary stiffens, unmoved as if those skinny heels were stuck in cement.
Their gazes mutually to Rory. He squeezes her hand, looking sideways at her, a question in his gaze. She doesn’t know what she’s agreeing to when she nods, but there’s something in his gaze that makes her do so anyway. Rory had never looked fierce to her. And it’s clear from his demeanor it’s not a look that’s he’s used to anymore than she: his jaw twitches, his lungs seem to struggle for breath and she realizes his palm is sticking to hers with sweat.
But his words, oh his words they were calm and fervent, his eyes locked on both of them.
“Oh, you’re excused.” Rory smiles briefly, continuing without pause, “And I’m not trying to interject into your -- private, argument here. I mean, what do I know? I wasn’t there all those years ago, I’m not part of this -- I’m just some sixteen year old kid who cares about your daughter. And well, this isn’t exactly how I pictured meeting you, Ms. Culpeper, and er - it’s nice to see you again, Mr. Simmons - but this isn’t about me, and shockingly enough to both of you it seems, this isn’t about you either. This is about your daughter.”
They look to Eliza instantly, who swallows. She tries not to cry.
“I mean, that is why you’re here right? Because you heard what happened, you heard about last night and both of you were worried about Eliza, and well -- I can imagine that might have been a shock to you, Ms. Culpeper, as I don’t believe Eliza had told you she found him, -- ”
Mary shakes her head with the look of one who doesn’t notice her own action. Eliza screws her eyes up to prevent a tear from falling.
“Right, I didn’t think so, and well clearly, you both have a lot to deal with and you should, I think -- but not now. For God’s sakes, not now.”
“Look, ” Claude attempts to start, but Rory won’t let him. Eliza brushes a free hand under her eye.
“No, I’m not going to look. I’ll go, I’ll leave you three be -- but if you’re not going to talk about Eliza, then I think she should come with me. She’s your daughter, sir, ma’am. Your daughter. I don’t know why that means so little to you. Look, maybe, maybe when she wasn’t even born yet you couldn’t do this -- but you know what you could do now? You could ask what she wants!” Rory’s blue eyes flash. “You think she needs this right now? One of her best friends is in a hospital bed right now, apparently unable to wake for no currently discernible medical reason -- her other friend blaming himself for it -- her other friend fucking missing, so maybe! Maybe put aside continuing an argument that sounds like you were in the middle of it sixteen years ago, and for once actually ask her what is best for her. ”
Claude and Mary look at each other, sideways, ashamed and properly cowed by the sixteen-year old. The pregnant pause is heavy with only breathless gasps and the sound of a lipstick tube rolling away. Eliza stares at her boyfriend, feeling she might keel over on her own teetering, white heels. She wishes for a moment her mother could have taught her to stand as she did. Then she realizes she wishes her parents had done a lot of things.
“You’re right.” Mary says, and it sounds as if Claude says the same in French, for weak teary-smiles appear on both of their lips. As her mother rubs tears from her own eyes, and starts muttering another apology, Eliza smiles weakly herself. Rory cuts himself off, saying nothing further and leaning to kiss her cheek. Then he pulls back, and lets them pull her into a tight, firm hug. A warm embrace from both of her parents.
Eliza finds she’s too breathless with pride, hurt and gratitude to cry.
&.
Sam: You should have listened to me. *Shaking his head from side to side heavily, he was standing over Devin’s bed. The room had been emptied out mercifully, finally. Fact was, he shouldn’t have had to wait. It was ridiculous; how long could one family stand motionless, unspeaking in front of a bloody comatose patient? Devin hadn’t stirred, he wasn’t going to stir, and they were truly wasting their time—and his time. He counted that worst. If their intent was to help his dear cousin wake, they should have left the room ages ago. It was his time that would matter to Devin’s well being, after all. Well, his time and his generosity. He had to admit. He didn’t feel that generous.
He took a step forward, curling his hand on the guard rail. It was as close as he dare get, disparaging of the remarkable amount of bandages on his cousin’s chest. A pain he had to get nearer for a second, his hand swiping over the medicine bag, before he pulls back, finished and satisfied.* This is a shame. *His words were a quiet whisper.* I didn’t want to hurt you, cousin. I just want to show you. You need to understand.
*It was eerie, actually, to stand over the same bed he’d laid in when ravaged by a similar beast. Disquieted and discomforted, his eyes flicked to the ring on Devin’s finger. A glint of the gold and emerald ’S’ seem to wink up at him. Sam wasn’t lying. Devin had been his friend, his protégée (to use his uncle’s french). And he’d decided to damn any sense because of one girl? Then he’d nearly died. They tried to kill him, with a fucking werewolf. Oh, it had been a glorious moment that summer, to learn of a pack of wolves he had a direct line too. Wasn’t poetic justice the sweetest? Though, Sam enjoyed the other half of this more. He couldn’t remember anything of the night he nearly died but a blurry Holly-Rae. Devin had suffered the wolf attack, and Nadia… *
Senseless, really. *He shakes his head bitterly. Before another breath leaves him, he’s stalled by a chilling, blunt order. Sam smiles, and doesn’t look around.*
Jana: Step away from my son. *The St. Mungo’s papers were nearly ready to be signed, Shane was simply going over final contractual details. Lynn had said she was going to change, lest they run into any press at the hospital. As if that was an ‘if’ at all; the press had followed her like she was a harbinger of horrific entertainment since she’d been at the trial to condemn the bastard who stole so many years of her life - let alone the equivalent of a U.S. First Lady to Shane. Her entire life she felt sometimes could be found on page eight.
If she gave a damn, she might change as well. Instead she had changed her expression. In place of her tear-struck sadness, Jana was wearing a cold frown.* Now.
Sam: Aunt Jay. *The inhale thin to hide his chuckle, he had a passable look of apology on his lips by the time he turned around. A hand went up in feigned regret.* I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I was merely paying my respects.
Jana: *Her steps seems to echo in the otherwise empty ward. As she comes to rest closer to him, Sam finally steps back from the bed. Her eyebrow etches high, arms folding on her chest. Her remark is blunt.* Why?
Sam: Why? *Feigning surprise, his own eyebrows furrow.* Devin’s not merely a cousin, Aunt Jay, he’s—
Jana: —the boy whose life you made miserable last year. After you beat some other poor kid up and blamed it on him.
Sam: Ah, *his jawline hardens, a bit surprised to hear her bring up Justin,* I never blamed it on—
Jana: No, you were too much of a coward to do that. *Flatly,* Instead you let others jump to conclusions and smirked your way to sniveling apologies from other rats like you. I also - *her heart skips a beat, but a smile appears on her lips, saying lightly,* happen to know you’re the one who bought him illegal drugs.
Sam: *Well, now wasn’t this interesting? A slow smirk spreads on his lips too, even as he swallows at that.* I understand you’re upset, Aunt Jay, this is a—
Jana: Upset? *She takes another step forward, eyes narrowing, incredulous and angered.* I am enraged. Let’s make one thing clear. Flattered as I’m sure he’d be by your touching concern, you aren’t to enter even the ward, that he’s placed in. I don’t want you within ten feet of my son.
Sam: *Stiffening as she takes a step forward, his breath catches in his throat.*
Jana: *With another step,* I don’t know what you think you’re doing here, I don’t care. You hurt my son. That is all I give a damn about. You might have your parents fooled, the professors? But you don’t fool me, Sam.
Sam: *He’s shaking his head, though a trickle of fear goes up his spine and leaves him to snap,* I’m so sorry, for this situation, of course you’re on edge right now. I perfectly understand.
Jana: Oh, you understand? *She hisses again, angered, stepping protectively nearer the bed, frantic to check the chart and ensure that Sam hadn’t messed with anything. She looks back at him.* Excellent. I understand too. Whatever petty school-boy grudge you have? You should have left it be last year. You have, as I understand it, a pretty girl on your arm and all the wealth in the world — but unfortunately, it seems God forgot to gift you with the brain He gives ants. I know this was you. I’ve dealt with your kind all my life and — *her smile widens* — you’ll notice, I’m the one still standing. *In a tiny hiss,* I’m not as bound by the law as my husband.
&.
Ingrid: Miss Rivers, I need you step away from my son this instant. *Her dark navy heels clacked on the stone floor as she stepped closer. She did not raise her voice, because this was in fact a Hospital Wing, and it would not help young Devin's condition. Despite everything, specifically concerning the way she felt about Jana, her priority as not just a family member but as a member of the Board of Governors, was the boy's well being. It was far more that had been awarded from the other woman when her son had been in a similar situation the previous semester.* I understand how upset you are, but addressing my son with hostility is not appropriate of you as either an adult or a family member. Frankly, it's downright insulting and I won't tolerate it. Samuel *she turned to her only boy and then motioned to the door* return to class, please. Thank you for coming to check on your cousin. *She hadn't recalled Devin or Lynn stepping foot in the Hospital Wing when her son was the one lying on the bed. It just went to show the difference in upbringing and class.*
Sam: *He was cut off from his retort by the crisp, clean voice of his mother. A note of relief flickered through him, but he kept himself from smiling as his gaze was still locked with his aunts. If she even really could be called that, it was Shane who was related to his mother; the girl in front of him was only a mudblood. Apparently a murderous one at that - he supposed the violence was to be expected by one of her standing, but he was displeased to realize a trickle of fear go through him. He spoke calmly himself, despite the fact his heart was still a bit jittery.* Of course, Mother. As I said I just was paying my respects.
Jana: *Her hands had gone to her waist as she heard Ingrid enter. Furiously in a tiny voice under her breath so only Sam could hear her,* Or to gloat.
Sam: *There's an uptick in his lips, but he says cordially,* I pray Devin wakes up soon. That's what matters. *He would. When Sam wanted him too. After a quick sidestep when he realizes Jana's truly not moving he walks out quickly, pausing to kiss his mother's cheek. It was what he was expected to do.*
Jana: *She didn't spin at first, only stepping forward to check on the monitors, insure that Devin was...well, unchanged. Her heart pounding in her ear, blood hot, she turns now, her hands still on her hips as she looks at Ingrid.* I a pologize, Ingrid. After all, I wouldn't want you to think me inappropriate. *Her teeth clenched, before she raises her hand as if having an epiphany,* Oh, wait. You always thought me such. You and your son. *Her eyes narrow.* I wasn't being hostile, Miss Roswell, I was giving him the warning he didn't give my son.
Ingrid: *She was glad Jana had not chosen to turn around immediately else she might have witnessed Ingrid's professional expression drop for a brief moment as her son stopped to kiss her before departing as asked. She had been worried after all, the moment she heard of a werewolf attack again, she felt as she had that morning last year: helpless, angry, fearful. Ingrid had been relieved to hear that her son was unharmed, that he hadn't even been in the forest with the rest of the students. Her expression was clear again as she took a step forward and Jana turned around.* And you continue to prove me right by behaving so uncivilized. Does it please you to harass a 15 year old boy that wanted nothing more than to check on the well being of his cousin? Certainly a lot more than your son offered him last term. If I remember correctly, your own concern was limited, the entire story, covered up against my vehement disapproval. *She shrugged and then pulled on her sleeves to straighten though they were of course impeccable.* I'm sorry it had to come to your family's doorstep for action to finally be taken.
Jana: Please me? *A high-pitched incredulity took her voice a moment as she immediately looked back to Devin, her son, in that bloody hospital bed. Tears pricked at her eyes, and she shut them until she was certain she could look back without fear or watery-eyes.* My family, as I was just reminded, includes yours. *Holding her chin steady, her eyes only continue to narrow over an implacable cold smile.* Of course I was relieved Sam was all right last term. My concern for Sam's wasn't limited. *She shook her head, incredulous. Even though it hardly surprised her. Most thought the worst of her: especially, those purebloods who disdained of her bloodline. Her words tremble with the fire fanning them, anger in place of fear.* It was tempered by his treatment of my son, -my- fifteen year old boy who is lying behind both of us, *her hand comes down to gesture, without breaking eye contact,* in a hospital bed, because of the actions of your son, and *Flatly, as she takes another step forward.* I won't have him covering up what happened with false concern beneath that smarmy attitude. Quite frankly, it makes me sick. *Her chin lifts again.* Now you're going to ask me for proof now so I'll admit; there isn't any yet. *Sweetly* You taught your boy well. But I trust my daughter, and her instincts. Especially when they match up with mine. I don't know how Sam got ahold of a werewolf, but rest assured I will find out. In the meantime, all I asked him to do was not to intrude. I wasn't aware that was uncivilized.
Ingrid: His treatment of your son was to open his arms in acceptance. To include him into the life where he rightfully belongs, the life that you and your husband chose to keep him from. It was your son who spit on his offer and who attacked him.
*Her words were sharp and poignant but she did not raise them. This was a Hospital Wing, this was a school, and she was a member of the Board of Governors. Things were expected of her, something this woman would never understand. She was in rags, filthy, the wife of the Minister of Magic. Ingrid would have never allowed herself to look so disheveled in public. She understood leaving the house in a panic, but it had been hours since then, hours since she had been informed her son's condition was stable and unchanging. She couldn't spare ten seconds to wave her wand and take care of her appearance? Those same ten seconds she had used to disrespect her son.
But her thoughts of keeping composure immediately left her as she heard the woman accuse Sam of having something to do with this. She snapped.* His actions?! I would take care of throwing around such horrible accusations! My son was nowhere near the forest last night. *She took a step forward as well, her teeth gritting, her eyes narrowing.* Here in the real world, Miss Rivers, we rely on evidence and facts before passing judgment, not instincts. I will not let you use you and your daughter's grudge against me and my son to make him suffer for something he did not do.
*Associate with werewolves?! As if her son would stoop so low; Kevan and her had taught him better than that, to act with more class than that.* No, that was not uncivilized, just rude. What was uncivilized, was your declaration that you are not bound by the law. *That might have been the only moment of the conversation she caught, but it was enough, because the woman's body language was enough.* Don't insult me or yourself, Miss Rivers, I know exactly what you were implying. *She leaned in.* Don't threaten my son ever again.
Jana: I didn't choose to keep Devin from anything. *It was perhaps with a flash of guilt, a latent remnant of all she had felt the previous spring.* It was you and that 'life' that refuse to accept me. My husband and I, *she snaps it, irritated by the flagrant tone of disrespect to Shane on top of everything,* would not allow the likes of you to split our family up for the sake of something like attending some lame-ass party -- *and seeing as how Ingrid had clearly just checked her outfit out* -- in some trumped up fluffy gown whose silk would be better spent feeding an entire third-world country, and weak alcohol. *She might be off topic, but dammit, she was angry. She was furious. And she was only glad to see a crack in the woman's reserve in response; it was much easier to deal with Ingrid that way.*
Yes, his actions. Maybe he wasn't in the forest last night, but you -do- know what your son's policy on open-arm acceptance was in the first place, don't you? *She takes a step right up next to her, non-deterred.* To begin with he beat Justin Hall up, put him in this very same hospital, *incredulous* didn't even have the courage to face him head on. And what he offered was a hefty amount of the illegal drugs that he deals, that he has that hussy on his arm hooked on, so yes, I would say I'm flatly proud of Devin spitting on that offer. *Her voice is hard, and drops to a whisper, furious,* If you want to talk about unfounded horrible accusations though, you should ask Sam for his evidence that it was my son and Hols' fault the night he was hurt. *She snaps,* He has none.
*There obviously wasn't any to find. Though she didn't believe in a hundred million years Lynn and Hols weren't keeping part of that particular story from her and Amaris -- the notion of them attacking Sam was absurd. She breathes out as Ingrid leans into her, and a tiny smirk appears on her lips too,* As for grudges, my daughter -- for that matter, any one else -- has no idea what it is you and I know about each other -- there's no need to bring it up.
*She breathes out, a little flustered that she had been overheard with that particular line and -- okay, maybe she shouldn't have said that, but she was certain. She was certain, because if anyone in this goddamn school had a grudge, it was Sam against her son and goddaughter. Her heart skipped another beat with the pang of sudden heartache and worry. Eyes narrow still she retorts instantly,* Keep your son away from mine and I won't ever talk to him again.
Ingrid: *How remarkably socialist of Jana. And by remarkably she meant the exact opposite, as it didn't surprise her in the slightest. The gall of this woman, honestly. But she had long been finished with paying any attention to that woman's criticism of their lifestyle. Some people could never be made to see to reason. Blaming an entire society for the actions of one man, how incredibly hypocritical. Their children might have had a real opportunity to grow, to be taught the graces and the tradition. No, Ingrid never welcomed her, but many others, some whom she considers friends, had. No, if they had truly wished to raise their children in pureblood tradition they would have, despite everyone else. The simple fact was that Miss Rivers didn't want to, because she thought the lifestyle disgusting. It was that, the judgment of the way she lived her life, that Ingrid wouldn't tolerate. Again, it was a tired argument, so she didn't even bother to tend the flames of it.* If there would have been any evidence on who attacked Mr. Hall, disciplinary action would have been taken. *She scoffed at the other accusation, based on nothing but lies. The woman was so blinded by her distaste of her, her son, and their lifestyle to see that she spoke nothing but lies.* More insults to 15 year olds, Miss Rivers, really? This is frankly, disgusting. *It was no wonder her children behaved so abominably. Theirs was not the fault, when they had such a role model in their home: a crass and vulgar woman, with no respect for anyone, who didn't flinch away from insulting and threatening children. And she wondered why Ingrid had never welcomed her.* He has the memory of seeing Holly Rae Graft that night. No further evidence and because of it, no disciplinary action was taken. We do not take the law into our own hands, and I suggest you refrain from doing so yourself. *She couldn't stand one more second of this insufferable woman. Swallowing a retort and unwilling to bring up that memory, she draws herself back up again and pulls on the edges of her jacket.* Gladly.
*She was only sorry that the family ties remained, no matter what. Ingrid looked to Devin lying on the bed and felt her anger dissipate. For all the trouble he caused her son, she would not wish this upon the boy. That was the difference between her and Miss Rivers, it seemed; her heart was not so twisted with spite. All of the children in Hogwarts were Ingrid's concern, all of them. Even those whose mother she couldn't stand.* I hope your son returns to you soon, Miss Rivers. *She brought her gaze back to the woman's, her jaw stern again, her voice cool.* While you wait, I would suggest refining your vocabulary. Surely there's plenty of undiscovered derogatory words for you to use against teenage girls. *She departed only to stop at the entrance of the Hospital Wing, remembering why she had come here in the first place; an everlasting reminder of their association. She turned around and informed coolly* Aunt Dalma asked me to tell you she'll be along shortly. She was caught in the middle of argument with Mr. Brackner after the Board meeting. *There, now she was off; she had more things to worry about. But if Jana Rivers thought she was going to forget the slights and accusations against Sam, and that Ingrid would let them sit idly, she was wrong.*
Jana: There was evidence. *Bitterly,* Nadia saw the attacker. If more people would listen to her, I believe a great deal more hurt could have been avoided. *Honestly,* For both of us, and both of our families. *She bites down on her bottom lip, aggravated by the remark and more hurt than she was willing to admit. It seemed a lifetime ago she had first met Ingrid; during that first campaign of Shane's, admittedly against Ingrid's own husband. That campaign..well, she could see she wasn't the only one that wanted to let sleeping dogs lie, so Jana let it fall, forgot the only tie they would ever have beyond her being Shane's family and looked back to Devin.*
Then you should inform your son that if he saw Hols', there might be a reason beyond blame. *Jana's eyes flicker back to Ingrid sideways, words pointed and raised,* There was someone who brought him to the hospital wing anonymously, wasn't there? Perhaps he shouldn't be so quick to threats himself. But it was Sam, Miss Roswell, who stated quite plainly this summer on more than one occasion that both my children as well as Amaris's should have cause to fear a "coming war" -- those were his words, not mine. And if you're going to tell me that boys will be boys, I would only say that it is the lessons we learn young that are the hardest to discard.
*Her gaze returns to Devin. As grateful as she was to see his chest still rising and falling, more tears were threatening to fall instantly as she heard his heart-monitor register a slight fluctuation. As if even asleep, even wherever he was, he wanted to wake and reign her in, was being hurt by her insinuations (or, okay, flat statements) against a lifestyle that he so respected. It was that more than the briefly spoken wish of him waking from Ingrid that calmed her. I'm sorry, honey, she heard herself thinking hard, wishing he could hear her as she took another step towards him, sliding her fingers into his. It seemed she was destined to be a poor mother to him; never saying the right thing, always quick to anger, quick to blame, quick to hurt.
Momentarily ashamed of how she had described Victoria, she remembers quickly how the girl had treated Devin as a plaything, what she had called Nadia -- and an angry red flare in her heart keeps her from taking any of it back. It was not only Sam who was making his decisions on who he would be so young. She chuckles just once, squeezing Devin's hand again, as it occurs to her and her words are suddenly light.* I'm sure I would only have to ask Victoria herself for one. There are few more ruthless than a teenage girl. I'm sure we both know that though, *her gaze casts back and holds Ingrid's for a moment as she states plainly,* After all, we both were one once.
*And apparently still were. Sometimes Jana wondered if she could ever grow up. And then if it were possible, after everything she had lived through, for her to still be that teenage girl. She felt like a different person, someone who had never known fear and loss, whose biggest problems had been if a boy smiled at her and next week's Astrology test. It seemed to be a pattern doomed to repeat, and earlier now she thought miserably, looking back to Devin's peacefully sleeping form, scratches still angry-scarlet on his lip and cheek. Didn't he even get that? Didn't he get to live through petty issues and small problems--the days of worry about his and Nadia's first anniversary, and who was whose secret santa? No, instead there were werewolves and smashed potions, kidnappings and comas and threats, so many threats, some coming from her own lips...*
I'm sorry. *She spoke abruptly, looking up as Ingrid was paused at the door. Her face was ravaged, but her eyes were clear and narrowed.* Those remarks were unkind. I'm sure you can understand Ingrid, having been in a similar situation. *She bit her tongue hard, not blinking.* And if our children have continued a war of ours, our generation, from half a century ago, then I would argue we both were at fault. And that we should be better, so, I'm sorry. *She exhales, heavily, but forces herself to continue, still gripping Devin's palm.* I am sure however, that Devin would be grateful that you came as well. He always has looked up to you.
*There's a flash in her eyes as she forces herself to say those poisonous words, a twist in her heart. But it was true. And if she could at least pass her son's wishes along, then she...felt better. The cool information caused her only to nod.* Thank you for the information. I will tell Shane. *And keep your son the hell away from mine, her eyes said, but she didn't want to repeat herself or undermine the minute but honest apology. Ingrid was already gone. She was not truly surprised that Dalma (fantastic woman, for all her thoughts) would have gotten in an argument with Benjamin. That was common. Jana almost laughed as she looked back to Devin, rubbing under her eyes and sitting on the edge of his bed.*
See that honey? I know it's common for Stuarts and Brackners to argue. I guess I am more part of this world than anyone cares to admit. *quieter still* Least of all me. *Taking his hand with both of hers now, she clasps tightly, and is silent only a few moments.* I need you, Dev. I need you to tell me what is going on here, where I went too far, and...and where I haven't gone far enough, where I failed to protect you. I'm listening, I swear I am, I swear. I'll do anything. Please, please just...come back to us. Come back home, and let your father and I do our job, let us help---whatever it is, whatever happened, we won't blame or disavow you, I swear, whatever it is, all we want to do is protect you from whatever it is, to help. Just come back. *Her voice broke, but she dared not closer her eyes for all the water in them. for it would mean looking away from her boy.* Please.
&.
(&. Ally. &.)
&
Lynn: *Her gripping fear for Devin had her even less patient than usual; though that didn't seem possible. Every bone in her ached to be doing something, anything, to find Nadia - to wake her brother up. Sticking the lollipop between her teeth to give herself something to bite, it was blue; when she'd realized cherry was painting her lips the same eerie color as Devin's scars. Lynn kept her eyes on her boyfriend stubbornly. The permission from both Alcott and Hols had come tumbling with the admission that Brackner had (finally) told his mother and uncle -- and she'd hastened to Nick's side at once to tell him everything. It came out as quickly as she thought she'd ever said anything in her life. She kept herself as still as she could, knowing everything she'd told him could reasonably take some time to process. Like...a minute, thirty...two seconds, that was fair right?* I wanted to tell you, love, they just...well they made some decent..points. *She was fidgeting. At the time, it had been because frankly: no boyfriend of hers had lasted longer than three weeks, let alone six months. By now she and Hols were usually planning revenge. How simple the world had been then.*
Nick: Wow. *That was his solitary response as Lynn had finished him informing of what exactly had been going on here. For having grown up in California, not an hour's drive from LA, and for having spent every Saturday night until Jesse moved out as a movie night, he was still caught off-guard by the amount of underlying plot that had been happening right under his nose. It was with a groan that he realized, he was a typecast.* I can't believe I was the unknowing clueless friend in the situation. Not that I blame you, or them, for not telling me but still...thought I was smarter than that.
*Nick Callaway, doomed to never be a protagonist. Rosamaria had said so years ago when he and his friends had gotten their fortunes read at a carnival by the beach when they were 14. Nadia had said that was silly, that every one was the protagonist of their own story and then proceeded to tell him he had a very odd age line which meant he could be immortal. He hoped the little tyke was okay.* Wow. *He said again, as if that was any better.* When I told Hols that she and Al were animals I didn't...*he chuckled and shook his head though it was only a small source of amusement in an otherwise grim time.* But how...are you convinced that Sam and Victoria had anything to do with this? I had to stop Hols from killing that girl myself, and I'm not sure how much longer she'll hold off.
Lynn: Aw, babe. *Surprised how relieved she was that he only groaned, she stopped the curt walk to the study room, turned and slipped her arm around his neck, going on her toes to kiss him once. For a second, she could just focus on him.* You weren't the clueless friend. You were the trusting boyfriend, *kiss* the breath of fresh air, *kiss*... the normalcy needed to my utter insanity. *She kisses him again, long and hard, and pulls back to says softer, free-hand tangling with the sapphires she still wore,.* And now you're the understanding necessary other half of me who needs to know everything. *Her nose brushes his, she kisses him again and then she pulls back, resuming the curt walk, hand in hand. At the brief little 'wow' she laughs herself, tiny and bitter, wishing she could still just focus on him. Later. It was easier to be his girlfriend, than Lynn Rivers at that moment.*
I know. It makes more sense though. Hols learns he's a wolf, he starts being less of a dick, and wham! If anything, I was the clueless one. Though if we're going to typecast, I prefer to think I'm the bitchy best friend, the queen B. *She looks sideways, wiggles both eyebrows and then exhales aggravated.* Well, Alcott saw Victoria yesterday. *Anger flashes across her eyes.* Besides that though -- Sam remembers seeing Hols that night in April...he thinks Devin was involved. *Her heart skips a beat as anger clenches in the center of her chest.* Which is...my way of saying you may have to hold me off them too, honey. *She squeezes his hand again.*
Nick: *Who could help but be convinced with that kind of treatment? He smiled briefly as she kissed him every time and then nodded slowly as their kiss turned into a deeper more deliberate one, tightening his grip around her waist, happy to have her close.* Well, when you put it that way...*he grins and nods again before continuing to walk. They were headed to the "meeting" he had expressively told Hols to have before going off and doing anything stupid.* Queen Bee, yes, that suits you perfectly. All you need is a crown. *He nods then, realizing what Hols meant when she had slipped in the fact she had saved Sam's life during her rant to him. He didn't think she noticed the slip and he didn't question it then because he had been honestly tired of being lied to. He nods and squeezes her hand again.* I'll do my best...but you know how shitty my self control is, especially if it involves you in a position of power.
Lynn: Well now. *Her eyebrow cocks up at him, even as she continues walking.* That sounds like something my king should give me. *She winks at him, even as she thinks she's holding on to his hand for dear life. They couldn't show weakness, she reminds herself. The clatter of her heels was comforting to hear, if only because it would be a beacon to Sam if they saw him: they hadn't broken her.* Mm, what if we make a deal, you restrain me and I'll come up with other powerful positio-- oh, hello, Alcott.
Alcott: *As false brightly as her,* Oh, hello, Lynn! *Honestly, he'd only gotten off the couch to help himself to some of the study-snacks that were on the long table near the door. He knew perfectly well the word she'd been in the middle of and,* Really didn't need that image though, thanks.
Lynn: *Cocks an eyebrow at him innocently,* Why Nick, did you hear that? He was picturing me.
Alcott: Really, Rivers?
Eliza: *From the couch, where she was buffering her nails to give her jittery hands something to do,* If you two are like this the entire time, I'm taking -- *she pauses, then looks to Hols,* asking for permission, to borrow your Kracken and hitting you both with it. May I?
Alcott: *quickly* Let's refrain; I remember how that smarts.
Lynn: *She opens her mouth, then looks at Hols, looks back at Nick, and shuts it again. Fine. Even though every normal action felt weighted, the familiar and the comfortable necessary for breath -- she'd swallow the smart remarks. For now. In it's place Lynn offered a bright smile, and resumed licking her lollipop.*
Nick: It'll match your necklace. *The necklace only brought along much more pleasant memories of the night of her birthday; a train of thought that she had seemed to adopt as well. His smirk was not easy to restrain.*
Irene: I did! I appreciated it. *she waved her fingers from her place on the couch next to Eliza. She winked at Lynn and smiled at both of them because she had to and was determined before. Besides, frowns caused wrinkles. She told Nadia that constantly. Her mouth twitched with the want to frown as she thought of her missing best friend, but she was in charge of her body. Mostly.*
Nick: *he chuckled and then cleared his throat* Al, bro code.
Hols: You may. The Kraken will be happy to get reacquainted with an old friend. *It was mostly joking, but given the fact that she found everything unfunny right at that moment, it didn't come off as one. The relief and happiness on Alcott's behalf for coming clean to his mother and uncle was short-lived as her worry over her sister and Devin who was as much a brother to her as Nadia was a sister to Lynn.* One question though, *she pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning against, ignoring her protesting limbs and muscles* what are we doing here?
Irene: Obviously, figuring out a plan of action. *She turned from looking at Hols to address everyone else.* I would like to submit my name for consideration as "head bitch in charge".
Hols: *She ignores that, knowing that snapping at Irene wouldn't do any good.* I already have a plan: action. Funnily enough Eliza, now that you mention it, it does involve the Kraken. And Victoria's face. Like I should have done last year after I found out the little bitch put out my pictures. So! My forgiving mood has decidedly ended.
Alcott: *His hands go up with a tiny smirk and head jerk of agreement to Nick. Sometimes he didn't understand how Rivers had attracted such a decent, agreeable bloke -- but mostly, he couldn't say he cared.*
Lynn: *Wiggling a wave back to Irene (and ignoring both Nick and Alcott for a moment), she perched on the edge of the couch. Her gaze was on Hols. She agrees easily,* My forgiving mood too.
Eliza: *warily, her hand pausing.* Not to be the voice of reason but-
Alcott: Well that makes a nice change. *The moment the sarcasm had left his lips, he was reminded of his grandfather's words: always a smart remark, just like his father. It stuck his throat together.*
Eliza: *Oh, Al. Ignoring,* How exactly wi--
Lynn: *Over them with a head shake, though her eyes hadn't left Hols.* I was going to add that with my forgiving mood's death there was the birth of a-
Alcott: Murder-planning mood? *Off-hand.*
Lynn: Something like. *A tiny smirk was on her lips.*
Eliza: *With a heavy exhale,* That won't get us answers.
Lynn: No, but it will sure feel damn good.
Eliza: Not if if hurts the chan--
Alcott: There is no chance. *Flatly, his hands curling around the back of the couch, eyes dropping to the carpet beneath them. When he lifts it, he's locked on Hols' gaze again, wishing vividly they were still in the room alone.* We're finding Nadia, and Devin is waking up. Period.
Eliza: *She unsticks her throat, face broken in sympathy even as she agrees.* Obviously. Still, Victoria is the best lead. Smashing her face in with a bat might 'feel damn good' *Lord, how was it Lynn and her brother could be such polar opposites, and still so similar?*, but it won't make her inclined to answer questions.*
Alcott: *False brightly.* But that's where you come in, isn't it?
Eliza: Me.
Alcott: *Shrugs a shoulder, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips.* Of the people in this room, who do you think she'd believe would feel sorry for her, that she'd open up to?
Eliza: *Her mouth founds a tiny 'oh', she clears her throat, and sits up.* You're serious? She's dating my--
Alcott: Abusive.
Lynn: Psychotic.
Eliza: -ex. *Pauses, hearing their added adjectives, and look sideways to Lynn, a questioning eyebrow arched.*
Lynn: *Shrugs a shoulder, a 'crack' echoing from the bitten lollipop.* Maybe she's upset with Roswell; you relate with his psychosis, and voila. *She uses the lollipop as a magic wand a moment.* Benefits of this plan being we hurt her first. *Her eyes narrow, and she looks at Alcott.* You saw her.
Alcott: I'm not like to forget. *His heart would skip beats over it though. The back of his teeth clench together.* She was drunk. So what I'm curious of is - *He turns to Irene, raising a hand as he asks,* Was she at the party?
Nick: Glad to know I'm not the only voice of reason among us. It's a tiring job.
Hols: You should quit. *she suggested with false cheer.* Don't listen to you much anyways.
Nick: Love you too, Rae.
Irene: She doesn't mean that, Nick. *raises an eyebrow in Hols' direction, not wanting to tell her off because that wasn't who she was...actually, that's more what Nadia would do. She missed her little hot Spanish mamisita. Irene rubbed at her eyes really quickly.*
Hols: *Murder planning mood, she liked that the sound of that but not more than murder committing mood. That was her point: no talking, more doing.* It will get us answers. *simply* I'll hit her until she talks.
Nick: *He snorted and shook his head, keeping a comment to himself. He didn't know if Al and Hols had talked it out yet but he didn't wanna risk antagonizing a touchy subject by reminding Hols her father would definitely not approve.*
Irene: Exactly. *she nods, agreeing with Al even though she wasn't the one he was looking at.* It's gonna happen, and the moment Devin's awake and Nadia's back, I'm going to smother them in my bosom.
Hols: *Her lips twitched briefly at Irene's description before she exhales and shakes her head, not a fan of stealth and deceit and manipulation; that was always more of Lynn's cup of tea. Hols was more blunt, straightforward, in-your-face.* I prefer my plan. Smashing skulls, crushing testicles.
Irene: Definitely not my favorite thing to do with testicles *she adds simply, even as a part of her could practically hear the high pitched squeak of shock even now* but given that they're Roswells, I'll make an exception. I have these new pumps I've been itching to try out.
Nick: *He had been wincing, brows furrowing and now he was just shaking his head insistently as the disgusting image.* Horrible topic, next.
Hols: *Victoria was there, that was the point. She was there and she had smashed Alcott's wolfsbane on purpose. She was focusing all her rage on the other girl because if she didn't, Hols would feel guilty that it was half her fault Al had stormed off in the first place. Bite and scratch marks pulsed in reminder of the night that had occurred because of it. A night that Nadia had warned her about and she had ignored and now her baby sister was paying the price for it.*
Irene: Oh my skank radar was going off like crazy the whole time, but Victoria didn't even register a blip. *she shook her head* I would have spotted her and frankly, I would have kicked her bony ass into the lake and snogged my boyfriend at the same time without missing a beat. *Unfortunately she didn't get to do either, but the latter was because they had been dealing with unpleasant things.*
Lynn: Damn. *She'd been hoping Victoria was there, that someone had seen her with Sam. Nick had just asked her why she was so certain it was them...and Lynn didn't know. Was it ridiculous to say she just felt it, deep in her bones? Nadia would have believed her, she thought briefly with a pang in the center of her chest. Ducking her gaze to the floor, her hand slipped to tangle fingers with Nick's.*
Alcott: New pumps? *It was wry, amused -- he couldn't help the remark. He thought in some ways it was more important to be himself now more than ever. It was a way to feel human. Then his gaze darts back to Hols, saying slowly,* Well, that is an appealing image. ...Though luv, I think you'd knock her out with one blow. I have faith, anyways. *He would. His fist curled just thinking about it.* ...and she can't answer much then.
Lynn: *Over them, shaking her head slightly,* Look, we know it was them, but at the same time -- they're both here, obviously, still at school. What connections do they have?
Alcott: *He looks at Lynn with an incredulous 'really?' obvious in his face.*
Lynn: *Her eyes narrow at him.* Besides a cousin whose Minister of Magic, thanks Alcott.
Alcott: *He shrugs a shoulder, amused.* I wasn't accus--
Eliza: *Suddenly,* You said she was drunk?
Alcott: *His gaze snaps back to her, arching an eyebrow, wondering how it could take her so long and then wondering why it could possibly be important.* Yes?
Eliza: *slowly* Sam...he imports the liquor, imports...
Alcott: Everything. *nods, generally wishing to skip over that point. Rivers was still glaring in memory; as if it was his fault that Sam had been dealer for her brother?*
Eliza: Well, clearly he has some criminal connection there. *She speaks with obvious distaste, eyes flicking to Irene with a tiny smile.* And since she wasn't at the party...well, I know where he liked to go to drink, we could start there.
Lynn: *immediately* Where?
Eliza: On campus? There's a room behind the boathouse, it's usually abandoned, has comfortabl--
Lynn/Alcott: *same time* I know.
Lynn: *looks at Alcott* Oh gros-- really?
Alcott: *had instantly looked at Hols, brows arching as if to say 'You got that place from -her-?" with a shocked little gasp.*
Eliza: Oh good God. *She shakes her head, then looks to Irene and Nick for sympathy. At least they understood. Not that she didn't get why Lynn and Alcott were touchy - why Hols was murderous -- god, she couldn't even imagine how they had to be feeling. Heart pounding, she says a bit louder,* We can see if there are any clues there.
Alcott: *nods, but he's taken a few steps closer to Hols now, arms folded on his chest to force himself to relax as he asks in as reassuring a voice as he can manage,* Is there anything else I should..know, about what I did?
Hols: *Yes, she probably could. She was the daughter of an auror after all, her dad had made her take countless of self defense classes after her mom had taught her how to throw her first punch. Hols packed a wallop. And if even Nadia could break Victoria's nose, Hols remembered being so proud, Hols would make quick work of the girl and that wouldn't help.* I still want to hit something. *She muttered under her breath.*
Irene: I import *she said defensively, crossing her legs again and laying her hands on her lap.* Don't make it sound so dirty. *Granted she didn't import drugs or anything else like that. She might be a party animal but she was pure of heart and intent. Mostly. She didn't like drugs except alcohol was the point she was trying to make. Pills made her think of her mother.*
Nick: *With his hand firmly grabbing Lynn's, he turn to Irene with a soft smile and shook his head.* I'm sure it's not the same, Rene.
Hols: *She prayed and wished and hoped that Sam's contact wasn't anyone working for her uncle Jandro. That man practically runs the world black market, the wizarding one at least. He got her Carrado when he was just an egg as a present, and those never came cheap. Maybe she would have to write a letter to her dear uncle to see if he knew anything.*
Irene: Now that sounds like a plan! *She wraps an arm around her equally-golden-bestie.* Blondes do it better. *She winked at Eliza before addressing everyone again* And we finally have a destination! You know, last year, I went as "Sheila Holmes" for Halloween so I already know about being a detective. And besides, out of all of us here I'm the only Hufflepuff and the legends are true, we're exceptionally good finders. Fantastic even. Extraordinary.
Nick: *He chuckled because he couldn't help it. It was good news that he still could, that they could continue to act like themselves even in this moment of crisis, and that they could continue moving forward. Nick nodded, liking the idea of checking that out for starters.* I'm in...though if we all go, won't it seem suspicious?
Hols: *She pursed her lips apologetically at Al as he and Lynn realized they had both effectively snogged at the same spot. For Lynn it was probably a sacred place come to die, but hopefully more so because of Sam than Al. According to Irene, who had been witness to the whole thing, Lynn and Al had actually gotten along and chuckled through a conversation without drawing blood; she'd focus on that. Hols raised her head as Al stepped closer and she shook her head, letting her arms fall from in front of her chest to her sides.* No, nothing else. *He had already seen the essential beating-up her body had gotten and she wasn't about to remind him. Hols had told him what she knew already, that she got him away from the party and kept driving him further into the forest; they made enough noise not to be bothered by any other potentially dangerous animals. She met her gaze before she admitted.* You might have eaten a squirrel.
Alcott: *Muttering equally under his breath, relieved to see a tiny smirk of pride cross her lips,* You hit me quite a few times. *Sheepish and smirking at once, he cocked his eyebrow saying flatly,* With rocks too, I seem to remember. *It was almost, almost playful. The situation at the back of his mind -- but then there seemed to be tens of hundreds of terrible situations, or okay four or five -- it only made him more determined to keep that smirk in place. Besides, he truly wanted Hols' to know he didn't blame her for any of it last night. His hand lifted to toy with the dragon-ring he had on a chain around his neck, chuckling under his breath and turning back to Irene,* Yeah, but you actually get the good stuff.
Eliza: Oh no- nono, that's not wha-- *Her breathless covering was cut off by Nick and Al, so she just shook her head.* Right.
Lynn: *curious, she looks at Irene with a head tilt* No, it's probably not, but maybe....I mean Hogwarts has to be wild territory, a real goldmine, anyone who sells here probably knows the competition right? Maybe you could ask where you import from? *It was just alcohol, she thought lightly even as she tangles herself a little closer to Nick.*
Alcott: *That made sense, he thought (decidedly ignoring now what else he'd just bloody learned about that boathouse spot and thinking that really, there were lots of rooms in that area, it probably wasn't the same one), and then just finds himself grinning back at Irene. Lord, did he love her sometimes. All times, actually, but most especially sometimes.* All right Sheila, what should we know? *He could play along. Besides, now he was thinking about role-playing, and for a few brief moments picturing Hols in --well, he'd say costumes but that would be generous...*
Eliza: Oh damn straight. *She chuckles, putting her arm around Irene too and squeezing.* And that bodes well.
Lynn: Good point. *She says in pride, looking back at Nick, happy to see the strategic mind that made him such an impossible opponent in chess. They were more alike than most in that room thought.* We should make sure they're distracted too, while we do look.
Eliza: *Holds up her hand preemptively,* I'm not-
Alcott: *near angrily* No, you're not going near Sam.
Eliza: *A bit mollified by the protective anger, and she smiles briefly, looking down. Slowly, she tilts her head and then looks up again,* I think we should ask Sie too.
Lynn: *Her gaze darts to Hols even as she says slowly, warily,* Ask her--
Eliza: *rephrasing instantly, seeing the narrower brow on Alcott's face and the look flash through Hols' eyes,* I, can ask her -- if she knows anything that's happened between Sam and Victoria lately. If anyone does...
Lynn: Oh, they were fighting. Didn't I say?
Alcott: Apparently not just Sienna. *He's grateful for that, looking at Eliza and then Lynn incredulously.*
Lynn: *She'd thought she'd mentioned that Eliza could pretend to relate--oh well. Seeing the glee in Alcott's eyes, she rolled her own and then waves her hand,* I don't know much, just they had a brief argument few days back.
Eliza: *Her throat tightens, eyes narrowing a bit.*
Alcott: Okay. Wonderful, now we've had the gossip -- *He didn't care if they'd argued* -- I'm, going to the boat house. *flatly, looking at Nick with an upturn in his smirk, wanting to think of something else* Hey, you still have the 'skis there?
Lynn: *And he knows about those. Wonderful. Men. Even still, she had slid herself closer to her boyfriend suddenly, glad to think they were getting along for Hols sake. Lynn did so love being contrary.*
Hols: *Yes, and a few times a bit harder than she should have but she was trying to keep him restrained, and it wasn't her fault her lionness was more fierce about wanting to subdue her pray than she. The rocks though, that there was no excuse for because it was deliberate even in a moment of rage. Looking back at it though, the entire situation set aside for only a brief moment, it was quite comical.* Hitting you isn't quite satisfactory anymore. *She was satisfied however to see Al reach a hand to the ring she had given him. It warmed her more than anything so far had.*
Irene: *She beamed.* I do get good shit, don't I? *She was pleased to hear so. Irene had a reputation to uphold, after all. If she was going to open up her own bar, then she couldn't go around providing liquor that tasted like Merlin's saggy ass. She looked back at Lynn and answered easily.* Frances Montero fulfills all my alcohol desires and her father is Castor Montero, owner of the Earth.
Nick: *He chuckles and then arches his eyebrow* The Earth? Irene, I don't think it's possible to own an entire planet.
Irene: No, silly, The Earth! *She looked around thinking that at least one of them would know what she meant.* Oh come on Nick, you're from L.A.- it's a series of clubs all over the world! Well, anyways I put in my orders -I have very particular tastes- and when Frances, poor girl by the way what a horrible name, is all ready we meet up in Hogsmeade. I got to the bathroom in The Three Broomsticks, there's a purse waiting for me with all my bottles shrunk and then I leave my purse, an exact copy, with the money. Easy, clean.
Nick: *he whistles* Sounds like quite the transaction. Why the big secret? It's just alcohol.
Irene: I'm 15, I want to be careful. *she shrugs, flipping her hair over her shoulder before admitting with a smile.* Plus, it's fun. But the point is, it's a rather personal deal, I met Frances at the Queen's birthday party two years ago and she does this as a favor for me. I don't think she would know who else dealt near Hogwarts, though I could ask.
Hols: *The queen's birthday party? Oh for Merlin's sake, did she hear correctly? Does that actually happen? Invitations to birthday parties from royalty? And she thought having to dress up for Christmas dinner was fancy. No longer.*
Irene: Location, location, location! Main part, but I mean, we already know the location so that's set. And follow your gut. It's always good to have a magnifying glass with you for us without supernatural senses, question everything, and always look cute.
Nick: Always look cute is what we should know about being detectives?
Irene: No, but that's an Irene rule to a more prosperous living so you should all follow it. *nods importantly.*
Hols: *Leave it to Nick to play it safe. If she was going to be cut from this 'detective' playing, she would bite someone's head off and she wouldn't need to morph into a lioness to do it. And Sienna's nick name just seemed to increase that desire for violence. Her head snapped to Eliza the moment she heard it before realizing what she had done and decidedly looked away, attempting to push down that annoyance.* Don't really care about their couple drama unless it was a falling out about the best way to exact their revenge.
Nick: *He laughed more out of surprise than actual amusement to hear Alcott bring them up before he nodded.* Oh yeah, still there. *He turned to look at Lynn, remembering the afternoon they had spent together as a first date with those. He squeezed her hand.*
Irene: Hold up, I'm coming too! *She stands up and pats down the wrinkles in her skirt.* You are not leaving me behind, sir! I'm the best finder in this room. The moment I walk out, I'll be the best finder in the hallway! And so on, and so forth.
Hols: *On second though, she brightened and then stood straighter.* Okay, you go check the boathouse. I'll go distract the bitch.
Nick: *he sighed* Hols-
Hols: She's much more likely to talk to Sienna *oh look, she could say the name without spitting or rolling her eyes! It was a better day than she thought it was-* after being verbally abused by me.
&.
Hols: *Everyone had pretty much come to the conclusion that there was no way they were going to stop her from approaching Victoria and had "allowed" Hols to go find her. Pah. And on the condition she didn't punch Victoria in the face. Well, she would try her very best but just seeing the back of that head made her furious, livid. She would have roared if she could. Oh, now she had the image of her lioness form lunging and attacking Victoria. What a sweet revenge that would be.* Hey, bitch! *Was that not her name? It had practically been made for her. Hols sped up her steps to catch up with her; the hallway was deserted but for the two of them at the moment and really she wouldn't mind an audience.* Yeah, I'm talking to you, putrid ass skank. *Hols stopped walking when another step would have made her crash into the other girl* You have ten seconds to explain what the fuck you think you're doing.
Victoria: *Was she serious? Her eyes narrowed, and she stopped walking, desperately wishing she'd already reached Danica. Folding her arms on her chest, she spun around finally as she realized she was about to be barreled into. Frown replaced with a smirk, smarm that failed to pass for charm dripped from her words,* Afternoon, Holly. So glad to see you haven't lost your...unique charms, but I have frankly no idea what you're referring to.
Hols: *Let me re-jog your memory by punching you in the face. She refrained however, as Nick's damn yankee accent creeped up in her mind reminding her that her parents really didn't need to be worried about another child. Damn Nick.* Last night. You were following Devin and then you smashed the vial in Al's hand. Oh, here's when you tell me a piece of shit excuse for why you did it, I really don't care. But how convenient that the last person that Devin sees before he was attacked is you, and then two sets of footprints walking away from the spot where Devin was attacked. I'm sorry, one was walking, the other was being dragged. *She snapped the last part out, taking a step closer to the bitch, her anger seething.* So I'll ask again, what the fuck do you think you're doing? Do you think you're safe, that you're getting away with this? I know it was you and you're psychotic abusive piece of dragon shit you call boyfriend. You must have some huge balls to think you can -fuck- with us like this.
Victoria: *She's cut off from the prepared retort four times, and each time her jaw only gets tighter. Graft really thought she was safe, didn't she? It was amusing. For a moment she considered telling Sam they could easily offer another recruit (after all, Graft was nearly pureblood herself), before she chided herself too many would be suspicious and warrant looking into. So instead she took a step forward and snapped,* Oh, you know everything, don't you Graft? You've got everything figured out, and you already know everything that's going to happen! Congratulations on the psychic gift...oh wait. *She taps the edge of her lips, mocking,* That's Nadia, isn't it?
Hols: *She gritted her teeth.* You don't even -try- to tell me that I'm crazy, that you have nothing to do with it, that I'm wasting my time because you know everything I said is true and you're proud of it even! Proud of this little plot! *Her eyes narrowed further as the bitch said her sister's name, mocked her and Hols could barely stand it. Don't punch her in the face, don't kick her in the gut, don't do any combinations or alterations of either. Her fists were shaking with the effort of keeping them at her side.* Listen here you cock-sucking arse-licker, you say her name again and that punch my sister gave you in the face last year is gonna be a little pat compared with the beating I'll give you. And I'll have the decency to do so in broad daylight, without a werewolf attacking to distract you. *Breathe in, breathe out, arms at her side.* Where. is. she?
Victoria: *Her self-satisfied smirk only widens. Well, there was an added benefit here. Dear Holly-Rae was going to get herself institutionalized, and that would save them time. Of course she was proud, she thought bitterly, hadn't anyone in that perfect little group heard of karma? How fucking hypocritical was that last line anyway?* That would be a first. *She says it pleasantly, brimming with pride.* I haven't forgotten - though this school seems to, that Devin is not the first to have nearly been killed by that wolf. *Her stomach clenches, a flutter of discontent on her face. It was Sam's idea, she thought briefly, a good one...but Devin wasn't waking. That worried her. If it was tit-for-tat...she cleared her throat, straightens again and says perfectly honestly,* I have no idea where she is.
*And she didn't. Sam had been right (of course he had)--they'd come after her first, since Devin saw her. There's another twist in her stomach at the hazy memory--lord had she been glad to get away from that bloodthirsty wolf and hand the unconscious Nadia over to Sam and....whoever that other man was. She hadn't seen his face ever; "to protect her" and frankly, Victoria was fine with that.*
I haven't seen her, have no idea where she went -- but you are right in one thing Graft, I don't care. And I don't see why I should. If it weren't for your dear sister, I wouldn't have lost everyone in my life that mattered. I'm not hiding that. *Her eyes narrow.* I suggest you look for the enemy of yours that pretends presently to be your friend. Could one be more suspicious than I? Haven't you read your mystery novels Nancy, the most obvious is never the culprit? Oh. *She taps the side of her lips.* I was about to ask if you've checked with your butler...but obviously, you don't have one.
Hols: *Wrong wolf, Hols thought eyes narrowing. And the reason that Sam was alive was because of her. She almost wished she had let him remember but why bother?! He would surely twist that in his mind as well no matter the facts. One thing was certain, she was never lifting a finger or claw to help either of them again.* I remember, I remember him actually being in pretty worse conditions but he managed to wake up. *And the fact that Devin hadn't still seemed strange, apart from nerve wracking- Lynn and aunt Jay and uncle Shane were a mess. And it was all because of this bitch and Roswell. She raised an eyebrow, and then had to scoff at that.*
You lost everyone because you're a piece of shit human being. You betrayed Eliza, and in that same moment lost Al's respect forever, not that he had much for you to begin with because you're a skank who he barely tolerated. You moved in on Devin when he was at his lowest, when he clearly wasn't interested in your bony ass, and then insulted the person he cares about most in the world. The only person who even cares about you anymore is Sienna and newsflash, she still prefers Eliza over you. You know who also prefers Eliza over you? Your lunatic boyfriend, who uses you as a cum dumpster, and whose arse I'll kick if he gets even five feet within her perimeter. So tell me, Victoria, how is it exactly Nadia's fault that you're a pathetic excuse for a human being that no one gives a shit about? Oh wait *she claps her hands together* I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed, does your butler like you, or is he just paid to?
Victoria: *Her eyes narrowing, and jawline thinning she glares back at her, her heart seems to skip beats as she's having trouble breathing. But she couldn't let that show, she couldn't let this bitch know she gave a damn what she said or heard the truth in her words-- that was weakness, a weakness she couldn't tolerate. Her mother wouldn't. Sam wouldn't. So heart pounding blood through her veins twice as quickly, she only exhales in a fierce struggle for calm.* I've known Al half his life, and you think because he's decided to fuck you a few times you know him better? I got news for you honey, Alcott's first wasn't Sienna. *She bites it out, feeling like she cracked her back teeth. Sure, she and Al had never been together either.* But oh that's right. *Her voice went screechy.* I kissed Devin, I kissed Al, and my boyfriend makes the poor decision to seduce me be-fore- breaking up with Eliza, and -I'm- obviously the one to blame here for how they acted after? *Her eyes narrow as she snapped finally, hand going to her heart incredulously,* Nadia's the perfect one so she gets the apology and I'm just the whore.
Hols: *She laughed, she actually laughed and for a moment was actually grateful for Victoria for being able to provide her some amusement but that was before she went back to hating her guts.* Wow, that's a pathetic attempt to hurt me. First, because I wouldn't give a fuck, only lament his poor taste before me, and secondly, it's particularly hilarious that you're trying to pass off a drunken hand-job for a fuck. *She couldn't keep listening to that pathetic wailing.* No, you kissed Devin and then bragged about it to Nadia, you kissed Al and now manipulated it into something it wasn't. You valued your own selfish need for attention before your friendship with Eliza, over that slimy git who I'm sure makes you feel worse about yourself than you already do. You're not a whore, Victoria- no, sorry, you are but not a good one, you can't even do that right- you're a traitor. *She hissed it out, with a step forward.* But now you've finally gone too far; kidnapping is actual crime. *She narrowed her eyes* You're going to regret crossing us with every fiber of your being. And if anything's happened to my baby sister, I won't hand you in to the Ministry, I'll take care of you myself.
Victoria: *Shocked disgust appeared on her face too fast for her to hide it as she realized--Alcott had told her. He'd fucking told her--couldn't even leave her with the dignity to use the encounter. As if she didn't feel dirty enough the next day -- or now even, as Hols kept going. And going. Disgusted, angry, even a bit hurt she shakes her head vibrantly, quickly. It was half an excuse to avert her eyes. Then she bit out,* I won't regret a damn thing. *Did that insinuate she knew? Well, screw it: they had no bloody evidence to make a legal move, and nothing was stopping her from being attacked illegally--as Graft just said!* And you better watch your own damn words. Won't Daddy Auror be ashamed to hear a threat like that?
Hols: *She was glad she had gotten to Victoria; Hols saw it plainly on the other girl's face. The sick satisfaction that came from it didn't feel so sick to her right now. It was nothing, nothing compared to what she and her family were going through, what Lynn and her family was going through. And that was it, the admission of guilt that was totally unnecessary for her because she knew her stupidly manicured nails were all over this.* If there's something my "Daddy Auror" understands is retaliation against those that fuck with family. You've been warned. *She was about to turn around and then thought twice about it. The bell rang, students were getting out of class and the hallway was filling up. Perfect. She pulled her fist back and punched her across the face.* And that's for leaking my negatives, bitch. *There, now she could go.*













