The Battle May Be Bloody

Now the past I've tried forgetting And my foes I could forgive Trouble is I knows it's petty But I hate to let them live My name is Zyra. You'll soon learn it, and get out of my way. Oh, the battle may be bloody, but that kind of works for me

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra & Quinn

[theborderatsunset-deactivated20]

"I’ve used before, but I’m not very good with them" she admitted. "I believe your right, computers don’t seem very personal" She agreed, nodding her head. "Okay, I guess an instrument would be perfect" she said more to herself and after thinking about it for a couple of minutes she decided. "I think I’ll get him a guitar" she decided.

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra felt a small pang of envy before brushing it off with annoyance. Yes, she envied people with money. Those who could buy expensive things on a whim. But only when someone didn't deserve it, and it was clear this woman did. She wouldn't be bitter about this one. "Well, you've already seen how helpful I am with them," Zyra muttered, looking back at the line of guitars. But it further fortified that Treven might be a good person to ask for help in these things. Or, at least she hoped he knew about these things. She didn't want to show up to work only to be assaulted by terrible playing. "He.. does know how to play one, right?"

[princessoftheprideland]

Assistance I Earthquake I Kara and Zyra

Kara had gone over to the table to grab a glass of apple cider when it happened. Something shifted under her feet. At first she assumed it was her imagination but a second later it happened again this time rougher, she fell, dropping the drink and hitting the ground. Her shoulder hurt from the impact (as she’d landed on her side) but other than that (and some glass from the cup in her arm) she seemed fine others around her however did not. She looked around, hoping to see Kaleb but she didn’t recognize anyone around her. Everyone had begun to scramble up and run from the room for some reason she felt stuck to the ground, unable to move. She felt like she was in some sort of trance and that this couldn’t be real… could it? She looked up and saw her… a woman, grasping her head. That’s what brought Kara back to reality… the need to help this woman. She scrambled to her feet and walked towards her, only realizing once she arrived, who this woman was. Zyra Casimir. Kaleb’s mom. She froze for a breif second then pushed on knowing that despite the fact they she many not want it she looked as if she needed help. “Are you hurt, Ms Casimir?” She asked, concern in her voice.

[thisismy-lullaby]

CRACK

Her head felt as if it was splitting. She couldn't register anything else. Not the ground shifting, or the screams around her. Just pain. Excruciating pain. Her body went numb, ridged, hand bracing against a table as her other tangled roughly at her hair. She tugged, soundless screams as she tried to make it stop. Just stop. Stop.

She sobbed, teeth clenched. It felt like a dagger, tearing at her skull. She didn't know what was going on, where she was, or why it hurt. But it hurt. God, how it hurt. Blood dripped down her arm, hair mattered with dust and crimson. Someone spoke, and Zyra didn't know who. She just wanted it all to stop! "Make it stop!" She screamed, her legs giving out as she crashed on the floor. She couldn't feel anything except the split. It hurt like hell, burning and tearing cruelly. Where was she? Who did this to her? Where was Victoria?

"Victoria! Victoria! Kaleb! Nigel! S-Saxon! God, fuck! Make it stop!" She cradled her head in both hands now, curling into herself. She sobbed once more, tears brimming at the intense pain. There was a woman in front of her, the flickering of the dying lights and pain making it impossible for her to identify them. Hopeful, she reached out. "Victoria.. help me."

[cyriltrinity]

The First Punch || Zyra and Cyril

Cyril had been walking along the boardwalk for the past hour. He loved his brothers, he really did. But sometimes they drove him insane. Every so often, he had to get away, so he’d come here, or take a walk through the woods, depending on the day. Depending on which would be more deserted. With the weather cooling down, that happened to be the boardwalk, and he was content with the silence he’d been walking in for the past hour, with the only sounds he could hear being his footsteps, the wind, and waves crashing onto the shore. All in all, it was nice.

Until he spotted a woman a bit further down the past. He’d expected to just walk past her, no problem, not really overly concerned with the blonde until he heard her talking on the phone, loudly. It wasn’t that she had a grating voice, but the noise still disturbed his silence, and the slight smile that had been playing on his lips fell as he approached her. “Could you shut up,” he growled once he was in earshot, trying to sound remotely polite with an afterthought, once he spoke, “Please?”

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra had friends despite what people thought. She kept them at arms length, but friends none-the-less. Not quite as.. powerful as her friendship with Sally, but they were there. Women who were just as bitter as her, who saw her as a leader. Even is Zyra was busy, she had moment where she could call a few of them up and simply chat. Usually their chats were.. catty. Talking about some dumb bitch whose hair they'd torn out, or a ugly prick who had tried to pick them up. They were almost as vicious as her, and their stories made for good amusement. Now, for instance, one of her friends was describing a fight they'd gotten into when someone rudely interrupted.

Shooting a side glance, she told her friend to 'hold on', before moving the phone from her lips. "Could you kindly fuck off?" She simply replied, quirking a brow at him. "Unless you'd like my boot shoved up your ass, piss off." Bringing the phone back to her ear, she flipped the man the bird while continuing her conversation. "What were you saying?"

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra & Quinn

[theborderatsunset-deactivated20]

"No, but he could always learn" she smiled. Treven had always been artistic ever since he was young. He loved to draw, sometimes even on the walls. He also could to do anything that he set his mind on, which was most things he did. "Maybe I should just buy him a new computer but I’d have no idea where to start with that the music shop just happened to catch my eye"

[thisismy-lullaby]

"Can't help you there," Zyra replied. Not that she was much help here but.. technology. "Never used one." How someone could afford two computers was beyond her. "It's up to you," she replied with a shrug. She barely knew what to buy for her own kids. "An instrument seems more personal though."

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra and Topher

[tophernottmorr]

"I’m with ya," he nodded slightly, "But I guess most people’ve never had to in the first place, so they never realize it’s a thing that exists." Topher knew he’d offended some of his friends before, like Mary, when he’d turned down their offer of food, or when they offered to spot him some money so he didn’t fall behind on rent. It was a nice gesture, but he needed to deserve what he had. If he couldn’t afford things, so be it. He’d find a way around it.

"Come on, I’ll show you what I was thinking, then," he smiled slightly, beginning to walk towards the wall of electric guitars, stopping before one with a brown starburst pattern on it. “This is a Fender Standard Stratocaster,” he introduced it, gesturing with one hand, “They’re about five-hundred dollars, give or take, less if you get a used one. They’re good guitars if you treat ‘em well, last a nice, long while. They have a few other colors too, if you don’t think whoever you’re buying it for will like this one. All in all, a pretty good buy, if you ask me.”

[thisismy-lullaby]

"Oh, I know," she replied, a bitter scowl on her face. She hated those people the most. Those who didn't know how hard it was. Lazy bastards that didn't have to raise a finger to help themselves. The 'lucky' few. She'd put them all out of their misery if she could.

Zyra followed behind, eyeing the instruments on the wall. They looked different, yes, though how they differed made little sense to her. Even with Topher's explanations. The boy told her the name, and Zyra could only stare at them blankly. Was she suppose to know what those words meant? Five hundred.. Zyra breathed in deeply through her nose, a hand running through her hair in frustration. Five hundred was a lot.. and it set a benchmark on how much she'd have to spend on the boys. Could she really afford this? Nodding, she gave a short 'okay'. The boy knew better. It was all foreign to her. She could save up for this.. "A Fen- Fender? Standard.. Maybe you should write that down for me." Because she sure as hell wasn't going to remember.

[thisismy-lullaby]

Roadkill || Gray & Zyra

[graygisbourne]

Gray’s head continued to throb for a moment, even after the noise desisted.  But the pain quickly dulled, giving him the ability to shoot the woman a somewhat convincing glare as she continued to order him around. Were he more sober, he’d have thrown a punch and showed her which one of them was in charge, but even drunk he knew that in order to stand a chance in a fight against anyone, he’d have to be sober, or else his sluggishness and muted senses would be his downfall, and that a fight just cause more pain than it would prove his point.

"I…" he began, voice a growl, "I…" Gray stopped for a moment. Where did he live? He knew what his house looked like, and that it wasn’t any of these, but he couldn’t remember how to get there, couldn’t even recall an address, "Don’t know…"

[thisismy-lullaby]

He was procrastinating, dragging out her time. Crossing her arms, she shot him a glare, teeth clenched in annoyance. What the hell was the drunk's problem anyway? Figures he'd stumble into her territory. 

"You don't know," she repeated in a long drawl unimpressed. How the hell could he not know? Zyra pinched the bridge of her nose breathing a frustrated sigh. Wonderful. She half considered taking him down to the police station, but Zyra preferred to avoid their attention if she could help it. They had a couch.. or a floor, seeing as he looked fairly comfortable on the fucking road. "You're a new kind of dumbass, aren't you? Come on," she commanded, already heading back to her house. Let him rot in his own misery until he finally figures out where he's going.

[thisismy-lullaby]

Something's Missing... || Victoria & Zyra

[heywannafight]

Victoria knew she was as risk as well, maybe not as immediately as Zyra, but it was dangerous being a thief. Especially a pickpocket as well. People could catch her if she made the wrong move. If she didn’t read something right or if she stole from the wrong person… she could truly mess things up. She was still new. In comparison to the others at least….

"That’s true, have to look out for one another." She nodded, she understood that and was extremely grateful for that. "They were, but they trusted Oliver, and it’s been a year. I’m hardly new anymore…" She thought at least, she was the newest but new? Not really, right? They trusted her. They seemed to…

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra nodded, picking up her tea and taking a satisfying sip. Zyra had been desperate as a child. Never homeless, no, and though she had stolen it hadn't been nearly as much. Mostly it was shoplifting and the likes, which she was quick to find was easy. But, perhaps, she would have gotten into less trouble with someone to back her up. Victoria seemed to trust them, and while Zyra approved of Oliver, the rest were still a mystery to her. They had better look out for her..

"I know," she hummed, putting down her cup again and cutting her breakfast once more. "But a mother is allowed to worry. Besides, we never seem to have the time for casual chatter. Besides your, for a lack of better words, 'job', how are you doing?"

[thisismy-lullaby]

Give A Girl A Break || Nigel & Zyra

[nigel-casimir]

Nigel longed to make his mother happy. To make her proud of him and to make sure that she had everything she wanted. He knew that he’d never been all that careful with money, always bouncing from one hobby to the next. Never spending too long on everything and then letting all the materials that his parents had bought him sit and wait for him to use again, or throw away when they were no longer good, such as in the case with paints or clay. While he’d always tried to get most of his stuff from his father, he knew that his mother still spent a fair amount of money on him and he tried to be aware of that. 

"Umm…" He looked around before making a face and shaking his head. "No… I just bought some clay… Well Dad did… But as soon as I get paid I need to buy, uh, other stuff…" He made a face, suddenly very interested in his coffee. He knew that neither of his parents liked him smoking, but that was a bridge he’d already crossed and turning back now seemed like a lot more work than he was willing to put in. Nigel sipped his coffee and drummed his fingers against the table, not making eye contact with his mother. 

[thisismy-lullaby]

As Nigel avoided her gaze, Zyra lent her elbow on the table, chin rested on the back of her hand as she eyed him. He was pausing, obviously nervous over something. She narrowed her eyes momentarily before retreating back to her tea. "That's fine," she replied, eyeing him whilst sipping her drink. What he had to be nervous over, she didn't know. It was silent and awkward for a moment, before Zyra put down her cup and readjusted her bag. "Well, I'll be off then. Though.. you can ask me for things, Nigel." Perhaps he wouldn't, she understood why he didn't, but.. she hoped he knew he could anyway.

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra & Quinn

[theborderatsunset-deactivated20]

Quinn felt the same about people saying sorry. She hated it when people pitied her. She had enough of that when she was younger. She had been a single, pregnant teen. She knew what pity was, and she didn’t care for it one bit. It felt as though people were looking down on you with shame or some other emotion. But she felt that this woman was sincere, and she accepted her words as kindness, not pity. 

"Hmm, a keyboard" She said to herself. That could work, he did like to keep his hands busy. "Maybe?"

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra smiled as the woman accepted her suggestion. In all honesty, she hadn't the slightest idea what Treven would like. Their conversations were usually short and to the point. He was artistic at heart, she knew that much. A keyboard seemed like something Treven would enjoy, didn't it? She was just glad her suggestion wasn't too off base. "Does he know how to play one?"

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra and Topher

[tophernottmorr]

Topher couldn’t help but beam when the woman mentioned not taking handouts, suddenly developing a new level of respect for the almost stranger. “I thought I was the only person in town who felt that way,” he told her, “I’m the same way about… everything.” He didn’t even accept birthday gifts. The one thing he could let people get for him was food, but that was only in cases of people like Sophie or Vannie, who he knew he’d be buying for the next time around. That was the only way he could take something he hadn’t earned, even if it was a “haven’t earned yet" situation.

"You might be able to get a discount," he told her, thinking for a moment, "They’re pretty decent, here, when it comes to stuff like that. The owners actually want people to play, not just to make a few bucks." His roommate worked in the shop, and he helped out, though he wasn’t officially on the team. They were good people.

[thisismy-lullaby]

Suddenly the other was smiling all too brightly at her, and Zyra could only shoot him a skeptical look in return. No one smiled at her like that. Of course, she'd also gone out of her way not to be a bitch to him. "Good," she replied, turning back to the display of guitars. "More people should be like that. Fight for what is yours." She'd spent enough time fighting tooth and nail for what she had while entitled pricks like Simon breezed through life with the greatest of ease. Those who didn't fight for what they had didn't deserve it. Simple as that.

Zyra's lips curled slightly glad to hear. She didn't want to blow too much on he guitar, after all. "We'll see. For now, I just need to know what I'm looking for."

[thisismy-lullaby]

Roadkill || Gray & Zyra

[graygisbourne]

Gray practically hissed when she ordered him up, flopping onto his back just to do the opposite of what she wanted, despite the sharp pains that shot through his head, though he did succeed in keeping his skull from crashing down onto the concrete. His lips pulled back in a silent snarl as he continued to stare daggers in the woman’s direction, not wanting to get up until he could remember the way home, and had the energy to get there. But after a few moments of the noise she was making, head continuing to protest painfully, he staggered onto his feet, moving in the general direction of the woman. “Up.”

[thisismy-lullaby]

At his disobedience, she only rose an unimpressed brow in return. Was he trying to intimidate her? She only started him down, alarm still blaring. He'd move sooner or later, and Zyra would have her way. Finally he seemed to find his feet and Zyra wondered for a moment if he was going to fall on his ass. No such luck, it seems, as he was soon advancing on her. If he weren't soaked in alcohol, she might feel a little threatened, but he only looked pathetic.

Turning off the alarm, the piercing nose ceased. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" She commented, standing her ground. "Now, before pass out where you stand, run along back to whatever shithole you crawled out of. Do you even live down here?"

[thisismy-lullaby]

Something's Missing... || Victoria & Zyra

[heywannafight]

Maybe it was because she was the only girl. Or because she was the middle child and she didn’t think she was special due to not being the oldest or youngest. Though Nigel wasn’t exactly difficult to measure up to most of the time. Nigel was trying so hard to be just like Saxon. Saxon wanted Kaleb to follow in his foot steps… while the boys were trying to fit into Daddy’s shoes, Victoria chose to follow the parent she believed to be the stronger, more responsible and greatly superior of the two. Her mother.

Victoria wondered if she should actively learn to cook. She’d never really had to, she either stole something to eat or ate out when Zyra wasn’t home to cook. “It has… It’s kind of nice, for once.” She knew it would never be perfect, not for them. They’d have to fight their whole lives to get much of anything. She expected it. But, it was nice- not having to fight quite so much. She couldn’t help but grin just a bit at her mother’s words. “I know, I’m being careful too, and they’re… really close. It’s… unexpected. They really look out for each other.”

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra nodded, spearing her pancake in thought. It had been less stressful. Yes, she earned far more cuts and bruises along the way, but she'd take that over financial stress. It seemed sad, really, that the fear of running out of money and not being able to provide seemed less sever than a few broken bones and bloody gashes. 

"People in that position do," she replied simply. She didn't know them personally, but 'thick as thieves' was accurate. "They're also weary about new additions. But.. as long as they accept you, then I wont have to hunt anyone down."

[thisismy-lullaby]

I thought you might like these, so I bought them. ~Nigel 

Zyra eyed the card over, a small smile gracing her face before looking at the flowers once more. Taking the vase, she set it in the center of the living room table, fingers gently caressing the purple petal before she turned and headed off for work, a lump in her throat.

Nigel was truly a precious child.. 

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra and Topher

[tophernottmorr]

"Yeah, you can," Topher nodded, clasping his hands together in front of him, to keep from fidgeting as he explained, "If you’re planning on playing for yourself. It’s not real loud, but it gets you used to the feel of an electric, and you can always get an amp later on, or borrow one." Sometimes you could even get one for free, if you knew some musicians. Some where really nice guys, and he’d been given an amp as a gift for lending a performer his guitar once, when the other man’s broke. "Amps aren’t as big a deal, if you can get a guitar. ‘Specially if you’re performing and stuff. Any good venue, bar, whatever, has one." He nodded when she said it sounded better, grinning slightly, "Great!"

"I wish," Topher laughed, chuckling. He’d bought his first bass after about a year and a half of saving, though, granted, it was a really expensive, but amazing one, and he’d had to get an amp along with it. He nodded slightly at the price range he had to working, thinking for a moment. "I know a pretty good guitar you can get for like four hundred, five hundred bucks, if you want," he smiled, nicely, "Or I can spot you. I have extra cash this month, though not enough to get a new instrument, so it can’t hurt to get someone else one. It’s the best gift you can ever get."

[thisismy-lullaby]

Performing? Zyra tried to think back to when Victoria had mentioned the guitar. It had been.. almost a year now. Did she say she wanted to perform? Christ, she couldn't think that far back. She huffed at herself, uncertain. It seemed like something Victoria would enjoy, didn't it? Yes, the electric guitar was probably the best. "Perfect. Electric it is," she replied, a little less enthusiastic. She just hoped this boy wasn't leading her astray.

Spot her? She looked at him sceptically, before shaking her head. "No. Call it pride, but I don't take hand-me-outs. I believe if you want something, fight tooth and nail for it." Besides, taking a strangers money was just insulting. Not to mention a stranger who looked the same age as her children. "Five hundred.. I can do that. I'm just going to have to budget for it." Best gift she could ever get was an inheritance of a fortune, or at least a winning lottery ticket, but a guitar would work too.

[thisismy-lullaby]

Roadkill || Gray & Zyra

[graygisbourne]

Gray had taken to ignoring the lady again, as he words made him feel as if a hammer was repeatedly brought down on his brain, each syllable making his ears ring. Alcohol was lovely, but sometimes it could be a royal bitch. But it wasn’t nearly as bad as the woman, who moments later made a blaring siren come out of nowhere, causing Gray’s face to contort in pain, and  his head to duck in a vain attempt to block the sound with his shoulders. He glared at the woman for a few moments, waiting for her to stop the noise, but when it didn’t he reluctantly sat up, moving close enough to her to kick at her leg, “Stop!”

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra watched with twisted humour, a wide grin spread across her face as he glared at him. He'd glared like that the first time they had met, only then they hadn't been bloodshot and sleep deprived. She doubted he was sober enough to take a swing and not end up on his ass. Like poking a wounded animal. He moved, and Zyra's smile faltered, watching in curiosity as he feebly kicked her. She only barked a laugh in response, circling around him and nudging his back with her heel. "Up!" It was a command, no room for negotiation. "I'll stop it when you're on your feet, roadkill! Get your ass up!"

[thisismy-lullaby]

They All Look The Same || Zyra & Quinn

[theborderatsunset-deactivated20]

"You don’t have to be sorry, it was no one’s fault, something just happen" she told the woman. "But, thank you anyways" Quinn said giving Zyra a grateful smile. She didn’t like to think of what had happened, she had always want Treven to see her be strong, but after that he had seen her at her worst. She didn’t want him to see her like that, weak and frail. But that didn’t stop him, he had visited her everyday, telling her what was happening out side of the cold, white walls of the hospital. He also would bring her things to do, like books and crossword puzzle to pass the time until she returned home. And even after she did, she could hardly do the things she used to, not being able to lift anything heavy or clean the house as easily, but they managed. "Thank you, I’m glad to know that, he has always been a hard worker"

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra didn't understand the need to say sorry. It seemed like taking pity, and Zyra hated pity. But it was the socially acceptable response, and Zyra rarely cared to play nice. But this woman was the mother of her co-worker, and currently offering a roof over her friend's head. So, yes, she did have to be sorry. In her opinion, at least. Zyra returned the smile, though her eyes quickly found something else to focus on. It was strange showing pity, and she couldn't bring herself to look the woman in the eye.

"What about a keyboard?" she asked, rounding it and attempting to change the subject. "He's always writing in those books. I have a son like that. Likes to keep his hands busy."

[thisismy-lullaby]

Give A Girl A Break || Nigel & Zyra

[nigel-casimir]

Nigel just grinned and sipped his coffee when his mother spoke. He wasn’t going to lie, he did like it when she said that he did something right. He spent a lot of time worrying that his parents didn’t like what he was doing, or that he was going to upset them in somehow. “I hope so. I really like it there. It looks a little less weird when I’m always hanging around there at least.” Even before he’d been given a job, Nigel always found himself at Pride Rock. He just liked being there. He got to see his father often, which made him very happy, he had a much better relationship with Saxon than his siblings did. Part of the was because he went to see him. 

"Other animals… Probably. Depends on a couple things I guess. Most importantly my mood." He frowned while looking into his coffee cup. "Maybe people, but I don’t know. People aren’t as interesting as other animals. I’m thinking that I might paint them this time. I haven’t tried that before and I think it might be fun. I’ll need to get new paints though. I don’t think the ones that I have are good for clay. They’re almost empty anyways." 

[thisismy-lullaby]

Zyra was well aware that Nigel went to see Saxon. It made her happy, glad to see at lease one of them had a healthy relationship with their father. She'd hoped for the same with the other two. Victoria.. Victoria seemed to hate him. She really wished she'd give a little more effort. It hadn't been Saxon's fault they'd struggled with money and simply living for so long. Still, at such a young age, it had terrified Zyra whenever Nigel disappeared. It didn't take long note he went to the same place everytime, but Zyra was paranoid of what people could do to the young boy. Nowadays it wasn't an issue, and Nigel's disappearances was more of a minor annoyance instead of a worry.

It was cruel, but Zyra didn't much care. She faked it for his sake, and supported it as it kept him happy, but the idle chat did nothing but bore her. It was still nice to chat to him none-the-less. They didn't talk as much as she'd like. "Well, now that you have a job, you have a higher budget," she pointed out. She knew he blew a lot of his money on smoking, something she was quietly disappointed about, but a job would give him more independence money-wise. "Do you want me to drive you to the craft store?"