She wasn't completely healed and still quite weak, but she was getting better to say the least. She stepped outside, standing on the porch. Her eyes were half dazed, as if she were off somewhere else. She was humming softly, a soft tune that was gentle and calming. The day was warm, the sun high, and she felt at peace. She loved it. A high pitched whistle escaped her, calling to Conan to see where he was wandering about. She enjoyed his company, for as she said to everyone, they were siblings. Family. They were all the other had to protect from the world.
There was silence as the dark-haired girl whistled for her friend, and it remained that way for several minutes until a small coo sounded in the air. It was so out of place in these deep woods that it would attract the attention of anyone almost instantly. Then came a high, sweet voice of a small child, singing a little nonsense song to himself. Meeesha brrroooo din seeeee baaaabooo... it went, continued on, and then started again.
The little patters made by small feet accompanied this, and finally a little red head peeked itself out of the foliage, looking straight at Aralyn. AIIIIIEEEKKK! he squealed at her. Seee myak dooobash! And he grinned, baring a spare two teeth in a sweet simper.
She blinked as the noise hit her. Confusion and the need to know more, she turned and followed the sound until her eyes landed on Raimi. Aralyn smiled faintly and got down onto her knees. Hey there. What are you doing out here all by yourself, handsome? The red hair.....It reminded her of Conan, but she wasn't about to say anything. Come here Chico, lets get you cleaned up. Her hand was out stretched towards the boy, and she spoke softly trying to coax him to her.
The toothy smile broadened as she spoke sweetly to him, and again as she smiled in such a friendly way. To her question he replied, Beeeezoot! Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabing! Bup bup bup bup haarrrrrrfff! His brown eyes looked at her trustingly, and he tottered forward, still a little baby-clumsy, to grasp her hand in both his tiny ones.
He was a tad dusty: there was a smear of grime from chin to left ear where the toddler had obviously wiped his face with his already grimy hands, and the rumpled t-shirt and jeans were muddy from trundling clumsily through the woods. He was unharmed, however, as was clear as he began to hop in place, excited to meet someone new.
But then he suddenly stopped, peering up and over her shoulder. Unable to see properly, he propped his tiny weight against her shoulder and pushed himself up a little further, now standing a little swayingly on his toes. The next words from his mouth were a joyful shriek directed over her shoulder. Ras-Ras!
A red-headed teen stood a few yards behind Aralyn, pale as death.
She smiled as the toddler came closer and as he leaned against her, she wrapped her arms around him and began to lift him up. As he shrieked in her ear she winced and turned to see the deathly pale Conan. Hey....Conan are you okay? Concern etched on her face, she came forward and held out a hand to her brother. Is....Is everything all right? She prayed the child wouldn't squirm, her ribs were already screaming in pain but she didn't say anything to concern her dear friend. Conan....Do you want to sit down or something? She asked him. Her arm tightened slighly around Raimi, her eyes on Conan.
Ammit heard the whistle of Aralyn as well, and she came gracefully behind her young master. Her eyes drifted from the stiff Conan to the concerned Aralyn and instinctivly she moved to protect him. Her head thrust over his shoulders, she placed her entire neck around him and held him close to her chest, eyes on Aralyn and Raimi, eyes dark with ancient wisdom.
Raimi squealed joyfully as Aralyn lifted him, though he sat still once he was up. As she made her way over to Conan, he continued speaking, always the same words. Ras-Ras! Ras-Ras! Over and over.
Conan startled at the sudden presence of his mare, a sign of how truly far away he had been. He turned his blue eyes up to her in thanks, and reached to stroke her nose, murmuring softly to soothe her. He wasn't afraid of Raimi. Not really... Finally Aralyn's words reached him, and he shook his head quickly as a sleeper does awaking from a dream. Ya... ya oughtn't ta be carryin' 'im, Aralyn... he weighs... wha'... I guess must be a' leas' twenny poun's by now. And he held his hands out to Raimi, who had been leaning in his direction. Come 'ere, critter.
Taking the toddler from Aralyn, Conan balanced him on one hip as though he had done it forever. Raimi squealed wordlessly and pushed up on the teen's shoulder to plant a slightly sloppy kiss on Conan's cheek before reaching upward toward Ammit. He'd never seen Ammit before, but every horse he knew was nice, and he wanted to pet the pretty horsey. He couldn't quite reach her, though, and he squealed in frustration. Ras-Ras! Horseyyyyy! he whined.
Conan made small soothing noises at Raimi, who began to squirm. Suddenly, compulsively, he wrapped both his arms round the toddler and squeezed him tight, burying his face in Ammit's shoulder as he fought tears, swearing softly. May my fires ne'er die...Raimi... whence hast ya come from... an' why when I've just come away?
As Conan came forth, Aralyn handed him over with a soft smile on her face. I'm okay, Conan. I'm walking around which is better then before at least. She said to him with her soft smile still in place. So whats Ras-Ras? She asked him, her arms folding around her midsection in protection.
As the toddler reached his hands up suddenly, the mare snorted and leapt back, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring. She kept her ears forward, curiosity over riding her fear. She pawed the earth for a moment then lowered her head to the snow and inhaled, before raising it and coming forth. She reached out to Raimi, her nose in his face and began to nuzzle his hair and snorting softly, ready to bolt if the child moved quickly as he had before.
Aralyn smiled at a thought only in her head. Her and Conan had both been unwanted, Ammit had been a lost soul, and now Raimi, whom Conan obviously knew from his past and by looking at the two she could see they were related. They were lost, unwanted, broken souls. But still they prevailed and they would for years to come with the aid of one another.
Raimi jumped a little himself as Ammit jumped back, but seemed to understand that he had scared her. A soft word came from Conan. Easy, m'girl. 'e means no 'arm. Finally, more slowly this time, Raimi reached up a pudgy hand to be smelled and inspected, cooing softly and giggling as her nose tickled him.
Aralyn's question turned Conan's head back to her, the expression on his face more calm now, though he did not meet her eyes. Ras-Ras... he murmured softly. It's a nickname... I've na heard in a while. Rasputin... And he faded off, face a little troubled. Rasputin was a particularly nasty Russian sorcerer... executed for research inta necr'mancy. And he looked up, locking eyes with her, voice still so soft. An... an it's my real name. I changed it... so's... so's no one could fin' me. Bu' now... And he turned to look back at Ammit, trying desperately to keep his voice level. Now... it's tha en' of everythin'. Coz where 'e is... his head pointed toward the toddler, THEY are.
I know who Rasputin is Conan.... She said softly. She could see his distress and it tore at her from all sides. Conan....Maybe we should go inside. We....We could be safer there and Ammit would tell us if anyone comes. She kept her voice calm, controled. We can talk about this in there Conan.
Ammit suddenly took a little nibble at Conans shoulder, sensing his uneasiness. She shifted from foot to foot and then raised her head and lightly lipped at Raimis hair, gentler then with Conan knowing he was more frail then her master.
Raimi giggled and reached up slowly to pet at the nose that was tickling him, completely oblivious to Conan's discomfort. He was concerned with the pretty horsey.
But Conan clung to Raimi for dear life, as though the little toddler might save him from what he knew was coming. He would have to leave. There was no other alternative, no other way to keep those he loved safe. Ammit he could take with him... but Malon, Inferno, Psyche... and Aralyn... he'd... never see her again. The first person he'd ever dared... to love, and to let love him. She was his sister, and it was safe to let her love him. But now... now it would all end. He'd go back... to being alone. He closed his eyes against it, trying to deny it, mindless fear clouding his brain. He couldn't bear it. He'd die if he had to be alone again.
His mind clasped hold of her words, desperately clinging to them to bring him out of this line of thought. He opened his eyes again, voice a bare whisper, desperate, and for the first time since he had come to know Aralyn... afraid. We can't... there isn'a time! It'll all start again... knive an' blades, towel rods, broom handles! Clothes irons! An' tha methyl chloride, tha methyl chloride! An' bihorygenic acid! It sounded like nonsense, but these where his mother's favorite weapons. A mixture of chemicals to cause vomiting and bloody diarrhea, plus her favorite household objects for disciplining her disappointing son. He reached to grab a fistful of Aralyn's shirt, shaking her, eyes tossing about wildly, voice feirce and terrible. I won' go back! I won'!
This sudden change in Conan terrified Raimi, and a whimper escaped him, as he pawed up at the face above him in concern.
A small hand on his cheek and a small nibble on his shoulder brought Conan back to the real world, brought sanity back into the soft blue eyes. A tear that he couldn't feel rolled down his left cheek, and he reached over to enclose Aralyn in a one-armed hug. Sorry... I... 'aven't lost control like tha'... in a long time. And he held onto her for a moment before stepping back, shifting Raimi to the other hip. Come. We've at least time ta clean Raimi up and ta pack my things before they'll be along. Ammit, m'girl... watch over tha farm. If ya see any dobermans... come ta me. We'll have to run like tha wind ta save our hides. And he drew himself up like a soldier before battle, who knows that he heads into certain death. A good soldier does not hide, but goes out to greet Him with dignity and grace. With a solemn and steady step, he headed toward the house.
As Conan grabbed her shirt and shook her, her eyes widened slightly and unwanted memories came up, but she pushed them as far back as she could. This was Conan....Her brother. Across the yard was a doberman, along with many others. Conan.... She said softly. Her eyes were on Sasha, a doberman beside a pair of menacing dogs. She followed Conan into the house, and quickly began to pack. She threw what little clothes she had into her back pack, then took some medicinal herbs and bandages. A wash cloth and....
She pulled a chair out from the kitchen table and slid it over to the light fixture above. Standing upon it, and then on her tip toes she reached inside of the light and grabbed for a hidden treasure. As she got down and put the chair back, she held her hand in a tight fist, so tight her knuckles were white. A small collar, barely big enough to fit around a human neck was grasped there and on it were two dog tags. A rabies tag, and another. Lei It said. That was it, no pphone number, no way of contacting the owners just Lei. Aralyn slipped the color around her neck and said softly Come on. Her steps were smooth, confident. An amazon warrior she appeared to be, with her long dark hair and eyes of brilliant blue silver.
Aralyn's sudden hurry made Conan wonder, and he turned as she went to leave and laid a gentle hand on her arm, made deliberately light to make up for his shaking her earlier. He had felt her tense, saw the look in her eyes, though it only now computed why she had been afraid. So it was a soft touch he used, his eyes asking a question as he set Raimi down and headed over to the window to peer out. There! A doberman! Only... wait. This as neither of the dogs he feared. No... no this one was familiar somehow, but it was not either of the dobermans he was afraid of. He scratched his head, wracking his brain.
Suddenly, it hit him, and he turned back to Aralyn with a smile, albeit a weak one. Easy up, Aralyn. That's only tha dobe that I treated for a lac'ration once. She's sweet enough. No... s'not her we're to be lookin' for.
He calmly walked over to a drawer by the sink and dragged out a dishcloth. Turning the spigot and wetting the rag, he knelt down to Raimi's level and began washing his face, singing lightly a tune that Aralyn had once sung herself, though he changed the words to suit his devices: to soothe Raimi, and to explain to Aralyn.
Hear Rasputin's story spoken
Of how all his bones are broken
See the little brown eyes watching
Every movement they are catching
Little one all curled in warmth
And elder one curled up in scorn
He's wrapped in love, but who could tell
That other one doesn't do so well
Watch the younger, sweet of face
Full of frienship, full of grace
Laugh of joy, heart of love
Voice cooing like a dove
See the older, watch him cower
As the philodendrons flower
As the babe sleeps, watch him run
His long night has just begun
This little one, of beloved name
The elder boy, his father's shame
Watch the family's troubles bloom
Blood and silence in the room
'Til suddenly a son is gone
Leaving them with only one
The child's face and hands were finally clean, and he rummaged in his pack to produce a green ball of cloth. When unfolded, it became a child's t-shirt, which Conan had long kept. He loved Raimi, who had never treated him differently, and when he left... he had taken the shirt as a token, a remembrance. Now he removed the muddy one and replaced it with the clean, completing the transformation.
He raised his voice again, and it was soft and warm, but Aralyn would hear the note of steel in it, the dry-bone texture of hopelessness, of the son who was worthless. Raimi is my brother. The perfect one. The one who still belongs to the parents who deny me.
Her eyes grew sad and lightly she fingered the token around her neck. Conan....I know what its like to be worthless. To have someone in your family thats so much better then you. Flashes of a young blonde girl waving as she drove off, while Angel was dragged backwards, back towards the bedroom.....Towards the never ending pain. She jammed her hands in her pockets to hide their shaking. I always looked at it...as...Better me then her....Because...If he did it to both of us, then it was two wasted lives, you know? But....Kodi always rubbed it in my face. Angel....Angels daddys little whore, she aint loved by anyone no more. Her voice changed at the end to a higher pitch, more sing song and light. Kodis voice. IF you look at it like that...then...Its alright. Everythings fine because then no one else gets hurt. She began to pace around the small house, her hands trembling in her pockets. When he spoke her song, she turned away from him and took a few steps away, as if putting up a shield. Protecting herself from him, from what had happened before. Was it just another never ending cycle. When she turned around she gave him a soft smile, the same soft smile of self confidence that she never really felt but made everyone think she did. Well, least now I know where he gets his good looks. Hes gonna grow up to be a little heart breaker. She said to Conan.
Just out of sight in a nearby field, a well built man was striding through the long grass. He was tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, a very powerful man. A sharp whistle pierced the otherwise quiet field, as he called his two dog to him. The two dog's Conan feared, the two dogs that haunted him and that he ran from now. With the dog's, came their master. Conan's dad came to a halt at the edge of the field when he spotted the horse. By this time the two dog's could probably smell Conan around here. The man approached the horse slowly, so he didn't spook it, and made gentle clicking noises with his tongue. The man was sure his faithful doberman canines would follow in hot pursuit. He may have seemed calm and reasonable, but as soon as he knew Conan, or as he knew him, Rasputin was here, the boy was in for a hell of a load of punishment. Violent punishment.
She heard the sharp whistle, and well defined arabian dial raised to it, her eyes seeking until they landed upon the man. As he came towards her, Ammit pinned back her delicate auds and backed up away from him. A sharp whinny was released, calling to another. Men were not on the mares list of favorite things, in fact she was deathly afraid of them. Conan was the only boy allowed near her and that was just it. He was a boy not a man. She pawed out at the stranger, her dagger coming dangerously close to the mans leg. She let out another piercing whinny and reared up, showing her agitation.
Then another came. Both mares were finely bred, the arabian being worth near ten thousand dollars if one could find her papers. This one, however, was worth far more. Andalusian bloodlines, along with that of the majestic arabian. She was near 16 hands tall, her eyes a deep brown. She moved with fluid grace, her muscles clenching and bunching beneath a well kept coat. As she came from behind the man, she let loose a soft snort letting him know of her prescence if he hadn't heard her foot falls. This was Psyche, one of the fastest horses in the land.
A pair of doberman's came racing to their master's whistle: a larger male and his smaller sister. Harth skidded to a halt next to his master, turning his nose up for an instant to gaze at the man. But then two horses appeared, and Ammit came much too close. He snarled and took a few steps forward, fangs quite visible and growling nonstop.
As Harlequin pulled up on her master's other side, she did not hesitate. An ominous rumbling began in her chest as she snapped at the air, moving even farther forward than did her brother, though her eyes were always on the two sets of heavy hooves before her. She was begging to be released, to savage this rebellious and disrespectful equine. She would not attack without her master's word... but she could ask. Oh, she could ask.
Conan's heart clenched and twisted in his chest as Aralyn spoke. He had always known, always felt, that they possessed a common past, but he hadn't known until now just how silimar the two really were. He felt the tension thick in the air between them; the shame, the pain... and somehow... the fear. Directed vaguely at him, as though she were afraid that he would do the same to her as her family had done.
He had actually turned about, pain in his eyes, before Ammit's whinny split the silent air between them, closely followed by the sound he'd been dreading: two individual snarls. He'd been wrong about the timing. They were already here. His eyes grew wide again, the edge of panic coming back into them. He looked from Raimi to Aralyn, and out the window to Ammit and Psyche, bravely defending the house. He couldn't... he couldn't let them get hurt just because he was being a coward.
Finally, shaking like a leaf, he turned a sardonic smile to Aralyn, voice soft. They're 'ere. And he paused, weighing her in his eyes. I don' suppose t'would do any good ta ask ya ta stay in 'ere where t'is safe, now would i'?
As the canines neared, a shriekf of fear escaped the equine. Ammit reared suddenly and leapt back further, but Psyche held her ground behind the man. As the canines snarled, Psyche suddenly struck out with no warning but the pinning of her black auds. Her aim was for Harelquin for she seemed the more vicious of the two canines. Then the female leapt backwards, her head high and eyes rolling. She was larger then the canines, and with Ammit there could take the two on.
A soft smile slid across Aralyns face. Honey, I've been shot at, kicked, hit and locked in a closet. What makes you think I'ma take the safe way now? Reaching into her back pockets she fingered the two knives that lay there. A dark smile crossed her lips when she saw through the window Ammit rearing back. We better get out there mon ami. Things lookin pretty bad. she said softly.
The defensive attitude of the horse, and the sudden appearance of another took the man by surprise. Especially since these two would be worth a lot of money at auction. Money flashed in his eyes, the thought of him and his wife with money made him hesitant to release his canines on the horses, but when Psyche attacked Harlequin only one word came to mind. In a sharp, commanding tone, Conan's father let loose his dogs. Attack! He glanced around for anything he could get his hands on to try and get hold of the horse. If he could get one under control, with the help of his trusty animals, then his wife would be so pleased with him. Spotting an old bit of rope beside the building, he made his way over. It was small, but it would have to do. Slinging it over his shoulder, the man made his way back towards the horses. Pulling a small hand-gun from his belt, mainly for defense but sometimes for attack, the man lifted it towards Ammit, shouting at the horse to try and scare her away so that he, Harth and Harlequin could wrangle Psyche.
Conan wished again for Aralyn's rifle, but not seeing it about he exited the door to the scene before them. The gun and rope in his father's hands paled the boy's face, and his voice was low and choked as he spoke to Aralyn. God in heaven, Aralyn! Call 'er off! Call Psyche off! He'll kill 'er! Aralyn might have been his first human friend, but Ammit was his first friend. Period. Eyes terrible, he lifted his voice in Ammit's whistle, calling desperately. Ammit! Ammit, to me!
Harlequin dodged deftly, having kept her eyes carefully on the hooves, and when the father spoke, she responded instantly, for here was a command that she was dying to obey. She looked to Harth, and, seeing that their master had the fire-weapon pointed at Ammit, the two began to circle Psyche, nipping at her heels, though keeping just far enough away that they could get out of her way in time if she decided to fight.
From his paced, Conan paled further, raised his voice higher to carry across. Ammit, Ammit! To me, chica, to me! Leave 'im! He's not worth it, he wanted to say, but he didn't dare. His father would make him pay for it. He raised his voice again, desperate. Please, sir! I'm here, I'm not hiding. Enough.
Aralyn came outside with Conan, and her eyes widened. A look of pure anger crossed the young girls pale face and she said in a voice as cold as the eastern winds Get away from my horse. Her eyes were narrowed, hands balled into fists. Psyche! Aqui! She was furious, her entire body trembling in her rage. Her hands were beginning to edge towards her back pockets where the knives were.
Psyche reared back, uncertain of what to do as the two dogs charged at her. She struck out, but they were smart enough to keep away from the flying hooves so the mare did the next best thing. She jumped. Gathering her powerful hind quarters behind her and soared over them, and landed just on the other side, close to the father. Psyche! HERE! The mare backed towards the porch quickly, her head bobbing in anger.
Ammit did as Conan said, shying to the right towards them, her eyes on the man. She was pressed near him, her eyes never leaving the dogs.
Malon heard the commotion and came running ignoring the kuvasv now. His eyes landing on Aralyn, he barked in joy but then his eyes landed upon Harlequin and Harth. An ominous growl rose from the hybrids maw and he said in a dark tone Get away from my mistress He had been away so long, his muscles were not what they used to be, but he would fight until the very death to protect Aralyn and Conan.
Harlequin made an ugly face as Psyche managed to escape, but she backed to stand by her master, snarling to Harth to do the same. At Malon's angry words, her lip lifted, revealing twin rows of shiny, willing-to-rip-open-your-flesh-and-spill-your-innards teeth. Her voice was the hissing of demons. We don't take orders from bastardizations of an otherwise honorable species. A snob, this one. She had nothing better to do than insult Malon's obvious lack of 'respectable' lineage, which both she and her brother, pure dobermans, possessed. Besides... its not your ruddy loud mistress we're after. It's THE BOY. Harth nodded his agreement.
Conan rested a hand on Ammit's side, breathing a little easier now that both his mare and Aralyn's had managed to escape the dogs' fangs unscathed. But his heart leapt into his throat and his breathing became low and gasping as he was faced with his worst nightmare: the dogs. His father was terrible, yes... but he feared the dogs more, for no matter how far he ran, they could always find him.
Finally, he stepped forward a little, voice carrying again as he fought desperately to bring his body back under his own control. I'm... I'm not... hiding, sir. I'm... right... here. Please... enough.
Inside, Raimi began to wail, not used to being left alone and hearing COnan's scared voice. Ras-Raaaaaaaaaaasss!
The blue merle, Sierra, and the ticked canine, Flynn, had been wandering by a short ways from the scene. Neither of them had ever been here before, and had no clue where they were going. All they knew was that they were looking for something, but just not knowing what.
Soon the two came upon the scene, and Sierra's eyes washed over everything. She didn't know anyone here, but being the brave and heroic creature she was, she just had to get in on this. She began to trot around the mess, watching carefully, not caring if she was in view or not.
Flynn's heart felt to be pounding against her chest wildly now as she still went after Sierra, her only source of protection, you could say. Flynn could fend for herself, but she always preferred on taking alternative routes if she could avoid that.
The man's figure inched towards the trigger. He was about to pull it, when a voice broke the air instead of the shot. Snapping round to face the voice, The father's eyes widened. Rasputin. A look of pure anger engulfed the man's face, keeping the gun in exactly the same position, pointed at Aralyn and 'Ras-Ras'. At the boy pathetic attempts to plead his innocence, a simple hand guesture was made with the father's free hand, signalling the dogs to begin to advance on the boy. You. Your mother had been worried sick about you! She was worried she was going to loose her torture subject. You are coming with me, The dog's will make sure of it and when I get my hands on you boy, your life wont be worth living. He spat, aggresion spilling out with every word. Surround. The command was given to the dogs, to prevent Conan from making a run for it. The father wouldn't object to a couple of bites from Harth and Harlequin. Show the boy he couldn't hide from these two.
Then the child's wail echoed. You have Raimi in there! You good for nothing sack of crap! Go and get your brother! The gun was pushed back into the man's waistband.
Aralyns eyes flamed with ice fire and she placed herself between Conan and his father. Her hands slid into her back pockets and slowly she slid one knife from its holding place and released it behind her back, showing Conan. Over my dead body. She said in a voice as cold as the winter skies above. At the sight of Malon, joy filled her heart but she didn't say anything just yet. When the man released the two dogs, Aralyn threw the knife as hard as she could towards Harelquin. She had played throwing knives for years, her aim was precise, and she knew what she was doing. She aimed for the dogs side, hoping to hit....Malon! Released! She called to the shepherd mix. Then her eyes fell upon Flynn and Sierra. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes briefly, then she let loose a sharp whistle to the two. She wanted them to be tame, to be able to help her like Malon. He couldn't take them on alone. Her eyes were fierce on the man, never letting him loose from her gaze. Cause, the way I see it buddy, you got two choices. You can stay here and play, or you can high tail it outta here before I make mince meat out of you and feed you to the wolves. Not to far away, a pack of dogs lay. Including the doberman Conan, or Rasputin if you prefer, had helped to save. All it took was finding that correct command to get them to help, but most had been born wild. That she knew. She doubted these border collies would help, they were probably just as wild as the others. So whats it gonna be, hot shot? She asked him. Her hands were clenched tightly around her other knife, her eyes now and again darting to Harth in case he came nearer. She'd take him on as well.
Malon let loose a snarl at the dobermans words. His hackles raised and he was about to attack, but he was like they. He had to wait. His eyes landed on Sierra and Flynn, and he barked Help us! We must be rid of these dark creatures. His eyes on theirs until he heard the magic word. Suddenly the male leapt forth, his aim for Harth, his fangs going for the dobermans front leg.
Conan paled further when his mother was mentioned, for that woman terrified him far more than his father did. His father was cruel, but the mother... you never could tell with her. She was dangerous not in the way of a wolf, but in the way of a snake. Hidden and silent until you got close, until she lulled you into thinking you were safe... and then. Then would come the chemicals. The hot iron. Pots and pans. All aimed at him.
Unconciously, he reached up a hand to finger his right shoulder, a nervous gesture for him. The entire time he'd been staying with Aralyn, he had never worn short sleeves. It was not a coincidence. He wore long sleeves so that no one could see the scars. Not scars like Aralyn's, that were self-inflicted, but long and jagged scars that appeared when he dared to defy his mother. The worst of these snaked from his right shoulder all the way across his chest to end over his left hip. This was the one that had nearly killed him once.
The father's snapped order worked a definite change in the boy who had held the entirety of Ethan's house in thrall with one rifle and a deadly aim. The boy who had completely terrified four grown men turned away like a whipped puppy, back into the house, lifting Raimi into his arms as he hummed to soothe his little brother. Though the sniffling and whining continued, Raimi stopped wailing, partially listening to Conan humming.
Harlequin had never expected the two-legged girl to throw knives at her, but the flash of light on blade gave her a split second's notice: enough to dodge, but not completely. The knife grazed along her left rear leg, slicing it open from hock to ankle. A snarl was released, but her master had given and order. She continued to stalk toward Aralyn and THE BOY, teeth bared and begging to hear that blessed order again: "Attack!"
Harth was not as startled by Malon's attack as his sister had been by Aralyn's. But instead of dodging back, Harth let him have the limb and dove forward, ramming his bony shoulder in the general direction of Malon's chest, hoping to drive him back and maybe make him a little breathless. This also had the effect of wrenching Malon's jaws down his leg so that, while it tore skin, the hybrid would have no time to break the bone. At the same time, he lifted his head and fangs grasped for an ear, to rip it from Malon's head and cause him pain.
Sierra ignored her compnaion's complaints of worry about being here, and instead she kept her blue eyes locked on the scene. A battle scene, you could call it, and Sierra was indeed interested in it. Whatever she could do, she didn't know, but although she often didn't like to get dirty, fighting was something she could handle.
Flynn, on the other hand, was going wild in a frenzy of panic. Her multicolored eyes watched as Sierra dove in right away, and she admired her courage greatly, but suddenly forgot it. "Oh, oh, now we're dead!" she growled out, but took this as her chance anyway. Seeing no other canine to land an attack upon, she headed toward Harth, legs and muscles tense as she went straight at him, hoping "for her life" that she could catch onto his side and bite down.
The man wasted no time as Aralyn ordered Malon to attack, whilst throwing a knife at Harlequin. Attack! It was too late though, as his two dogs were attacked by two border collies as well as the woman and Malon. Grinding his teeth together, the man swore at Rasputin and Aralyn, raising his gun in a threatening manner. I doubt you could make mince meat out of me honey, I'm twice the size of you dear. I could shoot you dead before you even got to me. Rasputin's nervuos guesture encouraged the man to keep pushing. Rasputin, Restrain this wench, or my finger might accidentally slip. Your mother wouldn't want you to get blood over your clothes. Think how angry she would be then? Keep pushing. In truth, his mother wouldn't mind about the blood if it was her who had got it there. If she hadn't made him bleed, then she would make sure she did, inside and out.
Aralyn laughed, and when she did it was done so in a soft seductive manner. The other knife not yet revealed, the young girl began to move down the porch steps, away from Conan. The dogs fought on either side of her as she came closer to the man, and placing her hand on the gun she lowered it down to her chest. You talk big, monsuier. Now back up your words. Ice edged words were released from the girl, as she blocked out everything but Conans father and her. She held onto his eyes, her piercing blues on his own. Or...How about this. I trade myself for him and Raimi. They walk free, you get me. I can offer you more...Pleasurable aspects to life. She wasn't going to be afraid. Not now. She'd come this far, pushed him this much. She wasn't going to back down.
Malon was triumphant as he caught hold of the leg, but then he felt the shoulder ram him hard in the chest and was knocked back. His grip slipped on the dobermans leg and an enraged snarl escaped his lips. He felt fangs hit him, and he leapt back even further silencing his snarls. His ear lay in tatters, but he had ripped away before the doberman could get any further. Come on, that all you got? He taunted softly.
Conan gasped as Aralyn went forward to meet his father, but she had reached the man before Conan could hold her back. His first thought was to run forward and stop her, but he eyed his father and the gun warily, knowing very well that his father would use it. So he shifted Raimi onto one hip again and came forward, voice soft, to set Raimi down at his father's feet. 'ere he is, sir. Un'armed, an' I got 'im a clean shirt coz 'is ol' one was a mess. And he fished the dirty one out of his pocket, holding it out one-handed, heart pounding as he thought to himself, Lord, Aralyn, what're you up to?
Raimi squealed and grabbed a hold on his father's leg, giggling. Beebbeep ah booo!
Harlequin snarled and leapt back quickly as Sierra came to set teeth to her. The doberman did not weigh much, only about 65 lbs, but she was infinitely quick. Her lip lifted to bare glistening fangs as she pretended to consider her opponent for a moment. Truly, she was just waiting... and then, with the suddeness of summer lightning, she leapt forward, using her powerful hinds to jump high and hopefully tear across Sierra's back and land on the other side.
Harth found himself facing two opponents, but he was unworried. Though he outweighed his sister by only twenty lbs, he threw his weight to one side, hoping to jar and possibly break Flynn's teeth and send her stumbling a bit. At the same time, he raised his head to meet Malon, slashing at his muzzle and eyes.
Sierra wasn't quite ready for the canine to suddenly move like that. As the dog moved back, her fore legs shot out in front of her and caused her to slide a bit, and then stop altogether. At that moment, her trained eyes searched for any twinge of muscle from the fae, and at the first glimpse, she shot downward. Her limbs bent, letting her belly touch the ground for just until Harlequin sailed over her. She could feel the fur over her back wave from the air. Then, with a sudden and spitty snarl, her head was thrown around as her body spun wickedly upon her skilled paws. Her jaws were open wide, with her upper fangs set to slash across the other's face.
Flynn was unprepared for the attack, and she released a deaf-threatening squeal. She felt her jaw being snapped shut, and from the impact of the weight, she went falling to the side. She gave her head a brisk shake, and spit out a small piece of something from her mouth-- a fragment of tooth. The tip of her right fang had been broken right off, leaving a sharp, jagged edge in it's place. It may prove useful to her, if she could only figure out how to better position herself.
Willow walked around to where the dogs were scrapping. She jumped every time someone let out a snarl or growl and just watched, hoping that no one would spot her and dare her to fight.
While Aralyn may have been talking seductively, and pulling off the acting pretty well, Michael wasn't falling for it. As she moved the gun down, his grip tightened on it, but his eyes met hers with a cold smirk. Honey, as tempting as your offer is, I don't think so. Oh how easy it would be to shoot her now, the barrel pointed at her chest, she could be dead in a matter of seconds. Then again, where was the fun in that? At least this girl had the bottle to come over to him.
It was Raimi that broke Michael's eye contact with Aralyn. Himself and his wife, Rayna loved Raimi but Rasputin was...a different matter. A quick glance to see where the child was, and his eyes were back on Aralyn, sensing something wrong with the way she was acting. He scooped up Raimi in his left arm, his right still holding the gun at Aralyn. Propping the child on his hip, the father snapped at Rasputin. Well don't give it to me! Get rid of it if it's dirty, what are you, stupid or something?! Then he lowered his voice as he spoke to the child. Hello m'boy. I... But his trained eyes caught movement across the yard. Willow. How strange, so many canine's appearing at once. Ignoring the fact Harth and Harlequin were fighting, Michael slowly moved towards her and crouched down a few feet from her, placing Raimi on the floor in between his legs, but still holding onto him he clicked his tongue calling the dog over to him. Look Raimi, a doggy! The father liked the young child he held, his other son however brought nothing but anger to him. Tough family, eh?
An albino sweetheart was watching tensely from the edge of the bracken, lavender orbs looking up at her mistress, asking her what to do. Shantii knew that her mistress had helped Aralyn before, but now... now her mistress' mahogany eyes were coldly upon them, the bronze face tight and uncaring as she watched them. The very thought of Freya being so cold and angry at anyone made Shantii paw at the leg of her breeches, though she did not whine. Her tongue had long ago been cut out by a former master, and she was incapable of any vocalization whatsoever.
Freya's icy orbs remained squarely on the group of people and dogs, feeling her conscience squirm but steadfastly ignoring it. The last time she had helped Aralyn, the woman had insulted her and lied to her. Why should she help her now? A signal was flashed down at Shantii silently. Not yet. Watch.
The lavender eyes looked up at her again before turning back to the scene before them. Surely her mistress would not leave these to their fates...
Conan shrank back when his father spat at him, balling the t-shirt up once again and tucking it in his pocket. Since Michael did not want the t-shirt back, Conan could now keep it. He would wash the shirt and use it to replace the one he had put on Raimi. He would still have a token of his brother. But he spoke softly to Aralyn, now doing what his father had ordered him to do before Aralyn had come forward. Aralyn... please. It's not you 'e is aftah. 'e wants me. I can' let ya suffer for my problems. Ya got Inferno, Malon, Psyche... ya gotta take care of 'em. Who could 'andle Inferno if'n ya left, of if ya got hurt? And he turned to look at his father, though he dared not meet the older man's eyes. He couldn't see how they could win this fight. Now that the father knew where he was, he would just keep coming back. Something deflated inside him, and his spirit died, giving up.
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Then he turned back and laid a gentle hand on her arm again, voice soft and not really caring if his father heard. I've... I've been 'appy 'ere with ya, 'appier than I've been all my life. No one person can 'spect tha' much happiness an' not know 'e has ta pay for it one day. That was an odd thing to say, but that was something his mother had drummed into him. Every night, she'd had him stand in front of the mirror and repeat it over and over. I'm a worthless peice of shit. I'll never amount to anything. I don't deserve to be happy. I'm a worthless peice of shit. I'll never amount to anything. I don't deserve to be happy.
He shook that memory away, not aware until he had already completed the movement that he had done so physically. He spoke again, still so soft. I... I've loved ya, big sister... an' wherever I go, I'll remember ya loved me, too. An'... an' take care o' Ammit fer me.
Harlequin snarled as teeth dragged down her muzzle, but she pushed off the loam with her hind stilts, hoping to drive Sierra back. Once she landed, she tore her nose away from the grasping teeth and tucked her vitals, using her very flexible body to snake around and make a fake blow for Sierra's left leg before changing course to her true target: the right shoulder. She tried to make a hold, pulling out and away from the body to try to pop the limb out of its socket.
Harth's preoccupation with Malon allowed Flynn to land her attack, but he pulled away before she could do any muscle damage. A slash down his side about three inches long bled freely, but it was superficial. Thinking quickly, he swept his right forefoot under Malon's front legs, hoping to trip him, before turning to slash at Flynn, fangs trained on her small forelegs, to capture the bones and grind his teeth into them, to break them.
Raimi squeaked and squealed joyfully and planted a kiss on his father's cheek, but when Michael pointed out the dog, he spoke softly, sweetly. Doggy doggy! And he reached out his left hand, his right still wrapped around his father's leg, fingers wriggling to try to attract Willow. He wanted to pet the pretty puppy.
Her eyes flashed, and it could be seen then. The years of pain, the anger that she kept inside of her at all times. She'd kept it locked up so long, had let it build to the point where once it was unleashed it could never be contained. A flash of power, and the fury that lay deep inside was suddenly unleashed all onto Michael. In a voice cold as the arctic winds, she said Only a coward beats on a child half his size. With that she tore from Conan, her hand balled into a fist and aimed squarly for the mans chin as her other hand snaked out quickly, knife in hand. She went for his side, her aim to pierce a lung with the deadly blade. The inviting seductress had fled, leaving a cold warrior, a dark amazon. She didn't see Freya, nor her pet. Aralyn had already seen one of her friends die, and another stripped away from her leaving her nothing. She wasn't about to let Conan go as well.
Malon hadn't been paying attention as he should have, and felt himself trip. Landing hard on his side, the male immediatly stood and as soon as Harth was occupied with Flynn, the male leapt for the dobermans shoulder, trying to grab it and rip it to shreds as he had done to so many others.
Willow looked at the little boy, shaking at first, then warmed up to it. She crawled over to the little one, lowerinf her head into his outstretched hand. Willow may be a coward around other dogs but she loved people. Well...most people anyways. Willow's eyes filled with happiness as the child petted her.
The mahogany eyes watched silently, the brain lurking behind them listening and memorizing everything. A bronze hand reached down to play a little in Shantii's fur, unconciously, causing the white canine to paw up at her mistress again. But Freya's eyes grew wide as Aralyn... for some unknown and completely ridiculous reason... decided to belt the man across the chin. What on earth? she thought to herself. The girl's lost her blinkin' mind! She had to make a split-second decision. Who to help?
Then a signal flashed at the albino hybrid at her feet, and a silent alabaster streak sprang into action. Coming from behind Michael, that snowy maw opened, revealing the ragged pink ribbon that used to allow her to speak. It looked for a moment as though she might be heading to slash Aralyn apart, but at the last moment the white tiara flashed to the side, fangs trying to slice over the hand that held the gun.
Still motionless and silent in her shelter of bracken, Freya shook her head to herself, crimson beads set a-clacking behind her. Why on earth was she helping this ungrateful woman again?
Sierra's eyes watched with a great intensity, and her muscles twinged in anticipation. It wasn't barely even a couple seconds before she visioned herself hopping backward, which she quickly turned into reality. She was a bit bigger than most faes, but it didn't hinder her skills. Using agility, rather than skill this time, she went to strike out at the fae when her shoulder was suddenly snagged in jaws. She released a spitty, enraged snarl at the feeling, and immedietly threw her dial at Harlequin, jaws saught for her own shoulder. All the while, she kept her shoulder pulled in tightly, avoiding the possible result of a dislocated limb as best as she could.
Flynn thought she was doing a good job, a fine job. But the true fight was only now beginning, and she failed to recognize it. Her mind was too far off, causing her to lay focus to other things than the matter at paw. With a shrieking yelp, she went to jump away at the frist sign of pain upon her fore legs. One was lightly snagged, causing a small trail of crimson to ooze out, but it was nothing. The pain, though, which would practically seem as nothing to someone else, drove her to blindly strike out. At the last second, her hind legs shoved off the ground, sailing her lithe body right over, aiming to collide with Harth and knock him to the side.
The boy giggled, leaning over to give Willow a gentle hug. He petted her and began to sing his nonsense song again, still so soft. Eee mah shaasooo baaa deee maaassooo beeebaa sooooooo mayyyyy roooooooooo..... He was completely oblivious to the dogs around him fighting, for he had seen it so often that he just learned to ignore it. He was more concerned with Willow. Doggy doggy doggy...
Willow smiled gently, listening to the child's song. She nuzzled the boy in the chest sweetly and gently. This boy was precious and she wanted to keep him forever. Willow lowered herself to the boy's height and looked into his eyes. Her tounge snaked out and lightly touched Raimi on his tiny little nose.
Michael smiled as Raimi petted the dog, holding onto his left arm so he wouldn't wander off, but otherwise quite content to let him stroke Willow. He watched the dog for any sign of aggression or fear, anything that would give the canine something to lash out at Raimi for. After years of living with Harth and Harlequin, Michael knew canine behaviour pretty well, but finding nothing alarming about Willow, he felt alright about letting Raimi touch her. It was Aralyn's comment that probably saved his life. He let go of Raimi and turned round to shout at her, when she charged for him, weapon in hand. Michael's eyes widened slightly, moving away from his young boy to protect him from any unintentional harm. Now his eyes became cold, narrowing as he moved his hand to his belt to re-draw his gun, but it was too late. Aralyn's knife slashed his arm, leaving a slightly deep laceration to the upper arm. He cursed, spinning round to aim a heavy punch for her jaw, before staggering backwards and thrusting his hand for his gun. Snatching it up into his right hand, Michael aimed for Aralyn, but his lower right arm was slashed by Prashantii's teeth. They weren't deep cuts, but they stung. What the ...! Exclaimed Michael, as his gun was raised to Aralyn. Five shots were fired, two for her head and three for her chest. Then Michael swung round and shot three times towards Prashantii, aiming for anything.
Willow jerked her head up from Raimi's fingers when she heard the gunshot. Her tail tucked in and she growled pitifully. If there was one thing that scared her more than fighting canines, it was guns. Willow's instints told her to run, but she was afraid for the little boy. The man who had shot the lady was obviously Raimi's sire. Willow crawled around to the back of Raimi and picked him up by the pants. She hauled the little boy away from the fighting, on the side of the house and set him down. Willow placed her head on little Raimi's lap as protection.
Shantii released the hand as he moved, and she stumbled a bit, though any snarling she might have done was prevented by her useless tongue. One bullet had grazed along her side to lodge in her hip, but it was mostly superficial, and her sheer momentum had brought her out of range. Now that the weapon had been fired, she leapt back up to the same hand, hoping to grasp hold of the wrist and grind the bones to powder between her jaws, or at least make it difficult for him to fire again.
Freya watched all from the bushes, but when he began to fire, she left them silently, coming up with silent stealth behind him and swinging her staff toward his temple to hopefully knock him out, or at least knock him over.
Fortunately for Aralyn, Conan's long experience with his father had taught him the man's breaking point, and his close proximity to Aralyn allowed him to do something about it. As Aralyn socked his father a good one, he the gun snaking back out, and he stepped partially in front of her, though he was not in time to block properly. However, he was thankfully taller than Aralyn, and the more deadly shots to her head buried themselves across his chest. Another shot lodged into his abdomen, but her body was unfortunately not completely covered, so there was still the slight chance that one might hit her. But she could survive the shot to somewhere else in her body. One of the shots at her body caught in his abdomen, and the force of it flung his body down, though he did his best, in his shocked state of mind, to fall on top of his father and knock the gun out of his hand. He dropped like a stone, not even feeling the flash of fangs as he fell on top of his father's wrist. It was hard to tell whether Shantii had met her mark, but it had definitely partially hit his stomach.
He flopped limply down, a small gasping cry all he could manage with three bullets in his chest and one in his abdomen. One shot had peirced his left lung, but fortunately the others had hit non-vital areas. The shock though... that was another story. Even as he fell, he felt himself beginning to float away...
The shots terrified Raimi, causing him to wail and shriek, grasping tightly onto Willow as though she might protect him. But he soon found himself carried away from the fray, and the warm, fuzzy canine protecting him. But then something awful happened... Rasputin/Conan went down. Instantly, his pained and frightened wail hit the air. RAS-RAAASSSSS!!!!! Shheeesssngggaa! RAAAAASSSSS-RAAASSSSS!!!!!!
He struggled to get up but, fortunately for his welfare, Willow's dial was much too heavy for the toddler to lift, though she was not a big canine. So he wriggled and cried, continuing to call his brother's name.
Willow watched as Raimi's brother took most of Aralyn's shots. She closed her eyes and snuggled up against Raimi. Oh, I've got to help him. He is the little boy's big brother. Willow picked the boy up by his pants once again and trotted over to Conan. She gently put Raimi down at Conan's head and started busily licking at his abdomen and chest. His blood was sour on her sensitive tounge, but for the little boy, she had to save Conan. Willow whimpered quietly, afraid that the man would shoot again.
As soon as he was placed down by Conan, he threw himself down across his brother's bloodied chest, crying. His clean t-shirt got all bloody as he gazed up at his father, trying his hardest to understand. Why had Daddy hurt Ras-Ras? He squealed up at his father. Daddyyyyyy.... shunnnggaaa Ras-Ras!!!!!! Baby talk still, but the message was clear. Please... help my brother.
Conan reached a hand up into the darkening world around him, voice soft and breathy as he panted. After a few false starts, he managed to place his hand on Raimi's head, and if the boy listened carefully enough, he might hear... Raimi... its... its... okay... don'... don' cryyyyy... cryyyyyy.... Then darkness consumed his vision, and his hand slid down his brother's hair to land on the ground beside him.
Raimi whimpered and reached over his brother to grasp that hand, lifting it in his two tiny ones, his small body still sprawled over Conan. Ras... Ras-Ras... he whimpered, tears rolling down his face. Ras-Ras... jupahhh...
Willow saw Conan try and comfort his brother, but failed when he went unconcious. Willow's eyes softened and watered as a growl erupted from her throat. Why did this sire try to kill others? Did he not understand he was breaking poor Raimi's heart? Willow whipped her head around to the man and let out a blood-curdling growl. She backed upand stepped over Conan and Raimi, as if to protect them both with her medium-sized body. Her gaze locked on the man's, her hackles raise, and her teeth shown. These all said, "Come near them and I'll kill you."
She felt a bullet pierce her lower abdomen, pain shooting through her. As Conan went down, her eyes widened, but she said nothing now. She flipped around the knife, her eyes turning to the man as her blood and Conans began to blend together on the ground. As Freya went for Michael, she did as well. There couldn't be many more shots in his gun, maybe one if any. She stabbed at Michael with her last strength, aiming for a lung. Unknowing if she hit him or not, she backed away to Conan. Kneeling down, she placed a hand on his forehead. Conan, Conan baby wake up. Please wake up, we have to go now. Her words were soft, pleading, gentle. As Raimi screamed and Willow snarled, she looked up at them oth. Her eyes were so soft, so gentle. She looked like an angel, fallen from heaven to walk this earth and live here as punishment. Raimi, I need you to be quiet for me. Can you do that?
Raimi barely heard Aralyn's voice over his own, but her sweet tone made him turn his tear-stained face up to hers, voice tremulous and soft, but a little hopeful. Sissy... shunga Ras-Ras? He was still whimpering a bit, but it was much softer. He leaned into Willow, burying his face in her fur, still holding Conan's hand like a lifeline, but quiet now except for the occasional sob.
Everything hurt... it even hurt to breathe. Not enough air... why wasn't there any air? Conan's chest rose and fell at a frightening rate, the lone functioning lung trying desperately to get enough oxygen into his system. Then a cool hand came through the heat and darkness, spreading that coolness across his forehead. The blue eyes fluttered open a little, lit with pain and confusion as they gazed up at Aralyn. A... Ar'lyn... he breathed her name on a gasped breath, like a prayer, but he could not manage more. Still, it was proof that he was concious, if not physically very well.
When most of the shots hit Rasputin, Michael's arm fell. Why did he save the girl? He went to step forward, but was smacked across the head by a staff. He staggered backwards, dazed, his head hurting and his eyes spinning. Raimi's cries made Michael stride forwards as best he could again, but Aralyn launched herself at him. In a feeble attempt to not have his vitals peirced, Michael lifted his hand to protect his body. The knife went right through his hand as he dropped the gun, a cry of pain and anger bursting from the man. He was about to shove Aralyn away when she left. He ignored Willow's growls, mainly because his head was swimming so much he couldn't really hear her. Dropping to his knees, Michael clumsily stuffed his hand into Conan's pocket and withdrew Raimi's dirty T-shirt. He straightened it out and spread it across the bullet wounds. Hold that t-there, press down hard to try and stop it bleeding as much, I-I gotta do something.
With the knife still lodged in his hand, Michael stood back up and pulled out a phone. He slowly dialled the numbers, his blurred eyesight making it difficult. Finally he put it to his ear. Sweetheart, we have a problem.
Willow's hackles went down when Raimi hugged her. She bent her head and licked his tear-stained cheek. Willow looked over to Aralyn and moved towards her a bit, wanting to help. Her eyes were big and swelled with tears, but she did not want to cry in front of Raimi.
Aralyn held her hand over the wound, her blood intermixing with Conans. In a soft voice, she sang to him. I never really, wanted you to see, the screwed up side of me that I keep locked inside of me so deep. It always seems to get to me I never really wanted you to go, so many things you should have known I guess I want you to just know that I never meant to be so cold. What I really meant to say is that I'm sorry for the way I am. I never meant to be so cold, never meant to be so cold. Her other hand was shaking as she gently wiped Conans forehead. This was all Michaels fault, and he would pay. God help her, he would pay.
Malon leapt for Harth once more, aiming for the dobermans jaws to hold them and allow Flynn to do as much damage as possible.
Psyche stood tall and proud and she came forth behind Michael. A snort was his only warning as she 'brushed' past him towards her girl.
Ammit came forward as well, her eyes rolling and terror in her eyes as she reared slightly at Michael, then she circled around and away from him to stand behind Aralyn.
I, I feel it in my veins
The pain etched in Conan's face eased a little as Aralyn sang to him. Slowly, his hand came up again, missing a few times before he finally managed to place it on top of hers, trying to reassure her that he would be okay, even when his chest felt as though it might explode. The wince and quick closing of eyes afterward revealed how much the movement had cost him, but he must... S.... S'okay, Aral... His voice was soft and breathy, but he was trying with all his strength to make it reassuring.
Raimi let out a small, quiet coo as the blue eyes fluttered open again, leaning down to place a kiss on his brother's cheek, murmuring softly. Ras-Ras nee-ty.
Harth and Harlequin were completely concentrated on their attack, but at the father's howl of pain, they wrenched themselves away, ignoring the blood and pain, to curl back in front of Michael. First thing was first: the master had to be protected.
Conan spotted Ammit behind Aralyn, and smiled a little. ,B>A... Ammit. 'ey.
Finally, Conan's eyes traveled upward, gazing up at his father. Pain swirled there. Unbearable, unknowable pain. And, strangely... understanding. He was Rasputin. Rasputin was the bad son, the mistake. It was his place to feel pain, his purpose for being allowed to live. All that was in his eyes, if only the father would look down and meet them.
Noting with satisfaction that her attack had landed, Freya had shifted her grip and was about to give him another good wallop when the fighting seemed to stop without warning. So the oaken staff was lowered, the chocolate eyes watching silently, absorbing it all and reflecting nothing.
It was Shantii who brought her mistress out of her reverie, scrubbing her dial against the girl's leg. Deep brown eyes met lavender ones, and Freya sighed exaggeratedly, moving forward to crouch beside Aralyn. If you will allow me, khenemset... I can help him, and reduce the pain... til better care can be found.
Willow nuzzled Raimi for reassurance and treaded over to Araylyn's side. Her big, worried eyes looked right into the girl's, hopefully bringing comfort. She reached out and licked Aralyn's cheek and dropped her head immediately, thinking she might get in trouble.
She placed her hand on Willow now, sitting back on her heels. Okay. She murmered softly to Freya. Her hand stroked the soft fur of the dog, gentle and soothing. She couldn't work on Conan, it would be impossible. She'd need her bag which was...Somewhere.
Freya's eyes met Aralyn's for a moment, considering. Finally she nodded, answering a question that no one could hear, and made a signal to Shantii.
The albino's tail waved. Finally, they were helping! She darted quickly away to the trees, rummaging around a bit. When she came back, a large pack was grasped in her teeth, made of worn leather with a battered and dirty seal displayed prominently. The seal of Freya's people, Freya's father.
As Shantii brought the bag back, Freya built a quick fire for heating and sanitizing tools.
As she began to work, Freya spoke softly and steadily, with the reassuring tone of one well used to working with the ill and injured, though she spoke also to the people around her. My father was the surgeon of our ship, the finest my people have ever known. Her eyes turned a little soft at the words, for the term "was" happened to be the keyword. Her father was long since dead. It was for him and for all her people that she wore red, the trader's color of mourning. The color of spilt blood.
But she pushed those thoughts aside and continued to speak as she began to dig out her tools. I was his favorite pupil, and I learned well. The bronze hand came out of the sack with a needle and a small bottle, filling it capably and presicely. Then she spoke directly to Conan, voice soft. I'm going to give you something to make you sleep, because I will have to use what I have, and this will hurt if you are awake. Giving him that small warning, she moved to inject the fluid into the major vein of his left arm, watching and monitoring as he slowly fell asleep.
One his eyes had closed, she looked Conan over carefully, prodding here and there a bit and turning her head this way and that to assess the damage. She nodded silently to herself once again, and shifted to place a knee on either side of his body, voice soft as she spoke to Aralyn. Move up by his head and hold him still.
As soon as Aralyn had assumed the position requested, she drew a small dagger from her belt, pouring over it some of the alcohol from her bag and wiping it well before holding it at the base of the fire to assure that it was properly sanitized. She used the knife to slit open Conan's shirt, peeling it back away from the wounds and revealing many knife scars that crisscrossed his body, including the infamous one that led from right shoulder to left hip. But she was unshocked. She had seen worse.
As she took the knife to Conan's skin, she began to speak, explaining what she was doing so Aralyn wouldn't freak out. The bullet that passed completely through his torso has peirced the left lung, and that is mostly to blame for his difficulty breathing. As she spoke, she used the fine-tipped point of her blade to make a small hole in Conan's lower chest, her fine-tuned steady hands working in tiny strokes to produce the miniscule depression she desired. When she finally judged the depth of her incision deep enough, she reached back into her pack and came up with an object that was very well known: a drink straw. She wedged this into the hole she had made and removed a slightly thinner iron rod from her pack. This she placed in the glowing embers of the fire, letting it heat for several seconds before she continued, still explaining. When skin is heated, it expands, as you may know. she said as she began to wedge the steaming iron rod down the straw and wiggle it around inside. Bullets are small, and so if I am careful, I can use the expanded skin to stretch over the hole that was made, restoring his breathing.
The eyes closed as she fiddled inside Conan's chest, and the sickening smell of burning flesh hit the air. But finally, gradually, Conan's breathing became more steady, more regular, and lost its gasping quality. She let out her breath, and removed both objects from the wound before stitching up the hole she had made. The muscles will heal on their own. Then she reached for an herb pouch, coming up with one in particular. She chewed it carefully, making a face as the taste, and then spread it over the bullet wounds. That will make them fall out without hurting him. Finally, she reached for a new needle and gave him a series of injections, fluids and nutrients to try to counteract the shock.
Finally finished, she sat back on her heels, eyes closing for a moment before she began to pack up her things. When she had them all placed back in their proper compartments, she stood, voice soft and eyes averted. Now it is up to him. His strength will decide if he lives or dies. And she moved away from the group, not leaving, but heading back to hide in the line of trees. She had done her duty.
Her eyes lifted to Michael to make sure he was occupied, before she spoke next. Even when she did speak, her words for Freya and Freya alone. I'm sorry for how I acted before. Pride, it was an ugly thing that had gotten her into trouble many times before. When Freya finished working on Conan and headed to the trees, she stood. Her eyes flickered to the bristling Malon and the two border collies. Guard. She said pointing to Conan. She didn't want to leave him, but there were two dogs not to far away that needed help. Maybe thirty feet away at most, so she could keep an eye on everything and make sure nothing happened. Malon. Aratay. The dog bristled even more and came forth, a low snarl erupting from him. He stood between Michael and the boy, a big body guard with a heart of gold.
Willow stepped away from Aralyn and back to Raimi. She carefully nuzzled his fingers away from Conan and picked him up, to take away from the violence. She sat him down away from Conan, but where he could still see the older brother. Willow laid her head on his lap to allow him to pet her.
Aralyn's soft voice made Freya pause in her retreat. An apology? For a moment, it looked like she might leave anyway, but finally the bronze face turned back to face them, a rare soft and genuine smile on it this time. Many things were said and done that day that neither of us are proud of, khenemset. I would be a fool indeed if I let a moment of temper prevent the cool wind of forgiveness. Then her voice came softer, in the first audible order to Shantii she had yet given. Prashantii. Krisharna.
Shantii moved over beside Malon, a waving tail hoping to show him that she meant to help. Then she settled next to him, head low and bristling silently up at the father.
The man continued to mutter into his phone, pausing every now and again. Finally, he placed the phone back in his pocket, and began to inspect the wounds to his hands and arms. The scratches on his arms would heal in time, but the wound through his hand would need some sort of cleaning and bandaging. Michael turned on the spot, looking for something, anything he oculd start to sort out his wound with. He was not going to ask Aralyn or that other girl for help. As he span round, Michael saw Malon and Shantii standing in front of Rasputin, almost aggressively. His eyes narrowed, he wanted to send his dogs to block them from him, but felt it would be best if he stayed away for a while, at least until his wife got here. Then he looked down at the boy they were protecting as Freya began to work on him, and he saw Conan's eyes. Michael met his gaze. For a moment, you could say he looked sorry, but in a split second it was gone, replaced with a cold, harsh glare. Harth, Harlequin, Come. Michael turned and headed towards the building, biting his lip as pain continued to snake up his arm from his hand. As he entered the doorway, he turned to the dogs. Guard. He didn't want any of the psycho women to follow him whilst he found some sort of cloth to wrap his hand in. He ran his hand under the tap and got rid of as much dried or old blood as he could, allowing new, fresh blood to come from the wound. Wrapping his other hand temporarily round the injured one, Michael went about looking for a cloth. Luckily, there was an old towel, and so he wrapped it tightly round his hand to stem the bleeding as to try and prevent infection, at least until he could find a proper bandage.
Michael exited the house, rubbing his forehead with his good hand. He tapped his thigh, to tell the dogs to follow him, as he strode towards Rasputin. Listen, Your mothers coming. She's been worried sick about you boy, Even more so now that your injured... A cold glare was directed at Aralyn. He then began to look for Raimi, and spotted him with Willow. He walked over, smiling and crouched down in front of the toddler. Raimi, Mom's coming to see you and Rasputin! The man held out his arms, as his face clouded, seeing the tear stains on the childs face. Rasputin will be alright, It's OK, Daddy's here..
Raimi's eyes grew big and wide as his father came back towards him, and he crowded back into Willow. This couldn't be Daddy. He looked like Daddy... but... but he had hurt Ras-Ras. Why would Daddy hurt Ras-Ras? The boy's lower lip trembled, letting out a whine. He wanted to be held, wanted to be loved on and reassured... but... but for the moment, he was afraid of Daddy.
Conan's breathing continued to even out and slow, until the drug wore off and true sleep set in. As he drifted from drugged sleep to true sleep, his breathing was low and regular. He was going to be okay, it seemed.
At their master's word, Harth and Harlequin obeyed, following and guarding as he patched himself together, though both of them were limping significantly. They had been outnumbered, so it was unavoidable. But not a peep was heard from them in complaint. This was not the worst fight they had been in. They followed faithfully back to Conan, setting up guard in front of Michael, waiting for the hated WOMAN to arrive.
Willow wound her body closer around Raimi as the killer-man approached. She growled protectively as he spoke and flashed her canines, once. She turned her attention back to Raimi and licked his tear-stained cheeks to clean him up. She growled comfortingly as she licked him, hoping that it worked.
Sierra, being the dominant one of the two, snarled bitterly as the attacker left the fight. Her stance was high and unwavering, a bit of blood oozing from what few wounds she may have picked up. Nothing was at all big, that wasn't even but a little scuffle to Sierra.
Flynn growled as well by the end of the little fight, as the other headed off as well. Getting a huge surge of pride, she stood up taller than usual and gave a gruff "hmph" before looking off to Sierra. Seeing the dog had eased closer to the imposing human, she immedietly went to assist her. As much as she hated it, and was just about worried out of her mind, she kept a strong stance by her friend, though didn't appear as aggressive. Only a light growl and dull look was given to the two-legged.
She had taken the herbs that Freya had offered, and came back to the others. She kneeled next to Conan, her hand resting lightly on his forehead to check for fever. As the collies both snarled and growled at Michael, her face softened. Lightly she placed a hand on Flynn, her smile still gentle and sweet. Good dogs. She murmered softly. Her eyes lifted to Michael, and she said in a dark tone to him One wrong move, they'll all be at your throat. Nothing will stop them until you lie dead at my command. Was it true? Well...No. But he didn't know that. He thought they were her dogs, which they weren't, but she'd keep everything going, everyone tense. Make him think they listened to her command.
Malon grinned at Flynn and Sierra, his eyes glowing with pride. HE didn't know these two, but they were helping. HE couldn't be happier.
Freya stood tall next to Aralyn, leaning a little on her staff but hard mahogany eyes on Michael. Her voice was cold as ice. Yes, remember, kaq that you are quite outnumbered here, even with your slaves to do your bidding. I'd be very worried if I were you. One false move that even looks like you might be trying to do harm, and I'll let Shantii show us the color of your entrails. Personally, I'd lay my money on them being yellow, just like the rest of you. Gruesome talk, yes, but if he were fool enough to attack her for the comments, or even make a move toward them, it would be the last thing he would ever do. Sierra, Flynn, Malon, and Shantii would see to that.
Knowing that he was occupied, she leaned down over her patient, feeling of his forehead and running her fingers around the wounds and over his face, brow furrowing in thought as she spoke to Aralyn. He IS a bit warm, khenemset. Best not let that fever get too far or it will fester the wounds. Have you perhaps a good deal of ice? If they could pack Conan's vital areas in enough ice, it would lower his overall body temperature, and the fever would be forced to flee.
Michaels eyes flickered towards Freya, and there was something dangerous there. Just to be certain, he murmered to the two dobermans Guard.... IT wasn't long before a black mercedes drove up, screeching to a halt on the gravel drive way. A woman flew out of the car, her red hair flying behind her as she moved briskly across the ground. She kneeled next to Aralyn after looking at her husband with tear filled eyes, and in a soft soothing voice she said Oh, my Rasputin, oh my poor boy. She slapped at Aralyns hand, a sharp reprimanding slap and said in a high pitched whiny voice How dare you touch my son. Look at what you have done to him! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?! She was screeching now, then said to her husband, who was standing back a bit, Lift him up, Michael, get him inside. We need to get him inside. Shrugging his massive shoulders, the man moved forward and picked up Rasputin, cradling the boy to his chest as if he were nothing more then Raimis age. Walking up the stares, he went inside, and set Conan on the couch.
But dear dear Rayna, she wasn't finished yet. She rounded on Aralyn and Freya now, and came forth, her finger pointed in the young womans face. If he dies, its all on your head! I will sue you until your begging to be put into jail! DO YOU HEAR ME!? BOTH OF YOU! I'LL KILL YOU BOTH IF HE DIES!! Now heres where she took it a step to far. The woman balled her hands into fists, then suddenly made an attempt to ram them into Aralyns collar bone, then into her abdomen. If she hit or not, she turned and went into the house quickly, to avoid any assaults on her being.
Once inside, she grabbed a cloth and began to wet it to place it upon Conans forehead.
When the mercedes showed up, the young womans eyes narrowed. Freya... She murmered softly. But then the older woman came flying up, and slapped at her hand. Stunned, the girl stood quickly and backed away. Her hand was bright red, and a dark scowl crossed her pretty little face. Then the woman started screaming at her. After she spoke to Michael, the girl suddenly said Excuse me?! I'll be sorry? What have you been doing!? Then Rayna started screaming at her. Aralyn was about to scream back when the womans two fists connected with her already tender collarbone. For a second she couldn't breathe, then once more pain shot through her and the girl went down on her knees with a cry, for one of Raynas fists had connected with the bullet wound. She crossed her arms over her abdomen and began forcing air through her lungs, trying her hardest to just catch her breath.
Malon had been to worried about Harth and Harlequin, and Aralyn had said to guard Conan so he had followed Michael into the house. When he heard Aralyns cry, and Rayna came rushing into the dark interior, the male raised his head and a low snarl arose in his throat. He came around to Rayna, his fangs bared. Back off.
After seeing to some of the animals upon Charlene's request, Nadeem returned to the front yard with the intent of speaking to Aralyn. He wanted to explore the area more, and was told that she probably knew her way around better than most. At least, better than Charlene could now.
Alarm rose in him when he heard the shouts of fighting. Quickening his pace to a run, the man dashed around the side of the house. His dark eyes widened at first, then narrowed as he spotted a stranger strike Aralyn twice before retreating inside. "Hey!" He yelled out, but went to Aralyn's side first, reaching down to help her stand up, "Aralyn, what happened? Are you alright?" Worry was obvious in his voice, as he glanced towards the house. Who in the world were these people, anyway? Charlene hadn't mentioned anything about visitors.
Willow pulled Raimi farther away from the humans, almost into the forest. She curled up with him and nuzzled his head continuously. For some reason, Raimi's parents gave her the creeps.
Freya had not been in time to block the blows to Aralyn's anatomy, but the dark-skinned girl stepped in front of her as she went down, staff partially raised, but doing nothing further. Her voice came, cold as winter wind, but deadly low and level. If you seek blame for the harm done to your son, speak with your husband. It was he who fired the shots. None of us has a gun on their person, as you can see. So far, it is your husband who has done the most harm here, and it can be proved. I'd keep that very closely in mind, if I were you. Her staff was ready to block in case either of them tried anything else.
Shantii had followed Rasputin and his father inside, but a brief hand signal from her mistress took the canine to the pack outside, coming back with it between her teeth. A second hand signal sent the white muzzle rummaging through it, nudging aside the many bottles and tools with her nose until she came up with the particular bottle her mistress wanted. Of course, she could not tell that Freya had each mixture organized by color, her vision being black and white, but her mistress had taught her the contents by smell, which were very apparent to her sensitive nose. Grasping the bottle gently between her teeth, she trotted over to Aralyn, tail waving a bit. Inside were leaves that would dull the pain, she need only chew on one to help it until she had the time and available attention to do something else.
Raimi stopped whining and crying, now completely tired out by the stress and by everything. He leaned back into Willow, sleepy little eyes partially closing as he clung to his friend like a security blanket, arms gently clasped round her neck.
The first thing that came back... was a sense of pain. And... he could breathe again. His chest felt like it was on fire, but he could breathe. Then feeling came back: a sense of his own body and the softness of the couch under him, and the coolness of the wet rag bathing his face. Then the sound slowly filtered in, just barely catching clearly the last of Freya's words: ...closely in mind, if I were you.
Finally, slowly, the blue eyes flickered open again, and the brow wrinkled, trying to force them to focus properly so he could make out the blurry form above him. But the concentration in his face turned instantly to fear as the long, wavy red hair came to his vision. It could only be Mother. The demoness. A low sound came from his throat, almost to soft and indistinct to be called a scream, and he instinctively tried to wriggle backwards along the couch. But the intense pain in his chest and abdomen made him stop, gasping and grabbing painfully at his wounds, a soft moaning all he could manage.
The room was spinning, spinning... but something reared up inside his brain, inside his heart. It was the thing that had kept him alive during all the years of torture at their hands, the one thing that would never let him give up and die. The little courage he had left reared up inside him, and he instantly silenced his small moans, cutting them off as though they had never been born from his lips. SHE would not make him scream. As long as he did not scream, he had SOME control. It wasn't much, but it kept him sane. No... she COULD NOT make him scream.
I, I feel it in my veins
Her eyes seemed to flash with something dark and sinister, but she made soft cooing noises at her sons faint struggles. Shhh, now my dear Rasputin. Mommys here, she'll take care of you. She always takes care of you, doesn't she? She'd make him scream this time. She really would. Here now, let me see what those little witches did to you. Bloody filthy things, don't you think Michael? Stealing our eldest son from us, like that. Without Conans consent, the woman removed his dressings to reveal the herbs and other work done. She removed all the herbal remidies, then walked away to return a few moments later. The pad was wet, but a foul stench was coming from it. Rubbing alcohol. This may sting a bit. She barely concealed her glee, then placed the cloth upon the bullet wound in her sons abdomen. If this didn't do it, she had some iodine she could put on there as well. Oh, this was to much fun this healing business.
He saw the look in her eyes, the one that came before the chemicals, before the bloody vomit, before the gagging sensation that burned up his throat. Her words only worried him more, set him on the alert. He knew her too well.
The smell of the pad made his eyes grow a little wide, for as his mother's son, this was a liquid he was VERY familiar with. Alcohol. It would disinfect, yes, but the burning...
He did not gasp because he was prepared. Screaming would have been overkill. Only a small hiss escaped him, his eyes flinching closed and his face contorting with the pain. He did allow a loud whimper to escape him. Sometimes, it was easier to let her win, just a little. Sometimes that small display of pain would satisfy her. He did not hold much hope for it, but it couldn't hurt to try. His hands fisted convulsively, sweat beading on his forehead, but he did not scream.
Willow nuzzled little Raimi comfortingly again. Suddenly, she heard the little boy's brother wimper. She let a small growl escape her lips and uncurled from Raimi. Sleep tight, little one. She walked up to the door of the house and looked in. Poor little boy. He loves his brother and his mum is killing the bigger brother. She stood there, in the doorway watching and thinking.
Pain, so severe she couldn't breathe. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach, and she bit her lip so hard that blood began to trickle from a small wound. She looked up to see both Nadeem and Freya, and greatfully she took her new found friends leaves. Numb the pain, she had to numb the pain. She looked up to Nadeem, then stood slowly. She would not show weakness. Using the railing, she made her way up the porch stairs, and went inside. She was out of knives, but she had a different idea. Get away from him, before I call the Ancients. Was she crazy? Or was she trying to make Rayna think she was. If Rayna thought that Aralyn was mad, it would give Freya and Nadeem time to get Conan out of there. She could fend off Michael and Rayna. Wait....Could she?
Freya eyed Aralyn, wondering herself at the other girl's strange words. Her mahogany eyes studied her, weighing. Could she be...? Suddenly, it clicked together in her brain, and she stepped forward, face and voice betraying benevolence and concern. She spoke, the most she had said aloud in a long time. Aralyn? Aralyn, dear? Aralyn, what's wrong? Praying that Aralyn knew this was all an act, she reached an arm toward her, standing side by side with her. As she enclosed Aralyn carefully in a one-armed hug, she patted her back, moving her hand down to her own belt as she did so. Between her body and Aralyn's, the movement was completely disguised, and it looked like she really was only comforting Aralyn. With the slight of hand for which she was so famous, she removed her own dagger from her belt and fitted it silently into Aralyn's left-back pocket, completing the movement as she stepped back from Aralyn. Seamlessly, she reached both hands up to hold Aralyn's shoulders, gazing at her from arm's length. Aralyn? Aralyn?
She turned toward Michael and Rayna, voice a little shrill, for she could be quite the actress herself when she tried. Do you see what you've done? Don't you realize you are dealing with someone who is psychologically imbalanced? Unstable as she is, you HAD to bring violence into her peaceful home. Now she's gone! She's lost it completely. And she turned back to Aralyn, letting her voice break a bit. Aralyn! Khenemset! Please...
And the last word was her cue to collapse to her knees, bringing the memory of bloody water and masts to mind to force tears into her eyes. They came in streams, for the death of the Clarion's crew, her entire family, it was the most painful she had ever known. She topped off the performance with a pained whisper. Aralyn... come back...
Now... now Aralyn had only to attract attention to herself, to completely convince them that she was nuts. With the knife, Aralyn might stand a better chance, though she did not yet know that Freya did not intend to leave. Nadeem could take Conan, he could carry the light teen on his own, and Freya would stay to take care of Aralyn.
Witch! Michael, grab Rasputin. We'll be leaving now. She was about to walk out the door, when she realized Michael hadn't moved an inch. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, making her normally obediant husband squirm a bit. Ray...We can't keep moving him. The...Hes lost to much blood. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
Rayna looked like a banshee now, her eyes flaming. They're witches Michael! The one, shes crazy! Look at her eyes, you can see it in her eyes! No one has eyes like those! She stomped towards her husband, then changed her mind. Taking a deep breath, she said Fine. We'll stay. Her grin became somewhat sinister, and she said in a cooing tone Besides, I haven't put the iodine on our poor babys wounds. Her eyes turned to the two young women, and she said You! Get out! Get out this instant! Even if it wasn't her house, she was going to act like it was.
Conan heard Aralyn's words, and his well-honed instincts told him to play along. He had to play the part his Mother wanted him to if this was going to work. She wanted him to believe that she meant to take care of him. So his raised voice was quiet, whispering, though pain lanced through him with every word. Ma... Ma its... its okay. I... A short pause... breathe, Conan, breathe... She... don't mean... na harm. She's... odd... a lil... lil crazy... Breathe in, breathe out. In, out. Bu'... 'armless. Please... don'... don' send 'er away... she... needs me. Please, Mama.
And he turned his eyes to Aralyn, knowing she would read the truth their, see through his act. A... Ar'lyn... ya... ya gonna watch... Ammit fer me? In, out. In, out. Ammit... knows where... where the Ancients went. 'Member I... I tol' ya? Ya... gotta stay an'... take care o' her for me... I... I can' ride...
But his eyes said, Keep going... she's freaking out. The more off balance we keep her, the better... What was in his heart, he kept to himself. He refused to let his eyes say that he wanted Aralyn to run, to get away from his parents before she got hurt. No, that would only make her more determined to stay, he knew that. No, he could only hope that Nadeem and Freya would protect Aralyn in his place...
But at the word iodine, his eyes widened. Oh crap... he should have screamed at the alcohol. Now she was bringing the heavy-duty stuff. Oh God, he didn't know if he could hold the screams back if she brought the iodine... He sent a quick prayer winging toward heaven.
Heaven give me strength...
God lift me up in mighty waters
As a knife slipped comfortingly into her back pocket, Aralyn gave a sickly sweet smile. But...No Conan. The Ancients, they're all around the house, remember? I put...I put those spells all around the house and...And they were supposed to protect us. She let her lower lip quiver, her voice sounded like that of a young childs. And I am not crazy! I know what I'm talking about....You believe me...Don't you Conan? Ha, even she could fall for her act. I...I'll take care of her though. Me and...And Lenara. Her eyes turned to Freya, and she leaned upon the girl, tears filling her eyes. The way she did this? Your nothing but daddys little whore, Angel. You'll never amount to anything, little Angel. Who cares, Angel? We certainly don't. Stupid mutt got what it deserved. She had to be careful now, for anger was filling her with each memory, but along with it were tears of anger and frustration.
Freya stood up to allow Aralyn to lean on her, visibly making an effort to pull herself together. She still kept the memory there to force tears into her eyes, but her voice was steady and soft. Yes, dear... we believe you. We do, don't we, Conan? Shhhh, now, shhh. It's alright. And she patted Aralyn's back, making soft shhing noises, pretending to comfort Aralyn's pretended pain. Shantii also came up to press along Aralyn's leg, whining softly.
Humph. That was the only noise she made before she turned to Conan. She wiped the wound with iodine, then went back into the bathroom. She returned once more, and said in an unbelievably dark tone Do you not clean this house, witch? Its filthy. Pure, utter filth! She turned to Aralyn and Freya, then said Get that stupid mutt out of here! All of them! Thats what makes it so filthy in here, and that horrid stench.
Luckily, Charlene was out of town for a while on one of her rescue missions, or there would be a lot more hell raising going on. A phone call to Nadeem assured her all was well back at the house; though this was a lie on the young man's part, for he saw no sense in upsetting the elderly lady over something she couldn't help. Tucking the cell phone back in his pocket, Nadeem entered the house. Catching the words of Rayna, he hurried over to Aralyn and Freya, standing protectively in front of them as he let a rare bit of fury show, "Get out of our house, NOW! I won't tolerate you harming and disrepsecting my friends any longer!" Blazing dark eyes fixed unflinchingly on the woman, although he trembled slightly with pent up anger and fear. He was use to confrontation, but he usually avoided it at all costs.
Feeding off the tension and anger, Starlit began to snarl. Hackles raised, she stood stiff-leggedly beside Nadeem, and in front of the two young ladies. She too rarely attacked others, but she had tasted human blood before. And if Rayna and Michael crossed the line, she wouldn't hold herself back any longer.
Among the array of animals in the house, it was Beakers who picked the time to say something. "No one left to fight! No one left to fight!" The hycinthine macaw squawked out, giving a vigorous flap of his wings as he stretched his royal blue neck upwards. He still recalled those words taught to him by Aralyn last year, and happily belted them out in hopes of garnishing some of the attention on himself. "Prettyboy, prettyboy!" He chimed next, something Charlene called him often times. The parrot's shrieks began to excite the rest of the animals in the house. Though most of them were caged, they began to move about more and grow more anxious as the tension grew in the room.
The sting of the iodine was fierce, and this time Conan could not keep back the strangled cry that wrenched itself from his chest of its own voaltion. His eyes opened wide and his hands scrabbled at the material of the couch, as though tearing it apart might make the pain go away. The muscles in his abdomen and chest had gone into spasms, making him rise from the couch and sending even more shots of pain through him. His vision blurred and darkened, but he fought it, clinging to conciousness with all his might.
Finally, he managed to regain his faculties, and his body flopped back against the couch, exhausted, panting, and streaming with sweat. He started to say something, but did not have the breath, and so he closed his eyes, half in pain, and half in shame. She'd won.
In his little shelter of braken, Raimi finally stirred, rolling over and getting to his stumbling feet. Hearing Conan's strangled scream, he headed toward the house, crawling up the steps. The wavy red hair of his mother made him let out a cry of joy, and he ran forward to latch onto her leg, his sweet voice hitting the air. Mommymommymommy! Mommy shunga Ras-Ras! Mommy would help Ras-Ras. Mommy loved Ras-Ras. Didn't she?
Aralyn was about to continue with her babbling when suddenly Nadeem was there. Again about to say something, she opened her mouth to hear a scream but it wasn't her own. She couldn't take it anymore. Move. She hissed to Nadeem and Freya. She stepped forward, her steps quick and strong. With all her might, she brought up her hands and shoved them hard into Rayna, knocking into her as hard as possible. Although injured, she had anger and something like fear inside of her that was all pent up and ready to be unleashed. She grabbed hold of Raimi, pushing him back towards Nadeem and Freya her blue eyes blazing with fire. If you don't get out, I swear to God I will kill you right now. She was trembling. Vaguely she could hear the bird, the pacing animals but nothing was making into her system. Only Rayna.
Mommy... Mommy didn't answer. And worse... Mommy put something on Ras-Ras... and it hurt. Mommy had... hurt... Ras-Ras.
The Carlyles had always been careful around their younger son, always being certain that he was in another room before punishing Rasputin. Never... never had he thought...
All of a sudden, Aralyn was there, and little Raimi felt himself pulled back towards Freya and Nadeem. He let out a wail, but not because Aralyn had moved him. No, the wail was because he finally, in his own, tiny mind, understood why Ras-Ras had always been covered in bruises, always smiling through a busted lip or cuddling while he vomited every few moments. Mommy and Daddy... did that to Ras-Ras? On purpose?
Freya grabbed a hold of Raimi, lifting him clear of the chaos. Wordlessly, he held him down to Shantii, who took hold of his shirt and dragged him to a different room, out of the line of fire and where he wouldn't have to see what was coming. She gave a look to Willow, saying, Stay with him, and no matter what you hear, don't let him out til I come for you. Letting the other canine in, she exited the room and used her weight to shut the door on the wail that erupted from the toddler. He'd understand later.
Freya, seeing Aralyn head for Rayna, quickly spoke in Nadeem's ear, combining Aralyn's plans with her own ideas. You're going to have to get Conan out of here. I can't carry him. I'll take care of Aralyn. Get him out, get him safe, and then... She wanted to suggest that he leave, but her weighing of this man had told her that he would do no such thing, and to be honest, they DID need him. Three humans and a dog against two humans and two dogs was not good odds. So she sighed and continued. Then... come back if you must. Shantii, Starlit and I can take care of us long enough for you to get him clear. He can't take anymore wounding: we'll lose him. Get him clear, and then come back.
With so many unknown people around, Nadeem was trying to sort out just who was who, and what needed to be done to get things in order. Aralyn quickly affirmed that this Rayna was obviously one of the 'bad' ones, though he had assumed as much already. And then a youngster was shoved his way, and taken prompt care of by Freya. As the young man made up his mind to aid Aralyn, the other came and spoke to him.
Dark eyes lit on Conan as she spoke his name, recognizing him from mental pictures of what he had heard of the boy. "I will be back soon." Nadeem stated quietly, in a definite tone as he turned a dangerous look to Rayna. He had rarely gotten in physical scuffles before, and did what he could to avoid them, but not this time. As soon as Conan was safe, he would return.
The dark-skinned man made his way to Conan, mentally grimacing at the sight of the wounds and the pain that the other was in. "Easy now, I'm going to take you somewhere safe." Nadeem informed in a hushed, hurried voice. Straining, he scooped the teen up, with one arm around his back and one under his legs. Struggling under the akward weight, Nadeem staggered towards the door, almost falling and sending Conan to the ground. But he caught his balance and made it outside. Unable to carry Conan too far, and wanting to get back inside quickly anyway, Nadeem headed for the Barn.
Starlit hesitated for a moment, but decided to stay inside. She would keep her ears alert for any suspiscious noises outside, but it seemed that the real threats were right here. Ears pointed forward in direct threat, the hybrid bore her grissly fangs at Rayna, on the verge of attacking the woman if she dared to strike at Aralyn...
What do you think your- Then suddenly Rayna found herself being shoved. The plump women didn't catch her balance, and her husband was to slow to catch her. She fell with a thump, and she moaned deeply but stood. Why you little bitch! She hissed at the girl. She stood, and threw the open bottle of iodine at Aralyn, then aimed to tackle her completely ignoring Starlit.
Michael, however, was not. Attack! He hissed to his faithful pets. The man then skirted around Aralyn and Rayna, and began to advance on Freya. Aralyns knife was in his hand now, and his eyes were fever bright. Time to die. He murmered softly.
After getting Conan to safety, Nadeem rushed back towards the house. He didn't even think to grab a weapon or anything as he came in, but by the time he burst through the door, it was clear that the situation now called for one. For a fleeting second, he was torn between helping Aralyn and dispatching Michael. He would have gone to help Aralyn, but it looked like Freya is in more dire threat at the moment. With a savage yell that was a startle for himself to hear, Nadeem charged the older man. Weaponless himself, he tried to grasp the man's knife-weilding arm and save Freya from getting stabbed. "Stop this insanity!"
Rayna had transgressed the invisible boundary. Her body langauge and voice spoke volumes to the canine, and she was spurred into attack mode. Stiffling her snarl quite apruptly, Starlit darted forward and came up to the side of the woman as she jumped up to try and catch her wrist. If she got her hold, Starlit would trying to pull her down...
She didn't even hear Nadeem. Aralyn only saw Rayna, and the woman was charging her. Just as Starlit leapt up to catch Raynas wrist, Freyas blade was whipped from Aralyns pocket and thrust into the woman. It sunk into her stomach, and Aralyns eyes widened with terror. She backed away, her hands in the air as if in surrender I didn't mean to, shit, oh shit. Oh my God I didn't mean to. Cops. Jail. She was trembling, unsure of what to do. Raynas blood was on her hands, on her clothes as she tried to rub it off. I didn't mean to She whispered.
A small moan was all Conan could give Nadeem for his efforts. He rode quietly enough.
Fortunately for her, our Freya was well-versed in self defense, and so was perfectly capable of dodging Michael's attack. Slipping to one side as though made of liquid, she shifted her grip on her staff and turned the steel cap of it up, shoving it back into Michael's face. If it connected correctly, it would give him a good teeth jarring and a sore jaw, not to mention what it might do to his vision. At the same time, Shantii reached for Michael's left ankle, trying to tear muscles.
But Freya soon left off of that and, as Aralyn backed away, Freya loosed a soft word. Shantii released Michael (if she had a hold) and jumped back, following Freya as she moved between the two women, staff raised to block anything the wounded Rayna might do. Enough! Take your belongings and go in peace. But leave the boys alone. Her mahogany eyes were hard upon Rayna, but Shantii's pink ones were on Michael, just in case.
Aralyn had not just stabbed the woman, oh no no. Aralyns knife had punctured one of her intestines, and the woman was gasping for breath. She collapsed on the floor, blood dribbling from her mouth. In a matter of minutes, Rayna lay quite still.
Michael had gotten hit in the jaw, but he seemed not to notice for now his eyes were upon his now dead wife. Ray...Oh Jesus, Ray. He rushed forward, not caring if he ran into anything. He picked up his wife, tears in his eyes. Ray. Rayna, baby come on. Talk to me, please oh God, please say something. He whispered softly. No movement. He stood, his wife in his arms. His eyes on Aralyn, he said in a calm, deadly cool voice I will kill you. One way or another, I will kill you. Without another word, he stepped outside and was gone from their sight.
Freya remained between Aralyn and the departed Michael, banishing from her mind the vision of bloodied water and broken masts that came, as it always did, with the death of others. No, that memory was not conveinient now. Instead she turned to Aralyn, pulling an everyday handkerchief out of her pocket and beginning to wipe the girl's hands clean. When she had washed away all traces of the blood on Aralyn's skin, she turned to Nadeem. Where did you put Conan? I must repair the damage that demoness did to him.
Cold, yes. But much of Freya's life had been spent in the cold. When she chose it, the depths of her soul could become cold as ice. Now, she needed the ice. Needed it to keep her from having an absolute breakdown. She had to be completely in control.
Shantii finally moved to the door, scratching on it before reaching up to use her deft paws to open it. It was a trick she had learned on-board ship many years ago.
Raimi came instantly out, moving across to Aralyn, who had been so kind to him before. Tears ran down his chubby cheeks as he looked up at her. Lynnnnnnn.... bbbbaannnaaa Ras-Ras?
There was no quick answer to Freya's demand as he stood in shock of everything that had happened. He had never seen anyone die in front of him like that, nor was he use to all the blood. An awed stare traveled after Michale as the older man departed, his sinister threat not registering at first. Then Starlit brushed against him as she made her way to Aralyn, nuzzle the teen's leg.
Snapping out of the trance, Nadeem looked to Freya as her previous words came back to his mind, "Huh? Oh, uh, he's, he's in the barn. Behind the hay stacks..." Sentence trailed off as his focus grew on Aralyn. If he was this stunned, he could only image how poor Aralyn must be feeling! Regaining his composure as quickly as he had lost it, Nadeem stepped quickly across the floor, "Aralyn, are you alright? That woman... who was she?" He questioned, dark eyebrows furrowed in concern, especially as he recalled Michael's last statment.
Freya understood Nadeem's shock, and might have shared it had she been less in control of her faculties. Instead, she spoke in his ear. Both of you. Sit. Drink water.
Then she and Shantii headed away to the barn.
She was shaking, her face pale with shock. I didn't mean to...I Really didn't mean to, I Didn't mean to. Tears were gathering in her eyes, and she grabbed a fistful of Starlit, as if she was an anchor to keep her from drifting away. I didn't mean to... She whispered. She sat down on the floor, wrapping her arms around Starlit. Everything was just going so wrong
Tail wagging urgently, Starlit reached her ebony muzzle up to lick Aralyn's face, trying to sooth the shaken girl.
Nadeem tried his best to comfort as well, and pushed aside his previous alarm. Crouching down beside her, he put an arm around her shoulder and brought his head down to speak quietly, "It's alright Aralyn, it's alright. She gave you no other choice; it was self defence." He added, trying to assure her that all would be well. "We should get out of here..." Came the young man's next suggestion as he shied a look at the blood pooled on the ground, "...get some fresh air." Nadeem thought about calling the police, but was afraid to get Aralyn in trouble, or to agravate Michael even more.
She nodded, then stood. No more tears were in her eyes. Nothingness was in her eyes. Dead again. As if she didn't exist. She went outside and sat on the porch, her legs curled up to her chest. Malon came forth, resting his head on the young girls knees. I just want all of this to go right. She thought to herself.
Following Aralyn outside, Nadeem sat down next to her on the porch. "If you'd like, Aralyn, you can stay at my place. At least, until we can sort things out with that man that threatened you." He offered hopefully, desperate to say something that would bring her happiness back.
Starlit followed the two out, looking alert as ever. "Crazy stuff." She murmured quietly.
She was so quiet, so still it was as if she hadn't even heard Nadeem. You mean that? She asked suddenly. Everyone, everyone had casted her out. When she had found the acceptance of Charlene and Conan, she had thought she'd died and gone to heaven. Then Damien had arrived and shaken the girl, sent her world crashing once more. She'd built up again, grown stronger....Then she killed a woman. Now Aralyn was lost once more, back to being the little girl in the corner. Nothing but a whore, Angel. Daddys little whore. She closed her eyes at the memory. Why did everyone hate her?
A kind smile came to his face, "Of course I mean it. It gets rather lonely out there by myself. I mean, I have my horse Abhay, but he's not much for conversation." An attempt to lighten the mood, though he knew it would probably be a while for the shock to wear off. "Charlene says you enjoy the horses. Perhaps we could go riding?" Anything to help get her mind off of this horrible set of events.
One step... one step at a time. Poor Ammit, she was supporting most of his weight, keeping him upright. If he'd had anything in his stomach, he might have been sick, but he'd already expelled what little he'd eaten for breakfast, so now he was only plagued by dry heaves. Step by slow step, he came back toward the house, leading one who claimed to be Aralyn's sister.
But the look on Aralyn's pale face was one he was very familiar with. It was the face she had worn when he had accidently frightened her by shaking her. Fortunately, he had approached from an angle, so that neither Nadeem nor Aralyn could see him, so he had a moment to compose himself before he raised his voice, soft and breathy though it was. Ar'lyn? He reached out a hand, his face saying that he understood exactly what was hurting her. He did not know the cause of the hurt, but it was hurt all the same. Ar'lyn?
She was breathy with excitement. Her eyes alight, she felt as if she could fly, fly away. Then....She saw her. Sanuye came a bit closer, her eyes on the pale girl with her raven colored hair and the same shocking blue eyes as Sanuye herself. Aralyn turned those eyes to Conan, to Sanuye. When the older girl caught sight of Sanuye, though, something crossed her face. Something like....Hatred. Sanuye took a step back, for that look was enough to do so. Angel? I..I'm Sanuye. She stammered. Aralyn stood, slowly oh so slowly her eyes never leaving the younger girl. I'm not Angel anymore. What do you want, Sanuye? I told my father long ago I wanted nothing to do with his mistakes. She seemed to be shooting sparks off of her, her eyes fever bright. You...You know who I Am? Sanuye said in a whisper.
Aralyn gave the girl a sadistic smile. I know Exactly Who you are. He used to make me wait in the car while he was inside with your mother. One day, he quit going. I heard him on the phone with her, Mishi. She told him she was pregnant. A dark smile spread across Aralyns lips. He freaked out. How was he to tell his darling wife that he had cheated on her? He didn't. All lies, he said. A woman claiming that her child was his. Trying to find a father for her.
Three years later, I saw you again. You were at the park playing with her, that sweet mother of yours. She looked so sick, so tired. He did nothing. I did nothing. You weren't my problem, and your still not my problem, Mishi. She was a scant foot from Sanuye now. The other girl looked like she was about to cry. You...You babysat me at one point, didn't you? Only...Only Nayna called me Mishi. Aralyn looked ready to scream. She felt a comforting breath on her hand, and looked to see Malon there. Running her fingers through his thick fur, she gave a dark smile. That was a long time ago.
Chaos, Panic, Disorder.
Nadeem stood up when Aralyn did, suspicion and confusion alight in his features as he saw the new girl. What a day this was turning out to be! He listened carefully to the conversation, learning more about Aralyn's past and the kind of father she had. "I think it would be best if we took this conversation elsewhere...." The last thing he wanted was for Aralyn to be more stressed than she already was. And as he stole a look to Conan, he wondered if this fellow needed to see a doctor, "...maybe to the hospital."
Firefly followed her master, tossing her head. She watched as Sanuye spoke with Aralyn. They seemed stressed. The mare stared at Aralyn curiously.
Now here was something he hadn't expected. Aralyn knew about Sanuye. He stood there, stunned, but clicked his tongue to Ammit and came slowly forward, laying his hand on Aralyn's shoulder, trying to calm her. He didn't know if Sanuye was exactly a threat, but he did know that Aralyn had been stressed enough for one day.
An unseasonably cold breeze blew, and he repressed a shiver. He'd left the blanket he'd been wrapped in back in the barn, and his shirt had been cut off by Freya when she had mended the hole in his lung. There were bandages, yes... but most of his scarred back was bare to the wind, the angry red welts that crossed his spine beginning to get goosepimply. But he said nothing to that effect, only leaned a little harder on Ammit and spoke aloud. I... don' think this summat we need ta deal with right now, Ar'lyn. You'n me... we both need ta take it easy a while. 'Sides, I don' think Sanuye means na 'arm. She 'elped Freya take care o' me while you were busy.
He knew, of course, that Aralyn wasn't liable to let Sanuye off just on that, but he was too tired to deal with this right now, and so was Aralyn, though she would die before she'd admit it.
Aralyn looked to Conan, those silver blue eyes of hers bright with anger. But then they softened slightly as they turned to him. Her brother. Closer to her then anyone could possibly imagine. Taking off her hooded sweatshirt, she handed it to him, leaving her in a skin tight black t-shirt that she would never part with. It wasn't anything special, just black and had some silver symbols on them. Silver symbols that she had drawn there herself, long ago. They're all liars, Conan. Every last one of them. Hurt flashed in Sanuyes eyes, and then in an angry voice she retorted You know nothing of me! You judge me because of the same father we share, so if they are all liars that makes you one as well! The poor young teen was shouting at this point, but it landed upon deaf ears. I know I'm a liar, Mishi. Thats how I've lived this long. Then she turned, heading back inside. She came a moment later, her eyes emotionless and flat. Wheres this house of yours, Nadeem? She asked softly. She wanted nothing to do with Sanuye.
Freya came hurrying back toward the house, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. With that praticed tone that is peculiar to nurses, she spoke to Conan. Right, you sir. You'll be sitting down, now. I won't have all my pretty work on your lungs torn out by your walking around like this. Now she was bossy and business-like, but it was in this manner that the dark-skinned girl displayed concern. Without waiting for him to respond, she took the hooded sweatshirt from Aralyn and pulled it gently over Conan's head, moving his arms ever-so-gently and slowly into the sleeves. As she moved around to the arm that was leaning on Ammit, she placed her hip up against the boy's, supporting him while she pulled that arm into the sleeve. That done, she shifted his weight back to the horse, fussing a bit with his shirt before she was finally satisfied. She then headed to the house, bringing out a regular kitchen chair.
With a vague smile, Conan allowed Freya to support him down to the chair, trying to disguise the fact that his face had grown even paler than before. But he spoke again, voice soft and tired. We're all liars here, aren't we? I know I've told my share, trying to survive. Doesn't that make a kinship of some sort, even if we don't care to admit it?
But a low cry from the house made him look up, and Raimi came tottering out of the house, running forward to latch onto Conan's leg, holding on for dear life as he buried his face in Conan's pant-leg. Ras-Ras... It was a soft whimper, almost unintelligible. Poor little fella. He'd had a long day. Conan gave that same vague smile, stroking his brother's head slowly. God, he'd be glad when today was over...
Firefly was becoming uneasy. All the yelling and anger was not what she had expected. She snorted and stomped her hoof, glaring at Aralyn. She backed away and reared, neighing loudly.
Hesitant to leave Charlene's house with all these unknown people, Nadeem felt assured that he was doing the right thing by Aralyn at least. He'd call the old lady soon enough and fill her in on what had happened anyway.
"It is only about ten minutes from here. Closer to town, but still out in the country." He said, blocking out the conversations of the others, even though he was wanting to figure out just who all these people were and just what the hell was going on. Moving slow to accomodate Aralyn's injuries, Nadeem headed for his blue truck, parked in the front drive. He opened the passenger door for the young girl and scooted a few things off of the seat. "There you are. Sorry about all the mess." He said with a flicker of a grin, still trying to lighten the mood a touch.
Her eyes were the flat and emotionless, that look that she got. She gave a soft smile to Raimi, then walked towards Conan. Placing a kiss on his cheek, she ruffled his hair a bit with sisterly affection. Stay out of trouble. Then she turned and walked away from Nadeem. Conan needed a hospital, and she gave a signal to Malon who had been following her. The male halted immediattly then turned back to Conan and Freya, laying down at the boys feet.
Before she got into the truck, Aralyn said to Sanuye Learn child. Timing is the key to everything. Then she shut the door, waiting for Nadeem to leave. Leaning her head back, she took as deep a breath as she could trying not to sleep.
He eased into the truck, wondering if he should question about the other girl or not. As he started up the truck, Nadeem decided it was best not to bring the subject up right now. He would question it later, but right now Aralyn didn't seem to be in the best of moods to deal with his prying curiousity. "I'm not sure what you like for music, but feel free to change the station." He offered, as he began to pull out of the driveway, taking one last look at those left in the yard. "I don't have a CD player in here, unfortunately, but the radio gets a pretty good signal." The man went on, eager still to get her mind off of all the things that had happened, while he drove to his house.
In all honesty? She wasn't picky about her music. But, she figured she'd see what was on. Thats when she found it. With a grin, she halted at a rock station and softly sang along I've got a bullet with a name on it, bullet with a- Hey Nadeem. Why are you so nice? Okay, so that was random and out of no where, but you know how it is sometimes.
Every was soft and fuzzy... as Aralyn came to kiss him goodbye, he laid a hand on her shoulder and said, You do the same. And his eyes said he meant it. But just as soon, she was gone, and he reached down to lift Raimi into his lap, straining just a bit. He ignored the sound of Freya's protest and began to hum to his brother.
Raimi slowly began to calm. He lay his head on Conan's shoulder, humming along, for it was a tune they both knew well. With the precise speed that is given to the innocent, Raimi was asleep.
That done, Conan reached down a hand to Malon, voice soft. Our Aralyn's got a long way ta go 'fore she realizes that ya canna blame the child for the parent's sins.
Random, maybe, but he was thinking of Aralyn's treatment of Sanuye. He felt certain that her reaction was based mostly on her opinion of her father, not on Sanuye. That was not the wisest thing she'd ever done. So he raised his voice to the girl. Sorry 'bout that. She... she's got issues.
Tears began filling the young girls eyes. Softly she whispered Shes my last hope, Conan. If...If she doesn't take me in then they'll put me back in the system. No...No one wants a crazy for a daughter. Crazy? She didn't look crazy. But she was. She heard voices in her head, and every now and again she would change as if another were controlling her. Ok, so it happened a lot. Big deal. Spencer came over, and pressed against Sanuyes leg with a whimper. No dog. I can't keep you. She needed somewhere for him. Anywhere.
Freya saw a stranger coming, and flicked a signal at Shantii. As the albino dog curled in front of Conan and Raimi, she headed away to see what they wanted.
Completely unfazed, Conan was paying attention to Sanuye. Something about her... it reminded him of someone... not Aralyn, he knew that, but... someone. But he looked up at her, voice soft. Wan' me ta let ya in on summat? Promise not ta tell 'er now. And he paused, weighing her, before he continued. Ar'lyn's... she's a prickly pear, tha' one. Puts out spikes ta disguise the fact tha' she's scared ta death. I outta know. Give 'er time, Sanuye. She'll... she'll come around once she gets over 'er fear.
And he stroked Raimi's hair as the boy stirred, murmuring something soft into his brother's ear that made him smile in his sleep and settle once more.
Her eyes lifted to Conan, and in them was a bit of hope. Really? You...You think she'll accept me then? Heh, now heres the thing. Sanuye is an escapee from a mental hospital. Thats how crazy she really is. If the authorites find her, she goes back to the nut house. She really didn't want to go back there.
The girls eyes lowered to Raimi, and a soft look came into her eyes. She used to watch me when I was younger. Mama never knew that she was my half sister. Not until much later. Angel knew though. She would always try not to touch me. I remember one time I fell and scraped up my arm really bad. I went inside, crying and screaming. She didn't know what to do *soft smile* She looked panicked, and I couldn't figure out why. She sat down, a little harder then intended on the gravel driveway and began to pet Spencer. I found him, you know. He was running through the grass, and he just reminded me so much of a bunny. He was happy and care free. He...He used to have a mom to. An owner. But they left him. Just like everyone left me. She was jumping from topic to topic, but she didn't seem to notice. It was just Sanuyes way.
Conan gave her a soft, reassuring smile, replying in a low voice to keep from waking Raimi. Just give 'er a while, Sanuye. She... 'as 'er reasons, believe me. Just as... just as I 'ave mine, an' you yours. He looked down at Raimi, making sure he was thoroughly asleep, before speaking again. Well, come on then. We can' stay out 'ere, specially if 'e comes back. 'Ere, take Raimi fer me.
He handed the toddler to her, using Ammit's strong side to rise. He clicked his tongue and began to head to the barn. Probably not the best place for him to be, injured as he was, but he was so claustrophobic that he hated staying actually inside the house.
Get off me dog. She murmered. Spencer hopped off her and took off running towards the barn, shooting between Ammits legs. The mare snorted and tossed her head, but she smiled. So Rowdy, he was. Sanuye held Raimi close and to keep him from waking she softly began to sing. And today is the day that we all laugh and Sing. Today is the day that we all fly on painted wings. She would have continued, but they reached the barn. Sitting down in the hay, she rested Raimi in her lap. So...How did you find Aralyn? She asked Conan softly.
Raimi cuddled into Sanuye as easily as if she had been Conan, not waking in the least, smiling a bit in his sleep as she sang.
Conan, one step at a time, made it to the barn. His usual bed was up in the loft... but... well he couldn't make it there today. So he sat against one of the bales of hay Nadeem had dragged in, leaning on them. Come 'ere, dog. He held out a hand, hoping to help contain some of the dog's energy by petting him to death.
But Sanuye's words caught his attention, and he replied softly. Well... she kinda foun' me, really. I foun' Ammit out in tha Prarie, all cut up an' whatnot, an' Aralyn was there ta tell me 'er name. Aftawords... I came 'ere ta visit, an'... well I foun' out 'bout ya'll's Dad, an' what 'e did... And his voice got rough and angry, but he forced it back. An'... well my parents ain't tha best... so I stayed. He pulled his fingers through Spencer's coat as he talked, eyes on Raimi, making sure his momentary annoyance hadn't woken his brother.
But he soon spoke again, trying to word it delicately. So... 'ow bout you? 'E.... 'e didn' 'urt you too, did 'e?
Her eyes lifted to Conan as he spoke, and when he asked her about their father she said softly I never met him. Mama always told me he had once been a good man. But something happened and he got angry. The first time I saw Ange- I mean Aralyn she was about thirty pounds under weight and had a bruise on her cheek. She never really spoke, just did as she was told and got out of there. She smiled faintly. Then she just disappeared.
Spencer rested his head on Conans lap, his tail wagging ninety miles an hour and every now and again a shudder would go through his body. Pet pet pet shudder. Pet pet pet shudder. Yes, he was a little weird. Thats why Hunter had loved him.
As Sanuye denied any misuse, he sighed in relief, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again to look at her. Good... a' leas' it's only one life destroyed... And he got very silent, absently petting Spencer, taking comfort in his silent companionship. Dogs... they didn't worry about the many problems of the human world... pet them, feed them, love them... and they were happy. It was almost... almost as if Conan had disappeared, flown away, for the look in his eyes was so far off...
A soft smile crossed her lips and she laid down. What made you stay here? She asked softly. The hay was sticking into her back, but she really didn't mind. Not really, anyways. It was a lot comfier then the streets she had been sleeping on, hiding from the cops. Always hiding. You know, she was getting down right tired of it.
Spencer suddenly put a large foot upon Conans lap. He was bigger then most labs, but still had that puppy adorable look about him that just made you wanna say Awwww To.
Two things rescued Conan from his unwelcome travels: Sanuye's soft voice echoed again... and Spencer laid a giant paw in his lap with a thump that made him wince a bit, though it hadn't actually hurt him. Scared him a bit, more like. But he slowly filtered back into his eyes, smiling softly at Sanuye as he remembered...
I stayed... because Ar'lyn... makes me belong. She don't care... that my hair is fire-engine red, or my ears stick out too far... she don't notice tha' when I'm nervous I fiddle with my hair until Ma says I'm gonna go bald... She don't care... tha' I'm the mess-up, the demon-spawn... or anythin'. I guess s'probably coz she knows 'ow it feels ta be tha diff'rent one... but it's coz o' the way she sings while she mends wounds, an' scowls when she's thinkin' too 'ard... well, ya know... I guess wha' I mean is she's my sister... an' she don't hate me coz I'm diff'rent.
That said, he turned his eyes down, fiddling with Spencer's paw, trying to quash the voice in his head that said, Yeah, an' ya let 'er go off with tha' strange fella, tha' Nadeem, no ques'ions asked. Some brother you are, way ta protec' 'er. An' besides, 'ow you know she won' be tha next one? She's got the medical knowledge, the herbs ta do it wit'. Who's ta say she ain't gonna star' doin' ya like Ma does? With a mental stomp, he quashed that voice. Aralyn... she'd never do that. Never...
She smiled, and it was such a soft and gentle smile you couldn't help but fall in love with it. I guess I came at a really bad time, huh? She said to him. She began to hum softly, for she knew not what else to do. So she just....Sat there, humming and tapping her foot to the rythm as she watched Conan quietly pet Spencer.
He gave her a smile, and this time... it was more put-together, more genuine... more real Conan. I guess tha's what she meant, eh? Timin's tha key to everythin'... s'okay though. Timin' or no, ya seem pretty nice ta me. Whatever else, I'm willin' ta give ya a chance.
But then, Raimi began to twitch, whining in his sleep. And Conan's face fell, reaching to take him from Sanuye, rubbing his back, trying to soothe him. I remember a time... when 'e slep' so still... wit' tha assurance of tha saints... an' tha innocence of an angel...
And he raised his voice, low and deep.
And slowly, slowly Raimi's face smoothed, the creases leaving his forehead, and he slept peacefully once more. With a sigh, Conan lay his brother in a patch of hay and looked up at Sanuye, voice soft and a little sad. Another innocent... robbed of the ignorance that preserves our strength of heart...
She was suddenly silent. When you get better...Maybe you could come with me and try again. Silent again. She was so intent on Spencer, her eyes watching his dark brown coat. He needs a name. She murmered softly, after about ten minutes of silence. She made a soft clicking sound with her tongue and the male whirled and flopped into her lap. All 120 pounds of him. Ow... She murmered.
Ah... good here was a distraction. Something to take his mind off of Raimi's troubled dreams. So he directed his comments to Spencer, voice soft. Tha's righ', we can' jus' be callin' ya "dog" alla time if'n yer gonna stay 'ere wit' us.
Without even noticing, Conan had just done two very important things: Spencer was staying, and he and Sanuye were suddenly an "us". Maybe it was the drugs Freya had given him, but he honestly hadn't thought about it, nor did it occur to him now.
But as he began to put his brain to work, thinking of names, Freya headed back toward them, a signal now allowing Shantii to relax her tense pose. With a sigh, the albino sank down beside Conan as Freya began to fuss. Pichai kin bealin forbasress, khenemset. YOU have done ENOUGH moving today. You aren't to move another inch 'til I say so, hear me? She bent down, raising the shirt to examine the wound in his abdomen, turning her head this way and that as she made a tutting sound.
Conan held up his hands in mock surrender, a vague, sleepy smile on his face. Suddenly, Freya turned those feirce mahogany eyes to Sanuye, voice firm. Okay. Now you, miss, are coming to the house with me to fetch the collapsible cots in the near closet. Since our buck here won't sleep inside, we're sleeping out here to keep an eye on him. And she gave a look to Shantii, who heaved herself up once again and stood over Conan protectively. Freya headed out the door, turning her eyes back to Sanuye. Well, come on then.
Conan shook his head, a grin on his face, speaking to Sanuye. She's 'armless, mostly. But she puts every pair o' idle 'ands she sees ta work, she does. Might's well go on. I reckon 'er friend here'll take good care o' me while ya'll fetch 'em.
Her eyes drifted to Freya, and a soft smile lighted her lips. Okay. Soft, simple, to the point. She stood and went inside, grabbing up a cot even though she had no intention of sleeping. When she came back and set up her new bed, she sat down with a thump. I dunno who owned him. Someone obviously loved him though, hes to soft and shiny to be a wild dog. And he loves people to much. Spencer licked Conans hand, a large paw still in his lap. Adorable? Yes. Annoying? Sometimes.
Freya was impressed. Not many girls Sanuye's age were liable to follow orders like that, without question or protest. She heaved her own cot up without much effeort, and set it up on the opposite side of Conan, bending down once again to fiddle with his shirt and stomach before she moved aside, watching them, and saying nothing.
Conan considered Spencer carefully, scratching behind the dog's ears thoughtfully and nodding. You've go' a poin'. To tame, 'e is. Maybe... dunno maybe 'e got los', or summat.
Yeah....I know what thats like. She said softly. She lightly kicked Spencer in the butt, with a soft smile. The male spun around fast, and suddenly was ontop of the laughing girl, her hands buried in his ruff. Hey, dog. Your heavy. The once calmish beast was now once more hyper and licking away at Sanuye, who was laughing her head off and making attempts to push him away. Do-*laughters*Dogwsa! She couldn't get a word out with him licking her, and her laughter. Finally she got her feet under her and pushed herself back, so the male simply rolled into her lap. Petting his stomach, she wiped her face off on her sleeve. How 'bout you name him, Conan? Her voice was muffled from her sleeve, but her eyes were alight with merriment, and at least for a little while she could forget all the bad things.
Conan let a low chuckle escape him, smiling as Sanuye wrestled with Spencer. Sanuye's suggestion made him look up though, and for some reason his gaze landed on Freya. Noticing her complete lack of participation in the conversation, he spoke next to her, trying to get the girl to come out of her shell a bit. How 'bout you, Freya? You named Shantii, I bet. Any ideas?
Freya turned her dark eyes to him, almost surprised. She was used to being talked over, or around, as if she were a pole instead of a person. But she considered the question before she raised her soft voice. Name away, I'll make no objections... but do remember that, whenever something is named, the name defines it, changes it, makes it something altogether different. And she let her voice drop, looking at the floor, eyes silent once more.
Dog! Quit! Spencer was now rolling her lap, and her laughter was soft and warm. Her hand slid through the warm coat. Your a doll, dog. She said softly. Then Aralyns eyes, there was no other word for them, lifted up to Freya. You know. You could sit here with us. I don't bite, and I don't think Conan can move. So your pretty safe. Unless your afraid of Dog. But he doesn't bite either. So your still pretty safe. Soemtimes when she spoke it held a child like innocence, like she didn't know what she was doing and that it was wrong, or it was bad. When you grew up as she did....Things tended to go that way.
Freya's eyes grew subtlely wider. Sanuye was... a unique person indeed. Of course... Sanuye did not know about being binheset. She did not know... it would stick.Maybe... if the Blue T'shasw would not accept her... could it be that the k'tanshasw would take her? Finally she gave the girl a soft, almost scared smile, and slid off of the cot to sit, catlike, in the hay next to Sanuye, reaching a hand tenatively to fiddle with Spencer's left ear. No. I doubt this one is the kind to bite the hand that would beat him, even if he could.
Conan smiled, his eyes turning a warm glance to Sanuye as a thanks for reaching Freya where he couldn't. That done, he turned his eyes to Spencer, screwing his face up in thought before he finally spoke. Raamia. God's Thunder. Ra for short. What d'you think?
She was quiet for a moment and began petting Spencer before murmering Ra. Her hands were gentle, and her eyes far away. You should rest Conan. Her voice was faint, as if she was far away, in a place where no one knew who she was.
Sanuye, its time to take your medicine. A seven year old Sanuye stood in her white room, with the white doors and white out fit. Her long black hair was neatly plaited in a braid, as she stared at the doctor in front of her. But I'm fine, Ms. Rosa. See? No more crazy! She still didn't understand why mommy didn't come to get her out of here. Why mommy had just...Gone away. A look of sympathy crossed the elderly womans face. Sanuye hated that look. Pity. Now, now Sanuye, you need to take your medicine. With a sigh, the young girl did as she was told. The next day, a new person came in. Now Sanuye, I know your used to a routine, but Ms. Rosa can't be here today. This woman said. She was very pretty with her long blonde hair, but her eyes were the coldest of blues and they looked as if they would eat Sanuye alive. But....Why? She asked quietly, her voice trembling. Ms. Rosa is dead honey. Shes not coming back. Now take your pills. The womans voice dropped. Sanuye could always tell when others were mad at her. They all gave her that look. No! I want Ms. Rosa! She screamed. The woman pressed a button on her watch, and suddenly a man appeared. Hold her down. She refuses to take her medication. The man did as he was told, holding tightly to the screaming Sanuye, her sobs filling the air. The needle came out, and she struggled and screamed like a banshee, and then....Darkness.
Those eyes shifted back into focus, and they were tear filled as they lifted to Freya. She'll be back though...Right? Skipping topics again, back to Aralyn. Would she leave her like everyone else?
Freya did not understand the far-off look in Sanuye's eyes, but Conan interpreted it with ease. He would have said something, but Freya shifted those feirce eyes to him, and he shrugged, leaning back more heavily against the hay. He did not really intend to sleep, but once his eyes were closed, he found he was more tired than he had thought. So, with a sigh, he gave up the fight, and slept.
The look Conan had given her had told Freya that something was wrong with Sanuye, but she did not say anything, waiting for the girl to come out of her memory before she did anything. Sanuye's words caused her heart to twist a bit... and suddenly she raised an arm to rest around the younger girl's shoulders, voice soft. K'twishan, khenemset. She will come back.
Later that night, after Freya had finally relaxed enough to allow herself to sleep, and the barn was silent...
It started with a small twitching, just a little twinge of muscle below the boy's jaw. Then the twinge spread to the rest of his face, muscles jumping and contorting the face into something macabre. Then, with a bellow that was somehow not even human, the boy's body began to thrash out of his own control.
The bellow woke Freya with a start from her light sleep, but it was his foot connecting with the bottom of her cot that truly tore the sleep from her eyes. With a curse, she was down at Conan's side in a flash, moving things away from his sides so that he would not hurt himself. It did no good to fight a seizing person: she had learned that from dealing with Saiun, a boy on-board the Clarion who'd had epilepsy. Her voice was low and calm as she spoke to Sanuye. Take your horse, go find Aralyn. It doesn't matter where, just find her. Tell her that I'm taking Conan to the hospital. This isn't something I can handle here anymore. Go! Before the medics come, and realize that you are no longer under medical containment. She had peiced it together: obviously, Sanuye had been under state protection, and NOT in a good way.
That done, she ran into the house for the phone, fingers trembling a bit as she dialed 911, but her voice was firm and calm as she answered the operator's questions. As she gently pushed Sanuye towards the door of the barn, she hung up with the operator and began to keep a close eye on Conan, moving automatically to check pulse and respiration.
It wasn't long before the sirens made it obvious that help was on the way. The flashing blue and red lights lit up Conan's too-pale face as they strapped him onto a guerny and wheeled off into the night.
It's driving me Insane
They've exposed me for what I am
They hold me up, its my brand
"Cutter!" They scream, They scream it at me
I bow my head in shame
I don't have anyone left to blame, only myself
They pull back my sleeves,
Red marks, as tears flow down my cheeks
Intermix with the blood, I feel so Exposed
I am their puppet, they call me insane
Take this knife, take it in the night
Hide from the light, slide it over ivory skin
Don't let anyone in
Hold back the fear, there's no one here
No one is near, just do it now
These voices in my head they urge me on
Pain bites through me as I smile and I know my job is done
Releasing the demons that I locked inside
Let my blood flow and no longer hide
Roll my sleeves down, they all know
Bloodstains on my shirt, all I do is laugh
For the pain is ebbing and I am fading
Fading away into a darkness where there is no return
Death beckons me, It draws me to it
Should I do it?
They put me on pills, say they will make me better
Still they call me insane, Exposed for what I am
A cutter is my brand
They drug me into sleep
They know I can't fight
Not until tonight.
When the lights go down, and things are dark
I slide that knife out
And begin to carve
*Conan's Father*
Ammit * Psyche
Conan*Harth*Harlequin
Aralyn * Ammit * Psyche
*Conan's father*
Conan*Harth*Harlequin
Ammit * Aralyn * Psyche * Malon
Conan*Harth*Harlequin
Sierra, Flynn
With a sigh, Sierra took a seat on her thickly-coated haunches, pushing the snow up around her. Her breath turned into a puff of steam and swirled off away, disappearing. She looked around, and then an aud swiveled. That's when she first caught sounds from the humans and dogs and horses. Curious of what was going on, and being a fellow human pet, or once was, at least, she turned and started toward the source.
Flynn followed after her, eyes a bit wide, "But what if we are shot? And even worse, die!" she was complaining lightly, as usual. The worrysome canine she was, she always had something negative running through her head. Usually.
*Conan's Father*
Aralyn
Conan*Raimi*Harth*Harlequin
Sierra, Flynn
Auds catching the words of the hybrid, she halted and stared. It wasn't an angered stare, or anything like that, but more of a startled one. They wanted a couple of Border dogs to help them? Sierra actually paid the fact no heed, and she bolted in before someone could say "meatloaf." Using increasing speed, she headed for the canine named Harlequin, jaws open and all. With a savage snarl, she leapt at the last second and sailed through the air, maybe surprising for such a furry bulk as hers, and aimed to tackle the dog down and or latch her jaws down on her. She knew what "help" meant, and she was ready to give it.
*Conan's Father*
Aralyn
Conan*Raimi
Harth*Harlequin
Sierra, Flynn
With not a sound, she shot back at Harth, with her jaws aimed to strike at his side. At the same time, her fore legs were brought up and forward in a daring, but probably effective tactic, to try and shove him downward, to the side, or off track.
Willow
Michael Carlyle
Prashantii*Freya
Conan*Raimi*Harth*Harlequin
Aralyn
Willow
Prashantii*Freya
Sierra, Flynn
Raimi
Willow
Michael Carlyle
Willow
Freya*Prashantii
Conan*Raimi
Raimi
Willow
Raimi*Conan
Willow
Aralyn
Conan*Raimi
Michael Carlyle
Willow
Aralyn * Malon
Conan*Raimi*Harth*Harlequin
She’s driving me insane
She laughs, its wicked
And I don't think I'll ever be the same
A mother’s wrath, won't it stop?
A father’s hatred,
Just make it go away
Cause I don't want to feel
Anymore pain today
A little brother, he’s only two
He says to me, I Wanna Be like You
God, if only he knew…
The fear and constant pain
I wish to spare you, my brother
I take this punishment like every other
My mouth tightly closed, I will not scream.
She just can't make me
I'm running towards the light, is it true?
I finally escaped this hell,
The one I used to call home.
Freya*Prashantii
Willow
Aralyn
Freya*Prashantii*Conan
Aralyn
Willow
Freya*Shantii
Michael Carlyle
Conan*Raimi
Harth*Harlequin
Willow
Sierra, Flynn
Auds pricking as she heard a "command" from one of the humans, her eyes landed on the other canine. He appeared to know what was going on. One of her Border friends had told her about such a thing, where the strange human speech meant something. How could such blabber mean anything? Giving her head a light shake, she started to growl, doing what Malon had gone to doing. This was some task. She hadn't been a guard dog, that was for sure.
Coming up a bit closer to the unknown man, whom quite clearly appeared to be the threatening one, she lowered her dial and began to bitterly growl at him. Her blue eyes gleamed, and she gave a bright flash of her glistening whites by a simple pull back of her canine lips. She was ready for anything.
Aralyn
Freya*Shantii
Michael and Rayna Carlyle
Aralyn
Nadeem Tarak
Willow
Freya*Shantii
Conan*Raimi
She’s driving me insane
She laughs, its wicked
And I don't think I'll ever be the same
A mother’s wrath, won't it stop?
A father’s hatred,
Just make it go away
Cause I don't want to feel
Anymore pain today
A little brother, he’s only two
He says to me, I Wanna Be like You
God, if only he knew…
The fear and constant pain
I wish to spare you, my brother
I take this punishment like every other
My mouth tightly closed, I will not scream.
She just can't make me
I'm running towards the light, is it true?
I finally escaped this hell,
The one I used to call home.
Rayna
Conan
Willow
Aralyn
Freya*Prashantii
Rayna
Conan
Bear me up under Satan's darts
Carry me through Hell's fires
Give me strength, restore my heart.
Aralyn
Freya*Prashantii
Rayna
Nadeem, Starlit Eyes, & Beakers
Conan*Raimi
Aralyn
Conan*Raimi*Freya*Prashantii
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Rayna
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Aralyn
Freya*Shantii*Conan
Rayna
Freya*Shantii*Raimi
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Freya*Prashantii
Aralyn
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Aralyn
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Aralyn
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Conan
Sanuye
Nadeem & Starlit Eyes
Firefly
Conan
Aralyn * Sanuye
Conan*Freya*Prashantii*Raimi
Firefly
Nadeem Tarak
Aralyn
Nadeem Tarak
Aralyn
Conan*Raimi
Sanuye
Conan*Raimi*Freya*Shantii
Sanuye
Conan*Raimi
Sanuye
Conan*Raimi
Sanuye
Conan
Sanuye
Conan
Sanuye
Conan*Raimi
Weep, child.
Weep for what was,
And what might have been...
And never will be again.
Weep, child. Where I could weep with you.
Sanuye
Conan*Freya
Sanuye
Conan*Freya
Sanuye
Conan*Freya
Sanuye
Conan*Freya
Sanuye
Conan*Freya
Conan*Freya