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Post by dechanique on Nov 12, 2005 13:57:08 GMT -5
Who: Aeriwvynne, Fabien, Maeve, Ninian, Brendon, Lindsey, Rian, Dara, Muggers 1, 2 and 3 When: November 7th, 2005 Where: Ennis, then Esras What: The posse goes out to Ennis and gets "mugged"... or so it seems.
Aeri was pleased and in high spirits as they entered the tattoo parlour, fingers idly running through her short blonde hair. It was cute, like she had cut it before, before her mother made her grow it out again. The selkies were also in high spirits, chatting amicably with Fabien up in front, looking over the tattoo templates that scattered the walls. The blonde walked up with Maeve to the templates, looking them over. "No butterflies?"
Maeve shook her head. "Oh no... not if you want some crap behind you near your ass..."
"In fact... let's avoid tramp stamps all together. Try a place not so... obvious. At least this way you won't lose all chances of continuing your career."
"Meh. Let 'er get what she wants. 's not like you're the one getting the needle shoved in your skin," Fabien muttered. He pointed out a picture of a shark violently shredding a fish to Lindsey.
Lindsey pointed at the shark. "Just like that, Brendon." The other selkie just looked a bit sadly. "You're so horrible, Lindsey.."
"No. But I'm the one that will hear her bemoaning it a couple months from when she realizes how trashy it is."
"Don't start, you eat fish to." Lindsey retorted, giving the boy a shove in the shoulder. Brendon sighed. "Not so.. violently." He turned back to the seals. Aeri, on the other hand, ran a finger over a chrysanthamum flower. "How about that in pink and peach?" Aeri liked pink. "On my shoulderblade, maybe?
"You should get it opening up between your shoulderblades," the American boy said, nodding firmly.
The girl nodded. "That sounds good.." She mumbled, pushing back one of the long strips of hair in the front of a rounded ear.
Maeve face-palmed. "Ugh... because that can be easily hidden. Shush Fabien. If she listens to you, she'll kill her career!"
"No, no I can handle it. Thats.. why they airbrush models. You know you're not that skinny as what comes out on print, Maeve."
"Short of her putting it on the crack of her ass, she won't be able to hide it. I've seen your photo shoots, so don't gimme any crap about how that ain't so."
Maeve glared with a sort of bitter expression. "Ugh whatever. Put it there then. I was just thinking that maybe somewhere around your waistline would be safer." She tugged her low rise pants down some to point to the area of flesh to the left of her crotch, where her hip bone jutted out. "Like here..."
"... somewhere around her waistline? What, like a 'tramp stamp?'" Fabien pointed out dryly.
Aeri blinked and looked down, pushing down the waistband of her pleated skirt to look at the pale flesh in the space where it would be. "Hmm.. it would have to be small... there isnt too much real estate there."
"I would beg to differ on the real estate issue..." she remarked dryly. And then to Fabien, she shook her head. "No, because it wouldn't be edging out her pants framed by her thong." -_-;;
"Mou.." Aeri knew she was wrong. She pulled her skirt back up and considered it. "I think it'll work. Boys- did you decide?" But Lindsey and Brendon were already getting ready to sit in the tattoo chairs.
"Slowpoke." Lindsey commented.
"I already threw in my two cents. 's your body, you don' want someone else pickin' for you."
"I guess I can agree with Fabien on that. You should like it. I just don't want you getting something so obvious, in case you don't like it later." It was true, regardless of her personal tastes, she was just concerned for Aubrey's feelings post the tattoo parlour.
"That's what laser removal surgery is for," he pointed out cheerfully.
"That still will leave ugly scarring..."
"It's okay, I like it. I'm going to go pay. Lindsey and Brendon will be there for a while... Good thing this is like.. the only place in Ennis so they have a bajillion artists." Aeri said, walking up to the counter and shes a dead shot: filling out the appropriate forms while Lindsey and Brendon grinned at each other through the pain in their eyes as they had their backs worked on.
"Meh. I'm sure they've improved it by now," he said, shrugging carelessly before returning to browsing the walls.
While Aubrey went to pay, Maeve trailed after Fabien. "Would you ever consider getting a tattoo?"
He pulled down the collar of his shirt in response. Running up his neck was a brand of his own.
"Oh... geeze. I didn't realize. didn't that hurt?"
Aubrey walked to the couch Ninian was sitting in, her pockets lighter as she found a seat beside him, patting his arm. "Doing ok, doll?" She grinned. She wished he could see her new haircut too..
"I guess... I feel kinda down I can't see the tattoos, but it's alright. Is it okay if I feel your new hair, since it's dry now?' he wondered sweetly.
"Not really. I've had worse just from tripping," he pointed out with another shrug.
"Sure, it's not in any particular style so it doesn't matter if you mess it up." She responded, leaning over so he could touch her hair.
"Well that's because you're ridiculous and like don't feel pain," she countered. Ninian meanwhile, petted at Aubrey's hair. "WOW! That IS short!"
"I know! My mom and Fachtna would always make me keep my hair long.. they got so mad when I cut in the first time.." She blushed, waiting for the selkies to complete their tattoos.
"Well I like it this way. It's soft and fluffy!" he said, getting cut off when the artist summoned Aeri up.
That just earned her a mildly amused snort from Fabien.
Maeve rolled her eyes, but her attentions were quickly turned as Aubrey's name was called.
Aeri looked nervous, but sniffed in her fears and grinned. "Alright, let's go." She walked back to the little booth and watched the man prepare the needles as she slid down her skirt to reveal the smooth white flesh where the tattoo would sit. The blonde tried her best to hold still, but once the needle hit her skin she let out a yelp. She bit her lip and whimpered, clutching to the arms of the chair to keep from figiting.
The selkies cheered her on from their own booth.
Ninian was dragged back as her accompanyment, so Maeve just shrugged and took her seat. Truth be told, needles made her squeamish anyhow.
Ninian was guided to a seat and sat down. "Sorry I can't see to be more encouraging, but you can squeeze my hand it you want..." he offered.
After a while longer of poking around, Fabien plunked down unceremoniously next to Maeve, settling in with a yawn.
Aeri was more than grateful for the offered hand, and proceeded to squeeze the ever living crap out of it.
She looked at him with a smirk before snagging his hat without asking. "Hah."
Ninian winced and wanted to cry himself. It wasn't even the grip so much as her long nails digging into his flesh.
The American boy glanced at her from the corner of his eye, shrugged, and merely tipped his head forward to shroud his face with his long hair.
Luckily, the tattoo was small and didn't last more than an hour, color and all. The girl exhaled and shakily stood as the tattoo artist cleaned off the area, and she admired it. Ok, so it was worth it. But soon, it was covered with plastic wrap and her shirt slid back down. The selkies were already waiting for her, both looking sore but victorious.
Ninian cradled his hand, suffering silently. "So does it look good?" he wondered as they headed outside. Maeve hopped up to examine it before they left and gave her bright smile of approval. "It looks great!" she complimented at the same time answering her brother's question.
"And you doubted my advice," he grumbled, though it was by no means bitter.
The blonde grinned. "Well, I could use a drink- what say you? My friend Thomas owns a bar not far from here.. why don't we head that way? He'll give us free food too."
The selkies were sold when 'free food' was mentioned. "Sweet." Lindsey exclaimed, while Brendon took up a place beside Fabien, Maeve on the other side. Aeri reached forward to grab Ninian's hand to help guide him, the.. ..er.. uninjured hand.
Maeve stuck out her tongue. "She got it on her hip like I said," she reminded him, poking the American's side.
Ninian was glad that Aeri recalled that his hand was sort of welting and sore. Damn manicured nails. "I can dig free food, totally!"
Aeri pointed down towards an alley. "I know a short cut. Come on guys- we'll get there really fast and then we can have free drinks and food!"
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Post by dechanique on Nov 12, 2005 14:05:58 GMT -5
Maeve laughed and nodded. Ireland was so safe, in her mind, especially Ennis. It wasn't like Dublin, with it's rough areas. Without looking too obvious, she hooked her arm through Fabien's. It was a little dark...
Ninian squeezed Aubrey's hand and complied. It's not like he knew they were in an alley.
Apparently, this made Fabien either more attentive or more paranoid than his friends. Not that he had much say, since Maeve had him by the arm and was pulling him along.
Aeri quite happily led the way down the alley, dogding cats and trashcans. It wasn't until the exit had been obscured by two forms that the girl stopped and reconsidered this. "Ah.. maybe this wasn't a good idea.." But as she turned to go back out the way they came, there was another figure blocking that escape route. Well, snap.
Brendon and Lindsey were taken off guard. They were both not the agressive type, but good old fashioned irish brawling wasn't beyond their range of experience. Except that these people had somehting large and shiney and dangerous looking in their hands.
Fabien quietly disengaged Maeve's hand from his arm. He wasn't a trained fighter, per se, but at least his athleticism left him better equipped to protect people. "Can we help you, gentlemen?" he called out.
Maeve swallowed nervously, hiding behind the larger form of Fabien, and pulling Aeri and Nin close. "Don't say a word..." she breathed fearfull to the pair. Ninian complied, blind and afraid of what he could not see.
The figures advanced from both sides and looked like scruffy looking irish trash. What was once a shiny metal object, now revealed itself to be a revolver. "Give us your money. Jewelery, purses, wallets, now."
"Just give it to them so they'll go away.." Lindsey whispered to the group as he pulled out his wallet, dropping ito n the floor in front of him. Brendon followed suite and Aeri dropped her purse down. Luckily, she had given her car keys to Lindsey, since she had no pockets, and he didn't drop those down.
Making a mild noise of disgust, the blonde boy dug his wallet out of his pocket and held it up between two fingers.
Maeve dropped her purse which had her things as well as Nin's. She bit her lip, and frowned at Fabien. "Don't!" she hissed.
One of the men came and collected the belongings while one trained his gun on the group. The third approached and sneered at the two ladies, pointing his gun at them. "Move aside, ladies." Once the first guy approached Fabien, he growled and snatched the wallet out of his hand, gun pointed at his face. "Don't be a hero, fuckwit."
"Wouldn't dream of it," he said flatly. He wasn't stupid. Now, maybe if there was only one gunman and he had his back turned...
Maeve squeaked as the man approached and pressed herself flat against the wall, dragging Ninian with her. Her chest heaved with nervousness as she clutched her bewildered brother's hand. He knew what was going on, not an idiot. Unfortunately he couldn't evaluate just how dire the situation was yet.
The three muggers moved the girls away from the group, one shoving Ninian away from the women. "Don't fucking move." One slurred in a heavy irish accent, his gun on the men of the group. Brendon gritted his teeth- he hated this helpless feeling. Aeri looked panicked. Wait a minute- why were they being seperated. She reached out to huddle closer to Maeve.
Maeve was not about to get violated by anyone, and shrieked. "Don't TOUCH ME!"
Fabien did nothing beyond watch with stony features and clenched fists. His eyes were roaming over the men holding them up, making sure to absorb every detail about their appearances that he could. Maybe he could talk the cops into letting him get a few sucker punches in on these guys once they had them in handcuffs.
Ninian reached out for his sister, but she'd been moved, and he swallowed in fear. Maeve! Aubrey! What if these sickos... oh no...
Out of spite, one of the men reached out to touch Maeve, but Aeri got in his way. "Don't touch her you slimey piece of crap.." But she soon found herself crowded by the two men not aiming at the boys.
It was... difficult... for Fabien not to try his luck at that point.
One snatched up Aubrey's face and brought it closer, gun pressing into her stomache. "Dont' give me that, you little tramp.." Aubrey hissed. "Come on- let's go." Said the one still holding up the group.
"Over my dead body." She growled, and was quite serious as she jerked forward, biting the man's face. She would much rather die than be violated. They could screw her dead body if they wanted her that badly.
"Fucking bitch!" And two shots were heard. The other gunman cursed and grabbed his bleeding comrad. "Shit- lets go, NOW." He pulled his friend away and the third followed, leaving the friends in the alley alone. Aubrey slumped back against the wall. Well.. shit.
Maeve screamed shrilly, and jumped forward to catch her friend. Ninian followed Maeve's voice in fear, unsure of which of the girls was shot, but needing to be by them either way. "Maeve, Aubrey, what happened?"
Maeve was sobbing. "They shot her... oh God, call 911!" Shit. Her phone was in her purse. Grabbing for Aubrey's, she tried to dial with bloody hands.
Brendon seemed to unfreeze at the sight of Maeve dialing. Shit! He ran forward, followed closely by Lindsey and he smacked the phone out of her hand. "We can't.. fuck.. fuck fuck.." He toggled through Aeri's phone to find Dara's name. "If he doesn't answer his phone..."
"Fucking anti-gun laws," he snarled under his breath as he stormed toward the girls to get a good look at the injury. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Ambulance first, friends later. Gimme that fucking phone," Fabien growled, snatching at Brendon's hands.
Ninian was on the ground, and took Aubrey's head off the dirty alleyway floor and into his lap. "Aubrey... can you hear me...?" he wondered softly.
Lindsey held off Fabien. "No.. no you don't understand.. we can't take her to the hospital.. we.. there's a doctor.." He rambled. Aubrey lay on the ground, her head resting now on Ninian's lap. "I can hear you.."
Anyone paying attention at that point, if they cared, would notice that southern twang had pretty thoroughly evaporated, being replaced alternately by Californian English and foul language in French.
She mumbled around the blood in her mouth. They must have got her in the gut. Even better.. now that the shock was over she felt the pain and fresh tears sprung into her eyes. She whimpered and clutched over her wound, blood bubbling over her hands. Brendon listened to the phone ring impatiently.
"Debile Irlandais! We can't get her to a fucking doctor. Do I look like trained EMS to you? Merde pour des cerveaux!"
"We can't take her to the hospital.." Lindsey didn't know who were the elven contacts. He watched Brendon the phone. "I don't know what I'll do if he doesnt answer..." Brendon whispered. Who else would know?
It took eight rings before the phone was answered. "Security, this is Angus," came a voice from the other end of the line. Apparently, the number was a "business" one. Meanwhile, Fabien was starting to struggle in such a way that was nearing actually striking Lindsey.
"Mr.Carey!" Brendon looked relieved. Damn him for taking 8 rings. And damn himself for not dialing the cell number. Damned if he knew Aeri's phone. "Aeri. Shot.. doctor. Where.. shit. We need to take Aubrey to a doctor- where in Ennis is safe?!" He exclaimed into the phone, watching the blonde cry on the floor, looking pale and covered in blood.
Ninian had tears running down his cheeks. "I'm hear and Maeve is too... talk to us, stay with us." He was practically begging. Maeve was drenched in her friend's blood, sobbing and clutching the other close. Well, as close as she could without really moving the girl.
If only he could see the man roll his eyes. Dara said, "Call this number. It's the cell I'm going to borrow." After filling Brendon in on the number in question, he said, "Speak coherently when you call back." With that, he hung up.
Aubrey felt weaker by the second, and strangely the pain was subsiding. She didn't think that was a good thing. "I'm going to die, aren't I?" She whispered at the pair. Brendon cursed at the dialtone and redialed.
Ninian whimpered and shook his head. "No! We won't let that happen, I promise..." he assured her. Maeve choked on her own tears and shook her head. "Nononono. You can't die. Don't be silly sweetheart!"
This time, it was answered before the first ring even concluded. "Good boy," the Danaan said, his voice still clipped, but considerably more comforting than before. He spoke in the "low" tongue, a corrupt form of the "purer" dialect the elves were known for that came about after other magic creatures drifted from their immediate influence.
"I need as close to an exact location as you can give me. You said something about shooting?"
"We're.. in an alley right by Thomas's bar.. We got mugged, Aubrey got shot when they tried to pull the girls away from us. We need a doctor, she's bleeding everywhere.." He tried to hide the panic in his voice.
"Where'd she get shot?" he asked, his voice tightening a bit.
Aubrey could feel her hold over her powers fading as she edged closer to unconsiousness. "I want to tell you something. I can't die with this guilt on me. Will you listen?"
"CALL 911 YOU DUMB FUCK!" Maeve shouted in a strangled voice. Meanwhile, Fabien was starting to bruise Lindsey's ribs with his elbows.
"Stomach, twice." He winced as he was being yelled at.
Ninian nodded. "Of course... but you won't die. You can't..." he whispered.
"Alright. The pain and blood loss might cause her to lose consciousness, but she'll probably live about half an hour unattended. I need to make some calls to get medical on the way. I'm heading over now and will probably get there before they do. You'll hear me coming."
"We can take her to Thomas's bar- and put her down in one of the rooms.. so the doctor can come in there uninterrupted.."
"We can take her to a fucking hospital!" Maeve said angrilly.
"Don't move her."
Maeve was sobbing, but cursing angrily. What the hell was wrong with these boys?!
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Post by dechanique on Nov 12, 2005 14:19:54 GMT -5
Aubrey clutched to Maeve's arm. "I just want to tell someone.. I.. listen to me Maeve. I helped.. it's my fault." she whispered, so the twins would have to lean down to hear her. "I helped.. Fachtna. He asked me to poison uriel and ethan. Tell the Dean of the school.. or Mr. Carey. I can't die without knowing they'll be done justice.." She's already paid her price.
"What.. what do we do then?!" Brendon asked, watching nervously as her glamours flickered, her short hair not enough to hide her ears. Lindsey continued to hold back Fabien.
Both did, listening. Maeve stopped her shouting for the moment. "Helped him with WHAT?" She paused. "Why would he make someone sick on purpose?" She, as with the rest of the school, did not know they were dead.
Fabien snapped, giving Lindsey a chance to show just how good at brawling he was. Both of the boys were doubtlessly going to be wrestling for a good while.
Maeve blinked, and shook her head some. What the heck was wrong with her eyes? She kept seeing something in the dark alley flicking around Aeri's ears. Ninian was blind though, and saw nothing. He was silent, making sure to listen to every word Aubrey said, to recall it later.
"Stay put. Help should be there in fifteen minutes, if they're doing their jobs." With that, he hung up. He would take about ten minutes to get to where they were. How he did it would be a mystery to be confronted later.
"They.. he didn't like them. Maeve.. I'm not human. We've been best friends forever.. i always felt horrible not telling you. Neither is Fachtna. Neither was Uriel." She found herself choking on her blood. "Our.. people.. find it unacceptable to date humans. Fachtna, specifically. He asked me to poison them.. to teach them a lesson." Tears streamed down her face. " I didn't know he would kill them.."
"I'm sorry, Maeve.."
"What you did was forced I'm sure... that doesn't make you less than human..." Maeve choked. "Theyre dead?"
Lindsey growled, but due to his smaller size and weight, he found himself at a disadvantage. "Ok.. hurry, please.." Brendon pleaded as he hung up the phone.
"Yes.. I knew the minute they dissapeared.. they were dead. I'm sorry.. I'm sorry I lied to you." She felt her voice get weaker, unable to keep her hand clutched to Maeve, feeling much too weak. She felt her illusions go, the pain and loss of blood too much to control both. Lindsey winced. Well.. so much for the masquerade.
Maeve stared, but not in shock from the words. "What the... what the hell is wrong with your ears?" It wasn't THAT dark. Ninian blinked, and felt his way down to them. Suddenly, her ears felt long and... pointy? "Aubrey...?" he wondered softly.
"Je vous tuerai!" the larger boy yelled, grabbing Lindsey's attention again by hauling him back into the fray by the hair.
"Gah!" Lindsey tried his best to defend himself AND keep Fabien from calling 911. Aubrey looked tired, her eyes starting to close. God, she was sleepy, and Ninian's lap was so warm. "I'm an elf, Maeve. Danann. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before..." She whispered as she finally dropped into unconciousness. sh Brendon scanned the alley. Jesus, how would Dara get here in less than 2 hours?!
Maeve just stared... what the fuck? Ninian though just petted her hair with a sad noise. It all made sense to him, but perhaps it was because he wasn't nearly so controlled by the beliefs of what could and couldn't exist.
After Fabien had about another five minutes to do his best to beat the ever-loving tar out of Lindsey, they heard a large man clear his throat at the end of the alley. "Gentlemen," the figure said sarcastically wandering over to the pair with a steady thunk thunk of heavy boots. He grabbed Fabien by the collar, which elicited a strangled argh-ll noise, and almost literally flicked the boy aside. Fabien bounced off the wall heavily. "Calm yourself," he told Maeve flatly as he crouched beside Aeri.
She turned with a glare. "What do you want?! You already shot her! I'll fucking kill you!" she screamed angrilly, not aware of who it was, or even the phone call that had been made. shes a dead shot: Brendon moved aside, for fear of being wall-bounced. Lindsey sat down slowly in the alley. "The.. doctor?" He asked Dara.
She was heaving breaths as she realized it was Angus Carey. How the heck had he gotten here from the school... how did he even know where they were? "She's dying... isn't she?" Ninian asked quietly.
"Should be here soon. They're coming in a truck," the much larger male informed. "Without medical attention, she'll die. Fortunately..." Dara trailed off as he pulled latex gloves from his belt and put them on. As the large elf began to see to some first responder treatment for the fallen girl, he addressed Brendon. "Her glamours are down. I'm guessing she said some regrettable things?"
Ninian wasn't looking anywhere in particular, but his head was turned to the sound of Dara's voice. "Fortunately what? Help her... please..." he said softly, begging the large man. Was he too an elf... a.. Dannan.
"Ah.. she's unconsious.. I wasn't listening to her talk.. I was on the phone with you. Her mouth was moving but.. she was talking to low.."
Maeve looked at him and then too Brendon. "You knew she was... what... an elf? This is crazy..." she exclaimed wearily. Her best friend was an elf. And dying to boot.
"Are you one too?" Ninian asked bluntly. "Can you save her if you are?"
Brendon held up his hands helplessly. He obviously knew, but wasn't at liberty to talk.
Dara grunted. Aeri ran her mouth, apparently. Not surprising. He supposed he couldn't blame her. After all, she wasn't military. "Tuatha de Danaan. Fair Folk, as you used to call us in hopes of placating us."No sense in hiding the most obvious, since the girl apparently opened the door for these children.
"...I thought those were just fairy tales..." Maeve said softly, looking to her friend with a sad expression. Poor beautiful Aubrey. Having to hide something for so long must've been hard. "Can you save her?" Ninian demanded.
"Patience, boy. I can stabilize her. I'm guessing none of you bothered to learn first responder skills." Arrayed on his belt were small, single use first aid tools, most of which were being put to use on Aeri.
Ninian would have rolled his eyes if he thought to do such a motion. What kind of BLIND person could do first responder... Maeve sniffled. "I wish I had..."
"... I know first aid," Fabien offered quietly from his spot against the wall. "Sit down. I heard your shoulder dislocate when I threw you," the large man said flatly.
"Maybe you shouldn't throw people.." Brendon offered, feeling quite useless.
A short while after he had the wound as sterilized as he could get it and wrapped up, a large pick-up rumbled to a stop at the mouth of the alley. "Help's arrived," Dara murmured as two men got out of the truck and approached. Unless stopped, they would ease Aeri onto a gurney and roll her into the back of the truck.
"He was strangling Lindsey," the elf offered Brendon, shrugging.
"Can we go with them- where are they taking her?" Lindsey asked, rubbing his neck, for once not terrified of Dara.
Ninian allowed them, sliding back and pulling Maeve into his arms with a tight hug. Maeve clutched him tightly.
"They're taking her to a residence that I'd rather not compromise. She'll be taken care of. In the meantime," he addressed the twins, "You two should give me your bloody clothes."
Brendon scooted up beside Dara. "But how did you get here so fast? School is like.. two hours away..." Brendon picked up Aeri's phone again and looked through the phone list for Aiden's number.
Maeve arched a brow. "Excuse me? I'm not walking around Ennis topless..."
"... you don't wear layers in late autumn?" he said, brow quirked.
"I stuck feathers in my ass and flew," he told Brendon sarcastically, unable to resist.
"Where do I tell Aeri's brother she is? Is there someplace I could send him or.. something? A number?" Brendon asked Dara, one hand over the reciever.
"I'll talk to him."
Lindsey looked excited. "That's fucking cool. But you're a liar. What did you do."
"Blood soaks through you know..." she said tiredly.
Brendon reluctantly handed the phone to the large elf. It was still ringing. It was a groggy and disoriented Aiden that answered.
Dara gave the man little time to really prepare himself. In quick, clipped high tongue, he informed Aiden of what he knew.
Ninian was still as everyone was chattering and arguing. He felt kind of dead too. One of his best friends might die... and that was a horrible knowledge to carry.
Aiden seemed to catch on quickly, replying in the same tongue. "Is she alive? Where is she being held? How can I see her?" Aiden was already up and getting dressed. Brendon slumped down to lean in the alley. It was nerve racking.
"She's alive. She's currently being moved to a treatment site. They need time to treat her. I'll escort you there myself when I get the all clear."
"As you wish. Please, take care of her, Dara. You know how much she means to me." And he hung up.
Brendon rested a hand on Ninian's shoulder, rubbing it. "So.. I take it your going to debrief us, Mr. Carey?"
"Considering the huge hole that's been blown into our cover? I don't have much of a choice."
"Aeri's.. not going to be in alot of trouble, is she?" Lindsey asked, feeling altogether useless at being unable to protect the girls.
"It wasn't her fault!" Maeve insisted. "The illusion or whatever she had fell as she was passing out.
"And this somehow lessens the fact that now you know we exist? That still has to be addressed."
"Well no, Mr. Carey. But I don't want her to be in trouble..." she said quietly.
Brendon ran his fingers through his hair. "Right.. right.. Maeve.. what did Aeri tell you before she... passed out?"
Maeve looked at Brendon. "She told me AND Ninian, thanks. And anyhow, you don't need to know. Unless you're one too." She was pretty pissed at Brendon for not trying to stop those guys, and then not even explaining why 911 couldn't be called. And anyhow, even if he was an elf, he probably wasnt as important as Mr. Carey appeared to be.
"I'm not! But.. she's my friend too.." He looked a little depressed at her tone of voice. It wasn't his fault.. he couldn't fight them with guns like that... and they couldn't call 911.
"What did she tell you?" was all the response she got out of him.
"Just that she was an elf and sorry for lying..." She said no more, and Ninian didn't speak up either. He knew his sister well enough to know she omitted things for a reason.
The much larger man leveled a less than impressed gaze upon her.
Maeve wasn't intimidated by this, she knew men well enough to know when they tried to intimidate her. "What? Was there something else I don't know?" she demanded.
"I know when teenagers are spinning bullshit and not telling me everything. It's my job."
She didn't care if she was lying or if he found out later and did something horrible. She wasn't going to sacrifice Aubrey to possible cruelties. And this man seemed much harsher than the dean ever could be. "That's nice, but there was nothing else other than a message to the dean, which I will NOT tell anyone but he."
"Somehow, I doubt she would exclude me from something important enough to tell him," he growled. "Fine. This isn't the time or place for me to put much effort into getting it out of you." He turned an eye on Brendon. "Go to the bar and ask Thomas for some coats for these two. Can't exactly get on a bus covered in blood."
"Ah.." Brendon stood at being addressed. "Right. I'll go ask him." Brendon walked out of the alley and looked up and down the dark street before running over to the bar. Lindsey sighed and watched the twins.
"How're you holding up?" Dara asked the other selkie once Brendon was on his way.
Maeve turned to Fabien then, seeing that he was slumped against the wall. "Are you alright...?" she asked quietly.
"Little shaken up, sir." Lindsey ran his fingers through his dark hair. He'd never seen that much blood in his life. He couldn't look Dara's way, as the light reflected off the vast puddle of blood on the cement by his feet.
Fabien just nodded quietly. To be honest, he broke his fall pretty well thanks to long practice, and it was only the surprise that stopped him from avoiding the dislocated shoulder.
"Looks like you got mauled," Dara noted dryly, moving over to the boy to get a better look.
"Yeah, and his name is Fabien." Bastard. If only he would have trusted Brendon and Lindsey. They knew what was going on. The selkie touched his split lip as Brendon returned with sweaters and overcoats.
Maeve knelt down to look him over and shook her head with worry. "Your arm is hanging rather limply..." she observed with a frown.
"What'd you do to him?" he asked blandly, hiding an amused smirk due to getting that joke at the boy's expense.
Ninian didn't bother to speak, still, and hugged his knees to his chest. All he could think about was worrying for his friend. A fun night had turned into a nightmare.
"I'll be fine once I get someone to pop my arm back into place," Fabien noted with a pained grin.
"Not as much as he did to me." Lindsey stood sorely as Brendon handed Ninian a coat and sweater. "But I wish I would have gotten a good luck at those assholes.. they took all our shit too."
"Can I help maybe?" she wondered. He looked pretty uncomfortable.
"I don't think you're strong enough. Maybe you could go get the big guy over there to do it."
Brendon handed a sweater and coat to Maeve now that he had deposited some to Ninian. shes a dead shot: "So.. how DID you get here, Mr. Carey?" Brendon thought to ask again.
"That's Angus Carey, head of security... didn't you know that?" she wondered. She donned the rather unattractive sweater, as did her brother, and offered a hand to Fabien as she stood up.
"I never had a reason to go see him," he replied blandly, waving the hand away. "Ask him to come over here, please?"
"Tree roots," was all that Dara said to Brendon. He grinned.
"What? Tree roots?" He looked entirely confused.
"Tree roots."
"Damn."
Maeve caught this as she headed over and blinked. "Tree roots?" she asked innocently. How could someone travel by... roots. What the hell were these people? "Pardon me, but before we can go, could you fix my friend's shoulder?"
Dara quirked a brow, then shrugged and wandered over to the American boy. The larger man's back blocked the other students' view of what was going on, so all they could see was some movement, Dara's back straining for a moment, an audible pop as Fabien's shoulder slid back into place, and the boy's muffled screaming of, "Motherfucker!"
Lindsey stifled a laugh. At least his shoulder hadn't been dislocated.. The selkie looked to his friend. "We need to get home. I'm.. worn out." Brendoned nodded before turning to Dara. "Will you keep us informed on how she's doing? will you let us see her.. if.." If she doesn't die.
"No one but you knows what happened here. Cobble together a feasible excuse for her absence and she'll be back within the week." He shrugged.
"She could have gotten arrested again." Lindsey offered. Brendon was not amused.
Maeve winced as the noise echoed off the brick wall. "Ick..." she muttered as she went to her brother and pulled him to his feet. With a weak sigh, she shook her head. "No. She's staying in town to get new shots down for her portfolio. A new look warrants a new set of photographs and distribution. Some models choose to stay until they're satisfied with the pictures and all the proper agencies being contacted."
Brendon blinked. "Ur.. well.. that .. works."
"Good girl," Dara said, honest praise mixed in with some irritation at her feeble attempt to keep information from him. As if he wouldn't find out later.
If nothing else, Maeve was good at making up excuses. She certainly made enough for herself so she and Ninian didn't have to go home right away when shoots and things ended. Home sucked for her brother. She smiled weakly at the large elf. "Yeah. I just... please let us know the moment you know anything about her condition?"
"We should probably head home then.." Lindsey turned away from the group, feeling ill at the smell of all that blood. It was different when it was a fish.. but his good friend? Brendon took Ninian's arm gently to help guide him in Aeri's absense. "Please, Mr. Carey.. let us know if you find out anything about the muggers.." Brendon had a sick feeling those weren't ordinary muggers.
"I'm sure she'll be more than able to tell you herself." With that, he hauled Fabien to his feet. "Alright. You boys try not to look like you just tried to kill each other, and maybe we can take the bus back to campus. You can fill me in on the details of what happened on the way."
Ninian was silent as his friend led him. All he could smell was blood. It was nauseating. He was trapped in a blurry dark world that reeked of blood.
Maeve went to Fabien's side to make sure he was okay. She was still pretty angry at the selkies for keeping things from them when Aubrey was dying.
Fabien gave the girl an attempt at a reassuring smile, and swiped his hat back from her. shes a dead shot: Brendon nodded as the group began to slowly move towards the public busses. The two boys walked beside each other. The last thing the selkies wanted to do was betray the Danann trust and be punished.
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Post by dechanique on Nov 12, 2005 14:31:12 GMT -5
Ninian was quiet for the most part. Dara wouldn't debrief them anywhere in public, so he was free to be alone in his own thougths. Once on the bus that had pulled to a squealing stop, he took a seat by himself. They were lucky, it was the last bus to the University for the night.
Maeve was initially going to sit with her brother, but upon touching his shoulder was greeted with only a shake of his head and something murmured unintelligbly. She knew though, and didn't invade his space. Taking a seat across the way, she sighed, keeping an eye on him anyhow.
Fabien flopped down unceremoniously on one of the bench seats, either not feeling his bruises or just ignoring them. Dara, meanwhile, paced back and forth silently. The entire ride back.
Both selkies sat near their friends, but remained quiet. Between the brooding atmosphere and Dara's pacing- it wasn't very good for their nerves. "So.. do you really think this is a normal mugging?" Brendon asked quietly to the large elf.
"Does it matter?" was his dour reply.
"I would think it would.." Responded the selkie.
"The result is the same, either way."
Brendon said nothing. Talking to Dara was like talking to.. well, he didn't know, something that just didn't care. Both selkies nerves were frayed, and Lindsey couldn't help but stare at the blood on the knees of brendon's pants where he kneeled beside Aeri.
Maeve eyed her fingernails, red not with polish but with the blood of her best friend. Now she wanted to just go on her own murderous rampage and that was a sickening feeling. Though... maybe... An idea struck her then.
Ninian and Maeve were very close twins, and as it wasn't unusual for twins to develop a manner of communication only they shared, she murmured something in an unintelligble dialect to him. Twinspeak, comprised of mostly made up rearranging of words, replacements of sounds, and overall nonsensical to anyone not privy to growing up developing it. What she told him was her plan for silent support and honoring of Aubrey. The next day they could escape campus, the pair of them would get tattoo'd with the same flower Aubrey had.
No mugging was going to take the memory of their best friend's happiness at her new acquirment and tarnish it. They wouldn't give them that right.
God, Dara's pacing was driving Lindsey up the wall. "Could you sit down please, Mr. Carey? That's making me anxious.." He asked, trying to remain polite- but it was difficult with his nerves so frayed. He could feel his hands shaking in his pockets.
The larger elf merely quirked a brow, then grabbed one of the hanging handles and stood in place.
Ninian was curious as to how someone could walk on a moving bus and not pitch headfirst into the seats. But perhaps that was something people with the sight to balance could manage.
The few moments of garbled jibberish between the pair had passed, and Ninian had sunk silently into his seat. Maeve felt rather gross and was trying to use hand sanitiizer to clean her skin. Oh how great a shower would be...
"Thanks." Lindsey leaned back into the chair, staring up at the ceiling of the bus. Brendon looked a little relieved as the school pulled into sight, standing up from his bus seat as the vehicle came to the stop and the doors opened, allowing them to escape.
Dara waited for the students to get off the bus, walking behind them to herd them in the direction he wanted them to go. The eventual destination would be an empty teacher's lounge, one that the security officer would eventually lock behind them once they got inside. Before that, however, he flagged down a runner to send a message to Rian, telling the man where they were and requesting an audience.
Aiden was awaiting the group at the bus stop, bundled in his wool coat to fight against the cold Irish air. He stepped up once the group had disembarked and met Dara in the rear. "Don't mind if I tag along, do you?"
Maeve was actually more on edge when they returned to the school. Mr. Carey seemed like a very harsh man, and from what she knew of how disappointed he made Aubrey often feel, she wanted little to do with him. Rubbing her arms as if she could actually feel the cool night air, she trailed behind her brother, who was allowing one of the selkies to help guide him back inside.
"Patience ran thin in your blood, I think," he informed dryly, waving him into the procession.
Aiden gave the man a flat look. "It's my sister." Brendon held Ninian's hand as Dara let the group to the empty teacher's lounge. Aiden took a seat to the side of the room, so he could hear the debriefing, Brendon led Ninian to a chair and was seated, awaiting Dara's orders and feeling a little apprehensive as the door was locked by a guard. Amethy Rian's messenger returned moments later, knocking and whispering to Dara that Rian would see them at Dara's liesure and choosing.
How unexpectedly accomodating. Orders were sent to have the king escorted to the lounge. As an afterthought, he also had cider and light foods sent up as well. The joys of diplomacy.
Aiden sat patiently in his corner, still slightly dishevled and looking quite stressed. The elf was already pale and frail, this didn't help his appearance much. Brendon watched the door, as did Lindsey. The dean.. he supposed to the humans he would be less intimidating than Dara, but the selkies always found the King of Elves to be much more to tangle with.
After several moments, Rian was escorted in. It was rare for Dara to summon him so randomly and so late into the evening without appearing personally, hence his quick response..
Maeve looked up, confused at seeing the Dean surrounded by escorts. That was certainly a lot of security for one guy....
Rian nodded politely to all those in attendence and then turned to Dara. "Mr. Carey? I presume you had good cause to call such an... odd assortment of people together for me?"
He wasted no time with pleasantries. "Aeri's glamours dropped. She was shot in a secluded area of town. They," Dara indicated the students with a sweeping gesture of the arm, "were the only witnesses."
Fabien looked back and forth between the two older men. Who the hell wasn't in on this?
Aiden had stood and bowed when his king entered and remained standing while in attendance. He was just an audience, but since it involved his sister, he figured he should be in on this discussion.
Rian eyed the blind boy, his twin, and Fabien silently. After a long pause he turned his gaze to the selkies. "And apparently at least some of what we keep secret is known, for you to be so candid..."
"With glamours dropping and her requesting that something be told to you, you've already been exposed. These two," he said, flicking his eyes over the twins, "refused to tell me what it was."
Maeve made a face when Dara turned back from looking at her. Rian suppressed any amusement this may have elicited and instead continued to address the head of security.
"Are you cetain I personally am known to them?" Somehow he didn't get the feeling that they knew he was a king. The other humans that knew had actual reactions when he entered the room.
"I fail to see why what one thought to be a deathbed confession from an exposed Danaan would be delivered to another human. She isn't one of our problem children." Implication: If the twins didn't come to that conclusion, their intellects were woefully deficient.
Ninian and Maeve both had their suspicions, but who knew if these Danaan even had Kings? Maeve frowned, looking at him. And Rian smiled kindly. "I am Rian Flaithri, leader of the Danaan people. And this man is best known as my first in command, Dara O'Murchadha... I am sorry that such a brutual event is what led you to know of our existence."
Maeve stared at him in awe. No wonder he was so pretty! Nodding politely, she spoke. "I'm Maeve O'Scholaidhe, and this is my twin Ninian..."
Fabien supposed he should actually make like a polite person for once. He rose and removed his hat, but he sure as hell didn't bow. Americans didn't recognize kings. "Fabien Godelieve Desmetre."
Brendon waved. "Er.. you already know us." Lindsey and Brendon where frequenters of the deans office- more often than not because they were being brats.
Rian smiled. To him it was almost saddening that these human children held more respect for him than some Danaan... namely his cousin. "So then, you have something to tell me?"
Maeve looked to Ninian and then to Dara. "Not if he will hurt Aeri..." she said softly. Dara oozed the mean vibes. Ninian wasn't quite so biased as his sister, but arguing with her now would look stupid.
Aiden would light Dara on fire again if he tried to hurt Aeri.
Rian arched a brow and eyed Dara a moment. "I don't see why you would have reason to believe that. However, is there something we could do to make this more easy on you? I know tonight has been hard..."
Maeve looked at him nervously. "I... I don't want anything to happen to my friends because we know stuff, first off..."
Rian nodded, and looked to Dara. "I'm sure this is agreeable to you?"
"I see no trouble in offering them the same ultimatum given to the last human that learned too much: We keep an eye on you while you're in public, you agree not to share what you know with others. Otherwise business continues as usual."
"What other humans know?" asked Ninian, unable to help himself.
"Forgive my paranoia, but I'd rather not share that information."
The selkies remained quiet- they knew most of who knew simply because they are gossip whores, like their best friend Aeri.
Maeve knew that if Aeri knew, she'd tell her. And anyhow, she had her suspicions. There were some on campus that knew an awful lot about Aubrey and picked on her too. However she was silent. She'd know in time, of course. "And I don't want Aubrey to be hurt or killed. She's my best friend, and I won't give her such a fate..."
"Indentured servitude is what's normally given to those that cause small, easily repaired breaches in our masquerade."
"I dont mean for that... I mean for the secret I will share...." she said softly.
He merely glanced at Rian and raised an eyebrow.
Aiden leaned over his knee, watching the girl sitting at the table. He knew Maeve, had met her several times at least, since Aeri brought the girl over frequently.
Rian was unsure of what to say. "I would think such a thing could be agreed to, unless her transgression infringed upon the ways of our people and our goddess somehow." Rian looked to Dara to make sure this was acceptable. The large man was his advisor after all.
"Death and torment are generally reserved for blatant traitors and the unhinged," he reminded quietly. He didn't bother mentioning that physical punishments were more common amongst the military.
Maeve sighed, knowing she'd reached the end of her bargaining line. She was internally proud to have made it that far. Brendon watched girl- he too was interested in what she had to say. What were Aeri's last words before he thought she died?
"Well, apparently Professor Treasach is an evil man... maybe he's a Danaan hater? But Aubrey just said he tricked her into helping to kill them. That he had her give them something to poison their food. But she didnt know it would hurt them! He made her do it. He lied to make her kill people for him! He's a psycho, and should be sent to jail!" Maeve bit her lip, and Ninian nodded his agreement. "Please don't kill her. She didn't know..." he added softly.
Dara's already neutral features somehow managed to fall flat. "Do you know if she was referring to the 'food poisoning' incident?"
Maeve nodded. "She did something to food, and that she was certain that when they disappeared that Fachtna must've killed them. But she had no choice. I know he must've bullied her into what little she did do knowingly! Aubrey isn't like that!"
"Did she say who, specifically, was killed?"
"Some people named... Ethan and... and..." the other name was strange to the girl. Ninian piped up though, "Uriel. It was a strange name, so I remembered it..." Maeve looked upset. "Please don't hurt her! He made her do these terrible things, she didn't want to!"
A grim sort of smile settled on his lips. "Sometimes, I hate it when I'm right," Dara murmured.
Rian wondered curiously in elvish "Explain?"
"I allowed the food poisoning rumor to circulate, as it explained away the sickness as far as the humans were concerned. The supplies were tainted on site, not spoiled beforehand. It would be exceedingly difficult for someone not on the kitchen staff to engineer a poisoning on that scale."
Dara had reflexively reverted to the language he'd been addressed in. Aiden listened intently and understood every word, while the selkies remained in the dark.
Maeve looked to Fabien, the only one in the room with language expertise to her knowledge, and arched a brow hopefully.
"I see... do you think she was intentionally malicious and warrants severe punishment?" came the high bred elven response.
He shook his head. He had no exposure to Gaelic outside of his trips to the bars and his dabbling before officially enrolling at Esras. The language sounded similar to Gaelic... sort of like how Spanish sounded similar to Italian.
"She knew that harm was going to befall someone. Death might be extreme in her case, but she can't walk away from this unscathed," Dara muttered.
"What do you suggest then? I must tell her friends something. They've been honest with us, and we do owe them that same respect..."
"Indentured servitude has always been a good standby."
"Will you let her remain here with her friends?"
By now the twins were hopelessly lost, and Maeve sighed. Ninian slouched some, waiting for words in english. Aiden tried to smile at the kids reassuredly.
"Gut instinct tells me that putting her underground will ruin her. If I'm staying on top of things as well as I think I am, her mother is becoming unhinged and too aggressive."
Rian nodded. "I'm sure she was behind this as well as your suspicions of her plotting against Aiden. She and Fachtna are too close, and I suspect they may also have played hands in the death of Brennus...However, we shall discuss this later. Let me speak with the children and then you may say your piece to protect us..." Dara nodded mutely in response.
Turning to them, the king used English once more. "What Aubrey has done is no light matter, I'm sure you understand. However, such kind friends as you and her coming to us with the truth spares her a worser fate. She will be allowed to stay at the school, serving out her misdeeds under the watchful eye of Dara."
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Post by dechanique on Nov 12, 2005 14:36:01 GMT -5
Aiden breathed a small sigh of relief. Indentured servitude wasn't bad- and he could rest assured that whoever she was given to would not make her do... unsavory things.
Rian bowed his head, looking over the assembled group. "Dara, i believe now you have some matters of security to attend to with them?"
That was news to Dara, though he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. He'd given them the offer, and no one made noises of dissent. He must've just been assigned to tutoring. He was less than enthused by this.
"Please be sure to go over all matters that they'll need to know about, including explanations of how to carry themselves now that they have this knowledge. And be sure to answer any questions..."
The selkies remained in their chairs, looking between Dara and the King. Brendon finally spoke. "Ah... your majesty.. .. what will happen to Professor Treasach? Do you believe Aeri...?"
Rian would rather someone he trusted tend to them than allow the humans to go digging about for answers on their own. He wanted controlled information. "That is something that you do not need to be privy to..." Came Rian's short answer. As it was, he and Dara needed to have a meeting much more private that this to discuss that.
"Yes sir.." Came the selkie's response, and then he turned to watch Dara, wondering what he will tell the humans.
Rian glanced to Dara, silently asking if his presence was still needed.
"I think that settles that, then. You three," he gestured to the human students, "stick around. The rest," and so the selkies and Aiden were indicated, "are free to leave. Unless you required something else, my liege?"
Rian shook his head. "I shall take my leave as well." He waited a moment, and then took a small graceful bow to the group before leaving with a entourage, the way he'd come.
Aiden stood slowly, smiling at the selkies, who stood as well. He then turned to Dara. "Will you take me to Aeri at some point, Dara?" He asked in their language. "I want to make sure she is okay." His bodyguards were waiting outside.
"When I get word that she can be seen."
"Thank you." He nodded his head respectfully to the head of security, now the King's first advisor, and turned to leave, putting his hands ont he selkie's backs to urge them along. "Come on, kids." The selkies waved half-heartedly at the three humans, their friends, before Aiden ushered them out.
Maeve bit her lip and scooted her chair a bit closer to her brothers. "Why do they get to leave? Are they elves too?" she asked.
"Not exactly," he said carefully. "Let's just say they're something special and were in on things long before you were."
Ninian had already made up his mind to ask them and anyone else involved as many questions as he could, once the was able to get some free time.
"Are we in trouble?" the blind boy asked cautiously. He really wanted to change his clothes and sleep for a while.
"No. Not yet, anyway. That depends on how closed you keep your lips."
Maeve nodded. "We won't tell anyone...'
"Good." With that, he found a place to sit. "Might as well get questions out of the way now. I know you have them."
Ninian was a little too overwhelmed to think of questions at the moment. "Do we have to ask now? I mean... it's a lot of stuff to take in, and I want to make sure I ask all the right stuff..."
"And how is time, exactly, going to make that any more likely?" he couldn't help but ask blandly.
"I won't be focused on how nasty my clothes feel for starters...." he said with a weak smile.
The overly hardened soldier gave the boy a blank look for a few moments before shaking his head. "Right. Well, then. I'll have a guard escort you to your rooms. We'll meet back here in two hours."
Ninian was oblivious to the look, and nodded. "Alright..." Maeve stood then, helping her brother up and looking to Fabien. She was getting desperate for a change of clothing. Blauer Fackel: Fabien looked like he could use a good lie-down for a few days. He was less than enthusiastic about having to get up, but he did it anyway.
The normally snarky girl gave him an encouraging smile. Nothing they felt was something they couldn't get past. Unlike Aeri. Who was like... dying.
Dara merely gestured toward the door. Fabien put an arm around Maeve's waist, his hand resting on Nin's back, and helped usher them out. They were joined by a small clutch of guards at the door.
Maeve was grateful for Fabien's kind gesture, and her weary features showed as much. Ninian squeezed his sister's guiding arm as the trio headed out.
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