EXCOLO

"Stormcrow," she says and of all the names she's given me, it's my absolute favorite. Her delicious lips press against my throat and I close my eyes as I turn to bask in her sweetly-scented hair. "Milady Glass," I softly say as I wind my arms around her waist and stroke her hip. "Although I've told you much of our recent past this last day, there's more to share. I'm not quite sure where to start but I'll do my best, love."

Running down the mental list of possible subjects, I offer, "Did you know that we have quite a few things in common? Both your father and mine are evil bastards, that's one." I grin as I continue, "We have a baby on the way, so the little one will be our second roommate besides Dorian. Our third, if you count the cat."

I chuckle as I say, "We've both suffered from amnesia, you more recently than I, of course and we both love secrets, ours and other people's, " I grin again, my heated gaze sliding over my wife's sweet form before I add, "And we like to play a game, you and I, called 'Tell me a Secret'."

I sit in a chair, drawing Milady Glass into my lap as I grin slyly. Whispering in her ear, I offer in a husky tone, "I'll tell you anything you want as long as you stay in my lap. If you rise, that might not be as true." I curve one hand to rest on her hip as I ask, "Where should I begin, love?"

From:

Settle into his arms and "Milady Glass," and I smile against his throat as he promises to set out more of things, points in common and at "Both your father and mine are evil bastards, that's one," I'm straightening and looking up t'him. "Cariad..." and beyond that, no words. "I've no father, I've-- well, grant my mam was quickened by someone but--" Catch myself and start over. "I've living kin by blood?" And for him to know to speak of them... "Here in Excolo?" and can feel my gaze sharpening curious and catch his own grin at my watching him so.

"We have a baby on the way, so the little one will be our second roommate besides Dorian. Our third, if you count the cat," and find he's brought a laugh from me.

"'d never do to forget the cat," I say light. And he touches on our lost memories and secrets and his eyes on me and for a moment all I'm thinking on is laying abed with him, timeless joy and the touch of him, taste of him, and he sits and draws me into his lap and I settle easy into the lean grace of him.

"And we like to play a game, you and I, called 'Tell me a Secret'," and that I think I recognize, catch my breath and then he's murmuring hot in my ear and a shiver paints itself down the side of my throat. "I'll tell you anything you want as long as you stay in my lap. If you rise, that might not be as true." Can hear the grin in his voice and "Where should I begin, love?"

"W-with me in your lap, it seems," I say, trying for teasing and shifting t'settle myself. Where to begin...

"We're to have a child," same low wonder now in my voice as was at the thought when I heard it in the night in our room and turned to him for a surety. Shiver a moment and'm smiling, one hand light on my stomach. "I-- when'm I due?" I say. Fair to sure no earlier'n April, and no later'n September, but I'd care t'know rather more'n that. "And--" Swallow at this, but I think I need t'know the shape of it, something t'make sense of that pale impression at the sound of his name, and Iago's grin at it. "Dorian. He-- stays with us, he shares-- shares our b-bed--" and I fall silent as my tongue tangles in the words. Draw breath and try again.

"My love and my stormcrow, I'm yours and I'm true," look to him and see he's the right of that, "and confess I find myself a touch thrown by all this. What exact are we, and who is he?"

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Milady Glass seems shocked as she says, "Cariad...I've no father, I've-- well, grant my mam was quickened by someone but--" I chuckle, willing to show her how it's done but alas, she continues, "I've living kin by blood? Here in Excolo?" I chuckle again, "Oh yes, love. Your father lives in town but we'll not be visiting him anytime soon. Not if I can help it."

I lay out a few topics from our life together, drawing her into my lap as I make my offer. My teasing wife squirms and I laugh, thoroughly enjoying this game before she finally settles herself.

"We're to have a child," and I murmur agreement in her ear. She shivers, sending a electric thrill through me. I lay my hand over her belly, lacing my fingers with hers as she continues, "I-- when'm I due? I gaze adoringly at her as I reply, "You're no more than two to three months along so perhaps July? And I can't wait, my love. Our child will be the most gorgeous creature in existence, besides yourself, of course. It may even have your gleaming eyes."

"And--Dorian. He-- stays with us, he shares-- shares our b-bed--" Ah, I knew she'd be curious most over this and I wait for her continue. "My love and my stormcrow, I'm yours and I'm true, and confess I find myself a touch thrown by all this. What exact are we, and who is he?"

"You and I are married lovers expecting a baby," I flash a sexy grin at her as I say, "and Dorian is our live-in lover. Perhaps even more if you count the ring we gave him for Christmas." I'm reassuring as I continue, "And I know you're mine, just as I'm yours, your eternally-devoted stormcrow. Deep in my heart I know that's true so you needn't worry over your standing with me, love."

I stroke her cheek and continue, "We've chosen to open our hearts and bed to include another, and while Dorian's not as faithful as you'd prefer, he loves you and I dearly enough to make up for it." I chuckle, adding, "He's also an excellent cook, an extremely sharp dresser and an insatiable lover. We've not done poorly in choosing him, sweet girl."

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"Oh yes, love," he answers. "Your father lives in town but we'll not be visiting him anytime soon. Not if I can help it," and thinking I'm wanting the way of things behind that matter.

"And yours?" I say, brushing his hair back from his face. "'ve you kin in town aside Lannie? And what's my father--" and a slight laugh at the word, the pair of them-- "do? How'd we come t'find him?"

Guesses July for a child and I press closer against him and thought comes to me of a still grey stone and the words At height of the summer. Look in his eyes like sweet fire but there's a weight to this yet, and find my tongue's like a stone in my mouth.

"'m glad of you," I say quiet, when I find words. "'d not have this otherwise." True enough as if I'd wished it so it'd've been done, but there's... I've no mind for what else t'say on this, only waiting t'come t'term(s). "'s been free of trouble, so far?"

And, well... having a child, can see that, always could. Had years of it being only an abstract matter, but knew well I could. Matter of Dorian, on the other hand...

"You and I are married lovers expecting a baby," and swear there's nothing that grin and your tongue together could not have me do, Iago, and the naming it married lovers leaves me a touch giddy, "and Dorian is our live-in lover. Perhaps even more if you count the ring we gave him for Christmas," and blinking at that as he assures me of being his and he mine, and that's well and fine, that's something to hold to in this time.

"Ours," I say, and then I'm turning scarlet 'gain, can feel it, and the thin mist of rain laying itself down like a cool compress 'gainst the heat of my face. Turn my face t'the sky a moment and think. "Ours," and the-- the how of that, never thought on that afore, and--

Well. Take it for explaining why the bed's so big. "Oh my stormcrow," I say hushed, and my voice shaking only a touch. Lays out the way things stand and fine, can see it working for those as come to it, just never thought it'd be-- it's--

"I'm wed," I say, and that's fine, "and our home's three times the size of anything I imagined, and I've my own workroom, and a closet full of clothes I c'n tell're clearly new'n fine, and I need not work, and we've another keeping company with us, fine choice by all accounts, and-- Iago, swear t'me I'm not dreaming? And then tell me how we came t'all this?"

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"And yours? 've you kin in town aside Lannie? And what's my father--do? How'd we come t'find him?" I smile when I mention Alessandra, "My grandmother lives in town." The smile lessens as I continue, "My father came for a visit not too long ago, causing much misery with his presence before dying in a duel. Your father also lives in town, at the Inn."

I sneer, thinking of my last encounter with him before saying, "He's a bullying monster and were he not a god, then surely someone would have already sent him to his grave. He's tried to kill you, threatened the both of us repeatedly with violent death and what he did to Dorian was horrendous." Shaking my head, I continue, "We don't speak his name, lest he hear us and come visiting but believe me when I say this, if we could've killed him already, we would've."

We talk about our little one's expected arrival and her soft words stir unruly thoughts. "'m glad of you. 'd not have this otherwise." Grinning, I agree, "Neither would I, love," and she asks, "'s been free of trouble, so far?" My grin widens as I say, "Our baby's strong, sweet girl, like you and while there was an incident here and there, nothing has caused our little one to falter. We've been luckier than many."

I explain briefly about Dorian, and Milady Glass blushes a fetching shade while she considers it. "Oh my stormcrow," and in an awed tone, my love continues, naming all the comforts and joy in our shared life. I laugh, pleased to have made her so happy as she adds, "Iago, swear t'me I'm not dreaming? And then tell me how we came t'all this?"

"You're not dreaming, sweet girl. The apartment's part of my salary for working here. Verdi had the tavern renovated not too long ago and we were able to add your workroom into our living space. Dorian's a tailor and that accounts for your new clothes although I have enough of my own money to buy you whatever you'd like. You need only ask, love, and anything can be yours."

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Found my way back here after work at the Miskatonic. The nice guy, Thomas I believe he said his name was, showed me up to my place and what do ya know, I had a key for it in my pocket.

He said I was supposed to work too, damn I'm a busy girl. It ended up with him, laughing and shaking his head saying, "You owe me," and taking the bottle of Fire...something from my hand. He also told me I couldn't mix a drink to save my soul last night. It was okay, I still sat around, tasting the merchandise and waiting for my husband to show up.

If he did show, he might have forgotten me too cos, I don't think he came in and I know he didn't come home last night. Might be busy fixing people up after the confusion yesterday. Or maybe he just forgot, I can't get mad at that, I forgot too. I pull on some jeans and a long sleeve shirt I found crumpled on my floor. For some reason the cologne on the shirt reminded me of Christmas and gifts and something I should remember. But then, at this point, there's a lot I should remember but don't. And I wonder why a lot of my clothes are so ripped and torn up. What kind of people are we? I seriously need to do some laundry soon. My stomach rumbles so I go downstairs to see what I can dig up for breakfast since there wasn't anything in my place. I'm guessing me and Lucien must eat out a lot.

I find the food easy enough, though I don't know what a lot of it is.Picking what smells the best, I dump it into a pot and look around as it heats up. Hmm.. hope I know when its done.

Edited Date: 2010-05-21 03:13 am (UTC)

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"My grandmother lives in town," and taking that for making him happier than his father. Still... touch Iago's face light at the mention of his death.

"'m sorry," I say awkward. Suppose I was there f'r him, much as he needed me, but I don't recall it and wish I could. See a flicker of a smile half-bitter on his mouth and think I'm missing details there, and he's going on and matter of my kin pleases him less than his own. "Your father also lives in town, at the Inn. He's a bullying monster and were he not a god--"

...wait.

What? Find myself going still as it comes clear that it's not a turn of phrase, and then cold as Iago lays out his manner. "He's tried to kill you, threatened the both of us repeatedly with violent death and what he did to Dorian was horrendous."

Draw back over all of this, and'm staring at him, eyes widening, and the sound of everything's gone sharp and clear, the feather-stroke of the flames on stone and the soft speckling of rain on his jacket and our breathing together.

"There's a god after killing me?" I hear flat and distant. "There's--" take his face in my hands and swear there's no colour in the world but his eyes, the witchfire blue of them. "Never mind his murder," I say, and a god, my mother's bones... feel my lip curl back from my teeth at the thought. "You'n'I're well alive, and I think safe enough. How sure is that? How'd we guard against him?"

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"'m sorry," she says and I'm touched by her simple words. I discuss our families, giving details regarding our respective fathers and when I reach the matter of her father's divinity, my love's quite shocked. Actually, shocked is an understatement and she's silent and still, a frozen doll in my lap.

"There's a god after killing me? There's--" Her hands cup my face, staring intensely as she continues, "Never mind his murder." There's a hint of her feral grin and distracted by the tight ache in my groin, I barely catch her last question, "...How'd we guard against him?"

"I don't believe he's actively hunting you, love, but our encounters with him have been fraught with peril. He did try to kill you once, though, maybe twice." My grin's sly as I say, "You're my clever wife though and rather than suffer any more indignities, you decided to fight back. Literally, on a few occasions." I'm proud of her as I continue, "You devised a portable item to keep him at bay, a bell-jar. You made two actually, and spoke of making a third."

I gesture to the tavern, "Our home is warded with runes and magic. He can't hurt us here and the tavern-folk keep an eye our for him, just in case." I shrug, adding, "Other than that, we avoid him as we're able."

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"I don't believe he's actively hunting you, love," and the tension knotted through me loosens, "but our encounters with him have been fraught with peril. He did try to kill you once, though, maybe twice."

"Oh well then," I say faint, and there's little else to give voice to. A bloody god was after killing me. Take a moment to draw calm 'round myself, and 'mind myself that I've sure been taken after enough by those stronger'n I am. Suppose in balance it's little different.

"You're my clever wife though and rather than suffer any more indignities, you decided to fight back. Literally, on a few occasions," and he's grinning and oh I want t'remember this, I want t'have the way of it to hand. "You devised a portable item to keep him at bay, a bell-jar. You made two actually, and spoke of making a third."

"A bell-jar," and it means nothing but jar 'minds me of what I found in the pocket of my coat. "A witch-bottle?" I say, drawing connection. "A milk-glass bottle, with blood and pins inside it? It's a charm t'be buried at a threshold--" And bells're a warding charm as well, and with the way he named it, "It can be rung t'keep him off?" There's a quick stunned delight at the thought, and I wonder a moment if all witch-jars have that in them, if they lie waiting with their tongues stilled in earth 'neath lintel, here and over the sea.

And we've more'n that to hand aside, workings for our home and other's eyes, and "Other than that, we avoid him as we're able." Well enough, that, and suppose it's worked as we're both still sound and whole. Still...

"A god," I say low and thoughtful, and my mouth twists with distaste. Never had aught use for them, nor did mam, and I think of the scar in her hand she called her wedding ring twice in all the years I knew her, and feel my teeth set on edge. Thinking I am bloody well unminded t'take kindly t'him, and shake it off. "Find there's those of my blood living and they treat with you'n'I so, touch of a shock," I say, managing a dry smile. Lean forward and kiss him, then, breathe in the taste of his mouth and taste his tongue with mine.

"Tell me of something sweeter, cariad," I say. "Your granddam or meeting our-- meeting D-Dorian, or how we came by the wardings on our home.

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"A bell-jar," My love sounds unclear and I'd show her what I meant if I had one on hand but I don't. She asks, "A witch-bottle?" I nod as she continues, "A milk-glass bottle, with blood and pins inside it? It's a charm t'be buried at a threshold--It can be rung t'keep him off?" I grin as she makes the connection and say, "Yes, love, your blood, and iron nails from Dorian's shop. You've used it more than once and it's always seemed to hurt him."

"A god," she says and I'm curious if that's the same tone I used when I found out about Excolo's supernatural residents. She continues, "Find there's those of my blood living and they treat with you'n'I so, touch of a shock." Ah, my sweet girl, I wish I didn't have to remind you of these unpleasant moments and before I can offer some comfort, she seeks her own, pressing her delicious mouth to mine.

"Tell me of something sweeter, cariad. Your granddam or meeting our-- meeting D-Dorian, or how we came by the wardings on our home." Of the topics she's offered, I choose the least upsetting to begin with and say, "My grandmother's name is Alessandra and she lives a short walk from here with her butler, Walter. She's beautiful, charming and I adore her immensely."

I smile, thoughts of my beloved grandmother already lifting my mood as I continue, "She attended our wedding, eclipsing all but you in radiant beauty and the engagement ring you wear was originally hers. It's an heirloom passed from Alessandra to you," My hand gently curves over her belly as I softly add, "And maybe later to our little one."

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Glad I mentioned his granddam, as he's smiling even afore he gets t'speaking her name. "She attended our wedding, eclipsing all but you in radiant beauty and the engagement ring you wear was originally hers. It's an heirloom passed from Alessandra to you," and the dragonfly weight of it's no heavier but grows more present on my hand. "And maybe later to our little one."

"Maybe," I say low, and shiver a little, but not unpleasant. Mother's bones, 'd not thought on time passing in the future afore, not weighed out what could be given to a descendant... it's a delirious feeling for a moment, thought of seeing my child not only born but growing. Lace my fingers through Iago's and lean 'gainst his shoulder.

"I've no gift particular, I think," I say soft, "for s-seeing, weighing the matter of a family-- of my family growing. Know I chose you, and'm glad of it, but that's-- mean we were grown, we chose--" Stop and shake my head.

"'m not knowing if I've thought on this afore," I say, "but there's a weight t'the idea of being a parent's different than that of giving birth. 've never..." Trail off. "Think I know very few children," I say, slight bewildered laugh in my voice. "Oh cariad, this is--" and words tangled in my throat and after a moment I shake my head.

"You've a finer gift for words'n I," I say soft. Suppose I'll've noticed that afore, but seems worth saying. Think on this a moment, my fingers light on his face, and wondering what of us I'll see in another in summer if all goes aright. Dark hair, 'm guessing, but as to the rest...

Something else comes t'me, and I tilt my head curious. "You'n'I and Dorian, how long've we...?"

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docconstantine.livejournal.com

It has been a long two days.

By the time I left Parras on Wednesday, Miao had made it back to the 'Boy. And as I feared, her memories were lost. Of just about everything, including me, her life, even the English language. I think I scared her when I ran in and hugged her like I had not seen her in months. It was the better part of the day before I remembered the words Yi Sheng Piaoliang, that seemed to help assure her I was not a crazy person. That and my clothes in her closet. Did not spend the night though, it's like we are starting all over again.

Sighing, for my work load has tripled, I decide a drink at the bar is in order. I wander in and wave to Glass and Iago in the courtyard as I sit down and order a vodka, looking about to see if Lannie is here. The drink is set in front of me and I sip it gratefully.

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The soup, I hope its soup, is bubbling and hot. Ladling myself a bowl, I hear someone come in and Thomas calls him "Doc." Is it him or someone he works with? Iago did say he was the town's doctor, but I heard there's another doctor in town, one who works on other stuff.

Tearing off a hunk of bread, I take a seat next to him at the bar. "A little early for a drink, isn't it?" I smile, soaking the bread in my soup and popping it into my mouth. Its good, whatever it is.

"Bet you've been busy with all the crazy going on," I grin. If he's the other doc, I'm guessing that's a true statement at least.

From:

verite-belrose.livejournal.com

Today is a bit quieter than it has been so I judged it alright to come back to town and made the Tavern my first stop. I went to check on Mama and everyone else in the Carnival when I saw how confused people in town were. And found the Carnival not much better.

And it was scary what some people forgot. Mama forgot US. She forgot all of us. And so did Simmy, But I didn't mind that so much. Abby seems to have forgotten much of the last few months but I can't tell if I've forgotten anything. Or anyone.

I come in and spot the Doc and Lannie at the bar and give them a smile and wave. I wonder if he or Lannie remember me? I hope so. It would be depressing to find out that my best friend doesn't remember me. Or another person I consider family like Doc.

From:

docconstantine.livejournal.com

Lannie comes out and sits next to me, stuffing some food into her mouth.

"It's never to early for a drink my dear." I say tipping my glass to her, relieved she seems to remember me. "How've you been?" I ask, looping an arm about her waist and giving her a quick hug.

"Bet you've been busy with all the crazy going on," I groan and roll my eyes. "You have no idea." I sigh, looking about and noticing 'Ri. I smile and wave her over, she looks a little ragged. "Come on and join us!" I call over, then turn back to Lannie. "You been busier since the place went crazy?" I ask, knocking back the whole glass and waving for another.

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verite-belrose.livejournal.com

I'm relieved when Doc seems to recognize me. I grin and head over to them at his smile and invitation to join them.

"Hey Doc, hey Lannie!" I say as I come up beside them. "It's been insane hasn't it?"

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"It's never to early for a drink my dear. How've you been?"

His arm goes around me and I'm a little surprised. Okay.. so I'm guessing this must be my husband. I definitely lucked out on the marriage thing and he seems to remember me. I smile and put my arm around him like nothing's wrong.

"You been busier since the place went crazy?"

I wince. "Uhhh about that," I say, shifting just a little away. I'm not sure how to ask about us. I mean I didn't see any guy stuff in my place and the bed didn't look like two people slept in it though there's room enough.

"Hey Doc, hey Lannie! It's been insane hasn't it?"

"Yeah, just a little," I smile, "So how are you both?" More like who are you? I guess its not too early for a drink. I'd like one now. I look at Lucien, "Did you work all night?"

Edited Date: 2010-05-22 02:36 am (UTC)

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"I've no gift particular, I think, for s-seeing, weighing the matter of a family-- of my family growing. Know I chose you, and'm glad of it, but that's-- mean we were grown, we chose--" She leans close, her head on my shoulder as she keeps her hand in mine. My love's happy and it makes me giddy as I press a soft kiss against her hair.

She's considering children and the changes it'll bring, and I grin as she adds, "Think I know very few children." I can't help but chuckle lightly when she laughs, saying, "Oh cariad, this is--You've a finer gift for words'n I." before shaking her head.

"I know a few children as well, but I don't normally seek out their company. It'll be different with our child though. They'll never be rid of me, just like you," and I clutch her hip a bit tighter as I grin at her. "Did I mention the baby already has a cousin? My niece is six-years-old and although I haven't seen her since she was three, she'd still count as a cousin."

Gently, I rub her back as she asks, "You'n'I and Dorian, how long've we...?" I could be glib but where Dorian's concerned, I'd rather she know from me, rather than someone who might treat her unkindly. "Dorian's been with us since the beginning of October and he moved in not long after that. He was the best man at our wedding, which was mid-August, and has been an integral part of our lives since then."

Stroking the hair from her face, I smile and continue, "He's also my best friend, from before Excolo, when my life was in Ipswich and not long after he arrived here, he crossed paths with you and I. He intrigued you, and vice-versa, and the curiosity grew so much that I knew--" My smile is reassuring as I continue, "-I knew you wanted him and I knew he felt the same. I'd long known of his attraction to me and rather than make the situation into something shameful, I decided otherwise."

My smile widens into a sexy grin as I say, "You wanted Dorian and I'd promised you anything you wanted, so I did my best to make it happen."

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"I know a few children as well, but I don't normally seek out their company," he says, and makes mention of his cousin, and I nod, but...

"Did you grow up 'round others?" I say, suddenly curious. "I grew up with my mam, and time or two she'd have another family take me town over t'Market, if they'd nothing t'trade for payment and she'd need t'be elsewhere. But most ways it was only her, you ken?"

Turn to his assurance, "It'll be different with our child though," and his hand tightening on my hip, heat of his palm through the cloth. "They'll never be rid of me, just like you."

"How I will suffer, condemned t'such a fate," I say dry, but I'm smiling. But the matter of Dorian comes t'mind, and the smile falters a touch. Still can't see how this fell out, not exact, and glad for his touch on my back. Like to him tracing slow circles down my spine when we lay abed.

"Dorian's been with us since the beginning of October and he moved in not long after that." Well, then. Find myself quiet glad Iago's saying our child, that there's no misery there. "He's also my best friend, from before Excolo, when my life was in Ipswich and not long after he arrived here, he crossed paths with you and I. He intrigued you, and vice-versa, and the curiosity grew so much that I knew--" and he smiles and fine enough that, there's a kindness to it, but this is all a little much and I tuck my head into the hollow of his shoulder, find I've slipped my arms 'round him as he continues-- "I knew you wanted him and I knew he felt the same. I'd long known of his attraction to me and rather than make the situation into something shameful, I decided otherwise."

Spit and staunchweed. "You leave it sounding simple," I say quiet, holding close t'him for a moment. Sigh and pull back enough t'see his face. "Suppose it can be, at the heart of it, but did-- was--" dammit I have no gift for words-- "did you worry over it?"

Smile on his face then making out there's no worry to it, and "You wanted Dorian and I'd promised you anything you wanted, so I did my best to make it happen," and reach out and trace the line of his mouth, still trying to take the measure of it all. Fine I understand what he's saying, but the whole of this...

"Tell me--" and think he's laid out for me my wanting Dorian and Dorian wanting us both, but not his own mind on it-- "truly, Iago, stormcrow, are you aright with this?"

From:

angelus-luxuria.livejournal.com

I'm tired, and cold, and hungry, and dammit... Lost. Still. It seems like I've been walking for days, and I only know that because I've counted the suns and moon. Yes, I have been walking for days. First around and around in a forest, then to a place that felt familiar, and smelled familiar to my brain, but it was slippery, those feelings and thoughts. I'm tired, so damn tired. Where can I sleep that's indoors? Where do I belong? Is it even anywhere near here? Did I lose my memory while I was flying, or because of it?

I've left the place that looks like a Carnival, but shut down for the season, and found a town. Something... doesn't feel right about this place. It's a tensing in my gut, my very hungry gut. I keep to the edges, and hide in the boughs of the trees that do have vegetation, and just watch them. People. I don't see any that look like me and that worries me. Will they kill me if they see me? Have they already killed all of my kind. Something tells me, they might have.

Finally, I've had enough of this tree, and I jump down. The rain is light and I look up into it as it continues to slowly soak me more. I give my wings a shake, and send water spraying everywhere, then fold them back down, and start walking again. I'm lost in a thought of something that slips my mind almost as soon as I think it, and something catches my nose. Food. Meat. Cooking Meat. My stomach roars and my mouth salivates. I remember food, very well. I am onto it's scent now, and I turn in that direction with a purposeful pace. It's not long before I come to the back of a building, a tavern I soon surmise. More smells. Beer, mud, FOOD, people, FOOD! I enter what appears to be a patio, and stop when I see a pair sitting at a table. Man, woman, embraced, and entwined in each other warmly.

I give them a look, trying to see from their reaction to me when it comes, if they mean to attack or not. I hold my position, and wait. The food is all I want, not him, or her, as fair as she appears to be.

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Sign of how drawn in t'the matter I am that takes a second glance to catch full note of the man entering the courtyard, and then find I'm turning t'keep sight of him and reaching t'put an arm 'cross Iago as well as I take the stranger in. Call him of an age with--someone, something, feel a tease at memory--maybe thirty winters older'n myself. Looks pure bedraggled, coat in shreds and hair tangled down in his face and all quite throughly rained on. And well more'n a head taller'n me, watching Iago'n I both, with the rain soaking into feather and pinion of his wings.

Well, then. Seen statues of winged folk often enough in graveyard, guardians in their lichens and ivy waiting patient, but well enough sure this one's nothing to him of death. No minder of the dead made flesh and come walking, then.

"Cariad," I say low. "'s he at all tied t'me by blood?" Feel my teeth setting slow an' sharp on edge, shift my weight in readiness t'stand, and hand to the pocket of my coat. Not sure that the stones of the courtyard count as here, for the wards and workings he spoke of.

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docconstantine.livejournal.com

Lannie settles in against me, and hey! Not going to complain about a pretty girl half my age wanting to cuddle me. "Uhhh about that," I raise an eyebrow as she moves away, and I can feel her tense a bit.

I am about to ask if she's okay, but 'Ri comes over, all smiles. "Hey Doc, hey Lannie! It's been insane hasn't it?"

"Yeah, just a little, So how are you both?" I look from Lannie to 'Ri. "You okay 'Ri? Is your family okay?" I had heard that the Carnival was affected as well, which makes my mouth tighten a bit. Management's supposed to take care of the show folk. Perhaps they think it's amusing.

"Did you work all night?" I run a hand through my hair and smile tiredly. "Late enough. Can't remember what time I finished, just crashed out on the couch in my office. Just wish I knew why some people were affected, and others weren't." I shrug, taking a drink and glad I was one of the few unaffected.

From:

verite-belrose.livejournal.com

Doc remembers but the confusion in Lannie eyes says she doesn't. Oh she covers it well with friendliness but I can still see it. It hurts, like when Mama didn't know any of us. Doc looks and sounds tired. But he still after me an my family. I lean on the bar and try not to look upset as I tell him, "I'm fine, but Mama got the forgettin' bad." I look down at the bar, "She forgot all of us kids. Cy took it real bad." I will not cry, I will not cry!

Lannie asks if Lucien worked all night. He sure looks like it. Just wish I knew why some people were affected, and others weren't. He says with a shrug as he takes a drink. I give him a bit of a smirk. "That's the big question isn't it? If we had that answer..." I trail off as Thomas comes down our end again and I order a violet Charm. After the disaster home was I feel like a little happiness would go a ways to help.

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He asks the girl, Ri, if she’s okay and he looks a little annoyed. I’m happy to get a name finally! Doesn’t ring any bells though. I’d think they were family but he asked how her family was, so I guess it’s not the same. She tells us about her mom and though she’s not crying or anything, suddenly I want to hug her tight.

Doc looks tired when he says he slept at the office last night, the poor man. Just wish I knew why some people were affected, and others weren't. That's the big question isn't it? If we had that answer..."

Nodding in agreement, I tell Thomas that I’ll have the same as Ri. I had some of that stuff last night, it was good! “But how do you know you’re not affected? How can you remember something if you forgot it?” I ask tilting my head to the side. “Like me for instance, I wouldn’t have known we were married if my brother, Iago, hadn’t told me as much,” I smile, “I didn’t get your name though.” He obviously knows me so it won’t be as much of a surprise to him. The drinks come just in time, I take a long sip from my glass.

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