Temporary Reprieve {Specimens Crew, Plot}

[morg]

Rae's words had finally sank in for Morgan, and she'd more or less guessed where Kennedy thought they should go. Desmond and Holly were only a few hundred miles from St. Louis, and at Rae's speed, it hadn't taken the group long to get there.

Still, the car ride had been decidedly awkward. Most of the group wouldn't talk to or even meet Cylo's eyes. A handful had even suggested that he and Kirien walk (including Morgan; this had started and argument, but in the end they decided to cram everyone into Rae's oversized car). Even considering the spacious interior, people were still nearly on top of one another. And since many were wounded and/or exhausted, that only made the situation worse.

In the end, the car finally pulled in front of a suburban house. A little boy had been playing in the front yard, and he stopped as the car pulled up, his eyes following it. As soon as Morgan stepped out though, he yelled in excitement, running into her arms.

The girl managed to just stay upright as her nephew plowed into her. Cassidy Cavan clearly cared little whether anyone else was watching. His favorite aunt had arrived, so it was snuggle time.

"Where's your mom and dad?" asked Morgan, ruffling the kid's hair.

"Mom's inside, dealing with the burnt guy. Dad's at work," offered Cassidy. He peered around at the rest of the group, his eyes widening.

Morgan turned, smirking at the group. "Well, Holly's the smart one, so that's good. Dessy's awesome, but if my brother's around, he's gonna be in a bad mood. Oh, and this little guy," Morgan patted Cassidy, "is Cassidy Cavan."

Morgan looked back at the house, wondering just how Holly and Desmond were going to take having a houseful of strange guests...

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke, for his part, crawled out of the car. He wore a blanket over his head like some form of an odd combination of a hood and a shawl, hiding his ears. His coat still hid his tail, but he wasn't sure how informed these people were. He looked around, several hours...he'd been free from that nightmare which felt like it was years ago...but...he wanted to be home.

This place was nice, but it wasn't home. It was just a place to hide.

He looked to Kiri, whom he had been sitting next to for the entire ride, his expression blank and vacant.

"I...guess we should go in?" He said, peering from under the blanket. In truth he didn't really want to be near to anyone here, not Garion or Morgan, not tutor de Arcadia or Rae or Eve...maybe not even Kiri. He just wanted to collapses and pass out for a few years, and when he woke up it would all be some horrible memory long since forgotten.

At the end of their long journey, at the safe haven, he felt himself starting to break down.

Was it her fault? She broke him out of his tower, the tower that kept him away from the world, that meant he wasn't protected from this...perhaps...that was the wrong choice.

[aaron]

Star had been left behind as his sanity started to return to him.

No one even noticed the new wolf as he slipped away into the shadows. He had been so eager for an exit that he was the first one to find his way out. As soon as the sunlight hit him, he began to make a quick recovery.

Star rested while he watched everyone pile into the car, including Kiri. He would step up, but he detested cars. A lot. One had almost run him over, after all. Instead, he stayed behind to re cooperate, then took the glamor of a kite and flew after the car. He had no where else to go, and he figured the Academy wouldn't be too enthusiastic about him returning.

Star pushed away any thoughts of the Academy, and with it his unspoken love for Skye. That was too painful at the moment.

The wind was bitter, and flying in the opposite direction the kite was, which might have looked a little strange... but as long as there weren't any... wind Faes around (how likely could that be?) no one would care.

He just stopped awkwardly at the house, deciding whether to go in or not.

[Karmine de Arcadia]

Karmine also found that flying would be far more effectual then riding in the already cramped car. And so a certain wind fae DID fly through the air next to a backwards flying kite. Of course he was small, and the kite was obviously going where he was, so he tailed it, no pun intended.

Perhaps a spy from the Academy? He followed the kite to the house, observing the kids getting out of the cars, and he watched it's movements. If it moved to run off, he'd be on it like a flash. They'd keep this meeting place somewhat secret for now.

But for now, he watched and waited, see what this unknown fae did.

[Garion DeLuse]

Garion was in much the same mood as Locke.

During the entire car ride, silent tears just rolled down his cheeks as his unforgiving mind ran through his entire experience over and over. He hadn't even wanted to get in the car when he was told to.

And now he was even frightening himself, as he had to violently reject a thought on suicide.

Garion really wanted some form of comfort, a hug or hand on a shoulder, but knew he would reject one. He didn't even glance at the child. He just stood there, like a robot, waiting for any command.

He stared out at a kite in the distance. He had never actually flown a kite...

[Raelena St. John]

Rae had spent most of the car ride asleep in either Eve's or Eryk's lap, depending on who most felt like cuddling at the times (Eve was preferred, but Rae would settle for her pack buddy if it came to that). When they finally stopped, whomever Rae happened to be using as a pillow would most likely nudge the rockstar awake, and a sleepy looking lycan would exit the car, stretching and yawning.

"Looks like suburbia," muttered Rae, looking about. Eventually she focused on the kid, who most be one of Morgan's relatives, judging by the proximity. Rae then looked up at the house, nodding. "Looks like a place tae hide fir a wee bit."

She stretched again, yawning and looking around. The others all looked as though they'd been run roughshod, barely escaping hell with their bodies intact. Rae supposed that made sense for most of them, but she certainly didn't feel that way. After her little nap, Rae was more or less returned to her normal self.

"Righ', so, inside, eh?" Rae chuckled, shoving her hands into her pockets. "I disnae ken aboot th' rest o' ye, but I could use a wee bit o' a cleanin' m'self. Ooo," she looked about till she found Eve, and grinned broadly, "mebbe we should bath together. Save a wee bit o' time an' all tha'."

Rae took a few strolling steps toward the house, pausing near Garion. She placed her hand on the kid's back and gave him a gentle shove. "Tain't doin' us a bit o' good standin' 'ere wit' our mouths open. C'mon, Ken an' Barbie's probably already done th' hard bit."

[Kiri Honeywater]

As everyone poured out of the cramped vehicle Kiri excited as well, but unlike all the other children, all the other students, well basically everyone. She, was smiling. Through the ride she saw Rae sleep on her pack mate as her girl friend drove. She watched most of the students sit dumbfounded and silent, and she watched the poor young one cry. So out she went into the sunlight with a smile.

"This place is very lovely! Oh, what a cute cousin you have!" Kiri wanted to lay down somewhere, hold Locke's hand and fall asleep. Her face did not betray her solem inner thoughts, such as the thought that they'd never found Star. At that thought she had to bow her head feeling extreme guilt wash over her. She'd left him there all by himself. Why hadn't she fought ot save him!

"Yes, let's go in." She nodded giddy as she moved over to Locke's side. Her eyes traveled to the other students, and noticed one was looking upwards. Following that gaze she frowned tilting her head in confusion. Then she shrugged and moved toward Morgan. "It is alright if we go in...right?"

No way would she barge into someone's home uninvited. Jumping she looked down to find the grey wolf at her side. "Hey, can you ask someone to find me some clothes?" Kiri laughed and waved her hand at the leaving Rae.

"The wolf says he needs clothes!" The grey wolf beside her yipped tail wagging. At least she wasn't the only one putting on a happy front. The dark haired lady however looked rather peeved about something.

[morg]

"Everyone just head on in," instructed Morgan. She led the way, with Cassidy in hand. "I'm hoping Rae's right though.... oh!"

She snapped the fingers of her free hand and looked over her shoulder. "Someone needs to make sure to catch me up on what's going on. Seriously, I get that you all can't go back to the Academy for some reason, but I want details."

Morgan turned back to the house, forcing another smile. Cassidy's hand was still in hers, after all. As soon as she could though, she was locking herself in her guest room, turning on some Raelena music, and crying herself dry. Her mind still replayed what that stupid demon did, and of course she'd have to remember every bloody detail.

Morgan shook her head, giving Cassidy's hand another squeeze. she stepped up to the door....


which opened, revealing a stunning, smiling blonde. Holly's hair had been pulled back into a sensible braid, and she'd dressed in a plain t-shirt and ragged jeans, but she still looked like a former Miss Illinois.

"Hello Morgan," she said. Her eyes swept the crowd. "And that's Raelena St. John... which one of you is Mr. de Arcadia...?"

Holly acted as if the wolves and faeries in her front lawn were entirely normal. For that matter, the famous rockstar didn't phase her that much. "There's more of you then Kennedy mentioned. We'll have to get out sleeping bags..."

she frowned, doing a head count. "And is anyone hurt...?"

Eventually she found Garion, and she moved forward, immediately hugging the boy. Holly didn't say anything; she just held Garion and refused to let go. "Get inside, we'll talk in there. And tell the wolves to watch the carpet. The faeries are going to have to deal with the cats and my two girls. I imagine the girls will be worse."

She squeezed Garion again, then looked over her shoulder at Morgan. "I'm so glad to see you're alright..."

[Garion DeLuse]

Garion yelped when warm, comforting hands surrounded his small body and just held. He struggled to get free, and looked up to chastise Morgan (or whoever had their arms around him), but quickly realized he would never be able to get free, and that the person hugging him was a total stranger.

It was like glass shattering.

Garion's tears were no longer silent as he sobbed into the woman. He clung to her tightly, as if she were his life line.

After a good five minutes, he tried to break away, claiming "I'm...*hic*...I'm s-sorry... I'm being *hic* silly. I want..." What did he want? To go home? Yes, home would be a good option... but how could he? Would he be able to live a normal life, to go back to schools that didn't want to have to deal with him? He parents were well meaning, to be sure, but he could see the stress he put on them.

He wanted something no one could give him. he wanted a break from reality.

[Karmine de Arcadia]

Karmine heard his name get dropped, and realized he couldn't remain in hiding like that, it would be very poor manners. So with a sudden growth he dropped down into the group, sweeping his hat off with a low bow. His clothes had been glamored so they did not appear to be covered in blood, he at least wanted to give a good first impression. As he bowed he spoke.

"I would be he, a pleasure to meet you. And may I thank you for your assistance and hospitality towards these little ones." He thought about flirting with her, but she WAS married, and he needed her assistance right now, so he would be a good boy.

Besides, there were children around. When she made the remarks about faries and wolves, Karmine smiled knowingly, so they knew about the real world eh? With a quick swipe of his hand, he snatched the blanket from Locke's head.

"No need for that Locke, among friends here." He said with a smile, looking around. Jeez, this was just great. I mean, it wasn't so bad, but now time to recover.

"I think what these kids need." He said looking around. "Is to get cleaned off and some rest. We can take care of the logistics of it all later. Don't you agree ma'am?" He said looking towards the lady of the house. "And I wouldn't worry about cats or girls, I've had to take care of children before." He added with a smile.

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke wasn't surprised by Garion's reaction, and the hospitality of this women was refreshing. He half leaned on Kiri, and frowned to himself. Her damn fake smile, it just tore him apart. When Karmine yanked the blanket from his head, he made a reach for it in a panic, and then his hands quickly went to his ears. Around the gifted world was one thing, but around normal people? That was...friends?

"Friends?" He repeated confused. How did Karmine possibly know? At the remark of letting people get cleaned off and some sleep, he felt like objecting, but his body said no, feeling like it was about to collapse.

Instead he merely sat there like a ghost, leaning on Kiri. His mouth worked without his mind.

"Yes, that seems like the logical thing to do." He said in a near monotone voice.

[Eve Stone]

Eve's eyes were transfixed on the house, a house that screamed normal. This was like any house of any sitcom out there. Even the pretty barbie that came out of the house shouted to the world how utterly normal the house was. So normal it made her arms itch, and her feet not want to move. Sure she'd seen houses before, but this was surreal.

Not wanting to be left behind with the tramatized children she jogged up to Rae. At least the lycan was acting normal, almost as if nothing had happened. Once she got close enough she brushed her hand against Rae's. Sure she wasn't happy about the shower together comment, but she was too unsettled by the sitcom family to let it get to her for too long.

"Um, I can wait. To shower. I'm not that dirty." Not say as dirty as some of the kids covered in blood. When she fought she didn't even kill every time. If they were knocked out they couldn't hurt them, and unlike Miss Axe and Crazy Bald Guy she did't thrill in killing. Fighting, yes, but not killing.

[morg]

"You want a bath and some cookies," suggested/ordered Holly. She nodded, giving Garion another squeeze. Then, she looked up at Karmine. "Kennedy was right; you are far too handsome for your own good. Not quite as flirty..."

She studied the faces again, nodding. Her eyes did brush over Rae and Eve, but if it bothered her, she didn't show it. She paused again at Locke's ears, her eyes and smile widening. Again, she didn't say anything.

"You are an odd bunch, aren't you?" she wondered aloud. Then, she turned, walking in, still taking Garion with her. "Right, there's two bathrooms; one upstairs through Des's and my bedroom, the other downstairs. We'll start with this one," she squeezed Garion, "and we'll hit the more bloody ones first. Miss St. John."

She looked over her shoulder at the rockstar, "If you want to shower with your girlfriend, that's fine. But remember that my children are around. Keep it relatively quiet, and don't let on to them. If I hear my children asking anything beyond 'why are the two pretty girls kissing' I'm going to toss both of you out."

She turned again, and began walking Garion toward a bathroom. "Kennedy went out shopping with that pretty blonde. The little boy was around here somewhere; I think he was playing Cassidy's Playstation."

Morgan nodded, tiredly following her sister-in-law into the house. It had been such a long day... and she just wanted to...

She yawned, raising her first to her mouth.

[Raelena St. John]

If you asked Rae to choose to either blend into suburbia or invade a secret laboratory... she would probably choose the second. For that matter, she probably wouldn't have to think all that hard about the choice either. In the laboratory, she wouldn't have to play nicey nice. Too much time among the Academy persons and more liberal friends had nearly numbed the lesbian to the idea that people might not be entirely comfortable to her lifestyle...

though it sounded less like the girlfriends thing was an issue, and more like the crazy sex drive was.

"Righ', I'll try an' behave..." offered Rae. Holly almost intimidated her; Scythe hadn't even managed that. "Ye have tae admit though, twould make more sense fir me an' th' lass tae share a bed... tain't goin' tae be a lot o' room."

Her eyes went to Eve as her hand slid in. No reason not to be affectionate, especially after what they'd gone through. The rockstar also leaned over. "I need tae shower. M' body hurts an' I've got blood stains e'erywhere. Th' kiddies can go first, aye..." she then swallowed, "but couldnae we please shower together? Ye ken we cannae do much..."

She glanced over at the matriarch of the house. Holly certainly fit Rae's picture of a Cavan. "'sides, we need tae talk, aye?"

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke glanced left and right around the huge house. Getting Garion cleaned up first seemed right, but who next?

Locke looked around, the student he didn't recognize at all seemed to be out of it still, and aside from Morgan, Kiri and himself the rest of them entered willingly. So...who should go next.

"I'll go after the girls." Locke volunteered, gesturing to Morgan and Kiri. It was the gentlemanly thing to do after all. "Yeah, we should keep it ordered...let the girls go first...after Garion."

His mind was already spaced out, and he found himself unwilling to let go of Kiri's hand.

Yeah that would be all kinds of awkward.