Temporary Reprieve {Specimens Crew, Plot}

[matt]

Matt curled himself into a ball for the ride, knees pulled tightly to his chest, chin resting on top of them, eyes wide. He stayed eerily quiet, not responding even if he was questioned, just staring ahead at the front of the car. Long ago he had given up trying to sort out what was happening; he had thought he died, but why did they need cars in heaven or hell? Couldn't everyone just...fly around, or something like that?

He put one hand on his head and gave an unpleasant groan. His brain felt like it was melting. He couldn't stop thinking, but at the same time, he wasn't really thinking anything. He contemplated closing his eyes and taking a nap, but when he tried to do just that, he couldn't. What if something happened to him when he closed his eyes?

About halfway through the trip there, he had shifted from dazed and confused to ultra-alert and panicky. Whenever someone spoke after a period of silence, he jumped, eyes darting from side-to-side, half expecting the voice to belong to an enemy. When the car stopped, he tensed and scrambled away from the doors, pressing himself so insistently against the wall that it looked as if he was trying to blend into it. He was the last to leave, and he probably wouldn't have if there wasn't a nagging voice in his brain telling him that he was screwed no matter what, so he might as well get out.

He stayed several feet behind the group, shaking with every step, studying everything, whirling around to make sure he wasn't being followed every so often. He backed away from Holly when she hugged Garion; being kidnapped and threatened and witnessing murder did nothing to alleviate his suspicion of strangers.

[Kiri Honeywater]

He'd dropped her hand, he looked so unhappy. It tore her up inside to see him like this and all se wanted was to be able to make him happy. To take that look out of his eyes, and to give him back that peace. But she wasn't quite sure if she had that ability.

"I'm fine. I can wait for a shower." Staying close to him she lowered her head the smile now gone. "You need a relaxing, warm shower more than I do."

Her hand moved to touch his but she was so afraid. Afraid that he'd jerk his hand away, afraid she'd never see him smile again. What had they done to him? Course she would never ask. He didn't need to be reminded of that horrible place. What he needed and deserved was happiness. He'd said something about going home earlier. Maybe she could send out birds until they found that hawk. Then...he could go home.

Sure she'd lose him, but if it meant he'd be happy she'd do anything. Anything for him. Even if it meant she got her heart broken.

[Karmine de Arcadia]

Karmine pulled up from his bow. "Well I would flirt with one so lovely." He said with a smirk. "But would be quite a disservice to flirt with a mans wife while he is away, and in his house. So I find it best to behave myself for now."

He looked around for a bit, then turned towards Kiri.

"Ok then. I'm going to go do some things. Gotta go check up on my sis, and a few other loose ends. You stay here for a little bit ok? I'll be back in a day or two at most." He gave his god daughter a hug. "You are a brave little girl. A great addition to my family." He spared a glance to Rae after that.

"Keep an eye on em for me Rae, I know you ain't a baby sitter but sometimes it's nice to have a super powered bodyguard." He said with a grin. Rae would probably watch out for the younguns on her own.

Karmine spared a look to Locke, who turned his head when he felt Karmine's gaze upon him.

"And you..." Karmine said. "Just keep doing what your doing." He added with a grin.

And with that he stepped back out the door. "Take care, I'll see you all soon!" He called.

He knew some of them didn't want him to leave, but he couldn't stay and leave so many loose ends.

Riana, Kirien, that punk kid. All of which had red hair, wonder if that was a sign?

But he also had a few people to send messages to, and he could find out easily enough where they were.

Having friends in high places helped.

Phone books helped too.

[morg]

Again Holly took over:

"Right, Garion's first, and Morgan," her eyes broke no argument, despite the obvious one building in Morgan's eyes. "The exhausted looking guy," she nodded to Matt, "is next. Then the kitty-boy. Girls, if you want to share, that's fine, just be quiet about it."

It did make sense, since they had a limited amount of shower-space. Besides, Holly was willing enough to simply treat Rae and Eve as the couple they were, as long as it was the simplest way to go. They'd have to deal with Desmond when he got home though.

Holly started walking Garion through the house, eventually getting him to the lower bathroom. She yelled over her shoulder for Morgan to "get her pretty little butt into a shower."

Morgan crossed her arms, sighing. Holly would be horrible until she showered, and she guessed she was near the top of the list, what with having girl parts and being one of the kidnapped. "Right..."

She headed for the stairs, noting how odd it felt to be somewhere so familiar after everything that had happened. Then she paused, turning to glare. "No peeking."

Morgan shot Rae one last meaningful look, then hurried up the stairs.

[Garion DeLuse]

Garion shivered all the way to the exquisite bathroom, thankful for Holly's kindness. He had no more room left for suspicion at the moment. His mind was still blank, as was his expression, his head staring straight ahead to barely even take in the neat yet homey house.

They finally entered the bathroom, and Garion eyed Holly. "Th... Th-thanks. I... I'm G-Garion." Hey stood there awkwardly, waiting for her to leave so he could wash away the grime that had dried and now cracked as he walked. He subconsciously licked his lips and had to force down bile when he tasted blood.

"I... I don't have any other c-clothes." Great, he sounded just like the fool Niplik.

[aaron]

Most of the captured went inside, but Star was reluctant to go anywhere. He kind of just... hovered, waiting for some window of opportunity. He saw Kiri, but didn't know how he felt about her. She had abandoned him, left him to go crazy, then didn't even bother to look for him. Well, maybe it wasn't her fault... she did go to save her boyfriend.

But she went so far for her boyfriend, and didn't even think about going back for him. Star was so angry. The only friends he had made at the academy, and one forgets about him, and the other he will never see again. Not that it would make a difference. She had no idea how Star felt for her...

Star's kite shimmered away and he just showed his large form, with a black hoodie and black jeans out of habit. He slinked away to a nearby tree, wondering if any bore fruit.

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke looked about the room and saw a small sofa. It was the nice kind, the kind you use for company. Were Locke's mind all the way there, he would have thought it wrong to sit on it, but he was so far gone.

He plopped down on the sofa and felt himself melting into it. It was more comfortable then anything he had ever imagined. But this house was drafty. He never would have imagined it could have been so cold in Illinois, as a chill ripped through him. It didn't matter how many people would tell him that the temperature was a pleasant 72 degrees, it was still cold. And he huddled his knees to his chest as another shiver ran through his spine.

[Eve Stone]

Her eyes flicked down to the clasped hands but said nothing. She had been the one wanting contact. But the Barbie's constant remarks about their relationship was starting to get to her. "It's ok, just don't let the kiddies hear." Like she'd be doing anything like that in a stranger's home.

"I know we need to talk, but I'm not comfortable with showering together." Eve cast a glance at Holly before continuing. "We're in a stranger's home. It's just...rude to do that stuff. Besides they really don't need to know our personal life."

These kids, these poor kids, her eyes went to the few she could see at the moment. The only one who seemed semi normal was the overly perky one. How is she being perky? Her boy friend, or really close friend looked a wreck.

Leaning in close to Rae she whispered eyes toward the ground. "When can we get out of surburbia land?"

[Raelena St. John]

Of course Eve would have to be all awkward and difficult. They'd practically been given free reign, but noooo. We have to behave.

Rae sighed, squeezing her girlfriend's hand tight and leaning in. "Fine, nae showerin'. But ye an' I are bunkin' together. Ye m'f**kin' lass, ye can act like it."

Rae then slid her hand out of Eve's storming off. "Where th' f**k did ye put tha' burned lad? I'll fix him up."

In her current mood, that probably wasn't a brilliant idea...

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Holly smiled at Garion, giving him another hug. "Don't worry. I've got a boy myself, about your age. If you don't mind wearing Yu-Gi-Oh stuff, you'll be just fine."

She pointed out towels and washclothes for Garion's use, and gave him a quick tour of the washroom. There's the tub. There's a toilet, if you need it. Wash your hands afterwards. And if you need anything, just holler.

Then she gave him another hug, and headed for the door, pausing to look back. "Don't worry, I'll fix some cookies up for everyone, and it'll be better. I promise."

She smiled one last time, then stepped out, pausing in case he needed her. If not, she'd close the door behind her, leaving Garion to cleanse himself.

[Kiri Honeywater]

Locke was completely out of it. The two older girls were bickering about their relationship. Other students looked just as out of it as Locke, and she was left standing, alone. Her smile disappeared and she turned not feeling like she belonged with the rest of the students. Why wasn't she in shock? Why did she seem so...ok?

Unknown to the fae tears streamed down her face as she went back outside. Her godfather had left her. Just like she had left Star. Once outside she took a few steps onto the soft grass and fell to her knees sobbing. In an instant animals came to her one bird was insistant in talking to her. So she gently moved aside the other creatures letting the robin hop onto her hand. A rat told a rat, who told a mouse, who told a crow, who told the jay, who then told a sparrow, who in turn told the robin. No boy who fit Star's discription was in that horrid place. He was gone. Lost.

Kiri threw her hands up sending the animals scattering about her. Her arms wrapped around her waist and she cried, screamed at the world, at how very sorry she was. "I failed you. Star, I'm so sorry!" Her hands went up to clutch her pointed ears those voices suddenly back in her mind. That pain. So much pain.

A grey wolf sat by her side through it all, and when her screams grew quiet he inched forward and lay his canine head in her lap. She hugged him to her and sobbed into that coarse fur that comforted her. Animals. Only they could bring peace. They didn't care if you let them down. They still loved you. No matter what, animals will always love you.

[Locke F. Herald]

Locke was drifting in and out of dreams when something pierced through it. Softly at first, was that sobbing? It pressed at his consciousness, but he remained unable to pull himself from the tomb it felt like he was sealed in.

Then a scream ripped through his sense and his eyes flew open, his feet hitting the ground before he consciously understood that he was indeed standing up. He heard the scream from outside, and it was her, he was never more sure of anything else. He ran for the door, his body shouting at him to not exert himself, but he didn't care. His coat fell off as he ran, since it had been slipping off while he was drifting in and out on the sofa. His tail trailing behind him he worked his way to the main door, now open, and didn't even look when he jumped the few steps to the ground.

His body would have none of that though, and as his feet touched the ground they gave out on him and he collapsed into a heap. He probably had a scraped knee or two to add to his many cuts and bruises now, but still he pulled himself off of the grass. Now he was on his hands and knees, all he could manage as he crawled towards her.

He watched her cry, he couldn't get to her any quicker. And sob into a wolves mane.

All this she'd gone through for him, he hated it. It had been a long time since Locke had wished he'd never been born, thought people might have been better off. He'd stopped thinking that years ago.

Now the thought returned as he watched her sob into that wolves mane. He couldn't speak, he could barely move, the feeling still not returning to his legs. What could he even do for her? And who was this Star?

[Garion DeLuse]

Garion watched as the door shut. He was silent as he swiftly stripped off his bloodsoaked and grimy clothing. His jeans were as stiff as cardboard, cracking as Garion carefully stepped out of them. Flakes of dried blood and general dirt came up in clouds as Garion stepped over his clothes to examine himself in the mirror. His hair was not blond anymore, but some unidentifiable colour. His body was not in any better condition than his clothes. Garion sighed, and turned around to turn on the water in the luxurious shower.

He didn't expect blood to come out. The blood splashed in to the tub to drain away, the red liquid warm to the touch. And then it turned clear again, the same colour as the water familiar to him.

Garion turned around, and promptly vomited into the toilet.

He shook his head. This wasn't happening... this wasn't. he would not go crazy, or lose his mind.

But he would.

Garion let go of the towel rack he used to balance himself, minuscule dents appearing. Garion thought briefly about the bold design, then stepped into a shower. He stood for about five minutes, naked and in the shower until he finally turned the tap, and bathed in warm, clear, water.

About forty five minutes would pass before he stepped out of the shower, most of the grime off him but now staining the shower floor. A fresh set of clothes had appeared when he was in the shower, and he decked himself out in some Yu-Gi-Oh Pajamas. He stepped out of the bathroom to go and find someone who knew what to do next.

[aaron]

Star heard, felt Kiri cry. But he couldn't show himself. He couldn't go back to the one that had betrayed him, that left him to go insane in the dark recesses of the Corporation building. Each cry was like a physical blow, a sledgehammer on his resolve, but he continued to look away.

The cries echoed, however, echoed and echoed and echoed. Star closed his eyes, and turned around on his branch, hoping to blot it out with his hands, which now curled up around his ears. He slowly opened his eyes to realize his mistake.

Through the branches he saw Kiri.

She would most likely not be able to see him, but he could see her. Every inch of her face, twisted by grief and guilt. Star didn't want to keep looking, but he couldn't look away. He hated himself. He hated himself.

And then his name. Star. He didn't know if he deserved that title, after staying here, listening to Kiri cry. He loathed that she said his name, that it poisoned her tongue with his selfishness.

What had made her happy? What could he do to make that pain go away?

And then boy wonder entered the picture, Kiri's little boyfriend. He was a cat. She had left him for a freak, a monster. Superficial beauty didn't really matter that much to him, but it was obvious that she only liked this freak for his animal side... Star would bet that he was ruthless, and mean, and cruel, and everything that Sky- Kiri wasn't.

So Star sat there and continued to watch, and drown in his own self- pity.

[Eve Stone]

Great now she was mad at her just because she felt like being discreet in a stranger's house. Letting her go she just turned and stormed off in another direction. How big was this house anyway?

As of right now she'd rather get clean by using a garden hose than clean up with Rae. It hadn't taken much but her blood pressure already started to climb and she felt her temperature rise with it. Not wanting to disturb anyone by having freaky red eyes, or claws she searched for an empty room to hide in.

"Stupid rock star. Just because I have freackin' manners, and don't want to rock the walls with sex around a bunch of strangers, and kids." Growling out these words she stretched, and flexed her hands in an attempt to losen her-self up. "Why do I even try anymore..."

Not knowing where she was, and not even looking into rooms anymore she just slipped down that wall. Knees bent she thumped her head against the wall eyes closed. Stupid, stupid, stupid. The thumps weren't that forceful or that loud but with each thought of that words she hit her head against the wall.

"Stupid, stupid, stuid." Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

[morg]

Hot water poured onto Morgan, but it did little to wash away the memories.

the girl had made a beeline for a shower, figuring that she might as well take advantage of hot water while it was available. Sometime soon everyone else was going to snap out of it, and Morgan would be left cold and wet. so, now she let the warm spray hit her, dislodging grime and blood.

It had been too long.

Her mind wandered as she mechanically washed. She'd been doing that a lot: acting mechanically. Her body could handle it, but her mind.

Her mind kept going back through that moment, seeing blood. Thinking about being imprisoned. She was going to have trouble sleeping. But it was all over...

Morgan leaned forward, letting the water poor down her back, closed her eyes, and sobbed.

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Holly was busy trying to tend to all her guests. the boy and Morgan had showered, yes. So Holly really couldn't do anything there. She'd lost track of Karmine and hadn't seen Kennedy nor Angela in some time. Which left the cute little catboy and his girlfriend.

She wandered outside, seeing them all huddled and crying. Immediately her heart went out, and she nearly wept herself.

walking over to Locke, she slid an arm onto his shoulder.

"I don't think you ever said your name..."