| Ill Winds | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Mar 16 2008, 07:18 PM (292 Views) | |
| Kat McPherson | Mar 16 2008, 07:18 PM Post #1 |
|
The noise on the bus was terrific as it bumped and rattled its way along the steep Scottish roads. Grey semi-urban landscape rushed past the window, although Kat barely noticed it; they were the same landscapes she saw every week when going to school or taking a trip into town. Plus she was far more interested in showing off her latest purchases to her companions- a gaggle of school friends . She knelt backwards on the poorly stuffed bus seat, so that her arms rested on the metal backing, her eyes were swimming with mirth as Leah recounted discovering their year seven maths teacher lurking in the lingerie section of a well known department store. Shrieks and giggles filled the bus, and plastic carrier bags and old sweet wrappers littered the seats around them. There was only one other occupant; a grey haired old lady dressed in a lumpy purple jumper, who shot them a dark look across the aisle as someone turned up their ipod. Abruptly the vehicle lurched to a stop, and after a moment the girls realised that it was their stop. Still chatting and giggling the swarm departed the bus, and made its way to the relative shelter of Greave’s concrete bus shelter. Here bags were organised, and conversations were finished. One by one, two by two, girls peeled off from the group and headed off in various directions home. Calls of “Bye!” and “See ya on Monday!” hung in the air as the chatter abated, giving way to the noise of traffic on the distant motorway. Kat was last to leave, having dropped the entire contents of her shoulder bag on the floor, scattering coins and clothes across the pavement and into the road. With a sigh she straightened up and shoved the last renegade object back in its rightful place. A strong breeze travelled along the hillside, causing trees to wave and whisper, ruffling Kat’s hair. The girl swayed on the spot, hand pressed to her temple, eyes scrunched closed as she experienced an unpleasant plunging sensation that sent her mind spinning and swirling as if it, too, had been blown by the wind. As the disorientation wore off, Kat gave an irritable sigh, lowered her hand and started her walk home as though nothing had happened. It was par for the course by now; the dizzy spells, the headaches…they were as normal for her as they would be abnormal for other people. But still she struggled to suppress a wave of disappointment that her cheerful mood had yet again been brushed away by her own weirdness. Of course, it didn’t help that she lived in the land of bad weather. Kat shot a frown at the greying clouds, as if it were their fault that she wasn’t normal. Seemingly in response another gust of wind flung itself across the dreary hillside. The girl shivered, folding her arms against the chill breeze blowing through the cloth of her light jacket. The buzz in her head was starting again…like the whine and hiss of radio static it tangled with her thoughts so that she couldn’t quite pick out what was making her feel so unnerved…but something, something wasn’t right… Kat’s steps slowed…then stopped. Slowly, almost grudgingly, she looked over her shoulder. The pathway looked deserted, devoid of all life save the swaying bushes and trees, and a forlorn grass verge by the road. “For God’s sake!” She growled, kicking herself for allowing her own mind to psych her out. Hitching her bag up her shoulder once more, she turned to resume her journey. |
 |
 
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 17 2008, 03:19 AM Post #2 |
Administrator
|
Livia and Luke stood behind the board that created the back for an old and rusty bench at the trolley stop. Her finger flicked the paper she was holding, creating a popping sound. Earlier that day Somerled had called her in, given her ca couple papers and told her she should go kidnap "that" kid. So after being directed to Luke, the two had made their way. Now she looked at the paper and frowned, "Spoiled, babied, and empathetic? Do you see anything, maybe -um- impossible in that." Livia stoked her wispy hair in frustration. "It's a seriously good thing he told me to bring you, Luke, this kid's going to have a serious meltdown when her situation is explained to her. I'm almost willing to leave her be, almost." She flipped the paper, and folded it, tucking it away into the pocket of her big, thick, blue dress. The ruble and squeaking of a bus was starting to make itself apparent in the distance. Sticking her head out a little bit, and idly playing with a sticker some little kid had stuck to the back of the board she watched it approach. "Uh, there's a whole herd of them," she whispered as the loud chattering companions of this "Kat" came of the bus doing what they did best. Livia giggled softly as Kat's entire bag contents made their way as far from her as they could possibly go. As Kat walked off, away from the stop. Livia made no motion to move and follow her. She leaned up on the board, "What sort of action for this girl, then?" In her head she was trying to figure scenarios, she'd have to find a way to keep the girl immobilized, maybe somehow shut her up till they managed to get into the woods and deep enough so no-one would hear her scream. She didn't much like how her idea sounded, but she gave that feeling little thought. She again turned her head in Kat's direction, who seemed to occasionally slow down to rub her temples, or wrap her measly jacket around her. Signaling toward Luke she began to follow her, using the trees and brushes on the hillside as cover. The wind blew her hair about, and she distressed when she found she had to keep pushing it out of her hair. She let out a soft little moan of despair, brushing it from her face again. The amounts of times the girl would waver about and look dizzy bemused her, Kat looked as if she'd had a good few drinks before arriving, although this may not have been the case, as a covering of leaves and branches blocked Livia's vision as she watched from the cover of a bush. She really hoped she didn't keep needing to give people parts of her clothes, that girl could chill to the bone, she wasn't going to tear a bit off her clothes. And then finally the girl stopped. 'She nudged Luke, who had settled himself by her, "Now go out and make sure to grab her so she won't move. Maybe the arm or something, We don't want her to think it's anything other that a kidnapping." She clapped her hands together as she usually did when she'd come to a conclusion. "If you can, try to get the bag off her, she'll get it back, but she's disoriented and it may serve as an anchor." |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Mar 20 2008, 12:23 AM Post #3 |
|
Luke grunted as Livia elbowed him in the side, but knew better than to issue a complaint. With a quick sideways glance at his companion the boy ducked out into the open, and walked with casual swiftness along the grass verge towards Kat. He was hardly an inconspicuous figure...almost six feet tall, and with an unkempt air about him, he was the sort of person crotchety old ladies avoided in the street because he ‘looks like a thug’. The old tracksuit bottoms and the ripped and outdated football shirt he was wearing only added to this affect, rippling slightly in the persistent breeze. And on this particular occasion the crotchety old women would be right, certainly they would have found it easy to predict something of what would happen next… but unfortunately none of them where here to warn Kat, who was walking along quite preoccupied and entirely oblivious to the teen following behind her. After an agonising few seconds Luke seemed to judge that he was close enough and broke into a jog. As he passed Kat his hand whipped out and, catching hold of her bag-tugging it off of her shoulder, and he slowing imperceptibly so as not to pass the girl completely. Kat, lost in a reverie, noticed nothing until the weight suddenly lifted from her back. Her head jerked around- just catching a blur of shirt and arm. A flicker of gormless incomprehension crossed the girl’s face, quickly followed by anger, and then panic. "Wha- HEY!" She jerked forwards, pulled by a hand that-apparently of its own accord- had attached itself to the bag strap. Kat fell forwards, landing hard on her front, with a muffled “Ooomph!” and grazing her cheek and forearms on the uneven tarmac. Then, before she could so much as cry out from the pain, Luke was above her, twisting her arm behind her back, and using it to drag her to her feet. Kat's mind did cartwheels, grasping at fragments of the last few moments trying to figure out what had gone wrong. “Aaaargh! Geoff me!” Her voice came out in a desperate high-pitched shriek as the panic drove all else from her foggy brain, “I-I’ll scream! I’ll w-will! I scream really loud!” It seemed very important to get that point across…but the anonymous hand holding her wrist didn’t seem to believe her…so Kat did the only thing she could think of to do- she twisted her neck and screamed as loud as she could into Luke’s nearest ear. His grip loosened for a millisecond, and by some miracle it was enough for her to wrench her arm away. In a blind panic she fled back down the path, bag still gripped in her white knuckled hand so that it bumped and dragged awkwardly along the pavement as she ran. |
|
|
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 20 2008, 02:09 AM Post #4 |
|
Administrator
|
Livia had been watching all this from her bush, ready to step out at the appropriate time, which had unfortunately presented itself but a few seconds before Luke let go of Kat and she ran off. She rose out of the bushes and barely made her way over to them as Kat let out an ear piercing scream. She clasped her hands on her ears grimacing, there went her plan. The only possible luck she had was that there weren't any bag toting old ladies or police to help the poor girl. Wishing for once that she didn't lack telepathic skills she attempted to keep a straight face. I look harmless right, If I look as if I responded to the scream, and Luke keep a cool head, plays along, or at least looks confused maybe we can still snag her. Luke had already let her go, wincing from the pain in his ears. Her bag was flung from side to side as she attempted and escape. Too bad, luck just wasn't on this Kat's side today. A couple quick flicks of an idea in her mind and Livia was back up on her feet. Breaking into a run she approached Kat with a worried face. "Oh goodness, Are you alright. He didn't hurt you right?" This girl had empathy, so she should attempt to feel sorry for her, right? Livia attempted her best at feeling sympathy for having the big Luke grab at Kat. She looked up at look, trying to give him a face that would show him a hint of what she was doing. You can't be that much a blockhead, righ' "What did you do that for, attack a poor innocent girl like that. You should be ashamed." She turned back to Kat, holding out her hand "Don't worry, come on, lets get you home. which way is it?" She tried to sooth her with her slow voice, perhaps sugaring it more, attempting to get the bitter taste she was so used to from her tongue. Of course it wasn't her to be all nice, so she had to continue reminding herself, It's for the manor, for this little parrot's safety, this is not the kind of kid that would heed any warnings that came her way. But she continued smiling, and kept a malicious glint in her eye when she glanced at Luke. Appearances were everything right? "Don't worry about him, he doesn't look tough," pretending she didn't know Luke, and trying to make Kat laugh, pulling her deeper into a feeling of safety. She was building the muscles in the arm she had outstretched. "I could take him, thugs like him have power only if they take you by surprise." |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Mar 20 2008, 11:04 PM Post #5 |
|
Kat ran. Her breath came out in short gasps, and the adrenaline pumping through her veins sent her brain reeling in an entirely more self-aware fashion than the wind had earlier. The girl's gaze was focused firmly in front, since she had no wish to see her pursuer, whose footsteps she could hear pounding close behind, but it still took her a moment to realise that there was someone else up ahead. Blessed relief washed over her and she stumbled to a stop...after all who would be stupid enough to attack someone in front of a witness? And all over one stupid bag? Noone right? "What did you do that for, attack a poor innocent girl like that. You should be ashamed." Luke, who had been only a few seconds behind Kat, skidded to a stop also, his forehead creasing in a frown as Livia berated him. He took a half a step backwards, his tongue reacting in outrage before his brain caught up, "I di-" He faltered. Obviously this was one of Livia’s plans, and although he had no idea where she was going with it, he definitely seemed to have been cast in the role of bad guy. That understood his only course of action was to play along. He squared his shoulders as he tried to master the difficult feat of looking menacing and still letting Livia take the lead. Fortunately he looked so caught off guard that it was quite believable that he was a surprised robber. "Don't worry, come on, lets get you home. which way is it?" Kat was still panting, but had caught her breath and her thoughts enough to be cautious of saying where her house was in front of a potential thief. She hesitated, glancing from Livia to Luke. Her empathy, still slightly muffled by the mind clearing powers of her fight or flight reflex, was as usual only giving cryptic messages. She felt fear, confusion, irritation, anxiety…all of which could easily have originated with her. Strangely there was no aggression. Perhaps the slightest whisper of sympathy from Livia, but if it existed at all it was tainted with something stronger… the nature of which eluded Kat’s powers of comprehension entirely. Well, no time to stand gawping. As usual Kat rationalised the situation. In front of her she saw a confident older girl who was willing to stand up to her assailant…and she certainly had no complaints about that. "Don't worry about him, he doesn't look tough," "I could take him, thugs like him have power only if they take you by surprise." Luke’s adrenaline was pumping also, and this goading was enough to cause his temper to flare…play acting or not, Livia was suggesting he could be beat by a girl! “Yeah? You wanna try it out? Huh?” He burst out with genuine bluster, but he made no move to instigate a fight, and even Kat, who had half-turned to defend herself, could tell that he wasn’t about to go through with it. On familiar territory at last, now that there was someone else to stand her ground with, Kat gave Luke a scathing look and said “Oh I’m not worried. It’s going to take more than some demented chav to freak me out.” With that she forced a weak chuckle and took Livia’s hand. |
|
|
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 21 2008, 02:40 AM Post #6 |
|
Administrator
|
Gotcha. Her plan had worked. Luke had done a lovely job playing his part. Even futilely trying to threaten her, poor boy probably meant it. He'd better remember what the Manor'd do to him. Kat had trusted her enough not to run the another direction entirely and Livia nearly beamed with pride. And now, She had Kat's hand in her own, which was a lot stronger than it looked, especially now. It was easy to hop quickly from her hand to her wrist to pick her up and then to tighten her grip. Her kindly mask dropped easily. "You're not getting away this time dear. There's definitely no way that scream of yours will catch us off guard again, Kat." She said in Kat's ear as she stood beside her, her wrist held tightly. Kat had obviously been really out of it because of the wind, Livia had been trying hard to cover up her real plan. Livia had never been good at covering up her thoughts. "Luke, lose the flustered angry face, Ya did a good job, now come here and grab her. I came here to pick her up, you were the one who was supposed to restrain her." Luke had bothered her a bit when he reacted badly to her insults, but she excused him for being male. Livia was used to enough people at the Manor knowing about her inability to care for people and express it in a nice way. If he hadn't yet, Luke would eventually learn. Grabbing Kat's bag with her other hand and using it to pin her other arm she stood behind her. "Try to leave and I'll put a spike through your arm." She hissed." You're not one of us yet, I can hurt you however I want." Having felt that she'd quelled the girl well enough into some form of submission or fear she turned back to Luke, "If it helps throw her over your shoulder, she won't be able to run that way. Hopefully you don't have back problems, she may kick or beat. But hopefully she'll let me talk to her soon enough, I've got to explain all the ins and outs to her." They'd bring her purse, and so she'd have the contents of that to start her off, and what she was wearing. "Spoiled Princess is gonna be a hand full." She prodded the back of Kat's feet to make her walk a little towards Luke. Livia chuckled, this girl would be a hand full indeed, hopefully she wouldn't be the one helping Luke deal with her. "How bout it Luke, are you going to take your charge out of my hands, I really hope I don't have to get bloody with her. I'd have to tear my dress to fix her then." Livia was being quite nasty because of the charade she'd had to put on and the scream that Kat had let out. Both had driven her to a rather angry state. She'd never like to perform for others, Kat was certainly no exception, she'D have to work hard to be forgiven. and the scream still echoed in her ears. |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Mar 22 2008, 02:12 AM Post #7 |
|
Kat's brow creased as Livia's hand took hold of her wrist. She opened her mouth to object, but instead gasped in shock as the enhanced muscles gripped her tightly in a vice-like hold and reeled her in like a hapless fish on a fishing line. Instincts overtook reasoning at this point, and once again she found herself desperately tugging to snatch her arm back from an unknown captor. "You're not getting away this time dear. There's definitely that scream of yours will catch us off guard again, Kat." The words took a moment to register, but when they did Kat's blood ran cold; this person knew her name. Like a lightning bolt realisation hit- of course, this was no robbery! It one of Greave's famous kidnappings... and this time she was the target. Kat's heart seemed to stop. Almost in slow motion her grey-green eyes lifted to meet Livia's, shock and comprehension written plainly across her face. "N-no! Get off me!" She began to struggle again, but her voice was quiet and weak- desperation echoing hollowly in each syllable. "Try to leave and I'll put a spike through your arm." She hissed." You're not one of us yet, I can hurt you however I want." As if she had needed any confirmation of her fears. Kat said nothing, instead biting down painfully on her bottom lip, her eyes fearful but stony. Reluctantly all feeble attempts to get away ceased... Luke lost the flustered, but not quite the angry, as he plodded over to do Livia's bidding. Obviously, the boy did not appreciate being emasculated in this way by his sharper and apparently stronger companion. But, as ordered, he hefted Kat up by her armpits and planted her firmly on one shoulder in a fireman's carry, shrugging and rolling his shoulders until she was in a slightly more comfortable position- for him at least. The girl flopped uncooperatively, letting her entire body go limp as if she were an exceptionally heavy rag doll. For a moment, just a moment, Luke envied Livia’s muscle enhancing abilities. The moment passed though, as soon as she let loose a jibe about his back. “I can manage. I’m not that old.” He muttered, rolling his eyes at the shapeshifter's eternal bad temper. "Spoiled Princess is gonna be a hand full." "Uhm." Came the boy's noncommittal reply... he didn't say it, but Kat wasn't the only one here he considered a 'handful'. His head jerked up as Livia continued, and he particularly noticed the words 'your charge'...apparently agreeing to come on this kidnapping had had a few strings attached he hadn't bargained for. But then that's what you get for bothering isn't it? Luke glanced from Livia to Kat’s dangling feet, which were kicking feebly at his chest. Normally he'd just refuse, but with someone like Livia that really wasn't an option. There was a moment of quiet as the group turned off the path, and into the woods...Luke's mind working overtime as an intriguing idea presented itself. If Kat was all wound up about being kidnapped she'd have to stay locked up in the manner, meaning Luke would have to too...and what damage can an empath do in a house that protected itself? "She won't be able to come on raids." he said finally, "And I don't reckon she'll stay put long enough for chores and stuff..." he looked meaningfully at Livia...if he was doing her a favour, he could at least be let off a few chores, right? Mostly ignored by this conversation, Kat bumped along- uncomfortably squished on Luke's shoulder. She may have been silent, and for the most part submissive, but inside she was seething. Her blood boiled at the humiliation of being tricked and lugged off like a sack of potatoes...and now they were even having a conversation about her! Quite literally behind her back! Whatever anger Livia felt it could surely not match the resentment swelling deep in Kat's chest. Oh no, she had no wish to be forgiven...and she certainly wouldn't forget. |
|
|
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 22 2008, 03:17 AM Post #8 |
|
Administrator
|
Having rid herself of the girl, now thrown over Luke's shoulders, Livia found herself a bit more sprightly. She released a sigh as if she'd lost a great load and smiled sincerely. She shook her arm to disperse the muscle back into the rest of her body, from where she borrowed. She gave a nod to Luke and continued down the road, heading for the brush that marked the start of the forest. "Don't worry much about it, we'd like you to keep a general watch on her, but we've fail safes to keep her in, and make her come back. Veran's going to be helping you out too. He's in charge of the escapers. Of course, You can always take a couple of chores off to keep her company. She'll need it." She spoke reassuredly, with the intention of bringing the situation under control once again. Better one person in her way than two. "Now Kat, I'm going to explain to you what will happen. Of course since you put up that much of a fight you're going to get an extended explanation." But her mouth had run far enough and she was out of breath, so she kept quiet. Her feet stung as she walked over the asphalt of the road that bit at her sole. And the breeze continued to blow her hair into her face, her hands bushing it out of the way, and holding it down for a few seconds before it eluded her grasp. She was hoping that even with the rude kidnapping that Kat wouldn't cause problems for the rest of them. "Well Lassie, we're going to be taking you to your new home. It's called Cathriss Gate, and it's where a number of us live. You'll be surprised to know that you're not the only one with surprising abilities." She paused, taking a break, and leaving Luke to interject a bit if he wanted to. having crossed the road she flexed her toes about before digging them into the soft soil on the forest floor. "Now There are a couple of rules you should know, or at least hear of. You can't hurt us or kill us or you get punished likewise, you can't take from your new 'family', running away isn't much of an option, and people who we haven't brought to Cathriss can't come onto the grounds. Simple no?" She looked at Kat, having lost the malice in her eyes and now having a general dislike sort of look. her voice was soft and lulling without being sweet. "Don't for one minute think I'm the one dealing out the punishments, I could never kill a person, Cathriss could. You've probably gathered that we're responsible for the kidnappings, but we're also in charge of the thefts. Once you accept you fate, whether happily or of reluctance you can help us out in gathering supplies and maybe even more children. But till then you'll be remaining on the grounds. Luke here will watch after you." |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Mar 25 2008, 01:24 AM Post #9 |
|
"Now Kat, I'm going to explain to you what will happen. Of course since you put up that much of a fight you're going to get an extended explanation." Dangling half upside-down with the blood rushing to her head, Kat didn’t feel much like any sort of explanation, much less the extended kind. But she didn’t feel much like getting beaten up by Livia either, so rather than answer she settled for scowling angrily at the ground. You're being kidnapped...you're being kidnapped...they're taking you away... These words rolled around her head like a mantra, but seemed to have no meaning as she struggled to come to terms with the situation. It seemed like she should do something...but what? She was powerless. "Well Lassie, we're going to be taking you to your new home. It's called Cathriss Gate, and it's where a number of us live. You'll be surprised to know that you're not the only one with surprising abilities." Kat traced the grey, uneven asphalt with her eyes as it rolled away beneath her… Luke’s shoulder was digging painfully into her stomach with every step he took, and her adrenaline soaked brain couldn’t concentrate properly on what Livia was saying. Something about where they were taking her she surmised. Cathriss Gate…Cathriss… had she heard that name before? It certainly didn’t connect with any place she knew of nearby… But she didn’t have time to wonder as it was then that the comment about abilities hit her. Like a truck. “How-what…?” It was hard to talk upside-down with this jerk’s shoulder impeding her breathing. A coldness clutched at the empath’s heart that had nothing to do with the dappled shade from the foliage above. These people knew. How could they know? Only Kat’s mother had any clue that there was more to Kat’s funny spells than migraines and eccentricity…just who were these people? “Now There are a couple of rules you should know, or at least hear of. You can't hurt us or kill us or you get punished likewise-“ “Kill!?” Kat spluttered, giving Livia as much of a derisive glare as she could whilst flopping uncomfortably against Luke’s back. “Who the heck am I gonna kill?” But Livia had already moved on... you can't take from your new 'family', running away isn't much of an option, and people who we haven't brought to Cathriss can't come onto the grounds. Simple no?" “No.” Came the muttered reply, half lost in the rustling of the leaves around them. Kat barely listened as Livia continued…Kat didn’t care about rules, she didn’t care about Cathriss, and she didn’t care about her new ‘family’ whatever that meant. Kat had a perfectly good family at home…or, well, a family at least. And right now, as far as she was concerned, it was Livia and her jerk of a henchman that were depriving her of their infinitely irritating company. For Kat that just wasn’t good enough. She glared at Livia, an arrogant sort of hatred overcoming the fear in her eyes. “You guys’re nuts,” she chortled, her voice thick with dark pity. “And I want to go home. Now!” |
|
|
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 27 2008, 02:26 AM Post #10 |
|
Administrator
|
"Too bad, you're going to the nut house." Livia hissed at her. Her cheeks were burning with rage. Kat was such a selfish person. She, Livia, may be self centered at times and full of herself. She couldn't help it, she loved the taste of power, or having people under her, it tasted sweet. But, ugh, did Kat drive her up the wall. Livia had a habit of overlooking a large number of her faults. She stepped up to Kat looked her in the eye and gave her a stinging slap on the face. "Have you any idea how much I want to take you to Cathriss. This kidnapping isn't willing on both sides... I would like to make sure that you never set foot on Cathriss. I'd send you home to live your life however you wanted just so I couldn't see your face again. Too bad that poses both you and me a threat. Because you may be able to hide, but some of use can't. If we let you go, and word gets out what's to stop people from harming you, killing you, testing on you, what do you expect? People will not revere you as a goddess. I should not have to keep telling you people this, don't you ever watch movies, the ones were the ends aren't alway happy?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You should know this." She spoke sadly and started to go up ahead. She resumed her usual habit of changing her feet as she walked through the forest. This was the second person who'd failed to realize that they would be less than human in the eyes of many people should their power get out. "Luke, we've two hours, at the least one and a half. If she starts straining your shoulder, you can put her down, just make sure she doesn't get away." She massaged her throat and temples. Her throat burned and felt raspy from roaring at Kat. Her last few sentences had come out quietly and raspy. Her temples throbbed and awarded her with a mild headache. Inside a little part of her was laughing. To be called crazy, that was a new landmark. That part in her that wanted to repel from her parents was stroked. Crazy to her covered imaginative, because what did crazy people d but come up with there own realities. Slowly but surely her old lifestyle disappeared. She felt revitalized a little bit. It was so strange to feel she could take an insult such as that as a reassuring comment. Coming out of her quiet state, her voice still raspy but making a recovery she touched upon the topics she'd skipped. "I don't know what he does when he watches people, but Somerled does a good job getting information on targets. We suppose it still seems terrible to you. You might understand later. As for killing, I've no idea. You might just be worthy of an asylum. It seems we all are. I do doubt you'd attempt it." |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Mar 28 2008, 01:02 AM Post #11 |
|
All the air left Kat's lungs in a gasp as Livia slapped her. Her head turned sideways so that sparkling, indignant eyes, could meet Livia's gaze through the straggling blond locks that hung partly over her face. Kat may have been in many arguments before, but noone, noone had ever slapped her out of spite. Her hand -previously dangling down Luke's back- slowly rose to touch the tingling red blotch appearing on her cheekbone. But it wasn't over. Next Livia's tirade came crashing over her. Spit, words, emotions…all hit her with what felt like force of a small tsunami. Once again Kat’s mind twirled and twisted, the input bringing on one of those migraines that she so loathed- complete with shooting pains, and dancing lights in front of her eyes. The girl winced and clenched her teeth. A ringing silence fell in their little patch of woodland as Livia finished and forged on in front. A silence broken only by the chirping birds, and a rogue breath of wind that skimmed the treetops, setting the leaves dancing and whispering gently overhead. It was as if the girl’s outburst had left a shock and tension in the air that only the forest dare challenge. After a while she called back to Luke, and mercifully he loosened his grip on Kat, letting her slide her gracelessly down to the forest floor. There she half-collapsed for a moment, kneading her forehead with her hands, before leaping to her feet, anger renewed. “Oh yeah? Well, life… life isn’t always the way it seems in the movies.” she managed at last, “You hear me?” she shouted after Livia’s departing back. She stood, panting and defiant, but nobody seemed to take much notice. Livia’s words had explained a lot…the earnestness of the emotions even more so…but Kat didn’t let them touch her. True, this girl really did seem to believe what she was saying, but she was also a kidnapper, a thief, and who knew what else? It wouldn’t help now to see Livia as someone who could be sad, or worried…Kat had no room for that- she was being kidnapped for crying out loud! And for what? Because she was different? Different to what!? How many different kinds of weird could there be in the world already? Who’d made Livia queen, that she could tell Kat what would happen in her life? It just wasn’t right. With that Luke gripped her arm firmly in his hand, and they followed Livia deeper into the forest’s undergrowth. After a while she started again…more justifying…a suggestion that Kat should be put in an asylum. Well, it wasn’t the first time someone had suggested that. The girl scowled, making a big show of not paying attention and looking anywhere but at Livia. Then her mind stopped, backtracked..."What do you mean watches?" |
|
|
|
| Livia Meiland | Mar 28 2008, 02:08 PM Post #12 |
|
Administrator
|
"Ah here we are," said Livia who'd stopped taking note of Kat's actions a little after she went up front. As the woods began to disperse into a clearing. The Manor shown through the leaves ahead of them and the broken stone walls that surrounded it came into view. She didn't make any sort of gesture or welcoming remark to Kat. She could see the manor, that was enough. The minute she stepped on the grounds she was stuck. Good luck to her. "Lassie, you're in a person's daydream now, get used to it." she said sarcastically. Kat should eventually come to the realization that her world had just been flipped inside out, and she should just get over it. I'm not dignifying you with any answer for your last question. You can just ask him when you meet him." She turned toward the entrance and jumped over a pile of stones that had long fallen from the wall. Opening the door she set one foot in, and turned toward Luke, "She's your now, I suppose you can show her around. Let her find herself a room or something." With one last glare at Kat she went in leaving the door open. She left attempting to give an air of anger, although the majority of what she felt was regret and weakness. She never liked the watched kids that really didn't want to be here. They posed such a threat to her home and family. Putting her hand on the old rail of the stairs, she started up them and disappeared int a room on the right, leaving Kat and Luke at the door. |
|
|
|
| Kat McPherson | Apr 2 2008, 09:18 PM Post #13 |
|
Kat looked up and set her eyes for the first time on Cathriss Gate. Silence enveloped the area, whispering leaves and the faint clatter of activity somewhere within the house, a quiet backdrop to her flurry of thoughts. She idly notcied the scent of trees and soil drifting apst as her mind wandered, suddenly without the distraction of panic or of an angry Livia to focus on. So…what. This was it? They’d just brought her here to dump her on the doorstep? There was a strange sense of anti-climax in that…although the girl had no idea what she had been expecting. Something horrific possibly -involving blood and screaming- yes, that seemed the sort of thing. But this…this was just eerie. Trees waved gracefully in the wind, their branches arching precariously close to the old mansion as if it’s stone walls were just another tree trunk, and its tiled roof just another great branch. A rare ray of sunshine shone down through the clouds, throwing dappled shadows across the small clearing in which they stood. And something...something hung in the air that made this place different to anywhere Kat had ever been before. An intangible electricity that hummed and crackled all around them. In Kat’s mind eye it looked like black flames, enveloping around the house and leaping out towards her- singing the ground on which she stood. Kat stood rooted to the spot. Staring up at Cathriss as though she would never tear her eyes away… her entire being wanted to just turn and sprint back into the woods. Instead she looked nervously over her shoulder- Luke was still standing a few paces back, watching with a bored expression on his face. “C’mon.” he said in a coarse voice, and once again Kat’s arm was gripped and, helplessly, she let herself be taken through the front door and into the heart of the strange darkness. |
|
|
|
| « Previous Topic · Greave Trolley Stop · Next Topic » |
8:54 PM Jul 5