Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Sept 8, 2016 23:04:27 GMT -5
Ventia
He didn't expect for her to come by. Shoot, he didn't even think she knew where he was taking up residence. It must've been Madam Jewel, he guessed, that told Evanna. His employer was the only one to know where he was.
Not that Maddox minded. He remembered the dark-eyed and -haired woman that took away his common sense and had a hold of his dreams. The one that asked his Beauty if she could have a ride on her. Who had stolen his breath at the ball.
But also, he remembered the Evana he met when his feet landed on this foreign soil. She looked ... haggard. There were no smiles coming from the little bird that had a passion for photography. Nor did any come from Miss Avery or Mister Tim. Of course, he didn't blame them. He wouldn't know what to do in his grief if he lost his sister Maddilyn. Even so, he hated to see Evanna so upset.
This mission he took on wasn't just because two of Madam Jewel's family was missing. The ferver with which he put into finding Penny and X was because they were Evanna's siblings.
Maddox will admit - to himself - that he did come to a dead end, and had been at a dead end for a while now. Walking Orville down the sidewalk, he had continuously beat himself up for it. Then, it was as if God was smiling down on him, the blasted fool who had jumped into waters way over his head. For there was Sanders walking down the sidewalk and going the opposite direction. Sanders's erratic behavior and lack of a poker face confirmed Maddox's suspicions. There was a reason Sanders suddenly quit his gardening duties shortly after Penny and X left. The lion-obsessed dolt couldn't have been more obvious.
And he had just finished his belittling of the old man when Orville barked loudly, warning the visitor away as soon as the door was knocked on. Which had made Maddox shush him irritably. Evanna couldl clearly hear, "Orville, you obnoxious hound. Listen, Maddy, I'll call you later," before he opened the door just a crack so that Orville didn't slip out into the outside world
"Oh," he said, clearly surprised. But then, his mouth twisted into a cheeky grin, hopefully hiding how his breathing suddenly became nonexistent. "Hello, Bonnie. How are you this evening?"
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Post by Ventia on Sept 11, 2016 22:27:12 GMT -5
Evanna never lost hope in finding her sister and X. She knew without a doubt that Penny was still out there, alive and well. She knew it. They shared a bond from sharing a womb-she was positive that she would know if Penny was hurt. But...she was getting worn out with no clues from her disappearance.
Evanna was tired. With the separation from her twin, her father's drastic change and her mothers sorrow...life hadn't been the same. She blamed herself the most. She had told herself that she'd stop the drugs since it had been the cause of Penny's kidnapping but in the end, drugs were the only thing that kept her living.
Kept her sane enough to make it through the days.
Her cousins helped a lot. Evanna found herself frequently visiting her favorite Uncle and Aunt. Playing with Harley as well as the newborns. It was...amusing to see Nathaniel as a stay at home dad with five kids surrounding him but it was only in those moments where a small calm would settle over her.
Maddox appearance alone had shaken her a little. A small reminder of the past and the fun that they had. But it was his lead that had Evanna peeking through the gloom that covered her. It was enough to make her actually feel again.
Which was how she ended up at his door. She hadn't even really realize that she had come here, she had been in a daze throughout the long walk so when the door opened a bit, Evanna blinked just a bit. And then a bit more at the 'Bonnie' nickname. It sounded familiar and more so, so did that cheeky grin that covered his face.
Just like before, she found herself coming out of her shell just a little and she took a step forward, feeling a pull towards his happy aura. "You brought Orville?" Her voice was soft and low, ignoring the question instead of answering it because she didn't feel like lying to him.
Instead? She moved closer until she pretended that she felt the heat coming off of his body. Warmth. It felt good. Evanna suddenly wanted to wrap herself around in that warmth until her bones finally stopped being frozen.
"Can I come in?"
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Sept 12, 2016 21:19:57 GMT -5
"Well, I couldn't sleep properly without at least one of my hounds hogging my bed." At the sound of Eva's hallow voice, his grin faded a bit, and he paused in his attempt to keep Orville from greeting Evanna - not that he didn't trust Evanna with his German shephard. It was more like trying to keep Orville inside.
He liked to be outside, Orville, but Maddox had to keep him inside simply because his landlord didn't allow pets. "I would've brought everyone if I could." But that would have been a mess. And these neighborhood streets weren't exactly horse-friendly. Or wild cat-friendly. Or bird of prey- friendly.
Immediately, Maddox nodded. "Yeah, sure!" Then he opened the door a bit more after Orville sat at a command Maddox issued. "Come in, bonny. I - uh - didn't expect any company, so it looks like a pretty cool bachelor pad for two." Meaning that he didn't clean for a bit. Although ... the only things wrong were the few dishes in the sink, Orville's leash hanging over the coffee table, and golden brown fur covering the furniture.
Maddox shut the door after Evanna came in, then shoved his hands into his khaki pockets. He was barefoot, so as he followed her a bit farther in his soles stuck to the wood floor. He didn't believe that Evanna cared all that much how he was dressed or the state his house was in. The look on her face was a dead giveaway.
But still, he apologized, because that was the polite thing to do. "Would you like some tea? Coffee? Juice?"
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Post by Ventia on Sept 17, 2016 5:15:58 GMT -5
"Would have been a mad house had you done so." There was a ghost of a smile to her lips yet it never showed. It was as though Evanna didn't let the smile take ahold of her face and let it lit up her eyes. No. No smiles. Evanna didn't want to think about being happy or enjoying life when her other half was somewhere out there. God knew what was happening to her. Evanna sure didn't.
Instead, there was a shift in her voice. Almost as though she found the thought of all his pets squished in this apartment comical. Which she realized that it was. But the realization only caused her to frown and all traces of the comical teasing tone that filled her voice came to a stop.
"It's quite alright. Doesn't even look that bad." She glanced around the room, taking in the furniture and the clean state of the den. Then she turned her face to Orville and without warning, dropped down to her knees. The light had played on his golden brown hair, making it shades lighter and closer to that of her sisters pelt.
She felt a rush of emotions bombarding her, felt her eyes burn with a vengeance for tears, felt her throat close and tighten, her shoulders pulsed with tense pain, and her stomach churned. For a second. Her mind tricked her into seeing Penny in her lion form instead of the dog in Maddox's bachelor apartment. And her body had reacted, betraying her and breaking the cool shell that she wore.
But then logic had taken control of her senses and she knew that there would be no way that Penelope would be here in this apartment. Had Maddox had Penny, he would have rushed to take her to the Constantine household. Not add her to his list of pets. He just wasn't that type of man.
She felt ridiculous then. The whole thing had lasted less than five seconds but it had been enough to reveal herself to him. Hopefully he hadn't noticed the full extent of her breaking. She tried playing it off by reaching out to scratch behind Orville's left ear, saying soft encouraging words to the dog.
After a few moments, she patted his head and then got back up to her feet. As if she just didn't have a breakdown on his floor. "Coffee sounds amazing."
She waited a beat and then continued. "I'm sure you know why I'm here. The details of your findings were glimpsed over to me. I wanted to ask you to tell me in full detail of your lead on my sisters disappearance." Then because she realized that it sounded more like a command than a favor, she added: "please."
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Sept 18, 2016 19:26:54 GMT -5
Maddox didn't expect for her to drop to her knees. One second he was just behind her, and the next she was gone. The sound of her dropping to the ground registered with his sense of hearing a few seconds later, and he crouched down beside her. It was obvious he was concerned about her, his eyes softening in empathy when he caught a glimpse of her tears before they were sucked back in.
Orville swelled his tail tentatively from side to side, then stood up after Maddox gave a word that released him from his command. His jaw opened, revealing a long pink tongue to lick Eva's mouth once before leaning heavily against her hand as it scratched him. Maddox watched his alpha go to mush with a quirk of his lips ruefully, before standing up as soon as she did. "I'll get right on it."
He made his way past her, around the bar that separates the living room from the kitchen. He went to the coffee maker sitting right by the sink, then poured out the hours-old tea, rinsed out the pot, then placed a filter and coffee grounds in it. By the time Evanna demanded – asked, he thought to himself with an amused glint in his eyes – black liquid was pouring into a small hole in the lid of the glass pot.
"It's more of a gut feeling," he started out, turning and leaning his hip against the sink. "But do you remember a tall, lanky man from back in Paris? One of the gardeners with his head always bowed, when any one of you passed him by? Everyone that works for the d'Guillory family knows about the Supernatural world. Sanders believes that you are the closest thing to gods.
"Before I left, a few weeks, Sanders quit. Seeing as how I never knew him personally, I didn't care. But earlier tonight, guess who I bumped into?" He waggled his eyebrows, giving her only a few moments to guess before nodding. "You guessed it!" he exclaimed regardless if she answered. "Of all the shifters that walked through those gates, he was particularly fascinated with lions. I don't have a clue about your sister, but her love was a lion. Unless I'm completely dreaming about a giant white lion padding behind Penny constantly.
"Anyway, bloody man claims he found his god after so long along with his consort. I," he said, placing his hand against his chest in a grand gesture, "personally don't believe in coincidences. But I'm not one-hundred-percent positive that he has the two love birds." He paused, raising his eyes thoughtfully to the ceiling. "Love lions." Then he lowered his gaze, tilting his head a bit. "So I had a plan. Well, a small part. I join this cult of his, to see if I can get close to his god."
**
Penny wasn't sure how long she and X had been in here. Her biological clock claimed roughly three months. Three long months of red cloaks, prayers to her mate asking for things that no one really could do, and poor animals being sacrificed for nothing.
Her hand found her mate's mane, squeezing for comfort his white hair gently as she padded with bare feet down the dimly lit hallway. Underneath the hoods of the cloaked people shadows danced erratically. Small hums escaped them, unknown words flowing one ear in and out the other. With each step her wig of black hair and golden cuffs clinked authoritatively.
Another day. Another sacrifice.
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Post by Ventia on Sept 30, 2016 23:56:28 GMT -5
Evanna made a face as Orville licked her mouth but found herself breathing in the dogs scent which made her remember Penny all to much and scratched under his near gently until she realized that Maddox was next to her. She pulled back and smiled sweetly at the dog, avoiding eye contact with Maddox before standing.
Evanna followed Maddox into his apartment, her fingers every so often brushing against Orville's fur. For a moment she also thought of X, always trailing alongside Penny and therefore her since Evanna pretty much liked to trail beside Penny as well, and sometimes her fingers would accidentally brush against his pelt as well. He would always glance at her with his bloodshot eyes but when Penny did it, his eyes seemed to glow with a brightness that frankly was eerie to her but sweet to her twin.
Evanna's heart ached at the memory for she had long ago realize that she missed X as well. He was like a big teddy bear that could walk and he followed them around since she could remember. Closest thing she had to a big brother, she supposed. She missed that. Missed him honestly. With his blood red eyes, bright white fur, and calming silence, the lion was someone she loved to tease and felt safe with him as well. A big forbidding silence that she had grown used to and missed.
"Thank you." Evanna told him softly and eased into one of the high chairs across from the bar, setting her elbows onto the smooth marble of the bar and watching Maddox work in the kitchen.
She listened to him, remembering the man in question. Only because of that one time where he had stared wide-eyed at X to the point that she and Penny just laughed at each other. They had thought he had been afraid of his bright red eyes like most people had. Not finding the object of his dreams to freaking worship.
She felt hope stir in her chest. If Maddox had saw him here, it meant that Penny and X were near and if he worshiped them so much, it meant that they were most likely safe and sound. It was music to her ears.
Her eyes widen at his idea but then frowned. "He would remember you. You two been working together for so long. He knows you're not a crazy worshiper like he is. He'd think you're just trying to get close to Penny." As she thought, she saw herself joining the cult and felt something fit inside of her chest.
"Let me do it. I'll dye my hair bright blonde or red and keep my eagle close to the edge so my eye color is completely changed. He won't remember me if he's been obsessing too much over X and Penny. Let me join the cult and I'll send out information to you and my family."
She paused and glanced at Orville before turning back to Maddox. "I doubt my parents would approve so...let this be between me and you? It's my fault and if I can provide inside intel then I'm going to do this, no matter what anyone says. I just don't want to make things worst so just between me and you, hm?"
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X walked next to his mate, keeping close to her hip and rubbing his head gently against her as she reached for his coat. He didn't like how they made her dress up and wear a wig and jewelry that she didn't want to wear. He had tried growling at them but they just bowed and kept trying to give the items to Penny. Forcing it on her really.
X wanted to give them a earful even though that would require him shifting into his human self. Which he hadn't. Only during the times with Penny when he knew that they were truly alone did he shift back to human. But even then, it was brief and more for the feeling of being human than because he wanted to. It wasn't safe for shifters to stay so long in their beast form. X was used to it so it didn't bother him as much as it would for other shifters but still. He liked to shower in his human form and hold Penny with arms instead of a cold nose and warm fur.
He snapped his jaws in annoyance at the sounds that the people were making and growled underneath his breath, pushing against Penny more because he wanted to feel her more. For some reason, he was agitated in this form and he kept thinking of ripping into people and eating them, coloring his bright white coat to the same color of his eyes-blood red.
"I'm going insane." He told his mate for the hundredth time.
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Oct 17, 2016 22:09:57 GMT -5
Maddox shook his head even as Evanna was well past her finished planning. A chuckle passed his lips, but he wasn't amused. "You must think I'm daft. There is no way I'm letting you go by yourself." He turned his body to look in the fridge for coffee creamer. "They'll more than likely look at your eyes and make you another object for them to worship. And what if they don't have your sister?" He popped open the cap of the creamer, then poured the actual coffee into the mugs he had gotten down while Evanna spoke. "Do you want cream? French vanilla."
A few seconds later, he shook his head again - this time out of exasperation. "It's that I don't feel as if you are capable to do it. But I've given an oath. Simon d'Guillory is really quite the character. Or, was." He picked up the two mugs, then set one down in front of Eva. "I'd say God rest his soul, but I don't think he worshipped God. Anyway." He took his own mug between his hands and lifted up the dense, milky white liquid to his lips. (He liked creamer. So what?) "I had to protect the d'Guillory family and all who they hold dear until my dying breath. Or when I name a successor. Whichever comes first," he said after a sip. "Even while the initiator of the oath is dead, I'm still under it. I'd rather you not go where you would probably contract a deadly disease."
Then he placed his mug down on the counter, then moved it to the side so that he could lean closer to her. He lowered his voice, and it took all he had not to reach over to cusp her hands in his. "Evanna, I know that you might think this is your fault. Madame Jewel told me what had happened that night, and I'm so sorry. But, honestly, it's not. You did what all carefree people do. Have fun. Though illegal, it was still fun. No one planned on Sanders taking your sister and X. Unless you wanted X all to yourself, but somehow that plan backfired on you." He drew his brows together in mock concern. Then a twinge of ... something erupted within his heart, maybe jealousy (though that was a bunch of crud). He couldn't bear the thought of Evanna with X. Or anyone for that matter. "Whoever got it into that bonny brain of yours should have some sense knocked into him. Or her.
"Our plans might not be sound, but that's dandy. We need to get your family together. I've already told Madame Jewel; she'd expect for everyone's cooperation on this."
***
The cult practitioners paused in their (what Penny asumed) praying only to scatter back fearfully against the wall. Penny had to supress an amused, almost giddy grin. Because she knew that it was useless. X's scaring tactics. Penny's demands to be let free, even if she was a 'goddess'. They couldn't get out of here. All they were ever allowed to see was their room, this hallway with the fake sconces, and the alter room. "For their protection." Yeah, right.
And weren't gods and goddess supposed to be bigger, more protective of their people? Not the ones to be protected by some measly mortals? Penny didn't understand their logic. Though Sanders did say that the whole place was covered with a magical force field thing. Half the time she couldn't make him out with his French accent (Ooh, if Aunt Jewel found out who put them here, she was going to have a hay day with the assistant to the "high priest".) So she wasn't sure exactly what it was that had them trapped here. She just prayed (funnily enough not to herself or X) that her mate and her can be found.
"I know," she whispered low enough for the white feline beside her to hear, but not for anyone else's ears - they were too busy chanting anyway. "I am too. We just have to hold on a bit longer. Pull the high-and-mighty card until it's time to go." And then, with that reminder sticking to her mind, she lifted her chin higher, straightening her back to the stance Thea always had, and brushed X's ear with her thumb softly before entangling her fingers again.
Just a few more meters, and the gaudily-dressed guards that escorted them opened the double doors to the alter room. She had been able to hear the bleats of the goats and the clucks of chickens from twice the distance she and X walked, but it suddenly hit her like a freight train. The stench of fear and awe (from the animals and humans, respectively) was almost overwhelming. But she took her spot on the dias: a cushioned seat carved out from the rock table that X was to perch on. Since she was not the main deity here, she was given a lower seat. But she could still look down with cold certainty on the subjects. And hold onto X's paw.
Right now, she didn't have the need. But she couldn't look at the goat bleating at her on the alter, trying to struggle from the High Priest's grip. "My lord," the fat man in the white robe said reverently, lowering his gaze until X settled himself on his throne. "Tonight, we bring you sacrifices, to not only thank you, but to beg to hear our pleas."
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