December 12, 2002.12.12.02. - dun haf fun name, yet [eliza-lila-jonathan][pine barrens]
(james)
the hitchiked ride had dropped him off three miles back
somewhere at the last crossroads of two-lane highways
they were going their way, and took him as far as they could
and it was all good, he appreciated that
several hours were spent wandering around in the woodsmaybe not all several
there was one that he sat still
in the breeze
in the cold
in the quiet
just thinkingthen he began to wander
trying to get past the pine-sol and reacquaint himself
so it's a little level of understanding
but it's something
and that's a stepabout an hour ago, his boots hit the asphalt again
following the manmade trail through the endless forest
he's figuring he'll be able to hitch another ride soon enough
or, if luck prevails, his pack'll find him and pick him up
but he's betting more on the hitchhands with what can be considered (on a desperate day) gloves shoved into the pockets of his tattered trench
rebar clinking in time with each sway of broad shoulders in step
dreads hanging in puffed up disarray to keep in some of the warmth
he may have lived without a roof more than with
but some days still get cold
and that's been happening more often than not, latelyso perhaps it's time to find a place to warm up a bit, Jamey-boy
he knows there are cabins ahead
just not who's cabins
so it's safe to say he looks like he's going to pass on through the little township
til those chimes get the musician's attention
and he can' t help but follow the sound(eliza bahn)
The windchimes, strung up in a branch that hung above a small mailbox beside the road, sung to the growing darkness, the weights toyed with by the wind as it whipped past through the skeletal branches of the trees and the leaves of several evergreen bushes. The mailbox, small and almost tucked out of the way, read simply "Bahn". It was the weights upon the chimes that would be of most interest to the wandering Gnawer, as small Garou glyphs flickered past the eyes as the metal twisted and turned in the breeze. Fianna and Hospitality were the two main ideas imparted by the glyphs, the rest rather inconsequential.Up the winding drivingway, the porch light of the large cabin was on, the double-seater swinging chair swaying somewhat forlornly in the winter air. A faint glow of light was imparted through the living room windows, even with the drapes pulled closed (perhaps to ward off the chill). A phantom beat of hollow drums was carried through the night from the cabin, an almost ethereal tune of panpipes following in its wake.
(james)
as he stands there, studying the chimed weights
that's when the sounds drift towards his ears
hospitality and drums
he doesn't need any more of an invitation
boots crunching on their way up the winding drivewayas he walks, he tries to get a bearing
but the heavy pine-sol scent is still clogging up his sinuses
it's only faintly he can smell the domestic and the feral
but enough to keep him alert so Fido doesn't come up and try to bite him on the ass
he makes sure the bootsteps are heard climbing onto the porch
hand withdrawing to let knuckles rap on the doorand then he takes a step or two back
he saw the Tribe glyph out there
hospitality or not - he knows his place(eliza)
The greeting to his footsteps crunching up the gravel-laden driveway and then thudding against the creaking porch boards was rewarded with the sound of a large animal pounding across a wooden floor towards the front door followed by the sound of claws scrabbling against the same said floor boards as the animal tries to stop in its tracks, only to start sliding and thump straight into the heavy wooden front door (thud!yelp! whine!). There is a momeny of scrabbling of large paws and the huffing sound of a dog trying to fit both paws and muzzle under the bare crack between floor and door, scenting someone(thing) on the other side of the door.scrape, scrape, huff, whine, huff, scrap...
It is faint, compared to the other noises (music, wind, dog), but bare feet pad acros the living room after the dog, the faint sound of a woman's voice calling the animal off from its attacking investigation of the new smells and sounds from without.
"King, heel."
The door unlocks from the inside and cracks open, a woman standing enough in sight for her height to be obvious (tall) and her scent (lavender and spices) to be carried on the warm rush of air that flowed through the opening, escaping into the cold night past the Gnawer. Her breeding also sung through her blood and poise. Fianna through and through.
"Hello?"
She cants her head to one side, eyes sliding over where James was standing, but not staying on his face for any length of time. Down by her legs, a Rottwieler of considerable size, was pushing against her trying to both get out to see who was standing outside and at the same time growling and whimpering at what he instinctively felt. Rage. Predator. A brief glance down at the dog, a hand falling from the door handle to touch the animal's head and a faint raising of one eyebrow.
"Oh...."
Said more to herself than to anyone in particular. As if silently clarrifying something in her mind.
(james)
he's pretty quiet through the thumping growls
he's pretty still as the door slides open
he's damn observant of the woman that stands just within it
not to mention the sizeable Rottie"Miss Bahn?" a thumb hooks back over his shoulder down the drive "I didn't mean to interrupt, but I read your chimes out by the road, wondered if I could take advantage of hospitality's fire for about an hour."
the tall Gnawer hasn't moved forward or back
waiting for invitation or dismissal
for all the Rage, for all the livid predator that lays wait beneath his skin
he's damn relaxed
the walk seems to have done him some good
even with all of the pine-sol
(Eliza)
"The chimes... ahhh..."Everything tumbles into place with his words, as only a certain type of person would be able to discern the meaning of the pictograms on the weighted chimes. She steps back from the door, allowing it to open enough for him to step inside, but not wide enough to let all the warm air of the living room to escape into the frigid winter evening. King nudges past, sticks his nose straight into James' crotch with much gusto, taking a long whiff and then whines plantively and scuttles back into the house, over to the other side of the room. Laid back or not, King knew the smell and those types gave him the heebie-geebies. Fierce protector or not, he knew when he was bested. Besides, he had caught the faint smell of James' packmate on him and he definately wasn't keen on that one. It was a bonus though, and a sign that he wasn't absolutely petrified, that the large Rottie hadn't decided to wedge himself under the nearest piece of furniture.
Eliza gestures for James to come in, a warm welcoming feeling seeming to radiate around her. It was the same of the property and house, the feeling of calm and sanctuary that seeped through. There was something instinctively placid about the woman that had greeted him at the door. A feeling of trust (Good Ol' Girl).
He may have noticed that only after he'd spoken had she looked to his face, lifting a hand to brush several spiralling curls of chestnut hair back from her face.
"Come in, come in. It's far too cold to linger on the porch."
Once he had entered the large living room, the smell of food, spiced and seasoned, would assail his senses.
"Are you hungry? We have some leftovers from dinner you are welcome to."
(james)
there's a bit of a caught breath as King makes his muzzle at home in his crotch
regeneration or not, that would hurt
he doesn't exactly stop the investigation, though
knowing it's as much for the animal's sake as his mistress'
and he's not here to get hackles up or make enemies or threats
he just wants to to rest for a bit
something of a nervously sighed laugh exhaled to follow the Rottie back inside"King's real friendly, isn't he?"
grin raking over his lips
that real easy grin
as much of a good ol' boy as she is a good ol' girl
too bad he doesn't know she can't see it
he noticed the length of time it took her to look at him
but it's only polite to look at someone when they talk to you
and since she seemed to be without big fierce protector other than King
he just sums it up to checking out whom she's about to let into her houseand the pack and rebar lain down by the door after it's closed behind him
when he straightens - there's a long, slow breath
King, at least, can see the physical change that comes over him
broad shoulders relaxing and settling
long muscles that bridge his spine unknotting in the warmth
he knows a safehouse when he walks into one
and now he's doubly glad he decided to follow the sound of those chimes
dark eyes flick around the room, just to get his bearings
even if you can bet the scents have the most of his attention
then turn back to the woman"Yes, I'd appreciate that, please."
momma didn't raise no unmannered lout
(eliza)
"More nosy, if you ask me."Her laugh was rich and just a little husky sounding as she started to cross the living room. She was a tall women (5'10") with a willowy frame, looking to be in her early twenties at best. She walked with a graceful gait, a hand extended out to one side, fingertips brushing over the back of the furniture as she moved through thr living room. But for that grace, there was an underlying tone of caution in where she placed her feet and a barely noticeable sweep of her feet across the floor, as if being careful as to exactly where she was walking. She was dressed in a long flowing cotton dress in a pale brown that swirled around her legs with each step, occasionaly showing a hint of flesh through the almost thigh high slits up either side of the skirt. Over it, for an extra layer of warmth, as a thin cotton sweather in a deep rich shade of green that had an overstretched neck that made it slide down over one shoulder, the rest of it clinging to her fey frame.
She gestures, without turning, to the dining table set close to the archway that obviously led into a small kitchen (back door visible through the arch). Off to one side of the dining table was a hallway that extended into the rest of the 'house' and two heads peered around it, eyes wide as they stared at the Gnawer visitor. One was a boy of about seven years with sandy blond hair and vivid green eyes and the other head, lower down, belonged to a four year old with almost black hair that was as curling as her mothers and eyes dark enough to drown in. Neither looked afraid, more insaitably curious.
"Have a seat..."
She leaves a delicate pause afterwards, an invitation for him to supply his name (and anything else) if he so desired.
(james)
"James."casually tossed in his own journey towards the table
he had watched her path
(he couldn't help but watch her.... got. dayum.)
and how careful she was
but it hasn't clicked just yet
even with his own easy stroll towards the tableand at the two bodyless heads peering around the corner
to them?
he offers a smile
even something of a flourished half-bow garnished with a wink
(is it the performer in him? or the would-have-been dad?)
before the tattered trench is removed and draped over the back of the chair
fingertips that poke out from most of the gloves' fingers smooth over the top of the textured chair
just as hers were
trying to literally put his finger on it but he can't just yet
the heavy canvas of BDU's whispering in sink to sit
thick sleeves of the sweater Rune bought him pulled up over muscular arms
elbows settling lightly on the table"Thank you......"
returning the favor of the delicate pause
finally detatching his eyes from the kids and looking back towards her
a brow lifting slightly in question(eliza)
"Eliza."The homely noises of someone working aroung the kitchen filled the air, mingling with the pull of panpipes and hollow drumming of music that was played by a stereo situated in the far corner of the living room. She was careful, but quick and effecient in retreiving the leftovers of the family dinner, still warm and savory. She returned from the kitchen a few minutes later with a tray in hand that contained a deep bowl of rich stew and two mugs of what smelled like aromatic camomile tea. When her thighs bumped lightly against the table edge she places the tray carefully down, head cocked to the side slightly as if listening for something. A minute nod of her head as she turned to where he was sitting and slid the tray towards him after removing one of the mugs and placing it on the wooden table top.
She hooks one of the dining table chairs with a foor, pulling it out with a faint scratch of the legs against the wooden floor boards and sits down, resting her elbows on the edge of the table and lifting her mug up in both hands. She didn't seem to have noticed the (surpsisingly quiet) children peeking around the hallway corner until the little girl sneezed. She cocked an eyebrow and smiled slightly (indulgently). Without turning to them she speaks.
"I thought you two were meant to be getting ready for bed."
The boy gives his sister a slight push for giving them away and they both emerge, inching towards their mother, but peering around her at their guest. She places the mug back down on the table and holds out her arms, both children coming to her side and each one being enveloped by an arm so that they were held close.
"He's wunna dem..." the little girl whispers to her mother, eyes having not stopped staring at James the entire time.
"Yes." Eliza nods slowly, long of hair sliding over her shoulders at the movement and she turns to kiss the top of the boy's, then the girl's, head.
"So mind your manners."
The fey little girl pulled free from her mother's grasp and stepped boldly up to James and stuck out a tiny hand, head tilted right back to look up at him.
"I'm gunna be jus' like you. Then Thudges said so." The girl seems proud that she was going to be like her father had been and almost seemed to be challenging James to contradict her.
(james)
"A pleasure to meet you, Eliza... and thank you."oh the scent of the food
homecooked, even
that? is a delicacy
and he's all but outwardly drooling at the prospect of it
insides all aquiver
(are you sure it's just the food, James?)
his head tilts, watching her as she serves
and that's when something clicks
or at least begins to dawn on himbut he's polite enough not to point it out
just a mental notethere's one thing, though, that has his attention above the food
and it's the two children that walk out from the shadows
he can't help the grin at their caught! slink to their mother's side
a low, warm chuckle sliding past the curve of lipsthrough brows raise at the little girl's sudden approach and declaration
and if Eliza could only see how he smiles now
how it goes from amused grin to near beam
a careful study of the little girl
assessing, deciding
then his chin moves in a self-satisfied nod"One've them? I think it's more one've us."
chair scooting back so he can face her fully
since he's now in another Garou's territory
(no matter how small she is)
he makes it all official
reaching a hand to envelop hers in an decisive shake"James Branson, Drums on Skulls, Bone Gnawer Ahroun. And you are....?"
(Eliza)
"Lila Bahn. Dun haf a fun name, yet. I'm like my daddy was. Feniana. But tha Thudges says I'm gunna be a Roun, cuz I like tha bigges' fattes' moon."She has a small very abused Pound Puppy toy tucked under her arm that smelled much like her, but had the untone of Dire's scent written all over it. Lila, without invitation, crawled into James lap and sat on one of his knees, staring at him with the toy pushed up under her chin. She picks up his spoon and pokes at the bowl of stew.
"Itz good. Mommy makes it good, even'f Mae helps. Mommy can't see. Nope. Nuh uh."
"Lila!" the boy reproached his sister's last comment, scowling at her and being rewarded only with the small fey child sticking her tongue out at him. Eliza meanwhile looks quite amused by the proceedings, her eyes uncannily resting on the pair of Garou (one Changed, one not quite there), head tilted to the side and cheek resting in the palm of an upturned hand.
"Don't tease your brother, Lila."
How she knew that was a mystery, although it was perhaps a common occurance between the sublings and mother's intuition was kicking in.
(james)
with or without invitation
he seems to readily welcome the child into his lap
like he expected it
like he's used to it
(he wanted so badly to be a father)
one arm slung loosely around her for sake of balance
but not too tight, nor constricting, nor offensive
just so he can scoot his chair back to where it's easy to eat
and not dislodge her from her throne"Well, if it tastes as good as it smells, I'm sure it'll be fantastic."
that soft, warm laugther still laces his voice
he's happy here, now
he feels welcome
enough to even ignore (mostly) Dire's scent on the pound puppy
he may have a beef with the Skald
but it extends no further than that
this is now a different time and place
carefully plucking his spoon from her little hand
"Don't worry, you'll earn your fun name soon enough, Lila."he's not surprised at Eliza's knowledge of what her child did
his mother seemed to know what he did when he wasn't even on the same block
he has no doubts of a mother's ability or senses
his respect for women is higher than most of his kind's"Now that I've met your ma, and your sister.... what's your name?"
deep umber gaze flicking to the boy
while he's sure Lila will prattle enough to answer
it's right to ask the boy himself
treating the children as if they are equals at the table
and even though it is not an easy task to consume food one handed with wriggling child on lap
he makes damn short work of that soup
he knows they won't take away the food that was freely offered to him
but you just can't break old habits(eliza)
"Jonathan. Jonathan Bahn."The seven year old boy replied quickly, just as Lila's mouth was about to open and say it in his stead. She clamps her mouth shut and glowers at her brother, obviously wanting all of James' attention on herself. Jonathan brushed his shag of snady hair from his green eyes, leaning against his mother who still kept her arm wrapped around him in a half-hug.
"Ive met nother Roun too. Yup. One've dem gave me Rounie."
Lila holds the pound puppy up, almost in James' face, and then cuddles it back close to her.
"Dat wuz Dieya. Den I met Dekah. He wussent very nice though."
A small child's petulant pout at this fact. She'd tried to crawl up on Decker and give him a hug, inspect him more closely, only to have the young man peel her off and put her down again and tell her mother that it wasn't wise to let kids crawl over Garou. Their tempers and all.
(james)
"Nice to meet you, too, Jonathan."sort've smiled over and around both Lila and the last two spoonfuls of soup
then his brow lifts at the sudden litany of names coming from the little one's mouth
not really in surprise, but more in amusement
managing a sip of the tea without the pound puppy dunked into it like a donut"Dire gave you Rounie? What a coincidence.... Dire gave me these boots."
toe presses into the floor and heel lifts in bounce to wiggle her for case in point
as much as one Ahroun had peeled her away to distance himself from the child
this one seems to adore her attention
unable to help the laugh at her assessment of Decker"I know Decker, too... he's a bit of a sourpuss, isn't he?"
yes, he'd be skinned alive if Decker were here to hear that
but he can't pass up the chance to take a jab at the Modi(eliza)
"There you are..."This was a matronly old voice, sort of the old school teacher kind that had kids doing what they were told. But it wasn't an unkind voice, but one of a woman that had been trying to get the two scamps to do as they were told most of the afternoon and evening with little luck. The woman who emeraged from the hall was in her late fifties and had the Fianna kin air about her. She stopped, eyeing James, and the nodded once returning her attention to the children and motioning for them to come with her. Lila ducks into James and one hand wraps into the front of his shirt as she attempts to hide from the woman, because she knew what came next. Bath time. It just didn't seem to be good enough that she had one last night. She kept being made to have more! Yuck.
"Decka izza poo-poo head."
Lila whispers with a giggle into the front of James' shirt. Mae heard it and raises both eyebrows. Eliza most definately heard it and raises one, looking down at her daughter and clearing her throat.
"That's enough, Lila. Go have your bath. Both of you."
Jonathan stepped up to Lila and wrapped his arms around her and pulled, but Lila remained attached to James and kicked and squirmed, not wanting to let go, but is finally disentangled and led away with Mae for that (urk) bath.
"Sorry about that."
(james)
"Hey now."something of a distraction from the return greeting to Mae
attention turning as Lila hides her head against his chest and whispergiggles
a gentle hand reaches to crook under her chin and lift those eyes to his own"Decker may be a sourpuss, but he's my packmate and a good guy beneath that gruff exterior, allright? You just have to get to know him.... but I wouldn't recommend it by crawling into his lap"
but there's a wink
he seems to have put together what happened
and yes, he can be a shithead most of the time
he doesn't condescend the child
rather gives her another perspective in the correction
he doesn't overpower her mother's words
rather responding to the comment made to him (or, his chest)
helping Jonathan untangle her
that cupping hand brushing over hair in goodnight
lips quirking into a silly little grindreads rustle over his shoulder as head shakes
turning back to Eliza and finally to that tea now that it's not as threatened with child's bobbing head
while she can't see it, the grin is still obvious in his voice"It's allright, I don't mind kids as much as my packmate apparently does."
(eliza)
"I thought I had smelled a vague aftertone of him on you when you came in."A lazy smile as she picks up her tea again, cupping it in both hands, and sipping. She appears to be watching him over the rim of the mug, her eyes resting uncannily on his face, but there is something missing in her eyes that was present in those of a person that could discern the world of sight. There was no movement of emotion or thought through them, so reading her meant a person would need to rely more of bodylanguage than normal.
She leans back in the chair, mug still resting in both hands comfortably.
"How is Decker?"
It sounded like genuine concern in her voice, of a person asking about a friend to a mutual acquiantance.
(james)
"Last person that smelled him on me said I reeked of him, this is an improvement."still, that smile is in his voice
it seems as if being aroud the kids (the LIVE kids) was good for him
and even if she can't see how relaxed he is
he's sure she can hear it
pausing only to sip at the teahe watches her as intently as she seems to watch him
the one thing he's finally noticed about her eyes
that vague hint of earlier that he just didn't get
he understands it now
there's no focus
but he doesn't seem to pay it much mind
sort've nice to be around a person you know isn't judging you by looks
he still gestures absently with the mug
he still allows the expression onto his face
it doesn't matter she can't see it
it's provided for her anyway"He's allright.... how do you know him?"
it's curiosity rather than demand
the being around a beautiful woman part he understands
but it's the being around the kids thing that makes him wonder
simply idle conversation about a brother with a mutual acquaintance(Eliza)
"He occasionally visits and brings out groceries that we sometimes have a hassle going into the city for. For obvious reasons."A wry grin and a languid shrug of her shoulders as she takes another sip of the tea. She releases one hand on the mug, using her free fingers to tug an errant spiral of hair back from her face.
Decker. Groceries. Boy scout. Heh. It had to be somewhat of a shock. Somewhat amusing too. The idea of Decker going out to purposefully buy groceries (Decker with a supermarket trolley - imagine that) and then lugging them all the way out here to the Barrens. For the most part though, he leaves it till late at night, when he is probably sure that the kids won't be awake. Kids and Decker seemed to mix as well as vinegar and oil.
(james)
yes
the idea of Decker strolling up and down the aisles with a cart is amusing
the idea of Decker taking the time to browse and pick out the ripe fruits and vegetables is amusing
the idea of Decker standing in line perusing the covers of the weeklies alongside the old biddies while they wait for checkout is amusing
VERY amusing
and that's what gets a half-laugh into the tea mid-sip
(glad she can't see ya, aren'cha, James? That would have been embarassing)but the fact that the Modi does it?
doesn't surprise him one bit"See? He's a good guy when you can see past the shitheadness."
he's not sure if she can feel his gaze on her
but it doesn't fade away
even he is well aware of the blood in her veins
and he's more than well aware of the beauty sculpting her face
(and the rest of her body)
but it's not a predatory weight in his eyes
he can't help the curious study
.... just to look at something beautifulhe grew up living in the gutters and alleys and trash
he learned to appreciate whatever was beautiful wherever and whenever he found it
because more often than not, it wouldn't last long(eliza)
"I actually enjoy his company more often than not, even if he can be something of an asshole at times."That was one of the things that seemed to stump to Fenrir Modi. She put up with his tempremental state easily, ripping away at his rage with her own special talents when he more than just toed the line with her patience. He just didn't seem to understand that, for all his foibles, she just enjoyed the company. He didn't seem to understand why she was always (well, most of the time) nice to him, regardless.
"And what of yourself?"
It was a very open ended question, inviting him to speak about himself if he so chose to do so. There was something about her that made her instinctively easy to confide in, with the thoughts of safety that she wouldn't be telling things to others as they passed through her home... as quite a few people were want to do on occasion.
(james)
"Something of an asshole? My lady, you're too polite..."then there's a contemplative smile
offered to his tea, it seems, since she can't see it
the empty mug finally settled onto the table with hollow, but soft, thunk"If you're wanting to know if I enjoy his company even though he's a royal pain sometimes, yes, I do, he's my packmate, it makes him brother. Rare a Fenrir so readily accepts a Gnawer at his back, much less his side in battle."
his gestures are absent
perhaps he thinks she can feel them through the vibration of air between them
perhaps he just doesn't treat their conversation different than any other
he holds a certain level of respect for the young Modi
that much is apparent
and it goes beyond that he's outranked"But if you're wanting to know anything else about me... just ask. I don't talk about myself, much, so woudln't know where to start."
(eliza)
The sounds of the children getting ready for bed can be heard over the quiet conversation, including a period where Lila came running down the hallway, Rounie the Pound Puppy, in one hand. She was an agile little creature as she 'flew' up to James and grabbed a hold of his leg in a childish bear-hug, staring up at him from her petite height with a beaming smile that lit up her face, making her look even more like her mother."'Nigh-'nigh!" She hugs James' leg before holding out both arms in a gesture that told that she wanted to be picked up for a cuddle before she would leave the room and sleep for the night. Her hair smelled clean and the smudge of dirt that had adorned her cheek before was gone.
(james)
incoming!
he's a little startled at the sudden 'attack' from the young girl
needless to say he had been totally focused on the woman
(heh, bad James)
reaching down and picking up the featherlight child into a cuddleluckily, the sadness that etches breifly into his features is known only to him
(he still wants to be a father so very badly)
it's replaced quickly by the smile
setting Lila down
fingers brushing hair back just so from the mussing cuddle"Night you, sleep well, dream of the day you'll earn your fun name and stand beside us other Rouns and make your mom and dad proud."
(eliza)
"Daddy went 'way to the am'zuns. Never come back."She sticks of her lower lip slightly and shuffles on the spot, then seems to have an idea spawn itself upon her.
"But'um gunna make Mommy proud. 'N you! Yuhuh! Y'am!"
Her curls bounce around her face, almost like dandelion fluff now that it was squeeky clean and in a sort of fuzz around her head from being blown dry. Another hug of the Gnawers leg before she hightails it back out of the room, down the hallway, her little footsteps punctuated at the end by the slam of an unseen door.
[con't]
Posted by james at December 12, 2002 12:00 AM
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