Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He sleeps for about 14 hours. He doesn't appear to have
any further night terrors.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He does, however, awken weeping softly.
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: After Sonja leaves,
she stays in the lab, standing guard. A little light dozing every now and then,
but all in all, she doesn't sleep much of the night. She does go through about
a pack and a half of cigarettes, and a good half a fifth of tequila.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He stares at the ceiling with a lost, shell-shocked
look. He doesn't seem aware that Reyna is in the room.
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: She looks up at him
as he wakes, getting up and walking toward him. She crouches near the couch.
"Xu?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His gazes slides over to her, and he studies her face
his own a bit pained. "Did somebody stake me?" He asks, voice thick
with sleep.
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: She thinks about it a
moment. "During the trip, Buffy staked you, yeah."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Who's Buffy?"
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "Ummm..."
She sighs. "Karlos's sword taking the form of a fashion-conscious Vampire
Slayer." How else is she going to describe it?
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Oh. The blonde with you." He nods. "The
one you and Angelia talk about all the time."
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "That would be
her, yeah." She smiles very faintly.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He slooowwwlly turns on his side and swings his feet
over the edge of the couch, grimacing and groaning as he leverages himself up
to a sitting position. "Where's Karlos? Did I kill him?"
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "No, Xu. He's
alive. He's resting upstairs."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He winces a few more times as he adjusts to sitting
upright, glancing down at his chest to see if there's wound there. "I
remember seeing him strung up on a gallows somewhere."
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: She blinks. "I
didn't see him, myself. I could have been up there, though." She sits
back, taking a drag off her cigarette. "So, I suppose 'How are you?' is a
silly question to ask right now..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Who healed me?" He lightly touches his
chest. "I think they left a splinter in there or something. It hurts like
fuck."
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "I had Sonja
come up She said something about a burn of some sort. Thank you should take it
easy, let it heal."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Sonja? Up here?" He quirks his mouth as if
trying to decide if that's a good idea. He slowly rises, grunting with the
effort, heading toward the bathroom.
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "I know, Xu, I
know. But I thought you may have been having a heart attack, and I didn't think
9-1-1 was a good idea...they probably couldn't have gotten up here,
anyway."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods distractedly, fumbling a bit
with the toilet lid before getting it up. He hold a steadying hand on the
doorjamb while he relieves himself, his piss full of that distinctive smell of
shrooms, along with a more chemical edge of the sedative. "I'm
thirsty."
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "I'll get
it." She nods, rising to her feet and heading to get a glass of water.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: When she returns she finds him with his forehead
against the door jamb, breathing quickly and shallowly, covered in a fine sheen
of sweat.
Reyna Varinia Rairuno: "Xu?" She
moves to him quickly, rubbing his back lightly. "What's wrong? Talk to
me."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He winces and groans, slowly leveraging himself up.
"I just, uh...turned too quickly."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He slowly makes his way to the couch and sinks into it,
closing his eyes, doing his best not to breathe too deeply. He's a bit pale,
sweat beading on his forehead.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Is Sonja still here? I don't think I should...be
in so much pain."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((*Beats computer*))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She shakes her head.
"She left last night. How does it hurt?" She follows him to the couch
and hands over the water.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Like there's a fucking hot poker sticking into my
chest." He doesn't see her offer the water, so doesn't know to take it.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Water,"
she says, putting it into his hand. She stands there a moment, watching him.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He opens his eyes and takes the water, looking past it
to her face. "Thanks. How are you doing?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((Cha+Subt))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: 10,7,9,6,3,8,4,
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: 9,
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: A light shrug, and a
grin. "You know me, hon. I'm resiliant...I bounce back. Step up from last
time. I'm just worried about you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: 3,1,1,2,4,8,5,
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods, carefully leaning forward to sip the water,
tho it's clear he's thirsty enough to guzzle it.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: When he finishes with a few more sips, he leans back,
wincing. He looks at her, his expression guilty, slightly fearful.
"So...uhm...were we all in the same hallucination or...was it different
things for different people?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: The grin mellows into
a smile, and she goes for a cigarette. "You need some more?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "We were all in
the same, I think. Karlos and I were at least." She blinks, thinking.
"Maybe. Probably."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Some more mushrooms?" he asks, not sure what
she's referring to. "Or cigarettes?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Water. Or
cigarettes. Think we should hold of on the mushrooms for now."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I'm fine." he tilts his head toward the
water. "This is great, thanks. There are bottles of it in the mini-fridge
along the wall behind you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He takes another few sips, and then regards her,
clearly unsure what to talk about.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Good to know."
She lights her cigarette and takes the ever-so-familiar lean against the wall.
"What's the last thing you remember about the trip?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "The hallucination?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Yeah."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His brow furrows as he thinks back. "I was in
Alexi Rothschilde's cage in Schondorf's lab. Adam had put Johnny Mathis over
the speakers. Karlos was singing Childen of Darkness. The blonde--Buffy--was
attacking Jeremy. And the big ugly man was attacking...moving to attack Jeremy.
And you and Buffy and the ugly man had just torn my mother apart. And Karlos
was moving to punch Captain Dunne in the head before he could skin Dirk."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Harry. The ugly
man was Harry." She nods a little. "So you remember about everything,
then."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "No...wait...you were attacking
Sonja..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He takes another sip, groaning a bit as he moves his
arm to tip the glass up. He slowly lowers his arm. "Where were you in the
Jungle?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She blinks. "We
didn't have a jungle." Oooh, boy. Different visions. Greeeaaaat.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "What did you have?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Clint Eastwood,
Viggo Mortenson, and every other pardner in movie history."
Karlos Basoalto: He knocks at the front door.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "The Cowboys?" He frowns.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods a little,
looking to the front door. "Ummm...expecting company, are we?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "No." He doesn't move. Doesn't even try for a
weapon. Just sits there on the couch in the lab and drains the glass of water.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She moves to the
door, pulling Harry and looking at him with an odd smile before moving to the
door and opening it.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((Yes, she moved to
the door twice. She's cool like that.))
Karlos Basoalto: He nods politely to Reyna and
steps inside. "How is he?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Hey. Didn't
even realize you'd left." She puts the gun away. "He's...I don't
know. In pain. C'mon." She starts to head back to the lab.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He's slumped naked on the couch, head back, eyes
closed, no apparent wounds.
Karlos Basoalto: He nods and follows her, gaze
settling on Xu. He moves to crouch beside the man, looking him over before
meeting his gaze.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She walks in,
stubbing her cigarette out for Karlos's sake, and pours herself a drink from
the half-empty tequila bottle on the floor where she stood watch.
Karlos Basoalto: Or at least looking to his
face, since his eyes are closed.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He opens his eyes when he feels Karlos nearby, lifting
his head up slowly to regard him.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: There's pain in his face, along with guilt, shame,
fear.
Karlos Basoalto: He takes Xu's hand and
squeezes softly. "It's okay," he murmurs quietly.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "What is?" His eyes narrow as he tries to
make sense of what's going on. A thought strikes him. "Where's
Merlin?"
Karlos Basoalto: He looks questioningly to
Reyna. "I left him upstairs."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "You locked him up?" He looks distressed.
"Abandoned him?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Then he's
probably still up there. Like I said, I didn't know you'd left." She moves
to go get him.
Karlos Basoalto: "I didn't lock him
up." He release Xu's hand and rises to his feet, moving to another chair
and sitting in it.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He starts to sigh but his breath hitches, a look of
deep pain on his face. He grunts, freezing, aand slowly forces himself to take
little sips of air rather than deep breaths.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Upstairs she goes,
looking around for the dog. "Merlin? C'mere, buddy...where are you?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I'm sorry I fucked it up," he says. "I
tried. Maybe I'm just too...shattered."
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Xu Xian [Jul
5]: 6,
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Reyna doesn't find the dog in any of the rooms
upstairs.
Karlos Basoalto: He shakes his head a little.
"I don't believe that," he says quietly. "You're just afraid,
that's all. And it's okay to be scared. There's nothing wrong with that. But
you need to try and master that fear, or it'll keep you apart from
yourself."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Shit. Downstairs, and
she starts searching. She also checks to see if any doors or windows have been
left open.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Reyna finds Merlin in the kitchen with a knocked over
trash container, happily chewing on trash.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I hear Buffy staked me."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She sighs a little,
relieved. "Hey, you. Shouldn't be getting into that..." She picks up
the garbage can and starts scooping up the trash.
Karlos Basoalto: "Did she? Sounds like the
kind of thing she'd do..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He regards Karlos. Frowns. "Alright."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Merlin thinks the trash game is lots of fun and he
helps Reyna herd the trash.
Karlos Basoalto: "So I guess we chalk that
one up to experience and give up?" He crosses his legs.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: The dog brings the
first sincere smile in several hours to her face. She picks it all up, then
stands up, gesturing toward the lab. "C'mon, buddy. Let's go see Xu and
Karlos."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: ((pstt...lab was Algy's dog. Merlin's an Aussie
shepherd. Hence the trash herding. *G*)) Merlin runs the way Reyna's pointing,
then pauses in the big open area and looks back toward her, waiting for her.
Karlos Basoalto: ((Gesturing toward the lab...ORATORY
*G*))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((Thanks, Karlos.
*G*))
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Xu grimaces, his breath catching again. He seems for a
few moments incapable of responding to Karlos. His eyes fill with tears. His
shoulders twitch. "I'm sorry. I had no idea I was in so many pieces."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (Algy had talking lab? Su-WEET!))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((......wow.))
Karlos Basoalto: ((Arf arf!))
Karlos Basoalto: He slips from his seat and
crouches by Xu once more, gazing at him, taking his hand. "It's not your
fault," he says quietly.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: ((*G* Sorry, I'll be good now.))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She leads Merlin into
the labORATORY and grins to Xu and Karlos. "Someone here to see you
guys..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods, looking very weary. "It is. I idolized
Roosthorn. Wanted to be just like him. Or at least serve him until I could
depose him and take over his empire."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His mouth quirks up at Merlin bounding in the room, but
he doesn't move to pet the animal, who pauses to snuffle Karlos' shoes before
leaping up on the couch to stand on Xu's lap and lick his face.
Karlos Basoalto: He lifts a hand, softly
stroking Xu's hair away from his forehead. "Perhaps. But you are what you
were made," he says gently.
Karlos Basoalto: Smiles softly and scritches
Merlin's nose a moment, before going back to stroking Xu's hair.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He grunts and slowly raises his hand to pet the animal
but is too late, Merlin has run across Xu's lap to get to Karlos' face. He
licks him, too, sharing his garbage breath with everybody.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She takes a lean
against the wall, watching the three.
Karlos Basoalto: "You stink, Merlin."
He puffs air into the dog's nose.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Xu can't even muster his usual jealousy for Merlin's
attention to Karlos and just sits there, staring at them, lowering his hand and
looking quite pained and miserable. "Well, thank you for trying,
anyway."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Someone was
into the trash."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Merlin tries to bite the air Karlos is blowing at him,
thinking that's a fun game, too.
Karlos Basoalto: "Do
excuse me. I have to maul your dog." He launches at Merlin, wrestling him
to the ground and blowing raspberries into his belly, before scooping him up
and holding him where Xu can reach him.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She chuckles a little
at the sudden action from Karlos, shaking her head.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Merlin thinks this is a blast and happily plays with
Karlos. Xu doesn't move to take the animal, just sits there, does his best to
keep from weeping because, frankly, that's going to hurt like a sonuvabitch.
Karlos Basoalto: "So where's it
hurt?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "My chest. Reyna said there's a burn on my
heart."
Karlos Basoalto: He frowns softly. "I'm
sorry."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His shoulders twitch. He's careful not to move too
much. "Not your fault."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She purses her lips a
little, sighing.
Karlos Basoalto: "Maybe not." Yeah,
right. "But that doesn't stop me being sorry."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Sorry we tried? Or sorry you're giving up on
me?"
Karlos Basoalto: "I'm sorry it turned out
the way it did," he explains softly. "So when're we trying
again?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He glances over to Reyna, then back to Karlos (rolling
per+emp)
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: 6,3,6,2,4,6,
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((CHa+Subt))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: 4,3,2,8,8,7,4,
Karlos Basoalto: ((On who?))
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (Both you guys. You want a roll for each, or is the one
good?))
Karlos Basoalto: ((I'm happy with the one))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((One works))
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He's
upset at seeing Xu in pain. He believes he's screwed up big time, and isn't
very hopeful of Xu giving any of this a second chance, even though he believes
it could take several such "sessions" to get anywhere. He believes
the reveal of how many personalities Trevor is split into is a big step
forward.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He gets nothing off of Reyna, and stares at Karlos for
a long moment before taking a few little sips of air and laying his head back,
closing his eyes. "I don't think I can do it today."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: ((She's
fine. Maybe a couple cracks in the armor, but she's been worse. She's worried
about Karlos, and worried about Xu.))
Karlos Basoalto: He nods softly.
"Understandable."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Tears squeeze out the corners of his eyes and run down
the sides if his face into his ears. "I'm sorry. Something's happened. I
can't block out the pain."
Karlos Basoalto: "Then accept it," he
says quietly.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "There's a Gift...Soul taught it to me when the
Ghana were...torturing me. But it's not working, now."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "I...I think I
might know." She sighs. "Sonja said...the burn looked like the scar
that used to be on your chest, Xu." She rubs her own chest idly.
Karlos Basoalto: He glances to Reyna, then to
Xu once more.
Karlos Basoalto: 3,4,9,
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: And lo,
he wakes Rose.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: It takes him a while to process
through what Reyna just said. He groans a few times as his brain sifts through
everything, and then he raises his head and opens his eyes to regard Reyna.
"The whipmark? Or the kanji?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "She didn't say.
I...kind of think she means this one." She pats her own chest.
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: He feels the warmth spread
through him, embracing him filling him up with a vibrancy that is somehow more
colorful, as if Father Peyote is enhancing her powers here.
Karlos Basoalto: He sets Merlin down, then rests
his hand lightly over Xu's heart.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He grimaces, looking utterly bewildered.
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: ~To
Rose~ "Why is he injured?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He recoils when Karlos reaches toward him, throwing
himself quickly to the side, only to wind up moaning and clutching his chest in
anguish, sweat beading on his brow.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Concerned, Merlin trots over to lick the tears from
Xu's face.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She flinches at Xu's
recoiling, then sighs, watching.
Karlos Basoalto: He frowns worriedly and tries
to help Xu back onto the couch. "I didnt mean to startle you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: ~SS~ "It is his passion that
wounds him so."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Xu moans, not moving at all from his position, even
with Karlos help. Paralyzed from the pain, afraid to move lest it become even
worse.
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Is
there nothing we can do to help ease his suffering?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: ~SS~ "Do you recall when I
first touched you, Faris? Was there not pain involved when I seared into your
palm?"
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I
know, I know..." Still, he's upset at seeing Xu in such agony. "I'm
sorry..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: ~SS~ "Are you sorry? Do you
wish me to ask my sister to remove her touch from his heart?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Xu,
hon..." She sighs, finally moving from her lean to help Karlos.
"C'mon. Let's get you up to a comfortable rest."
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "No...
No, please don't... If he wishes her to leave, he will ask..."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Merlin continues to lick and nuzzle Xu, who finally
simply rolls over onto his back, making a series of high-pitched moans.
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: ~SS~ "I do not think he
realizes she now lives in him."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She stops midway
over, and drops to a squat. "That works, too."
Karlos Basoalto: He seems frozen, gazing at Xu.
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I
love you," he says simply. "I don't think I've told you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His gaze searches, finds Reyna's face while Merlin
keeps licking his chin and ears. His eyes are stewing in fear and pain, along
with bewilderment. "It doesn't work...nothing works," he whispers
despairingly to Reyna.
Karlos Basoalto: "Your love works,"
he whispers. "Or you would not be in such agony."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His eyes dart over to Karlos and he howls, clutching
his chest again.
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: (Per+occult))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She frowns a little,
watching Xu, before looking over to Karlos for a moment.
Karlos Basoalto: He strokes his shoulder
comfortingly. "I know it hurts," he says quietly. "Don't be
afraid of it. Grab it. Grab it, because it tells you you're alive. Cling on to
it even while it makes you bleed, because the reward is far, far greater than
the pain. If you only believe one thing I ever tell you, believe that."
Karlos Basoalto -> Xu Xian [Jul
5]: 1,5,7,3,2,
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Karlos Basoalto: ((Ah well. *G*) The boosted power
of Rose is apparently so much that Karlos can't feel the subtleties of the
currents between him and Karlos.
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Xu Xian [Jul
5]: 6,
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His howl dies off, and he quiets, staring with
sightless eyes at the ceiling, looking through Karlos and Reyna and the now
nervous Merlin, who looks from Karlos to Reyna as if to ask them what's going
on?
Karlos Basoalto: He sets his jaw. Great. What's
he done now? He rises and stalks away, retaking his seat.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: In the relative quiet, his breathing can be heard as a
hoarse series of chuffs.
Karlos Basoalto: He gives Reyna a 'go to him'
look.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He slowly rises to a seated position, glancing around
the place before lowering his head to look at his wrists and ankles.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: 5,5,3,1,3,5,
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (That was another per+emp)
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She purses her lips,
holding off on moving a moment, watching Xu, seeing if he's feeling the pain
when he moves.
Karlos Basoalto: He blinks at Reyna's reaction.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His eyes dart from side to side, and his breathing
quickens. He seems to feel some pain but it is overshadowed by the look of fear
and confusion on his face.
Karlos Basoalto: His gaze turns stony as he
regards Reyna.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She gets up and moves
to him, sitting on the couch and sitting next to him, putting a hand on his
chest and smiling gently. "Xu...hon. Talk to me."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: Merlin moves in to lick his face again. He doesn't
resist, but seems to be unsure as to how to respond to the animal, once again
stealing glances at Reyna and Karlos
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "What...do you want me to talk about?"
Karlos Basoalto: "I'll leave you guys
alone," he says softly. Rises to his feet, not really wanting to leave Xu
alone with Reyna.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He lowers his head when Karlos gets to his feet, a blatantly
submissive gesture.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "What are you
feeling at the moment?" She tilts her head to the side a little, watching
him.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Confused," he says honestly. "I don't
know what I'm doing here. Did Angelia give me away?"
Karlos Basoalto: He glances
to Xu. Frowns slightly and shakes his head a little. "Trevor, where is
Xu?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She blinks at that. And looks up to Xu.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((Xu=Karlos))
Karlos Basoalto: "No. She didn't."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He cringes slightly at Karlos' obvious displeasure.
"I'm sorry, I don't know where Master Trevor is right now. And I don't
know who Xu is..."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She remains where she
is, not moving her hand from his chest. Yeah, this coyote is COMPLETELY lost.
Karlos Basoalto: "Well don't worry. You're
in a safe place." His voice is, at long last, gentle, gaze softening.
"This is Reyna. She loves you. She'll look after you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: At Karlos' tone he gathers enough courage to steal a
glance at him, and seems even more confused about the kindness there.
"You're Karlos..." he says, gaining obvious comfort from being able
to recognize the man. "You come to visit me, sometimes."
Karlos Basoalto: He nods softly. "I
try."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He glances around the room, and then back to Karlos,
then over to Reyna. "When did the Rainmakers give me up to you?"
Karlos Basoalto: He moves over, sitting slowly
in front of Xu, crossing his legs and reaching to take the man's hand once
more. "They handed you over a long, long time ago. Their hand was forced."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He winces at that. "Did they sell me?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She sits there,
listening, trying to make sense of this.
Karlos Basoalto: "No. Not at all. The
Ghana wanted you killed..." He squeezes Xu's hand softly. "But you're
here now, and you're safe."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He looks at Karlos' hands, brow furrowed as he tries to
piece things together. "Angelia despised me. Master Trevor..hated me. They
buried me..." He grimaces, looking sick. "Did you dig me up?"
Karlos Basoalto: He reaches out and softly
lifts Xu's chin, gazing at him. "What matters is that you're here, and
you're with people who love you and will do everything in their power to
protect you."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Mas. He looks to Karlos, eyebrow raised.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (sorry had phone call) He can't seem to keep Karlos'
gaze, his own sliding away submissively. "Who am I to serve now?"
Karlos Basoalto: "Who would you like to
serve?" His voice is gentle.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Angelia," he says, voice quavering.
"But she'll not have me."
Karlos Basoalto: "I'm sure she
would," he says softly, giving Reyna a glance, before looking to the phone
and back to her. Then back to Xu. "We'll give her a call. Ask her to come
see you."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods and stands up,
pulling her cell to call her.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods, keeping his gaze averted. "Thank
you."
Karlos Basoalto: "You're welcome." He
falls silent, holding Xu's hand, releasing his chin.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: And she's not
answering, so she leaves a message. "Hey, Ang, it's me. Listen, when you
get a chance, give me a call, and head on up to Luddington. Kind of important.
Love you, Babe...bye."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Are you leaving now?" he asks Karlos.
Belatedly adding "Sir?"
Karlos Basoalto: He smiles sadly. "Not if
you don't want me to. And there's no need to call me sir."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods quickly, lowering his gaze. "Forgive me.
I'm still quite...confused."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I don't ever remember...being in this
place."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: The phone goes away,
and she moves to sit next to Xu again.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "You seem quite kind. Do
you...know what happened to Jan? Did the Ghana kill him for betraying
them?"
Karlos Basoalto: He smiles softly. "No.
Jan's fine. He's still living at the Knecht-Ritter building with Little
Bit."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Little Bit?" He thinks for a moment, and
then smiles, nodding again. "His daugter." He seems very happy for
Jan. "He loves her fiercely."
Karlos Basoalto: "He does." He nods a
little, gaze sliding away to somewhere neutral.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Eyes flick between
the two. She reaches a hand up to rub Xu's shoulder lightly.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Don't you have a daughter, too?"
Karlos Basoalto: He nods, smiling proudly.
"I do."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: At Reyna's touch he inhales sharply and glances over to
her, looking quite surprised.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I love you," he says with conviction, but
it's clear that he's not quite aware how that can be so without being able to
remember her.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She blinks once, then
smiles a little. "Hey. I love you too."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He grins at that, staring into Reyna's eyes. "You
do," he confirms, nodding his head as if that's another certainty amidst
all this confusion.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Something in that
little exhcange between them heartens her a little, and the smile spreads,
finding some warmth behind it. "Yep. That I do."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: His grin broadens, and he studies her face, alot of the
fear leaving him. "That's good," he says simply, content to stare at
her.
Karlos Basoalto: He smiles softly, saying
nothing.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She grins a little,
reaching up to stroke his cheek. "Yeah. No argument here, Babe."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Shall I serve you until
Angelia arrives?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She blinks a moment.
Eyes flick briefly to Karlos. She needs clarification here.
Karlos Basoalto: He offers Reyna a soft smile.
This is her decision, and hers alone.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He looks to Karlos. "I can serve you both if
you're staying, Karlos." Apparently misinterpreting this as a territory
thing.
Karlos Basoalto: "I don't think you should
serve me," he says softly, looking back to Xu. "You should serve
someone you truly love."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I love you, too," he says to Karlos, nodding
and looking sightly bewildered, tho the words again have a strong conviction.
"I don't know what's happened while I've been buried but I know
that."
Karlos Basoalto: He gives his hand another
squeeze, and nods. "Then I'll be happy for you to serve me while we wait
for Angelia."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She looks from Karlos
to Xu, smiling.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods again, and climbs slowly to his feet, not
seeming to be in much pain at all. "What would you like me to do for
you?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He doesn't seem at all embarrassed about his nudity,
nor ashamed of it.
Karlos Basoalto: He releases Xu's hand and
rises to his feet himself. "I don't want you to leave this house at all
while you serve me. Once Angelia arrives, you transfer over to her."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Alright," he says.
Karlos Basoalto: "I don't want you to call
me Master, or Sir, or anything other than Karlos."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Alright."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "And if Angelia doesn't wish to have me?"
Karlos Basoalto: "I do want you to enjoy
yourself while you're here. Relax, watch some TV, Reyna can get you any books
or DVD's you want to watch. Play with Merlin." He nods to the dog.
"He's yours."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: Her eyes tilt from Xu
back to Karlos.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He looks, bewildered, at the dog. "He can't be
mine. I'm a slave. I don't own anything."
Karlos Basoalto: "I don't see how Angelia
wouldn't wish to have you. But if she doesn't, we'll cross that bridge when we
come to it. And he's yours, because I say he is. Take good care of him."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He frowns, looking more deeply bewildered at this
pronouncement, a somewhat ill at ease about the whole concept. "Like a
baby?" he finally asks.
Karlos Basoalto: "Like a baby," he
confirms. "No harm is to come to him."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods a little, as
if to confirm Karlos's words further.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods, smiling. "Alright."
Karlos Basoalto: He grins softly. "I love
you, too. Now get on with having a little fun, and I'll be upstairs if you need
me, okay?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He moves out of the room and glances around, bewildered
at the vast, gymlike space of the open area. He looks back at them. "Shall
I bring the sandwiches in here?"
Karlos Basoalto: He nods. "Sure. You could
both do with something to eat." He glances to Reyna, and adds "And
you get some rest too, okay?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He starts exploring, looking around to find the
kitchen, leaning down to pat Merlin as he comes up along side him.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods a little to
Karlos, grinning a little bit. "Yeah, yeah. Coyote go sleep. Got it,
Flutterby."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He locates the kitchen without too much trouble, washes
his hands and proceeds to fix some sandwiches and pour some orange juice for
Reyna, moving back into the lab with them.
Karlos Basoalto: He smiles a little, and heads
on upstairs for some rest.
Karlos Basoalto: ((Speaking of rest... *G*
Thanks for the RP all *hugs*))
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (Thanks, you too.))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: 4,4,6,4,
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: 2,3,9,2,2,5,3,
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Reyna Varinia Reiruno: (Apparently this is the
'submissive' side of OWW, which has been suppressed (i.e., buried) for quite
some time. The allusions to the Ghana refer to the time OWW was a prisoner of
the Ghana (the African Shifters who demanded justice against OWW for
killing/kidnapping them during project Goliath). Near as Reyna can figure OWW
was a prisoner in the K-R of the Ghana from February 2004 thru June 2004, and
apparently underwent some serious torture at their hands.)
Xu Xian [Jul 5] -> Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((This submissive side was
apparently 'buried' by one or more of the Trevors after Angelia indicated her
disgust for it.))
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He sets the tray down on the table nearest Reyna.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She smiles to Xu as
he comes in. "Hey, you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He smiles at her, and steps back, lowering his head
deferentially.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "You can come
sit down, if you want."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods and sits down at her feet.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: A smile. "That
works. But if you'd like to sit on the couch, that's okay, too."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He shrugs. "What I like is of no consequence. I am
here to serve you."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Well
I would like you to sit on the couch, then, please."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods and sits beside her. Smiliing at her. There
does not seem to be anything guarded in him, at all.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Are you
hungry?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Very much so. The Rainmakers did not feed me
much. Or often."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods, patting his
leg. "Go ahead and eat, then."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Thank you...Reyna." He nods his head to her,
and takes one of the sandwiches, eating it slowly and tentatively, as if any
moment expecting someone to either take it away from him or to beat him for
eating it.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: No such action from
Reyna, of course. She picks a sandwich herself to eat.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "You're
welcome."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: They're quite good, exactly the way Reyna likes them.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: When he finishes his sandwich, he sits there, hands to
his side. Waiting.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She looks to him,
considering a moment. This is a conundrum...she doesn't quite know what to do.
"How are you feeling?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He considers. "Confused. Thirsty. Hungry. Afraid
you don't like me. Afraid Angelia will reject me again and Master Trevor will
bury me."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Go ahead and
eat and drink until you're not hungry and thirsty. Don't be afraid...I do like
you, very much. I love you. I won't let Trevor bury you, I promise. And I'll
answer any questions you have."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Thank you." He nods and heads over to the
sink to drink from the tap, then moves back over to sit beside her again and
take another sandwich. He eats politely, almost daintily, only speaking after
he's swallowed everything in his mouth. "What is this place?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "It's a house in
Luddington, New York. It used to belong to someone named Deck."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods.
"Doctor Derrick Flanagan. He was a friend of Stonewall's. Kinfolk. Also
treated Nathaniel for the dreams he was having that were tied to me."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods a little.
"Sounds about right."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "I love Stonewall. And Nathaniel." He nods,
again seeming bewildered by that but feeling quite strongly about it,
nevertheless.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Doctor Flanagan was a biopharmacologist. And a
neurosurgeon. He had a goldfish named Weezer who he carried around with him in
a one gallon plastic tank strapped to his chest."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods a little
bit, listening quietly to him.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Master Trevor distrusted him because he could
read other's thoughts without trying."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "He distrusts Karlos for the same reason. Master Trevor
has a lot of secrets."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Yeah, he does
have a problem with that," she muses.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods. "He hates me and wants me buried because
I tell his secrets. And because no one likes me. They all like Master Trevor.
They want him to lead them and make decisions and enforce his will on
them."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "He says I am weak and worthless and need to be
destroyed."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Well, I happen
to think he's mistaken in that respect. And I like you, a lot."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He regards her, chewing his sandwich thoroughly. He
doesn't disbelieve her as much as fail to comprehend her. But he clearly has
been well trained, since after he swallows, he says "Thank you."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "You're
welcome." She nods a little.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He finishes the sandwich and rises, crossing over to
the sink to drink out of the faucet again. "Are you and Karlos going to do
experiments on me?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "No." She
shakes her head, smiling warmly to him. "We would never do that. We love
you."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He seems to have trouble with that,
and after puzzling over it for a long moment, shrugs and accepts it. "Are
you going to restrain me?" he indicates the restraints. "Torture
me?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "No, not at all.
We restrained you earlier, only to help you keep from hurting yourself while we
tried to help you. We don't need them now."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods to that, and moves back over to her. "Do
you want me to carry you upstairs and put you to bed?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She chuckles a little
bit. "Karlos is upstairs. I thought maybe I'd sleep down here with you, if
you don't mind."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Whatever you wish."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Yeah, I
definitely wish." She grins to him a little.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He nods, grinning at her grin, as if seeing her smile
feeds something inside him.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: A bit of a chuckle,
and she relaxes more, standing and moving to hug him. "You're good peeps,
you know that? I really do love you.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: At her hug, he hugs her fiercely, groaning.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Are you okay,
Babe?" She pulls back, frowning a little.
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He releases her as soon as he feels her pulling away,
regarding her with a look of pain and panic. He seems to be trying to figure
out how to answer her question without pissing her off or displeasing her.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She smiles a little,
reaching up again to stroke his cheek. "It's okay, hon...just be honest.
What's wrong?"
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Master Trevor hurts you."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She takes a deep
breath, and sighs, nodding a little. "Sometimes, yeah. He tries not to,
but sometimes, he can't help it."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "He tries to," he nods. "He enjoys
it."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "But you and the
others are there to keep him from it."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "There are others?"
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: "Yeah. There's a
few others."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: "Oh." He nods, apparently not perturbed by
this idea at all.
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: She nods. "I
love all of you. So it's okay. I know about the risk, and I do it anyway."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: He smiles at that, nodding to her, apparently at a loss
as to how to proceed, other than to say "I know."
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (and let's fade here, hunny's home with food. He will
basically do whatever she wants him to do, cheerfully, without any 'tude at
all. He diligently looks after Merlin, also.))
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: A bit of a nod again,
and she smiles. "Yeah." She leans against his side, hugging him once
more, briefly, before sighing. "I don't know about you, but I'm kind of
tired, myself."
Reyna Varinia Reiruno: ((Coolness. Thanks
for the RP, Singha.))
Xu Xian [Jul 5]: (take care. *hugs* thanks for the RP)