as written by Emperor Jester
Nox hadn't been on his best behavior tonight. Sometimes, toying with the folks back in the Phantom Quarter gave him a sense of long overdue satisfaction. They'd provided meals or release for him for nigh on half a century, and took it all in stride. The hopeless and forsaken sometimes made the best of meals, because half the time, it was easy to figure out which ones wouldn't fight it. Parts of the Caer liked those ones. Other parts of his loathed defeatists and their ilk.
A shower in an illegal brothel, as well as other pleasures, had done wonders to easy to post-consumption high he'd been under control of in the last few hours since he'd left the winged bastard and the shadow girl near the sewer entrance and ran afoul some transient teens looking for a 'sugar daddy'. Poor boy hadn't known what he'd been in for. In numerous ways.
Suddenly, as he was paying his due and waving goodbye to the hostess behind the bullet proof glass, his phone rang from deep inside his leather duster...Pierette's number.With a flick of his thumb, Nox accepted the call with a very casual,
"Hello, dove. Why are you calling?"
Liz and Charlene had started getting together twice a week (on Charlene's nights off) to pool resources and have some social time with rational people. Well, rational if Liz's incessant cheerfulness and Charlene's willingness to believe any rumor were ignored. Plus it gave Charlene a chance to pick the brain of an experienced mother; to help understand and cope with the antics of the precocious toddler under her novice care.
When Pierette had started to join their domestic scene, Liz had forgiven all past transgressions and welcomed her sister back with open arms. Charlene was less trusting, but when it became obvious that Perilous actually wanted hear what they had to say, the blonde had grown more tolerant.
It was the children that loved Perilous. Adam and Marie would listen to her read for hours, Anna would stop crying if Pierette just picked her up. Jamie, however, hadn't decided if Pierette was a toy, a friend, or a playmate, and the three-year-old had a dangerous obsession with 'the purse'.
The women were talking about the various jobs they had held when Jamie leaped from the end of the couch onto Pierette's shoulders, going "Rawr! I eat you! Rawr!" and the normally tough woman obligingly squealed.
It was recognizably Perilous' voice as she cried, "Oh no! It's the t-rex! Someone save me! I'm going to be--!" though she suddenly stopped and stared at the cellphone laying in her lap as if it were something much more dangerous than the most fearsome dinosaur to ever roam the planet.
It had sounded like such a simple joke at first. Perhaps she was watching a television somewhere or...whatever it was mortals did. He'd honestly had no clue. But the squeal was what had gotten his attention. That, and the sudden cut-off, (though of course he had no idea the reason behind it), had bothered him.
Nox would snap his phone closed and calmly place it into his jacket pocket once more, making sure it was secure before dashing off into the night. Yesterday had been he dosage of the medicine. She still had Caer blood inside her, working its properties and...taking its toll. All he had to do was focus, smell the air...come on now...she was a member of his House...she was...something to him. In some, twisted way. Focus. Where.
Where.
Where...?
"Damn it Perilous, where are you? If you're dead, if you died by any one else's hand..." He's whisper through clenched teeth, a sudden wave of paranoia sweeping over him in his search. And then...There she was. Not far either. Not exactly close, but not far at all. He'd have to move very, very fast. But not quick enough or directly enough to draw attention. Easy enough. Leading a secret war in a city actively looking for you taught you tricks.
He'd be there in minutes.
While he was searching for her, Pierette was lifting that phone to her ear and asking in a uncertain tone, "Hello? Is someone there?" When nothing met her cringing ear other than the dial-tone, she breathed a sigh of relief. Liz was in the rocking chair with Anna sprawled on her ample chest, and could be counted on to accept whatever excuse Perilous chose to give. Charlene had rescued her boy and was giving the slender ex-sister a considering look.
"So? Who was it?" Charlene prodded as she bounced the three-year-old on her hip and made him crow in delight. Her sagging, comfortable jeans barely put up with the abuse, but as it was only women and children present, the blonde didn't much mind even if they did slip. Her sweater was long enough to cover anyway.
"No one. False alarm. I thought he had managed to call Celeste, and you know how she--" Pierette started to explain as she put away the phone, picking up the sack-like blue purse she loved in order to put it back on the high shelf it was supposed to be on, this time with the strap tucked inside instead of hanging even a little bit.
"Bullshit. You looked scared. Who the hell would Perilous Pierette be afraid of?" Charlene insisted, her brilliant green eyes narrowed in suspicion as she followed Pierette. Adam looked up from his coloring book and shouted, "Mommy! Aunt Char said bad words again!"
Within moments, there would be a slam at the door. The wood would strain and even heave somewhat against whatever had struck it. And then another blow, doing more to torture the poor, battered barrier even further.
On the other side was a roar of frustration.
All four kids would start crying, from Anna's high wail of frightened infant, to Marie's confused tears and Adam trying to be brave and shouting "Go 'way!". Charlene clutched Jamie and backed away from the door as Pierette turned white and pulled a gun from one of the more thoroughly sealed pockets of her purse.
Liz was the only one that remained calm, and gained a stare from Charlene as she asked serenely, "Pierette, would you please see who is at the door and ask them to not break it down? My husband will not be home to repair it until morning." The sleepy sounding brunette just continued to rock, rubbing baby Anna's back, but it seemed to sooth all four kids, at least enough to slow the cries.
Pierette checked the peephole before giving a sound of frustration and relief and just opening the door for Nox.
A blast of cold wind seemed to sweep into the room before a very large man in white did, a look of horrible rage contorting his features into something...monstrous, though for only a second.
Situational awareness was a great thing to have. Wars and fights gave you plenty of it, too. In the fraction of a second it took he Caer to lash out with a clawed hand, he'd take in:
The children.
The other women.
The Children.
The similar smell to Pierette.
THE CHILDREN.
That it was Perilous herself that answered the door.
THE CHILDREN!
He'd turn the attack into a sharp embrace, lifting Pierette into the air, relief sweeping through him, followed by a wave of much more controlled, confused anger.
Pierette gave a startled squawk as she was hefted into the air, one arm pinned and the gun in her hand awkwardly digging into Nox's back as she clung with that arm. She couldn't drop the weapon after all, because she couldn't remember if she had taken the safety off before opening the door. The best she could do was make sure it was the butt of the pistol and not the business end that was pressed against him.
Charlene had backed almost to the kitchen, a bit awed at this display. And angry at herself that all she could do was stand there and hold her son hard enough that the little boy was squirming and started insisting "Down! Jamie down Now!".
Even little Adam was more effective, though he was holding a plastic sword and standing between Nox and Marie as the five-year-old girl cowered among the circle of her dolls.
Liz continued to rock, her eyes closed and her brunette locks hanging over the back of the rocking chair as if she were pinned there by the two-year-old on her chest.
Finally, Pierette asked, "So, umm, I guess that call went through after all?" with a wince and a unusual look of worry on her angular features.
Suddenly, a lot more things made sense to Nox as he stood there. A look of...well, it had almost turned bashful and ashamed before hardening quickly, freezing over like ice.
"I'd thought something had been wrong. I suppose I missed the first half of a conversation or the like." He'd set her down then, drawing in his aura as much as possible. The room would begin to warm, and the smallest bit of color would bloom on Nox's cheeks, just barely, enough to make him seem...less translucent pale.
"Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" Was his simple question, sweeping across all those in attendance, making eye contact with each one, even the brave little boy in the corner.
Perilous hesitated, then shrugged, "Uh, sure. My sister, Elizabeth. Her son, Adam. Her daughters, Marie and Anna. My sister-in-law, Charlene, with her son, Jamie. May I introduce to you all to, um, Dorian LeBeau, my employer and benefactor." She stuck the gun in the back of her waistband as she indicated which family member went with which name.
Liz nodded graciously, then invited, "Won't you please make yourself at home? Rette, would you see if the door can close?" Only after the door was shut did Liz open her extraordinary eyes, blue that skirted the edge of purple, and smiled at 'Dorian'.
Charlene stared openly, finally setting Jamie down, though she kept hold of his shoulder to keep him from pelting at Nox. "That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it?"
Pierette gave Char a harsh smile after the door was safely shut, "He's the reason Remy has caught up on child support."
That made Char's mouth drop open in a stunned 'O' before she immediately warmed to Dorian. "Oh! Well, hello! Nice to meet you! Didn't have to try to knock the house over just to say hello though." She smiled in a way that most men thought was flirty, using her whole face and relaxing her posture at the same time.
Adam wasn't having any of it though, and kept his plastic sword raised, even though Marie had calmed and was tugging at his bright yellow t-shirt (with chocolate stains on the chest).
Nox was sure to take in the sights, keeping an arm around his Perilous, keeping her close, keeping it gentle, caring. Now that his face had relaxed, he was quite handsome, if somewhat stoic. An air of earned importance, dignity, and pride, his eyes seeming to, figuratively, light up the room.
Such a pure, icy blue, like the sky frozen over. Eyes that only knew freedom and sultry looks, and rage. Eyes that had gone without happiness for so long, except, notably, when they'd look at Pierette. "I apologize for the door. I was worried over...nothing, it seemed."
Liz's eyes were untroubled as she nodded, then sat up slowly to set Anna in the playpen next to the rocking chair. The domestic scene was scattered with toys and the debris of rampant children, everything breakable or of value on shelves at least five feet in the air. There was the couch (well loved seemed to be the polite way to describe the brown corduroy pile of softness), a love seat (didn't match, but the floral pattern was very feminine), and the television with some goofy kid's show and no sound on. The kitchen was visible through an archway, and seemed to have been redone recently in soothing pinks and greens. Otherwise, a dim hallway lead further into the old house.
"If it needs replacing, you will take care of it, so there is no need to be concerned." Liz announced as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Pierette and Charlene exchanged a worried look before watching the round-figured woman shoo the older children into the hallway to go play in Adam's room.
Pierette kept one arm tight around Nox's waist as she stayed with him, as if she could help him hold his temper with the force of her grip. And keep Charlene from saying anything stupid with the flash of her glance.
Charlene awkwardly settled on the end of the couch then, "Umm. I guess everyone is kinda touchy lately. Worried over nothings. There were those killings last week, and the werewolves rampaging, and all sorts of unexplained-- What? Why are you glaring at me, Rette?"
Nox's eyes would narrow briefly before moving to take a seat on the couch. "Of course I will. It is my fault, so its my responsibility. I am afraid I over reacted." Patting the fabric to brush off any food particles or dust, or more likely, toys, Nox would sit down, the furniture straining under his bulk.
More looks to the kids. His eyes were alight when he gazed on them, like he was looking at something nostalgic, or long missed. Like something he had lost. "I do thank you for the warm welcome, regardless of my...entrance. I am a passionate individual, as I'm sure Perilous might have told you."
Though honestly, his voice sounded anything but. Not quite monotone, but dull, disinterested.
"We call her 'Rette' here." Liz answered mildly, drifting towards the kitchen. "Perilous is her street name. Rette is from the family's affection."
Charlene shifted her weight, uncomfortable at the nearness but not willing to get up and flee too obviously. "Umm. Rette doesn't say much about you, actually. We have heard that she has a fabulously wealthy benefactor with a big old house in the historically important section of Fontainbleau, but that is about it."
