Goldfish

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke gritted his teeth body already on the ready, funny how railed up Boogies got him. He looked back at Lavender. “if we run down there a way, there is a tree growing right up by the roof jump into it and we can climb down.” he stated accusingly. Then looked back to the boogie. The Boogie laughed at them, two children. He licked his lips. “what a pretty girl though…I might save her to have some fun with.” he smirked then looked to Luke. “I you come nicely I wont kill you.” he stated.

“perverted old bog aren’t you?” Luke smirked turning slowly trying to get to the right side they needed to be on to ditch this Booger, as he liked to call them. “I wish I had a shotgun right now.” Luke smirked. The Boogie laughed and suddenly boasted. “well, you did happen to get sent away to--” suddenly the knife enter the Boogie’s shoulder. And then suddenly pull back flying into Luke’s hand seems he’d tied a string to it, and threw it at the smart mouthed Boogie man.

The boogie cried out and fell on his side with a thud and shouted a few choice words, as his wound started to heal. “See that’s what I’m talking about, sweetie, they don’t play fair!” he shouted and took Lavender’s hand with his other one and started to run with her toward the way off the roof. There boots clanking lightly on the roofing. “sorry I can be a little temperamental when it comes to---” he paused as something landed in front of them with a loud crash. It seemed to be a large black bear…..the Boogies talent, to change into this wild animal, a bear….lovely.

“well…..crap.” Luke stated dumbly.

[Lavender Marriott]

Lavender stood up straighter with a retort in her mouth, NO one was going to talk to her like that. But Luke beat her to the chase, but she still really wanted to smart off, she really couldn't help it. Her comment was cut short as Luke threw the dagger into the Boogie's shoulder. Her breathe left her in a small exhale from the surprise, but she got it back when she gasped as Luke grabbed her hand and started to drag her across the roof.

Her eyes landed on the creatures shoulder for a split second and she watched the wound start to close. 'But that's not possible! She finally got into the flow of things and started running with Luke instead of being half dragged by the man. The stunned woman listened as he started to apologize for his swift temper but her attention was quickly taken again by the giant BEAR that had landed in front of them. "He's... he's a... a bear." Survival instincts kicked in at this point, her body thrust itself into high gear.

But how do you outrun a BEAR?! Playing dead obviously wasn't going to work in this situation as it would GET them dead and bear's where better tree climbers than humans so there went that option. She had a plan, one that required some guts, some acrobatics, and a few loose tiles. She had the idea to use it's inertia against it. Once it got moving, it's mass would keep it going, and since they were on the roof, the tiles wouldn't be strong enough to successfully stop it without some sliding. If it slid past her far enough, she could shove with all she had to fully propel it off the roof.

"I'm going to try and make it run itself off the side of the building. Here's hoping it can't stop very well!" And with that, she took off toward the creature. Her small frame gave her a better axis to turn on, so she could change her direction much faster than the Boogie that was facing them down. Lavender really didn't know if this was going to work or not... she just hoped like heck it did. So she ran at him and passed by, hoping he followed, or turned and was distracted so Luke could stab him again.

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke panted some readying himself, but then suddenly Lavender ran past him!? “wha--?!” he gasped blinking wide eyes, as he heard her tell him her plain to run it off the building. Luke watched her run almost shocked at her choice but then nodded. “wait!” he gasped. Then turned toward the Boogie that had seen her run past him.
“Ha-ha…bad move woman!” the bear-boogie grumbled in his throat then chased after the girl! “Lavender!” Luke shouted and started to run after the bear, careful not to get close enough for it to twist around and get him. Was this woman insane?! Afraid for her life, as well as his own, he couldn’t help but laugh. The adrenaline pumped though his body, he let out a small laugh as he chased the bear and the female. Though Luke had suddenly started to wonder why the bear walked away from him so easily?

Luke slammed on his brakes careful not to fall, as he heard foot steps, he swiftly whipped out his dagger and twisted around. As he did he was knocked off his feet, and landed with a thud on his back and knife rolled away from him, but thankfully not off the roof. He reached for it but suddenly saw something suddenly fly at him and wrap around his neck, lifting him off the ground he came face to face with another Boogie, a tall lanky feminine looking man, stretched fingers like rubber snakes around Luke’s neck.

The human coughed and tried to move about, struggling didn’t help. The man brought him closer and investigated him while saying: “you best behave and leave my partner alone, little boy.” the Boogie giggled, and then waved his other hand over Luke’s face. “but what a pretty thing you are though.” he smiled brushing Luke’s hair back. Luke snapped at him, barely missing with his teeth. The boogie looked appalled. Luke struggled some more. The Boogie sighed. “Please just be still.” it stated other fingers wrapping around Luke’s body like rope. Luke growled. “Okay stretch I’m not in the mood….so let me go!” he shouted. He had to go help Lavender!

The Boogie hissed. “what a disgusting name, someone as lovely as I!” the boogie shouted. Luke started to move and wiggle harder. Finely from some chance of fate, he managed to kick the boogie braking them apart, as Luke landed then twisted around to run after Lavender and the other Booger.

Seconds later he found himself falling, by his dagger, but he fell with a thud blood leaking from his shoulder the Boogie’s fingers had entered and exited his shoulder area, sending blood everywhere…. Luke cried out then winced gritting his teeth painfully his fingers twitched grasping the blade he suddenly cut the Booger’s fingers off from the back of his shoulder. The beast screamed and backed up. Luke shot up, and darted toward the Boogie, eyes gleaming….


Finely he stood, blood covered and gripped the blade hand shaking he hurried to where he saw Lavender and the bear running…please be safe… he gripped his shoulder and pressed on as fast as he could.


[[sorry if it’s a odd post O.o; lol any who you can god-mod mr.bear lol kill him or whatever XP]]

[Lavender Marriott]

Lavender heard him shout for her, but she couldn't turn back. She could hear the bear fast on her heels and if she turned to look back the bear would run her over and probably eat her or something. The girl could see the end of the roof coming up faster and faster. Ooh this was going to be rough.

She heard Luke fall and then yell out, all the poor guy had done was pick her out of the hallway and look how much trouble it had cause him! 'Good job Lavender, see if anyone ever helps you out again! Man I really owe this guy.' There wasn't anything she could do to help him right now even if she wanted too, so she kept running. Her sides and legs burned despite the adrenaline rush pumping through her veins but she wasn't slowing down, not even close.

The edge of the building was only a few feet away when she made her move. She could tell the boogie's focus was on her and didn't realize how short the stop was going to be, but Lavender couldn't jump into the tree seeing as how she didn't know how she would get back onto the roof from there, and the bear would easily be able to follow her straight into it. The woman quickly thought of a way to propel herself up in the air with a slight angle so that she could grab onto the gutter while the creature sped by her, hopefully to the ground below. So that's just what she did. Her hands hit the sharp tile as she did a type of spinning cartwheel into a back-flip maneuver, this rocketed her up into the air and over the side of the building. The way she flipped helped her to curve the flight of her fall and she reached out and latched onto the guttering, swinging dangerously over the edge.

The bear on the other hand wasn't so lucky. His attention had been solely on his target, the young female fleeing from him. Surely he could catch a puny little girl? Maybe it was almost like a game to the beast? But he didn't see just how close they were to the roof's end, but when he did it was already to late. He didn't have time to adjust his fall so that he would land in the tree and he was to massive to just stop. He did try to stop though and this caused the old tile to rise up underneath his paws and crumble over the edge and hit Lavender. The animal shortly followed, one of his claws caught Lavender's leg. He had tried to grab on to her, to either take her with him, or to hang on so he wouldn't fall, but whatever his reasoning, it didn't work and it left a gash in her flesh. Shortly after there was a sickening crunch and then silence down below. Lavender looked down at the body and the red liquid flowing out of the thing beneath her; she was tempted to let go. Maybe then things wouldn't hurt so badly.

The woman heard Luke yell out in pain and she realized their fight wasn't over yet. She struggled to get up over the edge. There probably wasn't much she could do, but she had to help him in any way she could. But she was having trouble pulling her legs up over the edge. Her hands were cut up from the cracked tile and her arms were starting to become bloody from where the bear's weight had broken the tile on the edge, not to mention the huge slice out of her leg.

Lavender wasn't going to sit back though, no, she finally managed to pull herself up, at last crawling over the edge. She could see him running towards her, he too was covered in blood, though not all of it seemed to be his. "How did that happen?" She wondered out loud. The wound he had looked bad, she couldn't tell if it was still bleeding or not due to the fact he was covered in blood, so she started looking for something to possibly wrap his arm with. Once he arrived to her she was slightly in shock from what had just occurred to them.

"You're bleeding! Come here, hold still so I can wrap it." Lavender was going to tear off some of the cloth from the bottom of her shirt, unaware that she was bleeding herself. "Are there anymore of those things around?"

[ooc, No problem at all. That was a pretty cool post to be honest! xD]

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke finely spotted Lavender hurrying toward him too, they met midway and he stopped a small smirk on his face, a mix of pain and amusement, but worry too. “Your…alive…well…..congrats.” he smirked watching her then blinked. As she spoke, he was bleeding…. He looked at his shoulder moving his hand some. “its just a scratch.” he smirked tiredly watching her then crouched down on one knee, in truth he was tired, but secondly he pointed out her wound, and hoped it only seemed that way. “you Bleeding too.” he frowned, taking off his headband he spread it out over her wound and tied it tightly with both hands.

“Nasty booger…” he stated then looked up at her. “Its…alright we can go to my hide out…” he stated and looked at her. “your all messed up girl.” he stated. “but looks like you got what it takes.” he laughed standing, and put a hand on her shoulder, after making sure it wasn’t bloody. “I have food and stuff there….it’s a shack…hidden in the forest.” he stated with a grunt.

He paused and shook his head. “there everywhere. But…we should be able to avoid them there all inside around this time of night.” he stated then tried to brush some of his hair out of his face, but all he got in return was the rest of it falling, his rubber band snapped. “grate” he growled. “now I look like a girl.” he stated black messy hair hanging over his shoulders, as he limped toward the ‘exit’ off the roof, and glanced at the body below, before back to Lavender. “You….going to be okay?” he asked meaning mentally.

[[OOC: yay lol ty >D and very nice post yourself! lol sorry this ones short getting uber late here XP]]

[Lavender Marriott]

Her breath came in small huffs, the adrenaline was wearing off and she was starting to feel the pain in her leg. When he congratulated her she laughed a little bit, “Thanks, I try.” He surprised her when he dropped down to his knee; she wasn’t sure at first if he was collapsing or what. She then looked down, surprised by the huge rip and the amount of blood soaking through her jeans. “I guess he got me and I didn’t realize it…” When he started to wrap her leg up she realized it though, it caused her to yell out in pain until she clamed down on her knuckle to keep from making any more noise. The woman didn’t want to bring any more of those things up there with them.

She smiled as he laughed, “I guess I do.” After he was finished, she tore off the end of her shirt to wrap around his shoulder. She could tell he was going to be hard headed about it, but she didn’t want to watch him bleed out, especially if there was something she could do to help him. After all, look at all the trouble she had put him through. “Here, let me.” If there was any form of water and heat source at his shack then she could clean out their wounds so they didn’t get infected. That would definitely be the last thing either of them needed.

As his hair fell around him she couldn’t help but laugh a little bit, “If it’s not one thing then it’s another right?” She then noticed just how long his hair was. It was even longer than hers was, “Goodness you have long hair, no wonder you keep it tied back, it must get in the way an awful lot. It looks nice though.” Lavender found herself starting to ramble so she just shut up and followed him to their special exit. Her eyes also landed on the broken body below, it was lying at an odd angle and blood was pooling around what was once the huge bear.

She wanted to lie, to say everything was okay and she was fine. Lavender wanted nothing more than to pretend she was strong enough to get through this strange ordeal just fine and dandy. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the lie she had prepared. “It’ll ah… it’s going to take me a while to get used to it all,” she said quietly.

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke sucked in a deep breath, then paused when she wrapped his shoulder he chuckled some. “thanks.” he nodded. “I’ll be okay, but will you?” he asked softly once again hopefully he wasn’t annoying her yet. He laughed a little trying to brush his hair back again and sighed. “well least its warm in the winter.” he sighed a little fakely. “I think I need a hair cut he smirked grabbing a limb on the tree and pulling it closer. The tree was large and sturdy, as he started to climb down trying to help her along the way, as they soon got to the ground he nodded at her last comment.

“I…know…” he muttered refusing to look at the body but shook his head. “but your alive.” he stated. “I don’t know….what else to do, lay down and die, or fight…well. I chose to fight.” he scratched his head some then patted her shoulder. “You will be okay.” he stated. “but don’t ever give up.” he smiled giving a chuckle and thumbs up then groaned holding his shoulder. “eheh.” his brow twitched some.

“Okay!” he spun around. “I know its hard, but we can try and life strong and somewhat happy.” he stated and started to walk toward the woods some, glancing around first until they got to the cover of the trees. “we should be safe from Boogies now, but I don’t recommend going out here alone, it’s a bad place to get lost.” he nodded then looked at the trees some had a small cut in them, one wouldn’t notice unless looking for it. “my trail.” he grinned dumbly leading her to the small shack. “not really home, but its close enough I suppose.” he added.

[[sorry took so long to post, my pc crapped out yesterday ^^;; and I’m struggling with a all around art-block so sorry for crappy post ^^;;]]

[Lavender Marriott]

She smiled slightly, "Yeah, I'll be okay." The smell of his blood hit her nose as they walked by and she almost regurgitated what little she had in her stomach. 'Don't ever give up,' his words echoed in her head, those would echo through her ears until she left this place and for many years after that.

The longer they walked the more her leg ached, but she didn't say anything to Luke about it. The most Lavender did to show that she was weakening was to slow down for a few moments, her injured leg taking smaller steps than the other. "I can't say that I'll be taking too many personal strolls in these woods."

Lavender noticed the small cuts in the trees after he moved away from them. They would have been invisible unless he had pointed them out. "Clever." The woman smiled. "Hey, how is your shoulder holding up?" The girl was concerned for her helper, so much trouble she had caused him. After traveling in silence a little longer she asked him quietly, "What keeps you happy here?"
Lavender was very grateful when the shack came into view. Her leg had started to quiver a little bit, it needed rest badly.

"It's not that cursed mansion, it's wonderful." His smile was infectious and she couldn't help but smile a huge grin right along with him. "Let's go, we're almost there it seems?"

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke smiled lightly looking back toward her and slowed his pace some scratching the back of his head with one hand. “yea these woods are deadly but if ya know how to do things its not that big a deal.” he smirked then paused watching her a bit then heard her speak again. Saying it was clever then asked what kept him happy here? Was a strange question he had to ponder on before replying.

“not really sure I think its Pride.” he laughed a little. “I mean I’m just chilling I feel sorry for other humans but im just one less they aren’t controlling, and never will.” he nodded. “So I think that kind of just gives me that boost I need, but don’t get me wrong I’d choose home over this place anytime.” he laughed.

“its just up ahead,” he spoke up then shifted around her with a few steps and bent down pulling her arm up over his good shoulder and tried to help her walk. “hehe….careful.” he stated. “got to take care your first wound, cause many more come later.” he stated with a almost sad tone. Then looked ahead.. “home-sweet-home, all it lasts is indoor heating and plumbing.” he said with a sigh and shake of his head. It was just as he said a small lonesome forgotten shack, all the basics of home, a roof. But inside he had supplies and a small spot in the middle of the floor for a fire.

[sorry been needing to post so long ^^;; and so short i need to get back intot he swing of thingslol]

[Lavender Marriott]

Home... was there anything left for her at home? Was everyone gone now? How could she chose between this place and home. Lavender didn't know anything about this place, aside from the bear man that had attacked them and how Luke was very adamant about avoiding the boogies. What were the boogies anyway? Where had they come from? Were they humans that had been lost over time then mutated into these strange monsters? Were they ever human? She hoped she was like Luke and would never be captured or claimed or whatever it was they did to the unfortunate humans they stole.

Lavender leaned against him, grateful for the extra help in walking. Her face crumpled, more? Ugh, just what she needed. "It'll be okay, we'll help each other through it. It'll be okay, right?" Her eyes landed on the little shack. "They know you are a.. free man right? what keeps them away from this place? Are you always running?"

As the two of them limped towards the building Lavender asked him if there was a water source nearby, if so then she would boil some for them to wash their wounds in. Undoubtedly it was, or had the potential to become infected, her leg had been scratched up by a rusty drain pipe and he had been swiped at by the bear. They needed to do something to clean the wounds.

[Luke Valtrie]

Luke helped her watching in front of them always on guard, yet always seemed to happy-go-lucky as well. Funny really. He looked toward her again she mush have had a bazillion thoughts running though her mind. He wanted to ask, but didn’t, he knew better, she would talk when she needed to, he’d try and help, but also couldn’t help but recall how confused he was when he came here. Of course being sent to boot camp actually helped out some, go figure.

‘It will be Okay, right?’ those were her words they ran though his mind. He sighed a little before he could reply she spoke up again asking about his running away and ‘freedom’. Luke blinked a few times smirking lightly he huffed and scratched the back of his neck. “well, I guess they would have to know, I mean geesh. I don’t know” he chuckled lightly. “I’m not sure they care about the individual human who shows up every now and again” he added. “I move around every now and then. But they don’t tend to come here often. I’ve set traps, and we took the only real rout to get here without running into the thorn bushes. Those can be nasty” he grinned.

Moments later when she asked for the water he laughed. Opening the door inside the walls were mostly bare, other then the one side that had some rickety old shelves on some were some random tools, a fork or two, a bag of nails, a roll of twine, some newspapers sat in the corner, and some milk jugs of water sat atop them. In another corner a crate with some cloths what looked like sheets sticking out, and Lastly there was a old crate that most likely had some kind of food inside of it.

“Chicks dig a guy with his own place” he waved a hand. Then stepped inside and tossed her a cushion to sit on, in the center of the room, the floor was dug out the perfect circle, and stones placed around it, perfect for cooking or warming up. He helped her sit if she needed help then yanked a pot off the shelf and a few matches to light the small fire, and before sitting opened a rather small window and in hailed deeply. Sitting he lit the fire blowing on it some and glanced back up at her to make sure she hadn’t had a mental breakdown yet. Or maybe just to see how she was taking this all in.

[Lavender Marriott]

Lavender listened to Luke tell her about the general pathways to get to their current location and the outlook of the Boogies. Wait… so they would just bring people here for the sake of doing it? Of disrupting the lives of others simply for their sick pleasure? It boggled her mind, she couldn’t comprehend it right now, she probably wouldn’t ever fully understand. Right now was the worst though, the adrenaline was gone so the gash in her leg throbbed painfully and the memory of what had just happened both before and after she appeared in this newfound hell. She needed something to focus on before she broke down and started crying, she would undoubtedly cry soon, but she didn’t want to do it in front of Luke. He may have saved her but he was still a stranger, and she hardly let herself cry in front of herself let alone others, not to mention the fact that she didn’t want him to think that she couldn’t take it. That she wasn’t wouldn’t be able to survive and that she would only hold him back and possibly get him captured. Even in this predicament she couldn’t help but think of Luke above herself.

Who was she anyway? Just some girl that had fallen from the ceiling or materialized out of a wall or simply appeared out of thin air. He had no reason to help her, but he had, and she was grateful and wasn’t going to get him caught for her ineptitudes. The young woman watched mutely as he opened what seemed to be a supply cupboard and took a quick scan at what he had, he had quite the inventory it seemed. All for the better, if one was living on their own in a dog eat dog world, only the survivalist well… survived. Lavender wondered if she would be able to live in this wasteland.

“Chicks dig a guy with his own place”

Luke’s comment broke a smile to her quivering lips, lips she hadn’t even known had been trembling till she laughed. It was a tight laugh, one to spite the situation, and her eyes even smiled a little bit. “So, you think you’re ready for a look in girl then?” She couldn’t help but joke along, it was better than sitting there focusing on things that wouldn’t and couldn’t change and feeling miserable. As he helped her down, she leaned on him heavily, her slight body height probably not very strenuous on him, but she didn’t want to aggravate the injury in his arm anymore than it already was. “Thank-you Luke,” she whispered, wishing she didn’t need the assistance, trying to pretend it was just because he was kind and not because she would have toppled over if he hadn’t helped her onto the cushion. She would see to his arm before she remotely worried about her leg and various little injuries, he needed the attention much more than she did. “It looks like the bleeding has stopped.” She motioned awkwardly with her hand, “Your arm I mean… it’s not bleeding anymore. Try not to strain it…” The painter stopped before she began to ramble.

While he was preparing the fire and pot, her mind wandered to places it shouldn’t have and she could feel her muscles start to shake. No matter how much she willed them to stop behaving such, the continued to quiver. The girl could feel a full blown panic attack rising up as her lungs threatened to clench. By now she was biting back sobs. She wasn’t going to cry or have a fit in front of this man, she would be able to hold out till he fell asleep. Lavender didn’t know when she would feel safe enough to sleep again… If ever fully. Her throat continuously pulsed as she swallowed involuntarily, attempting to push the lump that had risen up in it back down to wherever it had come from. Her good leg was pressed tight against her chest as she attempted to curl into a ball,( her injured leg was numb and was beginning to get stiff so it didn't move at all), a reaction she didn’t know she was doing until she clasped her hands together, agitating the cuts on her hands and arms from the broken tiles.

’Focus on cleaning the wound, the steps you need to take… Focus on something else. Look at the textures of the place, find something!’ Lavender Marriott screamed to herself as silent tears built up in her eyes. ’Not here, not now. Focus.’

[Luke Valtrie]

“So, you think you’re ready for a look in girl then?” Lavender tried to joke along.

Luke looked at her and shrugged some, but only with his good shoulder. “well I know a few cretins would be nice, but the types they have around here I don’t think would suite the place” he smirked. After helping her down she thanked him. He blinked at her and smiled rubbing the back of his neck, well he couldn’t have just left her there, he thought. Really, he didn’t want to get her in trouble no less involved with his little ‘war’ or whatever it was, but for now she needed help, then after she was patched up and alright, she could choose to be a slave or not, he hoped not, but sometimes people just broke into it.

“It looks like the bleeding has stopped.” She motioned awkwardly with her hand, “Your arm I mean… it’s not bleeding anymore. Try not to strain it…” Luke looked at her then to his shoulder. “ah right.” he smirked. “almost forgot” he half grinned. Honestly knowing him, who knew. But he nodded. “guess I needed a vacation, got enough food to hold up out here for a while” he smirked and shot a thumb over at one of the crates then looked to the pot of water, then huffed wondering when it would hurry up and boil.

He sat legs folded under him. He watched her but tried not to let her notice. He couldn’t help but think about it all. He felt sorry for her, wishing he could somehow send her back, and defiantly hoping he hadn’t gotten her into more trouble, then she would be in by herself. She was upset, he didn’t blame her, actually inwardly it kind of got to him. To see girls cry put needles in his heart. sadly he’d stuck to playing brave and stupid so long he wasn’t to good with comforting people, of course he wouldn’t want to lie, and tell her everything was going to be okay, if he didn’t know, but maybe it would help her to hear it anyway? Bah he didn’t know!

Tears started to build up in her eyes, and Luke tried to re-tame his wild hair since he used his headband for a wrap. He thought about how he felt coming here. Afraid too. But of course he was already away from home and screwed up to a degree. Resting them a moment then looking up with his green eyes he gave a weak smile.

“It is okay to be afraid.” he stated leaning back some. And swallowed dryly. “….fear isn’t something we can live without. But you can learn to wield it…later. ” he sighed some scratching his head. “I guess what I am trying to say is. I’m really sorry, for what has happened to you. But you have the right to be afraid, cry, scream if you want.” he nodded. “I’ve got one good shoulder to lean on” he nodded then had to smirk possibly ruining the moment. “of course after those emotions comes rage, when you want to brake something try and steer away from the good china” he made a screwed up smile.

[Lavender Marriott]

Lavender would probably never choose to be a slave; she was too free spirited and stubborn when it came time to put her nose to the grindstone. The only reason she would go with any form of willingness would be to help someone else. If there were ever a chance she could save someone from the servitude and get them out of the system entirely… maybe then. But who could tell at this moment? She had just arrived and didn’t know the rules to the game. Of course the rules were pretty clear cut by this point, at least a portion of them.

Some vacation… she knew he was only joking but a burst of cynicism jumped out in front of her eyelids and she couldn’t help but huff the tiniest bit. This wasn’t exactly… vacation material. This place wasn’t much of anything material, but of course she was looking at the whole picture and not the little bits like their current haven. This place would probably be viewed as a heaven soon. Knowing that there was somewhere safe from… transforming bear people and whatever else this strange place held onto. Lavender knew she was going to have to learn quickly or die as fast.

Most of her life, Lavender had lived in a self aware bubble, meaning she knew that all sorts of crap was out there in the world, and that one day she was going to have to put up with more than her fair share, but she went about her days not worry about that time, not preparing for it. She wasn’t naïve, but she wasn’t exactly the most unsheltered of individuals. Her own thoughts turned to what was happening right before she left home or was taken from home more like. Lavender was very aware that if she hadn’t been stolen when she was then she probably wouldn’t be alive, or well, the man might have very well of had his way with her, much like the bear/man had eluded too before the two “harmless” humans fought back and gave the guy his own taste of salt.

It didn’t make the pain and confusion any less real, any less incomprehensible.

When he started talking again, she briefly looked at him, she had really hoped she was hiding it better from him, but had known she hadn’t been in some back corner of her mind. He wasn’t stupid, and she wasn’t going to insult him by pretending that he was even though in some twisted mean it might save her some face or general semblance of pride. Her fear was such an easy thing to read anyway, at least when she didn’t have anyone to take care of or be strong for, and this only made it so much harder, she’d never been in a situation where she’d been afraid without having someone else to protect, namely her little sister, so she wasn’t quite prepared for the raw power of the emotion.

The young woman avoided his eye while he spoke; instead her gaze fell full on the crackling little fire as it tried to warm the pot enough to boil the liquid inside, a silent tear slipped over the full lid of her eye, unable to hold it back or siphon it away through the ducts. She watched his hands as he scratched his head, absorbing any and all details just incase this world slipped away too and was replaced by something different once more.

“I’ve got one good shoulder to lean on”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, she laughed a low, nervous, situational laugh. One that held almost no humor to it, but it held a little hope at least.
. “of course after those emotions comes rage, when you want to brake something try and steer away from the good china”
And that was the breaker, she laughed a little more and then there was no to resisting the water that was building up. It blurred her vision to the point where everything looked like it was underwater, the excess dripping down her face, for a moment she wondered if he was serious about his shoulder offer as she used the back of her sleeve to swipe at her eyes, silent crying being covered by a gentle laugh.

“I’ll be sure,” she sniffed, “to break every single one to bits over someone’s head.” Another small sniff as she tried to downplay her emotional reaction, ashamed and guilty of the way she was handling things even though the emotional response was natural and to be expected in the circumstances. “Probably yours since I’ll most assuredly be in a horrid mood.”