Looking for Trouble? [Kyle]

[Kyle Roberts]

Needless to say he was utterly shocked when her hand slammed into the side of his face. She might have been small, but being a boogie meant that she was unnaturally strong, and so the slap resulted in his head being snapped around and his body slamming into the ground. A muffled grunt was the only way he could react before he was jerked up by his collar, paralyzed by confusion and disbelief. So stunned was he that his despair actually rolled back for the moment, allowing him to clearly hear every word that she was saying to hm.

He stared at this strange woman, anger battling with despair. She didn't know how he felt, what it was to devote your entire life to someone only to have your heart ripped out of your chest by them. The boy came to his feet, towering over the small boogie as he brought his fist up to clench the front of her dress in fury. "You d--!" But what if she did understand? What if he wasn't the only one? "Y--..."

Slowly he released the woman, backing away a few steps with his head lowered to the ground. Tears began rolling down his face, the boy realizing just how stupid he was. The woman was right, he was a damned idiot. The knowledge didn't help any, in fact it just turned his despair into self loathing. He hated himself and how stupidly worthless he was, he hated himself more than the boogie ever could hate him. His legs crumpled under him and he hit the ground once more on his hands and knees sobbing. "Your right. I'm a fucking idiot. But I..." His voice caught in his throat, tear filled eyes opening to stare at the ground. He spoke, but the words were little more than a choked whisper. "I don't know what to do...."

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jasmine was unfazed as the boy stood and gripped her dress. Tall or short, she was still a Boogie, so she had the strength difference. Hades watched the two of them with curiosity and pleasure, wondering which direction his master's little outburst would take the human. Either her would wake up, or he'd fall even deeper into his messed up head and off him self even quicker. Jazz was obviously hoping for the former, but her semi-sadist birdie was cheering on the latter in secret.

Hades backed up as Kyle did, and it was the first option that won out. The boy woke up and cracked, crying and crumpled on the ground. The hatred and anger that had shot out when Jazz had slapped Kyle was completely gone, even though the glint in her eyes was still there. With dainty little steps, the woman moved to kneel next to the human and place both hands on his shoulders. Her glare softened as swiftly as it had sharpened.

"Hey now, it's okay. It's fine now..." she spoke as if she was speaking to a child, probably out of habit. Jasmine winced, noticing her hand print still clear on the boys face. Ugh. She hated hitting people, especially humans. Especially humans in this state. But since there was no ice-water nearby, minus the river, what was she supposed to do? Hit him with Hades? That might have worked, actually.

Jazz pulled Kyle in with barely any effort to rest his head on her shoulder. She remembered doing that when Pax had been upset...maybe it might help...

"Nobody knows what to do, ever. In their life."

[Kyle Roberts]

He crouched there on the ground, blinded by his tears and the fury rushing through his veins. How could he have been such an idiot? Killing himself...he was just trying to run away, trying to escape. But that was the easy way, and he didn't deserve it. As worthless as he was, he deserved the agony of living this life, of having his heart ripped out again everytime he saw her face or heard her name. He deserved to suffer.

Yet again he was surpised by this incredibly odd woman, never in all his life having expected such actions from anyone. He looked up into her golden eyes, his own tearfilled and barely alive. Why did she care? Kyle had asked himself that a thousand times now and yet he still couldn't even begin to understand it. In his eyes there was nothing as undeserving of care as he. All he could chalk it up to was that she felt pity for him, for this pitiful creture lying broken at her feet. He knew that she didn't really care, she was j-- And then she pulled him to her.

It did help, more than she could know. Only one person in all his life had ever held him, and then she had only done it after they'd made love. It made him feel safe, eased a bit of his fears. Unconsciously his arms came up to wrap around her as he buried his head into the woman's shoulder. Afterwards he'd be embarrassed as hell, but that was afterwards. Right now he felt like a lost child who had just found their way home to their mother. And in truth that's exactly what he was, a lost child.

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jamsine smiled, just a small barley-visable smile, as Kyle nestled into the messy black fabric of her dress shoulder. He really did remind her of a little boy, even if he was taller than her, age-wise she could be his great great great...well, point made. Carefully her small hand moved to stroke the human's hair, like one would an animal, but she meant it to be soothing. Hades cooed from one of the rocks on the rivers edge.

Even when the pair of arms wrapped around her, the Boogie woman didn't budge. Personal space being invaded, she simply smiled a bit stronger and nuzzled Kyle's own shoulder. "Feeling any better, dear one?" The last bit was spoken in the old language, so it would come out as 'leelan', the word that loosley translated to 'dearest' but could also mean 'dear one'. She liked using her own language, and it had a certian grace to it that seemed to calm people, so, in this situation, calm was good.

I think I can help this kid.

Hades made a sound like a flute, looking at his reflection in the waves.

[Kyle Roberts]

As strange as it might seem, especially to Kyle himself, he was feeling oddly at ease. The feeling was entirely foreign to him, having had to fight tooth and nail everyday just to stay alive. But he was, something about this extremely odd woman was comforting to him. It was almost like...like she was his mother. Or at least the kind of person his mother should have been. His own would never hold him like this, would never care about him, not even enough to have pulled him from the river.

As she gently stroked his hair, and the bird cooed softly from somewhere near by, he actually felt himself relax. How or why he couldn't explain, but he was. All of his problems seemed to float away, to disappear. Only vaguely could he recall what was going on, just barely could he remember Sarah and his own self hatred. He was lost in the feel of the embrace, in the caring motions that were so new and strange to him. Something told him that he shouldn't give in, that he didn't deserve to give in, that he should pull away and go off on his own somewhere, to be alone just like he always had. But he couldn't, not yet at least.

He only understood part of what she said, some of it having been spoken in some odd language that he couldn't even begin to comprehend. But he supposed that it must have been the boogie's own language, they had to have one of their own afterall. Whatever it was, it sounded nice to him. He nodded weakly into her shoulder, not wanting to pull away from her just yet. But he knew that he probably should, that she was most likely uncomfortable having him hold her like this. So he did pull away, but just a bit. Just enough for him to tilt his head, to stare at her with the eyes of the lost child that lay inside him.

[Jasmine Krisp]

As the boy nodded, a very familiar warmth spread through Jasmine's chest. He was lost, sad and scared, and all alone even though he was surrounded by others. Just like she had been when she'd woken up. Just like Pax had been when she was abandoned. Or me when Pax had died. The purple boogie countered his head tilt by catching his face in her small hands, her smile still clear on her face. Golden eyes glowed with the softness of a friend.

Or a mother.

"Thank goodness. I was worried." Jazz started to stand up, her fingers still lightly touching the humans face. She was still a bit weary, so she kept close, ready to stop him if he snapped again. "C'mon. I'll take you back to my room and you can dry off. You don't want to catch a cold..." Her hand fell from Kyle's cheek to the air, held out for him to take. Hades jumped from the rocks and stood at his master's side.

"I'll look after you, Kyle. Okay?"

She wanted to get him to safety soon. Not just because he needed to dry off. Jasmine wanted to keep him close, and treat those cuts and bruises on his body. She wanted, now more than ever, to be the crutch for him. Of course, it was also getting close to sunrise. And if she met the sun...even the Wonderland sun...she'd pass out, and be in no position to help Kyle.

Hades chirped, understanding the rush. If worse came to worse and Jazz needed to get to shelter fast, he was ready to nab both her and the human and fly back to the castle.

[Kyle Roberts]

When he felt the tiny hands touch his cheeks, he was surprised. It was such a new and strange sensation. The only time he'd ever been held like that, so caringly, so lovingly.....it had been years and years ago, when Sarah was still a little girl. Back when she'd still needed him. When she had loved him, unconditionally. She's always been all he needed to pull through but.... Maybe...maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have more....

He blinked as she stood up, not surprised by her action. No, he was too confused by her words. She was worried about him? Since when had anyone worried about him? He'd always been able to take care of himself. Granted that he'd kind of fallen completely apart but..... Still....it was kind of nice to know that someone was worrying about him. He'd always wondered what that was like.

She held out her hand, and without thinking he took it. In that instant the strong, stubborn man that he'd always been completely fell away. He was now reduced to being the child he'd never had the chance to be. When he actually had been a child, he'd been forced to mature well past his age in order to survive, and in order to keep Sarah alive. But now...now she didn't need him. And no matter how stubborn he was, the only thing really keeping him alive in this world was his mistress' influence. So there was really nothing keeping him as what he was.

His hand rested easily in hers as he let her lead him back to the palace. He really did feel like a little boy following after his mother, even though he was at least a foot taller than her, and, you know, a different species. Believe it or not he actually felt almost....happy. Almost. The depression he'd suffered was far too massive to be so easily snuffed out, but it was starting to give. That, in and of itself, was a miracle. His lips almost turned upwards, the corners tugging against his will. And in spite of him he squeezed her hand softly, feeling almsot like he was going home...

[Jasmine Krisp]

With Kyle in hand, Jasmine started towards the direction of the palace. The forest was still pretty dark, despite the approaching dawn, making it near impossible to see anything but a tree just in front of your face. Hades glowed like a bright blue flame, jumping from tree branch to tree branch, lighting the way for the pair of misfits. Ducking under one of the hanging dolls, Jazz failed to notice the one just behind it and got bonked in the head with the creepy thing. She hissed. "Damn dolls."

Shoving it back she glanced up at the human she'd saved. Something felt odd. Like she was forgetting something...Jasmine face-palmed herself with the hand that wasn't holding Kyle's. "Oh stupid me. I never told you my name, did I?" The plum Boogie turned back to face the path, feeling a minuscule warmth in her cheeks. Was it silly, taking a boy to your room to heal when he doesn't even know you're name? Oi.

"Must've slipped my mind. I'm Ja--"

The glint of sunlight was the first thing to hit Jasmine as she walked out of the cover of the dark trees. And boy, could she shriek. Her hand slipping from Kyle's hold, her hands went to her eyes as she cried out in pain, tiny black-drabbed body shaking violently, clawing at her own skin. Hades, over head, yelped with shock at his master's pain, flapping his wings to try and block the sunrise from her face. It wasn't working.

Sunlight. FUCK!!

The pain was all in her head, but dammit it hurt. Hades gave Kyle a pleading glance, more like a glare, as his wings finally kicked into high-gear and he flew up to shadow Jasmine, still shaking and whimpering in pain. With a coughing gasp, she whispered, "J-J...Jasmine..."

Now she was the one who needed saving.

[Kyle Roberts]

Kyle blankly followed after her, completely unaware of the dolls as they bounced around his head. He'd pretty much checked out at this point, sort of retreating back inside his head for the moment. He needed a bit of time to think, to try and sort through everything that had happened. Everything had just been such a mess of late. To be honest alot of it was hard for him to understand right now, it was going to take him time to figure it all out. Luckily she was providing him with what might be just the time he needed. He could only hope.

When she facepalmed he looked up in surprise, though really he shouldn't be surprised that he was surprised, as many time as she'd surprised him tonight. (Eck. Mouthful) Honestly though, he'd never even wondered what her name was. Or perhaps that wasn't quite the truth, he might have wondered earlier when he was more himself and less coherent. Right now though he definitely couldn't remember ever having worried about it. But then he wasn't worried about much of anything right now

But that changed rather abruptly when she suddenly screamed and fell. He was immediately startled into a coherent state of mind, dropping down next to her and frantically trying to figure out what was wrong. The only thing that had changed was the light, and because it looked like her familiar was trying to block just that, he put two and two together and figured that was the source. Without thinking he picked her up and held her close to him, even though he was still weak and wet from the river. Hunching over her to block the light from her body he ran full out, neither stopping now slowing until he'd burst through thee palace doors. There he gently set her down, staggering backwards and falling himself. It seemed that he'd put everything he had into that run, something made clear when he collapsed upon the floor.

[Jasmine Krisp]

The moment the sun had touched her skin, Jamsine's brain had broken.

Her hands stayed on her face, clawing the pale skin around her eyes and her cheeks, blocking her vision from everything bright. It hurt so, so much, like the human sun would hurt, and yet it didn't physically harm her body at all. It was all in her head...her mind's biggest weakness and fear. With her eyes still covered, Jazz didn't see Kyle fall to her side, of feel the shade Hades provided. She still knew the sunlight was there, a rim around her familiars body, and the moment her eyes would see that light she'd burst into flame all over again.

Darkness was her home. She feared light.

And yet...

This time when Kyle's arms wrapped around her, Jasmine's eyes widened behind her hands. She never really considered herself small (well, she did, but still) until she was lifted into his arms. Admittedly she didn't see him lifting her, but she could feel it well enough. With a soft whimper, feeling him running now, she buried her face into his chest, resembling a young kitten seeking the warmth rather than a Boogie looking for darkness. She'd never been held before. It was a strange feeling...and it made her feel dependent on him. Which was sorta a good thing.

Jazz felt the change of atmosphere when Kyle had reached the entrance to the palace, and she pulled her face from her hands just in time for her body to be lowered. Rather than stand and gather herself, the plum girl ran over to Kyle as he fell back, grabbing his arm and squeezing softly. "Kyle? Are you okay?" gold eyes echoed with worry, "You didn't need to run so fast. You're injured. I would have been fine if you'd...been slower..."

With a soft sound, like a sigh or a meow, Jasmine leaned into Kyle's chest.

"...th...thank you..."

Hades had followed during the sprint, and now landed on a lighting fixture above his owner and the strange fellow who'd saved her. He'd never once seen a human help a Boogie like that before. Ah hell. First time for everything.

[Kyle Roberts]

It really had taken everything he had to get her to safety. Now he was sitting against the wall, eyes closed as his breathing weakened and became ragged. The boy wasn't in any danger of dieing this time, his wounds had been healed by the bird so he hadn't caused himself to bleed out or anything; but after his being ripped from death's grip when he'd been so close had left him weak. To tell the truth he had barely had the strength the stumble himself back to the castle, let alone sprint to it carrying the boogie woman. The only reason he'd managed it was that for some reason the woman being in pain had panicked him, and the desperation brought forth wells of strength that weren't meant to be tapped.

Believe it or not but he wasn't all that surprised when the woman squeezed his arm, the fact was that he was actually starting to grow used to how odd her behaviors seemed to be. She was unlike any boogie he'd known, and really any human he'd known for that matter. What really did surprise him however, was the fact that her worries brought a reassuring smile to his face. It was an instinctive reaction, one he'd developed when he was too young to know what instincts were. Usually it was fake, simply meant to calm the person and make them believe that all was well, but this time...there was actually a bit of truth behind it. And though his voice was low and barely audible, there was an almost detectable warmth. "I'm.....fine. Are you....okay...?"

When she leaned against him his eyes flew open in shock. Or at least they would have if he was capable of it at the moment. As it was they merely half-opened slowly, staring down at the boogie. Once again she was doing something that only Sarah had ever done, but....somehow it felt right to him. That he didn't understand one bit, since nothing was ever right anymore. Thankfully he was too tired to question it.

[Jasmine Krisp]

The warmth in Jasmine's actions as well as her voice was a little surprising to Hades. It had been nearly a hundred years since this sort of feeling had shown through his master's hard shell. A hundred years since the young human named Pax had been killed. Jazz had put up a wall in order to keep the world out and keep her pain in...and now, with her tiny body leaned against the weak, injured human, that wall was obviously rubble. It brought Hades a little peace of mind, knowing that his owner was starting to get out of her own personal hole. It was even better that this human seemed to be climbing out of his as well.

At Kyle's weak voice, the Boogie woman look up into his dark eyes, worry shining in her deep gold eyes. "Are you sure? Hades...my familiar...he can only heal skin-deep....yo must be in pain still..." she whispered, gaze shifting as she touched a spot on his shoulder where there had been a pretty bad slice. It was pink and healed now, as it it was month old rather than minutes. That phoenix works well, doesn't it? The small woman smiled softly.

Hades noticed that his handy work was being admired, so he flew down from the lighting fixture and landed right next to Kyle, black beads on blue feather boring into the humans own eyes. His head tilted, then he leaned in and poked him lightly on the cheek. It was like a pinch one would get from a pesky child, but it wouldn't hurt that much. Jazz looked up at this and narrowed her eyes.

"Now Hades, be nice." She muttered, waving her hand in front of the blue beak. Hades hissed at her and flapped his wings, purposely fanning her with enough strength to actually send her tumbling back. The little girl rolled for a couple feet before she sat up, cheeks pink, glaring at her familiar.

Hades ducked behind Kyle with a laugh like squawk. Jasmine wasn't amused.

Bloody bird-brain.

[Kyle Roberts]

When she questioned him he nodded a bit, unable to do much more than that. It was obvious to him that he was lying, pain was still shooting through his weak body from the numerous cuts and bruises he'd incurred from the river rocks; and he wasn't sure but the was always the chance he'd injured himself abit more than skin deep. For some reason though, he didn't want this woman to know it. If she knew then she'd worry, and he didn't want her to worry. But he couldn't help closing his eye as she touched the cut on his shoulder, his neck muscles tightening as he gritted his teeth against the dull pain.

The broken down human certainly hadn't expected the odd bird familiar to send its master tumbling, partly because it was just a bird as far as he knew and partly because it didn't seem to be quite as obedient as most boogies' familiars. At first he tried to frown; although he steadfastly refused to admit that it was because he didn't want her to be so far from him. He liked having her near him, liked her head lying on his chest and her hand clasping his. He didn't know why, nor did he know how; but he could tell it. Even so; Kyle's defining trait was his unreasonable stubbornness and, even weak as he was now, it reared up to block off the things that he didn't want to acknowledge as truth.

The only problem with that of course, was that not even Kyle could deny how adorable the small boogie woman was. Some part of him might have recognized it before but as with most things he wouldn't allow himself to recognize it. But looking at her as she sat up from her tumble, with that blush on her face, it was simply undeniable. In spite of himself and his weakness he felt a small smile trying to force its way onto his face, the corners of his lips tugging upwards despite his attempts to repress it. In the end though he gave up, allowing the small note of happiness to creep past his despair. Maybe...maybe it wouldn't be so bad to let her in afterall....

[Jasmine Krisp]

Needless to say, Jasmine was more than a little irritated with Hades. Her familiar was a little trouble maker, which always surprised her. She'd never once in her memory allowed that sort of behavior, so how he'd come to be such a wild child was beyond her. Reaching to brush down some messy purple curls from her eyes, the little Boogie kept glaring at Hades rather than looking at Kyle. She was a bit too embarrassed at the moment.

"You stupid bird. I ought to cut your head off and serve you as a roast duck."

Hades let out an undignified cry and, as if in rebuttal to Jasmine, nipped Kyle's ear lobe. Jazz gave her familiar a little pout before she noticed something about the human.

Gold eyes glimmered as she saw the small, weak smile on his face. It was different from that reassuring smile he'd given her a little earlier. It was more...more. If that makes any sense. She met it with her own gentle grin as she stood, brushed some dust off her dress, gave Hades another little death-glare, and wandered back over to sit next to Kyle. "Hey, look. A smile. Fancy that." Jazz laughed softly and brushed some of Kyle's hair from his face. "You look very handsome when you smile like that. Just so you know."

He's so beautiful when he smiles...hm...

She leaned into Kyle again, this time wrapping an arm gently around his waist in a little half-hug. She just felt like holding him.

[Kyle Roberts]

In silent amusement he watched as she glared at the familiar, noting that she seemed to be rather upset by it. Of course, that could be the fact that she also seemed extremely embarrassed about the bird treating her so in front of him. To be honest he didn't know why, he was just a stupid human afterall. But then...she seemed somehow....different, from all of the other boogies. Certainly none of them would have bothered to pull him from the river; perhaps Miss Nae might have, but only because she needed him to carry out the menial tasks for her. This woman had no reason so far as he could see, but she had saved him regardless. He'd have to ask her about it some time, if there was a next time. I hope there is....

He silently chuckled as she threatened the bird, taking care not to let himself laugh to hard so that he wouldn't have to endure the pain he knew would come. His mind was actually imagining the familiar served up on a platter, some side dishes off to the side. It made his stomach growl a bit, and reminded him that his depression had prompted him to skip over more than a few meals. Luckily he was again distracted, this time frowning a bit and also glaring at the bird as it bit at his ear.

Hearing something to the other side of him, he turned to see her grinning at him and dusting off her dress. To his slight irritation a smile reappeared on his own face, this time a bit larger than the previous. He didn't move or speak as she moved towards him, nor when she once again sat down beside him. But when he felt her hand rise to his face, gently moving some of his drenched hair away; and calling him handsome of all things.... Well, he couldn't help the blush that came to his face. "Err.....thanks...." Smooth Kyle. He grimaced a bit at his mental chastisement, wishing he could remove the red from his face.

Then he felt an arm wrapping around him, and his eyes widened. Looking down he saw her leaning into him, almost hugging him as she sat there. Instinctively he raised his own arm to place it around her shoulders, but then he remembered that this wasn't Sarah or even Kris. The brunette hesitated a moment, his arm suspended in mid-air. He knew that he loved Sarah, that he shouldn't be holding another woman, boogie or not. But... Sarah wanted nothing to do with him now...and it seemed that Jasmine did, even if it was only a passing interest. It couldn't be so wrong...could it...? Gently he lowered his arm, wrapping it about the small boogie's shoulders and carefully holding her against him.

She's warm.....mmm.....

A soft smile crept onto his face as his eyes closed in contentment.