Finding My Human [Piper/Shae]

[zarek]

The stomach of a nine by ten Grandfather clock cracked open softly, not even a sound echoed off the walls beyond the ticking of the old clock as a new boogie man emerged from the very depths of the machine. He stepped out of it, closed the clock softly and looked about the hallway.

His mouth was a stern, flat, thin line as if he was in serious thought. His belts cluttered together for a brief moment as he turned on his heels and started the barely lite hallway. The few lights that where on spread an eerie light across the partly skull covered head, the horns of a bull's skull glowed dangerously. His right hand clenched into a fist as his left sheathed a long flute into his tight coat that he wore.

This boogie was on a mission, Tristan Blackthrone had died and that meant a few humans where up for grabs. One had taken his eye not too long ago, a fair skinned human with dark hair. She was something he wanted and he knew her name, Piper. He had come across the name as he listened to the talk of humans and boogies alike, of who was going to claim the fresh human. Zarek, himself where one of those in a race to take her, funny though. To him, she was already his and no one was going to tell him any different.

Below his feet came the soft ring of a bell, the only thing to make a sound. His feline, a tabby was moving about his feet. "Now isn't the time." he told the cat with affection, "We have a mission tonight."

But first, he had locate the girl before anyone else did. Speaking of people, he was certain he was hearing voices now as he grew closer to one of the many closed doors in the hallway that lead to side rooms.

Zarek, stopped to listen.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Not even gone a day and already Shaehern had taken it into his own hands to move in on the property. He had to admit, the news had actually come as a shock to him. Then again, the Blackthornes had never really been a family that he had felt that he needed to watch. He had considered Tristan one of the very worst sort, though public view of his behavior might have sorted the two of them into the same category: deviants.

Regardless of what the world thought of him, Shaehern knew that when opportunity knocked you had to act quickly or you'd miss it. He had cornered the young woman walking around, but made it seem like their encounter was just a chance. Any opportunity of denying intent went out the window after he introduced himself though. He knew enough about the girl simply from chance details from spying on Kristopher Roberts. She was a friend and had her own little emotional problems that she wrapped herself up in.

"Dear Piper, I do regret to inform you of your master's death. As it might come as a sudden surprise and shock to you, it would be safe to presume that he had not intended to die in this fashion and as of yet are no apparent plans for his estates. I'm certain you know what that means, and I am dreadfully sorry to be the one who has to tell you this. Right now you're a slave without a master." His voice was dripping with false sympathy as he spoke to the girl. He really felt nothing for her potential loss, nor did he think he ever would. All he knew is that if he played his cards right he'd get to keep an extra slave in this bargain.

"I'm afraid that it is for your own good that I claim ownership of you. This is a dangerous place to be without an owner to protect you, after all." Slaves without owners could be abused rather easily with no fear of retribution. There was no system set in by the Boogie hierarchy for slaves without masters, save for Boogies like Shaehern who usually took a particular interest in the unowned. "After all, I'm certain you know just what it's like to have nobody there for you."

Shaehern was hinting at something dark there, something that most people would hardly guess from her usual behavior. He had the opportunity to get a whispered report of a violent response to a particular event, and everything else after that just made sense. Could he be wrong? Absolutely, which is why vague wording always helped him play off of the worst fears.

"It may even just be a temporary arrangement. I'm doing it for your own good, after all." He slithered a little closer to the girl as he spoke.

[Piper Wren]

Piper had only just heard the news from Aione, Tristan was dead...there was a cold stone in the pit of her stomach at the news, he was gone...one of the only decent boogies was gone. Where did that leave them? Piper felt sick at the thought, before Tristan had taken her under his wing she had been under Iugo's ownership. Although that time was brief it had scarred her in more ways than one, now what was she going to do. But it didn't really occur to Piper that being out in the open and unclaimed was not an intelligent idea until she was approached by a boogie she had never met...something about him made her flesh crawl and a cold shiver make it's way down her spine. Stay calm...don't bolt just yet...

"Dear Piper, I do regret to inform you of your master's death. As it might come as a sudden surprise and shock to you, it would be safe to presume that he had not intended to die in this fashion and as of yet are no apparent plans for his estates. I'm certain you know what that means, and I am dreadfully sorry to be the one who has to tell you this. Right now you're a slave without a master."

How did he know her name?! Piper felt the slow beginnings of panic in the back of her mind and she took an instinctive step back for every one that Shae took towards her. The sympathy in his voice rolled off his tongue like a snake injects poison into an unsuspecting creature, it wasn't real. She could see it in his eyes.

"I'm afraid that it is for your own good that I claim ownership of you. This is a dangerous place to be without an owner to protect you, after all. After all, I'm certain you know just what it's like to have nobody there for you...It may even just be a temporary arrangement. I'm doing it for your own good, after all."

"No...Leave...Leave me alone, I don't trust you."

Piper's voice was without conviction and slightly shaky, visibly flinching when Shaehern got even close to her. He couldn't know about it...could he? Was he one of those boogies who could get inside your head and find the things in the darkest corners of your mind? She couldn't take this, her brain was screaming at her to run and her legs finally made the connection. She turned and bolted down the hallway.

[zarek]

Well now, how very interesting the one person he had been searching for had just came out of a room up ahead of him and straight towards him. Wonderful, this just made his life so much easier. Zarek stood there in the hall with a grin touching his features, he took one step forward and opened his arms, with his position in the hallway, he easily caught Piper in his arms.

Now holding her in close to his form, the 5'11 boogie looked up towards the door that Shae would soon exist. A black gloved hand slithered up Piper's body and rested against her soft lips, hushing her from speaking out of turn. His left arm, held her about the waist, keeping her still like a good toy that all humans where meant to be.

Mismatched eyes glittered in amusement as he called out, "I do hope, you are not trying to take my little human. Shaehern." Ah yes, Shaehern, Zarek would know that voice from anywhere, he had heard it many times before. He knew this boogie wasn't one to be messed with, however Zarek had come for this human and he was not going to let her go for any reason at all. Shaehern would not have her either.

Whiling hold Piper captive in his long, thin arms, a chuckle escaped his throat. The hand that held her mouth silent caressed her cheek as lightly as a feather, a sign to sooth the girl even though it would cause her to panic more. Especially, with a boogie whose face was partially hidden behind that of a dead animal's skull.

For now, the boogie did not look at the human he held, but straight ahead towards where Shaehern would soon emerge from, certainly Shaehern would not be overly thrilled to see the younger boogie standing there with the human they both desired.

"Because, I've already laid claim on her the day before yesterday." He chuckled, "You're glow bugs must of missed the memo." The voice came out soft with a partial echo due to the skull, a voice that seemed amused and too deep for someone with such a thin body.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

There was a mental countdown until the girl panicked. Her response time was a little slower than he expected, but that just made him feel somewhat giddy. Apparently he had very nearly paralyzed her with terror. That response would have made this easy, but Shaehern did not like things easy. That's why he left her with a three second head start before he darted after her. His movements through the air were swift and the way his long and flowing clothes fluttered behind him as he moved gave an illusion that he was gliding through the air like a fish swims through water.

He did not anticipate her path of retreat being cut off by another Boogie. Shaehern slowed and gave pause in his chase. He did not make it a point of knowing every last Boogie in Wonderland, but this one knew him. Did he know Shaehern by reputation? The idea was suddenly very flattering. "This one still looks green behind the ears," he commented idly. He was still amused at this whole predicament.

The other was slightly taller than he was and Shaehern couldn't help but find his taste in clothing somewhat delightful. Perhaps he could have benefited from a splash more color in his wardrobe, but it went very well with what he had been given. Then there were this fellows eyes. They seemed somewhat enchanting to behold for a moment. Alas, Shaehern was unable to stare at them for too long.

"I will acknowledge that they might have missed something, but I think I would have picked up on a detail like you." Shaehern was checking to make sure his hair and clothing were in order as he tried to put a little charm into his voice. The truth was that he had been distracted by another matter as of late, and so his resources were spread a little thinner than usual.

He looked to the girl as though he wanted to say something. "I'll trust her word on this one. Did this one already lay claim to you?" If she said yes, then there wasn't much Shaehern could do about it. If she said no that complicated things a little bit more.

"Unless, of course, you wish to come to some other arrangement?" Shaehern flashed a wink at the fellow, as though he was unable to control himself. It had been a while since he had taken an active interest in his romantic life, after all.

[Piper Wren]

The last thing Piper expected from her flight was to end up out of the frying pan and into the fire...in the arms of another boogie. The young woman trembled violent when his long, slender arms closed around her and covered her mouth with one hand so she couldn't speak out of turn. Who was he? Piper hadn't seen this boogie before, was he holding her in place so Shaehern could come to claim her? She couldn't bring herself to move, she felt trapped even if the hold on her was not particularly tight. But having the strange boogie holding her was making her panic.

I do hope, you are not trying to take my little human. Shaehern...Because, I've already laid claim on her the day before yesterday." He chuckled, "You're glow bugs must of missed the memo."

Laid claim? No one had laid claim on her, what was he talking about? Piper squeezed her eyes shut when Zarek's hand stroked down the soft skin of her cheek. Wishing he would take his hands off her...she would feel the touch of those hands as ghosts on her skin for a while after though. That thought was taken out of her mind though when Shaehern approached, Piper was shaking too badly to struggle or run. She may not have been religious but right now she was praying. But thankfully it seemed that Shaehern was suddenly more interested in flirting with the other boogie, whatever his name was.

Well...for a moment at least.

"I'll trust her word on this one. Did this one already lay claim to you? Unless, of course, you wish to come to some other arrangement?"

What a decision! One boogie, or another! Piper's terrified gaze flicked from Zarek to Shaehern...not knowing what to do. But she had heard about Shaehern's cruelty on the wind and risking it with Zarek seemed like the only way out of this mess. Tristan...why did he have to die? After her moment of pausing Piper nodded her head slowly and sealed her own fate.

[zarek]

Zarek smiled lightly, "What can I say, I'm not very popular as of yet." He mused as he kept a hold of Piper but if she wanted to run off, she could for his hold was not overly tight but he kept repeating the gesture on her face in hopes she might stop shaking. He hated it when human's shook like a tree in the wind, it was not at all appealing to him.

Speaking of Appealing, Zarek raised a light colored brow at Shae. "Arrangement, you say..." He didn't finish the sentence as he was now too busy watching the boogie fix his appearance and...was he seriously trying to catch his attention? Well, he succeeded in that but it was uncertain if it was in a good way or bad at the moment.

Clearing his throat lightly he looked down at the girl, "Yes, I suppose we shall hear what she has to say." The boogie lowered his hand then, but at that point Piper had nodded. Smiling wickedly, his mismatched eyes went straight at Shae.

"It seems no other arrangements need to be made. No, matter how...enchanting the prospect would be. The human girl has said her peace and she is my human. So, for now on, I would love it if you let her be from this moment on." A chuckle escaped his lips as the arm about Piper pulled her closer, securing her to him. Zarek ignored the wink then, he wasn't sure how to take it.

For some reason Shaehern winking seemed to be strange too him.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Shaehern seemed somewhat disappointed in the girl's response. If that had been the case, did she really need to run away from him? Something smelled fishy to Shaehern, but he decided to leave it be for now. Backing away a little he pushed himself against the wall and lifted his arms into the air to stretch. Apparently he had lost the girl in his own game, but maybe he could walk away with one hot consolation prize.

"I'll leave her alone then, since it seems she isn't much in the mood." Shaehern turned his head in such a way that his long hair gave a brilliant swish in the air. He smiled cheerfully with a genuine sort of brightness in his character for once. "I might even leave you alone for now if you let me know your name. Make no promises there, though. I might not be able to help myself."

He pushed himself forward from the wall and smiled cheerfully. "Maybe we could even have dinner sometime. I absolutely adore your fashion sense."

The girl had quickly dropped out of his thoughts as he considered the handsome devil that he had never heard of. He could not shake off that terrible feeling that perhaps this Boogie was much too young for his own good. With a little bit of corruption from Shaehern it would be perfect.

[Piper Wren]

Piper held back a whimper when Zarek pulled her close, too close, securing her in his hold although she couldn't stop trembling. She was torn between wanting Shaehern to leave her alone but then what would happen when she was left alone with this new boogie? What would he really be like? Was it just some trick to get her to hand herself over? If it was it had worked, putting Piper between a rock and a hard place. At least he seemed more fixated on getting himself laid by the new boogie which took her out of his books...she hoped at least. Adrenaline was still pumping through her just incase she had to run, on reflex Piper grabbed a handful of the fabric of Zarek's shirt and turned her face away from Shaehern.

Even if it wasn't directed at her, Shaehern's obvious flirting was making her feel uncomfortable and skeevy for lack of a better word, there was an obvious sense of sleaze behind his words. Piper was just deeply glad that he hadn't had the chance to claim her, or worse yet...Iugo getting wind of it. Her fingers had only just been able to work again after her last encounter with him, the bruising had taken weeks to heal and have her finally look normal again.

'Why was I stupid enough to even leave the dorm? I should have just barricaded myself in and hoped for the best!'

[zarek]

Well, this seemed to be getting intersting. Zarek just shook his horned head softly for a moment. Shaehern was coming on strong and from everything he heard about the man, it seemed odd to see him sudden go...so....woman like. It was liking see the Rocky Horror Picture Show in person which only made him chuckle even more, however it was hard to tell if it was one full of delight or concern for his well being.

"Yes, she doesn't seem to be in the mood for much of anything. However, that will change soon enough." Zarek looked down at Piper once again, this time his hand that was once on her lips moved to rest on her head and slowly, he weaved his gloved fingers through the silky hair. "Very soon."

A red eye stared at Shaehern as a name was mention, Zarek seemed to think on this for a moment and came to the conclussion it would mean little if he let his name be known, "Zarek Calmulu, I am rather new to this area. As for my sense, how kind of you to notice, though I will have to pass on dinner. I have much to do this afternoon among many other things."

"Girl, you need to settle down. I am not going to eat you for dinner. There is little point in being afraid of me at this time, unless, you want me to do something to make that fear legit." Removing himself from Piper, he took her by the arm and started walking towards Shaehern. As he came to be beside the boogie, he lifted a hand out and placed it on Shae's shoulder.

"Do remember to keep your hands to yourself, it would be healthy for you to do so." he mused. Pulling back his hand, he began walking once again, pulling Piper along with him.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

The other Boogie, Zarek was his name, seemed so very uncertain of himself around Shae. Then again, considering how well most people dealt with Shaehern Azhrarn it was a miracle that he had not launched any threats or just walked away at this point. Perhaps it was a little much to concern himself with a relationship, but Shaehern would settle this time for admiring Zarek from afar. After all, Boogies had long, long lifespans.

"I'll try and keep my hands to myself," Shaehern said with a calm nod as he resisted the temptation to grasp the other Boogie's ass as he walked past. He let the pair walk away before the realization of what had just transpired dawned upon him.

He had let a slave get away and had gotten away with no consolation prize.

In his mind he was beating himself up over the whole detail. Naelona would laugh at him if she had seen that whole exchange. It had been so horribly played, but he really could not help himself. Looks like it was back to the drawing board and the plans. With a snap of his fingers a small green flame sprouted up. "Observe my dear Kristopher," he said with a smile as the wisp floated away. "Time to feed Zal. The poor thing must be starving." Without much other consideration he walked off in the opposite direction from the departing pair.

[Piper Wren]

"Yes, she doesn't seem to be in the mood for much of anything. However, that will change soon enough...Very soon."

Piper squeezed her eyes shut and tried to stay silent as Zarek's lips touched the top of her head, the invasion of her space being further pushed by his gloved hand burying itself in her long, dark hair. Anyone who knew her well enough knew that she couldn't stand physical contact without her consent...sometimes even with made things slightly difficult. The first few times Kristopher had tried to hug her she had stiffened like a board, her heart rate going through the roof. Pretty much exactly what was happening to her now...What did he mean by 'being in the mood for something, soon'? Piper could only hope that she wouldn't be finding out.

"Zarek Calmulu, I am rather new to this area. As for my sense, how kind of you to notice, though I will have to pass on dinner. I have much to do this afternoon among many other things...Girl, you need to settle down. I am not going to eat you for dinner. There is little point in being afraid of me at this time, unless, you want me to do something to make that fear legit."

Zarek Camulu? Piper had never heard that Boogie's name before, perhaps he really was new to the area just like he claimed to be, she could only hope his tastes didn't run to the same sick flavour as Iugo or Shaehern's...When Zarek finally released her from the embrace Piper let go a breath she didn't know she had been holding, it was relief to have some breathing space back again if her new master had taken her by the arm, a little roughly she might add...but at Zarek's question about doing something to make her fear of him wholly legitimate, Piper cast her eyes down.

"No..."

All she could do now was follow Zarek...

"Where are you taking me?"

[zarek]

Zarek spared a glance to look down at Piper, "Somewhere to talk and get a few things straight before I let you about your own business." He stated simply and kept walking while Shae's little wisp would have a little flew by in search of that slave it was meant to track. In other words, it meant little to Zarek.

Zarek stopped once at a few door ways, listening carefully for anything and anyone. Eventually, he went past six doors before finally picking one out where he pushed Piper into the room and followed after. The room itself that Zarek picked was small study with few windows. He could see no one within it and the bookshelves appeared to be empty as well. That was all fine and good to him.

Moving towards the tall windows, he pulled the curtains closed one by one at his own easy pace as if he did this kind of thing everyday. Which, of course being a boogie he never really had to open anything for himself let alone a curtain. The cow skull turned to regard Piper carefully, raising a delicate finger he pointed to the nearest chair. "Sit. I have a few things to say and it needs your undivided attention. Cause I promise you, I am not like the other boogies and I have no trouble in tracking you down to get a point across."

Zarek paused then, crossing his arms over his chest with a small sigh as he leaned against one of the many empty shelves. "And stop looking at me as if I am about to rip your flesh off and feast on it. I don't particularly like the taste of females, so your rather safe from me if I get hungry."

[Piper Wren]

"Somewhere to talk and get a few things straight before I let you about your own business."

That didn't sound too bad but Piper couldn't let herself relax around Zarek, hell...she didn't relax around anyone unless she knew them well enough, so far Zarek didn't seem to be on Iugo's level of pyschotic but only time would tell. She still didn't want to be alone with him but it didn't seem like she would have much of a choice on the matter as he pushed her into the tiny little room. Glancing around it seemed that it was just an empty study. She stood in the centre of the room watching Zarek carefully as he closed all the curtains. What was he doing that for? It made it feel even more cramped and airless without any visible windows.

"Sit. I have a few things to say and it needs your undivided attention. Cause I promise you, I am not like the other boogies and I have no trouble in tracking you down to get a point across. And stop looking at me as if I am about to rip your flesh off and feast on it. I don't particularly like the taste of females, so your rather safe from me if I get hungry."

Piper sat down on the chair as ordered, perching on the edge of it just incase she had to move quickly. There was no way she would comfortably lean back in Zarek's precense, he was quite an unnerving character...Piper couldn't place why, there was just something about him that was setting her on edge. Probably to do with the mentioning of feasting on flesh, even if it wasn't hers he was interested in. If she wanted to get out of here then the only thing to do was listen to Zarek and go, it was weird to take it in but it seemed Piper had a new master now.

"I'm listening..."

She said quietly, folding her hands in her lap to try and making the trembling less obvious, casting her steel grey gaze to the floor.

[zarek]

"Good." Zarek said and turned to face Piper. The boogie moved up to her, his demeanor changing as he rotated his next. He came and stood before her, his arms crossed about his thin chest. He seemed to be pondering on something for a long moment before the mismatched boogie let out a soft sigh.

Reaching up, he took hold of the broken cow skull and twisted slightly to the left and right and removed the object from his head. Sickly green hair clang to his soft face, bring out the bright neon coloring that went across his eyes like a mask. Placing the skull on a near by table he let out a soft sigh and ruffled his straight hair.

Reaching forward, he rested his hands on either side of Piper's chair, supporting his weight. "Take a good look at me." He waited for a long moment as he knew this would take some thought. Then, when he realized Piper might notice something, he raised a gloved finger to her lips. "Don't say it, Piper." The voice came out soft. "And you are going to have to forget it as well." Turning from he human girl, the boogie reached out and replaced his favorite skull to his features.

"But now you won't be scared of me as much, I hope at least. Seeing as you I am not going to eat you or rip you apart in any shape or form." He chuckled lightly and went back to crossing his arms over his chest, leaning against an empty desk, he did the same with his legs.

A dark smile crossed his features, one that truly belonged on a boogie much like himself. "Just remember, I can blend in pretty well no matter where I am. Scary huh?" He chuckled, his evil smile faded into a soft one, one that fit his features far better then anything else.