Toxic Past: 3

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Terra Kali nodded at him and smiled, fingering the feather in her hair lightly. "Good to know." She moved back to the couch and watched him a moment, then leaned up and hugged him around his middle, pressing her ear to his chest with a smile. "Mm! You little cheeky bastard, hiding this from me! I'm glad you told me though. I woulda freaked if I had found out by myself." She chuckled and sighed, looking around the apartment then slowly and bit her lip. "So... what do we do now? You've got... a radio. That's it?"

"That's all I really need," Dolor said. He watched her carefully. In his experience, humans didn't typically deal this well with different. Most eyed him with suspicion even as they believed him human. "Are you hungry? I don't have much food, but I can run and pick something up." He shifted slightly. "Or you can come with me if you like." Maybe he could take her to a store that was still open and find something both of them could eat and enjoy.

There was no option for her. "Oh, I'm coming with you! There's no way I'm gonna sit around here and be bored while you get to go out and have a trip!" Terra Kali grinned, getting up from the couch and moving towards the door, pulling on her red converse on the way. "Let's go! Adventure time!" she cheered, throwing a fist towards the ceiling and leaning against his front door, waiting for him to replace his shirt and coat so they could go.

He concentrated for a moment and his wings vanished, along with the feathers on his arms. When he turned to pick up his shirt, however, she could see that the feathers on his spine were still present. He pulled his shirt and jacket on, glad to be covered once more, and grabbed his keys. "Okay, whereas should we start?" he asked as he opened the door for her.

"Uuuummmmm.... Hmm... Somewhere with food. I'm starving." Terra Kali nodded with a grin up at Dolor, tilting her head at him sweetly. "I don't have a lot of money left... but I'm MORE than happy to split the paycheck with you!" she giggled, stepping out of the door and twirling on her heel to face him, walking backwards slowly with her hands in her pockets. "What do your kind eat anyways? Birdseed?" she teased.

"I have enough, don't worry about it," Dolor quickly responded. He locked his door then turned to walk with her out to the street. "Kal, you've seen me eat. I eat the same things you do." His tone was exasperated but he was smiling. "And if you try to slip me birdseed, I'm bleaching your laundry." It was a joke, but Dolor tried (and failed) to keep a straight face.

Terra Kali simply shrugged, as if it was an empty threat, and she grinned at him. "Hey, fine with me. With how cool I am, I will turn bleach stains into a fad. I'll bring it back from the dead, baby!" she shouted, doing a disco-style dance move by putting one hand on her hip and the other hand pointing towards the sky. She laughed and kicked at a rock, sending it into the street before continuing on, giving her arms an exaggerated swing as she did. "So what do you feel like eating?" she asked conversationally, smiling at him as they walked away from the apartment building. As if subconsciously, she looked back at it so she would remember what it looked like, just in case she needed to get back to it on her own at some point--such as following the end of her shifts at her new job. She glanced up towards the very top penthouse windows, squinting as the sun glinted off of it, then turned back around. Enough photo memory for now. "I'm feeling steak." she added, smiling.

"Steak?" Dolor asked, one eyebrow arching. He smiled and led the way down the block. He still couldn't believe how well she had taken it all. Nothing had led him to believe that she would be so rational. Dolor walked towards his favorite steak place, which was a steak and fish place. "I know a place, and I think you'll like it."

"Mm, perfect! I trust your gullet." Terra Kali grinned, shoving her hands back into her pockets and looking around. She noticed the glances she was getting from a few people about the feather in her hair, but she paid them no mind. People had a tendency to be jealoused easily, she understood, even when they already had everything. But this... she had heard talk and mumbles amongst the alleyways that Phoera feathers were an incredible rarity. As was Phoera blood. She glanced at Dolor's arms again lightly out of the corner of her eye and sighed, looking ahead and sighing loudly, playfully. "Soooo.... conversation! What's it like having money?"

At the sound of the whispers, a guarded look came into Dolor's eyes. His shoulders came up defensively, and he crossed his arms across his chest. There was a look on his face that clearly said how uneasy he was about the mention of feathers or blood. He glanced over at her and gave a tentative smile. "I wouldn't really know. I live on the bare minimum. Everything else gets put into savings."

"That's probably smart... My mom would go spend all our family savings on booze. And my dad would spend it on new tools or something stupid like that." Terra Kali grumbled, shrugging. She hardly ever talked about her parents nowadays, especially after they were killed, but sometimes it was the only thing she had to draw any life experience from. She shrugged it away and skipped in front of him. "Anyways... Forget about that shit. Let's do something fun!"

"That's what we're headed to do," Dolor said with a crooked smile. "You can order the biggest, most expensive steak you want. Personally I'm more of a porterhouse guy, but if you want something else...." He was rambling in order to change the subject to something that didn't make her uncomfortable. He had an innate ability to know when someone he felt loyal to was feeling off, and he didn't even know it. He just knew it was a topic she didn't want to talk about.

Terra Kali smiled at him just as playfully, scoffing and waving him off. "Porterhouse. Pfft!" she teased and giggled. She jumped onto the sidewalk, then jumped off again, doing that every few feet. "So where are we going anyways? You said you knew a good place, but you didn't tell me what it was called." she chuckled. "You know I hate surprises, Do-do bird." She kicked at a rock and sent it flying into the street, looking around more. As a subconscious act, she raised a hand to the feather in her hair, checking it to see it was still there.

Dolor stopped at a building. There was no sign, but windows showed a prominent view of a homey sort of place. A big red steel door stood in between them and the dining hall, and Dolor opened it, holding it for Terra Kali. "Here you are, madam. The best kept secret in the city." New people rarely wandered into the restaurant that was affectionately called The Red Door, and Dolor didn't know why. The smells alone were worth investigating.

Terra Kali was instantly drawn to the attractive red colour of the door. She smiled at it, then at Dolor before slipping into the resuarant, looking around eagerly. It smelled, looked and just... felt homey in here. Like the home she never had. She instantly moved to a small table that had only four chairs, sliding into one and smiling at Dolor excitedly. "Wow, this place is amazing!" she smiled widely, bouncing in her seat a little and kicking her red converse under the table, her eyes wide like a child in an amusement park for the first time. "I hope they have chocolate milk!"

With a smile, Dolor followed her to the table. They had a clear view out the window and he sat across from her, keeping one eye on the street. "They do," he said as the waitress brought then menus printed on sheets of paper. She had a pad ready to take their drink orders. "I'll just have water to start with. And can I get a blooming onion appetizer?" He looked at Kali with a nod for her to order. He didn't need to look at the menu to know what he wanted.

"Chocolate milk and uh.... mozerella sticks, please! Extra marinara!" Terra Kali grinned up at the waitress and then smiled at Dolor with an excited bounce in her seat. She hadn't eaten like this in AGES. Actually... she hadn't eaten this way ever. Her family had never taken her out to eat, not even as a kid. She never had the money to go out herself either. This was an amazing first for her. She reached a hand up and toyed with the feather in her hair as she looked around to take in the many faces of the people eating there.

A table or two away from them an elderly man stood up, thanking his table mate in a scratchy, dry voice. "You're most welcome, sir. Do have a pleasant day and please, see me for any future needs you may have," a smooth, almost growling voice answered him. There was a clasp and shake of hands and the elderly man hobbled away to the bar area, his younger companion left sitting coming into view as he did so. Feathered, unkempt black hair sheltered a plain but somehow unforgettable face. He was dressed in fitting black jeans, matching boots, t-shirt, and vest. Prince Peregrine might not like what he did per sey, but as he slid the large bills into his wallet, separating his cut from that of his donor, he had to admit he was very good at it. His eyes slid over to the elderly man now happily ordering a scotch at the bar, his spines prickling just under his skin, his face set in a scowl. Filthy, selfish humans though, unhappy just being the simple but wonderful creatures they used to be.

Dolor smiled at her as she ordered the very thing he had expected. He took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair as the man passed. Something was off to him, and he knew what it was. He wondered vaguely what sort of drugs had just been sold, but didn't say anything. Instead he ran a hand through his hair, brushing it from his face and glancing back at the man who still sat there. "Interesting venue for such a task," he muttered under his breath. Something about the man drew him in, but he couldn't place it.

"Hmn?" Terra Kali asked lightly, tilting her head at Dolor and whatever he was muttering. She looked around, noticing the old guy going to the bar and getting a scotch and she looked back towards the table he'd come from. She shrugged and looked back at Dolor. "You shouldn't mumble, it's not nice. Or healthy." she said playfully and winked, slouching back in her chair and sticking her red shoes out on either side of her, smiling as she folded her hands behind her head. "Now then, how do I go about thanking you for getting me that job?" she smirked.

The gaze was oppressive. He knew he was doing it but he couldn't help it. Peregrine was staring down Dolor, his mind trying to protest what it knew without a doubt. There was no way he was that lucky. There was no way- "Dolor." He smirked. Then grinned. Then outrighted smiled. Brightly. His whole face lit up when he did that and a girl looking at him from the bar fanned herself. He didn't notice. He stood, his eyes never leaving Dolor's. He strode over to their table almost without thinking about it and his hand stopped in mid air, not quite touching the red man's face. "Dolor. Dolor that really is you!" With an enthusiasm probably only Terra Kali could have matched, Peregrine hauled Dolor from his seat by grabbing him just under the arms and held him up as if he were a baby (of course, Dolor's feet didn't leave the floor, he was taller than Peregrine- that did not deter the prince's joy). Seeming to again determine this was, in fact, Dolor, he pulled the man down and kissed him full on the mouth before he hauled him into a manly hug. "I thought I had lost you! I'm awful." He pushed Dolor back (yes, he was pushing the poor man around), held his shoulders, and frowned in a way that was bordering on pout. "Can you ever forgive me? I did look for you. Ashes aren't easy to recover after all..." He seemed to realize the audience as his eyes widened and slid over to Terra Kali, he smiled awkwardly, and let go of one of Dolor's shoulders to offer his hand to her. "Terribly sorry. You must be Dolor's friend. Or partner. Business, that is. What have you. In any case you know him and for that it is my utmost pleasure to meet you, Miss...?" He raised a quizzical eyebrow, waiting her answer, his other hand still firmly grasping Dolor's shoulder.

The man walked over. And hugged him. Like a lost child. And then kissed him. Dolor stared down at him, confusion in his eyes at the same time he was feeling inexplicable joy. "Who...who are you?" He glanced at Kali, blinking. "Friend, she is a friend." He looked back at Peregrine.

"Terra Kali is the name!" she said eagerly, standing up and shaking Peregrine's hand firmly, grinning from ear to ear. She looked between them though, studying them and that kiss Peregrine had given Dolor. "A-are you... like... ex-boyfriends or something?" she asked and chuckled. "I'm not sweet on Do-do bird or anything, but... just curious." She winked at Dolor and giggled lightly, pulling her hand back from this friend of his.

"What? No!" Peregrine laughed as he replaced his hand on Dolor's shoulder. "No, no. Dolor is just an old friend." He looked back at the red haired man, looking into his eyes, searching for something. "Since before he can remember, unfortunately...." He moved a hand to the back of Dolor's head and pulled him down to look closer into his eyes. His own eye sockets filled with liquid black for a minute, then faded back to their dull dark brown. He frowned. "I am Peregrine, and you are my dearest friend." He gave him a fond smile, stroked his hair once, then released him entirely to look at Terra Kali again. "And is it a very nice pleasure to meet you Miss Terra Kali. Might I ask: Why do you call Dolor 'do-do bird'?" He chuckled, smirking a little. Did this human already know? If she knew, and hadn't harmed him, then she must be alright. But perhaps she simply knew nothing at all and it was by sheer coincidence, in which case he found her naivety endearing.

There was nothing Dolor could say. He knew it was true, but at the same time had no idea. He just wanted to believe it. Something in his mind was trying to snap into place. He felt protective over this man, protective and loyal and like he wanted him to smile like that again. Dolor's eyebrows knit together as he heard Kali say something, but his attention was wholly on Peregrine. "P-...prince?" Why had he said that? That was stupid. Dolor bit his tongue as blood rushed to his cheeks.

Blinking at Dolor and then at Peregrine, Terra Kali had never looked more confused. "Do-do bird, I think you're losing it." she whispered to him and chuckled, looking around to make sure no one else was listening in before looking at Peregrine. She fingered the feather in her hair and shrugged. "It's just a nickname." she winked. Why should she tell him anything? Though now that she was really looking at him, there was something about him.... Those eyes... They were really dark. Too dark. She narrowed her own eyes and her brow furrowed slightly as she took this into account. She felt... hypnotised almost. But for some reason, staring into those eyes brought thoughts of her parents racing back to her head and she shook it off, blinking and replacing her smile once more. "Good to meet you, Peregrine. We were just sitting down for grub. Wanna bum off us?" she offered, motioning to one of the other free chairs.

"That sounds wonderful," Peregrine accepted with a small nod, his smile never faltering. He didn't take the offered chair, instead choosing to seat himself firmly in Dolor's seat, hauling the taller man into his lap by tugging his hand. Once he had him, the prince's hands wrapped around the other man's waist, refusing to let him move. People were staring, but he mentally brushed them off. The humans probably thought they were obnoxious, flamboyant gay lovers, but what did he care? He had his Dolor back. Reminding himself of it again (how could he forget? He currently had a lapful of said man) he looked up into those familiar eyes and smiled happily. "I knew you'd remember," he said softly, giving him a brief squeeze. "I knew you would be in there somewhere." He was looking intently at his eyes again, as if searching for something he hadn't yet found. "I had promised you... I promised you I would never let you die... I desperately hope you can forgive me, Dolor. With all my heart, I am truly, truly sorry." His smile had fallen and he looked pained. He had let Dolor die. He had fought so hard, but it hadn't been enough, it had happened anyway. It made his heart break and his eyes darken slightly. He had let Dolor get hurt, and it was all his fault. He was torn between his vaulting joy at having him back, and his devastation knowing the loss of memory was his fault. Everyone's was, but this was more directly related to him and that made it hurt all the more.

Dolor let himself be manhandled, landing in Peregrine's lap with a sudden exhalation of air. He watched the prince's face with interest. When it fell, he put his hand up to Peregrine's cheek. "Don't. Smile, please. Everything that happened, it couldn't have been your fault." Words, but where did they come from. What was he saying? This man was so familiar to him, but why? Who was he? Dolor shifted slightly, and he felt his heavy jacket rub his feathers the wrong way. A hiss escaped him, and he shifted again. He glanced at Terra Kali and let his hand drop.

Uncomfortable was an understatement. Terra Kali had been watching them with rather amused eyes, then when Dolor looked her way, she leaned forward on her elbows on the table, her chin in her palm sweetly as she batted her eyelashes at them both. "You two are so cute." she teased with a grin and a wink. "Even if you weren't dating before... you should. You'd make a cute couple." She laughed and bounced a foot as she crossed her legs, raising her eyebrows at them both. Just then, the waitress emerged with their food and drinks and she sat back again into her chair, grinning up at the waitress and thanking her as she took her mozerella sticks and chocolate milk. She gulped down at least half of her glass, then took a bite of her cheese stick, pulling it away from her mouth so a long string of cheese drooped between them.

"In a way I suppose we used to be a couple," Peregrine explained with a thoughtful frown. He noticed the waitress glancing at them and smirked at her, winking in a way that sent blood rushing to her face and she hurried away. The prince went back to frowning, returning his attention to Dolor. His hand slid under the man's jacket and shirt, stroking the feathers he knew was there with careful, habitual movements. It was something he did so absently, not even realizing it might be odd that he just knew how to take care of Dolor, albeit in a rather 'friendly' way. "You have no idea how much it is my fault, my friend, but I will explain everything later. I promise." He already assumed Dolor would be coming home with him. Now that he had him back, he was just as reluctant to part from him as he had been the first time. He just knew something was going to happen, but Dolor had wanted to do it for him. Now look where it got them. A forgotten past and a human involved, or so it seemed. He gave Dolor a weak smile, squeezing his waist with the arm that hadn't moved to stroke his back, then looked at Terra Kali. He made an almost surprised face as he watched her eat, as if fascinated. "You are cute too, in your own way," he told her. Then grinned. "Like a child. It is a pleasant change from all the seriousness that seems to plague the world."

Dolor stiffened as Peregrine's hand started smoothing his feathers down. But since the prince didn't react to the fact he had feathers, he relaxed. There was only one question in his mind, though. But he couldn't bring himself to say it. This was as if something was finally right in his life. As if a big piece had fallen into place. "I don't understand," he said quietly. His natural instinct was to try to make him smile. But that was his instinct with everyone he felt loyal to. His appetite was gone, but he still wanted to treat Kali at least. "We can eat, but where will we go afterwards?"

"Somewhere you two can be alone?" Terra Kali laughed after giving Peregrine a sort of exaggerated bow of her head in response to his comment, swooping her arm out wide and stretching the cheese with it. She coiled it up into her fingers and ate it quickly, licking her fingers of the marinara sauce and she hummed in satisfaction, starting the cycle over again with a new cheese stick. She looked at Peregrine and tilted her head, seeming to study him quietly with a smile. "I say ice cream." she opted, then chuckled, "But I won't let Do-do bird spoil me anymore today, he's already done so much for me. And I don't know you, so obviously I'm not going to let you pay. And I'm just flat broke, so.... Guess we're going to do something free and easy-- a walk in the park!"

Peregrine chuckled. He could stand this human. She was simple and not greedy. Dolor had chosen well even without his memories. He had no doubt in his friend though. "A walk in the park sounds nice," he told her. "And if we find an ice cream stand, I'd be happy to treat the both of you." He 'hugged' Dolor again, still stroking his feathers. He was smiling at him, a quiet kind of smile. "Today is a wonderful day. I'm sorry you don't understand, Dolor, but when we get back to my place I'll explain everything." It hadn't occurred to him that Dolor might not want to go with the stranger who so openly touched him.

"If you don't mind, can we go back to my flat instead?" Dolor asked. He felt more comfortable on familiar ground, which was why he rarely went into the city proper. Dolor had no idea that Peregrine would understand this instinct better than he did. A part of him wanted to trust this man, but a larger part if his sanity screamed to get as far away as possible. If anything, Dolor had learned to trust his internal self over anything, but this was still unnerving.

Terra Kali looked at Dolor and she seemed suddenly rather attuned to how uncomfortable he was probably feeling. She was a little bit of an expert on that after her childhood upbringing. She looked at Peregrine and gave him a soft smile. "That sounds good to me." she nodded. Dolor's flat was in a central part of the city, but not too central, surrounded by people so nothing major would happen... but it made her wonder all the more just who this Peregrine was and what he meant to Dolor. Sure, he'd said they were old friends, but Dolor wasn't acting like he'd just been reunited with an old friend, no matter how emphatic Peregrine was acting. "We're still gonna eat first though, right?" she asked and smiled, taking a bite of another cheese stick, then pushing the basket towards Peregrine and Dolor as an offering.

Peregrine snuffed out his irritation, managing to bring a small smile to his lips instead. He nodded to Terra Kali. "Of course," he said, removing his hand from under Dolor's clothes and instead wrapping it loosely around the other man's waist with his other. "Go on," he urged his companion gently, nodding to Dolor's food. Something in him was becoming bothered and what the humans called 'goose bumps' raised on his skin as his spines prickled lightly. He couldn't talk to Dolor with Terra Kali around, lest he be willing to kill her and that seemed needless. For now, anyway. But the other man did not seem willing to be alone with him. He sighed mentally. Helping reassert the memories was apparently going to be more time consuming than he hoped.

Dolor took a deep breath and glanced at the plate. "I'm not that hungry," said quietly. He looked at Terra Kali. "Go ahead and order. You can take it back to my place." He had a feeling that talking to Peregrine would be an ordeal he didn't want others to witness, so he could send her ahead while they talked and walked. "If that's alright with you," he amended quickly, not wanting her to feel as if he was forcing her away. "I'll give you the key."

She couldn't very well argue with Dolor and what he wanted to do, not matter how uncomfortable it made Terra Kali feel. This Peregrine figure was obviously significant to Dolor, and even with as on edge as Dolor seemed, he was also willing to be alone with Peregrine. Terra Kali lifted her chin a little and gave a smile with a nod. "Sure." she said and stood up. "I'll just order my food from the bar. Give you two a little more time." she winked, taking her cheesesticks and chocolate milk with her, moving to sit at the bar and finish drinking her milk, asking for her food and a to-go box.

"I am sorry to make your friend feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable," Peregrine apologized to Dolor honestly. "But what I need to explain to you is not meant for human ears. Dolor..." His voice, and his eyes, softened as he looked at his friend's face. A face that didn't know him anymore. "I have known you since the day you were born... We were inseparable. Literally the only thing that could tear us apart.." His face became painfully sad again. "Was if one of us died."

Watching Kali move, Dolor watched her go to the bar before he looked at Peregrine. His forehead wrinkled as the prince began to explain. "And I did," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I must not have been strong enough." His eyes went to his arms, where the scars still graced his flesh. "And I couldn't retain any memories of what came before." Dolor knew that if what the prince said was true, he must have failed completely.

Peregrine was quick to shake his head, barely glancing at Dolor's arms before his hand came to rest on the scars, the action absent and gentle. "No, no, Dolor, I'm sure you were stronger than I could have ever asked of you. I was at fault! I should not have let you go- Oh if only you knew..." He lowered his eyes, forcing himself to think. He didn't know if Dolor had simply forgotten the memories, or if he honestly didn't have them anymore, but he had to do something. He looked up into those distinct red eyes again. "I'll show you. We can.. dream.. together, in a way. If you would allow it, I can show you what happened. Who you were. What we were. Dolor... You were- are- my best friend... I only want you back." He would murder the humans that had given his Dolor these scars, who had done those things to him. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as his spines pricked his skin again, wanting out. No, not now, now in public. That was the last thing he wanted.

"How?" was Dolor's only question. He hadn't dreamt in his remembered lifetime. And he wasn't sure he could. "I just....There is so much I don't know. And things I feel I should but can't remember. I've been alone for weeks, but it feels like something was missing." His usual demeanor was gone and he just seemed completely lost, like a child who was being left with an adult who he didn't know but knew was related.

"I will show you anything you want to know," Peregrine promised him, his face as steady as his voice. "I have endless patience when it comes to you." He smiled, then chuckled. "Except for the way you always had to keep my quarters clean. But... Dolor.. I promise, I'll show you what I mean later. It's... difficult to explain with words."

A faint smile hovered over Dolor's lips. "I am a bit of a neat freak," he admitted. He let his eyes wander back to Peregrine. A relieved sort of feeling was growing, as if he had just lost a great deal of tension and couldn't place why. But being close to this man seemed natural to Dolor. Even if he was still unsure. "I...feel as if you are speakkng truth....even if my mind is telling me nothing useful."

Peregrine nodded understandingly. "That is a good beginning," he assured Dolor. "Hopefully, and with a lot of luck, the rest will come in time. For now, I want you to try to relax around me. I promise you now, as I did the day you-" He looked around to make sure no one was listening, and continued in a quieter voice. "Hatched... You are safe with me." He smiled fondly at Dolor. "Please don't fight your instincts. I'm not going to hurt you, and I'm sure it can only help your memories return."

"I will go back with you," Dolor said. "But I will not endanger Kal by dragging her along." He didn't know what prompted him to say it, and he immediately looked embarrassed by his proclamation. "I'm sorry. It is not that I don't trust you. I just don't want her put in a position like that."

Peregrine just smiled fondly, shaking his head again. "Once again, your instincts are spot on my friend." He let go of Dolor and waved a hand. "I supposed you should say farewell then? Do not worry. I'll have you back to her, safe and sound, tomorrow. I give you my word. Tonight, I just want to try to remind you, so that you can make an informed decision about how we progress." He was not, under any circumstances, going to give Dolor up, but he figured once the other man remembered, he wouldn't want to stay away. He'd want to come back. They were bound after all, and it wasn't like Peregrine had been a cruel master. Far from it. But he didn't want to scare him off by implying he HAD to stay with the prince. Peregrine just understood he would want to. In time.

Slowly Dolor stood, going over to where Kali was. As he scooted around tables, he couldn't help but look back at Peregrine, a hopeful longing in his red eyes. Ever since he had woken up in that alley with no memory of who he was apart from his name, he had searched for this large missing piece. Now he felt that he was so very close. Dolor stopped at the bar and gave Kali a smile. "I'm going to give you my card and keys. If you want to stop anywhere and pick something up, don't hesitate. Peregrine has offered to help me get my memory back, and I'm not sure how long that will take." He pulled his keys out and slid them into her pocket along with his credit card. "I don't trust him around you," he whispered into her ear. "I would rather you go back to my place and I'll meet you there as soon as I can."

There was only silence from Terra Kali at first, as if she seemed to be pouting and weighing the feel of the keys and card in her pocket. She then spun around on her stool, holding her glass of chocolate milk up as she sucked it up through the red and white swirl-striped straw. She raised her eyebrow in a comical quirk at him, leaning back on her elbow on the counter, then shook her head once she finished her slurp. "Nope." she said and reached into her pockets, pulling out the items he'd just given to her and shoving them back into his own pocket gently. "I don't trust him around you either. Not yet anyways. He seems cool, but I'm gonna lose my Do-do bird again. That sucked." she said and stood off her stool, putting some of the last of her money down for her food. "You're all I got, Do-do, I'm not letting you run off on your own and leaving me behind. Besides, where's the fun in that?!" she yelped. "You only have a radio in your room! I would be bored outta my MIND!" She wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a chummy way, smiling up at him. "C'mon, I'll be good, I promise! I won't make a peep!"

Dolor shook his head. "No. I don't think that's a good idea." He leaned close, bringing her in like he was kissing her on the cheek. "He can kill me but I don't stay that way." Dolor drew back again and looked at her. "Go to my place and lock the door." He took a deep breath. "I'll be back soon." Turning back to the table, he moved over to Peregrine and nodded. "I'm ready."

"Wonderful!" Peregrine smiled and stood, pushing his chair back in politely. He waved to Terra Kali with a smile before taking Dolor's hand and pulling him out of the establishment. "Don't worry. I promise, you are in no danger with me. Well, ok possibly MORE danger, but you won't get hurt. Not as long as you are with me." He gave Dolor a bright smile and lifted the other man's hand as they walked along at an unhurried pace, kissing the back of it before he lowered it again. "It really is so good to see you again my friend... It's been too long, and I was very worried I'd never find you again. And here you are. Luck is certainly on my side today. Do you need anything before we go to my apartment?"

"Not really," Dolor said. He looked at their hands, a faint smile forming before it vanished again. "Where is your home?" he asked patiently. Dolor had no idea what he was asking, but he looked over at Peregrine and tried to see what he was feeling, but there was still nothing familiar to him.

"On the corner of Alderson and 9th," Peregrine answered simply. He squeezed Dolor's hand, giving him another smile before he continued looking ahead. "Keep asking questions. I want you to trust me, so I'll answer anything you want to know. It's not home though," he added as an after thought. "It's just.. where I live. For now. I live on the top floor. In what the humans call a 'penthouse suite'."

Dolor stopped walking all together. He looked over at Peregrine with a slight confusion and apprehension. "You live in the building directly across from a red brick apartment building, three stories high?" It couldn't be possible that the apartment he chose because he was unnaturally drawn to the place across the street was actually across the street from Peregrine's apartment. 

Peregrine stopped with him, looking back at the other man in surprise. He thought about it a moment, then nodded. "Yes? Why? Is that building relevant?" He frowned deeply. "Are you adverse to that area?"

"The brick apartment building is where I live," Dolor practically whispered. "I was drawn to the building across the way, but could not afford to live there at the time." He stared at Peregrine, unsure of how to feel about this newest revelation.

Peregrine made a face, somewhere between confused and thoughtful. "You don't say... Well that's interesting. It seems at least part of you remembers how attached we are. Are you ok going to my place then? Since home is so close? Don't worry. If you get uncomfortable and want to go home I promise to hide my eyes so I don't know which apartment is yours precisely." To emphasize the point he covered his eyes with his hand, chuckling briefly before he peeked through his fingers, his eyes completely black. "I promise you."

Dolor saw the eyes, and he blinked. "You do not have to...I am okay with going with you." Something nagged at his mind, though. Something wasn't right here. The black eyes, every time he saw them something lost in his mind jolted, but he couldn't remember. "Your eyes," he said absently, thinking he sounded a bit crazy. "I'm sorry. This is all a bit overwhelming."

"It's ok, don't worry," Peregrine assured him with a gentle smile, returning his eyes to the dark brown with a blink as they continued to his apartment. It took a moment, since he had to wait for traffic to cross the four lanes to the other side of the street. "I think.. seeing me the way I was... would help your memory," the prince told the pheora as they walked. "Unfortunately... I can't show it to you." He frowned, truly pained by that. He missed his true form anyway, but since he couldn't help his best friend because he couldn't switch back, it pained him all the more.

Tears came unbidden to Dolor's eyes, and he wiped at the blood red streaks, staring at his hand for a moment, not understanding the tears at all. "I wish I could remember." He continued walking, wiping the blood from his hand on his pants. "It's like someone hit a reset button on my life. Everything is still there as a file I can't access." He looked over at Peregrine. "I am sorry. This is probably not helping you at all." He grew silent, staring at the ground in front of him as they approached their street.

"Do not worry," Peregrine told him gently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am not the one who needs help, my friend. I am here for you, however you need me. When we dream together, I will show you how you should remember me. I can only hope it will help..." There was a nagging, minor fear that, should Dolor not remember, his true form would horrify the other man. Still, he had to try. Those who never went back to their old lives after getting amnesia never recovered, after all. Familiarity, if anything, would be the key. He removed his hand from Dolor's shoulder and wiped gently to remove the bit of blood the other man had missed on his cheek, giving the pheora an encouraging smile. "Whether you remember or not, Dolor, I have always been, and always will be, your friend, just as you will always be mine."

'Thank you," Dolor said for lack of anything else. His eyes went up to the now well lit top floor of Peregrine's building, understanding why he was drawn to it. There was something that had pulled him in even before, and he wanted to know. Looking over at Peregrine, he gave a hesitant smile. "Is your apartment safe? I mean, is there anyone else there?"

"I'm not sure," Peregrine answered, staring at the windows above with a slightly furrowed brow. He relaxed though, mentally shaking it off as he looped an arm with the slightly taller man's. He nodded in a firm, comforting way. "It is safe though. I'm not going to let anything happen to you ever again Dolor. I promise you that." He opened the door to the building and let Dolor go in first and waited until they were in the elevator headed up to his penthouse. He was a little irritated by the looks the people were giving him downstairs. Or, that is, the looks they weren't giving him. He could tell the humans in the lobby were starting to think he was bringing back 'companions', and a lot of them today. Or at least.. 'customers'. He was hardly a harlot! He rubbed the backs of his arms to smooth the bumps, sighed, put on a smile again, and looked at Dolor. "Don't worry. I'm going to do everything I can to help you, and I wouldn't dream of hurting you." He chuckled. Saying 'I wouldn't dream' was like getting someone's word when speaking to the royal family of the Nightmare Lands.

Dolor glanced at the humans. A thought occurred to him, but he shrugged it off. For some reason the idea of the prince living alone seemed strange, like he should have someone with him. Dolor quickly followed him to the elevator, nervous about being here. If anyone recognized him as that drug user who lived across the street and worked at a tattoo parlor, Peregrine's reputation would be ruined. "Who else might be there?" he asked nervously.

---

"I've never been shopping before..." Terre skipped along beside Lavinia excitedly. Looking over at the woman she smiled softly. Even though they'd just met, she knew she was going to like her. "You'll make sure I dont pick out anything terrible or stupid, right?"

Lavinia nodded with a smile. "Of course. I'll have you looking as fashionable as me..." she said with a chuckle. "Now if you see a store you like the look of just tell me and we'll take a look okay?" She smiled once more then carried on walking along the street.

As they rounded a corner in the street, Terre saw a manikin in the window of a shop in the cutest, ruffled jean shirt with a white off the shoulder top. (http://i.ysi.bz/Assets/GalleryImage/32/164/L_g0007416432.jpg) "Lavinia, what about that!" Racing over to the door of the shop she burst in and hurried over to the manikin. "I like it...I mean the hat, no so much, but the rest is cute..."

Lavinia raced after Terre then looked up at the outfit on the dress form. "Hm...yes this looks like it may suit you well." she said with a smile as she lowered her sunglasses slightly to get a better look. She turned to look at one of the store workers and pointed at the outfit. "My friend wishes to try that on."

The woman who was tending the store came over to them and eyed Terre. "Well, what size are you, my dear?" Frowning slightly, Terre glanced over to Lavinia and then sighed. "I dont know, I've always made my clothes..." The womans eyes grew large before she sighed and picked a few different sizes off of the rack. Leading her through a few other packs and patrons in the store she took her to the fitting room and shoved the clothing into her hands. "Try these on..." Terre went into the room indicated and did as she was told. The 4 was slightly too small and the 8 was way too big so she settled on the size 6 and came out of the fitting room and strutted around the store as if she were on a run way. A woman in the corner caught sight of her and grinned. Turning to watched Terre she crossed her arms over her chest. Satisfied with what she saw she came over to Terre and handed her a card. "Names Melinda Miles and I'd like to offer you a job." Terre stopped midway through her step and stared at the woman. Shaking her head to clear her mind of stupid thoughts, she smiled and took the womans card. "Really, doing what?" Melinda grinned at Terre's innocence and shrugged. "Modeling. You do the cat walk better then any of the girls I have right now, and your stunningly beautiful. Whadya say kid?" Terre shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal. "I say yes!"

Lavinia slowly stood and moved to Terre's side, eyeing the mysterious woman with a frown. "Terre, whose this?" she asked as she removed her sunglasses to get a better look at Melinda. She was confident her golden coloured contact lenses would still be intact and would protect this human from her Gorgon stare.

"Melinda Miles." The woman turned to Lavinia and held out her hand. "I just offered...Terre here a job. With my modeling Agency." Terre turned to Lavinia and grinned. "I'll of course check with Peregrine and such first but I so want to go for it." Melinda smiled at the woman and watched her carefully. "I love her enthusiasm, dont you?"

"Yes." Was Lavinias response as she took Melinda's hand and shook it lightly before releasing it. "But i'm afraid if you wish to hire Terre then you need to accept my company as well, she's new to the city and I am her guardian. So where ever she goes, I go. Peregrine will allow it if I go with you." she said with a glance to Terre.

"Im afraid that isnt an option," Melinda spoke to Lavinia. "And Terre, we'll have to leave tonight. Myself and the other girls have a flight to Rome that leaves in just a few hours." Terre began ripping tags off of her clothing as she walked over to a display of high healed boots. Finding a pair that fit, she slipped them on and took all the tags over to the register to pay for them. The woman gave her a total of $327.92 cents. Terre looked over at Lavinia in confusion. Pulling out the bills that Peregrine had given her, she handed them over to Lavinia. "Help?"

Lavinia moved to Terre's side and carefully selected the right bills from her hand then handed them to the woman at the counter. "Keep the rest. You'll need it now if you are going to be going away." she said placing a hand on Terre's shoulder. "Are you sure that this is what you want?" she asked, concern in her voice.

Terre nodded her head gently. "It'll give me a chance to see the world...learn new things." Melinda stepped forward and smiled at Lavinia and winked, "Be around creatures like her kind," she said in a whispered tone. Terre went back over to the fitting room and gathered her other clothes. She'd need them for now. "Melinda, I'd like to go and say goodbye to my other friends, if thats alright..." Terre moved back over to Lavinia's side, a bit sad about leaving her newfound friends. "Of course. Just have someone bring you to the airport around 5. I'll have everything you need." With that the woman left. Terre saw a cute leather backpack she thought would come in handy so she grabbed it quickly and brought it over to the register and purchased it as well. Once they were done she had her clothing stuffed into the small back pack and was carrying Pax's boots at her side. "Let's go home..."

---

While the others left, Pax sat cross legged on the floor, a book in her lap. She wasn't reading, though. She was too busy thinking. The realm she had lost access to still sat there, just on the edge of her mind. If Pax pushed a little, she could feel it. And being this close to the rulers meant she put in a place that much more powerful. It would just take a little more energy than she had.

"Maybe you are tired," said a distinctly childish voice. A distinctly childish voice very close to her ear. Honey eyes stared her down, head level without Aurum bending down, now that Pax was sitting at a level where the princess stood. She had a blank but somehow curious expression on her youthful face. "Would you like to dream?"

"More than anything," Pax said without opening her eyes. "That realm is closed to one with my limited powers." She looked up at Aurum, deep sadness in her eyes. "Do you still dream?" she asked politely, wondering how much the girl had suffered in the changeover of power.

"Always," Aurum replied, her voice airy. Dreamy, even. "For I am." She gave Pax a smile before she turned and walked, somewhat bouncing, into the kitchen. She opened a lower cabinet and stuck her head in. "I will open the door for you, as long as you are here-" She closed the cabinet, her face twisted in a furious pout, and looked at a higher cabinet. She pointed, still glaring at it. "If you get me the cookies."

Pax stood and smiled at the princess as she opened the cupboard and took down the cookies. "Your brother said you liked sweets." She went back to sit down and tilted her head at Aurum. "Do you play in the dream realm often?"

"Yuff, bu- don- ell Pe'egwin fa-," Aurum said around a cookie as she took the bag with her to sit with Pax. She settled herself on the place in front of the white woman, adjusting her lacy white dress like a proper lady before she returned to devouring cookies. She was doing so politely, which made the pace she was going through them at rather impressive. "He says though we enjoy it, it's still work." She gave a single, firm nod, then munched another cookie. "I might not be Home, but I am still responsible for so much. That's what Peregrine says." She nodded again and put another cookie in her mouth.

"I promise," Pax said with a smile. She watched Aurum with interest. "He is right, though. Our responsibility is of priority even while stuck here." She smiled as she thought about Peregrine. He was a good ruler, loyal to his people. "I would be seeing to humans' dreams if we were home."

Aurum nodded and leaned as far as she could forward, stretching her arm to sit a cookie on Pax's knee, then sat back again, looking into the bag for a good one for herself. "That is what your people do. And they do it very well. I see sometimes. You'll see." She reached into the bag and pulled out one of the contents. "We must all keep dreaming... It is what brings hope, and from hope comes great ideas, and from there, wonderful actions." She stopped staring at her cookie, giggled, and took a bite.

Picking up the cookie, Pax looked at it in interest. "Dreams can be true peace, bring something to a life of nothing." She smiled at Aurum. "Our job will continue even when it is hopeless. But I haven't dreamed since I awoke here." She wasn't certain how much to say to the girl, not sure how much she knew.

Pax's words were met with a frown and thoughtful eyes. "You will dream tonight, don't worry." Aurum sounded so certain, every time she spoke. Or thoughtful. But never as if she didn't know. "There are so many that need dreams...." She held up a cookie. "One wonderful thing-" She crushed it in her little hand, sprinkling the crumbs over the pure white carpet, scattering them everywhere in reach. "And everyone can have a little. It is their choice if they seek out the rest." She looked at Pax pointedly before picking out another cookie and eating it idly.

"There are so many left in the dark," Pax said. She turned the cookie in her hand, wanting nothing more than to sleep and dream again. To travel through the dreams of others. To see the good things that resided in people.

"It won't last," Aurum told her, putting her hand in the bag again. "Nothing is forever." Her eyes widened, then her face fell as she pulled her hand out and looked into what had turned out to be an empty bag. She almost looked ready to cry.

Pax stood and moved to sit near the girl, her cookie still uneaten. "I certainly hope you are right. And it seems you are." She smiled warmly at the girl. "I would offer to get you another bag, but I do not wish to incur the wrath of your brother."

"It's ok," Aurum said eventually and stood, dusting off her dress needlessly. "Peregrine is not very.. wrathful." She giggled and took the bag to the kitchen, depositing it in the garbage can. "He must like you," she said thoughtfully as she came back to Pax. She was smiling. "He brought you here, and he let you stay."

"The others are staying as well," Pax said, ignoring the fact that he let her stay even while he was gone. She didn't want to think that she was getting special treatment, but she knew he wouldn't trust just anyone to stay with Aurum. "I like him as well, though." Pax couldn't blush, but she did darken slightly to an offwhite on her cheeks.

Aurum had the intelligence to look surprised. "Do you fancy my brother, Pax?" she asked, bordering on confused. Still, she seemed to mentally brush it off, either because she didn't find it important or because she already made up her mind, and looked out the window instead. "I wonder when he will return tonight..."

Pax looked up quickly at her question. "I suppose you could call it that." She rubbed her fingers together, wondering how intelligent this girl was. She was surely smarter than the apparent age she portrayed. "Do you know what he had planned? Maybe he is running a little late?"

"I never know what he is up to," Aurum replied with a frown. She walked over to the window and put her hands on the glass, looking down at the street far below. "But he often comes back late, and sad... He never used to be sad."

"Maybe we can make him happy?" Pax suggested. She had no idea how to help, but something about Aurum made her wonder how this little girl was so perceptive. "What do you think would make him happy?"

"Going home." The words blunt, firm, hollow, as if Aurum had known them a long time. She had her forehead against the glass, watching tiny people hurry along the sidewalks. "Other than that, I'm not sure. He says he'll be happy as long as I'm happy." Her honey eyes squinted, her lips pursed. "Money, money, money, women, power, fame, money..."

"I hope my presence doesn't make him more homesick." Pax walked over to the window, staying far enough back to keep from being seen. "People below?" she surmised. This girl brought so much back to Pax that it took all her strength not to walk over and treat her as an Oneiroi youngling.

"Yes," Aurum answered, smiling in a fond but sad sort of way. "What they dream of. Such simple creatures." She sighed, the sound not frustrated, but more satisfied. Looking away from the window, she returned her attention to Pax. "How long do you plan on staying with us?"

"They have such short lives," Pax said quietly. When Aurum asked about how long she would say, Pax frowned. "As long as I'm accepted here." She wanted to spend time with them to remind her of home, but she wasn't sure how long Peregrine would want her around if he found out what his sister had picked up almost instantly.

"Good. I needed a new nanny," Aurum said simply and walked away from the window, back to the kitchen. "Pax, will you make me chocolate milk?" She gave the oneiri a small pout, standing in the kitchen, her light brown eyes shining. It was heart breathtakingly hard to resist that face.

Pax nodded and turned, searching for a glass and spoon before she opened the fridge. "A nanny, huh?" She squeezed a generous bit of chocolate into the glass before adding the milk. Pax watched Aurum as she carefully stirred it. "Technically you are my princess, so I would be honored to be so close to you." Taking the spoon out, she set it in the sink and brought the glass over to Aurum, sitting nearby.

Lavinia had led the way back towards the apartment, feeling a sense of sadness at the thought that Terre would be leaving them. When they reached the door to the apartment, she knocked gently but loud enough that anyone inside would hear. "Are you sure you still wish to go?" she asked looking at Terre.

Grabbing a hold of Lavinia's hand, she squeezed for a moment and smiled. "Im positive. I need to get out there and live a life." Out of the corner of her eye, Terre noticed a large husky trotting down the hallway in their direction. Raising an eyebrow she noticed the collar/necklace around the dogs neck and frowned. She knew that strange looking pendant around the dogs neck. "Wait a minute, I know this dog..." Frowning slightly she knelt down in front of the dog just before it shifted into one of the most beautiful woman that Terre had ever seen. "Catiri!" Throwing her arms around the woman she hugged her long lost friend close.

A soft laugh bubbled up from deep in the womans stomach as she hugged Terre back. "Hello my little Earth friend." Catiri pulled away just enough to look at the woman. "I like the getup. You look great. So I didnt mean to snoop but I heard your a model now?" At the other womans nod she grinned happily. "Im glad your finding your way in life." Looking over at Terre's shoulder she noticed the other woman and smiled. "Why hello, who might you be?"

"Good afternoon. My name is Lavinia." she replied in a somewhat formal tone but gave a small smile to show she was friendly. She removed her sunglasses to inspect Catiri a little closer before speaking to her again. "Who are you?"

"Oh, sorry about that," Stepping forward she held out her hand to the other woman and smiled. "Catiri Brightheart." Winking at the woman, Catiri shrugged gently. "But you can call me Cat." The strange woman seemed at ease with Lavinia, even though they just met. "Please to meet you, Lavinia. Such a lovely name."

Pax walked slowly over to the door, focusing on reverting her height. Skin tone could be hidden. She pulled her hood up again and unlocked the door, peeking out. "Hello?" she said quietly, looking at who was there.

"It's us..." Lavinia hissed at Pax as she peered through the door. "With a friend of Terre's." she said glancing at Catiri before stepping into the apartment and nodding briefly at Aurum in greeting before moving to sit down.

Terre skipped into the apartment and plopped down next to Lavinia and waved Cat inside. Glancing around Cat frowned slightly and raised an eyebrow. "You live with Peregrine?" Walking into the apartment she sat down on the armrest and leaned along the back of the couch. Glancing over at Aurum she smiled softly at the girl and waved. 

Aurum watched all of them, waving back lazily to Lavinia, the motion slow as she was confused by new comers. She was getting used to Pax, and she didn't mind the company, but she was a little uncomfortable. She knew Peregrine would probably not be exactly happy to have so many in his apartment, especially with her here when he wasn't able to protect her. She looked at Pax and, with a deadpan expression, told her, "You're going to make a bad nanny." She was referring, of course, to letting a new person in, but was mostly joking. She wondered idly what Peregrine's exact words were going to be when he returned.

"Uh..." Pax stared at the newcomer as Terre waved her in. "This is a really bad idea. Peregrine might not like this." She firmly took a step in front of Aurum, putting herself in between the princess and the others. She glanced back at the girl. "Maybe it would be better if you went back to your room," she suggested.

Aurum nodded and hopped down from her stool. She made a little curtsy to everyone. "I will see you all later. I ask you to respect our house please." She gave them all a small smile, again seeming to glow like comfort embodied, then turned and walked back to her room, closing the door behind her followed by the small click of locking it.

Peregrine's sister is absolutely adorable! Glancing around the room, Cat walked over to the window and peered out it. It was a beautiful night. Glancing over at the clock she frowned and turned back to the group. "Terre should probably be heading to the airport." Terre frowned deeply and looked around. "I wanted to say goodbye to Peregrine..." Feeling slightly defeated she stood and headed into her room where her leather bag was filled with her few belongings. She had returned Pax's boots to her and was ready to head out. The flight would be leaving at 1 a.m. so she needed to get there to meet her boss and new friends. Coming back out of her unused room she flung the bag over her shoulder and forced a smile. "Ready...I guess..."

Lavinia stood and moved to Terre and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Be safe in your travels. And if you need a friend to kill someone for you, just let me know, i'll be there in a flash." she hissed with a smile. "Now go before it gets any harder for you to leave. Your great adventure starts here."

Terre hugged Lavinia tightly before hurrying over to Pax and going the same. Swallowing the lump that now took residence in her throat, she moved over to the door and produced a brave smile. "Tell Peregrine goodbye for me, please. And let him know I'll write every chance I get." With that she raced out the door and into the hallway before she burst into tears. Cat smiled and followed behind her. Turning and speaking over her shoulder, "I'll stop by on my way back and check in with Peregrine." Nodding her head at them she closed the door behind her. Turning to a shaking Terre, she wrapped an arm around her shoulders and ushered the girl down the street. Hailing a taxi they climbed inside and rode silently to the airport. Once in they got safely to the airport and into the needed terminal, Cat fished a phone out of her pocket and handed it to Terre. "It's my spare, it's got a contract and everything. Use it whenever you want. Dont worry about paying the bill. I'll get numbers for Peregrine, Lavinia, and Pax for you and send them to you. My other number is already programmed in there so if you need me...dont hesitate to call." Terre looked up at the closest friend she'd ever had and smiled softly. "Thanks..." They hugged each other tightly for several moments, if anyone were to walk by they'd probably think they were lovers. "Terre, love! You made it!" Melinda strolled up to them, several models following behind her. "This is my queue kid, I can't stand models." Cat winked at Terre and hugged her one last time before heading back out onto the street. Terre was ushered by her boss and new 'friends' towards the loading docks and towards her new life.

---

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