Toxic Past: 4
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"Good job lad. We haven't seen any of these types of fae before." The tall hulking man said as a group of men carried a large crate past him, a strange crying noise coming from within it.
Mattie stood with his arms folded, a small frown on his face as he tried to ignore the sounds. They were standing in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a place no one ever went. "This will take maybe...$50 from your debt." Matties eyes widened in shock. "Thats worth way more than that!" he snapped, a reaction he immediately regretted as he was pushed back forcefully against the wall. "Make it $30..." the man growled then held his hand out and was swiftly handed a small injection from one of his men. "As you know with every new specie we gotta try it out. Make sure we don't sell anything to dangerous ya know." The man grinned viciously as he gripped Mattie by the throat and quickly stabbed the needle into his neck before releasing him and stepping back. "Report back tomorrow, let me know what the effects were...now get back to work." he said then turned and stormed off leaving Mattie massaging his neck. Finally he straightened up and moved from the warehouse, making his way back to the city and getting as far away from the men as he could. He stumbled into a small almost deserted park and sat down upon a bench, rubbing his temples as his head began to pound with pain and his vision began to sharpen. Suddenly images began flashing through his mind, a man, a young girl, prince, princess, a whole group of nightmare creatures under one roof. The images vanished and Mattie sighed.
Seems that toxic's enhancements have helped me find my new targets. he thought unhappily as he leant back on the bench and closed his eyes.
Terra Kali was not pleased to find herself alone again, walking the dark streets of the city, despite that she had Dolor's apartment key and credit card in her pockets. She sighed and looked around, chewing dumbly on some fast food fries in a paper bag as she walked, kicking a rock with the toes of her precious red Converse Allstars as she did. She looked around boredly, looking for something interesting to do so she wouldn't have to go back to Dolor's apartment and suffer with that one radio in his room--or worse, sleep. She looked around as she wandered into the fences of the park and after her eyes passed over a familiar figure in black clothes, she had to do a double-take. He looked... familiar. She couldn't place him though. Her mind then suddenly snapped. "MATTIE!" she screamed, running towards him and jumping, landing on his lap hard and wrapping her arms around his neck. "MATTIE, My boy! My bud, is it really you?! Holy crap-ola!" she smiled, her red, black and blonde hair a tuffled mess on her head from the jump.
Mattie's head had snapped up when he had heard his name called and his eyes widened at the sight of this strange girl launching herself towards him. "Are you crazy?" he snapped as he tried to pry her arms from around his neck. "Listen, I have no idea who the hell you are, so do you mind getting off me!" he said, his head still pounding painfully from the toxin injection.
Unable to help ignoring Mattie's words,
Terra Kali kept herself clutched to him, nuzzling his head and hugging him tightly. "Don't talk like that, Mattie, c'mon, it's me!" she yelped, then pulled back to look at him, tugging at his cheeks with her fingers and studying him. "You've gotten thinner... But you're cute! You must be a lady killer!" she teased, giving him a shove, then rolling off his lap. She turned and looked at him, opening her arms as she gaped at him. "Are you for real? You seriously don't remember me?"
Who is this chick?! Mattie thought, growing angry as she pinched and shoved him before finally getting off his lap. "Look i'm sorry but you've obviously got the wrong Mattie." he said standing and adjusting his collar to try and cover the tattoo given to him by the gang. "I have no idea who you are and its probably best it stays that way. I'm bad news." he said then turned, shoving his hands into his pockets and began to walk away from her.
"Aw, c'mon, Mattie! It's me...
Terra Kali!" she insisted, following after him without a moment's hesitation. She walked alongside him, then grabbed his arm gently to try stopping him. "You gotta remember, man, we grew up together! Anything?" she asked, giving him a puppy-dog pout and tilting her head cutely. "I'll buy you something to eat, just humor me, huh?" she begged, tugging on his arm.
Mattie sighed as he stopped in his walking when she pulled on his arm. He looked down at her, a confused expression on his face as he tried to place her in his past but was unable to do so. He rolled his eyes and sighed again before nodding. "Fine you can get me somthing to eat. You can choose the place." he said to tired to argue with her. He was hoping he could shake this girl off after they ate, knowing his boss wouldn't be happy that he was neglecting his work.
"Great! Awesome!"
Terra Kali beamed, nodding excitedly and grabbing his arm by the elbow, pulling him towards a small fast food place. She pulled him inside and ordered them both some burgers and fries and she got herself a milkshake before pulling him to a table to sit down, munching on her fries eagerly as she watched him, leaning forward on her elbows on the table with a wide smile. "Gods, I can't believe it's you! You've gotten so grown up!" she teased, reaching out and fiddling with a stray strand of his hair.
Reaching up,
Mattie took a hold of Terra's wrist and pulled her hand away from his hair and set it down on the table. "Please don't do that." he said quietly with a frown before lifting a few fries and popping them in his mouth. He looked up at her again still no hint of a smile. "Sorry, whats your name again?"
"
Terra Kali, stupid." she chuckled, pulling her hand back and biting into some more fries, watching him with a tilted head. She seemed thoughtful for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. "You gotta remember, kid. You gotta! I'm, like... a very important part of your life! We did everything together!" she insisted, giving his leg a small kick with her red shoes. "C'mon, ask me something!"
Mattie couldn't help but feel frustrated as he listened to Terra.
This girl must be crazy. he thought as he ate a few more fries then groaned as his headache began again. "Stupid toxins..." he muttered then glanced at Terra at the same time his vision suddenly sharpened and more images were threw into his mind. He saw this girl with a strange man with feathers, they seemed to be friends. Another man appears and is overjoyed with his reunion with the feathered man. They seem familiar and then it suddenly clicks. These are the creatures from earlier, the ones he has chosen as his target and this girl is the key to finding them. He groans again, hating himself for what he is about to do. Looking back at Terra he appears confused at first then suddenly and for the first time in what seems like months a smile slowly appears on his face. "Terra?" he says as if suddenly remembering her.
Terra Kali's smile broadened and she nodded. "Is it starting to click?!" she chuckled and punched his shoulder from across the table. "You had me worried there, you toad!" She shook her head and stuffed some more fries into her mouth before starting to scarfing down her burger. "So what do you remember, aside from me? You musta banged your head pretty freakin' hard..." She then seemed to notice how large his pupils were and she frowned. "A-are you... Are you using toxins?" she whispered, leaning into the middle of the table to whisper.
"I only test them."
Mattie whispered back in a defensive tone before taking a bite of his own burger. "And before you start lecturing me about the bad effects of the toxins just don't okay. Its not really my choice to use them..." he snapped, not in the mood to have this stranger start mothering him and scolding him about using the toxins.
Giving a pout,
Terra Kali sat back from him again, looking a little concerned but she took another bite of her burger. "Don't be ashamed... I'm not too proud to admit I've had to weasle and swindle my way to survive." Though she never had to do or deal Toxins to do it. "We do what we must. But it's alright, doesn't matter what happened to you in the past, cause I'm gonna help you out for the future!" she smiled happily. "I got a job, Mattie, a really good one, and I start tomorrow! Maybe I can talk to the manager and get you a job too?"
Mattie sighed and shook his head. "You don't understand...I
'm not doing this because I need the money. In fact I don't get any money. My dad worked up a huge debt abusing the toxins and when the men came to collect he disappeared leaving the rest of us to clean up his mess." he replied with a frown rubbing his hand over the gang's tattoo on his neck. "So there is nothing you could do to help me..."
"Don't say that, Mattie, I'm sure we can find something to help you..." Terra Kali frowned, rubbing her chin in thought as she chewed her burger some more. She stuck a few fries in her milkshake and swirled them around, then taking a large bite of the chocolate-coated mess, humming as she tried to think. "It was a shitty thing of your dad to do... but nothing that can't be solved." She sighed and looked back at him, poking his shin with her shoe. "Come back to my place with me. We'll hang out, like old times."
"Your place? Do...do you live there alone?" Mattie asked trying to sound casual but his heart had began beating faster at the thought that she was going to lead him straight to the creatures. He forced himself to smile again as he boldly lifted her cup and took a drink of her milkshake before setting it down. It seemed this was the kind of thing her real friend Mattie would have done.
Actually, Terra Kali was gaping at him in disbelief at what he had just done. "Whoa, dude! What are you doing?! Do those toxins keep your lactose intolerance at bay or something?! That was brave!" she gasped, snatching her milkshake back from him. "Yeesh, you're gonna regret that later..." She made a face and gave a small giggle, but her eyes were focused on him a little more closely. She stayed silent, then sighed, looking away. "Actually... I probably shouldn't take you back to my place..." she whispered. In all honesty, it wasn't even her place. It was Dolor's. And he hadn't given her permission to bring anyone inside. She already felt bad for paying for someone's food with his credit card. She bit her lip, frowning down at her lap. "I feel like a jerk." she grumbled. "But we can still hang out! Let's go to the creek! Like we used to! That should jog your memory a little more!"
"Maybe tomorrow. Its getting late and I don't have anywhere to stay yet so I need to see if I can find somewhere. Don't want to be spending another night on a park bench. Mom sold the house and moved but I stayed in the city to work." Mattie lied as he finished his burger then wiped his face with a napkin. "Thanks for that. Nice to eat a proper meal for once and not just have to grab leftovers from peoples plates." Well if I want her to take me back to her house i'm going to need to make her feel sorry for me. he thought ashamed of the lies he was telling. "Well hopefully see you around Terra..." he said with a smile then stood and made to move to the door.
Animi sat enjoying the last of the day, idly daydreaming of flying. The bench he occupied was positioned on the side of a street facing the park, close enough that he could watch birds in flight and hear their chirping, which had been his sole business that day. Along the street to either side of him were numerous restaurants and small shops that had been been busy earlier, but now were beginning to quiet down, much like the birds that had been his focus a short time before. He wore his normal clothing, a pair of jeans, cowboy boots , and a white button up shirt. Suddenly, an involuntary shiver worked it's way up his back, snapping him out of his daydream, telling him it was time to go home, but he hesitated, and instead took the black braid that was his hair and began undoing it, all the while listening intently to the last chirps the day would yield.
Terra Kali watched Mattie with a clearly concerned and guilt-ridden puppy eyed pout, her lips slightly parted in sad shock. She had no idea his living conditions were so similar to what her own had been mere hours ago. He didn't deserve that any more than she did. Well.... Maybe.Dolor wouldn't mind it if he stayed one night. Dolor isn't even going to be there tonight... I can tell him in the morning when he gets back and after Mattie leaves. she thought quickly. "Mattie! Hold up... I guess I can take you back for tonight... What kinda friend would I be if I didn't?" she said with a small smile as she moved after him, her hands lightly tucked into her pockets. "But I gotta warn you... There isn't much to do there." She said this in a small mumble, thinking of the single radio sitting alone in Dolor's room.
Mattie couldn't help but give a small sigh of relief, glad that she'd fallen for his lies. "Really?" he said turning to look at her with surprised eyes. "Wow Terra, you would really be helping me out. Thank you." he said then placed an arm round her shoulders and hugged her to him to show his appreciation. "How about we head back there now. I'm exhausted and I gotta be up early for work in the morning." he said as he guided her out of the diner.
Peregrine gave him a charming smile. "Friends," he said gently. The doors of the elevator opened and he stepped out, beckoning Dolor to follow. He had only missed Terre's exit by maybe ten minutes. He opened the door to his flat with a smile, looking around to see who was home. "Pax?" he called out, then noticed the people inside. "Lavinia, welcome back. Where's Terre?" He paused, startled a bit and stepped out of the way for Dolor, his smile widening. "I'm so sorry, please, come in," he told the phoera.
"Gone." Lavinia replied sadly as she stood from the chair she was sitting in. "She was offered a job out of town and she took it. I tried to stop her but she was determined to go." she moved to stand in front of Peregrine, glancing at Dolor curiously.
Pax stood back and away from the door. She hadn't said anything else to Terre or the newcomer when they had left, and now another was being brought in. She retreated back into the kitchen, giving Peregrine a small nod as she did so.
At Lavinia's scrutiny, Dolor seemed to shrink away, not sure whether he wanted to enter. He finally slid in behind Peregrine, taking in the surroundings. He frowned, staying with the prince between himself and the rest of the room. Uncertainty was apparent on his face, and he wanted nothing more than to vanish again.
"Oh. That's adventurous of her," Peregrine commented to Lavinia, seeming to think on it, then noticed Dolor hiding. "What-" He turned around to him, giving the phoera a kind smile before he hugged his friend's shoulders, pulling him close. "There now, no need to be afraid." He let go enough to look into the man's face. "It's ok, alright? We're going to go dream. You won't even see them anymore." He kissed Dolor's forehead before he let go and turned back to the two women in his temporary home. "I need to show Dolor some things. Help yourself to any food you may want and make yourselves comfortable, of course, as always." He took Dolor's hand and tugged him toward his bedroom. "I probably won't see you any time tonight but I'll be making breakfast. I promise!" He really wasn't picking up on how this was sounding.
"Have fun!" Lavinia called after them with a wave and a smile before turning back towards the couch. She began picking up cushions and arranging them on the floor until it finally resembled a comfy nest. She stepped back to inspect her handiwork then gave a nod of approval before turning to look at Pax. "Will you be retiring to your room?" she asked.
"I will," Pax said. She picked up her boots from the floor, watching as Peregrine drug the poor man off. With a nod at Lavinia, she too retreated to the room indicated for her use, setting about preparing herself for sleep. And possibly dreams if staying here could do such a thing.
Not even having time to wave, Dolor allowed himself to be pulled out of the room. He had no idea what the other creatures had been, and he had no real urge to stay and find out. Following Peregrine was so much less complicated but at the same time so much more nerves racking. The phoera felt a shiver go through him and he watched the floor as they entered the bedroom, staying silently behind the prince.
Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, Peregrine's room was not the master bedroom. It was of modest size, though it did have its own bathroom. The thick rug and silken plush bedding was all black. The four posts of his bed, headboard and foot board, desk, chair, and wardrobe were all a dark ebony wood, the walls a deep blue. Silver items, like what appeared to be small abstract statues less than 6 in tall and a few silver symbols were around the room on the table or walls. The room might have been cozy, if not so dark. Two foe candles lit the room dully from the night stands on either side of his bed. After closing the door, Peregrine turned his excited smile to Dolor and took his hand, leading him gently to the bed but not yet sitting or laying down. "Come. We'll dream, and I'll explain everything I can there. Hopefully, you will remember something. Do not worry, if you are too frightened, or uncomfortable. Simply close your eyes-" He demonstrated. "And you will wake up." He opened his eyes, his smile comforting. "Ok?"
Dolor nodded, but took a step back, pulling away from Peregrine. "But I can't- I have to-...Uh, just a moment." He shrugged out of his jacket, letting it fall to the floor. It was starting to get late and his shoulders were paining him. With a weak sigh, he pulled his shirt off as well and in the span of a thought his wings were out and stretched to their full length. His eyes were closed in relief and he let out another sigh.
Peregrine's smile become nostalgic and he stepped up to Dolor. Gentle finger tips reached up and trailed along the feathers on his arms, near his neck, then finally, along his wings. "I have always thought your wings were so beautiful...." He stopped himself from continuing, looking into Dolor's eyes. "But I will show you that. It is some of my fondest memories." He stopped touching him and climbed onto the bed, laying in the center on his back and held his arms out to Dolor. "Please, come here. Make yourself comfortable and I will show you all I can."
Dolor opened his eyes. If he wasn't blushing from revealing his wings, he would be blushing at how good it felt when Peregrine ran his fingers over his feathers. It was relaxing. And he didn't know why. Sitting down with his leg propped in front of him, he looked at the prince before folding his wings in and laying on his stomach, head on his hands so he could continue to look at Peregrine.
Peregrine continued to smile fondly as he shifted one of his hands to stroke the side of Dolor's face. "Remember.." he said softly. "Just close your eyes." His hand moved to brush down the phoera's face, making him close his eyes, then fingertips found his temple again and with a slight jolt, Dolor began to dream.
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