HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES

Logs

Breakdown

Dee worked for Devin, and cared for him. She never thought she'd see him break.

Indy's Goddess Shop(#4135RJ)
   The first thing you notice when you enter this store is that it is
gently and pervasively scented with the smells of herbs, incense and
candles and as you look around you see why. This is a store that
specializes in the trappings and necessities for the modern witch. On
simple wood shelves, racks of incense, candles, herbs line one wall. On
another wall are candle holders, ceremonial knives and wands and baskets
and baskets of polished stones. A rack of gowns sit in the middle of the
shop next to tables and display cases of miscellaneous jewelry. The
counter is in the back of the shop and it is lined with books on the
related topics. A bulletin board next to the counter announces public
rituals and events.
Contents:
Devin
Obvious exits:
Stockroom   Wood Door   Out  

Devin leans against the wall, clenching and unclenching his fist around
the rosequartz. He glares at the ceiling in challenge, a fire burning his
his eyes that you have not seen before.

Dee tries her hardest to ignore your anger. She closes her eyes, and you
hear her murmuring something to herself.
Dee mutters to herself, "... he... to talk.... here to work,... in..."
You mutter to yourself, "Dammit, he SAID he didn't want to talk. You're
here to work, not nose in his damn business. So WORK."

Devin, too, is trying to get his anger under control, at least to the
point where it is smoldering under the skin as opposed to blaring
brightly across the store. Whatever you say, he doesnt hear. Then, after
a few moments he begins to tremble and he lets himself slide down the
wall until he is crouching against it, head on his knees.

Dee sighs softly and looks at the ceiling. This is really hard for her.
She ends up wrapping her arms around herself.

Devin says, hoarsly, not looking up, "I'm sorry, Dee. I did not mean..."

You say "It's OK. You were just yelling in my general direction, not at
me. Are you hug-ok now?"

Devin is still broadcasting fear and anger, though it is somehwat buried
under as layer of pain at the moment. His shaggy head nods.

Dee slips off the stool and crosses to kneel in front of you. The light
catches her glasses, making it difficult to see her eyes.

Devin's head is down, he isnt looking up. What you see is the back of his
furry head resting on his knees, his arms wrapped around his knees. In
his fingers the stone dangles as if forgotten, though his fingers still
stroke it automatically.

Dee says softly "Ready when you are, or is this an I-hold-you situation,
hon?"

Devin whispers, softly, though it has the rythem and modulation of a
song, "See me...feel me...touch me...heal me..."

Dee chuckles softly. "He's a pinball wizard." She wraps her arms around
you gently.

Devin shakes his head, leaning against you, He says, softly, his voice
cracking as he talks, "No...not for a long time."

Dee rubs your back with one hand, not trying to unknot the rocks of
tension but just petting. "We'll have to play sometime. I suck,
personally. No hand-eye coordination."

Devin whispers, "He plays by sense of smell..." And then he chuckles
hoarsly. "Don't trust your eyes." he murmurs. "Don't trust your ears."

You say "There's a song in that somewhere, too."

Devin shakes his head. "No" he says softly, "there is truth in that." He
trembles slightly, "Must go back..."

Dee's hold tightens just perceptibly. "Back where? Hon, you're not fit to
drive.."

Devin shakes his head and looks up at you for the first time, a look of
wonder in his eyes. Then he suddenly clenches them shut and whispers,
"You didnt hear anything, you didnt see anything...you wont say nothing
to no one ever in your life..." His arms tighten around his legs and
murmurs, "Reach out, Tommy. As Gidi taught you."

Dee's eyes widen, and she hugs more tightly. All she says simply is "Thou
art God, hon."

Devin doesnt seem to hear you. His arms just tighten around his knees.
Expressions cross his face that cover the map and the stone still dangles
in his hand

Dee pauses, and begins to hum softly. The tune is gentle, quiet. Then she
sings softly to match. "And the moment of clarity, faded like charity
does. Sometimes. And I put out one hand just to touch your soft hair. To
make sure in the darkness that you were still there, and I have to admit,
I was just a little afraid. Yeah. But then..I had a little bit of luck
you were awake I couldn't take another moment alone.." The last is quick,
one breath, like a rushed admission.

Whether or not the man hears or not is not clear. He seems lost...but
determined. Perhaps too much. For a long time he is locked inside and
then lets out a strangled cry and drops his head. You hear him mumble,
"It was so much easier when I was 5."

You say "It always is, love..but you know, I like you now..."

Devin shakes his head. "No..." he whispers, "You don't understand."

Dee slides over to cradle you against her chest. Warm, soft, heartbeat
steady if a bit rapid in your ear. "I don't have to grok to care."

Devin just chews his lip and he says, softly, to himself, "No...it too
dangerous, Gidi."

Dee winces, you can feel it. "You don't have to do anything, tell me
anything, you don't want to, hon. OK? I can hold you and be there without
knowing."

Devin bites his lip and murmrus, "Gidi...please." He raises his hands to
cover his ears, even if he knows it will do no good.

Dee says softly "Look, Gidi, we can talk later, OK? Right now you're
stressing Devin out, and he doesn't need that."

Bodhi enters the shop to the soft tingling of door-bells.

Devin looks across the room, wide eyed and scared. He presses himself
against the wall as if looking for an escape and then he dives to the
side, covering his head with his hands as if trying to avoid an attack
from above. You see...maybe...a hawk. He materiailes out of thin air and
dives towards Devin before dissappearing right before the wall.

Dee falls with you, arms still around you. She gulps. 

Bodhi looks about as one does when they catch movement out of the corner
of their eye. He shrugs to himself then looks with concern to Devin,
"Hello, Devin. Hi, Dee."

Devin is hunched in the corner of the store, his hands in his head as if
he is dodging and attack from above. Dee has fallen over with him, she
was apparently hugging him. Dev looks rumpled, and an emotional mess.

Bodhi hesitates, "Um, are you two ok? Is this a bad time?"

Dee looks up, startled. She flushes as though she's the one who's an
emotional wreck, then says "Bodhi, do me a BIG favor. Do you know
anything about herbs?"

Bodhi blinks a couple of times, "Um, not really."

Devin is shaking but he whispers. "Blue bottle. Valerian."

You say "OK. Help me get him upstairs, and then stay with him for a sec.
I know, Devy, I know..Valerian and catnip."

Devin whispers again, as if it is important, "Blue bottle." He then chews
his lip and tries to straggle up. "Want sleep...no Gidi. Even if it makes
Gidi mad."

Bodhi kneel down beside Devin. He grabs one of Devin's arms and lifts the
bear of a man off the floor with some effort.

Dee helps Devin up. "You will, love. You will. OK?" She starts guding him
toward the stairs.

Devin lets you help him, staggering, trembling. Something has gone very
wrong. He lets the two of you help him up.
Devin opens the door behind the counter and leaves the room.

You open the door marked 'Private' and climb the stairs to the appartment
above.
Apartment - Over IGS(#3938RJ)
   This is a medium sized studio apartment with broad, open windows that
face out in three directions. On the fourth wall is a somewhat dated
kitchenette and a slightly chipped, 1960s era bathroom. The only
furniture in this room besides a row of milk crates stacked under the
southern window is a futon laid out in a corner with a blue comforter
pulled up over it. Next to the bed there is an upended crate that usually
supports a book of some sort, an alarm clock, a feather that perhaps came
from a hawk and a small framed picture. The room, however, is most
definitly not empty. An array of plants line the windows and hanging
above them scattered crystals catch the sun and cast rainbows around the
room. Over the bed a mobile hangs, twisting slowing in the breeze.
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of this room, though, is found in the
center. A large circle of polished stones mark what is clearly a sacred
space. Candles stand at the quarters, ready to be lit and into each
candle is carved the ancient symbol that goes with that element. In the
center of the circle an anthame, a wand, a chalice and other Tools lay
ready for use.
See +view for details.
Contents:
Devin
Eiraog
Obvious exits:
Out  

Bodhi climbs the stairs from the shop and arrives.
Bodhi grunts under the weight, "What happened?"

Devin collaspes on the bed in a heap and promptly curls up in a tiny
ball...or as tiny as he can manage.

You say "Someone did something to trigger something in him. I'm not sure
what..but I know he needs help. Around the circle, not through it..."

Bodhi blinks, "What circle?

Dee strokes Devin's hair back from his face tenderly, and then turns and
all but runs for the kitchen. She starts looking through the fridge.
"Damn. All the essential oils are downstairs. Faster than tea. Be right
back." She goes down the stairs fairly quickly, and is back faster than
she came up with a couple of small bottles.


Devin shakes his head. "Tea...stronger. Trust me Dee. Awakened."

Bodhi kneels down by Devin and calls to Dee, "He said tea."

Devin whispers "And...when you make it...it will be the strongest
Valerian you have ever encountered."

Dee looks over at Devin, frowns, and compromises by puting water through
the teamaker and making a tea ball, and also putting some drops of
essential oil in the mix. The scent of mint and an odd herbal other scent
mixes, amking the air pungent.

Bodhi looks to Devin, "What can I do?"

Devin reaches for the hawkfeather by his bed and twists it absently in
his fingers. He murmurs to himself, "I am trying, Gidi."

Dee paces while the tea steeps, and then brings it over. "I'll stay till
you sleep, love...then I'll be downstairs. Yell if you need ANYTHING."

Bodhi looks up to Dee, "Who's Gidi?'

Dee looks more worried than it seems her round face could normally manage.
You say "Later, Bodhi..I promise. He needs to sleep."

Devin sets the feather aside and calmly takes the mug. Blinking a bit as
if it is a bright light, though it is just your normal earthenware mug.
He drinks it down quickly and is soon fast asleep.

Dee kneels by the bedside, stroking Devin's hand. She gives Bodhi an
oddly apologetic glance.

Bodhi sighs and steps back from the bed, "Ok, is ther anything I can do
now?"

Dee strokes Devin's hair a moment longer, then rises. She looks more
tired now, and is shaking herself as if with reaction.

Bodhi smiles in a comforting way, "I'm going to leave unless you need me
to stay."
Bodhi leans froward slightly, "Before I go, what happened?"

You say "Please stay. He had some kind of nervous breakdown."
You say "And I need to ground, I need someone to talk me down."
You say "And I need to watch the store too."

Dee runs a hand over her hair. "Downstairs?"

Bodhi blinks a couple of times and shakes his head, "Sure."

Dee skirts the edge of the circle drawn on the floor.

Bodhi emerges from the door behind the counter.

Dee flops down on a stool and puts her head on the desk. She does look
tired now.

Bodhi smiles the smile of one with infinite patients, "Ok, I'll let you
start where you may."

Dee's voice is muffled for a moment, coming clear as she lifts her head
from the counter. "I came in to work today, andDevin was PISSED."

Bodhi nods, "Do you know what made him mad?"

You say "I have NO idea. He said it would put me in danger to know."
You say "That's possible, given the nature of our religion's status and
people hunting us as Satanists."
Dee sighs.

Bodhi leans back alittle and gets a pensive look, "I see. Go on."

You say "Anyway...I dunno what caused it..but he just freaked. And when
he colled down enough to let me hug him, started quoting _Tommy_ at
me..do you know the opera?"

Bodhi shakes his head slowly, "No, I'm afraid I don't"

You say "_Tommy_ is about a kid who was horribly abused by his family
after he witnessed a murder...and was told he never saw or heard
anything. In the opera, he shuts down ALL his senses, and just sits
there. He gets abused, and then breaks through to new ways of percieving
things."
You say "at the end, he's the best pinball player in the world."

Bodhi takes in a deep breath, "Devin said something about 'awakened'.
What did he mean?"

Dee shakes her head. "I have no idea. Maybe something to do with that.
All I know is he just freaked and started talking about this guy Gidi."
Dee looks down suddenly and draws circles with her fingers on the
counter. She looks..embarrassed?

Bodhi nods,"Any clues on who.......whats wrong?"

Dee shakes her head. "At first, when I had dinner the other night, he
sounded like a friend..now I'm not so sure."

Bodhi shakes his head, "Who sounded like a friend? What makes you
unsure?"

Dee frowns. "He was talking to him just now..."

Bodhi sighs for a moment, "He who? was talking to Him who?"

You say "Devin was talking to Gidi...I dunno. I worry suddenly, a lot.
Devin sounds like he has a lot of secrets..and he was worried about
making this Gidi mad."

Bodhi nods and considers this, "How long have you know Devin?"

You say "A few weeks. He seemed pretty stable. I'm more concerned about
what can push him over the edge, in some ways..you know?"

Bodhi looks at Dee carefully, "Do you know Lily?"

Dee furrows her forehead. "Lily..Lily...no, don't think I know anyone by
that name."

Bodhi nods. "Is this the first time you've ever seen anything like this
in Devin?"

Dee nods. "Sure is. And I..I dunno." She changes her sentence midway, as
if she ws going to say something else.

Bodhi leans his head slightly to the left and considers the hesitation,
"You were going to say?"

You say "Are you pagan, Bodhi?"

Bodhi smiles, "I'm not a Satan-hunting Christian. My beliefs are not
unlike a pagan's."

Dee shakes her head. "Not exactly what I meant." She sighs. "I've seen
some odd stuff in circle...but never outside of circle."

Bodhi blinks a few times, "What kind of stuff?"
Bodhi waves his hands, "Before you answer..."

Dee starts to speak, then stops.

Bodhi clears his throat, "I have seen shit that should not be possible.
They can only be explained by forces of the universe. I believ there is
more to the world than what we can touch. Don't feel like I'm not going
to believe something because I don't practice some of the things you do."

Dee nods and makes a face. "The problem is a lot of it's Oathbound,
Bodhi. I can't reveal what went down."

Bodhi nods, "Oaths are not to be taken lightly. I'll not push it."

Dee looks relieved. "Thanks, Bodhi. I really appreciate it. I'll just say
it was weird, OK? Occasionally ALMOST laws-of-physics type stuff. And
visions a few times, though that could've been helped along by the tea."

Bodhi chuckles a bit, "The DEA isn't going to be paying visits is it?"

You say "Here? I hope not."

Bodhi smiles, "I hope not as well. They tend to mess things up and ruin
the mood."

Dee nodnodnodnodnods fervently. "Anyway...I could SWEAR I saw something
today. Please keep this to yourself..I could have been just..I
dunno..feeding off Devin's paranoia, OK?"

Bodhi gets a serious look, "Laws of Physics are written by man. I follow
the Laws of Nature. I thought I saw something too."

Dee looks even more relieved. "I never before outside Circle..I know this
place has a good vibe, but something wasn't happy with Devin. And it's
still stirred up."

Bodhi shakes his head, "Feathers....."

Dee sighs. She glances up the stairs. "I just work here. I don't have
permission to calm things down."

Bodhi shakes his head, "No. I mean I saw feathers when I came in."

You say "I know what you meant. I saw the damn hawk."
Dee half-grins.

Bodhi' eyes open more than usual, "What hawk?"

Dee's voice lowers. "The hawk that all but slashed Devin's fave open."

Bodhi furrows his brow, "What are you talking about?"

You say "Look...there was a hawk in here. A small one, but it was serious
about attacking Devin until it did a Ghostbusters vanishing act into the
wall..."

Bodhi's brow is still furrowed. He hesitates. "Have you been drinking tea
today?"

Dee shakes her head. "Nope..This started when IO got here, I hadn't had
time. And there isn't any evidence Devin was either."

Bodhi nods "I see. Well, I didn't see that but...." Bodhi shrugs.

Dee points to the floor. "Do you see that?" There's a feather lying there.

Bodhi looks down at the feather. He leans over and picks it up, "There's
fethers all over. This is a pagan shop."
Bodhi fidgets with the feather.

You say "That's not a legal feather to sell. It's a raptor feather."
You say "It's illegal to possess them unless you're the student of a
shaman or a shaman. They aren't stock items."

Bodhi nods, "Devin could be a shaman."

You say "He is, but he keeps HIS tools upstairs."
You say "They're in the Circle."

Bodhi looks at Dee, "So you're saying this is someone else's? Who?"

Dee shrugs. "The hawk's, maybe? I know I'm reaching..but I know what I
saw."

Bodhi gets a blank look, "The hawk was a shaman?"

Dee shakes her head. "I mean that that feather came from the hawk,
Bodhi..."

Bodhi shrugs, "Look. I'm not saying you didn't see something. I know I
thought I saw something. I know I've seen some unbelieveable stuff
before. But I don't think I'm ready to believe....well, what you think
you saw."

Dee sighs softly. "It's a little far out..I grant it. I dunno. Maybe I'm
more inclined to believe it because Devin saw it too, and ducked with his
hands over his face."

Bodhi smiles, "S'ok. The power of suggestion can be intense. Devin is
obviously important to you. That goes a long way to explain, things."

Dee blushes a little. "Is it that obvious?"

Bodhi smiles broadly, "Well, yeah."

Dee blushes even more. "Dammit! Do you think he knows?"

Bodhi softens, "Don't take this wrong. Right now I don't think its
exactly the first thing on his mind."

You say "I don't take it wrong..I was kinda hoping he hadn't. He doesn't
need it right now."
 
Bodhi smiles and places a hand on Dee's shoulder, "Dunna worry, lassie.
E'ery ting isa gonna bey a'rihgt.", he says in his best Irish accent.

You say "It better be...my life's too chaotic for too much more."
Dee half-grins.

Bodhi smiles his usual 'alls right with the world that holds Bodhi'
smiles, "Trust me. Trust Fate. The old bears got some things left to do
in this life."
Bodhi chuckles, "Momma Fate's not done with 'im yet."

Dee finally relaxes a hair. "THanks. I'll remember that the Universe is
unfolding EXACTLY the way it's supposed to. Dammit." The half-grin shades
into the real thing.

Bodhi looks at his watch, "I've gotta head. I'll be back in to check on
things later."

Dee nods. "Take care of yu, hon."

Bodhi hugs Dee in the big brother fashion, "Take care o' you."

Dee hugs back, soft and plush and warm. "I'll try."

Bodhi smiles and heads for the door whistleing an Irish folk song.....and
twirling the feather.
Bodhi opens the door to the soft jangling of chimes and heads out onto
the street.

---- Later ----

Dee is shoving her keys in her pocket as she comes up the stairs.
Dee crosses the room to check on you. Her eyes are now tired as well as
worried. She glances at the clock..11pm. Maybe 7 hours since you went out
for the count, and she's just now closed the store.

Devin is curled up as you left him, deep in drugged sleep.

Dee leans over to check on you, brushing hair back out of your face
tenderly. She scrubs the other hand across her face after a moment, and
goes to lok at the bookshelf.
Dee looks over the books, trying not to think of how quiet the room is.

The books are ecletic and not all that numerous. They range from a
handful of volumes of the great English classics to philosophy (of all
sorts) to one or two very technical books on psychology. There is also a
few on herb-lore and then, near that, a several on theology and
mythology. The place is notably lacking in the great pagan classics,
aside from Mr. Bulfinch's work.

Dee picks out a book and looks around for a good place to sit, close to
you. She seems to have grabbed one of the psych books..more for
distraction than diagnosis, takng refuge in the technical language.

Devin's soft breathing is deep and regular. His face, relaxed in sleep,
looks younger than usual - the stress and worry lines smoothed away.

Dee also looks around for a phone.

There is a phone, hanging in the kitchen. Around it are numerous messages.
A number to this "Steve". Others to "David".

Dee looks thoughtful for a moment, then puts down the book on the counter
and goes to check the medicine cabinet. Just in case.

You probably also find the music and small stereo.. Nothing fancy. A small
stack of CDs sit next to it including two by a Loren of Celtic music.
Tommy is there, along with Mozart and Bach. If you notice the cover, the
picture of Loren on the CD rings a chord (so to speak.) It looks a lot
like the boy in the picture next to his bed.
The medicine cabinet has a toothbrush and toothpaste. That's it. No
advil, no alcohol, no bandaids. Nada.

Dee nods to herself, and looks a bit relieved. No prescription meds he
should be taking. She goes back to the phone and stares at it for a
moment, then calls a number. "Kayla? Could you feed Joy tonight?....I
know. I know she's a spazzycat, and hides from you. I changed the box
this monring, I just need you to open a can of food...NO! I am NOT with a
lover! Jeez!" Her face flushes. "Just please feed Joy, and I'll get you
that Wolf Park tee you wanted, OK?...OK. Bye." She hangs up, shaking her
head, still blushing.

Devin grumbles softly and rolls over, groping for a pillow to put over
his head.

Dee hushes and goes over, stroking your back softly to see if you wake.

Devin curls up, mumbling in his sleep. The words...even the language are
not clear. Then it fades and he drifts back to sleep, his breathing
evening back out.

Dee chuckles softly, and keeps stroking your back for a moment.
Dee whispers "At least yo're comfy." She leaves off stroking and hads
back to the kitchen for her book, returning to sit next to the bed.

Devin falls softly back to sleep, mumbling something that fades into
nothing. He doesnt pull away or anything.

Dee leans her back against the bed. Her eyes kep returning to the phone,
although she tries to read.

Devin sleeps soundly, undisturbed by dreams and voices. The house is
quiet except for the city noise in the distance.

Dee says softly to herself "If he wakes up nuts, I'll call someone. I
promise me. OK?" She nods, settling the matter in her own mind, and reads
for a while. Her position shifts from sitting up to lying on her side on
the floor, then with her head on the floor next to the book. After about
1am, snores come from her sleeping form.

Dawn. Birds call from outside and the lightening sky shows through the
big eastern window. Devin rolls over, groaning softly as he tries to hide
his eyes from the light.

Dee is still on the floor, curled up as if cold on the edge of the
circle's boundary. She's not snoring at the moment...but she's fully
clothed, and has been there a while. Even a sleepy person could tell that
much.

Devin rolls over on his back and looks up at the ceiling, rubbing his
eyes. He blinks a few times, looking up at the atypical dreamcatcher over
his bed. He rolls over to get up and sees you. He blinks a few more
times, puzzled. Understanding dawns on his face and he rolls back on his
back.

Dee doesn't even shift position. Her breathing is deep, even, and her
glasses have come about halfway off her face. Probably bent the frames a
bit..

Devin lays there a moment and then sighs softly, murmuring to himself,
under his breath. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he rolls into a
sitting position and pulls a blanket off the bed. He comes over and
settles it over you and then stoops down to gently remove your glasses.
Devin pulls the book gently from his hands, smiling grimly at the title
and sets it aside. Straightening up, he pads on soft hobbit feet to the
bathroom.

Dee stirs as you do this, murmuring "Puuuuma...'m sleepy..."She curls
under the blanket and sighs deeply.

Devin freshens up and then goes into the kitchen. Quietly he makes
himself a cup of tea and then settles down on the floor to watch you
sleep, the sun rise and to think of some explanations. He comes out of
the Valerian suprisingly quickly, all things considered. But you wouldn't
notice that.

Dee stirs again, and moans. She mutters something that sounds suspciously
like swearing in German, and starts to sit up. She's facing the bed, and
about halfway up realizes she's got a blanket wrapped around her.

Devin is behind you, leaning against the wall, the cup wrapped in his
fingers. He says softly, "Good morning, Dee."

Dee jumps and mile and whirls. She squints at you, then glances around
for her glasses, which she grabs and puts on. The frown clears, and she
murmurs "THAT what this is? I thought it was stif-back hell." She groans
again, stretching.

Devin smiles a bit. "Yeah...I can imagine you must be stiff." he says
gently. "I'll give you a backrub, if you want, or help yourself to the
tub. Its the least I can do for you." He seems calm, quiet. All there.

You say "Nah, I'll be all right, but if it's all the same I don't feel
like opening this morning, OK?"

Devin blinks and then nods. "Of course." he says softly.

Dee IS taking this awfully calmly. "Rest well enough?" She arches her
back, then twists it as she looks behind her. Crack, pop, crack. The
other way..same noises. She sighs in relief.

Devin watches you, quietly and then nods. "Yes." he says gently. "Thank
you." His eyes get distant, he looks away. "I...I want to thank you.
Things....aren't what they seem." His eyes flicker back to you.

Dee chuckles softly, hauling herself to her feet and repeating the
stretch. "No, they damn sure aren't. By the way, did you know if you
stayed open till 11 you could do a lot better? After nine, a whole crowd
of people came in."

Devin quirks his eyebrow. "Really?" he asks. "I'll remember that." He
watches you, and then says, "Can I offer you tea? Breakfast?"

You say "That'd be lovely. And we need to order three more _Witches'
Bible_s, they backordered two and we need a spare."
Dee finally looks at you straight on. Her hazel eyes study you, and then
she smiles. "ANd you're damn cute asleep. Don't let anyone catch you with
a video camera."

Devin slides to his feet and nods. "Okay." he says. "I'll look into it."
He then blinks at you and then smiles a bit. "Really?" he says softly.
"Its been a long time since anyone has seen me sleep." He turns to go
into the kitchen.

You say "I swear it's all true."

Devin chuckles softly as he hands you a cup of tea. "In another life,
that would have mattered."

You say "and it doesn't now?"

Dee takes the tea and sits on the bed.

Devin shakes his head a bit. "Naw." he says quietly. "Eggs or Cereal?"

You say "Eggs, please." She studies you a long moment."

Devin nods and goes back into the kitchen. "Coming up. Scrambled is
probably the best bet, okay?"

Dee is calm, almost amused, it seems..there might be a hint of nerves,
but she's not going to break and run. There seems to be humor in her
voice every time she speaks. "That's perfect. I don't like 'em gooey,
though, real dry scramble, OK?"

It's not like yesterday didn't happen. It's like..she's jaded to it. Or
something.

Devin nods a bit. "Sure thing." he says. You hear him move around the
kitchen. He pauses to put in a CD and the soft strands of Celtic harp
emerge, accopaning a gentle tenor. A few minutes later he comes out with
a plate for you. Eggs and toast.

Dee mmms and digs in. "Thanks, hon."

Devin nods a bit and smiles. "Not at all." he says. He walks over to the
eastward window and looks out into the growing day. His hands are wrapped
around his cup. In that morning light there is a brightness to him.
Somehow, a sense that he does not belong in this world.

Dee says quietly "Devin?"

Devin looks over at you. "Yes?" he asks gently.

Dee looks at you carefully, plate resting in her lap. The morning light
catches her hair, illuminating strands of red and blonde in the brown. "I
stopped you from explaining."

Devin nods a bit. "I...I know." he says softly. He looks back out the
window and continues, his eyes distant, "Thank you." he says.

You say "Do you know why?"

Devin says, softly, "Tell me."

Dee sets aside the plate and comes to look up at you. "Because I know
what it is to have something within you screaming to tell someone a
thing, and to have that thing be destruction for you." Her eyes are
invisible as the light glints off the lenses. "I know what it is to be
afraid that if you speak, your world will shatter forever. And I know
that before you tell me anything, you better think long and carefully. I
will listen to anything you have to say. I'm not afraid. But something in
you is...and I won't be party to pissing that something off. If you want
to tell me in a week, I'll listen. Even three days, but not realy before.
Not before you have time to be of one accord."

Devin nods quietly. "Okay." he says softly. His fingers run absently over
the cup and then he looks at you gently. "And...thank you. I will make it
up to you one day."

Dee kisses her fingers and presses them to your cheek. "Don't open the
store today. Take the day off."
Dee leaves without saying anything else.

Devin smiles softly. "Yes mom." he says quietly. And then he watches you
go.