HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES
The title speaks for itself.
deemelody - Saturday, June 05, 1999, 8:21 PM -------------------------------------------- Melody knocks on the door. Iris moves toward a door and calls softly, "Who is it?" She doesn't want to wake the sleeping baby. Melody calls in "It's me...Mel." Iris opens the door for you so you can come in, "Hey." she smiles. You say, "Hey! How're you?" Melody hushes her voice in deference to the sleeping Lilly. Iris smiles faintly and closes the door behind you, "I'm ok. Don't sleep near enough, but hey. That's life." Her face is completely made up, black accenting chalk white eerily. You say, "Look, if you want me to babysit, just say the word, OK?" Iris trails her fingers through her hair and nods, "We got plenty of offers. It's just real hard to let her go, you know?" Melody nods. "Yeah. I know. So how're you doing?" She sits on the floor. Iris moves over to check the baby in the basinet, then starts toward the kitchen, "I feel good. Pretty much back in shape and staying busy with school and all." There are a stack of books on the table. Melody nods. "Yeah, school is rough for me this semester. And nothing's been quite the same since my tools got stolen." Iris steps into the kitchenette as she nods, "I heard about that. I'm so sorry." She leans on the counter and gazes at you. Melody shrugs, something she obviously doesn't mean. "And Greg has stopped talking to me. I'm scared, Iris. I think someone's trying to get me in some kind of trouble." Iris blinks, then blinks again, "Why would anybody be tryin' to do that?" she asks, a little worried. You say, "I don't know. But I'm paranoid by nature. Someone STOLE my tools with MAGICK, Iris. I've heard of people doing that before. The person usually ends up dead who was targeted." Iris straightens 'Mel, don't say that. You won't wind up dead. How do you know they were taken by magick?" You say, "I felt the resonance. But I couldn't figure out who it was." Iris frowns slightly, and turns that over in her head as she turns toward the fridge, "Do you want somethin' to drink?" You say, "Please. Milk, if you've got it. Look..I'm just going to tell you the same thing I told Tracy, OK?" Iris nods as she reaches for a couple of glasses, and then opens the fridge, "Ok." You say, "It's not talked about in the traditions. It's a little guilty secret. But the fact is, people fall to darkness all the time. And the higher they are, the harder they fall. And if people aren't liked, for whatever reason, it's easy to frame them." Iris glances back toward you, confused by that, "Do you suspect one of th' gang?" Melody nods. "I sure do. And you know what's worse? I don't think it's Greg. I think it's the big boss man. And if he wanted to fool us none of us could even tell." Iris laughs faintly, 'You're kiddin', right?" She gazes at you, searching your face. Melody looks serious as a heart attack. "Watch your back, Iris, please. No matter what they say about me. OK?" She's shaking slightly. Iris blinks, and sets the milk down. She moves over toward you, and kneels down in front of you, "Hey, Mel. It's ok. It's all gonna be ok." Melody is shaking even harder than you realized, close up. She's terrified. "I wish I thought so." Iris reaches out and rests a hand on your shoulder, "Hey. Have I ever lied to you?" You say, "No, and I don't think you are lying now. I just don't think you have all the information." She puts a hand on yours. "And if I'm in danger, so are you and Tracy." Iris shakes her head, "Naw. We're safe. As safe as any of us can be." she gives your shoulder a squeeze. You say, "Which isn't very." She smiles wryly. "I think of you two like a brother and sister, you know?" Iris nods slightly and rests her arm on her knee, "I know Mel. You're a sister to us too." You say, "If I just disappear, don't buy whatever anyone says, OK?" Iris stiffens slightly, "Are you thinkin' about leaving?" You say, "What good would it do?" Iris half shrugs, "Seems like everyone I come ta care about leaves." You say, "I'm not going. I don't want to." Iris nods slightly. Very slowly she stands and she drifts back toward the kitchen, 'It's all gonna be ok." Melody sighs, but doesn't argue again. "So...distract me. How's classes?" Iris hehs faintly, "Incredible. A lot of work. College is wild." She pours a couple glasses of milk, and puts the carton away, then with both glasses, starts back toward you. You say, "What's so wild about it? I guess I've been doing it so long, it doesn't sink in any more." Iris hands you a glass as she says, "Th' pace. The studying, the time that has to be invested. I don't know. It's just wild." You say, "Is Tracy being a big enough help with Lilly?" Iris nods slightly, "Mmm hhmm. He's feeding her part of the time, an' he gets up to change her an' stuff. He adores her so." At the mention of Tracy though, something flickers across her face, though it is gone in a heartbeat. Melody catches it. "What's wrong?" Iris shakes her head slightly and drifts over to the rocking chair near the basinet. She sits down, and glances again at the baby before saying, "Oh nothing. Everything's cool." You say, "That wasn't a everything's fine look." Iris hehs faintly, "We just had a bump in th' road not to far back. It's all cool." Melody winces. "The night I called." Iris nods slightly and takes a sip from her glass, "Sorry 'bout getting him to hang up. I just... we needed to talk some stuff out." You say, "It was OK. I understand..I didn't even ask if it was a good time to talk before I just jumped in." Iris says quietly, 'You were scared though. It was rude of me." she gazes down into the glass of milk. You say, "Um, he does sort of have priorities, hon." Iris says ever so faintly, "Wouldn't of knowed it that night." You say, "I really apologize, Iris." Iris glances up, and says, "It's not your fault." You say, "Look...every time I've touched his mind, your prints are all over it. Everywhere." Iris stiffens slightly, "You touch his mind?" Her voice is low and quiet. You say, "Only when he lets me. When he was telling me things he wanted to SHOW me..like etherships." Melody's voice betrays a note of wonder at that. Iris looks a little odd and she makes a faint noise low in her throat. She sets the glass of milk down and she looks over into the basinet again, watching Lilly sleep. You say, "Why...is that something you don't want me to do?" Iris says in a carefully off-handed tone, "He told me I was the only one he ever let touch his mind. If he lets you though... who am I to say you shouldn't?" Melody winces. "When did he say that?" Uhoh. Well, THIS has to suck. Iris says quietly, "It's been a little while. I don't know." She still watches Lilly, and with her face made up as it is, it's hard to read her expression. You say, "Iris..." Melody sighs. "Well, fuck. I give up." She rises. Iris looks up at you, and says quietly, "What are you doing?" You say, "Making even more of a mess than I ever even thought I could get into." Iris sighs, "Sit down Mel. You haven't done anything. Sides. I get lonesome." Melody slowly sits back down. "I don't know what he's said or hasn't said.." Iris says again simply, "It's not your problem. You shouldn't worry about it." Melody sighs. "I do worry about it. You two have something that..that reminds me of me and Loren. I can't stand friction between you." Iris smiles faintly, "That's not friction. Don't worry about it." You say, "OK, anything I percieve as friction." Iris nods slightly and reaches for her milk again, slowly, "It's all cool." Melody seems to have lost steam. Nervous when she walked in the door, she's now dejected. Iris says faintly "I just got to get used to change. That's all. Everything changes. Including promises made." Melody doesn't even know what to say to that. "I was just listening.." Iris half shrugs and smiles wryly. She settles a little deeper in the chair, "Hey. It doesn't matter. Just like how he's changed doesn't matter. But I guess I'm changing too." She shrugs again and takes another swallow of milk. You say, "Seekings will do that to you." Iris nods slightly, "Yeah. Suppose so." Another glance into the basinet assures her Lilly is still ok. Iris clears her throat, "So. Um. What classes are you taking this semester?" You say, "Working on my doctorate still, and TAing Gothic Catherdrals class." Iris mmmsss quietly "That sounds cool." You say, "It can be. Being an RD on top of it makes for tired, though." Iris nods slightly, and murmers, "I bet it does. You haven't got more goin' that you can deal with, do you?" You say, "Almost more than I can deal with, yeah..." Iris says quietly to Melody, "You should take care of yourself. It's not good ta tire yourself out." You say, "I'm trying to. Haven't been sleeping well, though, damn dreams." Iris is sitting in her rocking chair, and she keeps glancing at Lilly who is sleeping in the basinet. Iris looks at you again slowly, 'You've been having dreams?" Tracy steps in from the workshop, his tool-belt slung over his shoulder like a bandolier of weapons. Efficient in his motion he moves with a spidery grace, rolling his shoulders after a days work at repair. You say, "Bad ones." Iris sighs softly and starts to say something. Hearing Tracy, she looks over toward him, and smiles briefly, though it fades quickly, "Hello sweetheart." she says softly, and then looks back at Lilly, checking her again. She leans over toward the basinet when the baby makes a soft noise while she stretches. Tracy smiles warmly at Iris, his soft pink lips curving sumptously "Hello my sweet love" Running his fingers throughhis long tresses he grins at Melody, "Oh, and hello to you to sis" You say, "Hey. How was work?" Tracy says, "Fairly repetative, really. Lots of people wanted me to do cleanings for VCRs and Laser assemlies."" Iris reaches into the basinet and pulls out a freshly wakened, and slightly fussy Lilly. She cradles her close, rocking slightly and trying to sooth the baby. You say, "Oh, fun." Tracy sets aside the tool belt and stretches, raising on his tiptoes. He then rols his neck and lets out a long sigh, walking up to Iris and Lilly to wrap his arms around them in a warm hug. You say, "As work is shed like water.." Iris glances up at Tracy briefly, then returns her attention to Lilly. She does tilt her head briefly toward him. Tracy blinks a bit, "Is something wrong sweetie?" You say, "I should go." Iris says quietly, "Of course not. I'm fine. Lilly's just upset." The baby is a little fussy. She sighs in frustration, and says, 'Melody. Why?" You say, "Because I'm intruding now." Tracy is male, he's clueless, stamp the question mark in the air above his head and be done. Iris is frustrated by that answer, and she simply shakes her head. She mutters faintly, "Screw it." And she moves to get out of the chair, "I need ta change her diaper. Excuse me." Signal: Galens's voice comes over the little communicators. He sounds tense, maybe afraid. "What are you? How did you get in?" He's not loud." Tracys' head snaps up just as he was about to react to Iris and hsi hand goes to his earring Melody starts and puts one hand to her ear. Her eyes flash between the two of you. "Fuck." Signal: Galen says, "Sorry guys, I'm losing my mind." he sounds embarrased." Iris blinks, her head snapping up. She turns quickly, looking at Tracy. She reaches for her earring and mutters softly. Signal: Melody: "Need a visit?" Signal: Iris: Galen, are you sure everything is allrght?" Melody murmurs "Need a visit?" Tracy mutters softly... Signal: Tracy: What is it Galen, what's going on?" Melody reaches with her other hand for her necklace. Signal: Galen "I thought there was something. NOt a noise, a tension. Ubu felt it too...but nothing's blown up, so maybe we're crazy."" Signal: Tracy: Not a chance I'd like to take..." Melody glances between the two of you again. To just you, she says "You know...given the dreams and all, let's just go over and keep him company for a bit? Galen's not exactly able to defend himself easily." Tracy murmurs "Not a chance I'd like to take..." he, looks to Iris a moment Signal: Galen:"I'd feel better if I wasnt alone. Nicky's off in Raleigh picking up some armor."" Melody nods. "Right. I'm there." Iris simply moves toward the stroller and she lays Lilly in there, "I can change her there." she says simply, and reaches for the diaper bag. Signal: Melody's voice is determined. "Right. I'm there." Tracy nods, grabbing an extra baby blanket and his duster, "Allright love." You say, "I got the bag, you get the baby, you take your hardware, maybe, Tracy?" Signal: Tracy: We are coming over Galen. If ANYTHING seems out of the ordinary on te way over, let us know." Signal: Galen sounds relieved. "I would appreciate it. Even if I am just jumping at shadows."" Iris walks over and grabs her own duster. It slides on smoothly and she goes back to get the stroller and fussy baby. She starts for the door after bundling the baby up, not looking at either of you. Signal: Melody: "We trust your intuition, Galen. Yell if you need to." Tracy mutters again and then, blinks, nodding. "Right, I should not be equiped with my minimal apparatus in case of trouble." He slips on his gunbelt and begins loading it with devices. Hanginghis ethergoggles fom hsi belt and grabbing his laptop in one hand he take his rocket staff in the other. Melody murmurs something and opens the door for Iris. Iris begins the struggle to get Lilly up the stairs, stroller and all, with a murmered, "Thanks" to Melody. Tracy grabs two extra speed loaders and pockets them, unholsteringhis Python to check the chamber... Tracy is awalking as he does this Melody grabs the foot of the stroller and lifts. Iris murmers again, 'Thanks." and makes her way up the stairs. Iris goes outside. Iris follows much slower, the baby slowing her progress. Tracy tries the door... ((Travel snipped)) Tracy opens the door and enters the house. [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC Communique* Galen?!! Where are you?" [Chantry] Galen says "*IC* Ubu's barking and snarling. Galen yells, "I can feel it! The air!"" [Chantry] Melody says "Hang in..." [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC Communique* ROOM!?? (The sound of a door slamming open in the background)" Melody pauses to wait for you. "Do you want to wait out here?" [Chantry] Galen says "*IC* is quiet a sec. Then quieter, almost stunned sounding, "Sun room. It's..gone."" Iris hurries as fast as she can, and when you ask that, she stops. Her shoulders round and tears fill her eyes. She looks down at Lilly, and nods, "Yeah. Guess I should." You say, "Or...I can watch her, if you want to go in..." Iris mutters hoarsely, "Go." She steps around the stroller, and picks the fussy baby up, cradling her close. Melody touches her earring. [Chantry] Melody says "I'm going to cover the exit to the street." Melody steps up to the porch door and stands right outside, ready. [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC communique* I see nothing Mundanely. Doing a Dimensional ressonance scan now." Iris begins pacing and slightly bouncing Lilly, trying to get her to calm down, though it is a futile thing. After all, the kid's diaper needs changing. You say, "Nothing mundane..why don't we go inside, I'll cover you changing Lilly?" Iris says quietly, withdrawn, "Not until he clears the other side." You say, "Can't you cover that, Tracy said you're a medium...?" Iris mutters quietly, "I have a duty to keep Lilly safe. Tracy does stuff like that and I. I keep Lilly safe." Iris smiles without humor, and it looks, well, frightening on her painted up face, "He's good. I'm pathetic." You say, "You're just not practiced yet. Where's Greg, I woulda thought he'd be here by now..." Iris half shrugs and continues pacing, "I'm unpracticed. And thus I remain. Non?" Oh don't get her wrong. She adores that child in her arms and would do anything to keep her safe, but she well, feels useless and pathetic. [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC Communique* We have a possible dimensional incursion. Detection of Alien presence confirmed." Melody mutters "Oh, hell. I can't do anything, then! Let me take her, OK?" Iris smiles tightly and shakes her head 'Neither can I." She continues pacing and bouncing gently. "All I can do is look at the f...." she stops herself, and then finishes, 'Thing." You say, "Can you talk to it?" Iris mutters, "Doubtful. If it's an alien I don't know its language." [Chantry] Melody says ICly on the earring "What kind of presence? Spirit or..or alien or what?" [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC Communication* I have a Spiritual, mental, and primessesnce reading but no life." [Chantry] Melody says "In english?" Melody chuckles softly after she speaks. Iris mutters faintly, 'Machine, most likely, like before." Pace and bounce, pace and bounce. Melody glances over. "Like before when?" [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC* I think it is a spirit." Iris mutters "A long time 'go. Not long after I got here. Guy was still 'round." You say, "What happened then?" Iris shakes her head, "This thing took fascination in a girlfriend of Guy's. She was uanaware. But she could see it. Tracy an' Ryan took care of it." You say, "Did they...kill it or something?" Iris shakes her head, "Asked it ta leave, reprogrammed it. It left." Melody relaxes. "Whew. Maybe the same thing here, then...did you notice what's down the street?" Iris says shortly, "Cemetary. It's virtually empty though." You say, "How do you know, can you see?" Iris glances briefly down toward the cemetary, and then looks at you, "Yup. Only one old woman holding flowers right now. She's benign." She resumes pacing and bouncing. Melody's voice is truly respectful. "Wow. That's intense, Iris." Iris half shrugs, "Try watchin' your parents die. _That_ is intense. Seeing the old lady. That's just... every day." Melody flinches. "You have a way of brightening the night, sometimes, hon." Ouch. Iris watched her parents die? From the tone of voice, she wasn't simply in the room. She must have seen their spirits leave their bodies, seen their expressions, felt their pain and loss. No wonder she gets odd once in a while. Quietly she says, "Sorry. Things ...." she stops and then half shrugs again, "Sorry." You say, "No, it's al right. You never told me before...I'm interested. Just hate seeing you hurt." Iris moves closer, and levels her deep blue gaze on you. Her eyes are filled with hurt, "I saw and felt it all. That was the moment I Awakened and that was the moment my Medium abilities became active." Her voice is no more than a whisper. "I was sure I was loosing my mind, I was sure I had lost my mind. After all. I dreamed their wreck as it happened, and then I saw them die." Melody reaches out for your free hand. "Oh, hon..." A glance at the door, then back to you. Iris steps back, shaking her head. Lilly hiccups, she has been fussing and crying so hard, and Iris' heart breaks. She wants to help her baby but she won't undress her in this cold to change her diaper. Ever so gently she shhhs and turns to resume pacing, "It's past" she says hoarsely, trying to swallow down the pain that has never healed. [Chantry] Tracy says "*Ic communication* Alien presence located. Position: Residce within the comunicator in user Galen's posession. It seems to have taen up the communicator as a refuge." [Chantry] Iris says "*IC* Do you have it under control?" Iris touches her ear briefly. [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC communication* I could use your help love. This may be delicate. Said presence is frightened, I can feel it. It may be a ghost." Melody holds out her arms for the baby wordlessly. "Come on. Inside. You're needed." Iris doesn't move for a moment, and then quietly she walks over and hands you Lilly. Without a word and a little stiffly, she goes through the door. Iris opens the door and enters the house. You open the big wooden door and go inside. Melody paces with Lilly and rocks her after changing her diaper. [Chantry] Melody says IC "Everything under control? Your daughter is eating her hand out here." [Chantry] Tracy says "*IC communique* Situation Clear." [Chantry] Melody says ICly "Check. She's changed and calm now, Iris, so you can focus on your work. Glad to know it's under control." Melody sits on the couch with Lilly curled up to her. After a while, her eyes close of their own... Iris comes in from the garden room. Melody is crashed out on the couch, a sleeping Lilly on her chest. Iris comes back into the main part of the house. She looks weary. Immediately she moves toward you, "Thank you Mel." she says tiredly. Melody snores. Tracy comes in from the garden room. Melody is fast asleep on the couch with Lilly just as asleep on her chest. Iris blinks, and then smiles. Ever so gently she picks Lilly up and cradles her close, trying not to wake Melody. The baby makes a few noises, then, apparently realizing it is mommy, snuggles close and goes back to sleep. Tracy blinks as well and shake shios head, eaching over to gently touch Lilly's heek as she settles in. A tac nuke might not be able to wake Mel at this point. Tracy's seen her sleepy before. She's next to impossible to stir. Tracy murmurs, "She should be allright here and it might be best for Galen if she is." Iris nods slightly, "Might write her a note so she doesn't freak when she wakes and Lilly's gone." She lovingly holds her daughter close, clearly loving. Tracy leans in and gently kisses your temple "Good thought" he pulls some paper and a pen from his coat and scribbbles a note Iris waits for the note to be written, then says softly, tiredly, "Will you get the stroller? I'll carry her home." Tracy says, "Of course my love" Melody sleeps on peacefully. Iris waits until you have the stroller, and then heads for the door, Lilly cradled in her arms tenderly and tucked inside her mother's coat to help keep her warm. The coat is big enough after all.
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