Date: 7/22/1999 2:30 PM Central Daylight Time
From: CaediaThrn
------------------------
The night brought on more safety and security than the morning did.. the night life more of drunken fools who were more worried about where their next drink was coming from rather than who was to be murdered when. The ironic thing.. it was safer yet more people were worried and fearful then. They figured that since they were safe and constantly running, they were dodging the danger.. little did they know they were only dodging themselves.
Fear was a powerful weapon, if one could manage to find and use it. She'd watched the reruns of what was then called Batman.. a popular cartoons for those into latex and danger. Both of which now encompassed her being.
"Hey there little lady.. wanna buy an old man a drink?" The hungry look in his eyes meant more than just a shot of vodka.. much worse. Lightning quick reflexes shot a foot up into his face.. another spinkick to the gut, and a backhand completed the full extent of her questioner. It was the shot that rang out near her that had finally instilled fear in that somewhat tiny frame.
Fearing there was another friend who was there to protect his buddy, she whirled, stance set in order to fend off what she could.. she knew she was in no condition to ward off a gun.. but what had to be done..
There was a feral set of eyes she saw just before he turned and ran down the alley.. and, a wink of light off of a knife. A very large knife. Silver sight flung quickly behind her looking hard into the shadows.. There! In the darkness the whites of a pair of eyes could be seen. She squinted before dropping lower towards the ground.. a deer caught in headlights. She could very well see the tip of the gun, and she wasn't stupid. Frozen sinews
of tired muscles thrummed lightly as she paused.
"Pretty impressive fighting little one. Still a dark night to be out." The voice seeped out with a heavy accent.. one akin to those she hadn't seen in awhile. Not in this part of town.
"You should speak Mr. Raven." She expected a reprecussion from that.. a warning shot, an angry bark, something.. instead, she was greeted with a hearty laugh and the gun lowered.
"I think I like you. You drink?," She blinked harshly at that, slowly standing and preparing to run. "Spindly little thing aren't you?"
"Are you going to shoot me or not?" Her voice was simple, hardly containing his chit-chat tone, but hardly condensending either. She stood straight now, silvers blantantly staring.
"Not. Now how about that drink eh?" His tone was still light and airy, and his posture held no violence of the sort.. still, she was wary.
"Coke?" Now her voice was wary.. hesitant as for some reason he instilled curiousity within her.
The smile was as bright as the sunshine on a cloudy day, nearly lighting up the alley way with it's sincerity.
"Deal. I could use a Sprite myself." She nearly laughed, but held herself carefully and approached him.. following in silence the dark stranger that had helped her. Time would tell why.
He was true to his word, getting her a Coke and a Sprite for himself, and they settled on a bridge not too far away from the convenience store.
"So what's a gun wielding freak like you doing drinking a Sprite?" Her tone was still laden with cautiousness, but she wasn't worried about whether or not he could hear it. Again he laughed.
"Freak?"
For the first time since hey had met, she had allowed a grin, "Yah.. only 'freaks' come out at night. You know, with silver eyes," she widened her eyes to prove the point, "and twenty toes.."
He laughed again, "You have twenty toes?" She shook her head rapidly.
"Your eyes have a special story behind them, but I'm sure you know about that. What are you doing out here in the middle of town anyway?"
She shook her head once more, sipping the Coke and studying the distant horizon of the river's end. She didn't want to say it, but she didn't understand the story of her eyes.. or why everyone elses was green and blue and brown... "normal" colors. Contemplation was a strong suit, it fit her well.. and the man saw it.
"The name is James." He paused for a moment to contemplate his own Sprite.
"James? That's it? Like.. Prince.. or Madonna? Selena?" She was joking again, loosely this time, and one could almost see the tension easing just a bit.
He chuckled a bit and shook his head. "James, as in James Taylor." At this, she laughed and struggled to not spit out her Coke. He grinned widely.
"James Taylor is white!" The obvious contrast between the two people almost a stinging comment, but the crinkle of her eyes showed she meant no offense, and his smile showed he knew.
"I'm surprised.. obviously you know this old singer? Or are you just good at guessing?"
"I've seen fire.. and I've seen rain.. I've seen sunny days, that I thought would never end.. I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.. But I always thought that I'd see you.. one more time again.." Her voice was delicate, with a strong background and a beautiful hold on melody. He was impressed.
Fire and Rain (Caedia)
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Re: Fire and Rain (Caedia)
Date: 7/23/1999 2:38 PM Central Daylight Time
From: CaediaThrn
The weeks had passed by with James.. moreso than her daily activities that she had settled into to help her keep alive. He watched as she practiced her moves, worked on her kicks and aim, then waited paitently as she stretched. It was after she was finished there that he handed her the gun and then practice began again.
James had an impeccable shot.. totally perfect in aim and precision. He could shoot the flame off of a wick and had proved that. But he didn't boast, and didn't go around shooting things for fun. He trained her.. practiced with her until finally she could hit the dot on the Sprite can from a fair distance away.. the very thing that brought them together. He made her practice relentlessly.. determined that if one were going to be equipped with
such weapons, they should know *exactly* how to use it.
She did. It still took a year of her life.. but it was a year she didn't regret. They lived on the streets.. him by choice, her by necessity. He had nothing holding him down.. she had memories and past regrets. She never asked what the silver in her eyes meant, and he never offered.. they simply existed harmoniously.. laughter and trust building a fire against the cold. He was all she had had up to then. All that she had trust, all that she
was willing to trust.
It was odd seeing an 11 year old with an older man, and the relationship they had, but no one really gave them much trouble save for a few passerbyers who were trying to "save" the little girl from the evil clutches of the black man. It was when the little girl clung to that man and told them all to go beat their own kids that they left the little 'brat' to be.
It was one night when James had lured her up onto the top of a restaraunt to watch the dying sunset that she began to fear what they had. He was way too quiet.
"It looks like Heavenly fire.. drowning in the last depths of blue sky."
He smiled softly, this part of her he adored.. the poetic side that gave free emotions. It was this he was going to miss most.
"Raven, you deserve something better. Something better than life all drug out, worried about where your next meal is going to come from, and whatnot.. Somewhere.. safe."
She had stood then, rage flashing through her veins. How dare he betray her?? How dare he break that sanctuary they once had.
"You're talking crazy Sweet Crazy James.. c'mon, stop that, you're scaring me." She could shake it off, pretend it was all a joke.. besides, she used one of his greatest weaknesses, his nickname she'd dubbed on him the second day.
But it didn't work this time.. he had made up his mind. She was Mogley, tricked by Baloo into going to the man village, only she wasn't going to see some woman and fall in love. Nor a man for that matter.
"I'll make you this promise. Go with me to meet these people, if you don't like them, I'll take you away again. Deal?"
She was shaking now, but knew him to keep his promises.. besides, she already hated the people, it wouldn't matter. But that was before they stepped into the Pink Flamingo.
~Caedia~
Never take away everything a person has..
cause when a person has nothing to lose,
that's when they're most dangerous.
From: CaediaThrn
The weeks had passed by with James.. moreso than her daily activities that she had settled into to help her keep alive. He watched as she practiced her moves, worked on her kicks and aim, then waited paitently as she stretched. It was after she was finished there that he handed her the gun and then practice began again.
James had an impeccable shot.. totally perfect in aim and precision. He could shoot the flame off of a wick and had proved that. But he didn't boast, and didn't go around shooting things for fun. He trained her.. practiced with her until finally she could hit the dot on the Sprite can from a fair distance away.. the very thing that brought them together. He made her practice relentlessly.. determined that if one were going to be equipped with
such weapons, they should know *exactly* how to use it.
She did. It still took a year of her life.. but it was a year she didn't regret. They lived on the streets.. him by choice, her by necessity. He had nothing holding him down.. she had memories and past regrets. She never asked what the silver in her eyes meant, and he never offered.. they simply existed harmoniously.. laughter and trust building a fire against the cold. He was all she had had up to then. All that she had trust, all that she
was willing to trust.
It was odd seeing an 11 year old with an older man, and the relationship they had, but no one really gave them much trouble save for a few passerbyers who were trying to "save" the little girl from the evil clutches of the black man. It was when the little girl clung to that man and told them all to go beat their own kids that they left the little 'brat' to be.
It was one night when James had lured her up onto the top of a restaraunt to watch the dying sunset that she began to fear what they had. He was way too quiet.
"It looks like Heavenly fire.. drowning in the last depths of blue sky."
He smiled softly, this part of her he adored.. the poetic side that gave free emotions. It was this he was going to miss most.
"Raven, you deserve something better. Something better than life all drug out, worried about where your next meal is going to come from, and whatnot.. Somewhere.. safe."
She had stood then, rage flashing through her veins. How dare he betray her?? How dare he break that sanctuary they once had.
"You're talking crazy Sweet Crazy James.. c'mon, stop that, you're scaring me." She could shake it off, pretend it was all a joke.. besides, she used one of his greatest weaknesses, his nickname she'd dubbed on him the second day.
But it didn't work this time.. he had made up his mind. She was Mogley, tricked by Baloo into going to the man village, only she wasn't going to see some woman and fall in love. Nor a man for that matter.
"I'll make you this promise. Go with me to meet these people, if you don't like them, I'll take you away again. Deal?"
She was shaking now, but knew him to keep his promises.. besides, she already hated the people, it wouldn't matter. But that was before they stepped into the Pink Flamingo.
~Caedia~
Never take away everything a person has..
cause when a person has nothing to lose,
that's when they're most dangerous.
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Re: Fire and Rain (Caedia)
Date: 7/24/1999 12:10 PM Central Daylight Time
From: CaediaThrn
The Pink Flamingo harbored interesting people to say the least, but she was still loath to admit that anything at all caught her interest. After all, James promised to take her away if she wasn't happy.
It was near the back she met Annette, Tony, and the off duty tender Tayner with little more than casual interest as one might have against business associates. However.. it was all over the instant eyes lay upon white and black keys. The whole world shrank to ensconce only that beautiful object. How ancient it must be, she was afraid to touch it. It was a real living piano that might fall apart under her very breath. But, by the behesting of
her heart and hands, she allowed herself to touch it. She couldn't help herself when her fingers automatically began to play.
It caught all of the adults offgaurd, including James who thought her only talent was singing and living without problems on the streets at night. Now here was this eleven and a half year old playing the piano as well as any twenty six year old veteran. They all knew her eyes, they all knew the meaning behind her talent, but it was still a delightful shock.. especially since the customers seemed to like it.
James left her that, in the capable arms of Annette and Tony, when she had fallen asleep on the piano bench. She didn't see him again for quite awhile and had even settled into her newest family.. helping out here and there.. even stealing a few drinks between shifts. They didn't mind, as long as they were with her and safe. She earned her keep, even played waitress a couple of times for Tayner when the bar was too busy for her to keep up with
all at once. She played the piano regularly, entertaining the whole bunch and keeping peace within the tiny bar.
It was home now.
~Caedia~
Never take away everything a person has..
cause when a person has nothing to lose,
that's when they're most dangerous.
From: CaediaThrn
The Pink Flamingo harbored interesting people to say the least, but she was still loath to admit that anything at all caught her interest. After all, James promised to take her away if she wasn't happy.
It was near the back she met Annette, Tony, and the off duty tender Tayner with little more than casual interest as one might have against business associates. However.. it was all over the instant eyes lay upon white and black keys. The whole world shrank to ensconce only that beautiful object. How ancient it must be, she was afraid to touch it. It was a real living piano that might fall apart under her very breath. But, by the behesting of
her heart and hands, she allowed herself to touch it. She couldn't help herself when her fingers automatically began to play.
It caught all of the adults offgaurd, including James who thought her only talent was singing and living without problems on the streets at night. Now here was this eleven and a half year old playing the piano as well as any twenty six year old veteran. They all knew her eyes, they all knew the meaning behind her talent, but it was still a delightful shock.. especially since the customers seemed to like it.
James left her that, in the capable arms of Annette and Tony, when she had fallen asleep on the piano bench. She didn't see him again for quite awhile and had even settled into her newest family.. helping out here and there.. even stealing a few drinks between shifts. They didn't mind, as long as they were with her and safe. She earned her keep, even played waitress a couple of times for Tayner when the bar was too busy for her to keep up with
all at once. She played the piano regularly, entertaining the whole bunch and keeping peace within the tiny bar.
It was home now.
~Caedia~
Never take away everything a person has..
cause when a person has nothing to lose,
that's when they're most dangerous.
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- Archivist
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Re: Fire and Rain (Caedia)
Date: 7/28/1999 1:16 PM Central Daylight Time
From: CaediaThrn
Wanderlust. Curiousity killed the cat. Better to be safe than sorry. But even these phrases echoing in her mind failed to stop her at the time. Something felt odd. Something was just not right.. she had to get out and cruise the streets to think. She felt lonely. Lonely and sad. Even with the piano, and the open all the time bar to keep her preoccupied, she felt as though she were missing something.
She wandered back into the alley she had previous spent her life and was shocked to find two men trying to rob some other bum of whatever he had that they wanted. Raising her glock that she had been given, she fire two warning shots. It was enough and the men with shock on their faces took off quickly. It was the look on her face that registered more shock than they as they cleared.
"James?" She had taken awhile to even be able to say that. The black man was ragged, sitting against the brick wall and as thin as ever.
"Looks like we're even now. I saved you once, you saved me." He coughed several times, his body wracked to even say that much. She was scared to go near him.
"What's going on?" She hated the weak frail sound in his voice.. hated the pale way he looked.. and hated how he wouldn't meet her eyes. This was not her James, not the strong James who lived carelessly and could take care of himself.. this was something else. Somebody else.
"How's the new family?" He still wouldn't look up.
She turn and fled. It was three days of sulking around in the bar that finally convinced Annette to talk to her. Apparently, James had known about his cancer all along.. and when he felt it was drawing too near, he had asked Tony and her to take care of Raven. She was untouched.. but even more upset now that she understood what was going on. She had to go see him again.
The next day she wandered mostly in a daze. Watching the people stroll by in their normal lives.. going home to ones they love without worrying about them dying from cancer or anything life threatening. She hated them for that. Hated them for having love in their lives. Having normal lives. How could they when she was hurting so?
Someone bumped against her, trying to swipe the bag she had on her shoulder and with one hand clutching the bag and the other sweeping out the gun, she made short work of his effort. When he ran, she shot at him.. and although she wasn't shooting to kill him, she hadn't planned her warning shot very well. A mother walked out with a baby in her arms.. right in the way of the bullet.
Caedia had killed before, many times.. but they were all by choice. They were all older people who had needed to die for her to survive, or for what she felt was their protection. She had never killed on accident... until now.
Silvers had widen, her mouth open in shock and horror.. she turn and sped for the alleys. Fear, adrenaline, and a sense of unreality rushed her along the backways and towards the one place she had called home. No one had followed her. No one bothered.. not in these times. She wasn't running from the law, wasn't running for fear of being caught.. she was running because of what she did.
By the time she had gotten to the alley where James still lay, she was panting and out of breath.. but his weary face offered little comfort for her. She had too much on her mind to actually speak.. so instead she helped him up and they headed for the top of the restaraunt to watch the dying sun.
In her bag, she had brought him soup and bread and some water. He ate while she thought.. and the silence that had been so comfortable before lingered in the air like a tightrope.
Before the last of the sun winked out of appearance, James had emptied his pockets onto the roof between them.. she wasn't that far away, but he knew better than to try and hand her anything. She ignored him and kept her sights on the horizon. Finally after the sun dissapeared, she slid next to him and they sat in silence leaning against each other.
Lost in her thoughts, trying desprately to bury the emotions quickly, she barely noticed James' last breath. Somewhere in the darkness, he sighed off into a better place.. and she broke into tears.
From: CaediaThrn
Wanderlust. Curiousity killed the cat. Better to be safe than sorry. But even these phrases echoing in her mind failed to stop her at the time. Something felt odd. Something was just not right.. she had to get out and cruise the streets to think. She felt lonely. Lonely and sad. Even with the piano, and the open all the time bar to keep her preoccupied, she felt as though she were missing something.
She wandered back into the alley she had previous spent her life and was shocked to find two men trying to rob some other bum of whatever he had that they wanted. Raising her glock that she had been given, she fire two warning shots. It was enough and the men with shock on their faces took off quickly. It was the look on her face that registered more shock than they as they cleared.
"James?" She had taken awhile to even be able to say that. The black man was ragged, sitting against the brick wall and as thin as ever.
"Looks like we're even now. I saved you once, you saved me." He coughed several times, his body wracked to even say that much. She was scared to go near him.
"What's going on?" She hated the weak frail sound in his voice.. hated the pale way he looked.. and hated how he wouldn't meet her eyes. This was not her James, not the strong James who lived carelessly and could take care of himself.. this was something else. Somebody else.
"How's the new family?" He still wouldn't look up.
She turn and fled. It was three days of sulking around in the bar that finally convinced Annette to talk to her. Apparently, James had known about his cancer all along.. and when he felt it was drawing too near, he had asked Tony and her to take care of Raven. She was untouched.. but even more upset now that she understood what was going on. She had to go see him again.
The next day she wandered mostly in a daze. Watching the people stroll by in their normal lives.. going home to ones they love without worrying about them dying from cancer or anything life threatening. She hated them for that. Hated them for having love in their lives. Having normal lives. How could they when she was hurting so?
Someone bumped against her, trying to swipe the bag she had on her shoulder and with one hand clutching the bag and the other sweeping out the gun, she made short work of his effort. When he ran, she shot at him.. and although she wasn't shooting to kill him, she hadn't planned her warning shot very well. A mother walked out with a baby in her arms.. right in the way of the bullet.
Caedia had killed before, many times.. but they were all by choice. They were all older people who had needed to die for her to survive, or for what she felt was their protection. She had never killed on accident... until now.
Silvers had widen, her mouth open in shock and horror.. she turn and sped for the alleys. Fear, adrenaline, and a sense of unreality rushed her along the backways and towards the one place she had called home. No one had followed her. No one bothered.. not in these times. She wasn't running from the law, wasn't running for fear of being caught.. she was running because of what she did.
By the time she had gotten to the alley where James still lay, she was panting and out of breath.. but his weary face offered little comfort for her. She had too much on her mind to actually speak.. so instead she helped him up and they headed for the top of the restaraunt to watch the dying sun.
In her bag, she had brought him soup and bread and some water. He ate while she thought.. and the silence that had been so comfortable before lingered in the air like a tightrope.
Before the last of the sun winked out of appearance, James had emptied his pockets onto the roof between them.. she wasn't that far away, but he knew better than to try and hand her anything. She ignored him and kept her sights on the horizon. Finally after the sun dissapeared, she slid next to him and they sat in silence leaning against each other.
Lost in her thoughts, trying desprately to bury the emotions quickly, she barely noticed James' last breath. Somewhere in the darkness, he sighed off into a better place.. and she broke into tears.