Lorelei (Rory) Gwen's Story

I stepped into the front room, having heard the door creak open from the foyer. A young girl stood there, she looked young, her dark hair flowing down into the pink hood of her sweatshirt.

"Oh goodness," I cried with a laugh. "I thought I heard someone come in." I tugged at my white shirt, uncomfortable with social interactions. I don't know why Owl wanted me to greet the guests.

He would probably do better to greet them, a wall would be better at greeting teenagers. The girl eyed me with a curious stare, her dark eyes peeking out from her bangs.

"Um, the Doctor is waiting in his office, but we are to wait until the others arrive. Hopefully that won't be very long." I gave an awkward laugh. "You can have a seat in the living room until they arrive."

I lead her cautiously to the room on the left, pushing open the large doors. "Can I get you anything, drinks, something to eat." She shook her head as she slowly sat down on one of the plush chairs.

"I'm Rory, by the way," I finally said. "Can I get your name?"

Amanda looked over at Rory, "My name is Amanda. And no, i'm good. I have my candy." she said, taking out another piece and popping it into her mouth before she slightly jumped at the sound of books falling and crashing on the ground. Not long after that, she heard someone walking around and asking if anyone was home. " Guess i'm not the only one, huh." she whispered. If every passing second her curiosity grew and grew until it was about to burst through its seems. So much so she had to find something to distract her before she jumped at Rory and started demanding answers.


Amanda stood up and walked over to the large doors opening them just far enough to stick her head and shoulders out, "Hey person, we're over here when your done exploring." she replied in a cheerful tone when most would suspect sarcasm. She was never one to be mean. It took A LOT for Amanda to get mean.

Hayley threw her vision across the room to see where the voice had come from and saw large doors, which she presumed led to the owner of the voice. When she walked through the doors she saw two girls sitting opposite each other.

One had red hair and seemed rather nervous. The other girl Hayley knew, she was Amanda Brovado; the new girl in town. Well, at least relatively new since there aren’t really all that many new girls Hayley’s age.

Hayley guessed the voice had come from Amanda as the other girl didn’t seem as though she would sound as annoyingly cheerful as the voice had. “Hey, I’m guessing you guys also got this letter?” Hayley said first waving the letter she received about. “Hayley, by the way. I suppose we’re just waiting here for... Well, I don’t really know what we’re waiting here for, something I guess... Feel free to fill in the blanks if you know more..."

"Sorry, but Dr. Owl likes to keep things wrapped in his head until the last possible second." I stated with a smile. "Unless he's criticizing something, then he just can't shut up." I laughed, but everyone just stared at me with wide eyes.

"Anyway," I quickly added. "Hayley, you can just take a seat in here. We have to wait for the others to arrive. Unfortunately, that may be awhile." I watched the new girl walk cautiously into the room, as she gave a small wave to Amanda. They knew each other?

"I have to go and speak with the Doctor," I stated. "But would you like me to bring you back anything to eat, or drink maybe?"

Hayley shook her head, her brown wavy locks circling her face. "I'm fine," She said loudly with a sigh.

I promptly turned out of the room and made my way to Owl's study upstairs. My black shoes padded against the carpet quietly, not a single sound, not even creak, emitting from the old floors. I knocked twice on the large wooden door before allowing myself in.

"Are they all here yet?" He practically sprang out of his chair, his white hair spikier than usual.

"Sorry Owl." I said closing the door quietly behind me. "Only two girls,"

"That leaves four more people," He grumbled slumping back into his large leather chair. "When are they going to arrive?"

"Have patience Owl," I rolled my eyes. "You requested young adults. You have to understand that some might be put off by the mysteriously vague letter, and creepy tilting old house. Have you never seen a scary movie?"

"No, because you won't take me!"

"That's because the last time we went, you kept yelling at the screen!" I chimed. "We were kicked out not even half way through the movie!"

He sighed and spun around looking out the large window behind him. I sighed.

"Do you need anything? Food? A drink?"

"Yes, fix me one of those sandwiches you always make. With the brown stuff." He waved his hand as my dismissal and I left the study.

I creeped back down the stairs and made my way to the kitchens, opposite the living room. The brown stuff Owl was referring to was peanut butter. He managed to gain a liking for them when I made one for myself a while back. He can never remember what it's called, but he quite enjoys PB&J. And he doesn't enjoy many things.

I made him a sandwich, and myself one. I climbed back up the stairs and placed the sandwich on his desk and setting a glass of water down next to it. He turned slightly and spotted the sustenance and turned fully. He scooped up the sandwich and took a bite out of it immediately.

"I assume everything's to you're liking?" I asked.

"Shouldn't you be entertaining our guests?" He sneered a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I grumbled taking a bite from my sandwich and headed back downstairs. I really hate him sometimes. I really do.

Hayley took a seat on the couch and watched Rory leave. To pass the time she started imagining different scenarios, like how she would react if this owl guy was actually a madman with an axe waiting to kill them. It took only moments for Hayley to get bored with this though, seeming as she is not a superhero by any definition and the only thing she could see herself doing would be screaming, really loudly. That and well, it was starting to freak her out, big time. She started thinking about how annoying this whole setup was, she hated being left out of the loop and being told what to do, it irked her to no end. Not to mention this was supposed to be something out of the ordinary, something interesting to happen to her boring life, but here she was waiting; in what seemed to be eternal boredom.

She then turned her attention towards the other living thing in the room; Amanda, there was bound to be some amusement there. While of course she knew the girl, she had never really spoken to her before, besides a passing ‘hey.’ In truth she knew nothing about her, well there was no time like the present.

“So, Amanda we’re probably going to be here waiting for awhile, we should do something to pass the time, say I don’t know, why don’t we play twenty questions? That way we can get to know each other as well, wasn’t that a great idea.” Hayley poured out all at once not giving the girl a chance to respond at all, she paused to take a breath before continuing along the same line.
“I’ll ask a few questions first, then you can have a turn;
How long do you think we'll have to wait here?
Who do you think this Owl guys is and how old do you reckon he is? And what do you think he wants with us?
Hmm, do you believe in fairies, magic or any of the supernatural crap? I personally don’t, but no judgement if you do, just better to get it out on the table I guess.
Oh! Do you have boyfriend, or perhaps a guy you like, what’s he like?
Any siblings, their age, what are they like, are you close with them?
And finally... What is your favourite Ice cream flavor?”

I was almost at the bottom of the stairs when the front door began to creek open. I shoved the rest of my sandwich down and quickly ran up to the door. I brushed a couple of crumbs off of my black pants and pulled open the door. A boy, coming up to my chest, stood on the doorstep. He smiled up at me, his smile crooked. As if he knew something I didn't.

"Hello," I said puzzled by his appearance.

"Hi, I got this letter." He smiled showing me the small envelope I had dropped off a few days ago.

"I'm sorry, there must be some mistake, how old are you?" I questioned.

He smiled, a quiet laugh escaping his lips. "I'm 19."

I blinked several times, utterly puzzled. He looked 12! "Are you sure?"

He laughed louder this time. "That's the first time I've received that response. I'm fairly short, I know."

"Um, can I get your name?"

"Zane."

He was one of the boys Owl had requested. I remembered that name on the list. I allowed him in and showed him to the living room where Amanda and Hayley sat waiting. They seemed to be making good conversation, but their words began to silence as I entered. "Ladies, this is Zane. Please, have a seat."

Zane moved past me, his small boyish frame bouncing to one of the lone chairs. "Would you like anything to drink or eat may-"

A loud chiming sound echoed through the house. I could hear the woods creak and the lighting fixtures rattle. Was that...a doorbell?

"Excuse me," I said spinning quickly and heading back to the front door. The sound had finally died off and the house settled back into it's tilting shape. In the five years that I've been working for Dr. Owl, I never knew that this place had a doorbell.

I pulled open the door. A tall boy, with snow white hair leaned against the wall, his azure eyes downcast. "Um...hi...um...how can I help you today?"

Ryan smiled and followed the woman in. His suspicions that she was Owl were dwindling. She was much too young. If she was Owl she would be more articulate when speaking to the ones she summoned. When he entered the house he was struck by the vastness of it. He was busy admiring the house when the woman brought him back to earth. She led him to a room where many others were seated. One small boy, and two other girls, teenagers. She asked him to sit. Ryan smiled and obliged. The house was enormous, but something about it was a little... sinister.

Everyone in the room was situated in an awkward silence. The teens in the corner were getting along quite well, but they still seemed anxious. He was distracted from his scanning of the room by the voice of the red head who greeted him. She asked for his name.

"Ryan Huntington." He answered. She hadnt given hers either. "yours?" he asked.

I cleared my throat. "Lorelei Gwen. But please call me Rory."

An awkward silence fell over the group of teens. I took this opportunity to slip out of the living room and climb up the stairs to Dr. Owl's office. I knocked twice before letting myself again, only this time, the space was empty.

The plate with the PB&J sandwich sat empty upon his desk. Just a few bread crumbs on top. His glass of water had been drained. I grabbed the dishes and made my way back downstairs. Owl was probably sitting up in the attic. I was only allowed in there on very few occasions. Like when he was hungry and wanted something to eat, but was too busy studying to want to come downstairs.

Thunder boomed again outside, but there was still no sign of rain. The house shifted again. I deposited the dishes in the sink and made my way back to the living room, but was stopped by the harsh splatter of rain slamming against the house.

"Oh no," I gasped. I pulled open the door, rain was coming down in sheets. My poor black convertible sat in the driveway with it's top down. "Shit!"

I ran down into the driveway, the rain immediately soaking me through. "No! No! No!" I cried noticing my text books for school sitting in the back seat. Their pages probably soaked through. "No!" I growled leaning over the door of my car and sliding the key into the ignition. The car roared to life and I quickly pressed the roof button. It started to unfold itself and wrap over my car. I quickly grabbed my text books from the car, turned off the car, and ran back inside.

"Owl!" I yelled as I slammed the door shut behind me.

I bolted up the stairs, my black flats squishing on the carpet. My heavy text books were slowing me down, but I continued to climb unfazed. I burst into Owl's office, his chair still empty. I climbed up the stairs in his office and pushed up into the attic.

Candles littered the entire room, lighting up the massive space. Owl sat on the window seat watching the rain splatter against the window. "Fix them!" I cried slamming the books down on the table by him.

He seemed to notice me just then as he turned and looked at me. His eyes widened at the sight of my soaking wet body. I looked down, noticing my bright orange bra standing out from my soaked white shirt. I quickly crossed my arms. "Just fix them...please." I said. "I know you can, so don't even protest!"

He held up his hands as a sign of surrender. He stood up from the seat and grabbed the first book, then took his place back at the window seat. While he worked on fixing my $400 dollar books, I made my way back down to the second floor. I made myself to my room on the other side of the second floor. Because I spent almost every day here, I had basically taken over the old guest room.

Owl had barely noticed when I moved out of my parents' house and into here, hauling furniture behind me. I slammed into my room, peeling off clothes as I went. I tossed them into the corner, and kicked me shoes off under my bed. I slipped into a pair of a jeans and a black shirt, drying my hair as I went. I slipped on my torn black shoes.

I pulled my hair up into a pony tail and made my way back downstairs. I stepped into the large space, breathing a sigh. "So, anybody want anything to eat? Something to drink?"

What is the number? Really? Why was he so embarrassing? I did a mental face palm. Zane suddenly piped up, asking for a drink. "Oh, it's no problem," I said with a smile. Anything to get out of this room. I backed out slowly as Owl began conversing...most likely with himself. He had a tendency to do that.

I sighed as I walked across the foyer to the kitchen, when a knocking on the door startled me. I pulled open the door to see a girl with long straight black hair standing on the door step. Her entire body was completely soaked from the rain.

"Hello," I said kindly. "Our you our final lady?"

Toriko could hear the sound of footsteps in the house, though not well since every time the wind would blow the walls would creek. She wondered if this house was even safe to wake into. The door opened and she looked up to see a red-headed woman standing in the doorway.

"Hello, Our you our final lady?"

Was this Dr. Owl? Her voice seemed a little too sweet to invite a bunch of random people to her house. "Uh, I suppose. I'm Toriko Plaid." She said, clearing her throat. "I'm afraid I don't have an invitation, it was, well, misplaced. I also apologize for being so late. I had some, uh, business to take care of. Also, I'm a little wet, as you can see so, uhm, I might end up dripping on your floor.." She tried to sound as polite as possible, but being polite wasn't something she was very good at. She was most definitely out of practice and she scolded herself for having to put so many spaces between her words to think of a way to explain herself. Her soaked appearance also probably made her look a little out of order.

I couldn't help but giggle. It was refreshing that someone was just as flustered as myself. "I'm sure you're on the list. Not many people visit us here." I held the door open wider for her and she stepped inside. She wasn't wrong when she said that she might end up dripping on the floor.

"I'm Rory, I'm going to fetch you a towel. Just sit tight for two seconds." I moved into the kitchen and grabbed a freshly cleaned towel from the adjacent laundry room. While I was in there I filled a glass of water for Zane.

"Here you go." I said as I reentered the foyer, handing her the dark towel. "I don't know how Dr. Owl feels about his living room sofas getting wet." I laughed.

She took the towel, patting down her clothes, her white tights completely soaked through showing her skin. "Right this way," I said to her, leading her to the living room. She took a seat as I handed the glass to Zane who took it happily. I smiled at him.

There was just one more person need. One more boy. Hopefully, he'd get here soon. I could feel my patience waning as the living room kept filling with people. I was uncomfortable with this many people in the house. And even though it was technically Dr. Owl's house, I've been calling this place home since I was 18. I slipped out of the living room, heading back to the kitchen, needing a glass of water myself.

I filled a glass and gulped it down as I slid down on the floor, my back resting against the old cupboards. It was going to be a long night. I could feel it in my bones. Whatever Dr. Owl had planned was not going to be easy. It was going to be horrendous, leaving me with no time to study for my upcoming exams.

It was just like him to pull me away from my studies.

Ryan saw Rory run up the stairs with her books, and then minutes later come back down in a new outfit. That was quick. She reached the group and asked them if they would like anything. Ryan wasn't thirsty, but the young boy was. The young boy then gave his name, breaking the silence between the atendees. Zane. Ryan would wait to give his name. He wanted to know if anything was going to go wrong first. His thoughts were disturbed by the man in the lab coat coming down the stairs. Dr. Evil in a lab coat, cliche'. this was obviously Owl. The good doctor stood in front of them and casually asked. "What is the number?"

Ryan, again, remained silent in his chair, surveying the situation. Rory left to get the door, and returned with a new girl. Another young one. He had the thought that only he, Rory, and Owl were old enough to drink here. He then looked at the teenage girls. He was sure they werent innocent enough to not have had a taste.

Rory left, after bringing the wet girl a towel. Ryan wasnt about to sit and wait for Dr. Doom to speak up again. The guy seemed like a drama queen. He stood and followed Rory. she was the only person here his age, and the only one he felt the urge to talk to. He entered what looked like the kitchen and saw Rory sitting against the cupboards. "Shouldnt you be in there with us, or have you heard all of this before?" he asked her. He wasnt sure if Dr. Owl had these little meet and greets regularly or not. This would help him form an opinion on whether or not he would stay.

Toriko was glad that Rory had given her a towel. It helped with the dripping, but she was still rather damp as she took a seat in the room with the others. She sat there, running her fingers through her hair as one of the boys in the room got up and followed Rory into the kitchen. Luckily her hair was usually pretty cooperative and it was easy to get it back to its silky look as it begun to dry. After fixing her hair, she leaned back in the chair a little and crossed her arms over her chest. She already guessed that the man with one of his eyes covered was most likely Dr.Owl. Since everyone else looked like they had no idea why they were here. Then again, she was wondering the same thing. There were five of them here now, and they seemed to be expecting a couple of more, but everyone looked pretty anxious.

She let out a small sigh, now was the time to straighten herself out. "Excuse me," She said, keeping her voice calm. "I think I'm just as curious as everyone else in the room as to why we were invited." She said, looking at the man.

"What's he talking about? The mysteries of Quantum Physics?" I questioned. "Because if so, then yes, I have heard it before. Get that man talking about numbers and you'll never be able to leave." I sighed downing the rest of my water.

He looked down at me, his eyes squinting, as if thinking of something. "Let me guess," I said sliding the cup onto the counter top above me. "You're not sure if you trust Dr. Owl? Believe me, I don't blame ya. He gives off a strange impression."

He chuckled quietly. I leaned my head against the cupboard, suddenly feeling tired. "But, just wait until after he explains everything before deciding to bail." I laughed. "I don't think that'll help change your mind, but he can be very convincing."

I looked down at my hands. "Almost too convincing." I grumbled. "Would you like something to eat? I'm famished!"

Ryan laughed. He really hoped this man wasnt about to give him a physics lesson. That was a near death sentence. She guessed he was feeling weary about Owl. Well here's your sign. A strange impression. Yeah, thats it. She slouched a bit. He wondered how long shed been awake. He didnt think he would want to sleep too deeply with this guy in the house. She gave him a small reassurance about staying. At least he knew it wasnt the house that made Owl creepy. Rory lived here, and she seemed just fine.

She suddenly seemed disturbed by something. Her last words were a little out of place with her normal tone. He elected to ignore it, probably his mind playing tricks on him.

"No thanks, Ill be alright." he said. He looked around the kitchen. Even the kitchen seemed off to him. but the food made here couldnt be horrible, and even so. He was sure he had had worse. He reached out a hand to help her off the floor. He brought her to her feet. "Am I going to get in trouble for ducking out of Dr.'s presentation?"

I rolled my eyes grumbling under my breath. "Sorry, food will have to wait," I said looking up at Ryan. "Rain check?" I started giggling. "Get it? Because it's raining? Yeah?" I laughed clapping my hands.

"We should go. He's not kidding." I said suddenly straight faced.

I lead him out of the kitchen, the foyer empty, nothing but the sounds of rain splattering on the roof to break the silence. I arrived in the living room seconds before Ryan. I smiled at the Doctor.

"Really? How would you know anything about my flirting skills?" I spat crossing my arms over my chest. "All you do is spend time in your office, fantasizing about home sweet home."

He eyed me, his toothpick moving awkwardly from back to forth.

"Well, get on with it then. You've obviously brought yourself down here for a reason." I said gesturing to our guests.

He nodded his heads towards the guests, giving me a knowing look, a smiled on his lips.

I rolled my eyes, standing straighter. "Would anyone like anything to drink? Something to eat perhaps?" I questioned monotonously.

"A peanut butter and jelly sandwich maybe?" I added glaring at the doctor. He smiled.

Ryan perked at the stern voice from the other room. "Guess thats a yes" he grumbled. He smiled at Rory, "Raincheck." He agreed. He turned on his heels and strode back into the room with his hands up. "Sorry Doctor" he said. He didnt think it would be beneficial to say much else, but he did have an answer for him. "The number is 24 by the way." He said this and took his old seat back. He couldnt help but wonder how Owl planned to "Reprimand" the two of them. This should be good. Ryan kicked back, crossed his legs and put his hands behind his head. Alright Dr. Strangelove, what's your deal?

He listened to Rory smart mouth Owl. He couldnt help but cheer her on in his head. Take him down a peg girl!

I hate him.

I glared at him, my jaw set. He simply stared back, his dark ones meeting my green ones. We stood like that for some time now, he never wavered and he wouldn't. He wasn't wrong when he said he's made me do worse. Like the time I had to dance to Loveshack in nothing but his lab coat. In the front lawn.

So embarrassing.

I dared not take a peak at Ryan. Great, someone who maybe might understand why I'm stuck working for Dr. Owl...scratch that, no one will ever understand why I work for Dr. Owl. But for once, someone who seems to be interested in me comes around and my freaking paternal figure has to ruin it! Not even my adopted father was this bad!

Then again, I never brought anyone around for my dad to embarrass me in front of.

Owl just has to ruin everything. All I am to him is a source of peanut butter. He still doesn't believe me when I tell him that peanut butter is actually made from peanuts! He's far too stubborn.

Finally, I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I lifted my leg up behind me, leaning myself against the door frame so as not to fall. He obviously noticed, and deemed it unacceptable. He gestured for me to stand straight.

I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the door frame, trying to find balance on my clumsy feet...foot.

I hate him.

Not wanting to keep our final guest waiting, I let my foot down and turned towards the foyer. Owl cleared his throat, stopping me. I turned and saw his knowing stare as he eyes glanced between my face and my leg.

"Really?! You're going to make me hop?" I cried.

He smiled a knowing smile. As if to say, "should've gotten here sooner."

"I hate you."

I turned, lifting my leg up, and hopped to the foyer. I pulled open the door and greeted our guest with as best of a smile I could provide with the mood I was in. "Hello and welcome."

The girl looked up at her, her eyes almost looked purple. She showed me the letter from Dr. Owl. "Ah, yes, right this way." I...hopped...out of the way and let her in. She gave me a confused stare as to why I wasn't walking like a normal human being.

"Would you like anything to drink? Something to eat perhaps?" I asked. She shook her head. "Follow me then."

I...hopped...back to the living room, letting her pass by me. She entered and had a seat next to Hayley. I stood at the doorway. My right leg hurt from the hopping. I glared at Owl as he waited patiently for the answer to his question.