Setting
This is where Sol Street and Lady Une Drive intersect.
Minimap
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You are here. |
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Sol Avenue and Lady Une Drive is a part of 
Wing City.
29 Characters Here
Beibhinn [84] A young female Harpy who races to survive and loves every minute of it.
Lucifer Fortuna [80] Life is an ocean, flowing with money and greed, and people draw borders, lines on maps we don't need.
Kvan Skyheart [27] My magical powers let me do what everyone in the Wind Country wants...To fly without anything but yourself.
Paul Onasi [23] "You can run from fate but never get that far for in the end it will find you for this is who you are."
Barrett Ramsey [7]
Paul Sanderson [6] Rider on the storm.
Lamonticus Vanshayal [3] The birds and the bees grew wise to the lies; so they took to the trees, and took to the skies.
Harmony Lauret [1] Half breed searching for something....
Samuel, Drake [1] Human
Start Character Here »
Beibhinn shook as the water overflowed her eyes and began to flow down her cheek, over her nose, and onto the couch. Thoughts and images swirled around in her head and she tried to catch them, to keep them. She desperately wanted something to make sense, something to stick...Clarity. But clarity is what she'd also fled from. The state she was in now...all of it was a desperate attempt to escape. Seventeen. Seventeen is old enough, she knew he'd said that. "Green scales...liar, pushing truths into cupboards and leaving all the rest...All the rest..." she mumbled softly, ignoring the doctors now. They didn't matter anymore. Not a bit. They wouldn't know, couldn't.
"Son, brother, father, daughter, sister, mother, son, brother, father, daughter, sister, mother..." she repeated to herself softly and slowly. Over and over again throughout the process of moving her, of transporting her. Her thoughts drifted out of her again, leaving her circumstances. Looking for somewhere better...
"Son, brother, father, daughter, sister, mother, son, brother, father, daughter, sister, mother..." she repeated to herself softly and slowly. Over and over again throughout the process of moving her, of transporting her. Her thoughts drifted out of her again, leaving her circumstances. Looking for somewhere better...
To Beib, time would seem hard to gauge. She was in a sterile room, not just white though, that was too boring for Lucifer's design. There were no windows, though there was TV, a clock without numbers and dead batteries, and a few scattered books. The nurse would bring her food as many times as she asked, the doctor would change her bandaged and apply new anti-septic to her other wounds as often as she'd allow. They'd also cleaned out the harsher wounds, though they'd slip anesthetics into the room, or her food, to knock her out first, or at least dull the pain so much she was powerless to resist. In her sleep, her clothes were taken and washed by the nurses as well, and were left for her, mended, in the room later on. New clothes were provided as well.
Once, one meal, the old chef who worked for the mansion slipped her a secret note in her food. A calming letter by the kindly old, fat, jolly man, welcoming her back and apologizing for her return at the same time. He'd always been nice to her, one of the few in the house who had, and that meal he'd also made her favorite fish, just the way she had liked it when she was younger. No one else ever said a word to her, not even written, and Lucifer never came to visit. Until that day, however long it had been.
He came into the room and simply sat in a chair beside her bed, the door locking behind him immediately as it always had. He came during her meal, fruits, nuts, and a seared meat of some kind, something gamey and briny, probably a coastal animal. His clothes were fine as always, so was his hair, and his cane and shoes were freshly polished. Lucifer merely sat nearby, turned the television to the stock channel, and remained damnably silent.
Once, one meal, the old chef who worked for the mansion slipped her a secret note in her food. A calming letter by the kindly old, fat, jolly man, welcoming her back and apologizing for her return at the same time. He'd always been nice to her, one of the few in the house who had, and that meal he'd also made her favorite fish, just the way she had liked it when she was younger. No one else ever said a word to her, not even written, and Lucifer never came to visit. Until that day, however long it had been.
He came into the room and simply sat in a chair beside her bed, the door locking behind him immediately as it always had. He came during her meal, fruits, nuts, and a seared meat of some kind, something gamey and briny, probably a coastal animal. His clothes were fine as always, so was his hair, and his cane and shoes were freshly polished. Lucifer merely sat nearby, turned the television to the stock channel, and remained damnably silent.
Beibhinn had switched through several different stages of cognizant awareness while in the room. She talked to the doctors about things that didn't make sense, talked to people who weren't there about her worries, and even barraged herself for all her past mistakes. However, when Lucifer entered the room, the only thing she seemed to be was tired. Bags had formed under her eyes, her cheeks were sallow, and her eyes were their typical hue but with the reflective sparkle of life.
She tried to ignore him as he first entered, busying herself in counting the wrinkles in the sheet covering her. She blinked languidly at her food, as if deciding whether to indulge her needs or not. She gave up trying to "win" by denying herself and ate, stuffing her face until she could no longer.
She twitched and finally broke under the silence. "What do you want...Mr. Fortuna?" she questioned softly, brokenly. He'd never come to here without trying to extract something from her. She'd grown accustomed enough to his ploys in her years under his roof. Not a moment was wasted on her without expectation of extracting some price.
She tried to ignore him as he first entered, busying herself in counting the wrinkles in the sheet covering her. She blinked languidly at her food, as if deciding whether to indulge her needs or not. She gave up trying to "win" by denying herself and ate, stuffing her face until she could no longer.
She twitched and finally broke under the silence. "What do you want...Mr. Fortuna?" she questioned softly, brokenly. He'd never come to here without trying to extract something from her. She'd grown accustomed enough to his ploys in her years under his roof. Not a moment was wasted on her without expectation of extracting some price.
He wouldn't speak, not for a long time still. Or maybe it just felt long. He didn't turn his eyes on her when he finally did respond, instead only wringing his hands on the top of his cane. "Nothing, Hinn, nothing at all. I simply came by to be seein' how yer faring. Is that so bad?" There was no malice, no confidence, nothing in his voice that sounded...normal, for him. There was an edge of exhaustion, a tinge of regret but that was all. The rest was flat, almost dead. "I simply be tired, and I simply wanted to see you. And to apologize for ye leg, and the slaps. You know as well as I have that despitin' everything else, I'd never raised a hand to ye before."
Which was true enough. The emotional abuse and the manipulation yes, but never physical before. "Tweren't...gentle of me. No manners, no class, and I be apologizin'. That be all." And then he'd resumed his silence, tsking every once in a great while, flipping channels occasionally. Even when the nurse came in to change the bandages again, and to take her food tray away, he was silent... It was...odd for the flamboyant man she had known...
Which was true enough. The emotional abuse and the manipulation yes, but never physical before. "Tweren't...gentle of me. No manners, no class, and I be apologizin'. That be all." And then he'd resumed his silence, tsking every once in a great while, flipping channels occasionally. Even when the nurse came in to change the bandages again, and to take her food tray away, he was silent... It was...odd for the flamboyant man she had known...
Beibhinn quietly let herself be redressed, her eyes unfocused on anything in particular. She licked her lips once and finally decided to respond. "It didn't hurt." A simple statement. She let it hang in the air a moment before trying to extrapolate any further. "I didn't mean to hurt them, either...I didn't. I just couldn't stay...not there, not like this..." she mumbled, her eyes drifting closed and opened regularly. "I never wanted to hurt anyone...not like that...Not with my claws like a beast..." Tears rose in her eyes again, but didn't fall.
"I've...known better than to run from possessive men. I deserved the bruises...the slaps...all of it...I accept it...It's been my fault from the beginning...hm?" She scooched herself farther under the covers, her wings laying over her body like a blanket. "I'm the reason they're dead."
"I've...known better than to run from possessive men. I deserved the bruises...the slaps...all of it...I accept it...It's been my fault from the beginning...hm?" She scooched herself farther under the covers, her wings laying over her body like a blanket. "I'm the reason they're dead."
Maybe he was just luring her deeper into his web. Maybe it was all a ploy. Or maybe just once he was being honest and open handed, because after the nurse left, Luci responded with something that was as far from his personality as it could be. "No...It be my fault Beib. I had...have...expectations for ye...And at the time, I did not consider how ye felt about them. I took advantage of a poor, wee lass, and profited from ye too. I drove Harb away once I got wind of the two of ye getting close. I paid someone to get rid of the very parents I found for ye because I wanted ye closer to home. The guard, no, I drove ye from me home and you turned into this. A long run, but me own fault once again. You were always an innocent pawn to me, and nothing more, and I be sayin'...I'm sorry, Beibhinn." Once again, no emotion, not a single break of his voice...but...
It was so unlike Lucifer to be this way, to her, to anyone. "I...be gettin' old. And I have no excuses for what I did, or what I be doin' to this day. And I don't plan on stoppin' soon either. However...I am not...the blameless youth I once be. I acted like I was for years, even after I realized me bones ache and me eyesight be getting worse. Things don't be tasting as good. And I have no one to be leavin' it all to, cept you and Harb."
A short pause as he regarded a cartoon fish chasing a squirrel around a pool before flipping the TV off. "No...not a soul. Not even me own. So I won't be keepin' ya in the house unless ye want to stay. No racing unless ye want to race. I'd just rather...not be alone anymore. Thats all." And the surprising thing was, even if she didn't know it, every single word he said had been true.
It was so unlike Lucifer to be this way, to her, to anyone. "I...be gettin' old. And I have no excuses for what I did, or what I be doin' to this day. And I don't plan on stoppin' soon either. However...I am not...the blameless youth I once be. I acted like I was for years, even after I realized me bones ache and me eyesight be getting worse. Things don't be tasting as good. And I have no one to be leavin' it all to, cept you and Harb."
A short pause as he regarded a cartoon fish chasing a squirrel around a pool before flipping the TV off. "No...not a soul. Not even me own. So I won't be keepin' ya in the house unless ye want to stay. No racing unless ye want to race. I'd just rather...not be alone anymore. Thats all." And the surprising thing was, even if she didn't know it, every single word he said had been true.
Beibhinn closed her eyes, forcefully, as he spoke, hot tears coursing down her cheeks as she listen complacently. Words...they didn't mean anything. He always knew how to dress a sentence so that it seemed like the most beautiful, succulent thing you'd ever find in your life. Every word he spoke hid a motive...every moment he'd spent on her was in expectation of exacting it's price. She ground her teeth and turned her body from him as more tears went down her cheeks.
"Why...? Why would you...how could admit these things, like a list of groceries? It was...it was my life...Mr. Fortuna..." She couldn't hide her emotions, she was never that way. The breaking, angry pitches betrayed her intentions. "You built and then dismantled everything I wanted! You...You can't...You can't think for a second I could forgive you. After everything you've done to me?" She whirled back towards him, a talon clacking around his over the cane as her face hovered mere inches from him. "What have you done to me?!" she screeched, her voice twofold as an unearthly wind stirred the feathers on her wings and in her hair. Her eyes took on a soft glow. "Do you pity me now?! Now that there's nothing..." The wind and glow ebbed, and she fell forward weakly, her energy gone. "Nothing left for me...but to pretend...?"
"Why...? Why would you...how could admit these things, like a list of groceries? It was...it was my life...Mr. Fortuna..." She couldn't hide her emotions, she was never that way. The breaking, angry pitches betrayed her intentions. "You built and then dismantled everything I wanted! You...You can't...You can't think for a second I could forgive you. After everything you've done to me?" She whirled back towards him, a talon clacking around his over the cane as her face hovered mere inches from him. "What have you done to me?!" she screeched, her voice twofold as an unearthly wind stirred the feathers on her wings and in her hair. Her eyes took on a soft glow. "Do you pity me now?! Now that there's nothing..." The wind and glow ebbed, and she fell forward weakly, her energy gone. "Nothing left for me...but to pretend...?"
Not a flinch. Not a whisper. Not a word until she fell, and the older man would catch her handily, leaning her back into her bed before taking his hands away from her, his eyes still cool and even. "Aye. Like a list of groceries. Great way to be puttin' it. And I not be asking for forgiveness, Beib. I know that twon't be happenin' for me. Done too much, taken too much to ever get that from anybody but meself, and even that be a stretch." Once more his hands rested on his cane. "And don't be givin' me that self pity garbage. You are young, youthful, and with a long life ahead of ye. You have time to rebuild and restart, and don't ye dare lie and say ye not."
Twisting his hands, the cane rapping harshly on the floor. "There be no 'used up'. There be no 'too late'. You can recover from any defeat, meet any goal ye want, if you take what you need, what ye want, and use everything around ye. I be living proof, but ye are not me. Do you want to know why I could do that to you Beib? Why it be so easy for me?" This time, he stood, towering over her. "Its because ye be weak. And I be strong. If we both be enjoying a milkshake, then I be drinking yours before me own, and then making ye pay for both of them." There was a fire in his orange eyes, fire as dark and powerful and the flames of Hell and beyond.
"Ye cannot be weak and survive this world. Ye saw what I did to ye. What the people you ran to did to ye. What they'll keep doin' to ye if ye go back. Here, ye be safe, and here is where you SHOULD STAY. But I said I wouldn't be forcing ye to remain." Another rap of his cane, a harsher glare. "But ye know if ye go back, you'll be eaten alive, no matter what ye do. But if ye be wanting to die, I'd rather kill ye meself." A buzz of his cell phone, and he looked away for a split moment. "Your check up I postponed will be tomorrow night. And Harb is coming home next week. Stay or not, it not be my business anymore." And then Lucifer Fortuna would sit back down, hands back on the head of his cane, the television once more on, a newscasters garbling on about another some some inter-planetary conflict. Small news to the devil incarnate.
Twisting his hands, the cane rapping harshly on the floor. "There be no 'used up'. There be no 'too late'. You can recover from any defeat, meet any goal ye want, if you take what you need, what ye want, and use everything around ye. I be living proof, but ye are not me. Do you want to know why I could do that to you Beib? Why it be so easy for me?" This time, he stood, towering over her. "Its because ye be weak. And I be strong. If we both be enjoying a milkshake, then I be drinking yours before me own, and then making ye pay for both of them." There was a fire in his orange eyes, fire as dark and powerful and the flames of Hell and beyond.
"Ye cannot be weak and survive this world. Ye saw what I did to ye. What the people you ran to did to ye. What they'll keep doin' to ye if ye go back. Here, ye be safe, and here is where you SHOULD STAY. But I said I wouldn't be forcing ye to remain." Another rap of his cane, a harsher glare. "But ye know if ye go back, you'll be eaten alive, no matter what ye do. But if ye be wanting to die, I'd rather kill ye meself." A buzz of his cell phone, and he looked away for a split moment. "Your check up I postponed will be tomorrow night. And Harb is coming home next week. Stay or not, it not be my business anymore." And then Lucifer Fortuna would sit back down, hands back on the head of his cane, the television once more on, a newscasters garbling on about another some some inter-planetary conflict. Small news to the devil incarnate.
Beibhinn made small cries and gasps of pain as she tried to readjust herself into the bed, simply turning her face away from him as she listlessly listened to his lecture. She began to shake as she realized what his words meant for her. She had no choice, though he painted it as if she did. She truly had no where else to turn, nowhere that would be better. She'd come back for a reason and she couldn't simply run away again. At least, not for a while. He already held all the power over her again, before she'd even realized what was happening.
She glanced at him slowly as she heard the buzz and his last words froze her heart, an expression of fear and concern swept over her before she could turn away again and she gasped softly, raspily. Then another and another, until it sounded something like a laugh or sobbing. A few moments more of this before she suddenly regained control of her senses and stared at the covers on her. "I want to go back to my room..." she whispered. "I don't like this bed and I can't hear the birds. If you really mean anything you say...allow me recover in peace and comfort..."
She glanced at him slowly as she heard the buzz and his last words froze her heart, an expression of fear and concern swept over her before she could turn away again and she gasped softly, raspily. Then another and another, until it sounded something like a laugh or sobbing. A few moments more of this before she suddenly regained control of her senses and stared at the covers on her. "I want to go back to my room..." she whispered. "I don't like this bed and I can't hear the birds. If you really mean anything you say...allow me recover in peace and comfort..."
"Fine, that be dandy with me. After tomorrow, ye be moved upstairs, back to your old room. I'll be keeping a guard out below ye balcony, but he won't be there to stop ye if you want to go, just to let me know if ye do." Rapping his fingers on the arm rest of his chair. "And don't be worrying about me finding anything secret out, Hinn. I already be having a few thoughts about ye psychical situation. I don't think ye be racing anytime soon, so thats far out of me mind." A dramatic pause.
"Besides, watching me adoptive grandson waddle about the mansion may bring a joy to me heart. Thaw it a wee bit, perhaps?" A look at her, this time a familiar, eerie spark back in his eyes, as if he was awake. "Of course, it could just be ye withdrawing like a junkie ye be. The nurses told me how you be throwing up in the wee early hours, so it could be shock." This time, there was no questioning if it was cruel or not, but Luci said it all the same, mostly because the bird had whispered it in his ear. "Harb will be so sad to be hearing it, either way though." Then, as if the dagger had never been plunged, "What do ye want to watch?"
"Besides, watching me adoptive grandson waddle about the mansion may bring a joy to me heart. Thaw it a wee bit, perhaps?" A look at her, this time a familiar, eerie spark back in his eyes, as if he was awake. "Of course, it could just be ye withdrawing like a junkie ye be. The nurses told me how you be throwing up in the wee early hours, so it could be shock." This time, there was no questioning if it was cruel or not, but Luci said it all the same, mostly because the bird had whispered it in his ear. "Harb will be so sad to be hearing it, either way though." Then, as if the dagger had never been plunged, "What do ye want to watch?"
Beibhinn's sharp eyes shot to his, eyes full of anticipation. That look like she was about to take flight, the expression she took just before a race...She began to trembled throughout his words, her face twitching as she tried to settle on a single emotion. The corners of her lips curled up slightly and her eyes hardened as she clung to her absolute deepest spite. "You'll keep your mangled talons away from my daughter," she spat, jolting back as soon as the words had left her mouth. He'd trapped her again. Into an admission. She gasped sharply and let out a shaky scoff.
"I don't want to watch anything." Harsh, but her tone soon broke again. "Please...just...leave me alone..." she whispered, folding herself up and covering her face and body with her wings.
"I don't want to watch anything." Harsh, but her tone soon broke again. "Please...just...leave me alone..." she whispered, folding herself up and covering her face and body with her wings.
"No, that won't be happening? The leaving ye alone part. Yer child, well, that remains to be seen. If ye clean up ye act, I'll do as ye say. But, well, if a judge were ta hear that a mother, a minor, addicted to drugs was giving birth to a prostitution babe, with no home or no job, than perhaps her own legal guardian would be better to raise the child, hmmm?" Luci knew what he was saying, and better yet, he knew how'd she react. Anger or intense withdraw from reality. He was counting on either.
The television would only blare out the weather forecast, the images of the screen reflecting off of the ex-pirate's eyes with their LCD glare. "However, like I said, that only be if ye don't get ye act together. I knew there not be many harpies left, and if the babe is only half, its still very important to ye species. And more so to its own dear mum, or be I swimming up the wrong stream?" Truth was, once more, none of this was a lie. He fully planned on helping her get better, in every sense of the word, just so she could take care of the babe on her own of course. He'd even help. But damned be it if someone who was his child on paper would become...this.
The television would only blare out the weather forecast, the images of the screen reflecting off of the ex-pirate's eyes with their LCD glare. "However, like I said, that only be if ye don't get ye act together. I knew there not be many harpies left, and if the babe is only half, its still very important to ye species. And more so to its own dear mum, or be I swimming up the wrong stream?" Truth was, once more, none of this was a lie. He fully planned on helping her get better, in every sense of the word, just so she could take care of the babe on her own of course. He'd even help. But damned be it if someone who was his child on paper would become...this.
Beibhinn continued to shake, letting out a screech at his threat before falling silent in her little ball of feathers. She waited until he'd finished speaking before whispering again. "Leave me alooone...Leave me alone, please..." Her talons clenched as she grew more upset at the seeds of doubt he'd planted in her. They clawed at her head and neck, small droplets of blood beginning to spring up at the tips of them.
"I don't want to see you, I don't want to see him, I don't want to see anyone!" she screeched in one of her higher octaves, the mohawk at the back of her head raising as she continued to dig at herself. "Why can't I be left alone?!"
"I don't want to see you, I don't want to see him, I don't want to see anyone!" she screeched in one of her higher octaves, the mohawk at the back of her head raising as she continued to dig at herself. "Why can't I be left alone?!"
He turned to look at her, one eye brow raised by the slightest angle. "Because. Believe it or not, I be rather fond of ye. In me own way. In one life, ye were my best friend and business partner. In this life, ye be more of a...estranged child, but me child none the less. Though I must admit, with how ye turned out, I didn't do so great. Harb as well, though he seems to have turned around a wee bit. Listens to his captain and he's prospered." Luci cleared his throat, as so many monologues were unkind to the vocal chords.
"Now, be that as it may, ye only be me child, legally, for another year or so, give or take a few months. However, I don't want to leave ye empty handed, especially not for the wee babe. So, since ye been down here, I set up a little plan." Menacing to her no doubt. The word, plan. "If ye get clean, clean for a year, and the babe be healthy and happy with ye, there be what they call a trust fund for the child. Your daughter, but me not sure how ye know that. Roughly...four million credits a year, with a fifteen percent interest while they be a minor. It drops to eight when they be big and strong and ready to leave ye nest. Me accountant said it'll be close to one hundred and twenty five million by the time they turn eighteen. I am not doing this as charity, nor as pity. And ye will take this money for the child. This is the one thing I have ever offered ye with no strings attached that weren't all positive for ye. Ye get healthy, the child is safe and secure for life, and you two live happy. This not be a pull at forgiveness, I know I never be getting that nor do I ask for it. I have no regrets for how I ever treated ye except for this current stage." He stood, walking over to the TV, tapping it with his cane head. "Are we clear as water, Beibhinn? You will be taking this money and I will not be asking for a single thing in return from ye. Clear?"
"Now, be that as it may, ye only be me child, legally, for another year or so, give or take a few months. However, I don't want to leave ye empty handed, especially not for the wee babe. So, since ye been down here, I set up a little plan." Menacing to her no doubt. The word, plan. "If ye get clean, clean for a year, and the babe be healthy and happy with ye, there be what they call a trust fund for the child. Your daughter, but me not sure how ye know that. Roughly...four million credits a year, with a fifteen percent interest while they be a minor. It drops to eight when they be big and strong and ready to leave ye nest. Me accountant said it'll be close to one hundred and twenty five million by the time they turn eighteen. I am not doing this as charity, nor as pity. And ye will take this money for the child. This is the one thing I have ever offered ye with no strings attached that weren't all positive for ye. Ye get healthy, the child is safe and secure for life, and you two live happy. This not be a pull at forgiveness, I know I never be getting that nor do I ask for it. I have no regrets for how I ever treated ye except for this current stage." He stood, walking over to the TV, tapping it with his cane head. "Are we clear as water, Beibhinn? You will be taking this money and I will not be asking for a single thing in return from ye. Clear?"
Beibhinn slowly let her talons fall from her, her wings drifting back to her sides as she simply listened to him. She spent most of her life listening to others, so really she never had a choice to butt in. She was too used to waiting for the pause, the time to talk. But when it came this time, she didn't know how she was could respond. No words came quickly to her tongue, just doubts and desperate attempts to unravel what his master scheme had to be. How he was trapping her and her daughter even further in his web...So she said the only thing she could think of.
"Harpies are mostly female..." she whispered quietly. "Momma said...that that's why we're almost extinct. Too many women flapping around, but none giving birth to males...Something about the...genetic makeup..." She swallowed hard. "That's how I know. That I'll have a daughter."
"Harpies are mostly female..." she whispered quietly. "Momma said...that that's why we're almost extinct. Too many women flapping around, but none giving birth to males...Something about the...genetic makeup..." She swallowed hard. "That's how I know. That I'll have a daughter."
"And I hope ye be right about it, Beib, I truly do. Daughters are wonderful to have. Even if the parents is not so good." A touch of genuine sentiment behind that one. "But me be sticking to me word on this one. You kick the junk. Get back into shape. Eat and drink well. See a shrink, of ye own choosing, and the babe makes it to a year old, I be giving away a good part of me fortune to her. Not ye, but to her. And you'll be having primary control of the trust once ye be clean for five years. Meaning I can only put the money in. Not take it out. Its all already set up, papers and all." Finally, he settled on a nature show before sitting back down, scooting the chair closer to her, but making no other physical move towards the harpy.
"Ye don't trust me. Ye have the right of be that way, and I'd call ye stupid if ye did put any ounce of belief in me before this. Or after. But this moment alone is the only time I ever been, or will be, honest with ye. Its foul really, I hate honesty and made it me life's work to always resist it. But I be owing ye this much." He patted her wing, not lingering, and very gentle. "And if ye be wondering, the guard ye mauled will make it. Lots of surgery, but me men have a helluva medical package. Told his family he be protecting ye from a pack of dogs."
"Ye don't trust me. Ye have the right of be that way, and I'd call ye stupid if ye did put any ounce of belief in me before this. Or after. But this moment alone is the only time I ever been, or will be, honest with ye. Its foul really, I hate honesty and made it me life's work to always resist it. But I be owing ye this much." He patted her wing, not lingering, and very gentle. "And if ye be wondering, the guard ye mauled will make it. Lots of surgery, but me men have a helluva medical package. Told his family he be protecting ye from a pack of dogs."
Beibhinn shrunk back from him slightly, her mind still buzzing away at her. She wished she'd had a mind that could pick apart his ploys, his trick, and his traps. She wanted desperately to be able to know what his intentions really were, at any moment. She could never keep up, though. Every time she ever thought she'd gotten ahead of him, she'd been wrong. Her defenses were wearing thin again...and she was too tired to fight.
"It doesn't matter...Mr. Fortuna. It doesn't matter if tell the truth or if you lie to me...Either way, you end up in control, don't you?" She let out a haggard sigh as she curled up on the bed, her head tilted into the pillow at an angle so she could watch the television. Nature shows were her weakness...since she'd never step foot out of the constructed landscape of Wing City. "Just...tell him I'm sorry...as if it means anything."
"It doesn't matter...Mr. Fortuna. It doesn't matter if tell the truth or if you lie to me...Either way, you end up in control, don't you?" She let out a haggard sigh as she curled up on the bed, her head tilted into the pillow at an angle so she could watch the television. Nature shows were her weakness...since she'd never step foot out of the constructed landscape of Wing City. "Just...tell him I'm sorry...as if it means anything."
"No. I not be in control after the babe turns...five, if ye stay clean. The only way I remain in control this time is if you let me." He got close to her, though thankfully not touching her this time. "You have a chance to take control away from me, Beib. Will ye take it?" It wasn't so much a question as a demand. He wanted her to win, because he wanted to be proud of her again. It was the selfish side of this deal. Her success would ease his own sense of guilt, one of few he'd ever had, few enough to count on his fingers. Even the murder of his own parents and the sacking of his home island had never crossed his mind as anything other than plunder, but this Beib failing on him, two in a row, was unacceptable.
"And ye can tell him yeself. I tried to stop him from coming home til ye got better, and I tried me best to make sure he didn't come home at all, not now, but he's determined, and I respect him enough as me own family to let him do this. Ye will meet, but if he upsets ye, the guards will remove him."
On the television, a large hawk was shown taking a dove unaware from the air, its face sticky with blood and plumage. Check mate.
"And ye can tell him yeself. I tried to stop him from coming home til ye got better, and I tried me best to make sure he didn't come home at all, not now, but he's determined, and I respect him enough as me own family to let him do this. Ye will meet, but if he upsets ye, the guards will remove him."
On the television, a large hawk was shown taking a dove unaware from the air, its face sticky with blood and plumage. Check mate.
Beibhinn didn't respond to him at first, she knew it wasn't something he wanted a simple verbal answer to. He expected her to do something about it, to take on the challenge. She fidgeted slightly under his scrutiny, but kept her eyes stuck to the television screen as much as she could manage. She sighed softly as a talon sunk into the mattress, expressing her apprehension for the moment to come.
"I'm tired, Mr. Fortuna." Her voice was soft, innocent, almost the same tone she'd once used constantly when she was just three years younger.
"I'm tired, Mr. Fortuna." Her voice was soft, innocent, almost the same tone she'd once used constantly when she was just three years younger.
"Then, in that case, I be takin' me leave. I spent more time down here than I meant to anyway." He stood, adjusting his three piece suit with a deft hand, placing the remote on her bed. "Let me know ye thoughts on the subject later. I have a few board meetings today, so I be out of the house til after dinner. It be good to have ye home and safe, Beibhinn. I have missed ye laughter, rare as it was." He felt himself pat her plume, the way they had when they'd both first met, back when it was all a clean slate.
"Get some rest for ye and the little one. Page the nurses if anything is wrong, and if ye need it, here." Luci pulled a small, out-dated flip phone from his pocket, sitting it on her night stand. "It has me own number, personal and offices, and ye can add a few of yer owns later on if ye wish. Holds up to five, not counting mine, and ye can't delete me own either." And once more, he left her. This time the door did not lock behind him.
"Get some rest for ye and the little one. Page the nurses if anything is wrong, and if ye need it, here." Luci pulled a small, out-dated flip phone from his pocket, sitting it on her night stand. "It has me own number, personal and offices, and ye can add a few of yer owns later on if ye wish. Holds up to five, not counting mine, and ye can't delete me own either." And once more, he left her. This time the door did not lock behind him.
Beibhinn sat quietly for a long while, as the broken clock ticked yet didn't move. Her eyes glued to the screen before she finally clicked it off and set the remote onto the night stand next to the phone. Her taloned hand drifted down to her midsection as her eyes filled with tears again. "I'm sorry..." she whispered. "I don't know what to do anymore..." She bit her lip and slowly shook her head. "Actually, I never really have...have I? You've a mess for...a momma..." She pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep. Dreams could still be her escape...
Small shadows danced across the cream-y colored marble floor as leaves fell slowly from the trees outside the large bedroom. Beibhinn sat silently, curled up into the window seat with a soft throw blanket as she simply watched little birds flit about on their way through the city in their migration. One talon anxiously rubbed at the gold gilded fixings of the seat and the other lay limply on her now-slightly-swollen stomach under the covers. She fidgeted and bite at her lip, the mohawk at the back of her head raising and lowering and she fought a mental battle with herself. She was desperate to leave. More than desperate, she neededto leave...but she couldn't, not for fear of harm for what grew inside her...She was still in her first trimester, still in danger. The natural anxieties of motherhood were twisted up with her withdrawal and she was in a constant emotional flux. For the moment...she was simply tired and hungry.
She motioned to one of the maids who kept near her almost constantly and made a request for more food. Whatever healthy foods the chef could prepare. She tried to make it a kind request, but her voiced came out strained and irritable. The maid turned on the radio to soft, soothing music that Beibhinn usually listened to before hurrying out the large, gold ornamented door. Beibhinn simply curled up into herself again, trying to bury herself and her worries under the throw.
She motioned to one of the maids who kept near her almost constantly and made a request for more food. Whatever healthy foods the chef could prepare. She tried to make it a kind request, but her voiced came out strained and irritable. The maid turned on the radio to soft, soothing music that Beibhinn usually listened to before hurrying out the large, gold ornamented door. Beibhinn simply curled up into herself again, trying to bury herself and her worries under the throw.
There was a knock at the door, and then without an answer, a tall, rail thin, white haired woman who seemed impossibly old came in the door. Dressed in a purple three piece suit, she seemed the stereotype of a modern business woman who never started to build a nest of her own. She looked the harpy up and down, and then in a crisp voice that seemed far too young for her elderly frame. "You're looking well, Ms. Fortuna. Or would you rather have me call you Beibhinn, as I understand you have some...complications...with my employer." It wasn't so much a question as an assumption.
"I'm here to make sure you're being taken care of. Medical check ups, birthing classes, things of that nature. I'll be your personal assistant, and your...rehab coach." She paused to let it sink in. "You can't dismiss...fire...me, but you can send me away for a period of up to twenty four hours. Otherwise, I am at your beck and call. Also, Mr. Fortuna hopes you have settled in well." She stood there, towering and frosty. Something about the way she stood made it obvious this wasn't her normal job, or even close to it.
"I'm here to make sure you're being taken care of. Medical check ups, birthing classes, things of that nature. I'll be your personal assistant, and your...rehab coach." She paused to let it sink in. "You can't dismiss...fire...me, but you can send me away for a period of up to twenty four hours. Otherwise, I am at your beck and call. Also, Mr. Fortuna hopes you have settled in well." She stood there, towering and frosty. Something about the way she stood made it obvious this wasn't her normal job, or even close to it.
Beibhinn didn't turn at first, as she was expecting the maid to come back with her meal. However, when the sharp voice of a stranger reached her ears, she jumped a little and fixed the woman with a suspicious glare through tired, baggy eyes. "If Mr. Fortuna wishes to express such sentiments, he should do it to my face." She swallowed her irritation and turned her face partially away from the woman, trying to get her emotions back in check. "Fine...but do you know anything about harpy physi...psy...anatomy?" She hadn't had real, formal education, but she still tried to fish around for more accurate terminology. This attempt left her biting at her tongue in frustration.
As her previous adopted mother had once told her, their species were practically extinct. Doctors, nutritionists, even something as simple as masseuses who understood enough about harpies to do an adequate job were far and few between. She'd grown distrustful of some of her trainers, who treated her like a common bird or even a human and yielded poor results in their work. This made her no more comfortable than those situations. Her claws clacked at the gilded window seat as she grew more paranoid of the woman's help or -- as Beibhinn saw it -- hindrance.
As her previous adopted mother had once told her, their species were practically extinct. Doctors, nutritionists, even something as simple as masseuses who understood enough about harpies to do an adequate job were far and few between. She'd grown distrustful of some of her trainers, who treated her like a common bird or even a human and yielded poor results in their work. This made her no more comfortable than those situations. Her claws clacked at the gilded window seat as she grew more paranoid of the woman's help or -- as Beibhinn saw it -- hindrance.
"Physiology? Plenty enough to make sure your doctors, when the time comes, do not botch anything up." The woman stiffened her shoulders, adjusting her posture. "As for your adoptive father, he was indisposed today. He's overseeing a rather high stakes race at the track today. He had wished to invite you but I advised against it." She then reached into her pocket and began to fiddle with some form of tablet. "You are starting your prenatal vitamins tomorrow, and yes, they're meant for harpies. Mr. Fortuna had them flown in from some country on the other side of Terra. Very expensive." A pause as the woman looked her over with sharp, piercing, cold eyes the color of dirty ice.
"Its all for the good of your child, and yourself, of course. Which is Mr. Fortuna's prime concern. Also, he wanted me to ask if you if you'd like to pick out a set of clothes of your choice, for the dinner tomorrow night. Mr. Fortuna's son arrives at 5:00pm sharp, and if you'd like to show yourself, Lucifer would prefer for you to look your best, but he leaves the decision up to you."
"Its all for the good of your child, and yourself, of course. Which is Mr. Fortuna's prime concern. Also, he wanted me to ask if you if you'd like to pick out a set of clothes of your choice, for the dinner tomorrow night. Mr. Fortuna's son arrives at 5:00pm sharp, and if you'd like to show yourself, Lucifer would prefer for you to look your best, but he leaves the decision up to you."