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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 12:42:47 GMT -5
The phone had woken her up this morning. After only about an hour and a half of sleep. Sure, she usually only got about 2...maybe 3 hours total on any given night, but those extra hours were much needed.
Reaching over she had answered, only to hear the voice of one of her cousin's on the other end. The news, not the best in the world. They had decided, due to the fact that Astrid was not carrying through as a fighter like they had hoped, that it was time for them to initiate the other option. Long ago they had decided upon a boy for her to be with, a good strong boy who was from a well known family and lineage. Just the type of male she was meant to be with.
He would be arriving in two days time, already having been given her phone number, address and other contact information. It was a short conversation, but it had been enough to settle a heavy lump in her throat. She had not even been able to respond other than a simple "ok".....
Hanging up the phone she had laid in bed for a while, mind wandering over the news she had just received and tears sliding down her face.
She did not want this. She hated this. She wanted something more than what her family had in mind for her, yet the obligation she felt toward them kept her from protesting.
Suddenly her chest began to grow tighter, the walls of the room seeming to close in on her as she sat up, struggling to breath....That panic attack not something typical to her daylight hours, but now threatening to cripple her.
Jumping up she threw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of sneakers.....Brushing out her hair quickly. She had to get out of here, now......Grabbing her key and stuffing it into the bandanna around her wrist.... and heading out the door.
There was only one place she would go, the only place where nobody could find her.......That spot in the woods she had taken Guy and Jammys to. Sure they knew, but other than that, nobody else did.....She could be alone....Think.....Escape the problem now weighing down on her.......
Finally she would reach the spot, taking a seat by the water's edge and folding her knees to her chest, her face burying against them as she hugged herself close.....Those tears once more flowing freely......She was alone.....Safe to be free with those emotions she kept locked up for so long.
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 13:00:57 GMT -5
Guy's morning had been rather a different sort, waking up with his hand in a bucket of warm water and his sheets soiled he sprung up looking around for the culprit until he saw red glaring back with an evident grin. The feeble response was a shy little shrug. Against that neo-nazi Guy would end up getting shanked so it was best to keep his head down.
"Hey....got an extra pair of pants?" Guy would respond with something of an arrogant noise.
"Psh I'm not loaning out pants to a bed wetter." The bustles of laughter all around him as Guy skulked off the the bathroom to derobe and manage to use a towel as a kilt.
A hiss would be heard near to door to which Guy would approach, at the door were a pair of ratty torn jeans with momma's call sign enscripted on them.
Guy wanted out so he took off to the place in the forest he could hide away and just relax and enjoy himself little did he know Astrid had the same anticipation.
"Hey Home Slice whats up?" He'd speak out breaking the silence.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 13:10:33 GMT -5
That voice drew her out of current state, her head instinctively looking up to spot Guy there before she realized she still had those tears rolling down her cheeks.
Quickly she turned away, wiping her eyes and trying to come off as her normal, calm, collected self.
"Oh hey there Hot Stuff.....What you doin' here?"
Finally managing to get herself under control, somewhat, she turend back to look at him. That forced little smile on her lips as she settled her arms about her knees once more.
She had not really expected him to show up here, and though a part of her was happy to see him, perhaps more happy than she should have been....The part of her that liked to try and stay hidden and locked away from the world was embarrassed.
Breathing out a light sigh she would again turn away, knowing her eyes probably betrayed her, and instead choosing to look out upon the water.
"Bad morning?"
She was guessing there, but she really did not think he would be here at this time of day if things were going super fine for him. Biting her lower lip she then fell silent. Just trying to put up those now weakened barriers around herself.
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 13:28:18 GMT -5
Guy smiled innocently coming out from behind the thickly woven trees peering out innocently so as he skipped onto the field.
"Oh hey there Hot Stuff.....What you doin' here?"
He grinned wildly never having been called by such a name in his wildest dreams. He managed however to skip his way across the foray and plopping his way right beside Astrid looping a hand around her shoulders nudging her slightly to perhaps get rid of that frown.
"Bad morning?"
Guy looked back at her lightly before shifting his eyes to the water side. "Certainly not as yours I can imagine....just sort of.... sprung a leak..."
He'd smile widely downplaying his own morning with the punny joke.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 13:34:46 GMT -5
She felt that arm slip around her shoulder and would laugh just slightly as she shook her head.
"Then we have something in common."
That hand coming up to wipe away a few more tears that lingered on her lashes, drawing in a soft breath as she sniffled ever so lightly. Clearly having sprung her own kind of leak. Finally she would just let her head come to rest on his shoulder. No reason other than in her head it was completely normal and she could use it right about now.
"Kids bugging you again at home?"
She sighed, feeling the wind brush lightly over her flesh as she continued to stare out at the water, not really wanting to think about her problems, trying to lock them away, but finding it so hard. Instead finally giving up and speaking up softly.
"I ever tell you about my family?"
Yeah okay so that was an odd question but then he was her best friend, if she could not talk to him then who the hell could she talk to. Though the likelihood of her actually spilling forth the truth about today was not likely but you never knew.
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 13:43:53 GMT -5
"Then we have something in common."
Guy wasn't always the attentive sort but he could feel that something was wrong, it was hard to miss under a situation like this. Then again Guy wasn't prone to draw attention to Astrid's poor feelings. Not unless she brought it up.
"Kids bugging you again at home?"
"Mmmm its kinda common in a place like that." Guy would shrug as though it were nothing, because quite honestly things could've been worse and most often were.
"I ever tell you about my family?"
Guy's attention jerked up quickly acknowledging her question with his own raise brow, now that she was asking he was curious. Unless of course it was intended to be sort of a speculative gesture.
"No? Why you bring it up?"
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 13:51:42 GMT -5
She thought over the reason behind her bringing it up and decided it was simply because she wanted to tell somebody. She was so sick of holding it all in all the time and then trying to suck it up for everyone else. Be nice and smile while you die inside. Had been her unofficial motto in life over the past two years.
"This band?...It was my Dad's. He was blind and had horrible scars on his eyes. He wore this to hide it. They called him the Demon Eye'd ...... He was a great warrior within our clan...."
She felt the pain flood her, stifling back a whimper as she closed her eyes, fingers rubbing over the band like she so very often did. Trying to calm herself down......
"My Mother, she was beautiful. I remember the way my Dad would speak to her, the way he seemed to always see her even without his eyes. She taught me how to be a lady, how to dress, how to act....I loved them so much...."
She cut off, trying to stamp down the pain in her chest as she continued to press her small fingers into the band on her wrist, swallowing hard as she took a moment to collect herself. He knew they had died....He just did not know how......Now it was a matter of gathering the strength to speak of such that was the hard part. Especially since her account of that night had not once left her lips. Not in detail....Only vague memories she was willing to let forth....
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 13:59:19 GMT -5
Guy's smile died a little at the speak of family, the closest family he'd ever had was the home. His original family had left him alone to die in the wilderness, or at least thats how he viewed it now the reality being he ran away taking action into his own hands something a bit different from what most dependent children are capable of. Nonetheless Guy listened hearing about her mother and father only knowing so much as to stay silent.
"Mmmmhmm...."
Still rather quiet as his hand wrapped around her shoulder moved up to massage her neck lightly touching the kneads that were often tightly wound when one was rather down. He wasn't a master at such artful displays of calming, so he had to handle this situation how he knew best which often got him in more trouble than what it was worth.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 14:08:09 GMT -5
She heard his slight sound of acknowledgment and would take that as a sign that it was fine if she continued on...A deep breath taken as she closed her eyes tightly and thought back to that night....Her form visibly tensing up.
"I was sleeping that night. They came in, grabbed me...I screamed for my Dad...but they were too big, and I could not get away."
His hand touched upon the back of her neck and instinctively she pressed into him slightly. Feeling a bit more at ease as he rubbed at her neck....Another deep breath drawn in....
"They took me outside.....The whole Katashi Clan of enforcer's was there......They had my Mom, my Dad beaten and thrown to his knees....They threw me down....I....I tried to get to them...I...really did...."
Once more the tears started to flow, her hug on her knees growing tighter until she felt as though she could not breath....
"They cut her throat, right there.....I watched her die.....I screamed and my Dad tried to fight them, but...they were too strong, and there were too many......He...He died in my arms....I still wake up at night, thinking I am covered in his blood..."
Hence the television ALWAYS being on, hence the little sleep she managed......She was terrified of the night......She stopped there, trying not to cry, trying not to build up her strength....Holding to that band on her wrist for dear life and focusing on his touch to keep her panic attack away........
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 14:18:18 GMT -5
As if it were a nightmare he listened in silence to Astrid's recollection of her parent's murders. How horrible it must have been to see such terrors Guy couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams such things were possible. Thats when the name struck a bell. Katashi? Any relation to their school captain Kevala Katashi? The sudden fearful thought that he was working under the impromptu servitude of someone responsible for the death's of his best friend's family. He'd take in a few unsteady breaths still in complete silence unsure where to break in. What Guy was known for is ruining situations not helping so now what was necessary was a doting ear.
"Go on...."
He'd suggest with light sentiment not wanting to prod as Atrid leaned into him; Guy's hand traveling into her hair massaging now at the back of her scalp getting his fingers tangled up in her hair. It was an odd feeling he got in his chest, a subtle pain that stabbed at him lightly when he saw her frown now something that made him want to make her smile the begging at the back of his head to crack a joke but there was nothing funny here to be told.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 14:27:29 GMT -5
Those words that escaped him were enough of a push to get the rest out. A shakey breath taken, all the while continuing to rest her head on his shoulder, biting her lip nervously for a moment.
"I...I lost it....My Qi exploded and....everything...it just fell apart....The great wall surrounding our home collapsed and pinned me. It broke my leg, I dont remember much after that....Not until I woke up in the Temple."
Hands fidgetting now as she absent mindedly nuzzled into his shoulder, feeling a bit more comfortable now as she leaned there against him.
"The Council said that they wanted me to become a fighter....for the clan.....When all I had ever known was to be...a ...girl.....I tried, for two years I trained with my Uncle, until his death....I just....I can't....Now, they....they want me...."
She shifted slightly, hiding her face against him as she tried to force it out. Tried to admit the one thing that was driving her insane.....
"They are sending somebody here.....For me..."
It was not the clearest form of an explanation but it was the best she could manage at the moment. Once more resuming in that bite upon her lower lip, though not so much from nervousness but instead the pain that was consuming her right now.
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 14:36:03 GMT -5
The tale itself was to disproportionate to be true, a lone person taking on a clan of warriors at such a young age. No doubt there was some hidden strength withing Astrid that kept her strong, that made her different from the rest of people that resided about. Guy managed to wince at the thought of such warriors going to such lengths to harm her. Until he knew she'd been trained by her uncle, hopefully he was stronger than her father.
"They are sending somebody here.....For me..."
Guy would pounce up his legs wide in a fighting stance with his arms flexed at his sides showing off an aggressive battle stance prepared to go into a war zone.
"Well what are we waiting for we can take them out, you're probably the strongest person I know and I won't hold you back together we can take 'em easy."
Guy flashed in a flurry of excitement and boyish dreams. He had no idea exactly what she was talking about but figured the Katashi's wanted to finish the job they started.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 14:45:55 GMT -5
She jumped back slightly as he jumped up, her eyes looking up at him as she listened to him speak. Slowly she crawled to her feet, standing before him. It did something to her, inside, to see him so ready to fight against somebody for her.....It was, something she could not really define.....
Shaking her head, she bit her lower lip softly and reached out, fingers brushing against his cheek but for a moment before she caught herself and pulled her hand back.
What the hell was wrong with her?
Must be all the emotional shit she was going through. It had to be affecting her brain in some way. It was the only thing that made any sense at all.
"No....It is not that....I....was promised to somebody when I was younger, much younger.....I had thought that they would not force this upon me, but due to my failure they have...."
She lowered her head slightly and wrapped her arms about herself, turning to face the water once more with a little sigh escaping upon the air......
"He is to be my .........boyfriend...."
Gah, even the thought of it, the mention of that word made her stomach turn. It was not that she did not want a boyfriend, it was just that, well this was forced on her. He was a fighter, a jock, just like all those guys she hated to be around. Nothing in their blood but the desire to destroy things and hurt others. To prove they were the best.
Here she was, a girl who had never so much as kissed a boy, being thrust into a relationship her clan fully expected to end in marriage and children.....How was she supposed to do this? How could she manage to draw enough strength to fulfill her duty?
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Post by Guy Nottingham on Jun 11, 2010 14:54:38 GMT -5
There was something about the whole situation that wasn't hitting him just yet, a look of confusion on his face as she touched him and the retracted stating that it wasn't what he thought. What was indeed going on? His guard was still up ready for some fist pumping and ready to deal with the threat like all the amazing badasses did but found himself looking slightly iffy.
"He is to be my .........boyfriend...."
"Oh..?"
Guy did not expect that in the slightest. His guard dropped into a sluggish stance his back hunched slightly as though the wind had been taking out of his sails and trampled on. Watching her expression turn away Guy felt himself grow sick.
"So... what do we do?"
Guy asked slightly out of confusion. What could they do about this, somewhere deep inside Guy was afraid if this wasn't solved he wouldn't get to see her smile.
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Post by Astrid Sudeki on Jun 11, 2010 15:04:42 GMT -5
She shook her head, biting her lip still as she rubbed her fingers against her arms slowly....Trying to think of what to do, trying to think of how this was going to change her life......There was nothing they could do.....She had to do this, or risk shaming her family....That above all else was something she could not do. She had been raised better than that.
"Guy......."
For some reason the thought of saying the words made her sick. Her stomach cramping in pain as she let out a breath and gripped her arms tightly....
"there is nothing we can do.......He will be here in two days....."
The realization finally setting in as she dropped like a rock to the ground, her hands supporting her from completely falling back as she shook her head.
"I wanted so much more from my life than this....I wanted......"
Her words cut off as she sighed and tried to wrangle in that strength she felt she was losing. That need to be okay and make him believe she was okay slowly building within her.
"Nevermind......I am sure it will be fine. I mean, how bad can it be? He is supposed to be some fighter or something, football player.....You know..."
He should have known how much she hated those types, but right now she was playing it off as if it were nothing. She did not like seeing him so......hell she did not even know the words....she just knew that she wanted him to be happy and silly again....Not thrown so off by her fucked up situation.......She cared about him too much for that.
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