Colored-insanity?

"Will you marry me?"

Raquelle dropped her wine glass as the words left his lips and her hand covering her mouth as she trembled... The whole room's eyes were on her - she was the one who was meant to be asked that question this evening.

Her amber eyes locked on Victor as he held the ring box out to another woman named Annalisse.  She swallowed back her tears as she knew he wanted her to make a scene. The silence finally cutting as Annalisse spoke, a coy little 'yes' leaving her lips as the room applauded. His arms around her as she watched them kiss she felt like her heart had stopped.

The voices resumed as the music faded back in; gossip filling the air as the crowd discussed the situation...Everyone knew, He was her's and she was his. He'd been courting her for a year.  She couldn't even comprehend what was happening despite trying her hardest.

"How did I miss this..." She asked under her breath as she racked her brain; tensing as Victor walked towards her suddenly as she instinctively stepped back but realizing that running was just as bad as screaming...She wanted to leave.

"Raquelle..." Victor's voice sounded so sweet despite the cold look that now rested in his eyes. Her own were unable to look at him for more than a moment as she lowered her head, muttering. "Congratulations, Lord Victor..."  She saw his lips twitch into a slight smirk as his finger rested under her chin; making her look up at him. "You're nothing but a whore who managed to get adopted into a good family."

It was the final cut as he announced her biggest secret to the room of nobles and upperclassmen.   A secret that made her completely undesirable as she stepped back slowly; pushing his hand away gently and carefully as she kept walking back; stumbling a little on her dress and heels before lifting it and quickly walking to the exit as tears began to finally fall; her breathing erratic as she crumpled to the ground, covering her face.  

"...Miss, You need to leave the premises." The guard was soft; his eyes gentle despite his stern stance.  She didn't remember how long she'd been there; her gloved hands wiping her tears and makeup; destroying them both as she weakly lifted herself upright; her dress soaked with mud from where she fell... Her heart aching as she dully looked up; her carriage had arrived... ---

"You have to leave..." Her adoptive mother stood in the doorway; a saddened look in her face as she folded her arms.  She'd explained what had happened to her the night before - she'd arrived home so late that they were concerned; they'd find out soon as gossip would spread like wildfire.

"What..?" She looked from the window in confusion. "I'm sorry, Raquelle... We'll give you money. I have a distant cousin who said he'll take you in..." She walked closer; reaching out and taking her hands. "This rumor is already ruining our reputation; our business... Darling, I'm sorry. I can't allow this to destroy us..." She seemed genuinely remorseful but it didn't matter right now...

"Y-you can't do this to me..Please, Mother..." She felt her voice crack as her chest tightened; was her heart even still there? She couldn't feel it...

---

The moonlight darted across her skin as she sat by her window; staring at the town below... She felt so empty; she reached up as she gently touched her cheeks as she realized she'd stopped crying and she felt like she couldn't anymore...  It'd be two more weeks before she'd be 'shipped' off to her uncle's estate.  She'd gone out briefly to buy a few books but the ridicule was cruel as everyone had found the dirt from her past... A silly little teenage girl on the streets; She'd done what she had to... It was pure chance during a cold night in the rain that a nobleman found her on his steps as she'd wandered in nothing but a nightdress.  Her parents were kind; too kind. She was hurt they were sending her off but she knew they'd sacrificed enough for her as they'd lied through there teeth to convince society she was a blood relative to assure her a better life but now that was gone... They were humiliated, Guilt resting in her stomach... She trusted Victor more than anyone in the world but he'd always been lying to her and now it seemed so clear...

The woman he'd proposed to was far more important with ties to royalty and religious figures in the new kingdom...He'd started courting her the moment they'd cross paths but just in case she was taken he kept Raquelle as a backup plan; nothing more.  He didn't care for her as much as he didn't care for Annalisse. He cared for status and money...

The knock at her door jumped her ever so slightly, it was light and gentle. She was surprised... it was late. She struggled to find a voice with her dry throat. "come in.." She croaked as the servant stuck her head in. "I'm sorry to bother you, miss... I saw your room was still lit so I thought you may be awake." She stepped closer; holding out a sealed envelope. She knew the symbol was Victor's on the seal as she nodded. "Thank you, It's not a problem... In fact - if it's not a bother would you kindly get me some tea?" She asked softly and the maid nodded. "Of course, Miss."

Raquelle held her breath before undoing the wax seal gently and unfolding the letter before beginning to read it... Her fingers ripping it in half before standing up and walking to the fireplace; burning it.

"I refuse... Victor." She bitterly growled as she watched the flames swirl and something in her broke as her eyes rested on the antique mask on her fireplace.

---

The screams didn't phase her as she swung the garden scythe; slashing the man's head clean from his body and watching it tumble to the floor before marching through the hallways toward the next one, twisting it and stabbing it into the chest of a guard running up behind her.  She wore all black; the skeletal mask and the scythe; she was dead and had her target... She couldn't get into the mansion to kill Victor but she could destroy him - by attacking the only thing he cared for. His money... She wouldn't kill the innocence unless they got in her way - but the corrupted upper class who were all within this tangled web were her targets...  

She'd lost track in her haze until the guardsmen finally caught her; dragging her off. "45 men and 2 women... " She remembered them saying it in disbelief - The blur of everything barely phased her. She heard the shouting and the panic and was dragged by the guards but it all seemed; detached. It was the saddened eyes of her father that snapped her back to earth if only for a moment - She was about to be hanged.  "May I have a last word?" She asked calmly; glancing down briefly and noting the blood on her dress and hands before looking back at the man who was to hang her who looked terrified. "Monster..." He spat before nodding.

Raquelle paused for a moment as she turned back and the guards calmed the crowd somewhat.  "I would just like you all to know that the Rosen's didn't know about any of this... They didn't know I was a prostitute or a thief... I lied to them. I convinced them I was a blood relative; they adopted me. Please; Do not hold this against them. Their kindness was misguided." It was a lie; She saw the faint saddened smile on her father's lips briefly before she was dragged back and the noose fell around her neck and tightened a little.

She closed her eyes - awaiting death. It never came... She felt the boards fall from under her and the noose tighten entirely. Her neck should've broken but it didn't and although she couldn't breathe and felt the distress her body didn't cease even as more time passed; it became almost 15 minutes and nothing changed. The crowd screaming in confusion and fear.  They didn't know what to do...

"Is she a demon!?" "She must be a witch!" "Orange eyes! Orange eyes!"    

The sound of a blade pulled her attention; it sliced through the rope and as she hit the rocky ground she felt it suddenly stab her - she'd never really been injured before - the blade cracking as it hit her skin; shattering the tip. Her skin barely marked...

Her eyes glazed over as the crowd began to try to kill her; rocks smashed against her; boots stomped her and at one point someone dragged her to water; pushing her head over... She learned she really didn't have to breathe. She felt pain but it didn't leave wounds.

The fear fueled the fire to be built; She was tied to the post but she hadn't fought or moved... The flames alighting and her skin hurt; she burned. But it didn't show. She felt the pain but that was it.  Nothing worked - Nothing at all...

---

The church bells awoke her - she didn't recall passing out... The chains were heavy on her tired arms and legs as she looked at the woman standing beside her; Her eyes widening a little as she recognized the woman vaguely. "A-aren't you the saint?" The woman hardly was ever seen but when she would walk through the kingdom she was praised. A woman that was claimed to be sent from the heavens... She was beautiful.  Her silver eyes resting on her for a moment. "I'm sorry..." She stated softly before she began to leave.

She didn't understand... At least not until the pain of the ritual took hold of her; the scythe she'd killed with fusing into her, the dark magic energy causing the church to warp and the windows to shatter.

Matt + Valentina. ---

The rain tapped against the windows; echoing in the quiet apartment. Matt raised a hand to his face and rubbed his eyes a little bit as he looked at his room lit by the street lights; it was odd. He usually never made it to bed... His mind wandering for a moment before the taste of stale beer on his lips with a strawberry after hint he couldn't explain ,right. Vain and Jenna threw a party for something...engagement? He was fairly sure that was it.  He wasn't particularly sick but did feel a faint headache lingering. He tried to remember what happened after the third or fourth beer; it was a blur. He mostly remembered dancing with Valentina...

"Valentina.." He mumbled as he found some concern past through his mind as he began to slowly sit up a little; the weight slipping off his chest and his arms instinctively catching it as he felt her breath against his bare skin as he became more and more aware...

Valentina stirred a little bit; yawning a little. Her soft hands holding onto his arm a little as her other one shifted to rub her eyes... She looked up at him; catching his eyes in the dimly lit room and the two of them slowly recalling earlier that evening... She'd driven him home since she was worried; She got him upstairs and was trying to get him settled into bed; he vaguely recalled wanting to work but her talking him into laying down with her for a moment...  And one kiss turned to two, One touch turned to several...

He parted his lips to try to find words but for once his tongue was completely tied;  He carefully held onto her as gently as he could as if she was made of porcelain... If anyone knew her history it was him and he felt a mixture of guilt and concern.  He moved and flicked on the table lamp so he could see her better; The two of them wrapped up in the blanket; A tired gaze and a soft blush on her face as she looked up at him.

"Val I -  " He tried to speak again as his dry throat tightened but in a brief moment his fears were dismissed as her lips gently pecked his and she smiled faintly and her cheeks burned brighter as she spoke. "I - I didn't know...it could be like that."  She whispered softly; for him only to hear as she cuddled against him.

"Watch where you're going!" The girl snapped she'd walked into with fury in her eyes as she turned with her fist raised only to pause; The two staring at each other in silence. Piper had tensed up and her warm hazel eyes widened; Bruises already covering one side of her face and neck - The taller girl lowering her fist and parting her lips to speak but Piper shook her head quickly. "I-I'm sorry - I -  I  " She nervously began to walk away, trembling.

--

"Come on, Cupcake." Wes grinned with a wicked smile as he glanced over his shoulders at Piper; His hand clutching her wrist as they walked; it hurt. She didn't say anything though... She bit her lip a little as they walked down into the abandoned subway. She knew this was one of the few locations that the 'fight clubs' met up at and although he was supposedly banned he still managed to get into a few of them, forcefully.  She hated the violence but at the same time at least it wasn't directed at her.

As expected there was a crowd in a quazi-circle around a man and a woman throwing punches; despite there intensity they seemed almost like they were having fun - as weird as it seemed to her. The blonde ducking several punches before hitting the dark haired man in the jaw; he grimaced before grabbing her arms; kneeing her in the stomach.  

The back and forth continued until time was called; declaring it a tie. Wes's grip tightening as he dragged her to the front of the crowd and let go; glancing at her. "Don't move...And don't you dare talk to anyone." He spit the words at her and she nodded a little, hugging her stomach a little.  Her head falling as he walked away and she heard him starting to argue with someone...  

"..Hey." She didn't look up until a few fingers brushed her arm, Piper's head lifting a little as she looked past the hair in her face. She looked even worse then she had yesterday; her lip busted and her sweater hung down just enough that scars from his fingernails were evident on her chest.   She tensed as she saw it was the girl she'd walked into the other day.

"I-I'm sorry - I - I  - " She stuttered and stumbled to find words, shaking a little. The taller girl calmer than she'd been the other day at least towards her as she tucked a couple strands of Piper's hair over her shoulder and eye'd the scratches, they weren't simply just something from the heat of passion - it was deliberate to rip that much skin in one go.

Nimue sighed as she tossed the towel over the chair before stretching her arms above her bed and leaning back a little and taking in a deep breath before her workout but as Levi's hands rested on her shoulders she instantly tensed and moved; His own reaction to grab her wrist the only thing saving him from getting punched in the face.  The look in her eyes wasn't normal; it was fear that quickly she buried away as she swallowed and stepped back. "You should know better!" She shouted a little and her tone waivering.

"Sorry, Nims~" He chimed as he patted her hand a little before letting go of it. "Didn't realize you were, that, uptight."  He raised his hands in a comedic fashion but she simply frowned. "W-why are you here anyways..?" She asked as she walked towards the boxing bag.   "I workout to you know~" He chimed after her as he stretched his arm a little and moved; taking a hold of the bag for her and she paused for a moment as she looked at him before throwing a few punches at it; At first she was light but he steadied himself as whatever bothered her seemed to fill each punch; He was kind've glad he managed to catch her now...

"Get up." The voice was cold as the door slammed; waking her. The man in the doorway was older and dressed in a dirty shirt and worn jeans. "Get up and get yourself cleaned up!" He repeated as she looked at him in wide eye'd confusion. She presumed this must be her grandfather...She hadn't actually met him since he hadn't been there when her parents first arrived.  She tiredly got up and did just as told; confused and a bit off since she didn't understand why he was so angry at her.

She realized quickly he wasn't just angry at her but hated her; he yelled at her from morning to night as he put her to work cleaning the house; She was to young to do half the things but he still insisted on it even though she clearly was struggling. Cuts and bruises on her hands and knees by sundown.

Seven. ------- She lifted herself up onto a chair cautiously as she washed the windows; She'd lived here long enough to know the drill and was up at sunrise to clean. She knew he was angrier than usual this week. She blamed the pills and liquor that laid all over the coffee table ; the only thing he never let her clean despite the pile of cigarette buts and dirt all over it.  In fact she never was even let into the living room where he had his friends visit often. She heard bits that although weren't solid she knew what it implied. They talked of drugs and murder, stealing.  Things that were illegal.

He'd been pacing in there for and hour before she flinched hearing something thrown across the room before his heavy work boots stomped through the hallway to the kitchen where she stood on the chair, It was so fast but the next thing she knew he'd kicked the chair out from under her and she'd hit the floor; smacking her head off the table.  His steel toed boot kicking her several times as he screamed at her. She didn't even understand as she instinctively curled into a ball and cried.

"Worthless little bitch! Get up! Stop being a coward!"   She tried but couldn't as it hurt to much... She felt his fingers on her head only for them to tighten around her hair; dragging her across the floor to her room where she was thrown right through the door and hit the floor again before the door slammed shut.  "Stay in there and lick your wounds! Don't you dare fucking come out of there!"

Twelve. ------------

"Get up." He snarled; The farm work was hard enough but getting hit over and over during the day didn't make it any easier.  She took in a rough breath as she pulled herself back up using the shovel to brace herself as he spat at her. "Tryin' to learn to speak all fancy now?" He asked; It'd been why he hit her. She'd been practicing her vocabulary and writing more often; It was her escape. She didn't want to be anything like him.

He moved to hit her again but instincts kicked in as she twisted the shovel; Slamming it into his stomach. "Get away from me." She spat back at him as she struggled to catch her breath.  He simply grinned as he came at her again; She got another blow in with the shovel but once he disarmed her she got it back tenfold; deep cuts and bruises coating her skin.

Fourteen. --------------

She tiredly opened her eyes as she heard her door slam open in the middle of the night, tensing up as she sat up and reached for the lamp but the overhead was turned on first; She flinched for a moment as her eyes focused on the man beside her grandfather. A drunken evil smirk on his lips. "Fight." He pressed the bottle to his lips as he shut the door leaving the other man with her... She didn't process what was going on until the man pinned her down.

She fought back; She won but only by taking the man's life with a knife she kept hidden under her mattress. His blood all over her by the time she was done as she poured her aggression out onto this creep and her heavy eyes began to weep as she breathed roughly.   She didn't want to step out of her room but she couldn't stand there anymore; walking out to the kitchen and tossing the bloody knife in the sink and scrubbing her hands.  Her eyes widening as his hand fell onto her shoulder and he simply laughed... "I knew you'd stolen a knife, Kiddo." He smiled for the first time - He patted her back. "I'll take him out back. Get a shovel." He said calmly like it was another animal on the farm but he seemed so - happy. It made her stomach turn.  

She knew she couldn't tell anybody about the grave they dug. She buried the memory in it as well.

Sixteen. ---------------- Since she'd killed him the attitude changed; the beatings changed. He'd hit her occasionally but it wasn't as ruthless. She was allowed in the living room while his friends were around and as they planned there activities for the week...She helped. Not that she wanted to but unlike him she'd worked hard and educated herself and she understood now that to survive she had to play along.

"The royal cunt; That'd be easy." His friend said as he took a haul off his beer. "The grandson - His kid.  She'd be worth a pretty penny."  The third man in the room laughed hardly as he agreed." That bitch is always in the news - She's got some sorta sickness. She goes to doctors appointments pretty often; I always see 'em in there fancy car." Her grandfather leaned back as he tapped his foot a little bit. "We'd have to get her away from her fuckin' parents. Don't wanna shoot 'em - Who else is going to pay the ransom?" He laughed a bit before he paused and pointed his finger at Nimue; smirking. "You..." He stated with a laugh. "You could lure that little bitch outside; You're a little older than her but not by much."

That was the start of the plan; His friend was more well kept then him so he'd take Nimue to the doctor's office after she had a little incident on the farm.

The large gash on her arm stung as it bled; She held the towel on it. She was dressed in the nicest clothes she'd ever owned; a white blouse and a plaid skirt. It was part of her old school uniform. His friend in a black suit as he walked beside her with false care as he rubbed her shoulder where she sat beside the little blonde/brunette haired girl resting on her father's arm.  A few soft coughs leaving her lips as she looked over at her with a smile. The naive little girl desperate to make friends anywhere at anytime. "Hi, I'm Clarisse. - Ow, that looks like it hurts..." Her happy tone was a little deflated after seeing her arm.  Nimue smiled faintly despite the pain in her arm and nodded. "Nimue. It's not that bad, It looks worse then it is..."  The small talk was - nice. Nimue liked the girl already just from a few minutes; she was so kind.  But as her father left for a moment to take a phone call her grandfather's friend did as well and Nimue's face fell. She knew what they wanted her to do; lure her out the back.  She couldn't.  

The cries of children echo'd through the forest...  The man was to ill to care for the children and the mother unfit but the villagers had myths far and wide that the forest would take care of them. It was naive but desperation had blinded him.  The twins cried as hunger and loneliness had set in; louder and louder. The trees carrying the sound.

The young goddess walked along the pathway towards the sound her golden hair brushing against the trees making them blossom flowers from there bark, Her eyes fully blue; glowing. The sunlight seemed to shine on her no matter how thick the trees became; they parted to let it through.  Her fingers brushing against leaves as she followed the sound.

The older god walked along the pathway towards the sound as his violet hair fell into his dark grey eyes; A smile on his lips as the leaves curled up and dried and the trees bent unnaturally inwards; cracking and twisting around one another to block out the light... The crying made him laugh under his breath.

And then they paused; the basket in the patch of grass untouched by there presence, the source of the cries.  The two eying one another as the goddess finally let out a breath; soft on the breeze. "Of course the sound of suffering would bring a creature such as you to the surface."

He snorted heavily as he leaned against one of the trees that dried and cracked to his touch. "Of course." He mocked her tone as he spoke. "One of you golden children would come off your mountain for something so - pathetic. I presume you need some 'holy' excuse to make the humans erect another statue?"  

Her lips pursed as irritation ran through her. "And what exactly would you do for them?  Death?"  

"It's always like you types to assume...That'd be a waste of a perfectly mold-able soul." He smirked with a toothy grin.  

She grimaced a little but paused; Arguing would only lead to a fight and a fight would only lead to the children being within a crossfire...  Life was precious especially at this age... Anything was possible for them.  

"I presume you're not to let me take them?" She said softly as she watched him closely, cautiously. He nodded with the same toothy grin. "Where would the fun in that be?" He stated calmly yet with a edge to his words and her shoulders sagged down as she sighed. "There is two..." She felt guilt in her stomach as her words twisted and almost stuck on her tongue. His eyebrow raising with surprise. "You can count, I'm impressed." He replied quickly if only to press her buttons.

"I'm not here to fight nor argue.  I am willing however to sacrifice one." She stated softly as she lowered her head; A laugh cackling from his lips as he walked closer to the basket, crouching down as he plucked the edge of the thin fabric and slid it aside. the two twin girls cried lightly as they stirred and fussed.  His fingers sliding towards one as she reached out; grabbing his wrist. "Do you even know how to hold a child?" She raised her tone ever so slightly with concern and he shrugged. "If it's will is strong enough it'll be fine." He taunted as she hissed under her breath.

She took a breath as she took the thin fabric, tearing it into two... Her fingers gentle as she lifted the one he'd chosen, wrapping her carefully in the blanket before hesitating as she rested the child into his arms. "You have to support her..." She said as she adjusted his arm.  His eyes watching her's, smirking.  "Understood..." He said as he stood slowly, The child's cries barely phasing him. "Before I leave..." He glanced into her bright blue eyes for a moment. "What is your name..?" He asked. The question threw her off as she stared at him for a moment before looking back to the child she'd claimed as she'd copied what she'd done for the other. "Ares."  She stated as he nodded a little, turning. "Zagros."   ----

The mighty laugh she let out as she tossed the sphere was maybe a tad over the top, Olympias excelled as she'd been named after the mountain she was allowed to live upon. The goddesses her sisters and mothers and the gods her fathers and brothers. It was quite literally a village raising a child as everyone took a hand into shaping and molding this child, this spirit.   She was strong, competitive and compassionate.  The gods gifting her with there blessings and magic to grow what she already was... She'd never truly be a goddess but she'd be a champion; a protector.     She didn't look as it hit but she knew it was a bullseye on impact; she'd rarely missed.   The small crowd who'd been watching cheering was the only confirmation she needed...  Perhaps she was a bit smug but it was hard not to be as she was worshiped and praised by the gods and the humans alike.  

She leapt upon the platform that Ares, Her mother figure sat upon with a soft smile as she clapped much more delicately than everyone else... Olympias always felt like there was something off with her; a guilt she couldn't explain. She intended to sit and watch the rest of the competition but noticed a messenger who was running up the steps as she curiously found herself step towards the conversation. "This one is different -  She isn't a demon but - The chaos she's causing..." The messenger was out of breath as he tried to explain but all she needed to know was the humans were in danger.

"Olympias  - ! "  Ares called out as she'd been listening as well but it was already to late as she'd begun to race down the steps. Ares's fingers lingering in the air before she looked down. "I'm sorry..." She mumbled under her breath to the wind.

----

"This is the human realm..?" Pandora's voice was soft, quiet, meek as she stood behind her 'father' whom named her after one of the world's most darkest artifacts. She gazed with dull eyes; dark circles underneath them as she peeked past the strands of never ending violet hair her lips stained the same color... She was pale and lanky; the sun itched her skin as the warmth felt so uncomfortable to her.  She watched a display of what she'd been told how the humans wasted their time and the earth and it seemed to be true as she watched them.  There laughter and time wasted with kisses and hugs seemed pointless to her.  His fingers running along her arms as he whispered in her ear softly. "Why not go explore, Dear?" He chimed coldly.

Pandora knew what he truly meant; She'd been infused with darkness and was it's vessel. She didn't require the theatrics of the gods nor did she require a weapon. Her presence and her touch was as cursed as her namesake. Her dark dress was sheer and ragged and dragged on the ground as her bare feet walked along the path; The humans didn't understand it as there animals simply keeled over and the sunlight faded behind darkened clouds.  The strange girl stepping into there village looked so much like there champion; Olympias. Although obviously not quite. She was almost skeletal compared to her sister... Her hair practically a curtain that protected her from the sun she disliked so much. There confusion fading to panic as her lanky fingers reached out; touching a man. Darkness spreading across his veins in seconds as he dropped dead and a soft smile touched her lips. ---

Olympias saw the village; darkness loomed in the sky as she stood with feint hesitation; her instincts telling her how different this was to a regular demon. Her fingers tightening as she walked into the village and the sun kissed color left her face as she saw the bodies...  Her stomach tightening in disgust and anger; she knew some of these people... She straightened and kept walking to find the source and as she rounded a corner she saw the lanky figure; a heap of violet hair and a skinny pale arm that lingered in the air above a woman. "Why are you like that..?" Pandora chimed with curiosity as the woman stared in fear; crying and shaking...   "I asked you a question!" Pandora's voice tried to raise but her human body didn't have the strength. It was purely the energy and darkness that even held her upright.

Olympias instinct was to attack and she ran; Her arm cocking back intending to send whatever this thing was flying but as her fist connected; the ground shifted the air moved but the creature did not.  The dull eyes gazing over the creature's shoulder past her hair with the same dull expression. "Was that supposed to hurt..?" She asked calmly and Olympias stepped back a bit; That punch had sent demons flying - It'd caused rocks to crack into two but it didn't even feel like it phased the creature; no. The girl?

Pandora turned calmly from the woman and didn't even seem to care as she ran off as her fingers pushed her hair behind her shoulder before she looked towards Olympias, tilting her head a little before a bit of life came to her dull eyes as they widened. "W-what is this trickery?!" She shouted quickly though it barely seemed that loud as she stepped back. "Why are you wearing my face?!"  She stepped forward quickly; fear and anger in her eyes as she reached for her wrists but unlike the other's the darkness didn't even penetrate her skin. Olympias instinctively shoving her away after a moment and the two stood in a similar silence; staring at one another with unease.

The cries of children echo'd through the forest...  The man was to ill to care for the children and the mother unfit but the villagers had myths far and wide that the forest would take care of them. It was naive but desperation had blinded him.  The twins cried as hunger and loneliness had set in; louder and louder. The trees carrying the sound.

The young goddess walked along the pathway towards the sound her golden hair brushing against the trees making them blossom flowers from there bark, Her eyes fully blue; glowing. The sunlight seemed to shine on her no matter how thick the trees became; they parted to let it through.  Her fingers brushing against leaves as she followed the sound.

The older god walked along the pathway towards the sound as his violet hair fell into his dark grey eyes; A smile on his lips as the leaves curled up and dried and the trees bent unnaturally inwards; cracking and twisting around one another to block out the light... The crying made him laugh under his breath.

And then they paused; the basket in the patch of grass untouched by there presence, the source of the cries.  The two eying one another as the goddess finally let out a breath; soft on the breeze. "Of course the sound of suffering would bring a creature such as you to the surface."

He snorted heavily as he leaned against one of the trees that dried and cracked to his touch. "Of course." He mocked her tone as he spoke. "One of you golden children would come off your mountain for something so - pathetic. I presume you need some 'holy' excuse to make the humans erect another statue?"  

Her lips pursed as irritation ran through her. "And what exactly would you do for them?  Death?"  

"It's always like you types to assume...That'd be a waste of a perfectly mold-able soul." He smirked with a toothy grin.  

Lace buzzed in the mid afternoon as everyone got things ready... It was a different atmosphere to business hours as everyone and everything was out of place as the cleaning crew went over everything once more and the mechanics adjusted the lights.  As for Lily she stood silently beside the other three dancers; They were roughly planning the order for the night show; Every night had a theme and this time it was 'Flirty Flowers' ironically.

Lily folded her arms over her stomach as she adjusted her footing... She never had been sick a day in her life and yet that's exactly how she felt... She hadn't felt great lately - She was happier than ever since opening up to Zita but her physical state hadn't matched, her stomach hurt and she felt overheated despite wearing nothing but a small robe and her personal lingerie.  "Lily?" One of the new hires finally pulled her attention back as she looked at the dark haired young man who had a small smile on his lips and a strong awkward blush. "Can you show me how you did that pose last night? I keep slipping when I try to do it."  She blinked before figuring out what he meant and nodding a little as she gingerly gripped the pole; sliding around it once. "I always do a simple one in case the pole's off." She commented as she lifted herself with ease and once getting some height she glanced back at him only to feel her vision blur...

She didn't recall falling but the ache in her knees told her she did...She felt soft fingers against her forehead as her eyes fluttered open again; meeting a familiar set of golden ones.   "Drink." Zita didn't give her much of a choice as she place'd the rim of the glass to her lips but she couldn't complain. The cold water was nice...

"I'm okay - really..." Lily tried to move a little but her arm instinctively clutched her stomach.  Zita's eyes simply narrowed, a faint smile on her lips. "You're running a fever, Stay put." she stated as she pulled herself away and walked towards the bar and grabbing the phone; Lily didn't really hear the conversation but noted the name Sierra from it before the other dancers helped her to her feet.

Zita moved back with her cellphone and wallet in her hand as she watched Lily with concern; sliding her arm around her as soon as she was close enough to do so. "Let's get you dressed. You're coming to my place..." She was soft but stern about it. She knew that Lily wasn't human and hadn't ever shown signs of sickness before... She wasn't going to let her just go curl up all alone while she didn't feel good.

---

Lily's usual hesitance had faded by the time they walked in and she was happy to collapse onto Zita's bed; curling into a ball.   Her hand absently itching her side as she laid there. After a moment she felt Zita's weight softly perch beside her on the bed and her delicate hands sliding through her dark brown curls ever so softly.  She was so warm to the touch - Lily wasn't usually that way.  Zita's fingers sliding over her own as she slid her shirt up a few inches; looking at her side where she'd been scratching and it looked like a new layer of skin was forming; papery with faint lines in it that reminded her of bark.   She'd never seen anything like it herself... And considering how long she'd been around she'd seen some weird illnesses.  Her lips gently kissing Lily's head as she got up to make another phone call.

It didn't take Lucy long to get there, Zita didn't expect her to know the illness but rather be able to help treat it.  Or at least find her some sort've comfort.   "She's been like this and she keeps getting worse..." Zita folded her arms over her chest, pacing a little at the end of the bed as Lucy looked her over with as much of a perplexed expression. "I've never it before..." She commented as her fingers brushed over Lily's leg where the same thing had spread; the layer around her waist had hardened. Lucy stood up as she offered a sympathetic smile. " I did bring along something that should at least help her to rest and relieve some of the pain..."  The tiny lemon bar wasn't necessarily something that looked like medicine but Zita didn't really expect anything else as she moved to cohere Lily into eating it. --- Zita didn't recall dosing off but the sunlight that stung her eyes informed her that she had. She'd simply just been laying there watching Lily sleep, prepared to offer her more medicine or water  - anything to make her feel better.  She sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes. The aroma hitting her as she focused. It smelled like she was in the middle of a flower shop...   Her eyes darting to lily only to widen in confusion.

Lily laid much more peacefully than she'd been before; curled up close to where Zita'd been laying. The bed covered in flower petals and the layer of skin had vanished; Zita had a feeling it was what the petals were now as she saw a bunch had gotten stuck under Lily's blouse. Her skin had a soft glow to it and was more vibrant; Her hair flowed down over the bed; it'd grown to and abnormal length.   Zita noticed that the few plants in her house - even the dead ones were in bloom; life had completely returned to them.  

He focused his gaze and a flush came to his face; Oriel's body curled up beside him wrapped in the blanket in as much nothing as he himself was. A smile on her lips as she rested comfortably; her fingers resting on his arm.   He barely recalled what happened but the taste of stale liquor on his lips started to remind him; ---

The hotel 'ballroom' reeked of money. It wasn't his scene but he'd learned that lawyers could gossip worse then his own two teenage girls.  It was simply a case of being seen that was important.  He saw a few faces from Port Lyndon, Scarlett; A junior who was in his previous field and another he believed was named Matt with a beautiful dark haired young girl in a expensive gown that looked like the night sky; he noted it. Pandora would've liked it...  

"There you are. I found a parking space." Oriel chimed behind him; she'd tagged along simply out of boredom or at least that's what she'd told Ethan. It was more so that she knew how dangerous Blacklight was these days... She'd rather be with him even if it was only a two day event. Ethan glanced over his shoulder at first before doing a double take; he swore she was wearing just a black jacket and jeans in the car and now she stood in a tight midi dress; it was white with a plunging V-cut and silver detailing. A small purse hung off her arm and her hair that was previously in a bun was now down; a light wave to it that wasn't typically there. He parted his lips before stammering a little finally spitting out something. "How?"

"You literally pay me to find information for you... I always have a plan." she teased, smiling.  

Ethan shook his head a little despite the faint blush on his face; He hadn't really thought about things like that in forever and the feeling was completely foreign... He felt like he was suddenly in his twenties again with a pretty girl on his arm at a party; A glass of wine turned to two or three and being lawyers some expensive shots. He did get a buzz but kept his composure.  

---

He remembered then as he spotted the black bottle on the table that one of his old friends from college gave him a bottle of whiskey to 'celebrate' him divorcing the 'seawitch', Miren.   He wasn't even planning to drink it but a joke on the elevator turned quickly into a bet and that turned into a drinking game...

He didn't recall a lot of it, bits and pieces. Oriel said something about how she didn't feel pretty - he was pretty sure his college attitude had come out and a flirty comment led to everything else.  He recalled how soft her skin was; the lace barely covering her, her lips and the way she moved. He swallowed roughly shaking his head a little and rubbing his face.