Shadow of a feather

                Samual’s blinking as he watches a very old school map take flight. He’s already having an odd day. That’s just not something he expected to see in this day and age. New York City is sprawling. It’s more than one city, really. It’s a group of them. Sam loves it here.                   Someone gets his attention, and he’s assuming it’s the person who’s just lost the map. He blinks again. “Uh. Yeah. You good to walk for another thirty minutes though?” Bryant Park’s not too far. Lucille’s in the shop (something about break pads) or he’d try and get her a ride over there. Sam takes his hands out of his pockets, grateful that he’s been able to get a bit of fresh air, and that he decided to do it when someone’s going to need his help. Out of Line looms behind him, shop front welcoming walk-ins and those with an appointment alike. He points down the street. “See that intersection? That’s 20th and 3rd. Gonna wanna turn left and keep goin’ until you hit Broadway. Hang a right. Go until you hit 5th. Another right. Take 5th until you hit 40th. That’s a left right there and then the park’ll be on the right.” That’s probably a lot.                  “You got a GPS? That’d probably be helpful. Maps on your phone? NYC’s fuckin’ huge. It’s real easy to wind up somewhere you’re not supposed to be…” 

🐉

“My phone is dead.” She shows him the battery is dead, leaving the phone useless. “ And I don’t have a charger.” She listens to the other and nods, looking at the road he is referring to. “Turn left at the intersection.” She stops and pulls out a pen and starts to write on her plane ticket, which shows that she has just arrived from London. Alyria writes in Russian with the pen lid in her mouth.” Hit Broadway, right, walk to 5th, right again then 5th to 40th and then a left and I’m there.” She repeats and places the lid back on the pen. “ Thanks. You live round here?” She asks looking around. “ Where am I now?” She asks looking around. “ I did have a map but.” She puts her palms up and shakes her head, confused. “ It blew away with the wind.”

𝕥𝕜~

“I think I was born flirting.” Tommy replies with a light and breezy laugh, scrubbing his hands over his face as he surveys the foot traffic. They have to stop at the end of the block, wait for the lights to change. “How long you in town for?” He asks, turning to look down at Alyria. “Why didn’t he come with you?” Not that it’s his business, but whatever keeps the conversation going until they part ways, he figures.

“Naw, really, I painted it for him, there’s no sense in charging for something I’ve already given him.” His brows shoot up when she says she could buy him for the night for Aksel, “Careful there, little lady, you’re going to end up saying a lot of things you don’t mean if you’re not careful. Not sure how Aksel would feel about that proposition. However… if you want to commission me to do another piece, I’d be more than glad to give you my information. We can set something up.” Hadn’t Brody told him he could make money off of this? He may as well…

🪄

“Is it a blessing or a curse though?” She questions and laughs with him. “ I’m here for Christmas. Axxie is all by himself.” Her answer is short and precise but there is so much hidden meaning, it seems unfair that her brother was the breadwinner of the family and now is alone while his parents live in his wealth in another country. ”My boyfriend is with his family.” She doesn’t know  Tommy well enough to divulge any further information but gives him enough to keep the conversation at ease. 

𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔟𝔬𝔶~

“I think your accent is lovely. My Bubbe is from Russia, she has an accent like yours. I could listen to her talk all day.” Jer replies with a smile, glad he can help her out in more ways than one. “Pozhaluysta!” he continues, waving it off. It’s no big deal, after all. And he always has a charger and a battery bank with him. Just in case.

“Lyri, do you prefer that or Alyria? I’ll call you what you like.” He says, turning a corner with her and they are that much closer to Bryant Park. “You’re inviting me to your Christmas celebration?” He asks, eyes wide. “That’s very kind of you. Maybe I can give you my phone number, we can see what happens.”

📴

“ Thank you.” Alyria warms to the other more as he speaks of family. “Where is she from?” She asks as she walks along side him. Alyria smiles a little at his Russian and nods. “ Your Russian is good, have you been to Russia?” She asks as she checks the battery, that slowly blinks into life. 

Aksel listened to his sister and frowned. “ He is the artist.” He said and sat back a little and avoided her gaze. “ Please tell me you didn’t tell him anything.” Aksel sighed and pointed to a plug socket nearby. “ Want me to get your phone?” He asked and  got up to get her phone then sat back down.” That was nice of him. He is a nice guy.” He said and chewed on his bottom lip. “ I should really say thanks.”

“Of course I do. I will plan your whole trip if you want me to.” He said with a small chuckle “ And you will get to see Max next week.” Aksel rolled on to his side and listened. “ I think I know him. But New York is a big place.” He admitted and then rolled back on to his back as she glossed over the subject. “ Will he be coming over for New Years?” Aksel asked trying not to pry. “No . no one. I’m all work no play at the moment.” He said with a sigh. “ Besides you know my luck with people I fall for. I always go for the wrong guy…person.” Aksel stopped and looked away.  “ You should rest, then tomorrow  I will show you around my favourite places.”

🫂

“He is the artist?” She feigns surprise although she already knows. “Does he know you miss him? Does he know you want to be friends with him again?.” One eyebrow goes up as she continues to talk. “ Are you just friends?” He voice drops into a whisper.  “Has he been here?”

𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔟𝔬𝔶~

“Oh!” Jer replies, laughing because he had somehow missed it as being a reference to the artist. “Yeah, I know what you mean now. My bad.” He furrows his brow a little, “I think maybe you have your priorities just a little skewed. This is New York, and you are from a different country. I would want my phone on at all times. Just in case. I actually have…” He pats at the pockets of his jacket, unzipping one to retrieve a pocket battery pack. “Here! You want to use this to charge your phone while we walk?”

“Jeremiah, but everyone calls me Jer, what’s yours?” He asks, grinning brightly at her as he shoves his hands back into his pocket to seek out some warmth away from the biting chill of the wind. “I’m alone for Christmas, too. Maybe if I complain enough my sister will come visit me?” It’s mostly a tease. “It’s nice of you to come see him. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to see you. Especially if he’s all alone.”

📴

“ My accent can confuse people.” She laughs and walks by his side “You have a charger?” Alyria’s face lights up and she quickly plugs the charger into her phone. “ Spasibo.” She now has a skip in her step as she waits for her phone to charge. 

𝕥𝕜~

“Trust me, I wasn’t going to try flirting with you. Especially not after finding out who your brother is.” Tommy says, exhaling a laugh which only grows larger and takes over his whole body when she says she can’t sing. “Isn’t that the point of karaoke? To be bad at it? But in such a way that you’re endearing, of course.” He nods his head when she repeats it. “You got it. I hope you get a chance to check it out.”

“Mhm.” He hums, nodding his head, reaching up to scratch at the stubble on his face. She asks him how much to buy it back and he blinks, a small smile creeping up on his lips before he shakes his head left to right. “Nothin’. It was a gift to him, after all. You just wanna swing by and pick it up sometime, I’ll give you my address. I still got it at my apartment. I’ll give it to you. You really think it’ll make him feel better?”

🪄

“But you are an Aries, its in your nature to flirt.” She laughs along with him and agrees. “I don’t want to come to New York to start a fight with my brother, I could do that on the phone.” She counters between laughs. “ I will if my boyfriend ever comes to town.” An eye roll shows that the subject is a little bit frustrating for her. 

𝕥𝕜~

“Now I know you? That easy, huh?” Tommy asks with a light little laugh, reaching around in his mind for some facts about himself to throw at her that are as broad as the ones she used. Something about Aries that describes him. “I’m confident, creative, and flirtatious.” He laughs again, brows high.

He listens to her speaking, facial expression shifting as she goes through all the facts; it’s interesting to hear, and Tommy inhales deeply. “Best restaurant in Queens? I like to recommend Papa’s Kitchen. It’s Filipino food, and you can do karaoke.” He grins, stopping, inhaling. “And, uh, it’s me, I think. I’m pretty sure I’m the artist. ‘Cause I gave him a painting I did of him, and, uh, he gave it back. Looks like you found your guy.”

🪄

“Well don’t try flirting with me, I am in a relationship.” She wags her finger like an old lady chiding a child.” I cant sing but I do love Filipino food.” the corners of her mouth go down and she nods, impressed with his choice. “ Papa’s Kitchen. Easy to remember.”

Aksel hugged his sister back with a wide smile, “ Hey little one.” He said as he juggled his tea and held her close before letting her go. “Its ok…wait.. what.. Queens?” He tried to keep up with the conversation “ Ok.. slow down. So you flew to see me but got lost in Queens? What friend did you see?” He asked part of him already knowing who it could be. Aksel could tell she was worried and he soothed her by placing his hand on hers “Its ok. I am really happy to see you.” He got up and switched the light on in her room. “ I could never be angry with you фея”

After placing his cup down on the side he smiled. “ Work was good thanks. Tomorrow you can come to the show and we can hang out with everyone after.” Aksel chuckled at her comment and then laid beside her. “ Have you met anyone else since you got here?” He asked as he stretched his long limbs out next to his petite sister. “And how is Stefan?” Aksel was unsure if he should ask but it was a subtle way of telling her he was there to listen if she wanted to talk. 

🫂

“Yes.” She exclaims with a light bounce “ I had a map and then I was in Queens. I saw Tommy. He is a bowling alley man. You have not told me about him.” She looks around the room, distracted. “ I need to charge my phone.” She stops for a second and enjoys the moment between them. “ Tommy took me to the subway. He helped me.” Her voice is soft “I would have had a rough time without him walking me to the subway.”

𝕥𝕜~

“I think people are crazy as a general rule of thumb.” Tommy replies, grinning just as widely as before. He scans her a little as she describes her zodiac. “I haven’t known that many Tauruses.” He nods his head as she said her brother talked about him a lot. He’s surprised he’d had that much of an impact. It had been mostly kind words and carnal touches.

He swallows thickly, offering her a little smile. “Why do you need to find him?” He asks, clearing his throat at her next question, laughing slightly. “That’s a purely subjective question, you know that, right? I’m from Queens, so I’m gonna tell you a restaurant in Queens that’s the best in New York City; someone from Staten Island will tell you a local place; someone from the Bronx’ll do the same. What kinda food you lookin’ for?”

🪄

“Part of life's rich tapestry.” She agrees and shuffles alongside him like baby yoda. “ Now you know me.” She is quick with replies and wishes that maybe he was Aksel’s friend so she could hang out with him a little more. Out of all of his friends, it would have been nice to spend time with Aksel and this one. 

𝕥𝕜~

“Oh, yeah? I’m pretty skilled in hand-to-hand combat myself.” He says, winking at her with a little smile, putting his fists up and jabbing the air before laughing at himself, allowing his arms to drop back by his sides. “Stubborn, are ya? The only thing I know about Taurus people is that they like to eat, is that true?”

Broken hearted artist Aksel wanted to marry.

Tommy pales a little at that. What’s the likelihood of Aksel meeting and getting so close to another artist? Especially one like Tommy – quite literally with a broken heart. He decides to say nothing of it, especially since he thinks it might make things very awkward. “Marriage, huh? Doubt that was me he was talkin’ about then. Your name’s… uh… Alyria, right?” He asks, grasping for what he remembers that Aksel has told him. “You do a pretty good impression of him.”

🪄

Alyria laughs at his movements. “ You Americans are crazy.” A brow is raised at the next comment. “ I love to eat, Taurus are also brave and can see through all the bullshit.” She admits, all of which is true in her case at least. She see’s him pale and she wonders if its him. “Axxie talked about the artist man a lot” She frowns trying to remember what was said but is too tired to untangle her brothers past conversations with her. “He made him feel special.”

 It had been a long night at the ballet and Aksel was happy to be home. Walking through the door, he instantly knew something was different and when he narrowly missed tripping over his sister’s suitcase, he knew that she was there. He walked quietly passed the sleeping girl and his dog got up and followed him into the kitchen for a treat. Once fed, Aksel switched on the kettle to make some tea and walked back to the couch where his sister slept. Without a word, Aksel picked up his sister and carried her to the room she had always said would be hers and laid her down. He put a blanket over her and slipped out of the room.

After letting the dog out in the courtyard for a toilet break, Aksel came back up to the penthouse and made tea for himself and Alyria. He walked through the apartment to her room and nudged the door open with his foot. He placed the cups down on the beside table and stroked her hair out of her face. “prosypaysya, ya p'yu chay,” He whispered and then repeated himself a little louder in English. “ Wake up little one I have tea.” He said and then sipped  the warm tea as he waited for his sister to wake. 

🫂

The smell of her brother lets Alyria know she is in safe hands when she is carried into the bedroom and left to sleep. It seems like an eternity, a peaceful, dark, warm, quiet place. The sounds of him walking around and the door opening shedding a shard of light on to the bed only affects her senses slightly. It is the warmth of his hand on her face and then Russian whisper that stirs her from her slumber. “ Axxie?” She whispers and her eyes open to see her elder sibling. Alyria hugs Aksel and sighs as she rubs her eyes. “ I wanted to surprise you. But I got to New York and made a detour to queens where I met one of your friends then I got to midtown late so I didn't get to the ballet till it was too late.” Her words jumbled out of her mouth in a whisper of tiredness which is then followed by a yawn.

Tommy gives her a once over then nods, “Yeah, you’re tiny. I’d say you’re a helluva lot safer with me than you would be on your own.” He doesn’t mention his extensive martial arts training, doesn’t think he needs to. She seems convinced enough. He doesn’t say anything when she speaks to herself, either, sometimes that’s necessary. He’s done it a time or two himself.

Tommy laughs, “Oh, yeah? I joke about falling in love with every pretty face I meet. I got some pretty… typical Aries qualities.” He can joke about himself; it comes easily. His brow comes together as the younger woman lists off her brother’s friends, “Wow… uh, I work custodial and maintenance at a bowling alley.” He pauses, “What’d he say about me?”

🪄

“I can also do jujitsu so I am tiny but mighty.” A snort of a laugh emits from her and she covers her mouth and giggles. She walks along with him and chuckles. “I am a Taurus. I don't trust anyone and I only fall in love once and he is in Paris.” She smiles but it is sad. “I am more stubborn then my brother, he forgives quickly.” The words are simple and sweet and she looks at him with a reassuring smile. 

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs at her forwardness, “Yeah, I’ve gotten into a scuffle here or there. But the people who don’t think I’m nice usually have a pretty good reason for seein’ that side of me. I try to be kind – do unto others and all that bullshit, ya know?” He shrugs his shoulders. “What time’s it start? I’m sure you got ten minutes to spare to grab a coffee. There’re like three stops on the way.”

“I know the name.” He doesn’t know much other than that – just that the man was married and had had a fling or something with Aksel. “I wouldn’t consider myself one of your brother’s friends, though it would’ve been nice to have been able to have been. We just lead very different lives.” He says nodding. “He’ll be alright. I’m sure whatever irritation he feels at you will melt away quickly; from what I gathered, you’re important to him.”

🪄

“So I am safer with you then on my own.” Alyria points out, a sense of relief washes through her “I don’t know. 7pm I think, if I am quick I might make it in time.” she scrunches her plump lips to the side as she thinks and walks. “I could wait around outside, but its a long wait. I could just go to his apartment.” Alyria was more talking to herself then the man walking beside her. “Maybe that is a better solution.”

🫂

Alyria finally makes it to Aksel’s apartment after realising she has missed  the show. Despondent, she walks into the building and up to the penthouse. A code has been given to her by Aksel which she types it into the door, that opens  to reveal a warm apartment. She drags her suitcase in and leaves it on the floor by the door and see’s a small furry dog asleep. Alyria tiptoes past it and walks into her brothers room looking for a  sweater and sweat pants. She takes a shower and cleans up after herself and walks back into the living area. As the christmas tree lights up and Alyria smiles and looks at the ornaments and lights. 

Fighting tiredness, Alyria hunts around for a blanket and curls up on the couch. She looks at the clock through her lashes and yawns, he wont be home for a while and sleep is calling her name. The warm, quiet place relaxes her muscles and the scent of her brother makes her feel at home. Her phone, still dead, hangs out of her pocket of her coat which is left on a chair. missed calls and texts are unable to be seen from Stefan as Alyria rolls over and sleeps 

𝕥𝕜~

“Eh, depends on who you ask.” Tommy replies when she says that he seems like a nice person. He usually is, though – nice, unless someone gives him a reason not to be. His mother had raised him right, and he’s always been known as charming.

“I didn’t say he hated me, those words are a little harsh. No, no. I’m not Nick.” He holds up his hands because it seems like she’s trying to look at them, his brows curving together. “My name’s Tommy, and I just think he’d probably prefer to not see me with his little sister is all.” Especially after all Tommy knew about Aksel’s family. He’d hate for anything to get back to their mother. “I do not know him well, no.”

🪄

“Some people think you are not a nice person?” Alyria asks, “Why?” The word slips out and she covers her mouth. “ You don’t need to answer that,” Tiredness was ebbing away at Alyria’s filter so questions and comments that she would usually hold in start to surface. “ I am tired and would like a coffee but I have to be at the ballet before it starts.”

𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔟𝔬𝔶~

“It’s been dead since the weekend?” He asks, and he can’t fathom not having his phone for more than a few hours. “London? Wow. Wow. I’d say your first order of business is to find a cafe and charge your phone.” Jer laughs, shaking his head at her reaction to the subway. “It’s not for everyone…”

She accepts his offer to walk her there, and Jer gestures in the general direction of the park. “This way!” He says and he begins to walk. “I am, yes, always this nice. It’s just… who I am, I guess?” He laughs again, a shorter one this time, as he shrugs his shoulders. He’s been told that he’s kind to a fault, but what does that mean? “Are you here visiting?”

📴

“ The singer, the album drained my phone.” She coaxes. “You know.... I cant feel my face when I’m with you.” Alyria sings. “ My first order is to get to my family, then I can charge my phone.” A quip and smile is given from her. “ It is a experience I might not want to ever encounter again.” a nod and a grimace at the thought of the subway covers her features.