~Day Two~
~Parksville~

It took some time before Lauryn was completely satisfied with the sleeping arrangements; and even then, she kept second-guessing as she made sure everyone had sleeping bags, blankets and pillows.

"I know, David, but I just don't like putting Dan and Angie on the living room floor. Don't we still have that air mattress somewhere?"

"Chelle, you're sure the little girls won't bother you? All right. Here's a pillow for Holly, here's one for Ivy, and - oh. Just one minute, Grace, I'll find one for you."

"It's sweet of you to give up your room for the Norwoods, Siah, but wouldn't the chair in the living room be more comfortable than our bedroom floor?"

"Do you need any more blankets? Let me know if you or Brandon need anything at all, then."

"Lauryn, you're exhausting everyone." David gripped her by the shoulders, his expression one of fond exasperation. "Let them be, and come to bed."

His wife hesitated. "All right. Let me just make sure Figaro has food and water first!"

David sighed as Lauryn darted off.

Day 2, Evening/Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house

Jenny was glad that she didn't have to go through Lauryn's attempts to organize everyone since she already had a spot. She just lay down and fell asleep not long after everyone else had been settled.

Volt had fallen asleep even faster. After Volt had greeted the newcomers he suddenly ran out of energy and the days events finally took their toll on him. He just plopped down on the floor in front of the couch and was out before the Kingsleys had even left the room. He probably wouldn't have fallen asleep so easily if he had been right about how much the dirt was going to itch, but he'd found out a while ago that he had been overestimating how bad it would be.

So the two of them lay, their bodies unmoving and their conscious minds shut down. Jenny's unconscious however, continued to show her things...

A little girl stepped through the iron door into the small cell, the only illumination provided by the single dull bulb on the ceiling and what light came through the door.

"Hah," scoffed one of the guards, "you wish kid." With that he slammed the door, and Jenny heard along with the clang of the door a gunshot...

"Daddy!" Jenny jerked halfway up as she awoke. Volt also woke up, instantly on the ready and scanning for any threat. "It's okay boy," Jenny whispered as she checked over the back of the couch to see if she had disturbed the Baxters. Their backs were turned to her and they weren't moving, so she settled back down. "It was just that dream again."

Volt relaxed and settled back down on the floor, trying to return to sleep now that he had his energy back. Jenny meanwhile replayed the dream in her mind. It wasn't just a dream, it was her memory of what happened the day before her father was executed. She'd had the dream before, many times in fact. But she had never heard that gunshot before with the clang of the door. It had sounded so...final. What was different?

That dream used to disturb her after she'd learned the full truth about what had happened, but then she had made a promise to herself. She would find the real assassins and prove her fathers innocence. Once she had the evidence all she had to do was broadcast it across-

Then it hit her. The supernova had wiped out all the communications. The implications of what that meant slowly pieced together in her mind, and when it had fallen into place, she began to softly cry.

Volt heard her and was up in an instant. He knew what he had to do, and he didn't care if he had to get the couch dirty to do it. He climbed up next to Jenny and let her hold him and softly sob into his fur.

- Day 2, Evening/Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house -

Perhaps it was the change in sleeping conditions, or Dan stirring in his sleep, but something made Angie snap awake. She was ready to wake her husband – to free him from his apparent nightmare – when Jenny whispered “Daddy!”

The girl was behind her, but Angie could hear her sobbing into Volt’s fur. Her maternal instincts kicked in, and there was only one thing to do.

Quietly as she could, she crawled around her sleeping husband – who’d quit stirring now – and made her way to Jenny. “I’m here,” she whispered, holding her arms out. “You can talk about it, if you want.” Jenny seemed to hesitate so the older woman quickly added, “But only if you want to.” She wanted only to offer comfort to the child, whether or not Jenny shared what might be troubling her.

Day 2, Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house

Jenny continued to cry into Volt's side until she heard a voice.

"I'm here," said the voice. Jenny inhaled sharply and looked up to see Angie at the end of the couch. She quickly wiped her eyes and cast her gaze down. "You can talk about it, if you want." Bad memories of other people's attempts to "comfort" her about this subject came up. "But only if you want to," Angie added.

"We can talk about it just the 2 of us if you prefer," whispered Volt.

Jenny sniffled and shook her head. "That's ok, it was just a bad dream."

"You don't usually get this upset, what's different?"

"I just...the dream made me realize how lazy and selfish I've been." This stunned Volt. Lazy and selfish were among the last things he would ever think about Jenny. She turned halfway to Angie, too upset to care what she'd say, it wasn't like it could make her feel any worse. "You figured out who my father was, didn't you?"

Day 2, Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house

Angie was a bit taken aback by Jenny’s request at first; she figured the girl might have been dreaming about the supernova or their trip to town. But she quickly realized that it made perfect sense that Jenny would be missing her father. As a child, Angie had often turned to her loving “Daddy” when times were tough; now Grace sometimes did the same.

But understanding the situation intellectually didn’t make it easier to respond. When Angie had figured out that Jonathan Taylor was Jenny’s father, she’d had her share of doubts that he was guilty of the treason for which he’d been executed – their own recent experiences with the government had seen to that. And she’d even had doubts at the time of the highly-publicized trial and subsequent execution; it had all seemed a little too handy and convenient. So she was not going to pass judgment now.

Perhaps what Jenny missed most was a kind yet strong father figure. She glanced at her sleeping husband, grateful that he fit that bill and that he was still with her and Grace.

She took a deep breath. “Yes, I figured out who he was. But don’t worry; your secret is safe with me. And it won’t keep us from being your friends – I was suspicious of the government then and especially after what they’ve done to us. I imagine that you miss him very much.”

Angie doubted this would help much, but she was at a loss for words. All she could really offer Jenny was silent acceptance and comfort.

Day 2, Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house

Jenny thought at first that her worst fears were going to be confirmed, then Angie said the second half of her statement...

I was suspicious of the government then and especially after what they've done to us.

"Wha-? Y-You-" Jenny stuttered trying to process this statement. Volt looked at Angie with ears perked up and a small smile on his face. This could be just what she needed. For as long as he could remember people either treated her like jerks because of her father or else they said they would be her friend "in spite of what your dad did". Jenny actually reacted more strongly, sometimes even violently, to the latter. A jerk's opinion didn't matter, but it hurt her for someone nice to believe her father had been an assassin, and she dealt with this hurt by becoming angry.

Yet Angie had just implied she had always doubted Jonathan's guilt. Volt looked back at Jenny, eager to see how she would react. Jenny gave a slight grin, but Volt could sense from a combination of her posture, her eyes, and her pheremones (he's a dog, he can smell that kind of thing, particularly with Jenny) that she had begun to feel much better, but then had slumped to only slightly better. What he didn't know was that Jenny had after some thinking decided that Angie had guessed what she believed about her father and had pretended to agree in order to make her feel better. Still, that was far better than anyone else had ever treated her, and it encouraged her to continue and play along.

"Thanks, and you're right, I do miss him. But it's not just that." She closed her eyes as tears threatened to fall again. "I promised myself that I would do everything I could to prove his innocence to the world. But I kept doing other things, telling myself I could do more when I grew up, and now I can't." She swung her fist into the back of the couch. "All because of those stupid actors classes, the geocaching competitions, and all the other things I did in my "spare" time when I could have used it like I should have!" She wrapped her arm back around Volt as he gently hushed her and nuzzled her back.

((OOC: Oh my goodness. I haven't posted in this since December 2011. My deepest apologies! I've kind of fallen off the face of the earth when it comes to RPing.

I also know that Liam's conflict skills sound ridiculous. He's not exactly at a very rational point right now, though, so just know that the lame-ness of some of his comebacks is intentional. ))

Day 1
Judicia, Erbaine
Laramie's House
Previous Post

Liam felt himself start to grin as Laramie kept talking. "There. Yes. Yes! You're getting it! I knew you'd understand. Dr. Dreyman is amazing. And he's the only hope we have."

Then his grin faded. "What do you mean, pick up supplies? You can't just... I mean... you have to come with me. We can stay at his house. We won't be safe otherwise. The supplies would be nice for you to have, but you'll be toast if you don't come." His mind flashed back to all they'd been through since the Supernova. Trying to get through the courtyard in one piece. The glass in his hands. The extremely unnerving Hand-Switch. He'd struggled just to keep her alive this long. "I can't live with myself if..."

He trailed off, realizing from Laramie's expression how hopeless it was to argue. "Fine. You always were stubborn. If you don't want to come, then fine. Be that way."

Day 2: Arida
In the projects near the convent

Allee saw an out, and she took it. There was a tiny gap between the gang member and the wall. Without overthinking her actions, she clutched the baby to her chest and sprinted into a dive-roll. As soon as she reached her feet she took off running, hoping that the gang member wasn't far behind.

Unfortunately, he was. She weaved through the streets of Arida, trying to lose him. Her heart sped up and she gasped for breath. After what felt like eternity, she couldn't run any farther. She tossed a glance over her shoulder. It was a miracle. The gangmember wasn't there. For now.

She fell onto the curb, feeling like she was about to pass out.

Day 1
Judicia, Erbaine
Laramie's House

Laramie sighed, pulling her sweater tightly around her. "I know perfectly well we're in danger, Liam. But if we're all about to be wiped out, why do you think Dr. Dreyman's house would be safer than anyone else's?"

She realized suddenly what Liam was suggesting and froze, shocked. She stared at him as though her friend had suddenly morphed into a creature she didn't recognize. "So you're expecting me to mindlessly waltz off with you to Dr. Dreyman and leave my family to what? Fend for themselves? Be wiped out by whatever irrational threat you think is hanging over our heads?" Her voice rose. "You of all people should know I would never...what is wrong with you?"

She took a furious step towards him until they were glowering at each other, nearly nose-to-nose. "Stubborn? I am not your mule, Liam Styre. And thank you, I plan on "being that way". I'm staying, and that's final."

Day 2
Arida, Arenico
The Convent

Dr. Fitzgerald Wallaby could sleep through a hurricane given the chance, but the earsplitting scream that met his sleepy ears made his heart bounce around in his ribcage. So much so, he thought he was having a heart attack. He placed his hand on his chest and said, "Oy! Oy! Oy!"

It took him a few seconds to realize that he was perfectly fine and not going into cardiac arrest. His second theory was that the stray cats were fighting outside of his bedroom.

He pulled on his sleeping cap, which had slipped off during his nap. His slippers came next, despite the fact that his socks (which were worn specifically when he slept) were hanging a few inches off of his feet. He straightened his striped pajamas and shuffled out of his room. "Jillian! Romano! Are the cats fighting again? I think I heard them outside my window. They're going to tear each other apart again!"

He entered the living room at a slow jog. "The cats! The cats! Stop that foot massage! Get the cats!"

Dr. Wallaby blinked a few times. "Oh, that's no foot massage...What happened? Did the cats attack you?"

~~~

Day 2
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

The past hour was a blur in Lui's mind. Her head pounded and her body felt weak. Nausea assaulted her and she fought against the feeling, hands over her flat stomach. What just happened? What is happening?

She remembered the men, the fire, herself, Terra and Loretta running away. The sight of the men after Terra and her had taken care of them made her heave again and she held a hand over her mouth. Her eyes watered. "What did we do...?" she whispered through her hand to no one in particular.

She twisted around, searching for her cousin. "Terra!" she yelled.

~~~

Day 2: Arida
de Mon Castle

Vange nodded to the maid and waited for her to leave. Once she left, Vange stood, dressed and brushed her teeth with the supplies provided. Sweeping her hair into a ponytail, she left her room and headed to the drawing room.

"Candice." Vange said as she entered the room.

((OOC: Sorry, y'all! I've delayed everything so much! Hope these posts are okay. And trust me, I won't go MIA again. Haha.))

Arida
Day 2: de Mon Castle

Candi looked up from her plushy red chair and smiled at Vange.

"Good morning," she said, closing her fashion book and setting it down on a low table. "I trust you slept well?"

Vange replied politely in the affirmative as Candi stood.

"Good, good," Candi said, gesturing for Vange to have a seat. "Would you like some tea? Sugar and cream are up on the mantel."

Candi said nothing more until the door had once more been locked and the key was safe in her pocket.

"So," Candi began, retaking her seat, "this is slightly awkward, but I feel I must ask." She paused and smoothed her skirt. "You see, I met Chris before I met you, and, well, I'm not quite sure I can trust him. Would you mind sharing your story with me, and what you know about him? His story seems so sad and pitiful and shows how he has such great strength of character or what all, and I find it a bit hard to believe."

Arida
Day 2: de Mon Castle

Vange takes a seat. "No thanks. I'm more of a coffee person..."

When Candi poses her question, Vange stares at her, deciding what to say. "I don't know much about his past, if that's what you're asking. When we met, we decided to focus on the here and now. To us, our past lives didn't exist. I don't know what he's told you."

It was a lie. Chris knew almost everything about her and she knew about his past, but she wasn't about to tell Candi everything.

Arida
Day 2: de Mon Castle

Candice nodded, absentmindedly picking up her cigarette from its tray and taking a few puffs.

"It was a orphaned-at-a-young-age-abandoned-by-the-world story. I suppose it sounds cruel of me, but I've heard so many of those, and really, they're usually only true in storybooks. Most people have some sort of relatives that will take them in, or someone else in society takes them in. Chris, though...he doesn't quite make sense to me. But, you see..."

Candi lowered her cigarette and looked straight at Vange.

"For some reason, I feel like I can trust you. You're tough, Vange, tough as nails. But you haven't lost your feminine side simply because you have to be tough. When we talked last night, Chris was always trying to play me for something, for anything he wanted to know. You just talked. You aren't afraid because I have money, and you aren't trying to weasel it out of me. You're just being...well, you. I hope I didn't scare that out of you last night...?"

Arida
Day 2: de Mon Castle

Vange chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I don't know what's true or not about Mr. Howard. He tells everyone a different story. I'm not even sure he knows what's true and what's a lie anymore. The story he told me is similar to the one he told you, but I can't tell you if it's the truth. I believed it at the time, because I felt like I finally belonged to someone. He and I, we live our lives as a secret, Candi. You may trust me, but my trust isn't so easily given..."

Day 2: The Foothills of the Palisade Mountains

When he finally recovered, the first thing that Cameron felt was sharpness of the grass blades against his face, the next thing he noticed is that he was wet. His black jumpsuit was in fact completely soaked through with rain water and his brown hair fell like an un-squeezed mop above his eyes, once he brushed it out of the way he was able to take a look around.

Behind him lay his aircraft the thing was still smoldering, but for the most part the fire had been put out by the overnight down-pour. However, that hulk of metal was not the thing that concerned him the most, for surrounding him like a ring of medieval pike-men was a dense forest of ancient trees, so thick were the leaves that he couldn’t even see the sky above him and the trunks seemed to stretch on forever in every direction. Huge gnarled things, they were. Perhaps fifteen feet around on average, how long it took them to grow was impossible to tell and even more unfathomable was the immense height of the trees. Most of them were taller than some of the tallest skyscrapers in Judicia.

Cameron took a few moments to soak this all in before pushing himself into an sitting position, it was then when his leg seemed to explode into flame once more. The boy let loose a long and painful scream and when he looked at his right limb, it was even worse then he imagined. The femur bone was clearly pushing against the skin “kirejan” he shouted and then grabbed a stick to bite down on, the pain was immense but he couldn’t risk alerting everything with a ten mile radius that something survived the plane crash.

Thinking quick, he grabbed a low tree limb and yanked, breaking it off in order to create a temporary crutch. There was a fire-proof medical kit in the plane, if only he could get to it. So he strengthened his resolve and pushed himself to bipedal position, not however without a muffled scream. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he made it to the fuselage and that was only the beginnings of his challenges; because in order to get the medical kit he would have to climb up the side of the Raptor and into the cockpit.

“I… hate… my job”

Arida
Day 2: de Mon Castle

Candi nodded, digesting this new piece of information and wracking her brains to see if she had heard anything at all about a Chris Howard. Later, she would have to put her magnificent sleuthing skills to work by calling up one of her favorite politicians and having his officer run on scan on this Chris Howard. But that was for later.

"I understand your hesitancy about trust, my dear," Candi said softly. "But I don't have much choice, as you well know from our conversation last night. I am, en fait, nearly trapped here, at least for now. So I have to trust the people on my land, just a little."