(no subject)

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ it had been one of those days for alyssa, the ones that rendered her unable to attend classes for more than a few hours-- the ones that had nathan running to her as quickly as possible. thankfully her health and mood seemed to improve throughout the afternoon, giving nathan time to decide whether or not to call albert. when she seemed fine in less time than usual he decided against it, instead suggesting some things for them to do to pass the time. of course, a disney film reigned supreme.

when their movie came to a close nathan turned to look down at alyssa, the girl curled up with her head on his lap, dozing off into what seemed to be a peaceful sleep. he didn't take any time in picking her up gently and moving towards his room, laying her down on top of his bed before grabbing a blanket and putting it over her small body. smiles down at her and brushes a hand against her hair, shutting the door half-way when he makes it back into the living room to start picking up the steadily growing mess that had accumulated throughout the hours of her stay. ]

Comments

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ had originally made his way to the mansion at first, somehow struggling past the sense of fear that he typically feels whenever he approaches the place without alyssa's protection. it's to his luck that damon had been the first member of the family he runs into when ninja maid lets him in. armed with the directions to nathan's place, as well as two phone numbers (one being nathan's, the other being damon's), he departs yet again.

& that is how he finds himself in his current predicament, hovering a little anxiously with a bag of ground starbucks coffee in one hand while the other hovers over the door. for several minutes. ... then finally gathers enough courage to knock once before immediately backing up several steps. ]

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ pauses in picking up the clothing alyssa had tossed at him before diving into her pajamas several hours ago, staring over at the door with a surprised look on his face. frowns a bit, folding up the pink clothing as he makes his way to the door, reaching with his free hand to open it when he arrives.

blinks. blinks again. opens the door further, as if in a silent invitation to come in despite his simple words: ]

... ? Hey. [ a pause, trying to not look too baffled. ] What's up?

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ regurgitates the script he's been working on the past few seconds while holding out the starbucks offering from his safe distance. ]

I come in peace. And I brought you coffee.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ looks down at the bag and takes it. then back to anthony, not hesitating in pointing down the hallway. ]

She's asleep right now.

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ wilts a bit. ]

. . . can I reschedule my appointment?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ thinks about it, giving him a considering look. sighs (at himself), stepping out of the way. ]

Naw, come in. She should be up soon, if you want to wait a bit.

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ shuffles feet for a bit, then finally nods, wandering forward into the apartment. glances around silently, wondering where would be the most appropriate area to sit down & wait. ]

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ as if on cue he gestures over the couch in silent communication. places anthony's gift on the counter when he makes his way to the kitchen. calls out: ]

Want anything to drink? We've got water, uh- [ looks around the counters at all the empty starbucks cups. decides to quickly toss them out, muttering things underneath his breath before continuing. ] -more water, and grape juice.

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ sits down as directed, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling in mock thought. still, he manages to stomp down on his kneejerk reaction in time to answer politely enough. ]

Water's good.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ it didn't take very long for alyssa to fall asleep after munching down her sherbet, leaving the two remaining people in the apartment completely and utterly alone. shuts the door to his room when he's positive that alyssa is dead asleep, heaving out a small sigh. glances over his shoulder out into the living room, quickly deciding that it was best to just get this over with. how anthony would take it is something he didn't want to think about just yet.

stands in the entrance way to where his guest is still at, arms crossed over his chest as he surveys the boy. decides on starting small and simple, just to see what he doesn't have to repeat: ]

How much do you know?

1/2

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ shifts a bit, already feeling uncomfortable as he looks down at the floor. ]

Not a lot. Just a few guesses.

[cutemajor.livejournal.com]

[ lifts his head to look at nathan. ]

. . . Was she in an accident?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ shakes his head. opens his mouth, closes it, then lets his shoulders slump, knowing that he has to be vague while he sorts out his thoughts. ]

She was dying.

1/2

[bawkmajor.livejournal.com]

[ freezes. ]

. . . What?

[bawkmajor.livejournal.com]

[ starts standing up shakily. ]

What. . . ? What happened? Is she-- is she going to be okay--?

1/4

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ looks up at him but doesn't say anything, just observing anthony as if he sees this everyday. pushes himself away from his resting spot when he feels ready, quietly walking towards the couch again. stops before he could get there, however, looking down at his necklace. grasps it a little, then lets his hand fall. ]

I don't expect you to know the details, but I do get the feeling that you know we're not normal humans. Not really, anyway. We're just... the same person, sort of. But Alyssa's different since she wasn't born like us. She had a natural birth, didn't come out of a tube or anything.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

The only problem is that in reality she is the same as us. Not just physically, but emotionally. That's our problem, you see, because it's nothing we can change. [ places a hand on his chest. ] We have this... urge to be attached to someone. Just like anyone else that feels the need to be have a companion in life, only we physically and emotionally create this... bond, I guess you could say, by just feeling very strongly for another person. It's both wonderful but extremely deadly at the same time. We didn't know this until just recently.

When the bond is threatened, though, things don't go over so well. But not everyone is the same. Some of us take a fight or flight response to this bond being tampered with, and others... [ pauses, feeling that twinge in his heart as he typically does at these times. ] Well, others aren't exactly in the best state of mind. And now we know what Alyssa's response is, when she isn't able to have that bond be connected to the person she really loves. It backfired on her, and--

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ eventually he pauses to look anthony up and down. switches the topic, hoping this would help him to understand better. ]

I know what happened. Between you and Alyssa. We all do. This wouldn't have been an issue if things went over smoothly, but...

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ hates that he has to admit this, though it doesn't sound at all like he's blaming him. quite the opposite, if his expression doesn't give it away. ]

She made that attachment to you, Anthony.

1/2

[bawkmajor.livejournal.com]

[ stands there for a moment, silently soaking in everything. closes his eyes briefly as he swallows down a lump in his throat, then glances up at nathan briefly to communicate that he understands -- enough -- before turning his eyes to the floor in guilt & shame. ]

. . . I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I. . . [ stops to bring up an arm to press it against his eyes. ] I couldn't-- I didn't want to-- she deserved more, so I. . .

[bawkmajor.livejournal.com]

I. . . she. . . [ forces himself to breathe. ] Is there-- is there anything I can do? To-- To help her?

1/2

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ scratches the back of his neck, unsure if he should reassure him. decides against it, just opting to explain a bit more to get everything out there. ]

Honestly? We didn't want you around her for a while. We were worried that if you two were together that things would start all over again. Took almost four months to bring her back to a state where she'd be able to function properly. I... won't go into details.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

... but it looks like she's really happy around you. Doubt anything would happen if you stayed with her like you usually do.

[ shrugs a bit. ] She'd be more crushed if you went away or avoided her, but it's up to you.

[bawkmajor.livejournal.com]

[ manages a shrug of his own. looks up & manages a tight smile. ]

. . . If she's alright, then I'll stay.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ notices that tight smile, arms crossing over his chest again. there's silence, and then: ]

... she'll be able to feel if you don't want to be around her, or if you're acting weird. To her nothing happened, you know? If you need some time to yourself for a while, you can take it. To think, whatever. She stays with me most of the time, so it's best to just drop by here or call her. We're thinking about taking her out of school until she's better, so that option is out.