Preternatural Curses UC/Adult

[isabelle]

*Max*

I nod solemnly at Liz's words of caution and then raise my eyebrow as she mentions my return. I reach over once more, touching her soft cheek and smiling into her deep eyes.

"I will. I promise," I tell her. I know I need to be here and help figure out what's really happening to Liz just as much as I need to find the source of this sighting and to find out if it's real. If I could, I'd stay with Liz a little longer, but there are people watching us and I know this sighting won't wait. I need to get there before the sheriff. I only hope that Liz will be okay while Isabel and I are gone. I don't know how well she'll hold that control she just found. It's new and I know she's not used to it yet. I won't be surprised if it's something that has to be repeated until she's fully in control. I shudder to think what will happen if she slips again when there's nobody near to help her.

Standing, I reach out my hand to her, trying to remember how I should be acting with her, in case the Sheriff or anyone-else is watching, but it's hard to know anything except this strange new feeling and this power coursing through her so-human body.

"Let's get back, then. We've probably been away from the group long enough," I say.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: no time to format I'm afraid, but hope this will work for you.

~Liz~

Max nods, but I can’t help thinking that he looks somewhat surprised, or maybe a more accurate word would be amused, as I say for him to come back to him. I know that maybe it isn’t anything that he would have been expecting, but it is something I just needed to say. However Max feels, whatever he wants, I don’t want to try and hide my feelings for him any longer. In the long run it will be up to him what happens, I can’t force him to accept what I say is true, but I know how I feel…and what I want…now it’s up to him…

He reaches over and touches my cheek, meeting my eyes and smiling. Somehow, as I look at him, there’s something inside telling me that whatever happens, it’s going to be ok…

“I will…I promise…”

Those words are the most wonderful I can imagine. I don’t know what is happening to me, but what I do know, is that I can face anything as long as Max is there with me…

I notice him looking round, and although I might like for us to just stay like this, I know that it isn’t possible… As much as I might need him, there are more important things to do right now. Max is right…they don’t know whether the sighting is just another example of some crazy people making a big deal out of a shooting star, but if there’s any chance that it might be something else…that it might be real, he has to find out, and he has to make sure that Valenti doesn’t find it…

Even a few more minutes would be wonderful, and I can’t say I’m not worried about what might happen when he’s gone – I can feel this unfamiliar power surging through me and there is a small part of me that is wondering how long I will be able to keep control. I know that I can’t afford to be thinking like that though. Whatever is going on, I CAN cope with it… As Max and I have both said, it’s not something that has happened before, and it’s not something that is normal, but it’s also not something that feels wrong, and if I have this running through my body, I can cope with it – or so I hope anyway.

Part of me is worried that I won’t be able to, even though I try not to think of it. I’m not like Max though…my body isn’t built for this…what if something goes wrong…? Mentally, I shake my head. I can’t think like that. I have to be positive, nothing is going to happen, I can handle this.

Besides, whatever happens, I know that Max needs to go, and I can’t keep him back.

He stands and reaches out, offering me his hand. It’s nothing like the contact I want to maintain with him…I want to stay there in his arms forever, but I know that’s not possible. This is the most we can allow people to see and I know it. I accept the hand he offers in silence, allowing him to help me up. “Thanks…”

Max nods. “Let’s get back then. We’ve probably been away from the group long enough…”

I nod as Max says this. He’s right…if I stay here much longer, I have a funny feeling my dad might just decide to come over and ask how we’re doing… Max might have said that we’re just friends, but I think he’s going to want to check that out for himself and I can’t say the way we were just acting will help to make him believe that. Going back to the others before they come after us is definitely a good idea. “You’re right, if we stay here much longer they’ll probably decide to send out a search party…” I tell him laughing and smiling softly.

Whatever just happened, and whatever it might mean, I’m just glad that Max was there…

[isabelle]

*Max*

Smiling, I look down at our linked hands. It feels so good and right to be holding her, touching her, even in this small way. Staying away from her had been leaving me feeling empty and confused. Now, things seem to be better, more complete. I'm more complete, just being with her.

I open myself to her for a moment, not fully entering a healing connection, but just enough to quickly feel the surface of her ... her non-physical-self -- her energy ... I don't have any words for it, but I can feel it. The shape of her inside her skin.

Although I don't connect deeply enough to look below the surface, I can see that she's still in control. A few small ripples show her nervousness and worry haven't disappeared. The ripples are larger than I'd see in Isabel or Michael although I'm sure it's just because she's still learning. This is all entirely new to her and I'm incredibly proud of the control she has already. I hope she's able to maintain it, when we're gone.

Biting my lip for a moment as I gently ease out of the light connection, I wonder if it won't be safer to have her come with us when we search out the sighting, although I don't know how I'd be able to explain that to Isabel. Still, I'll definately be checking on her before we actually make our escape from the group.

I'm amazed at how calmly she's taking this, now that it is under control. True, it feels like it's right for her now, but I know it's not the way she was and I wouldn't blame her if she were completely terrified. Instead, she seems to be almost comfortable with the idea. She amazes me more every day.

She leans toward me for a moment as she steps over a largish rock and I can't help but smile down at her. She's so incredible. "Let me know if you need anything," I whisper to her, thinking of any additional help with her new energy, although I already told her I'd be available if she needed me.

With an effort, I soften my smile to more closely resembling mere-friendship as we step into the fire circle together. Reluctantly, I release Liz's hand and take a step closer to my dad.

"Who's winning?" I ask, referring to the card game. I see that Isabel and Alex are both not around at the moment. I'm sure she'll be back soon, 'though. So we can start our investigation.

Dad frowns. "Hard to say just yet," he says. I can see that he, Mr. Parker and Kyle seem to have the largest pots at the moment. "Want to join us?"

"Well, maybe for a hand or two," I say as dad slides me a couple of chips. I can pass the time here while I wait for Isabel. "I think I'll be turning in soon."

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

For a moment, Max seems to stop and says nothing. I feel a faint connection opening up between us and I know that he’s checking to see if I’m in control.

It could be risky if anything happened while he and Isabel were away…we both know that and the importance of keeping the control is something of which I am fully aware. This might be new, but I have to succeed… Slipping up in front of the wrong person, or letting go when Max isn’t there to help…it’s dangerous and not something I can allow to happen.

As unused to this as I am, I have to be strong, I have to maintain this control Max has shown me, not just for them, but for me as well…

I feel Max easing out of the connection and as he does so, I look up at him. “I’ll be ok…” I tell him softly. As much as I would like to have him staying here with me, I know that this is important and something that he has to do…

We’re walking back towards the group again now and I have to step over, closing some of the distance between us, to clear a rock in the ground. As I do this, I lean towards Max a little and he seems to take advantage of this to dip his head just slightly and whisper to me. “Let me know if you need anything…”

I nod silently to show that I understand before adding, “I will Max…but don’t worry, I’ll be fine…”

All too quickly, we’re stepping back into the circle the others have formed round the fire and I notice Max’s smile softening.

I know how he feels though, and that’s the important thing… For one moment, I concentrate on recalling how perfect it felt to be with him two moments ago. It is this that keeps me going as I pull away, matching my smile to that of Max’s and as he steps closer to the guys who were playing cards, I move in the opposite direction, bending slightly as I reach my father so that I can talk to him without interrupting anyone else. “I’m just going to check on our fire…see that it’s still going…” I tell him quietly before standing back up and heading away from the group again.

Checking the fire seems like as good an explanation as any, and right at this moment in time, I’m not sure I feel like testing my acting ability…

My dad unfortunately seems less than eager to let me go. “We can do that in a minute Lizzy…just stay with your old man for one last hand…?” He requests of me.

I shake my head, hoping that my dad won’t realise how eager I am to get away. “No, really dad…I should check on the fire…after all that trouble getting it started, I don’t want it going out…” Without waiting for his response, I walk back towards where we pitched…

The sun has long since gone down, and the only light is coming from the fires. The one Mista helped me with earlier is getting a little low, but it’s still lit and I’m sure that a little more firewood will bring it back up to par. I grab a few of the pieces of wood Maria helped me gather earlier and stick them on the fire, using another, longer twig, to jostle them about a little.

In a few minutes, the flames begin to rise again and I sit for a moment warming my hands.

“Looks to be burning pretty strong now…”

I turn round, startled, having believed myself to be alone, and look up at my father. “Oh, hi dad…what are you doing here…I thought you had a game to finish…”

He shrugs. “I folded…my hand wasn’t that good…” He pauses a moment before continuing although it’s obvious he hasn’t finished and I can’t help wondering what he’s going to say. He looks at me. “Besides, I think it’s time you and I had a talk…”

[StormWolfstone]

*Mista*


I can feel someone watching me and can't help but smile as I reach for the scruff of the wolf's neck at my side, before I glance around non-chalantly and notice Kyle looking my way. Grinning, I glanced back at the wolf and whispered, "I will need to teach you how to tell the difference between friend and foe so that even in the hunt you will not harm those that are friends to the pack."

I knew when I glanced at my campsite that Moira had heard me speak and I grinned as she teased, "Don't tell me that you consider any non Lukoi as a friend?"

"Moira, let's try and act like normal teens and have a small marshmallow roast?" I suggested with a smirk.

Daniel interjected, "You can have S'mores if you want. I picked up chocolate and graham crackers just in case."

I laughed and nodded as I called out loud enough to be heard at the neigboring sites, "S'mores time!" Then loud enough only for Daniel to hear I said, "Entertain the adults, Dan. Moira can entertain the teens that are still up and about. We don't want anyone interfering with my reason for being here."

Daniel stood and made an act of saying, "Well, sweetie, I think I'll see if Sheriff Valenti and the other fathers mind if I join them."

"Go for it Dad. Mo and I can entertain ourselves." I responded in a teen manner all the while I wanted to laugh. Then looking at Mo I grinned, "I'm going to see if Kyle and some of the others wish to join us."

Walking away from the campsite I saw Kyle sitting down with the guy's but not seeming all that happy even with the larger pot in front of him. Smiling, I leaned down. The wolf had followed me and now rested right behind me. Kneeling next to Kyle, I idly reach to stroke the wolfs fur as I say, "If you get bored, Moira and I are going to be making S'mores and then Mo wants to tell ghost stories."

[StormWolfstone]

OOC: Ahh.... I didn't realize my Isabel post didn't go through. pout...


*Isabel*

I'm certain that the time is nearing and soon Max and I will need to be ready to make our escape as soon as possible, but I can't say that I am completely ready for what we might find. As Alex speaks softly, I smile. “Ok, well if you need anything from me to help, all you have to do is ask…” He seems to hasten to add, "I’m not trying to make this something that it’s not Isabel…you say you only want to be friends, and if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll be, but even as just a friend, I want you to know I’m here for you…I want to help…”

His concern and offer is really touching and I reach out a hand without even thinking about it, placing it on his shoulder. "I appreciate that, Alex. At this point in my life, I need friends and I know we can trust you. I just don't want to place you at further risk by involving you even more in all of this." I couldn't admit it out loud, but a part of me was touched by Alex that I wasn't completely certain about and there was a shred of interest, if I admitted it to myself which I still felt as though I was fighting it.

"We'd better be getting back soon." Even as I spoke the words, I made no move. What if this sighting was real and we were getting a message? what would it mean to us? Would we be leaving all that we had known soon? I hated wondering about that, but I also wanted to know more about who I was and where I was from.

I just couldn't picture leaving my family here on this planet, yet I knew that day might come when we would leave in order to gain more answers.

[isabelle]

*MAX*

Keeping my mind on the game isn't easy when the sheriff is right across the circle from me. He's watching me but he's also scanning the area around us. No doubt he's looking for Isabel.

I try to relax and act normal. I get a pretty good hand. I trade two cards and suddenly I've got four-of-a-kind, but I keep my expression almost neutral, with just the slightest quirk at the corner of my mouth. Acting. It's what I do everyday - pretending I'm just like everyone-else. I raise my bet and soon the guys around the circle are folding.

"What is it, Max?" Dad asks. "You got some power over these guys? I'm not going to fall for it." He ups his own bet and demands to see my cards.

Frowning, I feel the sheriff's eyes on me. Passing my hand over the cards, I change two of them so I now have only two pair. As I throw it down, my dad grins.

"Hah! I can see right through you!" he says as he scoops up the pot.

I shrug and put on an air of disappointment. "Oh well."

"Better luck next time," Mr. Whitman says. I nod, with a slight smile. I don't want luck at this game. What I need is luck in an hour or two when we go after that sighting. If we're lucky enough to get there before the Sheriff, and there's actually something there, that's all the luck I'm planning to need.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: I'll have Alex up later tonight maybe, or hopefully tomorrow morning if not.

~Liz~

“…I think it’s time you and I had a talk…”

I tense and stiffen, feeling my control waver. I don’t know what my father wants, but I can’t let myself give up. I have to maintain this…

It’s not easy though – in fact it’s far from easy… My father’s tone has an edge to it that worries me, and given that we know that things like this are related to emotions it seems, the tense and uncertain emotions I’m feeling now probably aren’t helping… “S-sure…” I try to sound as natural as I can but I know that my voice is shaking. I can’t help it… The question of what my dad might be wanting is running over and over in my head.

Six months ago I would have spoken to him about anything…but that was before… I can’t deny that my relationship with my parents has suffered since that day at the Crashdown though…I lie to them and hide the truth. I can’t talk to them, because I can’t tell them the truth about what is really happening anyway can I…?

My dad takes a seat on a tree stump that’s stood near the fire. He gestures to me to sit down next to him. “Good…I think there are some things we need to discuss…”

I swallow and nod as I go over to join him. As though this evening hadn’t been bad enough – although I guess the issue with Max has been cleared up. This thought helps a little, and I sit down with a genuine smile on my face…

“Liz…I love you, and I want you to know that I just want the best for you…”

Ok, never a good thing when he starts like that… “D-dad, what’re you talking about…?” I look at him sideways, and bite my lip as I wait to hear his response. Something about this sounds very bad, and I’m just hoping I’m very wrong…

He seems to think a moment and then nods. “Alright, people do say it’s best to confront…and we’re alone, so I guess this is as good a time as any…” He pauses a moment and I can feel his eyes drifting over me.

I don’t ever remember him looking at me like that…and I know that I don’t like it… “W-what’s going on…?” I ask him nervously, trying to keep the tension out of my voice but failing miserably.

“I can help you through this honey…and I’m not angry at you…”

Ok, now he’s worrying me. “DAD, would you please tell me what you’re going on about?” The way he is talking, this definitely isn’t about a few broken curfews, or even just my dad being overprotective…something is wrong here…

He looks at me a moment and I get the impression that he’s almost sizing me up… Finally he nods. “I saw you and Maria…”

I look at him blankly. “Of course you saw us…Maria’s been my best friend since I was about five and you know that. She’s always round our house so it makes perfect sense that you’ve seen us…” I’m not sure I’m following this at the moment. I get the feeling I’m missing something…

My father raises his eyebrow and looks at me. “I think you know what I mean Lizzie…I don’t want to believe it, I know that Maria’s been your best friend for a long time, but maybe things change…”

“WHAT?” My eyes widen and I don’t believe I’m hearing this. Why on earth would he think I wouldn’t want to be Maria’s friend. She’s always been there for me…she’s been absolutely fantastic! “You’re not saying this…”

“Actually I am… I think maybe she’s changed…” He looks at me.

Changed…no, if anyone it’s me that’s changed… And you know this conversation is doing no good for my control…I can feel the energy inside me heating up again because it’s all I can do not to completely blow up – which could be a very bad thing given after earlier, it could be more literal than I’m actually meaning… “You’re not making any sense…please dad, tell me what is going on…?”

He nods. “Fine, I saw the pills…”

[KatnotKath]

OOC: not very good but I don't have much time, already late for work . Hope it'll do you though storm

~Alex~

“I appreciate that Alex. At this point in my life, I need friends and I know we can trust you. I just don’t want to place you at further risk by involving you even more in all of this.”

I nod again, reaching over to squeeze her hand and smiling. “Well you’ve got one eager and willing friend here…” I tell her softly, smiling. After I finish, I turn serious though as I look at her. “But seriously Isabel…I want to help you deal with this… Isn’t it my choice whether or not I’m willing to take the risk of getting further involved…?” I bite my lip, wanting to say so much more but at the same time feeling unable. I told her I’d be there just as a friend if that was all she wanted…how can I risk saying more and making her think I don’t mean that…that I’m making this into so much more…?

Because I’m not…I know that she only wants me as a friend, only I wish the situation were different…

“We’d better be getting back soon…”

Isabel says the words, but makes no attempt to move and neither do I. We’ve been talking now more than we have in weeks, and I don’’t want it to end. For so long I’ve admired her from afar, knowing that nothing is going to happen, but now, at least she’s my friend, and if that’s all she’s offering, I’ll take it gladly. I wouldn’t give up on that for the world…

Of course she’s not from this world…and eventually, she might have to go back from where she comes from, but in my head, I know that I have to accept that, even if I don’t want to think about it, and just live for the now and the present… I nod slowly. “Yeah, you’re right…” I stand reluctantly and offer her my hand. “Let’s get back to the others…”

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this works, if you need me to change anything just say

~Liz~

“…I saw the pills…”

He saw what…? I’m sorry, I think I he must be going crazy… “Huh…? You saw what…?” I look at him incredulously. “Dad, do you honestly think I-“

He cuts me off before I can finish. “I know what I saw Lizzie…please don’t lie to me…”

He doesn’t believe me…I can’t believe this is happening… “Dad…please, I’m not lying… I don’t know what you thought you saw, but it’s not what you think I can tell you that…” I look at him, my eyes begging him to believe me. I wouldn’t lie to him, not about this…

Of course all this upset is doing nothing for my control and I’m hanging on only by a thread. I need to get away from this conversation…I need some time to calm and collect myself… Unfortunately I can’t imagine dad giving me that at the moment… My only hope is that I can hang on long enough to wrap this up, and then I can get away to the ‘bathroom’ such as it is… Come on…I can do this, I can deal… I bite down hard on my lip, almost breaking the skin and although it’s taking all my concentration to keep this control, I force myself to look up at my dad. He doesn’t look pleased.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about….you never listen to a word I have to say anymore…” He reaches out to touch my arm but I pull away sharply, worried about what might happen. The last thing I want to do is hurt him…I’d never forgive myself…

“Liz…”

I shake my head. “Don’t dad…” I swallow as I feel the power begin to crackle again. I hide my hand behind my back for fear the green sparks might start again. “I’m sorry, I just can’t do this right now…”

“Well I’m sorry too honey, because now is when we’re going to do this…” He looks at me. “I’ve let all this go on too long and now we’re going to talk about it…”

I shake my head again, getting desperate. “Really dad…I can’t…”

He either doesn’t get the message, or he’s ignoring me, but either way, when I move to leave, my dad steps in the way. “NO LIZ!”

I take a step back, startled as he raises his voice. I swallow again and lick my dry lips. “Please…we’ll talk later, but now I really have to go…” Again I try to leave, but again he blocks my path.

“No, we are going to sit down and talk this through…I know it may not be easy honey, but I’ll help you through this…this time, and the next…and the next, until it’s over…”

With a shock I realise what he’s thinking – that I’m having withdrawal symptoms from whatever drug he’s got it into his head I’m hooked on. Once more, I try to make him see that he’s wrong, growing more desperate by the minute. “Please dad, believe me, it’s not what you think…” I don’t blame him one bit…obviously my actions are going to seem weird, and suspicious even…then again, if he hadn’t got this ridiculous idea in his head, I wouldn’t be in this state anyway…

Inside my body I can feel the energy surging and I know that it’s only a matter of time… I’ve done so well up till now, but this…well… I just can’t deal with it right now…I need Max…