Touched in the head... a vision

-=-He sat there, a cylinder cigarette hanging form his lips. Smoke billowing up and stinging his eyes. He attributed the tears there from the smoke, assuring himself more than anything.. that is what they were from. Self deception is an art, of which Mark was becoming a bit more than proficient at. He lied to himself, told himself that he simply didn't care. But the truth was behind that boyish facade, behind the layers of the mask.. he did care. Cared more than anything, about people he no longer could know. No longer could touch or feel. No longer could call 'Mom' or 'Dad' His fingers curled around the edges of the tattered photograph, a memory, something he had kept in his wallet since before he bothered to remember. A picture of his vacation, the first of many at Universal Studios in LA. He sighed, looking at her face, smiling, one arm lightly touching his shoulder. He was much shorter then, and younger, he had grown up. Perhaps forced to grow up faster than a child should. But she, no, she stayed the same. Kind caring loving. Her heart was so large, and would care for him.. he hoped beyond the grave. He was there, cross eyes, being the little shit she was notorious for being. His sister very young a toddler at most her attention was distracted, looking at the multitude of people that had swarmed to one of the nations favorite tourist spots. His father, well step father was smiling warmly at the camera. He was a big man, but always clean. Burly and strong. His arm slipped around his mother's waist, his hand holding Jessica's as she peered out to no where. He had decided when he was very young, it didn't take much for a man to become a father, but it took a hell of a lot for one to become a 'Dad'. -=- -=- He moved his hands over the paperslip memory, remembering how the sun felt. How the air smelt. But sadly, he could barely remember he name. His mom the memory of her pushed back and aside for so damned long.. Her name escaped him while her kindness refused to. He nearly felt her hands resting on his shoulders, he saw her smile brilliant as the sun. Her hair, obviously where he got his carrot top from, curling delicately around the frame of her face. She like him was tall willowy. HE was a male mirror of her, even parts of his personality. While His sister obviously had his dad's genes, darker skin, raven locks. Even in this picture unruly and curly. He smiled, remembering the event so well, as if it had happened just minutes ago. The smoke lingered in his eyes as he pressed his palms over the photograph. A smile a tear.. damn that smoke. *CLICK* A passing man had handed them back their camera, Mark arched his neck and looked up towards his mom. 'Can we at least go on the Back To the Future Rise again? Please please? ' He said turning to face her. Dragging her hands from his shoulders.. HOW embarrassing. He was almost thirteen for Christ’s sake.. he didn't need his mom lingering over him. Watching him. He could take care of himself. Blinking over as Jessica tugged on Steve's hand. 'Daddy.. I want ot go to that store please now.. ' She had gotten a grip on phonics and language very well. Probably attributed t oh er mother being a quantum scientist or whatever she did, and Steve being smart himself. Mark, well he was just the melding pot of everything. He rolled his eyes at his sister. 'No we are going on the ride again Jessie.. ' He said ruefully. His hands folding over his chest. Beaming up at his mom, she could never refuse him anything. Perhaps he always felt 'special' because she always told him he was her special child. Though not understanding the implications at the time. -=-He blinked back to his reality for a moment, indulging at the memories.. as more tears blocked his vision. The average person would have put out the smoke, or perhaps re positioned themselves so the smoke would not hit their eye. Not him he needed an excuse. He pushed the photo back into his wallet, noting the tears still welled. Still broke to the point of over flowing. Gentle sobs rocked his shoulders. A boy, forced to be a man before he was ready. He was frustrated, wiping the tears away with an angry fist, muttering -=-Aw shite..-=- Sniffing and then sighing letting the racking pass. Feeling a smooth ease washing over him. His hands stopped shaking, as he forced it back. Placing it back as he had for how many grueling months? He sat back blinking as his thoughts vanished, replaced by ones that were not his own. His memories tucked away, nearly erasing GUARD had anything to do with the deaths Instead a suspicion. A clear yearning to know. Not knowing where the compulsion came from.. or even image he suddenly saw, etched to the tender thoughts of his brain.. He muttered then -=-What?... -=- Blinking at the name, in confusion as PsiWarp left Mark's mind.. leaving a seed in place of the sorrow. A seed that unbeknownst to Mark or to anyone else.. one of treachery, and deceit.. Secretly in the confines of GUARD HQ, even at the distance, PsiWarp smirked.. as the dark plan was unrevealed and rolled into action -=-

*Lyeth turns the corner from the kitchen and rounds the wall, entering the Pit area, where the large sectional and circular couch, the stereo system (though each youngster has their own personal stereo as well), and the large-screen TV are kept. A small pause, to lick the chocolate melting down the fudgecicle and over her hand, and then she continues, humming nothing to herself, seeking heat signatures. She walks down the hallway and stops again at a door, on the way to her own. Brows furrow slightly, and she raps her knuckles on the wooden frame that hides the chamber beyond from prying eyes* ...lo? Mark? You in there? *she waits a moment, then in a sing-song voice* We have fuuUUuudgecicles! Want one?

-=- One word and one alone is what he needed. It could have been brownies, with marshmallow drizzles or Mint Chip Ice-cream, both his faves, but NEITHER could have gotten the reaction out like this one -=- Lyeth, My goddess.. you mean there is FUDGECICLES? -=- Smashing his smoke in the ashtray, the image still over laying each thought he had. Blinking as he nearly tumbled to the door. His room recently vacated by Rocky, was a shrine in itself. It contained his own TV he 'picked up' And every game system you could imagine, along with over a hundred games scattered in every corner of the room. He slid himself between a pile of clothes and the door. Besides the clothes he was about to wash and the games his room was spotless. He was too lazy to clean all the time, and it was just so much easier to keep it clean rather than clean it. Besides /HE/ never cleaned one of his clones always did the dirty work. He threw open the door, eyes wider than moons, snatching the Fudgecicle room her grasp. Nearly devouring it in one bite. he was starving.. and soon the Fudgecicle became just a pleasant memory.. -=- I don't know whether to worship you.. or to demand another one!! -=- Still tasting the fudgie gooeyness roll though his lips. He flipped the fudgecicle stick into his trash without even a backwards glance, and lit a smoke, He never really had /TALKED/ to Lyeth.. Sure she was around.. but never /talked/ to her. He shifted his weight in uneasiness and glanced at her, before extinguishing his light's flame. Nodding to her his hand outstretched, offering one of his precious smokes. -=-

*Lyeth chuckles, flourishing slightly in a kind of royal bow* Worship me, of course! And try not to inhale em... there ARE more in the freezer. *She shifts her weight, leaning against the doorjamb, watching him light his smoke, and shaking her head as he offers one* No thanks. Never got into actually /smoking/ them... just lighting them. *she eyes him a moment, then grins brightly* Everyone else went out I think. Wanna watch a movie with me? Kevin rented some good ones and left em here... for the past week. *she rolls her eyes* Some fine THOSE will have, I'm sure.

-=- he nodded and shrugged putting back the pack in his pocket. Well different strokes for different folks. He kicked aside a shirt sighing. He'd have to do the laundry soon. Listening to her words as he brushed aside his hair. Needed to be cut again too. -=- Lemme guess. 'Slash and Trash Part six.. Whores and Hand grenades.. ' ' Debbie Does Dallas..' And ' Fists of Fury the final absolute gawd damned last chapter'? He smirked, not really knowing Kevin, but assuming it would be something more like 'Fallen' PRAYING no Titanic, only GOOD thing about that crappy piece was that Leo De-Cap.. died. He nodded again, shutting his door behind him, looking into the hall. Damn it WAS empty. He blinked -=- Sheesh a fire alarm I miss er something?

*She doesn't straighten right away, simply keeps watching him a moment, and past him, scanning his room. She grins at the games and 'boytoys' scattered about, but all in all, it was fairly, surprisingly, tidy* Ah, no, the GOOD stuff. "Gator Bait", and "Bayou Butchers". I think he may have even picked up "Bambi vs. Godzilla"... *she shrugs, smiling, then offering a light laugh, finally pushing away from the wall and tossing her hair off her shoulders. Damn stuff never DID stay where it was supposed to stay* I think he got "Heat".. or is IN heat, who the heck knows? *With that, she starts back down the hall, empty and uncluttered* Chinese Fire-drill.. they're all outside running around the cars. *a grin is tossed over her shoulder*

-=- He scratched his head -=- He /wishes/ he was in Heat was more like it.. -=- Blinking and chuckling, his eyes still red, passing it off as if he had just woken up. Walking along the hall with her, not exactly sure what to talk about. Instead just repeating her words -=- Chinese Fire-drill, Why am I not surprised.. They would do something like that.. at least they are not totally daft enough to play connect the dots on the freeway and shite.. -=- His Cali accent shone though a bit as he tried to tidy that up. Taking on a Wisconsin or wherever the hell they were accent instead. Blinking as they wandered near the main TV. Indeed NO ONE was to be seen. THAT's why there were fudgecicles left. Tilting his head a bit wondering if the drill was even around THEIR Cars. Then blinking again as the image pressed deeper into his mind. -=- You wanna hear something really creepy? -=- Plopping down on the couch in a blur of blue-jeans and flannel tee-shirt. -=-

He's constantly in heat! *she laughs and glances back at Mark* Like all boys his age, I guess. Did I wake ya from a nap? Yer eyes are red. Sorry if I did... *she barks a laugh and turns a moment to face him* oh, they TRIED that one... nearly got run over a few times. *Shaking her head, she gives a mock sigh. She walks a bit further, closely alongside Mark, and jerks a thumb at the kitchen* I'd suggest getting more fudgecicles before the crew gets back, or there won't be any left. They're like piranhas. *she pauses, tugging her shirt down to better cover her flat belly, and blinks slowly at Mark as he plops down on the couch* Creepy? Whadya mean? *she too, takes a seat, with far more grace, and lowers herself to a nearby seat*

-=- He blinked looking at the TV before simply flicking the set on. Yawning and nodding -=- Yes nappy time for Mark dude.. -=- He smirked and just shook his head. Both his age in heat.. well he admitted, if he had a girl he'd definitely.. well. He smirked as he flicked though the channels, still sighing about Jerry. That had been his FAV Show besides Days.. now there was cheesy re-runs, a hundred tributes and shit. Slowly saying then -=- I keep seeing like his face.. -=- Sitting up straight, tapping his head lightly with a smoke affixed between his fingers. Then sighing and taking a large drag. COVERT he was not.. well not really. He tilted his head and sighed. -=- Perhaps a bit of a memory.. or like a dream you know] Well it's totally whacked the dude does not even look human -=- Blinking -=- If id is a dude that is... -=- Shrugging letting a shiver dance along the tips of his spine. Shaking his head letting the smoke dangle from his lips as he flipped the remote, and flicked on the VCR, and pressed play. The mystery movie had begun.. He blinked as the title popped on. 'Devils Advocate..' -=- Hey good movie..

*Lyeth listens, head cocked to the side, blinking slowly as she fixes her attention on Mark alone, ignoring the TV set and the movie that begins its scroll of credits across the screen. Then she leans forward, a tiny frown marring her brow* A face? Maybe a flashback, hm? *Then her head tips the other way, still the frown remaining* Doesn't look human, don't know if its a man... *she sighs and sits back heavily, hand to her forehead* Hmmm. Maybe a dream or something. What's this face look like?

-=- Mark wrinkled his nose again and sighed deeply.. looking at her.. -=- PROMISE not to laugh? Well it has this hair that is like long and black and these eyes that are well I dunno, it looks like a girl but I dunno! And has elf ears like a demon or something.. very pale and tall like, but not /built/ like a woman, but heavy lashes.. looks really cocky -=- He sighed expecting laughter or something. Taking a drag of his smoke, a long steady drag before looking back to see Keanuu Reeves.... as a lawyer. Fiction in it's finest -=-

*Lyeth calmly watches Mark as he recites the details of the face haunting him, temples her fingers to her chin, expression blank for the most part. And she doesn't laugh at the description... doesn't even break a smile. Indeed, her eyes burrow into Mark's face like heated brands, sink into the flesh there. And maybe they do. She snaps her eyes shut before things get too hot, and leans forward, intent and intense* Does he.. she, it.. whatever... have any other kinds of... oh, I don't know.. *She waves a hand almost absently* Attire? Jewelry? Um... birthmarks or something? Scars? *she doesn't look at the screen... she doesn't care about the movie right now*

-=- He blinked scratching his head again, thinking aloud, the image flashed even brighter in his mind. VERY Glad that she was taking this so seriously.. -=- Man I don't think it has any scars I dunno, but wears really gaudy jewelry you know? Like shite old people pawn at the flea-market.. doesn't look too bad in that totally tacky shite.. -=- He sighed his eyes flicking back to the movie. Almost glad he found someone who took him seriously for once Though he himself was joking half the time, and just kidding the other half -=-

Gaudy jewelry? *she leans back again, musing* Gold and stuff? *perhaps the jewelry was gaudy, but somehow, he'd always managed to pull it off... it looked /good/ on Aer-- she pauses. Not Aerik, couldn't be. Mark has never seen... abruptly, she stands and scrambles in a desk for a moment, producing paper and a pen, blue ink, then strolls back to Mark, purposefully* Can you sketch a picture of... this being? *she waits, trying to keep her expression bland, but can't quite hide the interest*

-=- He blinked, his drawing skill were at NIL if that good blinking as the image flashed for a moment an hovered at the edges of his thoughts -=- -=- He blinks taking the pen in his hand, tapping it lightly upon his chin. The image flashing. Deeper it bored, and he sketched a very crude sketch, he was no artist. Aerik would have rolled his eyes and more than likely killed him for the insulting drawing. A fleshy face pointy ears and bangs were the first things that came out of the pen. As he worked slowly, shading things, and sighing. It looked nothing like the thing in his head… unproportionate, gaudy jewelry, bearing only MILD resemblance to Aerik... to say the least. It could have been rush Limbaugh and seemed more similar. Mark kinda stuttered his speech.. -=- He looks like that -=- When finished-=- But, not, he's really skinny -=- He sat back tossing the pen at the paper. Not caring why Lyeth would be concerned about the thing in his head, just thankful she didn't laugh at him -=-

*Lyeth's brows raise as Mark sketches... then she frowns, tilting her head this way and that, trying to make sense of the picture. When he tosses the pen and paper aside, Lyeth snags the drawing with TK and pulls it towards her, letting it hover before her as she traces the lines gingerly. It was a poor drawing, but if one knew what to look for, or was expecting to see a certain image... the jewelry, the ears... Rush Limbaugh as an elf, almost. And without meaning to, she breathes the name that comes to mind* ...Aerik. *its all she says about it at the moment, continuing her scrutiny of the illustration*

-=- He rose a brow -=- Aerik... as in Clapton? because I don't think Eric Clapton is my head dude.. or if he suddenly grew ears.. er something -=- He snickered watching her, taking another long, long drag off his smoke before stretching and looking back at the boob tube. Raising a brow as her shirt seemed to inch just a tad upwards. Now she did have a great bod, that more on his mind than the damned image he kept seeing. It did slowly fade at times, it was not so much as Annoying as it was haunting.. -=-

*she offers a soft laugh, glancing over as Mark stretches out on the couch, and grins, showing her white teeth momentarily* Naw, not Eric Clapton. Aerik, my cousin. I THINK... *she looks back at the image scrawled over the paper* Its hard to tell, but everything you've said about him...*she pauses, blinks at Mark, and leans over the back of the couch, picture still floating* I'm gonna... gonna trust you, Mark. Since yer here and all... in the lair, I mean. You never met Aerik, and most likely, yer a happier man for it. Not many like him... *she rolls her eyes and sighs heavily* GEE.. I wonder WHY... *a sarcastic tone, but she quickly switches to a more serious one* He doesn't live here anymore. He used to.. used to be human, even. But that changed over a year ago. *She grimaces, remembering* Anyway... he's a RUNner who finally outran, I think. Though he WAS here a small while back, helped us... with some stuff.

-=- He blinked.. He /knew/ that name. He was there for the Big fight, didn't DO much fighting.. well just went in looked around actually. No one heeded any attention to him. But he sure as hell never met anyone named.. Aerik. BUT Gild had mentioned him once or twice... -=- Oh .. Geoff mentioned him I think.. Why the hell am I thinking about him? -=- Him? He shrugged.. ah well raising a brow letting his eyes wander over her again before blinking back to the TV. He hated Keanu Reeves. Almost Wishing Autumn or Geoff were there to make fun of the damned movie.. there’s a plot. Some poor sap unwittingly working for the forces of evil.. Yeah right.. MARVEL had thought of more original stuff in the Spidey line -=-

*Lyeth sighs, shaking her head and shrugging* I don't know why yer thinking of him... unless its in visions of murder and maiming on HIS person, most people try NOT to think of him. *she glances up then, smiles slightly, lets the picture flutter to the floor* Geoff knows him, yes. He even helped Geoff once, surprise surprise. And Geoff... *she trails off and grins absently, blinking* Well, not many people like telepaths until they actually need some psionic aid, no? *She finally shifts her vision to the TV and sighs dreamily* Keanu Reeves... in a /suit/...

-=- He tried not to gag... Simply staring, the talk about Aerik near forgotten -= You /like/ Keanu? Even his NAME is wretched.. come on.. Even ROCKY could do better in her sleep.. -=- Rolling his eyes and snuffing the smoke in the coffee table ashtray. Silently a small send went out.. Aerik.. cousin to Lyeth? Whoa weird... A different body.. Odd.. no one likes him.. man must be an utter ass.. kinda girly looking too.. -=- Man I Would look better in a suit.. hot damn I DO look better in a suit -=- Tries not to gag again.. while taking another long drag. -=-

Well, he's GREAT with a bag over his head.. and if ya squint REAL hard... *she demonstrates, eyes narrowed to slits at the screen, then looks at him, smiling* Rocky. Haven't seen her in a bit. She finally escape? *a small titter* That girl never BOTHERED to ask where HOW to get out... kind of a brat too... *she mutters under her breath* Not sure I like that one.... *then she grins again, and lets her lids fall halfway, smile altering* Do you? Really?

-=- He sat back, hands perched behind his head in a display of testosterone, false at that -=- Hell yeah I am d'bomb bay-bee -=- Relighting a cigarette and inhaling deeply.. GODS he hated Keanu... what a dumb name. Shaking his head, and moving his feet off the coffee table. Sitting upright running his forefinger and thumb along his brow. Slowly taking in a few more drags, before saying again -=- Last I heard of her Geoff took Rochelle to Venin’s place.. or something.. I just know I am glad.. the beeoch's voice was so annoying.. more irritating than a hundred cats screeching while clawing at a chalkboard. -=- his voice light, his tone hardly serious, back to where it usually was. - He blinked as the movie droned on.. Oh huge plot twists in this one.. Look Keanu is a lawyer, Look he's doing the devil's work.. like that's any surprise for a damned lawyer. He groaned -=- how could Kevin RENT this crap?! I wouldn't even bother stealing it.. or sneaking into a show for it .. that dude must be seriously mental..

Kevin IS mental... guess ya really haven't met him. *her head tilts, and she nods slowly* Venin's place... she's prolly better off there, not many could stand her here, I think, tho' it sounds like... *She lowers her chin to rest on the back of her hand, lids at half-mast, fluttering her lashes over a lazy smile* You like her. Methinks he doth protest too much, and all that jazz. *Lyeth grins then, daring him to challenge her words* Aerik still in yer head?

-=- He blinked.. scratching his chin.. -=- Like her? In all honesty I could never like a girl like that.. torment hell yes, -=- Blinking perhaps he did like her. Shrugging -=- I suppose she is not as BAD As I make her out to be.. annoying ungrateful.. but not that bad.. geeze I dunno. -=- Blinking and thinking for a moment and sliding his smoke from his lips hushing his voice.. sighing just a bit -=- From you and me... I kinda like Aeina.. but well -=- Wincing and taking another long drag off his smoke.. -=- I think I am too young fer her you know? She totally deserves better than a cad like me.. I mean dude look at me -=- A sweep of his arm over his attire, and then looking back at her -= I tried taking her to a rave, it was like we just don't have the same interests I thought we did y'know -=- Pouting a bit, and then shaking his head, quickly -=- Nah but I suppose when gagged Rocky could be cool.. -=- Looking back at her, blinking and nodding.. smiling. His yes curled upwards as if he could peer into his mind himself -=- yeah still there.. him in all his glory.. -=- HE sighed -=- I bet you I saw a picture er something -=- HE shrugged and shuddered a bit.. -=- Man.. or life is playing another sick joke on me

Girl troubles... *She sighs sympathetically and nods, her hand lolling over the back of the couch, swinging absently, then she looks off into the distance, musing a moment* Glad I don't have em. Then again, I don't have GUY troubles either. *she makes a small face, shakes her dark mane, and smiles back at Mark* I like Aeina much better than Rochelle, gagged or not. And maybe you should let HER judge if yer good enough, hmm? Girls can make their own decisions. Heck, we even LIKE to, sometimes. *then her voice lowers, and she murmurs softly, but with a suddenly intense look, purposefully smoked over with non-chalance* There ARE no pictures of him... NONE. HE might be playing a sick joke, but that's not really his style. Not what's in yer head. Too tame.