Zakai and Jesse discuss an absence
-Zakai-
*Zak sits on the porch- long white-black hair drifting about his
face in a light wind. He futily tests it again- no sign of her.
So far as he could tell- the other's weren't worried. It wasn't
unusual that Yvette vanish for a couple days without saying a
thing. Hells- from what he's heard, she's vanished for even
longer, no one hearing from her until she felt like turning up
again-but something didn't feel right about this...she would have
told him, right?* ...... *he scans the farm again- he's been
waiting for several days now- no sign of her. How did she leave?
Her truck was here...not that it'd been in running condition last
time he looked.* ...something about this stinks...and it's not
the stables.... *silver-blue eyes narrow- not in anger- but to
hold back tears. No one else appeared to be worried- but why was
he then? Of course- how could you tell Ei was worried?? she never
showed emotion. And Jeff- oh, there's a fine person to look to to
see if there's some kind of concern going around. Kai had more
responsibility in one nail than Jeff did his whole body.*
Yvette....*a near whimper. She's virtually been there for him
since the day he was ""born"". What's he
supposed to do with her gone? yes- he had left for a time- but
that was something he had control over....he could have come back
any time to see her. Now? Now- Kai is experiencing something
completely foreign to his usual way of thinking, his way of
acting. Fear- for another- and a feeling of being lost- even
though he knows where he is. His head bows down slightly, his
breath escaping in short gasps- tears slipping down his cheeks.
Kai has never cried before...he didn't know Syntants could. It
seemed so impractical...now, though- he doesn't care. It seems to
be all he can do.* .……*he shakes-even though he isn't
cold right yet**She watched him wander away…he had obviously
made a very thorough search.. she blinked and got up, to clean
the kitchen again.. washing everything putting everything away
where it belonged. As she had always done. Her features still
cold. Glancing up at her reflection caught in the faucet then
down in the water as she washed, then dried the dishes. Placing
them where they belonged.. and turning off the light. She
wandered with a dirty dish rag before tossing it in the hamper
upstairs. pausing and looking towards Zak's door then the one to
Yvette’s bedroom she had left ajar.. Quietly * The scents
are.. old.. *She shook her head and retired to her room, hunching
back over her machine slowly.. calculating, thinking several
things at once, long into the night.. * . He crosses his arms
over his chest, pulling his legs up- face bowing to almost touch
his knees.* ........where did she go...I can't find her
scent...*soft whine- fear, worry, loneliness all embraced in it.
Who will he look to now? Sai? too cold...Jesse? too...distant.
Geoff? oh, there's a joke.* ...please come back....*part of him
terrified. maybe- maybe it's his fault…he hurt her with his
last words when they talked last time…he must've…she
went away and it's all his fault...*
-Jesse-
~*~ She slid towards her window, as Alan slept quietly. Things
were not adding up as they should have. Things with Aerik were..
tense. Why would she even have such silly suspicions in the first
place? This bothered her more than most things. That and the
absence of Yvette that no-one could place.. or even acknowledge.
Perhaps she assumed she was the only one who thought about such
'trivial' things.. and perhaps she was wrong about that
hypothesis too. She hovered over her newest work in progress..
and watched as her hands and fingertips nimbly worked and
replaced the copper wiring with optics and smoothed out the whole
process. She glanced at the time and back at her projects. She
theorized that she should most likely be getting some sleep, as
where the human body required an average of eight hours.. then
again she wasn't quite human. Time wore on as all time will and
she worked in utter silence, until finally feeling the pains of
thirst drive her down the stairs, and retrieve a glass of
water..~*~
-Zakai-
*A slight shift of his ear- someone's moving around inside. He
pauses, holding his breath eagerly a moment- then deflates, eyes
closing. It's not Yvette…the steps are too light. Nor is
there any of the muttering that usually accompanies a late
arrival to the house. A sniffled whimper and he curls up on the
porch, shivering- now very much from the cold. He can only
""generate"" heat so long with his own
energy…before he risks lighting something on the porch on
fire.* ....I'm worrying over nothing....that's all...she...she
probably went to see a friend...in another city...she called a
taxi since no one was here to take her car back when she
left..... *oh, sweet wishful thinking....if there'd been a taxi,
he would have scented it...he's been over the driveway many times
now.*
-Jesse-
~*~ She wandered towards the kitchen, retrieving a glass , then
filling it from the tap. Noting too the dishes were amiss, and
the kitchen was a wreck. Glancing as she took only one sip before
setting her glass down, and begining to clean. Almost as if it
were what she was programmed to do. A slow and steady process as
she let her mind slip.. and wander. Which she assumed most
telepaths tended to do. Pausing as he scanned over Kai.. and
pressed on, a telepaths equivalent to a 'good evening' though in
not so many words. She didn't bother to pry. She didn't bother to
say anything more, the kid she rationalize, simply did not care
for her company. Glancing then towards the growing kitten that
poked its head from the corner, no doubt in search for it's
owner.. Yvette. She sent a though, more like a feeling to the
animal.. not assured it would succeed, that what it was searching
for was not to be found. She paused then in the soft and rhythmic
clanking of dishes, to dry her hands.. and slowly wander towards
Kai.. perhaps he knew of something. It was not accustomed for him
to be up quite /this/ late. She paused near the front door her
hand sliding along the framing of the door-way. Blinking towards
the closed door for a moment, perhaps debating if the child did
not want to be disturbed. She paused again before sliding her
hand over the cool metal, and giving it a twist. Allowing the
colder air to tease at her arms only for a moment.. as she
re-adjusted what he mind perceived as the temperature.. and was
not nearly as cold. She glanced over towards him.. though a thick
inky night.. pushing then aside the screen-door and descending a
few steps. She called in a very soft voice.. one that could have
been mistook for a passing swirl of air. And the emotion in it
was just as devoid as the air. ~*~ Zakai .. I have something I
wish to ask of you.
-Zakai-
*he sniffles- rubbing at his eyes furiously to try to erase signs
of the tears- though that's a futile effort at best. Tear
streaks- darker stains of blue on his skin rather than the red
tone you might see on a human- stand out brightly on pale skin*
...y-yes, Jesse? *quiet- even meek tone- and more than a little
shaky.*
-Jesse-
~*~ She paused as she glanced towards him. her lips parted as she
just stared for a moment. The outer shell seeming serene and
placid, though a million thoughts that instant whirled though her
mind. Where as she /should/simply inquire about her friend, and
leave the child alone.. he more than likely wandered outside for
self-solace.. she knew it wasn't what was the /best/ course of
action. Emotionally a child she hesitated further, as her glassy
ice stare wavered and melted just a bit in consideration.. She
didn't lie. There was as no need to lie, instead she flipped the
subject.. ~*~ Are you not cold? ~*~ She wandered closer though
not giving any indication of the temperature affecting her
besides the steam from her breath. The breaths themselves were
smooth and even. Near calculated, like a fine oiled and
maintained machine. Then again.. she reminded most of a heartless
piece of gears and metal. She tilted her head as the gap between
them lessened ever so slightly.. as she watched him.. observing
the tears she had merely /guessed/ where there before. But for
what could a child be bothering over at such a tender age. She
forced herself to remember he was remarkably smart. And too
reminded herself dimly he more than likely would not want to be
consoled by a emotionless 'ice queen'~*~
-Zakai-
N.no....*lying. he's freezing- and staving off a forced
Hibernation with pure will alone. Cold is his worst enemy- but
he's determined to be here when Yvette comes home....she HAS to
come home..* .....h-have you heard from Yvette? *shivering, eyes
wide* s-she left without saying a-anything....I'm
worried...*almost begging her to say she's heard from her...even
if it's a lie.*
-Jesse-
~*~ She stood there, a quiet air between them Letting her icy
features melt in near understanding. A slow exhale as the steam
then dipped and swirled upwards, around her nose, and to
dissipate in the air. She tilted her head, parting her lips as if
to speak. To let escape that feather whisper that was as devoid
of anything but sound. She froze up again.. saying quietly.. ~*~
You seem to be deceptive in the fact that you appear quite
uncomfortable at this thermal condition. Please come inside.. we
can discuss... things.. ~*~ She allowed her arms to hang loosely
as she spoke. Her eyes watching cold and calculating. So.. he had
not heard form Yvette yet either.. Her worry was beginning to
bloom. She stepped backwards, pausing to allow him to understand
her invitation was sincere... Turning her body towards the house,
and her head back to look at him. ~*~ I Will make you something
warm to drink.. ~*~ She hesitated again before taking a few more
small steps. The frost covered grass cracking even underneath her
weight. Someone somewhere must know where Yvette was. her brow
furrowed in thought as he waited, patiently and motionlessly for
him to follow..~*~
-Zakai-
*he blushes- turning a bit bluer in the face- then shakes his
head. of all the coloring to have when he's sitting out in the
cold. No one could tell he was freezing because he's ALREADY
blue. Still- he must not be hiding the shivering well...* *like a
child caught doing something he really shouldn't be, Zak stands
and looks over his shoulder again- more than a bit forlornly. He
still thinks it's his fault Yvette left…he shouldn't have
said that last bit when he ran off...he probably hurt her
feelings badly...* ...alright... *he follows her, head bowed
slightly, bluish-silvered white hair forming a partial screen*
....................so you haven't heard from her? *quiet
whisper*
-Jesse-
~*~ She awaited until she approached the door until half
answering. Her voice still quiet, almost drown by the noise of
the creaking screen and then door afterward. Hesitating as she
felt the cold knob twist, and she said ~*~ From.. Yvette.. ~*~
Not a question but a statement. She had not contacted them for a
while.. it was uncharacteristic for her. Aerik had not seemed
alarmed.. She shook her head as she stepped inside, then leaving
him space to follow. Noting his manner, his forlorn look and
grace. Watching him as he entered and closing the door slowly.
her fingers still lingering as the screen toggled shut a few
times. Then wandering towards the kitchen, the artificial lights
giving a soft hum. ~*~ I have not heard from Yvette recently..
~*~ She rose a brow as she walked towards the cupboard, pulling
out some Swiss Miss with Marshmallows. Removing one packet before
saying then a question this time. Deadening her voice further as
to not cause alarm ~*~ When is the last time you have spoken to
her? ~*~ Still rationalizing that Yvette was fine.. that it was
near impossible that someone so strong could have been captured..
or hurt. Though not as daft to rule out that possibility...Moving
then towards a kettle and filling it, almost as quiet as she
spoke.. placing it upon a burner and lighting a blaze. Taking out
two clean cups, she terrorized the only two clean things in the
kitchen. She had not time to finish her cleaning of the mess..
She blinked then as she set the mugs down.. she remembered the
half drunken beer when she arrived from the Lair.. glancing back
to Zak awaiting an answer ~*~
-Zakai-
*he perches on a chair- careful to keep from touching it with any
bared skin- and heaves a sigh* a long while ago...we....we
argued...I said a lot of things I shouldn't have...*looking at
the floor*
-Jesse-
* She blinked and moved the mugs finally to the kettle and
wandered near him, taking the seat nearest to him. She sat her
hands folded in her lap, her posture still perfectly straight.
She glanced upwards then allowing her eyes simply rest on him.
Unmoving. She thought about many things.. but of all of them she
doubted Yvette would have ran from her problem.. such as this.
She was not a coward.. not in Jesse's eyes. She then allowed her
eyes to wander downward in an awkward reoccurring silence. ~*~
What was it you two argues about.. ~*~ She sat motionless,
besides the trembling flesh on her throat, the lips that moved
very slowly wrapping around every word..*
-Zakai-
......she...we got to talking about wanting different lives...she
asked me if I'd rather we were GUARD....I told her now- I just
wished we were normal people who could walk around without
getting stared at or having to look over our shoulders to see if
someone's coming up to jump us just for being what we are. I
probably don’t have to worry so much...the worst that'll
happen to me is someone thinking I'm an alien or something...the
GUARD's already messed with a syntant- what would they want with
an inferior model? *sigh* but I said it all wrong....
-Jesse-
* She managed another blink as a far watered down look of
surprise and bewilderment flashed in her eyes.. parting her lips
then erasing their intentions.. Inferior model? GUARD.. She
blinked again as the water rumbled and clanked the kettle. That
being the only noise that was between them. Quietly assimilating
all this into account and glancing from him towards the kettle
with a slow steady move of her eyes. Quietly then, though not the
whisper.. ~*~ She did not leave because of you.. what you said..
I do not believe Yvette would do something of that nature..
*Quietly getting up, not sure as to how to console the Syntant
child.. or for a human for that matter. So much wishing Alan were
p.. he would know what to do in these matters.. or perhaps that
even Aerik was there.. she missed him greatly.. * I went to ask
Aerik for help.. and he has refused to help find her.. though
they have not been on the best terms.. * She tried giving him
something she too was in dire need of.. hope.. * But I am willing
to help locate her.. if you would like assistance. * She wondered
if that would perhaps ease his mind, for as he seemed to even
have more turmoil about the matter than she. Ripping open the
packet of hot chocolate and emptying the contents into the mugs.
Though she detested the drink, she somehow felt this act of her
sharing even that would be more hospitable. Knowing of his clear
distaste, or dislike of her.. or what she perceived as dislike..
she assumed there should be a buffer when talking about such
subjects. And where as the average mind would think it would
relax she rationalized everything. *
-Zakai-
*broken tone* then why did she go? this isn't right....I don't
think she'd do something like this for THIS long...she's more
responsible than me, right? she'd have checked in by now, right?!
*on the verge of tears again- then hisses slightly* ....I
can’t say I'm sad Aerik decided to not help....*curling up
on the chair* Sai told me all about /him/. I "saw" what
Aerik did to him!! I'm a telepath too you know...maybe not a
powerful one, but I still am one. *then bites his lip* I...I
wanna find her....soon....but I don't know how...there's NO
scent, Jesse! how can I trace her?
-Jesse-
*She slightly melted for his heart-pulling words. Though her
demeanor remained constant on the outside. * She did not leave
because of you.. you have no basis to say such.. *Her words were
cut off as he spoke more, and she allowed him to finish. He more
than likely had not heard her anyway. Then she stood absorbing
what he said blinking slowly as She blinked again.. questioning..
then as she placed the hot drink beside him.. the thoughts of
consoling wiped from her mind.. Yvette had said he had a great
sense of smell.. she blinked.. casually asking then * What do you
mean.. no scent... ? *sliding the hot drink towards him as she
sat back down slowly sipping on the hot drink. Her mind
registering her senses duller as so it was not as hot. Watching
him carefully.. as she slowly placed her cup down on the table
and stared. *
-Zakai-
All the scents here are old- and none of them leave the farm.
*taps his nose* I'm better than a blood hound...she hasn't
walked, driven- been driven- nor have I scented any new people or
vehicles. Not even on the road. Just the neighbor's stuff. *has
evidently made a very thorough search.* all around the farm
perimeter- no one's come or gone- on foot or in anything else.
*he sighs, wilting slightly- then yawns- showing several pointy,
needle sharp teeth* ....I guess I should go lay down...I stayed
up too long in the cold...*another yawn fast on the other's
heels* g'night...and thanks...*has an odd feeling that maybe-
just maybe- the ice queen wasn't so icy after all...and was
honestly trying to help.*