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Post by Shames on Dec 7, 2009 21:07:50 GMT -5
It wasn't a rare occasion, but it was always a treasured occasion when he got to spend time with his daughter, which usually was every minute of every day, seeing as how he didn't have daycare coverage or anything. And right now there was nothing better than sitting in a comfy chair with his feet up, playing with the most adorable mutant in the world on his lap. They were enjoying a rather one-sided game of patty-cake, which usually consisted of Shames singing the words (since Lyra didn't know all of them yet) but all bets were off when it came to deciding who got to draw the "B" on Daddy's hand. "Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man," he chanted with wide eyes and a lengthy grin to embellish the pure awesomeness of the game. And Lyra always seemed to like it, too.
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Post by Lyra on Dec 7, 2009 21:39:42 GMT -5
Of course, Lyra enjoyed it. She loved her daddy. He was really all she had left. She'd clap with him and do the little actions, thoroughly amused in the simple game. But was the smile on her face much? No. It wasn't. In fact, it was hardly a smile at all. Lately, she had seemed a little saddened. Lyra knew why. It was this new lady. This new lady that hung around Shames as if she was going to be taking her old mommy's place.
Lyra didn't like her...at all. She already had a mommy. She didn't need a new one; she just wanted the old one back. But, even this little four year old had figured out mommy wasn't coming back any time soon.
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Post by Corona on Dec 7, 2009 22:04:57 GMT -5
It felt as though she had been blind for ages. All she remembered was seeing Dean lying wounded upon that torture table. It was the same table that she had endured so much pain at the hands of Elysia. Now, she found herself wandering some familiar streets with fogged vision. Where was she? Why couldn't she decipher what she was seeing? She began to wander for hours before she came to a familiar red and white house. That was her house.
She was home? Corona gasped, not sure if this was real. She stared down at her feet to see she was only wearing knee socks. This had to be real. If it was fake, she'd have shoes. She ran her hand upon her stomach and sighed. Cor knew that the little future that had been present before she fell from the roof was gone now. They had stolen that gift from her. But it made no difference. After taking one look at her gloved hands, she saw the glorious wedding band upon her left ring finger. Corona knew that at last she was home; and without another thought, she charged up to the door and turned the knob, rushing into the living room without stopping to knock.
When she finally gained focus, she saw her beloved husband and daughter. She noticed how much Lyra had grown, how Shames's style had changed. She realized how much she had missed. It only brought tears to her eyes and a lump to her throat. Swallowing down her emotions, she took a couple steps toward them. Cor took a shaky breath and then said timidly, "S-Shames? I'm.....I'm home."
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Post by Shames on Dec 9, 2009 20:43:31 GMT -5
He laughed along with Lyra, loving that sweet, musical giggle she had that he would always, always receive whenever he pleased her. She was such an easy baby. Sure, she had her tantrums, but she was usually comforted by knowing that he was near. The touch of Daddy; Father; Protector. He loved playing that role in her life. She was his little girl.
Someone burst into the door and he thought it might be Elysia, come to take her away from him again. Jumping to his feet, he clutched her to his chest, looking up to find a very familiar woman standing in front of him, but in very different attire.
To say he was confused would be the understatement of the year.
"The hell...?" he whispered to himself.
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Post by Corona on Dec 9, 2009 20:59:02 GMT -5
Lyra had been rather happy until she saw the blank face of her father. She of course, clung closer to him but her brown eyes darted over to look at the lady. It seemed she had heard her name and she tipped her head, a little confused. Then, things began to come back. That was mommy. That just had to be mommy. Ly grinned the biggest grin she had ever produced in her life and raised her arms up. "Mommy!! Daddy, 'ook it Mommy!"She squealed with glee, trying to struggle from Shames's grip.
[/color] Lyra's response was a relief and a comfort. Already tears were falling gently from Corona's eyes and she hustled over to them. "Yes, Lyra precious, Mommy's home." She reassured the little girl with a smile and then glanced at Shames. Her smile faded immediately. Why......Why did he look so.....uneasy? Wasn't he happy to see her? She definitely was! "Shames? What's wrong? It's me. Really! It's me! Your wife, Corona. I'm...I'm Home." She stated truthfully.`
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Post by Shames on Dec 9, 2009 21:06:47 GMT -5
Oh, shit.
She was...dead. How the hell were all these people coming back from the dead? This wasn't happening. She wasn't here. This couldn't be happening... Taking a long pause, swallowing, he sighed, refusing to let Lyra down. She was easily pulled into this. Maybe it was a demon shapeshifter.
Shit.
"How?" he found himself stammered, ticing more than usual. "Th-that doesn't--drah!--make any--wah!--sense."
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Post by Corona on Dec 9, 2009 21:15:04 GMT -5
"I-I.....I don't remember......a guy......and......OH! I saw Dean. It's he alright? I hope he is alright. I was unable to do much for him and.......there was a light...yes, a very big light. And then....so much pain." She rambled quickly, just like she used to do, her accent as thick as ever. Corona seemed a little taken aback by Shames's attitude towards her though. She cured his tics before; but now, they had come back. How was that possible? "I'm real, Shames. This is not a trick. I missed you. I refused to let the memory of you go. They tried....god, they tried. But I hid you away in my mind, and you kept me strong. I missed you, Shames. So much! And I missed Lyra too. It's been too long."
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Post by Shames on Dec 9, 2009 21:36:12 GMT -5
Did this mean he was married again? Scrubbing a hand over his hair, he set Lyra down on the floor, but kept her close to his leg. Dean? "Yeah," he replied with a heavy sigh, still greatly troubled by the ordeal, "Dean's all right. Came back a little while ago." These un-dead people were popping up out of the ground like daisies. He still wasn't sure, though he was telling himself he was fully convinced.
Looking up at her once more, Shames let go of one more long sigh. He was seeing someone else. What was he supposed to do now?
"It's...it's amazing, I mean," he chuckled at his own fumbling over words. "I can't grasp it. How'd you come back? I mean, it's great! You're back!" Did he still love her? He had Evangeline... Of course he would always love Cor, but he wasn't married anymore, was he? She was dead! Wasn't she?
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Post by Corona on Dec 9, 2009 21:51:55 GMT -5
"I promised I'd see you again....in this life or the next, remember? I promised. I always keep my promises, you know that." Corona said with a smile, before she couldn't contain herself anymore. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. The feel of him, the smell.....oh how she missed it. In a soft whisper, she cooed, "Now we can be a family again........I missed you.......and I love you all so much."
Lyra wanted to join the hug too, so she simply clung to their legs, giggling with glee in the fact that her mother was home. Now, maybe the strange lady would go away. But a sudden pause then went to Corona's mind. She slowly pulled back and looked into Shames's eyes. "You don't.....you don't look to happy to see me. W-Why?"
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Post by Shames on Dec 15, 2009 18:13:49 GMT -5
It took him a while to come to. With a shake of his head, he replied, "M'shocked, is all," he replied airily, still trying to fathom her return, and how hastily she had expected him to just accept it and be all right with little explanation. Now it was his turn to do the explaining. But what did she expect? She had died... Wouldn't she have wanted him to try to find love; happiness again?
Or was that wishful thinking?
Swallowing, he shrugged. "I am happy. You're back. It's incredible." Letting Lyra hug her mother by herself after he released Corona from their embrace, convinced that it was no shapeshifter, he took a few steps toward her, not touching her yet. It was better that Lyra have her moment first.
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Post by Corona on Dec 15, 2009 18:26:39 GMT -5
Corona smiled, hugging her darling little girl who she had missed so long. Truthfully, she had missed Shames as well. The knowledge that they were alive and well was what kept her holding on down there. But now, he didn't even hold any love in his eyes when he gazed at her. She searched his eyes for something, anything to give some hint. But then she frowned and gently placed Lyra down once more. "Oh. Shames....I'm......." She stopped. Why should she apologize?!
Looking at him sadly, she rubbed her ring upon her left hand before continuing. "Y-You.......you........you moved on, didn't you? There's someone else in my place, isn't there?" Call it intuition, but Cor knew when she saw it. She bit her lip and let out a shuddered sigh. Then she stood straight again and said with false confidence, "Well...um...that's...uh...that's good. Yes, that's good. Perfectly fine. I mean, we were only married for four before I....died, but I suppose that's not too long. Besides, you.....you deserved better. Now, you have better and I'm sure you two are very...h-happy together. "
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Post by Shames on Dec 15, 2009 18:57:55 GMT -5
And, there it was. She called him out on it. He'd left the chance to break the ice and hey, she broke. Sending his hand flying through his hair nervously, he let out a long, disconcerted sigh. "No," he snapped, holding up an unsteady hand. "Never take your place. No one can do that, and you know it." He had simply...made room. No one replaced her in his heart; he had created an even bigger space to allow someone else in. That was all.
"Cor, we were married for four years," he replied in a difficult to manage monotone, "and all marriages count, even if they only last for an hour. I shouldn't have to recite this to you. You should know this already."
Shames took a wild step away, feeling everything just bubble and boil over, all coming up at once. "We're not really together, exactly. I don't even know. But I'm not going to say I'm not attracted to her. Don't give me the 'I deserve better,' Corona. You know it didn't even cross my mind that you could come back from the dead. What did you want me to do? Wallow in sorrow for the rest of my life? I couldn't take care of our daughter like that. You've gotta be kidding."
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Post by Corona on Dec 15, 2009 19:24:40 GMT -5
She looked slightly cross when she spoke again. "No, Shames, it was not my wishes for you to wallow in sorrow the rest of your life. I thought....you'd leave a little hope in your heart. I made a promise; I thought you'd take that into consideration. I just....I just didn't know that....you'd move on so quickly." Corona looked down a little as if depressed. But she refused to let that sadness out. She would not cry over this. If she cried, she'd make him feel bad and then she would.
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him and said, "But, really, it doesn't matter.And what do you mean you don't know if you're together or not? You either are or you aren't. Yes, I know you're attracted to many people, Shames. You are a man; it comes with being one. And she's probably a whole lot prettier than I........with a lot less scars." Cor swallowed and paused, looking to the window. The things she went through down there........if Shames knew.....he'd be furious and devastated.
"I don't want to hold you back from what you want. It's your life and I have no place in butting in. The past is over, I guess. I'll keep my distance, but Lyra is my daughter and I intend to remain her mother." Corona stated clearly, her eyes drifting to her little girl who seemed more confused than ever.
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Post by Shames on Dec 15, 2009 19:31:51 GMT -5
Enough.
"'I'm attracted to many people?'" he echoed, incredulous, furious, even, a heartfelt fire igniting. "Just because I'm a man? What, being a man; being a whore just comes with the territory?" By this time he had raised his voice, and he picked up a dishtowel and hurled it across the room, knocking into a lamp and sending it crashing to the floor. "Is that what you think, Corona? Is that really what you think about me? That I married you so that I could not value you you in my life? You think I married you for your looks, for my ego? You're out of your mind."
Shames took deliberate paces, moving around the room in his angry tirade, completely forgetting that there was a small child in the vicinity. He knew he shouldn't be doing this in front of her, but he felt himself becoming overcome by emotions all too quickly.
'A little hope'!? She died, for crying out loud! There was no hope after that, traditionally. The person was gone. How was he supposed to hope for a miraculous return of the dead!?
"It's my life and you have no place butting in," he repeated her words under his breath, shaking his head, a hand to his temple. She must've lost her common sense while she was dead. "I didn't say you couldn't remain her mother, or that you had to keep your distance, Cor. I don't know where you're getting this from."
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Post by Corona on Dec 15, 2009 19:56:12 GMT -5
The minute he reached to grab the towel, Corona crouched to her knees, arms over her head as if she was protecting herself from being beaten. A look a fear filled her eyes and her breathing even became heavier. "No! No! I-I...I take it b-back, Master. P-Please, don't." She shrieked, her voice trembling."I-I didn't mean that....I m-meant...." Her speech was interrupted by the crash from the lap and Corona let out a teriffied shriek. Little Lyra jumped at the sound of the lamp breaking and scrambled behind the couch as fast as her little legs could carry her. She didn't like how her daddy was so angry and she didn't know why he was.
Cor still was crouched on the ground, seemingly filled with fear; for she was muttering apologies and calling Shames 'Master'. God, what had they done to her down there?! Even her mind was twisted to their liking. "I-I'll do wh-wh-what you want.......j-just don't h-hur-hurt me."She sobbed quietly. She had always been brave....but now, it seemed like they had broken her. Of course, Corona had never liked violence. But nothing as small as a simple lamp breaking had ever caused her to collapse to her knees in absolute fear. However, she was crouched submissively at Shames's feet.
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Post by Shames on Dec 17, 2009 19:01:47 GMT -5
From his averted position, Shames stopped short in his step and looked over at her, no defined expression on his face. He more waited to see where that had come from, and if anything would follow. Master? Clearly she wasn't right upstairs. They'd done something--who was "they," anyway?--to her in Hell. But why did she go to Hell in the first plcae? She wasn't a bad person. Shouldn't she have gone to Heaven? She'd given her life--not willingly, of course--that day when Elysia threatened their family. Why wasn't she rewarded?
His eyes drifted to the cowering little girl behind the couch. "Lyra, I'm sorry," he apologized inside a sigh, not knowing what to do with himself. "Please come out. Daddy's not angry." Corona spoke up again and caught his attention. "I don't want anything from you," he protested, shaking his head, wondering what his next move should be. Should he crouch to her level, make her feel equal? Or should he resist the urge, and let her come to him; let her make the decision? "You always think I want something from you. Sometimes I just want...nothing."
He shrugged, indifferent. "Why would I ever hurt you?"
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Post by Corona on Dec 17, 2009 19:30:19 GMT -5
Corona peeked through her hands, looking up at him. Though she remained crouched, she put her hands down, still trembling like a leaf in the wind. She was scared....no.....she was terrified. That much was certain. After all, her eyes were wide and pooling up with tears, though some had already fallen. To think Shames's sudden outburst could actually cause her to freak out like this was a little concerning. Corona had always been rather strong. But now, she looked as weak as a kitten. "S-So...you want me t-to....l-leave you...a-alone?" She stammered, looking questionably at Shames.
Little Lyra stuck her head out from behind the couch. She then shook her head with a soft, high pitched grunt and remained behind the couch. "Daddy scarwy."She whimpered quietly. Ly wasn't coming out from behind the couch until she was sure it was absolutely safe.
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Post by Shames on Dec 17, 2009 19:40:20 GMT -5
What? Where was she getting this from? He hadn't said anything about leaving him alone... Or maybe he had, and he just hadn't caught it as it spilled from his mouth in his bout of fury. Even though he felt calm, Shames took one more deep breath before leaning on the back of the sofa, not knowing what to do or say. If she wanted to leave, should he go after her? She was so uncertain, which wasn't like her at all. Corona was usually very solidified in herself. What caused this drastic, sudden turnabout?
"I'm sorry, Lyra," he said, crumbling to his knees, looking at his little girl with hurt in his face. He hadn't meant to scare her. "I promise I'm not angry anymore. I'm sorry I scared you. Come here, and give Daddy a hug?" he requested, opening his arms.
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Post by Corona on Dec 17, 2009 20:17:12 GMT -5
"Y-Yes....yes...I'll go. I'll just go." She stammered in fear as she stood slowly to her feet and backed up. Corona thought it best to go. She didn't know where she would be going and the room was already beginning to spin. Wobbly, she walked towards the hall to the door before leaning against the wall. "Oh god......what's going on.....when will everything stop spinning?" Cor mumbled, seemingly a bit more sane and less scared.Looking up at him, Lyra cowered down a bit and then squeaked. She immediately charged out from behind the couch towards Corona. She clung tightly to her legs and sniffled. "Mommy stay." She whimpered, looking up at her Mother's face. Ly didn't plan to let go any time soon that was for sure.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 18, 2009 4:47:59 GMT -5
Worst. Day. Ever.[[Hewo, may I join? if not, I'll simply delete this. ]] Nicolas... Nicolas.. Nicolas..
Everything was going fine. She was working, gathering up the books at the end of the day and stacking them back up on the bookshelf. Her normal-ness, her stability, her damn courage. All of it.. vanished. Gone. All from a tiny phone call.
Here she was, pacing. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Even while she did it, she got more and more upset. She could only imagine what Ainslie thought she was doing up here... "Stop it, Evan.. Stop it. It-i-it's... nothing. Yeah, nothing. He's.." She took in a sharp breath and felt the sting of tears in her eyes. He'd gotten to her once again.
With blurred vision, she quickly slipped on some sneakers and ran out the door, not even grabbing a coat.. She wanted to see him, even if he didn't fully understand.. She wanted someone to say Nicolas couldn't hurt her anymore. She wanted Shames to tell her that everything was going to be alright..
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