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Post by Emma Lawrence on Apr 29, 2010 16:41:36 GMT -5
Harmony. "You know what happened was your fault and that you're sorry for being the reason for all the bad shit that happened to someone..."Colette. Dean. Amarie.Cian. "If you can't talk to me 'bout what's keepin' you up at night...how is it gonna work?"Him. "I was happy and you took it all away from me."Now the safety of her children, her husband, the foundation of her life and happiness was being threatened by someone--some thing--she thought she'd left behind years ago. There were few, if any, traces left of him in Oliver. She'd helped free Sai from him before the little guy was even born. And now because of her, Cian had to suffer with him. If only she hadn't gotten caught up in this mess, if only she didn't long for those kisses, need someone like him. If only he had died when he was pronounced dead. It seemed his spirit was omnipotent like God--without beginning and without end. How could that be? How could something so evil be invincible; immortal? Did God want to punish them? And Cian... Poor Cian... He was being tortured from the inside out. Praying that she could stop this before he crumpled down to Saikoro's past mental instability--God, what if he was pushed to suicide to give himself some relief?--she bolted down a side street after getting off a train to find him. Him. Him, who still had a place in her life, despite the cold words they had frequently exchanged. Now he seemed to be the only one who could even have a chance at helping her. Colette couldn't, not with her life the way it was right now, and she didn't know anything about Azrael like she did, like what she'd gone through, and she didn't even dare to think to ask Dean. No. Never. Finally, she came to his door, and stood there helplessly for a moment before knocking meekly. Hoping. Praying.
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on Apr 29, 2010 17:11:19 GMT -5
Took the kids to school. Taking the twins along today. Make sure you let Bernie out of the backyard. Be home later. Love you! ~ AmSaikoro sighed and gazed around. Had he really slept in? Obviously from the looks of the note on the nightstand, Am hadn't bothered to wake him. Yawning, he got out and slunk over to the bathroom to take a quick shower and then get dressed. It looked like he'd be home all day since he had the day off from his job. That didn't bother him too much. After all, he finally had his eyesight back. Well at least, he had it for much longer periods of time. He walked downstairs and was immediately greeted by Bernie, who of course was pawing at the door to be let outside. Saikoro let him out the back and walked into the kitchen to get himself something to eat. This was the good life. When he could come to the kitchen and see a bowl sitting there for him. Of course, the cereal was soggy but he didn't mind much. Right before he took a bite, there was that knock. Silly Am, was his first thought. Bowl and spoon in hand, he walked to the door. There was a smile on his face as he opened it and spoke, "Am, honey, why are you kn---Oh H-Hello....Emma."
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Apr 29, 2010 20:35:45 GMT -5
At first, a smile broke her tear-stained face. The discoloration of her skin and rings of red around her eyes were clear signs of her sobbing, but somehow she found it in her to grin. "You can see me?" she asked, ignoring his stammering greeting and starting to chuckle to herself. It was her way of masking her nervousness; her apprehension to ask what she came here to ask. Soon, after seeing his face, her smile turned upside down and tears perked in her eyes again.
"Sai, remember...well, you remember Azrael," she muttered, voice hitching and cutting short inside the word. "You're living in peace now, but...he attacked someone else." Bowing her head, she rested her forehead in the curve of her thumb and forefinger, starting to cry softly. "Sai, please help."
Because he was the only one who knew; who could relate. Who could help.
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on Apr 30, 2010 12:24:41 GMT -5
There was a look of confusion on his face as he saw her there. What was she doing visiting him in the middle of the day? "Of course I can see you. Emma, wha-" Her words cut him off. Saikoro appeared concerned now. After all, he could tell she had been sobbing. He had been around Emma plenty of times when she was crying. As he listened to her words, his eyes widened a bit. Azrael was back?! He had to be gone! As soon as Emma started to ask for help, he gently took her hand and brought her inside, closing the door behind.
"Emma, tell me what's going on? Who is he in now? I doubt anyone can handle him as long as I did." Sai asked with a raise of his brow and then walked over to the kitchen to get her a glass of cold water and a tissue.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Apr 30, 2010 13:55:56 GMT -5
He wasn't blind anymore? A wave of confusion washed over her head but slid down the back of her neck, forgotten, as she tried to lock in the heaves of cries again. She knew the moment she revealed Azrael's victim he would be opposed, or at least reluctant, to helping. She'd come hardly knowing what brought her here, but she knew that it was the right thing to do. What she needed. And possibly the only hope for Cian's survival.
Stepping meekly into his house, she watched his face, trying to calm down as quickly as she could to spew it all out. "I know, that's why I'm worried," she said with a shaky voice, wiping at her eyes delicately.
Picking up her head, she went on. "It's Cian. He's inside Cian's head and the man is dying as we speak." The thought alone made her want to throw up. Saying it out loud made her want to die right along with him. She prayed fervently that Saikoro could help them.
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on Apr 30, 2010 17:06:33 GMT -5
Carefully, he handed her a glass of water and a tissue and then continued to listen to her. But then he heard it. The phrase kept repeating in his head. It's Cian. He's inside Cian's head and the man is dying as we speak. Cian. It seemed just the name was enough to make Saikoro's jaw lock for a moment. His brows were furrowed in a way that seemed like a mix of dislike and deep thought. He turned away for a moment. "Come sit down, Emmanuelle."
He had used her full first name so he must mean some seriousness. Slowly, he walked her into the living room. Snapping his head around to look at her, he stated coldly, "Cian is dying and you call on me? Why? Cian's been nothing but rude to me. I doubt Azrael would kill his own host body. Besides...why can't he just ignore the pain. That's what I did all those years." He paused and shook his head. With a sigh, he turned his face from her once more. "I want to help you, Emma; really, I do...but...I don't think Cian will take my help. He won't listen to me, you know that."
For a moment he paused and then Sai whipped himself around. "How do you know it's Azrael? What if Cian is just dying? What if there's something going on with him that he's not telling you about?" He questioned with a raise of his brow and wide eyes.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 1, 2010 10:17:37 GMT -5
As she accepted the tissue and glass, taking a drink, she clung to the hand that gave her the tissue. She needed some kind of closeness, some kind of reassurance that he would help and everything would be okay. He led her into the living room, and her knees begged her to sit, and she happily complied, setting herself carefully down on the edge of a nearby chair. Her foggy eyes watched him as he turned back to her, cold.
"You're the only one who knows what he's going through, that's why. And I need you. I need your help. You've known the pain--you know Azrael will kill Cian and take his body for himself." Her blood turned to ice and she tried to solidify her voice. "You think you ignored the pain? What happened when you never came around--you were 'fighting him off', don't you remember? Sai, please. Please." The only way she knew to get through this was by pleading. It was pathetic, but she was desperate. "Yes, he will. He's in so much pain, he won't care who helps him."
More tears just built in her eyes and started to pour down her face. "I trust Cian with my life," she stammered, voice almost incoherent from her tears. "He'd never keep something like this from me. Especially if he is...dying." Hated saying the word. It was like it was suddenly...real. Like it could actually happen...
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 1, 2010 12:45:09 GMT -5
Saikoro winced a bit as her sobs increased. There was no way of knowing exactly what to say or what to do. The way she clung to his hand....it made him speechless. How could he comply to help Cian? And even if he did, Cian wouldn't listen to him, would he? No. He'd never...even if he was on the verge of death. A kind of frustration began to build up in Saikoro and he had to take a few deep breaths in order to expel it.
"Calm down, Emma.....he won't die...Azrael...Azrael can't use a body unless its original soul is still there. Besides, he has no reason to kill Cian. As for you," He paused and then looked at her with empathetic eyes. He made his way to her, wiping the tears from her face with his hand. "Azrael wouldn't mind hurting you...or Oliver....or even Maura. They need to be safe. The pain he inflicts...I just...I just had to ignore it and distance myself from everyone until I could control it. Cian...Cian might have to do that too, Emma."
He knew she wouldn't like hearing that, but what else could he say. All one could do was ignore the pain and try to keep their thoughts under con--Wait! Was Emma even sure it was Azrael? Had Cian's eyes turned purple? Had she spoken to Azrael? Many questions began to bubble up within his mind, but those sobs...those sobs brought him right back. Sai cautiously put an arm around her, shushing her softly. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter and gentle. "Em....has Azrael gained control yet? Has he spoken to you? How can I be sure it is Azrael? I need you to tell me everything. Can you do that? Please?"
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 1, 2010 21:04:41 GMT -5
His hand, calloused fingertips but soft palm, touched her cheek, drying it, and she folded her fingers around that hand, too, after setting the glass down. Sai's eyes were so soft, so understanding. And they looked directly into hers. Keeping her chin steady, she tried to listen and believe what he had to say. Convincing herself of what he claimed was harder than she'd thought.
"Leave?" she breathed out an assumption. Cian would have to leave; be away from her and the kids, too? That's what Saikoro had done, would Cian have to go down the same road? Would their marriage fall apart because of his absense? "Sai, he can't leave, I need him." But the children--she couldn't take any risks with them. They needed to be safe. "Maybe I'll take the kids to Dean's house, and I'll stay with Cian. To make sure Azrael doesn't hurt him."
The fluxuating questions made her even more overwhelmed, knowing their harsh realities, but she tried to keep as calm as she could to answer them. They spoke volumes. They said so much about their situation that couldn't be avoided. "Yes," she choked, a single tear dribbling down her cheek. "Yes, to everything. He's taken over his body, momentarily, at least. I've spoken to him. I've gone as far as locking myself in the bedroom with him so he can't get at the kids. Sai, I'm terrified. What's going to happen?"
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 1, 2010 21:31:33 GMT -5
"Azrael knows where Dean's house is...and Dean can't fend Azrael off, that's for sure. He's too strong. At least when he was in me, people feared me. But in Cian's body....one would never expect it." Saikoro said with worry and then winced. She was choking on tears now. He took both her hands in his own, one of his gloved. "They need to be somewhere that someone can protect them. T-They might have to be....here."
It was unexpected to him too. He was somewhat silent for a moment before he carefully pulled her closer. "I will be here if you need me, Emma. Cian has no idea how to control him. He could hurt you. And I don't want you to get hurt....not now that we've finally....gotten over the past."
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 1, 2010 21:40:55 GMT -5
So her kids weren't safe anywhere? Panick set in and she squeezed his hands. "They're my first priority," she said earnestly, turning away only for a moment to take a drink. "I have to take them somewhere. Would..." Trailing off, voice softer now, as if breathing deeply was stabilizing it. "Would it be too much trouble if they had to come here? That's eight kids you'd have to look after. I-I could always bring them to Las Vegas to stay with Cian's parents. Or they could come here. I don't want to burden you."
Amidst her thought, she found herself closer to Sai, though she thought nothing of it in her mental tirade. "I know, I know. I'm trying to work around in somehow. I just..." Sighing, she dropped her head, distressed. "I don't know what to do."
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 1, 2010 21:52:10 GMT -5
He chuckled a bit, knowing that it'd be fine. "Heh, what's two more? It wouldn't be that bad. We have plenty of room and I'm sure Bernie would enjoy more people around the house for him to pester." He then gently cupped her face in his gloved right hand. "It will all be perfectly fine. I want to keep you and everyone else safe. Besides, Las Vegas is not a very safe place, now is it?"
This seemed so natural...almost like when they were together and he'd comfort her. Why did it feel so normal? He withdrew his hand then.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 1, 2010 21:56:24 GMT -5
She smiled, then, breaking her otherwise miserable and worried face. "Well, I think you may have to keep him away from Maura at least. She gets scared of even little dogs, let alone big ones." Suddenly there was leather against her cheek and she picked up her eyes to meet his, though they swerved back down as her smile grew.
"It's safe where they live; I've been there," she assured him with a chuckle. Leaving the kids with them wouldn't be a problem for the grandparents--it'd be everything else. Emma would be worried sick with them on the other side of the country, and they'd be worried sick because something was obviously wrong with their son, and... Jesus, she couldn't do this.
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 5, 2010 16:17:45 GMT -5
"Trust me, it wouldn't be too hard. They need to be safe, and Azrael can tap into anything Cian knows. So he'd know his parents' address." He told her and then looked down. He took a step closer and then tipped his head to the side. "But most of all, I want you to stay safe too Emma. Things might lead up to him having to take a trip for a while." He stated clearly.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 5, 2010 16:53:03 GMT -5
"But if he knows anything Cian knows," she added delicately, just grazing over the words, as if she were afraid of them and what they carried with them, "he'd know where you live, too. So...there's no safe place for my kids that Azrael wouldn't know about." The thought made her heart lip three times over and her fingers dug instinctively into Saikoro's hand. This couldn't happen. Nothing could harm her kids. Nothing. She wouldn't let it. She'd gone through too damn much to lose them, to let anything happen to them; she loved them too much.
A trip? All of her hope dissolved with that affirmation and tears perked in her eyes. "I'll be all right. I just want my kids to be okay. And Cian, of course. What do I do? How can I get rid of Azrael? And...what kind of...trip?"
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 5, 2010 18:42:19 GMT -5
When she grabbed his hand tighter, he winced a but wrapped a reassuring arm around her and his hand rested gently on her back. No, Azrael wouldn't come here. He wouldn't dare. His voice was soft when he spoke. "Azrael may know this place...he may not. But he won't come near me. So they'll be safer here, trust me. I can protect them." This was true. Sai could protect them just as if they were his own kids. Of course....one of them was.
"You.....you can't. He can. But he has to do it on his own. He has to be able..to talk to him. But still, you know how long it took me to get rid of him. I'm sure it's likely to take twice that long for Cian. But while Azrael can now take control, you are in great danger, Emma. " He explained.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 5, 2010 18:47:30 GMT -5
Suddenly she was closer to him and she let out a short sigh, but she wasn't sure if it was because she was surprised or was in need of some sort of closeness and had been satisfied. Maybe he was right. She didn't like to admit it, but Saikoro had been able to protect his family of eight from Azrael for a long time now. Then again, maybe Azrael hadn't struck here; hadn't aimed for him again.
Her heart sank to her feet as he confessed that she'd be of no help. Again?
"But I helped you, didn't I?" she sputtered messily. "I thought I helped you get rid of him, that time before Oliver was born." The memories were still vivid in her mind, flashing back in long epics. Though she didn't want to cry again, Emma slowly felt the tears rebuild and speckle her eyelashes. Twice as long? That was like two lifetimes.
"I'm willing to take that risk for Cian. He'll go insane if he has to deal with this on his own. He's already suffering."
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 5, 2010 18:58:17 GMT -5
"Yes...of course you helped me but...that was different Emma. That was..you..and me...this--this is you and Cian, it's not the same to Azrael." Saikoro said, biting his lip at the sight of her tears beginning to build up in her eyelids. He seemed rather upset when she spoke again though. He was worried for her.
He immediately looked her in the eyes. With a determined tone in his voice he began. "Emma. I'm not going to let you get killed and leave Oliver and Maura....well...Maura without a family to go to. There's only so many little girls I can handle, and I already have four. I don't think me and Am could take her in." He sounded softer by the time he ended his speech.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on May 5, 2010 19:03:15 GMT -5
So what was their plan of action? Sit around and wait for Cian to get rid of him himself? It couldn't; wouldn't work like that. Emma would die knowing that he was by himself, slowly losing his mind. Not coping well with the thoughts that were quickly leaking into her cognition, she thought about maybe breaking into crying again. Suppressing it for now, she looked up at him, a waver to her eye contact.
Well, that wasn't really up to him where the kids went if she and Cian died. Originally they'd planned to have Cian's parents take care of them, but when Saikoro said he'd only take Oliver... She shook her head. "I can't split them up if something happens to us. They'd be the only thing the other had. I need to keep them together, especially during our times of need. They rely so much on each other." Not for the necessities, but for love and comfort. The siblings had grown to care wholeheartedly for each other. Oliver had even become a little protective.
Despite her tears, her lips were dry and she wet them in thought. "What do I do?"
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Post by Saikoro Kohana on May 5, 2010 19:40:37 GMT -5
Of course...Saikoro couldn't take Oliver. A bit of fire flamed deep within him but it sizzled away as soon as Sai realized it. He did not want to argue about Oliver right now. "Of...Of course." He said with oh so much hesitation. He looked away for a moment, managing to calm his feelings a bit so that this didn't escalate into anything. "S-Sorry I.....said....anything." He muttered a bit under his breath.
"I don't...I don't know Emma." Sai sighed and then looked up at the ceiling. He just didn't know.
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