Breaking Free (Graham)

[Aryanna Katashi]

Aryanna was home alone, not that it was uncommon for her. Her "parents", as they liked to call themselves, were constantly out of town on business. It was always something, and yet, even after a year she had no clue what the pair did for a living. Not that she really cared, in fact, she found it hard to care about anything anymore.

The older she got, the less and less actual emotion she seemed to feel. Not that she did not try, but things like happiness, sadness and emotional pain and suffering just did not affect her the way that they used to. Of course, regret and guilt had always been beyond her. Oh, she knew others felt it. She saw it in their eyes and in the way that they behaved when they did something wrong. But yet she herself had never really felt any of it.

Luckily, she could fake it well enough. But the truth was, she had never had a reason to feel true regret for anything that she did. She had killed a couple times, more so since moving here, but every time she watched the life drain from those she attacked, she had felt nothing but.......satisfaction. It was odd, she knew, but for her, it was normal.

None the less, today was a "down time" type day. She had fed last night and her inner monster no longer screamed out for the blood and suffering of others. Instead it was quiet, allowing her to go about her hobbies and to clean her room well enough. You would think as a teen that did no feel regret or remorse for anything, that she would not be bothered by such trivial matters as cleaning her room, but really....Aryanna was a bit of a neat freak. Everything had to be in its place, everything had to be just right and if anything was moved or out of place she would quickly go about righting it. Yet another little quirk she was sure she had to have inherited, but she could not tell you from who. Her mother and Father lost to her long ago, having decided that sending her to an orphanage was the best option.

Her response to that? Fuck them. She didn't care. She was content with her life right now. Her parent's allowed her to do whatever she wanted, and they did nothing to try and stop her from her violent ways. In fact, the only time they ever showed any signs of concern is if she came home injured, such as the night before last. She had come home, a large gaping wound on her left side where the proposed victim had decided to pull a knife on her. She had barely noticed, what with her dulled down sense of pain, but it was when she got home that all hell broke loose. They had been acting more protective lately, more on edge, and as soon as they saw that, they flipped.

Quickly they had tried to clean up her wound as well as reprimand her for what she had done. It was as though they were more worried about what would happen to them for her wound and her actions than what had actually happened to her. It was confusing to say the least, and as Aryanna collapsed onto the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a glass of water, she could not help but try and figure out what that had all been about.

Dressed in a pair of boxers and a white tank top, her hair was wet, having just gotten out of the shower, plastering to her neck and shoulders as she gave a little sigh and flipped on the television. Usually she tried to avoid the stupid thing, but it was getting late and she was bored of doing her usual chores and hobbies....So yeah, tv it was...Finding a movie quickly enough since she honestly wasn't too picky, and snuggling back into the couch, the bowl of popcorn snuggled into her lap so that she could begin to pop a few pieces into her mouth...Those oddly colored eyes, a mixture of pink and gold and purple, complete with those ever present intricate designs, scanning over the people on the screen, trying hard to empathize with what they felt, but always coming up short.

[everynothing]

"Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day. Let bad men come, to roam the streets, and make sure no more kids can play." A young blonde boy repeated these words as he skipped merrily through the puddles that had accumulated during a flash storm that was over New York city. He had an oversized black umbrella, but instead of covering himself up with it he simply swung it back and forth at his side with every joyful step he took toward his destination.

The few people that he passed simply smiled at his overjoyed expression, not really being able to make out exactly what he was singing about over the sounds of downpour and thunder. A young couple, however, stopped their car as they drove by to see if the boy was alright. "Hey kid, you really shouldn't be out an about by yourself in this weather. Can we offer you a ride?" A kind gesture, to be sure, but the response they got was not one they expected.

"Sorry, but I only get into cars with strangers if they offer me candy. Otherwise, what's te point in getting kidnapped?" The stunned looks on their faces was enough to make the boy giggle before carrying on his merry stroll through the rain, leaving the couple to drive off in a state of wild disbelief. He so loved messing with the normal populace, since none of them seemed to realize the dangers surrounding them. They were lucky he had somewhere to be, otherwise he probably would have taken them up on their offer and made the drive one they'd never forget.

When he was nearing his destination, he would whip out a cellphone and open the umbrella to cover himself up briefly. Standing off to the side of a lightpost, he would scroll through the contacts until it reached The Loving Parents. Hitting send, the phone would ring only once before a man answered in an almost frightened tone. "Why the stutter, old friend? You're not still afraid of-" His mocking words were cut off by an apologetic rant and some information that left the boy with a sour look on his face.

"You'd better hope everything is still working properly, Daddy, cause if it's not there's no place on earth that can save you. Have a wonderful night." A few quick and desperate words could be heard coming from the other end of the cell before the call was ended, the little boy placing his phone in his jacket pocket with a frustrated sigh. He couldn't help but wonder how everyone he knew constantly disappointed him. Well, that was probably why he was in constant need of new friends to help him with his dirty laundry.

As he came within a block of his target, he would start to let out a low groan as he walked between the darkness of a couple a street lights, emerging as an attractive young adult upon reaching the next bit of artificial light. He was Zachary Rider, or at least he looked exactly like him, and this young heartthrob was known throughout PHS #8011 as, for lack of a better word, a jackass. Picking fights, giving swirlies and barely passing classes were his M.O., but not tonight.

No, tonight he would slowly walk across the street, using his umbrella as a makeshift cane, to a young girl's house. They were friends, though a loose term at most, and he wanted to pay her a surprise visit. Coming up to the front door, he would raise his umbrella and push the doorbell with the end of it, laughing at himself as he did so. He was dressed in a black leather coat with a gray tank top underneath, accompanied by a pair of torn up blue jeans and some black and white hightops. "Nothin'to do but wait."

[Aryanna Katashi]

As a clap of thunder echoed outside, rattling the windows and sending a soft vibration through the house, Aryanna would glance up toward the large window that rested to her right. With the curtains pulled back, it was easy to see the rain as it beat down upon the house, leaving spidery streaks upon the glass falling in every which direction. A slight chill running down her spine as she shook her head and quickly turned her head away.

It was odd, she typically loved the rain, the sounds of the thunder and the flashes of lightening as they illuminated the darker corners of the house. In fact, these were usually some of her favorite times, and yet this time, this night, there was something very unsettling in the air. She couldn't explain it, but whatever it was had her itching to snuggle back into the couch that much more and pull the blanket, that was draped over the back of her couch down, over her legs.

Yet, even as she did so, she had to pause, her leg shifting so that she could pull back the leg of her boxer to expose the tattoo on the inside of her upper thigh, index finger slowly tracing over the cross and then set of numbers beneath it. She had no recollection of getting it, and for that matter, it had been there for as long as she could remember. Her mind becoming lost in thought as she tried, like so many times before, to guess where it could have come from and what it could have meant. It was a useless venture, one she knew all too well, but she tried just the same from time to time. Though to be honest, at this point it was more out of habit than anything else.

A little sigh as her hand eventually fell away and she would tug down the leg of her boxers in order to conceal it once more. Out of sight and out of mind, or so she continually told herself every time she looked upon the mark. A light shake of her head as she pulled herself out of the murky water of her thoughts and again tried to refocus her attention upon the television. Though that too seemed to be pointless as it was starting to cut out due to the rain outside.

A frustrated little growl as she would grab the remote, turning off the tv and instead turning to focus her attention on the popcorn in her lap. True, she could get up and put a movie in, but honestly, she was too lazy. She found more enjoyment in lounging around than actually getting up and doing anything, at least right now that is. However just as she was about to pop another piece of popcorn into her mouth, there would come the all too familiar sound of the doorbell chiming. Her brow raising slightly as she sat there for a moment, too lazy to get up, and not entirely sure who would be dropping by this time of night.

Her first thought.....Margaret.

A little groan given as she debated heavily upon simply pretending she was not home, but given the fact that she was in the living room, and the lights clearly shone through the windows, she figured that would just be a failed effort. So, with a rather irritated little sigh, she would set the bowl of popcorn down on the end table beside the couch and grasp the ends of the blanket, tossing it aside so that she could untangle her legs from within it.

As she rose to stand, a little grunt of pain would escape her, hand moving absentmindedly to her side where the knife wound still very much caused her discomfort. She was going to kill that leggy blond for bothering her on tonight of all nights. Usually, she could tolerate her, but tonight, well tonight she was in the mood for some very much needed alone time. Bare feet pressing into the plush carpeted floors as she made her way toward the door, already preparing to snap at the girl and send her on her way.

One hand coming up to run through her wet, somewhat disheveled locks, pushing them out of her face before she would reach out and unlock the door, opening it up rather hastily and with a clear sense of irritation held within those oddly colored eyes. "Marg---" Her words cut short once she realized it was indeed not the blond she had been expecting, her lips pursing slightly as she looked over Zachary with the same hint of mild irritation. "Oh...its you." She wasn't really too keen on the idea of him being here either, but he was a friend....kind of. Well, as close to a friend as you could possibly get with Aryanna. She wasn't much on the whole, buddy buddy thing, but she did at least try to get along with some....this being one of them.

"What do you want Zachary?" Her brow arching slightly as she would lean into the open door frame now, not really minding the bits of rain that splashed off the front porch and onto her toes as they hung over the lip of the door. One hand still softly cradling her side while she tilted her head back to look up at him. Most of the irritation having melted away into something more akin to a very mild annoyance.

[everynothing]

The rain continued to pour down on Zachary's buzzed blonde head as he waited for his package to come to the door, a look pure anticipation spread across his face as smooth as butter. It had taken so long for things to all fall into place, so many years of planning and waiting for the right opportunity to begin, and he had already taken babysteps before today to make sure certain things were in order. Now was the time for a piece of his game to make itself known, after a bit of playful enjoyment, of course.

He would start to whistle the tune that he had been singing on his way to Aryanna's house, that cocky little glimmer in his eye still quite apparent as he waited patiently for the girl to answer her door. To be honest, he was half tempted to bust it down in excitement, and because he was a little worried after what he heard on the phone, but he remained vigilant and continued to whistle under the sound of rain and thunder. No need to excess damn at this point. That was for later.

After nearly a minute and a half of waiting, the rain only helping to drench him all the more, the door flew open with intent. Aryanna seemed to have a clear idea of who it was, blurting out half of a name, Margeret from the sounds of if, before noticing who it was and catching herself. She didn't seem to keen on seeing Zachary atthe door either, her words being filled with irritation, but she would change her tone soon enough. "Sorry to disappoint ya, sweet lips." His words being accompanied by a little shit grin as he leaned forward on his umbrella.

She was curious as to why he was at her house, asking him immediately what it was he wanted, but he would simply continue smiling as he let himself into her house. "Wouldn't you like to know." He'd laugh at his words, taking his soaking wet jacket off and tossing it on the ground as he continued walking into the house. Stopping at the turn to the living room, he would turn to look at Aryanna with a pouty look on his face. "My French teach says I need to get some tutoring, so I figured you were the perfect choice."

His eyes would then turn back to the living room, scanning it over before his gaze set upon the bowl of popcorn on the couch. "No fuckin' way!" In a dead sprint, he would rush into the living room and jump onto the couch, wet clothes and all, grabbing the bowl of popcorn and making himself comfortable. He'd have his legs crossed as they layed on the couch, his upper body positioned snuggly in one corner as he threw a few pieces of delicious salty goodness into his mouth.

"Come on, Frenchie, let's do this shit!" He really had no interest in studying his French, maybe even no need, but it was a logical reason for him to get together with his sexy little friend. Grabbing the remote, he'd flip the television back on and start cruising through the channels. "Maybe they've got some corny French romance film on TV, or somethin'." His words were muffled by a handful of popcorn, laughing at one of the commercials that was playing before continuing with channel surfing.

[Aryanna Katashi]

Aryanna would watch as he made his way inside, a little growl as she was forced out of the way, a wince as she nudged her injured side into the door frame. "They make audio tapes and books to help you learn, I do not think you need to be bothering me. Perhaps that little blond French girl in school would be more inclined to help." Rolling her eyes as she nudged the foot closed with her foot, following behind him and reaching down with a little wince of pain to grasp his jacket that he had so carelessly tossed onto the floor. It wasn't so much her worry over her parent's reaction that bothered her, it was her OCD playing a huge factor. It didn't belong there, and it was already driving her nuts.

A slight wrinkle of her nose as she held it away from her between two fingers, glancing from it to him as he plopped down onto the couch. "Do you always make habit of barging in and ruining other people's otherwise good moods?" A little growl lacing her words as she hung the jacket onto the coat rack and then moved into the living room, making a point to stand in front of the television which he had turned back on, blocking it from sight and tilting her head just slightly.....her arms folding easily over her chest. "I do not wish to teach you French Zachary, so please go away." Her hand moving to point to the door as she would quickly move around to try and grab the bowl of popcorn from him in order to stop him from making a mess....well more of a mess than he already was making.

She liked him well enough, if anything he was slightly amusing at times, but to be honest he was not the person she was most willing to "hang out" with at the moment. In fact, Aryanna much preferred her alone time. She wasn't sure why, seeing as how she had grown up with so many other children constantly around, but it was how she was just the same. Almost like she didn't want to get close to anyone else, not even friend wise.

Finally managing to pry the popcorn away, or so she hoped, she would then lean in and work on snatching the remote away. "French films are not corny. No worse than your pathetic American shows that hold no real meaning what so ever." A firm nod, having long ago decided that American television was drastically lacking in anything remotely close to substance. "You know, you could have called first. I was rather enjoying my night alone and you are proving to very much ruin that....And get off my couch, you are soaking wet and making a mess." Her tone a bit snappy as she would growl once more and narrow those uniquely colored eyes upon hi.

Yes, she knew he was a bit of a trouble maker, but to be honest, she had hoped he would leave his asshole tactics at school and not cart them into her living room. Ever. At least Cael was a somewhat civil jerk, whereas Zachary was ..... well....this...Her irritation evident as she would move to step back, remote or not remote...her side killing her from the efforts exerted. She was immune to pain for the most part, her body not registering it like that of a normal person, but that did not mean that prolonged exposure did not wear on her.

Another soft wince given as her hand grasped her side, stepping back a bit more before plopping down onto the edge of the coffee table, a bit winded to be honest and having to draw in a few deep breaths to settle herself. "Really Zachary, I am not in the mood nor the condition to do this with you tonight." Figuring she might as well cut straight to the point. She just flat out didn't feel like it.

[everynothing]

God, she really was a little miss Debbie Downer, wasn't she? All he wanted to do was exchange some civil French studies, eat some popcorn and have someone good to look at while taking it all in, but no... She just had to bitch about every little thing he did from the moment she opened the door. The girl really needed to lighten up a bit, let some people into her life, but he knew how she was. Once a loner, always a loner.

Plowing down on her popcorn, he would barely listen to what she had to say, seemingly paying more attention to the passing channels of television. He did hear that she didn't want to help him with his French, which was a bummer since he walked all this way just to share some French wisdom with her, but it was her loss. He'd get one more handful of popcorn before the bowl was snatched away from him, much to his dissatisfaction, but she had gained his attention in the process.

"What the fuck, glamour eyes?" Yeah, he was receding to her uniquely colored eyes, being prone to calling people by nicknames because it was just easier for him than trying to remember actual names. He had been enjoying his little snack before it was snatched from his grasp, and his frustration was evident, but now that she had his attention he could see the mirrored frustration on her face as well.

She tried to defend her countries film career, stating that they had more substance than anything Americans have come up with. This got an exasperated huff from Zachary, as he placed the remote beneath his crotch. "Maybe if you like listening to a bunch of people that sound like their constantly congested." He would terribly mimic the stereotypical French accent with some French-sounding gibberish before stopping to listen to the girl he was mocking.

She continued on with her rant, wishing he would have called first, and bitching about the mess he was making of her house. His response to this was a look of sarcastic wonderment, as he flung his arms in the air. "Well shit, I didn't realize I was intruding on the Queen of France's perfect little night. How will I ever forgive myself?" The false look would fade as his hands came to cross his chest in defiance to her demands. "Fuck your couch!"

After everything was said and done, they sat across from each other, each with their arms crossed as they held there respected positions in the living room. Aryanna had seemingly had enough of trying to talk into leaving, finally saying she just wasn't in the mood or condition to be entertaining him. He could that she was keeping off of one side, so he at least knew where said condition was located, and he would let out a growl of his own as he gazed down at the area.

"You're no fun at all, you know that?" His arms would break free from their crossed position and move to his back, fingers lacing behind his head as he leaned back and let out a long yawn. "I thought we could at least spend some time together, just you and me, but it looks like you've pushed me into a corner." His eyes would narrow after speaking these words, a sinister grin perching on his lips as his azure eyes gazed into hers. "Whatever... You're dull anyway... Now, venez à moi, ma douce."

[Aryanna Katashi]

She would growl slightly as he made reference to her eyes, those very eyes narrowing upon him as she shook her head. "I am just not in a good mood tonight Zachary." Trying her best not to be as bitchy as she wanted so badly to be. Though honestly, it was rather hard, especially since she was practically born to be this way. Of course, she didn't know that, but then, she didn't care either. However, her words would falter slightly...if only a bit. "And do not mention my eyes...."

Now, with her ass planted firmly upon the coffee table, she would growl a bit as he seemed to get that much more worked up. Not about to back down from him, or anyone for that matter...sparks of electricity starting to jump between her fingers which were curled about her side and about the edge of the coffee table. She wasn't really trying but then she was slowly becoming that much more pissed off. The fact that her eyes were starting to shift and alter in color, the designs etched in them growing that much more apparent as gold began to lace through them, was a clear sign that with her anger came her ability. One that she was still learning how to control.

Then as he proceeded to be rude and insulting she would have to grit her teeth to keep from reaching out and frying his happy ass. It would scorch the sofa, and yeah, that would be driving her nuts til her parents got back to replace it. So no, she was going to have to try and refrain. Though, at his comments regarding her she would just shake her head and force herself up from the coffee table. "Fuck you!" She was not going to stand around and play this little game with him.

If he wanted to be an asshole then she could be a bigger bitch than she already had been. "You are an arrogant, selfish prick and you are driving me crazy! So get the fuck out of my house!" Her hand shooting toward the door once more as she worked to try and ignore the pain in her side, simply breathing through it and slowly shifting her fingers as the sparks continued to dance between them.

Yet he just kept talking and honestly, it was only provoking her further and further into frying him. She could just, throw the couch out afterwards, along with his sorry ass...Right? Right. "Why on Earth would I wish to spend time with you? The last I checked you and I were merely.... acquaintances or something along those lines. We are not friends, and we are definitely not lovers..." His next set or words causing her brow to raise though....Noting the look he gave her as his eyes narrowed and that grin which curled upon his features.

Now she felt unsettled, very much so as he bit the corner of her lower lip, her own eyes narrowing upon him. "What are you...." About to ask what he was talking about but being cut off as he proceeded to tell her that she was dull and then uttering that phrase in French. The one she had never heard put just that way before, or so she thought, but the one that was all too familiar just the same.

Just then, the sparks upon her fingers would die out completely, all irritation and annoyance faltering away from her gaze as she closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. To be honest it felt like a damn had burst open...memories, that were her own, suddenly filling her mind. Things she had not remembered before this moment.

It was a bit much. In fact, it was enough that she stumbled back and sat down onto the coffee table her hand coming up to press against her temple as her mind seemed to be going through, what she could only term, a reboot phase. Everything was shifting inside her brain, the person she was just moments before disappearing and being replaced by the person that ....well, the person that she was.

A slight gasp, as if waking up from a nightmare or coming out of a coma of some sorts, eyes flying open and instantly focusing on him, the patterns in her eyes having altered to a new design yet the hypnotic color remained. "John?" The name spoken with a realization as her mind caught up to what was going on, to who he was and what was happening to her.

Slowly she would tilt her head, looking over his features as she bit down onto the corner of her bottom lip, unsure what to think. She knew it was him, because only he knew that phrase....but....the face was different. Not that it was unexpected really, given the fact that he had that ability to change who he was at a moment's notice...Still, it was always odd to see him using a new phase like that.

As her hand pulled away from her side, there would be a hint of crimson staining her fingers, a spot starting to show through her shift as the blood seeped from the wound which she had torn open in the midst of her efforts to get him out of her house. Now, all efforts were gone as she looked at him and tried desperately to catch up to the events that had led up to this moment. That single phrase seeming to echo through her mind, over and over again.

Slowly, she would inch off from the coffee table, lowering to her knees as she inched her way closer to him, ignoring the pain that shot through her side, ignoring the blood that slowly trickled down her side. As she came to a stop in front of him, her hand (which was not blood covered) would reach up, fingers slowly pressing against his jawline as she traced her hand against his flesh, eyes studying his features. "C'est vous?"[It is you?]

It had to be right? Nobody else would let her out. Nobody else knew how. Yet still, the hesitation was there, her eyes filled with hope and a sense of affection that did not exist before this moment, at least not in any moment that he was not present. No, any time he left her, he locked her away, he made sure she didn't feel or hold affection for anyone else.

Hesitantly her fingers pulled back from him, trembling just slightly as she settled her ass onto the heels of her feet, hands falling to rest upon her lap and the one with blood coating her fingers would lightly trace along her thigh, leaving streaks of crimson along her flesh.

Yet she didn't move. She didn't know if she should or if she should stay where she was. So many unpredictable variables when it came to John, things that she could never predict. If anything, there was only one thing that she could know for sure about the man in front of her, that he was as unpredictable as they come.

[everynothing]

Ooh, he was really pushing her buttons with every word that left his mouth, and the react was a life he hadnt yet seen in her. The sparks that spread through her fingers were an interesting addition to her unique set of skills, and a welcome one as long as she kept her damn taser fingers to herself. He was a lot of things, but immune to electricity was not one of them. It seemed that the formula was getting around finally, but to what extent? He'd have to find out soon.

Still, even with her growing anger, the color and pattern of her eyes changing as she screamed at him, he would not waver. He sat there, comfortable as a king on his thrown, as he slowly reeled her in. She didn't like his change in demeanor, but he knew that she wouldn't have enough time to even react to it, let alone remember it clearly. As soon as he spoke that sentence, that single phrase, she had only a second to try and figure out what he meant. At least she gave him a show before disappearing. He had to give her that.

The shift in her eyes, going from gold back to her unique violet, was evidence enough that her programming was still working. He didn't like to call it brainwashing, but in the end he couldn't think of a nice way of putting it. Aryanna would lose the sparks in her fingers as she plopped her butt back on the table, trying to assess the years of information and experiences she had gone through since their last meeting. As long as she remembered his name, or the name only those closest to him knew him by, everything was fine.

Such a common name, yet it felt like an eternity since someone called him by it. John... Whether or not it was his real name made no difference because of how often it came up in the world, he just like the simple ring it had to it. He would nod to her, his sinister smile fading to scowl as he looked down at her side. The slight crimson stain that seeped through her tank was enough for him to make a mental note. 'The family is no longer needed.' They would be dealt with accordingly, in time, but for now he had his little Ary to deal with.

As she inched her way toward him, he would lean forward to make it a little less stressful on her body, his hand reaching down to pull her shirt up as she ran her own hand along his jawline. She knew for certain it was him now, but he was far past reintroductions as he gazed at the open wound on her side. A knife wound, to be certain. He couldn't fathom how his employees could be so careless with his product, but like most things he didn't dwell on it needlessly.

They both finished looking upon each other at the same time, With Aryanna sitting nicely on the floor in front of him, tracing random lines of blood on her thigh as she waited for him to make a move. Was she scared, in shock or simply an obedient little pet? Probably all of the above, or at least he hoped so. She was one of the few that knew his capabilities, and his sporadic nature, and if she learned anything from his actions and teachings it was to expect the unexpected.

"What, do you not like the new look?" His lips would gain a sly grin as he rubbed his jaw roughly, pushing the skin back and forth. "Had to get a young identity so I wouldn't be mistaken for your dad or somethin'." Now that she was a bit more compliant, he would get up from his seat and shut off the TV, moving in front of Aryanna and crouching down to get close to her level. His grin would quickly fade before he grabbed her by the hair and yanked her head to the side, making it easier for him to get a good look at her wound.

With his free hand, he would once again lift up her shirt, looking at the would with a pissed off grunt before giving it a quick smack. Pulling her head backward now, he would bring his face close to hers, his azure eyes shifting from one color to the next before finally settling on pure black, even the whites of his eyes were like an abyss of darkness. "You actually let someone cut you? What other trouble have you gotten into while I was away?" Probably a question he didn't want answered, but one he had to ask none-the-less.

Having done what headed to be done, he tossed her to the side by her hair, not really putting much force into it but enough to have her brace herself at least. "We need to clean you up before you lose your use to me. Where do those worthless parents f yours keep the medical supplies?" He wouldn't necessarily wait for an answer, walking away from her in search of what he needed. "Don't make me do this on my own. You know how I get when my time is wasted."

[Aryanna Katashi]

As she felt his hand move to lift up the side of her tank top, she would wince slightly. It didn't hurt, but she knew he would not be happy. Not that he didn't know, from the blood, that she was hurt already, but the actual exposure of the wound made her nervous. Seeing it, meant he would likely ask questions if he did not already know, and if she had to explain....well that would not be pretty.

Yet, he dropped her shirt back down just as her hand fell away from his face, that soft bite continued upon her lower lip as she studied him a bit more. However, when he spoke, asking of her thoughts on his new look she was quick to shake her head as she fumbled for an answer. "N..No, no...I like it. It is just very different from the last time I saw you. That is all." A slight smile given as she continued to slowly trace her fingers along her thigh, small circles drawn in her own blood dotting her delicate flesh.

As he further explained his reasoning, she would simply nod. She knew better than to open her mouth when it wasn't really warranted, and from the look he held just a few moments before, it was easy to see he was not in the best of moods. Her eyes quick to follow him as he stood to turn off the tv, a nervous bite once more applied to her lower lip as she slowly drug her nails along her thighs. Anticipation? Anxiousness? Fear? Perhaps a mixture of all three. In fact, most likely that.

She knew how he tended to be when he was in one of his off moods, and though it had been years since she had seen him, that did not mean that he was as happy to see her as she was him. No, if anything, that fact was even more confirmed as his fingers knotted in her hair, jerking her head, and in turn her whole body, to the side just a bit....Enough that he was now able to get a better look at the wound on her side. Once again, she winced, thoughts of how upset he was going to be over this rushing through her mind as she opened her mouth to speak, only to instead let out a slight yelp as he his hand smacked the wound on her side, causing her to shy away from his touch as she noted the color in his eyes beginning to shift.

The darkness beginning to consume his eyes, never a good thing....her own reacting by the color growing lighter, more faint. Yet she stayed focused upon him as he pulled her head in closer to his own...mouth opening to speak though it was becoming increasingly difficult to find the right words to say. "I...I have been so careful these last few years. But this one, he had more fight in him that I had originally thought. I did not mean it to happen John, I swear."

Though once her words had finished, she would hesitate upon answering the second half of his question. So much to fill him in on in such a short span of time. Sure, she could possibly take it slow, explain the details, but he was irritated and long drawn out answers were not exactly what he wanted....at least not at this very moment.

Yet, as she opened her mouth once more to answer, she would be tossed aside by her hair, her hands shooting out to try and brace herself to prevent crumpling onto the floor. The slightest hint of a whimper given at his treatment of her, though that was the only protest that he would receive...She had learned long ago not to talk back and not to argue when it came to such things.

When he asked for the medical supplies she would quickly scramble to her feet, long before he made any mention of not wishing to do this on his own."They keep them in the kitchen. On the top shelf..." Speaking up softly from behind him as she motioned toward the kitchen. Staying back as she would assume that was the direction in which he would head.

She could get the stuff herself, if she grabbed a chair to stand on in order to do so. But yeah, until he outright told her to, she would allow him to take the lead....Her mind quickly darting back to the previous question that she had left unanswered. Nervously biting the corner of her lower lip as she struggled to think of the right thing to say...scared of his reaction to some parts more than others. "I have stayed away from that Kevala woman like I was told...And I have not gotten caught in any of my...well.....games." Aside from the being stabbed part, but that guy was dead and gone...So technically she had not been caught. Not that she was going to try and argue that point with him. "I have also done well in school...for the most part. Even have a little plaything to toy around with and keep me busy...Even if she is rather annoying."

Now she hesitated. Boy did she ever. The mention of Margaret, leading to thoughts of Cael. Thoughts of Cael leading to the dance, and the dance leading to........."Th..Though....there was this one sm...small problem." Now, oh now she was just flat out scared. Stopping and standing away from him as she twisted her fingers together in front of her, eyes reluctant to look up toward his own now. "There....was this boy...." She winced, not even wanting to finish the sentence because she knew where it would be headed.

He had told her, time and time again what she was not allowed to do, but that other part of her, the one he left out while locking her away....That side had not know, and that side had not cared....Not that it had been her fault either...But still, it was the reasoning she hid behind. Taking a half step back away from him. Not finishing her thought, but at the same time, pretty sure that just saying something about a boy and her actions would be all the information he needed to guess what had happened.