The home was smaller, and at this time of the day it did in fact look occupied. It was off the main road in a group of other homes. There was a small walk-in space before she got to the door, that was hidden from the road, in case she wanted to take off the necklace before she knocked..
Last Edit: Sept 23, 2011 2:13:52 GMT -5 by Margrett
Serenity moved into this space casually, looking around to make sure no one was looking her way. She walked as far back as she could and slowly picked up a rock wall to cover herself, not making to much noise with her magic.
She had a rough experience transforming the first time, she didn't know what to expect this time around, but couldn't risk turning into a collapsed mess if the process was just as pleasant as before.
When her cover was suitable, she took off the necklace and the change back happened almost immediately, her body beginning to turn back the moment it was removed. Serenity hugged herself, the same intense sensation of her insides being moved around, shifting, and twisting was just as uncomfortable as before. She ended up on one knee, biting her lip to keep herself from crying in pain.
Once it was finished, she was on her knees and hands breathing heavily. Wiping away the slight sweat, the lady picked herself up and dusted her clothing after she tucked the necklace away in her pocket.
Fixing her hair a little, she brought her cover down and walked out of the little alley, her eyes looking to the ground until she walked up to the door.
"Alright, this is it."
She knocked...
Last Edit: Sept 23, 2011 2:23:30 GMT -5 by Serenity
There was a pause, some talking, and a small boy answered the door. He looked for all the world like a miniature James, dressed in what might be school clothes. He looked up at Serenity silently, blinking. Then he looked inside, and took a step outside, talking in hushed tones.
Serenity almost wanted to start crying, seeing Allen again, such a sweet little boy and she was going to play the part of the somber messenger. She couldn't do this to him, she didn't want to do this to him.
Her voice was at the verge of cracking, her throat was heavy and it was becoming harder to hold back tears. She sniffed, rubbed her eyes and tried to calm herself some. Her face must have been red right now.
"A-Allen," she almost broke out into a sob, "Is your mother home?"
"Thank you," she muttered, it was barely audible. She covered her face with her sleeve and tried to wipe away her tears, but it was proving impossible.
When she walked into the kitchen, Serenity nearly collapsed when she saw Dolores. Her sobs could barely be contained now and she let her tears fall.
Why, why, why, why them of all people, why him
"I-I'm so so-so-sorry..." she covered her mouth to muffle herself.
The feeling of this woman wrapping her arms around her despite the news she was about to bring, tore apart the mage more than she initially thought it would. Suddenly moments of the many happy times she spent in this home flashed back within her mind, a time when James was also in the picture smiling side by side with his family.
Serenity shook her head slowly, trying to not make it worse for her than it already is, these memories were not helping. She slowly got up, trying to stop the sobbing and made her way to a table to sit down, covering her face with both hands.
"Forgive me..." she meant it for her sudden outburst, but layered under it was also for what she eventually had to say.
Dolores quivered a little, but stood at the table, hands folded in front of her, trying to look strong. She spoke as soothingly as she could manage.
S....Serenity. James loved you, and we love you. You're like a daughter to us, and nothing that happened to him could possibly have been your fault. She sat across the table from her and took one of her hands encouragingly. She looked into Serenity's eyes pleadingly.
I know something happened, Serenity. I just have to know what.
Hearing her say those things forced her lips to stay shut tight, and she continued to look downward at the table with her face covered by her hands. She didn't want to meet the woman in her eyes and finally have her heart ripped from her chest. It was to much, and Serenity was wishing more than ever that this whole thing was just a dream and she never came here to begin with.
Serenity remembered it like it was yesterday, James helping her sneak away from her mansion to come down to the middle markets for to meet his parents for the first time. She had to cover herself up like she'd been doing this whole time as the lady could only leave with at least an armed escort. Not that she couldn't well take care of herself.
His family was very welcoming and eagerly brought her into their home, it was an awkward moment. It was if they known her their whole life and anxiously treated her like a friend. They had dinner prepared, stories to share and lots of laughter. She never been in such a warm home...
Serenity took a deep breath and wiped her eyes on her sleeve again. Slowly she looked up at Dolores, her face red and messy, and her eyes puffed up with all the crying.
She stared for a moment, unable to speak. She knew it was coming, but hearing it from Serenity was a blow she wasn't expecting. Her jaw quivered and she lowered her head to look at the table. Her voice was low and measured, but still shaky.
Before she could answer, her eyes went wide for a moment, memories flashing within them. Quick flashes of moments went by her mind's eye so fast Serenity couldn't process them; fur; teeth; terrible looking eyes; snow; a ledge and finally James' face. His live, beautiful face.
All of a sudden she fainted, falling off her chair and hitting the floor.
It was nighttime when Serenity awoke. She was lying on a chair in the sitting room, a fire blazing in the fireplace. She could see the silhouette of Dolores sitting on another chair in front of it, staring into it silently.
Serenity blinked the weariness away, her head was heavy and fuzzy to the events that happened prior to her sleeping. She couldn't remember when she fell asleep or how even, more importantly if she did what she intended to do.
Getting up slowly, Serenity walked over to the figure who she assumed was Dolores, she couldn't tell from the back. Her footsteps could easily be heard as she stepped up to Dolores, who she could clearly see when she walked around the side.
She didn't turn her head, but took a deep breath in and nodded, as if acknowledging her. It was a moment before she spoke.
I knew it happened, somehow. After you both left. He would have kept in touch. Letters, something. I knew it happened. I just didn't want to believe it.
Last Edit: Sept 30, 2011 23:13:23 GMT -5 by Margrett