|
Ylva:
Ylva was sitting on that same stump, like she did almost every night now that she had found a nice queit place to get away from people.
Her hand was holding her phone and shaking slightly as she typed out a text to Klaire.
"Hey, you wanna hang out again. Im at the same park?"
Followed by another one a few seconds later.
"Walk!"
Klaire:
Klaire took a bit to respond to the text, likely at work before that. Maybe 20 minutes later she responds.
"I can! I'll be a bit too grab Rook. What is the address though? I'll drive there this time."
Ylva:
She lounges on the stump waiting working on some art on her Tablet.
"{Adress}. Ill see you soon. Love you hun."
Klaire:
"On the way, Rook heard your name and started whining 😁"
She parked a bit farther away in the park, finding some free parking and grabbing Rook, making sure he had his vest to not spook Ylva. He knew what that meant and had his head high, he was on a MISSION.
A few minutes later they arrived near the stump, Rook looking excited for a full second before remebering he needed to be a professional and calming down. As they got close he snuffled her hand. Klaire leaned over to kiss Ylva's forehead gently.
"Hey darling. Sorry I took so long."
Ylva:
Ylva sits comfortably until she smells them both arriving. Her anxiety building up again. Claws digging back into her scratching post, one day this is going to fall apart.
Her tablet is left to the side as she waits for them to approach. Senses even sharper than Rook's it takes a while before they actually reach her.
Tensing up at the kiss she gives them both a little wave. "Heya."
Klaire:
Rook could smell the anxiety on them, so his head immedietly went into her lap as he gave her puppy dog eyes. Inviting pets to help them calm down. He'd done it enough to help Klaire's own anxiety that he knew the best cure was to be cute.
Klaire sat down next to them, brushing a bit of hair back over their ear. "Are you feeling any better? Anything I can do to help?"
Ylva:
Her whole body tenses as Rook places his head in her lap a deep breath passing her lips. "Fuck."
Head leaning back she looks to Klaire shaking her head. "Move. Rook? Please."
Klaire:
Klaire nods, giving a pet to Rook before staring into his eyes. Rook backs off a second later, laying down next to them two to watch, waiting for further instructions from Klaire. He doesn't seem upset, just waiting to see what he can do.
Klaire meanwhile still sits next to her partner. "Sorry about that. He is worried about you too. Anything else that you need?"
Ylva:
"I know. He's just, snack sized."
She leans across into Klaire resting her head on her shoulder. "This is nice. Its nice to see you again."
Klaire:
She gives a nod. "He is snack sized but I don't think he would like that."
She places her head on Ylva's, the smaller woman is prefect snuggle size for Klaire. "Im glad I can be here for you...and I am sorry I wasn't there for you when all...well this happened."
Ylva:
"No, I dont think he would."
There is a hint of a chuckle behind her voice but she tries to hide it. "Its not your fault, not your fault that. He. Took me."
Klaire:
Klaire puts an arm around Ylva's shoulders, squeezing gently. "I know its not, but I wish I could have prevented it anyway. I...well I don't know who, or even what, He is."
She takes a deep breath. "I hope you aren't mad that I kept you in the dark about these things. I was hoping you wouldn't need to deal with it."
Ylva:
"I know, and I think its better that way."
Shaking her head she continues. "I dont think I can really be annoyed when I was trying to do the same to you."
Klaire:
"Well, it does sound like there are some secrets we do need to keep. Just...I want to make sure you are adjusting well, ok? I know you were already going through a lot even before...well this."
Ylva:
Ylva nods again. "Yeah and I hate it. Honestly? Do you want the honest answer there?"
Klaire:
She nods. "If you are willing, I'll listen to whatever you need me to."
Ylva:
She shakes her head shuddering a little before speaking. "No. Im not."
Klaire:
"I thought that may be the case. I know whatever happened must have been a lot and...well the supernatural can be hard on us. If you have questions, I may not have the perspective you do, but I can try to help."
Rook snuffles Ylva's foot gently but doesn't do more
Ylva:
"It was a lot, a long time, a long time there and a long time away from here."
She reaches a hand back stroking one of her tails, her foot staying where it is a little smile on her face.
Klaire:
Klaire nods. "I haven't dealt too much with time stuff, but it sounds just...awful. I'm glad you are here now."
She leans over to give Ylva a hug. "I asked a lot of questions last time, I'm sure you have some for me as well."
Ylva:
"Im not what I was when I was taken." She taps at her tablet. "I don't look like this, really."
She tilts her head. "A bunch but. I don't wanna push."
Klaire:
She looks over, a slow nod. "I don't want to push either. Many things don't look like what we think they do. It's a common form of protection."
She gives her another hug. "You can push, I'll let you know how if I can't answer something."
Ylva:
She opens her laptop slowly pulling up the picture she was working on.
Watching for her response.
{Is my main mein picture}
"How long have you been like this?" She asks about Klaires abilities.
Klaire:
She looks at the picture carefully, comparing it to the Ylva she could see.
"You have fluffy ears, I think its kinda cute."
She takes a moment to think. "The telepathy started in high school. I didn't know what it was or how to control it, I just started hearing whispers all the time. Mom put me in therapy cause she didn't believe me. I learned more after that, and how to control it."
Ylva:
She blushes flattening said ears to her head.
"Thanks. It makes all of this feel wrong." Gesturing at herself.
"I can imagine that didn't help. Especially when you started hearing her thoughts. I'm glad you learned to, well, teleport to me. It would've been ages before we spoke otherwise."
Klaire:
"I'm sorry it feels wrong. If I can help it feel less wrong, I will."
She looks down to Rook, giving him a scritch in just the spot he wants it.
"It didn't help, the therapy just made me feel like I was weirder than everyone else. I hated hearing everything so I made myself shut out the whispers...but well...I had to direct it somewhere. I lived in everyone elses head for a while cause it was easier. I forgot how to live in my own until I got to college. Thats also about the time I figured out I was ace cause I didn't share so many of those feelings."
She takes a shaky breath.
"But yeah, the apportion is useful. I'm glad I could find you."
Ylva:
"The touching is nice. Getting me used to it."
She smiles holding her hand.
"Its diffirent when ones like me touch it. They touch through to that." She says nodding to her tablet.
"I can imagine, I can't relate directly but. Early school was bad for me. Albino punk dwarf in a deep south school... "
Klaire:
Klaire rubs a hand along her back, the other one holding Ylva's.
"I'm glad there are others like you that can teach you what you need. Its better than learning everything on your own. But yeah...school didn't treat either of us well."
Ylva:
She leans into that contact.
"Im trying to learn what I need. Well more what I can have less what I need."
Looking down she sighs.
Klaire:
"Im sure you are doing well Ylva. I believe in you."
Klaire squeezes Ylva's hand, a loving kiss on her forehead. She takes an uncertain breath before turning to look into her eyes.
"I do want to say...I looked into your thoughts at times. I never went deep, just the surface. But...I wanted to help you get through your troubles and I didn't know how to tell you about all of this."
Ylva:
"Im really not but I appreciate that."
She squeezes back judt a bit harder than she should.
"Thats okay. I understand. I'm sorry for what you saw."
Klaire:
"You are, I'm sure of it. You just need to keep at it."
She leans into the squish.
"I haven't done more than surface thoughts. And to gauge your mood. Like...if you are happy, or upset, or...well the last time when you wanted to bite me. I can...sorta talk with it too, thats what I do with Rook. Its like whispers of what those around me want, or what they are worried about, or if they are afraid of something."
Ylva:
She shakes her head.
"Having to hold back the urge, even now, to quite literally eat your lover is, I'm pretty sure, not healthy."
Klaire:
"Well... perhaps not. But we can work at that, ok?"
She looks down at the restless floof. "Did you still want to do that walk?"
Ylva:
"Can we? What if I lose it Klaire. It'll only take a second and then you'll be missing a limb. Best case scenario."
Her hands are shaking slightly, tails swirling and fangs extending just a bit.
Klaire:
"I can do a surprising amount in a second Ylva. Not to mention hearing your thoughts gives me even more of a heads up. Just... we can work at it, that's the most we can do."
Klaire reaches up to scritch Ylva's head, right about where she would think the ears are.
Ylva:
She leans into the scratches squeezing her hand. "Okay. Together?"
Looking down to Rook she smiles. "Do we need to take someone walkies?" Quickly followed by an anxious. "Would that be okay?"
Klaire:
She squeezed the hand back, seemingly focusing on Rook for a moment. Not worrying about hiding it now.
"Together yeah, we can figure this out. But yeah, he would love some walkies. He wants to sniff all the things."
Ylva:
Standing she pulls Klaire up with her.
"Let's take him walks then. While I feel vaguely functional."
Klaire:
Klaire stands up carefully, grabbing the leesh gently. Rook on the other hand shoots up to his feet, does a quick spin, and then remembers it's time to be ELEGANT and straightens up to go on the walk.
"Well, he seems excited."
Ylva:
"Is that a good or a bad thing? I wonder what I smell like to him."
She keeps hold of Klaires hand.
"Thanks for not giving up on me."
Klaire:
"Well, he is usually excited. If I need to get out of my own head for a bit I'll go to his. But in this case it's good."
She holds Ylva's hand as Rook took them on an adventure!!
"But of course. I want to help however I can."
Ylva:
She nods.
"Well. Taking our puppy for a walk in the park helps me feel. Human again. So its a start."
Klaire:
"Im glad he helps. He helps me too. He's... well a normal thing in a not so normal world."
She looks away for a moment before looking back. "I get you might not be able to, but if there is ever a way I can help with your things, I will."
Ylva:
"What do you mean? This helps."
Their is a confused canine tilt of her head as she speaks.
Klaire:
"I don't know much about the groups within the city. I try to keep my hat out of those things for my own safety. Something I do know..."
She squeezes Ylvas hand.
"I know that there are many enemies no matter what group you are apart of. They're likely used to the powers you have, they might not be used to mine. That or Im quite good at finding people and places." She makes the last claim proudly.
Ylva:
"I, uh, really should find out how much I'm allowed to tell you. How much do you want to know?"
She pads along smiling and hoping they don't bump into others.
Klaire:
"Enough to let me help, but not enough to get you in trouble. Just... keep me as an option ok?" She seems to pick a path that runs into no people, whether by luck or by other means.
Ylva:
"Do you know what I am now? Do you want to meet my wizard friend I met yesterday? She was worried about your magic. Do you want to meet someone who has been doing Jenny's job?"
Klaire:
"Well...I have some guesses. Theres lots of things that kidnap people, thats...well thats a big part of my job. As for what exactly I don't want to press."
She goes quiet for a minute, thinking through meeting Ylva's friends. Those that are helping her.
"Wizard friend hm? Well...I taught myself. My magic isn't really magic, just my pushing my power in different ways. I wouldn't be against meeting them but...well I'm not sure how much they can tell me. And well...I know you have lots of partners and that me and Astrid are friends, but I'm still kinda eh about...well Jenny's job."
Ylva:
"The option is there if you want to know more. I'll find out how much I'm allowed to share okay."
She blushes slightly.
"Well. Jenny's job aside from her actual job is bending me over a table dear."
Klaire:
"I'll gladly learn anything that helps you, ok? And... yeah...i want meaning her being a secretary either."
She squeezes Ylvas hand gently. "Ill admit I'm not really part of a group. Im still human, just...a little weird is all. Everything I know is either things I figured out myself or learned from weird things I've seen. I can...sorta take wounds from others, but it hurts me. There was someone I worked with on a case that could do the same thing and I sort of...well I learned by peeking into their head and basing it off that."
Ylva:
"I have needs and besides she sorta works by diffirent rules."
A squeeze back and a nod.
"Okay, she mostly wanted to make sure you were safe i think. Not hurting yourself or others. It's up to you. If it tilts the bargain she was a red fox when I first met her which was adorable."
Klaire:
"Well dating multiple people helps you fill your needs. You help me get physical contact which I desperately need."
She thinks for a moment longer. "Well, the apporation does hurt me a bit. Sort of like...well friction from moving so fast. It feels like I'm moving from one place to another and I hit all the air in between. If they know a better way, I wouldn't turn them down."
Ylva:
She nods blushing slightly and chuckling. "Fills me in other ways too. Im sorry Klaire I couldnt resist." Cuddling her shoulders she keeps walking behind Rook.
"Im sure at the least they can give you some tips?"
Klaire:
Klaire gives a defeated sigh, squeezing Ylva's hand. "I know you can't, I'm glad you have so many people to lean on."
She waits for Rook to smell an interesting smell. "Maybe they can, I'll see how it goes."
Ylva:
"Rook is doing well."
She looks away for a bit not sure how to put into words so meeting in the middle.
"Can I ask you something? Its not me or you related but. Um."
Klaire:
"Of course, darling. What is your question?"
Ylva:
There's a shakiness to her voice as she speaks.
"Hows Astrid doing? We've spoken a bit, she saw me when it first got back and so she knows I'm safe but. I haven't spoken to her at length or seen her in person and im worried. She's worried. Can you have coffee with her. Maybe. Eventually. We can all have coffee again."
Klaire:
She clasps Ylva's hand. "Of course I can do that. How much do you want me to tell her? Or do you want me to not mention having seen you at all? I know she's worried too so..."
Ylva:
"I domt know. I can't tell her im.... what I am. Not yet at least. I'm assuming she thinks I've fallen off the wagon and ended up on some new junkie thing. Wouldn't be the first time."
She holds that hand.
"Im scared hun. When I first got back I. Lost it in the shop. I nearly ate them all. Only one of my kind stopped me."
Klaire:
Klaire squeezes Ylvas hand fir support. "I can talk to her, I'll let her know you're getting help, ok? You got into a mess and you're just trying to keep everyone safe. Sound good?"
She takes a breath, letting Rook sniff some more. "Do you mean...the customers? That...yeah I can see that being a problem. I'm glad someone else was able to stop you then. Just...know that if I see it happen, Ill make sure to stop you, ok?"
Ylva:
"Thanks. I appreciate that."
She nods her head, then shakes it.
"Yes, one of my clients, didn't get to go home and then. Jenny and Astrid were right in the reception waiting for me to finish. And. Well. They. Almoat did get to go hone."
Her legs grow shaky as she speaks. Letting Klaire know for the first time just how far gone she is.
Klaire:
Klaire gives an uneasy before giving a response. "I'm glad it wasn't Jenny or Astrid. I'm... we can figure something out. Do you remember their name, I can see if there's a missing person's case and... well fudge some details."
Ylva:
"I don't think their is. They were a hitchhiker so I've got all their things at home. I can poke them your way if you want?"
She squeezes Klaires hand. "Thank you."
Klaire:
"That would probably help. If nothing else I can just keep an ear out for a name." She gives Ylva a hug. "I'll do anything I can to help, ok?"
Ylva:
"Im not positive thats a good thing but. Thanks."
There is a chuckle as she watches Rook be a puppy.
Klaire:
Rook was doing his best to be a PROFESSIONAL but also all the smells were so interesting. Half the walk was just his nose to the ground.
"Im not proud of it, but it will not be the first body I handwaved. Some threats its just...easier to have someone like me to point elsewhere and say thats what caused the body."
Ylva:
She stops to lean on a tree.
"Thanks. I. I've done a lot im not proud of since you last saw me. One day. Maybe you'll know just how fucked I am."
Klaire:
"I know you have done things, so have I. A lot of times its outside our control, and I can't blame you for things you had no say in. Ok?"
Ylva:
"But I can. When I close my eyes and its all I can see. I spent decades doing His work and its all I see when I close my eyes."
Klaire:
Klaire leans over to give her a hug, Rook sniffing at the tree they're resting under.
"I don't know who He is, and you don't need to tell me...but it means I'm not quite sure how to help. But just know, that wasn't you. You've been through hard things and now you're trying to process. Its normal. Just...work at it as you can, and remember that it was His doing, not yours."
Ylva:
"He crafted me into something, to be his guard dog and waste disposal. I was really good at it. I was the best at it."
She scratches at the tree leaving gouges in it.
"Im sorry hun. I know this is a lot when I ran away for two Months."
Klaire:
Klaire leans on the trees as well, looking over Ylva with a question on her lips before she pauses and thinks some more.
She looks back at Ylva after a moment. "I've done a lot of research into different folklores to find sources for...well what things may take people. I...this may only be a guess, but this sounds like all the stories of kidnapped people by the Fair Folk. I...would that be in the ballpark?"
Ylva:
Ylva nods. "Thatd be right on the money."
Her teeth gritting
Klaire:
Klaire nods slowly. "I see...and...that explains some things. I will be honest I don't know much about them besides different folklores, which tend to be half truthful at best. I will be honest its probably smart if I do not know more. Knowing things tends to....attract more of that type of being."
She holds Ylva's hand gently. "But...it does reassure me even more than who you were...wherever you were taken, that is not who you are. Its who you were forced to be against your will.
Ylva:
"Yeah. Safe."
She squeezes that hand.
"But what about now? What about when I got back and ate a person. What about the other day when I ate a vampire because they got turned into a Vampire shaped stain on the path in front of me. Even right now. I always have to hold it back."
Klaire:
"Its his fault, not you- sorry, did you say ate a vampire?? Well...you've already done a lot since getting back I see."
She shakes her head. "Learning to control what you have is not easy. But it IS worth it. It is a hard and long path, but you'll feel better as you work on it. Ok?"
Ylva:
"Technically i ate like a third of one but yes."
She chuckles trying to smile.
"I know. Its just like everything else I've been addicted to. One day at a time."
Squeezing her hand again she keeps talking through shaky words.
"Can you walk me home?"
Klaire:
"Well...thats more than what I've eaten. Granted its mostly been getting weird stuff in my mouth...things need to stop having lairs full of gross stuff."
She pulls Ylva close for a hug. "We can get you through this addiction ok? Lets get you home, ok? Come here Rook." The dutiful dog bounds back over from the tree, ready to go.
Ylva:
Ylva wanders deeper into the woods towards a doorway she knows. Holding onto Klaires hand a smile on her face. In the nigh opposite direction of her Apartment and her Shop.
|