littlelightningbvg

[littlelightningbvg]

A start of surprise came at his words as she slowly absorbed just what they meant. She really didn’t have to use her powers to eat? … there was no threat of that outside of where she’d come? It was impossible for her to imagine a life like that could be likely for her, but she didn’t think he’d have a reason to lie.

Four locked eyes with Rang when he knelt down to her level and noted something like anger brewing in them, though it seemed not aimed at her. For a moment she wondered what he’d been through, if he’d experienced something similar… maybe she wasn’t so alone after all.

No sooner had the thought formed, when his next words confirmed it. There were others out there like the people from the lab. Could they be worse? Then that must have meant he’d come across them at some point.

A panic swelled inside her, fingers curled into fists that sparked a little at the ends. Though his words were encouraging, and a kind of comfort, she still felt shaken knowing what she might face on the outside. “I – I wont – wont forget,” she responded to him quietly, voice trembling slightly. Taking a moment, she swallowed back her fear and dread, and attempted to mimic his hardened look, fists tightening. “I wont. I’ll remember, and – and I’ll look after myself first.” Though she had no idea how to even do that or how to start.

“Gas… station?” Four repeated the foreign word as it was spoken, head cocking a little to the side as she watched Rang. “I – I don’t… I don’t know… I – I’ve never heard of that before.” Colour flooded her cheeks in embarrassment, realizing just how small her world was compared to what was outside the fence and property line of the lab. If she had to guess – and she’d assume it would be the wrong answer – they were likely to find whatever it was hopefully at the end of the road. “Is it this… this way?” With a small point in the direction ahead, she began to walk forward a little. “Have you been here before?”

Rang nearly said that she could show him her powers if she wanted to but then she completed her sentence and he realized what she meant. "No, you don't have to do things to get food in return. Those people who kept you locked up only told you that so you'd do what they said. People should be able to eat without having to give anything for it."

But there were so many messed up things about the world that meant that wasn't always the case. It was enough to turn anyone mad with anger and hatred. Rang recalled parts from his childhood where he'd seen poorer families be cast aside and starving on the side of the road just because they weren't deemed worthy enough to be seen as real people. Hadn't he gone through difficulties like that, too? When the villagers learned he was half fox, they treated him like he was evil incarnate. Even his own mother had been disgusted by him. Rang's gaze hardened at those memories and he crouched down to look Kay in the eye.

"From now on you should look out for yourself first. There are too many selfish and cruel people in the world who don't care about your feelings. They'll hurt you as long as they get what they want. Remember that." He straightened up again and smoothed down his suit jacket.

"All right, let's find the closest place. A gas station or something." Somewhere he could grab some quick supplies for her before they continued their journey to the nearest city.

[littlelightningbvg]

“I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me.”

— Joshua Graham (via tessagray)

[littlelightningbvg]

Kay kept her chin down as they walked, and stuck close near Wylan for safety. Her arms were tucked in around herself, hands out of sight. She made sure she could feel the pocket watch in her sock as she moved. It was safe, that was all that mattered. Gaze lifted to peer around anxiously, keeping careful watch of those around her, something Kaz had drilled into her head during one of their lessons.

When they were in a new location she wasn’t quite as familiar with, she tightened her grip around herself and looked over at Wylan. His question made her smile slightly as she thought back on her first time in Ketterdam. How things had changed since then.

“He’s – He’s taken me around a few places. N – Not everywhere. Sometimes he – he takes me out when we teaches me a lesson on fighting,” she explained, cheeks heating as she remembered the thrill that had come from being taught how to fight. “Did – Did you ever live there, Wylan?”

"He'll be around," Wylan waved a hand, a casual gesture. There were no set routines and it was difficult to say whether Jesper would be home or out at his apprentice job honing his Grisha craft. Sometimes he practiced at home, so it was really anyone's guess what he felt like today.

"But I imagine you'll get to meet him soon. Him and Milo." Milo was always at home unless they took him for walks down the Geldstraat, so at least that meeting was a certainty.

"Are you all finished?" Wylan continued, glad that Kay had eaten her lunch. "Should we head out?" He wanted to beat the mid afternoon rush. "It's a bit of a walk back home. I hope that's okay." It wasn't too far and they could call for a carriage if Kay got too tired, but he figured it would be nice to walk given the rare nice weather they were having. Standing up, Wylan pushed his chair in before placing their plates upon the tray. He knew the staff came to clear the tables, but he always liked to take them back to the counter himself. Made him feel less guilty.

Once that was done, he returned to the child's side and smiled brightly. "All right, let's get going."

---

Back on the street, Wylan was once again reminded that he had a child in his care and that he was responsible for her safety. Fortunately, the rush that he'd thought of earlier had yet to occur, so they were able to walk at a relaxed pace. He knew what streets to avoid and what alleys were less of a shortcut and more of a trap — undesirable types liked to hang out in certain ones, waiting for poor, unsuspecting victims that they could rob. It was one of the many reasons Wylan didn't wear his mercher outfits when dealing with business in the Barrel; that was just asking to be attacked.

Once they reached the Zelver District, they were in the homestretch towards the Van Eck household. "Has Kaz shown you around Ketterdam? Are you familiar with the areas?"

[littlelightningbvg]

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓?

To be alone; given some peace, to drop the facade.

You have never truly felt peace, nor quiet, nor a sense of being free in yourself. You need to be left alone, no knocks at the door, no questions or calls, you need to feel safe and private and to be yourself. You need to stand bare before your own eyes, and listen to your own voice, and to be without others pressing in upon you.

tagged by: @themerchliing ty hun!

tagging: @imtiredofbeingafraid @swiindlerfox @theseancekid @feilien (for little matt, tho the questions are a bit... yea) @icarusplunged (for keon)

[littlelightningbvg]

“I wish I could just freeze them.Keep'em just like this forever.”

[littlelightningbvg]

Four’s legs wobbled as she touched solid ground, unsteady from the rush and exhilaration of everything that had occurred. Her gaze darted around the edge of the forest they were in, and what lay ahead of them, before attention turned back to him at his questions, and she shifted nervously. “N – No. I – I wasn't allowed to - to have friends. And - And no, the only people I had or - or knew were at – at that place.” But she wasn’t even sure she had them, really. So far he’d done more to look after her then they ever had, though she wasn’t sure for how long that would last. Hadn’t he mentioned he was going to take her somewhere for other people to deal with her? The thought petrified her.

Her eyes locked on his at the mention of food, and for the first time she realized just how hungry she was since she’d last ate. Not that she’d ever eaten much. Food was always used as a leverage for what they deemed good behaviour, and what she knew from the lab techs her behaviour was never up to par. Bare feet took two hesitant steps toward him, and she lightly crossed her arms to hide her hands. “Do – Do you want me to do – do something with – with my powers first, so I – I can eat?” she asked weakly, blue eyes pleading that he’d say no. “I – I don’t want to use them, I – I don’t want to hurt people.”

"I'm always careful." As much as he could be in any given situation. He was far more careful than his idiot brother, that was for sure. Once he was certain they were too far for the guards to reach, Rang slowed his pace gradually until he came to a full stop. They were out of the forest now, right on the outskirts. He couldn't say he was all that familiar with this location, but he had a vague idea of which direction to go that would take them back to the main road.

"Okay, so, you really have nobody else I can take you to?" He set her down, wondering if she would flop over from the speed they'd been going at. "Not a single family member or friend?" If that were the case, then what did that really mean? Was she born in that facility? Did her mother abandon her there? There were too many questions sill hanging over this mysterious kid.

Studying her face, Rang tried to plan his next move. He's rescued the kid because it was messed up to leave here there. However, now that they were free of the threat, he had to admit he didn't have a solid idea of where to go from here. Tilting his head back, he rolled his shoulders and sighed.

"I'll figure it out. How about we just go eat something first?" And maybe a change of clothes for the kid, too. Rang didn't want to be wandering around town with her just for people to think he was a kidnapper.

[littlelightningbvg]

“Are – Are you sure?” Four stammered hesitantly. Her gaze locked on his hand, though her mind was miles away replaying memories, and instructions that had been given to her at the lab. She was never supposed to touch people, never supposed to do anything unless she was told by an adult. But now, here she was with an offer to hold someone’s hand, and it wasn’t from someone with authority. What if she got scared and hurt him? She didn’t want to do that!

“I – I don’t - ” it’s spoken barely above a whisper, and when she lifts her gaze to meet his, she sees his conviction in his more than his fear.

“O – Oka – Okay.” Her hand is slowly taken into his, and at first she stares down at them, trembling lightly with apprehension, body tensed. A minute passes, and then two, and she lets out a small breath. Maybe it’ll be okay after all. A sudden thought crosses her mind, and she looks up at him with a mix of concern and fear, “Will – Will that scary – scary man come back? The – The one with the umbrella?”

@crosseddestiny liked (x)

"It's okay," Number Four says, even though he doesn't know that for sure, not really. He's never seen anything like it before, what this girl can do.

But he's seen plenty of other stuff— he's been on the wrong end of Number One's brute strength, gotten himself thrown around by Number Six's tentacles. At this point, a shock won't kill him, will it? And if it does, would that be so bad?

It's an impulse, firstly. He gets them, even around normal people; the impulse to touch and to hold and to remind himself that they are alive. But with her it's more than that. She looks so...lonely.

Number Four wants to hold her hand.

And so that's exactly what he does.

"It's okay. See?" He says again, slowly, as he swallows his heart down his throat and gently wraps his fingers around hers.

[littlelightningbvg]

An involuntary shiver ran through her at his uncertainty – something she wasn't used from him - and her tension grew over the situation. Should they go back into the room and wait? Find someone? What if, somehow, this was her fault, and they were on their way back right now to come get her? She couldn’t remember having done anything differently that morning, or disobeying orders, but sometimes that didn’t always matter.

Another step closer to Matt, and her gaze shot his way when she heard his authoritative instruction, unwavering conviction in his tone. As his hand came outstretched toward her, she hesitated and met his eyes, her own filling with self-doubt. Did she trust him? Absolutely. Did she trust herself? …. Her fingers clutched tighter to the fabric of her scrubs top as that all-too-familiar coursing feeling ran through her body. Veins glowed a light blue, pulsing with the thump of her beating heart. Could she run? Yes. But risk hurting him by holding his hand…? The fear was almost overpowering. “I – I – I trust you,” she stammered in response. Nervously, she unwrapped her arms, and tentatively reached out her hand. Instead of taking his, she went for the hem of his sleeve and started to take the fabric between her fingers but hesitated. Would she hurt him if she took his hand? Almost every day she defied the orders against using her abilities on him, what if she could do that now? Swallowing her fear, she did the unexpected, and instead of taking his sleeve, she moved her hand down to lace her fingers through his. A moment passed where nothing happened as she stared at their hands locked together, followed by a few more minutes. Nothing. Her gaze lifted to meet his and then beyond him toward the empty hall, “Which – Which way do we go, Matt?”

 "I don't know," he admitted, eyes still glancing up and down the empty corridor, expecting someone to come running around the corner at any given second. But a second passed, then ten, then thirty. There was no one. The corridors remained eerily empty, abandoned. There was no sound of footsteps, either, nor of any other activity.

 There was no telling what would await them further down the hallway. Maybe they were all there, waiting. Testing them. Ready to take them down and dole out the worst punishment Four and him had ever received. But what if not? What if no one was there? No one was waiting on them? What if they were all busy with whatever emergency was currently going on? They had to try.

 If anything went wrong, he could always claim that he had dragged Four along with him against her will, kicking and screaming. He could endure the punishment; besides, they'd go easier on him than they ever would on her.

 "We're going to run, Four. We're going to run as fast as we can, and we're not going to look back." Turning his attention from the corridor to her, he held out his hand despite knowing she wasn't going to take it. He still offered, and he always would. "Do you trust me?"

[littlelightningbvg]

“Yes! And it – it makes me sad when others don’t worry about them either, because everything and everyone is important,” Kay agreed with a small nod of conviction. Though as she pulled her finger away from its lock on Wylan’s, she wondered about the beings that had attacked her and her dad, and those who had hurt her. They were important even after all they’d done… right?

Her gaze went back to Wylan as he reassured her that his friend Matthias was happy, and she felt a wave of relief for him. “Good! I – I’m glad he has people who make him happy, and he’s not sad or lonely or anything, because that wouldn’t be good. And – And I’m sure you make him happy too!”

Kay’s face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically when he asked if he spoke of Jesper a lot. He’d certainly been a big topic during breakfast, that’s for sure. Her head tilted a little, brows furrowing as she considered the word he’d chosen to describe Jesper. “Part – Partner?” There were many variations of what that could mean, and she wasn’t sure just what the right one was. Luckily she was filled in before she even had to ask.

“Ooh!! A boyfriend! So will I – I get to meet him when we get there? Or is… is he not at home right now?”

Someone else who found small joy in pinky promises! Wylan reached out to gently hook his with hers. He was glad it was just about animals and bugs, though, because he couldn't make the promise about his bombs not hurting people.

"It is good to worry about others, especially if they don't have a lot of people to worry about them." Before he found a place with the Crows and discovered his mother was still alive, Wylan hadn't had anyone. The mansion staff had helped when they could but it had never been enough; not while they were under his father's employ.

Wylan grinned.

"Matthias just has a face like that. He can't help it." It was like he had a resting mean face without being aware of it. "Nina makes him happy and so do a lot of other things. He's not lonely or sad, I promise."

At the mention of Jesper, Wylan laughed lightly. "Do I really talk about him a lot? I didn't notice..." Which would have made Jesper smug if he'd known he was a favorite conversation point for Wylan.

"Yes, we're very close. He's my partner." But he had the feeling that Kay might ask further questions regarding the meaning of that, especially when she was familiar with crime and probably understood what partners-in-crime meant. "My boyfriend. He lives at the mansion with me."

[littlelightningbvg]

Baby Nellie reaching out for Luke

[littlelightningbvg]

“Run?” Four squeaked and looked out at the woods uncertaintly. Where could they go? It just looked like endless trees forever and ever. She didn’t even know about the world beyond, only from pictures in books, but even comprehending that was chilling. How could she be expected to just run off? Suddenly her feet were no longer touching the ground, and she looked up at Rang in surprise. Instincts had her tensing, bracing for physical altercation, but instead he told her to remain still and said something she’d never heard of before.

“You’re a cool superhero?”

The words had barely escaped her lips, hands only just gripping at his shirt before they were off. Completely mystified, she watched as their surroundings began to all become one big distorted mess. Lifting her head a little against the torrent of wind, she peered at the world ahead, unable to identify what direction they were going or what really lay ahead. Instead she felt a thrill, stomach doing flips, something that she’d never experienced before.

Rang’s voice drew her attention to him, and she glanced up, a grin growing across her lips, and called up to him, “You really are a cool superhero!” Whatever that was. But she could pretend like she knew. “I – I don’t feel sick! Are we away from the place now?” Had they made it past the fence? Away from the people chasing them. Any sound from behind was lost over the noise of the wind rushing past. Though she heard the familiar sound of pops, gunfire. Had they caught up to them? Were they going to hurt Rang? “Pl - please! Be – Be careful!” she shouted to him, and clung even tighter to his shirt. Though she felt the familiar rage of fear inside her as she pushed back her abilities. If he got hurt after trying to help her, there was no telling how she would react.

The kid had a lot of questions and Rang could answer them easily enough but, with that alarm blaring like that, now wasn't the time. He wanted to know more about these powers of hers — it was quite useful — so that would have to be brought up once they were free of these annoying guards.

"Now, we run."

Since he was clearly playing the role of babysitter (which was his own fault for getting involved in any of this) Rang scooped Kay up. He barely even knew how to hold a kid, but she felt secure enough in his arms, so he must be doing something right. Aiming one last glance over his shoulder, he grinned. He wished he could stay behind and make them regret chasing after them, but no. It was time to go.

"Don't wiggle about. It's going to get really fast. Like I'm a cool superhero." Did he really just say that? Hah, maybe Geomdoong was rubbing off on him.

He only gave her enough time to hold on before his own powers kicked in, speed increasing until they were nothing more than a blur shooting out of the building and across the compound. Rang would just escape the way he'd come in, leaping over the high fence without any struggle.

"How are you doing there?" He called out over the wind as it whipped their faces. "If you feel like you're gonna puke, don't do it on me. This is a nice jacket."

[littlelightningbvg]

“Y – You promise?” Kay pleaded, and glanced around the café before back at Wylan again. Pulling her hand out from under the table, she held up her pinky finger for him, hand trembling a little as she tried to control her abilities. Pinky promises weren’t as good as promise words but only those were between her and her dad. She could never do that with anyone else.

Her eyes widened as she listened to what Wylan did with the slugs he found, and she began to beam with joy. “I – I do that too! Except I – I always find worms, not slugs, and they get stuck in puddles and they cant really swim good, so I try to get them out before they drown. I – I didn’t know other people did that too!” she exclaimed happily, feeling a sense of relief to not be alone. “But… it’s a good thing to worry about others, isn’t it? I – I don’t think it’s funny. I’m glad you care about the slugs.”

She settled back against the bench seat, and listened while he talked about his friends, trying to imagine in her head what each one looked like. A giggle escaped as she imagined his friend Nina with all the waffles in the world in one big room. Well, the room would have to be so big it was ever-expanding, but she bet his friend would love it a lot. “I – I’m glad she looks after you and your friends when you aren’t feeling good…” A pang settled in her heart as she thought of her dad looking after her when she was hurt, and she tried to fight back the thoughts of where he could be now.

“Mmmm. I – I don’t think I know where it is, but I – I know I’ve heard the name before. But why does he look scary and frown a lot? Doesn’t he have anything that makes him happy?” she curiously wondered aloud. “If he doesn’t, that would be really sad… everyone should have something that – that makes them happy. Don’t you think?” A grin spread at the mention of meeting Jesper later, and she nodded excitedly, “I – I hope I do! You – You talk about him a lot! And – and he sounds like a really nice guy! Is – Is Jesper your bestfriend?”

"No animals or bugs get hurt in my explosion. I'll make sure of that." Wylan didn't like to harm anyone who didn't deserve it and animals and bugs didn't fall into that category.

"Sometimes I find slugs outside on the pavement after it rains and I move them somewhere safe. Jesper thinks it's funny that I worry so much but I don't want them stepped on." It was a habit from his childhood that he hadn't grown out of. He still recalled the time he cried because there was a ladybug on the gate's hinge and he was afraid it would get crushed. His mother had caught it in delicate hands and placed it in the leaves of their rose bushes for him to be satisfied.

When Kay asked for more information about the rest of the gang, Wylan brightened. "There's Nina and Matthias. Nina's a Heartrender and she takes care of us when we feel poorly. She also loves waffles more than anyone else." And often joked that she loved them more than Matthias even if they all knew that wasn't true.

"Matthias is from Fjerda. Do you know where that is? He can look quite scary at first because he frowns a lot but he isn't scary at all. He's very nice and is good at keeping us all organized." Wylan didn't want to mention anything about Matthias being an ex-drüskelle; that wasn't something he could properly explain to a child without Matthias being present.

"Jesper is good with guns and likes to tell lots of jokes. You might meet him later."

[littlelightningbvg]

@imtiredofbeingafraid

Butterfly Sculpture Light // Per Plex on Etsy

[littlelightningbvg]

“If – If I’ll fit then I – I guess I could go into one.” The thought of being in a confined spot didn’t make her feel very comfortable, but she trusted him. After all, he was he’d saved her from the men trying to hunt her down, and he’d been nice to her. Neither of which had ever happened to her ever. “Co – Costume?” The alternative to the cage didn’t sound enticing either, but she wasn’t going to process. “I – I don’t know. If you want to do that, I – I guess we could. Or – Or we could do the first thing. I – I’ll be okay.”

The thought of having a place to go, or even a place to stay, was an overwhelming feeling. She wasn’t sure if there was a better solution then being around a new friend – a bestfriend! And she secretly hoped that staying with him would be forever.

“What – What would I – I have to do for those… those things?” she questioned, hoping that they would be easy. Meeting him somewhere was an option, but where? She hardly knew the zoo and its animals, except for a few of their names, and if she got left behind… What if the bad people found him again, and did something? Or what if they found her…

Moved to beta

@littlelightningbvg

“We do?” Kay repeated in surprise as she stared at the back of his head. She hadn’t thought there’d be a we after he’d saved her, but maybe he intended to help more then she’d realized. Though she couldn’t imagine what the bigger issues were then the ones she… they were facing at the moment. Even aware that he wasn’t looking at her, her head still bowed a little when he mentioned her needing to explain. Where did you start? And what if he found out the truth and didn’t want to continue helping her… Maybe it didn’t matter. She appreciated the help she’d received so far, and if he didn’t want to continue afterward then she’d make her way back to the woods again. Peering up at the top of the enclosure while she listened, she watched as a few members of the public passed by. No sign of the men from the lab, but she knew he was right, that didn’t mean they weren’t nearby. “What’s a… transport box?” she questioned nervously. It didn’t sound like something she was eager to get into, in fact it reminded her of the scared caged animals they would bring into the lab for them to use their powers on. “I – I… I’m not sure… would I be able to fit in one?” The last time she’d been close to one it had housed a small animal, and she didn’t think she was as small as a cat.

His words were slow to register, and when they did, she stood there in disbelief. Survive and are cared for. Sure, she’d survived at the lab, but she didn’t know what it was like to be cared for, not the way the other children were. “Do – do you mean I… I get to stay with you?”

Dan didn't respond to her first question. He needed to not talk to her. The more attention he drew to himself--the worse off this was going to be. He was still less concerned about the lab people than he was the zoo employees. They knew which animals were staying and which were going and it would be easy for them to figure out that he was up to something. Perhaps he could claim he needed to clean it or had forgotten that it wasn't needed?

His brain was still reeling trying to figure all of this out and how he could successfully pull it off. He was good at coming up with plans but he liked to have time to get it all together. Doing it all on the fly like this wasn't where he flourished. He just needed to get the box close to an exit for her to slip out.

"It's what we use to move the animals." He had no way of knowing what she was thinking but she wasn't that far off. "Believe me, you're not even close to the size of the biggest animal we have here. You'll fit." He could hear the hesitation in her voice, "Hey if you don't feel comfortable I can try to find an alternative? Maybe there's a costume or something for you to hide in?" Cartoons always used balloons or she could get in a stuffed animal but they weren't living in a cartoon and he had to be reasonable about this.

His cheeks flushed. He was barely sure how to get out of here. Let alone what he was going to do after that but he had to be reassuring for her. He tried to shake it and give Kay an encouraging smile, "Of course. Or at least until we figure out a better solution."

Unfortunately it didn't take long for his anxiety to show up again, "The important thing right now is getting you out and I'm having a hard time convincing myself to leave you behind or come up with a meeting place for you even though I know it has to be done." He knew she couldn't come with him. At best if she could get out on her own they could avoid all of this but could she do it safely?

[littlelightningbvg]

@dramatiique continued from here!

Four stepped back slightly when the stranger turned on her, feeling guilty for having stopped him from playing just to answer her question. Though she relaxed a little, and even smiled as he confirmed his friend was invisible, and told her his name. “Wow. I – I’ve never met anybody who has invisible powers before,” she gasped in response to Su-yeol, then glanced over at where K was supposedly sitting on the other end of the seesaw and addressed him. “It’s – It’s nice to meet you K.” Could she tell them about her powers? She wasn’t quite sure yet.

Shifting a little uncomfortably at his question, a slight frown formed as confusion swept across her facial features. Home? She’d heard people at the lab talk about that word before, but still had no idea what it even really meant. But she knew she didn’t have one, even if he seemed to think she did. But maybe he could point her in the direction of one… “Wh – Where do I – I go to get to… home?” she asked nervously, hands fiddling with the hem of her scrub top. “Do – Do you know?”

[littlelightningbvg]

[littlelightningbvg]

There is something about sunlight that makes life seem just a little less horrible