Days have seemed to run by as fast as minutes in an hour. Anna pressed her hands to the cold cement to push her off the ground that she fell upon. The idea of living in the pack house was comferting, but there was the slightest feeling of doubt on her part. She hadn't been in the house long enough to meet anyone really, that except Ask, Mahina, Dylan and a few others. Maybe it was good that she was here and not dead in the park.

Anna stood and stepped on the back flap to pop the board up with ease into the curve of her palm. She took the board by the Y of the wheels and went to slide threw the sliding glass but caught sight of Mamma. A woman she never wanted to get on the bad side of. She smiled and waved and left the dinning room to put her skate board down. The smell of someone cooking and Mamma watching made her a tad uneasy, but she'd get over it. Anna slipped carefree agaisnt a wall to peek around the corner at Llidya. She crecognized her form when Ash introduced Anna to Mahina. "Hello."

Lives change at the blink of an eye. Any moment something can happen and ripped the ones you hold most dear right out of your life! Other times someone could dip in to your memories, sift though your mind as if it was just a casual stroll though the park to bring your worst nightmares back to haunt you. There is no escaping with the past comes back to haunt you even in your sleep.

Work was always busy, even when there were no active craziness going on there was always a bag log of files and cases to look in to. Or petty crimes, like some underage telepathy using his natural abilities to steal back account numbers. Was difficult just to get though a full shift with out letting the veneer crack, give away every weakness and cower in a corner somewhere to ball her eyes out or snap any one for just saying hello. It was a day in and day out routine.

One Author P McGenty had been risen from a near by grave just before sun set, and that was hours ago. It was her last stop of the day before heading back to the pack house. So why was she still sitting here in a grave yard? So few of truly old burial sites in Hawaii, it had taken her only three days to visit every cemetery on every island after they had all left Salem to relocate to the tropics. She hated this place! It broke her heart not to be surrounded by the smell of Evergreens and Gray ocean winds of the Massachusetts Coast line.

Memphis was here, so here she stayed pretending to be happy and content with the move. The only times she was ever really happy any more was when she was with him. Some How Harry made every thing better, made her forget for just a little while that the world was a cold empty dark place. Inside something was broken, and each day she held it all pent up inside another fraction crept in to the very foundation of her Sanity.

Had been four years, not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things. But she had those four years to learn to hide from the pain, hide from the nightmare so she would forget about it. Lilith has busted the chains, shattered carved marble and cold hard iron to dig up those Memories. Within the mind, every waking moment she saw it happen over and over again. The gun shot, the smell of gunpowder, and blood rancid and sweet in the air. The sound the water made spilling out of the tap, over flowing the bat tub till it spilled over the edges flooding the bathroom out in to the hall. But the voice had changed....

Shy Violet, Rebeca Marcs always called her daughter My little shy violet. The sweet honey coated sound of her mothers voice had been twisted, ripped apart and used as a tool against her. The burning pain was as fresh now as it had been then, when the bitch had been put in her gave and Kota... had been forgotten. Every one had their crosses to bare, but the people she needed were not there to lean on, they never asked if she was ok, she hide it well or they were blind. Silent, of all people Kota wanted most. They had once been so close, but rarely spoke. They had been akin in a way, and knew so little of each other. Why she missed the colorful wolf? Not even she could answer that question.

Crickets chirped off in the distance going silent when she moved. Sliding off the top of a head stone where she had perched herself among the company of the dead. She was due home a while ago and had not answered her phone in over two hours.

-----------------------

Sound of the front door clicking shut was about all the noise she made coming inside. She could hear people talking, smell food cooking but none of it truly appealed to her. Someone was watching TV and Mamma was already coming around the corner caring a laundry basket about ready to ask her how she was, tell her she needed to eat something before she wasted away to nothing. One look, ghostly violet eyes leveled on the wonderful old woman and Mamma shut her mouth before uttering a sound.

Kota nodded her thank you, stripping off the long cashmere and instantly she wanted to put it back on. The house felt so cold all the time, everywhere felt cold these days. Shoes and stress stay at the door, a Marcs Family rule, she was only holding up to half of that today, leaving her shoes on the little rack out of the way. Nylon covered feet shuffled across the floor. She did not even bother to go upstairs and get undressed. Black slacks dry cleaner pressed, a silk blouse in white held a small clover on the color was about all the color she wore. A light weight matching blazer jacket hid sight of the shoulder rig but did nothing to mask the outline of twin colts strapped at her sides.

Not a word, walking out side on to the back patio and out in to the yard after she made a stop at the fridge for a beer. The Grass felt good under her feet, cold, the slight dampness sinking in to the gauzy material on her feet. Nightly ritual now, had been for weeks. Coming home, shower, change, a beer out in the yard sitting under a tree on the other side of the pool watching the fire flies blink in and out of sight.

Llidya looked up at the wolf, and gave her a smile. She stopped with the steaks, and picked up a bowl of potatoes. She grabbed the wolf gently by her elbow, and sat her down at the table.

"Hiya Anna Marie. You can help us out some." She told her, picking up the potato peeler and handing it to her. "Peel these for me, and I'll teach ya how to make the best mashed potatos you've ever had the chance to savor." Llidya's voice held a promise as she looked to the girl, and she started for the door, hearing a knock.

Lyliyana was standing there, finally come to visit. With desserts no less. Of course she had desserts. She dropped the basket by the door, but Llidya picked it up and moved it into the kitchen. She could hear Mahina moving around and Lyliyana looking for her. It was a cute game of hide and seek that didn't last too long.

Chapman heard the door then, and glanced over her shoulder to see Marcs coming through the door. Icy blues took in the state of her friend, and her smirk disappeared into a thin line. She glanced to Anna Marie. "Looks good. Now protect this basket with your life...if I know Lyl these are good enough to kill for." She smiled to her, before grabbing herself a Guinness and following her friend out to the back yard.

Llidya walked around to the other side of the tree, sitting perpendicular to her, looking out into the woods. She took a swig of her beer and glanced over to her friend.

"Wanna talk about it?" Was all she said. All she needed to say. Kota knew Llidya was there for her, knew that Kota was one of her oldest friends, and that'd she do anything for her. It was something she'd realized probably back in New York, when that nasty serial rapist had come through their precinct, and Llidya had beat the ever loving hell out of him.
Bahamas-clear water blues just looked across the yard, waiting on her friend to talk, and release the burdens that felt the weight of the world.

From the being grabbed by the elbow and sat at the table with a bowl of potatos in front of her, Anna had to think about what Llidya said. Peel potatos. Okay that was easy... Protect them with your life. Over potato's, Anna flashed Llidya a look of fear. She'd rather give up the potato's then protect them. Hell, they were just potatos. Soon to be mashed.

Hand took a large one and a knife and began to peel the potato's like a professional. Just the skin, leaving hardly any trance of the brown skin. Leaving the peelings in the bowl, finishing one after the other. She heard mahina, and two other woman. Maybe three, she couldn't tell.

Feet planted on the ground. Knees bent up serving as a resting place for her arms. Such a relaxed pose and still she looked stiff and on edge. One by one, she let her shields fall down, just to put more focus on to maintaining control on her emotion. Anger welled up inside her, watching the fire flies blink in and out of existence across the manicured law. Anger with herself for feeling so completely weak and helpless. She had always been able to stand on her own, shove it all down in to the dark where she could forget it ever happened.

Brown Bottle, Red label, One of her favorite beer and it tasted flat. Every thing tasted flat lately. She ate and drank because she had to, just no appetite. Vessel rose to the lips, Tipping it back draining half the contents from the bottle before it lowered down. Was not so much as she heard Llyida coming, as she felt it. Every thing dead had a feeling to it, but even now her gifts had come to know the taste of the wolves. Could never tell who it was, but that one was there was easy enough.

"Wanna talk about it?" Llyida had to ask, Had to be the friend she had always been. She should have know what Kota's answer was going to be. Same as it had been when Lly had asked after her mother died, after Murphy was murdered, after spending two weeks in the hospital with a hold in her side.

-= "Nothing to talk about" =-

Upwards momentum elevated her to her feet. Eyes of haunting violet locked on Lou, even a touch of a smile on her lips. Nothing to get excited over, but it was there none the less. Saved from Llyida's questions, for the moment by the arrival of an old friend. Arms went out, encased the hot sassy country girl.

"Goo' ta see ya love" Gesture to the house, Kota's eyes followed giving a faint nod. Not sure what Lyl was doing here, she had not heard anything from Ash about the girl, but the pack did owe her a debit of gratitude. "I think she is ok, I will talk to Ask about it. She is good people. Saved Mahina's and Coyotes life. She is sweet as chewing sugar cubes but good people.

Change in Topic... keeping it off her as much as possible not looking to break down in front of people.

"So how 'ave ya been Lou? Good Ta see you home. Oh wonderful I am losing ma head. This is Llyida, Llyiad... This spit fire 'ere is Lou"

It had been a long day, week, month, you could pretty much take your pick. When his phone vibrated on the dash he picked it up, letting the call go to voicemail as he turned onto the gravel road that led into the jungle like area that the pack house was on. Checking the number he saw that it was from the house and almost didn't check the message. Then again he figured it was always good to know what he was walking into, so flipping open the slim black cell and balancing it between ear and shoulder as he parked he listened to the message. That sweet clinging Southern accent hit his ears and some weight inside him lightened a bit. Ash hadn't expected Lou to join them on the island. The girl was so attached to Salem and her fathers garage that he thought she would stay there until she was old and grey, maybe even one day have a pack of her own to look after.

Shutting the phone again he slid it into one of the pockets of the black sweats he'd been wearing while jogging on the beach. As he climbed out of the car he could already feel the others from inside the house. His beast knew it's wolves, and reached out to them naturally. The door was found open and so he went inside and took off his sneakers at the door, leaving them there so he wouldn't track dirt through the house. Moving through the house he heard Kota from outside as she spoke to Lou, and then Lydia came through the door. Lightning kissed eyes followed her as she blustered through the house like some kind of hurricane. He could feel the others gathered in the kitchen and would go in to see them in a few minutes, but his first stop would be the back of the house.

Standing in the open french doors he looked out at Dakota and Lou where they were chatting, watching them a long moment before he actually stepped outside to join them. Lous greeting came first since the little demon very rarely let much time go before she greeted him.

"We missed you Lou. I know Lyric has, and Memphis. Did you close up the shop before you left Salem?"

After Lou was out of his arms he went to Dakota, no formal greeting there he just moved in beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her into his side casually. If there was one thing he could relate to at the moment it was feeling like your mind was lost. Lately Ash felt like he had a one way ticket to Wonderland with the Mad Hatter as his guide. If things got any more out of control he shuddered to think what might happen. It was like his entire life was on a tilt-a-whirl in some kind of demented theme park. Lou was a talker, so he let her talk as he stood there beside Dakota. There was so much to say, and no words to say them. Sometimes silence said more.

: Lou wasn't sure what she thought of Lyd yet, hadn't been around the giant long enough. Still she was pretty sure she could take her. Even if it meant climbing all over her like a howler monkey and bopping her on the head. Now was not the time to find out though. At the explanation about the girl Lou rolled those wide rust colored eyes. Save smaved, she was still a human and Lou doubted that sugary sweet was going to make Ash change his mind. Still not her business so she let it lie. Moving to the table she plopped her perky little ass onto it, pink and purple booted feet swinging cause they didn't hit the floor. :

"Loosin' yer head huh? You got the voices or just seein things. You know my mamma had a second cousin who was all torn up mental. She used go out in the garden in her underpants and talk to the scarecrow. Never could figure out if he ever answered her back but she jest kep on tryin. No scarecrows around these parts though so I guess you'll just haffta settle for talkin to me. That's almost as crazy."

:In her rambling sort of way she was trying to make Dakota feel better. No one had more eccentrics than in the South. Every family had them, but in the South people were prouder to put them on display. Behind her she heard the front door close and caught the scent of Ash, she didn't rightly know he smelled like Scottish highlands because the closest she'd gotten to another country was a spring break in cancun. Still she woulda recognized his smell anywhere. Hopping off the table she was the first one in his arms. The hug was short but warm on both sides. Just another sort of family meetin up. As they parted she took up her spot on the table again, almost naked body just enjoying the sun. :

"Aww hell, I haddta close the shop up. Once ole baldy left it just wasn't as much fun."

: Lou leaned forward, hands clasping her knobby knees as she sighed.:

"I think it's what my daddy woulda wanted me ta do. He always said that we was made for the open road. To keep on movin till ya hit the ocean. Well, I guess this is a pretty good shot at that. Besides, how could I leave you without a good handywoman. What're you gonna do the next time a toilet backs up?"

:Grinning broadly she gave a chuckle. Never failed, Ash could rip open a persons chest and hand their own heart to them, but he'd rather die than do housework. Wierd guy. Eyes blinked in rapid succession when she saw a few tears glistening on Dakotas cheek just before the vargamore pressed her face into Ash's chest. Brows arched so high she looked like Joan Crawford after a face lift. She knew trouble when she saw it, and this was trouble. The question about Salem was answered with a hard exhalation of breath, blowing up at the strands of blonde that were sweat plastered to her brow from a long day under the hood of the Challenger.:

"Don't you try to get me talkin about Salem just so you can keep me in the dark. I ain't that stupid." She remembered Brady saying it best, "Southern don't mean stupid."

: Lou folded skinny arms over her practically nonexistent chest and just glared at the two of them where they snuggled, rust colored eyes determined. She was gonna get herself an answer or wait around and bug them until Ash gave her the butt whoopin of a lifetime. Whichever came first, or maybe both.:

"One of you best tell me what I've missed. How'm I supposed to know whats what if I can't get the word?"

:New town, new people and everybody actin all crazy-like. As confident as she was it made her nervous. Humans runnin round like the pack house was a kindergarten. Stuffed rabbits. Dakota crying. ASH HUGGING PEOPLE! It was a world gone mad. Like someone had put crazy pills in the water. What next? Would Vinny come in dressed like the pope? Or maybe Cypress would start wearing pastels. Then something else odd hit her radar and she squinted her eyes a bit. Some pieces were being put together but she didn't know how they fit yet.Soft suspicion would lace her voice. :

"How come I ain't smelling Silent round here? Where's she been?"

Lou touched him, she always had. In that moment with her fiery eyes on him and Dakota he thought maybe he should tell someone everything. Unburden soul before he collapsed. Arms wrapped around Dakota as his hand stroked her hair. Letting her cry if she needed and hide it in the closeness of their embrace. It would be so good to tell someone really, he hadn't really told anyone. Not even Marcus or Milo. Generous lips parted. About to take that weight off himself, and then Mahina came out with a young girl in tow. Immediately his mouth closed, electric eyes narrowing. This was definetly not in his plans.

"I never gave my permission for her to be here."

Cultured voice was low, dangerous as he looked at Mahina. Not glancing at the young healer. The rule about humans in the packhouse was more about the safety of the human than anything else. They had several brand spanking new shifters in the house, and someone had just brought a girl who looked like she was about as tough as a cotton ball into the house. If one of the new wolves lost control then this little girl would be like dropping chum into a shark tank. 

" Ashes hand gripped Mahinas arm, interrupting her phone call to turn her back to him. "Don't ever assume that you know my will in these matters. That's how people get hurt. Do you want to reward her for saving your life by ruining hers?"

If she was hurt in any way here. If one of the untrained wolves got cut, or too excited and started to shift. One scratch, that was often all it took for wolf lycanthropy. One scratch and your entire life was gone. She would lose most of her healing ability, she would lose that skip in her step from spending endless times ripping into the hot flesh of animals and her companions after death, she would lose part of herself to the creature within herself. One scratch.

"Get whoever brought her here to take her home. Now. Then send that person to me."

Lou was absolutely right. It was Rule Number One. Seemed like maybe the wolves needed a refresher course on how things were done. They might not understand his reasoning. See it as him just being an asshole, but he had never been concerned with what others thought of him. His main concern was that the little human not be harmed in their home. Everything else was secondary. Head turned to glance at Lou, watching her a second and then nodding in a moment of understanding. Lou was new back to the pack, and yet she had been the only one of them to remember and stand up for his laws. It meant something to him.

-- Edited by Ashes Of Faith at 13:56, 2008-03-25

Empty beer bottle hit the ground behind them some where with a dull thud. Not used to Ash touching any one. He was always the one being touched by other. The only ones Kota had every seen Ash reach out for was Silent... and Evie. His being there for her meant more then he would ever know. There was such a deep desire to let it all go, feel the tears burn her cheeks like acid. Have her eyes burning from the strain, her check tight so her breaths came in gasping sobs.

Not now, there was to many in the house, to much to be said, and still that Irish pride griped tight as a vice around her heart and gave her a little more strength to keep from bailing like a new born babe. Arms never did let her Ulfric go, Even when he pulled Mahina back to face him and Kota's turned Violet eyes upon the girl. Kota had not even Noticed Lyl there till Lou had pointed it out. Soon as Mahina was heading back in to the house Kota's storming pools rose... rose... and rose till she found Lightning kissed eclectic blues.

"Sorry Ash, Should have had someone take her home when I came in from work. Just did not notice her"

Kota was blind to a lot of things as of late, keeping her distance as much as possible. Mention of Silent had her stiff as a board and swallowing back that huge knot in her throat. Her best friend, her sister, Three times Silent had left her, and still she missed her, and the way they used to cling to each other for support. First Sil had left Kota in Salem, to go to Ohio, then NO. When Sil came back, she still left Kota, completely in the dark turning to someone else and never did explain what had happened. Then when Lilith came for her, how Kota wanted her Lupa then, her sister and friend but Silent was gone and Lilth tore apart every sacred memory Kota had.

Reluctantly she pulled from Ash's side, dropping back down on to the ground with a huff letting her head fall back against the tree. Small hand rose the short distance needed to brush the back of her hand across her cheek. Murdering another river of tears that had managed to fall from ghostly hues.

"You have a few weeks? May take that long to explain it."

-- Edited by Mahina at 20:12, 2008-03-25

Lyliyana realized that she'd gotten Mahina in trouble. She grabbed up Mr. Grey as she passed her basket, and waved good bye to everyone.

"Gosh Mahina I'm sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed. I hope I didn't get you in trouble. I don't think Chapman knew either. Or maybe she did, she used to make her old chief at the NYPD angry for doing things she knew she wasn't supposed to." Lyliyana giggled at the memory. She stepped outside with her, and saw Angel, giving him a wave. She looked back to Mahina.

"Well that's okay, I'll have a ride here in no time! I'll just remember not to come here again." She nodded, a hand coming up to her chin. She brightened after a moment of thought. "We should meet for cookies or something later this week! And you can keep the desserts I brought, I made them for you. And you can bring all your friends!"

Lyliyana didn't seem too perturbed, her only worry that Mahina had gotten in trouble, but since she didn't seem too distraught, neither did she. "Byeeee! I'll call you later!" Lyliyana called over her shoulder in a sing song voice, as she started skipping down the drive. That cell phone came from a pocket on her dress as she called for Hector to pick her up.

"Yes Mr. Bubbles I had to leave early. Well now we can go paint at the beach!"