Topic: Change of Venue

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2006-12-06 23:27 EST

Quietly, Brian looked around the room once more...He smiled faintly, as he recalled the first time he had stepped foot in this room, the first time the sisters allowed him to be part of their lives, and work for them.

It had been months, since he first stepped through the door of the Sanctuary, since Charlotte and he split, since he found love anew and like no other within all that was Jenai. Months that truth be told felt like years.

From cooking for Jenai in the early hours to patrols with Eddie and Jen, plate licking to exploding hot pockets, nipping Jean and setting him loose in Isuelt's room, Fireworks and water melons and so much more. It was as if he had spent a lifetime within these walls, and lived his life all over again, as he was nowhere near the same person, as he was before he had begun to live here.

Brian Ravenlock was free...That's the easiest way to put it...Free of demons past, free of guilts that should have been shelved long ago, free from his own short comings as a person and more. Gone were the blinders that limited him to a boundful rage, and near limitless angst. Instead he could now see and truly understand. He saw just how small all the problems he carried upon his shoulders truly were, he stood on the mountain top, and looked below, and saw past problems and former regrets laid to the way side, his eyes panned east to west, as he recalled the trail markers that lead to this very point in his left, the ones that came from Jenai, and her sisters.

When he first came, he only saw anger and rage to an extent. The pain he had felt, and wanted to inflict a thousand fold upon those who wronged his clan. Yet with their help, he was truly able to break free and open up once more. Many regarded his staying as blasphemy, yet they still took him in, and even allowed him to remain, when he first notifed them he was preparing to leave.

He came to love each of them, as they were his own...Isuelt, Trixie, Lauf, Eddie and of course his beloved Jenai...She was truly the stuff of dreams and more so. Such wisdom, and fire she carried. She lead the charge so to speak in regards, she told him to just head out and fix what needed to be fixed, and never had such simple logic carried such an impact on Brian.

He came to love her like no other before, and no other ever again...She truly was his other in every way, and he was so thankful to the Goddess for all of the blessing she set upon Brian through her daughter, Jenai. Brian smiled to himself, as he gathered Tyrsis and his jacket and took one more glance around the new bare room. He then headed outside, and through the hall to the kitchen.

Eddie · Date: 2006-12-06 23:54 EST

Eddie had just come back from a long night of patrolling. So far, no new murders had been discovered, and she had gathered some information on the shaky lady she'd met at the Inn the other night. But - all theat was pushed aside as she caught sight of Brian standing in the kitchen, not cooking, and looking like he was leaving.

Since she had come back to the Sanctuary, she at first found Brian's presence there shocking - he was a guy after all! But, she had grown to really like him, and not just for his cooking. He was about the only person even close to a father figure she had ever known. When she patrolled in the nastiest sections of West End, she knew Brian always had her back if she needed it - and there were a couple times she did. After the whole mess when Trixie was hurt, he knew she needed to open up about what happened, helping to ease her doubts. In her mind, any guy she met would have to measure up to Brian - he had won the heart of Jenai, and that spoke volumes to the littlest Sister.

As she padded barefoot into the kitchen, she gave Brian a little smile. "Hey chef man - got time for one last snack or something before you go?"

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2006-12-06 23:55 EST

Entering the kitchen, Brian looked around once more...His hand trailed the island in the center...The sink, and oven...The fridge also. A moment taken, as he stood in the centre and just looked to the serving window, where he would normally see Jenai or Eddie waiting for his next creation.

Memories surfaced, as he recalled the talk he and Eddie shared in regards to the attack on Trixie, the time he put his foot in his mouth with Jen and Isuelt, the f*cked microwave, Kerri's visit and more. So much had happened in such an short amount of time, it was incredible. If anyone asked if he would rather be anywhere else, he would have said 'hell no' in a heartbeart. That was a while ago, before the murders, before he and Jen were once more thrust into action and reaction, before he realized he could no longer stay within these walls. It was time for Brian to leave.

He understood it better than most....Even Jenai understood when they spoke of it, and truth be told she was very supportive. It had begun when they purchased the loft, and began to spend more time together. It was then certified when the murders began to occur, and more so when the 'gift' was delivered to he and Jen. Brian knew he needed to be able to do what he needed to do, out in the open. He needed to succeed or fail in this regard and no longer could lean upon the daughters, and their Sanctuary as one would a crutch. To be truly free, Brian needed to head out, and face whatever would come head on.

He knew Jen would be at his aside, no matter what would come, as he would to her in turn. A soft chuckle, as he turned a bit, and sighed softly. His thoughts came to a pause, as he heard an all too familiar voice of one sister he adored to no end.

"Hey chef man - got time for one last snack or something before you go?"

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2006-12-07 00:46 EST

Blue eyes came to rest upon Eddie a moment, as he shook his head a it and offered a loving smile. Moving across the kitchen, he looked to Eddie and leaned a bit. Softly, he kissed her head and ruffled her hair with his hand a bit.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, but not tonight...But I have something for you. Jen and I spoke, when I came to this decision and we want you to have this.."

Reaching into his pocket, the elder Ravenlock pulled out a small chain, and attached to said chain was a small key. Setting the key into Eddie's hand, he closed her hand around it, and smiled to her yet again.

"This is a key to our loft in the Market Place, the one above Yotsuba's Cake Shoppe. It is yours, as that place is a home for you as well. Anytime you feel the need to drop on, just do it. Anytime you need to talk, I am there. Anything you need from me, you need but ask. I love you Eds, you are everything I could have ever hoped for in a daughter and more so. You are special to me, and I adore you. An I know how much Jen loves you too. You have done so much for us all, Eddie and will do so much more as time goes on. So when ya need a break, from the day to day or just want to kick back or whup some ass, just holler."

Looking around the room once more Brian smiled, and placed a small envelope on the island, and looked to her once more.

"Just cause I am leaving here, doesn't mean I am staying away by any means. Or that I am walking away from these murders, or anything. I just need to do what I need to do, and make sure I can stand on my own again, and handle business. It's not an ego thing, it's an I want to make sure I am not using you all as a crutch thing. Sides, I am not the cook, or the help and what not. I am just Brian, and I will be here for you whenever you need me. And no matter where I go, you always have a place to call home outside of here. Always."

Another kiss to the little sister's head, and Brian made his way out of the kitchen, sword in hand. Quietly he followed the hallway, and slipped through the front door and into the night. His mind racing, as he pondered this change in his life once more, yet he was not fearful. It was yet another step, and it was not a case of fighting his problems or doubts for the rest of his life...It was a case doing it for a day, and yet another one and so forth. So long as it was all put in perspective it all would be jake and aces...Sword Chucks, yo. As far as the letter left in the kitchen it read, as:

Sisters,

I want to thank you all for all you have done for me. You all have done more than you can imagine in regards to opening my eyes once more, and setting all things into perspective. My time here was incredible, and I won't soon forget it. I would speak with you each in person, but given the circumstances and what each of us are involved in that would be a bit hard.

I am taking my own route for a time, and have to see where it will take me. I need to make sure I am not using you all as a crutch, and I need to do what I need to do in regards to this situation we find ourselves in, on my own. I will be contact as always, and will make sure to drop by a bit to make sure you all are eating well, and what not. I will be more than happy to cook from time to time, too.

Again, Jean and I thank you all for everything, and will see you all soon enough, and Eddie remember the microwave is NOT for silverware. Jenai...The pot roast was in fact evil. Reeni, an extra pan of pasta is in the fridge, Serena, it was a true pleasure to serve you. Rae, Um...thank you. Isuelt, two christmas hams...Trixie, rawk on. Lauf, thank you elder.

You all are as much family to me as my own clan. I will never forget the lessons learned here, or the blessings the Goddess set upon me through you all.

'Brian

Eddie · Date: 2006-12-07 12:13 EST

As Brian wrapped her hand around that key, Eddie didn't dare look up. She could feel the sting of tears in her eyes, and she didn't want him to see - Judges don't cry..

Brian's words wrapped around her. She understood his need to do this - to leave the Sanctuary to stand on his own, for she had done the same, more than once. Just as Brian kissed her head, she wrapped him up in a hug.

"Chef-man's just my little name for you. You're way more than that to me - you're the only guy out there I trust completely. I've got your back all the time. You've taught me so much about real-life stuff. Thanks for everything."

With that, she stretched up to smooch his cheek, and let him go, those pesky tears shimmering in hr light brown eyes. "You know I'll be by to make sure you two aren't bored - heck, I might even come and cook for you!"

Eddie watched as Brian left, knowing in her heart his parting words to her were truth. She placed the chain around her neck, tucking the mall key inside her shirt, and then slipped out of the kitchen and up to her room.