Cait's Seduction (cont.)

Someone came in the front door and after Ethan caught who it was, he grinned. "And speak of my devil photographer." Brow arches, catching sight of Caitlin. "Caitie, Caitie, Caitie. I take it you're not coming to clean today?"

The typically laid back hippie/gypsy look was not worn today, instead she was wearing that little black dress and the black ribbon tied around her neck. Cait couldn't shake the odd feeling that had gotten into her, she knew this was unlike her, but for some reason she couldn't fight the new urges she had. Shaking her head as she entered the main room, she headed for the bar.

"Mark!" Ethan turned, snapping his fingers at the man. "Meet Caitie. And be sure to call her Caitie, 'cause she hates it." Grinning, he points to the beautified Caitlin. Adrienne just let herself fade out of conversation as Mark was introduced to Caitlin. An upnod was given to the woman before she went back to drinking her beer.

Her eyebrows knit together and she slicked her tongue over her lips as Ethan called her. "You call me Caitie one more time, I'm going to add another bruise to your pretty face." she nodded and smirked at him. "And no, I am not cleaning today, not in this little number." she flicked her eyebrow up and down again, giving Ethan a little huff. What was he up to?

Mark tore his head to his name being called, and blinked his baby blue clueless eyes to the woman Ethan was now introducing. "Somehow I have a distinct feeling that I am not to call her by that name..." He chose his words carefully.

"Guess you can't meet my brother until this weekend then." Ethan smirked at her. He turned so that his back was against the bar, elbows leaning on the top.

Caitlin shook her head, giving him a little punch in his arm. "Be nice to me, I'm a lonely ole spinster aching for some trouble." She had no idea what she just said, but for whatever reason, she did in fact say it aloud.

"Caitie," he emphasized the word. "I'm yer boss. I can do what I want."

"I could break all your display cases, boss." innocent smile to that.

He grinned, then nodded towards Mark. "This is Mark. He's a photographer, too."

Okay, something just was not right. She couldn't stop thinking about that black ribbon around her neck. She smiled back to Mark. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Cait." a growl back at Ethan.

A lifted hand to Caitlin, "Indeed I am, but I am none all that good I'm afraid."

"Agh. I see. I think we are always our own worst critics though."

"I have one of those.." Adrienne said as she pointed to the ribbon to Cait. "A Lord Romax gave it to me but the moment AJ saw it she ripped it off of me and said that it was no good..." She shrugged slightly. "If AJ said it's not a nice thing to have... maybe it's not. She's aura sensitive or something... she said that it didn't fly with her." A pause. "She was muttering something about an idiot and ripped it off of me."

"Oh, hey! I could fire you if you broke anything." Smartly. Ethan glanced aside to Adrienne to see where she was pointing.

"Eh I don't really need a job anyway." she shrugged and then she tilted her head to the girl speaking to her. "You have one of these?" she touched her ribbon. "A.... mysterious man gave it to me, said someone had asked him to give me a gift it was wrapped in. I fell in love with the ribbon..."

Travanix spoke up. ?I could hire her.? He was loud enough to over the crowd.

Cait's head tilted as the man from yesterday spoke up. "Hey! I remember you. How are you?" to Travanix, still completley clueless. "What kind of work do you do?" Her hand went to her neck, toying with the end of the ribbon. "I haven't found my mystery man yet. But maybe soon!"

"She's already got a job." He spoke to Trav, somewhat protectively.

She gave Ethan an odd look. "Whats going on? Don't worry, I wasn't really asking. I'm all yours. Well, employee wise."

?But, if I recall, correctly, you were going to fire her.? He looked to Cait. ?I own an inn. I am actually looking for a hostess.? He smirked, as he pulled the mug to his lips once more.

"Mark left.." Adrienne sighed and shrugged before sipping at her beer once more.

"Oh he was kidding. But I am a woman of many talents." she found herself being swayed and not for any reason she could put her finger on. "I mean Ethan, how much work could their possibly be at the shop to do? I'll need something else to keep me busy." she nodded back to Travanix and then looked to Alain. He?d just said something negative about Trav. It seemed everyone had something against this guy. "Oh. Well.. uhm.." she just looked between all of them.

Ethan didn't know what to say. He didn't know what was off about this guy, but now everyone?s looks were making him uncomfortable. Dark eyes land on Caitlin. Was she serious?

"He creeps the hell out of me..." Adrienne said quietly to Ethan while pointing to Travanix.

Caitlin stopped a moment and blinked. Had she really just gotten sassy? What in the devil was wrong with her. Cait looked to Ethan, her usually happy and bright eyes sort of dull and clueless. She just shook her head again.

?As a hostess, you would work the evenings and weekends. I would pay you up to 20 gold a night, and provide you a meal at the end of your shift.?

?Until he snapped the collar on you and then you'd be paid in whip marks and silk clothes that couldn't ward off pnemonia in July.? Kitty?s remark was wry as she spoke to Caitlin.

"Excuse me Sir. But, do I look like the kind of girl who wants to work evenings and weekends. Hello." she looked at him and then pointed to her body and motioned to it and the dress. This was so not the sweet innocent and demure Cait.

?My apologies, my dear lady.? Travanix smirked. ?While you look like you could party until all hours of the evening, there are somethings even a lady such as yourself would need. New dresses, more expensive dresses. And of course, what about that unmet friend??

Ethan muttered something incoherently. After passing a look around the room again, he decided to test a theory. Reaching up, he tugged at the end of the ribbon, yanking it from around her neck. "Slaver?" Ethan said to Kitty, crushing the precious ribbon in his fist.

Cait gasped instantly and her eyes narrowed to Ethan. She hadn't caught that Kitty's comments had been to her. "Ethan! Ethan give that back thats my ribbon!" she was getting rather upset about the ribbon, yet she had no idea why. Looking back to Travanix, she rubbed her head with her palm. She was in a total fog and nothing was really processing.

"My ribbon now." It didn't seem to cause any difference in her behavior, but he was keeping it just in case. "Cait..."

?Yep,? replied Kitty. ?Tried to nab one of my family.? She flicked her Zippo from her pocket and slid it towards Ethan pointedly.

Trav shook his head. ?It seems like your friends are not happy with your new looks, my dear.?

Her head was spinning and she felt sick without her ribbon. It was like a security blanket. Still nothing was processing. "Ethan! Thats my ribbon, you cannot just take it. I love my ribbon. First you take my ribbon and now you don't like my dress either?!" she looked at Travanix horrified.

"Who said anything about your dress? You look stunning." He was eying Travanix, though. "I'll give you your ribbon back later." He didn't want to risk her getting even more angry by burning it just yet. A nod to Kitty, though.

Caitlin looked back, grinning like a bandit to Ethan then. "You think I look stunning?" she batted her eyelashes at him. "Why Ethan! Why didn't you say so?" and then she remembered her ribbon. "Hey! You took my ribbon."

?I would even go so far to say that they would not even approve of the other gift given to you by your unmet friend, my dear lady.?

"You seem to know a lot about this unmet friend," aside to Travanix. Still clutching the black ribbon in his fist.

?It...? He paused, leaning forward a bit. ?Almost sounds as if they are the ones who want to control your life.? He looked pointedly at Ethan. ?Yesterday, the young lady and I talked about her gift from her friend. She actually spoke with me about it.?

Cait?s gaze turns to Travanix. "Shh! Don't tell them, they will take my prezzie too!" her behavior was almsot child like, it was like someone had stripped her down to a more vulnerable and innocent version of herself, yet left her with the attitude and desires of a street walker. If Cait would have been in her right mind she would have thanked Kitty, yet she had no idea what Kitty had been suggesting to Ethan.

"Ooohkay. That's it." Making an executive decision, Ethan stood up and tossed an arm around Cait's shoulder. He'd have to play dirty if he was going to get her out of there. "Yeah. You're gorgeous. In fact.. I was wondering if we could go for a walk." With the second look from Kitty, he wondered if maybe she was right. He'd burn it when they got back to his shop.

"Really?" she smiled to Ethan. "But what about.... about.... " she scratched her head. " You want to walk... with me?" she winked at him. "Ethan you know I'm not a naughty girl. You just want my .... " she leaned up on tiptoes and whispered it into his ear, giving his lobe a little nibble. "Lets go. "

"You!" As he was headed towards the door, Ethan spotted Chase and pointed at her. He snagged her arm as she passed, bringing the gypsy to a halt. "Come with? I nee--" He jumped, glancing down at Caitlin, horrified. "Uhh.. right. Let's go..." Dragging both women along.

Chase saw Caitlin nipping E's ear. Dude. Whoa. Blinking with surprise, she was yanked. "Uh. Me?" She muttered while being dragged. She walked sloppily backwards.

"Hey now. I never said I was interested in women." Caitlin said loudly and then was completley shocked at what she just said. "Ethan?" she was pouting, yet the other hand was going to the buttons on her dress. "Well three is a party then!"

Groaning, Ethan lightly grabbed one of Caitlin's arms and then tossed her over his shoulder. This would keep her from undressing.

"Oh my Ethan! Why didn't you just say so!" she could be heard giggling like mad on the way out.

Cait's Seduction (cont.) -- Ethan's shop

She looked to Brad, shrugging. "Sorry to fib, mate." She peered down, smirking. "Don't you ever fib, missy. Only bad girls do that." She then looked back to Brad. "To my knowledge, I'm...not working with him."

Well, Ada always wanted... to be in a circus. Too bad she didn't know that about Chase yet. Bright green fingernails scratched at her cheek and then her hand found Chase's. Ada didn't mind being babied sometimes. "I never fib!" Green eyes said otherwise.

Ethan shrugged. "You had me going there.. I couldn't remember asking you to work for me.." Dark eyes alight on Chase, raising a brow at her friendliness with Ada.

Chase smirked, seeing the fib being made just now she giggled. "Okay, precious. So, what's your favoritest act in the circus? You've been to one, right?" She looked to Ethan, grinning. "Thought it was part of the act. So I played along. It's a bad habit for me, being a performer and all." She shrugged again, her grin dimming slightly.

"Oh. I meant 'us' as in for me and Brad." Chuckling, he shrugged at her, not really caring.

Chase nodded, chuckling sheepishly. "Oh, right. My bad, dude." She looked down to Ada. "See? Fibbings bad. You look dumb when you get caught." She giggled, looking to E and Brad. Then dim jinglings arrived to her musically inclined ears. She turned towards the sound, blinking blankly.

Bradley nodded, but remained quiet as he watched Ada interact with the Gypsy. The little girl was just short of bouncing in her excitement. "The trapeze is awesome! All the flips and flying." In her eyes, you could see that she wished she was up in the air flying around right now. "OH! and the pretty lady who rides on the elephants."

White Apocalypse: Chase giggled, tilting her head slightly while peering down at her. "Oh really? Well, guess what?" She looked to Ethan with a mysterious grin on her face before looking to the little girl brightly. "My mom's in the trapeze. I used to do it to. Ever since I was even younger than you." She then grimaced slightly. Now she felt odd. Sighing, she laughed it off, looking to Brad. "You take her to the...Rosewind Circus by any chance?" She smiled hopefully to him, winking.

Bradley thought for a moment, but shook his head. "I don't know, really. She's only been to the circus twice, the most recent of the two being a month ago. So unless you were in it a month ago, I doubt she'd have seen you or any family members."

Chase nodded, frowning slightly. "Oh. Gotcha." She delivered her two-fingered mock salute to him. She looked to the little girl. "So, do you know which circus you went to?"

"Is someone at the door, Uncle Ethan?" Ada's green eyes were peering around. "Cuz... someone's ringin' a bell!"


"No, why?" He perked, glancign to the front door. No one was there and no one seemed to be in the yard outside the garage door.
TinyTrouble: Oooo... Trinala's eyes landed upon a strand of small silver bells, picking them up she tried to gather them about herself and managed to get tangled. Chiming as she squirmed, the merchant laughed loudly while Trin glares at him with only one free arm.

Chase smiled to him, knowing the girl's reasoning. "There's jinglies somewhere outside. I hear 'em too."

Ada let go of Chase's hand and went to investigate. Across the yard, she pointed to a bell makers booth. "Look! The bells are alive!" Squealing, she jumped up and down. Across the yard was a bell maker?s booth. A strand of silver bells seemed to be ?alive?, chiming as they squirmed in the air. The merchant laughed loudly. "Someone carry me?" Ada pointed to ballet slippered feet.

Chase giggled, watching the little girl scutter off. She grinned in admiration. She followed her slowly, casually. It wasn't her ward, after all. "Really? That's weird." She mused theatrically. She looked to Ethan and Brad, lifting her brow. "So. You fella's gonna just let the girl run about? Or are you going to follow to supervise?" She rolled her eyes, joining the little girl. "Want a ride?" She looked to the girl, pointing to her own shoulders.

Ada looked torn between her new friend and her family that was now standing by them. Humming softly, she threw herself at Ethan who grinned and tossed her up onto his shoulder. "Let's investigate, shall we?"

Bradley hung back. "You got her? Im gonna stay here in case that other girl wakes up."

Ethan nodded at his brother, then looked to Chase. It was almost as if he was a brand new person--like he'd been when he arrived in town. His family was exactly what he'd needed. Holding Ada firmly on his shoulder, he led the girls over towards the bell booth and the flying strand of bells.

The living bells were actually not so much living? more like wrapped around a red-headed pixie. Trinala had managed to free another arm and wings, though the bells were still wrapped tightly about her. Still, now that the merchant was laughing, freedom from the chiming was not what concerned her. Flying at the man's head. The merchant went from laughter to duck and cover.
Chase smiled, nodding. "Much better." She then walked ahead of the bunch, arriving to the laughing vendor. She then looked to the wiggling bells. Her eyes widened. "Trin?" She leaned into the bundle and poked. Trinala wasn?t in those ones!

"IT'S A PIXIE DAD!" Adalia screamed across the courtyard when Chase revealed the bells' true identity. "And it's trying to kill the guy in charge!" Ada bounced on Ethan's shoulder. There's no way a little girl should find this amusing. But she did.

A final wap to the man's head. The living bells flew up to the tent of the cart, peeking back down with much chiming. A frown at the two bigger Bigs. Ducking out of few, the pixie worked her way out of the bells with care.

"C'mere, lil pixie. I'll help you..." Ada tried coaxing Trinala close.

Chase sighed, frowning. She knew the pixie didn't fancy her much, with that...she was tempted to leave the three to their fun. She was intruding on E's family bonding time. Now she felt rude. Old and rude. She slouched slightly, the leather of her motorcycler jacket making dim noises to her movements.
Trinala peered over the top of it again. A glance to the girl, then a glare between Ethan and Chase. "no!" Vanishing out of view again. Jingle, jingle.

Green eyes widened and little pink lips pouted. "Why not?" Ada wrapped an arm around Ethan's head to steady herself while she leaned forward towards the pixie.

"Don't worry, precious." Chase consoled. "The pixie doesn't like to get help. She's a proud little thing." She smiled motherly to the girl now towered over her.

Peeking back again. "I don't like your companions." She sad matter-o-factly. Shooting Chase a dirty look.

"My uncle is the greatest!" Said matter-of-factly. Ada looked to her uncle who was oddly quiet. Ethan didn't have time for silly pixie grudges.

Trinala just shook her head at the lady, looking to the child. "Not when he hit me."

Chase narrowed her eyes. "Whatever happened to you letting grudges go?" She looked to the pixie with a look of grim disappointment on her face.

"Whatever happened to you keeping your hands to yourself?" Trinala stuck her tongue out and vanished again.

Chase smirked. "I didn't touch you. I picked the wrong bells." She confessed, poking to the dangling bundle she picked earlier.

Trinala peeked out again, giving Chase a blank look. It almost said, 'seriously? you think -that- is what I'm talking about." But she didn't say it.
"Alright, we can go then." Ethan shrugged and looked to Chase, then up to Ada who frowned.

Chase then caught on to her implications thanks to that look from the Pixie, narrowing her eyes. She would've gotten deeper into the conflict, but there was a child present. She needed to be decent, for her sake. "Guess we could." She nodded to Ethan, then shook her head to the Pixie in warning. She wasn't going to take anymore garbage from folks. "You shouldn't budge into other's business. It's rude."

"Hit me and didn't even say sorry for it." The bells came loose, and she held them carefully in hand. Flying down out of their reach to return the bells carefully.

"Trinala, you were being a pest. I didn't mean to do it that hard, but you were pulling my hair and I wanted you off me."

She muttered something about ?off? and him wanting it. A glare kept the merchant from trying anything fun.

"Hey," he barked sharply. "Not in front of my niece. C'mon Chase."

"Still no sorry?s. Just excuses."

Ada flailed. "NO! Say sorry. If you say it, then she will, Uncle Ethan." As if that would solve it all.

Chase scoffed, turning her body yet keeping her head towards the pixie for moments longer. "Pixies are so silly sometimes, precious. They try to compensate for their inadequacies by picking on everyone else...." She then turned her head away and began to walk off.

Trinala thought very little of Chase, she thought even less of her comment. Attention upon Ethan and the girl.

Chase knew the Pixie didn't like her too much before, but now, she knew they would probably never get along. Yet another hostility to add to her growing list. Whatever. Chase wasn't one to grovel to atone for her sins before a spiteful audience. She knew the Pixie ignored her words. Though, if the Pixie were to do the same, the Gypsy would gladly return the favor.

"Look, Trin. I'm sorry I hurt you, but you didn't have a right to meddle in my business. I apologize, I never meant to hurt you."

"I was trying to keep you from doing something stupid." Arms crossed, he might have doubted his feelings... but Trinala had picked up on them since she first saw the two together. "Sorry that I cared." Taking wing again and flying away from them.

While he meant it, he'd only said it for Ada's benefit. Bouncing Ada on his shoulder, Ethan grinned up at her. "Happy now, Punky?"

"Yeah. Can I have a pixie for my birthday?" My, what a fast little mind she had.

Ethan's jaw dropped. Ada's comment about her birthday reminded him that they were supposed to be celebrating Bradley's birthday tonight. Ada waved to the pixie as Ethan turned them to follow Chase. "Hey, Chasey.. know where to get a birthday cake on short notice?"

Chase looked over to Ethan, who was behind her. "Uh. Cakes? Yep. There's some bakery by my campsite. Tortures me with the smells every morning." She heard fluttering wings fade.

"Well, if you're not busy with your Elf, you're invited to celebrate my br--"

Ada cut him off. "MY DAD'S 31!!!" Giggling, she rocked on her uncles shoulders.

Chase was intently listening to Ethan, then burst into laughter from the girl's cheer. She stammered intentionally, making it an act of her nearly falling over. Upon her calming giggles, she turned around to walk backwards so she could watch the little girl. "Oh, is that so? Far out." She mused, smiling warmly to the girl. She then looked down to Ethan. "He's...never around anymore. He doesn't even tell me what he's up to anymore. So, I'm pretty sure I can make it. Thanks for the invite, E."

"Sweet." Ethan finally reached his own property and set Ada down on the dry ground. She scurried inside to inform her father of their dinner attendee. Ethan waited outside with Chase and when Ada had disappeared, he frowned down at Chase. "Look.. Chase. We both know it was a mistake. But I want to say I'm sorry." Hands were shoved into his pockets.

Chase smiled, watching the little girl scurry off. She was too cute. Looking back to Ethan upon the calling of her name, her mirth faded. She looked to the side, shrugging. "Don't be. I'm the one who's sorry. You got more of a beatdown physically..but...at least you're not seen as the Red Dragon's newest whore. So. Don't worry about it. It's cool..." She faked a smile, nodding.

There wasn't much more he could say. He wasn't good at comforting. He didn't know how. Instead, he just sighed and put at arm around her. "Everyone will get over it. Dumb pricks." And with that, he led her inside to find Bradley and Adalia.

Chase cautiously eyed his arm. Yet, she knew he was safe from her. She too was safe from herself. Yet, she couldn't help but worry that she'll slip again. What made her more guilty of it all was, she inwardly wouldn't mind. She knew less and less of her Elf. She saw even fewer times. Was he..slowly breaking away from her? She grinned away her pain, forgetting her petty worries and walked with him inside. "You're right. Screw them." She said with a smile.

Bridge Crossing

Adalia had done quite a lot of begging, but finally her father gave in. Bradley didn't think he should close the shop for a day so soon after it's grand opening and so, sent Ethan on the excursion with Ada. She'd recently put together a kite and wanted to fly it. Ethan didn't think there was enough wind to be a kite-flying day, but Adalia was persistent. The Uncle/niece duo marched through the field towards the southern glen, Ada chattering excitedly about how high the kite would go.

As they grew closer to the southern part of the Glen, both Adalia and Ethan noticed someone off in the distance. After a few minutes of continuing to draw closer, Adalia gave a shout. "It's Aunt Chase!" She had a knack for making everyone family--everyone she liked a lot, that is. The mismatched 9 year old bounded towards Chase at full speed, waving the multi-colored kite.

The Gypsy, browned with sun rays and bathed in genuine sweat relished the spring's arrival. There was still leftover trash from the barbecue nobody told her about by her newly set up campsite. Today, since her tent was up, she took the liberty of cleaning up her new living space. With half gloved motorcycler-styled gloves, she picked up crumbled napkins, rotting food, and some cups. Tossing them into a black trash bag she had, she would kneel and bend over for the scraps. The Gyp was more than used to getting her hands dirty. In dirtied jeans, a simple black bikini top, and a cowboy hat of rosy color to shade her eyes, she worked. Cleaning, rearranging, and perfecting her new center of living. Her hematite tinted aviators hid her eyes. They were grayed with slight teals lurking about.

She had a wireless boombox stationed near. It played her older songs. The ones that captured her glorious days. The song playing? It would sound like Young Love's "Find a new way", but with a techno-rock-like twist. Chase's vocals rang through the speakers, as did Stash's synths. Of course, the drumming solos always made her pause mid-labor. She would stand up straight, adjusting her cowboy hat, and wait for it to be over before continuing her cleaning. Why were people such slobs?

Mouthing the lyrics of the song to herself, she would randomly giggle to herself. She would get glimpses of those sold out concerts. The music videos she filmed with her mates. Her tattoos were in view, her torso mostly bare save for the triangular coverings of the halter-topped bikini top. Bows of black popped out from her waistband, showing the matching bottom of her bikini. Then, she looked up to her name called.

Tapping her thong-sandaled foot against the off button of her box, she brightened. Keeping her aviators on, her grin widened to show pearly whites. Tipping her hat up to get a clearer view of the girl, she tipped her hat to the girl theatrically. "Adalia! My love!" She sang in lovely glee. Just what she needed to brighten her life. Her little sunshine.

Adalia was in thong-sandals like Chase, but her attire was much different. She wore a bright blue, swishy skirt that came to just above her knees. Her neon orange spaghetti strap shirt had a picture of a cat on it and said 'meow' underneath. On her arms she wore purple, wool half-sleeves. It was still just a tad chilly. "What are you doing here?" She chirped happily, clutching the kite to her side.

Chase was reluctant to kneel, but did. Smiling, she pulled off her cowboy hat to place atop of her head with a loving smile. "I moved my campsite here when Spring came, chica. Flowers're out, and it's way prettier here than in the Market. Y'know?"
Ethan took a bit longer to catch up; there was no way he was going to chase after Adalia. He, too, wore sandals. His hands were tucked into his jeans, his white polo shirt crisp and stark against his tanned skin. Hair, of course, was styled in that too-cool fauxhawk. Dark eyes perhaps observed Chase's attire a moment too long, but he had the decency to lift his gaze to her face when he spoke. "Must've been quite the move. Long ways from the Market. How will we ever see you now?"

The Gypo chuckled, peering up to E. It had been some time since she'd seen him. Even then, he was busy glowing from his present from Maeve. Running her hand through her rainbow-colored hair, she began gathering her hair to put in a ponytail. "It was...a move alright." She chuckled with a casual shrug. "Perhaps I'm better in small doses, you think?"

Adalia?s little hand lifted to re-adjust Chase's big hat on her head. The nine year old grinned happily and then held up her kite. It was shaped like a butterfly. "Uncle Ethan and I are going to fly my kite!" Nevermind the fact there was little to no wind. A confused expression appeared on her face as she looked between Ethan and Chase. "Why would we want little doses of you? Doses make me think of medicine and medicine is yucky. You're not yucky. I like lots of you!"

Ethan chuckled at Adalia's logic. "She's right, you know. This world would be a terrible place with less Gypsy." He winked in a friendly manner, but frowned faintly at Adalia when she mentioned the kite. "Punky, I don't think that there's enough wind for the kite today."

Chase blushed dimly from the girl's cuteness. She missed the little one. Pressing an index and middle finger to her lips, she kissed them. Delivering her fingers to press against her unofficial niece's cheek. Looking up to Ethan, she grinned cooly. "I guess you're right. Either way, I could use smaller doses of other things anyway." She frowned to Ada, swelling her bottom lip poutingly. "You, missy, never visit me. Why is this?" She whined as if she were the nine year old's counterpart.

"'Cause Daddy doesn't let me out of the house." Spoken forcefully as if her father was out of his mind in his decision-making. But she grinned moments later, despite the news of not being able to fly the kite. She looked up to her uncle. "It's okay, we can just play here." The kite was dropped where she stood and the nine year old proceeded to run out into the field to do a cartwheel. Neon green bicycle shorts were spotted under the skirt as she was upside down. When Adalia righted herself, she
pushed reddish-blonde hair out of her face and spotted some kind of mystical creature 'hopping' towards them.

The mystical creature bopped along until it came upon the trio and halted. Then, it spoke! ?Adalia! You are full in the blood, biscuit? Howizit??

Green eyes widened when Miss Maeve spoke. It wasn't a mystical creature, it was the animal lady that her uncle smiled at a lot. "Miss Maeve!" The nine year old practically screamed in excitement. Hopping in kind, she bounced towards Froggy Maeve and gave her a hug. "You're dressed like a frog!" Thank-you, captain obvious.

Maeve had been on her way back to the Refuge in her latest "professional" attire - she was dressed as a frog, but not your ordinary frog, a poison dart frog. The hooded "head" and body was a wild splash of lime green, neon pink, and electric blue with red and yellow eyes glued to the top of the hood. The webbed fingers were oversized so that her whole hand actually came out from the middle finger of each arm - she certainly couldn't take pictures otherwise. She was close to hopping as she?d been bopped along, the camera bag jostling some as it was slung across the front of her chest. She had even gone so far as to paint her eyelids and extending out towards each temple in an array of the same bright colors.

?Ja!? Laughing as she bent down to wrap her fuzzy webbed fingers and arms around the girl. Children were second to animals for the foreigner. ?I am taking the photos for a fete.? Because that always explained it, nodding to Ethan. She gave Chase a small, awkward smile, if it could be called that.

Ethan stiffened, eyeing Chase and then Maeve. It was always great to see Maeve, but around Chase? That's a bridge that hasn't even been approached yet. His easy smile didn't give way to his inner thoughts. "Another party for the kids, Maeve?" Strolling towards her nonchalantly. His hands remained in his pockets.

With a frown, Chase nodded. "Right then.." Before she could talk, a frog-clad Maeve joined them. Blinking several times, she smiled weakly to her. The Gypsy remained patiently silent. She felt strange. Thanking her lucky stars she had sunglasses on, she nodded her rainbow bangs to Maeve in response with a matching smile that was weak.

"Kids party?" Adalia tipped her head up to look at Maeve, holding tightly to Chase's hat so it didn't fall off. "Will you come to mine?"

Ethan sent an encouraging smile to both Maeve and Chase. The one to Maeve was more gracious than anything--he wouldn't have blamed her if she hadn't stopped at all. Besides, none of the drama needed to come out in front of the littlest Kaiser. For now, he would remain silent and watch the interaction of Ada and the other women.

Musical, soft-spoken chuckles flowed out of the Gypo's throat. Taking hold of the niece's kite, she walked to her tent to toss it inside to keep it from blowing away. Truthfully, it just gave her something to do so to not feel more..weird. She returned to grab her black trash bag, throwing it over her shoulder to set it on the side of her white tent. She busied herself by resuming her cleaning routine. Why not? She wouldn't pry into Maeve's moment with Ada.

?You are having a fete, biscuit? Ja! I can be taking the photos for you too.? Thank goodness Ada was there. Maeve didn't have to confront Ethan and Chase's past and they could all play pretend. ?You must be themeing it, ja? Whatizit you are wanting to costume as??

"I dunno what a fete is, but you can take pictures at my birthday party! Right, Uncle Ethan!" She beamed over at her uncle. Green eyes shifted back to Maeve. "I'm going to turn ten on May 18th." She scratched her cheek and rubbed at her nose. A flicker of a frown crossed her face. She stared at the ground a moment, then looked back up at Maeve, smiling. "Costume? I don't know. No wait!" She jumped excitedly, rubbing at her nose again. "The Circus! And Aunty Chase can do tricks!"

Reluctantly, Chase walked back towards the girl and Frogette. Sincere smiles returned to her luscious lips. Nodding with a salute, she bowed to follow. "I'd be glad to. Whatever tricks you want, missy." She promised with a song of girlish joys. Her aviators save the day.

?You are doing the circus act?? Maeve's curiosity got the better of her and she posed the question directly to Chase. The circus was lively and full of colorful action just like the comics Maeve loved so dearly. ?Leri Mayhem, I skeem she was able to do the knife tossing on the thin rope.? Actually, Leri wasn't in the circus but Maeve had made the connection mistakenly and no one had corrected her so it must have been true.

Chase looked to Maeve with brows lifted in surprise. She wasn't expecting directness. "Hm? I was raised in one. Been with the act since I could walk." With a modest shrug, she still rubbed at her marred hands. "Knife acts on tight rope? That's a classic. Sword-swallowing on ropes? That's tricky. My favorite one to do, though." She let herself be open with her. Maeve was someone she always wanted to be friends with, truly.

Ethan coughed and looked to the ground. But... Maeve acted gracefully! He looked up in surprise at the two women. "Yes.. I'm quite positive that Chase can do a number of things. Right, Chase?" He watched her in hope, praying inwardly that this meeting would continue to go as smoothly as it was right now. He reached for Ada, then, eyeing her as she rubbed at her nose.

Looking to Ethan, Chase nodded. "You've got that right, E."

It was lucky she was so naive. Had Maeve more experience or cynisism she might have had a snarky comment to make at what Ethan knew of Chase's abilities. But intentionally or not, Chase was appealing to her imagination with such vivid images. ?Swallow the sword! Izit not pointing your throat? Izit you can do with the fire too??

"That could be arranged." The Gypsy nodded with a slow smile. Even a sincere chuckle escaped her. Maeve was almost as much a child as Adalia was.

Adalia had fallen strangely silent, retreating to her uncle's side. The little girl listened intently to Chase's telling of the circus. It made her smile as she leaned into Ethan. When Ethan knelt by her side and put his arm around her, she leaned her head against his. "Miss Maeve, maybe we could dress like matching clowns?"

Maeve loved any chance to dress up and she nodded to Ada. The little frogger was hopping in place. ?Ja, biscuit, or itiz you could be my lion and I could the tamer! Or if it iz we are clowning it we could be getting an itsy auto to zoom in.?

Maeve had spoken the magic words. The nine year olds face lit up and her eyes widened. "Lion! I want to be the lion!" She grinned and looked to her uncle. "Won't that be fun, Uncle Ethan? I?m glad that I?m going to have friends this year. I've never had a birthday party with friends!" She looked back to Chase and Maeve, all smiles. But that's when it happened. At first it was just a trickle of blood from her left nostril, but moments later, a small river was pouring from both. Immediately, hands lifted to cup the flow, but she turned to bury her face in her uncle's neck. His white polo shirt? The right shoulder was already covered in the blood and was seeping downwards.

Ethan was quick to react. He'd expected this to happen.. she'd been rubbing at her nose and that was always a sign. Dark eyes lifted to first Chase, then Maeve while he held Adalia to his side. His left hand dug into his back pocket for a rag. Whispering something to Ada, he pressed the rag into her hands and she lifted away from him to press the rag to her nose. She kept her back to her lady friends. Ethan took this moment to explain. "It's from all that rubbing. Spring air, you know." He covered for Adalia, despite the fact that both women knew in secret that Ada was actually sick. Until Ada told them, he'd keep up the act in front of her. "But it -is- just a nosebleed." Perhaps the two women would find solace in that. It wasn't as if the little girl was going to die right then and there. Something in his demeanor would tell them that this happened often.

"I can...breathe fire. Swallowing is possible too, but not a fire-sword. That is left to my cousins. They speciali-" Chase paused, looking to the little girl with stiffened worry. Then, she remembered. Softened frowns curved her lips down. She looked to Maeve again, pulling off her shades. Her eyes were multi-colored. Stormy with mixtures unknown to her.

Maeve met Chase's look then, though it must have looked funny to see her so serious underneath the electric colored frogger get-up. She stiffened as well, more because the sudden nosebleed made her think of Zeke suddenly. She reached around into the backpack she wore and pulled out a tie-dyed handkerchief, offering it to Ada. ?This could be using a skiff more red on it, I skeem.? The handkerchief, like most things Maeve owned, was boasting some bright hues. The blood would hardly stand out from afar, unlike what just happened to Ethan's shirt.

Maeve's niceness touched Adalia. Slowly, she turned to Maeve and reached for the multi-colored handkerchief. "Tank-oo." Surprisingly, she only hada few drops of blood on her shirt, unlike her uncle's. The rags were switched out, but the sudden nosebleed was nearly finished. Silently, the nine year old held her head high and marched over to Chase's garbage bag to throw out the one Ethan had handed her. Back by the group, she smiled weakly at Chase. "Do you have some water?"

Chase nodded with a smile, relief showing with a slight slouch of her sculpted shoulders. She had built up some definition over the past few weeks. Other than the campsite, she had done her own share of heavy labor at her venue of regularity, Eclipse. While hooking her sunglasses to the top of her head, she nodded. "Water, you bet." She assured, walking into her weather-proofed tent. Moments later, she walked out with a plastic bottle. "Good old H20. Comin' right up." With a dashing wink, she held out the bottle to her. The cap was unloosened for her.

Ada took the bottle, unscrewed the cap the rest of the way, and poured a bit of the water on a small section of the rag Maeve had supplied. WIth that, she cleaned off her bloodied face. Looking back up at Chase, she smiled. "Did I get it all?" Like Ethan, Ada acted as though.. this was normal.

Chase smiled, shaking her head. "Negatory, sweetpea." Kneeling down to her, she took the cloth gently from her to wipe at the bridge of her nose to get a ruby smudge that viciously clashed with the rest of her paled face. With an accomplished grin on her pretty Gypsy visage, she nodded firmly. "There. Looking good." Looking over her shoulder to Maeve, she held the cloth to her. "Do you...want to keep this?" Hesitantly, she eyed the cloth bloodied.

His shirt had collected most of her accident. He frowned openly. The smell of blood turned his stomach. He looked apologetically to Maeve before he pulled the shirt off, leaving him bare-chested. He used a clean section of the shirt to wipe at his skin and then tossed the shirt into the garbage bag as well. "So... what were you saying, Maeve? About.. sword swallowing?" Oddly, he looked as though nothing had happened.

She had first looked at bare-chested Ethan and then quickly turned her eyes down. She jumped back to attention when she realized they were talking to her. ?Oh! Iz only a nappie, you could be having or tossing it, it iz doing its job, ja??

"I can clean it.." only now did she look uncomfortable. Green eyes peered up at Froggy Maeve. Adalia smiled to each of the adults around her. She was quick to recover from mishaps like this. Granted, it was the first to happen in front of Chase or Maeve, but they seemed to be handling it well. She even thought about maybe telling them soon. "Well, maybe we should throw it away." Nodding as she spoke.

Ethan couldn't help but smirk. He knew it must be uncomfortable for Maeve to see him like this, but he really couldn't help it this time. "Thank-you, Maeve. I'm sure Adalia just forgot to say it." He smiled gently at his niece, then winked at Maeve.

"Oh yeah." A sheepish smile took the place of her grin. "Thanks!"

Chase nodded to Maeve. Then, looking to her niecey. "Your wish is my command, lioness." With curled fingers with her other hand, she pretend to claw in Adalia's direction. She even added a mock-roar that was meant to be ridiculous. Winking, she stood upright. Walking promptly to the trash bag, she pulled it opened to see a...shirt? She glanced to Ethan to prove her suspicions true. Her eyes...stared moments too long once more. Turning sharply to peer downwards, she secured the bag.

?Iz no sweat, you dig?? She went to reach for the handkerchief, needing to divert her attention since Ethan didn't have a spare shirt on. ?I can do the trashing!? But Chase was already there leaving the frogger to shift in place, electric-framed eyes drawn back to Ethan and darting to other places just as quickly.

"Uhh.." Ethan noted Maeve's continued discomfort and turned to Chase. "Chasey.. do you have a spare shirt? Borrow.. you know.." he trailed off, gesturing covertly to Maeve.

Maeve liked the way he looked. More-so than she'd ever admit out loud to another living being. The more she wanted to stare the hotter she felt her cheeks getting, absolutely mortified.

Chase chuckled. "Sure, help yourself." She gestured to her tent, pointing inside. "To the left corner by the front. There's a duffel bag there. Side pocket should have t-shirts..." She drifted off, looking to the sky. Then, to the ground. "...Uh. Nexus.." She groaned, looking to the group there with a sincere frown. "I guess it's my time to bolt. Stay groovy, dudes." While thunderous nexus evil-ness threatened to swallow her, she looked to Maeve. "I'll tell you all you want about the 3-ring whenever you want. If you wish. Til the-" Then, she was gone. Nexus napped. The pooor Gypsy.

"Oh boo." Adalia pouted as Chase disappeared.

He managed to wave before Chase disappeared. "One sec.." to Maeve, then, as he moved towards the tent. He came back out holding a black t-shirt. It looked like it belonged to a man and couldn't be Quel's. At least it wasn't his! Turning away from Maeve, he lifted his arms to put the shirt on, then reached back inside to grab Ada's kite. Walking back to the girl's, he held it out to his niece. "Here, Punky. Maybe we should be going, too."

"Double boo." She pouted even more, taking the kite from her uncle. Then, she looked up to Maeve, brightening. "Can we come to the Refuge? I don't want to go back home yet."

Relieved, vaguely disappointed, Maeve saw the last glimpse of his stomach before the shirt fell into place. ?Oh, ja! If it iz Ethan does not mind it..??

"I don't mind," he replied with a charming smile. "It will be nice to spend time with you." There was a slight pause, almost indiscernible. "And Ada."

"Yay!" She hopped up and down several times and reached for one of Maeve's hands. She giggled when it looked like she was holding a giant froggy's hand. "Can I see Mr. Hichi? And the sugar gliders again?" Tugging Maeve along as if she wanted to leave that very second.

Ethan envied his niece for once. Holding Maeve's hand must be grand. A secretive smile grew on his face as these thoughts and more bounced around in his mind. Dark eyes passed from Adalia to Maeve and back. "I'll even take you out on the four wheeler to see the elephants."

Laughing maeve covered Ada's small hand with her own, the frog hand concealing them both. She readjusted the camera bag across the chest before bopping along with the girl. ?Ja! They would be blimmin' happy to be sighting you, biscuit. And you can be meeting the kittens Ethan iz aiding me to rescue.?

"Kittens!?" More magic words from Miss Maeve. "I always wanted a kitten." Adalia chattered excitedly about cats while Ethan just smiled at Maeve.

"You two ready to go?" He chuckled at Ada's enthusiasm. He'd have to talk Bradley into getting a kitten for Adalia.

?Ja.? Starting to move. ?Maybe it iz if your ubaba iz letting you Tick and Tock could be having a slumber time with you for some days? Or Pockets?? Relunctantly adding, not quite as open to give up that kitten even for a weekend.

"We'll see. I'm sure Tick and Tock would be fine, though." Aside to Maeve. He knew how much she liked Pockets. It was his favorite, too. "Let's go, ladies!" He fell into step beside Maeve, sliding his hands into his pockets.

The fuzzy neon colored arm brushed against him now and then from the bopping and keeping in step with Ada as well. It made him smile.

Progress (cont.)

?My name iz being Maeve, oke, not Sheila.? Helpfully.

Chase's explanation to her boyfriend made Ethan blush furiously. He thought to correct her, but kept his mouth shut. Now he turned to watch the exchange between Travis and Maeve.

Travis grinned. Maeve was adorable! "Nah, love. It's apples. What I meant was that your fella' here has himself a fine girl. Sheila means girl." He beamed at her in amusement, dropping an arm around Chase's shoulders casually.

Ethan didn't think it possible, but he flushed even more at Travis' words. He coughed uncomfortably and looked to Maeve to see how she'd handle it or if he needed to change the subject. They hadn't really talked about.. what they were to each other yet. It would be interesting to see where this would go.

? Oh ja. It iz your tongue's way to be saying tannie.? Translating for herself. She did catch some of the rest of that. ?And chickie I am skeeming.? The last spoken in a sheepish tone. Her shoulders raised a little and she lifted a hand to rub at the back of her neck.

"Aye, tannie, then. An' chickie? Where're you from, love?" He could tell the other male was uncomfortable. It only served as a reason for him to press further. Such was Travis' way. He nodded towards Ethan, but spoke to Chase. "Shaggy here is lookin' a might' flustered, wouldn'tcha say, Rose?"

Dark eyes flickered to Chase and narrowed slightly. She'd pay for this. "I can see why Chase likes you." It wasn't meant maliciously, but perhaps there'd been a stinging tone hidden somewhere in there. Ethan reached for Maeve's hand beneath the table. He wanted to reassure her. Or maybe himself? He didn't know.

"Aye." Chase spoke along with Travis, nodding gently. She turned her chin to arch in Travis's direction. "Stud, these two are going at their own pace with things. They're still quite bashful with stuff." Explained to her drummer. Receiving the look from the Ever-So-Handsome Ethan had her smile wider. She was in for it later on. In some shape or form, she'd get something bad. But it'd be worth it. This was the Gypsy's way. And she wouldn't apologize.

"All right, all right." Travis was getting it from all sides. He challenged Ethan's look, but shrugged away the tension that was growing around the table. He knew when enough was enough--and that was when Chase chided him gently.

Ethan?s touch made Maeve more flustered and relieved at the same time. If she could only pick one word for the sensation she would have said 'alive'. ?Ja, it iz I am being from Myobia. Iz in Afrique. Africa that iz.? Skipping over the rest of it.

"Africa? Well, rage on!"

After linking their fingers, Ethan gave Maeve?s hand a squeeze, then held it loosely within his own. "Yes, so.. uhh.. tell us about how things are going with your careers?" He was desperate for a change of subject.

She snuck a peek down at their joined hands like it was a curious thing. She ran her thumb absently against the side of his hand while she waited for them to answer.

Chase grinned widely, smiling shamelessly. "Our careers? Travis is doing far better than I. My show is...indefinitely postponed. I'm in the works. But Trav, here?" She looked to him directly, looking with a pride-filled grin upon his all-too-handsome visage while biting down her bottom lip. "He's got gigs all over the place. He's a definite favorite of the showtimes." Yes, she bragged, but Chase was happy.

Travis cackled again and dipped his head to kiss Chase on the neck. He'd missed her so much and was overjoyed to be with her. "Nah.. I'm just.. more available. Drummers are wanted.. but it's difficult to find a need for a lead singer like Chase."

Chase smiled at the kiss planted, a light tinge of rose invading her pretty cheeks. "Yes. Lead singers are perceived as divas...or are a dime-a-dozen. One of the few things I miss about my stardom is the easy gigs. They used to pop up like weeds. "And Guitarists? Those are also easy to find." She shrugged.

?You are rocking it on the drums? Lekker! I am kif with the bongos you are knowing it.? Bouncing back quickly at the change to the topic of music.

Ethan was content to sit back and listen now. He caught Maeve studying their hands and when she brushed her thumb over his hand, he swore his heart skipped a beat. It wasn't often they did something like this. It was a special, intimate moment that most in Rhydin never experienced. He'd waited a long time to get to this point an he enjoyed every minute of it. Ethan smiled at the sudden change in Maeve's demeanor; how she perked up when music was mentioned.

"Rack off!" Travis perked, too, and let his arm fall away from Chase's shoulders so he could lean across the table some. Maeve had gotten his attention ten-fold. "The bongo's, really?" Travis slapped the table. "We'll have to play together, sometime, chickie." He chuckled, taking a liking to that word. He'd have to use it. "Get your bloke here to bring you around and we'll jam, yeah?"

Maeve was naive enough to think everyone could see them holding hands and cared. She was all shades of red when she raised her hand in Eva's direction, who had been staring at them for a while. Ethan could probably feel the heat radiating off of her. ?Ja! To the playing that iz. It iz for you to be saying Chase iz being your chickie but not me, chommie.?

"Ohh! I get it now! Chickie and... that other one you said were meant in a romantic sort of way." Travis nodded. "Well, sheila doesn't carry a romantic connotation, but I'm glad y'set me straight, M- maeve? Did I get that right?"

One thing he'd learned to pick up on was when she began to feel awkward. Ethan smiled between Travis and Maeve, but looked at the Myobian a bit longer.

Maeve nodded. ?Ja. It iz she iz to be your chickie and you her rooster.?

Travis noticed something missing an when he turned to look, Chase was gone! "Ack! The nexus stole m'chickie! Or did she wander off someplace?" Forest green eyes make a turn about the room.

Ethan chuckled and finally spoke up after some time of being quiet. "I think it was the nexus, brother. She should be back, though."

She turned her head to meet Ethan's gaze. The cat eyes held a certain shine to them when she smiled at him.

He looked back, smiling as well. Another rare moment for the almost-couple. He mimicked her earlier movements and rubbed his thumb along the side of her hand.

Travis sat back and watched Chase flicker in and out of sight. When it appeared she was here to stay, he grinned. "You here for good now, love? Should I tie you to the chair or something?" Chase flickered out of view again. "Apparently I was wrong.." sighing, Travis sat back and hoped the nexus would relinquish its hold on his girlfriend. Then suddenly, the nexus took him, too.

Her attention drifted from Chase and Travis' disappearance and back down to their joined hands. She curiously watched what it looked like if she fluttered her fingers up and down through the spaces his left in the fashion of a wave::

Ethan grinned and started to play along. He matched the wave motion she made, chuckling softly before he knew it.

The dark strands of her short hair fell in front of her face when she bent her head a little in the looking. The laugh escaping her lips was quiet but held its own mirth. She continued moving her fingers playfully.

Her quiet laughter brought about a warming sensation in his chest. Ethan rubbed his free hand over his scruffy beard, pondering how to bring up what he wanted to ask her. He might as well. "Maeve, I wanted to ask your opinion on something and I was hoping you could give me an.. honest answer?"

She picked her head up. ?Ja, china. My koppie iz for the picking.? Tapping a finger from her free hand lightly against her forehead.

"Well, uhh, I just wanted to know if you had an opinion on my hair?" That sounded stupid in his head. Ethan frowned and tried explaining better. "I usually let it grow out in the summer. I like the style of it pulled back in a ponytail, but I wanted to know what you preferred." He should have stayed quiet. He sounded like he was 18, asking for permission to keep his hair long.

She didn't know to tease him for asking. Reaching up her free hand she moved to lightly tug on a strand of the growing hair in question. ?But Ethan, it iz not a thing for me to be weighing on I skeem. It iz only a matter of what you are most kwaai with sighting in the mirror. You are Ethan, haired or not.?

"But.. I have no one but you to look for, Maeve." It was stated quietly and since he'd already asked, he wasn't going to let her not give him her opinion. "I don't mind it short or long. What... uh, which way do you like it better?"

The bashful smile snuck up on her again. She raised her eyes to his. ?Her fingers dropped from the lock of hair to his scruffy cheek and chin. ?The outers iz not what I am needing to look kif, china. It iz the inners and that iz the same. It does the drawing in no matter how it iz you are rocking it.? Did that all come out of her mouth? She partially wanted to die right there on the spot.

Well, that wasn't the opinion he was looking for. It was better than anything he could have imagined in that moment. Ethan could barely contain himself. It was the closest thing he'd heard to Maeve outright telling him that she liked him for who he was. And then he felt it. The urge to kiss her cheek welled up once more, but this time it would not be laid aside. Ethan leaned close, pausing to look into her eyes as a polite warning. Then his lips gently brushed against her cheek. When he pulled back, Ethan squeezed her hand and pushed away from the table to stand. Now everyone would be able to see their linked fingers. Not that he really cared, though. "It's late. Let's go for a walk? Back to the refuge, hm?"

Unexpected but she did not back away when he gave her enough time to evade the gesture had she wanted to. She let out the smallest sigh when she felt his lips warm on her cheek. Had it hurt? Far from it. That didn't make her any less awkward. She literally leapt at the chance to not spend too much time talking about it. She continued to hold his hand when she jumped to her feet.

Ethan felt ridiculous for noticing that his lips tingled. "You have everything?" He'd remembered she came in with a comic of some sort. Ethan gently tugged her towards the door and opened it, keeping a tight hold on her hand. He hoped to hold it the entire way home as a way to distract his mind from what he'd just done.

Thank goodness she had that comic book clutched tightly in her other hand. She forced her arm to stick tight to her side. Otherwise she would be holding it to her cheek in the silliest schoolgirl manner. She smiled nervously to Eva and anyone else who looked their way as she ducked out the front door with Ethan.

((Adapted from Live Play))