Topic: Disappearing(Pt.III) -- The Revelation

Rayvinn

Date: 2011-11-09 22:37 EST
Many thanks to the player of Daigh Sterling for assistance with this portion of the storyline!

July 31st

After one of the most emotional moments Rayvinn had allowed herself to have in a long while, saying goodbye to Cor, she walked out of his house and the few feet to her awaiting motorcycle. The helmet, with blacked out visor in place, was slipped down over her head and one long leather clad leg was lifted over the bike so that she straddled it. The kickstand was lifted with her booted foot and the Ducati was started and revved up.

Speeding down off of the porch and back into the night, she let out a ragged sigh, the next destination wasn't going to be any easier than where she had just been. Able to see without difficulty through the black out visor, thanks to enhanced vision, she leaned forward and gripped the bike a little tighter with her thighs as she twisted the throttle and increased her speed to new death defying heights. It might appear that she was tempting fate right now as she poured the emotion that threatened to consume her into this race across town. Destination: Daigh Sterling, AKA Best Male Friend.

With Quinn gone for a bit and Mealla off gallivanting through town, it left Daigh with a lot of extra time. He'd been home for maybe an hour or so, just long enough to change into a pair of jeans and an old T-shirt before plunking himself down to eat a sandwich.

Arriving on the West End of town, she slowed down to a near crawl as she passed some shops until she reached the sandwich shop that Daigh lived above. Maneuvering the bike down a small alley to the back of the building, she came to a stop next to the steps that would lead her upstairs to his apartment.

Helmet was pulled off and a gloved hand was lifted to smooth through her hair as she clomped up the stairs and knocked on the screen door. She knew it was late but hoped maybe he had been working late at a club and would still be up.

That he was! At the sound of the knock he set his sandwich down and hopped up. Wiping his hands on the seat of his jeans he moved over to the door, hurriedly swallowing the mouthful of bread and meat. The knob was turned and then the door opened. To his surprise, there was Raye. "Hey!" he smiled, his tone just slightly tinged with that surprise as he opened the screen. "What's up, Best Female Friend?"

She allowed that crooked grin, that was usually the precursor to much trouble, curl upon her features. Megawatt smile that didn't really reach her eyes was hopefully enough to convince him all was well. "Best Male Friend, sorry to intrude. I...I uhh, I'm on my way out of town and didn't wanna leave without seeing you. Yanno, how that goes. Never know when a stray arrow might catch ya in the ass and ya can't come back for a while, right?" In reference to her own shooting someone in the ass...such a strange elf. Chewing at her lower lip, she realized the lame excuse for what it was and offered him a slight shrug of her thin shoulders and a goofy grin.

He smiled at her words, though he noticed her eyes stayed devoid of any of that humor or light. "Planning to get shot? Come in." He held the door open wider for her to enter. He closed the doors behind her and then turned. "Hungry or anything?" Such a good host!

A real chuckle was offered up in response, kudos to Daigh! "I don't ever plan for these things to happen, but for some reason people enjoy using me for target practice, in one form or other." Oh yes, poor poor innocent Raye that has never once done a single thing to warrant being shot at or attacked. Riiiight. Another smile was given and she slipped past him and into the apartment.

A little shake of her head as she grinned. "Not a bit but look at you being all super good man of the house and offering stuff!" She was beginning to relax a little as she rocked back on her heels and glanced around.

"How are Quinn and Mealla doing? I haven't seen your sister in a while. You'll let her know I am leaving and tell her she has been awesome?" A slight clearing of her throat as she looked up at him, obviously uncomfortable as she spoke of leaving.

"That's me," he chuckled. "Mealla's fine. Hanging out with some boy that I've only met once. Quinn's been working on getting some stuff in order." A moment's pause. "I asked her to marry me."

Blinkblink. And blink again. The next thing Daigh would know, he had a screeching Raye jumping at him and hugging him. "Oh gods, Daigh...that is so super fantastic! Oh my gods. You actually did it! She said yes...right? Psh of course she did, how couldn't she? I'm guessing you are the happiest damn guy for ten realms, right? WOW, DAIGH!" So, he had managed to awaken that chatty loud elf that had been neglected and dormant since the last time she had been around Daigh and Mealla.

Finally letting go of Daigh, she stepped back and for that moment the elation she felt at his news actually reached her eyes. She knew he would be alright. Mealla had a boyfriend apparently and would be alright. Things were falling into place and the happiness of her friends made it slightly easier to say goodbye. Not greatly easier but she wouldn't have to worry about them.

"So, tell me how it happened. Was it the most romantic proposal ever? Did she cry? Did you?"

He laughed, wrapping his arms around her when she jumped on him, holding on until she hopped back down. The smile on his face told plainly that he was thrilled. He gestured toward the other chair at his kitchen table. "Sit down for a few. And I don't know if it was all that romantic. I made her dinner and then afterward told her I wanted her to move in. Well, and then I pretended that I had snagged my pants on the couch and I pulled out the ring."

"I?m super stoked. Really excited about the future." A nod.

"Pretended to snag your pants? BWUAHAHA! That is most excellent!" She moved away to drop down onto the kitchen chair and nodded intently as she listened to him, head canting to the side as she scrutinized his face, just double checking that he was as happy as he seemed. A slight sigh of relief was breathed and then smiled again. "Your future is bright as a big shiny diamond, dude. No doubt."

Speaking of a big shiny diamond had her suddenly remembering her engagement ring that was still upon her finger. She obviously couldn't take that with her. It would most definitely give away her identity if anyone paid close enough attention. Her gloves were removed and she twisted at the nine karat diamond, then ran the tip of her index finger over the band. Finally, before she lost her nerve, she pulled the ring from her finger and held it out to Daigh.

"Need you to keep that in a safe place for me, Best Male Friend. And you can't tell anyone you have it or that you have seen it. Its really imperative that you keep it secret." She drew in a shaky breath, fighting hard to keep herself together and squelch the rush of pain coursing through her. "Please." She couldn't meet his gaze, instead staring down at the sharp point of the toe of her boot as she kicked it back and forth.

Rayvinn

Date: 2011-11-09 22:42 EST
He stared at her a moment, studying her. Then he reached out and took the ring, closing his fingers around it. "Sure thing, Raye. I'll take good care of it and no one will know." He was quiet another moment. Something wasn't right. "Where are you going, Raye? Why all the sudden? What happened?" Sure was a perceptive guy.

"Just gotta get outta town for awhile, Daigh. I'm...uhm.." She looked up quickly as the answer came to her. "I can't do this whole getting married thing yet, dude. You get that, right? I can't...uhh...yeah, can't breathe."

This lie broke her heart more than any she had ever spoken, and that would be in the millions at this point, right? This cut to the core, however, because she had already battled that fear that nearly drove her away from Jono when he proposed the first time.

Deep down, she really was ready for the marriage. And the babies. The house. The hum-drum of a normal life. Ok..maybe not -all- of that but she was ready for the marriage. Swallowing over and over, she finally kicked up out of the kitchen chair like something had pinched her. "Ex..excuse me for a moment....need a drink..." She disappeared into his kitchen and turned on the water, letting out one long winded sob before forcing herself to stop, feeling that she would explode if she didn't let some of that pain out.

With shaking hands she turned off the faucet after splashing her face with the cold water. A deep breath was taken before she straightened herself up and walked back out to again slide onto that chair. "So, yeah...you know me...flighty." She gave a hollow laugh. "That's what everyone says. Flighty and independent. Must be true, right? Cause here I am...running away. When Jono comes looking for me, you haven't seen me. Can you do that for me, Daigh? I won't ask you for another favor."

He watched her a long time, slouched back in his chair like Everyday-Normal-Daigh. But it wasn't Everyday-Normal-Daigh in his eyes. It was deep intelligence, and sorrow. "Raye, you know I'll always help you, right? I love you. You're one of my best friends. But I know you're not leaving because you don't want to get married. I wouldn't dream of asking you to tell me why, if you don't want to or if you can't. But I just want you to know I've always got your back, regardless."

Rayvinn tried, and failed, to look him in the eye. "I...just have to go, Daigh. I love you, Best Male Friend, you are the f*cking icing on the cake, dude. Cream cheese icing too." Serious nod.

"You mean the world to me, Daigh, but I cannot tell you the truth. I won't insult our friendship, however, by lying more to you. Thank you for having my back. I would beat a bitch down for you too." She would too, without question!


Leaning forward, elbow on the table, she rested her forehead upon her palm and sighed heavily and then half whispered her next words. "I know what people say 'bout me, Daigh. They think I am crazy. But yanno what? I'm not all of the time. I know what the hell is up and I'm handling my business. Its better this way." She tilted her head slightly to look over at him. "I wish I could tell you more but I can't right now. Just.." She trailed off and shrugged a little.

He reached out and jiggled her wrist a little, and gave her his infamous grin. "It's ok, Raye. I'm glad you came to tell me. I'm glad you trust me. And I am honored you'd let me hold onto your wedding ring. I guess I didn't realize how much our friendship meant to me until now." He looked at her steadily for a long moment. "And because of that, I want to tell you something. About me. Something that's important, and that I don't share with many people."

Disarmed by that smile of his, as most people were, she sighed a little and sat up. A small smile of her own ticked at the corners of her lips, even though she didn't feel it, she couldn't help but smile in reply. That was part of the reason he was one of her best friends; no matter how messed up things were, he always made it more bearable.
"Thank you for keeping the ring, and my secret, safe. I'm honored that I have a friend like you that I can trust."

Leaning back in her chair a little, she tilted her head and scrutinized him. "If you are gonna tell me you are a stripper or prostitute, I gotta tell ya...not surprised there, man. Cold blooded killer specializing in undetectable poisons? I figured that when I watched you make that drink named after Clover...I thought 'I bet he is a cold blooded killer that specializes in undetectable poisons' but I still became your friend...so it's all good. I got your back too. Any of your targets come back to life and hunt you down...I will toss a molotov cocktail at their asses and that will be that!" After rambling through that tangent, she clapped her hands together to emphasize the finality of the lives of his imaginary undead victims. How Raye managed to draw a conclusion such as that from him wanting to tell her something...well, there was a reason people said she was crazy.

But maybe Daigh was a little crazy, too, because that had him laughing. "Oh, MAN, I *wish* I was that cool! But, no." He made himself sober up a bit and folded his hands atop the table, looking at her rather frankly. "Now, the only people who know about this are Quinn, Mealla and a few people that are... well, the same as I am." He watched her just a moment. Sometimes when people were 'crazy' it was easier to say nutty things. "I'm not human, Raye."

Her head straightened up a little and she smiled. "I'm not either, Daigh. See?" Hair was tucked behind one of her lightly pointed ears. She was obviously not comprehending what he was trying to say. So much for making it easier!

There was that. He considered his options for a minute, and then he stood up and pulled his shirt off. He dropped it on the seat of the chair and then moved over to her, kneeling beside her and turning so she could see his back. It might occur to her that, as often as he'd worn tanks or vests without a shirt underneath, he'd never worn anything that showed his back. The reason was that, running from near his shoulder blades down to almost the lower-middle of his back were scars. Healed over and shiny, but whatever had happened, it had been violent.

Before Rayvinn had a chance to cat call or wolf whistle at his apparent need to prove to her he truly was a stripper-prostitute, he saved her from embarrassing the hell out of herself by turning to show his back.

Her brows furrowed as she reached out to trace along the healed scars. "What happened to you, Daigh?" She finally murmured quietly, pulling back her hand and looking away from the scars so she didn't appear morbidly fascinated, which she was.

"It's ok," he said, as if he could read her mind, or knew what she wanted. "I don't mind if you touch them." He stayed where he was for the moment, looking out at his living room. He didn't sound sad, per se, when he spoke. Maybe just a little somber. "So when I tell people I DJ and am a bartender, that's not a lie. But I also hunt demons. The result of getting into a tough spot is the scars." He turned his head slightly to regard her. "They were wings, but they were cut off. Doesn't change what I am, though, Raye. Which is an angel." It sounded so flip, almost humorous, to admit that a lanky, pierced and tattooed guy like him was a denizen of Heaven. But it was said with truth, and sincerity.

Rayvinn

Date: 2011-11-09 22:43 EST
Her immediate reaction to his confession..."No sh*t! How f*cking cool is that?!" Very much like a kid granted permission to raid the cookie jar, Raye's hand moved foward quickly and she traced over the scars a few times before she was satisfied. Now came the real questions.

"How exactly do you kill demons? Do you shoot them, set them on fire, cut off their heads, shove a stake through their hearts, what?" She contemplated that for all of five seconds before blinking and looking back at him again. "Angels...reside with the Gods, correct? Do you know any of the Elven gods...because I have a few grievances I would like to list. Its good to have a friend in a high place that can tell those jackasses to chill out with the constant conflict, yanno?" A melodramatic sigh was given before she moved on to the next question. "So if the wings don't change anything...what were they for?"

So, she just took it all in stride. He could turn green and develop multicolored spots and she would look at him exactly as she always did. One thought did suddenly occur to her..."Daigh, I don't think you are allowed to be friends with someone like me, dude. They might get hella pissed." For her cursing them? Check. Breaking every rule she possibly could? Check. And countless other sins.

He smiled and rose up, going back to his chair and pulling his shirt back on. "I haven't met any of the elven Gods myself, so you're stuck there- my apologies on that! And there's myths that say if you cut the wings off, an angel ceases to be one. Not so. It just means I'm grounded, I can't fly. Sort of makes it hard but I get by. And usually I stab them to death. I won't get into it, but angelic warriors have a special weapon. Mine's a knife." He shifted slightly in his seat. "And I can be friends with whoever I want. No one is going to tell me differently." That last was very firm.

"Yeah that's too bad...I really need someone with some leverage with those bastar....err...holy individuals." She managed to place a sheepish expression upon her face as she slouched in the chair again. "I hope they don't tell you differently. I might be leaving but you are still gonna be one of my most favorite people. It would suck if I had to get killed just to get up there with those bastar..err...holy individuals to talk some sense into them face to face if they tried to stop us." It was the idea that counted, not the way that it was conveyed.

He chuckled with the way she kept slipping up and almost saying bastards. He wasn't going to say anything. People had a right to feel however they wanted about the Higher Powers. "No one is going to make us stop being friends, Raye. I believe firmly that you meet the people you meet for a reason. Some of them are in passing, some stick around, but they all influence who you are. And some become your best friends." Another smile and he lifted the hand that held the ring. "I'll keep this as proof, though. So you can't forget me."

She sobered up a bit and nodded. ?You are right, Daigh, no one will ever stop us from being friends. No matter where we end up or what we do, we will still be who we are,? that last part was whispered almost fiercely and it didn?t take a genius to know that Raye was plotting something. Knowing her, it probably involved explosives and some intricate plot; whether it was legal and moral remained to be seen. One just never knew with this chaotic elf; which side of right she would choose.

The somewhat distant look that clouded pale jades was blinked away as she very abruptly hopped from the chair and tossed herself at an unsuspecting (though he should have been) Daigh, throwing her arms around his neck. ?The only way I will forget you is if I die, and even then, I still fully intend on remembering you since you will visit me in my after life. Do they let angels into hell, by the way? If so, I would like for you to bring me ice...and tequila.? He would never know how close to the truth she spoke at the moment, in regards to her dying.

Pulling back from the semi-crazy chokehold embrace, she smiled up at him. ?I gotta go, best male friend Daigh. Do me a favor and just be happy, no matter what...keep shining the way you do now.?

He hadn't precisely been 'expecting' the attack hug, but he accepted it easily, putting arms about her to hold her close during the embrace. He listened to her words and when they parted, she nodded. "I've never tried to get into hell, but if I had a reason, I'd figure it out." He reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Please be careful, Raye. Remember, I'm always looking out for you. If everything else fails, remember I'm your friend."

"Careful, smareful...lookatchoo trying to ruin a bad girl's good fun!" A kiss was granted his cheek and she ruffled his hair before turning and moving for the door; pausing to glance over her shoulder. "If you don't forget me, Daigh...I will live forever." She was out the screen door, down the steps and speeding off into the night before the first tear trailed its scalding liquid misery down her cheek.

He stood there for long moments after she had left, the ring held into his hand. Eventually the edges started to bite into his skin and he glanced down as he unfolded his fingers, to look at it. He hadn't realized he'd been holding onto it that tightly. He sighed, gently closing his hand around it again and turned to find a safe place to put it. Normally he left the prayers to others, but this time he uttered a small one, and hoped someone caught it. From the sound of it, Raye might need some back up, and he couldn't be the one to supply it. The least he could do was pray.