Too much fun.
Nov. 16th, 2003 03:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrI'm sure I'm missing some really bad plot holes and stuff, but it's kind of fun just writing and knowing I can go back later and fix it.
I'm having way too much fun with these guys. I hope everything makes sense so far, I may be moving too quickly.
Chapter Ten
Neil shut off the stove, swinging his pan around to set it down on the kitchen table. Steam billowed in his face, a mixture of scents filling the large kitchen. Sitting down, he began to help himself to the stir-fry, eating in silence for several minutes. A sound from the far side of the kitchen jerked his head up, and he glared at Kasimir a moment before turning back to his meal.
"Why do you bother to do all that cooking?" Kasimir's tone was derisive.
Gaze still on his food Neil replied sullenly, "What's it matter to you?"
Kasimir wandered closer, "Now who's being a brat? I'm just curious - it's just you, it can't be worth it to do all that cooking and cleaning for just one person."
Neil finally looked up, though he still avoided the genie's face. He rose and began to clear the table. "I just like to cook - so does my brother. Is that a crime?" Half tossing the dishes into the sink, he grabbed a rag and went back to clean the table.
Kasimir blocked his way.
Neil glared at him, "Move."
"No. You can't honestly still be that mad at me?" The genie narrowed his eyes. "It was a stupid prank - you really should learn to lighten up."
"It wasn’t funny! And I can be mad for a long time - you should know all about that, you walk around in a perpetual state of 'I hate the world.' Don't even get on my case for being angry." He shoved past Kasimir, going to the table and attacking it with the rag.
Kasimir glared at his back, "Don't you think you're overreacting slightly? You've been sulking up here for hours - I kept waiting for you to come back downstairs, instead I find you making and wasting enough food for three."
"Shut up." Neil spun around, tossing the rag across the room and into the sink. "What is it with you and provoking fights? Maybe I am overreacting, but I didn't appreciate your 'stupid prank' especially as I had thought you were actually starting to be nice. I guess I should've known better."
The genie froze in surprise, "Is that why you're upset? Because you think I did all that on purpose? You're an idiot."
"Oh, thanks. You really suck at being nice."
"It's the truth - I only kissed you because you were laughing about my being a slave. I didn't find it funny. So just get over yourself - I initially came downstairs to help you, not humiliate you. As easy as that is to do."
Neil said nothing, simply rearranging the chairs neatly under the table before crossing back to the sink to start washing the dishes.
Kasimir watched him, "You know, you could just ask me to take care of that. One wish and it's done."
"Maybe I actually like doing things for myself." Neil snapped.
The genie tossed his head, tone full of derision, "Please - everyone prefers that someone else do their work for them. I doubt you're much different."
Neil shut off the water before turning around to confront Kasimir. "Shut up, how many time do I have to tell you that? You know nothing about me, nothing at all. Have you taken a good look at this house? It's huge - a real monster. I grew up here, with so many servants around that there was never a time when I was alone. Everything was done for me - they dressed me, fed me, bathed me, hell they all but played with my toys for me. I hated it. I felt more like a doll than a person. So believe it or not, Mr. Cynicism, I do actually enjoy taking care of things myself. Notice this house is empty now? That's because my brother can't stand servants either. Nor can my sister. Does that satisfy you, hmm? I told you before - I don't want or need you except to get me that stupid stone. Once I have that I'm done with you." Angrily he turned away, walking past the still unfinished dishes.
Kasimir stared after him, surprise and confusion warring on his face. Shaking his head, he suddenly dashed after the other man, moving past him to once again stand in Neil's way. "I don't get you."
"Yeah, I noticed."
The genie frowned, "No one has ever wanted to get rid of me before. Even that woman that liked to draw was reluctant, though she never wished for much. But you actually sound like you mean it."
Neil was still angry, but some of the heat faded from his eyes, "Maybe because I do mean it. Even if you are a temperamental, argumentative brat I don't like the idea of your being trapped in servitude like that. I know what it's liked to be trapped - it sucks. And like I said - I hate servants. To me you're just a servant with a bad attitude, which should be amusing but somehow isn't."
Kasimir almost looked unhappy for a moment, but it quickly shifted back to his usual mutinous expression, "Ha - I've never had a master hate me before. As "bratty" as I am, they don't usually hate me. How amusing."
"For the millionth time - shut up. I don't hate you - why do you always have to make me out to be the bad guy and yourself the tragic victim? You drive me crazy, up the damned walls - but I don't hate you. I think I'm actually starting to realize what it must be like to deal with me. Which means I should probably apologize to Darrell sometime." He grinned at some inner joke a moment, before scowling again, "Just knock it off with the "oh woe is me" crap, okay?"
"…Okay." Kasimir looked like he's swallowed something bitter.
Neil opened his mouth, and then closed it as the words registered, "Okay? Did you just say okay? As in you'll stop?"
Kasimir turned away, "Yes, I said "okay" as in I'll try to stop. It's not doing me any good anyway - that's what I'd been thinking when I came down to the basement to help you. Then you laughed at me and I got carried away." He started toward the basement, but was halted by a grip on his wrist, causing his bracelet to dig into this flesh. He turned his head around to look quizzically at the red head, surprised to see the other man looked embarrassed.
"Look - I'm sorry I got so mad about your --prank. I really thought you were just being mean again. And I didn't mean to make fun of you."
Kasimir's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head. "No…don't worry about it. I…shouldn't have done it. I was just being a brat, I guess."
Releasing his wrist, Neil offered a slight smile, "I don't think you've ever apologized before. Look - if you're still interested in helping me, I'd appreciate it. I can't make any sense out of most of those stupid journals, but you seemed to be reading them just fine."
"They're not that bad, just old. Most don't really say anything useful."
Neil turned away, "Well, I'm going to finish the dishes then I'll be back downstairs. Go on down if you like - I don't suppose you want anything to eat or drink? I was going to make some coffee. Actually, now that I think about it and you're not insulting me - why don't you ever eat or drink? Do you really not need food?"
The genie looked surprised by the question, "I don't think anyone has ever asked me that - of course, they seldom offer me food. I think they all just assumed I didn't need it, which I don't. I sort of 'feed' off of my master. That's why you feel so sleepy, occasionally dizzy if you don't rest. And why you kept passing out when you first put the earring on."
"What? You mean I sustain you?" He moved to the sink, washing and scrubbing as Kasimir continued to explain.
"Yes. It's part of the spell, which is all I really am now. I was turned into a genie and chained to these earrings. To manifest I have to take energy from my master, by way of the earrings. Removing the earring means removing my source of energy, which means I just sort of sleep until someone else comes along."
Neil grinned, "I like it when you're cooperative. So what were you before you were a genie? I mean, other than a-a slave."
Kasimir looked away, but turned back at the slave comment and smirked, "I was a demon. What you'd call a djinn - a fire spirit. I was one of thirteen slaves belonging to Lord Nomolos - and his favorite."
Neil said nothing, merely opening a drawer and pulling out a dishrag to begin drying the dishes. A minute later he paused in putting a plate away, "Wait - fire spirit? Does that mean you can mess with fire and stuff?"
Kasimir looked sad a moment, shrugging. "I could, when I was a djinn. But now I'm just a genie. The spell didn't trap me - it transformed me. I'm not a fire spirit anymore, just a genie."
"I don't get any of this - why does it transform you? And you said once that my family was the reason? Explain that while you're being so generous with the information." Finished with the dishes, Neil moved to the counter close to where Kasimir was standing and began to make coffee.
Kasimir watched him in silence for a few seconds, then turned to look out the semi-circle window that framed the off set space where the kitchen table rest. It was dark - pitch black. Trees hid most of the sky from sight, so not even the stars were visible.
"Kasimir?"
"Huh?" The genie turned back at the soft calling of his name, blinking at Neil before he recovered his thoughts. "Oh."
"You're not turning sullen again are you?" Neil smiled, his tone teasing.
Kasimir shook his head, "No…I was trying to gather the story together in my head. It's been ages since I really thought about it."
"Ah. You may as well wait until we're downstairs again, anyway." Neil fell silent as the coffee brewed.
Kasimir turned to look out the window again, content to keep the silence while they waited.
Several minutes later, the coffee finished brewing and Neil gathered the sugar and cream, pulling down two mugs from where they hung on hooks from the bottom of the cabinets. Still silent, he prepared them both. Tapping Kasimir he waited until the genie turned back around and then held out one of the mugs.
Kasimir broke the silence, frowning at the cup, "I don't need it."
Neil rolled his eyes, "Neither do I. Not this late at night, anyway. Just take it - I get sick of eating and drinking in front of you all the time." He waited until Kasimir took it, grabbed his own before heading for the basement stairs. "Let me know if it's too sweet or anything, I'll remake it." He turned back when Kasimir didn't reply.
Kasimir was staring at the coffee, but clearly not seeing it. The look on his face was one of consternation, like he had no idea what to do with the mug in his hands. Neil stared at him, thoroughly confused. "Are you coming or not, Kasimir?"
"Huh?" Kasimir's head jerked up, his more typical closed off expression returning. "Yes, I'm coming. Don't get so impatient. The books aren't going anywhere."
Neil shook his head and turned to continue toward and then down the stairs, muttering under his breath, "And we're back to the bratty. Figures. Too bad, he was actually kinda nice in non-bratty mode." Reaching the bottom of the basement, his eyes fell on the rug, and thoughts of a congenial Kasimir brought other thoughts to the surface. Cheeks flushed, Neil shook his head in an attempt to knock the memories away. Bringing his cup up, he hissed in pain as he swallowed too much of the still near-scalding coffee. He cursed fluidly at the sound of approaching steps and continued muttering to himself, "Damn genie."
Chapter Eleven
Settling back into his spot on the deep couch to the left of the fireplace, Kasimir brought his knees up slightly, turning so that his back was pressed against the arm of the couch. He watched Neil settle into the rug that he seemed to favor over the furniture, noticing the way the fire lit up the man's rich, red curls. Even from a distance the green of Neil's eyes was vibrant. Kasimir's expression turned thoughtful as he watched him, noticing for the first time that his latest master was not unattractive. He looked a great deal like Simon, but there was no hard edge to his features, no sour expression. The genie jumped slightly as Neil spoke.
"So tell your story - if you still want to."
"What did you want to know first - why I'm no longer a djinn or how your family was involved?"
Neil grinned, "Start with the explanation. I get the feeling I'm going to get an earful once you start in on my family, so that can wait."
Kasimir ignored the jibe, "Genie's are meant to grant wishes, which means we have to able to do a wide variety of magic. No demon, spirit, or even angels can do everything. Each has their specialties, though we all have a few things in common. Genies aren't actual beings, not like demons and all. We're just spells. A demon or whatever is just a component."
Neil's brow furrowed, "I don't follow."
Kasimir laughed in bitter amusement, "Let me see if I can explain - I used to be a djinn. To make a genie, you need several components. Ingredients, if you prefer. You must have a magical being, a cage to hold the genie you're making, and a variety of other things to give the genie all the magic he'll need. Combine all those and you create a genie, but you destroy the individual elements sort of."
Neil was starting to look vaguely ill, "You mean sort of like baking a cake or something. All the ingredients are combined to make something new, but to do it the individual elements are lost to the whole."
"Yes, exactly. I was the magical being used as a vessel to hold everything. That's really the only reason you need something like me. The magic and everything are essentially made from scratch during the course of the spell, but they need to go in something - that's me. But I can't hold it if I'm still a djinn, so I was cleaned."
Neil had set his coffee down, "But what about your memories and all? Wouldn't they 'clean' those too?"
"No, that has nothing to do with the spell. Magic and Mind are different things, though they do relate to each other. Besides…I think Gareth preferred I remember. I'm sure he could've made me forget if he'd wanted." Kasimir laughed again, the bitterness more apparent than before.
"Gareth? You mentioned him before, when we were talking about Rosemary. Who is he?" Neil sighed, "I guess it's time to start the family bashing - not that they don't deserve it. So tell - who is Gareth?"
"I'm not sure how long ago - a few hundred years I guess - I was with Nomolos. We were in his room, he'd just ordered his servants out…all of a sudden this spell came over him. It was a summon spell, which shouldn't normally work on him. Clearly a talented summoner had actually manage the feat though. Anyway…" Kasimir fell silent a moment, gingerly sipping his own coffee. "I panicked, I didn't want to see him taken away. I managed to break him free of the spell but got caught in it myself. Before he could get to me, the summon took me away."
Kasimir stared into the fire, "It was horrible. I was trapped in this invisible box, I started shouting and screaming angrily at the two men I could see but not get too. I found out later I was trapped in a spell cage. The taller man seemed angry about something - me, actually. His name was Simon, I found out later."
Neil jumped, "Simon? You mean good ol' batty grandpa Simon? He wasn't so insane after all, I'm guessing…"
"If you mean so far as magic goes, no. He was perfectly sane about that, but he was an animal about everything else." Kasimir stared at Neil, "You look a lot like him - did you know that?"
The red head made a face, "Thanks for pointing it out. Why don't you stop insulting me and get back to disparaging my relatives."
"Anyway, he didn't want me. He'd wanted Nomolos, but I'd interfered and they'd gotten me instead. Gareth took me home, and after a few different things he decide to make me a djinn. With Gareth as my Master, I spent a great deal of my time with him and Simon - the two reconciled a week or so after the summon. It's funny though - all the times I was with them I never heard the story about Nomolos and Ornias. You're the first to mention it." Kasimir looked at Neil thoughtfully, falling silent as he finished his explanation.
Neil remained silent, biting his lip as he sat thinking, staring at the carpet. At last he looked up, tilting his head as he spoke, "You said earlier - when we were down here before - that things would be really strange if Rosemary and Bethany knew about you, how you got here. I'm still not sure what you mean by that." He pulled the afghan closer around him, still cool despite the fire and fur he sat upon.
Kasimir nodded, "Well yes, because if they know about me and they know about Nomolos, then why all the secrecy? I mean, you believed the whole story a legend, and your sister claimed too as well. Why is she lying? Moreover, if they know about me then why give me to you - isn't that what they said they'd do. Plus, they would know that it was this Rosemary's ancestor that botched the summon."
"Yeah, I found the earring in a drawer, along with a sketchbook." Neil glared at the fire. "I'm going to kill my sister. I can't believe that she's been up to something this entire time. Man, I knew there was something creepy about that stupid shop. Do you think this means they've found the stone? But then why didn't she just say something?"
Shaking his head the genie replied, "No, you would know if the stone had been located. Nomolos still has it, though I never knew him to have a stone like that. Even if they're looking for it, they haven't found it yet. Luckily - or maybe not I guess - Nomolos isn't easily summoned or even found. If you want that stone, you're only hope is to stick with the plan you've already got."
Neil sighed, running a hand through his thick curls in aggravation. He again stared into the fire, making a face. Heaving another sigh, he dragged himself slowly to his feet and moved over to the stack of books. Hefting a few he turned - and collided with Kasimir. "When did you move off the couch?"
Kasimir smirked, "Not my problem you're deaf."
"Be quiet. I don't supposed you found anything useful in those books?" Neil waved a journal in the direction of the finished pile."
"No - you come from a long line of complete idiots, but I already knew that."
Neil ignored him, "Then I hope you're up for round two, because my plan doesn't work unless we find an accurate picture of that stupid stone…I wonder if my sister knows what it looks like? Do you think the little sneak has been holding out on me?" His face darkened at the thought. Scowling he moved back to his spot on the floor, stretching out on his stomach and flipping open the first book in his small pile.
Kasimir walked past, his steps soft and soundless on the thick fur. Settling onto the couch, he began to read.
Only a few minutes into the silence, Neil groaned and shoved his book away. "I can't stand this crap. I swear to god I'm going to resurrect every last one of these idiots just so I can kill them again. I mean, what did any of them do besides discuss this stupid stone? Didn't any of them have lives? What did they think, that they would be the ones to find it and their problems would just go away? It's stupid. I'm going to get more coffee - though something stronger is awfully tempting. Except my stingy brother keeps track of all the fun stuff. Did you want more?"
Kasimir had looked up when Neil began to speak, snorting amusedly at the comments about Neil's family. He shook his head, "No, I'm fine."
"Okay. I'll be back in a minute."
~*~*~*~
Rosemary yawned, stretched out across her living room couch. Turning her head, she stared at Bethany, sitting with legs folded on the floor and talking on the phone. She raised a brow in inquiry as Bethany finally hung up, pouting. "I guess that's another strike?"
"Basically. Nothing strange in the past month, let alone the past day or so. If our damned demon is somewhere in the city, he's not making himself known." Sighing, she picked up the pen laying on the carpet and used it to strike another name from a long, hand written list. Annoyed, she tossed the pen back down and examined the names that were left. "Just over fifty magic types in the city strong enough to anchor a demon and we're down to three. I mean, come on. This is ridiculous - and stop giving me that look. I still say trying something was better than you're "wait until he finds us scheme." He's never going to find us. I wonder if he's even here anymore. Couldn't he have just gone home? I know I wouldn't stick around for long."
Rosemary shrugged, yawning again. "I doubt it. I mean, we did succeed in at summoning him. Given how difficult that is, he's got to be pissed. If I was a powerful demon summoned - and then lost - I'd want to know whom the joker was. He could've gone back home, I suppose. I just doubt it. Besides, there's that whole 'fate, destiny, meant to happen' thing. The same way we just happened to meet."
Bethany rolled her eyes, "We didn't just happen to meet, idiot. I'm pretty sure I worked long and hard to find your family. That's why we met."
"Ah, but don't you think it's convenient that we both just happen to live in the city, that we just happened to wind up being best friends - sisters, even? Not to mention we both had the intention of fixing the problems that haunt our families? That's an awful lot of coincidence in my humble opinion." Rosemary looked smugly at the red headed woman on the floor, before succumbing to another yawn.
"Oh, go to bed Ms. Know It All. I've only got three name left, then I've got to run to the factory to check the samples." Bethany lifted the phone, grimacing at the paper in front of her.
"Bring me back some chocolate? Pretty please?" Rosemary offered Bethany a pleading smile, batting her lashes even as she fought back yet another yawn.
Rolling her eyes again, Bethany didn't bother to look up as she dialed the next number on the list. "Yeah, yeah. Don't I always bring you stuff? I swear, if you paid for half the stuff I gave you we could retire and buy a chateau somewhere in France. Now go to bed, your yawning is distracting me."
"Blech, you don't want to go to France. You should buy a house in Venice, that would be nice. Alright, I concede defeat. I am off to the land of dreams - wake me if you actually locate our missing demon. Otherwise, leave me alone." Rising from the couch, Rosemary walked slowly from the room, leaving her friend to try and track down the missing Nomolos.
Chaper Twelve
Rubbing his fingers across his forehead in an attempt to soothe his aching head, Sheridan stared miserably at the textbook in front of him. Terms and numbers stared back up at him, seeming to taunt him for not immediately grasping their meaning. Groaning in defeat, he allowed his head to drop to the desk, closing his eyes to block everything out.
He jumped at the sound of knocking, jerking his head up and quickly lifting his pencil. His door swung open, and Luc's head appeared. "Sheridan, I'm going out for a little while. It seems Darrell was not quite as finished as he thought. I will be back later."
"O-okay."
"See that you keep studying, understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well then. I am off to assist the prince," Luc said, annoyed. He left, closing Sheridan's door firmly behind him.
Sheridan's stared at the spot where his father had been for several seconds, his expression morose. "Why does it feel like I’m still in high school? 'Do this, do that, finish your homework, cut your hair. Well, at least he hasn't pushed that issue." Sheridan spoke aloud, long used to not having any reply. He fingers strayed to his hair, tangling in the few strands that had escaped the ponytail he had put it in while he studied. "Though he probably will soon, seeing as it's 'unfit for the business world' and all that."
"That would be a shame. Such fine, gold hair is rare."
"What the hell!" Sheridan jumped up, spinning around quickly enough that he knocked his chair over, nearly stumbling to the floor himself. Recovering his balance, he glared at his guest in surprise and embarrassment. "Nomolos! Don't do that! What are you doing here, I thought you were out searching for your summoner?"
"I decided to investigate something else instead. I wanted to come back here to confirm it." His expression was strange, both intense and amused.
Sheridan turned to the desk to get his chair, righting it and then shoving it under the desk. He made a face at his homework before turning back to the longhaired demon perched in the armchair beside the window. "Come back here to confirm it? Is this about that servant of yours? I left all that stuff at Darrell's apartment, there's nothing here."
"No, that is not my concern." Rising from the armchair, Nomolos approached the confused man. "I will find Kasimir eventually, and the same for the fool that summoned me. Patience is a specialty of mine. I am distracted by something else at present, something I did not expect to find here." He loomed over Sheridan, who was looking up at him in wariness and confusion. Red eyes glittered in amusement, staring into bright gold.
Hands splayed behind him for balance, Sheridan half sat, half leaned on his desk. "What? What does it have to do with me?" He flinched as the demon reached out a hand, freezing in surprise when cool fingers brushed past his cheek and behind his head, yanking on the tie that held his hair in place. Those same fingers combed his hair out, bringing it to fall over his shoulder and in his face. "Nomolos?"
The demon looked thoughtful, though a faint smirk shaped his lips. "It really is lovely hair - I was furious enough when we first met that I did not make note of it. Not until I encountered your father did the realization hit me…" He traced the lines of Sheridan's fine boned face, lingering at the soft skin at the corner of his eyes before trailing down his cheeks. He smiled slightly at the expression on the other man's face, the slight trembling as Sheridan tried to pull away in fear. "Now, now. I have no plans to hurt you. You are, after all, a rather useful assistant - and an amusing distraction besides." He pulled away, still smiling slightly at whatever thoughts occupied his mind.
"Tell me, Sheridan Arden. Why has your family served the DeMarius line for so long?" Nomolos stepped back and settled onto Sheridan's bed, perched on the edge of it as he watched the still shaken man recover.
Sheridan shook his head, avoiding Nomolos' gaze as he pulled out his chair and sat at his desk, turned sideways in his seat so that he faced the demon. He turned his head to stare blindly at his textbook as he replied, "I don't know. We just do - no one's ever given me a reason. I think I asked once, my dad just said "It's what we do." I always figured it was just some loyalty thing that shifted into tradition. I told you," he looked up at Nomolos, but then quickly looked away, "Everyone in Neil's family is hardcore for tradition, except Neil and his siblings. My family is just part of the tradition, I think. We're more or less part of the family, in a way."
Nomolos stared at him, face intent. "No other reason at all?"
"No…" Sheridan looked up, confused. "What is this all about?"
Red eyes glittered in amusement, "Nothing that you need to know at present. Does your father keep any secrets?"
"What? Umm…probably. Doesn't everyone? I mean, he certainly doesn't tell me everything he does or thinks."
Nomolos shook his head, black hair spilling over his shoulders and across his pale shirt. "That is not what I meant - I mean, does he have some sort of room you are not permitted to enter? A place he goes where you may not follow? A safe or similar device to which you do not have access?"
Sheridan stared at the demon, utterly lost. "N, no. Not that I'm aware of." He looked down at his hands, falling silent.
"Hmm…I wonder why you have been left in the dark. You appear to be old enough to know - how old are you?"
"Huh? To know what?" Sheridan shook his head, "I'm nineteen. Why? What is this all about? Why won't you tell me?" He hunched his shoulders and stared miserably at his hands, loathe to look at the demon perched on his bed. He cringed slightly as he heard the demon move off the bed and toward him. Cool fingers grasped his chin, forcing him to look up at the still oddly pensive demon.
"You are far too jumpy, Sheridan. I assure you once again that I am not out to harm you. I seek merely to appease my curiosity. I question you only to do that."
Sheridan spoke hesitantly, "Then - then why be so vague. Your questions don't make any sense, and my answers just seem to make you unhappy."
Still gripping the blond man's chin, Nomolos answered after a brief pause. "It's not that your answers make me unhappy, exactly. More, they simply confuse me. I am vague for your benefit. If I am correct in my theory, then other questions arise. If I am wrong, then you will be troubled for no reason."
"Aren't you troubling me now?" Sheridan grumbled, eyes sliding away though his head was still held in place.
Nomolos laughed softly, "Yes, but not overmuch." He released his grip, though he remained standing over the nervous blonde. "Now, a few more questions. Do you have any residence besides this one?"
Sheridan sighed, "Only the lake house, but we almost never go there. I get that you're looking for something, but I have no idea what. There's nothing, except for a bunch of money that we almost never use because the DeMarius' pay for everything. Even this apartment is mostly DeMarius funded."
"I would like to visit this lake house."
Sheridan rose tiredly to his feet, "Well, we can't do it now. My dad will be back soon and if he finds me gone I'll be dead tomorrow. It's bad enough that my homework isn't going to be done." He turned to glare at the desk, "Maybe I'll just do it during my lunch break tomorrow. That should be enough time before my Theory class. Any more questions?"
"Yes, actually. I should have asked this one first, but I was more concerned with something else. Do you have any birthmarks?"
Sheridan looked at him, somewhat surprised but starting to feel too tired to really care. "Yeah - how'd you know?"
Nomolos smiled, looking very much like a satisfied cat. "I should have started with that, but I did not want to get my hopes up. What, pray tell, does your birth mark look like? Might I see it?" Once again he moved closer to Sheridan, who stood near his dresser, looming over the much shorter man. "Is it, perhaps, on your back?" One long, slender arm wrapped around Sheridan's body to trail fingers lightly down his back, and Nomolos smirked as Sheridan shivered at his touch.
"How…" Sheridan looked up him wide eyed, wanting to pulling away but scared to try. The best he could manage was to stumble back, but that only brought him up against his dresser, the drawer handles digging into his back except where Nomolos' fingers lingered.
Nomolos' voice was low, "Let me see it." His other hand came up to free the buttons of Sheridan's shirt one by one, batting away the blonde's hands when Sheridan made an attempt to stop him, "I definitely should have started with this question, I think." Pulling the confused man forward, he spun him around and jerked the shirt down off his shoulders to bare Sheridan's back. His skin was smooth and flawless but for a long, wide mark running down the top right half of his back, from the shoulder blade and down a bit. It was jagged and red, resembling a wound that had never quite healed.
Cool fingers traced it, Nomolos' expression one of delight and deep amusement. "Marvelous, simply marvelous. Never would I have thought to find this…" He turned Sheridan back around, smiling. "I think, my dear Sheridan, that I may have found something far more interesting than my ridiculous Carnelian. The DeMarius family appears to be of far greater interest than I had previously believed. Who would have that old Ornias was this important." He stroked Sheridan's cheek softly, before moving to run his white fingers through gold hair. "But there is one more thing I must find before I am certain. It may be that you are nothing but a shadow of what you should be. I must see the lake house."
Sheridan didn't answer, only stared wide eyed up at the demon, gold eyes full of fear.
Nomolos frowned, "I need to visit the lake house, " he withdrew his hand from Sheridan's hair, "When can we go? Because I will need you there."
"Ahh..w,we can go on the weekend. No one will miss me then, with the new chocolates set to begin production so soon. I'll just tell my dad I need to study…" Sheridan turned his head away, to stare intently at the floor.
"That will suffice." Nomolos pulled away, "Until then we shall continue our search for my old slave, Kasimir. Shall I find you at DeMarius' apartment."
Sheridan nodded weakly, "Yeah." He had pulled his shirt up, not looking up from the spot on the carpet that held all his attention.
Nomolos smirked, "Very well then." He vanished, leaving as soundlessly and suddenly as he had appeared.
Sheridan pulled his shirt up more securely, hand moving awkwardly around to reach his back, where his birthmark burned hot and cold from Nomolos' touch. He slid to the floor, drawing his knees against his chest and wrapping his arms around them. His soft, gold hair fell forward to hide his face, which lay against his folded arms. He breathed slowly in and out, desperately trying to slow the racing heart caught in his throat. Gradually his breathing eased and the room fell into complete silence.
A faint, bitter laugh broke the deathly quiet of the room a few minutes later, Sheridan's voice full of tears and misery, "Why does everything have to happen to me?"
I'm having way too much fun with these guys. I hope everything makes sense so far, I may be moving too quickly.
Chapter Ten
Neil shut off the stove, swinging his pan around to set it down on the kitchen table. Steam billowed in his face, a mixture of scents filling the large kitchen. Sitting down, he began to help himself to the stir-fry, eating in silence for several minutes. A sound from the far side of the kitchen jerked his head up, and he glared at Kasimir a moment before turning back to his meal.
"Why do you bother to do all that cooking?" Kasimir's tone was derisive.
Gaze still on his food Neil replied sullenly, "What's it matter to you?"
Kasimir wandered closer, "Now who's being a brat? I'm just curious - it's just you, it can't be worth it to do all that cooking and cleaning for just one person."
Neil finally looked up, though he still avoided the genie's face. He rose and began to clear the table. "I just like to cook - so does my brother. Is that a crime?" Half tossing the dishes into the sink, he grabbed a rag and went back to clean the table.
Kasimir blocked his way.
Neil glared at him, "Move."
"No. You can't honestly still be that mad at me?" The genie narrowed his eyes. "It was a stupid prank - you really should learn to lighten up."
"It wasn’t funny! And I can be mad for a long time - you should know all about that, you walk around in a perpetual state of 'I hate the world.' Don't even get on my case for being angry." He shoved past Kasimir, going to the table and attacking it with the rag.
Kasimir glared at his back, "Don't you think you're overreacting slightly? You've been sulking up here for hours - I kept waiting for you to come back downstairs, instead I find you making and wasting enough food for three."
"Shut up." Neil spun around, tossing the rag across the room and into the sink. "What is it with you and provoking fights? Maybe I am overreacting, but I didn't appreciate your 'stupid prank' especially as I had thought you were actually starting to be nice. I guess I should've known better."
The genie froze in surprise, "Is that why you're upset? Because you think I did all that on purpose? You're an idiot."
"Oh, thanks. You really suck at being nice."
"It's the truth - I only kissed you because you were laughing about my being a slave. I didn't find it funny. So just get over yourself - I initially came downstairs to help you, not humiliate you. As easy as that is to do."
Neil said nothing, simply rearranging the chairs neatly under the table before crossing back to the sink to start washing the dishes.
Kasimir watched him, "You know, you could just ask me to take care of that. One wish and it's done."
"Maybe I actually like doing things for myself." Neil snapped.
The genie tossed his head, tone full of derision, "Please - everyone prefers that someone else do their work for them. I doubt you're much different."
Neil shut off the water before turning around to confront Kasimir. "Shut up, how many time do I have to tell you that? You know nothing about me, nothing at all. Have you taken a good look at this house? It's huge - a real monster. I grew up here, with so many servants around that there was never a time when I was alone. Everything was done for me - they dressed me, fed me, bathed me, hell they all but played with my toys for me. I hated it. I felt more like a doll than a person. So believe it or not, Mr. Cynicism, I do actually enjoy taking care of things myself. Notice this house is empty now? That's because my brother can't stand servants either. Nor can my sister. Does that satisfy you, hmm? I told you before - I don't want or need you except to get me that stupid stone. Once I have that I'm done with you." Angrily he turned away, walking past the still unfinished dishes.
Kasimir stared after him, surprise and confusion warring on his face. Shaking his head, he suddenly dashed after the other man, moving past him to once again stand in Neil's way. "I don't get you."
"Yeah, I noticed."
The genie frowned, "No one has ever wanted to get rid of me before. Even that woman that liked to draw was reluctant, though she never wished for much. But you actually sound like you mean it."
Neil was still angry, but some of the heat faded from his eyes, "Maybe because I do mean it. Even if you are a temperamental, argumentative brat I don't like the idea of your being trapped in servitude like that. I know what it's liked to be trapped - it sucks. And like I said - I hate servants. To me you're just a servant with a bad attitude, which should be amusing but somehow isn't."
Kasimir almost looked unhappy for a moment, but it quickly shifted back to his usual mutinous expression, "Ha - I've never had a master hate me before. As "bratty" as I am, they don't usually hate me. How amusing."
"For the millionth time - shut up. I don't hate you - why do you always have to make me out to be the bad guy and yourself the tragic victim? You drive me crazy, up the damned walls - but I don't hate you. I think I'm actually starting to realize what it must be like to deal with me. Which means I should probably apologize to Darrell sometime." He grinned at some inner joke a moment, before scowling again, "Just knock it off with the "oh woe is me" crap, okay?"
"…Okay." Kasimir looked like he's swallowed something bitter.
Neil opened his mouth, and then closed it as the words registered, "Okay? Did you just say okay? As in you'll stop?"
Kasimir turned away, "Yes, I said "okay" as in I'll try to stop. It's not doing me any good anyway - that's what I'd been thinking when I came down to the basement to help you. Then you laughed at me and I got carried away." He started toward the basement, but was halted by a grip on his wrist, causing his bracelet to dig into this flesh. He turned his head around to look quizzically at the red head, surprised to see the other man looked embarrassed.
"Look - I'm sorry I got so mad about your --prank. I really thought you were just being mean again. And I didn't mean to make fun of you."
Kasimir's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head. "No…don't worry about it. I…shouldn't have done it. I was just being a brat, I guess."
Releasing his wrist, Neil offered a slight smile, "I don't think you've ever apologized before. Look - if you're still interested in helping me, I'd appreciate it. I can't make any sense out of most of those stupid journals, but you seemed to be reading them just fine."
"They're not that bad, just old. Most don't really say anything useful."
Neil turned away, "Well, I'm going to finish the dishes then I'll be back downstairs. Go on down if you like - I don't suppose you want anything to eat or drink? I was going to make some coffee. Actually, now that I think about it and you're not insulting me - why don't you ever eat or drink? Do you really not need food?"
The genie looked surprised by the question, "I don't think anyone has ever asked me that - of course, they seldom offer me food. I think they all just assumed I didn't need it, which I don't. I sort of 'feed' off of my master. That's why you feel so sleepy, occasionally dizzy if you don't rest. And why you kept passing out when you first put the earring on."
"What? You mean I sustain you?" He moved to the sink, washing and scrubbing as Kasimir continued to explain.
"Yes. It's part of the spell, which is all I really am now. I was turned into a genie and chained to these earrings. To manifest I have to take energy from my master, by way of the earrings. Removing the earring means removing my source of energy, which means I just sort of sleep until someone else comes along."
Neil grinned, "I like it when you're cooperative. So what were you before you were a genie? I mean, other than a-a slave."
Kasimir looked away, but turned back at the slave comment and smirked, "I was a demon. What you'd call a djinn - a fire spirit. I was one of thirteen slaves belonging to Lord Nomolos - and his favorite."
Neil said nothing, merely opening a drawer and pulling out a dishrag to begin drying the dishes. A minute later he paused in putting a plate away, "Wait - fire spirit? Does that mean you can mess with fire and stuff?"
Kasimir looked sad a moment, shrugging. "I could, when I was a djinn. But now I'm just a genie. The spell didn't trap me - it transformed me. I'm not a fire spirit anymore, just a genie."
"I don't get any of this - why does it transform you? And you said once that my family was the reason? Explain that while you're being so generous with the information." Finished with the dishes, Neil moved to the counter close to where Kasimir was standing and began to make coffee.
Kasimir watched him in silence for a few seconds, then turned to look out the semi-circle window that framed the off set space where the kitchen table rest. It was dark - pitch black. Trees hid most of the sky from sight, so not even the stars were visible.
"Kasimir?"
"Huh?" The genie turned back at the soft calling of his name, blinking at Neil before he recovered his thoughts. "Oh."
"You're not turning sullen again are you?" Neil smiled, his tone teasing.
Kasimir shook his head, "No…I was trying to gather the story together in my head. It's been ages since I really thought about it."
"Ah. You may as well wait until we're downstairs again, anyway." Neil fell silent as the coffee brewed.
Kasimir turned to look out the window again, content to keep the silence while they waited.
Several minutes later, the coffee finished brewing and Neil gathered the sugar and cream, pulling down two mugs from where they hung on hooks from the bottom of the cabinets. Still silent, he prepared them both. Tapping Kasimir he waited until the genie turned back around and then held out one of the mugs.
Kasimir broke the silence, frowning at the cup, "I don't need it."
Neil rolled his eyes, "Neither do I. Not this late at night, anyway. Just take it - I get sick of eating and drinking in front of you all the time." He waited until Kasimir took it, grabbed his own before heading for the basement stairs. "Let me know if it's too sweet or anything, I'll remake it." He turned back when Kasimir didn't reply.
Kasimir was staring at the coffee, but clearly not seeing it. The look on his face was one of consternation, like he had no idea what to do with the mug in his hands. Neil stared at him, thoroughly confused. "Are you coming or not, Kasimir?"
"Huh?" Kasimir's head jerked up, his more typical closed off expression returning. "Yes, I'm coming. Don't get so impatient. The books aren't going anywhere."
Neil shook his head and turned to continue toward and then down the stairs, muttering under his breath, "And we're back to the bratty. Figures. Too bad, he was actually kinda nice in non-bratty mode." Reaching the bottom of the basement, his eyes fell on the rug, and thoughts of a congenial Kasimir brought other thoughts to the surface. Cheeks flushed, Neil shook his head in an attempt to knock the memories away. Bringing his cup up, he hissed in pain as he swallowed too much of the still near-scalding coffee. He cursed fluidly at the sound of approaching steps and continued muttering to himself, "Damn genie."
Chapter Eleven
Settling back into his spot on the deep couch to the left of the fireplace, Kasimir brought his knees up slightly, turning so that his back was pressed against the arm of the couch. He watched Neil settle into the rug that he seemed to favor over the furniture, noticing the way the fire lit up the man's rich, red curls. Even from a distance the green of Neil's eyes was vibrant. Kasimir's expression turned thoughtful as he watched him, noticing for the first time that his latest master was not unattractive. He looked a great deal like Simon, but there was no hard edge to his features, no sour expression. The genie jumped slightly as Neil spoke.
"So tell your story - if you still want to."
"What did you want to know first - why I'm no longer a djinn or how your family was involved?"
Neil grinned, "Start with the explanation. I get the feeling I'm going to get an earful once you start in on my family, so that can wait."
Kasimir ignored the jibe, "Genie's are meant to grant wishes, which means we have to able to do a wide variety of magic. No demon, spirit, or even angels can do everything. Each has their specialties, though we all have a few things in common. Genies aren't actual beings, not like demons and all. We're just spells. A demon or whatever is just a component."
Neil's brow furrowed, "I don't follow."
Kasimir laughed in bitter amusement, "Let me see if I can explain - I used to be a djinn. To make a genie, you need several components. Ingredients, if you prefer. You must have a magical being, a cage to hold the genie you're making, and a variety of other things to give the genie all the magic he'll need. Combine all those and you create a genie, but you destroy the individual elements sort of."
Neil was starting to look vaguely ill, "You mean sort of like baking a cake or something. All the ingredients are combined to make something new, but to do it the individual elements are lost to the whole."
"Yes, exactly. I was the magical being used as a vessel to hold everything. That's really the only reason you need something like me. The magic and everything are essentially made from scratch during the course of the spell, but they need to go in something - that's me. But I can't hold it if I'm still a djinn, so I was cleaned."
Neil had set his coffee down, "But what about your memories and all? Wouldn't they 'clean' those too?"
"No, that has nothing to do with the spell. Magic and Mind are different things, though they do relate to each other. Besides…I think Gareth preferred I remember. I'm sure he could've made me forget if he'd wanted." Kasimir laughed again, the bitterness more apparent than before.
"Gareth? You mentioned him before, when we were talking about Rosemary. Who is he?" Neil sighed, "I guess it's time to start the family bashing - not that they don't deserve it. So tell - who is Gareth?"
"I'm not sure how long ago - a few hundred years I guess - I was with Nomolos. We were in his room, he'd just ordered his servants out…all of a sudden this spell came over him. It was a summon spell, which shouldn't normally work on him. Clearly a talented summoner had actually manage the feat though. Anyway…" Kasimir fell silent a moment, gingerly sipping his own coffee. "I panicked, I didn't want to see him taken away. I managed to break him free of the spell but got caught in it myself. Before he could get to me, the summon took me away."
Kasimir stared into the fire, "It was horrible. I was trapped in this invisible box, I started shouting and screaming angrily at the two men I could see but not get too. I found out later I was trapped in a spell cage. The taller man seemed angry about something - me, actually. His name was Simon, I found out later."
Neil jumped, "Simon? You mean good ol' batty grandpa Simon? He wasn't so insane after all, I'm guessing…"
"If you mean so far as magic goes, no. He was perfectly sane about that, but he was an animal about everything else." Kasimir stared at Neil, "You look a lot like him - did you know that?"
The red head made a face, "Thanks for pointing it out. Why don't you stop insulting me and get back to disparaging my relatives."
"Anyway, he didn't want me. He'd wanted Nomolos, but I'd interfered and they'd gotten me instead. Gareth took me home, and after a few different things he decide to make me a djinn. With Gareth as my Master, I spent a great deal of my time with him and Simon - the two reconciled a week or so after the summon. It's funny though - all the times I was with them I never heard the story about Nomolos and Ornias. You're the first to mention it." Kasimir looked at Neil thoughtfully, falling silent as he finished his explanation.
Neil remained silent, biting his lip as he sat thinking, staring at the carpet. At last he looked up, tilting his head as he spoke, "You said earlier - when we were down here before - that things would be really strange if Rosemary and Bethany knew about you, how you got here. I'm still not sure what you mean by that." He pulled the afghan closer around him, still cool despite the fire and fur he sat upon.
Kasimir nodded, "Well yes, because if they know about me and they know about Nomolos, then why all the secrecy? I mean, you believed the whole story a legend, and your sister claimed too as well. Why is she lying? Moreover, if they know about me then why give me to you - isn't that what they said they'd do. Plus, they would know that it was this Rosemary's ancestor that botched the summon."
"Yeah, I found the earring in a drawer, along with a sketchbook." Neil glared at the fire. "I'm going to kill my sister. I can't believe that she's been up to something this entire time. Man, I knew there was something creepy about that stupid shop. Do you think this means they've found the stone? But then why didn't she just say something?"
Shaking his head the genie replied, "No, you would know if the stone had been located. Nomolos still has it, though I never knew him to have a stone like that. Even if they're looking for it, they haven't found it yet. Luckily - or maybe not I guess - Nomolos isn't easily summoned or even found. If you want that stone, you're only hope is to stick with the plan you've already got."
Neil sighed, running a hand through his thick curls in aggravation. He again stared into the fire, making a face. Heaving another sigh, he dragged himself slowly to his feet and moved over to the stack of books. Hefting a few he turned - and collided with Kasimir. "When did you move off the couch?"
Kasimir smirked, "Not my problem you're deaf."
"Be quiet. I don't supposed you found anything useful in those books?" Neil waved a journal in the direction of the finished pile."
"No - you come from a long line of complete idiots, but I already knew that."
Neil ignored him, "Then I hope you're up for round two, because my plan doesn't work unless we find an accurate picture of that stupid stone…I wonder if my sister knows what it looks like? Do you think the little sneak has been holding out on me?" His face darkened at the thought. Scowling he moved back to his spot on the floor, stretching out on his stomach and flipping open the first book in his small pile.
Kasimir walked past, his steps soft and soundless on the thick fur. Settling onto the couch, he began to read.
Only a few minutes into the silence, Neil groaned and shoved his book away. "I can't stand this crap. I swear to god I'm going to resurrect every last one of these idiots just so I can kill them again. I mean, what did any of them do besides discuss this stupid stone? Didn't any of them have lives? What did they think, that they would be the ones to find it and their problems would just go away? It's stupid. I'm going to get more coffee - though something stronger is awfully tempting. Except my stingy brother keeps track of all the fun stuff. Did you want more?"
Kasimir had looked up when Neil began to speak, snorting amusedly at the comments about Neil's family. He shook his head, "No, I'm fine."
"Okay. I'll be back in a minute."
~*~*~*~
Rosemary yawned, stretched out across her living room couch. Turning her head, she stared at Bethany, sitting with legs folded on the floor and talking on the phone. She raised a brow in inquiry as Bethany finally hung up, pouting. "I guess that's another strike?"
"Basically. Nothing strange in the past month, let alone the past day or so. If our damned demon is somewhere in the city, he's not making himself known." Sighing, she picked up the pen laying on the carpet and used it to strike another name from a long, hand written list. Annoyed, she tossed the pen back down and examined the names that were left. "Just over fifty magic types in the city strong enough to anchor a demon and we're down to three. I mean, come on. This is ridiculous - and stop giving me that look. I still say trying something was better than you're "wait until he finds us scheme." He's never going to find us. I wonder if he's even here anymore. Couldn't he have just gone home? I know I wouldn't stick around for long."
Rosemary shrugged, yawning again. "I doubt it. I mean, we did succeed in at summoning him. Given how difficult that is, he's got to be pissed. If I was a powerful demon summoned - and then lost - I'd want to know whom the joker was. He could've gone back home, I suppose. I just doubt it. Besides, there's that whole 'fate, destiny, meant to happen' thing. The same way we just happened to meet."
Bethany rolled her eyes, "We didn't just happen to meet, idiot. I'm pretty sure I worked long and hard to find your family. That's why we met."
"Ah, but don't you think it's convenient that we both just happen to live in the city, that we just happened to wind up being best friends - sisters, even? Not to mention we both had the intention of fixing the problems that haunt our families? That's an awful lot of coincidence in my humble opinion." Rosemary looked smugly at the red headed woman on the floor, before succumbing to another yawn.
"Oh, go to bed Ms. Know It All. I've only got three name left, then I've got to run to the factory to check the samples." Bethany lifted the phone, grimacing at the paper in front of her.
"Bring me back some chocolate? Pretty please?" Rosemary offered Bethany a pleading smile, batting her lashes even as she fought back yet another yawn.
Rolling her eyes again, Bethany didn't bother to look up as she dialed the next number on the list. "Yeah, yeah. Don't I always bring you stuff? I swear, if you paid for half the stuff I gave you we could retire and buy a chateau somewhere in France. Now go to bed, your yawning is distracting me."
"Blech, you don't want to go to France. You should buy a house in Venice, that would be nice. Alright, I concede defeat. I am off to the land of dreams - wake me if you actually locate our missing demon. Otherwise, leave me alone." Rising from the couch, Rosemary walked slowly from the room, leaving her friend to try and track down the missing Nomolos.
Chaper Twelve
Rubbing his fingers across his forehead in an attempt to soothe his aching head, Sheridan stared miserably at the textbook in front of him. Terms and numbers stared back up at him, seeming to taunt him for not immediately grasping their meaning. Groaning in defeat, he allowed his head to drop to the desk, closing his eyes to block everything out.
He jumped at the sound of knocking, jerking his head up and quickly lifting his pencil. His door swung open, and Luc's head appeared. "Sheridan, I'm going out for a little while. It seems Darrell was not quite as finished as he thought. I will be back later."
"O-okay."
"See that you keep studying, understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well then. I am off to assist the prince," Luc said, annoyed. He left, closing Sheridan's door firmly behind him.
Sheridan's stared at the spot where his father had been for several seconds, his expression morose. "Why does it feel like I’m still in high school? 'Do this, do that, finish your homework, cut your hair. Well, at least he hasn't pushed that issue." Sheridan spoke aloud, long used to not having any reply. He fingers strayed to his hair, tangling in the few strands that had escaped the ponytail he had put it in while he studied. "Though he probably will soon, seeing as it's 'unfit for the business world' and all that."
"That would be a shame. Such fine, gold hair is rare."
"What the hell!" Sheridan jumped up, spinning around quickly enough that he knocked his chair over, nearly stumbling to the floor himself. Recovering his balance, he glared at his guest in surprise and embarrassment. "Nomolos! Don't do that! What are you doing here, I thought you were out searching for your summoner?"
"I decided to investigate something else instead. I wanted to come back here to confirm it." His expression was strange, both intense and amused.
Sheridan turned to the desk to get his chair, righting it and then shoving it under the desk. He made a face at his homework before turning back to the longhaired demon perched in the armchair beside the window. "Come back here to confirm it? Is this about that servant of yours? I left all that stuff at Darrell's apartment, there's nothing here."
"No, that is not my concern." Rising from the armchair, Nomolos approached the confused man. "I will find Kasimir eventually, and the same for the fool that summoned me. Patience is a specialty of mine. I am distracted by something else at present, something I did not expect to find here." He loomed over Sheridan, who was looking up at him in wariness and confusion. Red eyes glittered in amusement, staring into bright gold.
Hands splayed behind him for balance, Sheridan half sat, half leaned on his desk. "What? What does it have to do with me?" He flinched as the demon reached out a hand, freezing in surprise when cool fingers brushed past his cheek and behind his head, yanking on the tie that held his hair in place. Those same fingers combed his hair out, bringing it to fall over his shoulder and in his face. "Nomolos?"
The demon looked thoughtful, though a faint smirk shaped his lips. "It really is lovely hair - I was furious enough when we first met that I did not make note of it. Not until I encountered your father did the realization hit me…" He traced the lines of Sheridan's fine boned face, lingering at the soft skin at the corner of his eyes before trailing down his cheeks. He smiled slightly at the expression on the other man's face, the slight trembling as Sheridan tried to pull away in fear. "Now, now. I have no plans to hurt you. You are, after all, a rather useful assistant - and an amusing distraction besides." He pulled away, still smiling slightly at whatever thoughts occupied his mind.
"Tell me, Sheridan Arden. Why has your family served the DeMarius line for so long?" Nomolos stepped back and settled onto Sheridan's bed, perched on the edge of it as he watched the still shaken man recover.
Sheridan shook his head, avoiding Nomolos' gaze as he pulled out his chair and sat at his desk, turned sideways in his seat so that he faced the demon. He turned his head to stare blindly at his textbook as he replied, "I don't know. We just do - no one's ever given me a reason. I think I asked once, my dad just said "It's what we do." I always figured it was just some loyalty thing that shifted into tradition. I told you," he looked up at Nomolos, but then quickly looked away, "Everyone in Neil's family is hardcore for tradition, except Neil and his siblings. My family is just part of the tradition, I think. We're more or less part of the family, in a way."
Nomolos stared at him, face intent. "No other reason at all?"
"No…" Sheridan looked up, confused. "What is this all about?"
Red eyes glittered in amusement, "Nothing that you need to know at present. Does your father keep any secrets?"
"What? Umm…probably. Doesn't everyone? I mean, he certainly doesn't tell me everything he does or thinks."
Nomolos shook his head, black hair spilling over his shoulders and across his pale shirt. "That is not what I meant - I mean, does he have some sort of room you are not permitted to enter? A place he goes where you may not follow? A safe or similar device to which you do not have access?"
Sheridan stared at the demon, utterly lost. "N, no. Not that I'm aware of." He looked down at his hands, falling silent.
"Hmm…I wonder why you have been left in the dark. You appear to be old enough to know - how old are you?"
"Huh? To know what?" Sheridan shook his head, "I'm nineteen. Why? What is this all about? Why won't you tell me?" He hunched his shoulders and stared miserably at his hands, loathe to look at the demon perched on his bed. He cringed slightly as he heard the demon move off the bed and toward him. Cool fingers grasped his chin, forcing him to look up at the still oddly pensive demon.
"You are far too jumpy, Sheridan. I assure you once again that I am not out to harm you. I seek merely to appease my curiosity. I question you only to do that."
Sheridan spoke hesitantly, "Then - then why be so vague. Your questions don't make any sense, and my answers just seem to make you unhappy."
Still gripping the blond man's chin, Nomolos answered after a brief pause. "It's not that your answers make me unhappy, exactly. More, they simply confuse me. I am vague for your benefit. If I am correct in my theory, then other questions arise. If I am wrong, then you will be troubled for no reason."
"Aren't you troubling me now?" Sheridan grumbled, eyes sliding away though his head was still held in place.
Nomolos laughed softly, "Yes, but not overmuch." He released his grip, though he remained standing over the nervous blonde. "Now, a few more questions. Do you have any residence besides this one?"
Sheridan sighed, "Only the lake house, but we almost never go there. I get that you're looking for something, but I have no idea what. There's nothing, except for a bunch of money that we almost never use because the DeMarius' pay for everything. Even this apartment is mostly DeMarius funded."
"I would like to visit this lake house."
Sheridan rose tiredly to his feet, "Well, we can't do it now. My dad will be back soon and if he finds me gone I'll be dead tomorrow. It's bad enough that my homework isn't going to be done." He turned to glare at the desk, "Maybe I'll just do it during my lunch break tomorrow. That should be enough time before my Theory class. Any more questions?"
"Yes, actually. I should have asked this one first, but I was more concerned with something else. Do you have any birthmarks?"
Sheridan looked at him, somewhat surprised but starting to feel too tired to really care. "Yeah - how'd you know?"
Nomolos smiled, looking very much like a satisfied cat. "I should have started with that, but I did not want to get my hopes up. What, pray tell, does your birth mark look like? Might I see it?" Once again he moved closer to Sheridan, who stood near his dresser, looming over the much shorter man. "Is it, perhaps, on your back?" One long, slender arm wrapped around Sheridan's body to trail fingers lightly down his back, and Nomolos smirked as Sheridan shivered at his touch.
"How…" Sheridan looked up him wide eyed, wanting to pulling away but scared to try. The best he could manage was to stumble back, but that only brought him up against his dresser, the drawer handles digging into his back except where Nomolos' fingers lingered.
Nomolos' voice was low, "Let me see it." His other hand came up to free the buttons of Sheridan's shirt one by one, batting away the blonde's hands when Sheridan made an attempt to stop him, "I definitely should have started with this question, I think." Pulling the confused man forward, he spun him around and jerked the shirt down off his shoulders to bare Sheridan's back. His skin was smooth and flawless but for a long, wide mark running down the top right half of his back, from the shoulder blade and down a bit. It was jagged and red, resembling a wound that had never quite healed.
Cool fingers traced it, Nomolos' expression one of delight and deep amusement. "Marvelous, simply marvelous. Never would I have thought to find this…" He turned Sheridan back around, smiling. "I think, my dear Sheridan, that I may have found something far more interesting than my ridiculous Carnelian. The DeMarius family appears to be of far greater interest than I had previously believed. Who would have that old Ornias was this important." He stroked Sheridan's cheek softly, before moving to run his white fingers through gold hair. "But there is one more thing I must find before I am certain. It may be that you are nothing but a shadow of what you should be. I must see the lake house."
Sheridan didn't answer, only stared wide eyed up at the demon, gold eyes full of fear.
Nomolos frowned, "I need to visit the lake house, " he withdrew his hand from Sheridan's hair, "When can we go? Because I will need you there."
"Ahh..w,we can go on the weekend. No one will miss me then, with the new chocolates set to begin production so soon. I'll just tell my dad I need to study…" Sheridan turned his head away, to stare intently at the floor.
"That will suffice." Nomolos pulled away, "Until then we shall continue our search for my old slave, Kasimir. Shall I find you at DeMarius' apartment."
Sheridan nodded weakly, "Yeah." He had pulled his shirt up, not looking up from the spot on the carpet that held all his attention.
Nomolos smirked, "Very well then." He vanished, leaving as soundlessly and suddenly as he had appeared.
Sheridan pulled his shirt up more securely, hand moving awkwardly around to reach his back, where his birthmark burned hot and cold from Nomolos' touch. He slid to the floor, drawing his knees against his chest and wrapping his arms around them. His soft, gold hair fell forward to hide his face, which lay against his folded arms. He breathed slowly in and out, desperately trying to slow the racing heart caught in his throat. Gradually his breathing eased and the room fell into complete silence.
A faint, bitter laugh broke the deathly quiet of the room a few minutes later, Sheridan's voice full of tears and misery, "Why does everything have to happen to me?"
