Not enough time
Nov. 29th, 2003 02:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrIt has suddenly occured to me that in less than 18 days I'm going to be in Europe with my sister and some wonderful friends. I did not think I would ever get to backpack Europe, let alone in the company of people I love dearly.
Of course, I only have one day left to write 6,000 words. But 6,000 is not 10,000. If work tonight (where I have to be in about an hour) doesn't kill me (which it probably will, goddammit it all to hel and bak) then I can write some more when I get back.
For![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
amasugiru, I haven't gotten to explaining Sheridan quite yet. Though really I thought it was obvious what he was...
Anyway, enjoy. I know they're getting really sloppy, but once I edit them and get them beta-ed by wonderfulstarparty they'll be much more skippy.
And has anyone noticed the touch of Rainbow? At all?
Chapter Nineteen
Darrell settled back against the leather seat, gazing out at the city lights as they left them behind. He breathed softly, relaxing slightly as the lights slowly faded away.
"One would think you didn't like the city much, big brother." Bethany's light tone distracted him from the view. "Don't tell me you're actually glad to get away?"
Darrell smiled, "Perish the thought."
Beside him, Luc shifted restlessly. The older man brought a hand up, rubbing his forehead and grimacing slightly. "I wonder if we're being a bit hasty. It would have been fine to leave in the morning. I don't see what need there is for all this rushing about."
"Are you okay, Luc? You really don't look so good." Bethany tilted her head, looking with concern at the blond man.
Luc waved her off, "I am fine. A minor headache, probably from lack of sleep is all."
"Would you like some medicine? I think I have some here…" the red haired woman lifted her bag from the car floor, rifling through the mass of stuff until finally crowing faintly with success. She held the small plastic bottle out, frowning when Luc shook his head.
"No, thank you Bethany. It's not that bad right now, I'll be fine until we reach the house."
"That won't be for a couple more hours, Luc. Are you sure?" Bethany shrugged when the man nodded, stuffing the medicine back into her purse and dropping it again to the car floor. "Let me know if it gets any worse, though."
Luc said nothing, merely rubbing his forehead one more time before letting his hand drop to rest in his lap. He glared out the window, lost in his own thoughts.
Darrell rolled his eyes at his sister and Rosemary, who was reading a book but had looked up at the brief exchange. "So did you ever manage to reach Sheridan?"
Luc's voice was sharp, he did not bother to look away from the window. "Yes. He is trapped up at the house, apparently a snow storm took him by surprise though he claims to have checked the forecast before leaving."
"Well, forecasts aren't always accurate. Especially up at the lake, you know how tricky the weather is up there - especially in the winter. Is he okay? How bad is it? Does he have enough food and everything?"
"My son will be fine. And he'll be in deep trouble when he finally returns home. I never should have let him go up there this weekend…" Luc again rubbed his forehead, gritting his teeth.
Rosemary exchanged a look with the siblings, "I'm sure he's upset. He must know how important this is for the family. If there's any way for him to get here, he will. Sheridan's a good kid."
Darrell was watching the man beside him, displeasure at Luc's harsh words replaced by concern, "Luc…are you sure you're okay? You really don't look so good."
Luc's face had gone pale, and pain flickered openly across it. "I am fine…" fumbling in his pocket, he withdrew a slim cell phone and flipped it open. Punching the memory button he paged through until coming to the number he wanted. Dialing, he held it up. His expression darkened as ringing sounded in his ear, twice, four times…at the tenth ring he hung up. "Sheridan is not answering. The phone's not dead, so the storm clearly is not as bad as he claimed."
"Maybe he's just asleep. I mean it's almost midnight." Bethany was growing annoyed, "Give the kid a break, I'm sure he'll try to leave in the morning. That's what I'd do in his case - get some rest and figure things out after a fresh start. He shouldn't be driving on that path in such weather at night anyway."
"Yes, speaking of night travel. I still would like to know why the two of you insisted on this ridiculous hour for travel. It would have been much easier to simply travel in the morning."
Bethany frowned, "On the contrary - there's much less traffic now. Plus it gives us time to settle into the house, make sure things are ready. If we get there right before Lord's expected arrival, we're going to be seriously disorganized. Plus it's anyone's guess what Neil has managed to do to the place in his fruitless hunt."
Darrell raised a brow, "Yes, especially considering he took a friend with him. A friend no one bothered to tell me he had."
Rosemary and Bethany winced at his words, looking guiltily at each other. "He didn't want us saying anything," Bethany offered with a conciliatory smile. "In fact, he didn't even want us knowing, but you know how Rosemary and I are about those sorts of things."
"Yeah, I think the word is "nosey." You two…" Darrell shook his head, "Hopeless. So who is this kid? Or do I have to wait until we get there."
The girls exchanged another glance, before Rosemary spoke up. "Well, his name is Kasimir. He's not from around here, though I couldn't tell you where he's from exactly."
"An exchange student? Why am I always the last to know these things? How long have they been friends?" Darrell sounded hurt.
"Exchange student? Something like that," Rosemary smiled. "And don't pout - they've only known each other a couple of weeks. I think they met not long after the funeral?" She looked inquisitively at Bethany, who nodded.
"Yes, I think Neil met him at school right after the funeral. I think that's why he keeps it to himself. You know how he is Darrell, don't get upset."
"I'm not upset. Just annoyed." Darrell looked like he might say something more, but he was distracted by the man next to him. "Lucas, what are you doing? You're just going to wake him up. It's after midnight now, just call him in the morning or something. It's not that big a deal."
But Luc wasn't listening; his face now pale and almost sickly looking. He was waiting impatiently for someone to answer the phone, dialing again and again with no results. His mouth tightened in displeasure, growing increasingly angry at each failed attempt.
"Luc…" Bethany started to again offer her medicine, but she trailed off at the expression on the older man's face. She turned to Rosemary, who only shrugged worriedly.
All of a sudden Luc dropped the phone, letting out a startled cry of pain and doubling over with his head clutched in his hands.
"Lucas!" Darrell shifted closer, "What's wrong? Bethany," he looked to his sister, "Tell the driver to take us to the nearest hospital." Putting an arm around Luc's shoulders, Darrell attempted to help the man again sit up - only to be roughly shoved away.
"Leave me alone, I'll be fine." Lucas gasped out, sitting back up and breathing heavily. He still gripped a hand to his head, trying to soothe the pain. "He must have found it, but that doesn't explain…"
Rosemary stared at him, bewildered. "What's wrong with you, Luc? Who found what?"
"None…none of your business. It's a family matter…" With unsteady fingers Lucas bent to pick up his cell phone, straightening again with effort. "Damn that boy, if he's damaged it…" Again punching in the lake house number, Lucas suppresses a snarl of anger when the phone continued to ring and ring. "Where is he, this is unacceptable!" He dropped the phone again to the floor, hands almost shaking as he again tried to soothe his aching head. "How did he find it…is that why he went…" voice tired and strained, Luc lapsed into a fitful silence.
The rest of the car's occupants watched him in concern and trepidation. Luc seemed not to notice the looks exchanged between them. Bethany nodded to her brother, and indication that they were headed for the hospital. Darrell sighed unhappily, "Better call the house and let Neil know we're going to be pretty late. Lord only knows how long it will take us at the hospital…"
Rosemary was still watching Luc, who seemed completely oblivious to them. He muttered softly as he stared out the window. Rosemary watched him, "Has he ever acted like this before? It doesn't seem like Luc at all. What does he keep going on about?"
Bethany shrugged helplessly, "I haven't the slightest idea. I don't think exhaustion does this to a person, and he seemed fine until just a little while ago. Darrell?"
"Don't look at me," he ran a hand through his dark red hair, "I'm as clueless as the rest of you. He's been himself up until now. How long until we reach the hospital, Beth?"
"Not too much longer, the driver knows this area pretty well." Bethany glanced at her watch before lifting her purse, this time rifling through it for her cell phone. "Think Neil will still be awake?"
Darrell snorted, "You have to ask?"
"Right, right. The eternal night owls, the pair of you. I never understood the fascination."
"That's just because you're a weakling," Rosemary smiled. "I'll make you into a night owl eventually."
"Don't count on it. Bad things always happen at night - our present circumstances for instance." She fell silent as she dialed the number to reach Neil, frowning thoughtfully as no one picked up the phone. She shrugged, "It's a big house, lord only knows what he's up to. Probably in the basement, ignoring us. Let me try again." But the second attempt yielded no results, nor did a third. Huffing in aggravation, she stashed her phone back in her purse. "Is it just me or has it suddenly turned into a very weird night?"
"Maybe Neil went to bed after all. I would have thought he'd wait up for us, he can't be that mad about the visit." Darrell looked confounded.
Bethany shook her adamantly, "No way. He's probably just not answering the phone. I forget his stringent policies on the things. You can bet good money he's curled up on that rug of his in the basement reading something. Or in the kitchen."
"I need…" Luc said suddenly, his voice much clearer than it had been before, "I need to get the house."
"Luc, just relax. You really look awful, we're taking you to the hospital. So sit back and rest for now, don't make things worse." Bethany's tone was soothing, despite the worry on her face.
Luc snapped back, brilliant blue eyes blazing. "I don't need a hospital. If that's what I'd wanted, I would have said as much. What I need is to get back my stolen property. Take me to the house this instant. I need to get to the lake house, now."
"The lake house? Luc, that's impossible right now and you know it! Just sit back and relax if you can." Darrell glared at him, his own patience wearing thin. "I know you don't feel well, but snapping our heads off isn't helping. Just calm the hell down."
"I'll calm down when I've made sure my son hasn't ruined everything. I should never…" Luc gasped in sudden pain, his face going almost completely white, "It's gone…" he slumped suddenly in his seat, out cold.
"Umm…" Rosemary leaned forward, examining the man seated across from her in consternation, "Is anyone else horribly confused right now?"
"I think the confusion is pretty unanimous," was Darrell's dry response. "Bethany, tell the driver to forget the hospital. I don't think it's going to help, for some reason. Let's get to the house, I'll feel a lot better when we're there and Lucas is in bed or something."
Bethany had turned around before her brother had finished speaking, talking quietly with their driver for a couple of minutes. Turning back to face her companions, she sighed. "All right, we're back on course for the manor. It's way to early in the morning for this sort of crap. An unexpected visit, our main man has apparently lost his mind, and Sheridan and Neil are both ignoring phone calls." She bit her lip worriedly, "Is it just me or does this night seem to have gone completely sour. Maybe Lucas was right, we should have just waited until morning…"
No one replied, Rosemary doing her best to watch over the unconscious Luc while Darrell shifted restlessly in his seat, staring out the window at a cloudy, starless sky. "It looks like we're going to get snow."
Chapter Twenty
"It can't be that bad. Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?"
"That's damned funny coming from you, Kasimir. Weren't you the one that started out overreacting to everything?" Neil snorted, not bothering to look up at the genie sitting across from him at the kitchen table. "You have no idea how bad it's going to be."
"Do explain. It's rare I get to see you so melodramatic. Really."
"Shut up." Neil's hair was still damp from his shower, one hand clutching a steaming mug while another played with the cookies he'd planned to eat with his tea. "Business is always annoying. Especially these kiss ass little get togethers like the one we're having tomorrow. I mean honestly, why is he bothering? He's interested in the company, not my family."
"But isn't the company affected by the owners? I mean if you were in charge, things would go to hell. He must want to see what your brother is really like, as he's the president of the company."
Neil glared, throwing one of his cookies at the genie's head. "I know all that, I’m not a complete idiot. I just don't like it, business stuff bugs me." He glanced up at the clock on the wall behind Kasimir, "They should be here soon, assuming they're coming tonight. Which they probably are, I can't see Darrell waiting until morning now that plans have been made to get here. Poor Bethany though," he smirked, "She hates being up this late. She'll do it if Rosemary asks her, but if she can she much prefers to be in bed by eleven at the latest."
"Unlike you who stays up at all hours of the night and morning."
Neil shrugged, unrepentant. "I like being awake when everyone else is asleep. It's more peaceful." He grinned, "It makes getting to class difficult, but that's about it."
"Funny how you and your brother have the same sleeping habits."
Neil glared, "Shut up. Do not start that up again. You're my genie, not my psychologist. We are brothers, we're bound to have a few things in common. Despite all efforts to prevent it. I'm not addicted to my work though, so just stop with that right now." He glanced out the window, idly crunching a cookie. Mild surprise crossed his face, "Oh wow, look at that. It's snowing...funny, I don't remember hearing anything about snow. It usually doesn't hit this area until much later. It's only November, we shouldn't be getting snow yet."
Kasimir eyed the snow with distaste, "I hope it doesn’t stay long."
Neil's raised his eyebrows, "You don't like snow? Oh, I guess not. That whole fire demon thing, is that it?"
Kasimir appeared surprised at Neil's words, "Yeah. It was the only thing I could never adjust to, in Nomolos' palace. I hate the cold."
Curiosity growing, Neil continued asking questions. "He lived in a cold place? That seems weird, because I always associated demons with fire. But I guess not all of them would be that way."
Kasimir was amused, "Several of my masters thought such things. Most people do, I'd imagine. It has to do with the images you're raised with, I'd imagine. But the demon world - Hell, if you like - is as diverse as this one in most respects. There is a wide variety of elemental type demons like I used to be. Fire is the more common one, I think. Ice is much more rare, and Lord Nomolos was the best there was when I lived with him. He has a palace that's nothing but ice on the outside. You step inside and it's pretty normal, but outside the walls are of ice and snow covers everything. He lives in the coldest region of our world, and very few live with him. That's another reason he and Ornias clashed. Ornias leaned more toward earth, and he hated the frozen world Nomolos preferred.
"That must have been hard to live in, preferring fire. Why did Nomolos choose a fire demon? Why not something more suited to the environment?"
"Nomolos takes what he wants, and he wanted me." Kasimir shrugged, looking down at his mug. "I didn't mind, I certainly wasn't unhappy in that life. I just didn't like to go outside.
"There's something I don't get, Kasimir. When we first met all you did was bite and snarl about having to be my genie. Yet you seemed perfectly happy to be this guys concubine, or slave, or whatever."
"Because I wasn’t forced into it. Nomolos wanted me, but he didn't just take me away. He paid good money, and he treated me well for all that he can be a bit unnerving at times…it was a much better life than living in a small town doing nothing. It's hard to explain…"
"Hmm…you're strange. I haven't done anything to you - okay, I did attack you that one day but you started that round - and you more or less hate me. But this guy made you the worst kind of slave and you adore him for it?"
Indignation flitted across Kasimir's face, "What? The worst kind of slave? What would you know about it? You have no idea what my life used to be like, or why I took the path I did. Nomolos might have been cold and a bit harsh at times, but he was never cruel. He never beat me like so many of you are fond of doing. He doesn't make demand after demand. More often than not I was the one that sought him out, just because he never knew how to relax! You have no right to judge me, especially given that in some ways it's your fault I can never have that life back!"
Neil was seething, "I wasn’t' there when Simon and Gareth summoned you. If I had been I would have stopped them. Don't blame the past on me; I had nothing to do with it! I'm sorry your life as a genie sucks, I've done the best I can since I got stuck with you."
"Stuck with me? Quit making it sound like you have no choice. The only one without options here is me. If you want to get rid of me so much, you can just take that earring off! And don't give me the excuse of the Carnelian. We both know by this point that you're not likely to ever find it. It's been too long, and Nomolos doesn't just come when you ask."
"Oh please, it wouldn't surprise me if you were doing something to keep it all from me. Given how precious your old master is to you." Neil shoved away from the table, rising angrily to his feet. "Everything I do is wrong, clearly. Tell me, Kasimir. If I gave you a fancy bracelet and told you to climb into my bed, would you like me then? Huh? Clearly I've been doing it al wrong."
Kasimir's eyes darkened with fury, and he too rose to his feet though he made no move toward the other angry man. "You think you'd be the first master to try that? I've had more than one of them eager to throw me into their bed. Fortunately they thought they'd lose their wishes if they actually tried it."
"So you're good enough to be the concubine to some frozen demon, but all you can do with humans is drive them to the brink of insanity with your pissy attitude? You make no sense, Kasimir."
The genie sneered, "I make as much sense as a hypocritical human. Maybe I was just a slave to Nomolos, but he treated me far better than any human ever has."
Neil exploded, "I've been so terrible? Name one thing I've done that actually warrants your abject hatred. I've made two wishes - just two! And both of them were just for transportation, because I hate driving back and forth between here and the city! Jeez, I haven't done anything to you, but for the one slip on campus. Here I thought we were actually friends and I find you've just been more subtle than usual the past few days about hating me." He turned away, stalking angrily toward the door.
Kasimir's words brought him up short, "Friends? Don't make me laugh. Of what use is friendship to me?" The genie laughed, the sound of it bitter and sad. "You'll succumb to the lure of wishes eventually, just like all the others. There's no friendship in that. Assuming you somehow manage to avoid that, you're still going to die someday. And I'll sleep until the next jerk finds me. How is that friendship?"
Neil gaped at him, "Kasimir…"
The genie was staring at the floor, "I don't need friends."
Still Neil could think of nothing to say. "Kasimir, I-"
"Yes, that's my name." The genie snapped.
Neil's expression hardened, though his voice was more exasperated than angry. "Shut up already," he approached the genie. "One of these days I'm going to catch it when you're purposely trying to piss me off. Were you this volatile with Nomolos?"
The genie looked up, surprised at the question. "Volatile? No, he wasn't like you. Not in that way. He just ignored it when anyone acted loudly, or "bratty" as you would say. He much prefers quiet people."
"Hmm…I can't see you as quiet. It doesn't suit you. For all that it can be a pain, you're more fun when you're being bratty. No one but my sibling will ever argue with me like you do. Most people just walk away, or give in to my demands."
Kasimir managed a slight smirk, not taking his eyes off Neil's face. "No wonder you're so difficult all the time. Must be hard to be told no," his face clouded for an instant, before he managed to recover the smirk, "though if you really wanted something, I can't refuse you."
Neil's face was serious, one hand reaching up to caress the earring that was so familiar now he all but forgot it was there. "That's why I never ask. It doesn't seem fair…to make someone do something just because they "have to." My whole life has been guided by tradition, things that "must be done" because that's how they've always been done. The old man never asked me what I wanted, just ordered me around. He chose my schools, the people I was permitted to associate with, where I went…almost my profession. Even now he's controlling my future."
Kasimir said nothing, simply watching the other man in silence.
Neil's expression was rueful, "If I could free you, I would do it in an instant Kasimir."
Kasimir shook his head, "There is no way to free me. To use your old example, how do you unbake a cake?" He dropped his gaze to again stare morosely at the floor.
Hesitantly Neil reached out a hand, not sure what he was doing. His fingers tangled in white gold strands of hair, ruffling Kasimir's hair gently in a manner reminiscent of what his sister usually did to him. The genie didn't pull away from the touch, and Neil relaxed slightly. "There's got to be a way, Kasimir. We're getting pretty good and looking for the impossible, I’m sure we can find something while we look for the Carnelian. Hell, maybe that stupid stone can do something. Anything is possible.
Kasimir unconsciously relaxed as Neil continued stroking his hair. "I doubt it. Once a genie, always a genie. Unless something manages to kill me - then I'm a dead genie."
"That's not even funny, Kasi. You have all the time in the world to find a solution; you should make the attempt. Death isn't an answer to anything, and if you die you won't get to go back to your precious Master someday."
"I doubt he notices anymore, as much as I keep hoping he'll find me." Kasimir pulled away from the petting, growing agitated again. "It's been centuries, and I'm the only things that's stood still in all that time. No one there misses me anymore, death might actually be a nice change."
"Now you're just being a baby. If you meant that much to him, he must still miss you. I'd miss you, though I'm trying to figure out why I'd miss a bratty, argumentative genie who hates his job." He smiled, "So cheer up - or at least get angry. Moping suites you about as much as silence - meaning not at all."
Kasimir looked at him, unable to say anything. He opened his mouth to try and speak anyway, when a thumping sound came from the hallway. The two men jumped, looking in the direction of the sound. "What was that?"
Neil frowned, confused. "I didn't hear anyone come in - maybe we were too busy talking to notice." He looked toward the clock, "They're hear a lot sooner than I expected. Come on, you can finally meet my idiot sister and surrogate sister. And my brother."
I really do not want to go to work...
Of course, I only have one day left to write 6,000 words. But 6,000 is not 10,000. If work tonight (where I have to be in about an hour) doesn't kill me (which it probably will, goddammit it all to hel and bak) then I can write some more when I get back.
For
amasugiru, I haven't gotten to explaining Sheridan quite yet. Though really I thought it was obvious what he was...Anyway, enjoy. I know they're getting really sloppy, but once I edit them and get them beta-ed by wonderful
starparty they'll be much more skippy.And has anyone noticed the touch of Rainbow? At all?
Chapter Nineteen
Darrell settled back against the leather seat, gazing out at the city lights as they left them behind. He breathed softly, relaxing slightly as the lights slowly faded away.
"One would think you didn't like the city much, big brother." Bethany's light tone distracted him from the view. "Don't tell me you're actually glad to get away?"
Darrell smiled, "Perish the thought."
Beside him, Luc shifted restlessly. The older man brought a hand up, rubbing his forehead and grimacing slightly. "I wonder if we're being a bit hasty. It would have been fine to leave in the morning. I don't see what need there is for all this rushing about."
"Are you okay, Luc? You really don't look so good." Bethany tilted her head, looking with concern at the blond man.
Luc waved her off, "I am fine. A minor headache, probably from lack of sleep is all."
"Would you like some medicine? I think I have some here…" the red haired woman lifted her bag from the car floor, rifling through the mass of stuff until finally crowing faintly with success. She held the small plastic bottle out, frowning when Luc shook his head.
"No, thank you Bethany. It's not that bad right now, I'll be fine until we reach the house."
"That won't be for a couple more hours, Luc. Are you sure?" Bethany shrugged when the man nodded, stuffing the medicine back into her purse and dropping it again to the car floor. "Let me know if it gets any worse, though."
Luc said nothing, merely rubbing his forehead one more time before letting his hand drop to rest in his lap. He glared out the window, lost in his own thoughts.
Darrell rolled his eyes at his sister and Rosemary, who was reading a book but had looked up at the brief exchange. "So did you ever manage to reach Sheridan?"
Luc's voice was sharp, he did not bother to look away from the window. "Yes. He is trapped up at the house, apparently a snow storm took him by surprise though he claims to have checked the forecast before leaving."
"Well, forecasts aren't always accurate. Especially up at the lake, you know how tricky the weather is up there - especially in the winter. Is he okay? How bad is it? Does he have enough food and everything?"
"My son will be fine. And he'll be in deep trouble when he finally returns home. I never should have let him go up there this weekend…" Luc again rubbed his forehead, gritting his teeth.
Rosemary exchanged a look with the siblings, "I'm sure he's upset. He must know how important this is for the family. If there's any way for him to get here, he will. Sheridan's a good kid."
Darrell was watching the man beside him, displeasure at Luc's harsh words replaced by concern, "Luc…are you sure you're okay? You really don't look so good."
Luc's face had gone pale, and pain flickered openly across it. "I am fine…" fumbling in his pocket, he withdrew a slim cell phone and flipped it open. Punching the memory button he paged through until coming to the number he wanted. Dialing, he held it up. His expression darkened as ringing sounded in his ear, twice, four times…at the tenth ring he hung up. "Sheridan is not answering. The phone's not dead, so the storm clearly is not as bad as he claimed."
"Maybe he's just asleep. I mean it's almost midnight." Bethany was growing annoyed, "Give the kid a break, I'm sure he'll try to leave in the morning. That's what I'd do in his case - get some rest and figure things out after a fresh start. He shouldn't be driving on that path in such weather at night anyway."
"Yes, speaking of night travel. I still would like to know why the two of you insisted on this ridiculous hour for travel. It would have been much easier to simply travel in the morning."
Bethany frowned, "On the contrary - there's much less traffic now. Plus it gives us time to settle into the house, make sure things are ready. If we get there right before Lord's expected arrival, we're going to be seriously disorganized. Plus it's anyone's guess what Neil has managed to do to the place in his fruitless hunt."
Darrell raised a brow, "Yes, especially considering he took a friend with him. A friend no one bothered to tell me he had."
Rosemary and Bethany winced at his words, looking guiltily at each other. "He didn't want us saying anything," Bethany offered with a conciliatory smile. "In fact, he didn't even want us knowing, but you know how Rosemary and I are about those sorts of things."
"Yeah, I think the word is "nosey." You two…" Darrell shook his head, "Hopeless. So who is this kid? Or do I have to wait until we get there."
The girls exchanged another glance, before Rosemary spoke up. "Well, his name is Kasimir. He's not from around here, though I couldn't tell you where he's from exactly."
"An exchange student? Why am I always the last to know these things? How long have they been friends?" Darrell sounded hurt.
"Exchange student? Something like that," Rosemary smiled. "And don't pout - they've only known each other a couple of weeks. I think they met not long after the funeral?" She looked inquisitively at Bethany, who nodded.
"Yes, I think Neil met him at school right after the funeral. I think that's why he keeps it to himself. You know how he is Darrell, don't get upset."
"I'm not upset. Just annoyed." Darrell looked like he might say something more, but he was distracted by the man next to him. "Lucas, what are you doing? You're just going to wake him up. It's after midnight now, just call him in the morning or something. It's not that big a deal."
But Luc wasn't listening; his face now pale and almost sickly looking. He was waiting impatiently for someone to answer the phone, dialing again and again with no results. His mouth tightened in displeasure, growing increasingly angry at each failed attempt.
"Luc…" Bethany started to again offer her medicine, but she trailed off at the expression on the older man's face. She turned to Rosemary, who only shrugged worriedly.
All of a sudden Luc dropped the phone, letting out a startled cry of pain and doubling over with his head clutched in his hands.
"Lucas!" Darrell shifted closer, "What's wrong? Bethany," he looked to his sister, "Tell the driver to take us to the nearest hospital." Putting an arm around Luc's shoulders, Darrell attempted to help the man again sit up - only to be roughly shoved away.
"Leave me alone, I'll be fine." Lucas gasped out, sitting back up and breathing heavily. He still gripped a hand to his head, trying to soothe the pain. "He must have found it, but that doesn't explain…"
Rosemary stared at him, bewildered. "What's wrong with you, Luc? Who found what?"
"None…none of your business. It's a family matter…" With unsteady fingers Lucas bent to pick up his cell phone, straightening again with effort. "Damn that boy, if he's damaged it…" Again punching in the lake house number, Lucas suppresses a snarl of anger when the phone continued to ring and ring. "Where is he, this is unacceptable!" He dropped the phone again to the floor, hands almost shaking as he again tried to soothe his aching head. "How did he find it…is that why he went…" voice tired and strained, Luc lapsed into a fitful silence.
The rest of the car's occupants watched him in concern and trepidation. Luc seemed not to notice the looks exchanged between them. Bethany nodded to her brother, and indication that they were headed for the hospital. Darrell sighed unhappily, "Better call the house and let Neil know we're going to be pretty late. Lord only knows how long it will take us at the hospital…"
Rosemary was still watching Luc, who seemed completely oblivious to them. He muttered softly as he stared out the window. Rosemary watched him, "Has he ever acted like this before? It doesn't seem like Luc at all. What does he keep going on about?"
Bethany shrugged helplessly, "I haven't the slightest idea. I don't think exhaustion does this to a person, and he seemed fine until just a little while ago. Darrell?"
"Don't look at me," he ran a hand through his dark red hair, "I'm as clueless as the rest of you. He's been himself up until now. How long until we reach the hospital, Beth?"
"Not too much longer, the driver knows this area pretty well." Bethany glanced at her watch before lifting her purse, this time rifling through it for her cell phone. "Think Neil will still be awake?"
Darrell snorted, "You have to ask?"
"Right, right. The eternal night owls, the pair of you. I never understood the fascination."
"That's just because you're a weakling," Rosemary smiled. "I'll make you into a night owl eventually."
"Don't count on it. Bad things always happen at night - our present circumstances for instance." She fell silent as she dialed the number to reach Neil, frowning thoughtfully as no one picked up the phone. She shrugged, "It's a big house, lord only knows what he's up to. Probably in the basement, ignoring us. Let me try again." But the second attempt yielded no results, nor did a third. Huffing in aggravation, she stashed her phone back in her purse. "Is it just me or has it suddenly turned into a very weird night?"
"Maybe Neil went to bed after all. I would have thought he'd wait up for us, he can't be that mad about the visit." Darrell looked confounded.
Bethany shook her adamantly, "No way. He's probably just not answering the phone. I forget his stringent policies on the things. You can bet good money he's curled up on that rug of his in the basement reading something. Or in the kitchen."
"I need…" Luc said suddenly, his voice much clearer than it had been before, "I need to get the house."
"Luc, just relax. You really look awful, we're taking you to the hospital. So sit back and rest for now, don't make things worse." Bethany's tone was soothing, despite the worry on her face.
Luc snapped back, brilliant blue eyes blazing. "I don't need a hospital. If that's what I'd wanted, I would have said as much. What I need is to get back my stolen property. Take me to the house this instant. I need to get to the lake house, now."
"The lake house? Luc, that's impossible right now and you know it! Just sit back and relax if you can." Darrell glared at him, his own patience wearing thin. "I know you don't feel well, but snapping our heads off isn't helping. Just calm the hell down."
"I'll calm down when I've made sure my son hasn't ruined everything. I should never…" Luc gasped in sudden pain, his face going almost completely white, "It's gone…" he slumped suddenly in his seat, out cold.
"Umm…" Rosemary leaned forward, examining the man seated across from her in consternation, "Is anyone else horribly confused right now?"
"I think the confusion is pretty unanimous," was Darrell's dry response. "Bethany, tell the driver to forget the hospital. I don't think it's going to help, for some reason. Let's get to the house, I'll feel a lot better when we're there and Lucas is in bed or something."
Bethany had turned around before her brother had finished speaking, talking quietly with their driver for a couple of minutes. Turning back to face her companions, she sighed. "All right, we're back on course for the manor. It's way to early in the morning for this sort of crap. An unexpected visit, our main man has apparently lost his mind, and Sheridan and Neil are both ignoring phone calls." She bit her lip worriedly, "Is it just me or does this night seem to have gone completely sour. Maybe Lucas was right, we should have just waited until morning…"
No one replied, Rosemary doing her best to watch over the unconscious Luc while Darrell shifted restlessly in his seat, staring out the window at a cloudy, starless sky. "It looks like we're going to get snow."
Chapter Twenty
"It can't be that bad. Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?"
"That's damned funny coming from you, Kasimir. Weren't you the one that started out overreacting to everything?" Neil snorted, not bothering to look up at the genie sitting across from him at the kitchen table. "You have no idea how bad it's going to be."
"Do explain. It's rare I get to see you so melodramatic. Really."
"Shut up." Neil's hair was still damp from his shower, one hand clutching a steaming mug while another played with the cookies he'd planned to eat with his tea. "Business is always annoying. Especially these kiss ass little get togethers like the one we're having tomorrow. I mean honestly, why is he bothering? He's interested in the company, not my family."
"But isn't the company affected by the owners? I mean if you were in charge, things would go to hell. He must want to see what your brother is really like, as he's the president of the company."
Neil glared, throwing one of his cookies at the genie's head. "I know all that, I’m not a complete idiot. I just don't like it, business stuff bugs me." He glanced up at the clock on the wall behind Kasimir, "They should be here soon, assuming they're coming tonight. Which they probably are, I can't see Darrell waiting until morning now that plans have been made to get here. Poor Bethany though," he smirked, "She hates being up this late. She'll do it if Rosemary asks her, but if she can she much prefers to be in bed by eleven at the latest."
"Unlike you who stays up at all hours of the night and morning."
Neil shrugged, unrepentant. "I like being awake when everyone else is asleep. It's more peaceful." He grinned, "It makes getting to class difficult, but that's about it."
"Funny how you and your brother have the same sleeping habits."
Neil glared, "Shut up. Do not start that up again. You're my genie, not my psychologist. We are brothers, we're bound to have a few things in common. Despite all efforts to prevent it. I'm not addicted to my work though, so just stop with that right now." He glanced out the window, idly crunching a cookie. Mild surprise crossed his face, "Oh wow, look at that. It's snowing...funny, I don't remember hearing anything about snow. It usually doesn't hit this area until much later. It's only November, we shouldn't be getting snow yet."
Kasimir eyed the snow with distaste, "I hope it doesn’t stay long."
Neil's raised his eyebrows, "You don't like snow? Oh, I guess not. That whole fire demon thing, is that it?"
Kasimir appeared surprised at Neil's words, "Yeah. It was the only thing I could never adjust to, in Nomolos' palace. I hate the cold."
Curiosity growing, Neil continued asking questions. "He lived in a cold place? That seems weird, because I always associated demons with fire. But I guess not all of them would be that way."
Kasimir was amused, "Several of my masters thought such things. Most people do, I'd imagine. It has to do with the images you're raised with, I'd imagine. But the demon world - Hell, if you like - is as diverse as this one in most respects. There is a wide variety of elemental type demons like I used to be. Fire is the more common one, I think. Ice is much more rare, and Lord Nomolos was the best there was when I lived with him. He has a palace that's nothing but ice on the outside. You step inside and it's pretty normal, but outside the walls are of ice and snow covers everything. He lives in the coldest region of our world, and very few live with him. That's another reason he and Ornias clashed. Ornias leaned more toward earth, and he hated the frozen world Nomolos preferred.
"That must have been hard to live in, preferring fire. Why did Nomolos choose a fire demon? Why not something more suited to the environment?"
"Nomolos takes what he wants, and he wanted me." Kasimir shrugged, looking down at his mug. "I didn't mind, I certainly wasn't unhappy in that life. I just didn't like to go outside.
"There's something I don't get, Kasimir. When we first met all you did was bite and snarl about having to be my genie. Yet you seemed perfectly happy to be this guys concubine, or slave, or whatever."
"Because I wasn’t forced into it. Nomolos wanted me, but he didn't just take me away. He paid good money, and he treated me well for all that he can be a bit unnerving at times…it was a much better life than living in a small town doing nothing. It's hard to explain…"
"Hmm…you're strange. I haven't done anything to you - okay, I did attack you that one day but you started that round - and you more or less hate me. But this guy made you the worst kind of slave and you adore him for it?"
Indignation flitted across Kasimir's face, "What? The worst kind of slave? What would you know about it? You have no idea what my life used to be like, or why I took the path I did. Nomolos might have been cold and a bit harsh at times, but he was never cruel. He never beat me like so many of you are fond of doing. He doesn't make demand after demand. More often than not I was the one that sought him out, just because he never knew how to relax! You have no right to judge me, especially given that in some ways it's your fault I can never have that life back!"
Neil was seething, "I wasn’t' there when Simon and Gareth summoned you. If I had been I would have stopped them. Don't blame the past on me; I had nothing to do with it! I'm sorry your life as a genie sucks, I've done the best I can since I got stuck with you."
"Stuck with me? Quit making it sound like you have no choice. The only one without options here is me. If you want to get rid of me so much, you can just take that earring off! And don't give me the excuse of the Carnelian. We both know by this point that you're not likely to ever find it. It's been too long, and Nomolos doesn't just come when you ask."
"Oh please, it wouldn't surprise me if you were doing something to keep it all from me. Given how precious your old master is to you." Neil shoved away from the table, rising angrily to his feet. "Everything I do is wrong, clearly. Tell me, Kasimir. If I gave you a fancy bracelet and told you to climb into my bed, would you like me then? Huh? Clearly I've been doing it al wrong."
Kasimir's eyes darkened with fury, and he too rose to his feet though he made no move toward the other angry man. "You think you'd be the first master to try that? I've had more than one of them eager to throw me into their bed. Fortunately they thought they'd lose their wishes if they actually tried it."
"So you're good enough to be the concubine to some frozen demon, but all you can do with humans is drive them to the brink of insanity with your pissy attitude? You make no sense, Kasimir."
The genie sneered, "I make as much sense as a hypocritical human. Maybe I was just a slave to Nomolos, but he treated me far better than any human ever has."
Neil exploded, "I've been so terrible? Name one thing I've done that actually warrants your abject hatred. I've made two wishes - just two! And both of them were just for transportation, because I hate driving back and forth between here and the city! Jeez, I haven't done anything to you, but for the one slip on campus. Here I thought we were actually friends and I find you've just been more subtle than usual the past few days about hating me." He turned away, stalking angrily toward the door.
Kasimir's words brought him up short, "Friends? Don't make me laugh. Of what use is friendship to me?" The genie laughed, the sound of it bitter and sad. "You'll succumb to the lure of wishes eventually, just like all the others. There's no friendship in that. Assuming you somehow manage to avoid that, you're still going to die someday. And I'll sleep until the next jerk finds me. How is that friendship?"
Neil gaped at him, "Kasimir…"
The genie was staring at the floor, "I don't need friends."
Still Neil could think of nothing to say. "Kasimir, I-"
"Yes, that's my name." The genie snapped.
Neil's expression hardened, though his voice was more exasperated than angry. "Shut up already," he approached the genie. "One of these days I'm going to catch it when you're purposely trying to piss me off. Were you this volatile with Nomolos?"
The genie looked up, surprised at the question. "Volatile? No, he wasn't like you. Not in that way. He just ignored it when anyone acted loudly, or "bratty" as you would say. He much prefers quiet people."
"Hmm…I can't see you as quiet. It doesn't suit you. For all that it can be a pain, you're more fun when you're being bratty. No one but my sibling will ever argue with me like you do. Most people just walk away, or give in to my demands."
Kasimir managed a slight smirk, not taking his eyes off Neil's face. "No wonder you're so difficult all the time. Must be hard to be told no," his face clouded for an instant, before he managed to recover the smirk, "though if you really wanted something, I can't refuse you."
Neil's face was serious, one hand reaching up to caress the earring that was so familiar now he all but forgot it was there. "That's why I never ask. It doesn't seem fair…to make someone do something just because they "have to." My whole life has been guided by tradition, things that "must be done" because that's how they've always been done. The old man never asked me what I wanted, just ordered me around. He chose my schools, the people I was permitted to associate with, where I went…almost my profession. Even now he's controlling my future."
Kasimir said nothing, simply watching the other man in silence.
Neil's expression was rueful, "If I could free you, I would do it in an instant Kasimir."
Kasimir shook his head, "There is no way to free me. To use your old example, how do you unbake a cake?" He dropped his gaze to again stare morosely at the floor.
Hesitantly Neil reached out a hand, not sure what he was doing. His fingers tangled in white gold strands of hair, ruffling Kasimir's hair gently in a manner reminiscent of what his sister usually did to him. The genie didn't pull away from the touch, and Neil relaxed slightly. "There's got to be a way, Kasimir. We're getting pretty good and looking for the impossible, I’m sure we can find something while we look for the Carnelian. Hell, maybe that stupid stone can do something. Anything is possible.
Kasimir unconsciously relaxed as Neil continued stroking his hair. "I doubt it. Once a genie, always a genie. Unless something manages to kill me - then I'm a dead genie."
"That's not even funny, Kasi. You have all the time in the world to find a solution; you should make the attempt. Death isn't an answer to anything, and if you die you won't get to go back to your precious Master someday."
"I doubt he notices anymore, as much as I keep hoping he'll find me." Kasimir pulled away from the petting, growing agitated again. "It's been centuries, and I'm the only things that's stood still in all that time. No one there misses me anymore, death might actually be a nice change."
"Now you're just being a baby. If you meant that much to him, he must still miss you. I'd miss you, though I'm trying to figure out why I'd miss a bratty, argumentative genie who hates his job." He smiled, "So cheer up - or at least get angry. Moping suites you about as much as silence - meaning not at all."
Kasimir looked at him, unable to say anything. He opened his mouth to try and speak anyway, when a thumping sound came from the hallway. The two men jumped, looking in the direction of the sound. "What was that?"
Neil frowned, confused. "I didn't hear anyone come in - maybe we were too busy talking to notice." He looked toward the clock, "They're hear a lot sooner than I expected. Come on, you can finally meet my idiot sister and surrogate sister. And my brother."
I really do not want to go to work...
DO IT EARTH MONKEY!
Date: 2003-11-30 02:24 am (UTC)Its like online comics... you know whats going to happen... you want to READ it anyway.
I am on my way out the door so I will read these two chapter tonight. Keep writing and good luck!
17 days for me baby... its the 30th here.
Re: DO IT EARTH MONKEY!
Date: 2003-11-30 03:30 am (UTC)Sorry, I haven't actually been trying to build it up. I didn't expect it to take such a role. You'd be surprised how many of these chapters just write themselves. I finish and just stare at them like "oh, now i see."
I though it would come out in twenty, but beyond the "nephilim" reference it just hasn't.
17! Man I can't wait to see you Gomi.
no subject
Date: 2003-11-30 07:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-11-30 08:11 am (UTC)Sheri is driving me nuts, that's what. All will be clear soon (I hope)
no subject
Date: 2003-11-30 08:15 am (UTC)