Of Hide and Seek [C]

[Devin DeLaney-St. Fleur]

"They're alive, Redd. I can feel it in my knees." She said with a sage nod, glancing over her shoulder at the hairy mountain plodding steadily behind her. He should know by now that any gut feeling worth having was had in the knees. Sent them tingling, gave you the feeling like you needed to run and find the source of that tingling. It was a pull, a tug, a hope. It was more than hope though, it was a firm belief. "Alive as in, still living-breathing-laughing-brother-of-mine. And brother-of-mine's cute boyfriend. And the kiddie. In the knees, I tell you, I can feel it." She could also feel him disagreeing, and that wasn't coming from her knees. It was coming from that prickle you get in the back of your neck when someone is kind of frustrating you. She pulled up short, causing him to nearly bump into her when she whirled around to face him. He was so close she could see the rise and fall of his chest beneath his shirt, could make out the planes of his body beneath. She wanted to reach out and touch it, make sure he was real, alive. He wasn't just some friend They had placed to make her feel good, and safe. Deep green eyes flicked up to meet his, pools of rust that made her think of clockwork and the sea-side. She felt safe looking into those eyes, safe enough to share everything. Safe enough to share a search for a brother who was technically a traitor to the Fulsi. Safe enough to venture out of the comfortable walls of their basement/laboratory. But those warm, safe eyes also worried her, because she saw doubt wavering his gaze, the puckered brow of one who is trying not to make you worry but worries you a thousand times more by what was left unsaid. She bit her lip, brows furrowing to match his. "I mean, what you found at the Inn is proof that Casey got away. Right? It means they escaped the fire. And the Carna." She stood on tiptoe to get a better look at his face, pitching forward as she lost her balance; she grabbed onto his arms to steady herself. "It's like a game of hide and seek, Redd. They're hiding, waiting for us to seek. So, we'll seek until they're sought." She said, speaking into his chest. She wanted to hug him. But she looked up at his face, clear eyes wide and troubled. "Right, Redd?" ooc| short 'n sweet <3 I missed posting with this chica!

[Redd Russo]

Redd trudged along behind Devin, his doubt radiating from him. Anxiety filled his chest at the thought of another scavenger hunt for Casey. Once again he was afraid of what they might find, or not find. His doubts had been gnawing at him, weighing him down for the past few days with little relief. There was no one he could talk to about them, at least, not anyone who wouldn’t be devastated at the thought that things might have gone wrong after all. Damian had been appeased by the sign they’d found at the Inn, but Redd was a realist. He knew how little a few letters carved into a wall meant, no matter how much hope they gave his brother. The Carna were swift and relentless killers; there were no guarantee of safety if they were on your trail. But he tried to smile and appear hopeful around Devin. He knew she could see right through him, but he hoped that she appreciated the gesture. Redd wanted nothing more than to find Casey alive; not only because he was his friend, but because he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Devin grieved by her brother’s death. The two had grown so close over the past months; the quirky redhead was one of the few people that appreciated his work and didn’t write him off as some sort of basement-dwelling loon. She even contributed her own brilliant thoughts to things he was building, and he saw in her a spark brighter than any he’d ever seen in anyone else. Needless to say, he’d only known her a few days before he was completely smitten. When she smiled up at him, he couldn’t help but grin right back, a goofy careless smile behind his overgrown beard. “It’s proof they escaped the fire, yes,” Redd agreed. But not proof they escaped the Carna, he added in his mind, though he never would have said it aloud. He chuckled and gently caught Devin as she tumbled forward, shaking his head at her incredulously. She was a funny one, but it only made him like her more. Despite all his doubts, he would follow her wherever she led, even if they were out hunting for days. “Aye-aye, cap’n!” Redd agreed with another hearty chuckle, hoping that his laughter would reach his eyes and drown out his worries. “There’s plenty of places they could be hidin’. Lots of places the Carna wouldn’t look for ‘em, I’m sure…” Redd glanced around at the numerous buildings that loomed nearby, dark and lifeless. No-Man’s-Land was a dangerous place to be, but at the same time, one could find a hole to hide away in for a while. There was perhaps some hope after all. “Where should we get lookin?”

[Devin DeLaney-St. Fleur]

Devin could swear that she could hear those unspoken thoughts that sparkled and gleamed behind those rusty hinge eyes of his, almost like they were fluttering around inside her own brain. Like they were coming from some loudspeaker stuck to his forehead broadcasting the signals straight into her head. But the idea that he was sending ideas into her brain made her uncomfortable and she wanted to think something else. Like...maybe those thoughts were her own. Maybe she was the one doubting that Caysha had escaped the fire and the Carna and maybe they were laying somewhere, swarmed with flies and-- No. She wouldn't think like that. She couldn't afford to let the darkness over come her, because then she wouldn't be able to see the light. Right now she had a good balance of light and dark, that perfect chiaroscuro that captured the world in perfect balance. She knew there was light because there was shade, and that was that. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against Redd's chest, enjoying the rumble of his voice as he spoke. It grounded her, made her remember that he was real and human and he was here to help. He was good, he was pleasant and he smelled like metal and fire and reminded her of their home. She rolled her head back and forth against him, bright red hair tickling at her cheeks for a moment before she pulled away with a smile, suddenly remembering who they had brought with them. "Noodles!" she said, her voice almost a yip of excitement. "We should let Noodles show us the way," she said, giving Redd's shoulders a quick double-pat before she pushed off him and twirled around. She brought her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle. Devin waited a moment in silence, holding up a finger to Redd when she could feel his eyebrow raise in question, as if to say 'wait for iiiiiiit' when an explosion of noise and happiness came from about a block behind them. Casey's border collie bounded up, darting around Redd's legs in a frenzy of fur and slobber. "Now she's not a sight hound by any means," Devin said, tilting her head and crossing her eyes with a lighthearted grin, imitating Noodles' peculiar gaze. "But she's got a primo sniffer, or so Casey says." Devin tapped her nose knowingly and snapped her fingers to get Noodle's attention. The border collie dashed to her side instantly, dancing in place. "I know you wanna find him as bad as we do, girl," Devin said. "Redd hand me that sock of Casey's I grabbed," she said, motioning to Redd. He looked at her in confusion and she glanced up at him, brow furrowed. "Back pocket." She waited as he dug in his back pockets and pulled out a small baggy with a sock tucked safely inside. "I guess I planned for this better than I thought!" she said, grabbing the sock. She let the dog sniff the sock, not really sure how this was supposed to work. "Find Casey, girl. Find him!" she urged, straightening back up. She watched in amazement as Noodles darted around in wide, seemingly random arcs--but then she went still for a moment, whole body tensed. And then she bolted, letting out a sharp series of yips as she tore off. "C'mon!" Devin shouted, grabbing Redd's hand and taking off after the dog. ooc| trying to do a post a day! here's day 2 <3

[Redd Russo]

Redd watched Devin twirl about with an amused, admiring grin. She seemed to him like an otherworldly being, too pure and free for the world that they lived in. When he was with her, even in such a dark situation, the air felt lighter and the sun shone brighter. He chuckled and shook his head as Noodles raced to her side, just as Devin said she would. If anyone could help them find Caysha, it was Noodles, who had been glued to Casey’s side ever since she was adopted. Redd’s smile faded and his brows furrowed as Devin instructed him to get the…sock? In his pocket? He reached a hand into his back pocket and to his bewilderment, pulled out a sock in a bag. “When…? How…” He stopped himself before he could ask any further questions. Devin. Devin, that’s how. Redd accepted it and moved on, handing over the sock. He sighed and watched Noodles circle, wondering if perhaps her super sniffer was as dysfunctional as her eyes looked to be. It was a few moments of waiting on baited breath before Noodles suddenly took off. Redd watched for a moment as Devin bolted after the dog, he himself glued to the spot in disbelief. So, Caysha had gotten this far! His face suddenly lit up in a huge grin. He raced after Devin and Noodles, for the first time truly hopeful that they would find Casey and Sascha alive. They ran and ran until he could figure out that they were headed toward Studio Ess, another good sign that the trio was alive. It was known to be a place of refuge for those who needed it, so it made sense that they might seek shelter there. “I’m feelin’ better about all this already!” He shouted to Devin. But his hope came crashing down as Noodles finally stopped, circling and pawing at a blood stain on the ground out front of the studio. There were a few blood stains, substantial in size. Ash littered the ground about them, and the stench of fire lingered in the air. Something bad had happened here, and Casey’s blood soaked into the cement told him that he’d been right all along. He glanced over to Devin and felt his heart sink, wishing more than anything that he’d been wrong. “Devin, I… I’m so sorry.”

[Devin DeLaney-St. Fleur]

Her feet slapped the cracked pavement so hard and fast she felt like her shoes would sprout wings and fly; and for a moment she was Mercury and she could feel the talaria humming on her feet, hurtling her closer and closer to her brother. There was no stopping her, come what may. Noodles' tail was barely visible up ahead but Devin had a feeling she knew where the dog was leading her, and the tingling in her knees confirmed it. So she doubled down and followed her knees and the faint outline of Casey's dog beyond. She heard Redd shouting something at her, but she didn't catch the words--only the slight lilt in his tone that spoke of hope. She knew she was grinning because she felt a gnat fly into her mouth and get stuck in her teeth. She ran her tongue along her canines trying to get the tiny insect unstuck, so caught up in the effort she almost ran smack into Noodles. The border collie had come to a sudden stop around a pool of sticky red, pawing anxiously at the congealed edges. Redd said something, something about being sorry. Sorry for what? She turned to look at him, green eyes seeming almost glazed over, yet still glittering with a wary chill. "I...must have, um, spilled my juice," she mumbled, flexing her fingers in and out, in and out, as she stared down at the dark, dank pool. “Do not worry, I will clean it up.” she continued, her voice trembling as she spoke, looking over Redd’s shoulder. Her voice was soft and unsure, oddly tinctured with a strange french accent and almost child-like in its quiet timidity. She nodded absently, falling to her hands and knees beside the puddle of juice. She reached out a hand, thin almost skeletal fingers trembling as she placed her palm on the congealed fluid. Her fingers twitched before she started moving her hand in a circle, as if she were cleaning up a spill. She felt a cold nose press against her arm, heard a low whine that escalated into a series of sharp, high barks before the spotted dog turned in a small circle and darted into the Studio's open doors. Devin looked down at her hand, saw the subtle smears of red on her finger tips. Her fingers slowly curled inward, one by one, until they formed a fist. She clenched it, hard, and drew her lips into a thin line. In the next second she was on her feet and through the Studio doors in a flash of freckles and fire.

[Redd Russo]

Redd’s brows furrowed and he frowned. He slowly reached a hand for Devin’s shoulder, but soon pulled it away, unsure if she would want to be touched; he knew that when he was upset in the past, he would cringe at the touch of others. But it soon became clear that she was more than just upset. Redd watched helplessly as she descended into a childlike state and stuck her hands into the pool of blood. “Devin…? Devin, c’mere, no…. don’t….ugh,” He cringed and scratched at the back of his head, not knowing what to do exactly. He’d never seen anyone like this before, but he knew that it had to come from a place of deep hurting to want to protect her so badly. It made him so sad and so frustrated that he didn’t know what to do to help her. What were you supposed to say to someone that had just lost what little family they had? “I’m here for you, darlin’,” He told the child-like Devin quietly, kneeling down next to her beside the pool of red. Redd took his jacket off and gently draped it over her shoulders, which looked so small and frail as she huddled there, hands wiping fruitlessly at the pool. They sat there like that for a minute or so, until Noodles pushed her way between them and nudged at Devin. Redd watched the creature as it threw some kind of fit; he didn’t know much about dogs personally, so Noodles’ act was a mystery to him. Obviously it had not been for Devin, who suddenly bolted after the pup. “Devin!” Redd called, chasing after her. He could only imagine what kind of trouble she would get into without him right now, and he wasn’t going to let any of the grisly scenarios that passed through his panicked mind come to pass. He ran into the studio after her, and almost slammed into her as she and the dog slammed into a man. Redd clenched his fists, prepared to fight. It took him a moment to recognize the startled man, and when he did, he had to do a double-take. “We thought you were dead!” Were the first words to stumble out of his mouth. Casey stood there half holding up his sister, smiling at them, alive as could be. “You found us! I didn’t know how to get word to you… I couldn’t go back but… I’m just glad to see you,” he told them, as Noodles pranced around his feet. Redd couldn’t believe it, but for once he was glad to have been wrong.

[Devin DeLaney-St. Fleur]

He has to be alive. He is alive. He's alive. Alive. A l i v e. She couldn't think of anything else, each thought breath heartbeat footstep was focused on finding her brother. The incident at the puddle of bloodjuice was long forgotten, except for the jacket she had clutched around her shoulders that smelled of rust and Redd and it made her feel invincible. Like she could do anything, face anything, feel anything and she wouldn't come crumbling down. There was no stopping her, or Noodles, paws and feet a blur beneath heaven above the blood behind and a man in front— A man? She let out a sharp yelp as she slid into him, reeling back as he caught her—her hair fell into her eyes and for a moment she was blind, a scream gurgling in her throat before she heard Redd’s voice, then Casey’s— “Casey?” she said, the scream turning into a sob as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. Her fingers dug into him, perhaps a bit too hard, but she had to feel if he was real and he sure felt real. She could hear his breath and his rumbly voice in his chest when he spoke and yes, he was real. And alive. “For whatsoever from one place doth fall, Is with the tide unto another brought: For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought,” she whispered, still clinging to Casey. Poetry had always been there for her, helped her see the world when nothing else could. Tears welled in her eyes She turned to look at Redd, grinning from ear to ear. “I told you, Redd. I told you Caysha was alive! The knees never lie!” But then she remembered that she hadn’t seen Sascha. “Where’s Sascha?” She asked, eyes round with horror. “Is he?—SASCHA!” She shouted over Casey’s shoulder, ignoring whatever Casey was babbling about as she searched wildly down the corridor for Sascha. It was only a second before she saw his tall, winged scruffy self come running around the corner, and Devin nearly crawled over Casey to throw her arms around him. Sascha laughed and scooped her up, crushing her to him in one of the best hugs she’d ever gotten. “You’re alive! You’re both alive and okay and wait where’s Fletcher oh he’s sleeping wow that kid sleeps a lot and oh my god you have to come back why haven’t you come back wait you said you can’t come back why can’t you come back Casey what did you do now come on it can’t be that bad I’m sure Charm will understand—“ she said, her words coming out in one long rush before she ran out of breath. Sascha grinned down at her as if he understood but cast a helpless look at Casey. “I told to Casey he have to take Fletcher and go back to Fulsi but he…there are bad things only for him there, except you two,” Sascha said with a shrug. “So we are building a treehouse in the wild lands,” he said, scratching at the back of his head. “But thing is we do not know how…where…” he trailed off, motioning absently with his hands, unsure of how much he should say. There was an awkward silence before Devin let out a high pitched squeak and jumped in place. “That is the best idea I’ve ever heard! Oh my gosh!” She said, grabbing Sascha for another hug. She darted over to Redd, pulling at his hand and dragging him closer to Sascha and Casey. “Redd will help!” she said, squeezing his hand. “He’s so good at building things! I mean you’ve seen the windmills just imagine what he could do with a treehouse, it will be the greatest thing this dome has ever seen!”

[Redd Russo]

His face lit up in a grin and he stood back and watched, arms crossed over his chest. It was worth all of the trouble to finally know that Caysha was alive, and even more so to see Devin this way. She was back to her own self, if not even more herself than she had been this morning. It was all the reward that Redd needed. He watched Casey and Devin hug eachother tight, not wanting to let go. He and Damian had been just the same when Damian had finally returned from the dead, or so Redd and the Fulsi had thought. Perhaps, Redd was learning, it was foolish to doubt how strong the love of siblings could be. “I’m so happy to see ya, Case',” Redd spoke, scooping Casey up in a big hug once Devin had moved on to flit around Sascha. Casey, who still seemed confused about the whole ‘Caysha’ thing, laughed and returned the hug. “Damian will be glad to know you three are alright,” he added. Casey nodded and shuffled a bit awkwardly at the mention of Damian, but seemed appreciative all the same. They had been nearly brothers for many years, and though they weren’t as close anymore, Redd kept good will towards Casey. Above that, he never forgot that he owed the man his life. Devin’s rambling soon pulled them away, and Redd nearly burst into laughter at the anthro’s desperate look. He, of course, understood every word, having spent so much time with Devin that her lightning-fast and sometimes disjointed thoughts made perfect sense. There was a logic to them somewhere, and he was all tuned in. Unlike Sascha. Casey helped him out a little, enough that they could carry on talking. Redd stood on the sideline, not wanting to intrude on what seemed like family business. Before he knew what was happening, Devin was dragging him into the conversation. “A…a treehouse?” He asked, bewildered at the thought. It was a little exciting, he had to admit. But where would they get enough supplies for that? Or transport them? There was no way Caysha was going to build anywhere nearby. It seemed unfeasible, really. But Redd looked at all their hopeful faces, lingering on Devin’s last. She wanted this so badly for them… Her emerald eyes bore into him in a way that obliterated any defense he had. If this was impossible, then he would do the impossible for her. “Well alright. We'd better find a place so I can draw up some plans!”

[Devin DeLaney-St. Fleur]

Devin stared up at Redd in wonder, knowing deep down (we're talking way down in her knees) that he would come through for her, and for Caysha. She could see the furrow of doubt in his heavy brow, but her faith didn't falter. His jacket was warm around her shoulders, and her free hand griped at the rough, heavy cloth with assurance. It rooted her in the present, in reality, and with his protective warmth shielding her there could be no wrong. Not today! She pulled the jacket tighter around her, gripping Redd's hand even tighter as she waited. It was only a few moments before Redd said, of course he said she had never doubted!, that he would help. "Yes!" She said, lifting her and Redd's entwined hand into the air in a victory punch. "Redd you're just...just..." she laughed and pulled him into a hug. "The best!" She was surprised at how warm he was, this living breathing Redd, warmer even than his jacket. She found herself looking up at him, quite forgetting anything and everything for just a brief moment of utter peace. And then it was gone and the world came rushing back to greet her in a tumult of excitement and fear and unnerving doubt. Devin cleared her throat and pulled away from Redd, still grinning. "Now...first things first we have to..." she scrunched her nose, surveying the expectant faces staring at her, stricken with a moment of clarity. This wasn't just another fun project for she and Redd to collaborate on. It was serious, and her brother's happiness was truly on the line. If he said he wasn't safe in the Fulsi, then she believed him. Casey and Sascha were alive, against all odds they were alive and now they had a hope for a future together, instead of kept apart by the Rings. There would be no keeping them from happiness, Devin was sure of it. And if someone, something, anything tried to bring then only sadness she would stop at nothing to protect them from it. "...find a tree?" Sascha volunteered with a soft smile. Devin grinned back, giving him an appreciative nod. "Yep. We find ourselves a tree." END THREAD