CAN'T SEE THAT I GOT RED HANDS, I'M COLORBLIND [TOMAS]

[ROMA|RED]

Roma would have thought that they’d hurry back … Lord knew Tom had been gone a long time already and she was sure he was busy enough. However when she mentioned her concern he smiled, told her he considered it a long deserved vacation and they fell into easy conversation. They spoke a bit about where they were from. Tom told Roma about his childhood guardedly, and she sensed a lot of tension in the family, however answered any question she had candidly. It made her shudder a bit with his association with UNIT, but she didn’t judge him for it. She told him mostly about the rodeo, her family’s ranch, the horses, and about Texas. They were both damaged people. Who wasn’t in the Menagerie? But it was different with Tom, neither wanted to ruin their time together by burdening it with sorrows long gone. In a way, they had found that little world again and there was playing and laughter. It was well after dark when, hand in hand they reached the edge of camp. Even from a distance she could see the many fires the families had started and the light from the flames reflected in her excited eyes. It was cold by then, and she offered Tom her jacket with an ironic smile he had simply smirked at her and shook his head. It was then that two men leapt from out of the darkness, demanding answers about who they were and what their business was there and instantly Roma jumped a foot and out of her skin. In an instant their world vanished once more. Surprisingly Dezba little reacted; she must have known they were there. Roma however put hand to her chest, thinking her heart would bust it's way out. In the darkness of the night her eyes glowed brilliant gold if only for a flash, however Sister lowered the alarm when Tom spoke to them in a measured tone and turned to her. She took a breath through her nose and let it go. Instinctually she stepped closer to him, drawing the meager about of comfort she could. She had been worried about Sister, but perhaps it was herself she should have been worried about. There were people and so much talking and noise. From the light of the fire people gazed at them into the darkness. Shifters walked around in both human and animal form. Laughter, chatter, arguing, singing … “I … “ she started shakily and took a step back. “I don’t know Tom maybe I should just …” she didn’t finish her Texas flavored sentence as a lion shifter as large as the one she had rescued Dezba from ambled by. She blinked, and took a deep breath before looking at Tom again. Dezba would freak if it got anywhere near her. Still, she said she'd give it a chance. She had to be brave. “What um … is there a place you keep horses?” she tried, badly attempting to mask that the environment was making her nervous.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

He was so accustomed by now to Fallen that he forgot to consider that someone else may not be. The guards who confronted him were of no concern. They were two goodnatured men, brothers, and when they realized woo Tomas was they were easily waved away. He was aware of stares that they received... or that Roma received. Tomas glanced at her and then held her gaze, momentarily sucking at the inside of his cheek in a thoughtful fashion. "Hey, its alright." He spoke softly, reassuringly, and again his thumb moved in an idle circle across the bank of her hand. It was noisy, but not unbearably. He was accustomed to it and he had to remind himself that she was not. If their places had been switched he would have been nervous too. At the mention of Dezba, he cast a glance around. After a moment he found the exact person he was looking for. She lingered on the outside of a group near a fire, reclined shyly on her haunches. A dog sprawled beside her and she stroked his fur idly and slightly nervously. She was an odd one, yes, but Tomas had seen her turn toward the animals of the ring. As an omega, she worked better with them than with children, and considering she had found a horse herself he believed her capable of handling a simple task. "Cole!" Tomas called. She rose and trotted toward him, with her brow drawn sourly over his eyes. "Cole, this is Roma. Roma, this is Cole." The petite redhead stood with arms crossed, eyes flicking between Roma and Tomas. "This is Roma's horse, Dezba. Roma is my guest. Can you take her horse to the corral?" Cole said nothing, merely nodded and assessed the mare with a somewhat critical eye. Tomas assumed that Roma would not be pleased by the idea. He addressed her now, his voice pitched low. "Cole is good with animals..." And lower still: "Much better with them than she is with people. She loves them but knows how to handle them. Dezba will be in fine hands." What he did not mention was that Cole and the mare had about the same temperament. He decided that thought was better kept to himself. "We'll make sure she's fed and watered." Cole nodded a second time, extending her hand in order to receive the lead from Roma. Tomas would not be surprised if Roma felt discomfort over this. From their conversations, he had decided that horses were a source of familiarity for the southern girl. "Are you hungry?"

[ROMA|RED]

Roma sucked in a breath to speak, but already things were moving about. Her head turned this way and that trying to catch everything at once. She thought she’d remembered this. She liked people. Get a grip Partholain, you’ve seen more bodies crammed in an after-house barn party you threw. The thought made her feel a little better. She could do this. Turning to the new person, her eyebrow rose. Who was this now? Dezba will be in fine hands, her jaw set stubbornly and she narrowly sidestepped an outright ‘no’. Cole. The girls assessed each other and neither seemed overly fond nor disparaging of one another. For Roma, it was better than she was used to. Outright viciousness toward her from women was something she’d grown up around. “Hi,” she said quietly – her accent making the greeting almost sound like she’d bested someone. She’d have offered her hand but could read between the lines that Cole was not interested in making friends. Still, Roma was Roma. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said almost apologetically when Tom spoke to her in a hushed tone. Looking at the girl again, she spied the dog at her feet and sighed. Relinquishing the halter she gave the mare an affectionate slap on the neck as the stranger led her away. “Mean it the first time!” she called to her back in warning, but Cole did not turn around. Well she'd learn or loose her. “Well now, I have to say I am rather impressed by your greetin’ ceremony,” she said devilishly and smiled. “What’s next a cobra bite to initiate?” When he asked if she was hungry she shrugged. Roma was always hungry. He took her hand again and lead her into the light where there were more people. Her eyes shifted from face to face. Some looked to her almost pleasantly, though not many. To those she gave a friendly nod in greeting. Others sneered, or outright stared - especially with suspicion at their interlocked fingers. Oh but didn’t she just feel right at home. Give it a chance young lady, you don’t know them from adam and they don’t know you from eve, great she was pep talking herself. She kept up with Tom through the throng regardless … still, she’d been the main event in far worse situations and it made her rally. Who cared what they thought of her? She wasn’t here for them. Tom lead them to some kind of line, and there she stood looking as casual and relaxed as she could ... which wasn't much.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

Tomas was so accustomed to these people and this place that he almost forgot how uncomfortable she must be. He stifled a laugh at her humor and cast her a smile, one that was... perhaps, inclusive. It seemed as though he would only smile for her in that moment. "No, the cobra bite comes later." It was an impish tease and he hoped that it would lighten her nerves rather than strengthen them. He led them through a crowd, calling greetings and also responding to them. It discouraged him just how many Fallen looked at Roma with disapproval in their eyes and, quite often, both fear and caution. Thus he led them to the end of the line and already the smell of meat perfumed the air. It smelled as though there had been a good catch. He returned his attention to Roma and smiled. "It isn't a five-star meal but it sure is a helluva lot better than a lot of Menagerie food." The line moved quickly and he occupied her with small talk, occasionally taking the time to introduce her to a Fallen that Tomas knew would refrain from rudeness. At the front of the line they were efficiently served venison and apples. The apples were a treat, a more rare delicacy in the Menagerie, and Tomas was enthused to share them with her. Once they secured their food Tomas let them to a more secluded fire with a small group of people who he trusted to be on their best behavior. Once introductions were out of the way, he pitched his voice low and addressed Roma. He didn't know what kept him so intrigued! But in the firelight she was beautiful and he felt young and hopeful still. This was what he wanted to show her; the Fallen, as a family, grouped in separate units but laughing and joking among one another. Dogs and children darted between the shadows and throngs of adults, barking and yelling. There were instances when some random, wild creature neared the flames and the oddness of it was dismissed. They were shifters. It was normal to see a dingo laying with a five year old, a grizzly bear snoozing idly by a fire, or a group of adolescent animals from different species tangled in mock-fights. It was a unity that would never have been possible outside of the Menagerie, living in fear. "What do you think?" He asked, perhaps a little nervously. He had worked hard to ensure Fallen stayed together, a family. Despite disagreements or arguments, they remained a single group and fought hard against the cruel forces outside them. "Its chaos, but... its something."

[ROMA|RED]

It isn't a five-star meal but it sure is a helluva lot better than a lot of Menagerie food, Tomas said with a lopsided smile. The corners of her own mouth rose but her eyes shifted back to the people around them distractedly. Once they were given their rations Tom introduced her to several members of his ring that were quite friendly. Her favorite was an older southern gentleman they all called, ‘Sooty’. He’d been in the Menagerie a cool three years, and by reputation could fix anything. His shift form was a tawny hound dog that couldn’t have been more fitting if she’d picked it. His cheeks were rosy from the heat of the fire, and his laugh made his round belly shake. The juvenile skunk that hung out in his oversized pocket was a stray he said he’d picked up several months back. He’d named her Cara. Sooty was of the opinion she was a shifter, but traumatized by the Keepers - chose to remain in her animal form. “She’s got all the time in the world. Ol’ Soots will take care a’ yah hm?” he said with more kindness in his eyes than Roma had seen in a long time. It made her nose smart and her eyes water, shortly after he ambled towards a train car and she could hear him talking to his pocket in soft tones. Roma had wasted no time in devouring the meat while Sooty had been talking, but now that her attention wandered again she could see there were still many that were unsure or outright angry to see her there. She could feel the whispers and in part she didn’t give a rats ass. It wasn’t the eyes it wasn’t people talking about her … it was that they were looking at Tom in a strange way. As if, he might have betrayed them by bringing her here. An off color comment she overheard about sharing rations with rouge trash put her off her meal. The apple was the first fruit she’d had since a few months back when they’d been lucky enough to run into a plum tree almost harvested clean, but the sweet taste made her feel rotten to the core. What do you think? He looked happy. She didn’t know Tom well at all, but she would have ventured to guess he was open and friendly, however serious type. Some of the others they had conversed with commented on his cheer and it was catching. She smiled and shifted on the log they sat on. “I like it,” she said simply with fondness. The kids had the run of the place, though there weren’t as many as she thought there would be – and when a quiet girl with a braid in her hair and thumb in her mouth eyed her as she walked by Roma winked and tilted her head, beckoning the girl over. There she stood with the largest green eyes Roma had ever seen. “Aye there,” Roma said. Seated she was still taller than the girl who said nothing in return. “I’ll give ya a deal,” she said as if it were a secret. Interest crept into the little girls face and she shyly took a step closer. “If you take your thumb outta yer mouth and gimme a smile, I’ll give ya the resta my apple?” she held up said treat and pointed to it. Her brown eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Whatchya thank?” Slowly the thumb was removed from her mouth, and after a moment she produced a gap-toothed smile. Immediately Roma tossed the apple in the air and the girls hands shot out to snatch it. Instantly she shifted into a raccoon, stuffed the apple in her mouth and scurried away into the dark. Roma’s head tilted back with good hearted laughter. “Sweet baby Jesus but that is the most precious thang I have ever seen in mah life,” Roma swore her eyes dancing. Without intention she had half collapsed onto Tom as she would have an old friend that was part of the joke. She sobered, but the smile remained. “What was her name?” she asked. She'd reminded her intensely of her sister ... “KELSIE! Give me that you don’t know where it’s been!” Roma suddenly heard in the darkness, and her head snapped in the direction the little raccoon hand wandered. The next thing she knew she saw a streak of striped black and grey and a moment later a tall woman with black hair and green eyes march after her. The look she gave Roma would have peeled paint from a wall. Her hand clamped over her mouth and she half ducked and turned her face away. Her shoulders shook and for a breathless moment it looked as though Roma would … cry. A strangled noise was winning out over her attempt to smother herself, and despite the effort a snort escaped her. Once one got out there was no holding it back and Roma laughed. She laughed so hard tears came from her eyes and she thought she might pee her pants. “Oh my,” she said between gasps. “Oh my Lord … “ laughter “…did you see her face? You’da thought I’d given her kid kooties!” Her arms wrapped around her middle and she almost fell off the log.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

Tom did notice some of the ruder comments and stares. They angered him. They really, truly did. But he was not so optimistic to believe that the entirety of Fallen would welcome Roma among them as though she had been there since the beginning. Many had been through far too much trauma--they did not trust and treated every newcomer with caution and sometimes cruelty. A Ring was, after all, the largest clique that could be found in the Menagerie. Tomas attempted to curb his annoyance through paying thorough attention to his guest and to those nearest and kindest. He watched as Roma grew slightly more comfortable. The conversation with Sooty had opened her some, which made Tomas pleased. It was why he had introduced her to the older man--he was notorious for being both charismatic and genuinely gentle-hearted. He smiled wide and bright as Roma called Kelsie over. Tomas knew she was a sweet girl; but he was hard-pressed to get her to smile or talk to him. She seemed to distrust most men, which saddened him beyond belief. He was amazed when she opened to Roma's "deal". He glanced between the child and the redhead, grinning slightly wider and wider... as Kelsie ran off he prepared to speak but was cut off abruptly by the call of the girl's mother. He grimaced and prepared to apologize for the behavior of his Ring-mate when Roma began to laugh. Tomas stared for a second or two in confusion. Then he cleared his throat and said, quite flirtatiously, "Or maybe she was worried you would give me cooties." His smile faded quickly, however, and he shrugged his shoulders. By now he had donned a shirt and it tightened against the strain of his shoulders momentarily, soft and worn cotton. "I'm sorry for that, though... For the most part we're pretty accepting. But a lot of the people have been through rough times and... they're distrustful of strangers." He reached to take her plate. "Here, I'm going to take these to the wash. You need anything? Bathroom, water?" He seemed slightly nervous, for whatever reason. He was anxious, honestly. He wanted her to approve; he wanted her to like it, although he could not say why.

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[ROMA|RED]

Her brows lifted with his playful notion, and she smiled and looked down and away towards the direction the racoon girl had gone. Her attention was quickly recaptured when he apologized and before he finished speaking her head was shaking. “No need to ‘pologize Tom,” she said earnestly in a low voice. “I’m the intruder. I know all sorts 'bout not trusting people,” the side of her mouth kicked up. “Don’t we all?” Automatically her hands gave him the plate and she stood with him, dusting off her hands on her jeans and looking unsure as she tried to figure out the best way to say … “Yeah the …” her eyes narrowed as if the wrods from her mouth were foreign, “little girl’s room?” Five minutes later had her headed off to a sectioned off area a few minutes outside of the main camp and after almost face planting into a shifter that was patrolling, managed to find the privy. Once she had relieved herself, she headed back the way she came. Tom had said he had to check on some things but that he’d meet her back at the fire when he could. The prospect of being left alone was not one she was thrilled with, but she’d given him some sassy line and a wink and headed off anyway. The idea of being needy was one she was even less thrilled with. Vaguely she thought about snagging Dezba and bolting outta there but there was no real consideration, no real heart to the idea. Grimly as she walked back she consulted an unusually subdued Sister Wolf. She was elusive and quiet. A little unsettled for being around so many people, but certainly less troubled or anxious than Roma was herself. Suggestions about leaving were met with disconcert and an utter lack of argument. Which made Roma frustrated. You’re the one that freaks every time I talk to a SINGLE person! So? Why not now? Why are you suddenly wanting my opinion? She was mid non-argument with Sister Wolf when again she all but slammed into whom she assumed was the guard again. Ready to make apologies they stilled in her throat as the hands that had reached out to steady her didn’t let go. “We-he-hellll,” said a deep voice. The moonlight was weak, but Roma’s night sight was getting better the longer she was away from the fire. It was a man, a good looking one in fact. It was the first thing she noticed about him. The second was that he smelled heavily of alcohol and sweat. Immediately a chill ripped down her spine and she gasped and pulled back. “Easy there, girly. I won’t bite,” he said in a friendly voice and closed the distance between them once more. “Oh sorry, guess I should be watchin’ were I’m goin’,” she said easily enough. She could sense instantly that he likely had collided with her on purpose. His mouth hung open, and his hazy eyes were wandering. Damn. “Oh don’t be sorry, how else would we have met!” his arms opened dramatically and he leaned in too close. “Lucky me,” he said suggestively. He could be charming and would have been if he hadn’t reeked of booze, and didn’t possess that conceited quality that Roma reviled. A less savvy girl might have taken a jump and more than likely quite a few  had elsewise the bastard wouldn’t have been so sure of his … enormity. “I guess,” she said easily with a smile. Her hands went to her back pockets but she kept her ground. “But I bet you have all sorts of luck.” She said almost fippantly. He took a step closer and slipped his hand around her waist. “I only need one luck tonight. You’re new here arnchoo?” he slightly slurred and stumbled a bit. She caught him and helped him stand up. “Easy there, ya I am and it is SO nice to meetchya,” she said giving her best how-do-ya-do southern drawl. “Damn, your accent is sexy,” he said steadying himself on her shoulders. Roma was of a decent height but the man was tall, and heavy. “Hmmm yes well, can’t say that I have an accent where I come from,” she said mildly looking around to see if there might be someone to distract him. Crickets. She had no luck. “HA … that’s funny – you’re funny,” he said and lowered his hand to her face. Her hand caught his and pulled it away. “Now now, you break it you bought it and I am one hellavan expensive item,” she reasoned. “Oh really, how’s that?” “Well, I have deposits down on me already from quite a few onlookers already looking to wifey me up,” she said casually and winked. “Huh?” Oh, but wasn't he a gem. “Look cowboy it’s been very nice to meet you,” she started and took a step past him. “Hey wait,” he said and snagged her hand. His brow furrowed, but his eyes were still hazy. “Look, I’ve got to feed my kids darlin’,” she said and as soon as she said 'kids' his eyes grew wide. Ding ding ding! She had a winner. “Samuel, Jessica, Timmy, Tommy, Richard, and Cordelia … she’s the youngest,” she said her eyes rolling as she sighed with fondness. “She’s such a fussy thang, I’ll tell you their daddy just can’t seem to leave me alone! Rode be straight into a wide load if ya know what I mean, the last one practically fell out.” The look on his face was priceless and she went in for the kill as she took a seductive step forward. “Course, I’ve been lookin’ to settle up with the idea of a new daddy for them screamers … “ her lips parted and her eyes roved his features. “Too bad Buba’s the jealous type…” In three seconds flat she'd become too easy with too many problems. “Yeah um, sorry … “ he began and her eyes grew in hurt with every word. His hands went up as he took a step back. “I uh, have to use the john you know. I better get over there, then I’ve got some friends,” he was a terrible liar. The look on her face must have been too good because he amended … “Maybe we can hook up later or something …” Roma sighed heavily, “Well I have to see the doctor later darlin’ these fleas won’t kill themselves…” She was still chuckling under her breath when she walked up the incline and into the firelight. She settled by a post to wait for Tom, and killed time by watching his people. There were all sorts and the easiest thing to see was that they were all good people. She didn’t blame them for being guarded – they worked hard for what they had. Still, she seemed to always be on the outside. A little while went by, longer than she thought he’d have taken and she became antsy. She wasn’t much of a waiting type and eventually she followed her feet around the ring. Wandering down the side of the express she headed over to see if he horses might be nearby. She could smell them, but without Sister’s nose she couldn’t quite figure out where they were. As she rounded a corner, she heard voices and slowed to a halt. She blinked in realization that it was Tom’s voice and without thought moved closer. “I didn’t know!” that, was another mildly familiar voice …

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

It did not take him long to take the dishes. What ate his time happened to be the endless number of people who needed to talk to him. Endless discussions. Tomas wanted to tell these people that there was a chain of command for a reason--you talked to the lowest rank so that they could in turn talk to the higher rank and then the higher rank. They were unfamiliar with the term, however, and the last thing Tomas wanted to be was a militant dictator. When he finally managed to wriggle away from his Ring-members and return to the fire it was to discover that Roma was still absent. He had a bad feeling in his stomach and so he went off in the direction of the latrines. Her conversation with the man had just begun. Tomas intended to intervene then and there when she commented, I guess. I bet you're all sorts of luck. This ignited a jealousy in him. Tomas arms crossed and he stood back in the darkness, listening intently to the conversation as it progressed. There was something distinctly off about the entire thing and he watched Roman for signs of discomfort. She handled it well. She handled it like she was familiar with the situation, in fact. He didn't doubt that she was able to do so; she was independent, and strong. She managed it without violence, and he would have to commend her for that later... after he asked if she really had any kids. He ensured that she wandered safely back toward the fire before he abandoned his alcove and moved to confront her would-be assailant. Tomas smelled the stench of booze immediately. His jaw clenched; he had one rule for drinking and that was simple. Know your limit. This man clearly did not. The moment alcohol inhibited one's ability to function, particularly in a moral fashion, was the moment that they should no longer be allowed to drink. "Harrel," Tom called, to get his attention and keep him from being surprised. That was the only kindness the man received. Tomas then stepped close to him, so that they were practically breathing the same air. His lip curled in derision at the overwhelming odor of alcohol. The man wasn't stupid, even drunk. He knew immediately that this was a Tomas he had seen only once before, typically in battle. Harrel was taller than Tomas but that did not intimidate him; on contrary, it seemed as though Tomas were the taller of the two men, with shoulders squared and fists clenched. "If you ever touch her again," Tomas began. "I will cut off your hands." His voice was calm. Conversational. He stated a fact, simply and clearly. It was clear that Harrel now thought that Roma was Tomas' girl. It was true that she was under his protection but Harrel began to quibble apologetically. "I didn't know! I coulda swore she was just some newbie... I didn't know she was your girl!" He immediately backtracked, making excuses, his expression pinched into one of bewilderment and fear. Tomas reached out to pat Harrel almost comfortingly upon the shoulder; but then his hand remained there and tightened considerably. "If you ever touch any woman like that again I will cut off your hands. If you want to stay in this Ring, you better learn how to control your appetites." Words such as that coming from a man like Tomas carried severe weight. But people often forgot that Tomas' hands, which could be gentle, were also perhaps some of the harshest in the Menagerie. Morality among monsters held a terrible burden; Tomas was an enforcer of what was right and that was what he had been his whole life. He knew what was right and having seen Harrel advance upon Roma as he had... Tomas also knew what was wrong. He had dealt in war long before this and he would deal in war long into the future. Unfortunately, people seemed only to understand force in this Menagerie. He wished conversation held more weight but there was some wisdom in Machiavelli's famous words. If one cannot be loved, it is better to be feared. His jaw worked and his light blue eyes danced now not with mirth but with something somber. It was a brutal scene. The two men played out in shadows and light as the fires in the distance lit them obscenely. They were red and black, sharp angles, deep eyes. "You've embarrassed yourself and me. This is the only warning I will ever give you, Harrel. I don't tolerate behavior like that. Next time, I will personally punish you and see you from this Ring." Those were his parting words. Tomas shook the man's shoulder, somewhat harshly, and then released his grip. The drunk stumbled on his feet and continued to apologize, but Tomas did not heed him. He headed directly toward Roma--he had seen her approach highlighted by the firelight when she had come closer. The desert, unfortunately, did not offer much in the way of concealment and Tomas had a habit of remaining terribly aware of his surroundings. "Let's go." Tomas' voice had softened but not entirely; there was still a gruffness to it that had not been there before. He led her away from the crowd, having grown too annoyed with his people to continue mingling with them. He had a feeling that if he kept Roma out there something bad would happen. That was why he took her to his train-car, hand-in-hand. Once inside he opened a bottle of whiskey. She seemed like a whiskey girl, although Tomas hated to pigeon-hole. "Sorry it isn't on the rocks," he murmured as he handed her a glass. He was not a heavy drinker; every once in a while and in good company, he didn't mind a glass or two. "And... I'm sorry for that." His tone soured, as did his expression, and he shook his head. That was Tomas McKellar. Forever apologizing for other people and things out of his control. "You handled it perfectly yourself." He smiled, attempting to lighten the conversation through a compliment that he genuinely meant.

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[ROMA|RED]

Roma’s adrenaline rose as she watched the conversation, so engrossed it escaped her notice that she was not being sneaky in the least. Tom’s defense of her made her chest tighten, only to be deflated a second later when she realized it was behavior he wouldn’t have tolerated period. She felt foolish, as if it made a difference – it shouldn’t and she was glad that Tom was the kind of man that treated women well in general. Of course he wasn't worried over her ... she could take care of herself. Combined with that and the fact she hardly knew him it made perfect sense. Of course, he couldn't allow a predator to skulk around like that. It might not have ended the same with another girl ... The totality of the darkness was emphasized by the scarlet and blues against their outlines in the firelight. It was obvious that Tom was genuinely unhappy and suddenly Roma realized that this had to mean that he had seen the entire seen transpire. Sneaky man. Tom closed the conversation with a threat she believed every word of, he was wound too tight not to mean it and the asshole who’d grabbed her seemed to believe it too. She’d not seen Tom’s threatening side yet … her thoughts were suddenly interrupted. Let’s go, he said angrily, but more softly than she expected. She shifted her weight to move, assuming he would stalk off and leaving her to follow but was surprised when he took her hand again. She couldn’t help the small smile that lit eyes. Sister Wolf had appeared and quietly watched the scene play out with Roma, but slipped into the darkness of her mind once more before she had barely a chance to notice. She was acting very strangely, and it was throwing Roma off. Tomas lead them to a string of train cars that, from the looks of the few that were left open, served as rooms for families. Some seemed more homey than others. He levered himself into the train car and once up she immediately followed suit. She simply stood at the lip of the train car for a moment, hands on hips as she let out a sigh. A moment later, he returned with a bottle of whiskey and she couldn’t hide the grin that spread her face. She took the bottle and waved off his apologies about the lack of ice … a luxury that seemed to little matter against things like fresh water and a safe place to sleep. She set the bottle down without taking a drink. “Oh him? It weren’t nothin’,” she said almost too dismissively considering how close she'd come to danger. She lowered to sit on the edge, letting her feet dangle as she looked about curiously. Down the way, she saw a waif of a girl with a mass of long hair wrap her arms around a swarthy man and lay a kiss on him that might have made the faint of heart blush purple. He swung her around and she laughed. When he set her down and she drew back Roma could see the distinct outline of a stow away in her stomach. Roma blinked – she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen a pregnant woman. The man cradled her face in his hands and kissed her again and fussed before lowering to her stomach and giving the pronounced bump the same treatment. The girl smiled and looked about, a hand on her back and contentment radiating. Catching Roma watching she grinned broadly and winked. Roma smiled back. She couldn’t have been out of her teens and the man looked much older, but his affection and care was unmistakable. He lifted his hand in their direction, and Roma’s eyes tracked back to Tom who raised his hand with a friendly smile. When he sat she picked up the bottle and turned her attention to Tom. Taking a swig from the bottle, she held the sweet burning warmth in her mouth a moment and let out a hum of appreciation before swallowing and handing it to Tom. "Good stuff," she said and leaned to tap his shoulder with hers. There was an unsettled look in his eyes that bordered on stubborn and she sighed. “Really, it weren’t nothin’ … some of the bar drunks back home make that hombre look like a kitty cat. He was easy t’ scare off,” she shrugged. “Too much to drink and not thinkin' with the right head,” she said without pause. It occurred to her too late that Tomas might consider her vulgar. Her eyes widened in slight panic and she snagged the bottle back and looked away as she took another swallow. Returning the bottle she didn’t look at him and instead looked again for the couple but they had already retreated inside. Her hands interlaced as she stretched her arms high and taking her bravery by the reins settled her brown gaze on his baby blues as she leaned back, supporting her weight on her hands. “It’s really somethin’ here Tomas, aside from the warm welcome I wasn’t expecting it’s the most I’ve seen anyone have in the Menagerie. Hell I can’t blame ‘em you and they’re all they’ve got,” she said quietly. Then almost to herself, “I wonder if the other rings are like this…” she considered absently and looked up to the sky. The concept that Tom might have taken her musing wrong crossed her mind too late and she flashed him a flirtatious smile. “Not that I’m anxious to find out. Doubt they all have such handsome alphas that collect random strays,” she teased and scrunched her nose up at him and smirked.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

Inside the train car, Tomas calmed The world was shut away, if only temporarily, and it was merely the two of them again. This was a situation that was much more controllable and unaffected by the cruel realities of... well, people. Tomas couldn't even blame the situation on the Menagerie. It was just people. Not all of them were always good ones. They did not always accept another; they did not always respect them. It was then that he glanced outside again, and his fair was renewed. The couple he saw was not the traditional sort; but they were hard workers and they deserved happiness. They were good people and he was glad that Roma saw the exchange, brief as it may have been. He returned Slansky's greeting and then redirected his attention to his guest. He settled beside her on the edge of the train-car, the bottle between them. He thought carefully about what she had said. He wanted to be rash. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't alright, that none of it was alright, and that no man should act like that. Age had tempered him, however, and so he contemplated his words before he bothered to give them breath. "Please don't make excuses for men like that, Roma." He glanced at her. He knew she could take care of herself. That wasn't part of the question, or the problem. It was that sometimes a woman shouldn't have to defend herself; she shouldn't have to fight to gain the same respect men had. It was not until she had become Tomas possession that Harrel had respected her whatsoever. To Tom, that wasn't okay. "Booze is booze. You should know what it does to you and if it makes you like that, you shouldn't drink it. At least that's what I believe. Just because he was drunk isn't an excuse." It was all he intended to say on the subject. He didn't want to rile himself again and so he took another sip of whiskey and let the burn of it calm his nerves. He didn't know why, really, she made him so damn nervous. He wanted to touch her; but a part of him felt that maybe his intentions were clouded. He didn't want to be like Harrel. He didn't want her to think that that was the reason he had brought her there. So Tomas did not touch her. He gave a lopsided, boyish smile. All teeth, with crow's feet forming at the edges of his eyes. It was a good look, on Tomas. "Nah, they don't. Plus, the food is worse... Carna eats Fulsi and Fulsi eats expired ravioli. Plus... lemme tell you, Fallen has the best sunsets. I'll show you some time." He risked it, reaching out to casually rest his hand against her knee. There was nothing suggestive about it. It was merely one person touching another, maintaining a contact that connected them in some intimate way. His hand burned where it touched her and his stomach turned, not in a bad way, as though he had unsettled a nest of butterflies. The fires were beginning to be put out as the Fallen wandered off to their respective lodgings and so he pointed out with his free hand, toward the horizon, at the thousands of bright stars littering the blue-black of the sky. "Clearest skies." It didn't matter if they were fake. Beauty was still beauty. People had no problem admiring pictures, or paintings, and this was no different.

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[ROMA|RED]

There was a stubborn, hardened part of her that rebelled at his words. It didn’t work that way, couldn’t work that way inside her brain. Roma had dealt with behavior like that all of her life. Since she’d turned twelve men had treated her like something to have, and there was nothing she, or anyone else for that matter, could do about it. It was part her life, something she had lived with and giving it that kind of importance, giving those bastards that kind of villainy was not something she could do. It was too hard. If they were stupid, childish drunks that pawed at her … easily handled in their own way then Roma was okay at the end of the night. Many years of bad situations had made things like tonight easy, not even worth the drama of mentioning it. In fact, she wasn’t sure she would have said anything to Tomas if he hadn’t seen it. Roma had the talent of bringing out the worst in people, but if she treated it as a travesty? As a grave situation that could have left her damaged? Then everything in her life was rewritten, and she wouldn’t … couldn’t make herself a victim like that. There would be no one to pick up the pieces, just like there was never anyone who stopped them from breaking. She’d had to learn to take care if it herself. Eventually back home she’d gotten a reputation for handling anything herself, so no one felt the need to intervene. It was a vicious cycle. Not to mention, Tomas was a man – and not the first to comment on how terrible behavior like Harrel’s was. The difference was they weren’t on the receiving end and couldn’t possibly know what it was like to deal with that kind of treatment. It wasn’t even their fault. They were good men, men that wanted to be the good guy, sweep in like the Lone Ranger on their white horse and save the girl. Roma just wasn’t the one that got saved and though it hurt, she’d made peace with it. Just like tonight, Tomas couldn’t have allowed behavior like that from Harrel to protect the women in his camp and he’d used Roma as an example. That sat fine with her, some women hadn’t developed the skills to handle that kind of situation … and they would have gotten hurt. It was because of this she took a deep breath, took a long pull from the bottle, and let it go. She wasn't worth the fight. It was hard not to argue, but Tomas would never see it the way she saw it – and she hoped he never did. He could chug right along being Boy Wonder and she was fine with that. Well, Man Wonder – but it didn’t roll off the tongue as easy. Sister Wolf’s curiosity lingered in the darkness. She did not like being around people, did not like being touched, did not like any of it – but it was what Roma needed. She had begun to close herself off in a way that Sister Wolf could not fix. The entire purpose of shielding her was so that she didn’t have to be afraid, didn’t have to remember, didn’t have to suffer. Tonight was about letting Roma be Roma, and it was a residual feeling of contentment that Sister felt because of it. So when Tomas reached out and touched their leg she recoiled completely – and let Roma free. Roma blinked. Sister Wolf had all but vanished the moment Tom touched their leg. She couldn’t blame her it was her usual reaction when Roma decided to have a little fun, but she’d not even been thinking about it. It was something to consider later, but just now was too difficult to focus on. “You did show me the sunset,” she said quietly. Her words held meaning, as if there were things left on the tour that she hadn't seen. Almost automatically she shifted her weight and leaned over, setting her head on his shoulder as she looked up at the stars. Every nerve in her body was acutely aware that his hand was on her knee. It was a comfortable movement, but she was greedy and wanted more, especially because of the day. The initial terror she had instinctually felt when Harrel had come too close made her want to erase it the way she always did. With two hands she did want on her, and one of those hands had held hers the majority of the day. The last time she had initiated something, he had pulled away from her and she was aware that it might happen again. Her experience told her that he needed to be the one to initiate things, with small encouragements, and mirrored advances. Too fast and she’d lose him. They were a rare breed and usually not worth the trouble, but Roma couldn’t ignore what she had felt earlier at the oasis. It was with this in mind that after a long while her head carefully lifted, her red hair falling back as her lips found the neckline of his shirt, and she kissed the warm skin beyond it – just once at the base of his neck. Giving him a touch of space she moved back, setting her chin on the edge of his shoulder. His eyes settled on her, and her mouth bowed into a small smile. Her brown hues were half lidded, her expression that of a contented cat by the fire.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

Tomas had forgotten. He laughed lightly at his own mistake. "You're right." He said nothing else, not for the moment. The silence was nice and he listened to the quiet, still desert. He could still hear mothers herding their children to bed and lovers quarreling outside a distant train-car. The wind whispered soft and sweet across the sands; he knew the night would get cold but for now it still held the heat of the day. He was content with her there, head against his shoulders, and his thumb traced idle circles across her knee. He wanted to do so much more. However, that sourness left by Harrel still seemed present to Tomas, try as he may to ignore it. He refused to be that man. He refused. The last thing he wanted was her thinking that he had dragged her here for some stupid, lusty reason. He was uncharacteristically frozen. Tomas, a man of action, frozen. He had a habit of over-thinking matters, particularly of the romantic sort, and it was not until he felt Roma's hot lips that he melted. That touch was all it took. Tomas turned toward her, as he had been too uncertain previously. What do you want? He almost asked it, but instead he looked at her eyes. They swallowed him. He felt laid bare, naked, in her gaze. And he realized something as he looked at her. If she did not want to be there, she wouldn't have stayed. She was smart. She was talented. She knew how to handle herself. If she did not want this she would have left and she was no fool. He reached out with his free hand, turning toward her. He lifted her chin with his index and middle finger and suddenly, with the inevitability of something great and terrible, brought his lips to hers. It began with the soft care of the kiss at the oasis. It began gentle and warm and sweet. Then Tomas' hand ran up her leg and he drew her closer. The intensity of it increased until he pulled back, breathless, to trail kisses from her mouth to her jaw to her neck. "If you want... you could stay and I'll show you the sunrise."

[ROMA|RED]

When his fingers lifted her chin, she breathed a soft gasp of surprise. Her eyes closed as he drew near. It was a kiss laced in sweetness. She didn’t move, didn’t know how to react to such gentleness and care. However, when his hand moved up her leg and drew her close she responded with interest. In that instant they were back in Their World - the world where they had met. A world where it was just Roma and Tom and the disasters of the Menagerie fell away. An infinitely more dangerous world: one that Roma was becoming irrevocably addicted to. His lips followed a trail of freckles to her collarbone, and against her skin he murmured an invitation to stay. To stay and see the sunrise? She smiled and nodded, and it was not long after that the door to his train car closed for the night. The heat of Texas lingered into the night, giving them little motivation to cover their naked bodies. In the truck they were safe from the warm downpour that fell from a clouded sky. The smell of rain and mud had driven away the choke of dust the land regularly seemed to revel in doling out, leaving the air fresh and exciting. Roma looked up from her lazy position atop RJ who lay on his back across the bench seat of the ancient Chevy. “Never, you never see yourself doin’ that?” “Getting married? Hell no. There’s too much to see and explore, places I ain’t been,” he replied to the ceiling as if marriage were prison. “You could still do those thangs,” Roma said in a small, doubtful voice. “The hell I could! With a woman hollerin’ in my ear about never being home. Screw that,” he said with a huge grin and settled his hands behind his head. Her red head settled against his chest again, and her finger traced a patter across his chest. “Yeah,” she answered, her voice somber and lacking in truth. “I wouldn’t ever get married either. Too much trouble, and too ‘spensive even for jes’ the dress.” “Ha! Yeah right huh? Not like you’d need a white one anyway,” he sneered. “You could probly jes’ dance down the aisle in jeans to the hoe-down song,” he laughed. “Now THAT would be classy,” he mocked. Hurt crept into her gaze before she pushed it away and half sat up and smacked his shoulder, “Hey! That’s mean!” she protested. An instant later he wrestled her onto her back pinning her down, glaring mismatched blue and brown eyes at her. “What are you gonna do ‘bout it?” His hand snaked into her hair, grabbing a fistful as he kissed her violently. Breaking away with a pant, he smirked. “Not like a good man ‘d want you anyway Roma, trash is trash.” She looked up and saw Tom’s face. The mismatched eyes remained as he laughed cruelly. A slam made her gasp and jump, though Tom did not react and buried his mouth into her neck. Roma peeked over the dashboard to the hood outside, where a red wolf leered at her through the rain with brilliant golden eyes. Her head lowered as her lips raised in a snarl. Roma, wake up … wake up… ….WAKE UP! Roma sat bolt upright with a gasp, and breathed hard as she looked around with golden eyes. Where was she? Where...? Her hand gripped a sheet to her bare chest as she trembled and slowly realized exactly where she was. Her shoulders sank as she relaxed, then squeaked out alarm when an arm tightened around her middle. Brown eyes turned to see Tom with a worried expression on his face, and it was with immense relief that she saw his two eyes were blue. Normal and blue. “Sorry,” she whispered and gave him a gentle smile. “Nightmare,” she lied, but the memory was slipping away with every second. She let it, there were some things about Texas she desperately missed, the men in her life back then – were not any of them.

[TOMAS MCKELLAR]

It was not something he would have normally done... at least that was what Tomas told himself. He relished, however, the warmth of her skin and the soft-roughness of her touch. Her hands were calloused from work but it was irrelevant to him. It did not matter she was no soft-bodied, pliant woman. It was the first time in months the rest of the world truly fell away and Tomas was merely Tomas, laid bare, nothing but himself at his most earnest. He had not slept beside someone in a long time, so long he couldn't remember, and he was so aware of her by his side that he was awake the moment she jerked upright. He expected her to settle down again after a moment, and he gave a moment of privacy--but when she did not relax he tightened his arm around her, pulling her close. "I'm sorry..." His voice was a murmur. Roma settled back down against him. Tomas had not realized that he had been worried she would leave until that moment with her firmly replaced in his arms. He kissed her naked shoulder and said nothing for a moment. He could not decide if he wanted to venture toward a query. He knew so much of nightmares and how personal they could be; it was not uncommon for him to awaken in a cold sweat, clawing at old shrapnel wounds or screaming a name of a friend that had been gone for a long time. He knew plenty about nightmares and he knew that he never liked to talk of them. So he did not ask. He simply kissed her again, this time behind her ear. "Sleep better now," he whispered. Despite himself, Tomas could not refrain from something cliche. "There's nothing here that will hurt you." He would not let them. "I promise." He did not hold a fragile thing. He held something wild, something unpredictable, and Tomas knew it. She did not need his protecting; but he still offered it.

[ROMA|RED]

His arms were strong as they encircled her, and with care not force he pulled her close to him. His lips pressed against her shoulder, the prickle of his stubble giving her goose bumps. He was kind. He was good. Despite herself the echoes of unwanted memory struck in her mind. Not like a good man ‘d want you anyway Roma, trash is trash. It wasn’t true, couldn’t be … the eyes of the people, his people from earlier bore into her. They knew. They knew instantly what Tomas couldn’t. He was too good natured, too forgiving to realize ... There’s nothing here that will hurt you, it was then that she turned to him as a trembled breathe escaped her. How could he not see? I promise. She lay down beside him, pressed herself against his warmth. It comforted her and she let it soak in … how selfish she was. It didn’t matter that he was an alpha, didn’t matter that he had good people that would follow him anywhere. Tomas himself was a good person within good people and she did not belong with him. She should never have come. She should have left him in the oasis the moment she knew. Then leave. It was the first comment Sister Wolf had made all evening. She had wanted Roma to enjoy herself, to feel the safety of the warm rays that people could offer. But if it brought nothing but turmoil then Sister Wolf found no reason for her to stay. That Roma had come to this conclusion without her aid: that people were wonderful and dangerous, and that she had no place among them, then Sister Wolf could not argue with her. In Tomas Sister had seen those things that Roma needed the most, scared her the most … and she was convincing herself that they were the things she least deserved. Her wide, brown eyes closed as they settled and long after Tomas fell asleep Roma lay awake. The instant she had woken from the dream he had as well – he was a light sleeper. It would take Sister Wolf’s cunning to get them out without notice… The frigid air hit her face sharply as they galloped away from the rising sun. Pulling up the restless mare, Roma watched the trickling of bright orange merge with violet that colored the landscape. Tomas had been right, it was beautiful. Despite herself, she looked back to the Fallen Ring in the distance as Dezba’s hooves danced beneath her. She wasn’t so far that she couldn’t see the small figure that stood there in the dawn light – watching her. The child held up a hand with a gap–tooth smile and waved goodbye. Roma returned the wave and turned Dezba south-east. Things would be best if she did not stay. Roma uncharacteristically dug her heels into the horse, and Dezba bolted out into a head-long gallop in response. Roma urged her faster and faster until she was a clouded speck in the distance. Maybe if they got away fast enough, she could outrun her fears. Maybe … if they ran fast enough … they could outrun her guilt for not saying goodbye.

END THREAD