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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 4, 2007 21:37:57 GMT -5
Derek stands there, looking horrified and once again having nothing to say. Autumn approaches Janelle and kneels next to her. "It's over. It's in your past," Autumn says in solace. "Come here. Everything will be fine." She pulls the girl into a comforting hug.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 4, 2007 21:45:02 GMT -5
At first Janelle stiffens at Autumn's touch, but then she hugs her back, crying into her shoulder and clinging to her as though for dear life. There's something distinctly childlike in her manner, as though essentially living through that moment again had put her in a 13-year-old mindset, or perhaps she just felt so hopeless that it reduced her to a sense of youth and needing someone to take care of and guide you.
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 4, 2007 21:46:48 GMT -5
Autumn holds Janelle there, giving up on saying anything to comfort her. Derek finally has some tears falling down his cheeks, despsing himself for not being able to do anything else and wanting to kill the man who did it.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 4, 2007 21:53:46 GMT -5
After a long time of crying, Janelle's sobs and tears begin to subside, mostly from exhaustion. Finally she falls silent and lifts her face from Autumn's shoulder, shooting the guys a skittish, startled-deer look.
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 4, 2007 21:56:01 GMT -5
Autumn smooths Janelle's hair. "It's okay. Their not going to hurt you. They're worried about you." Derek starts to move, but Autumn cuts him off with a mental note. Not until she says it's okay.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 4, 2007 21:58:29 GMT -5
Janelle watches them carefully for a long moment, almost examining them for any signs of trechery, then finally she gives a little nod. Chaosti starts to approach, but then falls back as he decides to let Derek go first.
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 4, 2007 21:59:44 GMT -5
Derek walks towards her as Autumn moves to the side, but staying close enough so Janelle knows she's still there. "Hey, are you okay?"
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 4, 2007 22:03:08 GMT -5
Shivering slightly, but from shock and nerves, not cold, Janelle gives a little, jerky-movement shrug and says in a faint voice strained from the screaming and crying, "I guess.. No.. I don't know.."
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 17:24:52 GMT -5
Derek nods. "I'm not even going to try to say I know how you feel, 'cause I don't. But I do want you to know that I still feel the same about you and you can talk to me about anything. And I won't try to force you to talk or anything like that." Autumn gives him a small smile of approval.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 17:36:49 GMT -5
Though she isn't nearly ready to be smiling and happy-go-lucky again, Janelle does give him a grateful look and says quietly, "Thank you.."
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 17:38:42 GMT -5
"No problem," he says, quietly. "That's what I'm here for." He moves to the side and looks back at Chaosti, to indicate a change of turns.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 17:45:26 GMT -5
Chaosti nods to Derek, both to indicate his understanding and in silent approval of what he'd said - and perhaps even approval of him. He then approaches Janelle, stopping when her shivering starts to get worse and kneeling down on the ground so he was at her level. "You know I'll always be here for you, right?" He asks softly. She nods slightly. "You can always come to me about anything. And I swear on my life we'll hunt down the son of a bitch and-" He stops before getting carried away detailing just how they would kill her assailant and says instead, "I think it might be a good idea for you to talk to Elena about what you've been through. When you're ready. It might be theraputic - for both of you." Then he puts on his cocky older-brother grin and says, "And you do realize that I'm going to be your shadow from your thirteenth birthday until your fourteenth, right?" Janelle manages a slight twitch of her lips, but still isn't in a smiling mood.
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 17:47:40 GMT -5
Autumn smiles at Chaosti before looking back at Janelle. "And if you want, I can try to teach you to defend yourself with your power. It's actually come in handy for me on a few occasions."
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 18:04:08 GMT -5
Janelle nods slightly again and says, "That sounds good.. Thank you."
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 18:07:45 GMT -5
"I think it's about time we get you back to the castle, Janelle," Autumn says. "You could use some rest." Derek nods, but resists the urge to helps her get up.
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 18:23:49 GMT -5
Janelle considers this for a moment, then finally nods in agreement and begins to stand, using the tree at her back to brace herself. Just then, trumpeting a battle cry, Mistral comes charging into the clearing, eyes wild. He immediately places himself between Janelle and the males, lowering his horn in their direction and warning them off with another equine 'roar'. Startled, Janelle plonks right back down in the dirt, looking alarmed until she realizes what just happened and who stands towering over her. She reaches a hand out and touches Mistral's flank lightly, stroking him placatingly and murmuring, "It's okay, they're not trying to hurt me. It's okay, Mistral." He swings his head around to look her in the eye with one of his great silver eyes, and though Janelle possesses no telepathy, let alone animal telepathy, an understanding seems to pass between them. Finally Mistral snorts and relaxes, nudging at Janelle's arm affectionately and lowering his head. Janelle takes hold of his long spiral horn and he lifts upward, helping her to stand. She steadies herself by placing a hand on his shoulder and he cranes his neck around to give her a nudge towards his back. Managing to muster enough energy to make a 'stepstool' out of air, she hoists herself up onto his back, leaning over so she can ride partially lying down over his back and neck. "To the edge of the forest would be nice.." She murmurs, closing her eyes. Mistral snorts in aquiescence and begins to walk towards the castle at an easy pace, so as not to disturb her. Chaosti just stands there immobile, staring after the girl and unicorn in disbelief.
[duuuuude that was a long post... oops..]
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 18:51:23 GMT -5
((lol, Long posts are fine.))
Derek, scared out of his wits by Mistral, waits a minute before walking behind the unicorn and Janelle. Autumn stands up and walks over to Chaosti. "Let's give them some space," she says, leaning her head on his shoulders. "She's been through a lot and she knows he just wants to help."
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 18:53:50 GMT -5
Pointing vaguely at the departing pair, Chaosti says, "Bu- ah- jibba wha?" in a Danny, Art Club President way even though only starcrossed knows what she's talking about.
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Post by Sharkbait on Feb 5, 2007 18:56:07 GMT -5
((.....Okay then.))
Autumn laughs. "Don't worry. If anything happens, we'll be close enough to get there before anything serious happens."
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Post by starcrossed on Feb 5, 2007 18:59:20 GMT -5
"But... But he's a unicorn. A unicorn. Nobody rides unicorns.." Chaosti protests, though he starts walking alongside Autumn to catch up to the others a bit.
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