Guilty Pleasures

[homeless_pard]

Who: Khemrys, Raphael, Richard, Anita
When: A week or so after Khem moves into Lillian's spare bedroom to spare Anita's nerves.
What: Reconciliation. Ostensibly. (Not).

Khemrys woke with a dark feeling, hands shivering as she made her morning tea and passed Lillian a mug of soothing tisane. There had been more injuries recently, and many of the rats were uttering darkly that it was because Anita had all but said she didn't care for the rats now that they were sheltering Khemrys. As a consequence those that were probing at the St. Louis area were striking the rats first, many of whom still had non-shifter family or friends. A community, the wererats. It wasn't bad enough yet that Rafael had come to her to approach Jean Claude but she and Lillian were pulling full shifts at the hospital, twelve and twelve, that often bled far longer. Hence barely managing a meal before one or the other of them needed to sleep.

But today...today felt different. Something that had been hovering and vague was narrowing dark attention upon her specifically. It was certainly far from reassuring...but it was relieving in the fact that it meant that such may not be bleeding frustrations upon those who'd been kind to her. Just as she was trying to resign herself to whatever this was there was a knock on the apartment door, Rafael letting himself in after a moment, "ah, Khem...we've got silver..."

She gasped, dropping her mug and not even bothering to throw on a coat or shoes as she tore toward the hospital. The soonest she could get hands on the poor injured shifter the better in this case, they'd learned that in the past week at least? If she got them soonest silver didn't kill, nor did it even truly scar with her and her knowledge of drawing poisons.

At least awakening to power had been useful in some regard?

Rafael snorted and scooped her up within a few feet, he could get there FASTER and he had no idea where her shoes were. Fool woman. "I hear your shop misses you..." he noted, no reason not to have a pleasant conversation after all!

"And I it," she admitted, barely paying attention. "It has been a home, but it is the High Lord's in truth, no matter it was also funded by a heart's brother and my lord Jason."

"Homes are important though," he sighed, nodding to one of his that opened the door for them. "We're working on it okay?" If nothing else he'd approach Jean Claude about buying the damn thing if it came to it, he knew what assets were worth indulging after all. And damned if she hadn't been compounding medicines based on sending runners to her manager there...

"Stress not lord," she noted softly as he set her down by a bed, "all resolves itself in time. And homes may change." It was a distracted statement though as she knelt by the bleeding young man to see to his arm. Shot. A bullet. She was learning to hate this world's weapons, as if death were hard to ensure with lesser weapons! Feh! "He'll not lose the arm but it will take some hours, please ask others be seen to unless they too arrive silver-shot..." she murmured, cleaning the wound after sending the boy into a deep slumber.

"Of course, don't you dare drop on us." She'd done that a time or two since she'd started staying with them, pushing a new power too far...so a lot of people fed her snacks randomly and checked in on her just in case...

"Aye..." she didn't truly hear him and he resigned himself to getting a meal into her soon.

Far later the room went oddly quiet, Rafael was physically blocking the door baring his teeth in a display any rat would be wary of...but the warm, rich voice past him didn't seem to care. "I just want to meet her."

"She'd busy, Richard. Sit and wait if you really want."

"You can't stop me..."

"Is that a challenge?"

Khemrys blinked at the menace in that tone, rising and wiping her hands before touching her friend's shoulder, "who has come lord?"

"Lord?" Richard snorted, looking over the man's shoulder at her then blinking. "You're a stick of a thing aren't you?" How was this woman any kind of issue enough to twist Anita harder in the triumvirate?

"Respect to our healer," Raphael hissed.

"Healer huh?" the wolf reached forward to pinch Khemrys's chin, truly puzzled and trying to just...understand. No one was talking to him until Anita had called, teary, last night...

Khemry's eyes swam to gold in shock before she stepped back, she had been told since her arrival that she need NOT allow handling! "I have granted you no such familiarity lord!"

"...what has been given my wolves is mine," he noted gently. "I need to see."

"I granted no such to a wolf, lord, but to a man who wouldst not hand me to another so casually."

"Casual huh?" he mused, eyes stormy as he withdrew his hand. "And you're okay with others calling him?"

"It is his chosen role, lord, as he accepts my own boundaries I accept his choices within reason."

"Reason huh?" he sighed. "He's been...upset since you moved in here."

"Was I to stay where I caused such unrest to a woman who thinks herself a Power?" she countered gently, trying not to feel hurt that Jason might have sent this man.

"Thinks?" Richard rumbled dangerously.

Ah, yet another of the woman's toyed and twined hearts. She had grown lax in her words since living somewhere safe against such. "Aye, but certainly it is not why such as you came?" she noted, gratefully for Rafael's arm still between them.

"I came..." he sighed, "because she doesn't have your number."

...what? She blinked, "I don't understand."

"She's upset at the harm this is causing to our pack, so..."

"And so?" she sighed.

"So, here's her number. Please call her," he sighed, passing a piece of paper.

She accepted the slip, peering at it, "is this an order then lord?" Or attempt at such?

"...what? No. Just...I don't like either of them unhappy. My pack or Anita."

Ah, and so he sought her to broker peace though it had been the woman's words not her own that caused such a rift. "I see. Your concern is a kindness unto them."

"Kindness...right," he sighed, glanced at Rafael, then headed back outside.

The Rat King sighed and glanced over his shoulder at the healer, "are you alright?"

"That was their...third?" she mused.

"Yeah, that fucked up triumvirate of Power crap. Messes with his head. He used to be a decent guy, he still tries but..." yeah. "The power helps him hold the wolves safe, but he's strong enough to do that on his own now I think."

"One may hope," she sighed. "My thanks for the shield."

"Hey, part of my job girl. Now, that number..."

"I will call," she admitted, making the man wince. "I felt threatened today lord. There is ill intent and it bears upon me like the wind. Best to see what has been planned."

"Hell."

She chuckled as he pushed her toward the breakroom and firmly pointed at the cardboard container of curry before finding her a phone. She had one of her own, true, worn at her side in a silk pouch, but better mayhap that she did not give the number to Anita. "Aye, eating, eating..." yes, eating, then poking the number into the phone and setting it to speaker.

She preferred the 'speaker' setting, it let her use her hands in other projects, in this case, feeding herself! "Anita."

Ah, such a charming way to answer a phone. "You sent a lord with your number," Khemrys noted softly, Rafael shamelessly leaning in the door to listen. "If you wish to speak, lady..."

Anita sighed, shifting the phone on her shoulder and waving Micah out of the room. Finally, the bitch had taken the bait. She had plans, yes. "Look, I don't like you."

"Such is apparent, yes."

"But I don't like my people unhappy either. Jason's been moping and that has an effect on his work and his role as pomme." Not to mention the fucker had turned HER down when she'd tried to convince the man why his moping was idiotic.

"My lord Jason is very dedicated to his work in all roles," Khemrys noted stiffly.

"He's MINE. And Jean Claude's. And Richards. Don't forget that, so I have to pay attention to his health," Anita growled. Some words just got her back up and that was one of them. No one else got to claim her people. Obviously she just needed to show the man that this saint Khemrys was just like any other slut once a man stopped paying attention to her. Hence this...plan. "Look, vocabulary aside we should talk," she sighed.

"Are we not doing such?"

"Face to face," she snorted. "Neutral ground even, just some girl talk okay? I just want to work this out for my people."

Khemrys paused in her eating to glance at Rafael and sigh, rubbing a temple. She could already feel the headache. "As you like then."

"Good, meet me at the club. That lets Jason see you when his shift is over." A baited hook the bitch couldn't ignore, hopefully. More importantly she'd checked the schedules, Jason had a hen party, that meant her wolf would have his hands full until Khemrys was suitably...occupied.

"The club," Khemrys repeated, a touch stunned.

"He's told you about his work right? It's a good neutral zone and has better drinks."

Rafael was shaking his head, but Khemrys sighed, "alright then. When?"

"Tonight, seven."

"One hour," Rafael sighed, already leaning out of the door to arrange some security. Or driver. EITHER OR IN THIS CASE.

"If there are no pressing injured here then I will be present," Khemrys allowed. "Should another arrive with dire injury you will be contacted."

"Be there," Anita snorted, hanging up. It irked her that the woman not only messed up the necessary balance in life but that she called Jean Claude High Lord obediently but didn't follow her directives properly. Bitch. "I'll be out," she snapped, breezing past Micah and Nat as she pulled her coat on.

She had things to do.

Events to set up.

If she recalled properly the set before Jason's was new blood. All masculine assurance and sculpted body, more than happy to take on a wilting virgin or two with the proper incentive. And by the time she had a drink or two in Khemrys, well, there'd be no resisting the Arduer. She could set the young man at any target she chose and Jason would fall back in line properly...

...and if that somehow didn't work no doubt seeing how Jason behaved with the parties that paid, well, that would achieve the same end wouldn't it? Finally things were looking up!

Better the woman drifted in the door alone, though someone had obviously made a suggestion as to wardrobe. None of those peasant skirts and laced blouses, no, she was in leather, kneehigh boots and black leggings under the sweeping, teasing edge of a coat that gave the illusion of a skirt with how it flared at the poor excuse for hips the woman had. Almost presentable then, a fact that made Anita smirk and wave at the bartender. They'd start easy, something fruity, light, and laced with powder.

She hadn't banked on the healer taking one sniff and setting the drink aside distastefully. Hell. "If you'd speak, lady?"

Anita sighed, waving for something else, "I need to know how to resolve this...thing....between us."

Khemrys blinked, hands soothing the coat edge along her knees as she considered that, "as I am aware, lady, I hold naught between us. You have no care for me, and so I have left."

"People remember you though," Anita sighed, sipping her own drink and watching as Khemrys set aside the next glass as well.

"I cannot and will not change the minds and memories of others, lady. Such is of the Left hand path and I do not walk such."

"Bullshit," Anita snorted. "They're happier, and healthier, forgetting. That's healing, not tampering."

"As the lady is not a healer I cannot agree," she noted gently, glancing at the stage as the performer before Jason stepped up to start his set.

Not bad, in Anita's experience, but then, Jean Claude didn't hire amateurs, it'd be a waste of hormones after all. "Look, fine, not forgetting, but you should end things. You're not coming back, Jean Claude won't have you, he's on my side."

"Ah," Khemrys mused softly, hands sliding in her lap again. "And you speak on his behalf then?"

FINALLY AN IN! "Of course."

"I see." Khemrys stopped fidgeting after she'd pulled her phone from it's pouch, fingers tracing one of the combinations she'd memorized. If Anita spoke with the High Lord's words then the man should not be surprised to be on speaker under the table edge now should he? "I have been naught but an aid to many here, I'd not think him so rash in his choices to bar me."

"He's come to his senses since whatever you did to him when the Council visited," she snorted. "Things are running better in your absence. "

"And yet the borders are sore taxed."

"No one would dare," Anita smiled.

"Then the numbers in the hospital have no bearing and sound no alarm to you?" Khemrys countered softly.

"My people know to tell me when there's need. I'm their protector."

"Ah, those who have sworn to you only then? The rats do not do so in my experience and so they do not fall under your protections despite treaties with the High Lord?"

"They don't feed the Arduer, by choice," Anita sighed, even the next mug of tea set aside by the picky little fake leopard.

"It is not a factor in their treaty," Khemrys countered gently. "They hold the border and intelligence in return for aid and shelter at need when they sound alarm. As they have."

"Not to me!"

"You are no war general, lady."

Fuck this shit. The target's set was over and she was tired of this game already, "I am the fucking protector, they come to me or to no one. Must not be a problem if they haven't asked my help. Also it's rude you won't drink with me. I've tried to accommodate you."

"I know doses when I scent them, lady," Khemrys noted quietly. "I am a healer after all."

"Bullshit, no one would dare try to drug you here, and your nose isn't were-good anyway, you're just being rude." She reached forward to sip one of the drinks as 'example' knowing it was nothing against her own ability. "See?"

"Foolishness, lady."

Anita sighed, "lady this, lady that, fuck you. I've been nice, Khemrys and you won't even give me my due as Jean Claude's partner. I'm High Lady to you."

Khemrys sighed, shifting to leave the booth, "you are not wed, lady, and have not taken any of the true responsibilities of such a title. If you'll not care for the lands proper, then you'll have no higher rank." It was common sense.

"Where do you think you're going?" Anita growled, grabbing the girl's wrist and letting her own power rise. "There's someone I want to introduce you to." Her role here was to submit and shatter that foolish dream Jason held, anything else was window dressing.

Khemrys froze, looking down at that grip, "you do not wish to test me lady." The words were near deadly calm, though gently said, somehow making the air seem muted and quiet despite the pounding music. "This meet was but a sham and an attempt to pad your own ego. I'll not be party to such."

"The hell you won't," Anita hissed, her other hand reaching for the man smiling and coming toward them.

"Awwww, is she shy?" the stripper smiled.

"Very," Anita purred as Jason's set cued up, women surging toward the stage.

Hmmm. Khemrys sighed and wrapped her fingers in turn about Anita then, "and so. Shouldst I find you an abuser, lady? One who seeks to harm those sworn to you?" The threat was again softly spoken, but no less real for that fact. Jean Claude was likely sending someone to prevent the shattering of the triumvirate, and her own escort was going to poke their heads in any moment to check on her...

...but she would not bow before this creature and the reek beginning to rise from her no.

Comments

[jasonpschuyler]

That sly smile was already on his face when he stepped on stage, body already moving with the music as he blinked into the stage lights. This wasn't one of his favorite sets, but there was a hen party at one of the front-of-stage tables that he was supposed to work up, and that was always fun.

At least his costume was just a T-shirt and jeans for this set, and the T-shirt would be gone fast enough. It was already roasting in here.

He spotted his table and slid to his knees at the edge of the stage, pointing to the woman wearing the gaudy sash and miniature penises necklace and beckoning her forward. Hen parties were so much fun. The usual red-faced refusal and he grinned, crawling seductively over their table until he was inches away from her.

The crowd screamed their encouragement, and he rose up on his knees in front of her invitingly as her friends started reaching out to touch him and try to convince her to go.

[homeless_pard]

Khemrys didn't even blink as the crowd past Anita went wilder, "your answer?" she asked softly.

"Hey...hey I don't know what's going on here..." the stripper swallowed, holding his hands up, "but..."

"She's just shy," Anita growled, glancing at the man. "Cold feet now. But I paid you to show her a good time and get her through some issues."

"No. no way in hell, I'll give the money back, consent is a thing you know..."

Khemrys spared a glance for the young man, cool and distant as a statue, "my thanks, you may go." Exactly as if she was in control here.

He didn't need to be told twice!

[jasonpschuyler]

There were a few glances from the tables nearby at the drama unfolding at that table, but it was loud enough that most couldn't hear what was being argued about.

Jason laughed as a couple of the women pulled at his shirt, turning his head to wink at them. And saw Dylan trying to back away from a table, arguing with...fuck, was that Anita?

And...

He blinked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. What the fuck was Khemrys doing here...and with Anita. He tried to smile and disentangle himself from the women at the table.

[homeless_pard]

"Let me go bitch," Anita hissed, pulling on her arm as Dylan left Arduer range. Why did everything go wrong when Khemrys was around? WHY?!

"You touched me," Khemrys reminded simply, still smoked ice to Anita's raised voice. "I've no reason to release you without apology."

Anita snarled and pulled on her arm, not freeing herself but it just pull Khem off balance enough that her phone fell, the screen blinking out as it fell.

"WERE YOU RECORDING ME?!"

[jasonpschuyler]

He saw the two struggling and Anita's voice rising over the noise of the club.

Fuck.

Suddenly he was off the table and moving quickly towards the back where Khem was, followed by a sudden chorus of protest from the hen party. He barely heard them.

He climbed into their booth, confusion and anger on his face. "What the fuck is going on?" he hissed.

[homeless_pard]

Anita plastered a smile on, releasing her fingers, "Jason, you're suppose to be on...she disturbed you I'm sorry..."

Khemrys turned the flat, golden moon rising gaze on Jason when he arrived, Power crackling in the air, he hadn't seen it last time. How distant and cool her golden eyes could be..."I was drawn under false pretense, my lord."

"He's MINE, and the triumvirates!" Anita growled yanking on her arm again.

[jasonpschuyler]

He ignored Anita when he saw Khem, and his eyes widened when he saw that strange look to her eyes, her power prickling along his skin. He frowned at Anita. "What did you do?"

His face set angrily when she yelled her claim. He moved closer, unable to stare down at her because of his height, but glaring at her from inches away. "I am NOT yours, Anita. What the fuck are you trying to pull?"

[homeless_pard]

"Asked me here to tell me to leave the city and erase everyone's memories, as if I could...."

"You're a witch," Anita growled, finally pulling her arm free, "you twist things, and people!" Obviously. "Listen to her Jason, why would I ever say something like that?!"

"...attempting to drug me..." Khemrys mused in the same distant, power laden tone.

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason's eyes flicked to Khem in alarm, then back to Anita. "You tried to drug her?" he growled angrily. "What is the matter with you?"

There was a sudden cool wash of power through the club, gentle velvety suggestions that made the interest in the commotion at their table fade, and Jean Claude was standing at their table, studying the three of them. His fury was more than palpable, but it shot through them like ice as he spoke. "You are making in a scene."

[homeless_pard]

She gestured to the drinks on the table, still feeling much like she was moving through cold honey. It was hard to...connect. "She abuses her power." Jean Claude probably recognized the tone if nothing else?

Anita looked at Jean Claude, eyes dark, "you just take her word when she attacked me?!"

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason glanced down grabbed one of the drinks, sniffing deeply at it. He gave a low growl, thrusting the drink in Anita's face. "I can even smell it." He glared at her. "Is that why Dylan was over here? Were you trying to roofie her?"

Jean Claude took one of the drinks, sniffing it as well as he took in those eyes, knowing full well what the power gathering around her could do. "Lady Khemrys," he warned softly, "she is one of mine..."

[homeless_pard]

Khemrys folded her hands in front of herself, trying to keep a rein on it but..."she anuses your name, lord. And hurts your people." Dissolving her bonds could only be...healthy.

Right?

Anita rolled her eyes, "Jason, why the hell would I? I wanted her to meet your work friends she hadn't run into yet. If there's shit in her drinks she put it there."

[jasonpschuyler]

Jean Claude closed his eyes, feeling the truth of her words but dreading the reality. Yes, even centuries-old vampires can delude themselves.

Jason made a face. "That's bullshit and you know it. You've been stirring shit up since she came back."

Anita's face set in a hard line. "I haven't done anything! You saw how she was holding my arm when you came over. But you're just going to jump to her defense because, why, you're fucking her?"

Jason grabbed her arm with a snarl, but she moved just as quickly to have her gun out, pointed at him. He blinked in a moment of surprise, then a cold rage rushed through him. "What, you're going to shoot me? Didn't work the first time, so you want to finish the job yourself?"

[homeless_pard]

"Your word, High Lord," she noted softly. Because she had oaths, and as such if he told her to stand down...she would. Not happily, but she would.

Anita shifted the gun slightly so it was between Jason and Khemrys honestly, "word on what?" she growled. "You're trying to take us down?"

[jasonpschuyler]

Jean Claude opened his eyes, looking very weary. "A moment, lady, to do what I may? Please." Things were spiraling quickly, but if he could regain control perhaps they could work to address these issues.

He turned, his clearly angry voice lashing at the two of them. "You will both stop this immediately. Anita, lower your gun; Jason, take your hands off of her. Now."

Jason snarled in frustration at Jean Claude, not letting go. "How long is she going to get a pass on all of this? She's been out to get Khem from the start, and then takes it out on all the rest of us."

[homeless_pard]

She blinked slowly, nodding, he could have a minute. Likely she'd be more worried if she'd seen a gun up close instead of just the results of one but...

...well, they didn't need more fear in this mix did they?

"She came here to destroy us, Jean Claude, Jason, why don't you see that?! It's all been falling apart because of HER! I'm the protector, I have to protect us!" And not dropping that gun in the least.

"She charmed your security," she spat, Requiem should have caught on but instead he lived with the bitch...

[jasonpschuyler]

"Anita," Jean Claude said seriously, "she is allied with us. Put down your weapon and speak with me, ma petite, please."

Jason tightened his grip on her arm, his attention back on Anita. "She hasn't destroyed anything! And who the hell are you protecting, Anita? You were happy to let me die because I wouldn't fuck you. How is that protection?"

[homeless_pard]

"She's even taking you away," she growled to Jean Claude. He was suppose to want her, trust her, believe HER! And yet here he was not supporting her! "She already took Jason, your pomme, can't you understand what she's doing?!"

Khemrys laid a hand on Jason's shoulder, "she want?" Repeat that?

"YOU GAVE UP RIGHTS TO PROTECTION JASON!"

[jasonpschuyler]

Jean Claude reached out carefully, brushing his fingertips against her cheek. "No one has taken me from you, ma petite. And Jason still serves me...please, let us go somewhere and talk in private." He placed his hand very gently over her gun hand, the barest touch to encourage her to lower it.

Jason continued to glare at Anita, but there was a faltering in his rage at Khemrys's touch. His voice was shaky, but still bitter with rage. "The night the Council came, she climbed into my bed, wanting to feed the ardeur and I said no. So later she chose to hand me over to Morte D'Amour and Moroven."

"It was you or me, Jason. And you already made it clear where you stand in your duties."

Jean Claude eyed Jason in shock for a moment, then quietly said. "Jason, remove your hands from Anita, please."

Jason snarled angrily in response, and his grip tightened.

And then he was sprawling back in to the booth, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he stared up at Jean Claude in indignation. "Do not show me your temper, Jason," he warned coolly. "You know I will not tolerate it."

[homeless_pard]

"You're all, ALL going away," she almost sounded teary, but she was smirking at the words, then the backhand to Jason. Just tools. A means to an end, words. "I needed you, and you decided your crush was more important than your friend!" So there!

Khemrys...stared at Anita, through the blur of motion, through the fake tears in her eyes, staring. "You turned against your own. Your professed friend." The words were dangerous and cold, making the gun swing back to aim properly at her.

"Fuck you," Anita snarled.

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason may never have moved that fast in his life, but suddenly he was on his feet in front of Anita again, standing between Khemrys and the gun. "Don't you fucking dare," he snarled in return, his eyes beginning to shift threateningly.

[homeless_pard]

Anita's hand didn't waver in her aim but she reached out with her other hand, forward to brush Jason's arm, "HEEL," she snarled.

Dogs should know their place.

[jasonpschuyler]

He didn't even have a moment to react as the ardeur slammed into him through that touch. And then he would have no cognition or memory of what happened next. What little he would be told was that he was suddenly on Anita, the two of them furiously trying to get at as much skin on the other as they could, their mouths barely pausing for breath as they fought at each other.

If he'd been further into his set things would have been a lot worse.

Jean Claude immediately back away, guiding Khemrys back as the painful truth cemented itself into his mind. "Do not touch them, Lady Khemrys," he said in a distant voice, "lest the ardeur pull you in as well." He closed his eyes for a long moment, and the words dragged painfully from his throat. "I thank you for allowing me the chance; the moment is now past."

[homeless_pard]

"My sorrow for you high lord," she sighed, hand dropping to her side where she'd been reaching for Jason. Sorrow indeed, yet, "healthier, lord. She has been an illness for you some time." And that was from someone who had not come in loving the woman.

Still. The moon glazed look was back in her eyes as she drew a breath, "for your transgressions against those you are sworn to protect, Anita Blake, I declare you an oath breaker. May no hand raise to aid you, no house offer you home while you learn what such should entail in honor and in caring. Forsaken you stand, and the powers you hold over others shattered as you hold not the care for their gift you should..."

[jasonpschuyler]

Jean Claude wasn't once to feign breathing, but he gasped suddenly and staggered back as the links to the triumvirate shattered, cutting him off to the flows of power he'd been tapped into from Anita and Richard. But he had vampires depending on him to keep their hearts beating, and a club full of patrons he was trying to keep focused on anything but what they were doing in this booth.

Anita gasped in unison with Jean Claude, but though she had no one relying on her power to survive, it was a large enough source that she'd been accustomed to that was now gone. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed under Jason, unmoving.

Somewhere, Richard was likely having an unexpectedly bad night.

With that, the ardeur fizzled, and Jason suddenly stopped, panting in confusion as he stared and the woman beneath him. He staggered backwards, eyes wide and pants uncomfortably tight, realizing what must have happened. Rage started to bubble up again...until he caught sight of Khemrys and he suddenly paled. "Khem," he begged almost desperately, "I'm sorry, I swear it wasn't...it was the ardeur"