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

[homeless_pard]

She could do keys, shamelessly digging in that pocket until she got a hand on the ring. She wasn't a were by any stretch but she did know how to move and how to move quietly so she was down the stairs and out ahead of the couple having to move slower.

Out, start car, back the fuck in check progress...and stare up at the top of the stairs with loathing yes. "He's not coming back." Ever.

Had to be said. She'd have to get her fucking tasty snacks elsewhere.

"Door's open," she noted quietly to Jason. He could load into the backseat with the leopard and she'd get them home.

[jasonpschuyler]

Anita was stumbling after them, crying. The triumvirate breaking seemed to give her bravado a bit of a reality check...that and not finding any weapons beside her when she woke. "No, Jason, he's fine! Micah will be home soon and he can help. Nathaniel will be ok, this is his home!"

Jason glared at her when he got to the car. "Not anymore it's not." He slid into the backseat, cradling Nathaniel while he let Beryl know they were clear to go.

[homeless_pard]

She backed out of the house slowly, keeping an eye on that woman, then got car doors closed and slid into the driver's seat. Autolocks were awesome weren't they? No insane women yanking doors open! "Your phone." She passed it back in case Jason needed t and got them the fuck out of suburbia!

"We get ticketed I'll fucking pay it, sorry in advance." But they needed Nat to Khemrys soonest!

[jasonpschuyler]

He took the phone and set it on the seat next to him. "Get there but don't draw attention: I don't feel like explaining this to the cops."

They weren't even off Anita's road when his phone started buzzing. He pointedly ignored it, watching Nathaniel as Beryl drove. "He's breathing at least."

[homeless_pard]

"Not my first bleeding shifter drive," she assured grimly. She knew what she was doing.

Mostly.

"If he wasn't I assumed that we weren't leaving there that easily," she trusted Jason that much at least? "Keep him that way okay?"

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason shook his head. "The bleeding is secondary; I'm worried about how much she drained him." He slipped an arm inside the blanket to hold against Nathaniel. "He's still cool."

He picked up his phone and dialed Khemrys. "Hey Khem, we got him. Can you get some sheets and blankets into the dryer so they're warm when we get there? We're on our way."

[homeless_pard]

"Yeah, I know, cold is bad, you're warmer, I meant cuddle the shit out of him," she admitted. She was also keying the heat on high and blasting it. Better they were miserable than Nat was thready!

Khem took a moment to answer as she always did but, "of course, he's cool? I'll warm the bed as well."

[jasonpschuyler]

"I'm working on it," he said absently to Beryl.

"Yeah, some flesh wounds but he's pretty drained. Thanks Khem. Be there soon."

He hung up, glancing at the missed calls. "They can all fuck off until we get Nat situated." Though he was angrily curious why Micah would have left Nathaniel alone with Anita, and he was sure as hell going to lay into him for that. Or let Beryl at him.

[homeless_pard]

"If you don't mind crowding I'll curl up with you and him when we get to the shop." Khem could handle running things, right?

Yeah.

"I'll see to him as soon as possible, if he's too cool we may do a hot bath as well," Khem fretted softly. "See you soon." Yup.

"And yeah, they can. Fuck them." BERYL WAS STILL NOT HAPPY.

[jasonpschuyler]

He rolled his eyes with a laugh. "Have you ever met a shifter that minded?" He was fairly certain Khem wouldn't mind if it was to heal Nathaniel, right?

"He's going to be ok, Beryl," he offered soothingly. "We've got him out, that's the most important thing right now."

[homeless_pard]

"People are allowed preferences Jason and really I have no idea what you think about me." She just wasn't going to NOT cuddle the hell out of Nat right now so she'd been hopeful.

"I can still kick the hell out of myself for not getting him clear sooner. Not like I've known it was an abusive fucking house for months or anything." Yeah. Unhappy.

She'd talk to her therapist more.

[jasonpschuyler]

"How long have we known each other? Come on, Beryl, you know I like you. Especially when I saw the lengths you were willing to go for my best friend. Besides," he added, "you weren't going to convince him to leave that house. Not easily, anyway. It sucks that this is how it went down, but it might be enough of a reality check to keep him out now."

[homeless_pard]

"Less than a year and I'm your girl's employee, technically, that gets weird for people!" She admitted, slowing the car a touch as they came up on an intersection.

"...I know." And it sucked she could honestly care for someone and have them prefer...that.

[jasonpschuyler]

He shook his head. "It's not like you and I are feeling each other up on the couch: I'm comfortable with touch. And Nat's gonna need that extra support."

He looked for her eyes in the mirror as they slowed. "He went a long time without a stable home or being pimped out by people he thought looked out for him. It was hard for him to look past that." He pulled Nathaniel tighter against him. "This is a good thing for him right now."

[homeless_pard]

"Fuck that, you're taken and not my type," she agreed simply. Granted, she hadn't known Nat was her type but!

"...Lotta therapy for everyone, " sheittered softly. "Hey, what kinda car does that bitch drive?"

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason groaned. "Why, is someone following us? You know what, nevermind, we're almost there. Just get us in front of the shop and then we just have to get him through the door."

And hopefully that Gunnora blessing would keep Anita out.

[homeless_pard]

"Alright, I pull up and you move your ass got it? I'll circle a bit..." she decided. Yes, she may be paranoid, but better safe than sorry right?

And, well, Gunnora knew her own.

[jasonpschuyler]

Jason frowned. "If Anita is following us she knows where we're going. Let the car get towed; I don't want you out alone with Anita on a rampage."

Every shifter in St. Louis should be in self-imposed lockdown if she was handling things this badly.

[homeless_pard]

"...alright, but you get him in first, I'd rather she was stupid with a human okay? Cops would be on my side..." a hundred percent even!

And fact if life.

[jasonpschuyler]

"They should be," he grumbled. "You keep forgetting she's worked with them. Most of them know her. Just don't try to be a hero: Nat needs you."

He was already shifting in his seat so he could jump out of the car with Nathaniel as soon as possible.

[homeless_pard]

"Yeah, well, won't it shatter her credit to shit to haul in an innocent girl with no record?" She snorted, pulling around the proper block.

"Bail!"

[jasonpschuyler]

He shoved the door open and the second they were slowed enough for him to climb out with Nathaniel, and then he was up and sprinting for the door. Even if Anita wanted to do something, she'd have to get around or through the car first.

There was certainly a feeling of relief when he made it inside, making his way farther back before turning and watching for Beryl.

[homeless_pard]

Beryl...took longer than she should before I re parking and came in the back door, "bitch hit the wards again."

Feh.

"Upstairs!" Now!

[jasonpschuyler]

There was a subtle smile at that as he could already feel his phone buzzing angrily in his pocket. "Got it."

He hurried up the stairs, calling to Khemrys as he went. "Khem! Heading up!"

[homeless_pard]

"The door past Requiem's room!" Khem called, she'd warmed the blankets in the dryer, and the mattress with heated rods...

"C'mon pup, you heard her, get my boy help!"