Killing Me Softly

[Nona Constantine]

OOC;; Open. Preferably for Brandon, Aidan (once he's done) or someone else who has posted in her plot if neither of the boys take it. >.<

---

December 18th, 2007. It was a Tuesday, and frighteningly cold. Business for the Jacobs B&B was slow with only two of their twelve rooms rented out. Understandable, really, considering hoe close to Christmas it was. Little over one week, actually. Most sensible people were with their families for the holidays. Dodge, as it happens, was with her family too; it was just unfortunate that her family were the people who owned San’s only temporary accommodation which meant that Christmas, though quiet, was spent cleaning up after other people.

She didn’t mind really. She was used to it, to be honest, growing up where you did everyone else’s chores before your own. She knew better than to question or argue it though, which was why she was sitting in the front hall at the old wooden desk they called Reception on this dreary day.

The night before she hadn’t actually come home, after babysitting Jessica Winters. She had done what she usually did when there was no one to walk her home on a particularly late night – she slept on the sofa. And as usual she was woken up at a ridiculous hour by the overly energetic six year old. Before she left that morning she made sure that Aaron, Jessica’s father, was woken with a cup of coffee, and helped Jessica braid her hair for school. By the time she finally left it was half past eight and still considerably dark. It only took half of the ten minute walk for her fingers to start to ache from the cold. The streets were deathly silent, yet she had no idea that it wasn’t going to get much better through the day.

It was that quiet, even now at lunch time, that she had folded her arms on top of the dark, smooth wood of the desk and her chin on top of them. Her eyes were perilously close to shut. The silence in the hall was uniform throughout the old converted barn, and she had to force herself to stay awake. Usually she wouldn’t be sitting, waiting, because there should have been so much work to do around the place, but Blaize had a quiet and boring night the night before and had done everything he could think of, right down to preparing the food for breakfast for the morning. Dodge knew this because she helped herself to some of the slices of cheese when she came in before anyone else was awake hours earlier.

So she sat with nothing at all to do, watching a tiny spider scurry across the fabric of her sweater as she sat motionless, hardly breathing. Boredom was a killer, and silence was worse than that. She just needed a reason or a way to keep her eyes open.

[brandon]

Another morning where he woke up entirely too late when he was aiming for earlier, he had errans to run about all day. So when he finally fell out of bed due to his alarm going off, his room mate coming in and telling him to get up, he was now awake. Well was more like he freaked and fell right through his bed which his friend purposely scared Brandon for this classic reaction. He looked at his friend then let off a look which of course said 'Jack ass' then his roomie exited the room. Rolling out from under his bed he got up to his feet and sat down on his bed. His hand went to his face to rub his cheeks so he would wake up and remember how tired he was. Last night was another night when he was having night terrors of what happened to him 8 years ago.

He did recall he woke up screaming in the early morning profusely sweating. Room mate came to check on him but he waved his friend off and rolled back to try to sleep. For some reason they were coming more and more to him which he did not understand why. Maybe something bad was going to happen and he was foreseeing something but course that was silly for that was not his power. He can rob a bank if he wanted to but no he was no inch of evil or bad in him. His power was a dangerous one if he did use it the way other boys might have used it. Sneak into their girlfriends bedrooms when the lights go out and the parents were asleep. Sure Brandon did that but not for the intention on getting laid or anything, sure kisses and hugs, but he was no pervert.

Speaking of girlfriends, he had not seen his girlfriend since the other day. She was busy last night babysitting Aaron Winters little daughter while Aaron had some errans to run. Or maybe his brother and best friend dragged him from sulking in his room alone. Either way Brandon missed Dodge already though it has been a day, also since he met a stranger. Other day he met an Isabella girl which she made him feel odd but he knew to be faithful. So he just ignored the thoughts in his head and remembered his true love and whom he felt was his soul mate. On that note he went decided to not run his errans just go wash up then get dressed to see his girl. Which he went showered quickly since he didn't have much to mess with in the shower, hop in then out.

He dried off then got dressed in his normal attire of a black long sleeve, black pants, normal black sneakers today. He threw on his black gloves and also wrapped his black scarf around his neck. Before rushing out he did shake the water out of his hair before sighing in defeat then blow drying it. Once it was dry and he'd not catch a cold he exited the house from his room. Walked right through the wall since the walls were not so thick. At his age he can control his power so it did not happen all the time but things that were very solid, like metal, he could no go through easily. He remembered before how he did used to get stuck half and half, Dodge would laugh at him. He didn't get mad at all he just shook his head rolled his eyes. Walking along the pathway he was wondering what he would need to get his camera fixed.

Maybe just new battery, hopefully, but how was he going to explain to Dodge how it got damaged in the first place. No he could not lie he had to tell her he did met some girl and found she was tainted too, rain storm. But that also might disappoint Dodge since Brandon's main way of income now a days instead of painting and poetry was photography. He was damn good which Dodge was his first little model with his new camera. Well he was going to have to tell her his main source was gone and the truth. He would work hard to get the money for a new special battery he would have to special order. He did have enough money saved up but then again he wanted to buy lots of presents for Dodge, Christmas is coming. Walking over to the Little Inn where his girl worked with her sibling he thought the entrance.

He saw she was standing at the front looking bored yet beautiful. With a small playful smirk on his face he walked around the Inn so he would turn up behind Dodge. He took a deep breath then he walked through the wall then wrapped his arms around her waist. Figuring she would jump he did not draw too near so she wouldn't smack the back of her head into him. 'Why look what I've got. I have plucked me a beautiful angel from heaven and have her in my arms.' He said in his thoughts knowing she would hear him, he loved ever since her powers flared up they been able to talk more. He had been thinking though to try to speak to her but he didn't know what to say or how'd she react. Probably hit him for putting her through the so called 'silent treatment' all these years.

[Nona Constantine]

Dodge hated silence, so it was no wonder that now it was closing in on her she was already subconsciously trying to fill it. Her foot was tapping on the inside of the desk as she straightened up slightly, and draped her arms over the edge of the hard wood. Her mind had started to wander ages ago, and while her imagination was lost in what the rest of the day could hold for her, it was so that her voice had a mind of its own.

Just that morning as she was making coffee for Aaron, Riven and Jason before they woke, Jessica had decided to ‘help’ by singing her own version of I’m A Little Teapot, replacing ‘tea’ with ‘coffee’ to fit the moment. Through laughter that was sure to wake the men on the floor above, Dodge had joined in, bellowing Jessica’s version at the top of her voice to a chorus of banging on the ceiling from what she guessed was Riven’s room. The nursery rhyme had stayed in her head the whole day, unknown to her, and now, in the lull of the hallway, her voice sang it again, low and tired but still extremely audible in the silence.

Her song became a yelp, however, when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist. Her words choked in her throat as she gasped in shock. She didn’t know who had grabbed her for a moment, until logic prevailed, thankfully, and she remembered that this was a common occurrence and it could be none other than her Brandon. Her shock turned to amusement and she couldn’t help but grin. Silence fell again, but this time it was deliberate as she closed her eyes and concentrated. It came as second nature to ‘listen’ as she did to Brandon, and just lately she had been practicing reading his mind without the much helpful eye contact. She couldn’t do it with anyone else yet but she knew in time she would. It helped too that Brandon made it easy to listen to his thoughts, practically talking to her in the front of his mind so that everything came easily. With everyone else she had to work a bit to get into their minds, but Brandon… well, he was different. They had a connection that she had with no one else.

Grinning, she leaned back against him, wrapping herself closer in his embrace as his words sounded in her mind. Not for the first time she wondered if the voice she heard, hollow, deep and reassuringly warm, was the actually sound of Brandon’s physical voice, or whether it was some sort of representation she had created herself. It echoed in her mind, somewhere like a memory, but clearer and more solid.

“An angel, huh?” she replied, her voice the only thing to break the quiet of the hallway. “Either you’re lying, you have the wrong person, or you’re delusional.”

[brandon]

Oh he knew she'd be surprised, hench why he made sure to keep his distance with his face in case she jumped. Didn't want to get knocked on the jaw with the top of her head because he gave her a fright. Actually as he thought in his head how she'd react didn't play out which was fine. No getting knocked in the jaw just a settled little jump along with a gasp since he came out of no where. But she had to know whom it was, some random weirdo wouldn't come up then hug her out of the blue. Course never know there was some strange people out there and such. At least she knew it was him after just a moment which he smiled down at her since he had her where he wanted her. His thoughts became an open book which he tried to hard to think out what to say.

Also make it so loud and clear so she would be able to hear him. This had been their source of communication since that faithful day her powers began to flare up and such. She had to of gotten the best power in the world too for them, since before they communicated by writing or he'd do his own style of sign language. When she leaned back against him he smiled hugged her some more from behind to his front then bend down a little. He placed a soft kiss on her neck of affection then he told her what he thought. Yes she was an angel, she was beautiful, he always told her that in some way or form. Of course she always denies his compliments but in the most playful way and it made him smile. 'No I am not lying and no I am not delusional.' He thought out loudly to her at first.

'Also I believe I have the right girl in my arms. Suzie Dodger Jacobs, 16 years old, family owns this Inn and has a brother who gives me the stink eye sometimes just because he is being overly protective, understandable though. I'm quite over protective of you at times though I know you can take care of yourself just fine and by yourself.' He remarked slowly to her in his head making sure he said word slow and carefully so she'd pick them up. Moving his arms away from her waist he looked at the door seeing no one was coming. So he took this moment to twirl her around in his arms so she'd be facing him since he did have some things to say to her. Well one being his camera which that word just came to his mind without it meaning to pop up.

He ignored it for now just bend down kissed her on the lips just a loving peck then he stopped since he might as well tell her flat out. 'I figured to come and visit you since I haven't seen you in maybe two days. Also since I don't have to work today and have no muse to paint either. Thought to do something productive which lead me here and baring gifts too. In bad news I have some small news about work too.' He stopped thinking his words for a moment since he was searching quickly for the right words to say. 'My camera has been damaged. Water got into the battery which fried it up so I need a new one. I'm thinking to make some paintings to raise the money though so it should be fine. I, ehem, spent more then all my spendings I been saving for your present.' He paused there for just a moment before continuing on with his kind words.

'It's in my pocket whenever your ready to close your eyes.' He gave her another soft peck onto her lips then he smiled knowing she'd want the gift right away. Sure he was giving her the gift early but he couldn't really contain it no more. He has been wanting to give her the gift ever since he bought it a week ago. His right hand went to his pocket then went digging for something and as soon as his hand grasped around it he felt better. A smug smile remained on his face and then silence of course was there. He doubt she'd be mad his camera was broken just be a little upset. He would be able to manage he supposed without his biggest source if income for now since he had already paid off his rent.

[Nona Constantine]

Despite the fact that she couldn’t be happier, wrapped close in Brandon’s strong, comforting arms, she still rolled her eyes and sighed when he called her Suzie. That name, that dreadful, wretched name, was something that she had been working years to kill. Growing up it was her downfall, her often refusing to tell people her name, especially when Blaize with such a name introduced himself first. Endlessly she cursed her parents for being so cruel, crueller even than anyone knew, if she was being truthful, because ‘Suzie’ was only the tip of the iceberg. Not one person, save Blaize and her parents knew the extent of her potential embarrassment, and that was exactly how it was going to stay.

Roll her eyes she did, and her sigh was light as he continued to speak to her mind, being irritated with Brandon becoming an impossibility as quickly as he thought the words. She has always found the tension between her brother and her boyfriend amusing, to say the least. Blaize was overly protective, sure, but only when it suited him. It was entertaining to know that he was always more than willing to let Dodge go out alone, late, or pretend to stay at his when she was really staying at a friend’s. But when Brandon came into her life Blaize took a more avid interest in all they got up to. In the beginning it was irritating as hell, but as the weeks passed and Blaize realised that Brandon wasn’t going anywhere and he wasn’t going to break Dodge’s heart in a hurry, he backed off. These days he just keeps a wary eye on them both, but rarely sticks his nose in unless he thinks it fit. Usually resulting in it getting burned, but that never seemed to stop him from doing it again.

“He only gives you the evil eye when he thinks you’re not behaving with his baby sister,” she whispered in the silence of the hallway. Her words echoed even at their low volume, which she knew would happen, but even still she grinned, knowing that no one would hear anyway.

It was as she chewed on her bottom lip to kill the grin that she felt his arms loosen on her waist and a tug on her arm. She turned easily, her dark eyes locking on his impishly. In that moment she felt another thought tug at her mind, but it didn’t last, drowned out as she was pulled against him again, not my his strength but by his kiss; soft and delicate and exceedingly tempting. There was a sure and bright smile on her lips when he pulled back, and she looked into his eyes. She could hear him better like that, his words always sounded clearer and she was less likely to drop words.

Productive. Right. Like anything they did together was ever really productive. That idea had another smile spreading across her face. That was until his thoughts turned serious and her smiled faltered. That was how it worked, usually… the emotion seeped into the forefront of her mind before the words did, so she could tell what was going to follow was bad news. What she had expected was something a lot worse than a busted camera though, and she couldn’t help but frown with a slight smiling pout as he filled in the gaps. And then carried on, lifting her mood with his, and her spirits too.

“Present?!” she sang, her voice much louder than her careful whisper from before and ten times more excited. Her eyes lit up with the promise that his pocket contained something she really hadn’t expected, and for now the worry about his camera evaporated. Her hand dove for his pocket, but his own hand beat her to it. Instead she grinned at him and shut her eyes tight, not caring about the impression her behaviour was giving off. She bounced on her toes as she waited, hands out, expectantly, not daring to peek.

[brandon]

Course he knew she hated her name but he also knew she would not hit him or harm him if he said it, unlike if others did. Then again no one really knew of her real name because she would never tell a soul. Brandon was special thought which he knew a lot about her as she knew about him. Only thing he has not truly shared is why he doesn't talk and how his parents died, just too much for him to even handle. After he was done with his thoughts out loud of what to say he waited for her to respond. All he did was laugh though at her remark telling him why Blaize gives him the evil eye. Which was the answer he already knew because if his sister was alive he would do the same thing. Enough of seeing the back of her head he had turned her around to face him which he felt much better. Also this way he would be able to attack her lips in sweet kisses.

Leaning down since she was shorter then him he placed his lips on her lips to kiss her hello since he hasn't yet. He loved each time their lips meet one another which he was happy to have slide off work to visit her. This was only a peck though he knew better then to just come in and make out with her when she was at work. Besides they didn't need to do that all the time either, he liked being small with public affections. Taking his lips off her he looked down at her in her eyes then smiled. Making his thoughts more clearer since they had the eye contact with one another. Sure if other people were around they might find it odd he was so silent and she spoke randomly to nothing. But when it came down to what he felt about tainted and untainted. He feels the tainted should be able to use their powers when they want and such, not be afraid.

True as well he feels it is a curse or something too but he is slowly learning to get over it. Start to like his new gift he has had since he was 16 years old, at least he was able to control it now. Used to get stick all the time or go through things without meaning to do it, was a little annoying. Not to mention quite painful when he got stuck between solid items and couldn't get out and such. At least those days are done with which he was glad Dodge was there to help him out and such, when she could. He did love her a lot which he was sure she knew that even though he has not really told her her that in person. Maybe he shall break it out since he knew it would be necessary now. He told her briefly about his camera which she did not say nothing about it. Since her overjoy about the present he got her filled the whole empty silence of the Inn.

Always a joy of his to see his little Dodge happy like this and brought a big smile to his face of course. Seeing she was going to go for his pockets he was glad he was quicker. Sneaky little love of his, he shook his head slowly and told her to close to her eyes so he would give her the gift. Excitement coursed through her since she was bouncing on her toes and her hands out. He was not going to place it in her hands though which he smiled off. He took out the item from his pocket then he moved to take her hands down from the holding out position. Just kindly pushed them down with one hand then he smiled off slowly. 'Open your eyes.' He thought out loud so she would pick that up from him and then open her eyes. Which he did not put the item in her hand he just held it in front of her face nearly with his index and thumb finger, carefully.

With a smile to how she was going to react to the silver ring he did not know. He figured it was perfect though for someone who loved someone very much. Two hearts, one heart was big and one small which he figured he was the big heart, she the small one. Also seven little diamonds encrested into the shiny silver metal band. He knew it would fit her since he kind of burrowed one of her rings one day to get the right size. The smile on his face could not go away which his heart was literally pounding out of his chest. What was she going to say to this and what the hell was she going to think to this. His mind was pretty clear right now he was just waiting for her reaction which soon he shall shed another surprise into her hands. But one thing at a time was better then spilling it all out to her right now.

[Nona Constantine]

Intense excitement coursed through her as she waited with her hands cupped in front of her, expecting something to drop into them. She loved getting presents – what girl didn’t? – but when they were from Brandon they meant a whole lot more to her. Brandon was her world and had been for the past year. She remembered when they were so slow to take off the ground, her wariness of someone that couldn’t speak weighing with the wariness that she was going to be hurt. She had made it difficult on him in the beginning, thwarting his advances in the most obvious ways for almost a year. Every time he passed her a note or scribbled her a letter she was quick to say no. But he never stopped and he never lost his confidence. They were friends of course all that time and had fun trying to find different ways of communicating, but it wasn’t until Dodge’s ability started to surface.

Brandon was one of the first people she ‘heard’ and while it freaked her out too she couldn’t help but toying with him. She put it down to the fact that he didn’t speak at all that his thoughts were louder than others, so sitting at lunch in school one day she tried for about ten minutes before she heard a mutter of a thought as she stared into his eyes. And when she answered him she thought he was going to have a heart attack. Well, from then on Brandon was her favourite practise victim, and through all of it she began to realise that he genuinely cared for her and that he wasn’t going to hurt her. So she finally said yes, and since then they’ve grown stronger than she thought imaginable.

Did she love him? She thought so. In fact, she’d put money by it; that Brandon was firmly, securely and forever in her heart. Now all she had to do was tell him as much…

’Open your eyes.’

That confused her. She didn’t feel anything drop into her hands and yet he wanted her to open her eyes? She considered ignoring him for a moment, holding her demand for her gift in case he had changed his mind, but she couldn’t do it for long. She cracked one eye open and stared up at him and his somewhat unexpected smile for the briefest of moments before opening her other eye. It was then that she glint of silver snatched her gaze from his and to whatever it was he was holding in front of her face; the reason why she didn’t feel anything drop into her hands.

Without realising, her mouth dropped open an inch as she stared. A ring? And it was beautiful too. Her hands, frozen in her expectant stance, didn’t move to take it for an inward fear that it wasn’t what it looked like. Two tiny, perfectly crafted hearts and five… no seven… brilliantly glistening diamonds in the delicate band.

“Its beautiful,” she breathed, still afraid to move but managing to peel her gaze from the gem of a gift to look back at him, and a flood of adoration, awe and appreciation washed over her. Without a warning she threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck to press a kiss to his lips again. Hardly romantic or the stuff of dreams, but it probably felt better for it too. She kissed him for what felt like forever, not caring who saw them, if anyone, but when she finally pulled back again it was hardly a minute later. Her stomach was doing excited backflips, and she smiled warmly at him, not wanting to let go just yet.

“Hell yeah,” she whispered, an ounce of laughter in her voice as her glittering eyes locked on his. “My baby’s perfect.”

[brandon]

Brandon had never been in love before with any girl but he was sure that is what this was with Dodge. He had never told her verbally he did love her since he was waiting a special moment for it, not some random time. Soon, he would soon, he did not want to scare her off with moving quickly at all. But this was good enough for now a physical gift to tell her he did love her without saying the words. For some reason he saw her freaking out at the gift but the other he saw her being calm about it. But her reaction was priceless which he smirked slowly at it when her mouth dropped. This is why the moment was even more the better just to see her reaction. No sound came out of her mouth yet until a few moments had passed to where she regained herself. For a moment he thought she forgot to breath but no it was just the shock still settling into him. Finally the words came out which he expected to hear and his smile widen on his face.

As he expected she leap onto him which he threw his arms around her, kept the ring tight since he was getting the affection first. Her lips went onto his own lips which he smiled off shut his eyes bent into the kiss. Forgetting really where he was and such he kind of got a little into it. His left hand clutched the ring in it but went around her waist to hold her close to his body. The right hand picked up went into her hair on the side of her face which he loved to hold her like that. Made the kiss so much special when he had a loving hold in her and loved her soft hair on his finger tips. A small tilt to his head to one side let him push his lips onto her lips deeper, to be close. Soon he did move his lips a little on her lips in a small kissing session but not making out with her. Oh he wanted to, but he was logical, did not obliviously forget he was at her work he just didn't care for now.

At the same time he did know it was her work and was not going to go on the make out spree, it can wait. All ended when she pulled back which he did not mind at all, just a smile was left on his lips and eyes opened again. Nothing was really said in his mind at all for once, it was blank, he was just so thrilled she did love her present. His right free hand went to take her left hand which he placed the ring on the proper finger. Now he said some words to her so it all made sense to her. 'I promise to you, with this ring, that I will be only faithful you and only you. Body, mind and soul.' His eyes kept on her dark chocolate ones as he said this to her in her head. This moment was perfect, just perfect, also her response was simply cute. Called him perfect, he actually blushed, no he was far from perfect he was just dedicated and knew how to treat the one he cared for so much.

Before she was his girlfriend they were friends so they did have a deep understanding of one another. Brandon felt this was love, yes he was scared too, he had never been in love before in his lifetime. Nor had he felt no love other then the love of his parents before they were murdered right in front of him. That was going to be some night to share with Dodge when he finally warms up to finally telling her why he does not speak. Not now, this was not the moment to spoil with his sadness in his lifetime since he was just so happy right now. A bright smile went on his face which he brought both hands to her cheeks. Running his thumbs across the smooth skin of her cheeks he was about to pull in for another kiss. But no the phone in his pocket began to vibrate and he bite his lip, sighing a little torn. In the end he took his hands off her cheeks and went to retrieve his phone from his pocket.

Text messages were all he received on his phone and he had a new one from someone he did not know. All there was in the message was just some meeting time and address, client he thought. 'Mr.Worcester, wish to schedule an appointment at 2:30pm. Address is 78, Sanglignée du Nord and my name is Mr.Rockwood.' As Brandon carefully read that his eyes darted to the time and saw it was nearly two so he grumbled. He quickly answered back to the text message and frowned a little as he answered back. 'I will be there at 2:30, Mr.Rockwood.' He sent the message and shoved the phone into his pocket. He made a small pouty face as he looked down at her since he did not want to leave right now. Though he needed the money so he sighed a little more then he put his arms around her waist then smirked.

'I'm sorry I got to dash off so fast but I need to the money to repair my camera.' He looked her right in the eyes as he thought this loud and clear for her to hear him, sincere smile on his lips. 'But I want to see you later, okay? I'll make you dinner and we can watch a movie in my room like normal. I just want to spend time with you since your sometimes so busy with work, school and babysitting.' He smirked off since his baby did so much things and he was so proud too. He landed another kiss on her lips to give her the departing kiss then he sighed again. 'I'll see you tonight, text me.' He ran his hand across her cheek for the last time before he finally released her fully. As normal he did not take the other way out he just backed up slowly. Went right through the wall he had entered and turned around seeing he was outside. Rubbing his hands together to be warm he now set off to see what the job was offering him. Hopefully he would be able to produce a painting and not a photo shoot since his camera is out of commission right now.

Exiting Brandon For Job Appointment
End Thread