Path of the Vampire forum

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

This RP takes place on Tuesday 7th April 2015.

Skylar:
I decide to get this over with. I know Elliot was angry about me getting married, hurt and maybe even a little confused too, so I really can’t make him wait to find out what’s going on with me. Not know that I know. He really does deserve to be told in person. Just like Ali does. But that really is Ric’s job, not mine. Though I guess I’ll be the one doing it if Ric really doesn’t want to make a big deal out of it; which he probably doesn’t.
I step through the portal and emerge in an empty office. I’m not there long before I hear the dulcet tones of Elliot filling the main floor outside. I step out of the office, stay behind the bar and nod to the staff. I don’t look out of place in my jeans and Hard Rock couture t-shirt. My hair’s brushed but down and I look a hell of a damn sight better than I did the last time he saw me. Though that’s pretty easily done. I looked a right state when him and Ali came to, well, wake me I guess.
I lean against the bar, prop my head on my hand and just listen. I’m half tempted to run over and jump on stage with him but I don’t. Contrary to popular belief I don’t have to be the centre of attention.

Elliot:
Being on stage for Elliot had nothing to do with wanting to be the centre of attention. When he was feeling the need for release, when his emotions were pent up to even a small degree, he liked to let them out via music. Normally he’d have found a street corner somewhere, but why do that when he has a whole stage he can play on? A stage that he is the boss of, and can dictate the times and then when and now?
The song that he sang was a new one, kind of. It wasn’t its first outing on the stage, but at least it hadn’t been heard a dozen times yet. It was one that was written a while back, and which had only recently been perfected. The theme was… well, somewhat self-derogatory, but that was nothing new. Elliot’s eyes narrowed against the glare of the single spot light and spotted new movement behind the bar; Skylar. A lot had been going on with Skylar, lately, and though it wasn’t unusual for her to stop in at the bar, he was still curious about her current visitation.
So, as soon as the song was finished he summarily ignored the clapping (or only gave a slight modest nod) and packed up his guitar, flicking the sound system back to the juke box. He jumped from the stage and meandered through the crowd until he was standing in front of Skylar, long fingers pushing the hair out of his eyes after he nodded his greeting to her, too. “Skylar. Feeling better?” he asked. She certainly looked it.

Skylar:
It’s harder to do that thing where I lean across the bar and hug him with the foot rail for a little extra added height – something I learned a while back – so I don’t even bother I just smile and nod to the office; I could get him in there.
“You know me papa bear. Can’t keep a good girl down or whatever.”
I’m clearly not a good girl as I snatch up two glasses and start to fill them with whiskey. I should probably add some coke to mine but I figure what the hell. Plus I probably need a shot or two of Dutch courage. I’m clearly not here to drink though, as after pouring out two doubles, I leave the bottle on the shelf and head for his office.
“Kinda need to talk to you though. In private.”

Elliot:
The staff, by now, were accustomed to Elliot’s meanderings. Though, he had hired enough staff so that he could just wander back and forth. He wasn’t a required cog in the machine, so when he was taken out of it, the machine would still run as smoothly as before. They—he and Pi—had set it up that way, so that should any of their family members come to call, as Skylar was doing now, then it wouldn’t be hard to extract themselves from the business and deal with whatever problem had arisen.
By default, Elliot reached out with that sixth sense of his to determine Skylar’s emotions. There was anxiety, there, and he got the distinct impression that this thing she wanted to talk to him about was bad news. He could only sigh and nod, following Skylar through to the office and closing the door behind him.
“What’s happened?” he asked. The noise from outside was now muffled. He walked around behind his desk and dropped down into the office chair there.

Skylar:
I set the drinks down on the desk and then move around it to hug Elliot from behind. I’m half tempted to seat myself in his lap and give him a proper hug but if Pi comes in I figure I’d be dead before she stops to ask what I’m doing, so it’s safer for all concerned that I do things this way.
“Thank you.”
I kiss his cheek. I’m kinda used to stubble so the grating of my soft lips on his rough cheek doesn’t even cause me to blink.
“For the other night that is. I probably wouldn’t have come around if it weren’t for you and Ali. And I definitely didn’t feel like feeding or anything either.”
I could probably tell him about the lengths Dillon had gone to, to get a rise out of me and how’d he’d done everything he could to break me out of my funk, up to and including feeling me up in some pretty inappropriate ways. None of it worked though because I just didn’t care. Not until the others arrived and started yelling at one another, then I kinda had to come back to reality. Instead I fall silent, remove my arms from around him and go to take my seat on the opposite side of the desk.

Elliot:
Elliot lifted a hand to pat Skylar’s arm as she hugged him. He was used to this kind of behaviour, and it didn’t bother him none. It never had. Elliot had never been the kind of person to be too precious about his own personal space, or his own belongings, for that matter. He’d never really had anything to call his own, and anything he did have he was happy to share with those around him—strangers or not. The only thing that he had that he rarely wanted anyone else to touch was his precious Curlew. The guitar that he’d had since he was sixteen.
As Skylar shifted back around to the front of the desk, Elliot began to wonder whether he had imagined the anxiety and that really, all she’d wanted to do was thank him. He nodded and shrugged his shoulders. “It’s what I’m here for,” he said. And genuinely, really, it was the whole truth, and nothing but. The reason he was here in Harper Rock, still, was because he had responsibilities that he would not walk away from. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Have you talked to Ric?” Elliot asked, wondering what Skylar’s amazing recovery could be attributed to. The other night, she looked as if she were going to begin a year long bender.

Skylar:
I kinda probably give the game away when I smile at the mention of Ric’s name and then quickly look down at my drink. Though actually it’s probably not that, that gives me away but rather that surge of love I feel from just hearing his name. I’m a lost cause. I know it. Love has made me it’s ***** but oddly, I’m kinda happy about that.
“That’s kinda why I’m here actually. Cos Ricky… well… he came showed up at Dillon’s yesterday saying he wanted to talk.”
I pang of guilt shoots through me as I recall what it was I was doing when Ric showed up. It’s no wonder my whiskey seems to be the most fascinating thing in the world right now. I’m looking into the glass as I hold it just off the surface of the desk, tilting it a little in my direction. The thing doesn’t hold any answers right now but I don’t mind because I don’t have any questions.
“His timing sucked, cos… well… I was kinda wasted and you know how I get when I’m drunk. And when Dillon’s drunk. And then kinda what happens between us at times.”
I know Elliot gets it, he’s not stupid. Though now it’s not just some stupid hook up, technically it was adultery. I kinda ******* hate that but I can’t really change what happened, I can just make sure it never happens again. Especially since Ric kinda said he’d kill us both if it did. Another pang of guilt rushes through me but it’s the self-loathing that I’m sure Elliot feels more than anything else right now.

Elliot:
Elliot arched a curious brow as he leaned back in his chair. Skylar had poured him a drink but he didn’t touch it just yet. He was wondering whether she’d poured it for a reason and whether it was something he would need, soon. Better not drink it before its time. Instead he said in that perpetually slumped position, with his elbows on the arms of his chair and his fingers clasped in front of him.
Yeah, he could feel all the different emotions rolling from Skylar like a technicolour light show, and they didn’t help to answer any of his silent questions. In fact, they confused him more than anything. He got what Skylar was saying—that Ric caught her and Dillon up to something that they shouldn’t have been. But there was that surge of love and happiness, too, glowing around the edges of her self-loathing.
“I’m gonna guess that it’s fine between you and Ric regardless?” he asked. It wasn’t such a hard conclusion to jump to, and Elliot was still wondering; is this what she had wanted to tell him? That she and Dillon had hooked up? Or was it a ‘talk’ in that she wanted advice, somehow, about what she should do next? He waited, anyway.

Skylar:
I nod and look up at Ellie, what I’m feeling is difficult to explain but I know there’s a bit of confusion and a lot of relief.
“Yeah. Actually it kinda is. I mean he was oddly calm about the whole me ******* Dillon thing. Not that it was my idea or anything. You know that feeling when you really just want to curl up and die and you’re kinda desperate to feel something. Anything. And so you kinda do things you wouldn’t normally do or think was a great idea. I mean I like Dillon and all but him and me... Well you know. We’ve never really been a thing.”
I’m babbling but I’m kinda happy and excited so that’s bound to happen. Though I still haven’t told Ellie the part that might make him flip out. So its fear’s turn to rear its head. Fear and worry. I glance back down at my drink then raise the glass to my lips before gulping down a single, but rather large mouthful.
“So anyways. Yeah… The reason I’m here is, cos well… We’re gonna give it a go. The marriage thing that is.”
I stop myself from prattling on by wiping my lips with the back of my free hand. I watch Ellie closely to see what he does with this information. I’m pretty sure he’s either about to explode or lecture me. Or maybe both. He’s probably gonna lecture me after he explodes.

Elliot:
The entire scenario with Skylar the other night seemed to have changed Elliot’s opinions, somewhat. Or, if they hadn’t been changed, he was more open to the idea that Skylar was so ******* attached to Ric that he was bound to become a permanent fixture. There was something that Aliyah had said, too, that struck a chord. This wasn’t about Elliot. This was about Skylar, and whether or not he liked Ric, he couldn’t dictate who she could or couldn’t date. He even smiled. He smiled, because he could feel Skylar’s fear as she admitted her reason for being here. Smiled, because he knew why she was afraid.
“Look. It’s obvious I think that Dillon is a far better match. And, in regards to him, I’d advise that you stop pretending like he doesn’t give a ****. If you’re not careful he’ll turn into what you were—on that couch with his heart stomped into the ground,” he said. Skylar could feel things from other people too, couldn’t she? How could she be so totally oblivious to how Dillon felt about her?
“But you seem to love Ric for whatever reason,” he said, and narrowed his eyes. What kind of man would forgive his wife for sleeping with another man so quickly? He was dubious, of course, and there was a roiling of disappointment that could not be hidden, but on the surface he was showing calm acceptance.
“So I’m happy for you. That you have found your groove. But I mean it, Skylar. I hold him accountable for your safety. Emotional and physical,” he said. He didn’t think he needed to explain the exactly what that meant.

Skylar:
I shake my head at the whole Dillon’s a better match for me thing. He really isn’t, at least I don’t think so. I’m pretty Ric would agree with too but we’re probably both a little biased in this. I can feel Ellie’s disappointment so I cling on to the fact that he hadn’t at least exploded like I’d expected him too. I was doing well on the no-lecture front too. Kinda.
“Dillon’s a big boy. He knows he only stands a chance with me if I’m drunk and desperate.”
I shrug. I don’t mind admitting that, even if it is shameful; I mean we all have our moments and god knows I have mine.
“Ric was in pretty bad shape when he came to get me. He may not have given up on life to the extent I did, but he didn’t feed either. So… I think maybe he does love me. I mean I don’t know for sure. He’s a ****** to try and read even with superpowers, but yeah. I mean. He didn’t say it. He still can’t say it but I think he might. He certainly wants to be with me and he’s willing to at least try being married. So… that’s all good right?”
I’m hoping Elliot agrees and I know he knows that. I know he worries and I know he’ll want to kill Ric if things go wrong between us but the simple fact that Ric’s willing to give it a go has to say something; Elliot has to respect that. Maybe.

Elliot:
Elliot took a breath and nodded. He almost felt like some kind of… hell, yeah, okay. It felt like he was being a father, and he supposed it was a role he was going to have to accept, if he was going to keep acting like it.
“I’m starting to wonder whether the guy ever actually feels anything at all. And I worry that his agreement to try is just… I don’t know what it would be for him. But he caught you ******* some other guy and he’s forgiven you? If I caught Pi ******* some other guy I’d… well, I wouldn’t be happy as larry by the next night, that’s for sure,” he said. He wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive her for that. Would he? And the other guy wouldn’t still be alive. In the very least he’d be in a pretty fatal condition—if that other guy was human, anyway, and not some vampire who was more powerful than Elliot.
“Are you sure about this, Skylar? This… random agreement that you entered into on a whim? Is that how you always want to remember it? That he thought it was a mistake?”

Skylar:
“Ric’s pretty cool. He knew I thought we were over. So, he kinda couldn’t be mad about it. He’s not really the jealous type. Though he did later on tell me ‘never again or else’ so he’s not completely okay with it I guess. He told me we don’t have that kinda of marriage. It’s kinda a miracle he even knows that type of marriage exists to be honest, you know, the open kind.”
I take another mouthful of whiskey. I guess I don’t really need any Dutch courage now, but still, I like to drink and there’s no point letting it go to waste.
“And I’m super sure of it. I don’t think it much matters how it happened to be honest. I mean we were never gonna do it sober. So…”
I shrug. I’ve made my peace with the way in which it all happened, so really that’s all that matters. So I don’t have the best marriage story in the world. Oh well. I did have a photo though.
“Oh hey. Look what I found this morning. We had a photo taken with my phone the night we got married. Ric looks… wel… like Ric. But I look happy don’t you think?”
I’ve been fiddling with my phone as I spoke, having retrieved it from my pocket. Having found the photo – which is now my phones background pic – I hand the device to Elliot.

Elliot:
Elliot took the phone and looked at the photo as if scrutinizing it. The more that Skylar said the more dubious he became, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t tell her that he thought that jealousy was healthy in small doses, because who could ever feel secure if their other half couldn’t give a **** if they fucked other people? But Skylar was sure that Roderic wouldn’t like it if she did it again, so that soothed Elliot’s concerns. But only a little.
“You look happy and he looks insecure. Or something. I mean really, Skylar? You were never going to do it sober? What does that say to you? Sure, it’s kind of romantic in a way that something could only be done when inhibitions are stripped, but how do you know it’s something he’s serious about if he can’t admit to wanting it when he’s sober? I just don’t feel like he’s as invested in this as you are. But hey! It’s your decision and I don’t know him. Were there any rituals involved?” He asked, finally asking the question he should have already asked.

Skylar:
“I think he looks suspicious or something.”
I lean over and take the phone back. I can’t help but look at the picture again though before I lock the thing and shove it back in my pocket.
“No dad.”
I use a tone that’s half teasing, because I know he doesn’t want me calling him that for real.
“There were no rituals involved. Though I’ll be sure to look into that for next time.”
I wink at Elliot and start laughing. I didn’t actually know there were rituals. Well there was that thing Nix and Blake did but I don’t think it was a proper ritual, just ritualistic. Maybe.
“He’s willing to wear a ring.”
I throw that out there because it’s kind of a big deal.
“And I did ask him for the answer to two questions. I mean, yeah, he was pretty Ric-ish about them at first and didn’t really answer them so I asked again and added in a maybe option. I told him I wanted two one word answers. The only acceptable answers being yes, no or maybe. I asked him first if he loved me and second if he wanted to be married to me. He spazzed out for a bit but eventually he did boil it down to two words; maybe and yes. So he might love me and he does want to be married to me. But for the love of god don’t go repeating any of this to anyone else, even momma bear, cos Ric’s pretty private and I don’t think he’d want me telling people all this stuff. It’s just… you know… I kinda want you to be okay with all of this.”
I force myself to stop talking by taking another sip from my drink. I was real excited about everything I was telling Elliot, right up until I realised that I probably shouldn’t be telling him that, that was. Then I felt a bit anxious. But before that it was nothing but good, positive energy. I was happy. I am happy. I’d of accepted maybe as an answer to both questions. Hell I’d of accepted a no and a maybe even. So to get a maybe and a yes was kinda huge. At least I thought it was.

Elliot:
Elliot laughed. “You know people call Pi and my relationship unconventional but I think you guys have us beat,” he said. He and Pi did love each other but they weren’t married. They wore the rings as if they were, but there’d been no ceremony involved. Nothing beyond the very short vows in a shop with a jeweller as a witness.
“He’s gonna wear a ring, Skylar. Indicating that he’s married. Generally when people get married, they are supposed to love each other. Don’t mention it to anyone? I don’t have to. All that **** is gonna be assumed,” he said. “Except people will have it wrong if he only maybe loves you,” Elliot said. He couldn’t help it. He shouldn’t have been rubbing her face in that part but lord, if it didn’t bother him just a little bit. Who the hell gets married to someone they’re not sure they love?
“It just sounds like his heart isn’t in it and he’s just not sure about anything,” he said. “But okay, sure. I can give him the fact that he’s willing to do certain **** for you, which indicates some kind of feeling,” he admitted, begrudgingly.

Skylar:
“Urgh. Don’t be so weird.”
I try and take in what he’s saying but some if it doesn’t make any sense. I half wish at this point that he was more like Ric than me and that he could just sink his fangs into my wrist and see for himself what happened. I’m pretty sure he’d be happy then. Though he may see more than he wants at that point which would just be… wrong. Yep. Definitely wrong. I laugh a little nervously what with having disturbed myself with my own thoughts. Though I’m pretty sure the part making me nervous is the part where Ric might see all this in a future feeding.
“You can tell people we’re married papa bear. Ric and I that is, not you and me.”
I laugh again, only I actually kinda amused myself with that one.
“I mean that’s no secret. It’s just, you know. Not the private stuff about the questions I asked him and stuff. And he definitely has feelings for me. They’re stronger than I thought too. Man if you had only seen him…”

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
Skylar:
My words trail off as I remember how he looked in the work room. How he held me. What he’d said. It was heart-breaking. There was no way I was leaving him after any of that. No way at all. I just couldn’t do that to him. There’s sorrow in my heart and I know Elliot feels it too, so I quickly shove that aside.
“Actually it’s kinda funny. I’ve seen more genuine emotion from Ric since we were married. Both on the day I left and well… yesterday. I just think he struggles with his emotions, cos he had a bit of a shitty upbringing. And I’m still kinda trying to teach him things. Things you and I would just know. You know. Things most people don’t come out of puberty having not experienced, many, many times.”

Elliot:
Elliot cleared his throat and scratched a stray itch behind his ear. He nodded; he would have cut Skylar off but he wasn’t as rude as all that. “Okay, I get it. I’ll stop,” he said. It had crept back in there, that doubt and disappointment. The fact that he really didn’t like this Roderic person, but then what did Elliot really know about him? Elliot had to keep reminding himself that. He didn’t know Roderic, and he couldn’t keep judging him by only picking on the negative things that Skylar said, or finding the negative to the positive.
“I don’t know him. If you’re happy then you’re happy and that’s all that matters,” Elliot said. “You can bring him around. I won’t go off my nut, I swear,” he said. This was Elliot’s olive branch. How was he supposed to get to know Roderic to either prove himself right or understand what Skylar saw in him if he didn’t allow him to be around? Lancaster’s was a public place, for what it was worth, and Elliot had always wanted it to be neutral ground.
“I’ll probably tell Pi. But beyond that I won’t tell anyone. Cross my heart and hope to die,” he said. It was Pi, wasn’t it? She was his wife, or close enough to it, and the two of them had recently embarked upon an ‘all honesty’ agreement. They’d tell each other everything.

Skylar:
“Do you have to? Tell Pi that is. I mean this is private. Ric and me private. She doesn’t have to know all the sappy stuff does she?”
I can’t moan too much. I mean I should’ve asked Elliot if he could keep the secret before and not after, it was just, well… I guess I don’t get why she’d have to be told. If Ellie told me Ellie and Pi stuff I wouldn’t need to tell Ric. Though to be fair Ric might actually prefer to smack his head against the wall than listen to me talk about sappy, girly stuff that doesn’t involve him or me. He can just about get through a conversation about us without doing it, so... yeah.
“But thanks. For saying I can bring him by and stuff. I mean I probably won’t unless we can all hang in here cos he’s not great with crowds and stuff but yeah. I like having the option. Oh…”
My mind cuts back to something I said the other night, the night he and Ali woke me, and while Elliot had probably already forgotten it, I feel it still kinda needs to be said.
“I’m still a shark by the way. I’m still going forward. I might just happen to be a shark that can kinda, maybe swim in a circle if it wants to. So yeah.”

Elliot:
Elliot snorted. “I don’t care if you’re a shark or a guppy,” he said. He hadn’t even thought about it. Skylar, and her self-consciousness. She could do what she wanted to, and he wasn’t going to judge her if she went back on some vow that she had made to herself. He shook his head and pushed his fingers through his hair.
“In regards to Pi – it’s not as if I’m going to go tell her like it’s some juicy bit of gossip,” he said. “I mean, it’ll probably come up in conversation. I’ll tell her about you and Ric getting back together because I already told her about what went down the other night. I’m keeping her in the loop. And this is what married couples do. They tell each other things that happen during their day and they tell each other how they feel about it. I tell Pi everything,” he said, slowly. He wondered if Skylar understood what it was to be married.
He finally leaned forward, now, to pick up his drink. He didn’t think he needed it, but much the same as Skylar, he didn’t think it should go to waste.

Skylar:
“I’m not a guppy.”
I poke my tongue out at him and give him my “I’m so offended but I’m not really” look.
“And I get that you wanna tell her that I came here and talked to you and stuff. And obviously you should tell her how you feel about it, cos lord knows you aren’t being a hundred percent open with me about it. Not that I’m saying you’re lying or anything. Just that you… you know… are trying to be diplomatic and stuff. Biting your tongue maybe?”
I shrug it off. I know Elliot’s not a big fan of Ric’s, I’m not asking him to be. I just need and want him to accept that he’s important to me, which it seems he kinda sorta has.
“I’d just prefer you skip some of the more personal details when you talk to her. If you can. And if you can’t. Can you at least swear her to secrecy too? I mean no-one else needs to know. Right?”

Elliot:
“Of course, Sky. I’m not stupid,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. In doing so, his head fell forward and his hair fell over his face. As it always did. Again, he had to push his hands through his hair to get it out of the way. It wouldn’t last long. It sat like a floppy mess on top of his head, clinging only tenuously.
He didn’t confirm or deny that he wasn’t being completely open with Skylar. She knew it, and he knew it. He was being diplomatic for the sake of being diplomatic and he doubted he’d get much sympathy from Pi, either. She was the one who was best friends with Velveteen, once, and who herself wanted to get into Tytonidae. Pi would probably feel that Elliot’s dubiousness in regards to Roderic was unjustified. But he would still want to talk to her about it. It was that kind of perspective that he needed. It was why he and Pi worked so well. They were yin and yang and they balanced each other out—could convince each other of different perspectives.

Skylar:
“Well they say the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree and well… I’ve done some very stupid **** recently.”
I laugh having insulted us both in this one remark. Of course I’m not talking about marrying Ric. Yeah the way we went about it was stupid, but that didn’t make the marry part itself stupid. I was actually more talking about sleeping with Dillon, which is pretty ******* stupid on the smart chart.
“So… We’re good right? I mean I’m no longer planning to drink myself into oblivion or anything, and you kinda, sorta got yourself a son in law.”
I grin at Elliot. Yep. That should make him happy.

Elliot:
Elliot cringed. Son-in-law. No. No, that wasn’t a thing. “He’s not my son-in-law,” he said. “But hey, parents-in-law are universally disliked, right? I’m sure this unease is reciprocated,” he said. He doubted that Roderic had a very high opinion of Elliot, either, though Elliot didn’t really care.
He smiled, then, as he downed the last of the whiskey. “We’re good. We’ve always been good. Kind of,” he said. And he meant it, too. If Skylar was happy, that was all that mattered. They would have problems if Roderic ever hurt her again—physically or emotionally. “I’m glad you’re not going to drink yourself into oblivion. No more ******* with Dillon’s head and heart either, okay? I feel for the guy…”

Skylar:
“His head I may not be able to promise but I won’t be ******* around with his heart. Or him in general. I’m a married woman now. And as I kinda said earlier, Ricky and I really don’t have that kinda relationship.”
I drink what’s left of the whiskey before me. I’m not too surprised Elliot doesn’t want to think of Ric as his son-in-law, partially as he’d have to then admit he has a daughter, i.e. me.
“Honestly. I’m not sure what Ricky thinks of you. We don’t really talk about that kinda thing. I just tend to assume Ric doesn’t much care for anyone unless he tells me otherwise. I know he likes a couple of people in his family and faction, and then of course there’s Alley Cat. I mean Aliyah. But don’t really worry about any of that. I don’t hope you guys will be best friends or anything. I’ll settle for you being civil to one another. I just care that you both love me. Which I think you do, cos you’ve gotten all paternal on my arse. And Ric… well I think he loves me in his own way and as for anything else… he’ll get there. I think.”

Elliot:
Elliot arched a brow. Ric didn’t care much for anyone? The guy was an enigma and Skylar wasn’t getting any better at painting him in a good light. Elliot chose to ignore the comment, and accepted Skylar’s acquiescence in regards to Dillon. Elliot pushed the glass away from him, sliding it across the desk. He grumbled, somewhat.
“Paternal, yeah…” he said. He couldn’t deny it. Tried to, but it got stuck in throat and he had to cough past it. He wanted to be able to tell her to **** off and no way. But it wasn’t happening. He felt responsible for Skylar and this world, there was no other way to look it other than paternal, in a way. But no, she was not his daughter. At least, in the end, he could raise his head and point in her general direction.
“If I WAS your father I’d have … I don’t know. Given you less leeway or something,” he said. But then, he supposed, Skylar was a grown woman and perfectly able to ignore her father’s orders, if that’s what they were.

Skylar:
I laugh and stand up before going around the desk to seat myself in his lap, because, well… **** it, that’s why. I sit on him sideways and place my arms loosely around his neck.
“Oh Ellie. You are my papa bear whether you want the job or not. And you give me leeway because you know I’m an emotional whirlwind just like you are.”
I hug him and then just lay my head on his shoulder. If momma bear comes in I’ll just tome home and send her an email explaining. Hope I can outrun her or something until she’s had time to cool down and read it.
“Well that and I’m a huge ******* pain in the arse and you’ve already worked out that the more you tell me no, the more I’m likely to want to do what I’m being told not to do. Took my parents a good 18 years and me moving out to figure that one out, so you’re kinda ahead of the curve if you wanna know how you’re doing. But anyways… I should probably let you get back to entertaining the troops shouldn’t I?”

Elliot:
“I don’t think I’ve told you ‘no’ about anything before…” Elliot said, sitting there like an unmoving lump. He wasn’t as enthusiastic about the hug as Skylar was—mainly for the reason that she herself mentioned. It wasn’t that Elliot wasn’t an affectionate kind of person, but if Pi were to walk in he feared the ridiculous conclusions that she would jump to. He did laugh, though.
“I’m not a whirlwind. I think I’m more like an emotional deadweight,” he said. Like, c’mon. I’m gonna be somebody you can give up on? That’s what he’d just been singing, right? That, and a whole lot more like it. He chuckled some more, thinking about it. Sometimes he thought he could sink through the Earth with the weight of his emotions, sometimes. He wished that they were some spectacular hurricane instead. That might be a little more fun. He might be able to fly. But there is no flying. Just trudging. He cleared his throat as he violently shoved the weight back.
At that moment there was a crash of glass and a screech of laughter. He smirked. “I think the troops are doing quite okay entertaining themselves…”

Skylar:
I laugh, press my lips to his cheek and climb off his lap before the inevitable happens and I end up spending more time away from Ric. Leaving Ric the first time had been my own doing, leaving Ric cos momma bear caught me on papa bear’s lap, well… yeah it would still be my doing but not my choice.
“Yeah no is never a good word for me. I see it as a challenge. It’s a character floor I know but what can you do.”
I giggle. I don’t giggle often – not outside of being fed on – cos I’m really not a girly girl, but I do it nonetheless.
“Oh and before I go…”
I fish into my back pocket and pull out an envelope which I then hand to Elliot.
“This is for you. Just because we messed up the wedding part doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt to celebrate it. Right?”

Elliot:
Elliot peered at the invitation with an arched brow, reading it over once and then a second time. He could have been offended that they picked some place that he had never heard of as the reception for this shindig, but then, he’d never made Roderic very welcome at Lancaster’s, had he? He could have closed the place down for the night for a private function. The invitations had already been made, however, and he could only assume people had already started receiving them. So he didn’t mention it; blamed it only on himself, rather than feeling slighted in any way.
He flicked the corner of the invitation and nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be there,” he said, glancing up at Skylar with that usual smile planted on his lips. It was easy for Elliot to smile, even if he often wore his emotions on his sleeve, he was also quite talented at hiding behind certain expressions. When one couldn’t lie with their voice, they had to make up for it with their expressions.
“I might even drag Pi along. Maybe it’ll comfort her to know you’re married,” he said with a snort.

Skylar:
“Pfft. I don’t think there’s a woman born that could get you to look at them the way you look at her. Even that first night when you put me under that love spell you didn’t take advantage of it. Or me rather. Which by the way…”
I fold my arms across my chest and huff dramatically.
“I can’t believe you did. I’m irresistible me.”
I laugh. I’m not serious. Well I am, but I’m not. He could have done what he liked that first night and I’d probably have welcomed the attention but I’d of slapped him once it wore off. What a weird start to our relationship that would have been. I’d of probably avoided him then. Talk about awkward.
“I really am lucky to have you Ellie. I hope you know that.”
I can’t help it. I’m behind the chair again and hugging him over his shoulder once more. I’d jump back in his lap but I don’t like the chances of my luck holding out for me to get away with that.
“I really love this life you’ve given me.”

Elliot:
Elliot’s head fell forward, his hair floppy over his eyes. He reached up to pat Skylar’s arm as it clung to his neck but rather than pat it, his palm ended up resting there. A sigh fell from his lips and his eyes closed; he hadn’t thought about it for a while, the way in which Skylar had become a permanent fixture in their life. Although she was thanking him he still felt the guilt unfurl like a poisonous plant that had been forgotten, but which now bloomed under the heated glow of attention.
Elliot always tried to be the optimist, but these days he was always waiting for the ball to drop. There was a cloud, invisible, lurking behind him. He always found himself looking behind him, trying to see how far away it is or whether it’s gotten any close, and he’s just waiting for the day that he’ll turn around and it’ll be right there. Not a cloud, but a piano waiting to fall over his head and shatter everything to ten million tiny little pieces.
One of these days he will learn to put that monster in front of him, to walk toward it rather than away from it; to conquer it, somehow. But it would take time, and today was not that day. But he did appreciate Skylar’s words. The silence bloomed for a few long seconds and finally he had to shake his head and laugh it off.
“Oh come on now. You’re getting all sappy,” he said. “Get out of here before we start spilling our hearts or crying or some ****.”

Skylar:
“Yeeaahh….”
I laugh. I’m genuinely amused by what he said, even if I do feel the guilt radiating off him.
“I mean it’s not like either of us ever feels what the other feels or anything. Cos that **** could get awkward right?”
I walk back around to my side of the desk.
“ ‘Kay. ‘Kay. I’m gonna get back to Ricky. See if I can’t convince him to give me my job back. But before I go…”
I should bite my tongue. I should. But I won’t. I hate that he feels guilty about siring me. I don’t think he feels bad cos he got stuck with me or anything; although he probably should cos I’m a big old pain in the butt. I think he just still feels bad for killing me in the first place. I mean you can’t feel guilty about your own fate now can you. So it has to be what was done to me.
“You shouldn’t feel guilty about any of this…”
I gesture to myself, sweeping my hands downwards as if showing myself off.
“I get to stay like this forever. I’ve even got superpowers. Not that I need them cos I’m pretty great. I was scary talented before and now… Man… it’s insane. So no guilt, ‘kay? Or I might start thinking you don’t love me.”

Elliot:
Skylar stopped and Elliot wanted to shove her out the door. There was a surge of appreciation and gratitude that she should stop to tell him that she was happy, but he still couldn’t help it. Guilt was an ever-present boon-buddy and it was something he found difficult to shake. As much as he moved on and as many nights as he did have where he was happy and content and without any woes… he knew it went deeper. He knew there were other things for which he was guilty; there was that violence that Skylar had been privy to, that darker side of his nature that rarely came out to play—at least never in company. He knew it was there and, frankly, he was terrified of it. As much as he had come to accept it—or was learning to, with Pi’s help—he didn’t quite know it as well as he could. It was a shadow without a face. But in that bright office and in Skylar’s bright company, it was nowhere to be seen, so he kept that warm smile on his face and stood, still making that shooing gesture with his hands.
“I love you just fine and my guilt is my character flaw just like you can’t take no for an answer. I’m not happy about the way it happened but I am glad to have you around, for what it’s worth. You brighten the place up,” he said with that lopsided grin. “Now shoo, go. Get out,” he said.

Skylar:
“Hahaha, yeah. Brighten up, let’s go with that.”
I could say I pretty up the place but I’m not really that vain; though I guess I could just say it in jest. I try not to think about what he says too much though cos it’s kinda depressing to think that he’s comfortable feeling guilty about this, that and the other. I mean my flaw is just whatever. It drives people – myself included – nuts at times but his, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“I see how it is. Trying to get rid of me. Love me my arse.”
I wink at Ellie and retrieve my tome. I came in through the backdoor and I was gonna leave by another. Not to mention it’s the fastest route home. Cos I actually have one now. An actual home and a husband and everything. Man it’s just trippy. I just have to hope no one expects me to act like a respectable married women cos damn if they won’t be disappointed on that account.

Elliot:
Elliot would have been tempted to toss a rude gesture in Skylar’s general direction but he didn’t. Or maybe he started to, but stopped as soon as he had realised that Skylar was gone, the tome effective, as per usual. He’d stood as if he were about to go back to work, to head out into the bar which sounded as if it had just got a tad more rowdy—was there a hockey game on that had just finished?—but as soon as the blonde was gone he slumped back down into the chair again. He stared at the glare of the computer screen, not really looking at anything on the screen but just…percolating.
No, he did not like Roderic. Moreso, mainly, he just didn’t like the faction that Roderic belonged to. But regardless, what did it matter? In the grand scheme of things, Skylar was happy. And he preferred the Skylar who had just left to the Skylar from two nights ago—the one who he had pulled from that couch only so that she could attempt to drink herself into oblivion. He wasn’t sure how long he’d have allowed that state of mind to last, and would have had no idea how to pull her out of that funk if she’d kept it up.
He must have sat for fifteen more minutes before he got up and went back out to the bar—to make sure everything was fine, before deciding to just go home. Maybe it was all this talk of marriage and, well, happiness, but he really just wanted to find Pi.