(Untitled)

[rabbitwithwings]

[Chase finished completing a new talisman and looked over his shoulder, about to tell of his accomplishment when he stopped. There was no one there, who was he going to talk to, who was he missing? Why was there this unexplainable ache in his chest when he looked again and again

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[historyandblood]

[Though it was difficult to say that one could really wake a vampire up at night, Aiden was unbelievably tired. Three days. Three days since Seren had gotten a good night's sleep, and God knew how much longer it had been since he had rested as well. It wasn't that she was being fussy, really - thank God that part was over - only that it was extremely difficult to keep her down long enough to properly nod off. Thankfully, she had decided to drift off to sleep a little bit earlier tonight. Definitely a good thing.

Still, Aiden was far from sleeping when he heard the familiar footsteps - there was a distinctive, and yet very slight, shuffle in the right foot's steps - outside his door; heard the definitive heartbeats, the slightly-shallow breath. He could identify the person outside his door better than anyone else he had met in this place, whatever it was. And, at first, all he offered the door was a sideways glance.

But it was when he heard the voice that he actually made a move to go and answer the door, not that the person outside had made an attempt to acknowledge his presence. Not that he needed to. Aiden laid Seren down on his bed, belly-down, and draped a light blanket over her before creeping toward the door and poking his face out.]

Keep it conversational, keep it professional.]

Yes?

[rabbitwithwings]

[Chase was still staring at the oddly quiet Tease when he heard the door open. He hadn't meant to alert any of the room's occupants he had been nearby, and part of him really had meant to. Then he kind of paused as soon as he heard the similar language, it was comforting to hear someone else speak it for once.

He knew, inwardly, that this was the Lavi he had met earlier, who guided him to the infirmary. Chase turned around to face him, willing himself to be polite since he was normally one to be at a distance. As soon as he did that ache that was bothering him stopped, making the Crow wonder what it was exactly that he was missing. And what it had to do with this version of himself.]

Ta be honest, no' real sure wha' 'm doin here. Sorry I disturbed ya 'nd tha babe.

[But he wasn't moving. Something said stay.]

Ya look tired. [In that short phrase was an unspoken offer to help and watch over the babe as his double got some obviously needed rest. But he wouldn't offer it vocally, not without knowing why he felt the urge to help without getting anything in return.]

[historyandblood]

[Aiden glanced back at Seren, sleeping quietly on his bed, then glanced back at Chase. There was a funny look on the other's face, like someone who had just lost his train of thought. Aiden shifted in his spot, resting his head against the threshold.]

[This wasn't any different than moving between aliases, right? i>Keep it professional...]

Didn't disturb anyone. She'll be asleep for a few hours.

[He blinked, running his fingers through his hair.] Heh, it's fine. I'm used to sleepless nights.

[rabbitwithwings]

[He sighed and ran a hand over his own face, trying once again to root around in his head for any reason at all why he would be in this hall. He'd just have to come out and ask, wouldn't he? Something needed to be asked in order to calm the Bookman in him that just kept nagging at him.]

She doin better from wha'ever ya took her ta tha infirmary fer?

[No, that was the wrong question. Just keep procrastinating until he got to it, right? No, that was wrong especially when his younger self looked like he needed to sleep.]

Ya sure, 'cause ya look like yer on yer last legs o'energy. No' good fer yerself er her, yanno.

[historyandblood]

Much better. But she's been a fussy sleeper, lately. Teething.

[Aiden was quite sure it wasn't the little one's new teeth that was keeping her awake, but rather missing the Crow. Children were always so perceptive.]

... I'm fine. [And he paused again, glancing back once more at his shoulder at the sleeping infant before stepping away from the doorway, a silent invitation.]

[rabbitwithwings]

[Chase made a silent nodding, recalling distantly of his nephews beginning their teething just before...everything. He raises an eyebrow at the invitation, but doesn't turn it down like he normally would. Should.

These questions just kept nagging at him.

He stepped into the room, Tease having landed on his shoulder moments before. As soon as it sees the baby though, it flits right over to her, still being as quiet as possible. If Aiden doesn't shoo it off, Tease will settle down with a quiet chime for 'Baby!'

Well, that confirms one thing. He knew this Lavi before, or Tease somehow knew the baby without knowing Lavi. Chase stops at the fireplace, putting his hands in his pockets before turning to look at him.]

I was wonderin... Could ya please tell me why I came ta this room? Why it feels like... [He pauses, fumbling for the words and giving up on Gaelic all together.] Tell me why it feels like I should know you. Her...

[historyandblood]

[Seren loved the golem, and the golem was trying to be as quiet as it could, so Aiden didn't make a move to shoo it away. Instead, he just shut the door behind him and raked his fingers through his hair. Chase's question made him pause in thought.]

[He wasn't sure if he should play dumb, if he should take the situation and run with it, or if he should give the Crow the answers he was looking for. Things were better like this, weren't they? Aiden just shrugged slightly.]

... easy ta experience de ja vu here, yanno.

[rabbitwithwings]

[His face hardens a bit, not taking that as an answer, Aiden. Not at all.]

Doesn't explain why Tease knows her. Called her "baby" in the same tone as it did when I arrived.

[Wondering if the truth talisman is on his person. Doesn't think so. And besides, it feels wrong to even consider using it on this version of himself, baby or no.]

Or are you unable to be truthful?

[historyandblood]

[Aiden didn't think Chase would take that as an answer. It's almost comforting, that he didn't.]

The Tease might be malfunctionin', or it might've been here before. Who knows?

[It would work, but the vampire wouldn't be happy about it. He stares at Chase for a moment before squaring his jaw and letting the accent drop completely.]

What do you think the reason is?

[rabbitwithwings]

[Shaking his head.] It didn't do that with the other babe I met. [Might faintly smell the demon on him, but that's just secondary from Avari.]

And I'd know the way here, why? [This is not going to be avoided, Aiden.

Chase runs a hand through his hair, looking down at the floor.] I don't know... I can't remember... I want to, but I can't bring them up...

[Tease lets out a distressed chime, Seren grabbed it in her sleep. Chase looks up and goes toward the bed, making soft shushing noises as she stirs from the noise and gently pries Tease free.]

[historyandblood]

[It's faint enough that it doesn't raise his hackles too high. Then again, he's also just trying to ignore the smell. Fucking demon.]

Again, the Tease could be malfunctioning. It could be mistaken.

[His eye swivels to the ceiling, and he rubs the back of his head. He's about to answer when he stops, instinctively stepping toward Seren when she starts to murmur a little.]

[And Aiden sighs. She's waking up; he can hear it.]

[rabbitwithwings]

[Looking up at Aiden, frowning.] I didn't follow it here, it was following me.

[Tease flits up onto Chase's shoulder, chiming in a soft tone that it's fine and Lavi should give baby Tim to grab on to. He narrows his gaze at the Tease and then shakes his head. It quiets back down again as Chase steps back from the bed.]

And it's not malfunctioning, damn thing rarely does.

[historyandblood]

Rarely doesn't mean it can't.

[Crosses the room and starts to lift Seren just before she can sleepily lifts her head to peer around. Her eyes find Chase, and she stops, gazing at him with a sleepy curiosity. You're here!]

[rabbitwithwings]

I would have known if it... [Trailing off, having met those eyes again. It's just like if she put a little spell over him, the way he's just...stopped.

Those memories of his are going to start flooding back. Almost like watching a movie on fast forward and it hurts. Chase winces and takes a few steps back until his back meets the wall, hand against his head. Aiden will probably hear his heartbeat increase under the strain.]

[historyandblood]

[Seren offers him a happy coo, and smiles a little. You're here~ you're here~! Aiden, on the other hand, is just tucking her under his chin, ears perking at the increased heartbeat. He brushes a kiss along her cheek, and glances back at him.]

Welcome back.

[rabbithaswings]

[Chase lifts his head, he feels like he's covered in a layer of cold sweat right now, not to mention a bit nauseated. But that hard look that he had about him since returning is melting back away.]

Aiden, I... [He takes a step toward them and stops, uncertain where things lay now. For all he knows Aiden has found another one to share his life with, Seren has another father replacing him.

He takes in a heavy breath, letting it out slowly. Best start as simply as he can.] I'm sorry. [For everything.]