Tziporel's usually extremely, extremely careful about keeping track of his guardian when he's out in public with her. He knows the world's a dangerous place for a small angelus, even one who goes around disguised.

This time, though, he got distracted just long enough to turn his back, and now he's just a little bit lost . . .

She'd been back from the beach long enough to hear about the disastrous pit ( Read more... )

They've spent the day transferring things to the beach in Baja -- a tent and air mattress for Elle, a portable solar shower, even a chair and an umbrella. Their own accouterments are much simpler, because they're planning on sleeping out. So, a large blanket, some towels, a cooler full of meat and snacks, and a couple of changes of clothing are all ( Read more... )

After the talk, Elle didn't want to interfere with whatever decision Anathiel chose to make. In fact, she even waited another day beyond what she told him to check the box, even though she really REALLY wanted to know what his decision was.

Holding her breath, she approached the box and opened it.

"It's gone.". Elle grinned. "Good."

It's been a long month for Guriel and Ben, with the werewolf's kidnapping and the aftermath taking up an enormous amount of emotional energy.

But now, with things slowly regaining some sort of equilibrium, Guriel has other things on his mind . . .

A slave needs many virtues. Prudence guides what one says and to whom; fortitude makes it possible to bear up under repeated indignities and uncertainties.

Of all the virtues, though, Raphael thinks Patience may be the hardest one to practice.

[ooc: Raph's been quiet lately so I'm trying to prod him into activity. Do me a favor and note that it ( Read more... )

Elle walked home, still holding the paper in her hand. She's talked to Ben and Guriel, and that nice physicist she had coffee with. But now, it was time to talk to the one who would be affected by this the most ( Read more... )

By the time Elle has returned to her apartment, she's got herself back under control. There's still a part of her, just a seed, that hates Ben for having killed her dad, but she doesn't have any evidence. And until she finds some, she has to act as if nothing has changed ( Read more... )

Ben has tried sleeping all over the house. Bedrooms, library, living room... none of it works because it's all too much like being in a cage. Home is "safe" but it's also "enclosed," the four walls smothering him like an oppressive carpet. Even the back yard, open to the sky, isn't enough, because it's fenced ( Read more... )

Elle had the car stop in front of Ben's house and opened the door before her driver could get there. She'd been back from New York for two days now, having had to stay longer for her dad's memorial service. Until the police let her, she wouldn't have a body to bury. Or pieces of the body, as it were ( Read more... )