« Prev 1 2 3 Next » Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first Author Topic: Needing Answers (Piper) (Read 481 times) Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 18:58:55 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "He's a dangerous man. Even Mat was... upset... to hear his name..." Her voice seemed to trail off for a moment, her thoughts catching up to her. "Besides. You might get hurt. Seriously hurt." Or killed. That was a possibility too. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:08:01 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "I appreciate the concern, but do you think I would've joined Paradigm if that could scare me off?" Clavish was bad news, and true, the memory of burns on his left side and a chair leg through his thigh was still fresh, but he couldn't let that stop him. If he backed down from helping her, from helping deal with the man who'd hurt her and so many others, what kind of person was he? If he ran away from this, what about the next time he needed his courage? Would it still be there? Everything gets easier when you keep doing it - run away once, and you can run away again, and again, until you've forgotten how to do anything else. It was just like he'd said to Dr. Gavyns, how he was worried if he stayed away from duty for too long he'd lose the nerve to go back. "Dealing with dangerous people is kind of our job here, and the sooner he's stopped, the safer you are." « Last Edit: Nov 24, 2015 19:09:17 GMT -6 by Aaron Silverman » Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:11:37 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "I'm fine!" She demanded, voice rather harsh. She even had the nerve to look up at him, then. Her eyes flashed with a fire that was usually quite rare for her. Yet, when she looked at his face, the guilt returned. "I'll be fine," she would say, softer this time. She reached up with her free hand and brushed her fingers along his cheek. "I'm sorry, Aaron. I shouldn't have said anything." She didn't want to risk him putting himself in danger. Not for her. He had other things to think about. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:22:48 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "I saw the state you were in at the hospital, and I know he did that to you. Do you really think you can talk me into just sitting here and not helping?" If so, she didn't know a thing about him. He'd almost backed off at the harshness in her voice, but managed to hold his ground, and her gaze. Aaron wasn't a runner, especially not knowing Clavish had hurt her so badly, and was in his city, just waiting for a chance to strike again. Who knew what he would pull next time? "You don't have anything to be sorry about," he continued, softer. "I wanted the truth from you, to actually know what's been going on, and I appreciate that you've been speaking so honestly to me. It can't be easy to talk about." Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:27:25 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She shook her head, trying to stay calm. Forcing herself to drop Aaron's hand, she took a single step back. "No. You can't help with this one. Not this time." Her words were soft and she held his gaze, looking far stronger than she felt. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:29:20 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Why not?" Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 19:36:26 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Because you'll get hurt. Because it'll be all my fault. Because you don't stand a chance. "Because this is my problem." She gave a firm shake of her head, crossing her arms over her chest and keeping her distance from him. She had to stay strong. She had to hold herself strong. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 20:00:49 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "If he's as dangerous as you say, as the file on him says, then with how badly he's already hurt you there's no way in hell I'm letting you face him alone." Meet strength with strength. Hands in pockets, eyes not leaving hers. Sorry Piper, he didn't mean anything bad by it. He wouldn't smother her or disrespect her, but he also wouldn't stand by and let something awful happen to her. She'd had a rough enough time of it already, it'd taken one look at her back to know that. "I know you can take care of yourself, but don't think you have to face this on your own. I know Mr. Amtrum's more powerful than I am," for now, "but if you went to him, you can come to me too." Aaron didn't mind that she had gone to Mr. Amtrum, it was a good idea. He was just an example. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 20:28:52 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She clenched her jaw as she looked at him, her eyes sharp and focused. She wanted to yell at him, to say something, anything, that would change his mind. "I don't get to face him," she said, her voice the mimic of a feline growl. "I don't have that option. But if I can't, then you shouldn't, either. He is my problem. He's my past." She didn't tell him how desperately she wanted his help, his comfort. She didn't admit that she just wanted him to hold her and make the memories go away. Once more, her hand grasped for the necklace that was no longer there. She closed her eyes, making a soft noise of irritation. "It's not your problem, Aaron." Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 21:18:47 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "If you believed it was just your problem, you wouldn't've told Mr. Amtrum." Well, he didn't know that. It was a stab in the dark, a mild bluff, a probe for cracks in the wall she was trying to put up. Hopefully she wouldn't call it out, he had a pretty good poker face. Maybe some honesty was called for. He let out a long sigh, forcing what he hoped were the right words into the right places. "Look, I care about you." As if that weren't obvious given a few hours ago, or yesterday. "He needs to be stopped, and knowing he put you through all that makes me want to put his head through a wall. Maybe that's presumptuous of me, trying to make your problems my problems, but at least give me a chance? Let me carry a bit of the weight so you don't have to shoulder so much." Okay, that sounded corny as hell, but he was hoping some of it might get through. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 21:25:50 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He cared about her. And that only made it worse. She stared at him in silence for a long moment, unable to fully process what he had said. He cared about her... he came when she called, he held her, he stayed with her, he... She let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, balling her hands into fists. She had to if she wanted to battle back the pain, the fear. Piper gave a fierce shake of her head, backing away from him another step. "Aaron, you don't understand!" But oh, how she wanted to explain it to him. "You can't. You can't fight him. You can't hurt him. And you sure as hell can't kill him." There was the hint of desperation in her voice. "You can't save me. You..." You what? Oh god, Piper, don't say it. "You don't care. You just think you do." Even she flinched at those words. Good poker face? No. She would suck at poker. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 21:27:23 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "If you meant that, you wouldn't've flinched." Though even that, he said through gritted teeth. She really shouldn't've gone there. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 21:35:48 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Just admit it, Aaron. I'm a rebound. And that's fine... but don't get all chivalrous about a rebound." She couldn't look at him as she tried her best to force anger into her words. She didn't know what she was more afraid of... him denying it, him falling for her... or... him telling her she was right. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 21:48:10 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Do you really think that, or are you trying to drive me off? 'Cause I'd think someone who really felt that way would at least look me in the eye." Part of him wanted to ask how she even knew there'd been anyone before... whatever the two of them had. But that would require dignifying this nonsense with a response. He was staring a hole straight through her as he spoke - if he had heat vision, she would probably have been a pile of ash by now. "You make him out as if he's omnipotent, but I know that's not true. Everybody's power has limits, and if you'd talk to me instead of pulling this nonsense, I could understand. I could figure something out." Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 24, 2015 22:08:47 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She gritted her teeth and forced herself to look up at him. She knew what her gaze held: fear, pain, guilt. She knew what he would see there. But she also knew... If he was willing to stay, not to storm off... there was no way she could get him to leave. Piper took a deep breath and told him, "I am everything you despise. He made me everything you hate. So stop, now, before you fall in love with me..." Her voice cracked and she had to take a second to try and compose herself. "Aaron, you can't... be with me. I'm not..." Good enough "Safe." She wanted to touch him, then. To wrap herself in his arms, to kiss him and forget everything. To forget all about Jim and the lies, all about the scars on her back. She wanted to be with him. And that scared her. "Let me protect you." Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 7:43:42 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "You're gonna have to explain, 'cause you're not making sense." He understood the individual words, but they just didn't match up with what he already knew. She wasn't safe? She was everything he despised? Since when? He'd been one wrong word away from slapping her, a minute ago, but now he just arched an eyebrow, less intense but still keeping his eyes on her. How was this protecting him? "Piper, I saw the news; yesterday you risked your life to save a bunch of children you didn't even know. An evil metahuman attacked the city and you didn't think twice about going in there and helping people. Then, you took those kids to the hospital yourself to make sure they were okay, when you could have just left. That doesn't sound like somebody who's 'everything I hate'." « Last Edit: Nov 25, 2015 9:12:36 GMT -6 by Aaron Silverman » Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 12:17:47 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Her teeth ground together with an audible click as she flinched away from him, Jim's words repeating in her head like some sort of sick, twisted mantra. What Murdoch had said about his memory suddenly made more sense to her... She would never be able to forget that tone, those words, the way she had wondered as an idle afterthought if he was going to kill her. She tried to breathe evenly, but it wasn't happening. She couldn't seem to calm herself down. She peered up at Aaron and saw how he focused on her, and before she could stop herself... "I'm a killer." Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 12:41:00 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Who did you kill?" "Killer" could mean different things, after all. Well, okay, just one, but who and when and why still mattered. Mom and Dad had killed people in battle, on some of their missions or engaging in combat with the Empire; a lot of agents had. That didn't make them bad people. From what he knew of Piper, she didn't seem the type to just cut down innocents for the hell of it, either. That she regretted it was a good sign, too. Cautiously, he took a step towards her, then another. Maybe his presence could calm her a little, but then, maybe that was arrogant of him. To think he could erase everybody's problems by standing there and telling them everything would be okay. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 12:52:05 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Which time?" She asked bitterly, but she didn't move away from him. A part of her assumed that he would leave when he heard her tale, that he wouldn't want anything to do with her anymore. She pushed one hand into her green hair, feeling the tendrils tangle around her fingers. "The first time, it was a man... I didn't even know his name..." She tried to pull her hand free, nervousness apparent. "But he was wearing a wedding ring. His family... They never knew what happened to him." Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 13:08:21 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Why? Did Clavish make you do it?" He couldn't see her murdering a man for no reason, and clearly it wasn't something she relished given her body language. Still, the thought put a pit in his stomach - he couldn't write her off, wouldn't, but the idea she might be a murderer of multiple people was a daunting one. But she regretted it. That mattered, didn't it? Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 13:18:37 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She shrugged, suddenly not wanting to say anything. She didn't want to talk about him anymore. She didn't want to think about him anymore. She closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Please, she silently begged. Please, Aaron, just leave. She didn't want him to out himself at risk for her sake. Just be done with me. That's safer for you. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 14:17:06 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top The shrug wasn't a no, but it wasn't a yes either. Aaron let the silence drag on for a bit, not too long, just letting himself think about what she'd told him. Not to mention giving himself the chance to digest the idea of her murdering a man. More than one, too, by the way she asked 'which one' - families back in Australia had been shattered forever, by her hand. But she hadn't wanted to, he had to believe that, from what he knew of her and Clavish. She stood there, eyes shut, as if waiting for him to pass down judgement, but was he really the person to give it out? Who was he? She was here now, doing her best, and could he really say the present didn't matter? It might have been half a minute before he spoke, at most, but it felt like an hour. "I can't lie, it sounds like you've done bad things, whether he made you do them or not." Aaron couldn't look away from what she'd done, not when she'd put it right on the table in front of him. Still, that was the beginning of it, not the end. "That's not everything there is to you, though. Obviously you regret what you've done; you wouldn't be talking about it like this if you didn't, and you're clearly trying to be better. Those children yesterday might have died if not for you; you saved them, even if it meant risking yourself, and that tells me you're a better person than you seem to think you are." He took a hand out of his pocket, and if she didn't flinch away he'd put it on her shoulder. An understated bit of solace, hopefully. "Everybody can change, Piper - just look at Mr. Amtrum. He used to be the leader of a gang of metahuman terrorists who tried to start World War Three; if Paradigm and the Russian metahuman agency hadn't stopped him, all life on Earth would've been washed away in nuclear fire." Jesus, wasn't that a grim thought. Grim enough it actually wiped the smile right off his face. "Look at him now, though: he helps people, he does his best to teach us, and protect us if he has to. Sure, his methods are a bit... extreme, but he means well and he tries to be a better person than he used to be; if he can change, so can you. I think you already have, actually." Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 14:42:10 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She let him touch her, even turned her head to gingerly brush her cheek across his fingers. Deep breath, she told herself. Take a deep breath. Then, she moved. Given her usual speed, she was moving like molasses. She would try and wrap herself in his arms, to rest her head against his chest and hold herself to him. She wanted to touch him, then. "I... can tell you my story... if you really want to know..." Her words were a hoarse, fear-filled whisper. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 14:49:09 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He just nodded, putting his arms around her and letting her stay as close as she liked. The warmth was nice, at least. "Tell me everything you can stand to. Your story, and anything you can about him." He needed to know exactly who and what he was dealing with. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Needing Answers (Piper) « Nov 25, 2015 14:51:23 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Slowly, Piper led him towards the edge of the roof, where she could sit comfortably. If he would let her, she would lean against him, taking comfort in his presence. "My name is Sarah MacKillup," she began. Back to Top   Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first