"A better view of what?" Nick's quizzical responce to her previous statement went unanswered as Jennifer and he left the medical area, he was a big boy, he'd figure it out eventually. It wasn't that Jennifer was intentionally trying to make him feel awkward but at the same time Nick of all people in this school should know how long she's waited for a chance to socialize without any threats of demons lunging at her around every corner. It was exciting, thrilling, almost... well... almost making her forget that there was still a world out there facing those troubles. A world she abandoned. The guilt would never leave her and yet the need to accept her fate here was overwhelming, Jennifer didn't want to believe there was a way back for her, deep down, she didn't want to return. That, of all things, caused the seering burn of guilt to be felt.
The corridors for the most part seemed quiet, honey hue eyes peered over her shoulders occasionally to flash Nick a smile as she made sure he was ok. The guy wouldn't step in line with her, always hovered back and she was hardly going to insist otherwise just yet, given him he'd hopefully get over his fears, jut as she was starting to get over hers...slowly. Turning into her 'demon' form wasn't something she'd favor doing in public unless the need was extreme, but she would do it if Jennifer thought it'd help.. and that was an improvement.
In the hall there were a four students, two walking up the stairs having had a pleasant morning out at the movies together and sweet little picnick down by the school's lake, the couple now made their way back to their rooms to catch up on the homework they'd let slide the last few days. Another two made their seperate ways towards the front doors of the school, one clutching school books under her arm for a nice study session outside and the other holding a neatly wrapped roll on his way to meet his friends by the pool.
The Slayer was always light of step, her stealthy movements only enhanced by the fact she was a Chosen One.. though now she was technically a Chosen One of two.. which made things strange but also took a lot of pressure as well as responsibilities off her shoulders.
"Last time I was here a nurse took me out to what they call The Garden of Remembrance, there's nothing like it left back in L.A." 'Graveyard' wasn't a term they used in the school, sure some people referred to the site next to the garden as such it wasn't called that officially. When an X-men died they got buried in the school, more often cremated unless requested otherwise. The garden was made mainly for people to come and gather for speeches or thoughts, trees and shrugs helped line the paths and provide cover for those who wish to be discreet and alone. Ever greens and radiant colours splashed the area as well as softer hues and even a few relatively plain green areas, the occasional fountains were found within the garden and allowed for people to sit and dwell in their thoughts. Much as Jennifer had once done on the first day she had sat out in sunlight in over seven years.
As Jennifer opened one of the front doors she stepped through and held it open for Nick, while it wasn't the most perfect of weather, the grass moist from recent rains and the sky looking as if it were keep to keep the air moist.. it was still a beaitful day. Especially considering where Jennifer and Nick had previously spent the last part of their lives, this was definitely a beautiful place.
TBC: Nick(Dan, what date is this so I can mark the threads in the timeline?)
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens
As they passed the students Nick began to walk closer to Jennifer, as if he were cowering from them though his face remained for the most part normal. Their thoughts as the pair passed by them became louder in his mind due to the close proximity, it hurt a bit but although he could not silence the noise he was able to pick out the individual thoughts a lot better.
As they walked and he concentrated on her it began to dawn on him that the only thing he lacked was something to concentrate on to keep him mind in check. Such a simple explanation that he had never really thought about it before, when with Michael concentration was a natural thing between the two of them, it was what they had been trained for and the very reason that they had spent so much time alone together in their early lives. All the isolation let them become so accustomed to each other that they concentrated without thinking about it.. now all he had to do was to re learn to do that, to concentrate on something else instead.
It sounded a lot easier than it was in reality, his thoughts were prone to wandering and right now if they did that they became lost in a sea of other peoples. Though there were several different methods of control that the agents had exercised their minds with before and since Michaels death Nick had done none of these. Meditation was a large part of their control procedures, it helped to calm the thoughts and free the mind from the noise, and that was soon enough going to be sorted out as it was something he could do himself alone.
For now though the telepath could be content with keeping his mind on Jennifer, not that he could make much from her thoughts but although a part of him wanted to look into her head and see what she thought of him another part did not, just in case she was only being outwardly polite.
"Last time I was here a nurse took me out to what they call The Garden of Remembrance, there's nothing like it left back in L.A.""garden of remembrance…" he repeated the words, that sounded rather morbid and very much like some sort of graveyard, Nick would feel right at home then, surrounded by dead X Men. It was a thought that made him shudder to remember the streets of Lost Angels littered with bodies, people hung from the roadsides as a warning. Not that the agents had paid much heed to the warnings, on their first day in the city they had raided Angelus’ slave pens and released several of the people within. It was actions such as that which had made them a target and the reason they had gone into hiding for so long before coming to this world.
Approaching the front doors Nick was hesitant to walk through, the sunlight streaming through hurt eyes that had become accustomed to the darkness of their world and even the fluorescent lighting in his room had not done much to get his eyes used to the light from the sun. Slowly he stepped through the door as she held it for him, his right hand shielding his eyes from the light but only for a second, after the initial step he slowly lowered the protective shadowing hand. Blinking rapidly for a few moments whilst his eyes adjusted the former agent scolded himself inside for not bringing his glasses, knowing full well that they had survived the arrival into this world.
Eyes fully adjusted he stood just outside the door and glanced around, his concentration had wavered slightly letting in a bit more noise than he felt comfortable with but Nick didn’t care… he had done it, stepping into the sunlight for the first time in ages marked an end to the torment… he had escaped.
There were still problems though, looking at the few students that milled around outside the front doors and the immediate area he could already see some things that could be problematic to him, they did not all look human for a start. “ok, you’re gonna have to help me here” his voice was confused and slightly shaky as he glanced around quickly, flicking from person to person as his mind kept seeing creatures in their places, every time he looked again the creatures were gone back to students.
“I keep seeing demons” the telepath stepped back slowly, adopting a defensive posture as his eyes darted around “they aren’t demons…” his tone questioning as the memory of his worlds institute came to his mind he glanced to her for reassurance, the thought of his nice isolated room in med bay seeming more and more comforting. Clutching his head in both hands for a second he released again, everything had gone back to normal, the students were people again… all be it a bit strange in some cases.
“I’m sorry” his head drooped a little he turned to Jennifer “I keep seeing people as demons, I can’t help it, that’s why I attacked Scott and Talia… I couldn’t help it” control was hard to keep sometimes when you had no means of telling who was human and who was not. But here with her he had a means to tell what was real and what was illusion, if there were a demon then she as the slayer would certainly be able to see it too, with her he was safe, he couldn’t hurt anyone.
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens
"garden of remembrance…" There was an inward nod, not seen but still, she agreed, by his tone he picked the garden for what it was supposed to be, a place of morning and reflection. Though with the ability to mourn comes the ability to move on, and without either life would be very difficult, specially for a people who had to deal with suffering and loss almost on a daily basis. Those days were behind her now though, such things were meaningless to worry about, people didn’t die so suddenly here, they didn’t accept their fate as playthings of the more powerful, but than again, they also didn’t respect or cherish what they had. That’s how things always were though, and how they’d always be, even if Lost Angels was to recover fully from the onslaught of the demonic rule, generations would pass and the same arrogance of freedom would once again engulf the human world.
Was this how she had looked on her first day outside? Jennifer couldn’t help but envy the former agent as he stood there, experiencing what so many wished for every day back home, she envied the fact that he could feel it, as she had, for the first time, that wave of relief, that sense of beginning, the feel all the pain was gone. It was easy for the Slayer to see, easy to tell what was happening inside his mind, the way his body lost some tension, even if just for a moment, it melted like ice when touched by the first summer rays. That would pass.. as it did with her, the glory of such a blessing will fade and once again you’re left to realize that just because the light is here doesn’t mean the pain is gone. It helps remind one why the pain was endured, why they did the things they did, but it doesn’t take all the scars away, it doesn’t make all the wrong things right.
And it seemed Nick’s problems flooded back far too soon, Jenn’s honeycomb eyes turned to following the gaze that seemed to have caught something Nick didn’t seem all too thrilled about. Children, mutants. Jennifer’s Slayer abilities entitled her the gift of sensing demons, and while demons did dwell within this school, one of which was their worlds Spike himself, these were not any of the few inhuman that homed themselves in these walls. Though they looked the part and Jenn found herself glancing over at Nick as he continued to talk, unsure of what he thought and yet wondering if the demon hunter, who’s mind was still frail from the torment he had suffered, would fear such a sight for something that it was not. She of all people knew how easily one could confuse a deformed mutant for a wayward demon.
“ok, you’re gonna have to help me here” Quizzical eyes watched as the now stressing eyes of her comrade darted about in caution and confusion. “I keep seeing demons” Body language informed the Slayer that Nick was anything but comfortable right now, his caution taking on a defensive nature as he seemed to brace himself for what might come unexpectedly. “they aren’t demons…” It didn’t sound as if Nick was so sure of that, though part of him was at least open and accepting of the fact, even if another part might be in doubt. “I’m sorry” She should have thought of that, she was the slayer, if anything, she should have tried to assess how he might react to mutants that didn’t look human, in their world of Lost Angels humans and mutants didn’t rival each other as they do here, people fought a common enemy and more often than not it had been the empowered humans that helped defend the weaker ones, some thinking mutants were a cause of evolution to help them survive the demonic invasion that swamped their world. While here it was a disease… still, mutants were hunted and killed for being such, the demons wouldn’t risk letting such powerful things get in their way of domination! Those born appearing like obvious mutants usually got killed on the spot, if they were born in the slave pens or in some form of captivity. It wasn’t surprising that most people also instantly assumed those particular mutants to be demons, and so many died, some by mistaken identity, it wasn’t expected of one of their world to instantly assume anything but demonic when faced with something inhuman in appearance.
“I keep seeing people as demons, I can’t help it, that’s why I attacked Scott and Talia… I couldn’t help it” A flicker of self pity swelled inside of the rogue slayer as she wondered if he would attack her if the true mutant form she could shift into was brought face to face with him.Part of her wanted to say of course not, another part said of course he would… a tiny part wanted to cling to the fact that she couldn’t be sure and anything was possible. But this wasn’t about her, for once she wasn’t the most important person on the planet, or at least that’s what the council of Watchers liked to say in order to guilt trip the young woman into doing their dirty work at times. A small smile curved Jennifer’s lips once more, he’d know she’d have the ability to sense Demons, most demon hunters are aware of the Slayer’s talents, out of studying the prophecy of the chosen one on their own accord more so than not.
"Than let me be your eyes, and trust me to know what I’m seeing." That voice sprang once again from the depths of her alluring mouth, the promise of a woman who let go of her childhood far too young and yet never really had the chance to grow into the young lady she so deserved to be. The melody of her words were often a benefit to her over the years, her natural charisma and grace helping her ally with many and calm the woes of twice as much. "Besides, when was the last time you’ve strolled in the garden with a girl?" A coax to tug at his more charming side, to draw back the gentleman he promised to be, the guide to walk with her instead of watching those who walked near by. She was the slayer, he was a patient and right now one in her care, that alone was enough to tell most people that Nick was in very good hands, all he had to do now was trust that fact for himself, and know she was there to watch out for him just as much as anything else.
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens
As his line of sight darted back and forth then down to her face Jennifer’s smile was reassuring in a way, though it did seem out of place in his current situation. Though it did serve to calm him down enough and focus once more on her rather than the surroundings.
"Than let me be your eyes, and trust me to know what I’m seeing." That was something that nick had already resigned to… his mind was not clear enough for him to trust his own senses for they were easily tricked into believing things existed when there was nothing. So he was not going to argue the fact that he was now in the care of another rather than fending for himself and being the protector for a change.
"Besides, when was the last time you’ve strolled in the garden with a girl?" the word never sprung to mind as he relaxed his posture and breathed deeply in the cool bright air, the smell of moisture in the atmosphere was pleasant to his senses that had been repeatedly assaulted by the stench of rotting flesh both human and demon for his time back in Lost Angels. It was not just the sights that stuck deeply in the mind of the agent, the smells were terrible, the sounds horrific and the thoughts that leaked into his own were unimaginably cruel and torturous.
All of this made for an experience that Nick was not at all fond of and quite happy to never have to go through again. But that did not stop him from feeling that there was more he could have done to help the people in his world if it were not for his pesky telepathy, still there was little that one man could do especially after the rest of his organisation were destroyed for fighting against the horrors of their world. But this was not their world; nick could tell that from the sunlight streaming down and the cool breeze that brushed his skin. There was rarely breeze in their world, just scouring winds or deathly still air with a stench of stale air and decay.
“Can’t say I’ve had much experience in that department” he spoke slowly and quietly as if he were partially embarrassed about the fact, it was true that he did wish that he could have actually had a life whilst growing up. Surrendering his spot with back to the wall the telepath moved slowly and reluctantly to her side, much like a child hiding behind its mother on the first day of school… being close to her felt much like the safety of the walls of the medical room they had left not too long ago. And so his proximity to her became closer and closer until they almost touched, though he could not tell if it were out of fear like the child on its first day of school… or something less innocent for to him desire was forbidden in the order and attraction also.
He felt so helpless like this and a part of him longed for the clarity that being back in the order in their world brought. There were the demons and people, he fought demons and that was his life… nothing more, he was a weapon and weapons were not allowed to have feelings or relationships
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens
“Can’t say I’ve had much experience in that department” Soft curls of hair were tossed gently over Jennifer’s shoulder as her head turned back to look over at Nick, a teasing smile flourishing all the more at the former agents show of what one could assume to be shyness. Sometimes it was hard to tell with men, well.. Jenn supposed it was hard to tell in general, regardless of gender, some people just gave off distinctively difficult body signs for others to read. Though, admittedly enough Jenn found herself distracted for a moment, her thoughts flittering away as Nick’s proximity drew closer and closer. There had always been a safety with agents in her world, nine out of ten they were forbidden to enter relationships, even Riley and Luke had said so… not that it stopped them from being interested… though both had been in serious trouble with their agencies regarding their steadily closer growing friendship with Jennifer over her earlier years as a slayer. It wasn’t like anything actually happened, but the possibility was there, all it needed was time to flourish and the right moment to spark it.
"A real evil in Lost Angels… the inability to date most of the population. My dad would have brought about the darkness himself if he knew that’d occur." Not that Jennifer knew her father much, she knew of him, and saw him a few times over her young life. When she was nine her father had announced he was leaving home to move away with another woman, it wasn’t as upsetting as most family break ups since Jennifer hadn’t been able to spend much time with her father before he left, he was always away on weekends and holidays, and left for work early and come home late. He was a ghost in her life long before he officially left. That didn’t stop him from putting his foot down when Jennifer’s mother mentioned their 16 year old daughter was making friends with boys, it didn’t even matter if she was dating them or not.
"Now that you’re here, planning on giving up the demon hunting or do you think it’s a habit you’ll be keeping up?" After initially arriving here Jennifer would have said demon hunting was never going to stop being a daily ritual of hers. After a few days Jennifer realized that she couldn’t really go hunting every day unless she really went out there looking for a fight, half the time it seemed things were quiet… at least in her opinion, Spike’s boss was saying things were building up, but then again, Spike and her both felt things were going slow and steady.
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens"A real evil in Lost Angels… the inability to date most of the population. My dad would have brought about the darkness himself if he knew that’d occur." should he laugh... no in the end Nick decided it was best not to in case she was not joking. as they progressed through the gardens his steps became slower, heavier through the distinct lack of energy that the agent had been feeling for such a long time now.
it probably didnt help that he was on medication as well though, that usually made people drowsy or lathargic and even though Nick was conditioned to be resistant to those efects he was still only human. "Now that you’re here, planning on giving up the demon hunting or do you think it’s a habit you’ll be keeping up?" the demon hunter paused his walking for a moment to think, as if doing the two at once was too complicated for him "i've never really thought that far ahead" he replied with a slight tone of realisation in his voice
"i suppose its not such a necessity in this world as ours... but then again if no one fights then whats to stop this place from descending into the same sorry state as our own world" he was continuing to walk now his eyes slowly glancing around the gardens and noting the multitude of different colours and textures here, his gaze every so often drifting back towards Jennifers toned form before tearing itself away again
"i was engineered to fight demons, without it my life has not got much of a purpose" there was a pause in his words again as he stumbled over a tiny stone on the ground, not letting himself fall over however he carried on "well that wasnt convincing was it" he laughed "no one in this world would probably understand if i explained it all, but i guess you dont need that much of an explanation.. its what happens in our world, peole condition themselves to either fight for the darkness or against it and i dont think that my demon hunting days are something that i can put behind me easily. every day i lay in that bed i feel as though i should be out doing something to help, i would feel a lot better if i could help someone once more it felt good to tlak to someone who might understand his feelings a bit... for although hank was a nice guy he did not understand Nick's world and therefore had little understanding of Nick.
Re: Every Nightmare has an Ending: Walk in the Gardens"i've never really thought that far ahead" The reply seemed to be more of a realization then anything else, "i suppose its not such a necessity in this world as ours... but then again if no one fights then whats to stop this place from descending into the same sorry state as our own world" That was true, people seemed to be doing something though, and while it seemed small scale to her, nuck was right that this world just didn't need the same effort as theirs. The slayer turned her head as Nick looked away, biving him a smile though the other hunter wasn't looking her way any more.
"i was engineered to fight demons, without it my life has not got much of a purpose" It was like a cruel tease of the fates as Nick stumbled, Jennifer's hand had moved out to help support him but the agent regained his own balance before she could offer assistance. "well that wasnt convincing was it" He had laughed, and then Jenn found herself wondering when had he last laughed? And had he ever laughed so hard he found it hard to breath? She wasn't made to fight demons, instead Jenn just woke up one day, dressed for school and then some time between arriving there and the last bell she managed to have burned down half the place and discovered she was a destined child born to kill the things that prey on human life. Which while it had similarities to Nick who was also in a sense born to do what he did.. she had still had a child hood, one that was happy, or at least as normal as any other childs tended to be.
"no one in this world would probably understand if i explained it all, but i guess you dont need that much of an explanation.. its what happens in our world, peole condition themselves to either fight for the darkness or against it and i dont think that my demon hunting days are something that i can put behind me easily. every day i lay in that bed i feel as though i should be out doing something to help, i would feel a lot better if i could help someone once more." Nick admitted, and Jenn understood, even though she had wished nothing more then to be 'normal', she felt the same. The same pull, the same drive.. the same need. She couldn't turn her back on what she was, and she couldn't stand not being out there and helping those who wanted just the same thing she wanted, to be safe and live to see the next day, and to hope that day was safe and the next, and the next beyond that. She might not have it for herself, but Jenn grew to love the fight that promised to allow others to have that thing she had wanted so much.
"This world might not understand us, but for that I envy them," After all, living in bliss, no matter how ignorant, seemed to offer a lot more happiness, a peace of mind that the hunters of Lost Angels found hard to find. "Not that I don't mind kicking butt, but I have to admit, I'm liking the things on offer here. The tan on my skin, the healthy plant life.." She stepped ahead and turned to move in his way, a bright smile lifting her expression as she continued to speak to hem; her tone light and curious.
"I know a bit about agencies, more strict then the Watchers council... or maybe you gius just obeyed the rules I tended to ignore." A wicked grin fluttered as it was well known how rebellious the slayer could be, often being called such things as 'impertanent' and 'disrespectful to authority'. However, unlike the agents, a Slayer could not be replaced, and Jenn, or more infamously known as 'Rogue', just so happened to be the longest living slayer in history. And considering the state of the world during her reign, that was eztremely impressive, Jenn just found it amazing in this more peaceful world she had actually managed to get slain in a situation where in her world she had survived. If she ever thought her life might have saved the world they were from, then she'd have gladely given it, though there was more factors involved that merely her death.
"Sitting around isn't always bad, it gives you time to think." Sure, thinking could be as counter-productive as it could be productive, but it was still important. "Helping others is easy, helping yourself however," There was a slight shrug of her shoulders. "that's the challenge, because you know without a doubt usually what has to be done to help someone else. Kicking and punching usually iis required." And obviously inner demons weren't as easy to smack about.
"In all this time you've been here, have you had the chance to think about what you want? From all the years you've ever lived, has there ever been something you've not allowed yourself to want, or you've not been allowed, or you've just simply not had the chance?" It seemed so simple a think to ask, everyone here planned their lives, their goals and what wiykd naje then the happiest. Could they get it with ease or would it take years? What would be their ideal job, where would they go on their weekend, their holidays, where would they live, this country or another? Who should they see, who did they like enough to date? What classes to take, what clothes did they like best when window shopping, what was the next big thing they wanted to buy? A daily routine of questions that echoed the halls of the school and the streets.
In Lost Angels it was usually filled with people either asking if they would be alive the next day, if they could live long enough to find the warmth of anothers company, what was next on their list to kill and for some.... they just wished for a merciful death.
"Before you can really help anyone, you need to help yourself, it took me about a minute to figure out one thing that would help me find the peace of mind I needed to get myself back on track." One minute.. if you counted from when she actually sat down and put focus into pilling herself together. "One of the things I could never do back home was listen to music on the beach.... now I can't imagine you in a bikini jamming along to some tunes, but isn't there something you can think of?" Fighting demons was all good, but everyone needed a moment to relax and just recover, mentally, physically... from everything that's happened, from what's happening now... from what's going to happen.
And Nick was in dire need to just relax and give both his mind and body a distraction so it could recover from the stress it's been through. Just like Slayers, agents didn't have the longest of lifespans, so they often lacked the desciple of taking 'time out' to recharge their batteries. "You just need to learn to occupy yourself in other ways when not out slaughtering the big bads, or you'll just keep driving yourself crazy. It's why I left the council, they pushed and pushed and gave nothing back, I lived this long because I knew I needed time to recharge, even if those old hacks didn't appreciate that. And look at me... still alive and kicking butt."
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