Proposal [2430-1-4 Wed 8:00 pm]

[Skye Thompson]

Nothing made sense anymore. Skye was in a completely different world, and even after a month, she still had no idea how it worked. This world was wonderful, full of joy and opportunity. But there was still a part of her, however small, that wanted to creep back into the simple, black and white world she’d lived in for sixteen years. The place where she had control over her emotions, where what she felt made sense. Where things worked in a simple, cause and effect pattern. Her father hurt her, she was afraid of him. That made sense.

Titus didn’t make sense. The way she felt about her father didn’t make sense. If Titus had come home one day and informed her that he’d gone out and killed her father, she’d have gotten over it. She’d have eventually forgiven him, and learned to trust him again, just like she was doing now. But pre-meditated murder? That was different some how. If somehow, a knife found it’s way into her father’s stomach as he slept, she wouldn’t have complained. But she couldn’t ask Titus to make that happen. Not if she expected her conscience to let her live long. The guilt would be too overwhelming.

But for now, all Skye felt was relief. She let out a long, slow, shuddery sigh. She was shaking slightly, but not from fear. Looking into Titus’ eyes, she saw that he was being truthful, and felt only shame. Ashamed that she had so quickly jumped to fear, that she had so easily felt distrust for the man who had saved her life. “I’m sorry.” Skye murmured, fresh tears running down her cheeks, her eyes pleading as they met Titus’. “I’m so sorry. I won’t do it again. I promise.”

The promise was sincere, and not just because Skye knew that breaking it could be the last thing she ever did. She wanted to keep her promise because Titus had asked her to. She wanted to help him, the way he and Persephone had helped her when she’d been so frightened, trying not to mention anything about her father. After all she and Titus were brother and sister now. They trusted each other, helped each other, and never, never, abandoned one another or refused them when they needed help.

At least, that was what Skye expected of herself. Titus could basically have done whatever he wanted, and she would still have been enamored with him. And all because of a man who had probably died on Nox nearly five years ago.

[Titus Vere]

When Skye sighed with relief, Titus felt all the parts of him that were wound up unwind quickly. They didn't unwind completely, and wouldn't until he was wrist-deep in guts and blood, but it was enough to take down the worst of his senses, to bring him back to reality.

He carefully crossed over to her, setting his hands on her upper arms. "Thank you. I'll try not to act rashly. Once again, if I scared you... I'm sorry." Titus rubbed them a little, doing his best to be soothing. Soothing wasn't in his nature, but he would try for Skye. She hadn't run for the door. And she'd stopped crying. The least he could do was return the favour.

"I won't mention it again." Titus said, and meant. Her father would be a non-entity to Titus, no matter how easy it would be to extinguish him. That was Skye's choice. And if she chose to keep him alive... that was her choice.

[Skye Thompson]

Skye nodded slowly, trying to stop shaking. Everything was okay now, everything was alright. She closed her eyes as Titus rubbed her arms and let herself relax, like a dog having it’s head patted. She was safe now. Let her father rot away in the Below. He certainly deserved it. But she was safe here, and she didn’t have to be afraid ever, ever again.

“Thank you.” Skye murmured, opening her eyes and smiling weakly at Titus. She had stopped shaking now, but felt strangely tired, as if she hadn’t slept in days. But that didn’t matter. She could sleep if she needed to, without fear of waking up to her father’s crazy eyes. Yet there was only one thing that could rip him from her dreams forever, and she was fighting to stop it from happening.

[Titus Vere]

Titus withdrew his hands after a moment, carefully pulled back into himself. "Go lay down. You look tired." She did look tired, but even if she hadn't been, Titus would have sent her off. Skye needed to go to her room and entertain herself with her viewscreen or sleep through the night. And Titus...

His Below clothes were waiting in a trunk in his room, already packed in a small black bag along with his tools. In an hour, he would be descending through buildings and old elevators with malfunctioning cameras, in another he would be dressed and dirty, looking poor as he could, and then, soon after, he would be killing and he would be... not happy. But better. Oh so much better.

"I've got something to attend to tonight." He told her softly, knowing she was still a bit skitterish. "But I'll be back soon. I promise."

[Skye Thompson]

“Okay.” Skye felt almost relieved at Titus’ suggestion. Sleep sounded like the best thing in the world, and for once she wasn’t upset that Titus was leaving. For one of the first times in her life, Skye actually wanted to be alone. But then of course, there was a difference between being alone and being left alone. She had always wanted her father to leave her alone, but she had never wanted to be alone, without anyone to keep her safe, comfort her if she was afraid.

In the back of her mind, Skye was of course wondering where Titus was going, and why he was going there. She thought she already knew the answer, but as usual, she was trying not to think of that. “I-I’ll see you in the morning then.” She nodded again, smiling a bit too wide. She headed for the stairs, fighting the urge to turn around and hug Titus. She knew such gestures of affection made him uncomfortable, and at times she could certainly understand that. When she remembered the way her father would hold her in his iron grip, sometimes so tight that she woke up with bruises the next day. Skye shuddered as she began to climb the stairs, trying to think only of her own bed, and how good it would feel to lose all her worries in the sweet oblivion of sleep.

[Titus Vere]

"Goodnight Skye." Titus said as he watched her head upstairs. He knew she wanted to hug him, but he stayed where he was, arms by his side. He'd given her as much affection as he felt he could offer safely. Skye seemed to understand, as she went up the stairs without it.

He waited until he heard the sound of her door shutting, and then he sprung into action, silently heading upstairs. Titus unlocked the trunk and picked up the bag. He slid into a wool jacket, black and heavy and thick. And then he slipped back down the stairs, feet finding the places that would not creak or shift.

The door barely made a sound as it closed behind Titus, and he headed to the Below, heart quickening at the thought of tonight's kill.