regency au } { of missing cats and mastering powers

[iluvroadrunner6]

Jonathan: [he spent a few days inside, wandering the manor while trying to avoid the people. It wasn't that long ago he had been in a cage downstairs, not trusted because of where he had been held, or the stripes of creatures he wore up and down his triceps. He was a guest now, and people were friendly enough, but he still didn't trust himself.

Now animals he trusted. Some didn't like the smell of him, but some did: horses; dogs; and cats. Pigs, not so much, and chickens ran from him in fear, but he could find peace sitting in the horses' barn, sitting on the piles of cut hay bales, a stray dog sleeping at his feet and a cat in his lap while he read a book borrowed from one of the many libraries in the manor. Which is where he could be found most days, including today.]

Amelia: [her mother told her the story when she and Gabe returned from the duke's and while she can't say she is eager to run into the boy, it's clear that the situation isn't his fault. So she resolves herself to be cordial when it happens - fortunately so far it hasn't. But today she is out near the stables in search of her cat. Squeaky the Second can be a bit of a rascal and she wants to make sure he hasn't wandered into the woods again] Squeaky!

Jonathan: [the cat in his lip lifted his head at the sound of Amelia's voice, then gave a big yawn, taking it's time to then stand and hop off Jonathan's lap before stretching. He's not a young kitten anymore so he needs to get that spine warmed up. Jonathan watches in amusement. He heard the voice too, but he was too engrossed in his book to bother moving further into the shadows of the barn. The voice's owner wasn't looking for him, after all.]

Amelia: [follows her nose to the source of her cat and when Squeaky moves over to wind around her legs, she stops short when she sees the other presence in the barn] Oh. Hello.

Jonathan: [he looks up from his book and it's a new face. He licks his lips, trying not to stiffen in anxiety] Hi.

Amelia: I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just looking for my cat. [she reaches down to scoop Squeaky up, adjusting him so that he can rest against her shoulder]

Jonathan: It's okay. I just wasn't expecting anyone. [Squeaky makes and indignant squeak as he's picked up, and Jonathan smiles a bit] Your cat has been a nice companion.

Amelia: He's good at that. He also likes to get himself into trouble with some of the woodland creatures, so I try to make sure he doesn't wander too far.

Jonathan: It's good that you do that. He's pretty old, so you've been doing good at it for a long time it seems.

Amelia: [nods] He's my second cat. The first died when I was fourteen, so he's coming up on ten now.

Jonathan: [nods] He's very lucky to have you. I had a pet goat once. [before he was taken] I don't know what happened to him.

Amelia: I'm sorry. If it's any comfort, goats live quite a long time, so he's likely out there somewhere.

Jonathan: I hope so. If I ever get to go home again. [he pauses] I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Jonathan.

Amelia: Amelia. I'm Lord Parrish's oldest. [so they're ... related. somehow? maybe?]

Jonathan: Oh. I didn't know. I'm sorry, Lady Amelia. [and he gets up and brushes himself off, then bows]

Amelia: [shakes her head] Oh, no. It's fine. You couldn't have known.

Jonathan: True, but still, I should have at least greeted you properly. [he stands back up, a bit slouched and very obviously not someone who comes from any kind of money, and he keeps his eyes adverted like a typical peasant would]

Amelia: It's not as though we were introduced at court. [it's a private faux pas in the stables, no one will judge him] Besides, you are our guest. I should have introduced myself already.

Jonathan: [and he will rub at his arm, feeling awkward] I just... I don't spend a lot of time with people, especially the last few years.

Amelia: [nods] My mother told me your situation. It must have been quite the ordeal.

Jonathan: [oh, so she knows he's a freak. He gulps] It was unpleasant. [understatement of the year]

Amelia: [nods] I do not mean to make you uncomfortable. And she did not give me many details, simply that you were in the care of the Dread Doctors, and from my understanding there is little care involved.

Jonathan: [nods in agreement. She may notices that's as his anxiety starts to rise more, his form is becoming... less tangible. Like she can see the barn through him] They only wanted to use me for their own devices. There was no care.

Amelia: [yes, she notices that and her own nerves spike, just a little.] I'm sorry. That sounds truly terrible. It's good fortune that my cousin found you, though I'm sorry they didn't find you sooner.

Jonathan: I am grateful for that. [he looks at his hands and notices that he's fading, then closes his eyes and focuses on his breathing, whispering to himself "don't fade away" over and over again]

Amelia: [and because she's trained in these things, she puts Squeaky down before reaching gently for his hands] Our abilities are tied to our emotions most of the time. It's intended to protect us. But you are safe here.

Jonathan: [he pulls his hands back a moment, afraid she's about to touch him. But when she doesn't, he looks up at her, eyes that she may recognize worried in the same way she's seen her father look, before he carefully reaches out. He might be going invisible, but he's still got a real physical presence] I can't control them yet.

Amelia: It takes practice. I started learning when I was young, but it takes effort to master. [she brushes her thumbs over his fingers gently, not exerting her presence further than that] I still struggle with it when I'm angry or scared.

Jonathan: You don't want to see me angry. [it's a joke, and he focuses on her thumbs. Slowly, he starts to become more visible]

Amelia: There you are. [smiles] It's all about finding an anchor. Something that holds you steady.

Jonathan: I don't think I understand.

Amelia: Since your powers are tied to your emotions, when you're in a stressful situation remaining in control can be as simple as focusing on the things that keep you steady. Make you feel like home.

Jonathan: [once he's fully coporeal, he'll gently pull his hands back] I haven't been home in a long time, so I don't remember what it feels like anymore.

Amelia: [nods because that makes sense] Do you have someone or something that makes you feel safe?

Jonathan: I like it in here, just because there's no one watching me. If people can't find me, then I'm safe.

Amelia: [tips her head to the side as she considers] Perhaps that will help with the invisibility. I assume one of your chimera blends is some kind of chameleon creature?

Jonathan: [nods. He's not surprised she knew--he figures her mother told her] I can only turn invisible, though. I can't change colors.

Amelia: That's fine. That's all you need, most times. [folds her hands in front of her] Close your eyes and focus on that feeling of not wanting to be found. Not enough to let the panic in, but tie that feeling with turning invisible.

Jonathan: Um, okay. [and he will try, closing his eyes and try to think about hiding. Not because he's scared, but just because he wants to. He doesn't want to be seen. He says it in his head a few times "i don't want to be seen" and Amelia will watch him fade away into invisibility fully.]

Amelia: [smiles brightly] Open your eyes.

Jonathan: Did it work? [he does.... and oops he's visible again.]

Amelia: [oops] It did. You had it for a moment, but when you went to look you changed back. It will take a certain amount of intent to focus it, but that's what practice is for.

Jonathan: [she finally gets to see him smile again at that, and he nods] Now that I know how to practice. Thank you. [he's honest in that, meeting her eyes. She did something for him that she wasn't obligated to do, and it means a lot to him]

Amelia: Of course. [she smiles] My mother could probably help you more. She's the alpha, so she did this with all of us. I'm still learning.

Jonathan: I don't want to be a bother to your lady mother, especially with the Lord of the manor not at home.

Amelia: [she shakes her head] It will not be a bother, I assure you. These kinds of situations are what alphas are for. But if you would truly rather not, I can try to help more.

Jonathan: I think I would like that. Your help, that is.

Gabe: [and in will stroll the Viking werewolf, Squeaky the second curled up on his shoulders like a mink hood] Amelia? I found your cat. [since the cat took her training Jonathan as a reason to head towards the woods]

Amelia: [is about to respond in the affirmative until she blinks at Gabe's arrival] Thank you. Jonathan, this is my husband Gabriel Kirsanov.

Jonathan: [that is a.... big man. Jonathan bows] My lord.

Amelia: [yes, and she's short like her mother, so they make quite the pair. to Gabe:] I was helping Jonathan with some of his abilities.

Gabe: [looking over at Jonathan] Yer the wee one that they found inna the island, yah?

Amelia: Yes. Hope and Ben recovered him and brought him here.

Gabe: Lucky for you then, lad. Da Hales be one of da safest home dis side of da country.

Amelia: We try, even if the hole in the far side of the manor says otherwise.

Jonathan: I had nothing to do with that.

Amelia: I know. That was commentary on our ability to attract trouble, not you.

Jonathan: Oh.

Gabe: Hales are notorious fer finding trouble. Ya get used to it.

Amelia: [nods, deadpan] My first kidnapping was when I was two.

Jonathan: [blinks] You've been kidnapped before?

Amelia: [nods] There was a pair of alphas who kidnapped my mother and I so they could attempt to raise me as their own so that when the time came I would kill my mother to steal her alpha power and be their perfect alpha child. [small smile] My father took that rather personally. They're both dead now.

Jonathan: I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad you're both okay though.

Amelia: As am I. But all that to say there's never a dull moment here - whether you view that as fortunate or unfortunate is all about how you look at it.

Gabe: If nothing else, it's more interesting here than most other places.

Jonathan: I do want to go home. But then I think about what the doctors did to me... why they did it... and what I am now, and I don't know if it's right for me to bring it back there. My village is small and just mainly farmers. Things you deal with I don't think they can't understand.

Amelia: I think you would be surprised. Small villages have more supernatural creatures than you would think. Have you heard of Mystic Falls?

Jonathan: No, I don't think so.

Amelia: A small town in France often frequented by vampires. The point being, I don't think you'd be as out of place as you think.

Jonathan: And what if my mother wants nothing to do with me?

Amelia: Then I'm sure my mother would still welcome you here, though I can't say that would ease the sting. At least you would have somewhere to go.

Jonathan: I guess. I won't know until I go.

Amelia: [nods] I'm sure my father will accompany you when the time comes.

Jonathan: That's what I assumed. I just don't know when he will be back, or what condition he will be in.

Amelia: That, unfortunately I can't help you with beyond the fact that he will return and he will be alive. [she very much hopes that her father doesn't decide to run out of lives on this adventure]

Jonathan: Physically.

Amelia: [nods] Given Liam's involvement, I can't account for more than that.

Jonathan: He seemed like a nice man.

Amelia: He is, though I'm likely biased.

Gabe: Liam's more like an older brother than nothing else.

Jonathan: Then I hope that he comes back to himself.

Amelia: Me too. [she turns back to Jonathan with a smile] Anyway, I did not intend to intrude on your afternoon. But do feel free to find me if you want to work on any of your other abilities.

Jonathan: I will. Thank you.

Amelia: [nods and with that she will take Gabe's arm and turn to head back to the manor, trying to bury her worry for her father and Liam under trying to maintain an air of positivity]

Gabe: [and once they are a good distance away] Love, you saw what I did in his face, yeah?

Amelia: How do you mean?

Gabe: He looks like yer father. The eyes 'specially.

Amelia: Oh. Yes, my mother warned me about that.

Gabe: Ya think he's yer kin?

Amelia: Maybe? Unfortunately my father doesn't remember much of his early life due to the Doctors' experiments.

Gabe: Maybe Jonathan being here's a way to guide yer father to find where he comes from.

Amelia: Maybe. It would be fortunate if he does, but I haven't had the chance to speak with him about how he feels about that.

Gabe: When he does return, I'll help make time.

Amelia: [nods] I'm not sure he'll want to speak with me about it though.

Gabe: You don't know fer certain.

Amelia: I don't. But I don't know how to broach it.

Gabe: Maybe mention how Jonathan looks a bit like 'im?

Amelia: [nods as she leans into his shoulder some] Maybe. It will depend on the state he's in when he returns.

Gabe: Then let's pray things will be good.

Amelia: [nods] And that they return soon.

Gabe: Aye, that too. Till then, I shall continue to distract you.

Amelia: [looks up at him with a smile] I do appreciate your distractions.

Gabe: I'd hope so. Yer stuck with me, after all.

Amelia: I did choose you for a reason.

Gabe: Aye, for my good looks and wits.

Amelia: And also your heart.

Gabe: [smiles and leans over to kiss her in response]

Amelia: [smiles as she pushes up on her toes to kiss him back, and Squeaky II gives a mild yowl of protest as his ride shifts]

Gabe: [laughs and pulls back] Aye the wee beasty interrupts us once more.

Amelia: Once we get him back to the manor I'm sure he'll wander off to find his own fun, and I can have you all to myself.

Gabe: Oh? Whatever shall we do?

Amelia: [she shrugs as she takes his hand and steps back, heading back towards the manor] I'm sure we can find some way to entertain ourselves.

Gabe: Ah, I believe I know what yer thinking... [let's himself be led away]

Amelia: [and once they get to the manor Squeaky will use his leverage to leap from Gabe's shoulders and off onto another high piece of furniture, and Amelia will lead the way back to their chambers where they will have a bit more privacy]