Colin: Listen.

[Comments Closed]

You scowl slightly at Rick's words. "Harpies?" An incredulous eyebrow raises and the changeling nods vigorously. A humorous laugh passes through your lips, causing his expression to turn sour.

"What? You think I'm lying?" Defensively, he crosses his arms over his chest. In his position under you, it looks a bit ridiculous, but humiliating him is just... fun.

Not a trace of amusement is visible on your face as you reply to his question. "Yes. Yes, I do." Harpies had been allies of the changelings for at least a millennium. "Those hags couldn't attack their way out of a wet paper bag. And besides, aren't your two species in cahoots? What did you idiots do to provoke them and disrupt a bond dustier than the Old World?"

Rick's lips pursed slightly. "We didn't start it." Your other eyebrow raises in disbelief, and he balls his fists. "Look. I know we can be brash, but I'm not joking. Just a few weeks ago, they started attacking us without warning. They've already killed two of the High Council members, and our communities are in uproar."

"Uh...huh. Wrinkly old bat witches, managing to subdue youthful changelings... sounds legit."

"These aren't the Harpies you're thinking of!" Rick explodes suddenly, the veins in his neck straining slightly as he tries to regain his cool. "They're... They're different!"

You sigh a little bit. Looks like he's telling the truth, if only slightly. You push yourself up on your knees and step gingerly off the bed, allowing Rick to sit up, his appearance a bit ragged after you roughed him up. He rushes on, however, after seeing that he might have lost your interest. "I swear, they-- They're like sirens, alright?" You turn back to face your cousin, blinking. His jaw works. "...Beautiful young women... Vicious, deadly women."

You snicker slightly as his face reddens. "Oh, so suddenly, having attractive looks can kill changelings? Somebody, get me a tanning salon coupon." You say snidely, and he slams a fist into your bedspread. "You're wrong! They're evil!" A laugh had bubbled it's way up your throat, but it stops as you see his expression.

A moment of silence passes between the two of you.

"Wow."

"What?"

"You guys must be pretty desperate. Faced with the loss of a long time friend, you beg for help from a long time enemy."

"...something like that, yeah."

A brief spark of opportunity for more jabs at his pride passes before your eyes. You're feeling kind of sorry for the guy though, so you decide not to. You won't sink down to his level.

"Any other developments I should know about?"

A look crosses his features. He sits back a little bit, as if he expects to be lashed at, his eyes breaking from yours to stare at the floor. "...Beatrice is back." As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he cringes as if you're going to attack him. Shock registers somewhere in the back of your head, but you won't let it show; even if he's not looking at you. Ignoring to acknowledge this information, you calmly respond.

"Thanks, I guess. You can go now. And if Helena ever has something to tell me again, she can come herself."

Rick pauses. "...First practice is tomorrow at 8. If you're late, coach is gonna strangle you."

"Dude, just leave."

The changeling silently obliges, opening the door and closing it as he left. You listen to his footsteps as he descends down the stairs, then a muted conversation with your parents. At that point, you know he knows where the front door is, so you walk back over to your bed and flop down face-first.

Sadly for you, the phone starts to ring.

"...dammit, can I not get a single moment of peace this morning?" You grumble to yourself, army crawling through your comforter to get to the phone dock before yanking it off, pressing the call button and putting the speaker to your ear.

"Hello?" You ask, one hand massaging the bridge of your nose.

Who responds?

Credit to: Bobbie, Miss Saxon

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Sorry this was late too ^^;;