Morningstar Manor

Callan had been out taking Amelia for a walk. Nothing weird about that as with the heat a lot of people were waiting until the sun went down to take their dogs out. He'd walked into a crowd of people going the other way and felt something. Something that made him sick. Something that scared the ever loving shit out of him. Not because it was something that could've happened to him, but because of Erin.

He was almost one hundred percent positive that whoever was doing all the murdering had just passed him in the street. He'd sensed the darkness, the evil, and felt for just the barest second, what one of those girls had felt like.

He hadn't turned around to go back home. Instead, he'd scooped Amelia up and headed toward the fire department. Obviously Erin wasn't going to be in any sort of danger right then, but he wasn't going to take any chances.




Summary: Callan senses a little bit about the serial killer, which causes him to worry about Erin. He goes to walk her home from work and along the way they decide they'll take advantage of her upcoming 3 day weekend by taking a road trip to the Carolinas.

Niles was sitting in the Mocha, sprawled across one of the couches staring with an entirely confused expression at the cook book that was open in his lap. He'd been kicking around the idea of surprising Elspeth with something nice and boyfriendy. Someone had suggested a romantic dinner. He didn't know how to cook much other than Cajun food, which he prepared for them all the time. So... Something different? And how the fuck did anyone find a keish appetizing?

Smith was on his way from the garage back into the Manor, tugging impatiently at his tie. Who the hell decided formal dress on a day as hot as this was a good idea? Suits made him feel suffocated on the best day, and that feeling was only quantified when it was hot enough to melt balls outside. Disguested, he tugged his jacket off too for good measure and caught sight of the awesome wet rings under his arm pits from sweat in the reflective doors of the elevater. "Brilliant," he muttered to himself.

Declan was out in the garden, though he was safe in the shade as smoke billowed from his mouth while he talked on his cell phone. The daughter of someone his mother had known had recently gone missing and apparently they suspected the same person that had left the governor's daughter spread all over the City in little bits. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he muttered a series of "uh huh" "yes, mother" and "I will," as he promised to keep a closer eye on Sterrin. As though that were possible.

Drew stood in line in the Mocha, still in his hospital scrubs as he rubbed warily at his forehead. He was glad these scrubs, the rather unbecoming shade of green that they were, were at least comfortable and lightweight. They made days like today, after he'd had an especially bad day, more tolerable. Yes, it only meant that he didn't have to fuck with a button and a zipper when he was ready to crawl in bed, but sometimes you just had to appreciate the little things in life.

Seamus was in the lobby, having just come from visiting Conn to discuss something about the Lamb. Bloody hell, this place was swanky. It was the sorta gig that made him feel like he had to take his shoes off at the fucking door or something equally ridiculous. Shaking his head, he paused at the door to the Mocha and contemplated running in and getting a muffin before he headed back to the Lamb. He'd have to eat quick, though. Otherwise Dermot would get his grubby little dick-skinners on it and he'd never see it again.

Callan was in the Gardens, checking his cell phone while Amelia pranced around and slowly went about doing her business. He'd never understand the mindset of dogs. He certainly didn't play hopscotch before going piss everytime he went into the bathroom, but maybe he was going about it wrong. He waved to Declan who waved back, but looked entirely flusterd on the phone. Wiping at the sweat on the back of his neck, he muttered to the dog to hurry up.

Jude was in the Mocha, sitting relaxed and casual and alone at one of the tables while looking at a test run of one of the new roller coasters they were designing for the park. It was based off of one of the last movies, something about a frog that could dance, but somehow they could never get the roller coaster's safety bars to stay down when it went through the first loop. The human sized dummy fell out every time. Smirking a bit to himself, he contemplated suggesting to put the ride on through as is. It'd be a nightmare in one aspect, but in another...

Olivia sat at a table in the Mocha with her laptop open in front of her staring in horror at the Yahoo! News clip she'd called up on the screen. A disembodied foot that was decisively female had shown up on the Governor's front lawn this morning.  A few tests had concluded that it belonged to his daughter, Adriana Lucas, who hadn't been seen for at least five days. The authorities were apparently launching a full blown investigation to find the rest of her and to figure out who had done such a thing.

Olivia had known Adriana, at least in passing, from her party days. She was sort of a bitch and had a serious drug problem, but Jesus... Even she didn't deserve that. She shook her head as she shut the computer down and picked up the Herald, only to find her own face staring back at her, along with Robbie's. She tossed it aside after reading the headline with a roll of her eyes. She wished her biggest problem was being dumped. If that was all she had to worry about, she'd be doing good.

****

Declan had gotten a call about the Herald article this morning, and now that he was off work he was reading over the article while he sat in the Mocha on the couch, sipping his coffee. He was always taken aback by how prejudiced articles like this were, and it was sad that the world was still in such a position that two consenting adults being together was still considered 'news.' 

"Ay, that pecker a yers makin' the news again, is it?" Callan remarked dryly as he plopped down on the couch next to Declan and read over his shoulder.

"I guess. I would've thought they'd have gotten their fill of this months ago when Jack and I first got together and there was the big scandal," Declan said with a shrug. "Sometimes people with penises like other people with penises. Old news."

Tired. He was so fucking tired anymore, and he knew it wasn't a good sign.
A look in the mirror beside his bed showed a man with missing hair. Sunken cheeks. Sallow skin and shadowed eyes. His bones looked sharp enough to break out of his skin with an especially sharp breath. He looked like death, and that was fitting.

One thing Declan McNamara knew for sure was this: He was dying.

( Read more... )

Sterrin had gone home to pick up some things before heading back to Max's for the weekend, and had almost ran into Callan, who was drunk and stumbling, as Declan lead him by the arm out the door.

"I told you, Jack is fucking asleep," Declan hissed and Callan swatted his hand away.

"Don't give a fuck," Callan murmured, then turned and shot a dark glare at Sterrin before Declan led him to the elevator and got on behind him, presumably to lead him out of the Manor.

Sterrin shook her head and went inside, then directly to her room where she started throwing the things she would need in a tote bag. She was almost done when there was a light rap on the door.

"Come in," she said, knowing it could only be Declan. Jack never knocked on her door.

Declan came in, head down and looking sheepish. "What was that all about?" Sterrin said as she glanced up at him.

"I fucked up," Declan said on a sigh. "I saw Erin in the Mocha with someone, and he - saw it. I didn't tell him, but he saw what I was thinking about."

Sterrin sighed and pinched the area between her eyes. "He's not going down there, is he?"

"No. He left."

Sterrin nodded, then shooed him out the door before picking up her cell phone and calling Erin. Friend rules required that she give her a heads up.

Callan and Declan sat in the lobby on a couch, waiting for the arrival of Erin. Declan had brought Callan in with him and was staying long enough for Erin to get there, just so security didn't get suspicious. Callan had dressed in a brown and white plaid shirt a pair of jeans and some boots, and was reclining on the couch as if he hadn't a care in the world and entirely cheerful.