Who: Timpani, Lennox & a brief cameo by Jayati What: Meeting Where: Lennox's house When: 10/23 Status: Complete
Jayati pulled the pickup in front of Lennox's house where Timpani would stay at least for now. Hopefully, she'd have her curse broken andbeo on her merry way. Otherwise, it was up to her what she did.
Climbing out slowly, she pulled a rolling duffel bag behind her as she stared at the house in front of her. Okay. She could do this. A year ago she'd had a brand new, modern apartment in a fashionable, trendy part of town and a fantastic job she loved. Now, she had...a rolling duffel and nothing else in a hidden town full of monsters. “My how the mighty have fallen,” she murmured mostly to herself, then turned from her ride and head up the front walk.
More like waddle. She couldn't help it, her once trim figure now heavy and rounded with child. More like cursed. Quite literally cursed. But she'd learned to deal with it too, at least to some extent, she'd continue to until someone could break it.
Never in his life had Lennox experienced the situation of having a roommate that he didn’t already know in some capacity. He had never shared a room with his sister, on occasion he pitched in for a hotel room when traveling with friends across the world, or popped for an AirBnB when the necessity came that it was needed.
The opportunity came to host a person in need and without a shred of hesitation Lennox has accepted this human into his home willingly. He wasn’t afraid of humans - honestly they were the ones that should’ve been fearful of him considering they were morsels on legs - but he didn’t go out of his way to be frightening.
Upon first glance he would’ve seemed almost timid. It was much unlike the way he used to be back before acquiring those nasty scars that had brought him down a few pegs.
Through the curtained window Lennox watched the truck pause and idle before his comfortable, small home. It was to his surprise the sight of the young woman bearing a large belly that shocked him. There was no time for regret now, he couldn’t have backed out on her even if he had decided he wanted to. Besides, it was only temporary.
Turning, Lennox scurried to the front door. Before she could knock he was opening it up, a small, welcoming smile gracing the swells of his lips. His neck was wrapped in a scarf but the rest of him was about as to be expected - a light blue tee shirt, dark, fitted denim jeans, white socks.
Not expecting the door to open, Timpani gasped, trying not to show surprise and failing. Could he read her mind? Ever since she had learned that the supernatural was real, she had no idea what was true and what wasn't. Maybe Hollywood was actually correct? So long as vampires didn't sparkle. “Hi,” she said softly, grateful that this guy was opening up his home to her, but it was still awkward. “I'm Timpani. Thanks for letting me stay here.”
She was surprised that she was taller than him by several inches. Granted, she was tall for a girl, but still. It always surprised her when she was taller than a guy. He was dressed nicely, though. That was reassuring. She hadn't known what to expect from a hidden town. Maybe people wearing old fashioned things? She had on ripped jeans, maternity style, and a navy blue maternity sweater with a faux plaid shirt sewn in with slip on sneakers. Slip on flats were a new requirement now.
With as much warmth as he could muster Lennox lifted a hand in a wave, beckoning her inside. He moved aside to allow her passage and once she was securely inside the home he closed the door behind her.
This was probably something new for the both of them, he suspected. Adjustment would be necessary though he had grown accustomed to assimilation over the years.
“You’re….welcome,” Lennox squeaked, words soft. “Please make...yourself...at home…” A soft gasp and Lennox was motioning for her to sit if she wanted to. He would give her a tour when she was ready though there wasn’t much to see that probably couldn’t be imagined already. He kept his home clean, livable, and there was no set schedule since he didn’t have an actual job.
Okay, so something was wrong with his throat or his voice, good to know. “You have a nice place,” small, but then if there was only one person then they didn't need much. Her apartment wasn't any larger, before she'd left. Still, it was clean and welcoming, which was good. She wasn't sure she could live in a place that was filthy and she'd seen plenty, especially where single guys were concerned.
Then again, was Lennox a single guy? She was making a lot of assumptions, both on his maleness and his relationship status. “Um. Anything I should know?”
The question posed bore more weight than he was sure she was ready to carry considering her burden presently. Lennox tilted his head at her and then shook it.
“No...not really...I mean….obviously...you know….I’m not….human…” Otherwise she wouldn’t be in Summerview. Humans weren’t the most welcome species to some of the residents and while he wasn’t asking for details on her situation he figured that if there was something to tell it would show itself before too long.
He was single. He had been single for a while now though it was strictly by choice.
And then he blinked at her and smiled sheepishly, “Sorry...uh, I’m...Lennox….I don’t…think...I ever….told you….”
Oh. Right. Not human. “Is that why you talk like that? Because you're not human?” Timpani asked, then bit her lip, a hand going unconsciously to her middle, “Sorry. That's probably rude. Um. Not sure what all you were told, but I.... am. Human, that is. Never thought I'd have to explain that..... anyways, can I sit?” there was no reason for her to stand right now and the couch looked comfortable.
An expression of discomfort settled over his features, strained and fractured, as a response to her inquiry. Humans were naturally curious things and that was not always in their favor to be so inquisitive.
Timpani smelled human, he knew she wasn’t like him or his kind. Nodding, Lennox gestured to the couch, waving his hands at her as if to motion her that direction.
He moved to settle down in a chair next to the couch so as to be able to communicate without her having to strain to hear those soft words.
Any sort of movement between - standing to sitting, sitting to standing - was difficult and this was no different, but the couch was very comfortable once she sat. Relaxing, she offered a small smile, “I'm sorry. Is it rude to ask what you are? I don't.... I'm new to everything. I was cursed,” she gestured to get middle, “I've been this pregnant for nearly a year and no idea how to undo it. That's why I'm here. So if I do something wrong, please tell me.”
This was not a conversation that Lennox was prepared for. Admitting to anyone - a human especially - what he was put a lot of risk out that he wasn’t sure he was comfortable with. He owed Timpani at least that, though, he supposed. If they were going to be roommates, anyway.
He listened to her plight with a measure of shock. A year? That pregnant?
“Siren,” Lennox offered. He swallowed and then continued after inhaling a breath, “we are….like merfolk...mermaids...and the...like,” he explained, “...except we….require….nourishment….from humans…” How did you tell your human roommate that you ate people?
Nourishment from humans..... oh he wasn't talking about like.... oh ew! Humans weren't like bees making honey! “Maybe.... we'll need two freezers if I'm here a while,” she offered weakly, grateful that he had said she wasn't food. “‘Fish are friends, not food,’” she quoted.
“Siren. That's cool though. I know of witches, too. I can't... stop being human anymore than you can stop being a siren. Is that going to be a problem if I'm here awhile? Cause I'm gonna need to find a job and stuff,” Timpani was already thinking it would be a while.
He didn’t want to gross her out with the logistics of the terms. She seemed to be going through enough without experiencing a goregasm. The fact that she hadn’t bolted for the door screaming either meant she’d been through worse than a man eating fish person or the couch was far too comfortable to get up from.
Shaking his head, Lennox offered what he could of a smile. “No...problem.” He wouldn’t turn her out. It wasn’t safe out there for a human the same way it wasn’t safe for them in Atlantic City. But she was right, neither of them could change what they were.
If Jayati had dropped Timpani off - his eyes were sharp and he saw the Sheriff from the window - then maybe there was more security than he thought. He didn’t think Jay would let anyone hurt anyone else, not on her watch.
The couch was incredibly comfortable and Timpani could see herself napping on it sometimes. “Do you eat regular food too?” she asked. Then again, she doubted that there was a Whole Foods in this place. Did the grocery store stock people bits for sirens and such?
Nodding, Lennox smiled.
“Yes….actually.” He quite enjoyed human cuisine. The spices could be a little bit off putting when one was trying to recreate a dish and one’s experiences with particular herbs was limited. He had learned to navigate around a recipe book, though, in more recent years that would do just fine in limited company.
“The...sushi here...is...delightful…” It was where he and Nessa went to eat at least once a week in effort to indulge on the fresh wares. It got tiring having to hunt and kill your own food. Having it served fresh and prepared for you was a treat.
“What...do you….like to….eat?”
“Sushi is good,” Timpani agreed, “We didn't eat a ton of fish growing up, well, we lived near a lake, not an ocean. I don't know, I eat anything, but I definitely try to eat healthy, especially now. It's hard staying active and I don't want to put on more weight than I need too.”
The bit about eating healthy made sense. He wasn’t sure where else someone could accumulate additional pounds, his mind wandered to entertain the thought of what she might look like without the bulging abdomen.
“I can...cook...a little.” He could, for what it was worth, “...regular...food.” That last bit was tacked on for good measure. He didn’t want her getting the wrong idea or the impression that everything he consumed had human in it. He liked regular stuff too.
“Do you like.... cook people? Or raw?” she was picturing picnics in the park, people munching on fried human and kids arguing over fingers versus leg meat or whatever. It was absolutely morbid, but she was trying not to judge. It was difficult not to when people like her were the entree.
“Raw, preferably,” he admitted sheepishly. Living was ideal, dead he would consume too if he needed to eat. “It’s not….like it...happens...a lot….every...so often...to keep….up…” he waved a hand in a circle around his face. To keep himself young.
Sirens weren’t the only ones that ate people, but they had the most access considering their ability to navigate the land almost as well as the water.
“Raw red meat. Pass,” not just because human, but because she wasn't interested in raw beef either. “Still. I can cook, if you want. Help out since you're letting me stay. And not eating me, which I appreciate,” she teased with a grin, then pushed herself up with a muffled groan. “Bathroom? Not actually being pregnant doesn't get me out of all the joys of pregnancy,” the sarcasm was strong now.
Lennox emitted a giggle that collapsed upon delivery - a squeak on par with a dying cat where there had once been sweet music - and offered a nod.
“Okay.” He wouldn’t deny her want to help and having a hand in the kitchen made dinner seem more fun!
Leaning forward, he got to his feet and offered Timpani his hands to help her up to her feet. “That….way.” A toss of his head he pointed her in the direction of one of the bedrooms.
“That one...is yours...feel free….to unpack.”
Taking his hands for help, but leaving her bag, she headed to the bathroom to take care of business and then went to retrieve the duffel. “It's great, thank you,” she assumed that they both had similar rooms and would have been fine with something smaller or without an attached bathroom. “Can you please put the bag on the bed? I don't bend well. And it's heavy,” it was basically all that was left of her life. Her skinny clothes were either donated or in storage in her parents garage.
That was another issue, her parents. They were close, but not super close, but they had to be worried. There wasn't much she could do about it.
When she was upright and he felt she was safe enough on her feet Lennox let her go. While she was taking care of her business he went about fluffing the pillows on the couch to make it inviting.
Those footfalls drew him from the task just as he’d finished it and he was picking up her bag the next moment without much strain. It was heavy but not overburdensome.
Carrying it, Len set it on the bed carefully for her.
“You...probably want...to rest….” he managed, stepping back from the bed so she could get to her things.
Timpani shrugged, realizing unexpectedly that she was getting used to Lennox's soft, breathy sort of voice and labored way of speaking. “I try not to get in the habit of napping,” but she didn't deny that she wanted to rest either. “but I'll probably lay down once I'm settled. Thank you again for everything. And if you need help or want me to do something, just tell me.”
Politely he stepped backward, away just a few steps to give her room. The idea of a roommate before now had not been one he had really ever given much thought to. Especially a human.
If all roommates were as easy to get along with as she was, sharing a space couldn’t be awful. Right?
“Not...right now….but...thank you.” He hoped she would ask for help, too, if she needed it.
“I’ll let...you get….settled.” With a nod, Lennox began to move toward the door to leave her to what she had ahead.