Esmeralda dances to the rhythm of the tambourine (changewillcome) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-08-09 09:29:00 |
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The text from Esmeralda saying that the Court was closed (something that never happened, even when they were attacked) and not to bother coming in was immediately suspicious to Peter. Either she’d been kidnapped, body snatched, or something was wrong. Basically, something was probably just wrong. No matter what that something was. He could feel it. He didn’t need to be a psychic to know.
Which meant he was going to the Court anyway to check on Esmeralda. He told his mom he was going out and he’d be back later (if he wasn’t, then he’d let her know). Slipping in past everyone was a lot easier now that he worked there, though, he did get notice again that they were closed. It was just a matter of saying, “Yeah, I know, but I came to check on a few things.” Of course there was exactly one thing he was checking on at that moment, but it didn’t really matter in the long run.
He was somewhat surprised that Clopin let him down to the living portion of the Court. The look on his face was proof that it wasn’t just something simple. Even Djali wasn’t as friendly as usual, but Peter managed to avoid his teeth and the horns. The moment he saw Esmeralda, he winced. “So, I got this text message about the Court being closed down today, which I think was supposed to make me not come here, but it happens that I’m a terrible listener and you’re not exactly very good at not making people worry. Or at least your omissions aren’t very good at not making people worry.” He looked her over again. “So who the fuck did this?”
Honestly, Esmeralda probably should have expected Peter to figure something was wrong. If she was more coherent, she probably would have. Or at least figured he’d decide to investigate why the Court wasn’t opening that day. Or for however long it took Clopin to decide that they didn’t need to close ranks completely. The last time it had happened, they’d been closed for a week and that was after the incident with the pyre.
“I do seem to remember you saying you are a bad listener.” Smiling some, Esmeralda than winced. She really did need to do better when it came to convincing people that things were fine so that they wouldn’t worry. Then again, there were some things that were so unique that nothing she could have said in a text message would have alleviated concern or the idea that something was wrong.
“I don’t know… four men who don’t like being told no?”
It was hard for her to place. The men had been strangers, though it was entirely possible that at least one of them had been someone who had come into the Court, made overtures towards Esmeralda and then been rejected.
“I just know I was the target and not the whole of the Court.” Which was the important thing as far as Esmeralda was concerned. As she had told Peter, most people seemed fine when they were taking the abuse but it was when it was focused on someone else or those they cared about that they weren’t okay with it.
The concerned look was set in place for now. He was channeling both his concern for Roman and Esmeralda into this moment in time. It wasn’t like he could really be concerned about Roman when he wasn’t here, so he’d have to use it up somewhere. It didn’t help that she didn’t know who it was. He couldn’t do anything to people he couldn’t find.
“Did they say anything specific that you can remember?” He knew it was probably one of those situations where she’d been asked those exact same things already and she was probably ready to just...do nothing and not have to explain herself, but if there was anything they could get out of it, he wanted to try.
As far as Peter was concerned, Esmeralda being the one targeted meant something. Something more than what he figured it meant to her. Peter would be upset about the Court as a whole, but Esmeralda was the person that he was the most concerned about out of everyone.
Running her fingers through her hair (one of the few visible signs that she was stressed), Esmeralda winced from the movement given the fact she’d been stabbed as well as kicked repeatedly in the torso. Still, some habits were hard to break even when they currently caused pain.
“Something about deciding to show up alone, that sending someone after them wouldn’t protect me and that I needed to pay for sending someone after them so that it was worse than it would have been before?”
Honestly it was a blur. She had figured out that the person they meant was Kitty, who else would attack them out of nowhere with her being none the wiser? Especially after the conversation they’d had after the Court had been attacked. But it still didn’t tell her who they were or why they had wanted to attack her in the first place.
“It would have been worse, but a man who looked like Frollo showed up.” Enough time to cause a distraction so she could regain her footing.
Peter’s brow furrowed and his thoughts went to the place Esmeralda’s had. They’d talked about the argument after it happened, which meant Peter was going to have to reach out to her and make sure before he did anything else.
“We’ll find them.” Maybe they wouldn’t, but...well, Peter was going to do what he could. He knew going to the police wasn’t going to help. If they looked too closely at their papers...well, he wasn’t going to let that happen. Either way, he’d figure out how to deal with things. Even if that meant following them back to where they left and stealing shit. He wanted to lash out at them, but if it was going to lead to more of this, he definitely wasn’t going to do it.
“In the meantime, I’ll try to keep Clopin from killing a lot of people.” He sat down next to her, taking her hand. “You could have told me you’d been hurt. Yes, I’d still have come here and pestered you, but you don’t have to hide things either.” He studied her face. “Also what do you mean a man that looked like Frollo?”
“I don’t want them hurting anyone else.” Of course she didn’t. Which was why she was fine when she was the only target. It meant that the others were safe, that those who came to the Court for help could still come and not worry that they would be targeted even more than they already were. It would always be that way with her though.
“Good luck with that.” Because really, if Clopin figured out who it was that had attacked her… well, there would be missing bodies come morning. And that would draw attention that they didn’t need. It had been that reasoning which had kept Clopin from killing Gringoire in a tavern full of witnesses. This? This she didn’t think they’d be able to talk him out of.
“You’re bad at listening. I’m bad at admitting I’ve been hurt, but I know.” And she did. It just happened that she tended to forget in the moment or found ways to brush it off. Peter was wise to her ways though, which didn’t help. Perhaps it did though, even if she didn’t see it. Besides, the stranger thing was Frollo.
“I don’t really know. Just a man showed up suddenly when I was fighting back, his accent was wrong but he looked just like Frollo. Only he called himself the Doctor once they left.” It was confusing and had been beyond stressful in an already stressful situation.
“They won’t.” He wished (not for the first time) that Roman was around. He was a fucking asshole and a pain in the ass, but at least he could have told them to fuck off and they’d have done it. That was what they needed. But knowing Roman, he’d get violent when all Peter wanted was for him to do his weird eye thing and make them leave everyone the fuck alone. Then again, Peter probably wouldn’t complain too much about the violence. They were fuckers.
“I just won’t let him know who it is if I find out.” He kept his voice quiet at that part, making a point to let just her (and Djali if he was still lingering close by) hear it. He could handle it by himself without turning it into a mess. But first he had to figure out who they were...and talk to Kitty. He didn’t mention that part to Esmeralda, though.
He listened as she spoke. “The Doctor? That sounds like a really weird thing to call yourself.” And he looked like Frollo. Peter already distrusted him.
Djali was definitely around, someone had to make sure Esmeralda didn’t get hurt again. He may be a goat, but he was protective.
As for Esmeralda, she just gave Peter a look, “I don’t want you getting hurt because of me.” That would be even worse. She was alive when she knew for a fact that the four had wanted her dead. They had just decided it wasn’t worth the effort once the strange man had shown up and she’d been able to fight back again. And if Kitty attacking them pre-emptively had already caused problems, what would happen if someone went after them after the fact? It was enough to make her head hurt. Well, more than it already hurt.
“I know. He said he could help with the injuries, but…” But she wasn’t going to trust just anyone when she needed help, the fact that he had looked like Frollo and gave no actual name? Well, that really didn’t add up. “I think he is on the network though.” Metal dog, blue police box behind him and all.
Peter gave her a quick look. “I’ll be fine. I can just...transform if I have to.” Not that he should, but he hadn’t really gone into that. So he gave her a quick smile. “Basically I’m terrifying, so we should be fine.” He wasn’t going to let some assholes hurt her and let her think it was okay because it was just her getting hurt and not everyone else. “Plus, you keep up with the self sacrifice and you won’t be able to text me not to come next time. So I think you could use a little help. Just a little.”
Even with the fact that the guy was creepy and apparently looked like some asshole that Peter hoped choked on his own vomit, Peter was glad that the guy had shown up when he did. It saved Esmeralda from actually dying, so that’s what mattered at this point. “Too bad Destiny’s not here or we’d have you fixed up in a jiffy. I can still go steal some pot from my mom, though.” That part was mostly a joke, but if she wanted it, hey…
“Point him out to me sometime? Then maybe we can see if he has an actual name that isn’t ‘The Doctor’ or whatever.”
There was a pause with a quick look and Esmeralda looked at Peter both confused and concerned. She knew that there was a difference in werewolves but she didn’t know the specifics. True the comment could have just been paused that way to make sure no one else was around but it did worry her all the same.
“Oh yes, very terrifying.” Not like Esmeralda found Peter terrifying, though it could also be argued she didn’t have the best record when it came to self preservation and the risks she would take to help others. “Maybe a little.” She just wasn’t going to let it stop her living her life and helping. But right now she could accept that maybe she did need a little help.
“Madellaine’s made some things to help.” Traditional medicines and salves. She was still in pain but she knew it could have been a lot worst. “I will keep the offer in mind though.”
As Peter asked to have this ‘Doctor’ pointed out, Esmeralda nodded. “I can do that.”
He laughed a little. “You know it’s true.” He wasn’t really sure that he was all that terrifying. But he at least could do something to help if he needed to. He’d be terrifying to people who were easily terrified, like he figured those assholes were. Not everyone was immune to a person’s eyes popping out of their sockets and skin coming off. Even if it was probably better to wait for the full moon to do that. “Probably more than a little.”
He nodded at her words. At least someone had something ready. Still, he trusted Destiny’s more than he did Madellaine, but that was possible that it was his bias showing. “You guys getting along better now, then?” Because he knew that things were complicated most of the time. “You should definitely. But don’t worry about it if it’s not your sort of pain relief.” It was just mostly something his mom did for him. He doubted that she’d mind if he did the same for someone else.
“So is there anything I can do for you?”
Esmeralda laughed some before wincing, “Right, no laughing.” Easier said than done but there really wasn’t much that could be done about that right now. She would just have to let herself heal some more before she could laugh again. Lucky for Peter, she didn’t actually know what he was planning and so it was more or less theoretical and their normal banter. “Maybe. I’m sure others would agree with you anyway.” Even if Esmeralda would always say she was fine.
“It depends on the day. I think this was more proof that I bring bad luck but we still look after one another no matter what.” It was a complicated dynamic. They had all come together, so while they weren’t related by blood, they were still a family. Though Destiny being around would have been nice as well. Less judgement at any rate. “I’ll let you know.” As a rule it wasn’t her normal sort of pain relief, Esmeralda liked keeping her senses focused but if she was already in pain? Who knew.
“Help me sneak out?” Yes, it was a long shot, but she could try. She didn’t do well when it felt like she was being forced to stay inside, no matter if it were home or not.
Peter was pretty sure that it was for the best not to let her in on any plans he was making. Even if he wasn’t really finished with the planning. He might not even follow through. He just...needed to figure out a plan. A solid plan that wouldn’t end with Esmeralda getting more hurt than she already was. He’d do what he could to keep her safe. “They would. And we’d all be right.”
If there was something Peter didn’t believe, it was that Esmeralda was bad luck. She might have had bad luck, but she wasn’t bad luck all on her own. “You’re not bad luck. You just have a habit of getting into bad situations.” He wanted to say he could keep her safe from that, but he wasn’t really sure that it was something in his power to prevent.
“Now? I don’t think we’re moving anywhere just now. You can’t even laugh without it hurting, but once you’re feeling a little better, I’ll see about borrowing the car and taking you somewhere. Even if it’s just to go to the hammock. We’ll figure it out.”
“Of course you would be, though I say different.” Because it was Esmeralda, she would always insist that she was fine and that people tended to worry too much. Which led to her not reaching out, which led to more worry. It was a vicious cycle.
“I know that, but she thinks otherwise. Then again, between my lifelines changing and a pyre showing up the night my room smells of smoke, she is very…. How you say it,” Pausing as she turned her hand in an attempt to come up with the word, “superstitieux”, no that was the French but oh well. Though it was true that some things couldn’t be prevented, no matter the intent.
She had figured that she wouldn’t be able to convince Peter to help her sneak out the day after she’d been attacked, but she needed to try. Still, she would accept her fate for the time being.
“It was worth the shot. But that sounds good to me.”
“Well, luckily my opinion is way better and you should definitely always listen to me.” He winked then, making himself a little more comfortable. He almost smiled at the French before saying. “Well, even if that’s not English, I think I can figure it out.” Superstitious. “She’s a bit too much when it comes to that. But I guess it’s difficult to make sense of things that don’t make sense.”
He smiled. “Until then, what can I do to distract you?”
Esmeralda managed to keep from laughing this time and instead smiled some, “I think I can accept that.” When it came to opinions on her being bad luck, she would gladly take Peter’s opinion over Madellaine’s. “It is, and hard to explain.”
Because if she could explain the Dreams and Orange County, she might try. But she knew it would get nowhere and it was just easier to let it go and deal with the comments as at the end of the day, it wasn’t like they were keeping them from helping one another.
“I think we can find something.”