Kindred Spirits
#6 of New Beginnings
Author's Note: Welcome back dear readers! I hope you have been better than me (it's been a fairly awful) but nonetheless we press onwards! Hopefully this new chapter brings you some joy! If it does, be sure to favorite it and rate it. Throw me a comment or a shout too if you'd like to talk. As always please enjoy. Peace and Love- AK
Roxie led Bruce inside the doors of the Zoo. She was a bit nervous that this was going to get her into trouble. The flyers were one thing, but actually leading the leader of WILD inside was another. She asked Bruce to wait outside the apartment for a moment while she made sure Dr. Tennant and Jayson were not only both awake, but not engaged in any late night activities. Thankfully for her, they were not and they were more than willing to receive visitors.
"Dr. Tennant," Bruce said as he offered his hand, "It's an honor. I'm Bruce Foley."
"A pleasure." Dr. Tennant said. "So how can I help you, Mister Foley?"
"Please, call me Bruce. I just wanted to introduce myself. Has Roxie explained what I am doing?"
"I'm guessing that it has something to do with the flyers that my tenants have been receiving regarding the reforming of WILD."
Dr. Tennant turned his gaze towards Roxie. She felt herself sink in the chair she was sitting in. She supposed, in retrospect, that it was obvious that it was her. A new sense of dread filled her; would the Doctor really kick her out?
"In the future," Dr. Tennant said softly, "we have a community message board you can pin flyers too...assuming, of course, WILD has changed its rhetoric."
"Actually, that's what I'm here to tell you, Doctor." Bruce said. "I just wanted to let you know that WILD is more determined than ever to protect the rights of lycanthropes, but in the right way; peacefully. I would love to have your support and that of your advisor. I'd love to meet him too."
"He stepped out for the evening." Roxie said, quickly covering for Dulion.
"A pity. Although it was nice to see another of your tenants attend...Jim, I believe."
Roxie glanced at Jayson and the Doctor hoping to telepathically tell them somehow not to mention that Jim was Dulion. The damn lion should have used a fake name. The Doctor nodded quietly, realizing who Bruce was talking about. Jayson, who had been sitting on the couch this entire time stood up.
"And pray tell," Jayson asked with a mischievous smirk, "where Jim happens to be? I've been encouraging him to get out for a while."
"A place called Sanctuary." Roxie said. "I encouraged him to go."
Jayson's eyes flashed for a moment with concern before he resumed his normal smile.
"Good on you, Roxie." Jayson said. "He needed to get out. As for WILD, if I may, Matthew?"
Dr. Tennant nodded.
"As long as things stay peaceful, you'll have our support...but time is needed. WILD left a bad taste in all of our mouths, no offense."
"I tend to agree." Dr. Tennant said, "and if you think we're harsh, I'd hate to imagine Dulion's vitriol. Your group cost him a lot."
"I'm aware." Bruce said. "Which is why I want to speak with him, to let him know things are different, and to formally apologize."
Bruce reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a business card and handed it to the Doctor.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd have him give me a call and thank you for taking the time to meet with me tonight. Roxie, thank you as well. Express my gratitude to Jim."
Bruce shook Dr. Tennant's hand as well as Jayson before he excused himself and left the Zoo. Once he was gone, Roxie felt herself cringe. Here comes the pain; the Doctor and Jayson were about to tear her a new one, so to speak. Jayson left the room, leaving Roxie alone with the Doctor.
"Next time you decide to do that," Dr. Tennant, said to Roxie, "I'd appreciate a phone call first."
"I'm sorry." Roxie said. "I just really wanted to introduce him to you so you can see that he really cares. So how evicted am I?"
"You really think I'm going to evict you because of this?" he said with an amused look. "Don't be silly. As long as you're not advocating violence, you're fine to express whatever opinions you wish. Just...be careful of Mr. Foley. Let him keep showing his intentions are good."
Roxie nodded. She was confident that Bruce would make believers out of all of them. Maybe then something could be done about their suffering. They needed a unified front, and Roxie was determined to see it through. Jayson walked back into the room with a heavy sigh.
"I'm going to be up early to pick up Dulion if he doesn't come back." Jayson said. "And I doubt he will. Sanctuary is not kind to first timers."
Roxie looked confused. Sanctuary was just some dive bar, wasn't it? At least that's what Vixen had made it sound like. A wave of panic set in. What the hell could Sanctuary be?
***
Dulion kept his eyes closed as he woke up, feeling like a truck had just hit him. He was in pain, yes, but he was also amazed his leg wasn't bothering him. No, this time it was his back and neck. Almost like he had just spent the night on concrete. He felt incredibly cold, too. It was only when a small draft passed through his fur that Dulion realized he was naked. How the hell did that happen? He opened his eyes; He wasn't in his room, he was in a warehouse. The prior night's events came flooding back. How could he be so stupid? He felt something grab his waist. He turned his head to see Vixen, just as naked and exposed as he was sleeping soundly, holding him.
They weren't the only people sleeping in the warehouse. Other lycanthropes were there, too. Some were fast asleep; others, like Dulion, were starting to wake up; and, from the sound of it, others we're picking up right where they had left off. Dulion carefully sat up as to not disturb Vixen's rest. He placed his head in hands at sat there for a moment, silently berating himself.
He felt a pair of arms wrap behind him and felt Vixen's head on his shoulder. She licked his cheek playfully.
"Good morning." she said, still groggy.
"M-morning." Dulion said weakly.
"Let me guess, early morning regrets?"
Dulion said nothing and felt as Vixen shifted behind him and stood in front of him and moved her hand as though she was presenting her body.
"What's the matter? I'm not good enough for you?" She said with anger in her voice. "I see how it is. Just want a warm body to fuck is that it?"
Dulion stared at Vixen in shock. He shook his head and tried to talk but nothing came out. Suddenly, Vixen's expression changed from one of rage to one of amusement. She giggled and pushed Dulion to the floor making sure not to hurt him. She got on top of him and kissed his lips once.
"Relax, honey. I was just kidding." She said with a wink. "I can tell you're not like that. You have a heart; even if it's broken."
Vixen got off of Dulion and turned her back to him. She wiggled her hips playfully as she went to the chair where their clothes were. She got dressed and dropped Dulion's clothing on his body.
"If you ever need to escape again, come back here and look for me." She said. "Or maybe just come back anyway to relax. I...I may need you again, too."
Vixen blew Dulion a kiss and walked out of the back area of Sanctuary. Dulion quickly got dressed; no one else needed to see his naked body. Although from some of the stares he was getting, people clearly did. With a heavy sigh, he made his way out towards the entrance. As he was about to pass the bar, he heard the sound of a slow clap starting. As the clapping got faster, he turned to the bar to see Jayson standing up and applauding. Dulion shook his head.
"You here to make sure I'm not dead?" Dulion asked.
"Or to confirm it. You know in Shakespearean times "to die" meant..."
"I know what it meant, I was an English major."
"So did you die?"
Dulion sighed, which was enough of an answer for Jayson.
"Usually, this should be met with applause and good feelings, not depression." Jayson said. "What's wrong?"
"Let's get outta here. I'll tell you everything on the way."
As they walked Dulion filled in the details that Jayson was looking for. How Vixen had dragged him to Sanctuary with Roxie's approval; how they had started to drink; and how everything else had happened. He made sure to mention the odd terms Vixen had used and to say his own feelings of regret.
"Hmm...well, she's obviously using sex as a therapeutic tool." Jayson said. "Which isn't healthy."
"So I was available and she picked me basically?" Dulion asked.
"See, there I'm not so sure. People in her position usually do a lot of things they regret. Drugs, drinking, sex with random people. I think in you, she found a kindred spirit; you were both looking for an escape and you found it."
"So then why do I feel so awful?"
"Because you're still in love with Ibuki." Jayson said. "And you have an odd moral code which states you're not allowed to have fun ever because you need to be perfect and perfect people don't fuck random strangers on the floor of a warehouse...oh and because you feel lonely and want someone to love you and right now no one does."
Dulion stopped and stared at Jayson's machine-gun like rattling. He was somewhat impressed Jayson was able to not only get all of that out, but how he knew it. Jayson patted Dulion on the back as they started walking again.
***
Roxie wouldn't admit it, but she actively avoided Dulion for the next few days. She still didn't know how upset he was about what she did to him after the meeting. This, despite Jayson assuring her that he had a great time. Now, as she sat at his kitchen table, which was cluttered with papers, she felt a cloud of tension in the air. To be fair, it wasn't all Dulion's fault. These papers and forms the government wanted were utterly ridiculous. Still, she filled them all out. Dulion sat across from her nursing a cup of coffee. He looked like he hadn't slept since he came back from sanctuary.
"All done." Roxie said.
"Great." Dulion said. "As you know, I'm not allowed to share any of this to anyone else here. I'm just giving it to the leeches...I mean government officials who sign my paycheck. You understand that?"
Roxie nodded and Dulion gathered up the papers and placed them into a folder. There was a similar stack of them on the counter.
"Are you enjoying it here?" The Advisor as he gathered the papers up.
"Yeah, it's nice." Roxie said trying her best to sound convincing.
"You don't need to lie, you know."
"Fine. I hate it here and I want to go home, even though I know I can't. I mean, the people are nice, sure but it's just so...Look, I was happy in Vermont. I had parents who loved me, friends, everything I could ask for. I wish I could go back. But I can't."
Roxie sighed.
"I'm sorry. I know you guys try your best to make this place feel like home, but it's still a prison for me."
"You're preaching to the choir." Dulion said before taking a sip of coffee. "There's a reason they call this place the Zoo; it keeps us behind bars. Even I feel it."
"We need to escape this place." Roxie joked.
As she said the phrase she noticed Dulion twitch a little. At first, Roxie thought she imagined it, but when she saw the Advisor down his cup of coffee, she realized she must have hit a nerve or something. Of course, she knew it would be for the best if she ignored it.
"What's wrong?" Roxie asked. "You just twitched."
Dulion shook his head. Clearly this wasn't something he wanted to talk about. Roxie placed her hand on his.
"Hey, you don't have to tell me." She said. "But if you need to, I'm here."
"Likewise." Dulion said. "My door is usually open; just knock. And give me some time to get to the door."
Roxie smiled and got up from the kitchen table. Dulion used his cane to propel himself out of the chair and escort Roxie to the door. Roxie gave him a friendly hug before she left and headed to her own room. It felt nice to have a kindred spirit here; even if he represented everything she wanted to get rid of. Once she got back to her room, Roxie checked her phone. She saw she had one new message from Bruce. There was a special meeting of WILD, only a few members and she was invited provided she was free.
Roxie felt excited as she grabbed her coat and quickly headed out the door. She resisted the urge to run as she approached the warehouse where WILD gathered. Once she got there, she greeted Horace and took a seat. Vixen came in a few moments later and sat next to Roxie.
"Hey there." Vixen said. "You didn't bring your friend?"
"No," Roxie said, "I don't think he's feeling well."
"Aww, that's too bad. Tell him I'll be at Sanctuary later if he needs me to help him feel better again."
Roxie nodded and quickly pushed thoughts of what Vixen meant aside. There was no need to be thinking such things. Bruce came into the room and beckoned Horace ove to join them. Roxie looked around. Surely this couldn't be everyone, could it?
"Thank you all for coming." Bruce said. "So I know you're all wondering why I called you hear tonight."
"Because you solved the murder?" Vixen asked.
Horace let out a chuckle. Roxie wanted to as well, but a quick look from Bruce silenced it. He began to pace back and forth. Much like Vixen's aforementioned detective.
"As you saw from yesterday's meeting," Bruce began, "we are starting to grow. And as we do, I'm going to need good people to help not only spread or message, but in the daily running of things. That's why I need the three of you. I trust all of you and you have all shown your loyalty to the cause. I'm going to be relying on all of you."
Roxie nodded. She was ready to do whatever she was asked to help WILD spread its message. She felt honored that Bruce had chosen her. As he talked, Roxie followed him with her eyes. As she did, she couldn't help but feel drawn closer to him. She felt herself blush and admitted to herself silently that maybe she wanted to be even closer to him then she was.
***
Jayson's cell phone rang on the coffee table. After a quick glance at who was calling, he excused himself from Cassie and Michelle and the Disney movie they had all been watching. It was nice to see his own adopted daughter and Cameron and Josef's getting along so nicely. He walked into the bedroom he shared with Matthew and answered the phone.
"This is Jayson, counselor to depressed alcoholic sex addicts, how can I help you?"
"Very funny." Dulion said on the other line. "I need some help."
"While I am thrilled you are exploring your sexuality, I am in a committed relationship so I can't help you there."
"I need you to tell me all the reasons why it's a bad idea to fall for Roxie and all the reasons why what I'm feeling right now is just because I miss Ibuki and am lonely."
Jayson was silent as he stood in the bedroom with a big grin plastered on his face. On the other line, Dulion began to protest the silence, wondering if Jayson had hung up on him. It took Dulion a moment to realize what was going on. Once he did, he began to do Jayson's requested job for him. Roxie was too young, she hated his job, he was in a bad place; etc. Jayson remained silent.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Dulion asked.
"Because I know you." Jayson answered.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that I'm guessing the anchor is already dropping."
"What?"
"The horse is out of the stable; you've passed the event horizon."
"I'm too far gone." Dulion said resigned.
"Now you get it." Jayson said. "You're going to tell yourself all the reasons that it's not going to work. Some of those concerns may be valid but at the end of the day..."
Dulion sighed deeply.
"I'm still falling."
***
There was a lot to like about this place; the sun beat down everywhere, for one. It made everything nice and warm. Being so close to the beach was nice as well. So was being in a nice, little small town where no one knew who or what she was; it made everyone extra friendly. Yes, this was the perfect place to get away to.
How long had it been? A month already? It felt a lot longer, and that's exactly how she wanted it. She wanted to forget as much as she could. Still though, the nightmares kept waking her up; they were just as vivid as ever. She held her stomach where a small scar still remained; a reminder of everything she had lost. She wondered if everything could be the same again.
She shook her head. Of course it couldn't. How could any of them forgive her for what she done? How could any of them understand, especially if they didn't know; and she absolutely couldn't tell them. They would make it worse. All she wanted to do was heal and forget. Was that really so much to ask? She closed her eyes. She imagined, just for a moment, that he was with her, holding her hand as they walked together along the beach. She shook her head a bit to remove the vision.
"Hey, are you okay?" asked one of the locals, an older man with a white moustache and beard.
Another extra friendly new neighbor.
"I'm fine, thanks." She said kindly.
"I'm Donny. Donny Watson." the man said. "You must be new around here."
"I am, I just moved to town. I'm Emi; Emi Ibuki"