Sound of Madness

[Momo13]

Ben sat up in his room in the attic. Most people would want to avoid staying in this particular room in the house because of the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. But ben didn’t mind. Blankets could fix the cold, and you could always put fans to cool down the room.

When Micka was still part of the group, he had set up camera around the perimeter of the house and at the front door. The control panel was stationed in this room so ben could keep a careful eye on what happened outside the house so he would be sure no harm would come to his family. He saw a ginger approach the house, a pink bag tossed over her shoulder. Looking closer, he saw that she wasn’t really ginger….but a strawberry blonde? Oboy…. Zach would be going on about her hair for who knows how long.

The doorbell rang and Zach was the first there. No surprise. Ben sighed and started down the steps. He passed a few rooms of fellow runaways, but didn’t alert them of the new comer. They could meet her for themselves….That was if Ben and Zach agreed she could stay.

“Hello,” he greeted the girl with the dance bag, who Zach was already looking over. For a gay guy, he definitely looked over a lot of girls. Ben understood why though, he was going to try to find something to talk to her about, probably with fashion or music or even boys. Ben chuckled at the thought. “What’s your name?”

“Hi….” The girl muttered softly. “I’m Delilah….” She murmured softly. Her light red hair fell into her face and covered her eyes. She was nervous. Why though? It wasn’t like they bit. She also kept a jacket tightly wrapped around her.

“Why did you come to us?” Ben asked kindly.

She shifted her weight and kept her gaze down. “It wasn’t safe for me at home….. Please…. I cant talk about it….. but I heard that this would be a safe place for a girl like me….” She stammered. Her words were slurred and rushed as she spoke.

Ben just nodded and opened the door for her. “Welcome then. I won’t push you to tell us. The room on the second floor, far right is open. You can move in there. But I should warn you, if you end up hurting my family, if you put them in danger, you will be kicked out faster than your heart can beat. Got that?” His voice was somewhat stern.

Delilah nodded quickly in understanding. “Of course….I would never do something like that….” Ben only nodded in response and walked off.
“Don’t mind him…He just gets protective.” Zach told her. “You’ll be able to find a few other people in the house to talk to. Most of them are pretty nice, but I should advice you to keep anything of value hidden until the group earns your trust. We have had some….interesting characters over the years…” he smiled and started through the halls. “Enjoy your stay in the house of madness,” he chuckled darkly.

I don’t expect posts to be this long, and you can start with your characters part of the group (which would be a lot easier and preferred on my part)or have them come like Delilah….

[Skeletor]

Alice yawned and decided to relocate from the couch to the ground and curl up with her blanket to finish reading another chapter of "Fahrenheit 451". She loved reading, but very rarely got time to do it outside of school, for leisure rather than an assignment. She had recently become interested in the works of Bradbury, feeling that he viewed the world much like she did. Alice identified with the author's writing style as well, feeling that it was very much a form of art as well as wonderfully written literature. Her eyes became drowsy as she neared the end of the chapter, feeling a sense of loss as Montag laid in the alley, practically broken from the Hound that had practically poisoned his leg. She heard a few whispers being passed here and there proclaiming the arrival of a newbie. Alice raised an interested brow, tucked her book back into her bag and folded up her blanket. A newbie was much more interesting than reading a depressing book set in a dystopian world that would most likely just bring her back to her own past and illuminate it more intensely than what it had ever actually been. She stood, stretched and waited for the person to enter the room. Eventually she did, and Alice smiled and extended a hand, being the first to approach her. "Welcome, weary traveler, to our humble domain." She smiled and patted the girl's back. "I'm just messin' with ya. I'm Allistar. Or Alice, if you will." Alice turned around and gave the group a stern look as she said, "I'm sure everyone is really happy to have you here today. Say hi, guys." Alice was very accepting of people and made it a point not to judge a new person, even though there had been some trouble in the past. She remembered when she first joined the group and how long it took before she made any real friends. No one had trusted her for a long time. And it was only because they were cautious about letting her in. Alice felt that all newcomers should at least be welcomed warmly. It didn't mean they had to trust her, but if she had been there for a legitimate reason, just like the rest of the runaways, then who were they to judge?

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was at her desk drawing. She loved to draw, but she didn't love what she drew. Sophia rarely got a peaceful sleep, most of the time tossing and turning, and eventually waking herself up by screaming. Her nightmares were intolerable. She tried anything to subdue them, from heavy pain killers, to alcohol. Nothing seemed to do the trick. As Sophia was finishing up the shadowing of her picture, she heard someone downstairs. She slowly got up and went to the door to eavesdrop. The only voice she could hear was Ben's. She took that as a good sign, someone quiet, and easy to live with. Sophia slowly opened her door and peered out, but know one was there. Opening the door inch by inch so she would be able to catch a look, but the door creaked at two feet open. Sophia slowly slid out, the pads of her feet becoming chilled on the hallway floor. Before seeing anything, Sophia heard Alice saying her usual welcome. Sophia remembered when Alice gave her the welcome speech. It was intimidating, and there was so many people. Never the less, Sophia kept a bored expression on. Sophia appreciated the warm welcome, but most likely would never get the courage to tell Alice. When she reached the stair case she moved half her body so it would be visible. There she saw Alice gesturing to the scattered group of teens, some standing, some sitting, doing their different activities. Sophia never knew how people could stand it down there, so many people, so many distractions. Maybe it was tolerable for them, because they actually had friends. The fragile girl standing with them had a ginger, no strawberry blonde hair color? It was hard to say. Sophia moves her messy side bangs from her face, still disheveled from her sleep. Sophia stood there, waiting to see if the girl would come up the stairs or not, because Sophia was determined to avoid confrontaiton.

[Heir of Void]

Connor was sprawled upside down on the loveseat, hanging by his feet, head and back on the floor, his face in his laptop he escaped with, and the headphones around his head(listening to "love me dead"). He could usually tune out most everyone else, but he noticed that there was a feeling of interest in something by the front of the door.
He saw a small wall of people clustered in front of something, so he figured it was a new arrival. He would let her get used to the house before he introduced himself, so he rolled back to a sitting position, stood up and started heading back up stairs. He looked back to catch a glimpse of Alice and the newbie to the room that he calls "the circus of angst" before going back into his office/room/tech center to update his website.

[Volcove]

As he exited the gym, his last work out for the week, he slipped his hand into his right pocket and took the paper which held the address for this place for runaways. Thinking deeply over it as he ran his fingers over the paper he decided to just go and try it out.

Jason's mind was blank as he walked to the address his friend, Jake, gave him before his family left for England. Empty and meaningless thoughts ran through his mind, not really putting much thought into what he was gonna say.

A cool breeze passed as Jason stood on the pavement outside the "house of madness". Gym bag slung over his shoulder, he only brought five pairs of clothing, aside from the gray t-shirt, and dark jeans he was already wearing."Should I really do this?"

"I've got nothing to lose, why not?" Jason thought, as he knocked gently on the door, waiting for an answer.

[Heir of Void]

Walking up the stairs, looking out the window to the side that overlooked the lawn,Connor saw what looked like a slightly puzzled teen in front of the house heading towards the door. He looked taller than the others that lived here, and he didn't recognize the clothes. "Two in one day? A new record." Connor reverses direction and heads through the side door to talk to let the arrival in and ask him his business. He uses the side door to avoid the growing group near the front door. Standing slightly away from the new arrival, Connor sees he was correct about the tall aspect. Hesitantly, Connor asks the gray-shirted mate, " Ummm, excuthe me. What are you here for?"

[Momo13]

Zach was next to Connor in a second, looking the new guy over. "Probably here to join the madness, correct?" He cut in and held his hand out for the guy to shake. "I'm Zach. Co-founder of this group. Lucky you got me instead of Ben as founder....he'd be giving you third degree right now. This is connor. Sophia and alice are somewhere.....Ben is with the new girl. He'll explain rules to you and her later...." Zach was rambling, a slight smile on his face.

Wow....today really was a weird day. They usually dont get two people in the same month, let alone the same day. Word must be getting out around the other neighborhoods. THat was somewhat good...more income for the group. but at the same time, more chances of the group being found out by feds and more chances for rules being broken, like....romance for example. Not that Zach would mind at all..

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was glad she stayed to watch, she saw Zach and Connor walking towards a guy. He was slightly tanned, and had sort of a mohawk, he was also really well built. Sophia couldn't take her eyes off him, but knew he would never take interest, he looked like the guys at her old school who would torment her. Sophia sat down on the top step to watch, but was ready to run back to her room at any time.

[Volcove]

Jason notices the two guys that greet him, one black haired, and the other brown, probably around his age. Just as the brown haired one asks him his business, the other guy cuts in and extends his hand, and introduces himself as well as the other members. Jason listens as he gets all the names into his mind making sure not to forget, even if he doesn't know who the others are. "I'm Jason, nice to meet you guys," nodding as he shook Zach's hand.

Jason glances up again at the house, wondering if it'll really be his new home. Thoughts of going back to his sister was just a nightmare, and he didn't want to have any of that crap anymore. "I've heard about this place from a friend of mine, and I just got a job back in the gym I work out in as a trainer," Jason continues, "If it's fine, I'd like to stay with you guys, and do my part to help out."

A small income, good enough for a teenager like him, was what he was earning as a personal trainer, and an amateur boxing coach. Sometimes though, his clients would tip him extra cause they knew his situation and took pity on him. That angered him sometimes, he didn't want to be pitied, he wanted to be respected and appreciated, he hoped this new place would give him a sense of purpose, maybe even in some girl's life.

[Skeletor]

After some of the group greeted Delilah the best they knew how, Alice smiled coolly, placing a hand on the small of the girl's back, saying, "Everything will be fine. We're a family. We take care of one another. You'll be safe here as long as you follow the rules and do your best." Alice looked sidelong at the rest of the group. "Am I right, friends?" some grunted casually, their interest beginning to subside as they went back to whatever they were doing. The feeling in the room was very static; there was a noticeable sense of discomfort that settled upon the room. Alice knew it was because they were pretending to be uninterested to make it easy to distrust Delilah until they were sure of what kind of people she really was. It was understandable. We've been through a lot, thought Alice. She left Delilah alone for a bit to get her things sorted out and decided to get something to eat when word spread around again that there was yet ANOTHER newcomer. "Hm. This news won't die down for awhile." She muttered in amusement. The runaways seemed unconcerned with Delilah's arrival. Although Alice was sure the other newcomer and Delilah would be getting even more attention because of this rare happening.

[Heir of Void]

Seeing that Zach had the situation in hand with Jason, Connor heads back into the house. This time he uses the front door because he supposes the crowd has probably dispersed and it is a faster route to the room that is his haven.
Connor saw the new girl imediately upon entering the front room. She looked vaguely confused, but that was to be expected. Anyone he has seen enter this madhouse wears that kind of face for awhile before figuring out how everything and everyone work together here. He still wasn't sure about dryer privileges, and it's been about a year almost since he showed up.
Before heading upstairs, he scanned the room and saw Alice heading towards the kitchen down the hallway. He is relieved that Alice was the first to talk to the new girl. "Alice will help the newbie thettle in, she'th nithe like that.", he stated to himself quietly. God he hated his lisp.

[Zenteer]

Ace of Hearts. Zeke swiftly memorized it as he tossed it at the bottom of his deck. Zeke shuffled the pack of cards repeatedly, his hands shift the cards in rapid motion. His hands were a slight blur as he shuffled the cards. Zeke could effortless shuffle...the trick was keeping track of the hidden card. He had heard a commotion outside his room a while ago, but ignored it. This time more conversation erupted. Zeke ceased his shuffling. He choose a card and held it out in front of him. Ace of Hearts stared back at him. Zeke grinned as he perfected the magic trick. Though, master is too strong of a word maybe he was mediocre at the trick.

More conversation interrupted him. Usually its about as quiet as a library out there. Random conversation here and there, but never too loud. Deciding it was time to discover what everyone is so interest about, Zeke stood up. Still shuffling the cards, he strolled out of his room. His bare feet made contact with the cold hallway floor as he wondered what was going on. Maybe the feds came by? Or maybe zombies have decided to attack them...

As he reached the stairs, he spotted a beautiful blond hair girl standing in the foyer type room. If he had known there was a newbie goddess looking female standing in the house, he would have "walked" a lot faster. There was also another Mohawk type of dude also near the door. Mohawk-Man...a nice nickname.

Alice seemed to be walking away from the Goddess-Girl, while Connor and Zach were poking, prodding, questioning, threatening and for all I know planning his murder. Zeke walked up to the newbie.

"Hello beautiful, mind if I help you unpack?" Zeke didn't bother hearing her answer as he bent down and lifted the duffel bag. As he did this, he quickly slipped a paper crane into her pocket.

[Momo13]

Delilah looked around a few times and tried to take a step back as someone else came up to her. So. Many. People. She looked at the guy who grabbed her dance bag. she reached down to take it from him, but stopped herself. She didnt want to make a bad impression on him.

"Um....Thank you...." She bit her lip and pulled her giant grey jacket tighter around her. It was kyle's before he disapeared. She knew that she probably should havegotten rid of it when he left, but it still had his sent. Faintly now.....but still there. It was what she clinged to by running away....

"Um....which room do I go to exactly?" She felt so lost in this large house. It wasnt realy a manson....no, it wasnt nice enough to be one of those..... but it was very large. She wondered how they could afford this type of place. But she would never ask that. She learned the hard way over the years that the less questions she asked, the better she would be in the long run.

The Ben kid walked past them and shot a look at the guy helping delilah. "Remember the rules." he told the guy before continuing.

--

"Would you like me to show you to your room?" Zach offered kindly, pointing down one of the hall ways. Guys (minus him) were forced to sleep on the first floor. One reason was to try to minimize romance, hense why zach was forced to room on the second floor. Another was for security. If someone tried to break in, the guys would be able to get to the intruder and maybe atempt to protect the house and the female population housed. Zach felt that this was sexist, but he didnt really argue with Ben. he saw the reasoning.

[Heir of Void]

Connor suddenly remembered that he lived in the basement, not upstairs like he previously thought. His memory problem was starting up again too, arrggghhh. Well, at least no one can complain about his music or tendency to stay up until the morning hours. He also has access to the house's breaker box from his room. So he turns around to head down the stairs for the second time today, not surprised in the least with Zeke sitting by the new girl, helping her unpack, like the amorous master he was. He saw Ben, so he flashed a peace sign in his general direction.

Connor turned the corner and opened the basement door. He continued down the steps until he reached his door. Connor had considered himself clever for creating an elctronic padlock out of old phone parts from the recycled phone bin at the junkyard and some other stuff. He input his safety code and stepped inside. He was quickly greeted by little multicolored strobe lights he hooked up to make the basement feel more homely to him. No one came down here, so no one asked about it. He thought only Ben knew, because he was the only one other one with the passcode (for emergencies and to access the breaker for his perimeter cameras). Dinner should be ready soon, so he would work on something small to pass the time.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia sat on the stairs, motionless. Zeke and the newcomer were headed up the stairs. Sophia held her breath nervous they might comment on her. She had never quite got over the repeated bullying at her school. They passed without even realizing she was there. She let out her breath, relieved. Sophia almost felt bad for the red head. Zeke was always trying to make a move, even if it didn't seem like it, Sophia had to stay away from his all to welcoming eyes. Sophia thought the last thing that girl needed, and the house needed right now, was a fling. This sort of thing usually brought drama, and hurt. With Zeke, he wasn't usually the one getting hurt. Sophia was quiet, and minded herself, except when it came to him. He was just so... ugh. She didn't even know what to say about him, he made her mind foggy.


Without thinking, Sophia got up, before she knew where her legs were taking her she was staring at the red headed girl with her bag, she made sure not to look at Zeke's eyes. Sophia took a nervous breath "Hi. I'm Sophia." Sophia shakily moved her legs forward, trying to make herself seem confident. "I'd love to show you around." Sophia got the courage and glared at Zeke, and she said in a hushed tone "We wouldn't want anything happening on her first day would we?"

[Zenteer]

Zeke shrugged innocently at Sophia, not really offended that she's slightly angry. Zeke held the duffel bag at knee height.

"Well then, if you want to go with Sophia I don't really mind. I'll toss your bag in your room for ya, but how about I show you a little magic trick first?" Zeke casually proposed.

Hopefully she'll say yes, before she finds the paper crane. One thing Zeke has always noticed was that people love magic tricks. Good Magic tricks usually leave good lasting impressions for people and hopefully the tried and true strategy would work for....what was her name? Great, don't even know her name yet.

[Momo13]

Oh jeez....What had she walked into? Delilah looked between the two people and sighed. "I really dont care one way or another who shows me around....I just feel a bit overwhelmed by this house...." She tagged a causual, yet nervous laugh onto the end.

Her eyes met the guy's for a few seconds at his offer. "Sure....a magic trick might be nice..." a very tiny smile filled her face. It had been years sense she had seen a magic trick. She actually couldnt really remember the last time she had....Well, the last time that it wasnt badly done by Kyle.

"And thank you both....for offering to help..... It makes this change a lot easier...." Delilah was nervous to move like this. Everyone always thought she was an innocent little child that needed to be watched by an adult, even now. And sometimes she felt like they were right. Would this be a good thing if she moved in with a bunch of teenagers?

[Volcove]

Jason smiled, "Please, thanks a lot," as he looked down the hall, feeling a sense of relaxation. This house seemed to have those chill vibes.

Following Zach, glancing around as he wonders how the hell do these people just get along so easily. Maybe this really will finally be a new start for him. But first, he thought he needs to make a good first impression, then the people can trust him and accept him more. Just... how?

Grinning slightly as he noticed the hostility from this girl Sophia to Zeke, who offered to carry her bag, and show a magic trick. "Hey, at least he's confident enough to talk to the girls," Jason thought, "But, then again, 'no romance' right? Well, I don't really feel anything for any of the girls here, maybe, not yet..."

[DragonGirl]

Sophia didn't know what irked her the most about Zeke. Maybe it was his perfect abs, the tshirts he wore so casually, his way with words, or his smiling eyes. She tried to block it out of her head, and instead ended up impatiently tapping her foot, waiting for his little magic trick to be over. "Move it along Zeke, we have all day, but I'd rather it not take this long." Sophia glanced over at Delilah and tried to give her a friendly smile, letting her know she wasn't always this rude.

Sophia glanced around to see if anybody had seen her hostility. She caught the new guy looking at the three of them. He made eye contact, and Sophia quickly looked away, becoming slightly embarrassed.

[Momo13]

Zach smiled back to him and started down the stairs. "The main places in this house that you'll need to know are the basement, where the guys rooms are, the attic where Ben's room is.... the kitchen where the magical food is, living room where tv and whatever game systems we might have are. And last room on the second floor on the right, my room." He smiled back to him just to make it known that he was joking on the last one for the most part.

--

Delilah bit her lip slightly and looked at the girl and at the other guy. "Um....I'd like to see the trick, please?" She shuffled her feet slightly. "He could always just show me around after it if you have something you want to do...I dont mind."

delilah was actually hopeful that the girl would go with it. She didnt like the tension created, and the guy was there first. ANd he was teh one who offered help first.

[Zenteer]

Apparently Sophia randomly hates me Zeke thought. Mohawk-Man seems to be interested in what I'm doing. Glancing back at the girl, he slipped out a slightly paper crane from his own pocket.

"Alright look at this, a normal paper crane no?" He held it out on the palm of his hand for them to see, even turning it around for Mohawk-Man to see.

"Now, I'll make it disappear" He slammed his other hand on it crushing it, creating a satisfying smack. He held his hand there for a few seconds, then lifted his second hand.
To reveal that the paper crane was gone.

"Now...Goddess-Girl look in your pocket" Zeke quickly thought of the first thing that came to mind. Zeke smiled encouragingly at her.

[Momo13]

Delilah watched the trick with pleasure, her smile widening a bit. Maybe this is why people think of her as a child…..because the smallest things amuse her. She did as he asked and pulled out the crane. She couldn’t help but blush at what he called her. She was so far from goddess…. Just a teenage girl who had too many scars and not enough weight on her bones. Just a girl who felt perpetually alone.

Maybe hanging out with this guy wouldn’t be bad for her….She probably wouldn’t act on his attention, she didn’t think she could after Kyle, but having someone care for her again and having someone want her attention like he was might have been nice.

“That was cool!” she laughed lightly. The first real laugh she had given in who knows how long. Probably from back before the audition was the last time she truly laughed. She pushed her hair out of her face with her free hand and just looked down at the bird in her hands.


--

Ben walkd down the halls and went down the stairs to connors room. He passed Zach and the new guy and shot a look at his best friend, who just ignored him. A sigh escaped his lips. Might as well let him have this time with a guy before Zach realizes that the new guy probably isnt gay or looking for a relationship if he was.

He continued down the hall and went to connors room. Even though he new the combonation to get it, he knockd inside, attempting to be polite.

"Hey." He had no real reason to be tehre. He was just bored and had no idea what to do with his time right now. He planned on explaing the rules over dinner.

[Volcove]

Jason follows as he remembers each place as to not make a mistake. Basement, guy's rooms, should be pretty chill he thought. Attic, the boss' room, okay. Kitchen, he might have to stock up a lot for food cause he did have a different diet from everyone here. The living room, nothing too important there, just a place to hang out. Zach also mentions his own room, good to know, he is the co-founder.

"Cool, I guess, I should go and settle down, do I just get any vacant room there?" Jason asks, "And, how much do I have to pay each month for rent?" He continues, quietly though.

If he needed to cut down on some costs, then that was fine, it's worth it. He hasn't felt this welcome in a long time. The Zach guy seemed especially friendly, maybe a little bit feminine, that didn't bother him though. Ben was probably the other guy that walked by, maybe he'd have to talk to him about the rent, unless Zach knew.

[Heir of Void]

Connor, through his headphones, technological tinkering and the constant flash of lights managed to notice the knock on his door. He removed his headphones and headed over to the door. He wasn't quite sure what to do because he wasn't sure who it was, and he didn't want anyone new to the house to think this lightshow wasn't a bedroom. He decided to ask who was on the other side. " Yea? Who ith it?", Connor said. Stupid lisp, check. He put it into his mind to install an eyepiece into the door later.

[Momo13]

Zach couldnt stop smiling for some reason. He would eventually, but right now he was just all smiles. "Ben will talk about rent to you and the new girl over dinner. Dont worry about it. And as for rooms, you can take anyonethat is open, but if you want my opnion, take the one furthest from the stairs if you are a light sleeper. Ben comes dont frequently to check on stuff....I swaer that boy never sleeps. But his foot steps can be heave and wake the head if close enough to them."

He saw ben pass them earlier, but didnt take much notice to it. Ben was being ben and making sure everything was going perfect. Even though nothing about life here was perfect.

--

"Just Ben. Got bored and was wondering if you needed any help. Micka taught me a few mechanical and technological tips before he left that I dont know if he shared with you." Micka was the computer geek who was one of the first in the group way back when it started. But, unlike ben who decided he didnt need college right now, Micka went off to get a degree in something or other. He wanted to work for the FBI when he grew up. Either them or the bad guys creating new identies. Out of everyone who has left the group, Micka and one other had been the ones who impacted Ben the most.

That one other is what made Ben create this no romance rule.

the other reason Ben was here was because he still needed to think about how stuff was going to go down in the group now. With new members ment that jobs could be more spread out.... And also a larger in come. And, usually, connor was the easiest for Ben to think around because he tended to be the quietest.

[Momo13]

double post...hehe

[Zenteer]

Zeke took a quick elegant bow, which is something Zeke always does on stage. Magic is your friend.....and will help you make friends too Zeke thought.

"I could teach you a few other tricks and show you some later" Zeke commented as he saw her pull out the crane and laughed.

Zeke felt a small sense of pleasure at making her laugh like that. Like all magicians they get a satisfactory feeling when successful entertaining them. Zeke glanced at Sophia, trying to figure out if she was entertained or not.

"I would turn that into a real bird, but Ben wouldn't really appreciate a bird flying around the house pooping in random places" Zeke joked as he spied her intently studying the bird.

"So Sophia do you want to abduct this innocent girl on your tour guide of evil or shall I do it? If you want to I could toss her bag in her room."

[Heir of Void]

Connor unlocked the door and let Ben in to the flashing-light and music filled room. " I don't have that much to do right now, thankth though. I wath pathing the time 'till our daily thankthgiving. Which ith in another hour or tho, if I am not mithtaken.", Connor replied. " Ith thomething on your mind? I would figure you would be reminding Zeke again for hith conthtant flirting with that new arrival."

[Volcove]

Jason thanks Zach, "I'll just follow Ben right? He went to the basement, if I remember right." He pats Zach's shoulder as he passes by to get some time alone to fix his things and gather his thoughts, walking in the same direction he saw Ben going. He suddenly got a text, his phone was on vibrate in his pocket, so he took it out and read a message from Jake, "Dude, you found it?" This brought a slight smile to his face as he thought of how much he needed to thank his friend, too bad he was already gone. Replying as he walked, he thought he'd give him a call later, even if it would cost him.

Jason reached the door to the basement, opened it then started down the stairs slowly. He looked around as he saw doors, not really knowing how to check if it was vacant. He passed a door with some electronic thing attached to it, obviously not vacant. There were some other doors that he passed by that were slightly opened, so he pushed it to get a look inside and saw it was also occupied. Though he saw a room which really had nothing inside, going inside, he decided this was where he was going to stay.

Taking a seat on the chair, he opened up his bag, and brought out his small amount of clothing. Two pairs of gym gloves, two pairs of hand wraps, one pair of boxing gloves, and his remaining whey, all set down on the small table. He made a mental note to buy some wall hangers to place his gloves and other things. Something caught his eye though, a small white envelope that just read "Bro" on the front.

Leaning back on the chair, as he opened it, a hundred dollar bill was sitting beside a letter.

"Bro! I'm probably not gonna see you anymore, my parents said that we're stuck here. The real reason we're leaving is cause they got a nice job back in England, and they're earning a lot of money. I know this doesn't have the same value as our friendship, but please accept this man, this is the least I can do for you. Maybe in a few years, we can hang out again, I'll visit there when I'm already working. Just keep in touch, and don't beat up too many people who fight those in that new house."

He grinned, and thought deeply about it.

[Heir of Void]

Connor glanced at the clock to make sure his time was right, and that he wasn't about to miss food. He found that he WAS in fact about to miss dinner. "umm, Ben. I think itth dinner right now. Ill go look for that new kid, uhhh, Jathon, to tell him. Thee ya at dinner. Thorry for rushin off, but I'm hungry." And with that he headed out into the hall to look for the newbie.

[Skeletor]

Alice had eventually taken a nap after she was sure the newbies were taken care of. She curled up in the corner, reading again until she fell asleep with "Fahrenheit 451" sitting in her lap. When she had awoken, she noticed the buzzed about the newbies hadn't died down yet, which was a good thing. The others were interested. And in the cold of winter it livened things up when the group all had a common interest. Alice saw it as nice conversations starters. The closer they became through conversation, the closer they would come together as family, she thought. Since her own family had crumbled after so many years of her trying to hold it all together, she felt it was very important to keep the runaways together. Maybe it was a sick social problem of hers, but if things went sour between group members, Alice was always the first at attempting to get the grievance resolved. As a result, she probably seemed a bit of a take-charge person. Knowing that was more of Ben's position, she often backed down. But always made it a point to at least voice her opinion about the issue to him. Alice liked to make sure everything went smoothly. She knew Ben understood, but still couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for it. She tried very hard to seem unscarred by her past on the outside. That one particular thing about Alice seemed to peek through; that desperation for no conflict, for everyone to play nice, and for things to be comfortable in the house. Some people liked it about her, some didn't. Postponing all her thoughts aside for the moment, Alice got up and put her things away, deciding to go to dinner. Then she could retire for the night for actual sleep.

[Heir of Void]

Connor sung to himself while on his journey to find Jason. He was about midverse in"Quiet" by the Lights, when he found what he was looking for. Not going in, he called to inside the room "Ayyyyy, ummmm, Jathon. When you are done thorting through your thtuff and invethtigating your room, itth dinner time. Be glad it wathn't me who did the cooking. If youd need me to show you the kitchen, jutht athk." No reply..... " Well then, ill go up mythelf. it ithn't hard to find anyway." Connor heads up the stairs, singing a darker song. When he gets into the main hallway he turns left and sees Alice in the corner with a book, and stares a little longer than he intended. She looks so alone right now, he hates it when she seems sad. He isn't really good at talking to her because he stumbles even more than usual, so he justs waves to her as she gets up from the tan-toned carpet.

[Volcove]

Jason was thinking deeply about the letter, and the unexpected gift from his best friend. Well, this is really nice of him, he thought. He'd finally be able to get new stuff, simple clothes and a clock, seeing as he didn't really have one in the room. Suddenly, a voice comes out. It's Connor, he remembered dinner, and didn't want to be late, still speechless from the letter, he couldn't answer him, blanking out for a while.

Standing up, as he walked towards the door, he took one look at the new room, and sighed, "Finally, home." Going out of the room, he started walking towards the stairs, seeing he might end up the last to get to the dining table, he picked up his pace and jogged lightly up the stairs as he entered the hall.

Walking slowly, as he neared the dining table, he stopped. Thinking about what to say before it would finally be introduction time. Standing in the main hallway after thinking for a while, he decides to just get it over with and let whatever comes out come out.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia had started to feel guilty, she probably came off as a crazy person. Obviously the girl didn't want her to show her around, the most likeable person in the world was standing right next to her. She always did this, made people stray away from her,and that was why she stayed away from everyone. What made sense to her at times, other people would never understand. Sophia stood silently in deep thought, and was oblivious to Delilah's words. Zeke continued with the magic trick, Sophia watching intently. She jumped slightly when he crushed the crane. Then, Delilah was pulling it out of her pocket... Sophia smiled in amazement, a real genuine smile, one she hadn't had in as long as she could remember. She looked to Zeke for an explanation in how he did it. When her eyes reached his face, she realized how mean she was, Zeke hadn't done anything personal to her, just rumors. Maybe Sophia even had a little jealousy. At the thought of that, Sophias face softened, and then saddened. "That was great, I just remembered though, that I have to go take care of something, but I hope you have a great time with Zeke." Sophia slid in between them and hurried herself upstairs, tryin to run away from everything that had just happened. She reached her room, and shut the door. She put her back to the door, sliding to the floor. Sophia put her face in her hands. "Why am I so stupid?" she asked herself.

[Momo13]

hey guys... We might want to start posting a bit slower and try to stay in scenes with other characters.... Just so no one gets left behind....


Ben nodded and got up himself. He headed up the stares and back into his room to grab his clip board. He came back down and went into the kitchen to help with the food making process.

He glanced over at Zach who was already cooking as well and smiled to him. They cooked in silence, the two best friends not really knowing what to talk about right now that couldn't be said at Dinner.

Tonight’s meal would be simple enough. Pasta with either meet sauce or vegetarian just in case anyone didn’t eat meat or didn’t like to. With Alice’s help, he tried to make things go as smoothly as possible in this house, whether it came to food or shower schedules or even chores in general. He wasn’t much of a people person, so it was nice to have Zach around to talk to people when they needed someone comforting to talk to.

--
Delilah smiled and noticed people going into the dining area. She turned to the magician boy and offered a small smile.
“Maybe you could give me that tour after dinner?” She asked him kindly, heading to the stairs to run up to whatever room she would be in. She would most likely just find an empty room and toss her bag in. She then realized she had no idea what rooms were open and didn’t want to invade anyones personal space. “Could you show me what room is open for me to go to?” She asked both of them, no really caring who answered, but her eyes stayed on Zeke. He reminded her so much of Kyle. The way he somewhat flirted and acted around her, his smile, even the magic tricks – although Zeke’s are way better than Kyles ever where.

[Volcove]

Jason sat down in the living room, as he thought about how much cash he had now. With a little over four hundred dollars from savings over two years, including the hundred dollars he got from his friend, he could now stop wearing the same clothing at least once a week, and could finally afford to get himself a Christmas gift, something he hasn't gotten in forever. 'Tis the season after all, he thought.

Getting his phone out, he looked at random things, deleting things from his past. Suddenly something shocked him, a picture of this girl he used to love, someone so dear to him, he thought she was the one at a simple age of fifteen. A year ago, but he finally could get over her. He loved her so much, he fought for her against five guys who did beat him up, repeatedly. She didn't fight for him, not one bit, she was scared, and no matter how true his feelings were for her, she didn't have the same for him. Then that's when she knew it wouldn't work out, so she left him, on her birthday, just when he already bought her flowers, a necklace, and had written a letter to be sent to her house.

Love sucks, he thought. Why ever bother trying again? Jason's expression darkens for a while as he remembers, he still can't get over her. His phone is on the delete for the photo but he can't do it. Before he starts to tear up, he locks his phone and tucks it away inside his pocket, and thinks about the day tomorrow. Free day, no training, no lifting, just a simple day of freedom, why not take the time out to go out and get himself a Christmas gift and some new clothing.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia slowly got up. Her craziness had to stop. She was no longer in an abusive house, get thrown around, and verbally beaten. No more scared nights one of her dad's friends would sneak into her room while her father was passed out drunk. Sophia walked to her mirror, which held one picture, and one picture only. A black and white one of when her mother was young, it looked just like Sophia. Her mother had long black shiny hair, small figure, and shocking eyes. Sophia then looked at herself, but it wasn't the same. She would never be as beautiful as her mother once was, before the drugs and alcohol. Her mothers father wanted the same thing as her father had wanted. To marry her off, and never see her again. To continue the vicious cycle of selling off women.

Sophia got her brush, a silver one that was of an intricate design, passed down for two generations, her mother had left it for her when she ran away. She slowly brushed through her hair, thinking about the two new people. She hadn't introduced herself to the new guy yet. Maybe she still had a chance to make a decent impression, the impression she had made to Delilah was far past repair.
When her hair was brushed through, and her bangs were perfectly to the side of her face, Sophia changed into some acceptable clothes. She put on a clean pair of ripped skinny jeans, and a flowy black top with three quarter sleeves. Her eyes looked tired, so Sophia put on heavy coal liner to try to cover it up, and tried to add color to her face. But that seemed to be hopeless, considering she was always forever pale.

Sophia walked down the stairs, trying her best to fit in. Everyone was so comfortable here, probably because it was a safe place. And that's why Sophia was never comfortable, she never had safety before. When Sophia reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw the new guy. He was looking distraught, staring at his phone, but before Sophia could guess what was going on he had shoved it in his pocket. She looked at him for awhile, taking in his attitude and personality. Usually pretty good at this, from the nights her father would come home and she would have to judge how drunk and how angry he was. This guy didn't look like he was ready to hurl anything at anyone, so Sophia walked over cautiously, thinking of what she was going to say. Reminding herself to be normal, to make a good impression. Maybe she could make an actual friend. "Hi... I'm Sophia." She said, extending her hand. She smiled gently

[Zenteer]

Oh man, why do I feel like such a jerk? Zeke's face was still contained in a smile, a trick that magicians are well known for. You never really see a grumpy magician or a angry magician you always see a nice happy magician. I gotta make it up to Sophia later, I made her look like an idiot Zeke thought.

"Alright Goddess-Girl, the rooms for females are up stairs, but I don't really hang out there. So I don't really know which rooms are vacant. I think the one farthest to the right is though....not really sure" Zeke slightly frowned as he tried to remember the layout of the girl's rooms.

Zeke truthfully was slightly banned from the upstairs. He wasn't really officially banned or anything, but he always seem to sense some hostility when he goes up there. Though this will give him an excuse to go up.

"Well lets try to find which rooms are empty and which rooms are taken." Zeke suggested.

Zeke then remembered his manners "Do you want me to carry your bag for you?"

Zeke walked halfway up the stairs where the newbie was.

[Heir of Void]

Connor headed down the hall to the kitchen and began to set the table with the mixmatched diningware they had collected over their time in the house. Wood, ceramic and glass all on the dining table. He added two more chairs to the table before lighting the candles.

He added two plain white candles to the others, to represent the two new souls in the household. Each candle represented someone in the house, each candle had their own scent that the person picked out as their own to convey their personality. He was proud of his. It was layered and multi-colored. It was almost scary how accurately the colors of his candle predicted his mood. Most layers were a shade of blue, a few were green and one near the bottom was a dark, blood red. After that was more blue though, with small, light reds in between.

As Connor went to the kitchen to check on the progress of the meal, he wondered why Zach had introduced him as 'Connor' and not 'Sol', his nickname that everyone had used previously. He arrived in the kitchen to the unnerving sight of Ben and Zach not talking. At all. Connor decided to break the tension. "Hey, guyth. What you guyth tthink of the new arrivalth?", Connor asked casually.

[Momo13]

Delilah nodded and slowly passed him her dance bag. "Thanks." She smiled and started back up the steps and down the halls. They passed a few rooms that were all closed and looked like someone was or had been rooming in them.

She finally came to a door that wasnt occupied and she pushed it. "I guess this one is mine then..." She walked in and kept the door open for him to follow. It was small, but nice. A bed and dresser and a tiny closet. There would be room for desk if she could get one. COuld probably find a rug to put on the floor as for somewhere to sit.


--

Ben looked up at Connor as he came in. "Hey Sol. I'm not sure what to think of them yet. I worry for the girl though. I hope Zeke doesnt push her too much...." Ben was glad they would go over the rules at dinner today. It would make life easier here. "We should ask them what type of candles the newbies want for themselves later."

He continued stirring the sause as he spoke, working absentmindedly as usual.

[Zenteer]

"Alright, seems we found a room without two much trouble. Go rest up and unpack, I'm going to freshen up" Zeke gently placed her duffel bag next to the door.

Zeke waved her a good bye then strolled out of the door. One "friend" gained and another one slightly lost. How will I make it up to Sophia? Should I give her something or should I apologize. This is what happens when you live in a house full of teens....

As Zeke pace down the staircase he notice Sophia chattering with Mohawk-Man. Zeke opened his mouth to join the conversation, but halted himself. Don't want her more angry at me then she is and I don't think she really wants to see me currently. A sweet aroma drifted past his nose. Sniffing the air, Zeke followed his nose to the kitchen where Ben, Zach and Connor were cooking something up. "...make life easier here" Zeke briefly heard those words as he entered the kitchen.

"Yo Bros, what are you dudes up to?" Zeke gravitated toward the stew. His mouth half watering at the sight of the food. Zach appears to be slightly annoyed at something. Great another angry person.

[Skeletor]

Alice entered the kitchen, stretching a bit. "Hey guys. Anything I can help with? Sorry I'm a bit late, Connor." She chuckled and jabbed a thumb toward the living room. "I sorta fell asleep in the corner awhile ago. Those night shifts at work are gonna drive me up a wall." Alice had a husky, deep voice. It embarrassed her to talk sometimes because of that. When she sang, she did fantastically in the alto range. But most girls sang soprano. Even though she reminded herself that a lot of female singers such as Adelle had husky voices, it still didn't quite help. Coupled with the fact that she dressed in a very male sort of way, it was still a bit embarrassing. Quickly she stopped talking, smiled and found something to do. She could identify with Sol a bit. Sometimes he seemed to get frustrated because of his lisp. She understood him quite well for feeling embarrassed. There weren't any napkins laid out on the table, so she took care of that. Rolling up her sleeves, Alice got to work in the kitchen, helping out wherever was needed. When it came time to eat, Alice took it upon herself to go about the house and round up everyone. "Dinner time, guys. Come on, we're having some kind of pasta. Smells wonderful." She grinned and tugged playfully on the nearest people's shirts. Which ended up being Sophia and the new guy. Looking up at the newbie, Alice cocked her head and said diplomatically, "Well hey there. I don't think I've learned your name yet. I'm Alice!" She extended her hand for a shake and chuckled. "Usually I'm the first to help new people get acquainted but there was so much buzz around you today, I figured you were fine on your own."

[Heir of Void]

"Wathup, Zeke. We were sharin' our thoughtth on the new peopleth. I think they will be fine here. How 'bout you?", Connor replied. Waiting for Zeke to reply, he watched Alice enter the room. He almost didn't notice what she said.

The flickering candlelight illuminated her face beautifully, and Connor found he couldn't reply. His brain then actually shaped what she had said into form. "She shouldn't have to apologize to me. She's tired and I understand. It's really cute when she's asleep all around the house too." , Connor thought to himself.

Connor leaned back against the wall and took off his anaglyph sunglasses. Some people thought it was really dorky to wear sunglasses inside but it didn't matter to him. He rubbed his eyes, the same eyes that got him to where he was now. He put his shades back on, not wanting people to see his eyes.

[Momo13]

dinner as in....meal? Delilah left her room in a hury, taking the stares two at a time. How long had it been sense she had a home cooked meal? She couldnt even remember any more.

She stood, blikning in the doorway before slowly going on. She took a seat next to the magician from earlier, unsure with how to help and not wanting to get in anyones way. A real meal. This place really was too good to be true. She wouldnt havebeen surprised if she woke in an alley.....This had to be a wonderful dream.

--

Zach offered a small smile to zeke as he put the food on the table. He wasnt mad today. Or upset at all. Just, distant. Ben could most likely guess why, but wouldnt bring it up.

"Looks like we are getting a new schedule today." Zach pointed to the clipboard at Ben's seat. As usual, ben sat at the head of the table and Zach sat to his left. ALice would usually sit at the other end, seeing as she was the most motherly out of all the people here (OOC: if that is ok). Food was passed out around the table.

Zach looked over at the new girl who just seemed to be looking at the food in front of her. Like it wasnt real.

"Its not one of Zeke's magic tricks, the food is real." Zach told her softly with a smile.

[Heir of Void]

Connor got back to a standing postion and headed back to the dining room. He took his seat in the middle of the table, left side closest to the window. His chair was an office style swivel that he added personal touches to. Connor then waited for everyone to come from whatever part of hte house they weere in and take their own seats.

He passed the time staring out the window into the night sky, mapping the zodiac constellations in his mind. Capricorn was especially noticable tonight, so hopefully the dinner will be peacefu.......and maybe for a short time they can forget. In the company of their new family, maybe everyone can forget their past for a little while, no matter how short.
Connor phased out, lost in his own mind.

[Zenteer]

"Well the new girl seems to be fairly nice, I don't really know about Mohawk-Man though. Seen Sophia chatting up with him though. I'm sure they'll be friends or something. I'm going to have a sit down, raising up the charm with the newbie girl takes up a lot of energy you know" Calling the new girl Goddess-Girl won't really be appreciated by Ben.Zeke sat in his original seat, to Ben's right. He took at his pack of cards and started to absentmindedly shuffle. Goddess-Girl then appeared from the front-room and seated herself next to him.

"So Goddess-Girl.." Zeke mentally kicked himself, but committed since he already said something. "I didn't really catch your name, and my name is Zeke by the way, Zeke Armando The Great! Or maybe slightly mediocre would be the word for it"

Zeke grinned at her waiting for her reply.

[DragonGirl]

As Sophia anxiously waited for the new guys response, she was pulled by Alice into the dining area. Alice was sweet, but her timing wasn't always pristine. Sophia couldn't help being mad at her, she had a soft spot for Alice. Sophia scanned the room. Realizing she was not up for a good dinner. Sure the food smelled great, but she realized she had been put straight across from Delilah. Why don't I just go in a hole and die now she thought to herself. Sophia had embarrassed herself enough for one day.

And of course, Zeke was right next to her. It's not that Sophia was jealous of Delilah, she wasn't. Sophia could never like Zeke like that, he was just too smooth, and there was too much risk for getting hurt. It's just she had always wanted to be friends with him, but had never had the confidence, and never acted right around him. Zeke had his flaws, but he was likeable.

Nothing was going right for Sophia, freaking out Delilah, pushing Zeke even more away if that was possible, and she had never even got a response from the new guy. Sophia hoped dinner would be better.

[Heir of Void]

Connor snapped out of his memory induced trance. Sophia was sitting next to him Jason to her right. Ben and Zach were seated, as was Zeke and the New Girl. Alice had yet to be seated. Scanning their faces in order, from behind his anaglyph sunglasses. When his dual-colored gaze reached Sophia, Connor could tell that something was wrong. So much for forgetting the past,Connor thought. "Thophia, what'th wrong? If it ithn't thomething you want to talk about here, I underthtand. If you need thomeone to talk to, I'm here for ya." , Connor said in his most sympathetic voice possible.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was never one to talk, and Sophia didn't know how to respond when he was being so nice. Sophia never could get used to how nice was around here. Sophia gave the best smile she could find and said, "Thanks Sol, but maybe later?" she looked down. Even though Sophia could come off as a real bitch, Connor had always been so nice to her. The word Sol felt weird coming off her tongue. People who were friends with him called him that, and Sophia had never had a real friend before. If Sophia wanted to try and open up, she was going to have to start somewhere.

[Momo13]

Delilah blushesd a bright red when whe called her goddess-girl again. She looked down and bit her lower lip.
"My name is Delilah." She stated slowly, taking a small pause before saying the rest of her name. "Delilah Kohan." Very few actually knew her real name. Or at least remembered it.
"So Zeke....we still on for that tour later today?" She still wouldnt look back up to meet his gaze, or anyone elses. She was too nervous. She twiddled her thumbs under the table.

--

Ben took his seat at the table and looked around at those sitted. he would wait for the last guy to take his seat before speaking. The new girl seemed shy, keeping her gaze down and looking somewhat closed off from the rest. Well, the rest besides Zeke. He seemed like the only one she would speak to.

He couldnt figure out if Zeke being friendly with Delilah was the good or not. He would most likely decide after dinner, after he saw how she really acted.

[Skeletor]

Alice smiled in Connor's direction, nodding in approval. He was so sweet. She was glad to see everyone getting along and helping the new people as much as they were. But it had seemed that Alice had been a bit rude. She had meant to help, but she couldn't help but feel she was a little overzealous in tugging Sophia away so quickly. Working 35 hours a week, coupled with school, was starting to take its toll on her. It was like she was having trouble socializing normally. Usually she was very cautious and perceptive about how to handle these things, but lately it was like she'd been off her game. She figure she'd apologize to Sophia later...apologizing in front of everyone would have been rude and Sophia already looked nervous and upset. She kept quiet and looked down, biting her lower lip. After dinner she would talk to Sophia. Then she would sleep, leave at eight pm, work at the hospital until 3am, sleep, get up at 7am for school and start the cycle over. Drama was just not needed before work, she decided. Better to get it resolved as soon as possible.

[Heir of Void]

"Alright..",Connor replied. Sophia's 'Maybe later' was good enough for him. As long as she didn't feel like no one cared about her, he would be fine. He would prefer if she was content, but he wasn't going to push it if Sophia didn't want to talk. He was still anxiously waiting for Alice to be seated.

[Skeletor]

Alice made sure everyone had cups, napkins, and the like. And she grabbed a few large serving spoons to put in the food bowls so people could serve themselves. She sat down and looked over at Ben, wondering what was coming next. Some kind of lengthy speech, no doubt, since there were new people.

[Zenteer]

"Wouldn't miss it for the world...." Zeke glanced back at Ben, seeing that Ben was observing him with a slight frown on his face. "...Delilah" Zeke grinned at her, trying to loosen her nerve. If I can make a table disappear, then I'm pretty sure I can make her nervousness disappear. Too bad its not just yelling gibberish and quickly dismantling the table with a kick of your foot.

Hoping that she doesn't panic or anything, he gently patted reassuringly on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, there's no one out to harm you hear, unless its the terrible cooking."

Zeke glanced at Ben, hoping that he won't get the wrong idea or something. Zeke smiled reassuringly. She probably has bad memories or something. Most of the kids here had horrible abusive parents. They would probably be scared of the same thing here.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia waited for Bens speech. Sophia thought of her night ahead at the "hospital", she had told Ben she cleaned and transported food at the local hospital. That's how Sophia got away with drawing and napping all day. Her rent was always on time and he had never questioned her. The one thing was that Sophia had never actually worked at a hospital, and still didn't. Sophia would put on her scrubs, but as soon as Sophia reached downtown she would change in an alley. Her usual short shorts, cropped top, and strappy stilletoes. From there she would walk the streets hoping for customers until around 4 in the morning. Sophia was ashamed, but after growing up in her house, it was the only thing she knew how to do, and how to get the most amount of money out of it. After being assaulted, sophia realized it was going to happen to her either way, and she had to eat, so began her discusting job. Sophia didn't do it just for money, she wanted to go to college, and if Sophia signed up for a real job, her father was sure to find her. Sophia came home from the "hospital" and sat on he shower floor, feeling sick, usually feeling broken inside and out. Around eight Sophia would hear pounding on the door with Alice yelling "Sophia Anne if you don't get out I there this instant I'm going to be late!" it made Sophia smile, and she was brought back to her other life. Her eyes focused on Ben once again, waiting.

[Volcove]

Wow, that was way too fast. Gotta update this.
A minute of just silence, nothing to do, it was fine that no one approached him, he is used to not talking to people that much.

Jason felt someone near him, he looked up, and saw a girl, pretty tall he thought. She extended her hand and introduced herself as Sophia, he was about to take it and introduce himself, but then she was pulled away by this other girl, who also introduced herself, as Alice.

Taking the chance to make a friend, at least someone to talk to, the days where the only people he talked to were people at the gym was over. He moved over and took at seat at the dinner table. Making eye contact with Alice and then Sophia, he smiled and mouthed "I'm sorry."

[Casper14]

Jamie was asleep in her room when the alarm went off. "Oh man..." she yawned and hit the snooze button and fell back asleep.

About two hours later, the alarm went off again for the Fifteenth time. Jamie shut the alarm off and shifted herself out of bed. "Oh great... I've over slept again." she said while adjusting her balance. She yawned and headed over to her wardrobe and picked out her normal outfit. A black t-shirt, a pair of jeans, a blue hoodie and her favourite pair of converse. Jamie tide up her shoes and headed out of her bedroom door towards the kitchen.

She noticed the noise coming from the dinning room and sneaked passed it and walked into the kitchen. She made herself a coffee and sighed. "I'm always then one to miss something." she thought to herself. She picked up the coffee she had just made and walked slowly towards the dinning room. She carefully opened the door to see everyone round the table talking and laughing.
"Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late. I kind of over slept." she yawned. She took a seat at the table on the corner."I'm J...Jamie by the way." She stuttered.

[Enfilon]

Rex leaned against a wall. He finished the last of his cigarette. Through it on the ground and stomped his foot on it. Swishing it side to side, making sure all he embers were out. He stood straight up. "Getting pretty late.." He mumbled to himself. He picked up his brief case which had a carton of cigarettes, 2 changes of cloths, and some money.

As he started walking, he saw a girl walking, and gave her a slight wave. She was fairly cute, blonde, but taken. Which did not hesitate to say, and left. <sigh> "Not my day..." He walked up to the house he was going to stay at, It wasn't a bad size, but he'd be sharing it with quite a few people, which didn't mind, because that be less harsh on his wallet.

He pulled out a piece a paper and double checked the address. "This is the place...' He walked up, and gave a good, loud 3 knocks on the door. No one came, so he just walked in, and some guy was giving a speach and the whole group was listening. He took his shoes off, and listened.

[Momo13]

Ben looked around the table as people started taking their seats. “It’s alright, Jamie. Happens to the best of us.” He offered a small smile and tapped his pen against the clip board. “I wanted to go over the rules for the new guys. Also to brush up for some of our older members.” He glanced at Zach and Zeke who sat at either side of him. Ben looked up and nodded at Rex, "hey Rex. take a seat, just going over rules and what not for the new guys."
“Rule one. All smoking or drugs or stuff like that happens outside the house. Whether it is in the yard or off the property, I don’t care. But just not in the walls of this house or on the roof or in the basement or even the porch. Got it? Rule two. Rent. Always pay your share. Now, numbers will be going down because of the new members, but food will be going up. All in all, I think that everything will become cheaper for the individual. The price change will start in next full month.” They were already half way through this month Ben felt it wouldn’t be fair to charge the newbies right away. “Rule three. Lay Low. Yes, people know about us, but they aren’t doing anything about it. Why? Well, I am technically an adult and can take care of you guys, but the feds still wouldn’t like it if they found out. Everything just runs easier if no one makes too much of a scene at work or school. Rule four to go along with rule three, Do not, under any circumstances get arrested for stupid stuff. If you are going to do something stupid, be smart enough to not get caught. And the last rule. No Romance between us. I can’t stress how important it is. We are a family and we need to try to stay like a family.” He looked around to make sure everyone understand what he was saying.
“After dinner I would like to talk about schedule changes with food shopping, cooking and showers and bathroom time.” Ben glanced outside at the snow. “Also. As a side note, holidays are coming up. I’m not sure how you guys want to do this, but we could do a secret Santa thing, or all of us could try to pull in enough money to get a small gift for each of us. You can decided how that happens.” He wouldn’t regulate their holiday traditions.
As for now, that was all he had to say. They could think over what he said and talk amongst themselves. “Anyone have anything to add?”

--

Delilah smiled when Zeke called her by her name and told her he wouldn’t miss it. It would be nice to have a friend again. But when he touched her shoulder, she nearly flinched from his touch. She had bruises along her shoulders still, and was always afraid that people would give her more. She forced her body to relax and listened to the speech given by Ben. She nodded to all the points. She didn’t smoke or do drugs, was pretty shy in whatever school she went to, could probably find some money in the bottom of her bag and get a job to help with rent, she was scared to death of jail and had no ambition to do something stupid enough to get thrown in. And no one had ever had romantical feelings for her, so she felt that rule five would never bother her.

[Enfilon]

"Yeah, i do." Rex said. "hi everyone, im Rex Nicis, i'll be joining you and living in this house." He gave a little bow of welcome. "Andddd thats all i got to say."

[Heir of Void]

"Yea," said Sol," All newbieth have got to pick a candle for the table. Altho, We have to dethide which of uth goeth for the tree thith year. Latht year when all of us went, we ended up getting two. A thorry looking midget charlie brown tree, AND a giant wall blocker that meththed up the chandelier. I don't know 'bout you guyth, but I'm not fixing the chandelier again." After stating this, Sol reclines again. "Anything elthe?"

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was confused by Jason's gesture, sophia had never had someone say I'm sorry to her before, except for the note her mother had left behind. Sophia smiled at the gesture, and focused her attention on Ben. She listened to his speech. She had already broken a few rules. She smoked in her from by the window when she got nervous, did things every night that could result in being arrested, and had to lay low in case of being recognized by all to friendly customers. Still, there was one rule she knew wouldn't even be possible to break. Sophia could never imagine having a romance, at least one that was mutual. Whoever she liked, never even saw her. And people who liked her, didn't like her, they liked that she was cheap, and good. It was sad, but who every said life was happy? At that thought a guy entered their dining room, a little too confident for Sophia's liking. She scanned him up and down. Interesting enough attire, and he smelled of cigarettes, just what Sophia had a hard time getting, and liked very much. Maybe she had herself a "friend". Sophia continued to gaze at him, taking in his personality. He seemed to arrogant, but cigarettes were cigarettes. Sophia lived independently, but was still underage.

[Zenteer]

Zeke half paid attention to Ben as he did his dinner speech, choosing that moment to observe Delila. She was covered in fairly faint bruises and scars. Delila visibly flinched slightly as he touched her. Zeke had retracted his hand from her shoulder, but still slightly tempted to try lay his am around her shoulder. With Ben sitting about a foot away from me maybe it's not a good idea. Delila had a very small build, she also seemed very graceful the way she does things. Like she's a...ballerina or something. Her features seemed somewhat like a goddess in a movie he saw. Hence the name Goddess-Girl, but it wasn't off or anything with her looks.

Zeke glanced at Rex, bringing in a cloud of smoke in with him. Alright maybe not a cloud, but it sure smells like it. That guy acted like he was a 30 year old businesses man. Hopefully the smell of cigerettes won't settle on the delicious pasta.

Zeke snapped out of his gazed near the end of his speech. "..And last rule. No romance between us..." I'm half surprised he didn't looked at me.

"Ben, I think it would be better to do a Secret Santa thing, I mean no offense or anything each of us aren't exactly rich. And there's like 8 of us or something now? So if we each give each other gifts it'll be like eight crummy ten dollar gifts. If we do the Secret Santa thing we could actually get the other person something they like. But its up to you man" Zeke shrugged.

In truth Zeke was hoping he choose secret Santa , so he could make up for Sophia basically losing a possible friend. She doesn't really have many friends to begin with either... If it was drawing slips of paper out of a hat, he would have her name in a piece of paper in his sleeve when he draws. Oh wait...what about the original piece of paper with her name on it....Oh I'll figure something out.

Zeke glanced at his left hand to see it were still shuffling the cards on its own while his right was just sleeping their on the table. His eyebrows arched up a bit in surprise. Halting his shuffling, Zeke gracefully stuffed his cards in his pocket, right next to the trick rope.

[Heir of Void]

Sol sees Rex saunter into the room as if he owned the damn place."Who'th thith guy? Who let you in? " Thinking that he might be a Fed, Sol quickly adds "Thith ith a private Club Teenage Angtht meeting. Do you have any buthiness here offither?"

[Momo13]

Ben looked at Sol and mentally cursed at himself. He forgot to tell the others.

"it's alright. I ran into him earlier and told him he could stay with us. Rex, this is the group." Ben quickly went around and introduced every one. He noticed that both zach and Delilah kept there gazes down when Ben said their names. "Why don't you grab a plate and take a seat?"

I hope it's ok that I put Ben as running into him earlier

[Casper14]

Jamie listened carefully to the rules as Ben read them out. Hopefully it shouldn't turn out like last time.Jamie had a problem with most of the rules. The dating non house mates, and the smoking outside. She sighed as these were read out in black and white once more.

"Fine by me,no problems what so ever." She lied and took a sip of her coffee and looked around. She lent back in her chair and listened in on people's conversations. "Hi Rex,I'm Jamie. Welcome to the crew." she whispered quietly.

[Enfilon]

"hahaha, im no Fed, i can guarantee that my friend." he shook hands with jamie"nice to meet you too." He said with a warm smile. He took a seat and sat his briefcase down. "thanks for the offer but i ate on the way up here." He continued. "So how old is everyone?" Rex asked wanting to gauge everybody.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia rested her arm on the table, head on her hand, she was still taking in the situation. Sophia became bored and started to play with the food on her plate. It smelled good, but it's not what she wanted, she wanted a cigarette. Rex reeked of cigarettes, which some might find unappealing, but for Sophia, it made her crave a smoke. Maybe Sophia could lure him outside to "show him around" and steal a cigarette. It was an ugly addiction, but kept her anxiety at bay.

[Heir of Void]

"I've been through the block and enough internet sites to know that telling a guy with a thuit my age ith a bad idea." Sol was relieved Ben was ok with this suit wearing guy, but he still didn't quite trust him. He smelled like a Fed and dressed like a Fed.

The warmth in his eyes looked false, like a cheap lightbulb instead of a fire... or at least an ultraviolet lamp. Sol would go along with Ben's decision, but would only accept him into the family if Alice did. He awaited Alice's reaction to judge his own. "And jutht so you know, I can break thothe cuffth." Sol puts on a false smile to show false acceptance.

[Skeletor]

Alice ate in silence. Usually she was very talkative. She just wasn't feeling it tonight. Ignoring the youngster in the suit, she poked a bit here and there at her food. There were too many new people. And while having new people was good, it still made her nervous. She didn't like to eat in front of new people. Echoes of her past were brought back. The days when she would get made fun of in the cafeteria for being fat. A particular group of boys and girls would sit across from her table and say things like, "Oink oink, eat up, piggy!" They would make fun of her endlessly. She ignored them, but the tears she cried in private later would reflect how she really felt about it. Alice ate a bit, scraped off her plate, washed it, then politely took her leave. Work would come soon. Better get some sleep, she thought. I'll talk to Sophia later.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia finished playing with her food thinking to herself that her plate looked mangled enough to seem eaten. Sophia looked up as Alice was leaving. Sophia cleared her dish, cleaning it up in the kitchen. Sophia went upstairs knocking lightly on Alice's door. Something seemed off at dinner, and Sophia wanted to return the favor of Alice always being there for her.

[Enfilon]

Rex saw how everyone reacted and stood up and walked over to Ben. "Ben, thank you for taking me in, but if it bothers everyone so much for me to be here, i'll find somewhere else."

[Volcove]

As Sophia acknowledge his sorry, Ben started with his speech. Remembering each rule and getting it down, just as everyone listened intently to Ben. Watching two new people he didn't know go in, one was a girl with long brown hair, with blonde streaks, and the other was a guy who basically looked like he came from somewhere formal.

Taking a small portion of the pasta, he couldn't really eat that much, he just ate after all. Just quietly watching everyone as he finished his food, this new guy Rex, the one who wore a suit seemed pretty fine, he just agitated him, but he seems kind of nice, maybe he just gives the wrong impression. After all, Ben knew this guy, and he seemed like he was fine with him.

Finishing his food, he took his cup of water, drank a bit, then stood up saying, "Excuse me." Getting his used utensils, he went over to the kitchen to clean them up. As he was washing it, he was thinking to offer washing the dishes tonight, he wasn't so good at starting conversations anymore, and he just basically didn't trust that much. He knew that these people were actually friendly, and nice enough to trust him, so he should trust them back. It would just take time for him to adjust to this new atmosphere.

[Skeletor]

Alice opened the door, smiling a small, tired smile. "Sophia. Hey, what's up, sweetie?" She fumbled and opened the door wider, inviting her in. "Hey, I was wanting to talk to you." Alice looked a bit sheepish as she apologized. "I'm sorry I yanked you guys away so quickly to come to dinner. I wasn't paying attention. I kinda butted in, so yeah."

[Heir of Void]

Great, now I feel like a dick. A hilarious comedic dick, but still a dick. This suit guy might really need help. Sol thought. He watched the smoke cloud follow the Suit Guy as he went over to Ben and stated his proposal. Sol got up and quickly said " Hey, wait... jutht 'cuz I don't trutht you doethn't mean I don't want you here. If that maketh any thenthe at all. I'll show you your room Thuit-Guy. But next time, could ya pleathe leave your cloudth outthide?"

[Enfilon]

Rex smiled at the mans kindness. "Thure that be great." realizing his slip up his eyes widened and he smiled and tried not to laugh. "I-i mean <suppressed laugh> sure that be great."

[Heir of Void]

"Uh-huh, okay Thuit-Guy. Follow me.", stated Connor as he got up and headed to the hallway. He shot a peace sign at Ben to show that he wasn't going to push Suit Guy down the stairs or anything."Altho, Thuit Guy. Don't go upthtairth. Thothe are the girlth roomth. I'll end you perthonally if I find you up there thnooping like a Fed." He wasn't going to show any trust to this guy, or his personal storm clouds.

[Enfilon]

"thes thir!" He stopped and saluted."Thouts thonor." "Wait that didn't even have an S." Rex laughed. His tone went from sarcastic to serious."You know, if you don't laugh, you die." Then going back to sarcastic."Thath why i alwath make thure to laugh and make otherth laugh." Going back to serious tone."You know, i never catched your name, and i might as well introduce myself, im Rex Nicis." He said stretching out his hand

[Heir of Void]

Sol put his hand in Rex's for a strong handshake. " I am," Connor leans closer to Rex's ear , and lowers his voice to a darker tone, "Your End. If you dare ask me to thay the thtate that mutht not be named or the primary ingredient in rootbeer. But you can call me Thol." Sol stops leaning in and becomes all shits 'n' giggles again as he heads down the dark hall to the basement entrance.

[Casper14]

Jamie looked over and nodded but didn't shake Rex's hand. She got up taking her mug with her and headed into the kitchen. She washed her cup up and put it away. Jamie then headed back upstairs to her room, her safe-haven.

She shut the door quietly behind her and sat down on her bed. "New people..." she sighed."This is going to take time to get used to."

Ever since she was fifth-teen, Jamie had problems accepting people into her life. She didn't know if they were going to hurt her like most people had done in the past.

Jamie laid down on her bed, with her hands behind her head, and stared at the ceiling and thought for a long moment.

"Where would I be now,if I hadn't have run away from home? On the streets? What about if I hadn't found this place? I like to be alone but how come I can't be the outgoing person I used to be." she thought to herself.

She stared at the ceiling thinking until she slowly drifted off back asleep.

[Volcove]

Jason finished washing the dishes. He walked out and just decided to sit on the sofa, brought out his ear phones, plugged it into his phone, then listened to music. Pressing 'play' on the 'chill' play list, he just spaced out, not really thinking anything, just looking down and just chilling. Watching the dining room empty out as people went to their respective rooms, Connor being very cautious with this new 'Rex' fellow, and basically just everyone doing their own thing.

Thoughts of his past started to surface as his mind finally stopped being in a blank state, pushing it down before it could take hold of him he just locked it away, deep into some vault inside his mind, it wasn't easy, but the fact that he had a new life now made it possible. Feeling the cool air in the house that breezed in from the open windows, he just thought of what to do tomorrow, what clothes to buy, and maybe get someone to go with him, make a new best friend.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia entered Alice's room. She looked down at the floor not sure exactly what to say. "Oh, don't worry about it Alice, there's plenty of time to get to know him" Sophia smiled reassuringly. "I just wanted to stop in and see if anything was wrong, you did t seem yourself at dinner." Sophia quietly waited for a response, hoping she said everything okay, after all sophia wasn't used to these kinds of things.

[Skeletor]

Alice chuckled and waved a hand, shaking her head. "Ahh, man, everything's fine. Just the usual thing. Sometimes memories come back to haunt ya every now and again when you're someone like me. I'm sure you understand...We've all had our fair share of sorrow and bad memories." She tossed her hair out of her face, still smiling. "You grow from most of it. Some of it still leaves a..." Alice searched for the right term for what she felt at dinner. Finding it, and also the irony within the metaphor, she laughed, "leaves a bad taste in your mouth." She shrugged. "I'll get over it eventually. And I'm glad you're not too upset about me yanking you away from Jason, I think his name was." She yawned and hugged Sophia. "I'd best be gettin' some sleep. Been quite the narcoleptic all week long cause I haven't been sleeping like I should. But I'm not looking for a pity party, ahaha." She patted Sophia's back and gave her a reassuring look. "Thanks for coming to check on me."

[Volcove]

After listening to four songs, Jason finally decided to get up from the couch, just the relaxation almost got to him, he almost fell asleep right there and then. Getting up, he decided to go to his newly found buddies, and find out who was going out tomorrow, maybe he can just join in so he wouldn't have to get his things alone, not that it bothered him, he was used to it.

As he opened the basement door, he slowly walked down the stairs hearing to see where the guys actually hang out down there, maybe someone's room was the hang out place? He'd just wait for some noises to come from some room then probably just give a knock, these guys were friendly and all, so they probably wouldn't push him away. Jason was ready to trust people again, it just seemed so easy to trust them, he didn't know why, it was just a feeling he had.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia thought about Alice's comment, and thought some things you never can get away from. But Sophia tried not to dwell. "no problem, im here to talk if you ever want. Also I was wondering if you were going out tomorrow to go Christmas shopping... I don't have much experience with presents and I don't know what to get" Sophia hoped Alice would take her with her.

[Skeletor]

The next day was one of the two days out of the week Alice would have off work. She nodded and smiled warmly. "Yeah, sure! It's a date. I'm good with these kinds of things. I've got to pick out wrapping paper anyway for everyone to wrap their gifts in this year. So I've got a few errands to run, but if you don't mind tagging along, all should be well. Bring some music and we'll blast whatever you want in my car on our way to the mall tomorrow. Haven't hung out with anyone in awhile. Should be nice." Alice stretched and said bluntly, "Now I don't mean to be even more rude than I already have been tonight," she joked, "but I have to get some sleep. And so do you if you're working tonight, girl." She plopped down on her bed and curled up in her blankets. "Ugggh. These winter months in the hospital are almost as worse as the summer ones. People breaking limbs, getting various viruses, car accident patients. Clean up is a drag." She squinted and cuddled up with her stuffed panda. "But ya know, it's worth it to keep my mind off things and worth seeing everyone here living comfortably." And she meant it. Without her job at the hospital, she'd have probably withdrawn into herself and shut down. Keeping herself busy kept her alive and feeling free. She rolled over, feeling kind of bad for going to bed so soon but she only had two hours of sleep left. "Night, Sophie. Call me if ya need anything."

[DragonGirl]

"goodnight" Sophia closed the door. She thought that went well.. Sophia wanted to get sleep before her long night, but couldn't relax. Whenever she was nervous she would cook. There had to be something in the pantry to cook up. Sophia got downstairs, it was quiet and everyone was no where to be seen. Sophia opened the cupboard. There was just enough ingredients for a vanilla cake and chocolate frosting. She began to get the ingredients out, humming softly to herself.

[Heir of Void]

Sol opened the door leading downstairs to the rooms and motioned for Rex to head down. Sol didn't turn to see if Rex was still following him." You know, now that I know your full name, I feel bad for you. After all, if people thee it on paper they probably think 'Poor man. Poor Wreckth Knickerth'. Anyway, let'th go thee your room!", Sol stated happily. When he reached the end of the hall, Sol opened the door to the last door to the left and remembered that it was already just taken.....by Jason. Sol did the math in his head. Sol had the largest basement room, whereas Zeke's first floor room and Jason's basement room were not quite as large. Ben probably didn't want anyone to mess with the monitoring system, and Rex will definitely NOT be allowed to stay on the second floor under ANY circumstances. There were no open rooms. The house was pretty damn full. So....that left either A.)He sleeps in the front room B.) He sleeps on the roof or (DO NOT CHOOSE)C.) Rex rooms with him. Ben wouldn't allow the cops to see a man sleeping on the roof, that eliminates B. The front room offered no sleep at all because of people going in and out and no one was gonna have a sleeping person block them, so there goes A. So that left...........NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Sol decided he would have to talk to Ben about this. Right Now.

[Zenteer]

Zeke attacked his food ravenously, then slowed down to humble pace. The food in the house was beautifully excellent, even though at his old home his parents had hired a professional chief this food was higher quality, not that he was picky or anything. It was like sprinkled in love dust or something.

Zeke glanced at Delila, she seemed to be savoring each mouthful of pasta. Looks like she's going to take a while. About half of the diners, had already left. Zeke's plate was already licked clean. Waiting here for Delila would rush her. Zeke glanced at his plate already, then stood up and started washing the dishes very thoroughly, and gently.

"Alright Delila ready for your "quick" tour of the house? The house is fairly large, but not large enough to get lost in" Zeke offered his hand to Delila to assist her up. Even though she looked lithe and athletic as a cat, he was hoping she would take his hand.

[Momo13]

Delilah finished off her food and smiled over to him. She took his hand to help herself up, and quickly yet thoroughly weashed her dish and put it away with the others. After all the years of caring for herself and getting minor jobs anywhere she can, most being dishwashing or waitressing jobs, she could wash a plate pretty fast now.

"Yea, a tour sounds great right about now." She dried her hands and walkd back over to him, not exactly sure where to go. "Lead the way, Zeke." She pushed her strawberry blonde hair out of her face and looked around the room.

--

Ben and Zach were among the last to finish. Once Zach had finished off his food, he washed his dishes and started to put the leftover food away. He looked over at ben and gave a quick nod before disapearing into the family room where his laptop was set up.

Ben cleaned his dishes and started back downstairs to see how everyone was doing and make sure that people were settling in properly.

[Zenteer]

"Alright this room we're currently standing in is the Dining room obviously." Zeke gestured at the table and the room around them. Zeke sauntered past the kitchen, and to the bathroom.

"This is the bathroom, which is something you probably didn't know existed right here."

Zeke gestured to the linen closet right next to the bathroom. It appeared to be covered in random stickers such as butterflies. "Ignoring the stickers. This is the linen closet with random stuff it in it like, Old spice and crap. There's also obviously towels, which doesn't really make much sense to me. I mean if your going to keep all the towels here, why not like put it in the bathroom. So you don't have to sneak out to get the towel."

Zeke spread out his arms and frowned at the closet as if asking it why the heck are you standing here. "Now on to the next level" Zeke past his room intentionally to save it for last. Save your best trick for last, the last trick is the one people will remember. Plus, I will give him an excuse to invite her into his room.

Zeke paced himself slowly as he ambled upstairs, letting Delilah take in her surroundings
"Now is the part of the house, I'm slightly banned from, so I won't be able to give you a master's guide" Directly in front of them was a very plain white looking door.

"That's Sophia's room, the girl you spoke to before" Strolling down deliberately, Zeke rattled off names as he pointed to each door. "Jamie, Alice and on the left side we have,
Zach and You. Boys are suppose to sleep downstairs to 'protect' the girls from robbers. I mean I'm the only one really downstairs, besides from Connor and a few creepy puppets."

"And that ladder leads to Ben's attic and there's a balcony out there, don't go out there's snipers outside"

"Now for the Grand Finale! My room!" Zeke spread his arms and smiled his most charming smile. He gently pulled her down the stairs.

As he reach the bottom Zeke noticed the Basement. "Oh yeah, that's the basement, where Connor and the Laundry things live. Don't go down there, there's monsters down there right now." Zeke turned left then another right and ended up to his room.

"So you wanna go in my room?"

[Heir of Void]

"Umm, thtay right there. Don't mind the thmuppetth, they won't do things to you that will give you nightmareth. Maybe. I'll be right back ath thoon ath pothible Rex." says Sol in a believable way. Sol runs up the stairs all the way to Ben, running past Zeke and Delilah as he went. When he got to Ben, this is what Sol said, " Hey umm, Ben.... are you thure there are there any roomth left? Bathed on my math, there aren't. Where ith Rex gooing to thtay?"

[Extraordinaire.]

A messy-haired brunette traveled on her own path, beside a busy road. She was unaware of the outside world, engulfed in her own life, or lack there of. She thought about what had lead up to that moment right then, where she had no where to go and no money to get her there. She had no family to stay with and no longer had a relationship to rely on.

The girl had had a rough few months, losing two family members and having the next two people she relied on in her desperate time of need, betray her.

Her mother had been the one to give her up as an infant, so it was no surprise that after signing her custody forms, she abandoned her once again. Avelyn had even known that she was upsetting herself for disappointment when she had started dating Dave, so she didn't get caught up on the bastard either, when she walked in on him f***ing another girl. Even losing her father's memory to dimentia was a damn shame, but it was nothing like her brother.

Losing Jason to a drug over dose was an indescribable pain, something that didn't touch any other person, in the same way that it did to her. It was a unique, mind numbing throb over her whole body and the messy haired girl stopped, hearing the scream of an ambulance blaze over the grey-skied town, it's sirens tearing a gaping hole through the otherwise silent surroundings.

She felt the tip of her nose sting, her eyes holding back premature tears as the song echoed out for many miles in the surrounding.

It had been a week since she had been forced to move in with her boyfriend, and a week since he had blatantly told her that he had moved on. It had been a week since she had lived under a roof or sen a single familiar face, nonetheless spoken to a friendly soul.

But it had been nearly a year since her brother had died and a raw wound was still split down her frame, reopening up with every hint of him around and every lonely moment she had.

She dragged around her now raggedy suit case, slaving her few belongings behind her. Sighing, it was nearing on midnight and she still didn't have a plan as to where she was staying. So turning into the nearest neighborhood she scouted out a house with a basement, travel long down the curve pavement. She had almost developed a routine of sneaking into the basement of what seemed like quiet houses, disguising herself in case any body came down when she was sleeping. But how much longer could she pull it off without being caught, or arrested? How much longer would she have to go without having a home to call hers?

Growing more desparate when the temperature dropped, she tried her luck with the only basement-equipped house she could find, even thought a few lights still lingered above. Walking over to the basement she fiddled with the door, her numb fingers fiddling with the clasps. She felt a reassuring flutter in her stomach as she lifted one of the doors. Stepping into the basement, her long slender frame entered the already preoccupied room.

(Sorry for the crappy post, it's way too late to have gotten flu hours of sleep the night before and my phones dying.)

[Momo13]

Delilah looked at each room he pointed at and tried to make sure she would remember who slept where. This was so unlike her dads apartment. There, she had two rooms, one for him and her, a kitchen and a bathroom and the front room that they used as a living room with a small tv, a falling apart couch and a small lamp.

She hadn't talked much during the tour, not needing to say anything. SHe didnt have any questions, so she felt no reason to talk. That was the thing with her life, unless she had something to say, she was always forced not to speak. ANd even when she had stuff to say, most of the time she wasnt allowed to. this would be a change of pace for her.

And when he offered to show her his room, she smiled. He really was starting to act like Kyle. It was welcoming. "Sure, why not?"

[Zenteer]

Zeke's door was slightly ajar. Seeing no point in grabbing the knob, he rammed the door open. Oh Crap! A torrent of water, rained down on him from above soaking the upper half of him and missing Delila completely by a few droplets. A bucket had also clattered down. Most of his T-Shirt was completely drenched and sticking to his flesh, while has pants were barely hit, his upper body taking the most impact.

Great idea brain, booby trap your own room! The trap was a bucket filled with water on top of a slightly ajar door. It can be easily disabled, but the problem is remembering to disable it.

"Well that went well" Zeke stripped his shirt off and tossed it in a laundry bin in the left corner. Showing off his drenched upper body. Zeke glanced at the bathroom, great someone's in the bathroom. "I'ma go get a towel to dry off, good thing its not inside the bathroom. Guess I solved that little dilemma. Go take a look around my room, and ignore the wet spot, I'll clean it up later."

On the right side of Zeke's room was a old wooden desk with a laptop. A few odd looking voodoo mask type things hung above it. His magic themed bed was pushed to the wall under the window. A basket sat in the corner filled with dirty clothes. An odd purple chest was in the middle of the left wall, between the bed and the laundry basket. In the right corner was a few junky looking items. In the wall in front of the door hung a few posters of Houdini. His closet was agar revealing random Tees and a very nice suit.

[Skeletor]

Later on that night, Alice rolled out of bed and changed into her scrubs. She yawned and searched around for the keys to her car, finding them eventually. She took some change with her so she could grab something small to eat, considering she hadn't eaten much at dinner. Taking every step carefully, so as not to wake or disturb anyone, Alice left the home quietly, tying her hair up in a ponytail on the way out the door.

Work was grueling, as usual. She had cleaned up various expelled bodily fluids around the hospital, reorganized the furniture in the lobby to make room for the new sofas that just came in, and took inventory of all the cleaning supplies in the janitor's closet. It paid surprisingly good money to do what Alice did. But it was because she worked the nightshift and worked hard. She decided, however, that she might have to either switch to a day shift or get another job. Nightshifts were okay over the summer. During the school year, time was precious. Especially when it came to time for sleeping.

Silence. When Alice came through the door, she found that that was the most comforting thing about coming home. The peace. Wearily, she shuffled upstairs for a couple more hours of sleep. Her stereo was already on. She pressed the "play" button on the CD player function and turned it down low as the sound of Ronnie James Dio's voice carried her off to sleep. When Alice awoke again, she jumped in the shower, got dressed and headed off to school. Only two weeks of school until break. At that realization, suddenly everything got better and Alice's pep was back. She grabbed an apple from the kitchen for breakfast and then was out the door on her way to school.

[Volcove]

Jason decided they were too busy with the new people. Going into his room, he decided to finish off his night routine to make sure he didn't forget. Removing his shit, then hanging it on the door he stretched for a few seconds. Putting his feet up on the small chair, he did push ups, starting with one set of twenty for warm up, then three sets of fifty to finish. Taking his time with each rep and set he paced himself and was on autopilot.

Standing up, he sat on the floor, leaned back and started doing sit ups, "Gotta keep this six pack up to date, taking punches here is no joke," Jason thought. Starting off with a warm up of ten reps, he finished with four sets until failure. Then after a bit of rest he continued with a different kind of ab work out. Burning it all off and just pumping himself for tomorrow, making sure his day started right by not forgetting what to do the night before.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was so tired. She had baked until she could drop. She make 3 cakes, 35 cupcakes, 5 dozen cookies, and got a burned wrist on the way. Sophia thought to herself, there was no way in the world she was working tonight. She hadn't taken a day off in months, sometimes working seven days a week. It was a Monday, so it was bound to be a slow night. She was going to take a day off, and enjoy. She went upstairs to shower, she changed into yoga pants and a tanktop that she just fit into. Her hair was still wet, but she was too lazy to do anything with it. Sophia sat in her bedroom, glad to be able to rest. She thought back on her day. So many new people! She thought back to the new guy, Jason? Yes, Jason. She had never fully got to introduce herself. If she was going to try and do this friendly thing, she was going to have to try harder. Sophia got up and went downstairs. She put a dark chocolate cupcake with chocoalte frosting and a pink flower on a plate. She poured a cup of decaf with cream and sugar on the side, then put the food on a tray. Was she overedoing this? She was, but she felt wierd, anything she did would seem wierd. Ugh. Why was this so hard? Sophia took a deep breath and picked up the tray. She was doing this. She was making a friend if it was the last thing she did with dignity. She opened the basement door and went downstairs. She went to the only room that was left open for Jason. She heard someone talking to themself inside. Great. He was a crazy. Sophia was making friends with a crazy she told herself. She still knocked, knowing she couldn't go back now. Sophia felt vulnerable and stupid as she waited for the door to open.

[Enfilon]

Rex took a seat. Staring at the "thuppets". "Creepy" he said to no one imparticular. He was starting to doze off a little. He didn't hear anything open, but then he saw this girl trying to sneak in. He hadn't expected anything like this to happen. And jumped up in suprise, smack his head into whatever was above him, it hurt to much to see what he hit. "ow ow ow." he moaned rubbing his head. " Then he looked up, there are these things called doors and doorbells." He said with a pained smile. "Im rex, and you are?"

[Extraordinaire.]

Avelyn soon found herself surrounded by creepy as hell stuffed animals, gripping the side of the staircase as she heard another boy, frenzied jitters running up her spine. Her heart beat went out of whack and her hands started shaking as she stumbled to get back up through the hole, but the doors shut and wouldn't budge from where she was standing. Her eyes were wide as she realized that she had screwed herself over, trapped in a room with an almost friendly guy.

"Who the hell stays that calm after watching someone break into their house?" she thought to herself, shyly looking back at the boy.

"There are things called doors and doorbells," his snarky comment almost made her relieved that he didn't jump to conclusions, threatening to call the police. She opened her mouth, but her voice was caught deep in her throat, wondering how to begin to explain herself. He seemed like a pretty average kid, but she didn't get the gist of the situation, thinking he looked almost familiar.

"He goes to your school," her brain made the connection, almost positive that she had seen him before. Then again, she hadn't shown up to school in weld and had never been intimately friendly with the boy.

"Im rex, and you are?" he offere when she didn't speak, relieved to not be dealing with a complete stranger, even more glad that he didn't personally know her. If he had, he would of known that she only came to school a handful of days, without having glassy eyes and intoxicating the room of weed. She'd gone even longer without having a sober weekend and although she stayed quiet in most of her classes, was assumed to be a bitch. A girl couldn't be a pothead without being really f***** up or being a slut, right?

"Avelyn," she finally replied, her face heating up in embarrassment. Her suitcase was beside her and she had her head awkwardly ducked down to the floor.

"I'm real sorry about this; I didn't know you would be done here... I should really go," she shook her messy brown waves as she took a step towards the door before pausing, the one corner of her dipped mouth, furrowing into an even deeper frown. How did she get out?

[Enfilon]

Rex saw the girl was really freaked out, scared, and needed a place to stay, he knew the house was full up, hopefully he could keep her calm until sol got back. He decided to lighten the mood. He walked up silently, and poked her hard in the head. "Oii, you think your leaving this late after breaking into the house, no, you gotta stay, and do the house work." He poked her in the forehead again,"You got me?" "No running." He looked back at the smuppets. "So creepy...." He said kinda loudly, still poking her head.

[Heir of Void]

Sol's phone played a quick couple notes of "beatdown". He would have to come back to Ben later, there were more important matters in the basement. " Erm, thorry Ben. I'll let you think about my quethtion. Tell me your anthwer later." said Sol, as he turned around and ran back the way he came, passing Zeke's room again, 'cept this time Zeke was shirtless. Something Sol didn't really want to see. Ever.

He ignored the sight as best as he could as he ran back down the stairs to the sight of a girl in the pile of Plush-Rump Smuppets and Rex kinda rubbing his head, either confused or in pain. " Exthcuthe me. I've got to get to my laptop. Thomeone jutht added a new thtory to my webthite." Sol pushed past Rex to enter the code into his door. After the code was confirmed he sprinted to get into his epileptic-seizure inducing room. Right after he disappeared, he stuck his head back out and said " I'll athk you about why there'th a girl in the thmuppetth later. Ta-Ta, Thuit-Man", and popped back in while shutting the door.

[Extraordinaire.]

The boy had obviously seen that Ave was in trouble, but she was still surprised by how quickly he'd caught on, as if the suit case hadn't given it away. She felt her shoulders relax, relieving an ungodly amount stress, as her face softened. Why was he being so kind to her?

"Oii, you think your leaving this late after breaking into the house, no, you gotta stay, and do the house work," he said in a light hearted tone, trying to lift her spirits.
"House work?" she repeated in a hushed tone, wondering if he was offering her a place in the house. As he poked jammed his finger she squinted, readjusting the headband that held back her unruly waves.
"You got me? No running..." the man said, but not in a menacing way, as he answered her silent question. Avelyn nodded her head and smiled gratefully, her eyes tearing up, refreshed with a new sense of relief. Since when had she become so weak?

"But, I can't, I mean... Where would I stay? What would you parents think?" she asked with a naive innocence. The boy seemed damned sure that she was staying, but nothing added up in her mind.

She looked up at him again, startled as another boy with a thick lisp walked in, retrieving his laptop. Was that his brother?

"I'll athk you about why there'th a girl in the thmuppetth later. Ta-Ta, Thuit-Man," the boy said to much of her amusement as she took a careful step away from the toys. At the same time though, she was even more bewildered by the boy's almost suave reaction to her being there, feeling as if she was missing something.

[Volcove]

"21, 22, 23, 24, 25..." Jason counted as he did his reps, probably seeming weird to people who passed by and heard him. Stopping at twenty-five, he heard a knock on the door. Standing up to answer, expecting Connor to be at the door, probably going to invite him to some chill hang out.

Opening the door, he saw Sophia, surprised, he just smiled at her, "Hold on. I'll put on a shirt. Come in!" Turning around, he took a plain white shirt and put it on. Going back he offered to carry the tray in, "Is this for me? Or did you bring this for yourself?" He joked, grinning.

[DragonGirl]

Oh God. What. Was. She. Doing. She started to turn around, but the door started to open. Too late. Where was his... shirt? Um. Wait, why was she here again? She felt the heavy tray in her hand. "Hi." She said smiling blankly, trying to keep her eye contact, but her eyes kept falling to his abs, even after his shirt was on. She really should've been used to this with a house full of guys, and considering her profession. She nudged the tray forward. Sophia could cook, but Alice was the social one. "I brought this for you, but if you're not hungry, I um... I.." Sophia stood there staring at the floor, staring at her damp hair, really starting to feel that awkward moment set in.

[Heir of Void]

Sol sat down in front of his personalized laptop, amidst the flashing lights and "Beatdown" playing at a decent volume. He had long ago soundproofed his room to prevent any complaints about noise. Right as he logged on to his website though, curiosity got the better of him. Sol stood up again, walked to the door flung it open and strode out to where Rex and the Smuppet girl were, leaving his door wide open with lights and music still going. He faced the girl by the Smuppets and then asked, " Umm, excuthe me? Who are you and why do you love thothe Thmuppetth tho much?"

[Volcove]

Sophia smiled, "Hi."

Nudging the tray forward, she said, "I brought this for you, but if you're not hungry, I um... I..," staring at the floor.

Jason smiled and took the tray, and placed it on his desk. Turning around, Jason saw that she felt awkward, and he didn't want that. Not with a potential friend, she was really nice, especially since she brought him food, and she didn't know him that much.

"Hey, since we didn't get to finish that conversation back before dinner, wanna talk? Really, don't be shy, I promise I don't bite." Jason said as he opened the door further, gestured her in to the small tidy room that probably could only fit four people inside.

[DragonGirl]

"Hey, since we didn't get to finish that conversation back before dinner, wanna talk? Really, don't be shy, I promise I don't bite." Jason said as he opened the door further.
"Yea, that would be great." Sophia smiled. She took the cue, and walked inside timidly. Sophia usually was quiet, but never this shy. She wasn't used to talking so directly. "You're probably not hungry, but I thought I'd stop by. How's everybody treating you?" Sophia smiled and sat at the edge of the bed.

[Volcove]

Jason smiled, "A little bit of desert wont hurt."

Leaving the door half closed, he sat down on the chair and looked at her. She seemed at ease, that made him feel better inside, at least he wasn't so intimidating. "This is a great place, how long have you been here? I mean everyone here gets along so well that it seems that you guys really are a family, I'm glad to be part of it." Jason said with surprising ease. Funny how the truth just comes out, he thought.

As he waited for her answer he took a sip from the drink, it would probably keep him awake for a while, but it hit the spot.

[DragonGirl]

"Oh, me?" Sophia asked, she wasn't used to people asking her things. "I showed up about three months ago. It's my new home, and everyone has their quirks, but they all mean well and are friendly. I wandered around for a few months before coming here, I wasn't as lucky to find it right away, but I'm glad I'm here now. How about you? What's your story?" Sophia asked. Maybe this wasn't as hard as she expected.

[Volcove]

Jason listened to her, then as she asked a question, he suddenly didn't feel like it was such a hard thing to say. "Nothing, just some problems at home, I used to live with my sister, but that's another story." Jason said without having to get into the fine print.

Deciding that he'd share his plans for tomorrow, "Well, I'm going out tomorrow to get some stuff that I need. I need new clothes and other items, if you aren't busy why don't you come along? Maybe the others would like to also." He said happily.

I have to go lol. Good night!

[DragonGirl]

"Um, yeah, I think I'm soposed to be going with Alice, but I'll talk to her and see if maybe we could work something out. I should let you get your rest, you're probably tired from the day. Goodnight." Sophia smiled, and shut the door quietly. She went upstairs, and for the first time in months, didn't wake herself up with screaming fits about her nightmares. The next morning she went to Alice's room. Sophia made sure to knock softly in case she was asleep.
((okay,bye!))

[Volcove]

Jason greeted her goodnight and thought of inviting the other guys tomorrow, maybe some chill time, he has to develop a bond with the people in the house. Standing up to go out and find the other guys, he decided he'd just do it tomorrow morning, he wouldn't be leaving until after lunch anyway.

Closing the door, Jason went back and sat down on the table, finished the cupcake and the drink, got the tray, quickly went upstairs to clean it all up and went back into his room. Deciding to lie down for a while, he thought of all the troubles he finally escaped, and how safe and welcome he felt in this place. Home... he thought, it definitely seemed like it.

He slept.

[Skeletor]

She was already up when Sophia knocked. Alice jumped over her bed and nimbly made her way to the door, buttoning up her plaid shirt half way. She thought there might have been something wrong. Cracking open the door, she smiled and said, "At your service, lass. What you be needin' this fine evenin'?" Flogging Molly played quietly on her stereo in the background. Alice laughed and jabbed a thumb in the direction of the stereo. "Sorry, feeling quite pirate-y this morning. What's up?"

[DragonGirl]

Sophia chcuckled. "If only I had your knowledge of music wise one." Sophia smiled. "I was wondering if we were still up for shopping, and Jason thought maybe I could tag along with him or something like that..."

[Momo13]

Delilah gasped as the water fell. The sound came out as a small squeak and she gracefully jumped back from the down pour of water. Over the years she had learned to be fast on her feet and a quick thinker. Her breathing was quick and shallow for a few seconds out of being startled, but soon calmed to a normal pace.

She watched as he took off his shirt and just tossed it aside. She thought he was going to be like her father when he turned back, but realized he was jus going to get a towel. Her heart rate calmed again and she slid into his room, avoiding the water. She would have to make sure that if she ever came to visit him to check for traps.

Her eyes wandered the room and she sat on the floor in the center and looked around. Thoughout her life, she was always being scolded for sitting in chairs or couches or beds she wasn't supposed to, so she just learned that it was very hard to go wrong by sitting on a floor. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for his return.

[Enfilon]

"sol, can do me a favor?" dropping his usual happy demonor, and putting a serious face. "Let her stay here, at least for the night." "She gave me a concussion, and do all the house work as payment for that and braking in." Then his usual self came back. "Maybe she can torch those devil like animals over there." He said with a creeped out smile. "Avelyn, take a seat, we'll be back." He walked out the door and gestured sol to follow.

[Heir of Void]

"Thure. The thmuppetth thtay though. The latht time we 'got rid of them', they came back thomehow. About five feet clother to my door. I think they are going to kill me." ,Sol stated, shivering as he recalled the memory. Sol then added," You guyth can both thtay in my room I gueth, you've proven yourthelf not to be a total Fed. Jutht thtay on the guetht thide." Sol followed Rex wherever he was going.

[Zenteer]

Zeke wipped most of the water off of him and walked to his room. Zeke patted his hair with the towel, getting most of the water off.

"Hey Delila can you toss me that black shirt on my bed?" Zeke rose his right hand slightly ready to catch it. Zeke grinned at her, to make sure she didn't feel that she was being forced to do it or anything.

[Enfilon]

as rex and sol left the room, rex closed the door behind him, he looked up at sol. "I know that look in her eye, she needs help, i can't just abandon someone like that." He continued. "And thanks for letting us stay in your room, but there is no way that can work forever, its only so big, and i know ben isnt going to happy she broke into here." He said this very hushed. Then quieting his voice a little more. "Thats why you need to lie to ben, come up with something good, so she can stay with less suspicion, can you do that for me sol?"

[Skeletor]

Alice nodded. "Yeah, no, I don't mind. I mean, I can just take one of the guys with me to go shopping and you and Jason can go have your fun." She smiled. It wasn't everyday Sophia met a guy she warmed up to. It was a rare occasion. She figured Sophia needed to expand her realm of friends anyway, so there was no harm done. Alice buckled her belt and whispered, "Alright, well, I'm gonna get ready for school. Have fun with Jason, Sophie." She didn't want to be too loud. If Ben had heard it, he probably would have thought there was some rule breaking going on.

[DragonGirl]

"thanks, you could tag along with us, I think some of the guys are going... Anyways, we can talk later, bye." Sophia went downstairs, searching for some breakfast. Her hair disheveled, but her stomach was growling so she rummaged through the pantry. She settled on cereal and sat down at the table.

[Skeletor]

Alice thought the idea of a group trip sounded like the last thing she needed. Her anxiety was already starting to increase with all the new people. While she had no trouble whatsoever being hospitable and socially friendly, it was hard for Alice to be truly comfortable and relaxed around someone until she was used to them being there. She always cared too much what people thought of her. The thought of having to grow comfortable with eating and such in front of these new people made her uneasy. When she first came here, she was suffering from anorexia nervosa. Though she wasn't exactly thin, she still refused to eat more than a few bites a day and cried herself to sleep at night, swearing up and down she was never going to be beautiful because of how fat she was. Slowly, all those memories came back and flooded Alice's mind. Only Ben and a couple of others knew she was anorexic when she first came to the home a year or so ago. They'd helped her over the major parts and she'd started eating normally and leading a happier life. Although lately, she was becoming more and more obsessed with how to be thin and was watching her calorie intake like a hawk. Slowly, but surely, Alice felt herself reverting back to her old habits. And who was she going to tell? Who would understand how she felt? No one. And what could they do to make it better? Nothing. Alice grabbed her apple on the way out the door, took a few bites and tossed it to the ground before leaving for school. No one needed to know. She could handle it herself.

[Extraordinaire.]

Avelyn opener her mouth to introduce herself to the kid with the lisp, but was interrupted by Rex's eager voice. "Let her stay here, at least for the night. She gave me a concussion, and will do all the house work as payment for that and braking in," he said to Sol, as Avelyn gave him a funny look. She hadn't signed up as a care giver and wasn't sure what their parents would think if some random girl was cleaning their house. If she was staying there for one night, she would have to spend all night working, which as she simply put it, was bull shit.
Rex told her to sit and left, isolating her in the strange room. Everything about the situation seemed too weird; she felt like she was a lost puppy that they were trying to keep a secret. She unwillingly sat on the bed, hearing indistinguishable whispering outside of the door. Laying on her side exhausted, she thought about how she would get out of there, but in moments had drifted off.

[Heir of Void]

"Lie to him? I could. I probably will, even though it ithnt in my betht interetht, theeing ath how if Ben findth out I'll be in shit so deep, Hell will have to dig a thtrip-mine to get to my handth." , said Sol. " I'll do it. If I don't make it............... you owe me a beer." ,said Sol. He was being comedic on his word choice, but he knew this was serious. He wasn't about to turn anyone away. As for the pause, it was for affect. He wasn't going to tell Rex to tell Alice goodbye for him if he was kicked out. "We should probably explain how everything workth here, before we thay she can thtay and introduce her to people."

[Enfilon]

"Sol, don't risk too much of yourself on this." Rex said a little worried. "I'll take the blame, if ben asks why you lied, tell him i lied to you." Looking back at the door. "We should keep her quiet until tomorrow, where we will have her enter on "her" own accord, hopefully it will lighten the situation." Rex spoke a little louder. "But im going to leave the decisions on you, im going back to talk to her." He opened the door and looked back at sol, with a big smile. "Ill owe you 2 beers for this one." He shut the door and walked up to avelyn, "so, tell me bout yourself." but hushed his voice as he saw she was asleep. He realized it was rude of him to just order her around and not answer her questions, well what now. He shook with a little chill, "little cold in here." He found a blanket, and put it over the girl." He sat there watching the smuppets evil eyes dig into his soul. He shivered but this time he wasn't cold. Then he just kinda sat and watched the girl. That look in her eyes reminded it of himself. And he dozed off, dreaming of unpleasent memories.

[Momo13]

Delilah nodded and stood to go grab the shirt. SHe tossed it back and looked around the room. "This is pretty nice." She nodded, but kept her gaze down.

"QUick question, do you know if there are any Dance Studios around here? ANd perferably any of them that are hiring?" She wasn't going to be picky about her job, but she she would prefer to try to find someplace she liked. ANd someplace that wasnt wendys or anything similar. Her hands fiddled with the bottom of her shirt as she waited for his reply. "And school.....Do we actually go to school? And how hard would it be for me to get enrolled." She realized that it was late, and sh should probably wait until morning to ask all these questions....but she was nervous and curious about what her life would be like.

[Heir of Void]

Sure hope the smuppets don't get to them., Sol thought as he exited the area to go back upstairs. Before leaving, he grabbed his laptop and headphones. He needed to think about this for awhile. Sol turned to the stairs strode up, turned left and went onto the balcony, from which he climbed onto the roof. The other tenants probably didn't know that there was a flat space just large enough for two people to lay back on and watch the stars. Too bad Sol didn't really do that unless he was upset. Tonight he just hung upside down, looking into his laptop and listening to 'Anesthesia' by Bad Religion, while trying to think of some lie that would be good enough to pass Ben's 'stare-into-your-soul' test.

Sol decided he would tell Ben that he had found her in a box, with a cat and a fox, not eating the green eggs and ham. That would sound normal for him and sad for the new girl. And to thin he still had to buy the tree and a couple new things for the house. "It'th hard being a kid and growin' up. It'th hard and no-one bethideth uth really underthtand" Sol said to the kind ,soft breeze.

[Zenteer]

"Come sit on the bed Delila, the bed won't try to eat you or anything even though its a magician's bed."

Zeke retrieved the shirt as it sailed by. He stood in the doorway as he tossed the wet towel into the laundry bin.

"I think their might be a dance studio about 10 minutes down the highway" Zeke shrugged.

Zeke began donning his shirt as he replied "I could give you a quick tour around the place if you want. I've already graduated a few months back. Are you a senior? Anyways, I don't really know if their hiring. I don't really hang out there ya know?"

Zeke finished putting on his shirt at glanced down at it, something seems a bit off. It looked lighter and the picture of a magician Mickey mouse was slightly blurred out. Agh...its inside out... Stripping his shirt off once again, Zeke answered her second question.

"Ben kinda wants us to go to school. I can't really go to school, considering I already graduated. Unless Ben is going to try to figure out to toss me back in school to get rid of me." Zeke held out his shirt in front of him and started to flip it inside out, turning it back to normal.

"Most of the people here go to school, only person that doesn't is Ben and I, I think...You could ask Alice or Sophia more about school. I know where it is though, I picked them up plenty of times." Finally Zeke began to don it once again...this time without any problems.

[Momo13]

Delilah slowly wandered to the bed and sat on the edge. She tried not to look at him when he was shirtless, but it was hard seeing as right after he put on the shirt he took it back off. It wouldnt be the first time she had seen a guy without a shirt, kyle was shirtless all the time around her. As well as her father and dance partners and her instructor. But this was a guy she barely knew, and didnt want to make him feel uncomfotable. Although, she probably was by keeping her eyes away from him.

"Alright, thanks." Ten minutes down high way. She wondered how long by foot. Probably an hour or so. "And yea, i'm a senior. But i have no hope in education after high school. No money, no scholarships, no hope. May sound a bit depressing, but thats life right?" She sighed and looked at her hands. "THats life. Who knows, this place might be worth it though. Maybe i can find out who i really am here." Maybe she wouldnt have to hid herself here.

[Zenteer]

Zeke strolled to the bed and laid across the bed next to Delila. With the side where is head and feet are suppose to be parallel to his body. His legs hung off the bed like vines trying to grab onto a tree. Zeke shifted his arms to the back of his head, to use as a headrest.

"I don't really have dreams for an education that much either. Tomorrow's Monday, so we could take a drive to the dance studio and then we'll enroll you to the school later in the day." Zeke twirled a string of hair as he thought of their plan of action.

"I'm free tomorrow anyways, not as if I have a ton of things to do tomorrow" Hearing her speech about life, lit a small spark in him, about his parents who pretty much banned anything that was fun in his life. He rarely went to parties, or really got out of the house instead of school.

Living here gave him a sense of freedom, that he never had. "We're all friends and family here. This place is like the key to the cage that holds your hearts and feelings. You can be yourself, and not be judged by us. We were all judged on by others, so we all know how you feel"

[Extraordinaire.]

Avelyn rolled lazily in the bed, hiddenly deeply behind the thick blanket. She opened her eyes, minutes before they adjusted to the dark room, and sighed, remembering that shwas in another strange house. But who had given her a blanket?

She couldn't picture the boy's face, or remember his name even, but he had been unconditionally kind to her, if not confusing as hell. But, that's all he would ever be. A nice guy that had done a huge favor for her. But, like every other morning, it was time to move on. She didn't want the boy's parents to find her and while she appreciated his deed, she couldn't put such a burden onto his life. She had agreed not to run, but she had already left clear tracks and was running out of options.

Going to the basement door, she pushed as hard as she could but the bloody thing still wouldn't bulge. Searching blindly for the light in the dark room, she ended up stumbling over the boy who had fallen asleep, diving face first into the smuppets, with as little grace as possible. Yelping out a scream as she stared wide eyed at one of the creepy toys, she scrambled to her knees, shuffling away from the possessed stuffed animal.

[Momo13]

Delilah nodded but kept looking at her hands. "SO....I should try to get some sleep then. It is getting late." She muttered softly. "Thank you for all the advice. She smiled once more and stood. She felt comfortable around him, but at the same time very nervous.

When he said they could go to the dance studio, she offered a small smile. "I could probably just walk there. You dont need to come with me...." She had grown accustom to walking far away places. It was how she stayed in shape when not dancing. It was also how she traveled in new york.

[Enfilon]

"Wait...wait...wait.dont...go...im....right....here ..." Rex was having his usual horrible nighmare. "Please....god..." with that, he snapped awake, at the sound of a scream. He wiped the tear that was on his eye, and went over to the girl. He picked her uup, by the shirt , he pulled her up, standing. "If you love them that much, i dont think sol would mind giving you a couple." He said with a smile.

[Zenteer]

"We'll discuss it tomorrow-" A loud stifling yawn interrupted his sentence. Man, it was late.

"Anyways you should head up stairs and take a nap, its really late." Snatching up a small green tennis ball from a pile at the foot of his bed, Zeke tossed it at the light-switch. Instantaneous shrouding them in darkness. Always keep a pile of throw able objects ready to throw at the light-switch. Just in case your in a lazy mood.

"Good night Delila" Zeke mumbled. Zeke rolled into the correct position, and sleep quickly overtook him.

[Momo13]

Delilah slid out of his room when the lights went off. She rushed up the stairs and into the room that was given to her. She closed the door and flicked off the lights before slipping out of her jeans and into her only pair of sweat pants and into a tank top to go to sleep in.

She crawled into the bed and snuggled under the covers. She closed her eyes and let herself be taken by slumber. Her body slowly relaxed and she was completely out of it. She wouldnt be woken by sound easily, but if someone tried to touch her she would snap awake though.


--

Zach was the first up and to take a shower. He woke so early so he could take the time to get ready for the day. He washed up, brushed his teath, then went back to his room to start on his hair. He dried it and started brushing it out. Once it was unknotted, he started towel drying it then took his flat iron to it.

His black hair was straitened perfectly after working with it for about forty five minutes. He then went through his wardrobe and pulled out a plad button down shirt and some dark jeans. He pulled on his shoes and double checked to make sure everything was perfect. Once he was certain it was, he started down stairs to the kitchen to make some eggs for everyone.

[Extraordinaire.]

Avelyn's shoulders tensed as he yanked her up by the shirt and she felt her legs get frenzied, squeamish of what he was going to do to her. Wincing, afraid he was pissed that he was pissed about how noisy she was being, she quickly pulled away, deeper into the pile of toys. She was surprised when he cracked a joke, equipped with a friendly smile. As one poked against her leg her tall frame jumped, practically sprinting to the bed. She shivered, creeped out by the toys.
"I should probably get out before someone finds me," she sighed, shaking her head, as she combed her fingers through her long messy hair. "Thank you for keeping me for the night," she smiled graciously, trying to find a way out of the room.

[Enfilon]

"wasnt my choice, i wanted to through you in the dumpster with the smuppets, but sol insisted you stay." He said wiht his nose in the air and with a sarcastic tone." "You should leavev before mommy and daddy get here and remove my allowance." He kept is nose up, but opened one eye and looked at her with a smile. "Thats probably what you were expecting, but no," he said with his head back to normal and tone, "Welcome to the runaway orphanage."

[Extraordinaire.]

"The... What?" Avelyn asked, taken back by what he had just said. The guy had gone from being a sarcastic asshole to talking about what sounded like a bad Hollywood film; unless he was still being sarcastic.
"Cut the attitude," she said in an annoyed tone, grabbing her bag. "So no adults live here? At all?" she asked, hoping she didn't look like a complete idiot, falling for what might as well be a joke.

[Zenteer]

Zeke barely manage to left an eyelid, as tumbled down onto the cold hard wooden floor. Headfirst onto the ground, with his legs still managing to hang onto the bed. Memories of the previous day flooded through him, as he half shock himself awake. Zeke was hoping he can give Delila a ride, when she said she was going to walk. Too bad I don't take no for an answer. Using the bed as a support, Zeke lifted himself off the ground. Zeke stretched for a few seconds, warming up his joints and muscles.

Being on the first floor has its disadvantages, noisiness, being to first to hold of burglars, and when someone accidentally burns toast that frickin' fire alarm destroy my eardrums.
But one advantage is smelling the delicious aroma of food, and being the first to get it.

Zeke stumbled into the bathroom and did his daily hygene things, brushing his teeth, deodorant, among other things. The bright lights finally shook him awake. Zeke followed his nose and arrived at the kitchen, to see Zach making eggs and toast or something.

"Yo man, what's cooking?" Zeke rose his hand in greeting.

[Enfilon]

He stepped back. " why are you pissed?, i figured you be happy that you can have a home here.......... Its cuz of my cheesy line isn't it? He put his face close to hers. "Well, ms critic, kmyou can some of my poetry--haha." he laughed. "Sorry even i cant say poetry with a straight face." "But in all seriousness, i have no family here, theres 2 adults i think, sol and ben, and they are probably early twenties." he saide thinking. "but this is my first day here as well so im not sure, but just by looking at them, i can tell, they've haad their share of rough pasts." He smile went to a caring face. "As i can see with you, so your welcome to stay is what id like to say.' "but sadly i dont own this place, so you will have to talk to ben." He frowned. "thers a smuppet stuck to your butt...."

[Momo13]

Zach looked up from the stove and over to Zeke. "Just some eggs for all of us. Dont have much else....at least not enough for everyone here anymore. We'll have to go shopping." He didnt really mind cooking, but cooking for a lot of people got on his nerves.

"How is the new girl doing?" He asked, scrabling the eggs in the large pan. He wondered how much he scarred the pour girl last night. Zach hadnt seen her yet this morning, then again, he didnt see a lot of people until break fast.

ALthough, five bucks says that Ben was up and awake. Probably checking tapes and making sure everything was how it was suposed to be.

[Zenteer]

Zeke glanced at the empty table, and assisted Zach by placing the plates and silverware.

"So whos next on the grocery shopping list?" The teens would all take turns on grocery shoping. Each person writing down one or two items that they want, on a piece of paper, then rewriting all of the items onto the final shopping list.

"Delila settling in pretty well, appears to be a dancer. I was thinking of driving her to that dance studio, about ten minutes down the Highway, The Millennium Dance Center or something. You know that place?"

Zeke finished and dusted off his imaginary dust. "You want me to call the others down here for some breakfast?" Zeke jerked his head in the direction of the stairs.

[Skeletor]

While Alice was sitting in her first class of the day, she remembered that she said she was supposed to invite someone to go shopping with her. Well, she wasn't really close with anyone in particular aside from Sophia, Ben and Connor. Alice raised a brow at the thought of Connor. He never really got out much and seemed to take things too seriously sometimes. It would be a nice gesture to invite him first instead of making him be a last resort...people sometimes did that to him. Maybe it was because he was often off in his own little world, even though he was one of the most helpful people in the house. She whipped out her phone and sent Connor a text message, hiding her actions in the pocket of her jacket so Mrs. Ingram wouldn't have seen what she was up to. Sending the text message and putting her phone on silent in case she got a reply while in class, Alice went back to paying attention in English. "I've got some shopping to do today...would you like to go with me after school?," it read.

[Momo13]

Zach nodded. "Alright, sure. And that's nice of you to take her there. Dont forget to drop her off by the school to get her registered. Alice could probably help with that." Zach offered a small smile and turned back to the stove where he started making the second batch of eggs. Yea, they would definitly need more food soon.

"I think Alice is next, although i could be wrong. And I know the dance studio. Its pretty nice, the instructor can be a bit harsh, but is always welcoming more people if they have the money. Delilah might have that small problem, not quite sure. But if she is a good dancer, maybe she could get a job as an assistant there or something." Zach once dated a guy who danced there, but that was a few years back when they first moved in.

[Zenteer]

"Don't worry dude, I'll enroll her along the way. I'm pretty sure I can enroll her by myself, but if I need help I'll call Alice." Zeke had already began to ambled to the stairs as Zach talked about the dance studio.

"So the place isn't completely hell right?" Zeke trekked upwards on the stairs. Zeke finally reached the top and started knocking on all the doors, yelling "Breakfast is ready! Get it while its hot! Unless you want to give it to someone else!" Zeke slid down the handrail and began to repeat the process on the basement.

Zeke walked back to the kitchen, satisfied that his job was complete. "Need me to do anything else?"

[Heir of Void]

A few hours after descending from the roof, Sol skipped breakfast and went down to his room. He didn't take notice if anyone was there or not, he had more important things to focus on. First, he had to get into the system and replace the footage from camera 4 that overlooked the outside entrance to the basement, so the new girl wouldn't get turned down at the door. He didn't enjoy doing it, even though it wasn't very difficult. It was just he didn't like lying to people.

With that done, he began to continue to write his short novel "Revolution of the Gifted". He had finished about 213 pages, after finishing three more he recieved a text from Alice. Sol figured he would go, so he replied "2ur3, 1 would love too. >=7".

[Skeletor]

After school, Alice swung by the house and inquired about the shopping list. It was her turn this time to shop for everyone. She figured she might as well do it today, given that she already had to pick up the wrapping paper and a few holiday decorations. She came in through the door and tossed her backpack in the corner of the living room. She'd probably be sleeping there later, so Alice figured she'd attempt to claim the spot beforehand. "Alright, I'mma need to confiscate two things, ya rotten kids; Sol and that there shopping list for the young 'uns." she said, acting as if she drew two guns from imaginary holsters attached to her belt. She feigned tipping her cowboy hat and giggled as she walked into the kitchen. She did this a lot...the weird voices and such. It entertained Alice and she hoped to get a smile from the others as well. "No but seriously, I'm going shopping. Woo!"

[Heir of Void]

Sol was hanging upside down on the couch again as Alice walked in, he had his wallet ready as well as the size for the tree and the list of objects he would need later when he got the tree lights ready."I thtand ready to be confithcated." said Sol. "Ath for the new people, I may not have their litht, but I have taken a litht of the thtuff we'll need food-withe."

[Skeletor]

Alice grinned and tugged the corner of Sol's shirt. "Well thank ya there, pardner. Looks like yer my temporary partner in crime, boy." She made sure she had her wallet, the list, and her keys and glanced over at Sol. "First, thank you for your help, and second, is there any music you'd like to bring? I'm up for anything. We'll blast whatever you want on the way there." Alice was always looking to expand her knowledge of music and encouraged people to bring along whatever they liked when they were with her.

[Heir of Void]

"Thure, thoundth great. How do you feel? I have muthic for every emotion. But it ith betht if it thiutth how you feel." said Sol after he stood up. "You theem kind of thtressed so I would recommend either thomething thoft or Bad Religion'th 'New Mapth of Hell' album."

[DragonGirl]

Sophia watched as they started to prepare breakfast for all, she had eaten, but went to talk to Ben and Zeke. "good morning" she smiled, trying to keep up her social act "Do you want me to get the guys from downstairs?"

[Skeletor]

Alice raised an interested brow. "Impressive. I never would have thought that you were the Bad Religion type, Sol. Yeah, that sounds fantastic, man." When Alice and Connor were sure they had everything before they left, they headed out the door, hopped into her car and drove off. The song "Scrutiny" blasted through her speakers as she sang along and drummed on the steering wheel with one hand. For as long as she'd known him, Alice had no idea that she and Connor had anything in common musically...it was nice to have that in common. Music was magic. Especially when it was shared with someone on a personal level.

[Extraordinaire.]

"What the f*** is this guy talking about? Ave thought to herself as he rambled on about poetry, confusing the hell out of her.

"But in all seriousness, i have no family here, theres 2 adults i think, sol and ben, and they are probably early twenties." he saide thinking. "but this is my first day here as well so im not sure, but just by looking at them, i can tell, they've haad their share of rough pasts," he said with a caring smile. "As i can see with you, so your welcome to stay is what id like to say," he said a moment later as Avelyn ducked her head. She decided then that sh would rather keep her past to herself
"but sadly i dont own this place, so you will have to talk to ben," he continued.

There's no adults here? And everyone else can relate to you; they're all going through the same concept as you are...

"Well, can I meet them then?"

[Volcove]

There was no window in his room, but the sound coming from upstairs told Jason that it was time to get up. He woke up, stood up and stretched, thinking about the amazing day before him. It wasn't time to be sad anymore, he could go out and actually for the first time, have fun. Remembering his priorities though, he got down and placed his feet on the bed and started doing push ups, just like last night. As he counted, instead of his mind being empty, he thought of what he'd be able to do today.

Get clothes, buy other things, and maybe be able to actually eat something that wasn't cheap. That made him smile, and as he finished with his push ups, he turned around and started to do sit ups, trying to think of how much he'd actually need to spend today. He usually didn't do this, this was a special day, the day of his freedom. The start of a new life.

[Momo13]

Ben started out of his room at the sounds coming from down stairs. Breakfast time. He sighed and pulled on a shirt and fixed his hair as he decended from the attic. He slid into the dining room and plopped himself down in a chair. Yes, he had been up for a few hours by now, but he still wasnt really awake. And he wouldnt be awake until his first cup of coffee.

He staired blankly at the place in front of him until Zach put down a steaming mug. Zach ruffled his hair before going back into the kitchen. Ben chuckled and ran a hand through his hair and took a sip of the black substance in the warm mug.

"Thanks Zach." He looked around. "Hey, anyone sure if the new girl got up?" He was talking about Delilah. He hadn't seen her down stairs and didnt want anything to happen to her yet. "Has anyone seen her this morning?" It would have been a first for someone to run away from this house on teh first night being here.

[Zenteer]

Zeke leaned on the wall, arms crossed. "Naw, she's probably asleep"

Zeke directed himself to the fridge and tossed it open, naming the item as he scanned the fridge. "Milk, Half-Eaten Yogurt, Fruit-Cup, What the bloody hell is that? Yes! Orange Juice!"

Zeke held it to his ear, shaking it slightly to hear the juice inside of it. The orange juice box stayed silent. "Crap, no orange juice" Zeke chucked it into the trash.

Easing himself into his seat next to Ben, Zeke explained "She wanted to go to the Millennium dance studio place, I was planning on driving her there"

Zeke stared at the ceiling, a suspicious looking brown spot cling to the ceiling. Arms crossed and on the table, Zeke frowned. "Though she did say she wanted to walk there, she could have already left"

[Enfilon]

"uh yeah, just try and seem more polite than i was." he said laughing. " Breakfest should be done bout now, you ccan have mine, while i go to work, if you need anything, call me, or talk to sol." GHe handed her a piece of paper with his number on it.

[Heir of Void]

Sol was in shotgun of Alice's car, partially focusing on what he had to purchase once they reached the shops, but more-so having his focus shifted to Alice, her hair waving blissfully in the wind while she sang. Again, the thought came rushing 'round Sol's head- She is so beautiful.-This time though, the thought was more forceful, stronger. Sol always had known he always had a bit of a crush on Alice, but here..... did he finally realize the truth? Did he love her?

Before he had the chance to really dwell on that topic, they were at the store. Sol felt kind of disappointed that he would have to drop that subject in his mind for a while, otherwise he would just get moody and forget why he was at the store in the first place."Let the outrageouth thpending begin!1!!1", said Sol, trying to keep his thoughts from influencing the tone of his words.

[Skeletor]

Alice chuckled and shrugged, "It's not too outrageous. With all the money I earn working full-time, I've got enough here to please everyone's needs for food and such." It was nice to have a male companion around for once. Alice had been spending a lot of time around females lately, which wasn't bad. It was just that Alice wasn't exactly the type to be hanging with chicks all the time. She'd rather "chill with the dudes". But was there a deeper reason for why she enjoyed Sol's company immensely? She felt the familiar rush of sudden interest in him that she felt with a lot of crushes before she fell head overs heels and couldn't quit thinking about them. Alice waved the thought away as they walked into the store. There were holiday decorations everywhere and Christmas music playing on the store's intercom. As they walked toward the Christmas section (food always came last when shopping, she knew) Alice boldly hooked her arm in Sol's and pointed toward the store greeter in a green elf suit, repeating pleasantries as everyone came in. In an Irish accent she said, pointing and grinning, "Aye, et's a wee man in a green suit, lad. Where d'ya think he's hidin' his gold?" Oh, today was going to be so much fun.

[Heir of Void]

Sol blushed intensely, thankful for his anaglyph shades hiding the surprised look in his eyes. He tilted his head and looked at the man in santa's-elf attire and saw his teeth. "Well, if you look at hith thmile, you can thee he hath about a pound of gold plating right there. Or it could be the thparkle in hith eyeth." It was true, the man looked like he had almost all his teeth contained within gold fillings. But hey, thats why you should brush. Also, the elderly greeter had an intelligent sheen in his eyes, like he truly enjoyed doing this, which was nice. Sol said, still hiding his blush,"Tho, where should we thtart?"

[Skeletor]

Alice chuckled. "You take things too literally, my friend." She nudged his side playfully and pointed toward the aisle with all the Christmas decorations. "Well, food always goes last. And I need four rolls of wrapping paper, some lights, and a stocking for each person in the house." She paused and looked over at him. "From what I hear, you need a tree. I figure we'll do those things first, grab the food and then be back home by suppertime. Think we can do it?" Alice moved again, Sol keeping in stride beside her as they walked arm in arm.

As they began sorting through all the different decorations, Alice made Sol try on a pair of fake felt antlers and snapped a picture with her phone. "Blackmail," she said, chuckling. Alice grabbed her wrapping paper, six strands of lights and a stocking for each person in the house, then began poking around near the tree section. "Oooo what color should we pick? One of the white trees? Or a green one...hey this one has lights in it already!" If there was one thing Alice loved...it was shopping. And Christmas!

[Heir of Void]

Sol stayed with her as she walked around, offering his opinions. The antler thing.......he figured it was alright, smiling. "I don't know about a plathtic tree, it jutht theemth tho.....ironic. Thomethin' natural, made into a plathtic thing, it jutht weirdth me out a bit. I altho love the thcent of pine, 'till it drieth out and all the dead pine needleth have to be cleaned out of the carpet. What do you think?" said Sol, his eyes hidden behind his shades but looking directly into Alice's lively,green eyes that remind him so much of a vibrant forest. Their faces only a foot or so apart.

[Skeletor]

Alice smiled, crossing her arms as she looked at Sol, impressed by his opinion. "Ooo. A poet and I'll betcha didn't know it." She looked at a white seven footer and tilted her head. "But where else are you going to get one that's white and that can easily be used for another year? Look how it sparkles...it's beauty captured forever while the natural thing won't either stay white or be alive for long." She shook her head. "Ah, don't listen to me. One thing you've got to remember about me, is that I'm a rebel. And I rarely agree with anything, even if I secretly do inside." Alice chuckled and tapped the tip of Sol's nose. "We can just pick up a real tree on the way on the way home, if you'd like."

[Heir of Void]

"I gueth that maketh uth a pair of poetth, then. But, if we buy a plathtic tree, how will we ever be able to go tree shopping together like thith again to have philothophical dithcuthionth on the true thoul of cheap chrithmath treeth?" Sol had to make sure it wasn't to obvious that he loved spending time with Alice, because she might get weirded out. He asked this question specifically to gauge her feelings towards hanging out with him.

[Skeletor]

Alice laughed and shook her head. "You really are somethin'." She looked up at him and winked, reaching up to tousle his hair. "And you don't have to get a fake tree just to spend time with me next year. You can do that anytime you want, Connor." She subtly withdrew as Alice realized she was outright flirting with him now. And she'd slipped and called him his real name. It was so natural...she was her own goofy self around him and he seemed to enjoy it. Alice wasn't used to that sort of thing. She avoided his eyes and cleared her throat. "So, uh...onto the food, I suppose?"

[Heir of Void]

"Uhhhhh, yeah. Okay." said Sol, blushing more than humanly possible now. "Thooooo, what ith, ummm, on the litht?" Sol kinda stood there being awkward after Alice broke eye contact. He was filled with warmth when she had winked at him, like as if his soul had just been given the ability to fly. He would probably have given up the flying part if he could just see her wink at him again.

[Skeletor]

Alice pulled the list out of her pocket. "Uh, well, basics first. Eggs, bread, butter, milk, sugar and whatnot. Then fixings for different dishes. Some for breakfast. Mostly for dinner and lunch. Like spaghetti, soup, sandwich-making stuff...that kind of thing." She decided not to tuck her arm in his as they walked toward the food section. Alice couldn't help but feel as if she was making the time they spent together awkward.

They eventually required two carts for all their groceries and when it was all said and done, they checked out, packed their things in the trunk of Alice's car and took off to find a tree, blasting Bad Religion's "Prodigal Son" on their way there. Alice chuckled, "Well, I've got bungee cords in the backseat...we can strap the tree on the hood and be home within a half hour. Sound about right, Sol?"

[Enfilon]

Can i meet them? "sure, but i doubt they will be happy about you breaking in, so i would sneak out and formally come in." he said. He looked at the watch on his wrist, "well i should be going, stay out of trouble." Then he tussled her hair, "if ben says no, you caan have my spot." He said with a big smile and left before she could reply, going outside not saying to anyone.he walked out and headed towards the parking garage that was a ways away.

[Heir of Void]

"Yea. Thoundth good with me. I jutht hope they have the right thize." , Sol said. He was kind of disheartened that Alice was acting more distant ever since the store. He was berating himself in his mind for being so awkward and terrible at romance. He still had the secret list in his mind of supplies he would get at the lumber station that doubled as a Christmas department. Even if he tried, he couldn't help but continually glance over at Alice. He wondered if she noticed. He wouldn't really know how to play it off if she caught him looking at her eyes. " There'th a thtorm coming in, it lookth like." said Sol, to give a topic of conversation. The clouds were in fact very low and dark. The weather report suggested either heavy rain or light hail. Again, looking at Alice's eyes as they reflected the white light from the clouds blocking the sun, maaking them sparkle brighter than crystal.

[Skeletor]

Alice resisted the urge to look over at Connor. She saw out of the corner of her eye that he peered over at her every once in awhile. Once, she glanced at him sidelong, smiling a bit and he caught her gaze. She held it for a bit, laughed and went back to paying attention to the road, and drumming on the steering wheel. When he made the mention of weather, she had an idea. "Well, do you just want to go home, then? It looks like it might end up getting ugly outside. We can always go get the tree a couple of days from now, if you'd like. I'm off work day after tomorrow..." She thought maybe it would be a good way to get to spend time together again and to have a legitimate reason for doing so.

[Heir of Void]

Her laughter filled his heart. It suited her, being at peace. He couldn't believe that anyone would wan't to cause her to be otherwise. Even though it was probably just Sol's imagination, the world around them lightened for a bit, as if her happiness brought light into the world again. A world that is usually so dark. "The kidth 'll be dithappointed, but I think it will be good to thee what everybody wantth in a tree firtht. Tho.... thure. Thoundth like a plan.", Sol was looking forward to the days ahead with excitement. For the first time in a long while.

[Skeletor]

Alice nodded. "Yeah. Since you and I can't decide on anything wholly, we'll just take a vote. So that way no one is dismayed with the outcome and everyone has a say." When they got home, it was beginning to get dark outside. They unloaded the car, put away the groceries together and Alice informed everyone that the shopping was done. She figured she'd wait til dinner to talk about the tree, where everyone was present and listening. For now, she decided to relax until then.

[Enfilon]

rex walked for about 45 minutes, and pulled out and lit a cigarette, putting in his mouth but not puffing any of it, just letting it burn. After another hour of walking, he reahced the parking garage. He pulled out his wallet, and graved his ticket. "dave, were you able to fix it up?" "yeah rex, but it wasnt cheap, i cant believe your alive after that..." "i know dave, i should be dead, hers the ticket." He gave them the ticket and he took the elevator to floor 4, and saw his jet black motorcycle in perfect condition. "looks good. He walked up, got his helmet on, and shot out of the 4 floors and out to the street.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was tired of waiting for everyone come to breakfast. She had already eaten, and Jason wasn't even in sight. Fine. She would go for a walk and come back later, when everyone had got their stuff together. Since she didn't have a car to go do anything, she thought she would enjoy the morning air. She went upstairs and changed into her tight ripped jeans, black v-neck, and ripped biker boots. She still had a bed head, but had managed to slap on some black eyeliner. She started to cross the driveway so she could get to town.

[Enfilon]

rex felt much better. he had had a bad morning and, he was out of it, but being on the bike made him feel much better. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, when he opened them, there was a girl right in the middle the street. "Oh shit!" He slammed his handbrake, and started to pull an endo (front wheelie), kicking his legs around his turned the bike about 180 degrees and let the bbrake go, but hit the gas, he jumped off rolling right into the girl, luckily, the bike was ok, and so was she.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was preoccupied with her thoughts, maybe she could get her hands on some smokes... suddenly a screeching noise knocked her out of them. Literally. The next thing Sophia knew was that her back was on the asphalt, and two green eyes were looking at her. All she could get out was a choking sound. God. Why did she embarass herself so much?

[Enfilon]

"ummmmm..." Rex looked down, he was laying on this girl kinda sexually."Sorry..." He hoped up, and pulled her up too, he had a full face helmet, but his visor was up, so she could see his eyes. He realized he had seen the girl before, he was thinking back but couldn't remember. Then he snapped out of it. "Are you ok?" Then he said sarcasticly. "More importantly, have you ever heard of a crosswalk?" he said very sarcasticly.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia acted as she usually did once she had embarassed herself. Angry. "Yea. Yea I have heard of a crosswalk. Thankyouverymuch. I didn't know people walking across the street had to wear helmets too now these days. I wouldn't even have to worry about a freakin crosswalk if you wouldn't drive like an idiot, and you better be glad tha......." Sophia stopped ranting at him as she stared into his eyes. God. He sure looked familiar. Hoping this wasn't a customer she asked "Do I know you?"

[Enfilon]

So she knew him too..... he took his helmet, and biker jacket off. "My name is rex, rex nicis. I think i know you too, but i cant put my finger on it....." Then realized thst she was being bitchy. "I have an extra helmet if you ever want it when you go walking again." He said with a big smile.

[DragonGirl]

"You asshole." Sophia said with a smile. "You think you're funny don't you? Well why can't I use the helmet to ride instead?" Sophia said as he pointed at the bike. "That's a nice ride you got there."

[Enfilon]

"thanks, and sorry, im a sarcastic bastard." Then he looked at her again. "now i remember, you were at the dinner table at ben's!" he said snapping his fingers. "Never caught your name though." he pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. "Excuse real quick, i guess i owe you a ride but let me smoke first."

[DragonGirl]

Sophia coughed. "I can be pretty good at sarcasm too ya know..." Sophia snatched the cigaretter out of his fingers just as it had reached his mouth. "You almost killed me, the least you could do is give me a smoke, AND a ride" Sophia smirked.

[Enfilon]

He was little shocked, she seemed young and was smoking. "you shouldn't smoke says the smoker." he laughed, he started smoking for an outlet for his anger, she has her reasons. He walked over and picked his bike up, and graved his extra jacket and helmet. He walked over and handed them over. "come over when your done." he pulled a rag out and started rubbing out the scuffs.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia inhaled the smoke and let it out her nose. Ah. She hadn't had one in days. No one would sell her any, they had found out her age. Sophia took the jacket and put it on. She had already relaxed, and glad she got a fix. The last couple of days she could feel her anxiety going up. Sophia took the last huge puff and let it out. She put on the helmet, feeling slightly nervous. She had only been on a motorcycle once, and she had been drunk. She puked on the guy, and he dumped her on the side of the highway. Sophia let her ego get the best of her, and wanted to back out. She took a deep breath, dropping the cigarette, and putting it out with her toe of her boot. Sophia walked over to Rex and waited for his cue. "Ready. By the way, I'm Sophia."

[Enfilon]

"cute name, cuter with a helmet." He said with a sarcastic smile. "alright." He got on the bike and started it, "where do you wanna go soph?"

[DragonGirl]

"Wherever the road takes us." Sophia said trying to be all mysterious... and then she heard a grumble in her stomach as she got on the motorcycle. "Maybe the road could take us to get something to eat or coffee?" Sophia hoped her many bracelets and jacket would cover up the scars on her wrists. She knew they would come back to haunt her eventually. Making her look like a freak. Sophia wrapped her arms around his waist, waiting to see where they would end up. "Oh, by the way, in case you plan on kidnapping me and killing me like the many CSI and law and orders I've watched, I want to let you know I am well armed with pepper spray. And no, I do not watch too much t.v." Sophia said sarcastically.

[Enfilon]

(im going to assume you are on he bike)
"hahaha, pepper spray the driver of the motorcycle your on, what could go wrong?" He reved the throttle a little, kicked it into gear, and took off pretty fast, he wasnt one to show off, but this girl needed a little excitement.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia began to smile at his remark, but before she could think of a sarcastic remark, she was thrown backwards. ohmygod. this guy was crazy, what had she gotten herself into? She had planned on keeping a friendly distance from him, but at the speed they were going she scooted forward. Her hands found eachother on the other side of him, and she held on tight, waiting for his next trick.

[Enfilon]

as she gripped him tightly, it felt odd, he never rode with anyone on his before, let alone a girl, he was getting really lucky with lights and they were all green, he pulled to his favorite coffee shop, in half the time as usual. "We're here soph." He said taking off his helmet. He kicked the kick stand out and started filling the meter maid

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was glad they had stopped. She couldn't take that much longer. She looked at him putting money into the meter. "Seriously?" Sophia looked at him as if he had grown a third eye. "Aren't you soposed to be Mr. Badboy? You're filling the meter? What other lawful things do you do? Please tell!"

[Enfilon]

"uhhhh, i registered that stolen bike, i think that counts." He said laughing. "come on lets get some coffee." He held the door open for her

[DragonGirl]

Sophia stared blankly at him. Did he never NOT have a comeback? He held the door open and looked at him confused. Someone walked in ahead of her, and then she realized he had opened it for her. No one ever did this. Usually she was treated as trash. She put her head down slightly embarassed, and walked in.

[Enfilon]

He laughed at the girl. I guess chivalry is dead in her world he thought as he pulled out a chair for her. wondering how she would react to that. He walked to the lady, "Two menus please, susy." "Of course Rex." She handed him the menus and he sat across from where soph was going to sit. "Its a real "quaint" place." he said wryly. "the best part is, its good and cheap." He said laughing.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia sat down, and looked behind her as he went to ask for a menu. She could get used to this she thought. Too bad it would be over in a matter of hours, if even that. She smiled at his remark of it being cheap. "I see, as you've made friends here..." she said, waiting for the awkward silence which she was sure would come. She was always good for starting one of those.

[Enfilon]

"yeah the prices always make me come back, plus it holds some good and bad memories here, the booths are sound proof too, so you can about anything, and people cant eavesdrop, the only people who might over hear are the waiter and waitresses, but they dont gossip much." He opened the menu, "If you cant decide id try the expresso and their eggs benedict." He said smiling. He looked over, she looked gloomy, so he took his menu and smacked her on top of her head. "Dont look so down soph, im not that big of an asshole am i?" He said with his usual big smile.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia waited for the silence, but it didn't come. He made a remark about the expesso and she nodded, content. Until she saw a menu coming at her and she flinched, badly, her arms came up to her face and her eyes closed, like she was truly firghtened. And she was. Until she realized he was joking around. She tried to joke it off and said "Old habits die hard..." her mind wandering off to her father. She pushed the thoughts away and trying to lighten the mood. "So what kind of oh so secret conversations have you had in these booths?" Sophia asked leaning forward like she was about to tell a secret.

[Enfilon]

He had a worried look on his face, "poor girl, she flinched even though it was a tap, and she put her arms up, there were cuts all over her arms." But he kept his smile. He kicked his feet up. "You know the usual sexual kinky stuff, the normal." He said with pompous look. "And also just with some friends who needed to talk about stuff." This time in a more caring voice. He put his feet down, and the smile dropped as well as the sarcastic tone. "If--th-thers." But he stopped. He just barely met her and it wasnt his placed even if he was worried. "if theres anything on the menu you want, dont hesistate to ask." He sat back as the waitress walked up.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia 'pshed' (is that a word?) at his sexual joke. "So you can afford a meal, but not a cheap motel room? tisk tisk! Did you know they go by the hour these days?" Sophia chuckled "Um.. hi. I'll take an expresso." The waitress nodded and looked at Rex.

[Enfilon]

Coffee, black, and 2 eggs benedict please mary." "You got, we will have your drinks right away." Rex nodded, and gave her the menu. "pshed?"

[DragonGirl]

Sophia handed the waitress the menu as well. "So. What's your life story?" Sophia said as she rested her back against the seat, ready for a long speech.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia handed the waitress the menu as well. "So. What's your life story Rex?" Sophia said as she rested her back against the seat, ready for a long speech.

[Enfilon]

"uhhhh, nothing much worth telling." He held his smile, but hew knew his eyes quivered.,"Just the usual lame high school nerd he eventually grew out of his nutshell." He said laughing, but this time it was half hearted. "What about you soph?"

[DragonGirl]

"Pretty boring." She said self conciously pulling down her sleeves of the borrowed jacket. Her eyes drifted away from his, checking out the restaurant. She was a horrible liar. "Uneventful." She said, as her voiced cracked. Sophia wasn't used to talking about these kinds of things.

[Enfilon]

"you dont have to tell me i wasnt interested anyways." he said sarcasticly. "Order 29!" "Oh thats us, ill get it, be right back." He went up to the counter

[DragonGirl]

Sophia couldn't do this. What were they going to talk about? How great the weather was? No, better yet, the nice fake flower arrangements they had on each table. While Rex was turned around grabbing the orders, Sophia did what she did best. She turned invisible. Not literally of course, but she slipped out the door and began walking briskly away from the shop. What the heck was she thinking? She was not about to make friends. She didn't have that talent. Sophia hoped he would just expect seh had to use the bathroom and wait, maybe she could lose him, but a small part of her. A part which she didn't want to admit, wanted him to follow her.

[Enfilon]

Rex didn't even grab the tray, he just left the money and ran after her, he caught up to her but just walked behind her, he didnt say anything but"If you forgot your wallet i would've paid for it anyways you know."

[DragonGirl]

"Shit." she whispered to herself. This. This is why she didn't want him to follow her. Sophia stopped, embarassed he caught her, and that he had actually followed her. God. Why was she such a bitch? "Oh... I, um.. uh." She looked at the pavement, slowly turning around. She racked her brain for excuses, but could find none.

[Enfilon]

Rex thought it be risky but he really thought she need it. He graved her shoulder and pulled her back, hugging her. "You dont have to hold it all in, trust me if you do, it will kill you, the worlds is not as bad as we thought, there so much out there, so let go of whatever is killing you so much." He had his hand stroking the back of her hair.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia was startled as he went to grab her. She didn't think he was the angry type, and she put her arms up in defense. But then she realized he was hugging her. The only person that had ever hugged her was her mother, and Alice. Not only did she barely know this person, but it was a guy. Even more the reason not to trust him. But as he held her she felt comforted. He started to stroke her hair and she lost it. What he had said she felt was dramatic for a first meeting, but when he started touching her hair she started silently crying. It was the way her mother used to touch her hair when her father had come home angry and drunk. They would hide in her room, and her mom would tell her stories. Realizing how much she missed her mother, and someone holding her, her hands slid down from his chest. They grabbed onto his jacket so he came closer. She wasn't about to let him go.

[Enfilon]

"I know you dont know me sophia, but i partially understand what you are going through, and i hate to see anyone suffer." She pulled him in, and it felt like she was crying but he couldn't hear it. He slid both of them down on their knees. He rolled his sleeve back showing a bunch of scars on the top of his arms from fighting, but he turned it over to show a bunch of scars just like sophia's on his arm. "I dont know why you did as i did, but i know that it stays forever, its embarrasing, and if you dont stop, it'll kill you, like it did me." He continued. "I was just llucky enough to have friends who pulled me back."

[DragonGirl]

Sophia felt at home in his arms, until he pulled back her sleeve. That was private territory, even something her mother wasnt allowed to see, even if she had stayed around. She pulled the sleeve down harshly, letting him know that, she wasn't about to talk about this with him. "I'm glad you're doing better, unfortunately I don't have as many friends as you. I'm a closed book. But I'm not asking for a pity parade. Life is life. Period." Sophia said. She didn't know what she should say, he was just so, helpful. "Besides, whatever was left of me, was killed a long time ago." She stated grimly as she looked up at him. Once again seeing his green eyes.

[Enfilon]

He stood, and smiled, but his forest green eyes sadened, he pushed it too far. "I never judge book by its cover." he said pulling down his sleeves. "I wasnt pittying you, more of sympathy." He laughed. "And even let you take a little anger out someone too, its what i needed when i was hating myself, and thats all i know." He pulled out a cigarette, lit it and put it in his mouth. "And i still do enough to smoke." He let put a puff in the air. He looked right into her eyes, with no smile, no sarcasm, just his sadness. "If your life is already over, than i shouldnt be able to enjoy your company."

[DragonGirl]

"I'm not sure, no ones ever enjoyed my compnay before" Sophia said as she was getting up. "Maybe you could take me home?" She liked him. A lot. But it was more than she could take for today. She was emotionally drained.She like him, and wanted to see him again, but when she was more put together.

[Enfilon]

He finished his smoke, and smiled "sure, lets go." He walked up to his bike with sohpia and gave her her helmet. He knew she was going to hate him for this, but even if he liked her, she needed to realize.

[DragonGirl]

Sophia got on the bike. "I know I went kinda psycho on you, but thank you for taking me out, it was a kind gesture."

[Enfilon]

he had the visor up, and looked back, with a apologetic look in his eyes and held the contact for a good 6 seconds before veering off full throttle straight through a red light.

[DragonGirl]

Ohmygod. He was a crazy driver. Sophia gave him directions, lefts here, rights there, until they had pulled up in front of Bens. "okay. This driveway right here. Thanks again, maybe we could catch dinner one day, when I won't run out on you" Sophia kept a straight face at her failed joke.

[Enfilon]

He smiled back, she didn't realize he was driving like that to try and make her fear for her life to teach her a lesson, but she was brave. "Yeah that be nice, or at least when i have smaller bills so i dont leave a huge tip." He took his helmet off. "I-i actually dont drive like that, im sorry if it scared you."

[DragonGirl]

Well, maybe next time you'll let me teach you how to ride a motorcycle correctly" Sophia smiled. She got off the. One and handed him the helmet. "this is my stop" ((is he gonna realize they live at the same house??))

[Enfilon]

(He did, he said "Oh your the girl from ben's house," he hasn't been officially moved in yet though)
"thanks, ill take notes, ill be back here later tonight after im done working, so if you want to chat, ill be there, and if sol is wondering why i left the bed a mess tell him i was in a rush, see you soon." he put his helmet on and was about to go then stopped and said, "And keep the jacket, it looks good on you." And he left

[DragonGirl]

((oh sorry, I'm kinda fallin asleep over my computer, not really processing too well)) "thanks" was all Sophia could manage before he had take off. Rex angered her, like she didn't know anything about herself, and he had all the answers. But at the same time, he was the first person who had comforted her in years. She had found someone, a possible friend? She had to do everything she could not to lose this one.

[Volcove]

Jason finished taking a shower and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Walking up to the ground floor, he watched as everyone was busy with breakfast, or whatever they were doing. Saying good morning, he had his wallet and phone ready in his pocket, he sat on the couch seeing that Sophia really wasn't in the house, waiting to find out if she was still going. He could go alone anyway he thought, he wouldn't be hurt if she changed her mind, it took a while for people to be trusted.

You guys have to stop double posting and use the edit button.

[Momo13]

Ben looked around and sighed. he stood and started back up the stairs. he passed jason and stopped for a few seconds. "You can grab something to eat, you know. We dont bite." He offered a small smile and continued upstairs. He knocked softly on the new girls room and pushed the door open slowly, not trying to intrude, but just checking to see if she was still there.

The strawberry blonde was sleeping somewhat peacefully on the bed. her arms hugged a corner of her blanket close to her chest so the covers barely hid her body. Ben walked over slowly and shook her shoulder gently to wake her up.

"Deli--" The girl reacted quickly and smacked him across the face. It was her imediate reaction to when someone touched her when she slept. The hit was hard enough to cause his nose to start bleeding. Ben looked down at the frightened girl, one hand to his nose. He wasnt mad at her.

"Omigod. I am so sorry!" She chirped softly. He just shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"Its fine. not my first time being slapped. Breakfast is ready." he left her and went to teh bathroom to grab a papertowel to stop teh bleeding. he held the cloth to his face as he went back down stairs. He sat back down at teh table and picked at his eggs.

"She's up and holds quite a hit." ben told the others, still trying to stop his nose.

Zach burst out laughing and looked at his best friend. "Jesus christ! She really does! Think she broke your nose?"

"Nah. I would know if it was broken." Ben chuckled and ate his eggs slowly.

[Zenteer]

"At least she didn't leave us yet, that would've been a first. Though considering the crowd here, I wouldn't be surprised." Zeke grinned. While poking at an egg that looks suspiciously black.

Zeke's grin spread over his face as he observed Ben's nose. "What did you do try to take a peek under her covers?" Zeke wiggled his oddly brown eyebrows, in a meaningful fashion. Zeke laughed along side Zach as the laughter continued.

"Anyways how do you think the beauty is holding up?" Zeke stabbed a egg and plopped it in his mouth, thoughtfully chewing.

[Momo13]

Ben shook his head. "I just gently shook her shoulder to wake her up. She is one girl who doesnt like being touched from what I can tell." He decided to not mention the scars and bruises that he saw along her shoulders under her tank top.

"Well, by what I see, your goddess can hold her own." Zach laughed lightly and nudged bens shoulder. He in return just rolled his eyes.

"Zeke, remember the rules. Please." Ben sighed and checked to see if his nose was bleeding. Which it still was.

A few minutes later, the strawberry blonde came running down the stairs. She was pretty graceful as she landed on the last step. She turned quickly and slid into the dining room gracefully. He hair fell into her face and she looked up.

"I really am sorry, Ben...I didnt mean to hit you...." She stammered.

"Yup. YOur goddess is fine." Zach laughed again.

[Zenteer]

"Course I remember, its the one rule that I should always follow. Its the single most important rule ever! Why should I not follow that rule? Me, breaking that rule?" Zeke scoffed theatrically at the thought of breaking the rule.

And yet it is the only rule that I will break. When Delila approached the table, Zeke gave her a once-over lingering, his eyes lingering at her mid chest slightly longer then they should have.

"Naw you shouldn't be worried Delila, if a creepy wierdo tried poking me while I'm dreaming of puppies and orange juice, I'll punch him in the nose a lot harder then you did" Zeke waved his fork around with a small piece of egg clinging on for dear life or dear unlife...

"So Delila, want me to drive you to the dance place? I don't really have anything to do on my day off, besides hang with these two guys" Zeke jerked his head in the direction of Ben and Zach.

"Besides I rather do something constructive during my time, please?" Zeke gave her his best puppy dog look that he could muster, too bad I can't turn myself into a real dog.

[Momo13]

Delilah looked around the table. Ben looked down at his plate and Zach was still stiffling laughs. SHe slowly grabbed a plate of eggs and sat down a few seats away from Zeke. She looked down at her plate, attempting to avoid his gaze.

"If you relly want to, you can....But I dont want to inconvienence you. If it is out of your way, please, its fine if I walk...."

"That place is like nine miles away!" Zach cut in, looking at the girl.

"Its not that far....." she muttered softly. ALright, it was far, but she had walkd further. Especially getting here.

[Extraordinaire.]

Avelyn snuck back through the trapdoor, into the snowy air. She trudged her tired feet through the mesh of the snow, the dry weather paying its toll on her. It was still mid-morning, but she had already made up her mind. She couldn't rely on two men in their early twenties to guarantee her safety, or become responsible for her. She wandered from house to house, but after such a risky entrance, none of the homes seemed suitable enough. The Winn-Dixie nearby had closed early and she soon found herself retracing her steps.

She hadn't made it to nightfall before she was back at their door, eagerly knocking to be welcomed in. "Did the other's know about me?" she thought to herself doubtfully, but didn't get caught up on it. She'd thought about it for a while and already had a backstory, no matter how sketchy it was. She didn't care who else was in the house or what they might think of her; all she wanted was to roll up her last few ounces of weed and be warm.

[Zenteer]

"Why don't you want to be driven? 'Fraid of me? Don't worry I'm not secretly a vampire out to get your blood." Zeke added the last part with his imitation of Count Dracula's voice.

"I'm just bored, with really nothing to do in this house. I could watch TV or something ,but there's like soap operas on right now" Zeke wrinkled his face in mock horror.

"Nine miles is a long way, I'll take you around an hour and a half maybe for a single trip to the place. Then another hour and a half back. That's like three hours of your life wasted!" Zeke threw up his hands in exclamation.

"Come on please?" Zeke pretended to beg her across to table, while tossing in his puppy dog face.

A knock echoed across the room. Zeke retracted his puppy dog face and pivoted his gaze to the door.

"The heck, I thought everyone had the keys to this place.."

Glancing at everyone Zeke dashed to the door "I'll get it!"

Zeke fiddled with the half a dozen locks, that Ben or someone installed and threw the door open. To reveal a fairly gorgeous female.

"Oh, hello. What's your name?" Thinking quickly. "And why are you here exactly...."

[Heir of Void]

Sol was at work in his room preparing something he had been working on for a few hours. He added a few more personal touches, but needed more information. He began texting Alice, " H3y, 4lic3. Wh4t i2 your 5odi4c 2ymbol?". He put his phone back on metal work-table that he used as his electronic workshop for cooking up new stuff. He usually used it for making more strobe and other types of lights for his room, or repairing and upgrading customers laptops, phones and other devices, Right, now, he needed to make this perfect.....

[Skeletor]

Alice yawned and woke up in her corner in the living room where she fell asleep doing homework. Her thumbs tapped out the simple response of "Libra" and then dozed off to sleep, not even wondering why he'd asked. Sleep was precious and she got very little of it these days...she'd get as much as she could. Maybe five more minutes...

[Heir of Void]

Sol jumped towards the phone to get the response, which was libra. Well, this might be more difficult than I expected.thought Sol, as he returned to shaping the clear plastic tubing that held a special semi-liquid/gas mixture inside. He would skip dinner tonight, this was more important. He cut chunks off, resealed, spliced, took measurements made sure the compound was correct for the color that was needed. He continued his labors........

[Extraordinaire.]

"I can't do this," she whispered to herself, her hot breath clouded before her, making her insecurity visible before her. But a moment before she had turned, she heard a number of footsteps, before the door abruptly swung open. She was met by a man with warm brown eyes and unruly hair, who didn't seem particularly alarmed by her presence.

"Oh, hello. What's your name?" he asked, as Ave closed her eyes for a second, opening them again to make sure that she hadn't accidentally fallen over in the snow and was now hallucinating on what could have been. She wearing a simple grey tanktop that clung to her long torso, beneath a thin navy blue jacket. Her slender legs were concealed beneath black sweatpants, making her seem taller than she did thin. Her wardrobe was coated thickly from a day wandering in the snow, with traces of the white flurry caught in her wavy brown hair. Her mind was numbed, though her eyes were fully alert and it took her a moment to process what he had just said and what she should say in return.

"Why is everyone here so damn friendly?" she thought to herself, as the boy realized his mistake.
"And why are you here exactly...." he said with a hint of suspicion, although it sounded more like a secret, than a question. How was she supposed to know whatever the magical code was, to get inside? She couldn't even feel her knees, or bend her fingers.

"I'm- I'm Rex's friend. He told me, to come here," she said in an unusually calming voice, with an almost pleading ring to it. "He told me you guys could help me," she tried to explain, her voice caught in her throat, hoping that the stranger would let her in.

[Heir of Void]

Sol had finished. It was perfect. The colors were exactly right, the shapes, defined. The message, unmistakable. He turned off the overhead work-lights and turned on his strobes again to complement his creation, then he pulled the lever marked 'LIVE'. The creation burst to life, colors blasting, irradiating the room in its multi-colored light (not in the bad sort of radiation though). It was so powerful, both the message and the beauty of the creation, that behind his shades Sol shed a single tear. Sol thought, The hardest part was the hetero-chromatic heart.......

[Zenteer]

"Did he now? Well come on in! We take in strays, runaways, and homicidal nutcases! If it weren't for the last part.." Zeke pretended to wipe of a bead of sweat on his brow and let out a reliving "whew"

Glancing at her, "Naw, its alright just kidding....Just don't look in the attic...And if you hear screams just ignore it." Zeke gently tugged on her arm and smoothly dragged her in the house.

Zeke walked her to the dinning table and introduced her "That at the head is the big bad boss Ben," Zeke jerked his head at Ben.

"So go talk to him and stuff about this place, my name is Zeke by the way." Zeke gave her a quick bow and straightened up. "But I don't really know your name."

Zeke gave her a look that says So what is it?

[Momo13]

Delilah looked at him, about to cave until the door bell rang. She grabbed her bag and slipped out the back door while he was distracted. Part of her hoped he would follow her, but part of her wanted to be alone. She knew it wasn't polite to just disapear like that, but it was really hard for her to get close to people. especially after kyle left her.

--

Ben looked up from his place to see the strawberry blonde leave and Zeke bring a new person in.
"Hello." He said softly. He had hoped that Rex would have warned him that he had a friend that would come. They were running out of room as is. "I'm sure we can find a space for you if you really need to be here." He mumbled, not trying to sound harsh, but just tired and stressed. He really didnt want to deal with another new person right now. that would make over 3 within the past few days.

[Enfilon]

Rex got to work and something clicked in his mind. He pulled out his crappy airtime cell and dialed up Ben, and left a message, "Ben fyi, theres a blonde girl named avelyn coming for a place to stay, let her in, she can have my place if theres no room, you know me, i could take care of myself, well thanks and see ya."

[Zenteer]

"Well, she can room with me, or she can take over my room and I'll sleep on the couch or something" Zeke shrugged as if I didn't really matter.

"Can you take over, I wanna finish my eggs ya know? Eggs wait for no one." Zeke ambled over to his seat and glanced around. Something was missing. Zeke frowned as he try to place his finger on it. Food check, Brown spot on the ceiling check, people...unchecked.
There was someone valuable missing...Delila. Zeke scanned the table for any sign of her.

Continuing to glance around, Zeke questioned "Hey, where's Goddess Girl? She was here like five seconds ago." Zeke's tone was filled with curiosity and worry. Zeke scratched his head in confusion at the open backyard door. "Did she leave or something? Was it something I said?"

[Extraordinaire.]

"Did he now? Well come on in! We take in strays, runaways, and homicidal nutcases! If it weren't for the last part.." the man welcomed her in, as Avelyn finally began to appreciate the general friendliness of the men here. Was she the only girl?
The man looked back at her before continuing, "Naw, its alright just kidding....Just don't look in the attic...And if you hear screams just ignore it."

Avelyn giggled, glad that the attic, the first place that she had seen, was the only room worth warning her about. He lightly tugged on her arm, leading her into the house, as he introduced her to several new faces. She felt overwhelmed, but remained quiet, appreciating the warmth of the house, more than anything.

"That at the head is the big bad boss Ben," he explained, as she nodded, finding it weird that she hadn't said a word yet. She wasn't shy, but hadn't really been given the opportunity to speak out. And if she did, what would she say? Smiling slightly as she made eye contact at the head of the house, she was humored to see that his reaction anything but mirrored her own.

"So go talk to him and stuff about this place, my name is Zeke by the way." her new friend bowed to his own introduction, as her humor slipped away, realizing that she'd actually have to meet the man. "But I don't really know your name," Zeke hinted at her identity, but his voice seemed almost distant and it took her a second to react.

"Oh, I'm Avelyn," she smiled slightly, her voice smooth and calm. "But, uh, Av' is fine, I guess," she clarified, not a particular fan of the formal ring that her full name had.

"Hello," a soft voice spoke out, probably the first thing to get a reaction out of the wavy-haired girl. His tone didn't sound inviting at all, nor did his sullen expression as he studied her. Ave felt her face heat up, wondering why she felt like she was going through an inspection, as her deciphered whether she was top-notch quality, suitable enough for a house of misfits.

"I'm sure we can find a space for you if you really need to be here," he tested her, a strain in his voice that hinted at his distaste for a new girl. He seemed wary of her and was surely the first person who hadn't welcomed her with open arms, which intrigued the girl and pissed her off at the same time. Why would he say something like that? She was covered in a bloody layer of snow and had come to the desperation, of having to live in a house full of teenagers just as f***ed up as she was! Of course she needed a place to stay and his resistant, no matter how grateful she was of her discovery, made her second guess her choice. But where else was there to go?

Ave had no clue what to do next and was thankfully relieved of making an unsatisfying choice, when Zeke spoke out.
"Well, she can room with me, or she can take over my room and I'll sleep on the couch or something," he offered, as the girl's face lit up.
"That would be great," she smiled, glancing over at the head man again.
"Um, if that would be alright...?" she felt silly asking for his permission, but knew at the same time, that it was necessary, if she had a chance of staying here for however long she planned.

[Momo13]

I dont know of I read that correctly or not....but she should not have been to the attic seeing as it is ben's room and he would have known from cameras and whatnot....

Ben sighed and ran a hand through his curly hair and looked at her. "Your goddess excused herself, Zeke. I would go after her, seeing as the temperature is dropping and the only coat he had was her torn up hoody." Ben told him, pointing to the back door where the girl disapeared too. "Also, I want you to get we enrolled." he never took his eyes off the new girl.

"We should have a spare girls room upstairs somewhere. And he was right to warn you about the attic. That's my room, and if I find you have been in there, you will get kicked out, friends of someone or not. That rule is one of the unspoken ones in this house." he stood and cleaned off his plate, putting his half uneaten food in a container for later. "Also, we have a few simple rules here. 1) smoke outside.*2) pay your share of the rent. 3) do not draw attention to yourself at work or school or other public places. 4) don't get arrested for something stupid. 5) no romance with other members of the group. So if your and your friend have something going on, leave or end it." he wasn't trying to be harsh, but it was morning, and he did not feel like dealing with yet another new person.

[Extraordinaire.]

(meant basement.)

"Look, I'm not looking for another place to be lectured about my past," Ave said with a smart-ass calmness, surprised she was standing her ground. "Why the hell would I want to go into your attic? This kid already warned me about it, telling me it's not allowed is enough and by going on about it, makes me want to go into it, even more," she said defensively, but wasn't getting upset about the situation, except for giving him a puzzled look.

"Just like saying that no relationships are allowed, then going on about me and Zeke. Just say no relationships. I know what that means. By assuming that something is going on between us, makes you look like a judgmental hardass," she said, half expecting to be thrown out on the spot. She knew she was outspoken for being so desperate, but she'd acted as friendly as possible and had hardly said a word, yet the head of the house was already up her ass and giving her a bad attitude. If she didn't speak up now, then what would she do after getting attached to everyone and had to put up by snarky little comments from him?

"Now, if you're willing to take me, I'll stick to the rules and stay out of your way," she tested him, forcing him to decided whether to blow up on spot or shrug it off, just as he had done to her.

[Zenteer]

Zeke glanced uncomfortably between the two contenders. The tension in the air crackled with intensity. Heck no body would be surprised to see sparks fly through the air. Zeke was usually a fun loving guy, not used to the arguments that seem to erupt out of no where. Zeke studied his nails, attempting to avoid their gaze.

"Don't worry dude...Ima get her...enrolled" Zeke's mind raced to come up with an excuse to leave. "I'm also gonna go...get Delila...right now..." Zeke quickly dashed out of the door.

Zeke sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing around the backyard. The straw berry blond beauty didn't seem to be in the backyard. Zeke scanned the backyards and spotted footsteps, stamped into the snow. The steps led to a broken fence post, it was large enough for a single person to go through. Zeke jogged toward the fence post and slipped through it. Delila stood at a few meters away.

The colds stabbed at Zeke through his flimsy tee and shorts. "H-H-Hey Delila!" Zeke jogged toward her and touched her shoulder, hopefully getting her attention. "A-A-Are you alright?"

[Momo13]

Ben looked down at the girl and waited for Zeke to leave before continuing. He cleared his throat and ran a hand thorugh his curly hair and stratched his head. This was going to be a long day, he could already tell.

"First off, Dont talk back to me if you want any hope of staying here. At least not until you earn my respect, which you havent. Second, I know you were here yesterday." Oh how he loved his security system. "Third, I didnt think you and Zeke had anything going on. Im just telling you if there is anything with anyone going on, cut it off. And you know, i have to be judgemental. I run a house of misfit teens who ran away. I judge everyone who walks through that door to make sure they are going to be ok for living here. And so far, i dont think you are a good fit so far." He continued looking down at her. "I will not take back talk in this house when i am just setting the ground rules. Especially when it is this early in the morning, and i still havent had time to finish my effing coffee. If you want any hope of staying here, i would advice dropping the additude until you somehow manage to earn respect. If you have a problem with how i run my house, the door is right there." HIs brown eyes were cold and unwavering.

--

Delilah turned to face Zeke. "Yea. I'm fine. I figured you would be busy with that new chick so i started out for the dance studio." She tried not to show how cold she was in the blistering wind and snow. Her light red hair blew around her as she looked at Zeke.

She really didnt want to be troublesome for him. Even though he denied it, he probably had plans. She could easily walk to wherever she needed to be, or even catch a bus with the spare change at the very bottom of her bag.

[Extraordinaire.]

"I'm not the one being disrespectful. I walked in, the politest girl, most gracious girl that I was capable of being. You started off by telling me of how much of a burden I was being, saying if I was desperate enough then you guess you could "possibly" make room for me," she hissed defensively, with her genuine bull-headed attitude, no matter how much trouble she was in. "And I still kept my damn mouth shut! But I can't give myself up, lose the last bits of my pride, just to "earn the respect" of someone who jumps on my ass and then tries to be the victim," she shook her head, grabbing the handle of her luggage.

"You're right, I don't belong here. If I won't be respected in my most humiliating hours, then I can't do this. But, the only thing I'm sorry for is breaking into your house, I would've rather freezed, if I knew it'd be bring either of us this much trouble," she closed her eyes for a moment, as if silent preparing herself, before sighing, and heading out into the frosty air.
"Tell Rex I said thanks."

[Zenteer]

"I-I-Its bloody cold out here" Zeke's teeth chattered violently as he tried keep himself warm through the bitter ice raining down on them. Zeke crossed his arms and blew on his hands. "I would offer you a jacket, but I don't have one" Zeke spread his arms out to show her. "O-O-Or do I?"

Zeke sneezed into his left hand, and using his right he reached into his closed hand and pulled out a 3 feet blue blanket. "Its not a jacket but I'll keep you warm"

Zeke cloaked her shoulders with the blanket and held on for a little longer then he was suppose to.

"I-I-I would prefer to drive you as an excuse to get out of the house, looks like the n-n-n-new girl and Ben are tearing each other's throats out. A-A-And I would like to stay as far away from that as possible." The icy winds prick and prodded them violently, Zeke had pretty much given up on trying to stop his chattering teeth.

"Besides would you rather walk through the murderous winds and snow or go in my warm heat conditioned car and go in my company?" Zeke attempted a grin at her.

[Skeletor]

Alice awoke and sleepily texted Connor. "Why did you want to know?" it said. She shrugged and decided to go see what he was up to rather than wait for the response. There were several hours before dinner. It could wait. While everyone else seemed rather preoccupied, Alice slipped downstairs and knocked softly on Connor's door. "Sol? Can I come in?"

[Heir of Void]

Sol heard the knock on his door, his first thought was Oh shit, I am kicked out for sure if Ben sees this. The second thought was And I worked so hard too.... And the final thought was more of a subconscious one I'm kind of regretting missing lunch right now.

Sol stood staring at the door until he heard Alice's voice. Sol flipped the "LIVE" switch to off, and sprinted to the door that was only ten feet away. He unlocked the bolts that were installed and swung the door wide open. "HAIIII, Alithe!!" said Sol, in an unusually happy mood.

[Momo13]

Ben snorted and just shook his head. "Dont let the door hit you on the way out." He snapped at her, following her to the front door and opening it for her. "Careful out in the cold, and watch your tongue. This neighborhood has a few shady subjects." that was mostly a lie, the street they lived on was a very good one to live on.

--

Zach sat in the front room and watched as ben led the new girl to the front door. He had never seen Ben do this. What could she have done to piss him off so much?

And she looked very familiar.....very very familiar.

--

Delilah just shrugged at the first comment of the cold. Her appartment back in new york didnt have heating, so she had a lot of cold nights over the years. But when he offered her the blanket out of seemingly no where, she gladly took it.

"If you insist, I guess I can take a ride from you." She sighed and smiled at him. Every fiber of her being told her to run away from this and just keep on walking. She was getting attached to him. It was as if she learned nothing from kyle when he left. Guys cant be trusted, but yet she was starting to trust him.

[Skeletor]

She smiled widely. It was nice to see Connor in such a good mood. He usually kept to himself when he wasn't helping out when he could. Alice thought his smile was lovely. It was a nice change. "Well hey, you. I was curious to see what you were up to. Also, I decided to migrate down here. Nothing to do and I figured I'd see what was up with you instead of sleeping about." She chuckled and tried not to avoid his face...if Alice had looked anywhere but Sol, she felt like she would have crumbled and tripped over her own words. He was kind of hard to approach. Sol, being one of the few people to know about her disorder when she came to the house, knew a lot about Alice. But he had never made mention of it and didn't ask her much about what he knew. It was kind of unnerving because Alice never knew what he thought of her. She always worried he must have thought poorly of her or something. It was difficult to tell when she couldn't search his eyes.
Connor's eyes...
They were never really all that close until recently, but more and more she had wanted to know about Sol and what he was all about. What DID his eyes look like? Alice felt that familiar flip of the stomach and knew she was developing...feelings. What kind, she wasn't sure. But they were definitely there. "So, uh...do you mind if I come hang down here and bother you for awhile?"