Calm Before The Storm

Who: Seph and Syn
When: morning
Where: Martens' residence

Seph was up early. For him. Which didn't happen very often. But there it was, he couldn't sleep any more, and so he'd gotten on up. Syn hadn't come home the night before -- which might've been a contributing factor to his not sleeping in as usual -- but that was okay. He'd been the one encouraging her to stay, rather than walk home. She'd been exhausted. And as much as he wanted to curl up with her, he knew she needed to rest more. So they'd just spent the night dreaming together instead, which seemed to placate both of them somewhat. He was currently downstairs in the basement, going through his workout routine. She was on her way back, he could feel it. Sending her a brief head's up as to where he was, Seph threw a quick jab into the heavy bag.

Synnove walked into the house and kicked off her sandals, immediately trudging to the basement. Light was evil. At least there wasn't an over abundance of it today. Not yet anyways. She headed down the steps then flopped down onto the mat there, eyes on her brother. She made a non-word sound at him in greeting, still feeling a bit wrung out. But she was home, and she felt a bit better just for being back where he was. As a general rule, she didn't like spending the night in a building that he wasn't in somewhere.

He didn't stop for a minute, bare back sheened with a light sweat. It was obvious that he felt better with her there; though that was always the case, without fail. After a minute he turned around to give her a wan half-smile. He'd remembered to tape his hands up this time, after getting many many Looks when he tore up his knuckles on the bag. Seph plopped down next to her and bent over to smooch her temple. Glad you're home, he told her.

She smiled at that, reaching up lazily with one hand to stroke her fingers through his sweat-damp hair. Me too. she said, even her internal voice sleepy-lazy. Miss me? she asked. And she did note the tape on his hands with approval. That was something! There was a kind of unarticulated 'good boy!' sentiment behind that.

She smiled at that, reaching up lazily with one hand to stroke her fingers through his sweat-damp hair. Me too. she said, even her internal voice sleepy-lazy. Miss me? she asked. And she did note the tape on his hands with approval. That was something! There was a kind of unarticulated 'good boy!' sentiment behind that.

Seph chuckled and flopped backwards, hitting the mat with a faint slap. 'Course, he answered with a 'pfft' kind of tone. Miss me back? Sure, they'd spent all night mentally together, but they were always aware when they weren't physically together. He flexed his hands to listen to his tape crinkle.

Syn draped her arm over his, half moving to snuggle up a bit. She rested her face against his shoulder lightly. 'Course. I don't know how I fell asleep at all, but you managed to lull me somehow. Thank you. She sent. Really, she wasn't positive how he'd pulled it off. But that was alright. She'd gotten some rest when she might not have gotten any. But you know me. I don't like sleeping somewhere you're not. She pressed a kiss to his shoulder since she was there and all. How's your workout going? Y'know, now that I've interrupted and everything. I'm such a good influence.

He sent a vague feeling of 'you're welcome', even though it wasn't really necessary. He would always do whatever he could for her, no matter what. Especially it if was putting her comfort and safety before what he wanted. ... most of the time, at least. Yeah I know. We can nap later, maybe. It was going okay. Can't you tell? He turned his head and smirked a little at her, flexing the arm she was snuggled up to. Those? Are some guns.

She laughed, smiling at him. Mm. Yes. Guns. However did I miss that? She gave his bicep a squeeze. Big strong man, you are. Let me never question how well things are going again, when they are so evidently going spectacularly well. she teased. Even though well. They were. It certainly wasn't as if he didn't look damn good, because he did. He was more or less just how she liked men. Not overly muscled, she found the huge body builder types disturbing and more than a little disgusting. But strong.

Seph had to laugh a little. And enjoy the bicep-squeeze. It's okay, I forgive you this time, he teased back, grinning at her some. But next time? They might get offended, so be careful. Minds of their own, y'know. He knew from ... well, events, that she at least found him attractive, and that was something that always made his gut feel warm. It was beginning to lose it's sense of surreality. But he was glad they could joke about it; Syn felt like she needed some levity.

She laughed. Yeah, minds of their own. Mmhmm. Tell me another one, slick body builderman. Only you're not. Hm. Okay you don't really just sit around and lift weights or anything. So you'd be...sparring-man? she suggeted. Turning her face back towards his she grinned. I can still kick your ass.

I'm totally sure you could. Seeing as how I wouldn't fight back. And would probably like it anyway. Seph smirked and reached around to tap her nose affectionately. Then there's that horrible tickling tactic you have that we won't discuss.

Hey, I'm allowed to pull out any dirty tricks I can in the middle of a fight. You know fighting fair gets you nowhere. So if I have to cheat a little, that's not such a bad thing. Syn said, wrinkling her nose cutely at him. One day maybe I'll get you to fight back. I mean it would take convincing. And like...heavy hypnotism, but still!

Heavy hypnotism, for sure. Or a complete lobotomy. Or perhaps possession by something evil. 'Cause yeah. Not gonna happen. Seph chuckled at the little nose-wrinkle. Sparring with his sister had been something she'd been begging for for a while. It just also happened to be something he was not ever going to do.

She stuck her tongue out at him. Meanie. she accused. Then she scooted closer and peered at his right eye, or specifically, right by his right eye. "Hmmm." she said, eyeing critically, and she reached out to brush her thumb right by the innercorner of it.

Seph arched his other eyebrow and squinted that eye a little. "Stealing my magic eye-boogers?" he murmured out-loud, instinctively moving into real speech since she'd made an actual vocal noise. He wasn't sure why that happened, but it did.

She shook her head and leaned closer, still eyeing. "Just marking the spot for the lobotomy." she said casually, just barely keeping a straight face. I'd have to give you an icepick one. They're more fun and less messy anyways. I mean seriously. Otherwise there's all the skull cutting, and skull keys...so much easier to just go in by the eye...

He cracked up and playfully pushed her hand away. Okay that's just creepy, he thought to her, laughing. I'm totally locking up all the ice picks in the house. And like ... wearing a helmet backwards when I sleep.

She giggled with him half propping herself on his chest. She grinned at him from there, making herself comfortable. I love youuuuuu. she said, singsonging. And you love me. For I am mistress of the universe. All hail me. And y'know, I could just use anything laying around. bamboo skewers...chopsticks...stilleto heels...

I do love you, and yes, all hail you, he conceded, grinning back at her. He tugged lightly at the strands of hair at the sides of her face. But you're scary. Which I guess is a good quality if you're going to defend your ... um ... I dunno if mistresses have thrones, so like ... your official torture rack as mistress of the universe. He made a pained face, still laughing a little. Stilleto heels? And they say I'm the crazy one.

Psh! They just didn't get their hands on me. They'd have a field day. Syn said back playfully. She was feeling lighter just being around him for a while. Like things might not be so awful in the end. But he did that to her. He made her world a better place. And I have a throne. And a few choice throne-like torture devices. I just keep them well hidden. But my throne is totally one made of skulls from the french catacombs. She informed him with a slight nod. I need one of those churches where everything's made from bones. Like the Sedlec Ossuary. You should get on building that for me.

Watch how fast I go, he sassed (just a little), grinning at her. Who's bones do you want me to use, my mistress? He could tell she felt better, and that in turn made him feel better, as always. In Seph's mind, few things were nobler than improving Syn's mood. It ranked right up there with saving orphans and their puppies from a burning bus. Full of nuns.

There's someone we could start with. Syn thought. And it wasn't articulated, but Eli's mother came to mind. Beyond that...might get all messy if we got fresh ones. And the catacombs are just full of them, we can borrow. He'd probably love it in a place like that. Just sort of...basking. She could picture it, actually, the mental imagery of him sort of half lounging on a throne made of skulls and bones looming up in her mind. One leg thrown over one arm of the throne, kicked back. Wearing all black for some reason, and with cool sunglasses.

Seph saw it in her mind, and had to laugh. You make me look like a fucked up demon in a bad horror movie, he teased, lightly draping one arm around her where she was laying on him. It was nice. Very nice. Even if he did have that Sweaty-Boy smell going on. She was right, though, he probably would love a place like that. The energy without all the ... worst feelings from it.

Minus all the scales or uglyness. Syn pointed out. Nope, just you on a throne of skulls, all hot-looking. You'd get all the chicks that way. she continued. Then added in baby chickens into her mental image, all gathering around the base of the throne and around it peeping away. She of course beamed at him sweetly.

Which totally headed off any protests he might have and made him just laugh more instead. Go my minions! he cried to them in his head. Go ...! Shit on things! Turn into marshmallows and make over-zealous children sick! He did catch the 'hot-looking' part of that though. Maybe he needed to get some sunglasses.

Syn burst into giggles, head dropping to his chest as she did to. Only you, baby brother, can turn something like that around to coolness. Those are the best minions ever. Then in the mental minions scene, she put herself into it, perching on the back of the throne, feet resting on his thigh. She was sufficiently gothed out, of course. Couldn't not be in imaginary Death Church Land. But I'm still High Mistress.

Well y'know, he said mildly, looking at the top of her head, amused. You work with what you've got. And then, because this was a shared fantasy, he let out a low little whistle at the addition of herself into the picture. 'Cause yeah ... wow. Yes ma'am, he thought, sounding impressed. Fuck right, you're still High Mistress. In his mind's eye, his sunglasses-wearing alter-ego lifted them up to get a better look.

Syn smiled again, looking up at him with an impish expression. Mistress-her looked back down at Seph with a mighty expression on her face, looking mildly interested, but then she was examining her nails. She crossed her legs which were mostly bare, if you didn't count the fish nets, and she of course shifted her foot on him to move onto his stomach instead of his leg. She tapped her foot for good measure, even. That's better. See? You're good at this. You know who your master is. She had to wonder what people would say if she actually dressed up like that. It'd be hilarious.

Seph was of the opinion that he would probably walk around with a hard-on all day if she dressed like that, but he didn't want anybody else to have the chance to get an opinion on it. Slave-Seph didn't seem to mind her disinterest in the least. He grinned up at her stupidly, eyes full of worship, slouching down even so her foot was more comfortable. Well yeah, he answered with a chuckle. Not as dumb as I look, big sister.

Then you must be a sharp little cookie, because you don't look dumb. Hotness, remember? she reminded him, poking him in the side. And yet you still won't spar with me. It's a sad, sad day. I want you to spar! Because there can then be fun times! Okay, so the extent of her ninja skills didn't cover fighting. Not really. She could a bit, enough to hold her own, but he was the real powerhouse. She was just a good shot and passing at physical combat.

He twitched just a little at the poke, since she had a nail and he lacked a shirt and all. No, then there are terrible times wherein I restrain the crap out of myself so as not to hurt you and you get to beat me up, he countered with a little grin. Which was completely ignoring the real reason, which was that he didn't want to run the risk of hurting her.

She pouted at him. Meanie. she accused. Because yeah, apparently today mean-ness had to do with trying not to harm her. She just wanted to get her blood going a little. Though she couldn't bring herself to bet truly annoyed with him. On the contrary, she knew it was sweet. You and your restraint! Silly boy.

It's purely self-preservation, he lied. Doc would wake me up to murder me if I gave you a black eye or something. He'd wake me up ... because it would be too merciful to kill me in my sleep. Seph nodded at her solemnly. She could get her blood going with the heavy bag, but not him. Not in that way.

Syn laughed and tickled his side. He would not! Cuz then there'd be explosions and implosions and lots of other 'osions' when my brain melted and I went into supernova mode. Cuz that's what would happen. I would magically gain the ability to melt people's faces if you died. Then I'd wipe Michigan off the face of the planet, and I'd have to be taken down by like, a group of superheroes.

He laughed, which was only partially due to the tickling. 'Osions'? he echoed, amused. Yeah, he was really glad to have her back home. Really glad. Well okay then, supernova mode is bad. I'm sure people would want to keep their faces. He squirmed a little and pinched her leg lightly.

She giggled and batted at his hand. They generally do. You start removing people's faces and people get all uptight...it's weird, I tell you. Remove a couple of faces and suddenly you're public enemy number one. Tsk. And I know you wouldn't want that to happen to me. Cuz you love me and everything.

So see? he sent to her with a triumphant grin. That's why I can't spar with you. It would be catastrophic to the world. So because I love you, I can't let you destroy everyone's face. The logic is totally there.

Syn grinned at him, then pushed herself up to give him a peck on the cheek. So it's entirely selfless. Right. You're just looking out for the good of the world. You're so sweet. Just the bestest boy in the whole world. You're refusing me because you care so much about the rest of humanity. She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Seph grinned back, resisting the urge -- which happened far too often these days -- to nip at her tongue. No, the world can kind of go to hell. It's more for your benefit, young lady. Public enemy number one isn't a good thing to be. Especially when you can't fight.

But! Supernova! Syn protested. Though I suppose all would be for not without you there to see it. So, we'll just have to do things your way. For now. One day I might try to convince you to teach me more. I'm not totally helpless, you know. Though in comparison to him...way outmatched. Seph actually knew what he was doing where as she did not.

He looked vaguely uncomfortable with the actual serious plea. It's not that, he said. Because she knew that. It was his own perceived lack of control. I'd just ... kinda rather Doc teach you. He knows more of what he's doing. ... and he wouldn't go into screaming mental breakdown if he hurt you.

You wouldn't hurt me. Syn said, reaching out to brush her fingers through his hair, getting it out of his eyes. And even if you did? It would just teach me better. What if something happens where I have to fight someone or thing off and I for some dumb reason don't have the revolver? Not that she didn't carry that everywhere nowadays.

Seph fidgeted just slightly. Damn her appealing to his protective nature. I dunno Syn, he murmured in his mind to her, blue eyes ticking off somewhere else. There was another reason that was a teensy bit screamingly embarassing to admit, so he wasn't going to. It makes me nervous.

What about it does? she asked, eyeing him. She twirled a little bit of his hair around her fingertip, then released it to do so again. She had some guesses, but she didn't think about them, more interested in watching him ashe looked away from her. She supposed she should let it drop. She probably would in a few, since she really didn't believe that she'd get him to agree with her. Just one of those things. But she had to give it a shot now and then. Maybe one day he'd surprise her.

Lying to Synnove had become absolutely impossible since their brains melted together. Which made sense, but it also made for awkwardness sometimes. Like now. He tried to ignore the feel of her fingers toying with his hair. It's kind of ... hot, he admitted. And would stubbornly say no more, because, well ... she didn't need for him to say it. The brief fleeting images it conjured were enough.

She blinked. Okay for some stupid reason, that hadn't occurred to her. Which was just plain dumb, because it wasn't like it shouldn't have. Though she hadn't known Seph was quite so interested in...certain things. She was, sweet wasn't quite what turned her on the most. But hardly the point. Aaah. she finally answered. So you might not be able to teach me what with the being terribly distracted?

He was still looking off to the side. Seph risked a quick glance, but it was pretty damn brief. Which was ridiculous, considering what they'd ... gone through together. To phrase it delicately. But there it was. Along with some color in his cheeks. Yeah, there's that. And the 'I don't want to really hurt you on accident' thing. Oh look, mats on the floor. How fascinating.

She watched his reactions and all with a bit of strange fascination. I'd rather you hurt me a little than get really hurt out there. she said. Which was true. Though her words this time were really mostly a statement, not a plea to get her way. She wasn't going to push anymore today, she just wanted to make her point.

Seph sighed softly and closed his eyes. I know, he murmured. Maybe ... sometime. Soon. But not today. He rolled and curled a little, putting his head in her lap. It was the most comfortable, safe place to be in the entire universe, after all.

Syn played with his hair, smiling softly. Not today. she conceded. She had a wave of affection for him, something that wasn't going to stop for a while. She loved him so much. And soon she'd be able to protect him from everything. Just a little more work on her part and she'd have it. Until then, she was going to have to be around and make sure everything was alright. Things seemed okay right now. Just the two of them, all safe and sound.