|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 11, 2007 10:37:13 GMT -5
Finally managing to move Dylan to his feet, D'rorah began the task of bearing him home. She moved slowly, not wanting to rush Dylan or cause him further injury. She heard his slight groan upon reaching the stairs and her heart nearly broke in two. She took as much of his weight from his feet as she possibly could, making herself his major source of support as they slowly trod up the stairs.
After what felt like an eternity, they were finally passing through the door to his room and she led him to the bed. She was too late to break his fall as he crashed to the bed. Moving him carefully, she managed to turn him onto his back and began slowly removing his shoes.
"I will return in one moment," she whispered, laying a kiss upon his cheek. She rose from her seat on the bed and made her way to the bathroom down the hall, pilfering around until she found some suitable basic first aid supplies. Finally coming up with some antiseptic, bandages, and a few other basic accoutrements, she tiptoed down the hallway back to his room. Easing herself onto the bed, she began quietly tending to his wounds, paying no attention to her own tattered, ripped robes.
Finally, an entire tube of antiseptic and several rolls of bandages later, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Oh Dylan, I am so sorry," she whispered, though he seemed to be asleep. She had broken one of her own rules, something her father taught her... never to say the words "I am sorry" because it wasn't a proper way of expressing apology; however, in this instance, nothing else came to mind. Gently, she brushed the hair from his face and looked down upon him, as though guarding him.
Hearing a sharp inhalation from the direction of the doorway, her head jerked up to see Astraeus. She rushed forward, a mixture of emotions on her face--anger, concern, hurt, worry. She turned accusing eyes to D'rorah.
"What have you done to my baby?" she asked, pushing D'rorah away from the bed as she began to fuss over Dylan's injuries. D'rorah opened her mouth to respond, but found her words waved away. "Just go," she said quietly. "Just... just leave."
"Ms. Cooper," she raised her voice to object but found an angry mother in her face.
Astraeus' eyes roamed over D'rorah, taking in the scars revealed by the tears in her robes and seeing that she was relatively uninjured. "I knew he would come to no good by you. What did you do? Lure him out with the promise of a walk? Obviously you're into something dark... I want you out of my house. You aren't welcome here."
She opened her mouth to speak again, but realized it was a lost cause. Bravely keeping her face an indiscernable mask, she quietly turned and headed from the room as Astraeus moved to Dylan's side to continue fussing over him. Moving with hardly a sound, she gathered her things from her bedroom and descended the marble staircase, a tear slipping down her cheek, mostly from concern for Dylan's well-being. She felt reassured, at least, that Astraeus would see to his medical needs.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 11, 2007 19:09:24 GMT -5
Feeling a small kiss, Dylan might have smiled if he'd been in the condition. He thought he heard words and assumed D'rorah had gone somewhere, because he felt the bed lighten as if she'd gotten off of it. He didn't know how much time had passed until he felt her sit beside him once more, and the antiseptic cream soothed his wounds enough to let him sleep.
When he woke, he no longer felt the calming presence of D'rorah and somehow he managed to deduce that perhaps she'd left to tend to her own wounds. The ringing in his head having subsided slightly, there was still a dull aching present though the rest of his body seemed to have recovered a bit more. Opening his eyes, he saw that while D'rorah was no longer present, his mother was. Through the haze of his mind, he wondered how she had taken the news from Dee. Wondered if she had offered to tend D'rorah's own wounds.
Willing himself to produce enough sound to make sure D'rorah was okay, he muttered quietly, his mother moving with hawk-like reflexes from her seat. She asked him to repeat himself, and he obliged with more ease than he could have imagined. "Where's Dee? Is she okay?" he inquired in a subdued voice. Seeing the look encroaching on his mother's face, he suddenly became worried, not expecting a good answer. When she didn't respond, he spoke again, needing to know. "Is she okay?" he repeated, his voice a little louder.
"You didn't actually think I'd let that little witch stay here after what she did to you?" she said, her voice scathing. Frowning slightly, Dylan tried to sit up. The result was a head in even more pain than previously. "What?" he said, his voice becoming progressively louder. "D'rorah saved my life!" he said, pushing aside the pain and finally struggling into a sitting position. "Where did you... What did you do!?" he demanded angrily. "Where is she?"
"...What? I... I thought she..." she stuttered, suddenly terribly unsure of herself. She had been so quick to assume the worst, not having particularly enjoyed seeing them embracing in her music parlour. "I don't know, Dylan... She left," she said, a trace of finality to be found in her tone.
His frown became more pronounced and he struggled out of bed. He didn't bother wasting his energy on responding to his mother. Leaving the room to the protests of her worried voice, he set off to the train station.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 11, 2007 20:46:41 GMT -5
D'rorah had walked slowly from the house, stopping in a somewhat secluded spot long enough to hastily mend the tears in her robes. She knew she still looked like hell, but didn't particularly care at the moment. She considered apparating, knowing it would be the easiest way to get away from the whole horrible evening, but was worried she might splinch herself in her current condition. Resigning herself to taking the train, she finally came upon the train station and quietly purchased a ticket, the man at the counter eying her warily as she paid.
She found a seat on a bench near the platform and sank into it, feeling utterly exhausted after the long night. It really had been a mostly horrible weekend for her. She debated taking the rest of the week from school to escape to Tel Aviv. She could stay in her apartment there, it's not like anyone would be there to stop her. And perhaps from there, she could begin the search for her Elemental Master. She had nearly come to the point of making the decision when the train pulled into the station, the loud chugging of the engine drowning out her thoughts.
Finally, the train began boarding. She sat on her bench for a moment, watching the other passengers board, knowing that waiting until later to board would lessen the possibility that someone might join her and ruin her peace on the ride back. Finally, she gathered her things and boarded, seeking out an empty compartment for the ride. Settling into her compartment, she drew the shades on the windows and hoped no one would think to bother her. Her knees were drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around them and head bowed as she finally allowed the tears that she had been holding back to begin silently slipping down her face. She looked more like a little black bundle of robes sitting on the bench seat than a person. She prayed the train would leave soon so that she could arrive back and pick up a few things in Diagon Alley before apparating over to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the week.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 11, 2007 22:18:56 GMT -5
The walk was just about unbearable, the only thing driving him was the thought of D'rorah, hurt, alone, and virtually detested by his mother. After what seemed like hours but was probably not that long, he reached the small train station. He only had his backpack with him; he would tell Astraeus to send the rest of his things later. Gathering them had not been Dylan's top priority upon his hasty, angry departure from the house on the hill.
Entering the station, he quietly purchased a ticket, receiving disapproving stares that he assumed were about his appearance. Hearing the final boarding call echo through the small area, he willed his legs to move faster and just hopped onto the train before it departed. Off balance slightly, he stuck his hand against the wall and closed his eyes in an attempt to stop his dizzy feelings and blurred vision. Feeling slightly nauseous, he assumed that John had managed to crack a rib as the pain in his chest grew.
Making his way unsteadily down the carriageway, he peered into the compartment windows. Receiving mainly flabberghasted stares and shocked expressions, he silently cursed his mother. Continuing his search for D'rorah, however, he passed by a closed-curtain compartment without thinking. Retracing, however, he thought it would be best to inspect every single part of the train. The last thing he needed in his current condition was to have to re-check everywhere.
Hoping he wasn't interrupting anything he shouldn't, he slid open the curtained door as quietly as possible. Recognising the luggage, it took him a bit longer to recognise the occupant. Huddled in one corner, was the woman he loved. His eyes saddening and gaining a fiery anger to them at the same time, he shut the door behind him and moved to her quickly. Taking the seat beside D'rorah, he wrapped his arms around her. Closing his eyes and exhaling quietly, his head rested on her shoulder.
Feeling as though an apology could not ever excuse the actions of Astraeus, he remained silent as he held her, feeling as if this weekend could not get much worse.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 11, 2007 22:32:14 GMT -5
Feeling the train jolt slightly as it began to move forward, a wave of relief washed over D'rorah at leaving behind the mess that this weekend had become. She knew Dylan would be safe with his mother and she would see him when she returned to Hogwart's. She did not look up as the door opened to the compartment, hoping that whoever had decided to intrude upon her solitude would get the message and simply go away. Hearing footsteps cross the room toward her, she tensed slightly, irritated at being disturbed.
And then, she felt arms wrapped around her and a head resting on her shoulder. Confused, she looked up. "Dylan?" she asked quietly, wiping away the trail of tears that had run down her cheeks. "You should not be out of bed yet... you are not well enough to travel," she remarked quietly.
"And your mother... she will be upset that you have left," she added uncertainly, a new wave of tears threatening to blossom at the mention of Astraeus. She pushed a bit of hair back from his face and gazed upon him with tired eyes.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 11, 2007 22:55:27 GMT -5
Ignoring her comment about his wellbeing, he debated shaking his head. Deciding against it, thankfully, the anger flared slightly in his eyes. "I don't give a toss about my mother, right now," he said roughly. "The most important thing to me, is you, Dee," he added, his eyes softening as he saw the expression on her face and the attempt she'd made at wiping away her tears. The very thought that his own mother had caused that pain made him angry enough to have a wreckless daring come over him. No opportunity arose for it to come into play, however.
A small bit of his hair was tucked away by her soft hand and he looked into her eyes, seeing how tired she was. Taking her hand in his own, his face was fully void of a smile as he wrapped one arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. Kissing the top of her head softly, he shifted into a more comfortable position, his chest and head still aching and his hand squeezing hers lightly.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 11, 2007 23:10:02 GMT -5
D'rorah smiled softly as Dylan said she was the most important thing. "Do not push her away," she replied quietly. "She already hates me enough, I would say."
She settled back against him quietly as he wrapped an arm over her shoulders. Feeling a kiss at the top of her head and a squeeze of her hand, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed it softly. As she settled in for the long train ride, she felt her eyelids begin to grow heavier and droop. Soon, her eyes had fallen completely shut and her breathing was slow and steady. The sleep was not exactly refreshing, full of dreams and nightmares, but at least it was sleep. She gave into it, knowing she needed sleep more than anything else at the moment.
Now that Dylan was with her, she would not be able to take him with her to Tel Aviv; however, they could certainly spend the remaining day recuperating in her cottage in Hogsmeade. She rather wished they actually could take the rest of the week off to rest and recover, but there was no way Professor Choi would approve of them taking a week off together... and as always, she had translation work to attend to.
She had no idea how much time had passed when she finally awoke, but it seemed as though the train was still moving, so she didn't worry about it too much. Allowing her eyes to fall shut once again, she remained in a half awake/half asleep state, allowing herself to simply be.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 11, 2007 23:42:00 GMT -5
Over the past few weeks, Dylan's demeanor had changed drastically. After the previous week, however, he was in a mood typical of earlier days. No smiles encroached to cover his minute frown or replace the straight line created by his mouth, not today. Even as she kissed his hand and faded into sleep, he rested his head against the soft, leather headrest of the compartment and gazed out of the window, the landscape becoming only a background image to all of the scenes racing through his mind.
The pain that he'd pushed aside to reach the station in such haste all returned and he sat in perpetual agony. His arm still resolutely around D'rorah in an effort to protect her from any further harm or pain, he sighed inaudibly. He wondered briefly where she had been headed. For her to simply return to Hogwarts didn't strike him as likely, nor going as close as Hogsmeade. He remembered the other two homes she'd mentioned and wondered if maybe she had been destined for one or the other. Either way, he was glad that he'd caught up to her, and even happier that he'd been in the condition to catch up to her.
The primary damage of the tussle with John seemed to be his cracked rib, terribly wide gash where his pink scar used to be, and the impact of concrete on his head. Wondering if maybe he had concussion, he shook the thought aside, knowing there was nothing he could do about it now.
Feeling her stir slightly, he tightened his hold around her. The train continued on its way and he heard the faint sounds of a food trolley. Not feeling hungry in the slightest, he wondered if Dee might like something. Slipping out from under her, trying not to disturb her obviously much needed rest, he groaned quietly as he felt a stabbing pain in his chest. Closing his eyes from the pain, he righted himself gently and slid open the compartment doors. Grabbing a few things from the lady and paying her quickly, he closed the doors once more and sat back down.
Dropping the items to the side carelessly, he raised a hand to his chest and rubbed it softly, feeling rather tender.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 12, 2007 9:01:19 GMT -5
Feeling a slight stirring behind her, D'rorah had remained in her half awake state as Dylan made his purchase from the trolley cart. His groan had made an impression on her somewhat sleeping mind and she woke to see him rubbing his chest. "Dylan," she asked quietly, rising from her seat on the train. She moved toward him quietly. "Are you injured... well, more than the obvious, of course?" she asked, moving to examine the area which seemed to be causing him pain at the moment.
Seeing a slight bruising in the area, she reached up and kissed him softly. "I thought I might go to Tel Aviv... to recuperate from the weekend. You are welcome to join me if you like," she added quietly. "The flat there is very nice and I know a doctor who would be able to help with your injuries. You may have broken some ribs."
She lightly wrapped her arms around him, not wanting to cause him further pain, and kissed him softly. "I apologize profoundly for everything that happened this weekend. I... I should have done things differently," she said quietly, thinking of both his mother and of the altercation in the alley. She should have dispatched John quickly, rather than giving him the opportunity to land blows on Dylan... had she not allowed her own emotional attachment to Dylan to cloud the issue with thoughts of saving his own pride and ego, they would not be in this situation at the moment. And so many thoughts of ways she could have interacted differently with Astraeus ran through her mind, convinced she had done something to earn the woman's disdain.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 12, 2007 17:37:15 GMT -5
Returning her kiss briefly, he nodded slightly as she pulled back. "I think I have, yeah," he confirmed, remembering the pain of broken ribs well. He deliberated over her offer, every factor coming to his mind. Dylan was pretty sure, given it was Sunday evening, that they were due back to Hogwarts tomorrow night. He wondered how long it might take them to recuperate; D'rorah would heal quickly enough, she appeared to have no severe injuries. Himself, on the other hand, was quite another matter. The fact that he would most probably miss school tomorrow anyway meant that he would be skipping an entire day of classes. While he was usually ahead in his workload, Dylan was always slightly anxious about missing classes; there was always the chance that something vital might be missed, something that could not be read about in a book.
Feeling her arms around him and her lips on his, he gazed into her eyes as the kiss was broken. "I needed to fight back, Dee. It wasn't just a matter of pride," he said quietly. "He tries this every time I go back there, and finally standing up to him might stop that," he explained. Giving her a gentle kiss in return, he cast his eyes downward at his next words. "As for my mother," he began, having realised the double meaning behind her words. "You acted like you, and I would expect nothing less. If she can't see what I see, then I guess we'll just have to convince her," he added, a small smile encroaching onto his face.
The truth of the matter was, however, that given his current condition he was bound to miss a few days of school. He just wondered how he might explain it to Professor Choi. Finally making up his mind, he knew that school had to be missed. Arriving after they were expected might raise a few eyebrows, but arriving looking as he did would form questions that he didn't particularly wish to answer. "We'll go to Tel Aviv," he said quietly, wrapping his own arms around her. "And I still want you to come home with me these holidays, but the decision is yours. You and her are the two most important people in my life, and I'd like for you to get along," he said quietly. "It wasn't a fantastic start to the relationship, but I think she just needs some time to become accustomed to us being a couple." He hoped that between now and the holidays would be long enough, thankful that he'd explained, no matter how briefly, that D'rorah had not been the one to harm him, but to save him.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 12, 2007 23:23:18 GMT -5
"I believe the fact that anyone stood up to him will mean that he is more likely to pause before attacking someone in that manner again," she replied. Feeling a gentle kiss on her lips, she smiled. She listened without comment as he spoke about his mother, her mind still certain she could have done something differently to earn the woman's approval.
"You may enjoy Tel Aviv. I find that being there is restorative for me in its own right. And the healer there will have you taken care of discreetly and quickly." As a thought occurred to her, she pursed her lips slightly. "I had thought I might apparate there... I suppose there are other methods of transport."
Feeling his arms around her, she felt a small bit of her tension slowly slip away. Then they were back on the subject of Astraeus, and that tension promptly returned. "I wish to have an amicable relationship with her... but I do not know that that will be possible. She accused me of attacking you," she objected, hardly able to believe it herself. A deep exhalation escaped from her lungs. "I had hoped things would go... as well as this weekend might have been able to go," she finished apologetically." She leaned forward and kissed him softly. "I will come with you for the holidays, but only if she truly seems amenable to my presence. If she prefers, I can locate another place in town to stay. Perhaps a bit of distance would help with a slower beginning and would make acceptance easier." She paused as another though occurred to her. "You... you and your mother celebrate... Christmas, correct?" she asked, haltingly. "I... well, I do not know much of the holiday myself. And, well, perhaps it would be better if I simply allowed the two of you to enjoy your holiday together."
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 12, 2007 23:59:20 GMT -5
"We can apparate if you want, Dee, I need to get used to it somehow," he said, knowing full well how useful the skill was. He rather liked the idea of visiting the apartment. He distinctly remembered the last occasion in which he'd visited a home solely owned by D'rorah and a small, sly smile played at his lips at the memory.
"I set her straight when she told me what happened," he said quietly, becoming slightly angry at the thought. Pushing it aside, he received a small kiss and allowed himself to smile. He wondered briefly why she didn't celebrate Christmas, before nodding. "We do, yeah. You don't?" he asked quietly, voicing his thoughts.
Pulling her slightly closer, his lips met hers softly. "I'm sorry things went the way they did," he muttered in a quiet voice. The dull aching in the regions of his ribcage and head were starting to affect him a bit more as he gazed into her eyes. "I love you, D'rorah."
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 13, 2007 0:11:12 GMT -5
"Considering that you were not feeling well, I was uncertain it would be wise to apparate," she replied thoughtfully. "If you are certain you would not rather do something such a fly in a muggle airplane," she remarked quietly. "We can apparate from here... the sooner your broken ribs are tended to, the more likely it is they will heal properly."
She nodded as he informed her that he had told Astraeus that she had not, in fact, attacked Dylan. "Thank you. I simply cannot believe she would ever consider such a thing within the realm of possibility. "Oh, well, no, I have never celebrated Christmas," she replied. "My family was... is... well I am Jewish," she finished finally. She was the only one left of her family, so the proper tense of the word seemed slightly ambiguous to her. "I suppose accompanying you would be a good learning experience, however."
She smiled as Dylan pulled her close and kissed her softly. "Please do not apologize. This should have been a weekend free of worries other than dealing with you grief... I apologize that it was not." She looked up into his eyes. "I love you too, Dylan. Unless you would like to apparate from here now, perhaps you should lie down... I can only imagine how much pain you must be in at the moment. You must have weakened yourself quite a bit just running off to find me at the train station," she surmised aloud.
|
|
|
Post by Dylan Cooper on Oct 13, 2007 0:26:43 GMT -5
Nodding slightly, he pondered the options. As far as he knew, airplanes could be tremendously slower than any wizarding form of transport. He'd also heard of the tedious processes required before even getting onto a plane, and didn't quite think himself up to it. "I think apparition would be better than anything else, actually. Airplanes and brooms take too long, and it's better than Floo Powder," he said quietly, knowing it was the only real option.
"It appears my mother likes to jump to unrealistic conclusions," he said in a subdued voice, not feeling particularly happy with Astraeus at this point in time. Smiling slightly at her mild confession, he found that he'd never really investigated religions much. "Jewish? How cute," he said with a small smile, planting a kiss on her lips. Not knowing where that particular comment might have come from, he found himself pleasantly surprised that he'd said such a thing. All the same, it felt right to say.
Not refuting her last comment, he decided on a course of action. "I think that the sooner I get into a bed, the better I'll be," he said. The compartment seats, while comfortable, were no comparison to a nice, soft bed. "I'm ready to go if you are," he said quietly, releasing his hold on her and moving to stand. Grunting slightly with the effect on his ribcage, he finally managed to stand up straight.
|
|
|
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Oct 13, 2007 0:37:32 GMT -5
D'rorah arched her eyebrow at being called cute. "Of all the adjectives and adverbs which have been ascribed to me throughout my life, Mister Cooper, 'cute' has never been among them that I can recall. And I am fairly certain that you are the only one would could do so with impunity," she replied, her voice taking on a teasing lilt at the end.
She listened as Dylan reasoned out the idea of apparating from the train. Though she wished to move forward to assist him as he stood from his seat, she held herself back and allowed him to do it for himself. She nodded her readiness to depart, taking her bag in hand as she wrapped her arms around Dylan. "Very well then, if you are ready to go," she remarked just before apparating them both to what appeared to be a hallway. "How do you feel?" she asked, concerned after his last experience with apparition.
|
|