Getting out of the Manor (Markus/Open)

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha wasn't normally one to keep things quiet needing something to distract her or keep her mind active. Yet for some odd reason she wasn't sure what the hell to say around him, it was like that bloody little slip in the kitchen earlier. Well it screwed them both up or something, they acted like they couldn't take being around each other. Not only was she picking up on her own feelings but his as well and it was driving her nuts.

Biting her tongue several times as she cut his hair to stop from asking him anything. Although feeling that shiver hadn't helped and she sighed wondering why he was holding back talking or what he was feeling so frustrated about. If it was her she wouldn't make him stay if he wasn't comfortable that wouldn't of been right and Tasha wasn't that mean.

Sighing softly as she nearly finished about 20 minutes later she checked over making sure she had the length right everywhere. Smiling to herself a moment clinching her own hands to keep from brushing the hair from his bare shoulders. No she wouldn't make this any worse that it already was for him.~ "If you want the sides or back shaved some I can otherwise I think your done."

[markus]

He noticed just how silent she was as well, though tried not to pay any attention to it. That would break his focus from the distraction. It wasn't that he was frustrated or angry with her. No, just the opposite. He was frustrated with himself for letting whatever this was happen. He normally kept such good check on his emotions that it was putting him on edge because of the fact that everything seemed to be dropping so easily around her. That the wall he'd been building for years seemed to vanish as if it had never been there. It was unsettling more than anything.

291, 292, 293, 294, 29-What? He thought, counting the petals on the flowers and having to quickly yank himself out of it to catch what she'd been saying. Of course he could have opted for anything else but instead he glanced back toward her. Mistake number one. His heart instantly sped up as he took in the blue eyes, the golden curls, the tanned skin. "Actually I can't reach back there, so if you don't mind..?" He stated, though was asking if she'd take care of the rest. Mistake number two. He wasn't sure how much longer he could sit there and distract himself while her soft fingers moved over him.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha had no way of knowing he was distracting himself from everything and sighed softly. Herself trying to think of what to say, of how to offer him an out so he didn't get stuck in something that obviously made him uncomfortable. Guessing he probably would keep to his previous comments about not sticking around and leave, a fact which had her feeling a little sad. But it wasn't like he was hers or that they were anything other than possible friends. And well she did kind of become his boss or well whatever you wanted to call it. He protected her right?

Though finally hearing his voice she was lost in her thoughts and mistakenly looked down. Startled a little to see he had turned to speak with her instead of just keeping his back to her. Catching his hearts reaction when he did unable to look from his eyes once they locked on his and bit back a whimper at the intensity. 'Damn it Tasha pull it together' hearing her mental self ranting yet unable to fully respond. His words she merely nodded waiting for when he turned back around.

Hoping to quickly get this done before she vanished to no doubt shift and run praying it calmed he down. Although wasn't moving to do anything and it seemed neither was he.~

[Wynx]

Wynx had woke up with a fever and sick. She was feeling better and had left the winged man behind. She was in her wolf pup form. She was following her new mommy's scent. She was running as fast as her little paws could carry her. She kept running weaving through people. She stopped and sniffed the ground. Her little head moving around til she caught the scent again. She ran faster as she had to find new mommy. She had left the winged man and escaped his radar. She hoped he didn't get in trouble with mommy Tasha as he tried to catch her. She had gotten very good at slipping under the radar over the past few years. Her tail wagging as she caught Tasha's scent. She ran faster and through Markus's legs. Shifting and threw her arms around tasha. Hugging her tightly. "MOMMY TASHA!" She said. One day it would just be mommy but for now that was more than she had called her the other day. She nuzzled her happily. "I found you." She said happily.

[markus]

Markus had to force himself to look away from her eyes once they'd locked onto them. He had to force a lot of things right now, keep a few urges out of the way, keep the desire to run and never look back out of the way. He had to make sure that he sat stock still and distracted himself again. After all, he'd already made the promise to stick around and find out what was going on in the clinic, he'd already made the promise to keep an eye on her for a while. He didn't want to break either one. And, if he were being honest with himself, he was enjoying it here. Enjoying the ability to relax for once in the last five years. Enjoying the ability to not think about everything going on in the world, when it all would turn around or end or come back to bite everyone in the ass. It was nice to be able to take the slow lane for once.

She didn't make any indication that she'd heard him, but Markus knew she had. So, swallowing down the lump in his throat, he turned in the chair again, putting his back to her. Green eyes closed quickly as he took in a slow deep breath and then another before he finally felt his heart begin to calm. Chewing at his lower lip he quickly found another distraction as her fingers brushed through his hair and then over the flesh at the back of his neck. His eyes focused on the leaves of a tree counting each one slowly and carefully. Definitely counting some more than once since the slight breeze ruffled through. Didn't matter, his eyes were focused and he could easily pretend they weren't the same leaves over and over again. Though as she stepped around to his right side to work there he made another mistake. He glanced over at her from the corner of his eye.

His breath caught, his heart kept up a steady, quick pace. Markus slowly angled his head toward hers, a hand raising to catch hers before she could cut anything from the side of his face. "Tasha...?" He started before his voice gave out. The one word, her name, had been light and breathy as if all the wind had been knocked out of him, but also deep and full of something hidden. His voice had shaken slightly, which was why he didn't trust himself to speak. His eyes locked onto hers, quickly darting back and forth to search between them. His lips parted as if to say something more before the little furry shape darted between his legs, startling him. "What the-" His voice cut off as he stared at the child now cradled into Tasha's arm's, blinking feverishly before shaking his head. Without another word, Markus slipped into silence, looking both confused and embarrassed. He'd just save that speech for another time.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha had been checking off and on with Wynx and was glad when she took noticed the little ones fever had broken. Asking Hero to keep an eye on her when her and Markus had first left though when they got home she didn't go up right away. Knowing that one Hero wouldn't allow anything to happen to her and besides he had mentioned possible taking her out himself just to get some fresh air. So she hadn't worried or anything and it was a good thing for Tasha worrying was never a pleasant sight. Period.

This thing with Markus was driving her a little nuts, picking up on his emotions yet not knowing what was going on. No she hadn't responded figured he would figure out she got it when her hand were back at his head trimming the sides. Trying to think of what could be possible making him so...well to be honest a damn storm or so many bloody emotions. Moving to trim just enough though trying to not lose herself completely in everything else.

Slipping along his right to get the side before her hand was caught and she stiffened a moment. Not having expected it and looked at him with a faint worry, confusion and curiousity all at once. Hearing her name.~ "Y..yes Markus?" ~Wondering where her own nervousness suddenly had come from, although could already feel her heart suddenly beating a little faster studying his face. But she wasn't getting anything or maybe she was and wouldn't admit it, something told her he might of...wanted to ...Wynx?

Thoughts shifting and the loud clatter of the clippers hitting the ground were heard as she dropped them to the patio catching Wynx in her arms. Amber eyes studying her little girls face before she broke into a smile at her words and hugged the little one tightly before kissing her cheek.~ "I see Hero took you out only for you to slip away? Now Wynx you know better.." ~Sighing softly unable to really be mad, worried yes but mad no. Kissing her cheek again before those eyes found Markus's once more.~

"Wynx hunny I want you to meet someone, this is Markus a friend and your mothers new bodyguard. Markus this is Wynx the one I told you about who had been sick. Markus is staying at the manor with us so I wanted to introduce you both so you didn't get scared or anything if you happen to run into him."

[Wynx]

Wynx looked at Tasha. Smiling a bit and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Yeah. He kept up pretty well til I took a short cut." She said softly. "I hope he won't be mad at me. I just wanted to be with you." She said. Nuzzling Tasha. Looking down. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again." She said softly. Looking where mommy tasha was looking. "Hi Mr. Markus. You keep Mommy Tasha safe so I don't lose her...kay?" She said. Smiling warmly and openly at him. "If Mommy Tasha and Mr. Markus are here than everybody will be safe right. You should meet Hero...Mr. Markus. You might like him. He has wings like a bird." She was being open and warm. If Tasha trusted him than so should she.

Looking between them. "Do you and Mommy Tasha like each other. You were looking at each other so deeply. At least you were until I ran up to you guys." Hey she was only like six. She didn't mean any harm by it. She just wanted everyone to be happy. She giggled a bit. "If you do don't let each other get hurt. Mommy and Daddy said that if you care for someone you protect them. Even if it puts yourself in danger." She was a kid and kids could be very observant especially around people they cared about. She nuzzled Tasha again. "Mommy Tasha is my new mommy. Some evil hunters killed everyone else I knew." She looked at Markus. "You can be my friend too." She said. Holding out her hand to him.

[markus]

Markus didn't know where in the hell he stood at the moment. One on hand there was.. No. He pushed the thoughts from his mind. It was better not to think about them right now. Save it for later. Maybe when he was away from Tasha he'd be able to sort his thoughts out a little better, though honestly it hadn't helped before, he wasn't sure why he thought it might now. His gaze rested on the child, giving her a faint and friendly smile before letting his gaze flash to Tasha and back. "Hello, Wynx." He said softly before raising a hand to brush through the freshly cut hair. As she called him Mr. Markus he couldn't stop the faint laugh that slipped out, shaking his head quickly. "Please, just call me Markus." He said, still chuckling quietly. It'd been a long time since anyone had called him 'Mr.' anything. "Not to worry, Wynx. I'll keep Miss Tasha safe." He confirmed to the child. She seemed so small, but he had a feeling that even if she looked older than she was, that her mind probably progressed faster than a human child's. Any 'super' race did.

At the question the child blurted out Markus laughed once, blushed darkly and glanced away from the pair. When he looked back he swallowed hard before speaking. "Your mother and father were right, you have to do all you can to protect someone you care about." He said with a hint of a smile before the green gaze slipped up to meet Tasha's. Eyes locked against hers for a moment too long before looking back to Wynx. "I'll be your friend, Wynx. Just promise me something." He paused for a moment to be sure he had her attention. "Stick close to mommy and Hero. No one wants anything bad to happen to you." He said with a smile pulling at his lips. Hey, if he could help Tasha out he would. Since the child had showed up, Markus hadn't said anything to her, mostly out of embarressment, partly because he didn't know what to say now. He chewed lightly at his lower lip as he brushed his shoulders off to push the hair from his body before quickly pulling his shirt back over his head.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha couldn't help giving her attention to Wynx as she spoke smiling softly to her before shaking her head. She needed to go see Hero and let him know her daughter was alright before he freaked and worried she would kill him for losing her. Her eyes slipping a moment to Markus catching the feel of some of his emotions and raised a brow slightly before once more looking to her daughter. Kissing her cheek before hugging her a little more.~ "It's alright hunny just please be careful and just because Hero is with you instead of me. Doesn't mean I won't be back"

~Sighing softly before wetting her lips some and listening to her talking with Markus, the Mr. part was too cute. Sighing a little but said nothing letting Markus speak with her and knew that yea she was safe as was the others around Orealis, well as best as they could be. It was when Wynx called them on that moment she blushed much like he didn and looked away. His emotions mirrored her own and she wasn't sure what the hell to say on that one. Honestly Tasha wasn't sure what to make of that little display.

Her eyes going between him and Wynx as they both talked she just was at a loss for words right now. Well till he spoke and she wasn't sure from the look if his words had meant more than just what they sounded. "We're friends Wynx we protect our friends as well as our family. But don't worry alright, though as he said you stick close. Either me, Hero or Markus alright." Looking to her little girl needing her to understand especially till they figured out about this clinic issue.~

[Wynx]

Wynx looked at Markus. "Okay Markus." She said. Smiling and held onto Tasha again. "You better. Mommy Tasha is really awesome." She said with a light giggle. Nuzzling Tasha a bit before looking at him. Noticing him blush then looked at Tasha and noticed she blushed. She got a knowing smile and only spoke three little words. "I was right." She said. Grinning happily. That meant Mommy Tasha wouldn't be lonely anymore...right? She looked at Markus when he said just promise me something. "Okay. I promise." She said. Smiling at him. She reached out and patted his cheek. "You promise to smile more. It makes people feel better to smile." She said. Going back to hugging onto Tasha.

She looked at Tasha when she started speaking. "I will mommy tasha. I just got worried and wanted to make sure you were okay." She said. Nuzzling her. "Next time I'll stay with Hero since you promise to come back." She listened when Tasha spoke again. Looking at Markus again. Then to her mommy. "Yeah I will stay close to one of you threes. Hero said something about troubling auras reaching through the horizon. I don't know what he meant by that. He was talking to himself. He seemed really worried though." She looked at Markus again. "I like Markus. He seems really nice and really awesomely cool." She said. Grinning happily. "Maybe now Mommy Tasha will be less lonely." She said softly. More to herself than the two grownups.

Looking at Markus again. "Hero has wings. He can fly on them. Its really cool. He is something call Seraphrim...I think that is the right word. He isn't from this world or dimension. He said he came from a parallel earth." She smiled a bit and ran to Markus and hugged him. Wrapping her little arms around him. Showing him she accepted him as a friend and adult figure that she would look up to. Nuzzling him side a bit. "Mommy Tasha's friend is my friend." She said.

[markus]

He smiled at the little one as she agreed to call him just Markus. It was a little simpler that way. A faint chuckle slipped past his lips as she spoke again. "Yeah, she is." He said softly, confirming to the child that he thought Tasha was pretty 'awesome' too. God he hadn't heard that word in years. Not since boot camp when the guys thought everything was 'awesome'.. at least until their drill instructor came around. Then nothing was awesome anymore. He heard the little girl try to confirm her own suspicions and said nothing to either dispute or confirm them himself, just once more glanced away. Markus chuckled again as the little one leaned out to pat his cheek and tried to negotiate. "I promise to try to smile more." He said with a little nod of his head.

Markus wasn't the talkative or smiley type. He never really had been, but with Wynx, it was easy to forget that. Why? Simple. Children made everything new and shiney and better. They knew how to make even the most hardened person smile without even thinking about it. His tongue brushed over his lips as Wynx turned her attention onto Tasha again before nodding gently as Tasha made the little one promise to stick close to one of the three adults, frowning as she repeated Hero's words about troubling aura's. Sometimes he really wished he could see or sense those things, it would certainly make things a helluva lot easier.

He laughed quietly, shaking his head as the girl called him awesomely cool. That wasn't really something he would have picked to describe himself, but hey, kids were kids and he was just along for the ride. Another faint blush hit his cheeks as Wynx voiced her opinion on Tasha's loneliness, flashing a brief glance to the person in question before letting his gaze drop again. When the child spoke to him again a brow rose, nodding gently. He'd heard of Seraph's before, though had never met one. He'd heard that there was even one in the Marines with him, one that had lost it's wings, but he'd never met the man. Though what he had learned was that Seraph's were basically just another form of an 'Angel'.

Green eyes followed the little one's descent from Tasha's arms and across the small space to wrap her arms around him. He froze. After swallowing hard he reached out to gently hug her small frame to him, trying to hide the look of pain on his features. With the little one's arms wrapped around him it brought back memories of his own children and knowing that they'd never again hug him like this? It tore his heart out. He took in a slow shakey breath as he released the child. "And Wynx is my friend." He said with a faint smile, glad to notice that at least his voice hadn't shaken or betrayed anything. Even though he was sure Tasha had picked up on it, he tried to hide the sudden surge of emotion.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha was listening to Wynx though picking up on the emotions they all were giving off. The daughter was curious, mischief, playful just really a typical child's emotions which didn't surprise her. Markus was a mix of them and she couldn't really pin point one over the other at the moment. Sighing softly hearing her little words and blushed some. 'Great she is too damn observant for her age' she thought.

Shaking her head some and just nodded as she agreed to do what she told her. Although the mention of Hero picking up on that aura had her a little curious and glanced to Markus but didn't bring it up for now. ~ "Wynx be nice." ~Shaking her head some before listening to her daughter talk about her being lonely and glanced away.

Had she been that obvious? It hurt she was showing that side to a child and she picked up on it so well she was asking Markus to end the loneliness. Letting her go when she moved to him and smiled some as Wynx hugged him although she frowned some picking up on his emotions. That coupled with her own had her feeling a little overwhelmed and she shifted.~ "I'll...be right back Wynx stay with Markus." ~And she quickly slipped back into the house and up the stairs feeling her heart racing before she got her room. Leaning back against the door.

The tears were running down her cheek as she stood there unsure how she felt right now. Her daughter could tell she was lonely even with her here. Not that she was obvious hell Tasha hadn't been mopping around or anything that child was just too damn knowing. But to ask Markus she wasn't sure how she felt, he wasn't staying, she wasn't human how could anything work for them even if they wanted to try. Pushing from the door and walking to her window staring out arms crossed over her chest.~

[Wynx]

Wynx saw the smile that flickered across Markus's lips. Mostly cuz she was studying him. Learning him without trying to do so. It wasn't her fault she was so observant. Her original mommy and daddy taught her to be extra observant so she could survive. In case the men with silver showed up. Which they had. Now she had mommy Tasha. She just wanted everyone to be happy. She could tell the two adults liked each other and was innocently trying to make them both feel better. She watched Tasha slip off into the house. Worry crossing her features as she hadn't seen Tasha shift like that before. She looked up at Markus and smiled a bit. Laying her head on his side. "Yay! That makes me happy." She said softly. Looking back where Tasha went. "Do you think Mommy Tasha is okay?" She asked. Looking up at Markus for guidance and wisdom.

[markus]

He smiled softly at Wynx's happiness, though the smile vanished almost instantly when he saw Tasha dart off into the house. His eyes followed her back until she disappeared around the kitchen doorway. Taking in a low breath he wondered what had her running off the way she had, though he had a feeling it had something to do with Wynx being so observant and the sudden surge of emotion through him. He patted her shoulder gently as she leaned against him, idly running a hand through her hair without putting thought behind the action, still staring off at the doorway where Tasha had disappeared from view.

When the little one spoke a brow rose, shaking his head softly. "I..." He started, but his voice faded out quickly. Without hesitation he hoisted the child into his arms and took her into the kitchen, carefully settling her into a chair at the table before kneeling in front of her. "Wynx, I'm going to go check on Miss Tasha. Do me a huge favor and stay right here, okay? I'll be right back. Don't move." He said with a tiny command to his tone. Instead of waiting for an answer from her he shifted quickly back to his feet and dashed out of the kitchen, down the hall, up the stairs and across the way to Tasha's room.

He hesitated outside her door for a moment, taking in a slow deep breath before reaching for the knob and turning it to carefully push the door open. "Tasha?" He asked quietly as he opened the door just enough to see her standing in front of the window. Before she had the chance to turn around he darted across the room and took her shoulders and turned her quickly toward him. Markus saw the tears, but also saw past them. Seeing nothing but the radiant, confident, beautiful woman he'd grown to care for over since he'd arrived in Orealis.

His eyes locked onto hers, spotting the shine to them. One hand slid down her arm, easily wrapping around her waist, the other ducked around her arm to settle at the center of her back. Without taking a second longer to debate or think or talk or.. anything, he leaned in quickly, pulling her smaller frame against his in the same motion, and pressed his lips against hers. Everything happened so fast, though it seemed like slow motion to him. From the time he'd pushed the door open to the time his lips captured hers only seconds had passed, seconds that seemed to tick by as if the batteries in a clock were almost dead.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha wasn't sure why she honestly couldn't handle what they were all talking about. Plus the emotions it wasn't like she hadn't felt it all before still here she was standing in her room, crying before the window. Wrapping her arms around herself to try and hold together. So upset she actually didn't hear him coming up the stairs, turning the door knob or even coming inside at first. Barely registering her name being called before someone was touching her shoulders and turning her around.

Blinking a moment she held back a growl the last minute catching his scent and stared up at him. Hearing his heart along with her own unsure what he was doing in here and pursed her lips but couldn't force out the words. Instead she stood staring at him trying to read his emotions but it wasn't helping in her current state.

No she didn't get it till she was pulled closer, his lips suddenly claimed hers and she froze, wide-eyed and staring at him a moment. The rushing, frantic beating of her heart in her ears trying to think her hands pressed somehow against his chest. Before she felt her eyes slowly close after a few moments and those soft lips giving way to his as she kissed him back. Sliding her arms, granted shaking some around his neck. Unsure, confused yet unable to stop and question it.~