Powdered Sugre 28
I have received a comment that did advise us to stop. I have a few words to say to this reader, (I am above name calling, so I won't mention any names). I am proud to say that The French One held in his tantrum and did not burst into a fit of 'I am done, this is ridiculous!' He is getting better I think. Anyway, to the commenter, this series is completely voluntary, the entire site is, in fact. If you find yourself forcing yourself to read it, then you should incarcerate yourself for cruel and unusual punishment. This is a free country and if you are forcing yourself to read anything, (even in a skimming capacity) then I suggest deep emotional counseling. What I mean is, simply because I am tired of random flamers, to quote the FABULOUS BOY GEORGE, "Hand me crap, you'll get it back." That said, to all those that are actually choosing to read this series and enjoy it, please do stay a while, this summer is going to be...HOT!
Snog, Sniff, Sneeze
Rain paused outside the guest room door and knocked. He waited a beat and knocked again. Listening, he could not hear the sound of the shower, and so knew that George was not in the room's private bathroom. Rain knocked and heard a soft sigh. Slyphe butted her head against the door and Rain grew worried. Pushing the door open he was shocked to see George prone on the bed marks of a night spent in tears evident. Rain approached the bed and lightly tapped his shoulder. George opened his eyes and peered at Rain. "Ryo said that breakfast is ready, if you want to come down." George sat up and looked at the young man that stood by and tried to offer his young visitor a smile.
"Not hungry, kay," George tried to be cheerful but failed and rolled over onto his side away from Rain.
"He and Dee are going to be taking us to school and if you want to come, might want to hop a shower..." Rain was quiet when George did not respond. "Okay," Rain heaved a sigh and backed out of the room. He shook his head and saw Slyphe standing beside him. In Cheyenne he said. "Stay with him girlie," Slyphe gave him a purr and jumped onto the bed as he went down to enjoy breakfast with his family.
"Not coming?" Ryo flipped a pancake then sighed already knowing the answer. Long into the night he had heard George weeping. Ryo gasped when Heaven appeared at his side. "Hi Heaven." Ryo said without looking up from what he was doing.
"That smells good," Heaven grinned then looked up stairs. "So does that," She smiled prompting Ryo to raise a brow at her and she giggled. "Disregarding the taint, but it is fading fast with no further contact to it. I tracked all night. It circled the house three times before giving up."
"What is it?" Ryo asked turning off the fire.
"It has a body, but it hides behind a human face... Not it's own. I have tasted this before... I need Auri to come by, and maybe a friend," Heaven said. "He smells... Ryo," heaven turned Ryo to face her and looked into his dark eyes her own amber orbs brimming with a red mist that was the herald of a vampire's sadness. "There is a pain deep inside of a heart that was beyond broken. It... He needed love and he thought he found it, and..." Heaven shook her head. She was about to speak more when Bikky placed a hand on her arm. "I'm alright," Heaven nodded wiping her eyes with her hand then licking the blood. "I am not the one you should be worried about." Heaven inhaled her hair dissipating into smoke moments before she did and wafted through a window.
Ryo looked out into the streaming sunlight then dished up breakfast. He made a plate then went into the freezer. He filled a bowl with ice then poured water into it. Taking his bowl and his plate he headed upstairs. Ryo tapped softly on the door then opened it when George bid him. "Thought you might get hungry later," Ryo sat the plate on the bedside table next to the bowl of iced water. George sniffled then rolled onto his back. He gasped when a cold towel was placed over his eyes and forehead. "Dee and I are taking the boys to school we'll be back in a bit."
"Okay," George said not moving the soothing towel.
"I know I am the last person you want to hear this from, but... It takes time. If you want to talk..." Ryo left the words open. "Oh and don't answer the phone." George laughed softly when he saw that Ryo took the battery out of his cell. "Especially if whoever is calling is going to upset you."
"Why do you care?" George's soft words halted Ryo where he stood by the door.
"That's what friends do," Ryo smiled, then shut the door. He paused when he saw Lyo standing by the door. "Yes?"
"Not gonna take teddy to school today," Lyo announced nodding his head.
"Big man, five years old huh?" Ryo said having put whipped cream on his pancakes to celebrate the momentous occasion. Today was his birthday, but the party would be Saturday.
"No, Georgie needs it more," Lyo opened the door and tip-toed over to the bed and crawled over until he right next to George. "Georgie," he said lifting the corner of the towel over George's eyes. "Here, this is Mr. Pudge, Ryo gave him to me when I first got here to help me sleep when I missed my mommy. You can keep him." Lyo placed a kiss on George's cheek then bounced off the bed. "Gonna go now, Miss Joy said she is going to miss me so I made her a picture of us all. Last night I added you." Lyo walked cheerfully back and George looked at the bear that looked to be older than the little boy who gave it to him.
"This was yours," George said looking at Ryo who shook his head.
"Dee's, but you didn't hear it from me." Ryo winked then left the room. George laughed softly and hugged the little bear before he refreshed the towel and placed it back over his eyes.
Break
Jill grimaced as she looked at the lump of flesh and muscle that was sprawled on the dusty pavement. "You know, this person could leave them in a less dusty place." She wiped her hands. "I feel like we're Mulder and Scully," She grumbled.
"Steaming piles of dusty, skinless flesh," Leon remarked. "What every girl dreams of finding," Leon laughed as they headed off. "Let's see if Ryo and Dee can meet us for lunch."
"You know we could get suspended for discussing this case with two officers who are on suspension," Jill giggled and stepped aside for the CSI team.
"Then this damn thing will never be solved," Leon complained with a chuckle. He looked back at the body splayed on the ground drying amidst the pile of dust. "Weren't they all covered in dust?"
"Yeah," Jill mused then looked over at JJ. "We should have that dust analyzed. It might be a clue."
"At least there is no incense," Leon grinned. "Maybe next week when the shop has it's grand re-opening we can sniff around, till then... I'm thinking roast beef."
"Today is Collins' right?" Jill smiled. "I'm feeling...no meat," She grimaced looking at the body in its bag. It could be a while before she ate meat again, a long while.
Break
George rubbed the towel through his long hair and hummed while he placed the plate in the sink and rinsed it. He was putting the plate in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. Making sure his robe was belted he hummed and went over to open it. "Hello," he said then frowned when the man on the porch simply stared at him. "Can I help you?"
"Hi... Lovely," He reached for George's towel and pulled it free from his hair. George backed away taking in the man's dark brown eyes and curling blond hair that just graced his shoulder's. His smile was warm as he stared at George.
"Who are you?" George asked when the man reached again with a disturbing familiarity.
"Oh sorry," The man blinked seeming to remember himself he extended his hand. "I am Bill Donovan," he said staring at George some more. "It's Wednesday," He said as if that would explain everything. "The plants in the backyard. I am here to fertilize them."
"Oh, okay," George looked at the man's broad shoulders and height. "You look more like a gymnast than a gardener." George laughed then followed him out to the yard. "I was planning on enjoying the backyard today. You don't mind, do you?"
"Please do," George laughed softly then followed the man through the house to the backyard. He inhaled closing his eyes. He thought of the last time he had been in a garden, he had been writing. Then, his lover had come by and kissed him. George opened his eyes to find Bill staring at him. George shook his head. He went to the padded lounge near a fountain and lifted the umbrella into place sitting down he pulled out his head phones and journal. Bill stood still for a moment his eyes roaming the figure before him. So pale, so beautiful, small but not thin. Without looking up George put his hair into two thick braids that he coiled on top of his head to dry. When he looked up Bill pressed his lips to his.
"What the bloody hell?" George said gasping and moving away. "Do I have the words 'snog me' tattooed on my face?" George jumped to his feet his journal falling to the floor along with the CD player and pen.
"Sorry, I will come back another time," Bill said smiling. He beat a hasty retreat from the backyard when George frowned at him. Bill went to the house pausing to look out the window and see George sit back on his lounge. Grumbling a few words under his breath he packed up and stomped inside his mood ruined. George entered the kitchen and saw Bill still standing there. Sending the gardener a furious glare to which the man smiled, nodded and dashed to the door. George grabbed a bottle of water and headed back outside. The nerve of some people!
Break
Ryo and Dee stepped onto the porch the same moment Heaven appeared. "I was following it and it came here," Heaven sniffed. "Recently." She said sniffing the door. "Pretty's in there."
"Heaven," Ryo warned opening the door he sneezed violently the same time as she did.
"Whoa, baby," Dee said when Ryo gasped and sneezed again before he sniffed the room just as Heaven hissed.
"George," Ryo said walking into the empty living room. He turned around and looked into the kitchen. "George!" He raised his voice just as Dee dashed upstairs. "George!" Ryo sneezed and the panicking began when Heaven's fangs appeared and she looked wildly about the room. Ryo ran through the door. "George!" Ryo paused when he saw George getting to his feet pulling his headphones from his head. "Heaven, stand down," Ryo said breathing in relief.
Heaven turned, her hair swirling in a fluffy brown mass to her back. Closing her mouth she shrunk her fangs and aimed a smile at George. "Hello Pretty." Ryo frowned as he looked for Slyph and Cujo. He saw them both laying by the flower bed asleep. Walking over Heaven touched them both. "Not just nappy time." She said when they did not stir at her approach. She looked at George then turned to Ryo switching to Japanese. "Magic, came from over the fence, far enough away that they did not sense it and attack." Heaven said and Ryo sighed. He walked over to George and grasped both of his arms.
George stared at Ryo wondering what he was about and gasped as Ryo leaned in. "Why is everyone obsessed with snogging me?" George shoved away from Ryo only to have Heaven hold him from behind. George's eyes widened when they both leaned in and sniffed him. "What the bloody hell is going on?" George demanded when they stepped away. Dee came outside and looked at the ferocious pets that were awakening. "First your gardener decides to take a nip and now you two gang up. I don't recall signing up for a menage-a- trois." George remembered himself then turned on a flirtatious smile. "Though... I wouldn't mind trying a few new things." He winked at Dee.
"Cut it out," Ryo took his wrist and pulled him in to the house. "Go get dressed you're coming with us. Heaven," Ryo said when George went upstairs. "Are they alright?" Heaven looked at Slyphe and Cujo both slow to get to their feet. Shaking their heads Slyphe hissed then dashed up the stairs after George while Cujo sniffed the yard.
"They're good, but you might want to have Rain blow the yard later to clear away this lingering haze." Heaven said with another look around. "I'm going to find this thing... And kill it." Heaven began to walk the perimeter of the yard, Ryo going inside to make sure the house was otherwise secure. He went back outside to find Heaven sitting on padded lounger that George had vacated seeming to be deep in thought. "Ryo," Heaven began while looking over the fence. "This taste, when I tasted George, it seemed familiar, but... I can't place it. It is like an aftertaste that I remember." Heaven would have said more, her eyes going to the foliage then turned to Ryo. "When did you get a gardener?"
"What?" Dee said opening the fridge and pulling out a soda. "We don't have a gardener, that is all Rain's doing." Dee pointed to the lush flowers growing beautifully in their backyard.
"What do you mean, you don't have a gardener?" George said descending the stairs. "He was here not half an hour ago."
"Dee," Ryo said tossing Dee his cell as they had discovered that Dee had not charged his and it was quite dead. "I don't care who you have to insult, get a Royale on the phone." Ryo looked over and saw the leggings and large shirt that seemed to be made of two of the large shirts that George had bought last weekend held together by knots, ribbons and safety pins. His hair cascaded around his shoulders in rippling waves with a large yellow bow secured on top.
"He said he was here to fertilize, decided to steal a taste then ran off," George explained, rolling his eyes, which were covered with his usual palette of make-up as well as his cheeks and lips. "And, thank you Ryo, the witch hazel did wonders, there is no mark at all." Ryo nodded sneezing again when coming into his home. Seemed like Rain would have to blow the entire downstairs with his winds.
"Come on," Ryo said smiling. "We need to get some lunch." Ryo looked at Dee who shook his head and handed him back the phone.
"For all that I can get a hold of them... Zarro may as well have eaten their phones." Dee grumbled and plugged his in. "Come on. Leon, JJ and Jill are waiting for us. Another skinned one."
"Skinned what?" George asked following them to the limo.
"Case," Ryo answered.
"We have to get a new car," Dee said pinching Ryo's bottom before he could sit down. George laughed when Ryo yelped. Chihaya's smile of greeting fell from his face when the group entered the cafe/boutique. George's eyes lit up and he excused himself to go investigate the flashy clothes on display. "Want me to order for you?" Dee asked before he was out of earshot.
George nodded his hair floating around his face, "Caesar please, with Italian ice if they have it." Dee nodded then went to sit at the table with Jill, Leon and JJ who had files spread out on their table.
"Isn't he vivacious?" Kagetsuya remarked looking after George as he wandered the racks of brightly colored items selecting a few and discarding others.
"You think so?" Chihaya pouted looking at George. When the singer smiled it seemed as if that side of the room he was on glowed brighter. Chihaya wondered who this person was and why he was with the detectives. As he stared George looked over at Ryo then went back to his shopping. Looking at his fluffy-haired, purple eyed lover Kagetsuya smiled thinking of ways to take him home early. Kagetsuya turned Chihaya's face up to his and kissed him.
Dee ordered his food and waited for Ryo to finish. When the waitress left the table he focused his attention on the others at the table. "What do we have here?" Dee took the file and flipped it open.
"From the blood samples, we know who all of our victims were. They have nothing in common, as far as race, age, lifestyle or religion, but the deaths occur about every three days. " JJ said sipping his soda and looking through the photos then handing them to Ryo. "This is the latest one." JJ pointed to a man with curly blond hair. "William Donovan, worked at the florist shop of 29th street."
"Well that was quick," George said approaching the table carrying an arm load of clothes.
"What?" Ryo said closing the file with the photos of the skinned corpses and accepting the plate of food from Collins.
"You said he was dead, I just saw him this afternoon." George sat with his salad.
"Saw who?" Dee asked looking at his roast beef with relish.
George looked at the photo Ryo still held in his hand and pointed. "Your gardener."
To Be Continued
Author's notes; We will not be deterred. After a long day of work and the writing schedule for my novels, these series are a load of fun to write once again, (I admit to having gotten discouraged for a bit and considering this a chore rather than an Adventure) and it is appreciated by us that it is appreciated by you. Thank you again...
Chi and The French One.
More Notes on the Fab Boy George; I do know that by 1987 Boy George, the band Culture Club and Jon Moss were broken up. So I rewinded the persona of Boy George back a few years with the long hair, bright clothes and make-Up, but the broken heart of the later eighties. It combines for a highly emotional character that I can use to fit into my little twisted world. I hope you understand that some of the things, okay most because I do not have the kind of intimate details necessary for this kind of tale, anyway, most of the things that I mention will be spiced with Artistic license, me being the artist I can do that. If you have read Junjo Romantico by Shungiku Nakamura one of my favorite characters says, when asked why he writes the things he does, he said, "Because I can." DISCLAIMER: I do not own Junjo Romantico, I am making no profit from its mention here. I make no profits from most of my writing, but you could all rush off and buy a copy of The White Lion and change all that. ttfn
