Chapter 4
Music That Stirs the Soul
(AN: Disclaimer: I do not own Linkin' Park or any of their songs. Very sorry about the delay in posting this chapter. I was trying to finish another story that I have going. I have one more chapter on that one and I have another story I've been snubbing for the longest time. Anyway here it is.)
Howlyn stared at the double doors down the street with growing doubt. He hadn't been that interested in the idea when Renee had suggested it but now that it was getting ever closer he was feeling a gnawing in the pit of his stomach. He glanced at Renee only to find her watching him.
"What?" He asked veering his eyes away from her.
"You have the funniest expression on your face." She said trying not to smile.
"Well your pretty funny yourself." Howlyn snapped. "What is it with you anyway? You were never this chipper."
"You know I really don't know why. I guess it has something to do with Justina. Ever since she was born I've see life with a bit more humor. There's just something about her." Renee said looking ahead towards their destination.
"Oh yes, Justina." Howlyn said quietly. "Do you mind my asking?"
"Who's her father?" Howlyn nodded. "Yes I do mind your asking."
Howlyn looked at her but they had reached the club so she rushed forward to pull open the door. //Must be still touchy about her last mate dying. // Howlyn thought stepping into the club. The music that had only been a dull thud became a biting roar. The shirr volume from it was vibrating through his stomach as if it was hollow. It muffled his ears and shook the back of his neck. His nose was filled with the sent of wood, drinks, and the faint draft of after-shave.
The lighting was constantly changing from a red-ish purple to the orange of a perfect sunset. Booths were around most of the wall except for a stage at the other side of the building. Single tables with 2 chairs littered the floor around the spacious dance floor. Stairways were around the place leading up to the balcony were their was a huge bar and more seats over looking the dance floor. Most of the chairs were filled or had a drink on them saying they were taken. Everyone else was on the dance floor or around the bar moving to the DJ's music.
Renee walked straight to the left leading Howlyn by the hand. She stepped right up to a booth were 2 people were in the intense process of making out. Renee slammed two 20's on the table so loud that it broke the 2 out of their trance. Howlyn stared in shock. They were both girls.
"Take your lady friend somewhere else with a bit more privacy." Renee said with a wink. The short haired red head winked back scooping up the money and leading her girl friend out of the booth with the other. They both looked very happy. Renee swung into the booth without a second look. Howlyn climbed into the other side staring after the pair.
"It's rude to stare." Renee said looking around the room. Howlyn looked back to her in amused disbelief. //Shit, I really regret loosing her. // Howlyn thought as he watched her. She turned to him and grinned.
"Paying for a room is cheaper than paying off a bouncer at any of the other clubs." She explained. He nodded looking out into the sea of people in the place.
"I'll be back with some drinks in a minute." Renee said rising from her seat. She took off for the stairs not waiting for Howlyn to respond which was ok by him. He had never had any earth liquor before because it was far too weak to effect his body. Only the substance Ever Clear was close to the customary Atavus drink he was use to. Atavus culture didn't have much drink in their traditions for it clouded mind but it was there in some places. With him being human now any of the earth drinks were open to him.
Even as the thought occurred to him his mind shifted to the music that was playing. The old melody had been fast and tech-no and Howlyn had paid no mind to it. But as he listened now the music changed a slow static pulse emanated form the speakers catching his ear. It then change into the rolling of harsh drums, guitars, and nameless others in a moving and powerful beat. Before he knew it the words had sucked him in. He stared out into the crowd amazed by their clarity and ring of truth.
I woke up in a dream today
To the cold of the static and put my cold feet on the floor
Forgot all about yesterday
Remembering I'm pretending to be where I'm not anymore A little taste of hypocrisy
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react
//Stepping out of the chamber and being human was just like that of waking up in a dream and pertending to be someone he wasn't. //
Even though you're so close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
//He was SO close to Renee but she was so far away he had no idea how to bring her back. //
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
//She was everywhere in his thoughts, he couldn't get her out of his head. She kept so much from him and even if she didn't want to be with him he was always with her, literally and now physically. //
I hit you and you hit me back We fall to the floor the rest of the day stands still
//We fight. //
Fine line between this and that
When things go wrong I pretend the past isn't real
I'm trapped in this memory
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react
//Right and wrong were so close it was hard to see the truth anymore. When his plans on earth fell through he tried to forget why he came to earth in the first place. Looking back it seemed like a mistake to have come here at all. //
So even though you're close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
Howlyn's mind was ablaze with the sound of it. The torrents of drums, the metallic song woven by the guitar. He loved it! The harsh and beautiful blending of the voices dancing his head haunting him with their lyrics. His head swayed to the beat his eyes only half open as he listened.
"Hey I'm back." Renee said setting a drink before him. Howlyn grabbed her arm.
"Who sings this?" Howlyn asked urgently. Renee paused listening for a second.
No, no matter how far we've come
I can't wait to see tomorrow
No, no matter how far we've come I
I can't wait to see tomorrow
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes.
"Linkin' Park." She said. "Why, sound familiar?"
"You could say that." Howlyn said letting go of her arm. She slipped into the seat next to him pulling her drink to her lips. Howlyn looked down at his.
"What is it?" He asked giving it an uneasy stir. He didn't really expect a name to make him feel much better about drinking it but he had to ask anyway.
"Long Island Ice Tea, trust me all you'll need is one or two of those and you'll be good." She said waving at his. "Mine is a Rum and Coke." Howlyn sipped his and shivered. Renee looked at him expectantly.
"Let me try ours." Howlyn said switching her. He sipped again nodding. "I like this one."
"That's fine I like Ice Teas anyway." Renee said taking a long drink off hers. They sat in silence for a while.
"So what do you remember of your life?" Renee asked.
"My name, how to speak a couple of languages, and everything else is kind of a jumble. Hard to make out what's up there." Howlyn said vaguely pointing to his head.
"What's your favorite color?" Howlyn grinned.
"Green."
"Well you see that's something. What else?"
"Just anything that comes to mind?" Howlyn said still grinning.
"Yeah anything."
" I like touching." He said taking Renee's hand in his. Her eyes dropped to it.
"Ok." She said pulling her hand back.
"I'm a good fighter, I read fast, I seem to like Linkin' Park." Howlyn said staring off into the dancing crowd.
"How are you at dancing?" Renee asked. He shrugged.
"Not really sure any more." He said watching a couple off to the left.
"Well let's find out shall we?" Howlyn's head snapped around.
"What?"
"Come on." She said standing up. "You never know till you try." Howlyn started to slide out of his seat.
"I don't know about this." He said following her on to the floor.
"What's to know? Just move with the music." Renee said demonstrating with the swaying motion of her hips. Her hands rose from her sides to hang over her head as her eyes half closed fluttering open slightly with the beat. Howlyn stood watching her a bit to surprised to move. She opened her eyes to glare at him.
"You going to stand there all night or try it?" Renee snapped going back to her dancing. Howlyn looked around; sure he knew how to dance, just not so sure how humans danced. Couples were close, almost touching, moving their hips as the beat hit its peek. He also noted a lot of people seeming to mating standing up. //Ok that one's out. // He thought going back to the hip people.
He looked down at his own feet. He slowly rocked his hips watching how it looked. He started the lead the swaying with his shoulders, his arms rising bent at his waist. He moved slowly going for grace and power in his movement not speed and skill as others were downing. His feet lifted from the floor, much by much for the seemed tacky and unnatural to him. //Now for the other parts of this dance. //
He reached out, grabbed Renee, and dragged her close. Her eyes shot open as she slammed against him. She blinked a few times. //Oh, he's dancing. All right then. // She thought finally noticing what he was doing. She took half a step back so she could move and started dancing again. Her hips and shoulder moving faster than his and with a more fluid grace than the display of power which he had going for him. His hand remained on her back, his head tilted down, eyes closed as if all he could feel was the music.
Her hands threaded threw her hair letting her finger trail over her neck. His eyes opened to catch the move. His head moved to the side as his hands fell to her hips controlling how they swayed under his hands. Her arms rose over her head letting her edge just that bit closer. He could almost taste her this near, his head slipped closer to her's, so close she shivered. One hand swept up to lift her hair back from her neck. Her head turned to the side baring her neck even more.
Then he saw it. His mark was still on her neck. The silvery scar gleamed at him from the base of her neck. He knew it would have stayed but seeing it was over whelming. He gently reached out to trace his fingers over it.
Renee's eyes flashed open and jumped back. Her eyes were wide with some emotion that Howlyn couldn't place. She blinked, looked around a bit, and then stormed off to their table.
//What the hell's going on? // Howlyn thought following after her through the swarming bodies of the other dancers.
"Renee what's wrong?" Howlyn asked reaching the table as she was getting ready to leave.
"Nothing." She growled throwing him his coat. She tugging on her's and started for the door.
"What's wrong with you Palmer?" Howlyn demanded grabbing her arm and spinning her around as they stepped outside. Her hand dropped to her holster but she didn't draw it. She just glared at him. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes again.
"Nothing is wrong with me Jared. It just occurred to me that I have to get back to Justina soon. That's all." She took her arm away from his hold and started back to her car. Howlyn stared after her for a minute. He dug his finger into his eyes letting a hiss of frustration escape his lips.
"One of these days female I will fined out what the hell is going on in your fucking head." He said marching down the street after her.
(AN: So tell me what you think. Like why did Renee flip out like that? Why did she suddenly think of Justina? When will the next chapter be out? Ask me anything, or just review please! Next time: Babysitting. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!)
(AN: Disclaimer: I do not own Linkin' Park or any of their songs. Very sorry about the delay in posting this chapter. I was trying to finish another story that I have going. I have one more chapter on that one and I have another story I've been snubbing for the longest time. Anyway here it is.)
Howlyn stared at the double doors down the street with growing doubt. He hadn't been that interested in the idea when Renee had suggested it but now that it was getting ever closer he was feeling a gnawing in the pit of his stomach. He glanced at Renee only to find her watching him.
"What?" He asked veering his eyes away from her.
"You have the funniest expression on your face." She said trying not to smile.
"Well your pretty funny yourself." Howlyn snapped. "What is it with you anyway? You were never this chipper."
"You know I really don't know why. I guess it has something to do with Justina. Ever since she was born I've see life with a bit more humor. There's just something about her." Renee said looking ahead towards their destination.
"Oh yes, Justina." Howlyn said quietly. "Do you mind my asking?"
"Who's her father?" Howlyn nodded. "Yes I do mind your asking."
Howlyn looked at her but they had reached the club so she rushed forward to pull open the door. //Must be still touchy about her last mate dying. // Howlyn thought stepping into the club. The music that had only been a dull thud became a biting roar. The shirr volume from it was vibrating through his stomach as if it was hollow. It muffled his ears and shook the back of his neck. His nose was filled with the sent of wood, drinks, and the faint draft of after-shave.
The lighting was constantly changing from a red-ish purple to the orange of a perfect sunset. Booths were around most of the wall except for a stage at the other side of the building. Single tables with 2 chairs littered the floor around the spacious dance floor. Stairways were around the place leading up to the balcony were their was a huge bar and more seats over looking the dance floor. Most of the chairs were filled or had a drink on them saying they were taken. Everyone else was on the dance floor or around the bar moving to the DJ's music.
Renee walked straight to the left leading Howlyn by the hand. She stepped right up to a booth were 2 people were in the intense process of making out. Renee slammed two 20's on the table so loud that it broke the 2 out of their trance. Howlyn stared in shock. They were both girls.
"Take your lady friend somewhere else with a bit more privacy." Renee said with a wink. The short haired red head winked back scooping up the money and leading her girl friend out of the booth with the other. They both looked very happy. Renee swung into the booth without a second look. Howlyn climbed into the other side staring after the pair.
"It's rude to stare." Renee said looking around the room. Howlyn looked back to her in amused disbelief. //Shit, I really regret loosing her. // Howlyn thought as he watched her. She turned to him and grinned.
"Paying for a room is cheaper than paying off a bouncer at any of the other clubs." She explained. He nodded looking out into the sea of people in the place.
"I'll be back with some drinks in a minute." Renee said rising from her seat. She took off for the stairs not waiting for Howlyn to respond which was ok by him. He had never had any earth liquor before because it was far too weak to effect his body. Only the substance Ever Clear was close to the customary Atavus drink he was use to. Atavus culture didn't have much drink in their traditions for it clouded mind but it was there in some places. With him being human now any of the earth drinks were open to him.
Even as the thought occurred to him his mind shifted to the music that was playing. The old melody had been fast and tech-no and Howlyn had paid no mind to it. But as he listened now the music changed a slow static pulse emanated form the speakers catching his ear. It then change into the rolling of harsh drums, guitars, and nameless others in a moving and powerful beat. Before he knew it the words had sucked him in. He stared out into the crowd amazed by their clarity and ring of truth.
I woke up in a dream today
To the cold of the static and put my cold feet on the floor
Forgot all about yesterday
Remembering I'm pretending to be where I'm not anymore A little taste of hypocrisy
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react
//Stepping out of the chamber and being human was just like that of waking up in a dream and pertending to be someone he wasn't. //
Even though you're so close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
//He was SO close to Renee but she was so far away he had no idea how to bring her back. //
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
//She was everywhere in his thoughts, he couldn't get her out of his head. She kept so much from him and even if she didn't want to be with him he was always with her, literally and now physically. //
I hit you and you hit me back We fall to the floor the rest of the day stands still
//We fight. //
Fine line between this and that
When things go wrong I pretend the past isn't real
I'm trapped in this memory
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react
//Right and wrong were so close it was hard to see the truth anymore. When his plans on earth fell through he tried to forget why he came to earth in the first place. Looking back it seemed like a mistake to have come here at all. //
So even though you're close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
Howlyn's mind was ablaze with the sound of it. The torrents of drums, the metallic song woven by the guitar. He loved it! The harsh and beautiful blending of the voices dancing his head haunting him with their lyrics. His head swayed to the beat his eyes only half open as he listened.
"Hey I'm back." Renee said setting a drink before him. Howlyn grabbed her arm.
"Who sings this?" Howlyn asked urgently. Renee paused listening for a second.
No, no matter how far we've come
I can't wait to see tomorrow
No, no matter how far we've come I
I can't wait to see tomorrow
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
with you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes.
"Linkin' Park." She said. "Why, sound familiar?"
"You could say that." Howlyn said letting go of her arm. She slipped into the seat next to him pulling her drink to her lips. Howlyn looked down at his.
"What is it?" He asked giving it an uneasy stir. He didn't really expect a name to make him feel much better about drinking it but he had to ask anyway.
"Long Island Ice Tea, trust me all you'll need is one or two of those and you'll be good." She said waving at his. "Mine is a Rum and Coke." Howlyn sipped his and shivered. Renee looked at him expectantly.
"Let me try ours." Howlyn said switching her. He sipped again nodding. "I like this one."
"That's fine I like Ice Teas anyway." Renee said taking a long drink off hers. They sat in silence for a while.
"So what do you remember of your life?" Renee asked.
"My name, how to speak a couple of languages, and everything else is kind of a jumble. Hard to make out what's up there." Howlyn said vaguely pointing to his head.
"What's your favorite color?" Howlyn grinned.
"Green."
"Well you see that's something. What else?"
"Just anything that comes to mind?" Howlyn said still grinning.
"Yeah anything."
" I like touching." He said taking Renee's hand in his. Her eyes dropped to it.
"Ok." She said pulling her hand back.
"I'm a good fighter, I read fast, I seem to like Linkin' Park." Howlyn said staring off into the dancing crowd.
"How are you at dancing?" Renee asked. He shrugged.
"Not really sure any more." He said watching a couple off to the left.
"Well let's find out shall we?" Howlyn's head snapped around.
"What?"
"Come on." She said standing up. "You never know till you try." Howlyn started to slide out of his seat.
"I don't know about this." He said following her on to the floor.
"What's to know? Just move with the music." Renee said demonstrating with the swaying motion of her hips. Her hands rose from her sides to hang over her head as her eyes half closed fluttering open slightly with the beat. Howlyn stood watching her a bit to surprised to move. She opened her eyes to glare at him.
"You going to stand there all night or try it?" Renee snapped going back to her dancing. Howlyn looked around; sure he knew how to dance, just not so sure how humans danced. Couples were close, almost touching, moving their hips as the beat hit its peek. He also noted a lot of people seeming to mating standing up. //Ok that one's out. // He thought going back to the hip people.
He looked down at his own feet. He slowly rocked his hips watching how it looked. He started the lead the swaying with his shoulders, his arms rising bent at his waist. He moved slowly going for grace and power in his movement not speed and skill as others were downing. His feet lifted from the floor, much by much for the seemed tacky and unnatural to him. //Now for the other parts of this dance. //
He reached out, grabbed Renee, and dragged her close. Her eyes shot open as she slammed against him. She blinked a few times. //Oh, he's dancing. All right then. // She thought finally noticing what he was doing. She took half a step back so she could move and started dancing again. Her hips and shoulder moving faster than his and with a more fluid grace than the display of power which he had going for him. His hand remained on her back, his head tilted down, eyes closed as if all he could feel was the music.
Her hands threaded threw her hair letting her finger trail over her neck. His eyes opened to catch the move. His head moved to the side as his hands fell to her hips controlling how they swayed under his hands. Her arms rose over her head letting her edge just that bit closer. He could almost taste her this near, his head slipped closer to her's, so close she shivered. One hand swept up to lift her hair back from her neck. Her head turned to the side baring her neck even more.
Then he saw it. His mark was still on her neck. The silvery scar gleamed at him from the base of her neck. He knew it would have stayed but seeing it was over whelming. He gently reached out to trace his fingers over it.
Renee's eyes flashed open and jumped back. Her eyes were wide with some emotion that Howlyn couldn't place. She blinked, looked around a bit, and then stormed off to their table.
//What the hell's going on? // Howlyn thought following after her through the swarming bodies of the other dancers.
"Renee what's wrong?" Howlyn asked reaching the table as she was getting ready to leave.
"Nothing." She growled throwing him his coat. She tugging on her's and started for the door.
"What's wrong with you Palmer?" Howlyn demanded grabbing her arm and spinning her around as they stepped outside. Her hand dropped to her holster but she didn't draw it. She just glared at him. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes again.
"Nothing is wrong with me Jared. It just occurred to me that I have to get back to Justina soon. That's all." She took her arm away from his hold and started back to her car. Howlyn stared after her for a minute. He dug his finger into his eyes letting a hiss of frustration escape his lips.
"One of these days female I will fined out what the hell is going on in your fucking head." He said marching down the street after her.
(AN: So tell me what you think. Like why did Renee flip out like that? Why did she suddenly think of Justina? When will the next chapter be out? Ask me anything, or just review please! Next time: Babysitting. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!)
