Silence
Almost a week has passed and most thing are falling into a rhythm, habits are forming in people around and even in himself. Bandits come in small bursts to to Fyrestone gate wanting to take it back, they don't get very close and they aren't very well permitted to get away. How strange, lately he even glanced at the time setting himself a curfew without thinking about it. He made it back to Fyrestone, home in time every night to lift angel up and carry her upstairs to the room they had given her. Brick had been the bring her bed, Mordecai found it in opportunity and called for Brick. Tonight was no different, he leaned against the wall to headquarters and looked down at a small watch face he had plucked from his pocket. Not quite time yet, although there isn't much reason to linger. Between a few buildings he spotted the sign to Moxxis blinking in the distance, crap. There's no beer back at the house..he killed it with dinner the other night. There's not really time enough for him to make it to the Zaffords place..not that he really wanted to.
Mordecai took another glance at his watch before dropping it back in his pocket and walking towards the bar. This much had remained essentially the same the only difference being that people drinking at tables looked tired instead of horrendously ill. Moxxi blinked when she spotted Mordecai in the doorway, a sly smile curling the corner of her lips. What on earth would he be doing here? She watched him scan the area before walking over to the bar, she let the smile stay plainly on her face.
" oh my, now I thought I'd never see you in here again sugar."
Behind the goggles he arced an eyebrow at her, she hadn't called him that in a good long while. Although he's also been avoiding her for a good long while. She leaned forward pronouncing her large breasts for his viewing pleasure, although he seemed to be looking at her face. What the hell!? In the back of her mind she scowled loudly at this, on the surface however she gave a coy smile tilted her head ever so slightly to the side.
" … I need a few beers, to go."
Moxxi brushed her hair back over her ear for a moment letting the other hand lay on her hip as she stood up to look at him.
" and we're all business, well how rude."
She watched his face for any sign of his thoughts, usually the way his mouth would move, or if he wrinkled his nose. Nope, Nothing.
"hello."
Moxxi snorted at his sarcasm, what a dumbass. She should have guessed it wouldn't work on him. Never did. Not even when they where alone. She crossed her arms and let her glare be seen, his mouth twitched into a small smile.
" how many a few you twiggy bastard."
" you got a 12 pack?"
She huffed and uncrossed her arms to crouch down and look under the counter. He could her the single bottle being slid this way and that. A few tinking together here and there, a moment later she stood up holding a sealed box.
" you sure you want this? Wont your nun wife get pissed?"
Mordecai reached into a pocket hanging off his belt for a wad of bills, he unrolled it as he answered.
" Maya's not a nun anymore."
Moxxi snorted and rolled her eyes.
"oh what, is she party girl now? Whats her favorite poison?"
With a sigh he gave up and tossed the whole wad into Moxxis tip jar before he looked at her.
" She doesn't drink."
He reached over and picked up the box, tucking it under his arm. Moxxi found herself openly glaring at him.
" pfft I bet you and her get along just fucking great."
Just as he was turning to leave, he paused and looked to her. She wasn't usually so pissy. At least not when people could see her.
"...?"
Moxxi shot her glare over her shoulder at him, knowing he was just waiting to hear the rest of her little rant. God she hated when he did that crap, always stopping his shit just to fucking listen- who the hell does that?
" you sugar, no sex drive whatsoever and you got yourself a nun for a wife. How perfect is that? You don't even have to worry about keeping her satisfied do you?"
Off to the side a few people where looking over curious, Mordecai usually never cared what people thought of him. But she was making a damn scene on purpose wasn't she.
"Moxxi."
He said her name, in that concerned voice of his, a bit lower than normal. She turned to face him with her arms crossed beneath her breasts.
"what."
Don't use that voice, god no not that voice. He did it anyway, looking right at her painted face. In the back of his mind he recalled the way Mayas books worded things. Mordecai was careful to choose the right words when he spoke to her this time. She was acting as if he was the one that hurt her, it was about time he made it clear how untrue that was.
" ...moxxi are you mad because I wouldn't have sex with you?"
Beneath her makeup her face turned heated, she glared at him sharply but did not respond.
" don't take that personally, I don't wanna have 'sex' with anyone. I wanted to make love to you."
Moxxi's eyes went wide, she blinked rapidly looking away and back at him again. His gaze didn't falter.
" I don't wanna touch your body when I can't have your soul, how could you ever show me that when you where always too damn scared to show me your face."
She didn't budge when he reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek, smearing her makeup.
" I was waiting for you, and you left. Don't get pissed at me for having landed someone else. And don't you get pissed at Maya. Don't you dare assume that I don't care for her, or that I don't keep her satisfied. I do, I do because she didn't Leave me waiting."
With that Mordecai turned around walked off to the fast travel station, beer tucked under his arm and Moxxi staring half shocked and half mortified at his back. Why was this stupid lump in her throat? Fuck, she walked out from behind the counter marching off to her private bathroom.
When Mordecai walked back in the house he found Maya and Angel sitting together on the make shift couch eating stewed vegetables from the garden that Angel was now in charge of. He smiled When Angel scooted closer to Maya to make room for him on the small couch and pointed to the small stove in in the corner. Sitting there on top was a bowl waiting for him, steam curling off the surface. He put the box of beer on the floor by the door before strolling across the room to pick up his dinner and plop down next to Angel. He ruffled her hair in greeting, she only grunted at the action.
" what kept you?"
Maya asked as wiped broth away from her mouth with the back of her hand. She looked at him from over her bowl before scooping up another mouthful, Angel turned to look at him while she chewed adding her own.
"mmm?"
He sat the bowl on his knee as he pulled off his gloves to eat before he responded, still smiling.
" I stopped for a drink and Moxxi wanted to try and keep for her usual talk."
Maya blinked and tried to match a face to that name, but nothing popped up.
" Which ones Moxxi?"
He looked over at her, stirring his stew with the little metal spoon.
" face paint behind the counter."
" I don't like her, she so rude. I don't know what I did but she really doesn't like me."
It very suddenly occurs to him that no one ever told Maya about how he and Moxxi knew each other. He takes a mouthful debating on if he should tell her...well she'll find out eventually and isn't not telling her sort of lying?
"shes my ex"
Both Angel and Maya seem to need a moment to make a connection with that very vague word choice.
" ex wife?"
" ex girlfriend."
" oh..."
Maya lowers her bowl suddenly feeling nervous and guilty.
"how long where guys separated before...you know,me?"
"a day."
Angels eyes go wide, she redirects her stare down to the floor and continues to eat silently. Maya huffs looking rather panicked, she stares at him horrified.
" what? How... why did you guys break up?"
He can hear her panicking, but he doesn't look at her. It wasn't her fault at all, she shouldn't feel bad.
" I walked in on her with some other guy."
"what."
The sound of panic is gone, replaced by bewilderment.
" she was, she was the wrong girl I guess. And anyway I'm glad she did it. If I didn't know what she was up to I would have refused when Lil told me about the deal she needed to make, you know the one with that wedding."
This time he looks over and sees her giving him a sheepish smile, her cheeks tinted a rosy pink.
" oh yea? I'm not sure I remember, could you clarify for me?"
Mordecai snorts and wipe his mouth, she wants to play?
"yea, Lil made some weird ass deal with Athenas while back, I thought you where there. Could have sworn. she told me I had to get married."
He drops the sentence there to take another bite, Maya snickering over her bowl.
" And what did you say?"
" I said she was out of her mind, no way in hell."
Mayas smile doesn't waver, she just looks at him with that hooded gaze.
"but you know, she was all teary eyed and I guess didn't have a real reason to say no so caved. I was pretty pissed the whole way over, then I get there and damn."
"damn what?"
" the chicka they where giving me, I mean- you're pretty but she was caliente, smokin-"
"god you guys are dorks"
Angel sighs loudly from between them, as if they had forgotten she was there.
"any chance you can drop me in my bed before you guys break yours?"
Maya and Mordecai both break into laughter, Maya with one hand over her mouth to try and stifle herself. Mordecai puts an arm around Angel squeezing her against him in a one armed bear hug.
" oi you watch your self eh"
It isn't much longer til dishes are stacked up in a bucket by the stove to be washed in the morning and Mordecai is carrying Angel up stairs to her bed. Maya trailing behind holding Angels crutches, for whatever reason Angel likes them in her room with her.
A short while later Mordecai is in his own bed grinning at his thoughts while Maya Showers before bed. As she always does, he loves it when she comes out wrapped up in a towel just so he can peel it off her. Mordecai closes his eyes and fold his arms behind his head, he muses to himself that what his younger self would do or say if he could see himself now. Perhaps it would have given him hope, a goal to move toward. Instead of his directionless running, doesn't matter anyway does it? He's got a good thing here and he won't let any one take it away.
No matter what, he wont leave this behind, there is no fear that would make him leave this.
The sound of running water stops, he can hear Mayas wet feet walking about the bathroom, about now shes drying up her hair and face. Mordecai lays in bed wearing only his boxers, his gaze roams across the ceiling over to the corner of the room where the door to the bathroom is hidden. A strange silence is followed by a heavy 'thud'. He sits up and looks over toward the bathroom, feeling slightly anxious.
" Mami,You okay?"
He can hear hear make a strange sound before a horrible wet splattering noise, its followed by her heaving breath and then repeats. He moves to step out of bed, becoming more and more worried.
" Maya?! Whats going on? Whats wrong."
The sound she makes in return isn't intelligible, he knocks n the door and reaches for the doorknob. Locked. She heaves again but no other sound follows for a while. He slams his shoulder against the door.
" Maya!? Let me in! Whats wrong! You're sick?! Let me help!"
Behind the door Maya looks over at the jiggling handle and reaches out for it, but her body is over taken with a sudden and piercing pain. This is followed by grating shriek that rings out in her skull, she doesn't realize thats coming from her.
" Mami please! Open the door"
Another huff and splatter, he can't take it. Fear grips every bit of his mind, he takes a step back before ramming his whole body against the door. The frame lurches forward and the door slams into the wall- his hand catching it before it can bounce shut again. Blood. Blood and vomit spewed over the toilet, the blood puddling on the floor in great masses across the floor. There she is laying face down in growing blood pool, her body curled in front of the sink and her arm outstretched toward the door. Horror at the scene locks Mordecai's body in place for only a second before he dives down lift her up, he gently cradles her face, tapping her cheek.
" Mami? Please please wake up..."
A strange gurgling noise, emanating from somewhere in her throat could be heard. Unsure of quite what to do he slaps her back, its gets a bit louder. He places a handed on her stomach fearfully presses firmly down in a quick motion. A small wave of dark red blood spills from her blue lips, making the liquid seem louder. Mayas breathing is ragged and shallow. Fuck. Fuck. Mordecai scoops her up and takes her to the bed, for a minute just stares at her, trying to make calm down and make his mind work. Shes naked. She wraps the blanket around her and quickly yanks on his pants before scooping her back up and bolting out of the room.
" whats wrong!? Whats going on!
Angel shouts from the floor of her doorway, Mordecai turns to look at her fear evident on his face does nothing to reassure her. Nor does the streak of blood spilling out of Mayas mouth.
" go back to bed, stay there! I need to get Maya to Zed! Stay here for me!"
She doesn't want to stay she wants to run down and follow him, to wait there beside the bed and know that every thing will be fine. But shes stuck up there, so she simply nods at him before he bolts out the door, slamming it behind him.
Moxxi sighs to herself bored, not too many people at the bar late at night. People are responsible for things now, can't just be drunk all the damn time. She huffs irritatedly and decide to take a walk, she's bewildered when she find herself stumbling out of Mordecais way. She wants to shout at him but finds herself gawking at the fact that he isn't wearing a shirt. It takes her a moment to look at Mayas limp body dangling in his arms. Moxxi looks down, then behind her. A small trail of trickling blood.
is rattled out of his thoughts when he hears a frantic banging and shouting at his doors. He growls inwardly as he looks through his peephole, after spotting the hunter he quickly flips open his deadbolt and holds it open. Mordecai rushes in holing Maya up for him to see.
" I don't know what happened she was fine one minute, and then she was getting out the shower. Something happened but I can't tell what and she was screaming- like- like I – I – I – I don't know. She just-"
Zed looks at Maya then Mordecai, he quickly moves to pull open the curtain to his currently empty patient beds.
" Bring her here"
Mordecai hurries to follow him placing maya down on the cleaned cot, hes shocked when he places her down. The front of the blanket is soaked with blood, but where did it come from? AND WHY!? Zed pulls the blanket back, revealing several deep lacerations across her sides.
" get rid of this damn blanket, its in the way."
Mordecai carefully places a hand under her back, gently lifting her just enough to pull the blanket out from under her. The sound of rubber snapping catches his attention, Zed is pulling on latex gloves.
" throw it away and go wake up Daisy."
Not really sure what hes doing Mordecai bolts out of the clinic glancing around. He spots a trash can a short distance away, as he pitches it into the bin he find himself feeling dirty like some kind of criminal. Daisy? Where does Daisy live? He racks his brain for only a moment before he runs towards scooters garage, she lives in the building behind it. He runs full speed skidding to a stop and banging furiously on her door. He can hear her rustling about inside, before she shouts.
"shut the hell up I'm getting there!"
Daisy is stunned to see of all people Mordecai. Calm collected Mordecai, why would he panic?
" Please hurry, Zed need you- Maya shes hurt or sick-"
Before he can finish She steps out shutting the door behind to hurry along back to the clinic. When they arrive back, Zed is smearing some strange greenish gel into her injuries before stitching them shut. Daisy quickly bolts to coat her hands with some bubbly clear gel, it dries quickly so she can snap a pair of her own gloves and assist with sewing back together. Mordecai watches as a new injury is torn into her by unseen hands, he watches. As he watches he realizes her skin isn't just opening like a sore, its being pressed inward before slicing open. Why would that happen? Maya screams as several new wounds are inflicted on her, Daisy dropping the sewing needle and injecting Maya with a healing Hypo. Not as thorough but faster, the wounds seal shut leaving ghostly little white scars behind. As she had screamed her Marking had been glowing.
" she isn't the one hurt... Wheres her brother?"
DR. Zed looks over at Mordecai, not really sure what to make of that. Mordecai snarls and bolts to headquarters, he shoves the guard to the side and rams the door open. A few of the soldiers blearily roll out of bed, some jolting upright look at him. A great bunch of guards they are, Tannis watches the blur of him swing by. When he rushes past the bunks upstairs Zero watches him with interest, Salvador grumbles. Axton doesn't budge. Lilith shouts in confusion when he runs straight for the central console, She watches him desperately try to open the communication channel to Athenas.
" what the hell is going on? What are you doing-"
" Maya … Maya and her brother their twins they share an empathetic link- when one is angry or sad or in pain the other one feels it! So what happens if one dies?!"
