Addict: Yes! *pumps fist* I finally got rid of that imposter! She got the advantage last time because she got here first. But this time . . . I got here! You know how she said we coauthored this? She lied!
SHE WROTE ALLL OF IT!
INAGW: *slowly edges in* *whispers* she's lying,,,,, we wrote it together,,,, she wrote more than me,,,, im not and impostor im a friend...
*stands up* Hey guys! Now, I'm sure a lot of you realized this already, but Addict and I, we were literally making up the story as we wrote it. Yeah. Due to that, there may be a few inconsistent things here and there *cough*continuity errors*cough* so we ask of you to point out any that you may catch so we can go back and fix it? I think?
Addict: Fine. She's not an imposter. She might even be my best friend . . . but who said that? Not me! :DDDDDDD
*covers Inagw's ear* *whispers* But I still think she wrote all of it. *uncovers ears*
Yes! Please point out any errors you see, cuz with me writing this, you're going to need it! And also! (I think you know what I'm going to say . . . . ) REVIEW!
Inagw, anything else? Besides that fact that we love all of you?
INAGW: Well the only thing I'll say is that naming the building Alchimeter was not an intentional reference,,,,, it just kinda happened,,,, I had no other interesting word and Observatory didn't sound enticing enough and by the time I realized what word I actually used it was too late... Pen I'm looking at you.
Addict: Wait . . . Alchimeter? What's wrong with that? Pls explain to us dull and boring people. :DDDDD
INAGW: *softly* this week on, I didn't know it was Homestuck
Addict: Ohhhhh...ok, I'm glad it wasn't something that I would have known. I would have felt dumber than I already do . . . .
So, Inagw, anything else?
INAGW: nah I think that's it. Also thanks for sticking with us for so long! *finger guns*
Addict: Echoing Inagw . . . . . . Enjoy! (the good parts Inagw wrote . . .) :D
The next day was by no means a pleasant morning for Dan. He had already stayed up the entire night after he had parted with Sinead in the late evening, and the slivers of sunlight that filtered through his thick curtains reminded him how much time he had wasted. Stretching out, he rubbed from his eyes the sleep dust that had accumulated. He had spent the entire night hunched over the glowing light of the screen, scanning line after line of texts from Narcissus to see if he could glean any useful information.
It proved to be fruitless, however, and Dan only actually figured out that Narcissus was good at keeping character even in the most challenging spots. Calling Sinead, he asked if she had figured out anything useful from his phone.
"No." Sinead said, sounding just as tired as he felt. "All I want to know is why you kept talking to her. I mean, first she ignore you until you send her like 100+ messages, then finally messages you back, and then sends you another 467 when you won't answer ONE!"
Dan didn't answer for a minute. "Wait...she sent me that many?" He didn't quite remember that.
"Yes!" Sinead exclaimed. "Are you sure you're ok? I mean, your future self had enough time to cope with the abuse, but your present self–never mind. I'm confusing even my genius brain."
Dan shook his head in bemusement, before directing his attention back to her. "I'm fine." He said seriously, meaning it. "It true that if feel myself being distracted more and more often due to me transitioning back to my younger body. But it's still fine. It's great to be back into a younger body, even if I feel myself turning back into the old Dan in small ways."
The other side was silent, so Dan rambled on. "So did you find any bugs or trace anything?"
Sinead gasped as if remembering something and Dan felt his hopes soar. Maybe their efforts hadn't been so fruitless after all.
"Yeah! I found a small bug inside your phone. I dissected it and man, was this little thing packed. She basically could see everything you were doing from the phone. From accessing the cameras to see where you are, to illegally finding your location, to even reading your messages! Though, it seems the last one hadn't been activated yet, so you're safe."
"What?" Dan gasped. "But how? Wouldn't she have too have my phone to plant a bug on it? She didn't see me until...yesterday, and..." He continued ranting, then stopped abruptly. "Wait, Sinead. What if yesterday wasn't the first day she saw me?"
"Dan . . ." Sinead said, sighing. "Um, when was the first day you met her?"
Dan paused. "Ummm...maybe early January? I know it was after New Years, but before Valentines, cause I sent her a little emoji via instant messaging saying Happy Hearts Day which means I was already talking to her by then . . .why?"
"Hmmm," Sinead said, her voice serious. "The bug was put on January 15."
Dan laughed uncertainly, wondering if Sinead had been joking. "You're . . . you're kidding, right?"
"No?" Sinead trailed off, before finally realizing that Dan didn't know of this. "Oh my god! Did this not happen in your future? Or did you just not realize?"
"I don't think it happened!" Dan whispered, panicking. "Let's see, I met her game character , "Dragon", in late October. We became mutuals in early November, and by the end of last year we had each other's contact information. At this point in time, we've only just reached our one year anniversary. It happens at the half mark of our first year. In a couple months, maybe?"
"Irrelevant, irreverent!" Sinead said, probably waving her hand on the other side of the phone. "Dan, you started messaging her personally on that day in January. You messaged her privately for all the times before that. The important thing is, who gave you that phone?"
Dan racked his memories, realizing it was easier and he didn't have to go as far back due to his older self's memories fading. When he remembered how he got the phone, his heart stopped as the pieces began fitting together.
"Sinead . . ." Dan said, his voice low, "I was buying a new phone, because my old one was . . ." He stopped, trying to remember. "I don't know what was wrong with it." He concluded. "But anyway, this really cute sales-chic offered to help me." He blushed, as the memory flooded back to him. "She was so gorgeous, her deep hazel eyes, and her long black hair . . ."
"Dan." Sinead said. "Stop. Continue with your other story. I don't need to hair about your likes and dislikes in the female gender."
"It's definitely not you." Dan retorted, and Sinead replied with an indignant yell for him to continue the story.
"Oh. Right." Dan said, thankful Sinead couldn't see how red his face was. "So . . . she was really aggressive about buying a certain kind of phone. Finally I agreed, and then she reached out and grabbed one and handed it to me. I just thought she was being flirty, seeing as she made sure our hands touched. But, Sinead, I think she was working for them. Why else would she make sure I buy that phone?"
"Dan..." Sinead said, her voice lowering in pitch as she got more serious. "I need to see your old phone."
"What?" But, Dan mused, at least she wasn't making fun of when his sexual attraction overwhelmed his rationality.
"I said, 'I need your old phone!' You used to chat with Narcissus on that right? Using obscure chatting apps and what not. She might have been able to remotely turn off your phone so you could get the one with the bug!"
Dan slapped his forehead and dragged it down his face, exclaiming, "47 years after the incident and this never once occurred to me. I'm an idiot."
Sinead laughed, "Yes, yes, you are. Now I need your phone. Same place, same time as last night?"
Dan thought for a minute. "No . . . they'll figure out that's our meeting place eventually. How 'bout your apartment? No...that wouldn't work either. Then you'd be a target."
Sinead cut in. "Dan, I already am. I die, remember?"
Dan nodded, even though Sinead couldn't see him. "I know. But I don't want it to happen again, which is why we're doing all this? Where do you suggest?"
Dan could almost see Sinead smiling as she replied. "Walmart, the one four minutes from the CCC. Its such a low-key place. See you in two hours. You go in the grocery door, I'll go in the home. Let's meet at . . . checkout 8."
Dan hung up and promptly deleted any record of their call, including Sinead's number. He already memorized it, so it wasn't a problem. Slinging not-his bag onto his shoulder, he started heading out, only to be blocked by Amy at the door.
"Dan. Where are you going?" Dan rolled his eyes at the motherly tone, he was too old to deal with this. Amy had her hands crossed across her chest and had what she must have thought was an authoritative look on her face, but that instead just made her look mildly congested.
"Going to meet up with Sinead." He said, hoping she would let him aside like last time, but instead she frowned and blocked his way even further.
"Dan. I know you're doing something behind my back." She said forcefully. Dan didn't even flinch.
"Yeah. Like, writing a book?" He said sarcastically, giving her a pointed look.
"Oh yeah. Tell me what it's about."
His mind blanked out for a second as he started grabbing at loose strings, stuttering as Amy gave him a satisfied look. "It's a story about a b-girl! A girl who wakes us in the past!" Dan blurted, pressured into saying his own story with a different gender. "She uhh . . ." He paused, frantically searching for something believable to say. "Umm . . . the future had something bad so she tries to change the past even if it meant in her own death. Yeah. See you later!"
He bodily pushed past her, ignoring her incredulous look. "It seems interesting!" She called after him as he ran out the door.
Dan ran out to garage and selected a motorcycle, then realized a motorcycle isn't exactly an anonymous vehicle. He pulled out their Impala and turned it on. Amy peeked out. "Dan? Why are you taking that?"
Dan racked his brain for a simple explanation. "Uhh . . . Sinead doesn't like to ride on a motorcycle . . .so . . . I'm bringing this." Dan mentally chided himself. He was such a unbelievable idiot.
Amy arched her eyebrows suspiciously. "Ok . . .bye . . . have fun."
Dan nodded, and backed out, but crashed into the garage door. It was still down. Ooops.
"Dan!" Amy yelled from the doorway as he tried to hear her over the sounds of the car beeping. "Do you really want to get away from me that badly?"
"I'm . . ." Dan racked his brain for a reasonable excuse. Wait . . . the meetup was in Walmart, right? "I'm . . . going grocery shopping before I meet her! I really need . . . a new notebook! Do you need anything?"
"No . . ." Amy's face slackened as she waved him goodbye.
Dan drove along, his heart beating with guilt and worry, until he came to the designated Walmart. Sinead was no doubt waiting at already. Pulling into the parking lot, he hopped out and tried to stay casual.
(Haven't edited beyond this point)
His stomach was in knots as he realized the implications of today's chat. If all went well, he would confront Narcissus and pretend to be totally in her control, before infiltrating their organization. His heart dropped with dread as even his mature mind couldn't keep him calm. This was testing new waters, and he wasn't sure if he'd have a second chance this time.
He stood in the parking lot for a while, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart, and his jumbled nerves. After several minutes of staring at the shopping cart racks, he grabbed a cart and headed inside. The bustling metropolis that was Walmart almost calmed Dan's nerves as he stared at the people hurrying, rushing, even scurrying around.
He walked quickly over to checkout eight, grabbing a pack of soda and two candy bars.
Sinead was no where to be seen.
Dan's heart stopped in place, then skipped several beats as his mind jumped to the worst conclusions. He spun his head around wildly, looking for any trace of the auburn head. Where was she? "Please make her just be late." Dan prayed, just as she popped into view.
"Dan! There you are!" She cried out cheerfully.
Dan's heartbeat slowed down as he processed the happy, living Sinead in front of him. Running across the tiled floor, he pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tighter at the surprised sound.
"Don't scare me like that. We're so close. We can't lose each other now."
Sinead pulled away. Smirking at him, she tried to cover how shaken she was by the reminder by pulling a joke. "Oh Dan, are you confessing to me?"
Dan stared at Sinead, trying to process what she was saying. "No." He groaned, finally getting it. "We need to get started. Buy what items you have, and then meet me outside. I'm parked in section F. Black impala. "
Sinead nodding, her intent green eyes boring into Dan's. "Ok." She agreed, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "See you in a few."
Waiting in the car, Dan closed his eyes and tried to calm down. It shouldn't scare him, not after all this time. But it did. It terrified him, made ice run through his veins, made his eyes twitch with terror, his breath quicken.
Maybe it just signified that he was almost back to how he was before. He only had snatches of the future now, desperate memories that he as an old man tried to cling to. Luckily he had already written out everything yet again. He didn't know what he would do without his notebook.
Sinead had been getting necessary gear to set up the fraud plan that Dan would then spoil to Narcissus, slowly but surely trapping her in a web only he could see. She would think he had him a marionette dancing on stings, when he was slowly winding her tighter and tighter.
A bloodthirsty smile slid onto Dan's face, and he couldn't bring himself to get rid of it.
Pulling out his phone, he nodded to where Sinead entered the car, dragging in an assortment of party supplies and tech gear that he was pretty sure wasn't sold at Walmart. Shaking his head, he looked back down at his screen.
Tensing himself, he clicked Narcissus name, typing out his message. "Hey Narcissus. I'm really sorry about the notes. I was having a bad day and I took it out on your name and I'm really sorry about it. Will you forgive me? Everything was a lie, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."
Dan cringed with disgust with each word typed, finally hitting send. As a final afterthought, he sent a heart emoji right after his note.
He waited for a while, but there was no response, which was surprising. Narcissus must have been really pissed. Or at least, she must have had to seemed really pissed. At this point, he couldn't even tell the difference between her real self and the girl she played.
Dan turned the car on, and drove out of the parking lot. Right when he got home, his phone chimed. Trying to feign excitement, just in case Narcissus had planted anything anywhere, he fumbled with the phone and read her message.
"You should be sorry. ):"
Hurriedly, he typed out. "I am. So so sorry. Please forgive me." He sent it, and then, in order to seem desperate, sent another one seconds after.
"Hey, Amy's having a party, and do you want to come?"
"What's the party for?" Dan swiveled his head to look at where Sinead was fiddling with some wires in the backseat. Getting her attention, he mouthed out the question.
Sinead wrote a reply on the receipt, holding it up to Dan. Dan nodded once, indicating he read it, and she dropped it, going back to work. "It's a surprise party my sister came up with, I snuck in and found out about it."
"Yeah, but what is it about?"
"I think it's something", Dan gulped, hoping it wouldn't come off as stiff or fake. Everything was resting on this text. "like an exchanging information party."
"Ooh!" Narcissus replied, quickly. Too quickly. Dan could almost hear her obnoxious squeal, and he mentally cringed, but he tried to look excited. "I love exchanging info parties!" followed by several smileys and lots of exclamation points
Dan stared at his phone, and wrinkled his nose. What should he say in reply? Finally, after much thought, he decided on, "Yay! See you then, its at six, but will you come at 6:30 so I can introduce you to everyone?"
He internally crossed his fingers, hoping that would work. Maybe he could give his family a heads up.
"Okay then babe! I love you! *kiss emoji* Bye~" Dan had never closed the chatting app so fast.
"I love exchanging info parties!" He muttered in a falsetto under his breath, poking fun at Narcissus mentally. "You probably have no idea what it even is." Glaring at Sinead who was languidly ignoring him, he added "I don't even know what that is."
Turning of the phone completely and handing it to Sinead, she expertly tuned the bugs to hear and see a false feed of the noises background radio and Dan humming along and driving. She turned to the real Dan and placed the bugged phone aside.
"So I'm guesssing you're wondering what an 'exchanging info party' is.." she said as Dan rolled his eyes. "Well, to put it simply, it's not one. It was just fake information so that Narcissus could tell her higher ups, and they'd be interested in getting information so that they'd send her. The party is actually just for Grace's Death Aniversary. Amy said that Grace wouldn't want her memory to be remembered so somberly so she decided to throw a remeberance party instead."
Dan didn't recall that specific bit of information, but then again his knowledge of the future was quickly fading so he supposed it didn't matter.
He drove home and flicked on the radio, listening as Sinead hummed along to whatever old fashioned music was playing. He much preferred the music that was coming up in the future. So much better than this crap.
When he reached the driveway, he pulled in, and said to Sinead, "By the way, I'll be telling Amy that you're helping me with a book I'm writing . . . so . . . just stick to that story, ok?"
Sinead nodded, her attention on the jumble of wires, and . . . the Snickers he bought?
"Hey!" Dan said, nodding towards the Snickers. "Gimme one!"
Sinead looked at him, and snorted. "Right. No way. Do you need therapy?"
Dan rolled his eyes. "Right now, I'm in an abusive relationship, of course I do!"
Sinead sighed, and tossed him a bar. He peeled it open, savoring the sticky smell of the candy.
They got out the car, Sinead glancing around secretively before dashing off with her supplies to one of the guest rooms, a temporary base. Dan rolled his eyes, but finished parking the car and started taking a different route to the room to avoid attention.
Walking outside, he groaned through a mouthful of caramel, chocolate, and crushed peanuts as he heard one of the neighbors blasting the same song that has been on repeat on the radio. Oh, how he looked forward to when the singer was admitted into rehab after a drug overdose.
Sprinting away from where the song was grating on his ears, he burst into the living room, where he almost chocked on his candy when he sad Sinead was chatting nonchalantly with Amy. He stared at her, mouth open and only managing monosyllabas she leveled him with a flat stare "Wha-How...You.. Up?" He finished lamely.
Sinead gave him a pointed stair, indicating that she had already set up her equipment and came down to talk to Amy as to make a believable lie. At least, that's what Dan hoped that look meant.
The two siblings stared at each other, they're faces masking their real emotions. "Does she know?" Dan wondered.
He looked at Sinead, who mouthed something that looked like, "Tell her."
"What the heck?" He thought. "That was NOT how things were supposed to go."
He looked at Sinead, shaking his head. He didn't confide in someone who he though would back of of the plan.
Amy looked from Dan, to Sinead. "Dan." She said, her teeth tightly clenched. "Sinead tells me there's a reason you've been acting weird."
Dan glared daggers at Sinead. If looks could kill, Sinead would be dead twenty times over by now.
Well, lucky for him and unluckily for Sinead, he was a better liar now than ever before. If she wanted to play dirty, he'd play dirty. He didn't have to tell Amy anything that'd get her in harms way.
Looking at Amy, he slid his eyes away in a fake display of insecurity before mumbling. "I guess Sinead told you then."
"Told me what?"
He burst out with the lie, having thought it out, fixed it, and edited it within seconds "She told you that she wants me to go to a psychologist because I use my character as a vent character and the things my character is going through is worrisome and that she's worried about my mental health." Inside, Dan did a little happy dance. It was perfect. No one could call him out on anything.
Amy stared at Sinead. "She did?" Her voice was confused, and she turned to Sinead. "I didn't get quite that . . ." She let her voice trail off.
Sinead glared at Dan, her perfectly manicured eyebrows arched.
Dan smiled innocently, and then turned to Amy. "So." He said, sighing. "When's my appointment?
Amy gave him a sincere look of pity and said "Oh Dan, you don't have to go. You could always just talk to us."
Dan nodded then turned to the stairs "Well, I have to go now. Sinead is welcome upstairs, right?"
"Of course! And don't worry, no appointments to the therapist."
Sinead gave him a dirty glare, to which he just rolled his eyes, and motioned to follow him. The climbed the stairs in silence, reaching the room and slowly shutting the door behind them.
"I can't believe you did that!" Sinead burst, but Dan had already prepared a reply.
"It's your fault for telling me to tell her!" He snarled hotly "Why would you do that after all the plans to keep it a secret and NOT tell her?!"
Sinead flinched, then deflated. "Yeah. You're right. Sorry about that, you just found the best way out. I was just talking about the party with Amy, and then the topic strayed to you . . .so . . ."
Dan felt the anger still bubbling, simmering right under his skin, but he forced it down. Sinead had apologized. He turned briskly to the bulletin board that was hanging on the wall, studying the notes. Moments after, she shuffled to her equipment and the sounds of tinkering filled the empty room.
A couple of days later, Dan shuffled around the house nervously, trying to look excited, in case Narcissus was watching, and also trying not to look too excited, so that Amy wouldn't know he knew.
The day passed slowly, and Dan thought up possible explanations for why he invited Narcissus. Finally, he decided that it would just be best to tell the truth.
He sought Amy out, and like a nervous child, told her that he had something to tell her.
Well, not the entire truth. The headaches were no longer a problem, he could shape this future however so he desired. "Amy!" He yelled, getting her attention from where she was cooking a huge array of baked goods. She said it was for a bake sale, but Dan knew better.
Amy mumbled something about "letting it sit for 30 minutes" and then turned to Dan. "Yes?"
Dan shuffled uncomfortably, suddenly feeling like a teenager under the harsh glare of their parents. "I uhh . . . I have a girlfriend."
Amy didn't explode like he expected to, but she did widen her eyes quite a bit. Dan supposed she expected he had been keeping a secret, just not this big one. "And?"
"And uhh..." He stumbled, stuttering. "I-I inv-vi-" he bit his lip, cursing internally. Looking up at Amy's unhurried expression, he calmed himself down. "I invited her over today!" He trailed off "If that's okay with you . . ."
He noticed where Amy realized her brother's girlfriend would come to the party but suddenly saying no would seem weird so she'd have to improvise for someone new at the party. And she nodded, and went back to her baking. "Sure, I'd love to meet my brothers secret lover."
Dan sighed as he walked away. It had gone so much better than he'd planned. She hadn't freaked out . . . thankfully.
Then, as an afterthought, he turned around and said. "Her name is Narcissus."
Amy gasped. "But...she's in your book?!"
Dan nodded. "That wasn't a book, Amy. That was my journal. I just...put William in there instead of me, I was afraid you'd find it."
Amy was confused. She took a tray of muffins out of the oven, and then turned to him. "So, wait . . . did some of that happen?"
Dan paused, contemplating how to answer. If only he'd remembered what Amy had read in his journal.
Amy continued, mumbling "But it was fantasy . . ." and then he suddenly remembered the part she was reading to him that day.
"Well, the only part that was real is the name. William doesn't act anything like me, right? It's a good think I stopped that story and am writing my new one . . ." Noting Amy's increasing confusion, he backtracked. "So like, it's a journal to write my story in, but I changed my name to William so you wouldn't think I had a girlfriend I based Narcissus on. But I kept Narcissus's name there as a dedication of sorts. But then now I'm writing my new story about the girl in the past so . . ." he looked at Amy hopefully, hoping she'd come up with an explanation on her own and rid Dan's need to make one up.
Amy's eyes lit up with understanding, and she nodded. "Soooo, you started to write a fantasy romance in your journal starring you and your girlfriend, but you censored your name from me, and now you're writing a new story with Sinead!"
Dan heaved a sigh of relief "Yes! Yes! That's exactly it."
He walked out, feeling slightly better.
"Oh, Dan?" Amy called out after him.
He turned around, an innocent expression on his face. "Yes?"
"Put that cookie back."
Dan sighed and placed the cookie back on the cooling rack, staring at it longingly.
Amy looked at Dan curiously, as if she was trying to place something. "Dan?" She questioned. "You don't mind if all of our relatives are coming over tonight, do you?"
Dan feigned surprise and said, "NO . . . not really, I guess, then Narcissus can meet all of them!" He tried to sound excited, but he mentally cringed, knowing what the evening would most likely entail.
Amy exhaled in relief, obviously worrying about what he'd think. As he turned away, she called out to him, throwing a warm muffin in his direction. He grabbed it out of the air, tossing her a grin and heading out. Everything was in place.
The day of the party.
He waited in nervous anticipation, anticipation for this whole thing to be over. He didn't really want to see Narcissus, and he didn't really want Narcissus to meet his family. That was definitely cringe-worthy.
He thought about what he would say. "Hey. You're going to kill my family." Just didn't seem like an acceptable phrase, while neither did, "Get your sorry little ass out of my house, you fucking murderer."
Dan (finally) decided to call Sinead, and she answered on the first ring.
"I need help." He said.
Sinead sighed. "With what?"
Dan rolled his eyes, knowing she couldn't see him. "What do you think?"
"Oh my god!" Sinead gasped. "Did you get your period?!"
Dan couldn't help the snort of laughter from escaping as he heard Sinead make a noise of approval. Reprimanding her, he tried to control his silent laughter "Sinead! Be serious!"
"Okay, okay! But you've got to admit, that was funny." Her voice suddenly dropping to a more serious tone, she continued. "It's fine. Just invite her over, spoil her, convince her you'd do anything for her, hey who knows maybe you'll even get a shot at sex-"
At Dan's scandalized gasp, she broke out into peals of laughter before finishing "-Sorry, sorry! Anyway the party starts at six and you'll pick her up at six-thirty. I have to finish scanning these documents . . . so bye."
"What documents?" Dan wondered. Typical Sinead. Although, he had to admit he was enjoying the jokey side of her. He picked up his phone and texted Narcissus: "I am so hyped that you finally get to meet my family."
Within seconds she replied. "Me too. But I'm mostly happy that I'll finally get to see you...and not through a screen."
Dan tried not to look grossed out as he responded. "Same. See you in a bit. Remember six-thirty...fashionably late."
"Ooo! I love fashion :P"
Dan rolled his eyes and sat staring blankly at the wall, both wishing for six thirty to come, and also, at the same time, willing it never to.
As six o'clock rolled around, Amy got increasingly agitated as more and more guest filed in, rushing around to fix last minute preparations. All the guests thought it was a normal dinner, not knowing the overlying theme, which Amy was going to reveal later in the day.
Sinead came in first, immediately heading to the back to discuss party plans with Amy. Dan, pretending not to notice, instead milled around and greeted guests.
When it was a quarter past six and even the fashionably late Kabra made an appearance, Dan headed out to pick up Narcissus from their temporary stakeout-APARTMENT (that was suspiciously located in place where you could see the entire Cahill Mansion from the front window-BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT).
He got in the car, pretending to be anxious. (He was sick of all this pretending). He swallowed, and knocked on the door that he hoped was Narcissus'.
"Come in." A chirpy voice said from inside.
To Dan, it sounded like a lure, but he swallowed, and stepped inside.
Immediately he was assaulted with and obscene amount of overly pink furniture. He almost choked on the sensual perfume that had been sprayed everywhere. The air was heavy with a flowery scent he found it impossible to breath.
Narcissus was wearing a dress that looked more like . . . a long shirt. Dan bit his tongue, resisting the urge to ask if it was actually one.
He smiled and said, "You ready, babe?"
Narcissus smiled back at him, but it looked more like she was baring her teeth. He took her arm and escorted her to the car.
Dan felt sweat trickling down the back of his neck as Narcissus studied him with with glinting eyes in the shadow of the dark car. He counted the seconds, unconsciously stepping on the accelerator harder and harder till he was several miles above the speed limit.
Narcissus snapped back into her role and immediately screeched "AHH! Dan! Too fast!"
He hit the brakes and swerved around a turn, skidding several feet off the lane and dint the next. Pointedly not looking at the girl, he eased off into their private lane and parked. Grinning sheepishly at her, he shrugged "Haha, gotcha! Wasn't that exciting?"
She glared at him and stalked off towards the house, the shirt/dress hugging tightly to her body and making it hard for her to walk. Once she was out of hearing distance, Dan snorted at the outrageous outfit, before following her inside.
He opened the door, grabbed her hand, and led her inside. "Guys." He said, clearing his throat.
Everyone in the room sat stock still. Hamilton gasped and muttered, "Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor."
Narcissus grinned at the effect she was making on the astonished Cahills.
"This is my girlfriend, Narcissus." Dan said, trying to smile brightly, like he was excited. He squeezed her hand, and then led her to the kitchen, ignoring Ian's mumbled, "What the hell is she wearing?
Mentally though, his heart kept out to the disgruntled Kabra and he yelled "Right, right?! It's ridiculous! You can't even call it a dress!"
Outside of course, he just threw a raspberry in his direction and stuck out his tongue when the dark haired man rolled his eyes.
He held Narcissus's hand and headed over to where Amy was talking to some guests. Her jade eyes lit up when seeing Dan, then immediately dropped as she laid eyes on Narcissus.
Coughing lightly, she held out her hand to the blonde, smiling tightly. "You must be Narcissus. It's pleasure to meet you."
Narcissus gave a sugary sweet smile and replied "Yes, that's me. And you must be the famous Amy Cahill. Dan has told me a lot about you.
Amy narrowed her eyes. "Has he now? That's. . ." She paused, looking for the right words to say. "Nice." She finished, looking at Dan as if to say, "Who is this, and how did you meet her?"
Grabbing Narcissus' hand again, and trying to act like the eager boyfriend, he led her over to Sinead, where he plopped her down and said, "You two will be great friends, I just know it!" Then he smirked at Sinead. "I'll be back with some punch." He said, ignoring the stabbing look Sinead sent his way.
He hurried off, breathing a sigh of relief.
Once out of their sight, he froze. What was he going to do now? Narcissus will have no doubt realized this was a normal party, and reported that it was not actually a information exchanging party like he had told her.
Luckily he left her with Sinead, and she would have no doubt have something up her sleeve to throw them off.
He walked into the kitchen, almost bumping into Ian, who looked at him and blurted, "Who is that?"
Dan frowned. Should he tell Ian? Almost immediately, he decided not to, and said, "Um, my girlfriend . . . duh."
"What is she wearing?" Ian asked.
Dan sighed. "I don't know." He said, grabbing two cookies and a muffin, he walked back into the living room, where Narcissus was blabbing on and on to Sinead about . . . Sephora?
Why Sinead would be interested in makeup made no sense to Dan, but he played along, and handed each girl a cookie.
Narcissus grinned cheerfully and Dan felt a shiver travel up his spine as she grabbed Dan and pulled him away. Turning to him, she puckered up and kissed him on the lips, and Dan did everything he could to not immediately wipe his mouth on his sleeve.
"Dan, baby." She crooned "Why did you tell me it was an exchanging info party? It looks like a normal party to me."
Oh shit here it comes. "Well, I overheard my sister say that they were going to exchange info with an outside source, and then have a party, so I thought they were one in the same."
Narcissus's eyes flashed, and she leaned in closer Hook, line, and sinker "Oh Dan, do you want to do something to make me happy? Y'know the day I took your bag and found those notes I was very very sad."
Leave it to girls to bring up the past that was already laid to rest. He already apologized for that! But for the plan to work . . .
Plastering an eager look on his face, he nodded. "Yes, Narcissus, anything to make it up for you!"
"Okay... I want you to find out what information they're talking about and tell me it. Every. Word. And if you do good, I'll give you a special prize." She winked and Dan visibly shuddered. Luckily in the darkness of the corner she pulled him into, she didn't seem to notice.
Narcissus clamped an iron hand on Dan's shoulder. "If you don't." She said, glaring at him. "I'll do much, much more than burn your notes."
Dan's mind raced, and he struggled to get away from her strong grasp. "Yeah." He said. "But...what do you mean by information?" He said, trying to play it innocent.
Narcissus narrowed her eyes. "Dan." She said. "You know exactly what I mean."
He didn't. But he had to pretend to, or they'd all die, right now.
For all he knew, they probably had the place rigged with a couple bombs.
He nodded. "Ok. You're right."
Dan cautiously opened the door, and looked into the dark room. Just as he was about to shut it, and go somewhere else, Sinead's face suddenly appeared from behind the door and said, "Boo!"
Dan jumped, and he glared at Sinead. "Why'd you do that?" He asked, slightly irritated. He'd just had to spend two whole hours with Narcissus, which was definitely not something he'd want to do all the time.
Sinead smirked. "Because." She said. Then her voice lowered and her face turned serious. She held up a piece of notebook paper with something written on it that Dan had to squint to see. It read: "Do you have any bugs?"
Dan nodded, and motioned to his shirt. Then he said loudly, "I hate these party clothes, I'm going to go change into something a tad bit more comfortable. Be back in a sec."
When he came back, Sinead smiled, and said. "Good job tonight. We actually had a meeting." (Dan didn't bother to wonder how, Amy and Sinead could do anything.) "Now let's work on information to feed her, what should be real, and what should be false. "
Dan nodded, sitting down at the table and pouring himself a cup of tea from the pot sitting there.
"So what was the meeting about?" He asked, putting sugar cube after sugar cube into the cup as Sinead looked away from where he was basically drinking a cup of sugar.
"You won't believe it. They're proposing we move out Command Center to . . . guess."
Dan swallowed a sugary sip and widened his eyes. "To the Alchemiter."
Sinead nodded. "The building where we die. I think we can successfully say that this timeline is moving along a lot more quickly than your timeline,-"
"-So we're going to have to do things quicker." Dan finished.
Sinead agreed and stated pulling out papers from who knows where. "So here's the plan. You tell her that were moving in a month, something we haven't yet established. If we say a month, they'll take a little more time planting their bugs and what not. You'll ALSO say that nothing will stay in the old command center, which is untrue."
"Once Narcissus invites you to the group, you're going to file information about them to us-I mean, me, and I'll analyze it. Once we have enough info, we'll reveal the whole scandal to the rest of the family and clear them out once and for all."
Dan set his empty cup aside, mumbling to himself. "Hopefully by then none of them will be completely dependent of their other half. You already distanced yourself from Daturas, right?"
"Yes, but Amy hasn't from Oleander. She still things he's a depressed boy that needs her help."
Dan clicked his tongue and bit his lip."The quicker I get into his ranks the better."
"That's right. Now go and call Narcissus, you need to gossip a little."
A little while later, Dan sat in his room, typing out a text to Narcissus. "Hey . . . got some really good stuff for you. When can we meet?"
Within seconds, there was a reply. "I'll come over and pick you up."
"Ok." Dan texted back, swallowing. This was moving along too fast.
He stood up, running a hand through his longish hair, trying to calm his racing heart.
Within minutes, there was a knock at the door. Trying not to be surprised at how fast Narcissus arrived, he opened the door.
There she stood, in something possibly even more skimpy than last night. Dan fought the rising bile in his throat, looking anywhere besides the v-neck that was so deep that it basically covered none of her body. "Hey Dan! Let's go over my house and have a nice long chat."
Dan nodded, smiling in what he hoped was a loving way at Narcissus. "Yeah." He followed her to her car, pretending not to notice what looked mysteriously like blood on the seat once he got in. The stench was overwhelming, the smell of strong roses and rot and decay fighting in his nose and threatening him to faint.
He worked so hard to not throw up, he didn't even realize when they got there. He hurriedly got out, desperately taking in big gulps of fresh air while following her. He stepped into the darkened house, shivering as it felt like stepping into a layer of cool fog.
Narcissus sat him down and got herself comfortable in the chair across him. It felt like an interrogation, and Dan knew it was. But she was a good agent. She wouldn't get stright to it.
"So babe, how was your day?"
"Good. I missed you though."
"Aww. . . me too. Thanks for inviting me to the party yesterday!"
"How could I not introduce my girlfriend to my family?"
"It was still really sweet of you. By the way, did you do what I told you to?"
At this, Narcissus leaned forward and Dan knew the game was really about to begin. "I did."
"Really?" A giggle and a toss of her hair, "Can you tell me about it? Remember, if you tell me everything you get a promotion!"
Dan took a deep breath, and began blurting out "secrets". Some of which were true, some of which were made up. Narcissus ate it up, her face beaming. After he finished, he sighed, and said, "Is that good?"
Narcissus nodded, a greedy expression on her face. "You'll get promoted." She said, winking at him, and then somehow managing to bend over, giving Dan an amazing view down her shirt. He ignored this, and instead smiled. "Cool! What do I have to do?"
Narcissus pulled the car over to the side of the road. She leaned over Dan (causing him to get a whiff of strong perfume) she opened the glove box, and pulled out a knife, and several official looking papers.
Looking at Dan deeply in the eyes, she gave her best puppy dog look, which incidentally, looked more like a deadpan pout to Dan. Leaning over to the passengers car, she started talking, "Dan, do you really want to help me? Would you do anything?"
Dan nodded enthusiastically, "Yes!"
Narcissus grinned, probably relishing how she had him wrapped around her little finger. Pushing the papers towards him, she held his hand, "Then you can join my group! You have to promise to keep it a at though!" She winked.
Dan nodded again, eyes the knife warily. Narcissus handed the intricately carved knife to high, placing the cool handle on his sweaty hands. Looking at Narcissus confusedly, he asked "What should I do to join?" He could only hope that smile wasn't preceding something as morbid as he thought it was.
Narcissus smiled. "Give me your hand."
Dan stomach lurched, but he held out his hand.
Narcissus took it, her cold hand squeezing his tightly. Then, grabbing the knife in her left hand, she made a slash in his left hand right where his thumb met his palm.
Dan howled in pain, and jerked his hand free from Narcissus' grasp. "What'd you do that for?" He asked, looking down at the blood gushing from his palm like a waterfall.
Narcissus rolled her eyes. "Because. That's how you join our group." She held out her right hand, and Dan saw a scar in the same spot.
"Now." Narcissus said. "Stick your first finger in the blood, and sign your name right here. "
Dan cringed, and dipped his finger in the blood. He signed his name, grimacing at how quickly the blood dried into a deathly brownish color.
The girl grinned, gathering up the papers, and opened the door to the car, "We're here! Get out quickly"
Dan did so, cringing slightly at the pangs of pain emitting from his hand. As he stepped out, he shivered from the chill that was creeping through his bones, a chill he only felt in Narcissus's home. He looked up at the huge building looming above him ominously. So this was it.
"Welcome to your new family!"
"New family. Right" Dan thought. "More like, deathbed." He smiled warmly at Narcissus, but refused her hand, saying he needed to hold his injured one.
And then they were walking through the shadow of the building, causing Dan to feel like a mouse spotted by an eagle. They reached the doors, and Narcissus held up her scarred hand. The door whooshed open for her, and then slammed behind her. From inside, Narcissus motioned for Dan to do the same, which he did.
The door swished open for him, like a lion opening its jaws, and then he was inside. Inside the mousetrap.