Meph's eyes flew open as he sat straight up and gripped his thigh as the pain ripped down his leg like lightening striking him directly. Within seconds of his abrupt awakening the pain started to ebb and fade as quickly as it began. Even though the small room he was in was pitch black he could still see the thick bands of scars on his left thigh as they were puckered and stood out from his leg. He had similar scars on his right shoulder, but they hadn't hurt him since that long ago night when he had received them. His shoulder never hurt the way his leg did though. When the nightmare came, as it did every night, it was only ever his thigh that screamed with the echo of the trauma. Flopping back on his pillow he looked at the clock: 3:30am. No way would be able to go back to sleep now. Throwing the sheet off him he jumped out of the tiny bed he barely fit in. Meph was a huge guy, standing at six feet, five inches and built like a warrior of old, and to look at him you would think he would move like a bull in a china shop. Truth be told, he moved like a ghost, despite his size. He pulled on some loose-fitting khaki shorts and shoes and headed out the door for a run.
Meph had been born in the swamplands of Louisiana but, for personal reasons, he had relocated himself from his southern swamp to the snow-covered mountains of Alaska. Would anyone have ever heard of the place he lived, absolutely not. It's the best kept secret from anyone but the filthy rich. There is an opulent resort in these mountains, only accessible by private helicopter, where the most elite, the wealthiest, the most select people get invited to.
Just next to this most secretive of resorts was a tiny town where the resort workers lived. This is where Meph had settled about four years ago. He was employed by the Fire Department, but he found he much more enjoyed the search and rescue department. He spent most of his career up on the mountain, ready to be called in. Twice a month he came down and stayed in town for a few days. He had arrived back at his shitty apartment less than eight hours ago and he already missed the mountain.
The temperature outside was a few degrees above 0°Fahrenheit. It had been snowing steadily over the little town at the base of the mountain range. Meph would always leave his apartment in such a hurry, he never thought about the consequences of someone seeing him jogging along in only a loose pair of khaki shorts. Meph didn't feel the cold like a human, because he wasn't a human. The nightmare that woke him every night was from a wolf attack that happened when he was nine years old. That attack had transformed Meph into something truly inhuman. That being said, his body was a steady 105°Fahrenheit, even in extreme cold he maintained his warmth.
He would run from his shitty little room by the Fire House all through the main drag of town where all the restaurants, bars, grocery stores, were locked up tight and the windows dark. He ran to a quiet trail he liked. It was in these woods that he would really let loose. He would kick his speed up way past what a normal twenty-four-year-old could run and just fly through the trees. He would run for about twenty minutes, into the heart of ancient trees, and then he would remove his shorts and shoes and stash them into a tree somewhere. Then, with the cracking of bones and the snapping of joints Meph would transform into a massive black wolf, easily three times the size of a normal wolf, with the brightest electric blue eyes one could imagine.
Once transformed, he would take off for the mountains for a real run. He would usually hunt too, catch himself a rabbit or small deer to chew on if he got hungry. This was how he survived on the mountain for so long by himself. But he couldn't frolic and play or even hunt this morning, he had things to get done. He cut his run short, found his clothes and headed back to town. He briefly stopped by his apartment to pull on a navy-blue t-shirt with the word RESCUE printed on it in bright yellow letters, a winter jacket and exchanged his shorts for a pair of black work pants and some boots.
He was back out into the early morning and headed to the little diner that never shut their lights off. A bell rang as this beast of a man entered and sat in a booth towards the back. He knew the place would be filling up soon and he didn't like attention.
Meph had been born in the swamplands of Louisiana but, for personal reasons, he had relocated himself from his southern swamp to the snow-covered mountains of Alaska. Would anyone have ever heard of the place he lived, absolutely not. It's the best kept secret from anyone but the filthy rich. There is an opulent resort in these mountains, only accessible by private helicopter, where the most elite, the wealthiest, the most select people get invited to.
Just next to this most secretive of resorts was a tiny town where the resort workers lived. This is where Meph had settled about four years ago. He was employed by the Fire Department, but he found he much more enjoyed the search and rescue department. He spent most of his career up on the mountain, ready to be called in. Twice a month he came down and stayed in town for a few days. He had arrived back at his shitty apartment less than eight hours ago and he already missed the mountain.
The temperature outside was a few degrees above 0°Fahrenheit. It had been snowing steadily over the little town at the base of the mountain range. Meph would always leave his apartment in such a hurry, he never thought about the consequences of someone seeing him jogging along in only a loose pair of khaki shorts. Meph didn't feel the cold like a human, because he wasn't a human. The nightmare that woke him every night was from a wolf attack that happened when he was nine years old. That attack had transformed Meph into something truly inhuman. That being said, his body was a steady 105°Fahrenheit, even in extreme cold he maintained his warmth.
He would run from his shitty little room by the Fire House all through the main drag of town where all the restaurants, bars, grocery stores, were locked up tight and the windows dark. He ran to a quiet trail he liked. It was in these woods that he would really let loose. He would kick his speed up way past what a normal twenty-four-year-old could run and just fly through the trees. He would run for about twenty minutes, into the heart of ancient trees, and then he would remove his shorts and shoes and stash them into a tree somewhere. Then, with the cracking of bones and the snapping of joints Meph would transform into a massive black wolf, easily three times the size of a normal wolf, with the brightest electric blue eyes one could imagine.
Once transformed, he would take off for the mountains for a real run. He would usually hunt too, catch himself a rabbit or small deer to chew on if he got hungry. This was how he survived on the mountain for so long by himself. But he couldn't frolic and play or even hunt this morning, he had things to get done. He cut his run short, found his clothes and headed back to town. He briefly stopped by his apartment to pull on a navy-blue t-shirt with the word RESCUE printed on it in bright yellow letters, a winter jacket and exchanged his shorts for a pair of black work pants and some boots.
He was back out into the early morning and headed to the little diner that never shut their lights off. A bell rang as this beast of a man entered and sat in a booth towards the back. He knew the place would be filling up soon and he didn't like attention.
A fairy born into a human world was a rare occurrence. It was typically not allowed by the other fae, but the parents of this particular child left their world for reasons that they had never spoken of. They had become successful in their own rights, growing into the mortal ways and then gaining social acceptance, stature and wealth. This prepared them for their daughter’s arrival, but keeping her powers and fae markings contained was a challenge.
Amelia Grace gained her father’s sleep powers, but her mother’s gentle beauty. She was eerily pretty to the human eye, and thrust almost immediately onto the fast-track to stardom. From small commercials to a long series role, to movies. Anybody with any access to social media knew her face, and for dedicated fans, they watched her grow up on screen. She was the darling of Hollywood when she was young, and an absolute sweetheart to work with. Right from a young age, she was a hard worker, and she adored what she did. She loved learning lines, bringing characters to life, working with all these different people, all with her parents right there to protect her, and teach her how to control these powers she was gaining at the same time.
When she was a young teenager, she was cast in a series called The Secret Six, ironically as a rouge witch, that would go on to be a huge success. It had millions of fans, and seven seasons over the years, and Amelia, already an up and coming star, blew up during the filing of this series, gaining huge fame across the globe. She and her co-stars became close, especially the actor playing opposite her. Sean Atmore was also an up and coming star, and the onscreen chemistry between their characters led to a world of rumours.
The rumours were fine at first, nothing not to be expected in Hollywood, but with her growing up and her body changing, especially as her fairy markings really began to be visible, the roles she was being cast in, along with the direction of her main character started being much more sexualized. She didn’t really clue until this under the fifth season, and the experience of her first ‘love’ scene. It was implied beyond the initial make out and set up, but the rumours and media that surrounded it turned mean. The comments and articles went from good reviews to somewhat slanderous questions, accusations. The reason for this was completely puzzling to her, but the effect on her was vicious.
Although she had never dated anyone, not even Sean, the whole world seemed to think they had a right to her private life. She didn’t discover the reason for this until she was almost 18, when she found out one of her friends was betraying her, and selling her anxieties, and twisting her words around her work. This led to a pretty bad public fight between the two, all of which was captured and shared all over media, and had a huge attitude change in Amelia. Not only were her feelings hurt, the betrayal opened an entire rage she didn’t know existed. Fae rage. Because she had been so busy, her teachings had never been what they should have been, so Amelia didn’t know how to control it.
It was as if she looked at the entire world through different eyes from that point on. Her responsibilities would allow her to finish her contract to the series, but she no longer wanted anything to do with people. She lashed out at the paparazzi, she stopped going to parties, refused interviews, and was all around, miserable. Her parents did not help with this, telling her it would pass, but the negative emotion she felt everywhere nearly tore the fairy apart. The Six finished wrapping just after her twenty-first birthday, but before the award show, which was also supposed to be her party, she took the time to transfer all of her accounts back into her name, so her parents couldn’t touch them, and packed her bags to move as far away from Hollywood as she possibly could.
It scared the media that she was suddenly gone, but she couldn’t be around them. More than once, she had caused a cast member to fall asleep, and it was getting harder to explain away. The angrier she became, the more dangerous she became, so for her own safety, and the safety of the people she did still care about, she went as far as she could. She traded the sunny beaches of California for the snow covered, tiny, tiny town in Alaska. It was a hidden town, home to the workers of the most fancy and expensive resort.
Although she had no need of money, and could afford whatever she wanted, to keep her hands busy, she bought a small house that needed some repairs. She spent the first while learning not only how spoiled she had truly been, but in ways, also wrecking this house much worse. Through a series of YouTube videos, and internet searches, a several nights where she did nothing but cry, and got quietly drunk on cream, she retaught herself patience, and not only learned how to start properly fixing the house, but also meeting some of the people in the town, outside of shop keepers. It was inevitable that they figured out who she was, as media reached its long claws even here, and although she did have a period of time where the town was fascinated by their celebrity, and occasionally asked for an autograph, eventually, she settled into it and she became simply Amelia. She was extremely quiet, didn’t have friends, but was friendly enough to those she did communicate with. She was the friendly outcast that people were fascinated by.
Once she got her house situation figured out, although it wasn’t completely done, she decided to take a break from it to do something else. When the pretty snow really started falling, she got the graveyard shift in the towns diner, and had worked there for almost two months. It was a steady enough flow that the diner never truly closed, but quiet enough at night that Amelia wasn’t typically bothered. It was taking some getting used too, going from the one being served all the time to the one serving, but much like acting, she took to it fast and naturally. Some of the men would flirt with her, but she wasn’t interested. Although she had never admitted it, and the world thought differently, she had never been sexually involved with anyone, and didn’t see the appeal in it after being as sexualized and harassed as she had once been. Most people seemed to understand that, except one of the crew that came in only a couple times a month.
Speaking of the crew, another one of its members rang the bell while Amelia was brewing fresh coffee. Her bright hazel eyes turned to look over her shoulder to see who came in, and she flashed him her friendly smile. It was definitely one of those working smiles, but it was still pretty. The man who entered was another outcast of the town, except anytime he was mentioned to her, usually by a female customer, it was nothing but pleasant, or amazing things. At least, she had to assume this was him, because he was also terrifyingly huge as he’d been described, easily one of the biggest men she had ever seen, and that’s coming from a professional actress. She had worked with some large people before, but this particular man was easily bigger than them.
As soon as she finished what she was doing, she grabbed a menu, and moved towards the table. “Good morning. Not too cold out, I hope.” She smiled as she set the menu down infront of him, and drew out her notepad, although with her sharp memory, it was for appearance only. “What can I get you started with?”
Amelia Grace gained her father’s sleep powers, but her mother’s gentle beauty. She was eerily pretty to the human eye, and thrust almost immediately onto the fast-track to stardom. From small commercials to a long series role, to movies. Anybody with any access to social media knew her face, and for dedicated fans, they watched her grow up on screen. She was the darling of Hollywood when she was young, and an absolute sweetheart to work with. Right from a young age, she was a hard worker, and she adored what she did. She loved learning lines, bringing characters to life, working with all these different people, all with her parents right there to protect her, and teach her how to control these powers she was gaining at the same time.
When she was a young teenager, she was cast in a series called The Secret Six, ironically as a rouge witch, that would go on to be a huge success. It had millions of fans, and seven seasons over the years, and Amelia, already an up and coming star, blew up during the filing of this series, gaining huge fame across the globe. She and her co-stars became close, especially the actor playing opposite her. Sean Atmore was also an up and coming star, and the onscreen chemistry between their characters led to a world of rumours.
The rumours were fine at first, nothing not to be expected in Hollywood, but with her growing up and her body changing, especially as her fairy markings really began to be visible, the roles she was being cast in, along with the direction of her main character started being much more sexualized. She didn’t really clue until this under the fifth season, and the experience of her first ‘love’ scene. It was implied beyond the initial make out and set up, but the rumours and media that surrounded it turned mean. The comments and articles went from good reviews to somewhat slanderous questions, accusations. The reason for this was completely puzzling to her, but the effect on her was vicious.
Although she had never dated anyone, not even Sean, the whole world seemed to think they had a right to her private life. She didn’t discover the reason for this until she was almost 18, when she found out one of her friends was betraying her, and selling her anxieties, and twisting her words around her work. This led to a pretty bad public fight between the two, all of which was captured and shared all over media, and had a huge attitude change in Amelia. Not only were her feelings hurt, the betrayal opened an entire rage she didn’t know existed. Fae rage. Because she had been so busy, her teachings had never been what they should have been, so Amelia didn’t know how to control it.
It was as if she looked at the entire world through different eyes from that point on. Her responsibilities would allow her to finish her contract to the series, but she no longer wanted anything to do with people. She lashed out at the paparazzi, she stopped going to parties, refused interviews, and was all around, miserable. Her parents did not help with this, telling her it would pass, but the negative emotion she felt everywhere nearly tore the fairy apart. The Six finished wrapping just after her twenty-first birthday, but before the award show, which was also supposed to be her party, she took the time to transfer all of her accounts back into her name, so her parents couldn’t touch them, and packed her bags to move as far away from Hollywood as she possibly could.
It scared the media that she was suddenly gone, but she couldn’t be around them. More than once, she had caused a cast member to fall asleep, and it was getting harder to explain away. The angrier she became, the more dangerous she became, so for her own safety, and the safety of the people she did still care about, she went as far as she could. She traded the sunny beaches of California for the snow covered, tiny, tiny town in Alaska. It was a hidden town, home to the workers of the most fancy and expensive resort.
Although she had no need of money, and could afford whatever she wanted, to keep her hands busy, she bought a small house that needed some repairs. She spent the first while learning not only how spoiled she had truly been, but in ways, also wrecking this house much worse. Through a series of YouTube videos, and internet searches, a several nights where she did nothing but cry, and got quietly drunk on cream, she retaught herself patience, and not only learned how to start properly fixing the house, but also meeting some of the people in the town, outside of shop keepers. It was inevitable that they figured out who she was, as media reached its long claws even here, and although she did have a period of time where the town was fascinated by their celebrity, and occasionally asked for an autograph, eventually, she settled into it and she became simply Amelia. She was extremely quiet, didn’t have friends, but was friendly enough to those she did communicate with. She was the friendly outcast that people were fascinated by.
Once she got her house situation figured out, although it wasn’t completely done, she decided to take a break from it to do something else. When the pretty snow really started falling, she got the graveyard shift in the towns diner, and had worked there for almost two months. It was a steady enough flow that the diner never truly closed, but quiet enough at night that Amelia wasn’t typically bothered. It was taking some getting used too, going from the one being served all the time to the one serving, but much like acting, she took to it fast and naturally. Some of the men would flirt with her, but she wasn’t interested. Although she had never admitted it, and the world thought differently, she had never been sexually involved with anyone, and didn’t see the appeal in it after being as sexualized and harassed as she had once been. Most people seemed to understand that, except one of the crew that came in only a couple times a month.
Speaking of the crew, another one of its members rang the bell while Amelia was brewing fresh coffee. Her bright hazel eyes turned to look over her shoulder to see who came in, and she flashed him her friendly smile. It was definitely one of those working smiles, but it was still pretty. The man who entered was another outcast of the town, except anytime he was mentioned to her, usually by a female customer, it was nothing but pleasant, or amazing things. At least, she had to assume this was him, because he was also terrifyingly huge as he’d been described, easily one of the biggest men she had ever seen, and that’s coming from a professional actress. She had worked with some large people before, but this particular man was easily bigger than them.
As soon as she finished what she was doing, she grabbed a menu, and moved towards the table. “Good morning. Not too cold out, I hope.” She smiled as she set the menu down infront of him, and drew out her notepad, although with her sharp memory, it was for appearance only. “What can I get you started with?”
Shy was a HUGE understatement when it came to Meph. He had hidden himself away in this town for a little over four years, and there wasn't anyone who knew much more than his name. And that was only because he caused gossip in the tiny town. The big man that couldn’t speak. He always wore his RESCUE or FIRE shirts when he was in town. So, naturally, people started asking the other firefighters and first responders. They all knew his name, but very little else, other than his resume. It's not because he wasn't friendly, he just wasn't a talker. As this waitress was about to find out.
When he sat down, he immediately pulled his winter coat off and stuffed it onto the seat next to him before he got overheated and started sweating. Now, just in a cotton t-shirt, his thick, muscled arms were bare to the conditions of the establishment. If someone were to look close enough, or study his skin, faded scars covered his hands and forearms. But they weren't normal scars for the twenty-first century, these scars looked like old battle wounds healed over. People who noticed could only assume they were scars from burns or small injuries he had gotten while fighting fires. It was known that Meph was a trained hot shot firefighter and, then extreme forest fires broke out, he would leave their little town and join the crews who handled the deadliest of the deadly.
Meph’s body temperature ran hot naturally so jackets weren't very comfortable for him. It was normally the first thing he would lose when he didn't think he would get too many stares for not being cold. He was a great space heater, which she might feel she got close enough. Though, few dared to get that close to him when he wasn't saving their lives. Again, it wasn’t that Meph wasn’t friendly. People just avoided him. He was an anomaly that no one could figure out. Rather, no one took the time to figure out. He was away too often and for too long. When he reappeared every three weeks or so, people would be like ‘Oh yeah, that guy’ and then promptly forget him again.
The waitress was bubbly, polite and beautiful, though Meph barely looked up. He pointed to the protein platter on the menu and then to a picture of a glass of orange juice. He offered a coy smile as he handed the menu back to her. If she were looking down at him, she would see as he looked up that his eyes were the color of storm clouds, pregnant with rain. A violet gray. Soft. Almost child-like.
Once she went about her business, Meph would reach into the pocket on the thigh of his pants and pull out a battered paperback book. The book had seen much better days. It had been dog eared, the spine was almost nonexistent, and the pages had yellowed over time. If anyone were to look, he was reading Treasure Island.
When he sat down, he immediately pulled his winter coat off and stuffed it onto the seat next to him before he got overheated and started sweating. Now, just in a cotton t-shirt, his thick, muscled arms were bare to the conditions of the establishment. If someone were to look close enough, or study his skin, faded scars covered his hands and forearms. But they weren't normal scars for the twenty-first century, these scars looked like old battle wounds healed over. People who noticed could only assume they were scars from burns or small injuries he had gotten while fighting fires. It was known that Meph was a trained hot shot firefighter and, then extreme forest fires broke out, he would leave their little town and join the crews who handled the deadliest of the deadly.
Meph’s body temperature ran hot naturally so jackets weren't very comfortable for him. It was normally the first thing he would lose when he didn't think he would get too many stares for not being cold. He was a great space heater, which she might feel she got close enough. Though, few dared to get that close to him when he wasn't saving their lives. Again, it wasn’t that Meph wasn’t friendly. People just avoided him. He was an anomaly that no one could figure out. Rather, no one took the time to figure out. He was away too often and for too long. When he reappeared every three weeks or so, people would be like ‘Oh yeah, that guy’ and then promptly forget him again.
The waitress was bubbly, polite and beautiful, though Meph barely looked up. He pointed to the protein platter on the menu and then to a picture of a glass of orange juice. He offered a coy smile as he handed the menu back to her. If she were looking down at him, she would see as he looked up that his eyes were the color of storm clouds, pregnant with rain. A violet gray. Soft. Almost child-like.
Once she went about her business, Meph would reach into the pocket on the thigh of his pants and pull out a battered paperback book. The book had seen much better days. It had been dog eared, the spine was almost nonexistent, and the pages had yellowed over time. If anyone were to look, he was reading Treasure Island.
Lia was surprised that he didn’t speak, even for the purpose of ordering, but she could also appreciate it. He was a man who knew what he wanted, as evidenced by the fact he pointed to two things he wanted. Due to where she was standing, and her own supernatural senses, she could feel the incredible heat that rolled off the giant man, which was likely the biggest shock of all. It was freezing outside, yet he didn’t show any signs that it reached him at all.
She noted his choices, and nodded to them. She wondered if he was a man who just preferred silence, so although she looked into his eyes as an acknowledgment, she said nothing as she nodded, a small smile of her own touching her lips. She took the menu back, and stepped back to move about her business. She put his order in, and getting his juice, and some silverware, moved back to the table to place it infront of him.
It was then she noticed the book he was reading, and more so, the condition. Seeing it made her realize she hadn’t opened a book in years, between magic and acting. And fighting. And filming. And working. Maybe she should start, she thought as she spent a moment just looking at the book in his hands. She quite liked books, she just hadn’t had much time for them in years. When she realized it, she shook herself out of it, and drew a breath. ”Sorry. Kinda zoned out on your book there.” She said brightly as she set down the silverware she was still holding, and smiled a little before she walked away again as to not disturb him.
While she waited for his meal, she went to work cleaning the place, although her tendencies meant it was already clean enough to eat off the countertops. Still, she wrapped the silverware that had finished drying, made sure the cooler was stocked, and other small things until the ping signaled his food was ready. She grabbed it, and moved out from behind her counter to deliver it to him, adding one of those soft smiles just as the bell to the door sounded once again.
She noted his choices, and nodded to them. She wondered if he was a man who just preferred silence, so although she looked into his eyes as an acknowledgment, she said nothing as she nodded, a small smile of her own touching her lips. She took the menu back, and stepped back to move about her business. She put his order in, and getting his juice, and some silverware, moved back to the table to place it infront of him.
It was then she noticed the book he was reading, and more so, the condition. Seeing it made her realize she hadn’t opened a book in years, between magic and acting. And fighting. And filming. And working. Maybe she should start, she thought as she spent a moment just looking at the book in his hands. She quite liked books, she just hadn’t had much time for them in years. When she realized it, she shook herself out of it, and drew a breath. ”Sorry. Kinda zoned out on your book there.” She said brightly as she set down the silverware she was still holding, and smiled a little before she walked away again as to not disturb him.
While she waited for his meal, she went to work cleaning the place, although her tendencies meant it was already clean enough to eat off the countertops. Still, she wrapped the silverware that had finished drying, made sure the cooler was stocked, and other small things until the ping signaled his food was ready. She grabbed it, and moved out from behind her counter to deliver it to him, adding one of those soft smiles just as the bell to the door sounded once again.
There was nothing better than a quiet read. He had read this book a thousand times, and he could probably recite parts of it to you verbatim, but he loved the story. No love. No sex. Just greed, betrayal, fighting. It was his kind of story. Nothing to remind him of... He breathed deep, trying to prevent his mind from going there. Not in public.
Do Not Freak Out in Public.
He had just calmed himself down when he felt eyes on him. He glanced up and over the top of his book to see the waitress staring at him. Feeling completely self-conscious that he had given something away about where his mind had gone, he stared blankly at her. When she mentioned his book, he let out a soft breath, he hadn’t even realized that he had been holding his breath. He glanced down at the book and then back up to her and offered her a shy smile before going back to reading.
When he saw her coming his way with a plate, he put the book down and set it on the table next to him. He started eating the moment her hand was clear of the plate. His stomach was empty, and he was starving. He was more than halfway through his eggs when the bell over the door rang and a rowdy group of five young men entered.
Meph groaned to himself and started to eat faster. He hated these guys. They were new recruits, and they acted like they knew everything. He had even heard them boasting that they worked rescue on the mountain. Meph was the mountain rescue, they might be ski patrol at best. Meph handled the major rescues. His name was always in the papers. Try to find one article with these dipshits even mentioned.
The five came in and all crowded the counter, talking loudly about calls they had responded to, people they helped, boasting, boasting, boasting. They talked like they were all superman! Meph was the only real hero in this place. But he never said shit. The five were so loud that Meph tucked some money into his copy of Treasure Island and left it on the table. His obvious way of gifting it to her, along with enough for his breakfast and a twenty-dollar tip.
As Meph moved out of the diner all five of the guys stopped talking and looked at him, their mouths open as if they all got caught with their pants down. Meph could call them out on all of their bullshit, but that wasn't his way. He was only in town until tomorrow morning so he wouldn't let it bother him. People knew the truth anyway. He was heading to get his hair cut. He'd be back for lunch.
When the door closed behind him, the five regained their confidence and started boasting again. A young man by the name of Ryan had his eye on the waitress and was doing his best to tell his best stories the loudest. He even claimed one of Meph's rescues as his own now that Meph wasn't there to heard him take the undeserved credit.
Do Not Freak Out in Public.
He had just calmed himself down when he felt eyes on him. He glanced up and over the top of his book to see the waitress staring at him. Feeling completely self-conscious that he had given something away about where his mind had gone, he stared blankly at her. When she mentioned his book, he let out a soft breath, he hadn’t even realized that he had been holding his breath. He glanced down at the book and then back up to her and offered her a shy smile before going back to reading.
When he saw her coming his way with a plate, he put the book down and set it on the table next to him. He started eating the moment her hand was clear of the plate. His stomach was empty, and he was starving. He was more than halfway through his eggs when the bell over the door rang and a rowdy group of five young men entered.
Meph groaned to himself and started to eat faster. He hated these guys. They were new recruits, and they acted like they knew everything. He had even heard them boasting that they worked rescue on the mountain. Meph was the mountain rescue, they might be ski patrol at best. Meph handled the major rescues. His name was always in the papers. Try to find one article with these dipshits even mentioned.
The five came in and all crowded the counter, talking loudly about calls they had responded to, people they helped, boasting, boasting, boasting. They talked like they were all superman! Meph was the only real hero in this place. But he never said shit. The five were so loud that Meph tucked some money into his copy of Treasure Island and left it on the table. His obvious way of gifting it to her, along with enough for his breakfast and a twenty-dollar tip.
As Meph moved out of the diner all five of the guys stopped talking and looked at him, their mouths open as if they all got caught with their pants down. Meph could call them out on all of their bullshit, but that wasn't his way. He was only in town until tomorrow morning so he wouldn't let it bother him. People knew the truth anyway. He was heading to get his hair cut. He'd be back for lunch.
When the door closed behind him, the five regained their confidence and started boasting again. A young man by the name of Ryan had his eye on the waitress and was doing his best to tell his best stories the loudest. He even claimed one of Meph's rescues as his own now that Meph wasn't there to heard him take the undeserved credit.
She barely had a chance to ask him anything, about the book or otherwise when the bell sounded, and a group of five men entered. She sighed softly as she stepped back from the table, and moved back to her counter, which they crowded almost immediately. She was in the middle of getting them coffee when all of them stopped. The volume went from loud and rowdy to a near silence. Curious what brought it on, Lia turned her head and looked.
She watched the giant man move out of the door, her eyes moving from him to the table. She was curious what was on it, but spent a moment serving them drinks and menus before she was able to move back to clean up. He’d eaten fast, but what was most notable was the fact the book had been left there. Thinking he might’ve forgotten it, she picked it up and looked down as the money fell out. She realized then he hadn’t, and despite herself, smiled.
She tucked it into her apron, gathering the dishes just as the boasting reached her once again. Ryan, who seemed to be not only the loudest, but bigger than his crew mates, was clearly looking in her direction, and when she came close, attempted to engage her in conversation. She was polite, but she didn’t flirt back with him, no matter how he tried. She listened as she was trained as they went into details of some rescue, which she would find out before she left was a lie, but was currently stuck there listening. Even if she didn’t have too, she still lived off her tips, and a group like this could be a fairly hefty meal if she played them correctly.
They wound up staying longer than her actual shift, and Ryan always had some comment for her, how pretty she was, how he’d like to show her the town. Realization struck them about halfway through the meal of who she was, and then they all piled on. Multiple questions about Hollywood, her old job, the series, as at least two were huge fans. She appreciated that part, she really did, as she had always loved her fan base, but questions about Sean or her former friend proved a little too much.
They were fairly innocent questions, but the wounds were still raw, and she was more upset than she wanted to be by the end of their meal. She’d been right. Putting up with their questions had warranted a huge tip, and a date request from Ryan, of which she said she would think about, before she had a chance to talk to her relief for the afternoon. It was here she found out about the lies, which she was unsurprised about, before she was able to go home.
All she wanted to do was shower. She just wanted a nice, hot shower to wash the diner off her before she would settle in to fix the mess she made last night. But when she went to turn it on, after securing the book and her tips, she discovered it wasn’t working. Curious, she went to check the pipes, and followed them along until she found it. Unfortunately, as she found it, and not realizing she was supposed to turn the water off, the pipe burst just as she got to it, which scared her, and soaked her in the same breath. Ice cold water hit her straight in the chest, and sprayed up and down before she was able to get it off. Now she was annoyed, cold and wet. The combination of this, and the earlier annoyance, set a rage of warmth within the tiny fairy who stomped back out into the snow and into her car, without changing. All she did was pull her now wet hair out of its clip, and pushed it out of her face.
She gained a few looks as she pulled up to the hardware store, since she also managed to forget a jacket. A light shiver started as she stepped in, but the annoyance kept her from noticing as she moved through the store, leaving a light water trail wherever she went. The kind that would dry within the half hour but it was definitely coming from a person. Amelia sighed, running her hand through the hair stuck to her face to pull it all back as she tried to attempt to guess what piece she might need.
She watched the giant man move out of the door, her eyes moving from him to the table. She was curious what was on it, but spent a moment serving them drinks and menus before she was able to move back to clean up. He’d eaten fast, but what was most notable was the fact the book had been left there. Thinking he might’ve forgotten it, she picked it up and looked down as the money fell out. She realized then he hadn’t, and despite herself, smiled.
She tucked it into her apron, gathering the dishes just as the boasting reached her once again. Ryan, who seemed to be not only the loudest, but bigger than his crew mates, was clearly looking in her direction, and when she came close, attempted to engage her in conversation. She was polite, but she didn’t flirt back with him, no matter how he tried. She listened as she was trained as they went into details of some rescue, which she would find out before she left was a lie, but was currently stuck there listening. Even if she didn’t have too, she still lived off her tips, and a group like this could be a fairly hefty meal if she played them correctly.
They wound up staying longer than her actual shift, and Ryan always had some comment for her, how pretty she was, how he’d like to show her the town. Realization struck them about halfway through the meal of who she was, and then they all piled on. Multiple questions about Hollywood, her old job, the series, as at least two were huge fans. She appreciated that part, she really did, as she had always loved her fan base, but questions about Sean or her former friend proved a little too much.
They were fairly innocent questions, but the wounds were still raw, and she was more upset than she wanted to be by the end of their meal. She’d been right. Putting up with their questions had warranted a huge tip, and a date request from Ryan, of which she said she would think about, before she had a chance to talk to her relief for the afternoon. It was here she found out about the lies, which she was unsurprised about, before she was able to go home.
All she wanted to do was shower. She just wanted a nice, hot shower to wash the diner off her before she would settle in to fix the mess she made last night. But when she went to turn it on, after securing the book and her tips, she discovered it wasn’t working. Curious, she went to check the pipes, and followed them along until she found it. Unfortunately, as she found it, and not realizing she was supposed to turn the water off, the pipe burst just as she got to it, which scared her, and soaked her in the same breath. Ice cold water hit her straight in the chest, and sprayed up and down before she was able to get it off. Now she was annoyed, cold and wet. The combination of this, and the earlier annoyance, set a rage of warmth within the tiny fairy who stomped back out into the snow and into her car, without changing. All she did was pull her now wet hair out of its clip, and pushed it out of her face.
She gained a few looks as she pulled up to the hardware store, since she also managed to forget a jacket. A light shiver started as she stepped in, but the annoyance kept her from noticing as she moved through the store, leaving a light water trail wherever she went. The kind that would dry within the half hour but it was definitely coming from a person. Amelia sighed, running her hand through the hair stuck to her face to pull it all back as she tried to attempt to guess what piece she might need.
Fresh from his hair cut, Meph had gone to the local hardware store to purchase a few yards of safety rope to replace some of his that had been damaged in a rescue. He was also getting a few essentials he needed to sustain life on the side of a snow-covered mountain for the next few weeks. With his items in hand, he was headed towards the cash register when he spotted water on the ground. Sheer curiosity caused him to follow the trail, and he found himself looking at the waitress from the diner.
He entered the isle but paused to put his items down on a shelf so he could pull his thick winter coat off his broad body. Coat now in hand, he approached the shivering woman and touched her wet, cold shoulder with his too big, too warm hand. He wasn't trying to startle her, but he probably would, unless she heard him putting his stuff down. For as big of a guy as Meph was, he was surprisingly light on his feet and very agile. When/If she turned, he would offer the coat with that same shy smile.
He saw what section of the store she was in and took in her appearance of possibly being attacked by a pipe. He put two and two together and made the assumption that she had a misbehaving pipe. If she explained what happened to her, he would b able to assist her better with what she needed. He reached out and touched a pipe wrench and some waterproof sealant for pipe repair.
He entered the isle but paused to put his items down on a shelf so he could pull his thick winter coat off his broad body. Coat now in hand, he approached the shivering woman and touched her wet, cold shoulder with his too big, too warm hand. He wasn't trying to startle her, but he probably would, unless she heard him putting his stuff down. For as big of a guy as Meph was, he was surprisingly light on his feet and very agile. When/If she turned, he would offer the coat with that same shy smile.
He saw what section of the store she was in and took in her appearance of possibly being attacked by a pipe. He put two and two together and made the assumption that she had a misbehaving pipe. If she explained what happened to her, he would b able to assist her better with what she needed. He reached out and touched a pipe wrench and some waterproof sealant for pipe repair.
Amelia stood in the isle, shivering and mad. She honestly had no idea what to buy, and was, again starting to rethink this whole endeavour. Fairies had fast flying emotions, and her mood was dropping quicker and quicker as she stood there, trying to work it out and stay calm long enough to do so. She took a couple of deep breaths as she looked at the choices, and having picked one up, was reading the back of it when Meph entered the isle.
Her attention was on the object in her hand, which wouldn’t help her at all, when she felt someone touched her. She jolted with a soft noise of surprise as immediate heat, much warmer than any human, was the first thing noticed, followed by who it was connected too. Her eyes followed his hand up his arm and to his eyes, where she blinked before she realized he was holding out a coat. She looked from the coat to him, her eyes softening with both surprise and gratitude. “Thank you.” She said quietly as she set the item back, and put on the coat.
It was only then she realized how cold she really was, for the heat transferred from the fabric made her whole tiny body shiver as she pulled it tighter, and because of that size difference, it covered most of her body. She watched as he reached out and touched two items, much like he had the menu earlier. Once again, despite herself, she smiled, and reached out to take them. “I’m not even really sure what went wrong. I tried to turn it on, it made a noise, I followed the noise, something...broke or flew off or something, and then there was water everywhere. Maybe once I’m done breaking it with these, I’ll actually call someone.” She joked, a small laugh moving from her lips as she looked down at them for a second, sighing lightly before she looked back up at him. “Thank you. For this. And for the book.” She smiled at him as she turned to walk away.
Her attention was on the object in her hand, which wouldn’t help her at all, when she felt someone touched her. She jolted with a soft noise of surprise as immediate heat, much warmer than any human, was the first thing noticed, followed by who it was connected too. Her eyes followed his hand up his arm and to his eyes, where she blinked before she realized he was holding out a coat. She looked from the coat to him, her eyes softening with both surprise and gratitude. “Thank you.” She said quietly as she set the item back, and put on the coat.
It was only then she realized how cold she really was, for the heat transferred from the fabric made her whole tiny body shiver as she pulled it tighter, and because of that size difference, it covered most of her body. She watched as he reached out and touched two items, much like he had the menu earlier. Once again, despite herself, she smiled, and reached out to take them. “I’m not even really sure what went wrong. I tried to turn it on, it made a noise, I followed the noise, something...broke or flew off or something, and then there was water everywhere. Maybe once I’m done breaking it with these, I’ll actually call someone.” She joked, a small laugh moving from her lips as she looked down at them for a second, sighing lightly before she looked back up at him. “Thank you. For this. And for the book.” She smiled at him as she turned to walk away.
A too big hand reached out and grabbed the back of the coat to prevent her from walking away. Her comment about breaking the pipe some more before calling someone had the look of concern on his face. If she turned back to him, he would motion for her to wait for him. He would go grab his items and then walk with her to the register. He purchased his stuff and then waited for her.
Without a word he would walk with her to her car and stand by the passenger door until she let him in. He had obviously decided he was going to her house to fix her leak. Hopefully, she would let him in the car, and they would head to her house. He would memorize the way as a just in case he ever needed to get to her.
Once at her house, he would wait to be shown where the leak was. After a brief evaluation, he would get to work.
Without a word he would walk with her to her car and stand by the passenger door until she let him in. He had obviously decided he was going to her house to fix her leak. Hopefully, she would let him in the car, and they would head to her house. He would memorize the way as a just in case he ever needed to get to her.
Once at her house, he would wait to be shown where the leak was. After a brief evaluation, he would get to work.
She moved to walk away, but the coat didn’t follow her. Since she was still wrapped inside of it, she turned back around to look up at him, curiosity in her eyes. She noted the look of concern on his face, and innocently raised an eyebrow. Out of sheer curiosity, she waited when he motioned to give him a moment, then watched as he grabbed his stuff. Together, they moved towards cash and each paid.
It wasn’t until she realized he was going to her car that she realized his intention. Immediately, she started trying to tell him that she was fine, that it was an accident, and that she would figure it out, but....all he did was look at her with that determination. Eventually, rather than standing over her car, half-arguing with a man who didn’t say a word, she relented, and opened the car. It wasn’t that she didn’t want his help, or...even need his help, but she was determined to try and fix it herself.
But that left her soaked, cold, and half miserable, so she drove silently home instead. From the outside, the house looked just fine, but upon opening the door, he would discover it was essentially split in half. One side, she clearly lived on, as it was...mostly clean and organized. Not to a perfectionist way, but...she had only recently been learning to care for herself. It had a nice bed, and a dresser and all the things one needed. The kitchen was also set up, but it only had a table and two chairs. She was going to fully furnish it, but she wanted to fix it first, and see how it was to live minimally. Most days. It blew.
The other half was the side he would be working it. Although it was as organized as she could make it, it was a clear construction zone. Although it was clearly an extremely, extremely slow process, the work out in did show she had at least some working knowledge. Or a lot of time and YouTube, take your pick. The leak was pretty obvious, as she’d stomped out before she’d cleaned up the water. She got a bunch of towels to soak it up before stepping back to let Meph work. She wanted to thank him, again, but since he wouldn’t talk anyways, she simply stepped back into the other side to at least change into something warmer. Normal people would make their guests either something to eat or drink, but Amelia knew she’d definitely burn the house down if she tried, and.....well, she did know how to make tea. So while Meph worked to fix the pipe, Amelia started making tea, and was lucky enough to already have water in the little kettle.
It wasn’t until she realized he was going to her car that she realized his intention. Immediately, she started trying to tell him that she was fine, that it was an accident, and that she would figure it out, but....all he did was look at her with that determination. Eventually, rather than standing over her car, half-arguing with a man who didn’t say a word, she relented, and opened the car. It wasn’t that she didn’t want his help, or...even need his help, but she was determined to try and fix it herself.
But that left her soaked, cold, and half miserable, so she drove silently home instead. From the outside, the house looked just fine, but upon opening the door, he would discover it was essentially split in half. One side, she clearly lived on, as it was...mostly clean and organized. Not to a perfectionist way, but...she had only recently been learning to care for herself. It had a nice bed, and a dresser and all the things one needed. The kitchen was also set up, but it only had a table and two chairs. She was going to fully furnish it, but she wanted to fix it first, and see how it was to live minimally. Most days. It blew.
The other half was the side he would be working it. Although it was as organized as she could make it, it was a clear construction zone. Although it was clearly an extremely, extremely slow process, the work out in did show she had at least some working knowledge. Or a lot of time and YouTube, take your pick. The leak was pretty obvious, as she’d stomped out before she’d cleaned up the water. She got a bunch of towels to soak it up before stepping back to let Meph work. She wanted to thank him, again, but since he wouldn’t talk anyways, she simply stepped back into the other side to at least change into something warmer. Normal people would make their guests either something to eat or drink, but Amelia knew she’d definitely burn the house down if she tried, and.....well, she did know how to make tea. So while Meph worked to fix the pipe, Amelia started making tea, and was lucky enough to already have water in the little kettle.
Meph didn't judge her house, he barely lived in his apartment so, naturally, hers seemed more homey then his. He followed her to the problem spot and waited for her to use the towels on the area. Once she was out of the way he did an evaluation of the pipe and tried to solve the problem before he started.
He shut off the water first and began his tinkering. He wasn't a plumber, or even that great of a handyman. But he was intuitive and a problem-solver. He worked for about twenty minutes and was confident he had fixed the issue. He turned the water back on and found himself getting hosed down by the pipe. He turned off the water as fast as possible, but he was soaked.
Back to work he went. He used the wrench to tighten the joints. He used the tape to secure everything. He did every single thing he could think of to stop the leak. When he turned the water on this time. FIXED!! He grinned and nodded at his opponent as the seal held perfectly.
His short blonde hair stood up in a spikey disarray, though it no longer dripped. His dark shirt was soaked through, making it cling to his broad, sculpted chest like a second skin. His black pants were the same to the knee, soaked and clinging.
He went looking for her to let her know the issue was fixed and that he was going to go. When he found her, he actually spoke, "All set," came a softer voice than you would expect out of one so big.
He shut off the water first and began his tinkering. He wasn't a plumber, or even that great of a handyman. But he was intuitive and a problem-solver. He worked for about twenty minutes and was confident he had fixed the issue. He turned the water back on and found himself getting hosed down by the pipe. He turned off the water as fast as possible, but he was soaked.
Back to work he went. He used the wrench to tighten the joints. He used the tape to secure everything. He did every single thing he could think of to stop the leak. When he turned the water on this time. FIXED!! He grinned and nodded at his opponent as the seal held perfectly.
His short blonde hair stood up in a spikey disarray, though it no longer dripped. His dark shirt was soaked through, making it cling to his broad, sculpted chest like a second skin. His black pants were the same to the knee, soaked and clinging.
He went looking for her to let her know the issue was fixed and that he was going to go. When he found her, he actually spoke, "All set," came a softer voice than you would expect out of one so big.
Amelia tried to stay out of his way, by busying herself by making them some tea and putting together a small plate of snacks. She couldn’t have said why, had she been asked, but it just felt like the thing to do. As she was setting it on the table, she overheard Meph also be attacked by the naughty pipe. Now she was amused, and felt bad. He looked even more determined to fix it, so she left him alone, but she did go and find the biggest towel she had to offer to him.
She waited then, while things were brewing and the sounds of him working moved through the space. She looked back over her shoulder in his direction again, and spotted the book he’d given her earlier. Smiling, she stood and moved towards it, picking it up and turning it in her hands as she moved back to the table. It was clearly worn, and rather loved. Still, she was careful as she opened it, but got comfortable as she started the adventure of Treasure Island.
Although absorbed, the fact he spoke, actually said something, did not go amiss. Her eyes looked up from the page, and looked up at him. He was so much more soft-spoken than she had been expecting, but....there was a part of her that felt it was just right for him. “Thank you. Really.” She said back, her eye light and pretty. They moved down to his shirt, and smiled. “I see the pipe attacked you too.”
Something told her to keep her movements slow, and gentle with this giant man who looked like he could rip a tree out of the ground because it annoyed him. She picked up the biggest towel she had, and held it out to him. “I know it’s not much, but...I’d be happy to dry those for you so at least you don’t have to go in the cold soaking wet. I-If you’d like, that is. It’s the least I could do.”
She waited then, while things were brewing and the sounds of him working moved through the space. She looked back over her shoulder in his direction again, and spotted the book he’d given her earlier. Smiling, she stood and moved towards it, picking it up and turning it in her hands as she moved back to the table. It was clearly worn, and rather loved. Still, she was careful as she opened it, but got comfortable as she started the adventure of Treasure Island.
Although absorbed, the fact he spoke, actually said something, did not go amiss. Her eyes looked up from the page, and looked up at him. He was so much more soft-spoken than she had been expecting, but....there was a part of her that felt it was just right for him. “Thank you. Really.” She said back, her eye light and pretty. They moved down to his shirt, and smiled. “I see the pipe attacked you too.”
Something told her to keep her movements slow, and gentle with this giant man who looked like he could rip a tree out of the ground because it annoyed him. She picked up the biggest towel she had, and held it out to him. “I know it’s not much, but...I’d be happy to dry those for you so at least you don’t have to go in the cold soaking wet. I-If you’d like, that is. It’s the least I could do.”
He had noticed she held the book open and had started reading it. He knew how engrossed people could become in books, which was the main reason he had spoken. If he had thought for a moment that she would look up from the book he would have stayed quiet and waited.
Since he had spoken and drawn her attention away from the book, he needed to keep his manner polite and friendly. He offered her a shy smile when she mentioned the pipe attacking him too. He nodded and looked down at his wet clothing, making sure he wasn't dripping on her floor. He took the towel when she offered it and started to pat himself a little.
She offered to dry his clothes for him, that would take time. He then breathed in and smelled tea steeping and some food. Her actions led him to believe that she was meaning for him to stay for a while. Not wanting to be rude he grew even more shy. His body was severely scarred, he was afraid it might cause her alarm if she saw his body without him saying something first.
He swallowed hard and then practically whispered, "I have scars all over. Some are quite gruesome. Not sure you want to see that." He spoke like he was ashamed of the scars, or maybe he had been conditioned to feel ashamed with how people seemed to react to them. He would wait for her response before he decided on his next step.
Since he had spoken and drawn her attention away from the book, he needed to keep his manner polite and friendly. He offered her a shy smile when she mentioned the pipe attacking him too. He nodded and looked down at his wet clothing, making sure he wasn't dripping on her floor. He took the towel when she offered it and started to pat himself a little.
She offered to dry his clothes for him, that would take time. He then breathed in and smelled tea steeping and some food. Her actions led him to believe that she was meaning for him to stay for a while. Not wanting to be rude he grew even more shy. His body was severely scarred, he was afraid it might cause her alarm if she saw his body without him saying something first.
He swallowed hard and then practically whispered, "I have scars all over. Some are quite gruesome. Not sure you want to see that." He spoke like he was ashamed of the scars, or maybe he had been conditioned to feel ashamed with how people seemed to react to them. He would wait for her response before he decided on his next step.
His response was very interesting. Amelia wasn’t completely familiar with the ways of regular citizens, as everything about her life had either been fake or structured, but she did understand one thing. The shame that came through his whisper. It struck her somehow as her head tilted. “I’m not afraid of scars.” She said softly, looking at him to let him know she meant it, but since she didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable, she took a small step back. “But I’ll tell you what. I’m gonna go get us some tea, and if you’d like me to dry your clothes, you can put them here.” She put her hand on the table as she moved past him, her hazel eyes looking into his. “And I think I could even find a blanket or something in the meantime.”
This wasn’t an attempt to seduce him, or have a reason to get him naked. She may have been female-based curious, and who wouldn’t be, but she also didn’t like the thought of him out there in the cold, with the approaching dark, soaked because of her stupid mistake. If he didn’t want it, then she’d offer him at least something warm and he could leave if he wanted too, and she would curl up in whatever blanket she found.
She would give him some time to decide, plus she had to find a blanket she thought might actually be big enough for him, and that would wind up being the blanket currently on her bed. She’d bought it to survive the nights here, and hadn’t realized just how big it had been when she bought it. She wound up putting the cups on a plate to be able to carry them, then moved back to see what his decision had been.
This wasn’t an attempt to seduce him, or have a reason to get him naked. She may have been female-based curious, and who wouldn’t be, but she also didn’t like the thought of him out there in the cold, with the approaching dark, soaked because of her stupid mistake. If he didn’t want it, then she’d offer him at least something warm and he could leave if he wanted too, and she would curl up in whatever blanket she found.
She would give him some time to decide, plus she had to find a blanket she thought might actually be big enough for him, and that would wind up being the blanket currently on her bed. She’d bought it to survive the nights here, and hadn’t realized just how big it had been when she bought it. She wound up putting the cups on a plate to be able to carry them, then moved back to see what his decision had been.
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