Post by Craven on Aug 20, 2014 12:49:44 GMT -6
Craven stands outside the motel room he’s sharing with his girlfriend, Skylar Hansen, his phone pressed to his ear as he tries to call the Silver Baron for the third time in the day and half since the show happened. Just as the call is transferred to voicemail, Skylar steps out into the hallway and Craven hangs up.
Craven: Are we ready?
Skylar nods absently, clearly still reeling from the events of Monday night.
Skylar Hansen: Yeah, ready, let’s go see how she's doing.
Trying to raise her spirits even though he knows that’s as likely as a hundred degree heat wave in Antarctica, Craven smiles to her.
Craven: Which room is she in?
Again, Skylar nods almost absently, this time to indicate down the hall.
Skylar Hansen: 108.
He nods acknowledgingly, still smiling for her.
Craven: Alright, let's go.
She nods as they start walking.
Skylar Hansen: Ok.
She follows him down the hall.A minute later, after turning two corners, they find themselves standing before the correct door.
Craven: Spose we found the one then, if this is the right room.
Skylar knocks on the door and waits. its not long before the blonde figure of Sophia gingerly opens the door a little.
Sophia: Oh it’s you guys, thought you mighta been some crazy guy...
She opens the door further, checking both ways down the hall as she does so, before stepping back and letting them in.
Sophia: How’s it going?
Craven shrugs as they walk by her into the room.
Craven: Eh, you know...
Sophia nods knowingly.
Sophia: Yeah pretty much the same as here then. You know, life goes on and all that bullcrap.
She turns and yells out toward the bathroom.
Sophia: Hey Kat, hurry up in the shower, you got visitors!
Craven glances towards the bathroom and stares for a second while Skylar remains silent behind him.
Craven: How is she?
Sophie shrugs, obviously trying to keep a positive spin on things.
Sophia: Her head’s still a little sore, but no concussion. So that’s something...
Craven nods, his focus remaining on the bathroom door.
Craven: How is she really?
Sophia glances at the Bathroom door then lowers her voice.
Sophia: Freaked out, I mean that guy, this Nathaniel guy, it was clear he was trying to send a message to her, be it one of love or other intentions, it has her freaked. She's now having nightmares about this guy, she woke up screaming the other night...
She shakes her head.
Sophia: The beat down by Maiko is the least of her problems right now...
Craven nods.
Craven: I'm sorry...
Sophia frowns.
Sophia: Is your name Nathaniel? Do you have a reason to be Sorry? No? So why are you apologizing?
Bowing his head in shame, Craven shakes it ever so slightly in shame.
Craven: I should have...
Sophia turns and looks him dead in the eye.
Sophia: No! HE shouldn’t have done it! YOU did nothing wrong.
Craven nods slowly.
Craven: Ok.
Sophia stares at him for a second.
Sophia: You don't believe it do you? You blame yourself for what happened to her? What happened to Skylar...
She shakes her head a little.
Sophia: You have no idea how much I understand that feeling. I've been there with her before, the whole, “If only I'd gotten there sooner, if only I had helped her…” but you can't let feeling like that eat at you. Cause in the end, YOU are not the blame for not getting there in time, the ones who do the hurting are to blame.
Craven swallows hard.
Craven: I wasn't there the first time either...
Sophia: And that means it your fault some ass decided to rape her, is that right? You not being there totally made the guy’s decision in his head right?
She pins him with a stare.
Sophia: Anyone would think you're the one who did it, no. What matters is that you're here now, that’s it.
Craven barely moves.
Craven: It was her father... over me...
Sophia cocks her head, not sure how to respond.
Sophia: Over you? Ok, now you got me stumped... he raped her? Over you?
Skylar speaks up finally after being silent this whole time.
Skylar Hansen: He raped me, as punishment for spending the night with Rick. He took me and held me against the wall, handcuffed me, took me from behind, whispered in my ear...
Sophia gapes.
Sophia: As punishment? Fuck, now it makes sense, why Nathaniel did what he did to you. It was a message.
Craven nods to the bathroom door again.
Craven: How did she take it?
Sophia shrugs resignedly.
Sophia: Well like I said before, she's been having nightmares, how do you think she took it?
Craven manages a nod.
Craven: Bullet Train to Flashback Central.
Sophia: She's been having nightmares... involving him...
Craven nods as if he knew that was coming.
Craven: So she thinks it'll happen again, only with him this time... great...
Sophia: Sadly, I fear so... He's clearly got some interest in her. I wish I knew if it was good or bad, but there's no telling.
Sighing heavily, Craven nods.
Craven: I suppose we'll find out, but he hasn't looked all that friendly so far.
Sophia’s eyes flash.
Sophia: Not at all...
The Bathroom door opens and Katarina emerges, her red hair hanging in wet dregs around her face. She's dressed in a simple white shirt and Jeans.
Katarina O'Hara: Hey Guys.
Craven nods a greeting.
Craven: Kat.
Katarina manages a smile to see actual friends.
Katarina O'Hara: How are you guys doing?
Craven shrugs ashamedly while Skylar looks on in conspicuous silence.
Craven: Feeling a bit... guilty...
Sophia nods pointedly.
Sophia: And I already told him he shouldn’t feel that way...
Katarina frowns.
Katarina O'Hara: Guilty about what?
Craven swallows hard.
Craven: What happened at the show.
This almost stops her in her tracks.
Katarina O'Hara: With Maiko or Nathaniel?
Almost wincing from the reminder that it happened more than once, Craven nods slightly.
Craven: Both.
Katarina almost immediately just shakes her head dismissively.
Katarina O'Hara: Well Nathaniel... It was a match, you couldn’t have done much really without getting Sky here DQed and Maiko? I would have called you an idiot had you tried to save me. Those odds weren’t in your favour.
Craven shrugs.
Craven: Still, I'm sorry...
She starts to hug him but stops herself.
Katarina O'Hara: It’s fine... you did nothing wrong... You're not the one keeping me awake at night Craven. Therefore you have nothing to be sorry for. You can't be there to save everyone. Even Superman can't save everyone...
He nods slowly.
Craven: You can call me, “Rick.”
Katarina smiles.
Katarina O'Hara: Ok, Rick... But you're fine. I forgive you. We're cool.
As everyone seemingly decides simultaneously to move off the subject, a silence falls over them. Not wanting to let it stay, Craven quickly finds something else to talk about.
Craven: Do you guys have a place to stay in Vegas?
Katarina shakes her head.
Katarina O'Hara: Not yet.
Sophia looks down for a second, slightly embarrassed.
Sophia: Some assistant I am... I kinda forgot to book us somewhere... so I was gonna look at places this afternoon.
Craven nods matter-of-factly.
Craven: We have two...
Katarina frowns in confusion.
Katarina O'Hara: Two?
Craven nods.
Craven: She has a place and so do I so we kinda take turns at each other's homes.
Katarina brightens noticeably.
Katarina O'Hara: Cool. We just have the one place in Nova Scotia. We flat together.
Relieved to be talking about family, Craven visibly relaxes even if Skylar does not.
Craven: We share with Sin and Rocket but we've got room.
Sophia looks on in surprise but also growing relief.
Sophia: You're saying we can come stay with you?
Craven nods.
Craven: I am, whatever set-up ya like.
Sophia smiles happily.
Sophia: Well that makes my job easier... If you're ok with it that is Kat...
Katarina thinks on this for a second.
Katarina O'Hara: I don't usually like staying around other people... But right now, I think company may be a good idea. In case anyone else decides to send me a message or use me to send a message.
She pauses.
Katarina O'Hara: What’s your beef with the children anyways? I thought it was Arsenal they were after?
Craven looks to Skylar.
Craven: Do we actually have one?
Skylar doesn’t answer.
Sophia: You tell us, it was the Sin City Knights they were trying to send a message to.
Craven nods, looking guilty again.
Craven: I know Fraser does...
Katarina frowns.
Katarina O'Hara: Then why use me, to send a message to him? I've never ever met the guy.
Craven sighs.
Craven: Cause I'm pretty sure Baron opened his mouth too.
Katarina shrugs as if this means nothing to her.
Katarina O'Hara: Ain’t met him either...
Knowing he’ll have to figure this out anyway, Craven nods and starts to lay it out for everybody, including himself.
Craven: Baron's technically Skylar's boss at the Pleasure Dome. Sin dances there and her sister works there as well. Fraser asked me to check up on her sister from time to time.
Katarina shrugs again.
Katarina O'Hara: So what? That means attacking me means something to Baron and Fraser?
Craven nods, not sure he buys it all himself yet.
Craven: I would guess, no real evidence to support this mind you, that people see you associating with us, see us associating with them, and decided that attacking you and making us watch would tell Frase and Baron that the children were willing to fight a war that the Sin City Knights were not ready for.
Sophia nods, looking almost expectant.
Sophia: Well did the message reach them? Was it worth it?
Craven shrugs.
Craven: I have no idea, I haven't talked to them at all. I been on the phone with Sin for the last couple of days.
Katarina O'Hara: And I've kinda been recovering, Maiko got my head pretty good...
Katarina sighs.
Katarina O'Hara: Sleep has been hard to come by...
Craven nods again, feeling guilty even if he manages not to show it as much.
Craven: Well, if you wanna try at one of our places, you're welcome.
Katarina O'Hara: I guess its worth a shot, but it might not work... Unless you can help me forget his face...
Craven nods.
Craven: Do you want us to get Sin and Rocket to stay with us as a group or would you rather have a place all to yourself or?
Sophia smiles happily at this idea.
Sophia: Well I for one like the group sleepover idea. Means I get to hang out with Sin again.
Craven nods.
Craven: Sky, which one suits us best, do you think?
Skylar barely moves.
Skylar Hansen: I'm cool with whatever.
She looks over at Kat.
Skylar Hansen: What about you, Kat?
Katarina shrugs.
Katarina O'Hara: Safety in numbers is good I guess.
Craven grins, suddenly looking way more like a college kid than he usually does.
Craven: Your place or mine?
Skylar shrugs.
Skylar Hansen: My place is bigger.
He nods approvingly.
Craven: I spose we're going to your place then.
Skylar nods her agreement.
Skylar Hansen: I suppose so.
An hour later, Skylar is asleep in the passenger seat of his car as Craven drives them back home. He glances over at her and nods before turning on his voice recorder.
Craven: Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that ends up hurting worse than what you did do. A couple of days ago, when I didn’t do something, three of my friends paid for it.
He pauses, obviously thinking things over some more.
Craven: First, Nathaniel Caraway almost lived up to his name, got carried away, and did things to Sky that made both her and Katarina O’Hara have flashbacks to things they’d both really rather not have to re-live. I say almost because I don’t think he got carried away at all. I think he meant every solitary thing he did, that it all had some supposed purpose that would further some nefarious plot on his end.
He shakes his head and glances over at his sleeping beauty.
Craven: Then Maiko and the Children decided it was time to make things worse with Katarina by assaulting her to send a message to the Sin City Saints, presumedly because of actions of people that have nothing to with her.
He sighs heavily.
Craven: And then at the end of the show, the Children made sure Baron knew what the message was even without having gone through Katarina. Which means there’s another phone call I need to make when I get home now since I haven’t managed to catch him yet. Tried a couple of times, but he was busy or something.
He pauses and glances over at Skylar again before starting to softly sing.
Craven: Everybody needs a little time away
I heard her say, from each other
Even lovers need a holiday
Far away from each other
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say, I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
Pausing, he glances over at her again.
Craven: After all that you've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise you baby
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go
He sits back against his seat, trying to make sure he doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
Craven: I hope this doesn’t start that again…
He sighs and keeps singing as they drive on into the night, slowly making their way home.
Craven: Are we ready?
Skylar nods absently, clearly still reeling from the events of Monday night.
Skylar Hansen: Yeah, ready, let’s go see how she's doing.
Trying to raise her spirits even though he knows that’s as likely as a hundred degree heat wave in Antarctica, Craven smiles to her.
Craven: Which room is she in?
Again, Skylar nods almost absently, this time to indicate down the hall.
Skylar Hansen: 108.
He nods acknowledgingly, still smiling for her.
Craven: Alright, let's go.
She nods as they start walking.
Skylar Hansen: Ok.
She follows him down the hall.A minute later, after turning two corners, they find themselves standing before the correct door.
Craven: Spose we found the one then, if this is the right room.
Skylar knocks on the door and waits. its not long before the blonde figure of Sophia gingerly opens the door a little.
Sophia: Oh it’s you guys, thought you mighta been some crazy guy...
She opens the door further, checking both ways down the hall as she does so, before stepping back and letting them in.
Sophia: How’s it going?
Craven shrugs as they walk by her into the room.
Craven: Eh, you know...
Sophia nods knowingly.
Sophia: Yeah pretty much the same as here then. You know, life goes on and all that bullcrap.
She turns and yells out toward the bathroom.
Sophia: Hey Kat, hurry up in the shower, you got visitors!
Craven glances towards the bathroom and stares for a second while Skylar remains silent behind him.
Craven: How is she?
Sophie shrugs, obviously trying to keep a positive spin on things.
Sophia: Her head’s still a little sore, but no concussion. So that’s something...
Craven nods, his focus remaining on the bathroom door.
Craven: How is she really?
Sophia glances at the Bathroom door then lowers her voice.
Sophia: Freaked out, I mean that guy, this Nathaniel guy, it was clear he was trying to send a message to her, be it one of love or other intentions, it has her freaked. She's now having nightmares about this guy, she woke up screaming the other night...
She shakes her head.
Sophia: The beat down by Maiko is the least of her problems right now...
Craven nods.
Craven: I'm sorry...
Sophia frowns.
Sophia: Is your name Nathaniel? Do you have a reason to be Sorry? No? So why are you apologizing?
Bowing his head in shame, Craven shakes it ever so slightly in shame.
Craven: I should have...
Sophia turns and looks him dead in the eye.
Sophia: No! HE shouldn’t have done it! YOU did nothing wrong.
Craven nods slowly.
Craven: Ok.
Sophia stares at him for a second.
Sophia: You don't believe it do you? You blame yourself for what happened to her? What happened to Skylar...
She shakes her head a little.
Sophia: You have no idea how much I understand that feeling. I've been there with her before, the whole, “If only I'd gotten there sooner, if only I had helped her…” but you can't let feeling like that eat at you. Cause in the end, YOU are not the blame for not getting there in time, the ones who do the hurting are to blame.
Craven swallows hard.
Craven: I wasn't there the first time either...
Sophia: And that means it your fault some ass decided to rape her, is that right? You not being there totally made the guy’s decision in his head right?
She pins him with a stare.
Sophia: Anyone would think you're the one who did it, no. What matters is that you're here now, that’s it.
Craven barely moves.
Craven: It was her father... over me...
Sophia cocks her head, not sure how to respond.
Sophia: Over you? Ok, now you got me stumped... he raped her? Over you?
Skylar speaks up finally after being silent this whole time.
Skylar Hansen: He raped me, as punishment for spending the night with Rick. He took me and held me against the wall, handcuffed me, took me from behind, whispered in my ear...
Sophia gapes.
Sophia: As punishment? Fuck, now it makes sense, why Nathaniel did what he did to you. It was a message.
Craven nods to the bathroom door again.
Craven: How did she take it?
Sophia shrugs resignedly.
Sophia: Well like I said before, she's been having nightmares, how do you think she took it?
Craven manages a nod.
Craven: Bullet Train to Flashback Central.
Sophia: She's been having nightmares... involving him...
Craven nods as if he knew that was coming.
Craven: So she thinks it'll happen again, only with him this time... great...
Sophia: Sadly, I fear so... He's clearly got some interest in her. I wish I knew if it was good or bad, but there's no telling.
Sighing heavily, Craven nods.
Craven: I suppose we'll find out, but he hasn't looked all that friendly so far.
Sophia’s eyes flash.
Sophia: Not at all...
The Bathroom door opens and Katarina emerges, her red hair hanging in wet dregs around her face. She's dressed in a simple white shirt and Jeans.
Katarina O'Hara: Hey Guys.
Craven nods a greeting.
Craven: Kat.
Katarina manages a smile to see actual friends.
Katarina O'Hara: How are you guys doing?
Craven shrugs ashamedly while Skylar looks on in conspicuous silence.
Craven: Feeling a bit... guilty...
Sophia nods pointedly.
Sophia: And I already told him he shouldn’t feel that way...
Katarina frowns.
Katarina O'Hara: Guilty about what?
Craven swallows hard.
Craven: What happened at the show.
This almost stops her in her tracks.
Katarina O'Hara: With Maiko or Nathaniel?
Almost wincing from the reminder that it happened more than once, Craven nods slightly.
Craven: Both.
Katarina almost immediately just shakes her head dismissively.
Katarina O'Hara: Well Nathaniel... It was a match, you couldn’t have done much really without getting Sky here DQed and Maiko? I would have called you an idiot had you tried to save me. Those odds weren’t in your favour.
Craven shrugs.
Craven: Still, I'm sorry...
She starts to hug him but stops herself.
Katarina O'Hara: It’s fine... you did nothing wrong... You're not the one keeping me awake at night Craven. Therefore you have nothing to be sorry for. You can't be there to save everyone. Even Superman can't save everyone...
He nods slowly.
Craven: You can call me, “Rick.”
Katarina smiles.
Katarina O'Hara: Ok, Rick... But you're fine. I forgive you. We're cool.
As everyone seemingly decides simultaneously to move off the subject, a silence falls over them. Not wanting to let it stay, Craven quickly finds something else to talk about.
Craven: Do you guys have a place to stay in Vegas?
Katarina shakes her head.
Katarina O'Hara: Not yet.
Sophia looks down for a second, slightly embarrassed.
Sophia: Some assistant I am... I kinda forgot to book us somewhere... so I was gonna look at places this afternoon.
Craven nods matter-of-factly.
Craven: We have two...
Katarina frowns in confusion.
Katarina O'Hara: Two?
Craven nods.
Craven: She has a place and so do I so we kinda take turns at each other's homes.
Katarina brightens noticeably.
Katarina O'Hara: Cool. We just have the one place in Nova Scotia. We flat together.
Relieved to be talking about family, Craven visibly relaxes even if Skylar does not.
Craven: We share with Sin and Rocket but we've got room.
Sophia looks on in surprise but also growing relief.
Sophia: You're saying we can come stay with you?
Craven nods.
Craven: I am, whatever set-up ya like.
Sophia smiles happily.
Sophia: Well that makes my job easier... If you're ok with it that is Kat...
Katarina thinks on this for a second.
Katarina O'Hara: I don't usually like staying around other people... But right now, I think company may be a good idea. In case anyone else decides to send me a message or use me to send a message.
She pauses.
Katarina O'Hara: What’s your beef with the children anyways? I thought it was Arsenal they were after?
Craven looks to Skylar.
Craven: Do we actually have one?
Skylar doesn’t answer.
Sophia: You tell us, it was the Sin City Knights they were trying to send a message to.
Craven nods, looking guilty again.
Craven: I know Fraser does...
Katarina frowns.
Katarina O'Hara: Then why use me, to send a message to him? I've never ever met the guy.
Craven sighs.
Craven: Cause I'm pretty sure Baron opened his mouth too.
Katarina shrugs as if this means nothing to her.
Katarina O'Hara: Ain’t met him either...
Knowing he’ll have to figure this out anyway, Craven nods and starts to lay it out for everybody, including himself.
Craven: Baron's technically Skylar's boss at the Pleasure Dome. Sin dances there and her sister works there as well. Fraser asked me to check up on her sister from time to time.
Katarina shrugs again.
Katarina O'Hara: So what? That means attacking me means something to Baron and Fraser?
Craven nods, not sure he buys it all himself yet.
Craven: I would guess, no real evidence to support this mind you, that people see you associating with us, see us associating with them, and decided that attacking you and making us watch would tell Frase and Baron that the children were willing to fight a war that the Sin City Knights were not ready for.
Sophia nods, looking almost expectant.
Sophia: Well did the message reach them? Was it worth it?
Craven shrugs.
Craven: I have no idea, I haven't talked to them at all. I been on the phone with Sin for the last couple of days.
Katarina O'Hara: And I've kinda been recovering, Maiko got my head pretty good...
Katarina sighs.
Katarina O'Hara: Sleep has been hard to come by...
Craven nods again, feeling guilty even if he manages not to show it as much.
Craven: Well, if you wanna try at one of our places, you're welcome.
Katarina O'Hara: I guess its worth a shot, but it might not work... Unless you can help me forget his face...
Craven nods.
Craven: Do you want us to get Sin and Rocket to stay with us as a group or would you rather have a place all to yourself or?
Sophia smiles happily at this idea.
Sophia: Well I for one like the group sleepover idea. Means I get to hang out with Sin again.
Craven nods.
Craven: Sky, which one suits us best, do you think?
Skylar barely moves.
Skylar Hansen: I'm cool with whatever.
She looks over at Kat.
Skylar Hansen: What about you, Kat?
Katarina shrugs.
Katarina O'Hara: Safety in numbers is good I guess.
Craven grins, suddenly looking way more like a college kid than he usually does.
Craven: Your place or mine?
Skylar shrugs.
Skylar Hansen: My place is bigger.
He nods approvingly.
Craven: I spose we're going to your place then.
Skylar nods her agreement.
Skylar Hansen: I suppose so.
An hour later, Skylar is asleep in the passenger seat of his car as Craven drives them back home. He glances over at her and nods before turning on his voice recorder.
Craven: Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that ends up hurting worse than what you did do. A couple of days ago, when I didn’t do something, three of my friends paid for it.
He pauses, obviously thinking things over some more.
Craven: First, Nathaniel Caraway almost lived up to his name, got carried away, and did things to Sky that made both her and Katarina O’Hara have flashbacks to things they’d both really rather not have to re-live. I say almost because I don’t think he got carried away at all. I think he meant every solitary thing he did, that it all had some supposed purpose that would further some nefarious plot on his end.
He shakes his head and glances over at his sleeping beauty.
Craven: Then Maiko and the Children decided it was time to make things worse with Katarina by assaulting her to send a message to the Sin City Saints, presumedly because of actions of people that have nothing to with her.
He sighs heavily.
Craven: And then at the end of the show, the Children made sure Baron knew what the message was even without having gone through Katarina. Which means there’s another phone call I need to make when I get home now since I haven’t managed to catch him yet. Tried a couple of times, but he was busy or something.
He pauses and glances over at Skylar again before starting to softly sing.
Craven: Everybody needs a little time away
I heard her say, from each other
Even lovers need a holiday
Far away from each other
Hold me now
It's hard for me to say, I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
Pausing, he glances over at her again.
Craven: After all that you've been through
I will make it up to you, I promise you baby
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go
He sits back against his seat, trying to make sure he doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
Craven: I hope this doesn’t start that again…
He sighs and keeps singing as they drive on into the night, slowly making their way home.
