Gairett slid back in through the hidden door, trying to be as quiet as possible, as to not disturb Hale. He wasn't lying to Anne, when Hale hibernates, it's instinctive for him to protect himself. He hadn't struck out at Gairett since they were small, but Gairett had been gone for so long, he wasn't sure what Hale might do. And after the fight tonight, Hale would be on his guard and would be uneasy and hurt.
The door to the bedroom was shut from when he left earlier, so he didn't have to worry too much about noise until he went in there. From some of Velori's recent memories, he could remember some of the things that she liked having, soaps, cleaners, certain pieces of jewelry, her favorite perfumes. Many things that he knew would bring comfort to her when she woke.
He also remembered the irritation she had when she doesn't get them. After everything tonight, her temper would only bring aggravation to his life. Besides packing some of her things wouldn't be hard until he got to the bedroom.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
He didn't need the light on, but it would make things easier to explain if someone was to come in. So, he flicked on the switch and went forward into what Velori called the living room.
Instantly his eyes were drawn to the tapestry. He walked up to it and stopped in front of the computer. He had tried looking into the curse once. To get some explanation for it. The only thing he could find was that it had something to do with the ancient Nymphs and another race. He could never find out what the race was called, or even what they looked like.
His head went to the side, and he followed the long tree to the very end. He stood there a minute, just staring at Melisa's form.
He reached up and outlined it with his fingers. The memory of the other night with Velori came back. The clouds, air, and her scent were all so much like Melisa's. He outlined it again with the pad of his thumb.
"Melisa." It came out as a whisper, but something else moved in his head. Something that wasn't his. Like a memory, but not his memory. He closed off everything around him and zoned in on what it was. A fragrance. There was something here, in these rooms that smelled like Melisa. Not Velori's similar scent, this was his sister's.
Gairett's head shot up, and his eye's flashed a deep blue, almost black, as he twirled around, trying to concentrate on the scent and its direction. He went to the bathroom first. He could identify it in there. He pulled out all the drawers, all of her soaps, and creams. Her fragrance bottles, everything. Whatever he was smelling wasn't in here now. Turning from the bathroom, not caring about the mess he'd made, he went to Velori's door.
He sensed it first. Hale was awake and moving. He detected something else now. It was Hale's blood, mixed in with Melisa's scent. Almost as if on instinct, he shoved open the door.
Hale was sitting on the floor, the maroon covers twined all around his legs as he sat at the foot of her bed, by the dresser. He was sweating crimson from head to toe and holding a necklace. Velori's drawers were flung open, similar to what Gairett had done in the bathroom. Clothes were everywhere, undergarments, shirts, old photos, and small other trinkets. These things meant nothing to him. The thing that held Melisa's unique scent, was in Hale's hands.
"Hale? I am going to come close to you. It is Gairett."
Deep down in Hale's chest, he let out a growl. A warning. He truly was not the Hale that Gairett remembered.
He must be completely asleep, and in survival mode. I will have to go at this differently.
"Hale? Melisa sent me. She wants her necklace back. Can I have it?" Gairett thrust up his arm, and instantly the image of Melisa was standing beside him. An easy manipulation for him. He was a master when it came to the art of illusion.
He adorned Melisa in the leather outfit she loved so much, and her hair was twined back in leather and braided into intricate braids. She had a lavender flower behind her left ear. It was a Mexican Petunia, one of her favorite flowers. The bedroom was no longer the bedroom, it was the tribal area they'd stayed at for so long. It was where they had met Tayen and took her into the family. The air was dry, and the wind brought the scent of Melisa, and flowers over to Hale. He was in his old outfit and wet with water from swimming in the lake. His hair was slicked back, and he was holding her necklace and another Petunia. Gairett stepped out of the way and disappeared into Melisa. Disguised as her, Gairett walked forward, the wind picked up and sent her hair flying everywhere, bringing a smile to her face.
"Hale?" Melisa's voice came out. Her rhythm was strong, and her beat deep. At once he could see Hale's eyes open and look up at her with hope.
"Hale, I've missed you so." She opened her arms, silently asking for a hug.
She moved forward with the ease and grace she always had. "Do you like my flower? I think it's pretty. Don't you?" She turned her head sideways, to better show off her flower. "Come on Hale, I want a hug. Please?"
She walked closer and kneeled. Adding a deeper accent and tone she continued. "Hale. . . Don't you want to hug me? It's been so long, and I've missed you so much."
He took in a breath and then before she could say another word, he wrapped his arms around her.
"Melisa. . ." It came out as a plea, a whisper, a sound of relief, and joy. "I had the worst dream. No! Nightmare. I thought you d-dead." He couldn't stop himself from tripping over the word dead.
He was crushing her to him almost oppressively and it would have been uncomfortable for Melisa, had it been her. "You're holding too tight Hale." Instantly he lessened his grip and pulled back. Her face was drenched with water now, and her flower was squished.
"Oh. I'm sorry Melly." He looked down at the amulet and continued. "Remember when I gave this to you? Remember that night?" Gairett's stomach twisted at hearing her nickname once again.
Hale held up the necklace and before Gairett knew what he was doing, Hale threw up his own illusion. Gairett had to go with it, he had to know. He had never seen the amulet before, and he worried taking the illusion from him would give himself away. The easiness in which Hale brought up the illusion nearly stumbled Gairett as it was. Hale had definitely come far since he had last seen him.