Thread: How to Ride a Night Mare [Quin x heartless]

Star pushed around her food, not looking at her parents or Dori, staring at the smears of cheese stringing from the tines of her fork. She was grinding her teeth, embarrassed at her outburst but also still stinging from Erics diatribe. When he brought it back she smacked her fork down, it was not even like she thought about traveling off to some damn Nightmare warzone. But the more he ranted, the more she felt her jaw stubbornly set. Do you think I can forget this, Dad? Star said, reaching back and giving the cluster of shining black feathers a tug, Its one hell of a birthmark. I know Ive been safe here, because of what you and Mom and David did, thats why I want to do the same thing. She went quiet, glancing guiltily away from her mothers gaze, then looked at Eric. Dad, look...I know youre worried and like David said its not like Im packing up to leave today. Im just saying, what we have here is great and of course it can be improved but what my idea was to see it for myself. Not into the warzone but maybe eastern Colorado and Nebraska, where there are mixed communities. I havent even planned anything, it was just an idea... I know you are but I want to do something big, something important. Charlotte knew how much they were alike, she had known of their bond since she was pregnant when Star was nothing more than a tiny spark that would flutter with joy when her Daddy was close. Darling, you dont need to endanger yourself to do something important. Star rolled her eyes, looking over to Dori for help before sighing, Fine, just forget it. She bit her lip before she could continue on with some rather choice insults but the expression on her Dads face took some of the right out of her. He was really worried about her, there was real monsters out there, both Nightmare and human. Eric could be overprotective, he put any boy that asked her out through the ringer and it said something about Jasons character that he had not been driven off so far. Once dinner was finished, Charlotte asked her to help clear the table and do dishes. Star rushed to do it, eager to get back upstairs and vent to Dori but her Mom was not going to let her off that easy. Charlotte brushed her hand over the soft golden tresses and then the feathers, You know your Dad is just worried about you. Yeah, I know but why does he have to be such a jerk about it? Star asked, sloshing water around as she scrubbed rapidly, feeling her anger start to dissipate with the physical labor. And why do you react the same way? her mother asked, putting her hand on her hip, It was a shock to us all, I knew you were interested in social work here, with your volunteering but youve never mentioned going outside the area. Youve lived in relative safety all your life. All the hybrids here know nothing about what happened before they were born, to the corrupted men. Imprisoned, tortured by some mad scientist or forced to work as slaves in a brothel. Dehumanized and your father was one of them. I know... Alex muttered, feeling a pang of regret for losing her temper. Star, you are so precious to us... Charlotte felt herself choke up, remembering when she found out she was pregnant. She had been so young and frightened but she had grown up fast, out of necessity and it made her sad to think her children having to do the same. She wanted them to be strong and independent but also to have the magic of a childhood. We love you and we dont want to see you hurt or... Mom, come on, Star sighed as she watched the loving blue eyes fill with tears. Please dont cry, Im really sorry. With soapy hands she hugged her mother and buried her head against her shoulder, inhaling the light strawberry scent she always seemed to have. Charlotte rubbed her back, gently stroking the feathers of her shoulder. The mark of her corruption, her difference, and of Isadora. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, she looked at her daughter, I think once youre done, you should go upstairs. Dont antagonize Eric. Ill try, she said, her lips quirking in a wry smile. Once she was done, she made her way toward the stair case, glancing at the living room where her parents were at. The thing David said still stuck with her, not so much his words but Eric's face when he snapped, snarling like a wolf but there had been a glint of something there. Fear? Guilt? She had a sense of there being an unspoken message between the three of them but tonight was not the night to pry. She had hair to dye.