You Need Me (Lazarus/Lola)

[Lovely]

July 22, 2007
morning

He'd slipped into the shop, hardly bringing attention to himself this trip. The man stepped up to the mezzanine, taking a moment to look over the rail, noting the people in the shop and keeping an eye out for one in particular. He turned to the section of older books, hard-cover, many that were older editions, archaic languages and many that were not for sale, but were available for research... what he'd come for... answers on a ponderance of some emergency from the looks of his impatience in flipping pages where he stood.

Lola as she was known to those familiar with her, was quietly putting stock on a shelf in an ordinary mundane manner. She was bored with such trivial duties, but stuck to her task and resisted the urge to use other means openly in the shop. The box was empty and she uncurled from the floor to get another, she passed the section of older books. A certain kind of shiver walked over her skin and she took a step back to glance down the row.

"Morning... no hello?" He didn't need to look, though he did to offer her a smile. His look had become rustic, hiding his carved visage beneath a neatly trimmed beard. The darkness set apart his grey eyes that lit up as well.

"I was getting to that.." She smiled gently in return and turned to step down the aisle toward him. "I'd even offer a hug and a kiss.. but wouldn't want to muss up you manly visage." Her eyes trailed over his attire, appreciative of the man and his clothing.

"Already messed up," he grinned, turning in the light where she'd see the healing mark along his cheek. The book was marked with a fingertip as he reached for both of the offers, keeping them light, but warm. "Please tell me you haven't been behaving on my account. I need a favor..."

Her eyes followed the mark on his cheek and she started to whisper a healing incantation as he spoke again. Her smile was mischievious and she shrugged. "I try to behave as little as I possibly can. What sort of favor?"

"Good to hear. Something about keeping the peace. I need something to close up a portal and I don't know anyone strong enough here. The guardian doesn't want anyone waltzing back in to his realm and I don't want anyone falling into that one either. His calling card," he grinned, feeling the warmth as the mark began to fade as he pointed to it.

She lifted the inch or so to kiss his cheek. "All better.. nasty guardian.." She murmured with a slight smile. "I suppose I have some time and nothing else interesting or fun to do.. I'm all yours." Her hand slid to join his on the book and see what he'd found so far.

"Are you really?" The chuckle was short and near-silent. He looked her over briefly then turned to the page he held. "Nothing yet... porpoises, potions... not much on portals here. Suggestions?"

Her smile shone softly and she leaned a bit closer. "Sure I am.. see me here.. not going anywhere else.. giving you my undivided attention?" Her eyes sparkled and drew him in for a moment before she turned her atention to his problem. "Suggestions.. hmmm a big cork?" She teased, taking the book from him and selecting another.

He grinned more. "I suppose I never will find what I'm looking for if I'm looking for the obvious... what's that then?"

"A book." She replied smartly, with a wicked grin.

"Hmm.. very good. You're learning. Should we do paint-by-numbers next or is that too upper-level for you? Which book... and will it help?"

Her eyes narrowed on him and her lips pursed slightly. "If I didn't think it was worthwhile.. why would I be wasting my time on it?" She flipped to a page and shoved the book roughly into his chest. "Perhaps you'd like finger paints better."

"And if I didn't believe you were completely capable of assisting me, I wouldn't have asked for your help," he said softly, disarming and reassuring. He tilted the book away from his chest and glanced at the page, murmuring the foreign tongue out loud as he read through the passage. "It's a start, thank you. I don't suppose you know where I can find... an ounce of Perilander flesh around here?"

Lola smiled and sighed sofly. "It won't be cheap but if your willing to pay then yes.. I have a supplier who can get that for us.. you."

"Name your price, wench," he teased quietly, knowing she had his balls in a vice... he needed the components for the spell, no matter the cost. "I might throw in a little extra for speed and courtesy, hm?"

"One full day and one full night.. " She brushed his cheek softly. "You know how to find my cottage in the foothills of the mountain .. don't you?"

"Blindfolded and drunk," he nodded, his eyes shuttering gently at her touch, opening to pierce and warn. "After it's sealed. He has hellion marauders poised to set a few uncomfortable examples of other trespassers."

"Of course.. tell me where and I will meet you there in one hour." She stroked a finger over his curl of beard and decided she liked it.

His hand curled over hers, bringing it to a gentle kiss. "I appreciate it.. and you. This hellmouth is a little obscured, but you'll find it. Off the canyon highway, just short of a half mile from Bernard's Bend then north-northwest another mile, marked by a fallen oak three-feet around. Hard to mistake it for much else - they're screamers there."

Her sigh was softly apprehensive and she nodded her head, this was not an easy task and likely would drain her greatly, depending on the actual size and what might fight against her spells. She could do it, but it might not be an easy task, she smiled again. "I shall find you there then."

"You will. Hopefully not one of the ones screaming," he winked. "I have to go. Thank you." Something in his own eyes indicated that he'd be there well before she would, a faint shimmer of one who called upon other forces for travel.

"Better not be." She warned with an amout of caring in her tone, not wanting him to get himself gravely injured and as always wishing him as safe as possible.

"Not to worry - I have to repay you," he nodded, adding part of the extra he promised in a soft kiss before stepping away.

She watched him with a cool expression, though warm eyes shone brightly toward him. She turned to go and gather her supplies as quickly as she could so she could meet him and seal the portal as soon as possible.

[Lovely]

1 hour later...

His movement was faster than a mere man, though he kept to his feet, moving over a great distance in a short time. At moments, it had been short hops, utilizing smaller jump points that he and others like him had placed, more as quick getaways than effecient means of travel between points. They worked for this, however and he arrived, pulling the implements he would need from his pack. He started to clear an area, cringing and wincing at the sharp squeals and horrific caterwauls that fell to the ground around the crevasse that folded space into a hovering hollow in the clearing.

She didn't want to wase her energy with using alternate means of travel -so she simply sped across town like a conventional mortal would. Her sharp senses and intellect kept the barter from taking too long to get the desired flesh from her supplier. Everything wrapped safely into her small pack and as premixed as she dared before preforming the spell. Lola drove as far as she could and then hurried through the wooded area to reach the clearing, now she dared to use a mild teleportation spell, that would not drain her much to cover the distance.

He turned at the sound, more the change in the atmosphere around him, noting the shift as she dispersed the air around herself upon arrival. At least the guardian here was providing them time enough to do this right rather than under pressure of a battle as well. Time being different there than here, however, shifted every moment closer to that possibility. He couldn't help the smile as she arrived, fulfilling her promise, meaning he would definitely have the opportunity to fulfill his own after they were through.

The screaming hit her ears as she passed fully into the clearing near him, the face she made showed how unpleasant the sound was to her. when her eyes fell on him, a small smile crept over her face and she motioned to her pack, immediately getting started.

He had set up most everything his part called for, but the spell itself was in her care and her power. "Ready when you are," he said, bending his head to clamp his shoulder to his ear as a particularly sharp screech wailed out. "And he's getting impatient."

Her cloak was tossed to the side outside their circle and she wore only a very thin slip of a dress. It was not the warmest weather for such attire but it was needed to channel the forces she would call upon, her bare feet dug into the earth below her as she knelt down. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she began the incantations, but carried softly around them as if riding along with the slight breeze.

Lazarus stepped to the edge of the circle, providing safety and easy reach of her receptacles and components he could hand her in turn when called for. Her words were like the softest song of moonlight and warmed him despite the chill air as he watched intently.

She whisper-sang in the long forgotten language of the book she'd offered him earlier. The words flowing as naturally as breath and her movements fluid and swift as she reached for ingredients from him and those that were kept close to her. The wind picked up in the space of a foot around her, a soft howl and whip lifting her hair and tearing at the thin material which covered her. Roots of brown and green pushed through the surface to wrap and wind around her legs, holding and pulling at her. Her eyes lost the white and became solid orbs that stared ahead.

Like tones of leaves and earth, his own voice carried in harmony with hers, helping to lift the incantation to the forces around the vortex. Sparks of disagreement with their activity flew sharply around the hellmouth as if cursing their attempts as it waivered.

Her voice though spoken in the same volume from her mouth rose in intensity as if directed towards the vortex and its struggle. The hellmouth waivered more and more and was near collapsing, a final thrust of her energy sent to shut it down, calling forth more power from the earth and the final mixture of her ingredients cast to the void.

What little power of his own he could provide was offered in strength of voice and watchful eye as he unwrapped the piece of flesh that was needed to 'feed' the hellmouth. The greenish lump appeared reptilian yet grained like venison, but smelled acrid like stale entrails.. nothing he'd choose for dinner, but it turned the concoction into a foaming and sparking mass that oozed and crawled toward the opening.

Lola arched after the final words of the spell, her hands clenching the air as as the portal was sealed. A soft exhale parted her lips as the earth let loose it's hold on her, her skin welted, raw and bleeding in some places as the roots untwined and sank back to the ground. Lola fell softly to the ground without a sound, her eyes were closed, but she was not sleeping -just spent.

The candle's fire was pinched out to cease the call on the elements bound to the flame, letting her relax more as he knelt and lifted her to his lap, being sure that she had not spent herself too greatly. "Nicely done. Are you alright?"

Her eyes flutered and opened to gaze at him a moment before closing again. "Never better.. you?" She whispered softly, letting him hold her without protest or pride.

"Well enough to see you make it to the cabin to rest. Can you walk or am I starting the one full night with carrying you home, Lola?"

Her finger lifted then tapped his nose, she smiled in an almost sleepy manner. "You're not getting off that easy.. I'll be fine in a minute.." She teased and warned him at once.

"Sure you will," he smiled, knowing partly that 'fine' wasn't going to completely happen until she'd had sleep or food or both. "Wait here and I'll get our things together."

"Not really going anywhere.." She murmured, letting him slide her off his lap to rest against the cold ground. She shivered in her wisp of a dress, her eyes feeling too heavy to open.

[Lovely]

He hummed a little in disappointment. That won't do at all. It wasn't much, but better than nothing. It was a light coat, but warmer than what she had and the flannel shirt beneath it was given as well to wrap her legs until he had everything together. The simple shirt left beneath was marred and stained, gapped from blades and claws, but worn just the same, each hole and mark matching one on his flesh underneath. He paid little attention to the breezes as he moved quickly, checking the area where the vortex had been and ensuring that the guardian would be pleased enough with the results not to rend it open out of spite to send his minions through regardless. A quiet prayer to the air and rustling leaves left the clearing quiet as he shouldered his pack and grabbed hers.

She lifted her head as he came near again, reaching a hand to him to help her to her feet. He had both packs and she would walk, determined, stubborn, and barefoot. "Everything is well for now?" She nodded toward the now still patch.

"Exactly as it should be... perfect," he murmured, helping her up, though keeping his hand near to steady her should she need it. "You?"

"Perfect." Her smile was faint but there to tease and warm him. She pulled his clothes around her and shivered, chuckling ever so lightly. "It's a bit cold to be out like this.. what could I have been thinking?"

"I don't know, but I know what I'm thinking now," he appeared to tease with his smile, but it shone more protectively than that. "Thinking you need a fire and soon. Let's go. So shall we begin from the beginning? Good morning."

"Only if you'll stay with me beside that fire.." Her fingers curled gently around his hand and she let herself lean slightly into his shoulder for support walking back.

"Of course. I have a debt to pay... and you to keep warm. I have missed you."

"Is that how I must catch you.. make you owe me, the price of your company for goods and services?" Her voice was softly distant. "I almost hoped you'd simply agree.. aside from our barter earlier."

"Simple... is something I'm not, but I am agreeable," his hand caught tighter around hers, hoping to reassure. "You don't have to hope that I'd agree. I would have come regardless of the task. Save your hope for causes that need it."

"You need it.." She stated quietly, tilting her head to let the soft expression meet him, she meant it in a kind manner. "You need me.." She nudged him a little, glancing back towards the clearing.

"I do? And why is that, you suppose?" His teasing was gentle and endearing, attempting to keep her mind from her fatigue.

"To give you a hard time of course." She smiled, blinking heavily, just a short nap and some food would have her back up to her usual spark and spunk. ".. you'd be lost without me.. admit it."

"I find my way around pretty well," he started in, but turned to her, his expression hiding the fond grin just barely before whispering. "I admit it. And you do excel... you do well at helping find me, too."

"That's because I do so enjoy giving you a hard time." Her lips offered a soft sweet kiss if he'd take it, as she leaned up to give it to him.

His whiskers were soft and brushed her lip gently as he accepted, offering another in return to admit just a little more how he appreciated and needed her efforts. "Mmm.. and hard times being what they are, do you actually have food in this cabin or are you sending me back out with a club and sharp stick for dinner?"

[Lovely]

The forest grew thicker before it opened to a small clearing where her cabin stood. It was a place that time seemed to forget, while she indulged in some comforts of the modern world, her home was simple -beautiful, natural. A place that was semi enchanted, years of her pressense and spells and her grandmother long before her had imbibed the place itself with an 'essence'.

Lazarus stepped quietly, listening to the surroundings they passed through. The peace of it and the charge in the air brought out a smile. "It's been quite a long time. I'd forgotten what it feels like. Quiet. The gentle quiet, not the random moment between chaos and confusion. You've kept it well. Like yourself."

Lola offered a soft chuckle and smiled taking a deep breath as they stepped along a path that disappeared behind them. "I believe that was a compliment.. thank you. This place takes care of itself and me.. I always feel better when I come home."

"Hmm.. I'd forgotten what that feels like too. Home. It sounds nice. Might I borrow yours a while? I don't believe I know where mine is now, it's been so long." He chuckled a little and took in more of the charm in a deep breath. "Maybe it will take care of me a little while?"

Her hand reached to offer his to twine with it and the other came to his cheek. "You are always welcome here.. I'd be happy to have you consider it home.. Love it and it will take care of you."

"I should be well cared for, then," he said, turning to her with a grin. "That is if you're as much a part of it as it is of you. With that kind of welcome, I should turn my paths this way more often, hm?"

"We are a part of each other.. " She nodded, closing her eyes a moment. "Always welcome Lazarus.. I would be all the more blessed to see you brighten my door more often."