Vivienne paled as she listened to Hammer say more to her in five minutes than in the fifty plus years she had known him. When he leaned in close to her, she felt her body repel automatically, despite knowing better. She was afraid of Hammer and just speaking to him reiterated that fact. The sad thing was...he was right.
Swallowing, Viv lowered her eyes and tried to not look sick to her stomach. 'I don't know, Hammer,' she started with a shaky voice. 'Sometimes happy enough is making the best out of a fucked up situation.' Sitting back in the recliner, she crossed a leg and smiled.
'And they were pretty fucked up situations we were put in, weren't they? I mean - my imminent death and you watching the woman you love with your Alpha and friend. That wasn't a happy marriage, I take, it? Why else would she turn to you?'
Viv could feel the anger seeping out of Hammer's pores as she watched his lips thin in anger.
Viv pointed at him, 'You were Mrs Xephier's shadow for ten years. Otherwise that would have been the Commander with your father, not you. He was away with the Alpha while you were...taking care of business at home, so to speak.'
Hammer let out a slow breath. Vivienne had no doubt she was treading dangerous waters now, so she tempered her sarcastic point of view - respect and leadership...all that jazz.
'The question everyone seems to be wondering, but not asking is...why was the Alpha conceived at the end of those ten years? I mean, I know why.'
'Do you.' Not a question.
'You waited ten whole, long years, didn't you? You stood there, silent, ever vigilant and held back, didn't you? That must have been...well painful. But some things are worth waiting for, right Hammer?'
Hammer stood slowly to his full height. Vivienne gulped as she watched him rise and glare down at her. Stepping around the couch, he moved to the door and opened it.
Just like a star
Continues from Watch Carefully
Just like a star across my sky
Just like an angel off the page
You have appeared to my life
Feel like I'll never be the same
Just like a song in my heart
Just like oil on my hands
Oh, I do love you
Still I wonder why it is
I don't argue like this
With anyone but you
We do it all the time
Blowing out my mind
You've got this look I can't describe
You make me feel like I'm alive
When everything else is au fait
Without a doubt you're on my side
- Corinne Baily Rae, Just like a Star
The fireplace in the living room of her temporary quarters was cold and dark, despite the warm September evening. Vivienne stood in front of it, her hand on the mantle and her eyes unfocused on the dark, scorched brick, painfully reminded of her youth and just how out of place she really was on Kadzait property. She had embarrassed herself in front of the Pipers and showed Brig something she would have rather he not known. It was between her and Hammer and she wasn't even comfortable with that.
Hammer scared her, plain and simple.
Leaning forward, Viv rested her head on the detailed hardwood mantle. Grimacing, she closed her eyes and tried to forget that memory of Hammer's seething glare and obvious hesitation. Vigo's hesitation showed compassion, the innate desire to do the right thing despite what needed to be done. Vigo let her live while Hammer was ready and willing to finish what they had started. Vigo saw it in his son and she knew why that's why Vigo sent her, if she only just figured it out just now.
The fireplace smelled of bitter memories that she kept hidden with humor and nonchalance. Hammer looked genuinely disturbed by her response, and maybe he wasn't the wolf his father thought he was...maybe Viv was just a tool Hammer's father used to fix things.
Brig's entry into her apartment was whisper quiet, his bare feet touching the hardwood floor with nary a sound. She was only aware of him by his scent that was brought in by the wind and the softness of his hands on her shoulders as she leaned up against the fireplace. There was no indignity of tears, this time, but he waited for her to acknowledge him and she appreciated it. Lifting her head from the mantle, Viv stepped back against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, his lips touching the top of her head. He had said, in so many words, that he would be there for her that night. Staring into the dead and dark fireplace, she felt like Brig would be her constant, just like a star.
Vivienne Sena
14 years ago
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
'That could be said for more things than love, Vivienne.'
Hammer took a step and then stopped. He hadn't come to check in on her to start a fight, least of all speak of anything outside what happened that day. Grinding his teeth, he turned his head to the side and spoke over his shoulder.
'I came to see if you were ok. You are. So...' Hammer shrugged. 'Good night, Vivienne.'
He closed the door on his way out.
((Hammer out))
Hammer took a step and then stopped. He hadn't come to check in on her to start a fight, least of all speak of anything outside what happened that day. Grinding his teeth, he turned his head to the side and spoke over his shoulder.
'I came to see if you were ok. You are. So...' Hammer shrugged. 'Good night, Vivienne.'
He closed the door on his way out.
((Hammer out))
Vivienne Sena
14 years ago
Vivienne watched as Hammer, in his own way, apologized. At least, she thought he was apologizing, but seeing how she was doing a piss poor job reading him, she was more than likely wrong about his apology, too. He closed the door quietly behind him after bidding her a good night. Vivienne looked back across the living room at the open window.
'Yeah, good talk Hammer. Take care.'
Nights were beginning to cool down again, signaling the end of summer and ushering in of fall. She'd leave the window open, just the same, but didn't think Brig would be back that night. Getting up from her recliner, she found her phone and sent him a text.
Appreciate you stopping by, Commander. Your albeit brief and less than eloquent words of comfort were not ignored, just not necessary.
He would understand the less than loving text and give him a heads up about Hammer noticing he was there. She wouldn't speak to him about it until they were alone in her apartment; they both silently agreed never during the day or in public. No point breaking a good rule.
Tossing her phone onto her night table, she dressed in her night gown and went to bed.
((OOC - Viv out))
Continues in shared thread - Busy, busy, busy
'Yeah, good talk Hammer. Take care.'
Nights were beginning to cool down again, signaling the end of summer and ushering in of fall. She'd leave the window open, just the same, but didn't think Brig would be back that night. Getting up from her recliner, she found her phone and sent him a text.
Appreciate you stopping by, Commander. Your albeit brief and less than eloquent words of comfort were not ignored, just not necessary.
He would understand the less than loving text and give him a heads up about Hammer noticing he was there. She wouldn't speak to him about it until they were alone in her apartment; they both silently agreed never during the day or in public. No point breaking a good rule.
Tossing her phone onto her night table, she dressed in her night gown and went to bed.
((OOC - Viv out))
Continues in shared thread - Busy, busy, busy