Post by Astrid Hall on Dec 5, 2017 22:14:07 GMT
Astrid woke up in a cold sweat. Again. She'd been having them since late October, ever since she'd come home to find Maxine and her thralls in her trailer. Ever since the parking lot beating. Ever since Maxine had taken advantage of her Achilles Heel and sent her into a spiral.
The meds had been replaced, of course. It hadn't been difficult to get it done. There were a few hard days to endure in between, but she had endured them with the help of those she cared about. She'd returned to the performance center and sparred with Emma for many hours, her manager and friend keeping her company. She's spent time drinking with Shea and Pandora. She'd even spent a few days doing promotional work visiting hospitals with Spike. She'd kept doing all of that even after the prescription had been refilled... but the Nightmares didn't stop.
They'd been in her home. Violated the place where she was supposed to be safe. They'd taken that away, and try as she might, Astrid couldn't stop dreaming about it.
She rolled over in her bed, turning away from the back of the trailer and looking down the long hall to the driver's seat... and that's when she saw him. A figure in her home, simply standing in the kitchen. Staring at her. She couldn't make anything out, but she knew that there was not supposed to be anyone else here but her. She grabbed the sword by her bed and stood, brandishing it in the pale moonlight that slipped through the windows, shouting in anger and defiance. The figure turned towards her, face hidden in the shadows, before he ran, scrambling from the trailer and into the night.
She was safe.
For now.
What if she hadn't woken? She wasn't known for being a light sleeper. He could have robbed her. Killed her in her sleep.
Worse.
Astrid kept the sword clasped in her hand as she walked to the phone. She dialed a number, hoping the hour was reasonable for a call. Fortunately, the other line answered.
"Hello. Yes, it's me. Look... I know it's early, but would it be alright if I flew out tonight instead of on Thursday?"
The building was huge, and not at all what she expected of a either a school or a house. Of course, the facility was technically both - a wrestling school on the lower floor, while the upper floor was nearly a mansion. Still, the dichotomy was still striking, even though this was hardly the first time she'd been there. It was already late into the evening here, but the lights of the building were still on.
A bag slung over her back with a few day's worth of clothes, she rang the doorbell. Within a few moments, the familiar blue hair of Pandora Freeman was visible through the windows before her friend opened the door with a wide smile.
"Astrid! It's so good to see you. Was your flight okay?"
Astrid grinned in return. "Passable. Glad to be off and here. Was never a huge fan of flying. I much prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the ground."
"I'm surprised you didn't drive here. I know that was the original plan, right? Road trip from Chicago to Boston?"
Astrid glanced away. "Well... yes, but... I didn't feel like driving that distance."
Pandora frowned. "Why... don't you come upstairs."
Astrid nodded and followed Pandora inside and up to the upper levels, where the building transformed from an athletic school to a warm and inviting home. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything, coming over a few days early," Astrid continued. "The last thing I wanted to do was get between what you and Spike."
A dark look briefly crossed Pandora's face. "Please. You know you're always welcome here. Besides, Spike's... Spike's not here right now."
Astrid tilted her head to the side. "There's a story there."
Pandora sighed. "He's off doing... well, he wanted to go off and be a big damn hero. Apparently he's gotten it into his head that he needs to be the one to rescue Xavier Cross. Tonight."
Astrid's eyes widened. "Xavier Cross? The guy who threatened to rape me, saying that having his bastards would be the only useful thing I'd do Xavier Cross? Transformed my kinsman into a dishonorable coward Xavier Cross? THAT Xaiver Cross?"
Pandora chuckled. "I presume you've met."
"I entirely fail to see why he would be worth rescuing."
Pandora shrugged. "Spike's determined. And might bring him here. Just... do me a favor and don't kill him if Spike does?"
Astrid growled. "Such... would be a violation of the code of hospitality. I don't murder the guests of my hosts."
Pandora quirked up an eyebrow. "Okay, the fact that that needs to be written down in your code is itself a little worrying."
"I lead a very exciting lifestyle."
Pandora laughed happily as she gestured to a couch where the two women sat down. "That you do, hon... okay, so I'm not one to ignore elephants. Why'd you skip the road trip and come early? Last I checked you were a huge fan of road trips. Something about being able to touch and traverse America's soul, wandering the roads like Odin in winter?"
Astrid blanched and glanced briefly away, taking a deep breath before opening her mouth. "I... I've been having trouble feeling safe in the trailer since the break-in. And last night, again, there was someone in my home. It's not... secure anymore. I don't know. It's hard to explain. Suffice that I wasn't exactly keen on traveling across the country in the trailer anymore."
Pandora frowned. "Isn't that also where you live on a day to day basis?"
Astrid nodded. "Yes, it is."
"And you can't rest there because it feels like if you fall asleep someone will break in and do something bad?"
"That's about the gist of it, yes."
"... So where were you planning to live, Astrid?"
Astrid paused. She'd barely even considered it. Slowly she shrugged. "Hotels, I suppose."
Pandora rolled her eyes. "Right, because if you're not safe in your trailer you'll totally be able to sleep in a room where people you don't know have access to the keys."
"I'll figure it out, Pan. I'll find a place to crash eventually, I just... I know you were going to host me for a few days while we prepped for the wedding, so I hoped I could buy some time by staying here a few more days."
Pandora sighed heavily, shaking her head in bewilderment. "Of course. If you'd told me what was going on sooner you'd have been staying here since she first attacked you in the lot. You know this place is welcome to you, Astrid. It's not like you're not on good terms with Spike."
Astrid looked at her feet and stayed silent. Pandora watched her for a few moments before a look of understanding crossed her face.
"... Oh."
Astrid sighed heavily and glanced away. "It didn't feel right, given everything. As I said, the last thing I want to do is get between you and Spike."
Pandora rested a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "Astrid, you don't have to -"
Her words were cut off by the sound of the door opening and closing downstairs, quickly followed by Spike coming up the stairs holding an unconscious Xavier Cross in a fireman's carry. Astrid felt her gut coil with cold anger when she saw him, but the rules of hospitality kept her tongue - and fists - at bay.
"... Well, at least he is free."
Spike glanced at her in surprise. "Astrid? How come you're here?"
Pandora stood. "It's a thing, we'll talk about it later. Is he ok? Does he need to go to a hospital? Crap, are you okay?"
Spike nodded. "I'm fine, and yeah, he's probably going to need some medical attention, but for now... he's safe. Where's Ro?"
Astrid frowned in a flash of confusion, exchanging a quick look with Pandora. She nodded gently, making her words clear without saying them: I'll explain later.
"Asleep in one of the rooms I gave her, she had a bath and then went out like a light... I'm still not really okay with this, but at least here, they're both safe."
"Until Dean finds out..."
Astrid took a step back, but Pandora gave her a reassuring look that urged her to stay for just a moment longer. "Astrid, why don't you take your bag to the room on the end of the hall to the left. I'll stop in to catch up more later - for now you look like you could use some sleep yourself. Spike... we need to talk about some things."
Astrid nodded and turned on her heel, heading to the room she'd been directed to as Spike and Pandora talked in hushed tones. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but right now that didn't matter - what did was one of the words that Pandora had said, still echoing in her mind: Safe. As long as she was here, she'd be safe. For now, despite all the insanity that was surrounding Spike and Pandora's life, that was enough for her.
The meds had been replaced, of course. It hadn't been difficult to get it done. There were a few hard days to endure in between, but she had endured them with the help of those she cared about. She'd returned to the performance center and sparred with Emma for many hours, her manager and friend keeping her company. She's spent time drinking with Shea and Pandora. She'd even spent a few days doing promotional work visiting hospitals with Spike. She'd kept doing all of that even after the prescription had been refilled... but the Nightmares didn't stop.
They'd been in her home. Violated the place where she was supposed to be safe. They'd taken that away, and try as she might, Astrid couldn't stop dreaming about it.
She rolled over in her bed, turning away from the back of the trailer and looking down the long hall to the driver's seat... and that's when she saw him. A figure in her home, simply standing in the kitchen. Staring at her. She couldn't make anything out, but she knew that there was not supposed to be anyone else here but her. She grabbed the sword by her bed and stood, brandishing it in the pale moonlight that slipped through the windows, shouting in anger and defiance. The figure turned towards her, face hidden in the shadows, before he ran, scrambling from the trailer and into the night.
She was safe.
For now.
What if she hadn't woken? She wasn't known for being a light sleeper. He could have robbed her. Killed her in her sleep.
Worse.
Astrid kept the sword clasped in her hand as she walked to the phone. She dialed a number, hoping the hour was reasonable for a call. Fortunately, the other line answered.
"Hello. Yes, it's me. Look... I know it's early, but would it be alright if I flew out tonight instead of on Thursday?"
The building was huge, and not at all what she expected of a either a school or a house. Of course, the facility was technically both - a wrestling school on the lower floor, while the upper floor was nearly a mansion. Still, the dichotomy was still striking, even though this was hardly the first time she'd been there. It was already late into the evening here, but the lights of the building were still on.
A bag slung over her back with a few day's worth of clothes, she rang the doorbell. Within a few moments, the familiar blue hair of Pandora Freeman was visible through the windows before her friend opened the door with a wide smile.
"Astrid! It's so good to see you. Was your flight okay?"
Astrid grinned in return. "Passable. Glad to be off and here. Was never a huge fan of flying. I much prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the ground."
"I'm surprised you didn't drive here. I know that was the original plan, right? Road trip from Chicago to Boston?"
Astrid glanced away. "Well... yes, but... I didn't feel like driving that distance."
Pandora frowned. "Why... don't you come upstairs."
Astrid nodded and followed Pandora inside and up to the upper levels, where the building transformed from an athletic school to a warm and inviting home. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything, coming over a few days early," Astrid continued. "The last thing I wanted to do was get between what you and Spike."
A dark look briefly crossed Pandora's face. "Please. You know you're always welcome here. Besides, Spike's... Spike's not here right now."
Astrid tilted her head to the side. "There's a story there."
Pandora sighed. "He's off doing... well, he wanted to go off and be a big damn hero. Apparently he's gotten it into his head that he needs to be the one to rescue Xavier Cross. Tonight."
Astrid's eyes widened. "Xavier Cross? The guy who threatened to rape me, saying that having his bastards would be the only useful thing I'd do Xavier Cross? Transformed my kinsman into a dishonorable coward Xavier Cross? THAT Xaiver Cross?"
Pandora chuckled. "I presume you've met."
"I entirely fail to see why he would be worth rescuing."
Pandora shrugged. "Spike's determined. And might bring him here. Just... do me a favor and don't kill him if Spike does?"
Astrid growled. "Such... would be a violation of the code of hospitality. I don't murder the guests of my hosts."
Pandora quirked up an eyebrow. "Okay, the fact that that needs to be written down in your code is itself a little worrying."
"I lead a very exciting lifestyle."
Pandora laughed happily as she gestured to a couch where the two women sat down. "That you do, hon... okay, so I'm not one to ignore elephants. Why'd you skip the road trip and come early? Last I checked you were a huge fan of road trips. Something about being able to touch and traverse America's soul, wandering the roads like Odin in winter?"
Astrid blanched and glanced briefly away, taking a deep breath before opening her mouth. "I... I've been having trouble feeling safe in the trailer since the break-in. And last night, again, there was someone in my home. It's not... secure anymore. I don't know. It's hard to explain. Suffice that I wasn't exactly keen on traveling across the country in the trailer anymore."
Pandora frowned. "Isn't that also where you live on a day to day basis?"
Astrid nodded. "Yes, it is."
"And you can't rest there because it feels like if you fall asleep someone will break in and do something bad?"
"That's about the gist of it, yes."
"... So where were you planning to live, Astrid?"
Astrid paused. She'd barely even considered it. Slowly she shrugged. "Hotels, I suppose."
Pandora rolled her eyes. "Right, because if you're not safe in your trailer you'll totally be able to sleep in a room where people you don't know have access to the keys."
"I'll figure it out, Pan. I'll find a place to crash eventually, I just... I know you were going to host me for a few days while we prepped for the wedding, so I hoped I could buy some time by staying here a few more days."
Pandora sighed heavily, shaking her head in bewilderment. "Of course. If you'd told me what was going on sooner you'd have been staying here since she first attacked you in the lot. You know this place is welcome to you, Astrid. It's not like you're not on good terms with Spike."
Astrid looked at her feet and stayed silent. Pandora watched her for a few moments before a look of understanding crossed her face.
"... Oh."
Astrid sighed heavily and glanced away. "It didn't feel right, given everything. As I said, the last thing I want to do is get between you and Spike."
Pandora rested a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "Astrid, you don't have to -"
Her words were cut off by the sound of the door opening and closing downstairs, quickly followed by Spike coming up the stairs holding an unconscious Xavier Cross in a fireman's carry. Astrid felt her gut coil with cold anger when she saw him, but the rules of hospitality kept her tongue - and fists - at bay.
"... Well, at least he is free."
Spike glanced at her in surprise. "Astrid? How come you're here?"
Pandora stood. "It's a thing, we'll talk about it later. Is he ok? Does he need to go to a hospital? Crap, are you okay?"
Spike nodded. "I'm fine, and yeah, he's probably going to need some medical attention, but for now... he's safe. Where's Ro?"
Astrid frowned in a flash of confusion, exchanging a quick look with Pandora. She nodded gently, making her words clear without saying them: I'll explain later.
"Asleep in one of the rooms I gave her, she had a bath and then went out like a light... I'm still not really okay with this, but at least here, they're both safe."
"Until Dean finds out..."
Astrid took a step back, but Pandora gave her a reassuring look that urged her to stay for just a moment longer. "Astrid, why don't you take your bag to the room on the end of the hall to the left. I'll stop in to catch up more later - for now you look like you could use some sleep yourself. Spike... we need to talk about some things."
Astrid nodded and turned on her heel, heading to the room she'd been directed to as Spike and Pandora talked in hushed tones. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but right now that didn't matter - what did was one of the words that Pandora had said, still echoing in her mind: Safe. As long as she was here, she'd be safe. For now, despite all the insanity that was surrounding Spike and Pandora's life, that was enough for her.
Well howdy there pardner.