Sleepless in NJ

[ELEEN CREST]

Date: 2008 October 12

The streets were still, Much more still then it had been any night before in this city. She lived in the Apartments where not many wandered at night, for it was all she could afford on her salary for a waitress was not paid much. Her slender hand ran across the petals of A dieing flower in the only window of her Apartment, it was draped with dark linens that had once been an old sheet. Holes littered the curtain letting the flickering lights of the streets through into her ill furnished room. Only an old sofa and a Crate which served as a coffee table sat at the right of her living room. An old TV with a broken screen sitting on yet another crate sat on the other side of the room. However this bare room did not bother this women much. Her attention was never on her Materials, but on her worth of living and recently that began to waver. She reminded herself of this dying flower that now released it’s petal in her hand. Soon it would fade into dust and not even the earth would remember it’s beautiful worth.

Recently she had been remembering her dreams, Haunting figures loomed over her as she Sat in a library of stone and shelves of books that stretched across the whole room. A face was never seen, and the words of the dark voice was not remembered. Each morning she would awake in fear and in silent tears, or awake in a place she knew she had not last slept. Her world was spinning and she needed someone or something to stand it still, or she would not be able to control her sane mind any longer. That day she expects to come every breath she takes. She turns from the flower letting the pale petal fall to the ground. She slips off her pale blue shirt and her jeans as she now slid on her large shirt and boxer shorts slipping into a pile of blankets she called her bed. And laid her head down on a mountain of stuffed Animals that she had carried with her since she was a child. These animals were her pillow and she would not trade them for the softest pillow in the world. She lay in the bed playing with the fabric in her hands watching how the creases and folds changed as her fingers laced around the fabric. She was restless tonight, the world around her seemed to enter her mind and she could not shove them away, it was as if the world settled in her mind to tell her its sorrows and concerns. She had enough to worry about then the worlds problems, however she would not even push the world away if it needed her.

She finally figured that she was not going to be able to sleep tonight, so she bit her lip and tossed the blankets from her pale body and pushed herself up and on her feet. Instead of pulling on those jeans she grabbed a grey dress pulling off her clothing and slipped on the sun dress. She grabbed a sweater to put over her dress and stuck on some 20 dollar walmart boots and walked out her door. She was careful to lock the door behind her as she ran a hand throw the tangled mess of blond hair that sat on top of her head. she let out a sigh as she stuffed those keys in her sweater pocket and turned around walking down the hall and out the door to take a smooth walk outside to tire her body and ignore her mind.

The side walks were pretty empty, she hugged herself as she did not much like the nippiness of night. She had not checked the time before she left that might have been a good Idea. she shoved that thought away as she took a stick while walking by the cemetery's iron gates, letting the stick clink rhythmically on the Iron. her eyes were still on the grown and her posture unsure. Poor Eleen just wanted her mind to rest and her body to sleep.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The prince had been leaning against the opposite side of the cemetery gates, his body shielded by the large stone pillar that the gate was fastened to. It was not that he was hiding, so much as he was thinking, reflecting on humans numerous needless deaths, murders, almost always revolving around greed. How this very cemetery was once home to his kind, in ages long lost to time. As the world revolved much had changed, the forests, valleys, every corner of the earth had been lost to man kind. Well, nearly all of the corners. Nuada knew of one place humans did not. A place known as Bethmoora, the underground city. A place he would soon return.

His fingers idly traced over the seal he wore over his abdomen, his dark outfit blending in with the natural light of the night. His skin illuminated blue in the moonlight, the light that his people had not seen with their own eyes in a while. He glowered. He came here to meditate. The cemetery proved as a reminder that all of the dead were forgotten, even by their own. Legends weren't born, they were made. It was time to reclaim what was lost.

The prince had not been standing there long when he heard the shuffling sound of feet against the sidewalk pavement opposite him. His golden eyes darted through the bars to his side as he recognized the girl easily. Slowly he reached out and gripped the cool steel of the bars on the gate and stepped into the moonlight to stand face to face with the girl. The fact that she was in her world, where she belonged, and in good health surprised him. He half expected her stupidity to get her killed inside the Troll Market.

His cold gold eyes noted the change. Her eyes did not appear as red as they once were, there was something different about her now. Staying on his side of the gate, he leaned in to study her features. He was still disgusted by her appearance in their world earlier, trying to act as though she belonged there. No human belonged in their world. It was the humans who had sentenced them into an existence of hiding, life without the sun, or the forests. His people were prisoners of the world, humans did not uphold their end of the truce. Not that the prince was surprised.

His face turned to glower at the girl. She represented the human way of life. His hand tightened around the hilt of his spear, though his discipline kept him from using it. He waited until her eyes found him, to remind her it wasn't a dream. If she made her way into the market again he would see her punished. It was no place for her kind. Glowering at her, the memory of being hit in the back of the head flooded his mind. Finding his resolve, he leaned against the gate and spoke very quietly. So quietly she would have to give him full attention to make out his words. "You again..."

[ELEEN CREST]

The first thing she saw was a hand, such a strange color that it reminded her of things she could not put a finger on it. Which momentarily bothered her, Then reality hit her. Oh yeah, she was not sleeping. her eyes grew as a face came into view, the hatred her personified spilled over into the empathetic creature as her lips parted. she sucked in a hiccup like gasp staring at the Ethereal like face. Her bangs covered the true expression she gave, which was Alarm instead of fear. They stared at each other, Just staring. His angry eyes with her both confused,, and Alarmed Doe like ones.

Her breath was Shallow as she had nothing to say or do for those few moments. This was actually not the first time she had run into a Nonhuman, but its the only she remembered completely... if she would in the Future at all. she finally blinked as he spoke. What did he Mean Again? she would surely Remember if she knew him or had known him. What would forget a Face Like that. "I am Sorry Spirit, I am afraid I do not know you. You must mistake me for Another." she said her voice quivered, not holding the same hostility or confidence as Her counterpart did.

However his smell was interestingly Familiar, and the thought of flying rocks came to mind, but she was unsure why. She looked him up and down and stepped away from the gate dropping her stick as she clutched her sweater and bit her lip staring for an answer. She expected him to disappear or melt through the Gate... she was actually HOPING he would. A spirit, or ghost was no harm, but something Tangible... that was another story.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

Nuada glared in mild fury as he approached the gate, gripped a bar, then leaned forward. ”Do not be foolish. If I were that, your rock would have flown through me.” Nuada informed her in a hardened matter-of-fact tone. ”Don't play me for a fool, daughter of man. For you will regret it if you do.” He eyed her suspiciously. Folding his arms he held his gaze steady. He hated humans, and he hated this girl. First she'd dare disgrace him in his own court by striking him, back turned, with a rock. Not only was it dishonorable, it was unnecessary. It did not surprise him that the first time in ages he had decided to spare a humans life for the sake of his company, would strike first. Now the hand that was raised against him denied all claims. How full of cowardice this girl was.

Idly, he traced his fingertips over the tip of his blade, reminiscing over the countless human lives he'd sacrificed for the honor of his people. How many more need be slain to account for the truce that mankind had broke. For the lies they had told to force his fathers hand away from war. The time that had passed between the first war of men, and the new divide had only weathered his heart for the storm, and nurtured it to grow colder. It did not matter to him whether a human was 'special' or not, it did not matter to him what their social status was. What truly upset him was their very shell that they dwelled in. Their greed. Their lifestyle. Their deceptions, even to each other. Mankind was simply and obviously an inferior race that should had been wiped off the planet from the start. All they were capable of was false promises, dishonor, and selfishness.

Looking at the girl had called all his anger from the back of his mind and he quickly gripped his spear, stepped back a few paces then charged the barrier. His feet moving against the stone pillar, the prince launched himself over the barrier between them and landed behind her spear drawn. ”Do me a favor, daughter of man. One favor, and I will spare your life.” The words that were spoken were backed with the initiative the prince was capable of. It was an order, should it not be heeded, she would be ended at his hands. ”There is an auction about to take place. And this auction will hold the item 'crown of Bethmoora'. Find it. Make haste. And do not go home until this is done.”

Of course the prince all ready knew where this item had been taken. Where it was. And even the night it was posted to be bid upon. He had issued the order with the determination to further prove how far a human would go to betray their kin out of fear and shaken foundations of their strength. They had been taught to protect one another, but regardless of the amount of honor the human claimed, Nuada was not born yesterday. Or easily fooled. Each man had their own weakness. The reason he had asked, was he desired to know hers. As easily as it would be to end her life now, it had become a game to him. After all, the fast kills were not always the enjoyable ones.

[ELEEN CREST]

Stone? what stone? finally it hit her. Hetio, her counter part, must have somehow gotten mixed up with this man. So THATS where that stone came from. she had wondered why it was there, along side the other items that were worth something to her or Hetio. However, what was this man work? some sort of realization? some Glamorous battle? She did not know, not a clue at all on why a stone was important for Hetio. She hoped it was not because the girl had a crush on him, he was rather rough around the edges... and it was not like Hetio to crush on anyone. Both the girls found no use in love anymore.After such a life of being an outcast to society for nothing they could help.

She stepped back as the strong prince jumped over the safety of the Iron bars between him and herself. She groaned uncomfortably, these type of people always wanted something OR gain something. Otherwise this man would not have said a word to her. he would have kept himself hidden or she would have been dead already. Though his spear now faced her as she stared up at him. She did not plan to run or interrupt him. It would have been proven useless, he had the upper hand and she knew so. Unlike other humans, she had an awareness of her limits and respect to even the most rotten man in the world. Since this being was not human, so she very well assumed, she had more respect towards him.

As he spoke her eyes could not help but arch a brow as she slowly crossed her arms. "What worth is this object to spare such a worthless life as mine? if you wish for a life with more importance you are on the wrong side of town. I have no money, barely a home. I could not bid if I wished to Dear son of earth" she said, what else would she call him? Sir was getting old. "I apologize for whatever my counterpart did to you... I cannot help when she takes over... but I see through you... I guess... you do not seem like a materialistic man... whats important about this object you wish for?" her voice was polite, a sign of respect for any being but herself was needed.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

Nuada scanned her features, wearily. She could not honestly be that dense. Humans were capable of recalling past events, unless... ”Counterpart.” He spat, though his brow was now wrinkled with interest. Was this one of the more original human deceptions? ”It's an artifact of an ancient people, that humans stole from a weak hearted king.” He stated dryly. So they no longer even taught their children about the world long lost. He pushed the matter aside quickly, there was something not quite normal about the girl. ”Never mind the piece. It is of no importance.” He withdrew his spear and eyed her cautiously. ”You can recall nothing of your other part?” He asked, not childlike at all, simply dumbfounded.

This girl had a way of doing that. First she had, or her other side had, thrown something at the back of his head. That just at the memory his hand moved to the very spot in which he was pelted, recalling the memory. The girl hadn't run when he held the spear against her, which of course was normal for humans. He was always more commanding, and quicker minded and willed than they were. He wouldn't destroy this one, as he usually would, because she had seen him with both sides, but because it was a mystery he intended to solve. Then it registered.

His eyes grew very hard, and he tightened his spear hand, ready to make any rapid movement that was required. ”Oh. I understand now. You're one of them. Why didn't I see it sooner?” The prince mused with a sarcastic smile. ”You are a member of the B.P.R.D., aren't you?” He interrogated in a cold voice. While he had no run-ins with this particular organization himself, he knew them from the numerous mishaps that this giant red demon called “Hellboy” had stepped into the spotlight. The best way to know your enemy is to pay attention to the things they do. News was something that effected both worlds. Ironic that he'd return from exile and all ready they had sent miscreations to his doorstep.

[ELEEN CREST]

Eleen rose a brow as he retreated his spear and told her to forget of the artifact he would spare her life for. It did not seem in his characteristical nature to give way to his word and spare a life such as hers that he so apparently thought was unworthy to even walk this earth. She tilted her head, as he questioned her previous word. It was easier to explain to those whom were different in some way especially in race. Which was obvious that he did not much like her, but his genuine hate of her quickly began to lighten into curiosity.

"Yes Counterpart" she finally answered "I have two souls which reside in my body and no, I do not have her memories and she does not have my own, from what I know." she said as she tried to stay Alert. "For future reference, I was told Hetio's Eyes are red,and mine art brown... and she is more temperamental and confident then I am" she told him, he probably would not need that information in the future. If he did not kill her now, she doubted he would want to run into her in the future.


he was still a danger even if his spear was down. His next sentence confused her. She was a what? what was B.P.R.D.? her lips parted in confusion, why not ask him?
"What is B.P.R.D.?" she asked him with true confusion in her voice and Apparent in her facial features. "I think it is apparent since I do not know what this is, that I am not A part of it? Does it slaughter Animals?" she asked so confused and asked the first thing that popped in her mind. Though Animal slaughter was indeed stupid to asked about... Why would this man care about a inhumane slaughter house?

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

Observing the girl closely was second nature for the prince. During his life in exile he had trained his eyes to trace even the slightest hint of human pretenses, or deceptions. Humans were well-known for their frailty when it came to lying. They would somehow reveal their deceit by fidgeting, covering their mouth, inability to maintain eye contact. In spite of the prince, the girl exhibited none of these markers. These hints at untruth. For a human, this was unusual, particularly in the face of his foreboding presence. Intriguing, and more interesting still, was that the girl seemed to be split into two very different personalities. One in which could prove very useful. Biddable, even.

Pointing his spear at the acquiescent human, he spoke his words quietly as if they were laced with the deadliest of venom. “Heed my words. For I will only speak them once.” He glided closer, his face inches from hers, his threatening presence giving a distinct impression of what should happen should she prove foolish enough to defy his wishes.. The foreboding of a life cut short. “You will come with me. You must see with your own eyes the crimes your world must pay for. I may have a task, a simple task, that you can undertake to attempt to redeem your detestable brothers in blood.”

“Hetio.” He confirmed. That was the one that must have thrown the stone. “What is Hetio?” He inquired. She seemed to be upset with being called a human. Perhaps this half was of use as well to the Prince. Like most of her kind, she was uneducated that the B.P.R.D. even existed. Bending this to his advantage for the time being he left the question unanswered, replying only with: “Poor child of man, you honestly know nothing, don't you?” Strolling alongside the fence to the cemetery, he beckoned this Eleen to follow him. “Allow me to educate you, come along, daughter of man.”

[ELEEN CREST]

She stared up at him as he studied her, probably trying to make sense of her or finding something about her. She was not completely sure about him, he made her uncomfortable like most warriors did.Eleen was more of a healer, a timid fixer then a warrior. Though being outcast most of her life she was unable to understand dangerous people, and Nuada was indeed and Intelligent and very dangerous person to deal with.

Her lips parted as he began to speak again, her brown eyes scanning his pale face as it came closer to her own. she could feel the warmth that radiated from his skin, it was a strange warmth she studied. it reminded her of one of her favorite places when she was a child. she would escape to the woods behind her house and sit by the creek. The earth around her seemed to radiate the same warmth he did in the spring. Strangely, this made her a little more at ease with him. there was nothing much more that she trusted but beings that reminded her of earth. She was attached to the nature around her, it never deserted her like everyone else did. Though this man seemed rough around the edges, he reminded her of a world she was most comfortable in.

Then she tuned in on his voice after he said Hetio's name, she looked into his eyes focusing in on him. "I know the crime's of man, I have been a victim of them such as you," she said to him "well I only Assume, but how do you tech a blind man that the sky is blue?" she sighed and just shrugged. "However, I will follow you, to see what you wish to show me... I am never ignorant to be educated." she blinked though "just do not let me sleep... I wish to be home by then... I rather be home in case Hetio decides to take over... I apologize for rambling I have yet to sleep..."

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The prince remained silent, but met her eyes when she sought his eye contact. She claimed to be aware of the crimes of men, tongue in cheek, the prince turned away from her and started looking for the handle on the hidden side entrance to the cemetery. Nuada sighed, she was trying to use human logic on him, how despicable. His eyes were cold and gold against the moonlight though he revealed no emotion or hint at his intentions as he spotted the hinges on the cold steel fence.

Effortlessly swinging the cemetery's far gate open, the prince turned to meet the girls eyes evenly. He leaned forward again imposing himself into her personal bubble. ”Make no mistake about this journey, daughter of man, it will not be so short. If you need clothes, or items, speak now or hold your peace.”

Items of materialistic value and humans, so predictable. ”Flee from your sins, human. Possessions are nothing real. Nothing more. These possessions and dreams are just ways of running away from what has all ready been said and done.” The prince explained. ”I will supply you with what you need, and when I am done with you, you will be alive again.”

He knew that it was going to be a long trek from New Jersey back to the Troll Market and he hadn't brought along any provisions. He alone could easily make this journey, but with a human girl in his company he expected it would go slower. ”Let us move.” The prince ordered, all ready executing his command. ”We have quite a ways ahead of us, daughter of man. Let us make haste.”

[ELEEN CREST]

She tilted her head as she saw the hidden enterance begin to open, "No I think this outfit will be fine, Hetio may not like it much but what does it matter?" she said to him. She was not A materialistic person either, she was sure if Nuada saw her apartment his brow would arch. she folded her hands behind her back as a breeze lifted her hair and it danced into her face. She pushed it back from her face before it blinded her eye by hitting it. She released her hands from behind her, what journey was this man planning on taking her?

She looked back up at him from staring at the entrance, to study her trust. If she ran, he would probably kill her anyways, he did not seem all that terrible just... cold. What did he mean by Alive Again anyhow? a sudden fear of him killing her and transporting her soul suddenly came about. How childish it was to think that as she breathed in. Finally talking herself into going anywhere with this man, whomever he was. It hit her that he did not know her name, and she did not know his. Her counter part must know him far better then she.

She finally found her voice as she spoke to him, in almost a whisper, she was slightly afraid he would be angered when she finally spoke. "I shall Make haste, but first out of courtesy I shall ask you your name" she said in a meek manner, "I am Eleen Crest, Though I am positive you do not care much" she said to him biting her finger showing her uncomfortable nature. She began to walk to the Entrance not waiting for him to tell his name if he was going to do in the first place. She could not deny her curiosity on the adventure he was leading her in too and honestly she was curious in seeing if this was her end or not.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The prince beckoned the girl to pass through the open gate ahead of him. A human, with a soul splice, could work to his advantage. Nuada humored her for a moment, passing off her lack of wishing to return to her place as fear in place of the thought of a human not being materialistic. It was more likely the human child simply did not want the likes of him knowing the location in which she dwelled. ”Prince Nuada of Silverlance.” He answered dryly.

She was only half correct in her assumption that he did not care, or was disinterested. ”I am not bothered if you wish to speak along the way. It is a long journey, and your kind functions better when you are entertained...” He paused. Dare he say it so soon? Humans were disgusting, and vile, but this girl wasn't exactly a typical human... Was she? ”I predict that you perhaps, belong more to our world than this one.” He ventured forward a few paces, halting before a well decorated, seemingly Victorian aged crypt. ”Do you ever feel at a loss, as though you do not belong? As if you were born into a world that has not yet seen the likes of you?” He inquired.

Moving at a quickened pace the prince entered the darkness through the arches. Turning into the first hallway to go underground via a crypt that no human would desire to enter. The underground passages were the quickest, and most direct, method of returning to his temporary home in the Troll Market. It was nearly pitch black in the crypt, and it would remain dark until they exited the underground and arrived at the entrance of the Troll Market. Familiar with the stone tunnel, the prince ran his fingers over the cold stone briefly stopping briefly to monitor the status of Eleen.

[ELEEN CREST]

Nuada was new, she had never heard the name... or so she thought. It had a strange familiarness to it. was it because Hetio had met him before? probably, but that has rarely happened she was sure if she had a slight remembrance of hetio's memory she would have gained it all. it had only happened twice before, it was like hetio gave her freedom into her thoughts. It was not quite the gift Hetio thought it was, A lot of Hetio's thoughts were... awful. She put on a set frown on her face at the memory and confusion of her alter ego. Sometimes she just wished they would split and be two different people. However, God had apparently had another plan for her and the other soul that now slept inside her. or did he?

She snapped out of her thoughts as the Prince spoke to her again, she stared at him a moment. Has she ever felt that way? of course! everyday of her life she felt like she was something more stuck in this body unable to control it completely along with her other self she shared this body with. "Every day," she said walking with him."Sometimes I have these weird dreams... a dream of war and fire... but I do not remember anything else from it. though it is quite silly. A dream is just a dream, not always a memory" she said trying to convince herself more then him that she was indeed not crazy. She had thought herself to be all her life, "I thought it was normal though... to feel like you do not belong when your cast out all the time," she absently added. it was more of a thought said out loud then an actual sentence to him. was she just not normal at all.

she then followed him quietly staring at the ground in deep thought, looking up every now and then to watch her step. She could not help but wonder, did she belong with this creature? This prince of cold darkness whom seemed to have let hate swallow him whole. Was it hate? or was it anger? The two were very oftenly confused for each other. Hate and anger concerned her, it made people do crazy things. It made Animals attack another... it kept balance to the world. Though she could not feel hate, she did not hate those whom had cast her aside. She was not Angry at those whom called her a freak. Was it that she could not feel these emotions? truth be told Hetio felt enough of it for both of them.

but,

She wanted to feel, even if it was negative.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The answer was expected, she had played right into his hand, although he was still relatively convinced that his world would be more fitting with someone with such a soul. She spoke of dreams, dreams that made Nuada stop completely in the dark passageway under the earth. His eyes narrowed as memories began to invade his mind. His dimly glowing eyes turned to meet Eleen's before he looked aside and glowered, overcome by his past. Fire and war brought to mind the first war of man. So many needless casualties. The prince had been a warrior back in those times, much as he still remained. His hand gripped his spear reflexively, as he became lost in this nightmare. He remembered the war of man as though it had happened yesterday.

Countless lives were lost in that war, under the skies that had witnessed too much bloodshed and war. Humans had outnumbered the mythics, and out powered them, many lives were lost from both sides. The prince growled just as he tried, and failed, to push the memory from his mind. It was rare that his memories got the better of him, now was one of the times such strong inspiration had prevailed over his own stubborn nature. Visions of the army he desired to reawaken passed before him so vividly that he reached out in attempt to touch the gold indestructible soldiers. Fast forward. His weak father, King Balor, handed the crown piece to the men. Fast forward. He felt his sisters heartache as he abandoned his family and left into self-imposed exile. Fast forward. Back to reality.

Refocusing on his current environment, the prince was lost for time. Had he been out for seconds? Minutes? Damn these visions. His breathing was heavy and his muscles ached. He felt as he had at the end of that day at the dawn of time. His spear seemed to had fallen from his hand and lay rolling back and forth on the floor. Nuada stared at it in disbelief, never had he parted with his spear before in these visions. They were indeed more vivid now. Sighing, Nuada rested his fingertips to the temple of his forehead and forced the anger and hatred from his mind. He would get his revenge. He would awaken the army. The humans would again learn their place. He would stop at nothing. This was his resolve.

Shaken the prince bent forward and reclaimed his spear murmuring a phrase in his native tongue, out of discontent. ”Not all dreams are dreams.” Nuada stated clear as day. ”Some nightmares are windows to our pasts, or hints to our futures.” His second hand still gripped the door way as he regained his center. ”Although the past cannot be undone, we can change the future. We can set things right. He spoke, this time, mostly to himself.

[ELEEN CREST]

Her lips parted as she watched him stop, what had she said? It was interesting to watch the Prince lose grip of reality as his spear soon dropped from his hands. She took a step back, maybe two, just in case he would change unexpectantly. She was still unsure what he was, maybe he was a tree spirit. Or maybe a fairy? Or a demon… but demons did not remind her of nature… so what could he be. As he went off in his own little world she went on to wander in her mind in her own. What was this being? Her head tilted as her eyes settled on his spear. What still used a spear in this day and age? And such and interesting one too…

Her head now wound around its fantasies and she leaned against the nearest stone wall waiting to see what Nuada would do now. Finally he shifted, Ah so he was back to reality and he seemed either stunned or startled. She supposed this did not happen to him often because of his reaction. What had she awoken? She felt it though, Hetio was awakening because of Eleen’s curiosity and it took a bit to fight her Emergence. Hetio would sometimes come out at the most inopportune moments. Now how do you know if that was happening. Easy, Eleen did little movement and her eyes would flash back and forth red from brown. Though she would not let the spirit out now… she held her breath closing her eyes, forcing Hetio back was like forcing a thousand needles from your insides out.