[open] The Gift of Paralysis

[Caden Shiye Blake]

His neck, is shattered by the tides.
The ocean prays for his demise.
But I swear to you.
I watched his heart pump blood into those veins, throwing punches at ocean waves.

To own a heart that's half yours....
Well these bones are mere accessories.
Throwing punches at ocean waves.
And yeah, these bones are mere accessories.....

<<<outfit

The street was dark except for the little pools of light from the the streetlights high above. Caden loved that. It soothed him. He wasn't in a light mood, hadn't been in a light mood since that day. It should have been me, Caden thought. It shouldn't have been Drew at all. It should have been my name on the headstone and my body on the street. Caden ran a hand through his dark hair, ruffling it, his intense eyes dark and brooding. He didn't want to live thinking like that.

Caden noticed one of the lamps was struggling. It's weak yellow light was flickering in a rhythmic pattern, automatically forming music in his brain.The notes that fell lightly from his mind were for Drew, for all that he should have been and would never get a chance to be. All because of Caden. Might as well have found me guilty of murder. But he pushed the thoughts away, and played the song in his mind. Remembering his best friend. Remembering his death.

The night had been cold. It was mid-winter, and they had been oh-so-close to their goal. They could both feel it. They both knew it was only a matter of days. But that night, that night they were only walking. The streets of Paris were beautiful. A light downy snow had fallen, brushed Caden's face. He had always loved the snow. The little golden lights in the street revealed the frost in the air. Drew was laughing, glad to have the night off.

Caden took a deep breath as he stood trembling in the street, eyes fixed on the broken light. He didn't want to remember, really, but he couldn't just let it go. He had to remember, had to, for Drew. Caden held back the tears that threatened to come. He didn't want them. He had cried enough times now. And the music in his mind, sad and luring, brought him back to that night, when everything changed.

Caden could smell the aroma of hot chocolate on the air. Everything was perfect. He and Drew were close to the answer they'd been working the past five years for, it was snowy, and night, his two favorite things. Nothing but absolute disaster could bring him down. And it did. Caden didn't see the man in the shadows at first. He was too busy talking to Drew. And when he did, he wasn't particularly concerned. There was no reason the man would have anything to do with Drew or him. A sad assumption. A wrong one.

Caden took another deep breath. His hands had started to shake, the music faltering in his mind. No. He would keep listening. He would remember until the end, because, if anything, Drew deserved that of him. He was, after all, the only person in the world who really knew what happened to him. Everyone, even his own family, thought that Caden had killed him. Killed his best friend. What kind of monster did they believe him to be?

They had taken the back alleys to the apartment. They'd been in Paris for months. There was hardly anything to fear. Besides, who would want to hurt them? Caden had seen it coming, saw the man, and known, in an instant, what was happening. But Drew, Drew never even knew. The Man had knifed him in a moment, and he dropped to the ground, with a cry of surprise and pain. Caden had stood frozen as his friend crumpled, bleeding, onto the asphalt, then raised his intense eyes to look at the man. He was plain, nothing special. And yet, he had taken Drew's life as if it meant nothing, and Drew was sobbing, his eyes fading. He's the lucky one, if you don't stop your investigation now. You'll be the one who'll suffer. the man growled, eyes malicious. Caden was unbelieving. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't real. You understand me boy?! Caden's mouth was dry, his eyes burning, Yes. he whispered. And the man had walked away, leaving Caden to drop to his knees. Drew? Drew! Come on Drew!? Wake up! Wake up! You idiot wake up!!! But it was too late for Drew and the man must have doubled around because the next thing Caden knew, there was a sharp pain in his head and everything went black.

Caden stopped the song in his mind abruptly, snapping out of his memory. He'd done it. He'd remembered Drew's real death, not the one everyone believed in. No one had believed him, when they found him, dazed, holding the knife that had killed his friend. It didn't matter how much he'd screamed and sobbed, he still looked guilty. So, that was all there was to it. Caden held back a sob. His life in ruins.

[/blockquote]

[monique bailey quentin]

OUTFIT

Mona paced back and forth in her living room. This was just insane. She stopped in the middle of the living room and stared at her broken phone lying there in pieces on the floor. She wondered for a moment if her mother was trying to call her back after she just threw the phone against the wall; her blue eyes looked up to the wall, seeing the mark she had made and let out a frustrated sigh "I cannot believe any of them." she muttered, before sinking down onto the couch, just staring down at the broken phone. Mona was going to have to buy a new one tomorrow, but she didn't want to think about.

No, she didn't want to think about her conversation with her mother or the one with Jeremy, where he was telling her that he was going to marry her "God damn him!" she said, as Mona stood up and shook her head. The woman stepped outside, slamming the door hard behind her as she did so. She went over to the hanging porch swing and sat down, crossing her arms over her chest and staring daggers out at the night surrounding her.

Monique was pretty much stuck in something that she didn't want to be a part of. She tried to explain to her mother that being forced to marry Jeremy wasn't going to make her happy and she wasn't going to show up to the alter. Of course, her mother had come back with saying that someone was going to be by her side every second, making sure she was there and making sure that she walked up that aisle to him. Of course, when it came for the priest to ask if any objects, Mona knew she'd say that she does. If that doesn't work, then when it came to saying the 'I Do' parts, she wasn't going to say that. She was going to say 'I Don't.'

A deep sigh left her mouth, as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, letting her arms fall to her side as her hands clenched into fits and she banged on the swing cursing loudly "DAMN HIM TO FUCKING HELL!" not really caring if anyone heard her at all.

[Caden Shiye Blake]

Caden wanted to start the music in his mind again. Wanted to hear the notes fall from the piano. The smooth black and white keys had always had a way of calming him. They made sense in a totally messed up world. Playing the piano was logical, it was a world made up entirely of black and white. It was right or it was wrong. Simple. Caden understood the human mind better than a lot of people. he admired it for its complexities and he hated it too. Hated all the little things that no one would ever come close to explaining.

That man didn't have to kill Drew. He could have threatened them. He could have scared them away. But he hadn't. He'd taken from Caden, the one person who actually understood the way Caden thought. The sigh that escaped from Cadens unwilling lips was heavy, sinking with pain. And that was when Caden became aware of another person, screaming.

He didn't turn to look, at first, because he'd lost all fear that it was someone coming for him. They couldn't hurt him anymore. He leaned his head back and studied the stars before heading to investigate the voice. He found the girl easily. She was sitting on a porch swing, and Caden didn't need to have heard her words to know she was terribly upset. What else was new in his life? They do say misery loves company. he said to the girl on the porch swing, because he could almost feel the anger and pain radiating off of her.

An ironic smile twisted his lips as he thought this. It would be just like him to attract the most miserable person around. His fingers traced patterns of a complicated piano piece, tapping it out against his leg. Composing his face, to make sure none of his thoughts flickered there, he gave her a small, tortured smile.

He wasn't surprised to find another person almost if not as miserable as he was. It was what he did best, attract the saddest of the sad. Her eyes were, blue, bright, he could see that, even in the blanketing darkness. Werewolf, but it didn't matter, he was one too. Though his eyes weren't quite the giveaway that hers were. His were blue, of course, but stormy, intense, and flecked with gray.

Caden sometimes hated his memory, preserving every single little moment. Looking at the girl now, he knew he would always be able to remember this. To remember each and every expression that crossed her face. It hurt to remember all the times anything bad happened. Most people could forget over time. Not Caden. Never Caden. He studied her for a moment, his intense eyes taking in each detail. He wondered if that bothered her, his silent, stormy eyes. Time to say something, he thought to himself, but he was struggling with that because he was remembering.

The pattern of the broken sidewalk at his feet looked just like the cracks in the window in the alley. Caden was opening his eyes blearily and that was the first thing he saw. The second thing was Drew's body. And next came the police, who were standing over him. Caden gasped, dragging his uncooperative limbs to Drew. He shook his friend, already knowing, remembering, he was dead. Hey, kid, stay away from him! one of the police officers dragged him away. Caden had regained control of his limbs and he turned and punched the police officer in the face, freeing himself. He could feel the hot tears pouring down his face. It was then that he noticed he was holding something, a knife. Caden stared at it, still wet with Drew's blood. No. He hadn't done this. The blade clattered to the ground as he fell to his knees and leaned over Drew. The police officer was recovering and he came after Caden again. Caden turned his face to the police officer, You have to find him! What are you waiting for! You have to get the guy who killed him! Caden screamed at him. The police officer was glaring at him, Don't worry, he said, dragging Caden to his feet, I think I've got him right here. Caden didn't try to fight him, he was still crying, shaking. I didn't do this! he screamed, the words burning his mouth, because, already, he knew that in some ways, Drew's death was entirely his fault. I didn't do this!. The police officer ignored his screams and handcuffed him anyways. It didn't matter. Caden twisted around to get one last look at Drew as the police officer pushed him away. But all he could see was the window with its sad cracks, just like running mascara.

Caden swallowed hard, remembering he needed to say something. I'm Caden. his voice came out soft, fighting his memories. He didn't want to have every little thing draw him back into that night. So, instead of letting the memories take him, he fought them and concentrated on the girl, a distraction. You okay? he asked, which was a stupid question, because no one who looked that upset was ok, but that's what people asked. Caden let out a little laugh, more sad than amused.

[monique bailey quentin]

Mona lifted her head up, but only to place it in her hands, shaking her head slowly. There had to be a way out of this marriage, what it was, she had no idea though. A small sigh left her mouth as she lifted her head up and felt herself jump slightly when a voice spoke and she looked over to see a guy standing there "As long as you're not Jeremy Hills, you are more than welcome to be company to me." she told him, with a small shrug. Monique didn't want to ever see him again and she really didn't want to her either of her parents at the moment either. But, tomorrow she'd have to face them, seeing as she was planning on getting her sister for the weekend.

The woman pushed the ideas of weddings and issues of the such out of her mind, she didn't even want to think about the dress her mother had talked about on the phone, before she threw it and it smashed to pieces. Mona started to think she ought to have picked the broken pieces up, but decided to do it later, once she was more calmer and cooled down.

Once more pushing those thoughts to the very back part of her mind, she smiled faintly "I'm Mona." she greeted back before shrugging her right shoulder "Well, I suppose. I don't know." she shook her head some before smiling a bit more. Monique stood up slowly "Would you care for something to drink?" she asked him, as she moved towards the front door, opening it and holding it open for him to follow along.

[Caden Shiye Blake]

Caden thought about trying to smile at her, but his face wouldn't have cooperated. He hadn't let anyone know about his misery in a long time. Mostly, because he didn't know a lot of people anymore. He'd left his country, he'd distanced himself from the few old friends who didn't shrink away from him after the accusations. He'd cut himself off. Anything about his old life still reminded him of the things that had happened.

Caden had a brief moment of panic, in which he thought she must have known who he was, from the news or a magazine, because his trial had been all over both, but he never let it show on his face. He'd gotten good at lying, something he despised. He'd had to. If you were a wanted murderer, running from police, you had to be good at lying. But Caden still hated it, hated the way the lies made him feel sick and dirty. He listened as the girl introduced herself. He hesitated when she asked if he wanted something to drink. He didn't usually interact with other people, but he was thirsty and really, he hardly had anything left to lose.Pleased to meet you Mona. he smiled, genuine, and not so full of pain this time. I would love something to drink.

He felt so different now than he had before he left England. He felt like that stranger that no one knew if they could trust. They were polite to him, but he looked dangerous. In England, before the trial, everyone had known who he was. He was a good kid, but none of that had mattered when they'd finally caught up with him. It didn't matter that Caden had always been a good kid.

Caden walked briskly down the street. The pavement was slick with rain. He didn't avoid the streetlights, even though if the neighbors saw his face there was sure to be hell. His dark coat flapped around his legs. The steps to his home looked the same as they always had, though Caden hadn't seen them in two months, not since he ran. But Caden had a weakness, he knew it was dangerous, but he had to see Tristan.

Caden looked sadly at Mona, remembering why he didn't have any friends. He couldn't afford to have friends. It wasn't safe. For either of them. But for the first time in a long long time, Caden was being stupid. He was ignoring his own instincts to get out of there as fast as he could. He was playing the old Caden again. The charming, sweet, well-loved boy. He shouldn't do it. Shouldn't. But he missed people, missed them so much it hurt. He wanted to have friends again. But in Caden's experience people betrayed you; they would do anything to feel safe. And Caden wasn't safe.

Caden moved silently through the halls, trying not to wake anyone up. He paused in the door to Tristan's room. His little brother was asleep in the bed, 3 years old, adorable. His pudgy hands grasping the blankets. He looked so peaceful, Caden missed him so much. He hadn't planned on actually speaking to Tristan, just needed to see him, just once. But now that he was there he was moving unconsciously toward him. Tristan stirred, his little eyes opening, blurry. Tristan sat up suddenly, clumsily. Cadey! he squealed and threw himself at his big brother. Caden caught him up in a hug, God, he missed him. Caden sat down on Tristan's bed, Tristan on his lap, his little pudgy arms around Cadens neck. Mum won't talk about you anymore. She says I shouldn't either. Tristan told him. Caden was already fighting tears and he had to take a deep breath. You can't tell them I came to see you, Tristan. Caden told him. Tristan's face bunched up in confusion, but he nodded. You'll still come and see me, won't you? Tristan asked, concerned. Caden smiled, he hated lies, and he couldn't tell one now, which meant he'd have to actually do it. 'Course I will. Caden heard a noise in the doorway and jerked his head up. Alice Blake stood, in a silk robe. Put him down, Caden. She said coldly. Then Caden heard the sirens, getting closer. His stormy eyes focused on his mother. You didn't. he half said, half asked. His mother only stared at him with hate. Caden thought the world must be crumbling beneath him. He set Tristan carefully on the bed, leaned down, kissed him on the forehead, and walked to the window, pushing it up. He climbed out quickly. His last view of the inside of the house was his mother, glaring, hating him. Caden hit the pavement at the same time that the police cars turned the corner. He ran. Not fast enough.

Caden actually shook his head a little, as if he could rid himself of the memories that way. It didn't really work, but at least his attention was back on Mona. Do you want to talk about it? he asked, trying not to betray how much he was hurting. He couldn't let it show. Because first she'd feel pity, but once she knew that he'd been accused of murder, then she'd only feel fear. And hate. He could listen to her, though. But he kind of doubted she would want to tell him. He didn't know her, after all.

[/blockquote]

[monique bailey quentin]

Monique nodded at him, as she went into the house, figuring he'd follow, as she made her way into the kitchen "What would you like to have?" she asked him, as she opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water for herself, though she wished she had some kind of liquor right now, especially the way she is feeling. Shaking the thought away she looked towards Caden "I've got bottled water, soda, juice, milk.." she offered him, with the smile still to her lips. There was a part of her wondering why she was allowing a stranger into her home, but from the scent she got off of him, she knew him to be a werewolf and she could fight just as good as any other werewolf out there..that is, if she had to.

She felt a little startled by his words, as she thought over it, sort of holding the bottled water to her chest for a moment before twisting off the cap and taking a big drink. Mona let out a small sigh as her blue eyes stared at a point on the floor before looking up towards the other "You know, I don't even know you. But, I feel like I could really use someone to talk to. And someone on the outside that doesn't know anything about it, might just be what I need." she told him, before settling down into a chair at the table and setting the bottle water down as well. Mona gestured for him to sit down as well "Long story short, I have been arranged to marry a guy that I don't love and don't want to marry."

[Caden Shiye Blake]

Caden followed Mona into the house. It wasn't the sort of thing he was used to doing. Growing up in the sort of society he'd grown up in, it simply wasn't done.

'Sit up straight, Caden!' his mother snapped, as the 4 year old boy shifted in his seat. He shot to immediate attention. He'd learned quickly not to mess around when his mother used that tone. He learned everything, quickly though, so that wasn't surprising. His baby sister Alina began to howl in her high chair. Alice, Caden's mother frowned, but didn't move from her formal position. 'Where is the maid?' His mother muttered in irritation. Caden winced; it wasn't polite to mutter, even in the confines of your own home. Alice had taught him that. He jumped to his feet and hurried over to his little sister. 'I'll do it, Mum.' Caden volunteered. Carefully leaning over his baby sister. She didn't seem to need anything; she just liked to complain.

Caden smiled when she offered him a drink, wondering if she was nervous about letting a complete stranger into her home. He didn't want to make anyone nervous. He was a sweet boy. But he was so hurt, people knew to stay away. 'Water, thank you.' Caden reverted back to the politeness that had been drilled into him for years. How he'd hated all the lessons and the formalities, but that was what still came out of him when it mattered. So maybe they'd done their job after all. Caden didn't really like that idea. He liked to think that he'd left that world completely. The more he abided by it's rules, the more it haunted him.

'Don't touch that Caden! It's breakable!' Alice reprimanded as she swept into the room, draped in folds of lavender silk. 13 year old Caden looked up, frozen, his hand reaching for the Fabergé egg on the shelf. He drew back his hand slowly, obeying her, though he wanted dearly to ask her if she even knew what it was. She acted as if he was still 4, like he didn't know what a Fabergé egg was! He longed to turn around and say 'The Fabergé eggs were produced by the house of Fabergé from 1885 until 1917. Of the 50 large ones that were made only 42 survived until today. I know what it is, mother.' but he held his tongue, because that would get him into trouble for sure. He simply smiled, nodded, and returned to the piano bench where he had been seated only minutes before.

Caden pulled out a chair and settled gracefully down to the wooden table. Mona was actually going to talk to him. He hadn't thought she would, but he was glad that she was going to. Keeping things bottled up inside could destroy you, he knew that all to well. It didn't stop him from bottling things up, but if he could listen to this woman, sympathize with her, maybe that would help. Not him, probably, but he wasn't sure anything was going to help him. Ever. An arranged marriage, she told him. That sucked. He would never say the words out loud like that, but it was what he was thinking. Love was something Caden believed everyone had a right to and no one, no one, should be forced into a union with someone they didn't love. It struck a cord in him.

The ballroom was full of people looking like they'd stepped directly out of a fairytale. High society didn't seemed to have changed much in the last few hundred years. Caden, 16, chatted politely with all the right people. He would here about it from Alice later, if he didn't. He looked dashing in the tux, so bright and shining. He was the perfect example of what a society member should be. He wanted to get the hell out of there. Caden had to supress a groan as he noticed his mother, deep in conversation with a young girl in a forest green dress, guiding her over towards him. 'Caden darling!' Alice exclaimed, pretending to be shocked at finding him there, 'We were just talking about you!' Alice beamed at him, but nodded ever so slightly in the girls direction, her eyes narrowed. Caden got the message. So thing was the famous Alyana Drew. His mother must have been planning their marriage as long as he could remember, though he'd never met her. Not until then. And his mother had never officially arranged it. There were no documents, but it was expected. Caden felt the weight of responsibility settle over him. How could he ever give his parents what they wanted? He didn't know this girl. He couldn't love her. Not on command. But he could give his mother a moment, this moment. Caden, bowed, taking Alyana's white gloved hand and bringing it to his lips. 'It is a pleasure to meet you.' Caden felt like he was in the 1800s not 2000s. 'Would you be so kind as to grant me this dance?' Alyana looked up at him and he could see his feelings of panic mirrored in her eyes. She attempted and smile and gave a little nod. Caden swept her out onto the dance floor, but managed to whisper in her ear. 'Just remember to smile. They'll all be watching, but after this one dance, I'll get us the hell out of here.' Alyana's lips curved back into a dazzling smile and she really was pretty, beautiful even. She looked so much more alive. 'Don't forget to smile, Caden.' she teased him. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Caden frowned at Mona, wondering what real advice he could give her. He'd gotten out of his issue by being accused of murder and ruining his reputation. He hardly recommended that course of action. But he supposed what course of action he took would depend a lot on the other person. 'And this man you're engaged to, what does he want? Does he love you, or does he feel the same way?' Caden asked, because things like that could make all the difference in the world.

[/blockquote]

[monique bailey quentin]

Monique smiled softly at him, as she grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge for him and set it down on the table in front of him. The girl could already hear a few people within her head, asking her why she invited a stranger into her home. But, she knew this one to be a werewolf and as much as she hated her own kind so much, a part of her trusted them as well. Mona always felt that the werewolves wouldn't actually hurt each other; no matter what family they come from or even pack, they are all family no matter what.

She looked over at Caden, tilting her head slightly before sighing and shrugging her left shoulder some "For some reason, he wants to marry me." she shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair "I don't know why. He never took any kind of interest in me when I tried to show interest towards him." Mona looked down at the water bottle and glared at it, as she remembered those few years ago when she thought she was in love with Jeremy. She felt foolish to even think of such things anymore.

A small sigh left her lips, as the glare disappeared from her face before looking back up to Caden "I think it's because he knows that I'm in love with someone else. He gave our parents a date and everything for the wedding. How can I marry someone that I don't love or someone I can't even stand to be around?" she asked, though, she didn't expect any kind of answer back from him. A small laugh escaped her mouth "Or even for the fact that I can't stand being a werewolf. So why would I want to marry one?" Mona knew it would be safer for her to marry a werewolf, rather than to even think of being with a human. But how could someone stop themselves from loving someone that happens to be human?

[Caden Shiye Blake]

Caden rolled his shoulders, trying to relax a little bit. He wasn't sure why he had come inside, confined himself to this small space that was a danger to him. It was against everything he'd learned while he'd been running. Everything that he was now. His whole body was screaming at him to run, get out, be smart. But Caden was so terribly sick of being smart. He couldn't turn off his brain, the continuous stream of information that engulfed him, but he could ignore his senses. He could fight it, couldn't he? Caden breathed in deep, a mix of smells hitting his extra sensitive sense of smell. He tried to stop his brain from processing it. It didn't work. Hell. The girl was talking, though, and Caden focused on her words, taking shelter in that they were her story, her fears and life. He could try to forget his for a moment. Even a fleeting moment. It was his safety. 'Boys like what they can't have, a lot of the time. Or the girls that don't want them. Maybe he never wanted you before because he knew you did like him?' What the hell was he doing? What did he really know, after all, his life wasn't exactly a great one to base normality off of.

Caden's slender fingers moved across the violin with soft and deft movement. There was no hesitation. He didn't have to think, never had. There was a small crowd gathered around him, but he didn't seem to notice. The street corner was cold, not exactly great weather for keeping an instrument in tune, but Caden had managed and now he was drawing people like moths to a flame. Caden was there and he wasn't. He was in the musical world inside his head. And then it shattered. 'Caden Shiye Blake! You come in here right this instant!' His mother leaned out of the second story window of their home her voice carrying a tight sense of anger. 'I do not pay for you to practice your music on street corners! We don't pay for everyone else to hear it. When you preform, you do so on a stage. That is the only proper way to do so!' Caden had frozen, then slowly, silently, slid out of the crow and up the stone steps to his home. His cage.

Caden's eyes focused on Mona. Her last words had shocked him. Couldn't stand to be a werewolf. He couldn't imagine that. 'Being a werewolf is the only thing I can stand. Why do you hate it so much?' he felt he had to ask, the words slipping out of him, before he could think, control.

[monique bailey quentin]

OOC: i did not realize you replied back. sorry

Mona listened to what he said, apparently that seemed to be the case with Jeremy; he wasn't going to give up until she gave in and let him marry her. Something she didn't see herself doing anytime soon. The girl stuck by her words, she didn't want to marry someone because of what her parents wanted or even what his parents wanted. They were going to have to force her down the aisle on her wedding day. A small frown came across her lips at his last question "I'm pretty sure he never even realized that I was interested in him. Why would he though? There were plenty of other girls that caught his eyes. Whether human or not." she rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh.

Monique wondered how many times she had been asked that question, especially by her parents. Always wondering why their daughter didn't accept what she is and be happy with who she is. To her, she is a nightmare, literally come true to people. She knew of the pain she went through the first time she ever changed and to know that her little baby sister would eventually go through that; it made her cringe just thinking of it "I don't see being a werewolf as a gift. Or something so wonderful. I see it as a curse. We have people coming after us if they find out who we are, to try and kill us even before they know who we really are. The person deep down under the fur." she told him, feeling a disgusted look crease her face "I would give anything to live like a normal human and never having to watch what I say, do or even what my actions for the fear that I will expose myself to a human." or letting Ryan know what I really am.. she added in her head. God, how she could just picture the horrified look on his face if he truly knew what roamed around just under his nose.

[Caden Shiye Blake]

Caden almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not that it made him angry, or even upset. He just was so totally caught off guard by Mona's view on being a werewolf. He'd never even considered being a werewolf as a sort of curse. He was half angry at himself, because Caden, with his ridiculous IQ was used to judging a situation from all sides. He was used to understanding everything. And this was something he wasn't sure he would ever really be able to understand. Caden's human life had been miserable. Not only that, but he'd been hunted, contained, treated like he was someone he wasn't. As a wolf, the lies were stripped away. He was what he was. And he was free. Free to run, free to be. In a way, Mona had opened his eyes to another side of things, not that he actually understood what she meant, but he knew that he could try. He wondered if he could maybe do the same for her. He very much doubted that he could change the way she felt about being a werewolf, because she certainly hadn't changed the way he felt, but maybe, just maybe, he could make her see why he loved it so much. Caden paused a moment to gather his thoughts. He was a good speaker, but his best language was music. He didn't have that at the moment, so he needed to find the right words to express what he wanted to say.
'I guess I would be lying to say that I understand that, but I do see what you feel. Maybe you can understand how things are so different for me.' Caden paused, sucking in a deep breath, the words forming in his head. 'You told me your story, and I think maybe it would do you good to know mine. Excuse me if I don't tell it well; I have not shared it often.' Caden offered Mona a sad little smile before plunging on.

'I was born in London. My whole family are werewolves, have been for a long time. But my family was also prevalent in all the higher circles of British society, so we really didn't talk about it much, still don't, I assume; I haven't talked to my family for quite some time. I am the oldest child; I have several sisters and one brother. My mother was really never interested in children, except perhaps as accessories, and well, my father was never really home much. I was tested at a young age and, I don't mean to brag, but I was found to be a genius, especially adept at the musical arts. I graduated high school at 11 years old. I thought I was infallible. I wasn't used to being wrong. My parents decided to send me to a special school for other people with my abilities. It was there that I met my best friend in the whole world. His name was Drew. You have to understand, it wasn't that I found other people stupid, or anything. But no one really wants to have deep discussions with an 11 year old boy. But Drew, he was my age and just as clever as me! We thought we knew everything, though, so in the end we were really just stupid children, weren't we?

'I wont go into the details, because it's all so... It's more than really needs to be said, but Drew and I were stupid. When I turned 16 we ran away to Paris to... further some of our studies. But we were being watched. And the people didn't exactly like the things we were uncovering. We weren't the first to make these discoveries, we found out. We were just the only ones still alive. They had Drew killed and I was blamed. Everyone thought I had killed him. I was sent back to London for my trial. I wouldn't have gotten off, except my family has connections and a lot of money. By the time the trial was done, I had turned 17 and I was a disgrace to my family. Technically, I'm allowed to go home, but I'm not really welcome there. I started running. I haven't ever really stopped.

'So I guess what you need to know is that... to me, being a werewolf is the one part of my life that is an escape. An escape from all the different cages I've been stuffed into. The cage of society my mother manned, or the actual jail that I was confined to. It doesn't matter which one. My life as a werewolf is the only one I've ever been free to run. Does that make any sense?'

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[monique bailey quentin]

There was a part of her that felt he would probably go off the top and say that being a werewolf ought to be something she loves and that seeing it as a curse is just silly. Well, at least, that's what she figured he would say; she had heard it many times come from the mouth of other people. They thought her not liking the other part of her was really just a phase, but it's not. And Mona tried to show them that it wasn't a phase she was going through. She never changed into her wolf form unless she was forced when the full-moon came about.

Mona sat there quietly, listening to why being a wolf to him was something good. She listened closely, hearing about his life back in London before he happened to turn up here. Monique felt her jaw drop open a few times and found herself shocked over what he was saying. When he was finished, all she could really do was nod her head a few times before blinking and clearing her head to make words come out "That does make sense." she told him, before looking down at the table before her. She guessed if she went through something like that, being a wolf wouldn't be so bad. But the worst thing she had to deal with was her parents persistence on her marrying Jeremy and the two of them always arguing.

The girl let out a sigh before lifting her gaze to look back towards Caden "I can see why you would see being a wolf such a wonderful thing. That is, to you. I'll probably always see it as a curse. Something horrid." she shrugged her shoulder a bit and gave a faint smile "But we all have our own opinions on everything. Most love one thing, while a few despise it."

[Caden Shiye Blake]

With some effort, Caden relaxed back into his chair. His brain told him that he was safe at the moment. But his body was still traumatized. On edge from the life he had been forced to live while he'd been running. It hadn't been good, and of everything, Caden fought the hardest to keep that locked away in his mind. The effort, however, cost him, causing other memories, some of them pointless, to slip into his head, cause him to stop for a moment, watch fragments of his life slip by. He tried to fight it for a moment, then let them come, hoping they'd turn off soon.

Baby Tristan waddled towards him on unsteady legs. Caden felt the first true smile crack his face in days. He adored his little brother. Caden was determined that Tristan would have a better childhood than he had had. There was no way he was letting a constant stream of nannies raise his little brother. Caden felt as if he was this childs father at only 15, but it wasn't something he regretted. Tristan was his responsibility now. He would take care of him....

....Alyana smiled at him, leaning against him, shivering as the wind swept around her. Caden pulled her closer, wrapping her up in his arms. She was small, and Caden sometimes worried he would crush her. His mother looked on, half pleased, half scandalized. Well, he'd ended up with the girl she wanted, just because he wasn't exactly being proper about it didn't mean she was going to say anything. 'Caden...' He looked down at Alyana, surprised. 'Sorry, what?' he asked. Small lines creased Alyana's forehead, 'I said, you and Drew shouldn't go to Paris. It's a bad idea. I don't want you to.' she looked at him with huge sad eyes, 'please don't leave me.' Caden felt a pang in his stomach. He hated the sadness in her eyes, wanted to banish it. But he and Drew had to go, it was important. 'Don't worry. It's not forever. I'll be back before you know.' Alyana looked away, 'But you're still going.' it wasn't a question, just a stony statement. 'Hey, don't look like that,' Caden tilted Alyana's head back towards him, looking down into her eyes, 'I promise, I won't stay too long. I love you.' Alyana looked like she wanted to believe him. 'Do you? Do you really?' she asked him. 'Yes.' Caden answered.....

.....The lights of the cars rushed by and Caden stood, silent, watching. The house across the street was bright. The windows glowed, welcoming. He could see right into the dining room, which was shining with light, but empty. Just as he was about to turn away, a girl walked into the room. Caden felt as if someone had stabbed him in the gut. Alyana. It wasn't that he hadn't expected it, it was what he'd been hoping for, but... he hadn't been ready. Caden stood frozen across the street. And then Alyana turned and... though Caden couldn't say how she noticed, she froze in place too, staring out the huge windows, at him. Her mouth opened and he saw his name on her lips. Oh hell. Caden couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Then a cop car turned down the street and Caden flinched. He had to move, run, get away. He couldn't drag Alyana into this. If she would even talk to him anymore. With one last look at her face, Caden took off, running full tilt, no looking back.....

Caden ripped himself back into the present. Mona had listened. Heard him. And though he knew she still felt negatively about being a werewolf, she seemed to have really understood his story. He hadn't mentioned Alyana. He couldn't even think about it. It was over. Done with. Caden smiled, hoping that Mona hadn't noticed his moment of flashback, which probably just looked like deep thinking. Well, he had been doing some deep thinking, just of the painful sort. 'I'm glad you can see it that way. Being a werewolf is a good thing if you need to run...'

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[monique bailey quentin]

As much as she'd like to deny, she couldn't. Caden was right. Even when there were times when Mona herself couldn't get away from something, she had found herself in her wolf form and running in the forest and woods for hours at a time. As much as she doesn't really like the other half of her, there is a very small part of her that loves the feeling of being free and the feel of the ground under her paws.

"Yea, I have to agree with that." she told him, with a small smile. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't like having to be changed almost forcefully during the full moon times. Honestly, the girl had a bit of a problem being forced to do something. But, she would rather be normal, a complete full human and instead of a werewolf that takes on the form of a human. Mona knew she'd always be seen as a werewolf, not matter what she looks like standing on two feet. Even if humans don't realize she isn't a human, they tend to sense something. Of course, the unnatural body temperature might just give it away a bit.

[Caden Shiye Blake]

OOC: Hi Misty! Honestly, I've kind of run out of muse for this thread. I think it's cuz it's been up for so long. Do you think it would be cool if we just finished it up?

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