JP hesitates before looking at Moni, who just shrugs. “Um,” he says, licking his lips. “I’m not sure what a Marten looks like, but he’s furry, with a long bushy tail, and has white ears?” He questions and I jump out of my skin. Tears prick my eyes and start to burn, but I fight them back.Not yet, you can’t cry yet, Rez.Holding onto hope, I look back at Lynx.
‘Lynx, do you mind changing? I have to know if I’m crazy or not.’
I never questioned if I was insane. All the evidence was there. No matter what form he was in, everyone commented on my giant cat that kinda looked like a dog. But here and now, JP is giving me something I had never thought I would find. Acceptance. Hope. Validation. I’m not insane.
Lynx changes into a Raccoon without saying a word and hops to the table to grab another eggroll, and chaos erupts. I’m giddy as hell though, watching JP and Moni both jump out of their seats and start firing off questions about Lynx.
Tears fall from my eyes as the biggest smile pulls at my lips, causing my cheeks to burn, but it’s the best feeling ever. I lean down to pick up Lynx and hug him tight in my arms as he brings his paws up around my neck and tries to hug me back.
‘Why are you crying, Rezzi-Bear?’Lynx asks, but before I can reply, a small sonic boom knocks me over and sends the food flying off the table. The pressure on my chest only lasts a few seconds. Sitting up cautiously while holding onto a shaking Lynx, I look around for the threat. On top of the sofa is Moni, rocking back and forth with her knees up to her chest and one of her green vines in her hand as she strokes it.
Releasing Lynx, I slowly get up and approach Moni like she’s a dangerous animal. Which, taking in the damage around the living room, she looks like the epicenter of the destruction.
“Moni?” I ask as I shift around the broken coffee table. She looks up at me, and my heart shatters. Tears stream down her face as she hiccups. “Awe, sweetie,” I climb onto the sofa and pull her into a hug. JP moves up behind Moni and looks at me over her shoulder, his eyes lost as he’s left with nothing to do.
“I don’t know what happened,” Moni whispers. “I just got so excited, lost, confused, and then just so angry.” She pulls back to look at me, and I’m sure I mirror her look of confusion. JP places a hand on Moni’s shoulder to turn her around.
“It’s okay, Mo. This is why we’re going to school. To learn and master your power. Accidents happen, and I’m sure you had no idea you could do that, huh?” he teases lightly, giving her a cheeky grin and wiggling his eyebrows, making her laugh.
“No, I didn’t,” she says in a small voice.
“Bet no one is gonna mess with you now, right?” I ask, and Moni smirks and nods, but still feeling embarrassed about her fit, if her coloring is anything to go by.
“I’m going to clean this up and then go to bed. That kinda wiped me out,” Moni mumbles.
‘I’m calling it a night too, Rezzi. Today was a big day getting my powers back. Wake me up when you come to bed,’Lynx says as he scurries out of the room, heading to my bedroom.
Knowing that Moni probably wants a few minutes to herself, JP grabs my hands and pulls me to the other side of the fireplace, where there is, indeed, a door I didn’t see.
Chapter Eight
The Man of Mystery
JP
After picking up on Moni’s thoughts, I knew she would be okay; she just wanted the space to get over her embarrassment over having a mini ‘boom-boom’, her words not mine. Ever since my mother and I found her in the woods, I’ve doted on her like crazy. We found little Mo while we were out picking berries one morning. She was huddled up under some foliage trying to stay warm looking frozen from head to toe. Her white bark was torn in some areas and bleeding. She didn’t cry but stared wide-eyed as mom slowly approached her like a wild animal. She was only two and Mom was shocked that she was still alive given her injuries. My mother immediately took her in and raised Moni as her own daughter. Yes, she drove me crazy, but isn’t that what family was for? She’s had a rough life growing up before we found her, so I was just happy to be apart of her having a normal experience for supes. Having Rez as a friend will be a good change for her also. Speaking of Rez, I was excited to finally have a moment alone with her.
Pulling ma chérie into my little sanctuary is like stepping out on stage for a Pixie R’ Us after party. All eyes on me. I can’t help being the center of attention. It’s in my blood. Literally. I’m surprised Moni’s not the same since we’re sure we have the same father. I once asked my mother how she knew Moni and I were related and she told me that she had a ‘special’ relationship with her best friend where they loved and shared the same man. At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant by that. Though, she told me they were both dating the same demon at the time when they both became pregnant. She would often tell me stories but never mentioned his name. The handful of things I truly know about him are all along the lines of, “That pride of yours? You got that from your father.” As far as I know, the only pride demon that would have lowered themselves to hook up with a water Pixie is Ramiel. Well, that’s my guess.
Of course, I could have just asked my mom who the bastard was, but why know the name of someone who didn’t want you around? I'd rather just say he was a sperm donor and move on. That was probably my pride talking though.
I watch as Rez takes in the decent size room that’s completely bare except for the built-in bar on the far side of the room. “So, imagine this,” I say, throwing my arms out. I wave them like I’m a damn presenter on the Price is Right. It’s amazing what shows we pick up here. “The wonderful pool table you asked about earlier will go here,” I announce while I demonstrate with a wave of my arm to the left of the door. “The light will go above it.”
“You mean the big fluorescent pink light you bought shaped like a penis?” She asks as a slight blush covers her cheeks. I chuckle, wondering how red I can get those cheeks by the end of this tour.
“That’s the one, ma chérie, I can’t wait to show it off. The balls light up like disco balls,” I say and wink. She giggles in response and shakes her head. “Now over here, we’ll have the dartboard. I bought a specialty one so I can change out the design. I think you’ll like it.”
“Do I even want to guess what the designs are?” she questions, putting her hands into the back pocket of her jeans. I doubt she notices the movement pushes her breasts out, but I sure have.
“Maybe,” I say, dragging the word out. I turn to the blank wall at the back of the room, “So, we’ll cut out a section for the TV, and the video game consoles will fit underneath it and into the wall, freeing up space. Changing the color of the paint in here will brighten up the room so it won’t seem so cramped,” I tell her, visualizing the different colors and how I will fix everything.
Turning back to her, I continue my explanation. “Then with the built-in wall units, we don’t have to worry about people needing to move around or shimmying around each other,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows. I do a little body sway, swiveling my hips and spinning, pulling her along with me into an impromptu dance.
“JP!” She laughs. “There’s no music,” she points out but continues to follow along with the tune in my mind.
“There is in my head, and that’s all we need, ma chérie,” I purr, dipping her low, allowing her hair to touch the ground. Pulling her back up, I spin her around and pull her into an easy swing, moving around the room. There’s more that goes on in my head than just the music we are dancing to. Like the thoughts of others. I’ve been hearing voices for as long as I can remember. Though at the time, I thought I was going crazy. It seems I can pick up other people's thoughts depending on a few factors. If I’m physically touching them, it’s easier for me to read them unless they are consciously shielding themselves. The other factor is that I can hear someone’s thoughts more clearly if it’s someone I’m personally invested in. As in my family, my friends that are like brothers to me, or even someone I’m sexually involved with. That’s when it seems to be stronger for me without having to put any effort into hearing them. I spin her around again and notice she’s biting her lip. I’ve noticed she does that when she’s nervous, or maybe that’s when she’s thinking. A thought, other than my own, hits me like a brick to my head.
‘… his swaying hips and his buff arms. Wow. I wonder how it would feel having his whole body wrapped around me. Omg, why am I thinking about him this way? It’s not like I need to fall in love with every hot guy I meet today. I just met him. Down, girl! Thank god he can’t hear my thoughts.’
