Hungry, Tired, Just want to be a kid ~Lorleina~

[pallas]

Pallas had woken up on a bench in central park her stomach was making noises like it always did but this time she couldn't ignored it like she did so many other times. Sighing she sat up why did this have to happen now she didn't know where to go to get something to eat and she really really didn't want to be caught digging in the trash cans again like last time she got this hungry. Closing her eyes she silently begged her stomach to stop and just hang on a little longer. Opening her eyes slowly when she hurt foot steps she suddenly stood up fast and ran into a flower bed; begging the flowers to hide her so she wasn't seen. The flowers as if they heard her started to move around the child that laid in the middle making her invisible almost.

Once the people were gone the flowers uncovered her so she could get up. Laying there for a moment in the safety of the flowers she sighed this was not the life she wanted but she was only eight years old she feared she was going to be alone forever. Shaking her head she stood up and looked around she had heard some kids talking about a circus maybe she could find something to eat there, with any luck it wouldn't take her that long to get there. Taking a deep breath she started to walk. Smirking as an idea hit her stopping at the bus stop she waited there was a family there waiting too maybe if she was lucky she could get on with them and no one would say anything.

Sure enough it worked and she managed to get on the bus, moving to the back she sat down and waited for the stop she wanted. The bus was nice it had been a long time since she had been on a bus to her it was like heaven on wheels. Finally after twenty minutes she was there looking out the window in awe at the circus it was amazing everything about it pulled her into it she wanted to be a kid and go play but first she needed to get something to eat.

Getting off the bus she started straight into the grounds running and hiding and looking for anything she could eat and she would eat anything at this point. Stopping in her tracks as her nose picked up the most heavenly smell of popcorn turning she spotted it and ran to the vendor looking around she didn't see anyone as she started to try to reach for a bag filled with popcorn.

[Lorleina McHency 'Fury']

OUTFIT!! CLICK!!

Lorleina awoke in the clearing wrapped in the arms of her husband. Rowan was still sleeping soundly under the blankets she had grabbed and brought with her. She watched him for a second as she used his arm as a pillow. It would be so much better if they were in a real bed in their own trailer. Their own home. But no one could know that they were together let alone married. So for now they dealt with sleeping in their hidden clearing. These were the moments she didn't want to end but she knew they had to. She slipped out from his arms and quickly got dressed, wincing as her shirt slid over the burn that was still healing on her side.

He knew where she would be if he wanted to see her. If not then they would meet again that very night to have this moment again. She slipped through the trees swinging her way free of the clearing and towards her own wagon where she slipped through the window so she could exit through her day in case anyone would see her. She pet Lolo as she walked past him. He opened his sleeping eyes and flicked his tail at her as she jumped into the small shower and bathed and got ready for the day.

She left her wagon in a flowing dress and a cream colored blouse. Her hair was down along her shoulders. She really did look like a gypsy right there in her outfit. She was walking through the grounds trying to think of solutions to their problem with telling their parents about their marriage. Rowan said he had a plan but she wasn't so sure about it. She trusted him but she didn't trust the woman he was to marry. Lorleina was walking past the guests already there her nose was filled with the scent of popcorn from her cousin's cart not a couple feet away from her. She looked up as she saw an eight year old girl reaching for a bag. Her clothes were torn and smeared with mud. Her hair was disheveled and she held a beaten up teddy bear. Lorleina smiled knowing all to well what that feeling was like. She must be an orphan. Lorleina was an orphan for a time as well. She walked over and lifted the bag of popcorn down to the girl kneeling down as well smiling.

"You like popcorn?"

[pallas]

Pallas froze as she saw the popcorn bag moving slowly turning she looked at the woman holding the bag out to her. Was she really giving it to her? Pallas was so nervous as she stared at the bag with hungry looking eyes. Maybe it was okay to take the bag after all the woman was holding it out to her but this could be a trick and a trap horror shot through her eyes as she stared at the bag then to the woman and back to the back. What if she grabbed her and turned her into the police? Her mind screamed run but her heart was saying calm down.

The woman had a smile on her face and didn't look mean maybe it would be alright finally she reached out for the bag taking it in her hands as she dropped her bear on the ground and started to eat quickly like it would be taken away if she slowed down. Looking up as she heard the woman's sweet tone. Nodding her head yes to answer the question. When there was no more popcorn Pallas looked down at the empty bag with sad eyes she was still hungry but she wasn't going to take more it just wasn't right. She was only eight years old she shouldn't have to be like this, she shouldn't know this much pain trying so hard to not look hungry she looked at the woman in silences.

What was she going to do with her? So many crazy thoughts in her head. Looking around she watched as a small vine was moving around it looked like it was growing smiling at the plant and willing it to calm down she watched as it went back to its small size. Taking a breath she blinked“I am sorry...I..I..was just so hungry.” she finally spoke and this was the first time in three weeks that she had said a word out loud.

[Lorleina McHency 'Fury']

Lorleina's heart broke as she watched the young girl in front of her. As soon as the popcorn was in her hands it was being shoveled down her throat and was gone in record time. It was apparent that this young girl had not eaten for awhile. It made Lorleina sad to think that she was all on her own. She knew the feeling well for she had been an orphan too. She had once had the same exact look as this girl in front of her did. She continued to kneel in front of her and picked up the girl's teddy bear that had been dropped in the haste to get food.

"Don't apologize, dear. Do you like corn dogs? We have the best in the city."

She felt a yearning in her heart as she stood up and motioned for the girl to follow her. She led her to another kiosk that had the smell of corn dogs wafting around it. She spoke a few words to her cousin who was working it. He glanced down at the girl and he smiled nodding and handing Lorleina a corn dog. She knelt down again smiling and handed her the treat. She hoped the girl would slow down in her eating so she wouldn't get sick. If she wanted more food then Lorleina would get it for her. There was something about this young girl that reminded her of herself before she had come to live with the Fury's.

"I'm Lorleina. What's your name?"

[pallas]

Pallas watched the woman closely as she moved to kneel in front of her she froze to scared to move not knowing what was going to happen. Her heartbeat was growing faster as she continued to stare at the woman. Silently she stood there staring from the woman to the empty bag of popcorn for a few minutes before she looked around for a trash. Just because she was on her own didn't mean she had to just drop trash on the ground. Corn dogs what were corn dogs? Wanting to reach out and take her teddy bear she stopped herself there was something about this woman, something sweet and caring and for the first time since Pallas lost her family she felt safe.

As the woman started to walk the little girl skipped to the trash can near by dropping the empty popcorn bag into the can she frowned when she saw a flower that wasn't blooming that made her sad she picked the bud up having an idea. Running back to the woman she smiled up at her before she pulling on her skirt gentle trying to get her attention. When she knelt down again Pallas showed her the rose bud and suddenly it started to bloom in her hand before she handed it to the girl as a thank you. Looking at the corn dog in her other hand she started to eat it slowly testing it out to see if she was going to like it. “This is Yummy” she said with a smile as she took a few bites.

Taking a step back she looked at the lady with the pretty name. Why did she want to know her name? Pallas was only eight so she was trusting everyone to quickly and even this girl she trusted maybe it would be okay.

“My name is Pallas” she said in a whisper. Quietly she took a couple more bites of the corn dog not wanting to eat it all scared that she would not have any later.

[Lorleina McHency 'Fury']

Lorleina smiled at the girl. She knew she had to help her. She could feel it deep down in her heart. Her eyes lit up as Pallas handed her a rose bud and it started to bloom right before her eyes. She was a mutant! It made her heart melt. There were so many things about this young girl that reminded her of herself. She took the rose and admired it. It was perfectly bloomed and it smelled amazing. Her mind ran through what she could do to help this girl. She needed help that was obvious.

"It's very nice to meet you, Pallas. You can have all you want to eat here. You don't have to worry. This is a beautiful flower. Have they always bloomed for you?"

She stood looking at the girl. She needed a bath and some fresh clothes. Lorleina would go to the store later or go talk to Vicky to see what she had in the costumes area that would fit her. What happened to this girl to make her live on the streets. Where were her parents? Was she lost? She knew not to make any sudden movements or reach out for the girl. She had to let Pallas come to her. As she knelt down waiting for her to reply her ring tailed lemur, Lolo walked up behind her and climbed on her shoulder. He looked at the girl curiously. Lorleina smiled.

"This is Lolo. He's my friend."

[pallas]

Pallas was shocked that the woman was not scared about the flower blooming in her hand that must have meant she was a mutant too. True she was only eight but she was really smart and knew things that normal eight year olds didn't. Watching the woman she smiled she wasn't sure what to say Pallas sighed as she looked at the ground she was ashamed at how she looked but there was nothing she could about her clothes she only had what she was wearing. Her sandal was almost to the point of breaking and her teddy bear was dirty she didn't like the way she looked and she really wished her mother and father were still alive to help her.

Nodding to the question about the flowers always blooming for she smiled. They hadn't it started three weeks ago when she lost her family to a fire. “It started three weeks ago, they protect me and I care for them” she said talking about the flowers it was true the flowers and grass protected her when she really need to hide, Pallas took care of the flowers in return. “They kinda talk to me or you can say I talk to them.” she added looking around.

Pallas backed up as she saw the animal climbing on the other woman's shoulder she had never been this close to a wild animal. Listening to Lorleina she smiled and moved closer reaching out a hand to pet the animal. “Lolo? Pretty name” she whispered. Suddenly Pallas froze as a man was walking closer to them with sticks on fire. Screaming she jumped into Lorliena's arms shaking like a leaf closing her eyes . “Mommy....” she cried out as the memories of the fire that killed her family started to flood back at the sight of the flames. “Make it stop make the fire stop...”

[Lorleina McHency 'Fury']

Lorleina watched the small girl in front of her. It was sad to see her all on her own and Lorleina wanted to do something to make it right. She didn't know what she could do though but this young girl needed a home. Maybe Lorleina could give her that. It would be hard to convince the elders of the family though because to them she wasn't married and she was not about to tell them about her secret marriage to Rowan. It wasn't time for that yet and she would let Rowan handle that. It seemed like he wanted to. She trusted him and wouldn't have agreed to be his wife if she didn't.

"I see. I'm special too. My hands stick to things."

Lorleina explained to the young girl as she picked up a cup off the ground and lifted her fingers off showing that it was still sticking to her palms. The young girl was a mutant. That would make it easier for Lorleina to help her out now. Once the elders found out what this girl could do it wouldn't be much of a struggle convincing them to let her adopt her. She was suddenly surprised when Pallas jumped into her arms. Lolo jumped away from the shock but Lorleina held onto her as she yelled Mommy and seeing the flames from her cousins Lorleina picked her up and carried her away from the fire. Something bad had happened to this young girl.

"Shhh it's ok. I got you."