(no subject)
7/18/2007
Even the most luxurious and comfortable of rooms is likely to feel a bit claustrophobic, after awhile. Although the internet and television provide fascinating fodder for someone without them for so long, Sabitha finds herself restless, as she's been increasingly while the days since Bahir's arrival stretch onward toward a week. At the moment, she attempts to burn off excess energy with a flurry of crunches that she counts off under her breath between the clench of teeth.
Stretched on the bed with laptop open nearby, Bahir ignores it to look down over the edge of the bed and drowse lazily as he sort of stares through Sabitha. Vaguely tense, he's been a mixed blessing of company, but company, even so. His feet swing idly through the air.
Company, and familiar, and not particularly wanting to see Sabitha dead. These are things she'll take as she can get them these days, and so while emotions may spiral tense and frustrated, words have been somewhat more carefully measured. After awhile Sabby breaks off and pushes to her feet, drawing one arm up to mop gathered beads of sweat from her brow. Her gaze skims over Bahir briefly.
Bahir answers her gaze with a slow, lazy smile of narrowed eyes and lowered eyelashes, affection sleepily reflexive. He wakes slowly, a marginal amount and asks, "Better?"
Sabitha meets smile with smile as she brushes past Bahir with a light skim of her hand against one foot. "Sure," she answers, although there's a wry twist to her tone as she steps toward the bathroom. "I'm going to get some water. You want some?"
"Please," Bahir says, toes curling toward her touch. He rolls over and then over again, sliding off the bed to land light on his feet. He eyes the ceiling idly as he stretches out the sleep.
Sabitha remains in the bathroom long enough to splash her face clean with briskly chilled water before she runs two glasses full, drains one, and then refills it. When she returns, she stretches one hand to offer the glass up to Bahir without comment, although her gaze is darkly questioning as it studies him.
Bahir shakes his head, accepting the glass of water with a slight grin. << Looking for the cameras again, >> he admits sheepishly.
Sabitha's lips twitch slightly as she drops to the bed next to him and tilts her head up. << We're never going to find them all, >> she answers with deep seated-assurance. << And if we did, they'd add some more. >>
Bahir leans over as Sabitha seats herself and lifts her head, pressing a brief kiss to the top of her head. << I hope they are bored. >> He shifts around to sit next to her, and leans back with a puffed sigh.
Sabitha shifts uncomfortably and looks over at him, silent as she takes another long swallow, despite the fact that doing so certainly does not inhibit telepathy. Her jaw tightens slightly as she lowers the glass, and she admits quietly, << I'm worried, Bahir. >>
<< I want to go home. >> The word home does not conjure images of a broken Manhattan, but rather stone and sand and surprisingly lush gardens. Bahir rubs his eyes. << What worries you, besides the obvious? No word from Frost at all. >>
In Sabitha's mind, there is no answering echo of home. She's silent for a moment, head bowed as she rubs her thumb down the length of her water glass. << The obvious is worrisome enough, >> she finally answers. << I've been here nearly two weeks now, Bahir. I think that if you hadn't shown up when you did-- >> She breaks off, but mental fears are clear enough - sedation at the best, telepathic intrusion and violence at worst.
Rolling onto his side, Bahir offers her the slim comfort of an embrace. << I did. We were looking for you. And, hey -- we found you. >>
Sabitha's smile is a half-hearted thing, but it is grateful if nothing else. She leans her weight light into him and says, << I know. But I'm worried. The Hellfire Club has never been trusting. And they really don't like me. >> She turns her gaze toward Bahir with a slow blink, dim and concerned. << I don't know what they think about you, but it doesn't bode well that we've been left locked in this room. >>
<< No, >> Bahir agrees silently, curling his hand inward to lightly brush at the trailing ends of her hair. << No, it doesn't. I can't tell what they-- >> His mind shivers past the concept: a dead brother and a twisted copy << --they are thinking, either. I can just -- feel them. Sort of. >>
Sabitha glances over at Bahir, her frown quietly worried as she tips her head toward him. << Are you okay? >> she wonders quietly. << They don't-- hurt? Or anything? >>
Bahir shakes his head. << No, >> he murmurs. << I'm fine. You? >>
<< I'm not a telepath, >> Sabby replies with twisted lips. Her gaze moves forward, toward the window along one wall. << And there's no double of me. Just dead friends. >>
<< I suppose not. >> Bahir watches her, rather than the room. He has studied every inch of it, and if he has studied every inch of her as well, she is still more interesting. << I try not to think about it. >>
<< I can't stop thinking about it, >> Sabby admits, and she turns back to him to catch his eyes. << What do you think they're waiting for? >>
<< I don't know. >> Uncertainty wavers, and then Bahir's tone steadies. << I don't think they know. >>
<< That worries me. >>
<< Yeah. >>
Sabitha's hand wanders sideways, seeking out the familiar comfort of his. << I think we need to be prepared. At least. >>
Bahir curls his fingers through hers. << For what? >>
<< I don't know. Anything. Everything. >> Sabby's fingers squeeze at his and she draws in a slow breath. << What are we doing, Bahir? >>
<< Waiting for Frost, >> Bahir says, almost hopeful in tone. She'll find them. She'll fix it.
<< And if she's dead? If she's not coming? >>
Bahir has no answer to that. He looks down at their joined hands, and squeezes.
Sabitha's thumb draws back to brush light against the bones of his wrist and she closes her eyes for a moment. << If she comes back, what then? What are we /doing/, Bahir? >>
<< Eating. Sleeping. I told Magneto that I wanted something to do, and he ignored it, >> Bahir says, briefly frustrated. << Things are better here, though. We can wait here and gather strength until we find a moment where we can do something. And where we know what to do. >>
<< You wanna just run away to Hawaii and pretend none of this ever happened? >> Sabby asks with a small smile, wistful.
<< I don't know how to surf. >> Bahir turns into her, smiling slightly.
"I do," Sabby vocalizes on a whisper, and her hands slips free so that she can lean full against him, head dropped to his shoulder. << I wish I knew what was going on. I know how to fight, but I don't know what to do with /this/. >>
Arms wrapping around her, Bahir shifts and gets comfortable with a slight sigh. << Me either. >> Is it weirder when they cuddle? They cuddle now! << We should make plans. What if Frost doesn't return? What if they turn against us? >>
<< I feel helpless, >> Sabby admits quietly. << They took my gun and my knife. I thought they'd give them back once they realized, but no one is even speaking to us. >> She relaxes against him, heedless of sweat gathered in places. They've cuddled through worse. << I could burn the place. But I don't know how far I'd get before they took us out. >>
<< Could you burn a way out? >> Bahir asks, frowning thoughtfully as he considers the walls and doors. << No, I'm sure you could. It's keeping them from catching us that's a bitch. I hate those -- things they all wear. >>
<< Yeah, >> Sabby confirms, lifting her head from his shoulder with a sigh. She blinks and glances sideways at Bahir. << Can you get through one? Have you tried? >>
Bahir shakes his head, pressing his head into her shoulder. << Sometimes, there are whispers -- wisps. I don't know. Maybe. They aren't perfect, but I have to try pretty fucking hard even to get that. >>
Frustrated impotence floods Sabby's mind as she tips her head to rest her cheek light against his crown. << I don't know what they /want/ from us, >> she bursts suddenly. << And I don't know what we can do if they turn on us. Except take as many of them-- >> She breaks off and lifts her head to stare fiercely into the distance. << I refuse to die like this. After all of it, not /here/, not in /this/ world. >>
<< Then we won't. >> The words would work better aloud; telepathy reveals all the cracks of doubt and uncertainty that lie beneath Bahir's words. << We won't die here. >>
Sabitha laughs suddenly, a low, rasping sound that builds as she shakes her head and draws one hand down to squeeze at Bahir's knee. After a moment it settles and she speaks aloud, voice a bit raw. "Do you know, I actually miss the greenhouses."
"Me too," Bahir says, following her shift of venue with a wistful lift of his voice. "I miss the smell of them."
"I never thought I'd be the agricultural type," Sabby admits, turning a glance toward him. "The beach is as much nature as I ever got. The first time we went down to see them, I was determined to hate the whole thing."
Bahir has reconnected.
"I never thought I'd be the agricultural type," Sabby admits, turning a glance toward him. "The beach is as much nature as I ever got. The first time we went down to see them, I was determined to hate the whole thing." *re*
"But you didn't, did you?" Bahir points out with a sly, shy smile. "Farmgirl," says the farmboy.
"I didn't like them as much as you," Sabby hedges, but there's a small smile in return as her head dips, and after a moment she adds, "I think it was just good. Watching life."
"Creating life." Bahir lifts his hands and wiggles them. "Creator of life!"
Sabitha grins suddenly, a brilliant flash of amusement as she leans into him and then rocks back. "Feel like a god, do you?" she teases.
Bahir's fingers narrow to form a slivered width's distance. "Just a little."
"Always knew you were an egotistical bastard," Sabby murmurs fondly before she pulls in a quieter breath and notes, << So what we're saying is that we have no idea what to do. If things go bad. Or if she doesn't come. >>
<< Right, >> Bahir admits. << I could maybe use one ofthe Club patrons in range as distraction if it came to anything, though. >>
<< I'm pretty sure I could at least scar a few of them for life, >> Sabby adds fiercely.
Bahir grins, almost fondly. << Bet you could. >>
<< Damn right. >>
<< Maybe the reason they don't give us anything to do is that they really like it when we just have sex to pass the time. >> Not that Bahir's suggesting any. Nooo.
Sabitha glances over at him and rolls her eyes, although the expression is good natured, smile overwriting a deeper, abiding worry. << Think they're saving the tapes for later? >>
<< We should ask for copies, >> Bahir deadpans.
Sabitha turns into him, drawing one leg up into a curl as fingers move down his arm to claim his again. << You and me, with a VCR in Hawaii, >> she answers.
<< I wonder what they'd say if we ask. >> Bahir smiles despite himself, turning toward her in turn.
<< Wanna see? >> Sabby answers, smile suddenly wicked and eyes bright with laughter as she leans forward to brush the corner of his lips with a butterfly's kiss. << We could call that one in here. The one who always looks like he wants to hit something. >>
Bahir snorts. << That's all of them. >>
Sabitha rocks back slightly and gives Bahir a wry smile. << I don't know. The one boy is /very/ polite. >>
Bahir shudders. << I bet he's a real sicko in the head. I can't read him. Barely. >> He arches after her to lean in and return her previous kiss with something more lingering. << He's one of them, after all. If he's that polite--. >>
Sabitha is silent for a moment, thoughts deliberately turned to the more appealing consideration of Bahir's kiss, of the firm muscle beneath her fingers as she slides one hand along the length of his thigh. << Don't want to think about it, >> she finally answers. << All of them. Creep me the fuck out. Pawns. >>
"Let's not think about it, then," Bahir whispers along her jaw, soft words made in a murmur of breath. He catches the lobe of her ear lightly in his teeth and then kisses her temple in passing. "Let's think about something--" He grins. "--else."
There's a familiar shiver in response to the ghost of Bahir's breath against her skin, and her smile turns into him as practiced hands move along his arms to tug him closer. "If we're getting a copy, might as well get something good on it," she agrees as she catches at his lips for a kiss.
Chuckle low and soft, rumbling through his chest as he leans into her, Bahir replies without words. He replies in touch, fingertips ghosting lightly down her sides, and then up again. They camera gets an eyeful, this time. He doesn't bother with blankets.
Sabby and Bahir fail at planning. But at least they can make their captors /really/ uncomfortable.
Even the most luxurious and comfortable of rooms is likely to feel a bit claustrophobic, after awhile. Although the internet and television provide fascinating fodder for someone without them for so long, Sabitha finds herself restless, as she's been increasingly while the days since Bahir's arrival stretch onward toward a week. At the moment, she attempts to burn off excess energy with a flurry of crunches that she counts off under her breath between the clench of teeth.
Stretched on the bed with laptop open nearby, Bahir ignores it to look down over the edge of the bed and drowse lazily as he sort of stares through Sabitha. Vaguely tense, he's been a mixed blessing of company, but company, even so. His feet swing idly through the air.
Company, and familiar, and not particularly wanting to see Sabitha dead. These are things she'll take as she can get them these days, and so while emotions may spiral tense and frustrated, words have been somewhat more carefully measured. After awhile Sabby breaks off and pushes to her feet, drawing one arm up to mop gathered beads of sweat from her brow. Her gaze skims over Bahir briefly.
Bahir answers her gaze with a slow, lazy smile of narrowed eyes and lowered eyelashes, affection sleepily reflexive. He wakes slowly, a marginal amount and asks, "Better?"
Sabitha meets smile with smile as she brushes past Bahir with a light skim of her hand against one foot. "Sure," she answers, although there's a wry twist to her tone as she steps toward the bathroom. "I'm going to get some water. You want some?"
"Please," Bahir says, toes curling toward her touch. He rolls over and then over again, sliding off the bed to land light on his feet. He eyes the ceiling idly as he stretches out the sleep.
Sabitha remains in the bathroom long enough to splash her face clean with briskly chilled water before she runs two glasses full, drains one, and then refills it. When she returns, she stretches one hand to offer the glass up to Bahir without comment, although her gaze is darkly questioning as it studies him.
Bahir shakes his head, accepting the glass of water with a slight grin. << Looking for the cameras again, >> he admits sheepishly.
Sabitha's lips twitch slightly as she drops to the bed next to him and tilts her head up. << We're never going to find them all, >> she answers with deep seated-assurance. << And if we did, they'd add some more. >>
Bahir leans over as Sabitha seats herself and lifts her head, pressing a brief kiss to the top of her head. << I hope they are bored. >> He shifts around to sit next to her, and leans back with a puffed sigh.
Sabitha shifts uncomfortably and looks over at him, silent as she takes another long swallow, despite the fact that doing so certainly does not inhibit telepathy. Her jaw tightens slightly as she lowers the glass, and she admits quietly, << I'm worried, Bahir. >>
<< I want to go home. >> The word home does not conjure images of a broken Manhattan, but rather stone and sand and surprisingly lush gardens. Bahir rubs his eyes. << What worries you, besides the obvious? No word from Frost at all. >>
In Sabitha's mind, there is no answering echo of home. She's silent for a moment, head bowed as she rubs her thumb down the length of her water glass. << The obvious is worrisome enough, >> she finally answers. << I've been here nearly two weeks now, Bahir. I think that if you hadn't shown up when you did-- >> She breaks off, but mental fears are clear enough - sedation at the best, telepathic intrusion and violence at worst.
Rolling onto his side, Bahir offers her the slim comfort of an embrace. << I did. We were looking for you. And, hey -- we found you. >>
Sabitha's smile is a half-hearted thing, but it is grateful if nothing else. She leans her weight light into him and says, << I know. But I'm worried. The Hellfire Club has never been trusting. And they really don't like me. >> She turns her gaze toward Bahir with a slow blink, dim and concerned. << I don't know what they think about you, but it doesn't bode well that we've been left locked in this room. >>
<< No, >> Bahir agrees silently, curling his hand inward to lightly brush at the trailing ends of her hair. << No, it doesn't. I can't tell what they-- >> His mind shivers past the concept: a dead brother and a twisted copy << --they are thinking, either. I can just -- feel them. Sort of. >>
Sabitha glances over at Bahir, her frown quietly worried as she tips her head toward him. << Are you okay? >> she wonders quietly. << They don't-- hurt? Or anything? >>
Bahir shakes his head. << No, >> he murmurs. << I'm fine. You? >>
<< I'm not a telepath, >> Sabby replies with twisted lips. Her gaze moves forward, toward the window along one wall. << And there's no double of me. Just dead friends. >>
<< I suppose not. >> Bahir watches her, rather than the room. He has studied every inch of it, and if he has studied every inch of her as well, she is still more interesting. << I try not to think about it. >>
<< I can't stop thinking about it, >> Sabby admits, and she turns back to him to catch his eyes. << What do you think they're waiting for? >>
<< I don't know. >> Uncertainty wavers, and then Bahir's tone steadies. << I don't think they know. >>
<< That worries me. >>
<< Yeah. >>
Sabitha's hand wanders sideways, seeking out the familiar comfort of his. << I think we need to be prepared. At least. >>
Bahir curls his fingers through hers. << For what? >>
<< I don't know. Anything. Everything. >> Sabby's fingers squeeze at his and she draws in a slow breath. << What are we doing, Bahir? >>
<< Waiting for Frost, >> Bahir says, almost hopeful in tone. She'll find them. She'll fix it.
<< And if she's dead? If she's not coming? >>
Bahir has no answer to that. He looks down at their joined hands, and squeezes.
Sabitha's thumb draws back to brush light against the bones of his wrist and she closes her eyes for a moment. << If she comes back, what then? What are we /doing/, Bahir? >>
<< Eating. Sleeping. I told Magneto that I wanted something to do, and he ignored it, >> Bahir says, briefly frustrated. << Things are better here, though. We can wait here and gather strength until we find a moment where we can do something. And where we know what to do. >>
<< You wanna just run away to Hawaii and pretend none of this ever happened? >> Sabby asks with a small smile, wistful.
<< I don't know how to surf. >> Bahir turns into her, smiling slightly.
"I do," Sabby vocalizes on a whisper, and her hands slips free so that she can lean full against him, head dropped to his shoulder. << I wish I knew what was going on. I know how to fight, but I don't know what to do with /this/. >>
Arms wrapping around her, Bahir shifts and gets comfortable with a slight sigh. << Me either. >> Is it weirder when they cuddle? They cuddle now! << We should make plans. What if Frost doesn't return? What if they turn against us? >>
<< I feel helpless, >> Sabby admits quietly. << They took my gun and my knife. I thought they'd give them back once they realized, but no one is even speaking to us. >> She relaxes against him, heedless of sweat gathered in places. They've cuddled through worse. << I could burn the place. But I don't know how far I'd get before they took us out. >>
<< Could you burn a way out? >> Bahir asks, frowning thoughtfully as he considers the walls and doors. << No, I'm sure you could. It's keeping them from catching us that's a bitch. I hate those -- things they all wear. >>
<< Yeah, >> Sabby confirms, lifting her head from his shoulder with a sigh. She blinks and glances sideways at Bahir. << Can you get through one? Have you tried? >>
Bahir shakes his head, pressing his head into her shoulder. << Sometimes, there are whispers -- wisps. I don't know. Maybe. They aren't perfect, but I have to try pretty fucking hard even to get that. >>
Frustrated impotence floods Sabby's mind as she tips her head to rest her cheek light against his crown. << I don't know what they /want/ from us, >> she bursts suddenly. << And I don't know what we can do if they turn on us. Except take as many of them-- >> She breaks off and lifts her head to stare fiercely into the distance. << I refuse to die like this. After all of it, not /here/, not in /this/ world. >>
<< Then we won't. >> The words would work better aloud; telepathy reveals all the cracks of doubt and uncertainty that lie beneath Bahir's words. << We won't die here. >>
Sabitha laughs suddenly, a low, rasping sound that builds as she shakes her head and draws one hand down to squeeze at Bahir's knee. After a moment it settles and she speaks aloud, voice a bit raw. "Do you know, I actually miss the greenhouses."
"Me too," Bahir says, following her shift of venue with a wistful lift of his voice. "I miss the smell of them."
"I never thought I'd be the agricultural type," Sabby admits, turning a glance toward him. "The beach is as much nature as I ever got. The first time we went down to see them, I was determined to hate the whole thing."
Bahir has reconnected.
"I never thought I'd be the agricultural type," Sabby admits, turning a glance toward him. "The beach is as much nature as I ever got. The first time we went down to see them, I was determined to hate the whole thing." *re*
"But you didn't, did you?" Bahir points out with a sly, shy smile. "Farmgirl," says the farmboy.
"I didn't like them as much as you," Sabby hedges, but there's a small smile in return as her head dips, and after a moment she adds, "I think it was just good. Watching life."
"Creating life." Bahir lifts his hands and wiggles them. "Creator of life!"
Sabitha grins suddenly, a brilliant flash of amusement as she leans into him and then rocks back. "Feel like a god, do you?" she teases.
Bahir's fingers narrow to form a slivered width's distance. "Just a little."
"Always knew you were an egotistical bastard," Sabby murmurs fondly before she pulls in a quieter breath and notes, << So what we're saying is that we have no idea what to do. If things go bad. Or if she doesn't come. >>
<< Right, >> Bahir admits. << I could maybe use one ofthe Club patrons in range as distraction if it came to anything, though. >>
<< I'm pretty sure I could at least scar a few of them for life, >> Sabby adds fiercely.
Bahir grins, almost fondly. << Bet you could. >>
<< Damn right. >>
<< Maybe the reason they don't give us anything to do is that they really like it when we just have sex to pass the time. >> Not that Bahir's suggesting any. Nooo.
Sabitha glances over at him and rolls her eyes, although the expression is good natured, smile overwriting a deeper, abiding worry. << Think they're saving the tapes for later? >>
<< We should ask for copies, >> Bahir deadpans.
Sabitha turns into him, drawing one leg up into a curl as fingers move down his arm to claim his again. << You and me, with a VCR in Hawaii, >> she answers.
<< I wonder what they'd say if we ask. >> Bahir smiles despite himself, turning toward her in turn.
<< Wanna see? >> Sabby answers, smile suddenly wicked and eyes bright with laughter as she leans forward to brush the corner of his lips with a butterfly's kiss. << We could call that one in here. The one who always looks like he wants to hit something. >>
Bahir snorts. << That's all of them. >>
Sabitha rocks back slightly and gives Bahir a wry smile. << I don't know. The one boy is /very/ polite. >>
Bahir shudders. << I bet he's a real sicko in the head. I can't read him. Barely. >> He arches after her to lean in and return her previous kiss with something more lingering. << He's one of them, after all. If he's that polite--. >>
Sabitha is silent for a moment, thoughts deliberately turned to the more appealing consideration of Bahir's kiss, of the firm muscle beneath her fingers as she slides one hand along the length of his thigh. << Don't want to think about it, >> she finally answers. << All of them. Creep me the fuck out. Pawns. >>
"Let's not think about it, then," Bahir whispers along her jaw, soft words made in a murmur of breath. He catches the lobe of her ear lightly in his teeth and then kisses her temple in passing. "Let's think about something--" He grins. "--else."
There's a familiar shiver in response to the ghost of Bahir's breath against her skin, and her smile turns into him as practiced hands move along his arms to tug him closer. "If we're getting a copy, might as well get something good on it," she agrees as she catches at his lips for a kiss.
Chuckle low and soft, rumbling through his chest as he leans into her, Bahir replies without words. He replies in touch, fingertips ghosting lightly down her sides, and then up again. They camera gets an eyeful, this time. He doesn't bother with blankets.
Sabby and Bahir fail at planning. But at least they can make their captors /really/ uncomfortable.