milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Guppy didn't sleep well last night. Judging by what happened at home, that's probably not too surprising.
He didn't go home last night, and now he is sitting in a booth in a quiet corner trying to persuade himself to eat dinner. He isn't really succeeding, but he is still trying in vain not to let the strain show.

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As soon as she touches him he cries out and curls into a little ball.

Pulse 160bpm.

Kicking, punching from all sides

"Please don't hurt me!"

He flings his arms in front of his face and sides for protection.

Releasing him she takes a step back. Poor Guppy

In calm and soothing voice she tries to hide her pain but only succeeds to a small extent. "Guppy. I wont hurt you." she gets down on her knees and sits next to him, "I'll never hurt you."

Guppy looks around, his eyes wide with fear.

"They're still here, get safe. I don't want them to hurt you."

A gentle hand is placed on Amanda's shoulder. Abs speaks softly in her ear.

"Stand back Amanda. He's not in any danger. Just let me handle it."

Glancing up at Abs she stands and takes a step back.

SHe knows he isn't in any danger, the problem is that Guppy thinks he is.

Abs kneels down next to Guppy but doesn't try to touch him just yet.

"Guppy this is Abs. You are in Milliways. You're having a flashback."

He watches Guppy, repeating these words slowly and clearly until he sees Guppy focus on him properly. Only then does he make physical contact, leaning him forward and rubbing him gently on the back.

"It's okay mate. Just breathe slowly and deeply for me."

With his other hand he feels for Guppy's radial pulse and finds it at 170bpm.

Outwardly Amanda is the picture of serenity and grace. Her voice is a smooth and calm as an ocean breeze. "Guppy, you're with friends."

Inwardly she is terrified, hurt, and angry. With Lee and his gang and with herself.

"It's okay Amanda he's back with us, aren't you mate?"

Guppy nods, white as a sheet and trembling.

"Sorry Amanda. Hope I didn't... scare you... too much."

"Amanda's just fine. I want you to keep breathing nice and slow for me. You're getting better. Your pulse wasn't nearly as high that time."

Abs looks around. "Could you please get him a glass of water?"

Silently she slips into the bar and comes back out with a glass of water. Her movements were silent and quick. Catlike even (not to be mistaken for those who are catually cat like but certaianly as catlike as a thief gets.)

Handing Abs the water, Before, this has happened before?

"Thanks."

He passes it to Guppy who sips it quietly.

"You just sit there quietly for a moment mate. Amanda and I need to have a little chat."

He takes Amanda aside.

"You must be terrified. Ask away."

Amanda has seen this before. THough she didn't realize that Guppy was having these attacks. SHe is terrified but she wouldn't admit it. SHe will however admit that she is angry and that anger does creep into her voice, "I'm not terrified I'm angy. These beast should be behind bars. Instead they are still running around terrorizing Guppy." her fist clenched. Yes she realizes that they did sonmething else to Guppy though she doesn't know what.

"Yes, they should. But Guppy is right on this one. There is nothing you can do. If you try anything rash you could end up getting Guppy killed or sent to prison." Abs replies, a little sternly.

More softly. "I take it you know about flashbacks. He's had four, and that one wasn't too bad compared with some of the others."

"Yes I've seen it before."

she glares at Abs, "You and Guppy seriously underestimate me. There is o reason either of you have given me that I can't refute. I am more then capable of taking care of those cowards without getting Guppy killed or sent to prision. I only stay here because it is what Guppy wants." Her tone is venom. Even Abs should be frightened of Amanda right now. Not that he will nessearily show it, but the fear should be there.

"Don't take it out on me. We're on the same side."
His face is completly neutral. Amanda isn't quite as scary as having a gun pulled at his chest by Aeryn yesterday.

Oh if he knew her better it would be. What Amanda is capable of would make him welcome the gun. But that were if she were truely out for him. At the moment she is just frustrated at being helpless.

She closes her eyes and takes a few breaths. Not wanting to scare Guppy anymore. "Sorry." Her tone is calm again.

Abs puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Patience Amanda. I know you mean well."

He turns and walks back to Guppy.

"How are you feeling mate?"

Guppy smiles weakly.

"A bit faint. Will be okay in a minute."

Just standing there quiet watching the two. SHe doesn't want to make things worse. After a short time she manages to get up the courage to kneel back down beside them. "Take your time."

"It's ok. The faintness will pass when his heart rate drops." Abs says, putting his hand to Guppy's wrist.

"130. Good. That's a faster recovery time."

Guppy looks up at Amanda. "Sorry. I think you're owed an explanation."

Amanda just sits and waits to here one. THough she doesn't feel she is owed one she does want one.

Guppy glances between Amanda and Abs.

"On the way home from the identity parade yesterday they... caught up with me, threatened me. I couldn't fight them, there were three of them and they had me by the arms and they would have killed me and it's made me a bit more nervous because they said if I say any more they'll cut my throat..."

Abs moves forward, looking very shocked, and puts his hand on Guppy's back again.

"Okay mate, you're safe now. Keep breathing slowly for me okay?"

He looks worried, not just because his friend is in danger, but because he knows sooner or later he's going to have to justify his actions. And refusing to go to the identity parade is just scratching the surface.

Her hand finds it's way to her heart, unconciously, "Oh Guppy."

This is all getting to be too much but somehow Amanda feels a tinge of hope and something occurs to her as the corners of her mouth begin to crease upwards. "They're scarred Guppy. Their scarred of you." her gaze is directed at some spot on the ground.

Guppy reaches forward and takes her hand.

"Yes Amanda, they are. And that's because there is still a chance of conviction. I can't drop the charges Amanda. I have to go through with this. They might kill their next victim, and if I don't speak out, it will be my fault."

She can't help but give him a hug.

You are far braver then I Guppy, far braver.

He hugs back. Abs watches them, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

"I'll leave you guys to it. See you back home."

He walks off, as Guppy stares after him. Guppy looks at Amanda.

"Is it just me, or is he behaving oddly?"

Finally releasing Guppy she sitsback and watches Abs walk back into the Bar, "I haven't known him that long." she leaves it there. Amanda's skills at reading people are better then Abs might believe. After 1200 years as a conartist and thief she knows that he's hidding something and can only begin to speculate, since as she said she hasn't known him that long.

Guppy shakes his head.

"Oh well. I guess he's just stressed. We all are."

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amanda-darieux.livejournal.com - 2005-11-28 17:35 (UTC) - Expand

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guppy_sandhu - 2005-11-28 17:44 (UTC) - Expand

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