Don't Give Up (Jay)

[Maid Melody]

[Note: This is a few days after A Reflection on Simpler Times takes place so before Nov. 26, 2011 and during late summer/early fall]

It had been a few days since Elayne had run into Simeon again and she still couldn't shake the fear that had latched onto her since. The encounter felt unreal... to say the least and a few times Elayne thought that it had been a dream. The bruise on her arm said otherwise however and it still hurt to reach far or high things with said arm but she wasn't going to complain. It had been her own fault in a way...standing up to Simeon the way she had but Haii had been there and tried to protect her... In a way Haiiro had helped her overcome her fear...at least at that moment. Haii...Elayne could still remember the last words he said to her and-... Shaking her head, Elayne pushed the thoughts aside and continued on her way to the library. She had been spending more time there recently...mostly to get her mind off of Simeon and it was easy to get lost in the books.

Entering the library, Elayne pulled the book she had been reading earlier from the shelf only to be suddenly reminded of how easily Haii could reach u-....wait...where had that thought come from.... Shaking her head, Elayne walked over to a couch and sat down before beginning to read. It was no use trying to read though....Elayne still couldn't shake Simeon's face from her mind.... What was wrong with her.....she was safe here right and...... tears spilled onto the pages of the book before Elayne finally closed it and held it close to her chest. Bringing her knees in close to her Elayne began to cry, shoulders shaking from the force of her sobs....

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]It was only a day after the incidents with that redheaded man that Haiiro had went back to the diner he'd been in only to find that the woman who had been serving them had a package of sorts for him. Apparently it was the dress Elayne had bought while they were out. It hadn't occurred to him that she had left it until then, and after a bit of hesitation, he had decided to take it. It had been a while since he had been to Forest Castle, but Haiiro was sure that was the place Elayne was at -or at least was somewhat sure. It was well fortefied and safe, right? As he walked up the steps and knocked on the door, he found a rather surprising greeting of not Felis or Elyane but Rosa who smiled up at him and, upon recognizing him, led him inside and sent him to the library where Elayne spent the bulk of her time. Upon getting there, he found himself slowly looking around and wandering among the shelves, yet when the sounds of crying came, Haiiro tensed and ended up darting in the direction he had heard them only to stop rigidly upon seeing Elayne. Staring for a few seconds in disbelief, he hesitated before slowly sitting down next to her. Why was she crying? Who the fuck made her cry? He'd ... he'd kill whoever did it. This somewhat drastic thought didn't get any beatdown outside of the fact that Haiiro wasn't sure if that would help. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne had put the book aside and buried her face in her arms by the time Haii had arrived at the library. She hadn't expected anybody else to come in the library and thus had jumped when she felt someone else sit down on the couch. Looking up to see who had come in, Elayne blinked before her vision cleared enough to realize Haii was here. "Haii..."Elayne whispered before quickly wiping the tears from her eyes. Hadn't she just been thinking about him and now-...and he had just seen her crying... Elayne knew Haii would surely ask what was wrong but right then didn't have the words to explain...rather she couldn't explain because of the knot in her throat. "I-..."Elayne began before clearing her throat and trying again,"Sorry..."[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]Haiiro's demeanor darkened as Elayne apologized yet again. Damn it woman stop that. Rather than say anything, he found himself just pulling her closer. "Who the fuck made you cry, Elayne?" he asked quietly feeling that aggression building in him. Or was that concern for her? Probably an estranged version of both, really. He didn't want to see her like this. He wanted to see her as the smiling girl he...he'd met on the beach, damn it. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne found herself pulled closer to Haii but didn't object and simply leaned against him. Hearing Haii's question, Elayne shook her head,"I....nobody did..."she whispered, closing her eyes as tears drifted down her cheeks,"I just...I can't get what happened out of my head and-....."she continued before her voice broke as tears choked off her words again. It had been days since it had happened and yet it felt like it had happened yesterday... No matter how hard Elayne tried to get it out of her mind she just...couldn't... Some part of her knew she was allowing Simeon to get to her but...he had been a huge reason why she had run away in the first place. To come across him seemingly by chance...well...it frightened her... If Simeon had found her this time....what was to keep him from finding her again and forcing her to come with him. What if-.........Haii wasn't there....next time...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]As Elayne spoke, Haiiro growled a little. He should have killed that damn bastard. Not that Haiiro had killed anyone before, but he certainly didn't doubt his abilities when it came down to it. Sighing quietly, he grazed her arm lightly unsure of what to say. Damn it and now some part of him was blaming himself. Ugh... "I won't let him near you, Elayne," he stated after a moment unsure of what else to say. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne was a little surprised when Haii growled but didn't see the need to ask about it. As Haii grazed her arm, Elayne stiffened and inhaled sharply as he touched the bruises. Hoping that he hadn't realized something was wrong, Elayne relaxed again. Haii's next words helped immensely...sighing, Elayne leaned into Haii a little more,"Thank you..." she replied quietly before taking a deep breath,"I just-... I wish it hadn't-...he didn't...find me..."she continued before biting her bottom lip to try and keep from crying again.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]When Elayne stiffed, Haiiro blinked, and dark blue eyes shifted over her form for a brief moment until he saw a bit of bruising stretching out on skin that her regular jacket was hiding.He didn't have long to think about it, though. Elayne had started speaking, and it was all he could do from growling again. Damn it. Whoever the hell that guy was... Wait... who was that guy anyways? "Where did ya meet an asshole like that?" he grumbled a little. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne winced internally at the question that was posed and breathed out quietly. "I-...it's complicated..."Elayne began before taking a deep breath,"Our parents introduced us...it was hardly a matter of choice..."she continued before closing her eyes, shaking slightly. Elayne could remember the first day she had met Simeon and at first he hadn't been so bad...of course that hadn't lasted very long at all. "Simeon...that's his name...wasn't really bad when I first met him..."Elayne continued quietly,"That only lasted a few days though... I had been in the library reading when Simeon came in and asked me to go somewhere...when I refused he got angry and..."she continued before breaking off and shuddering slightly. Taking a deep breath, Elayne remained silent for a brief moment before continuing,"He grabbed me and threatened me and-.... Elly bit him and helped me get away but when I got home... When I got home I was told I was supposed to...to... marry him..."she explained before all but clinging to Haii. "I-...I tried to explain...but...Mother wouldn't listen and...things got worse... I ran away a couple months later...from him...from Mother...everything..."Elayne said in a quiet, scared voice before falling silent, shaking once again.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]Haiiro was dead silent through Elayne's entire explanation, yet as she spoke, his visage shifted from something of confusion to concern and then to irritation all in a short span of a minute. She was supposed to marry that asshole? The same guy that was messing with a waitress and attacked and....What the hell? What the hell. What the damn hell. As she clung to him, he blinked in confusion but slowly wrapped a somewhat unsure arm around her. Seriously what the hell........ If he was anything like...even if he wasn't back then, he was ow, and .... "Immakickhisass..." was all he finally muttered. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne felt Haii wrap an arm around her and relaxed a little. Hearing Haii's words Elayne shook her head,"No...please don't..."

[/size]she whispered, clinging to Haii a little more,"Simeon...he's strong and-....if anything were to happen to you I'd-..."[/size]Elayne continued before tears choked off her voice once again. She honestly didn't know what she would do but...somehow the thought of losing Haii terrified her even more than the prospect of seeing Simeon again. "I-...I'm scared Haii... I didn't think he'd be able to find me again and now-..."[/size]Elayne whispered before crying once again, shoulders shaking with the force of her sobs. [/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]Haiiro flinched at Elayne's words and mentally groaned. Well if that wasn't a blow to his damn pride. However, what could he even say to that which wouldn't upset her more? Ugh... Frowning, he sighed quietly and shook his head not able to say what he wanted to on the matter. And suddenly uncertainty turned to a mild panic as he found himself unsure of what to do again. Shifting slightly, he held up what he had brought with him in his free hand. "You left this at the diner..." he said quietly after a moment. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne quieted after a short time when she felt Haii shift and looked up to see him holding a bag. Laughing softly at seeing the dress she had bought that day Elayne released her hold on Haii and took the bag from him. "Thanks..."Elayne replied in a more cheerful voice, a small smile on her face as she looked at the dress,"It was fun...while it lasted..."she continued quietly before setting the bag down and breathing out quietly. She wished she could have just one day where she could relax....one day...that wasn't too much to ask. Biting her lower lip in an attempt to keep the tears at bay, Elayne swallowed and fell silent not knowing what else to say for the moment.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]As she took the bag and spoke, Haiiro was silent. Closing both eyes, he sighed quietly for a moment before opening them again. Slowly standing up, he extended a hand to her. "C'mon... I want to show you something," he said quietly. A part of him fidgeted, but he ignored it and simply waited. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/elayneposttable1-1.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(215),w(269),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:211px;color: #feb859;)]Elayne said nothing for a while...there...really wasn't much more she could say. At least she couldn't think of anything more... Feeling the shift of weight on the couch, Elayne looked up to see Haii extend a hand to her. Blinking, Elayne nodded with a whispered 'OK' and took Haii's hand before standing up as well. Simeon was forgotten for the moment as Elayne looked up at Haii, wondering what exactly he had in mind.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/haiironavitable-1.png);][atrb=width, 510][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 navy none,b,Table][scrolly:h(210),w(249),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:62px;margin-left:240px;color:#373555;)]Haiiro stopped walking in mid step and instead pulled out a pokeball. Releasing his Gardevoir, he stared at Isa who blinked at him. "Isa..." Haii started before suddenly looking rather seriously at the psychic. Whatever was in his thoughts caused the Psychic to break into a huge grin before nodding her head and bringing her hands together. Suddenly a white light encased them, and Isa teleported them away. [/scrolly]