Love Poison No Cure Needed

Not Making the Same Mistakes 1.7

Saturday the 7th of February

4:00pm

Kayad stood at the window of his room on the top floor of the Riven Time’s main clubhouse looking out across the square to the entrance of Saige park. He had deliberately arranged to be the first group involved in the BIRD project for youths just so he could have this one warehouse directly opposite the park entrance. The other clubs sort the warehouses in the centre first on the basis of greater freedom of acting outside the view of the general public. It was a view taken simply because most of the clubs were founded by the Beastskin and Realmskin clans. One or two were human founded but they were rare and the humans were often magic users and thus aware of the others. Thus, rather than becoming a recreational district for containing misguided youths the district had been turned into the unofficial junior competition zone for the ranking of the clans. The better the leadership and qualities of the junior clubs the better the future was expected to be for their clans.

At first there had been ambushes and schemes as the groups struggled against each other to find their ground but Riven Time had just crushed opponents with absolute strength now its position was unrivalled and when someone got the inclination to start something with them just crush them some more. If only someone didn’t develop other means, then position would have remained unshakable. Kayad frowned slightly at the thought of what was to come but then sneered he had one the war the last time and this time he would win the flower and all the battles otherwise he would feel sorry for himself having come back to start again. He stared out at the gently swaying branches above the park fence, 17 years he had been planning if he couldn’t get the job done right this time he really was too useless.

“What the hell Kayad, so f*****g staid in this day and age? First you let that Queen in and now you’re turning down a beauty to spend time with your f*****g flower?” Daylen swore as he stepped into the room staring at Kayad standing by the window ledge.

Kayad turned away from the window to walk over to the small kitchenette section and grabbed a glass of water. “I didn’t realise you had become so bored lately Daylen, I’m sure I can find some time to meet you on the mats to relieve the boredom.” Reaching out Kayad deftly dropped red and blue food colouring into the water until all the liquid in the glass became a rich purple colour. He then turned back and took the glass over to pour the liquid on the still budding dandelion sitting on the window ledge.

“f**k, I got it. You used to be a fun tyrant but these last two years your just getting f*****g scary. Seriously, would it kill you to lighten up?” Daylen shuddered as he spoke but straightened his spine and persisted like a martyr in his position as childhood friend.

“Just because I don’t feel the need to be as uncouth as you and sow wild oats has no relation to my temperament.” Kayad gently prodded the dandelion stem watching the plant sway in front of him.

“Whatever, you don’t know what you’re missing.” Daylen shook his head as he spoke.

“I’m not missing anything; it is peaceful when I can avoid trouble.” Kayad turned back to lean against the window and look at Daylen. It was still too early yet and watching the entrance wouldn’t make time pass faster.

“f**k, now I’ve head it all. The universally acknowledged lawless disaster likes to avoid trouble. Go on pull the other one.” Daylen spluttered as if choking while he stared at Kayad in disbelief.

“I could care less about the trouble for others, merely trouble for myself that needs to be avoided.” Kayad shook his head at Daylen and turned away. The more he looked at him the more he saw his future self, regretting till his insides turned green. At least this time Kayad had already brought the reins in so the wild horse could not cause too much trouble.

“Wait, a bit of young fun needs to be discarded to avoid trouble? You're not telling me you buy into that fated forever bull?” Daylen backed away towards the door as he asked.

“Daylen, it's time for you to go do something productive like run laps before your mouth gets you into trouble. I can’t beat out of you.” Kayad lowered his head but didn’t turn around as he spoke. He remembered Daylen jumping out to take a fatal blow for him but at the same time remembered that the strike was only possible because he was taken in by a pretty face and brought a viper into their  home.

“Unfucking believable. Dreaming about fate in this day and age. f**k if you don’t have that one you just have another. Even the humans are past that romantic delusion.” Daylen muttered as he turned and left still shaking his head.

“I made my regrets the first time. I have no interest in repeating them, not when the perfect chance was handed to me.” Kayad looked back up at the park and smiled, eyes darkening with a cunning greed. “This time no matter how you drift you won’t get away from me.” Kayad pokes at the dandelion again before walking over to the long shelf above the sink. After he shifted the small jars around he finally pulled down one filled with fine pale pink powder. Kayad opened the fridge and pulled out a glass. After he filled the glass with juice he put in a teaspoon of the powder and put the jar away. As he stirred the glass he walked over to the small couch on the side and took a seat. He sipped at his juice until a knock sounded on the door. 

Jasper entered the room with an easy smile as he came across the room and dropped onto the chair opposite Kayad. “I have reinforced the holding cages. Though it seems a bit excessive it has been ages since anyone had even sniffed in our direction. You don’t really think one of the other clubs is going to grow some balls and then once we hand them back to them, they’ll need somewhere to sleep off the shock?” Jasper rested his head back as he talked and stretched out his legs. His skinny leg jeans raised slightly at the ankles to show the deep red socks he wore with little black imps dancing on them above the edge of his combat boots.

“It would be entertaining if that was all it was.” Kayad drained his juice in response. He had tried to sort out of the details of when it all started at the end in his last life but had never been able to find the roots. Now in this life despite knowing that things were likely well under way he still could not find the tail though he could be more prepared to respond and he had beat further skills into all the club members. Regardless of how much they thought it was just Kayad venting or baseless abuse he was assured that they were at least significantly stronger than last time.

Kayad we have a problem. Alphonse is missing. His bike is still here but no one has seen him for several hours and his phone is in his room.” Manuel walked into the room as he spoke, brows furrowed with worry.

“Really Mani, talk about panic. He probably shifted and went for a run in the park. Not like he could just be taken down silently by anyone around here.” Jasper rolled his eyes but sat up a little straighter bellying his easy words.

“I’d think that if it was the boss, but Al doesn’t go into Saige park said he’d heard horrid screams in there. Only shifts in fights or on the estate now.” Manuel responded as he came to a stop standing on the edge of the little lounge area.

Kayad looked at the darkening sky as he stood up. “So, it’s started.” The glass dangled by his side as he walked over to the sink and then placed it inside. “Bring the map to the main table, we will coordinate a search.” Kayad gave the direction while ignoring the way Manuel stared at the glass.

“Kayad you’re not still drinking that poison? Sooner or later it will kill you. The clan is screwed if you die.” Manuel approached him as Kayad walked towards the door.

“I’ll be fine. I am well accustomed at this point. Go get started you may be able to find some tracks to indicate where he has gone.” Kayad gestured for Manuel to go on ahead.

“Hmm, something you’re not saying. Normally wouldn’t you go out to see if you could follow his trail?” Jasper advanced to his side as they started down the stairs to the second floor and the club’s common area.

“I doubt we will find him before it’s too late for us to do anything.” Kayad said as they reached the main floor.

“Does that mean that there will be someone else who can do something?” Jasper immediately responded.

“Only if things pan out.” Kayad finished the conversation and strode across the room to where the map of the BIRD district and the wider surrounds was laid out on the meeting table.

“If you saw this coming, why take chances on the impairment now.” Jasper persisted as he followed over to the table causing Daylen who had been standing next to the map to jump like a scalded cat and move away headed downstairs no doubt with the claim of helping with the search. Even though tracking was in know way his skill set.

“I’m not like you. The slow hunt when my prey is right in front of me is not in my nature.” Kayad reached over and picked up the headset waiting on the corner of the table for him and began to coordinate the search. He didn’t have much hope for success, but he wanted to try everything first to see if there were any traces.

6:00pm

“Absolutely nothing. There are traces of him all over the district, but I can’t find any fresh trails.” Manuel returned last and slumped against the table as he spoke. The map was covered with marks about who searched where and where traces of Alphonse had been found.

“That’s the entire district, and the near areas checked. Father rang and said that there are no signs near the mansion either. Though they don’t seem particularly concerned yet.” Jasper hung up his phone as he spoke and then glanced at Kayad with a grimace.

“Well look what we have here, if it isn’t a pretty little flower wonder what she’s doing drifting in our part of the world.” At the sound of Daylen's slow drawl Kayad turned away from the heavily marked map he had still been studying to stride over to the large window that looked out over Saige park.

“I think that you will be disappointed, since that’s a boy.” Kayad tilted his head as he spoke and gave a slow perusal to the form fitting leathers as Sorrel moved across the square. Here at last. Kayad thought as a small smile curved his lips and the obsession in his eyes deepened.

“Seriously even with that hair, there are f*****g flowers in it.” Daylen swore as he looked closer. “God, I hope he isn’t here to apply as a prospect the clothes look like he might be trying to fit in but with that hair. No way we need another queen around here.”

“Ah Day Day, such a cruel thing to say. Anyone would think you don’t like me.” A soft tenor filled there air as two arms came around Daylen’s neck from behind as Jasper draped himself over Daylen’s back. Daylen immediately stiffened to almost military attention. The light-hearted interlude caused small chuckles from Manuel and the other members scattered about the room as it briefly took their minds of Al being missing.

“I would never say that Jasper, never even think it.” Daylen shook his head slightly to emphasize the point until Jasper let go and straightened up.

“Ah that’s good. You might have really hurt my feelings otherwise. Now I wonder what the little pretty is up to.” Jasper stepped up beside Daylen who shuffled over a little to give him room. Obviously too interested to give into his normal impulse to flee when Jasper got to close.

Daylen opened his mouth, seeming to be about to make snide comment when he saw Alphonse’s wolf sail through the air to land in the square behind Sorrel. Kayad gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay still. He knew that Sorrel was in no danger and that it was important for the others to see his strength but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to rip his friend to pieces for making a strike at his flower.

It was over in a moment and the wolf lay on the ground. Shocked silence left the clubhouse eerily quiet as no one reacted before Sorrel took off further into the district. With a start Jasper sprinted for the stairs. “Don’t interrupt him, he is doing something important.” Kayad called after him. Even though Jasper hadn’t been a part of Riven Time at this point last life Kayad was certain that Jasper was out to follow Sorrel, his curiosity sickness was chronic, and he would not be able to help himself.

Kayad shook his head before focusing on Manuel and Daylen who both looked torn about what they should be doing. “Go get Al and take him to the holding cell.”

“But he’s feral there is no coming back from that.” Manuel whispered as he shook his head.

“He’s not feral, he's poisoned, and he can be saved. Now go get him because if he wakes up and runs then he really won’t be coming back.” Kayad returned. He gestured for the normal members to go out nodding that he would give a full explanation of the result to the later. They trailed after Manuel and Daylen when they went out to get Al but still returned to the other clubhouses to wait as directed.