[IC] Hopefully Sanctuary

[KatherinWinter]

Roxy followed Devika into the house. She grabbed the stuff near the door. She hauled things out of the house. She carefully arranged them in the van. She didn't say a word. She simply kept moving things out until everything was in the van. Loading the van helped her vent some of the emotions that had built up. Unfortunately they had to climb into the van in order to get back to the city. As long as her and Devika had to be close her motorcycle wasn't going to be an option. Which meant that she would be dealing with those feelings more often.

"Is that everything?" She asked once she thought she had the last box. She dreaded getting back in the van but the sooner they were back in the city the better. Once they reached her place they could figure out how to combine their lives. It wouldn't be easy but when had life ever been easy?

[Mistress Dizzy]

(She could always teach Devika to ride a motorcycle...)

"That's everything." It was surprising that her whole life fit in one little van. Devika went through the cottage one more time, making sure everything was out. It also gave her time to gather herself, and let memories wash over her. It took about five minutes, and when she exited the door, she was ready to start new.

"Well... goodbye home." She locked the front door one last time. The keys would be mailed back to the government as soon as she got settled in. Silently, Devika climbed into the van and settled in. She was surprised to find a few tears escaping. Maybe if she thought of it as an adventure, it would not be so scary.

"I'm ready when you are, Roxy."

[KatherinWinter]

(She probably will eventually.)
Roxy climbed into the van. Her heart started to race. She hide it though. Years of experience at showing no emotion had made her an expert at burning her emotions. She started the van and headed to town. She glanced at Devika. She hated that the other woman was crying. She had no idea what to do about it. It wasn't like she could reassure Devika that everything would be alright. She was pretty sure that would be a huge lie.

"I know this is going to be a huge change for you. I'm sorry for that. I will try to help but I doubt there is much I can do." Roxy said. She had no idea what, if anything could help. The empath was going to be overwhelmed. That was just a fact. There was no way to prepare the other woman for the city. Isolation would have given Devika total control which was something she wouldn't have in the city.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Devika quickly wiped her tears away, a little bit ashamed. "Thank you. I appreciate that." She settled in for the ride, trying to quell her anxiety about what this major change was going to bring. Her parents had already emailed her since yesterday, saying that they would love to see her again, and her new Anchor, when she got acclimated. Devika hadn't responded yet. It was too much to think about right now, being around normal people.

It was some time before the city started to come into view. But Devika could feel a change in the air, and the closer they got, the more she started to sweat. Soon they were driving busy streets, and she could feel the press of minds and emotions all around her. It made her want to be sick. She shut her eyes and tried to breathe, obviously uncomfortable. "This... is going to take some getting used to."

[KatherinWinter]

"Most things in life take some getting used to." Roxy as she drive into town. She drove past the residential area. This was where the middle class lived. She thought of all the secrets the walls hide. After they passed through the residential area they reached the business district. Her shop/home was right at the edge of the business district. She pulled up to a brick building. She parked behind the shop.

"I live above the shop. It's not much." She warned a she turned off the van and climbed out. She relaxed almost instantly. She was home. This was her territory. She knew the rules here. Here she knew her place. She headed up the stairs to the door that lead to the apartment above the shop.she was glad the place had two bedrooms so that they could have a little bit of privacy. She had a feeling they were going to need it.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Devika didn't see the residential areas, or any of the businesses. She still had her eyes closed, murmuring what passed for a prayer as sweat pooled on her skin. Once the car stopped, she opened her eyes slowly to look around. So, this was to be her new home. She exhaled, slowly, and got out of the car after Roxy. "A shop. Okay, this is nice." And she meant it, despite her trembling fingertips.

"What kind of shop is it?" She started to grab a box from the back of the van, mentally noting that Roxy already looked different. More relaxed definitely.

[KatherinWinter]

"It's a mechanic's shop. I repair bikes and cars. I prefer motorcycles." Roxy answered as she unlocked the door. The apartment was right above the shop. It made things easier. It wasn't a big place. It had a living/kitchen, two rooms and a bathroom. It was a simple place. She had a couch and a TV. There was the area where she worked out a practice throwing her knives. "There isn't much in the kitchen. I can't cook but we can go shopping tomorrow if you're up to it."

She opened the door. She hoped that Devika would be comfortable here. Things would change. Roxy knew that. She didn't know how but change was inevitable. The empath was different from her. They would need to adjust to one another. It wouldn't be easy but they had to find a way to live together so that they could build a live they do both be happy with.

[Mistress Dizzy]

"A mechanic? That's really impressive." Devika wasn't sure what to say, but she was genuinely impressed. She was not mechanically inclined herself, and she hadn't had a car in a few years. "I'm sure I'll like it here. And shopping can certainly wait until tomorrow." She flashed Roxy a tiny smile.

"Well, shall we get unpacking?"

It took hours, a lot of discussing and a minor argument about bathroom space before everything was all settled. Devika settled at the edge of the couch in the living room, half exhausted. "Well, Roxy, thank you for welcoming me into your space." She loosened the tie on her thick, fluffy curls and tried to settle.

"What should we do now?"

[KatherinWinter]

Roxy shrugged she didn't know how impressive it was. She was good at her job and proud of the work she did even if most people looked down on it. She lead Devika up to the apartment. She liked living close to work. This way if one of her clients had an emergency she was close enough to help them. "The spare bedroom is yours. All I ask is that you stay out of my space. If you want to work out with the bag you can but ask before you touch the knives."

Sharing wasn't something that came easily to Roxy. She had never had to do it. At least not with another woman. She hoped it wouldn't be any different than sharing it with a bunch of teenage boys. As long as Devika respected her space it shouldn't be an issue.

Once they had all of Devika's stuff situated Roxy figured the next course of action was turning in the moving van. "I guess I will return the van. There isn't much in the kitchen so if you want to eat we will have to order in. Or I can keep something up while I am out."

[Mistress Dizzy]

"I guess we may have to order something. I haven't had a pizza in the longest time. There wasn't any delivery to the cottage for that kind of thing." She grinned, just thinking about pizza. "Would that be okay with you?"

She was thinking about all of the things that she'd missed while she was in that cottage. Most of them were people, like her parents. What few friends she had were probably long moved on, though she still had those she contacted over the internet. Then there was the food. Cooking for herself was fine and all, but sometimes she just wanted a big cheeseburger that someone else made.

"I could come with you to return the van, if you liked?"

[KatherinWinter]

Roxy was about to refuse the offer when she remembered why she couldn't. She cursed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I forgot you need to be in the same room with me. I can't leave you here. I guess I will have to pull my bike out here. We will take a cab back." Roxy told her. She wasn't thrilled with the idea but knew cab rides were going to be a regular thing for the next few months. "We can order pizza on the way back."

[Mistress Dizzy]

"That sounds like a plan." Devika was not in any shape to be left alone. "I'm sorry to... trouble you. Maybe sometime you can teach me how to ride a motorcycle." She'd spied it in the garage while they were unpacking, and figured it was her preferred mode of transportation. "I'm really looking forward to this pizza, actually!" She grinned a bit.

She took a few deep breaths and tried to mentally prepare herself for a cab ride. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

[KatherinWinter]

Roxy studied Devika. She still didn't see the type to ride a motorcycle. Still it would make her life a lot easier if the other woman could. "Maybe when we are more comfortable with each other. Riding requires us to be physically closer than either of us are ready for." She wondered what the other woman would feel like behind her but pushed the thought aside. Just because she was into women didn't mean that the empath was. Even if Devika was into women it wasn't likely the empath would be into someone like her. "Let's get the moving van so you can get your pizza." She opened the door and headed down the stairs to the moving van.

[Mistress Dizzy]

"Right. I didn't think about that." Showed just how much Devika knew about motorcycles. "Oh well. Maybe in the future." Devika followed Roxy downstairs, wondering what it would feel like to be so close to another person. It had been years since she'd touched anyone on purpose. It was just one of the many 'perks' of being an empath. Many people with her same power found it enhanced through touch, so they had to be very careful about being near others. Thus, the usual isolation for an uncontrolled empath like her. But maybe with Roxy's help, she could get to a point of handshakes. Maybe even hugs!

After following Roxy outside and back into the van, she put on her seatbelt and sat there, contemplating. "...it occurs to me that I am going to need a driver's licence at some point in my life."

[KatherinWinter]

"Eventually. There is no rush for that." Roxy said. Having a license would give Devika some independence. It would allow her to come and go whenever she wanted to. But things like that would have to wait. They needed to build their relationship to a point where the empath could be a way for awhile. That would take time.

She climbed into the van and started it up. She drove to the moving company's building. Luckily it wasn't long. It only took fifteen minutes to get there. Once they were their Roxy called a taxi to came get them. At the same time she called the pizza place to order the pizza. She figured they would be home just before the pizza arrived.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Devika fidgeted while they were waiting for the taxi. She hadn't spoken much during their outing so far. Most of her time was spent staring wide eyed at other people (while they pointedly ignored her) and sticking close to Roxy. Once the taxi arrived, she exhaled, wiping a sheen of sweat from her forehead.

"I've forgotten what it was to feel other people like that." She rubbed her face with both hands, sighing faintly. "I think I'll be meditating tonight." By the time she calmed down, they were halfway there. A long silence ensued.

"So. Roxy." Devika started slowly, realizing she didn't know the first thing about this woman. "Do you have any family?" There, that should be a nice topic.

[KatherinWinter]

Roxy looked at Devika and frowned. "You're not supposed to be able to feel the people. I suppose that our connection isn't perfect yet because we're still strangers." She commented. She didn't like that she was failing. Which was how she saw the small leak of emotions that the empath was experiencing. Her job was to keep the emotions from the other woman and she wasn't doing it. Unfortunately she had no idea how to fix it so they would just have to deal with.

"Just my father." Roxy admitted reluctantly. She didn't like talking about her father but Devika would have to met him eventually. There was no way her father wouldn't heard about the empath. If he learned about their less than perfect connection he would take advantage of it. She had to make sure that didn't happen. "What about you?"

[Mistress Dizzy]

"My mother and father, no siblings." Devika was relieved that Roxy was talking. She could have sworn she felt the slightest twinge of fear. "I'm both excited and nervous to see them again. It's been years since we've met in person." She sighed faintly, playing with her hair while debating about how much to reveal. Finally she decided to keep talking; it would all come out eventually.

"I was empathic when I was little, but I guess I was too weak for them to test for it when I was a teenager. I guess I was a late bloomer or something. It wasn't until I was nearly out of high school that my power started to increase. I moved out permanently when I was 20 - something I'm still kind of mad about - and I was in the cottage ever since. Believe me when I say, I'm glad you're here." She smiled slightly, but there was something rather sad in her eyes. "I always wanted a normal life, and once we get working with each other, I'll be able to have that. So... thank you."

[KatherinWinter]

"So you were in isolation only three or four years?" Roxy asked. She shook her head. At least that should make easier for Devika to adjust to being back in the city. "That isn't long. It shouldn't be too hard for you to adjust to being back among society. You can set up a time to met them whenever you're ready. Just let me know so I can close the shop."

She knew those days wouldn't be fun. She had no doubt she feel uncomfortable and out of place. She would have to be there but she wouldn't belong there. Which was the story of her life. Like everything else she would deal with it because she had to. She would do it for Devika. The empath deserved to spend time with her family. No matter how it made her feel. At least the other woman seemed eager to return to the life she had. That would also make adjusting easier.

[Mistress Dizzy]

"Trust me, it seemed like longer." Devika's face flashed in a wince of a smile. "But you're right. I've had it better than some, and readjusting won't be terrible." She'd heard of empaths stuck in isolation for decades before getting a match - or worse, getting none at all. Though she had a feeling some of that was urban legend around the community.

"It will probably be a few weeks, even though my parents will want to see me right away. There's bound to be a lot of emotion involved, and frankly I'm not ready for that yet." She smiled at Roxy, for real this time. "I do appreciate your understanding about it, though. I'll let you know, when the time comes."

Were cars always this loud, or was this more adjustment fever? Devika settled back in the seat, trying not to groan at, what felt like, a cacophony of sound from both inside and outside the vehicle.