~Two and a half women~ [Oleysa]

[Eurydice Sudeki]

You don't get many fine days after the world has gone to shit. Not to mention especially after you've risen back from a supposed death. Today was one of those days. A fine afternoon with the sun just at the right height in the sky slowly preparing to fade away in a few short hours. People roamed the streets happily with their loved ones. Birds sang a little song to each other. People just seemed quiet happy today, almost like it was some special holiday or something. The joy that exuded from the people she passed sucked onto her like a sponge. Her gift acting on its on again, though this time it wasn't so bad. She could've easily felt sad about all she saw if it wasn't for those good vibes. Even with their touch inside she still managed a small hint of sadness, or rather maybe longing. Longing for that family she had once. She really needed to find Kilik to find her girls.

For now again Eury roamed gathering her thoughts feeling the air of happiness. Aimlessly she wandered into a nearby park. It seemed much more vibrant than she really expected it to be. It was so full of life. She walked the concrete path yet somewhere along the lines found herself walking across the grass. Her mind clearly had wandered significantly, or maybe instincts was drawing her to something. A playground. A playground full of children running around. Hazel greens looked up and filled immediately with light. Her feet kept her moving just a little distance from the play area, her eyes completely fixated on the children at play. Her heart warmed thinking about her own tikes, Lana, Spike, Elena. She imagined how they played together, Elena always watching to make sure they were safe. She could hear their laughter. See their little faces lighting up with joy. As she watched in reality a kitten ran from under the slide passed some bushes, Eury had sworn for a moment she saw her little Lana run after it. Her eyes widened, a name slipping through her lips in a whisper.

"Lana?"

Without missing a beat Eury's trajectory changed and her pace quickened to go to the other side of the bushes were the image that seemed so real to her had gone. Reaching behind the bushes with some haste, she saw a little girl.

"La-"

The image that formed quickly faded revealing the girl truly before her and she was not Lana. Her eyes blinked for a bit as she looked down at the girl then around and back.

~Now I'm starting to see things, that's not good.. Never good when dreams float into reality like that~

Regaining all composure Eury would give a warm smile to the young girl and crouch near her but safely with some distance to not alarm her. Eury knew all to well about kids wandering off and behind the bushes was the perfect place that they disappeared. Gave parents heartaches all the time. Take your eyes off for just a moment and poof. They were ninja's indeed.

"You know, I'm sure your mother has told you not to wander off, little one..."

(OOC: Umm hope that was ok. If anything let me know I'll change stuff.)

[Your Mom~]

Olesya had taken Maddie to the park today! Maddie always loved it here, there were so many things to climb and slide down and swing on. The park had recently been renovated as part of a community effort, so many of the kids congregated here on a daily basis. There were benches set around the playground for parents to relaz and watch their kids play. Olesya was sitting on one of those benches, and she had some paperwork in her hands. She always had some sort of paperwork or blue prints or something...always working! Maddie didn't envy her in the slightest.

Maddie just made her way across the monkey bars when something caught her eye. A little fuzzy tail under the slide! Maddie jumped down and walked over to the slide, crouching down to see...

"Kitty!"

The young girl cooed at the little orange and white kitten. It looked just like that movie Olesya showed her, Oliver from Oliver and Company! The kitten darted out from under the slide and Maddie gave chase, following him into the bushes. Just as she caught the little rascal, a voice spoke up and Maddie looked up to see a pretty dark haired lady.

"Huh?"

She asked, very confused because her little mind had been absorbed by catching the kitten now in her arms. The kitten mewed, struggling slightly since she'd caught it around the middle. Maddie adjusted her arms so that she was cradling it, and the kitten started purring.

"But I found a kitty!"

------

Back at the playground, Olesya had been distracted by an officer coming by to give her...more paperwork. Now that David was AWOL, she was taking on a good portion of his duties as Voice. She dismissed the officer, looking back to the playground.

"...Maddie?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

There was no helping the smile and chuckle that came from Eury. This little girls reaction reminded her of Lana so much. Again for a moment Lana's little face blended onto the girl before her. Eury stared absentmindedly until the imaged melted away as quickly as it came. Eury shook her head and blinked it away more taking in the girl holding the most adorable kitten in her arms. A motherly smile and tone was taken up once more.

"Heh, indeed you did."

She reached a hand to give the kitten a little rub on the head then retracting it.

"It seems to like you with all that purring... Why don't we go see if your parents will let you keep it, hmm?"

Eury would offer a hand to the girl if she choose to take it she would led her from behind the bushes back into the playground area to search for whom she belonged to.

"If you see your parents let me know, ok little one?"

The nostalgia of it was almost overwhelming. She hadn't felt this in some time and with her own missing the emotion was much stronger.

[Your Mom~]

When the kind lady offered her hand, Maddie held the kitten tighter with both of her hands. David and Olesya had taught her not to trust anyone who either she didn't recognize or wasn't wearing an officer insignia on their sleeve. This lady seemed nice though so she would follow her back to the playground, petting her new friend.

----

"Maddie?!"

Olesya called, now on her feet. She couldn't see the little girl on the playground, and none of the little heads were turning in her direction at her call. Her heart rate increased drastically, as she approached the playground and ducked and twisted to see if she was under the slides or anything, and she walked around the perimeter, looking about.

"MADDIE?!"

"Here! Here!"

A little voice called, running out from the bushes with a little ball of fur in her hands. Les sighed in relief, patting the child on the head, glancing at the fur ball for a moment. She looked up at the woman who approached, recognizing her immediately.

"Eurydice. Surprised to see you here. Did you find Maddie? ..Did you run off?"

She asked, a slight scold in her voice as she looked back down at her ward.

"I found a kitty, Mom!"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

Hearing a name being shouted from the playground, Eury watched as the young girl darted out of the bushes.

~Maddie huh? Cute name.~

Not to far behind the girl, Eury walked calmly, causally over to the pair and much to her surprise was the woman she found. White hair, strange but interesting eyes. What was it again? And there is played in her head the encounter they had. Though the sentence might've been a little backwards.

---Voice of the Storm Dragon and head of border security. Olesya Van DeBogart---

~Ah Olesya~

Eury smiled at the pair, admiring just a bit that mother daughter relationship. It was something that always brought joy to her heart. Soon enough she chuckled a little at their exchange before she spoke.

"Heh well I was wandering about.. The little tike seems to like Maddie a lot..."

Eury leaned down a little given the kitten another little rub, standing up straight again to meet Olesya.

"She's adorable. Guess if I stuck around afterwards I would've known you were a mom... They're a handful at almost any age huh?"

[Your Mom~]

Olesya grinned as she reached down to pet the kitty on the top of his head. She supposed she could handled another tiny mouth to feed, and since her separation from David, Maddie could use the companion.

"Well, I got a more of a surprise start than others. At least I got to skip the dirty diapers part."

The very faintest of chuckles escaped the Voice as she ruffled her ward's hair. It was obvious that Maddie and Olesya had different eyes, noses, mouths, hair. Granted, Maddie's eyes uncannily resembled her younger sister, Gabriella, but hazel eyes were hazel eyes. They would have matched Olesya's too if she hadn't been tainted by the chemicals.

"It's just about time for lunch, would you like to join us?"

[Eurydice Sudeki]

At Oleysa's words Eury's hazel greens starred back down at Maddie then back up to the woman. Indeed they were certainly a different pair, but see that was the beauty of the assumption talk. It usually opened up to the truth without so much of having to ask the question itself. Eury was quite used to doing things that way. It had much to do with her background training. There were many different ways to find out information and a simple conversation with just the right hints was almost the easiest. Though that heavily depended cause it was also the hardest, especially with well self guarded individuals. Nevertheless they made a adorable pairing by looks alone. Without fail Eury placed a smile on her face, responding with amusement.

"Heh oh well trust me you hadn't missed much on that."

Indicating that she either had children of her own or had taken care of one in the past. After all Oleysa wouldn't know, would she? Eury never stated who exactly she was and such. So how would Oleysa know about her children with Leon?

"Well since you graciously invited how could I say no.. Of course if the little princess doesn't mind."

Eury said with a playful mock curtsy bowing her head towards Maddie. Then standing back up looking at her with a warm smile. Eury was usually quite different around children, maybe even occasionally a bit silly in front of them. She loved the smile a child had. Their laughter filling the air. It gave hope in the most darkest of times. Eury would do almost anything to see and hear it. How she was missing her own, it was starting to become unbearable but she was holding on as strong as possible.

[Your Mom~]

"Yeah come over for lunch! Um, what's your name again?"

Maddie had heard Olesya greet the woman, but it had sounded long and complicated,a nd the ten year-old had already forgotten it. She pet her kitten, adjusting her hold on him in her arms.

Once Eury re-introduced herself to the girl, Olesya nodded, the ghost of a smile on her face.

"You're more than welcome to visit anytime. I'll show you my place, we just moved in a week or so ago."

Olesya would lead the parade back to her house, it was about two blocks from the park which was great for Maddie to be able to play with the other kids in the territory. They reached her house in a matter of minutes. The front door opened into the dining room and kitchen.

"I'll give you the quick tour. Here's the dining room and kitchen, not much but it gets the job done. Through that door there is the laundry room and through there to the right is the bathroom. Down this hallway is the livingroom, and our bedrooms are upstairs along with a second bath. It's not too fancy, just Maddie and me, so we make due. We can go out and eat on the back patio if you want, it's a nice enough day."

She returned to the kitchen after the tour, pulling a fresh baked loaf of bread from the breadbox. One of the unlikely perks of post-apocalyptic living meant that all the food was fresh. They didn't have factories to mass-produce Wonderbread, so the townsfolk each had a trade they excelled in. The bread came from the Foxes, the jelly from the kind old lady who lived near the cafe, everyone called her Gran.

"Maddie, how about you go clean off and set the table out on the patio?"

She asked her adopted daughter, who cheerfully agreed. Olesya grabbed a washcloth, wetting it with warm water and a dot of soap before handing it to her.

"What would you like? We have plenty of peanut butter and jelly, some freshly made pasta from the Carelli's, and salad makings among other things."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

Eury chuckled lightly.

"I know it's so uncommon.. It's Eurydice, it has Greek mythology roots...But you little one can call me Eury like everyone else, or E like an old friend did. Whatever you find easy."

Unless of course the young girl thought of some nickname Eury would more than likely accept that as well. Eury couldn't help but to throw out a little quick history knowledge. Force of habit. She nodded to Oleysa hearing her words. They had moved in a week ago? Her perception of Oleysa the night they met, the way the woman carried herself wasn't that of someone whom had recently moved in. Maybe she had moved from one place to another if so Eury wondered just a little what had been wrong with the place she stayed before. Was it not big enough? And yet that was when they reached the pairs home. It seemed small if of course one had a bigger family, but for the two of them it came off as quite ideal. So again was the place before smaller than this? Maybe she lived in an apartment prior, if so with an energetic ten year old she would certainly have needed more room for the girl to run off her energy. Children, so full of life.

Quietly the brunette listened as the house was explained and watched Maddie as Oleysa gave the little princess duties. A gentle smile never left her face as she watched. It made her miss her own more and more. But reality struck with a question of food.

"Anything is fine really, thank you...Would you like some help? I don't mind trust me I'm more than used to the kitchen."

Eury said with humor in her voice remaining in the kitchen with Oleysa. Whether her help was accepted or not, Eury would assist anyways. Stubbornness indeed but she wanted to.

"This place is nice though I honestly assumed you were already settled in around here.. You didn't come off as a woman that just arrived. Though from out first meeting I wouldn't put it passed you to sweep in like a tempest and claim ownership."

A smirk coupled with a small laugh is all she would receive afterwards. Eury felt she was pretty good at analyzing given things to give a good analysis of. But of course there was much more to this woman as there was so much more to Eury.

[Your Mom~]

[color=pink}"Eurydi..Eurydi....I'll stick with Eury!"[/color]

The little brunette answered cheerfully. She took her new kitten upstairs to the bathroom, setting him up with a blanket at Olesya's instruction before coming back down to set the table.

"Let's make a salad. I'm getting tired of PBJ's."

Having a ten year old as the other occupant in her home meant that there were a LOT of peanut butter and jelly nights in the household. With all the Dragon duties and adjusting to being a single parent, Olesya didn't have time to cook.

She took a head of lettuce from the fridge, handing it to Eury.

"You want to break apart the leaves and rinse? I'll cut up some tomatoes. We got a nice harvest in with them, thankfully."

She rinsed the tomatoes, taking out a cutting board to chop them up.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

Eury showed no emotion towards Oleysa seeming ignoring her last statement. On the outside the smile held true, on the inside Eury took much note of it. There was no way she didn't hear her so that only meant she didn't wish to speak about it. There was something there and Eury wasn't going to speak on it again so soon. She had a feeling it would possibly find its way back up to the surface again. Taking the lettuce Eury began breaking it down and rinsing it well afterwards. How long had it been since she prepared a meal for someone other than herself? Well according to Leon two years. Over the course of her return she really just had been cooking for herself.

As she helped prepared she looked over to Oleysa thinking about how seeming trusting she was of Eury. At first she thought she was a spy and Eury in turned accused her truthfully just cause. Then they fought sided by side and honestly made a pretty good team. Apologized to each other and now they were having lunch in her home. First impressions truly mean a lot don't they, especially considering they both seemed like people who didn't trust so easily. So what made this so different? Well could Eury say she actually fully trusted this woman? No, certainly not fully but maybe there was a little there. A light amount of trust enough to keep her close yet at a distance. She felt that there was a chance she could trust her a lot more. But could Oleysa put that same trust in Eury?

"Don't you find this a bit funny?"

She said without looking in Oleysa's direction. Her eyes focused on breaking apart the lettuce still and rinsing them off.

"Us I mean..The way we met, the accusations and now this..You trust me enough to bring me to your home and I suppose I trust you enough not to poison me.. Then again helping with the food does ensure that won't happen.."

Again a hint of amusement was found in her voice, with a smirk on her face.

"Then again there's that saying: 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'."

And the fact they were both capable of handling each other and put on a brave face to those that would want to come for them. A 'let them come' mindset. It was a good and bad thing in some cases. Depended. Much better if you were alone with nothing to worry about.

[Your Mom~]

Les thought about it for a moment, a wry smirk twisting her lips. She continued to cut the tomatoes, placing the cut ones in a small bowl when she was done.

"Everything is a bit funny, these days. I have a house I didn't pay for, I'm the adopted single mother of an adorable little girl, I'm leading an army...when I was in high school, all I wanted to do was tour around the country in a beat up van and play music."

Chop chop chop...

"You helped me take down hostiles, and you returned my daughter to me. You clearly have some sense of virtue, and that's respectable."

[Eurydice Sudeki]

It wouldn't take much longer for Eury to finish with the lettuce, giving them another rinse through and placing them in a bowl near her. Hazel green orbs looked at Oleysa taking in what she truly wanted for her life and what she had.

~Life has its funny ways~

Eury couldn't even remember what she dreamed about doing when she was in high school, if anything at all. Recently she got memories back that she previously lost yet at the cost of forgetting the past two years. It was a strange phenomenon that seemed completely surreal. Utterly impossible but it was what it was. During her high school days she was still a young assassin until her accident where she somewhat forgot that life and started to pursue a different path. Though still maintained that muscle memory and trained to keep in shape, but that life was somewhat done. Kilik had made sure to keep her away, but it was never really gone or finished. It was a part of her that would've returned at some point and it had. There was something about Oleysa that Eury actually surprisingly felt a connection with. Eury didn't have many friends that were girls; if any; let alone one that she felt strongly connected with.

It wasn't so powerful yet, it certainly needed the time to blossom do to her trust issues but still. The only other female she ever felt that spark from was her older sister, even Paige didn't give that vibe off. And Paige had been in Eury's life a long time with Kilik. She was like a sister in her own way. The bond was there but not on the level of her older sister. A light smile curled on her face at her statement.

"I appreciate that.. I have twins her age so I know how it is. One minute they're there next they're missing, I'd appreciate it if someone would return them.. As far as helping you out well I needed a good exercise and well maybe I didn't want you running up behind me trying to tackle me to the ground again.."

Letting out a small chuckle.

"So you wanted to be a musician traveling the long dust clouded road huh? Sounds like it would've been fun.. Life has a way of straying us off the path we initially desire.. But you know what?"

She leaned her back against the counter and looked at her.

"If you had gone down that road would Maddie still be in your life? Would certain people still be in your life? Would you be the woman you are today?"

Eury didn't know Oleysa's past and vice versa. She wasn't pretending to either. Between the lines of her words she was stating that despite what ups and downs might've been would she really trade that all in for an unknown life? Everyone says there are things that one would change about their past, but what if they did change that one little thing? How much of an impact would it really be? How much would change later on down the road?

[Your Mom~]

"You have kids too? Maybe they can have a playdate sometime. Maddie is a social butterfly."

Olesya offered kindly, finishing the vegetables and tossing them in the bowl with the lettuce. She grabbed some dressings from the fridge and some bowls and forks.

"My life would have been completely different if Barker hadn't existed, and even though it sounds completely contradictory, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have reunited with Maddie. She was still in the system when the bombs fell, and probably would be still until she was eighteen. I met her years ago when doing extra credit for school, I never imagined I'd actually adopt her as my own kin."

Olesya smiled warmly in the way only a mother would, a look Eury would no doubt recognize.

[Eurydice Sudeki]

Normally she didn't let her face betray her but momentarily it did. She made a small grimace expression at her words. Luckily they weren't face to face. As quick as she made the face was as quick as it was erased like it never happened.

~About that~

An almost nervous chuckle escaped her lips as she assisted the white haired woman by grabbing the bowl with the lettuce and a few napkins. That warm motherly smile was matched back just coming out of the nervous chuckle.

"Sometimes tragedy brings with it some kind of light. I would say Maddie's most fortunate...As far as a play date, well that um might be a bit difficult.."

It pained her to think about it. Her time being back she hadn't visited her son. She wanted to look for her two daughters, but she was adhering to Leon's wishes. She wasn't exactly herself and she understood his concern. He thought it best to sort things out concerning her disappearance and sudden reappearance first due to her lack of memory of it before she could run out there. But she was getting restless day by day. Constantly itching to run off and find Elena and Lana. To keep some kind of sanity she just kept telling herself that they were ok. That they were with Kilik. That he of all people would keep her girls safe. That he himself was even alive and well to do so. Mentally she shook off the thought snapping back into reality.

"So where is the little princess?"