Note: This takes place in-game on Monday – the same day the players got kidnapped and met the demon.
It had been only the day before when Petra had awoken with a smile on her face, for what was the first time in a long time. She stretched, and looked around the room. It only felt vaguely familiar, but that didn’t mean anything, not really. She’d bounced around from place to place with Brandon before, and it usually took a while for things to begin feeling more comfortable. Humming a little to herself, she got up to rifle through the closet, though halfway there she stopped when her stomach rumbled. How long since I last ate? she wondered, then continued to the closet to find some clean clothes, frowning a little after she was able to see the contents inside.
A lot of the clothes at the forefront seemed to be things that were very basic. While she typically wasn’t big on style, she did have some, and sweatpants and plain tees weren’t part of it, even if she went jogging. Moving deeper into the closet, she finally found more familiar fare, collecting a bit from here and there. While still casual, it was more to her comfort level. She’d have to remember later to ask Emilio to get rid of the rest. After all, she was feeling better. Next came the hygiene routine – a vigorous brushing of teeth and tongue, followed by a long, hot shower that served not only to cleanse, but to relax. By the time she stepped out of her room entirely to find the kitchen, she was dressed in a pair of old, comfortable, faded jeans and a hunter green tank top.
As she hummed and fairly danced down the stairs, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and took note of the Spanish influence on the house’s architecture, as though she were really seeing the place for the first time. Sunlight poured in through the many windows, and once on the ground floor she took pause to stand in front of one and bask. It was here that a familiar noise – that of Emilio clearing his throat – brought her out of her reverie.
“Can I help you, miss?” he asked, tentative.
“Emilio!” she said brightly, even moving over towards him for a hug. “I was trying to find the kitchen. I’m starved.”
Emilio couldn’t help but smile at this note of normalcy for her. “Please allow me to make something for you.”
Petra thought about it a moment and nodded. “Since you insist. Can you tell me what’s where first, please?”
Emilio spent a few moments patiently explaining how to get to different areas of the house, before moving away to go cook for her. Petra wandered into the living room, which was large, open, and filled with light. She loved it, but it was missing one thing. Feeling energetic, she was about to rearrange things so that the center of the room was open, but Emilio notified her that food was ready, so she followed him to go eat.
A simple breakfast, but she ate like she’d barely eaten in ages, which was, in fact, the truth, since during her bad spells she didn’t eat much. After, she insisted on helping Emilio clean up, and together they worked on clearing space in the living room before proceeding to locate a stereo, or at least access music on the smart TV. Setting up her profile first, she selected a generated playlist, then did some light stretching of her legs and flexing of her feet while some random music played, waiting for a good song to start, so she could dance. It was something she was longing to do. The music was good and loud, and soon enough a track came on that she could lose herself in. Petra spent the day lost in music and dancing before she stopped, breathless but happy.
“Emilio?” she called out.
“Si?” came his swift response.
“Is Brandon here? I’d like to see him, if I can. I miss him…” she said, trailing off a little.
“Yes, miss. Let me tend to his evening routine first.” he responded.
Petra nodded. “It’s alright. I’ll dance a little more.”
Emilio nodded. “Of course, miss.”
Emilio left to collect Brandon swiftly. Petra’s moments of lucidity were few and far between, rarely lasting long, and never as long as this. He hoped against hope that this was a turning point for her. Once in Brandon’s chambers, he wanted for the man to wake, which wouldn’t be much longer. As he waited, he prepped to get the vampire ready for the evening. As they exited the room, once all was done, however…
“Emilio, can you tell our guests I’ll be with them shortly…and to turn it down?” he stated, assuming it was company that was listening to the music.
“We have no guests, sir. It’s Petra.” Emilio said, feeling a bit fidgety.
“Petra? Is she…?”
“She’s fine sir. Just dancing.” Emilio said in response to Brandon’s look of concern.
Brandon moved through the house quickly, pausing at the entrance to the living room to watch her. Emilio wasn’t far behind. After a bit of watching, Emilio leaned in to speak.
“She’s been dancing most of the day. She seems to have awoken to a lucid state.” he whispered.
“All day?” Brandon asked, wary of the good news.
Emilio nodded in confirmation.
It was around this time that Petra stopped, out of breath, and looked around. When she spotted them, her face broke out into a wide smile.
“Brandon!” she called happily, and ran up to him, giving him a glomp style hug – without the knocking him over part.
“Are you feeling well tonight, Petra?” he asked. Holding on to her firmly, but not tightly.
“Better than I have in a long time. I even slept well.” she said, smiling.
Emilio excused himself from the two of them, and worked on setting the living room back to its normal appearance.
“That’s wonderful to hear.” Brandon said, finding himself breaking into a genuine smile.
Petra threw her arms around him and hugged him again, tightly this time, and then they both wandered over to the couch, where they sat and talked for a while.
“I feel like I’ve been freed from a prison.” she said after nearly an hour of talk, toying with his tie.
“In a way, you have.” he said. “Words can’t describe how I feel about your state right now.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been such trouble.” she said.
He leaned over and tugged at her ponytail playfully, but briefly. “Nonsense. You are never trouble to me, Petra.”
Petra smiled and shifted the way she sat, so that she was more on her knees. Toying with his tie for a moment or two, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. “I’m still sorry.” she said, and sat back.
“Never you mind that. Now, we just need to take care of whoever… Petra, are you alright?” he asked, after she expressed a sign of discomfort and placed a hand to her temple. “Petra?” he repeated after she didn’t answer. He reached out to gently lift her head to face him, not catching the frightened noise she made when he touched her. When her eyes met his, though, she screamed.
“Get away from me, monster! Just leave me alone!” she screamed, batting his hand away and running out the other side of the room.
“Emilio! We need to get her before she hurts herself.” he said.
“Yes sir.” he said, falling into the routine of the past couple of years – coaxing her into her room, and calming her down, promising her that the monsters wouldn’t harm her as long as he was there to protect her. It didn’t matter what it took, he would get her to calm down and settle. She was his daughter, after all, if only adopted.
Brandon knew Emilio would get the situation handled. Still, he sunk back into his seat, feeling defeated. It had been just a taste, but it was like having her back. Snatching that away was just too cruel.