The Pulse

*prices to be added*

Absinthe smiled as she walked around her new club, loving that it was already booming with business. It was a good thing she got someone to be her DJ, she couldn't stand doing that tonight, she was felt like dancing and being her maniac self. Her normal neon green makeup glowed in the black lights, giving people something to look at even while they glowed at the same time. It was a good thing her white spots all over here didn't shine as well, otherwise she'd be a freak show in the middle of a freak show! She laughed to herself and came into the middle to start dancing. She wasn't sure if other club owners attended their own clubs, but she didn't care. She was going to have as much fun as she wanted to. Her place, her rules. No one could even kick her out if she broke her own rules, so that was alright to her. She smiled to the people around her as she was dancing, her neon colored skirt whipping back and forth, her platforms maybe making a little too much noise, and her locket tucked into her band bra so it wouldn't hit her like last time.

Amaretto walked into the club smiling when the thumping music hit his ears. He had been looking for his little sisters for over a month now and he hadn't had a chance to relax since he got here. He lifted his shoulders and shrugged out of his light jacket leaving him in his t-shirt and jeans. His gaze moved over his surroundings, searching out the bar and his golden brown eye lit up when they finally landed on said place. He tossed his jacket over his right shoulder and the left corner of his lips lifted into a smirk as he made his way across the packed dance floor, mumbling "excuse me" and "watch it" when need be.

Absinthe, as the wild child she was, couldn't help but stop dancing and run onto her stage to stop the DJ. Her club had gotten big and successful, she just had to tell them all thank you. She got up and smiled at the DJ, since she knew her personally and she just nodded, stoping the music as tons of cries and boos came out from the audience. It wasn't long until they got silent to see the owner up there of course. She smiled and looked out at them all. "I'm so sorry to stop the music you guys, you know I am, but I just wanted to tell you all something real quick. I haven't had this club for long yet, but it's already booming, quite literally. I just want to say thank you to you all, you've made my dreams come true." She smiled and jumped off as they all started to clap and the music started up again. As she walked back out to dance again she was smiled at congratulated on her club multiple times, making her smile even more.

Just reaching the edge of the dance floor Amaretto turned around when he heard the music stop and his eyebrows furrowed down over his eyes in anger. Seeing the girl with electric green make-up jump up onto the stage his face cleared and he shook his head. Must be the owner. Just as he was about to turn he heard her start talking and his heart stopped. No way. No fuckin way. He slowly turned back, but this time he looked past the make up and crazy outfit and saw the little girl he used to know. Absinthe. He tossed his jacked onto a bar stool and pushed his way back onto the dance floor trying to follow the purple and white head across he floor.

Absinthe laughed to herself yet again, looking around the dancing maniacs. She felt so alive in the club, always had since she was 13. Something none of her family enjoyed about her, not even her brother at times, but she didn't care. She was going to do what she wanted to, it was her life. And look what happened. She even became successful in her crazy obsession of raves. She danced herself out of crowd, making herself over to the bar so she could calm her nerves after being on the stage. She never liked talking in front of people. She went behind the counter and rummaged through the back counter until she found her stash of cigarettes and walked out the back door to cool down.

As she came outside she pulled out her lighter and lit her cigarette, walking over to the bench across the alley. She sat down and smiled, closing her eyes as she tilted her head back and let out a breath of smoke. Such a nasty habit of mine... But it makes me calm after things like that. She breathed out after taking another puff, staying in her laid back position.

Amaretto cursed under his breath when he saw her head toward the bar and moved through the people again. When he reached the bar he wiped his right arm across his forehead and took a look around and upon seeing that the bartender was down at the other end he hopped over the somewhat thin bar and darted out the backdoor he had seen Absinthe disappear behind. Slamming the door open and preparing to run again if he had to he took a deep breath of outside air but instead took in a large inhale of smoke, in his surprise he inhaled more and made himself choke. He put his right hand to his throat and bending over at the middle he coughed, trying to get the smoke out of his lungs.

Absinthe jumped as she heard the door she just came out of open. As she sat up, coughing slightly on some of the smoke she was letting out, she saw the guy on the ground, coughing as well now. She got up quickly, coming over to him and putting her hand on his back, leaning down slightly. "Oh gosh I'm sorry! I didn't think anyone was going to come out here! I just needed a short cigarette break, I didn't mean to smoke up everything. Are you alright?" She had a look of worry and confusion on her face as she coughed once more before leaning down all the way to help out the guy. She stared at him for a moment before making her next move though. I'm imagining things, right?

Letting out a few more coughs he lifted his head up and looked at her. Grabbing her face in his hands he let out a little laugh. "It is you. And here I thought I wouldn't find you guys. Dammit. You had me scared Absinthe, I thought you....I don't know." He gave her a wobbly smile and cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the remnants of the smoke. The coughing had made his voice gravely making it sound more emotional than he had originally intended. Like I really care anyway. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. "I've missed you."

Absinthe's eyes widened as the guy sat up and looked at her, soon after grabbing her face. She gasped slightly and held onto his arms, her eyes watering as she did so. She listened to his voice for a moment, hearing it again after years of him being gone. She laughed before she started crying, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, never wanting to let go. "Don't ever leave me again Amaretto! Not me or Blue! Ever!" She half screamed out as she cried into his shoulder. She didn't know what else to say. She nuzzled herself into him, trying to not let her body start to shake from her uncontrollable crying. If she could smell at the moment she'd be smelling his scent, making her cry even more. But all she could do was grab at his hair, making sure he was real.

He turned his eyes upwards willing the tears to go away but they wouldn't so he simply closed his eyes and held her tight, clinging to what was left of his broken family. Now all they needed was Blue and everything would be alright again. He turned his face into her hair and breathed her in, not remembering the last time he had felt such peace in someone's scent alone. He let his had run gently up and down her back soothing her in the only way he could. He would sing or hum if he were able but his voice wasn't cooperating with him. "I would never leave my girls again. Never. Now hush baby girl, I'm right here. And I promise you I'm here to stay." He placed a kiss on the crown of her head and cleared his throat again, but this time to try and get rid of the lump that seemed to be stuck there.

Absinthe continued to cry, calming down though as her brother rubbed her back to sooth her. Even though she was crying, she sat up slightly and looked him for a moment before taking his hands in hers so she could look at his wrists, to see their family markings on him. She dropped them when she saw them and then she pulled at his shirt slightly to find the rest of the around his neck and down to his collarbones. She sighed in relief, not knowing why since she already knew it was him. Maybe a comfort thing. She attacked him with another hug as she sniffled, her tears stopping so she could finally speak clearly and smell his wonderful scent. "The ground.... Is not a a good place for a family reunion..." She spoke quietly, laughing afterwards. She put her hand to one of her eyes, seeing some of her makeup was rubbing off. She didn't care though, she wasn't going back into the club after this anyway. She needed to go home, calm herself, and cuddle the crap out of her older brother.

Watching her pull at his wrists and shirt so she could see his markings he smiled, remembering how she would do that to him when he got back from long hunting trips when they were younger. Hearing her comment about the family reunion he let out a low chuckle then thrummed a growl in agreement "It's not the ideal place. But it's fine for now." He gently took her face in his hands and used his thumbs to wipe away her smeared make up, not caring that it was dyeing his thumbs an odd color.

Absinthe giggled quietly at his reply, nodding in agreement. She sat up as he took her face into his hands so he could fix her, smiling and staring at him. She looked at his hands, laughing at them now being a neon green. She took one of his hands and kissed it, then took his other hand and kissed it as well. She looked up at him again and then kissed his cheek, sighing quietly. "Are you're sure you're real? Or you some kind of figment of my imagination again?" She paused after she said again, then laughing it off as if she didn't say it. She plopped her head back onto his shoulder, tracing his markings with her right hand, sniffling from the earlier crying. "Did Moki tell you where we were?" She asked, a cold tint to her father's name. She refused to even call him 'Dad' after everything that had happened. If her dad had just left like he had heard him say years ago, everything would be fine. Even maybe their Mom would still be there.

He rested his head on hers when she put it back down on her shoulder and closed his eyes loving the soothing feeling of her tracing his markings. It had been so long since he had allowed himself to relax with family, let alone relax at all and he was enjoying every minute of it so far. "I assure my dear, I'm real. I won't disappear on you again I promise." He kissed her head again and ran a hand through her hair. When he heard her ask about their father he tensed up and ground his teeth together. "That son of a bitch could barely talk by the time I was done with him. I wish I had crushed his worthless throat." He let out a low growl and buried his face in her hair. "I found you on my own. I looked at the ledgers of the transport stations nearby and found where and when you had moved."

Absinthe sighed out of relief when he said he was real and wouldn't disappear. She continued to trace his markings, gripping his shirt gently with her left hand. "Good to know." She replied, going silent when he responded to her question. She sunk down slightly as he answered, she could tell he didn't like the idea of their father very much just from him tensing. She reached up, putting her hand on his chin gently, rubbing it slightly so he'd not grind his teeth. She stared up at him with quiet, but sad, eyes. "I almost wish you would have too... But then I wouldn't have you in my arms today, Brother Bear." She took her hand away and placed it back on his chest, but didn't trace his markings. She smiled at him, just wanting to look at him.

He turned his gaze down to her and stopped grinding his teeth, letting his lips curl up into a small smile. "They wouldn't have kept me away from you two. There's no way in hell I would let them." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers yet another thing he used to do when she was a baby. He always found some semblance of peace when her big golden brown eyes, so much like his own, stared up at him with more trust than he believed he deserved. He let his eyes fall closed and silently celebrated the fact that he had found his family again when not even an hour ago he had nothing.

Absinthe laughed and shook her head. "Are you telling me you were going to be one of those bad guys and run away? You're terrible." She smiled as he leaned his forehead against her, making her think of when they were younger. She reached up and kissed his nose, closing her eyes as well afterwards, enjoying the moment that she had with him now. Was there anything better that could happen after this? There couldn't possibly be. As she let herself listen and feel their surroundings now, she felt the beat of the music from inside, saying they weren't going to stop any time soon. She was done for the night though. She'd have to go in and tell her bartender that she was leaving though, otherwise they'd go on until the sun came up.

He shrugged his shoulders and brought his head back gently so she wouldn't fall forward. "I don't see why not. I could hide in a basement somewhere. They'd never find me." Chuckling he opened his eyes again and stood up hearing several of his bones pop on the way up. He shook his head and offered a hand out to her with a small smirk on his face. " I think we've spent enough time in the alley, maybe it's time to go home baby girl. We can curl up on the couch with some wine or beer, whichever you prefer, and talk hmm?"

Absinthe shook her head again at his criminal thoughts. "I you could hide from them. Then again you did do well in our hide n seek games." She laughed at herself and watched him stand up, taking his hand as he offered it to her. She stretched and looked over at wherever she had dropped her cigarette, shrugging her shoulders on not caring. She looked at him and nodded. "Sounds great to me, Ciro." She pulled herself to him and hugged him tightly before taking his hand and leading him back inside. She grabbed her purse from under the counter, throwing her pack of cigarettes back in and walking over to her bartender. "I'm leaving for the night. Make sure these maniacs all make it out alright. I'll come help clean up tomorrow morning if I can." she smiled as he nodded to her and she walked back through over to Amaretto. "You come with anything mister, or are you ready to come home?"

Amaretto trailed behind Absinthe with a small smirk on his face that didn't seem to want to go away. He couldn't have been happier at the moment and for once he was glad that he went clubbing to relax. Watching her interact with the bartender his smirk grew into a small smile. She had grown up so much, not that she hadn't been a natural leader because she had and still was apparently. He shook his head trying to compare the wild little fawn he had helped his mother raise to the full grown, in charge and happy woman in front of him.
He could make quite a few connections but there were still some things missing in her normal demeanor and he wondered if it was because of the responsibility their father had pushed onto her. Realizing that she had asked him if he had brought anything he nodded and walked over to the bar stool where he had tossed his jacket earlier. Tossing it over his shoulder and holding it there with his pointer and middle fingers he smiled at Absinthe and nodded toward the door. "I'm ready when you are."

(*almost crying* XD And I dun even know what the hell I was trying to say in the first speech thing *shakes head*)

Absinthe watched Amaretto get his jacket and then come back over to her. She smiled and took his other hand, leading him back through the back door. She slipped her jacket out of her purse once she was outside and walking down the alley, putting it on, even though the summer heat would most likely make her take it off again. She took one of her cigarettes out and lit it, looking over at Amaretto. "I'll try and make sure you don't choke again, Ciro" She laughed and smiled at him, taking a puff of her cigarette before putting down by her side. "So exactly how long have you been searching for us?"

(that was shorter than I thought... shit)

Amaretto smiled as she took his hand and gently squeezed hers in response. He had almost forgotten how close the two of them had been when they were in their younger rebellious fazes. His small smile that had yet to disappear turned into his charming full blown smile when she told him that she would try not to choke him. "C'mon now. I just wasn't ready for it. There's no way you can choke me now. Now that I'm ready and aware of what's in front of me." He let out a chuckle at his excuse and shook his head, letting his normal playful self come back to surface. "And I believe I have been looking for you two for....I would say a little over six months now." His smile faded and he cast her a little smirk before turning his gaze to their clasped hands.

Absinthe laughed at his excuse, looking over at him with a smirk. "Oh, sure. Good one there." She laughed and took another puff of it as she listened to him. Her eyebrows narrowed as she thought about how long they had been here already. "So for a whole six months you didn't even know we were gone? You still thought we were living with Moki... That bastard. Can't even tell his own son where his sisters went. He didn't give a crap about any of us. My plenty of times sneaking in and out of that house told me when I would hear his conversations. You don't want to know the things that went through my head of how I could get out or make him leave." She growled under her breath and then shook her head, sighing. She squeezed his hand gently, looking down at his and hers, hand in hand. She missed her big brother and how close they were. It wasn't that she wasn't close to Blue, it was only that she came in last to the family. Amaretto and her had four more years together. She didn't like to admit it, but he was always her favorite sibling. Maybe it was because she took after him in a lot of things and he let her do what she pleased unless he needed to interfere. Blue had just followed in her footsteps though, and well Absinthe got in the way too many times. She couldn't stand to see her sister following her. She didn't like being a leader, but she was one and she had to live with it.

Amaretto shook his head and tugged at his hand to free it, but instead of bringing it back to his side he looped his now free hand and arm around Absinthe's shoulders. Pulling her close to his side as they walked and he let out a little sigh. "You know that I wouldn't have let you do anything. I don't want you or Blue dealing kind of trouble that you don't need to. As long as I'm alive, I am yours and Blue's personal bodyguard and hit man. I'll be jailed and sentenced before anyone can lay a hand on you two." He tightened his arm around her shoulder and leaned over to place a kiss on the side of her head.