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Posted: May 08, 2008 - 09:43 PM
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ddevil
Joined: Jul 24, 2007
Posts: 1351
Location: Stowing away in Daron's spaceship with a box of Oreos and water.
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Title: The Hands of Time
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Serj can't get over the nagging feeling in his head that he knows who this mysterious woman at all of his shows is. When she appears dead in his hotel, his past comes to haunt him.
Disclaimer: This story is totally fictional and even involves fictional characters. Any names, situations, or whatever that happened in real life and corresponds with this is purely coincidental.
*Teaser*
Chapter One.
She was there again. That same woman with the darker than tan, lighter than black skin. She didn't look Hispanic or Black or even Native American. Her hair was long, dark, and wavy. Serj couldn't break his gaze from her large, round, amber-green eyes. They caught his attention every single show, but also because she stood in the same place every time. Fourth row from the stage, center. Her gaze was expressionless. It was impossible to read her face. She didn't move with the rest of the crowd. It was almost as if she were in her own world and everyone else was oblivious to her presence.
Focus Serj, you've got a show to do, he told himself. She's probably a stalker. Just try to avoid her as much as possible. But it was impossible for him to ignore her. Through his smile he was secretly becoming worried. This woman was first in line outside waiting to get inside. He knew because whenever he went out to see the line, she would be the first person he saw. After the show, she was out back waiting for him. Not near the bus, no. She waited outside, sitting on the hood of a car that looked like his first car. She would be smoking a cigarette and would toss her hair to the side so as to expose her slender neck and Serj would swallow nervously. This woman was not normal.
And Serj was right.
After the show, he lingered inside as long as he could before he was forced onto the bus and had to walk out there, had to look into those painfully familiar eyes. They glimmered in the night with barely any light to reflect off them. They glowed. He couldn't understand where he knew her from, but he was sure that maybe it was just because he had seen her so many times already. That has to be it, he thought. Because I have no clue who the hell she is. He had seen her at every concert since he performed in LA. That was the first time he saw her. She had smiled and Serj had no choice but to smile as well. he enjoyed smiling. It felt good. And then he saw her at the next concert. Time and money on her hands. She needs a new hobby. He felt like asking her what her name was, but he felt he already knew it.
"Begins with a vowel," he muttered to himself. "Last name ends in a vowel. I'm sure of it. Arya? No, not possible." He was now standing outside enjoying a smoke. The mystery woman wan no where to be seen. He even sent someone out to look for him. When they returned with, "No one is outside, but why don't you just smoke in here? And you probably shouldn't be smoking." Serj just mumbled, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Thanks." He stepped outside and enjoyed the rush of cool, clean air rushing against his face. It felt nice outside in the desert night.
"Arayana?" He asked to no one in particular.
"Yes Serj?" Serj turned around, startled and stared at the woman. She dressed like a teenager, ripped jeans, a black pair of Converses that looked vintage, and a black hoodie that had System of a Down printed on the front with the album art of Hypnotize on it. If it weren't for the faint lines that ran from her eyes, he would have asked for ID.
"Whoa, didn't know you were, uh, right there." Serj extinguished his cigarette by crumbling it into the wall.
"I know. You don't know who I am, do you?" She gave him that same stare and Serj immediately felt uncomfortable.
"You look familiar. You've been to all my shows since LA. Where do you get the money?" Serj hoped this would be one of those cases where a dedicated yet slightly crazed fan explained how his music made an impact on their lives. That way he could play the nice card and still escape fully clothed and alive.
"Serj, how do you know my name?" Arayana questioned. "Do you remember me?" She looked so hopeful that Serj was about to say yes, but he couldn't lie.
"I'm sorry, I really don't. But you look familiar. Have I met you before touring?"
She laughed a light and airy laugh that seemed to drift away in the wind. "I was there before System of a Down got off their ass and left podunk LA."
Serj immediately began stripping his brain apart. She had almost directly quoted him. System of a Down is getting off its ass and leaving podunk LA! That's what he had said. But to whom? And who was Arayana? If it was back when he got high regularly and drank more and partied harder, she could have been one of those chicks he slept with.
"Are you trying to pin a kid on me and get money out of me lady, uh, girl?" He didn't know which pronoun to use.
"Lady. And no, I don't want your money, but you need to know something." She stepped closer but Serj remained right where he was. "Back then, I didn't think you would amount to much, but I was wrong. But you-"
"Ah ha! So you are a gold digger! I should have known. Go and find someone else. Clearly you didn't believe in the band or me so why should I believe your bullshit story now? Sorry Arayana, but if you left me then, what is supposed to make me believe you are faithful now?" He bowed slightly and began walking back to the door. As he walked inside, he heard the faint words of her light voice on the wind blow past him. "The child was yours."
----
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Posted: May 08, 2008 - 10:38 PM
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Newbie
Joined: May 08, 2008
Posts: 8
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Captivating, well written. I can even picture Arayana (I nearly wrote the name of my fiancee) in front of me.
I prefer the signatures of you I saw before, btw. |
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Posted: May 09, 2008 - 02:08 PM
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Dart
Joined: Feb 08, 2007
Posts: 973
Location: Via satellite from Romania
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Oh,Drakanaa,I'm so glad you've started a new story!!!  
I love mysterious stories like this.i wonder who this Arayana is... |
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Posted: May 09, 2008 - 09:22 PM
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ddevil
Joined: Jul 24, 2007
Posts: 1351
Location: Stowing away in Daron's spaceship with a box of Oreos and water.
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^I needed something to do!
Quote:
Captivating, well written. I can even picture Arayana (I nearly wrote the name of my fiancee) in front of me.
I prefer the signatures of you I saw before, btw.
Why thank you for even reading my last stories and Dark Side of the Moon! I guess I'm getting better at characterization and descriptions if you can picture her easily (success!)
Chapter Two
The child was yours.
Her words echoed through Serj’s head as he lied on his bed in the back of the bus. He didn’t have a kid, anywhere. Of all the women he slept with (and maybe a guy or two. That’s how messed up he used to get) he couldn’t think of a time where he wasn’t wearing a condom or the woman wasn’t on birth control or some other form of contraceptive. And how was he to know that she wasn’t mistaken? Hadn’t they both been drugged out hippies? All of the parties, all of his past. Every single little detail of his past came flooding back to him in a rush of nostalgic memories, scents, sights and sounds. Now he remembered Arayana. She was a friend of Shavo’s that he met at a club. He was going to try and sleep with her but based on the way she spoke and carried herself, figure she would be better for Serj. She was beautiful. She still is.
“Serj! Taste this man, it’ll kick your ass!” She laughed and swung her hair, exposing her neck.
Serj opened his mouth and let Arayana place the piece of food on his tongue. Her fingers brushed across his lips as she pulled away and Serj was suddenly entranced by her. Features he had noticed before now stood out as if enhanced by a magical spotlight. The natural curves of her body, her taut, smooth skin. He noticed her delicate fingers and limbs, how they seemed fragile, but strong.
Serj grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a kiss that eventually led to a bed. He assumed that the fact that she had said nothing meant she was on the pill and had sex with her right on the kitchen floor. Never mind the party going on around them. People were out of touch with reality or doing the same thing.
I need to call Shavo, Serj thought to himself. He wondered if Shavo would be too busy to pick up and answer a few questions since Achozen, but decided it was still worth a try. Serj grabbed his iphone off the pillow next to his head and quickly located Shavo’s number. Without surprise, he got his voicemail. “Hey guys, it’s the Shav master! Speak!” After the tone, Serj said, “Hey Shavo, do you remember Arayana uh, Carava…Caravacci? Call me back man. It’s Serj. Love you bro.” It was habit to say “love you” when hanging up with one of the guys from System of a Down. After all, they were almost family.
Serj tried to sleep. He hadn’t gotten more than a hour-long nap that day and now that he possibly had an illegitimate child, he was exhausted. Just as he drifted off to sleep, his phone rang. His hand quickly darted over and snatched it off the pillow. “Shavo?” he answered.
“Serjie! Why are you asking about Arayana? And it’s Caravicci.”
“Dude, I think she’s stalking me.” Serj sat up and tried to clear his head. Explaining things to Shavo could be difficult if you weren’t clear.
“Stalking you? Outside your window stalking or following you stalking?” Shavo sounded slightly amused. Not too long ago, Daron had dealt with a stalker who stood outside his house and whenever he came out yelled, “Daron marry me!” It was a man.
“Both man. She’s been to all my concerts since LA. That’s five concerts. I don’t know how she’s getting the tickets or even has the money, but she does. And she stands in the same spot every time and is always waiting for me outside.” Serj took a deep breath and added, “She has my old car.”
“That piece of shit Volvo?”
“Volvos are safe man.”
“Volvos are shit man.”
“This is about my stalker, your friend, not my first car!” Serj sighed and resented having friends with the attention span of a two-year-old.
“Yeah yeah, just saying. So why are you worried?”
“Tonight she told me that the baby was mine.” Serj swallowed and waited for Shavo’s response. At first there was silence.
“Shav?” Serj questioned.
“Wow man. A kid? You? A father?” Shavo burst out laughing and had he been there in person, Serj surely would have slapped him in the back of his head.
“Shut up! Do you think she’s telling the truth?” Serj prayed that Shavo would say no, say that she’s a gold digger.
“I’ve never known Arayana to be a liar, unless something in her has changed since the last time I talked to her.”
Serj’s heart fell. Somewhere, his child grew up fatherless. He now was one of the dead beats he hated hearing about. “When was the last time you talked to her?”
“About last month.”
“You kept in touch for all this time?” Serj almost hollered.
“Well yeah. She’s my friend. Duh.” Serj felt like a complete retard on top of being an asshole. He needed to talk to her, but in person. He hung up and immediately fell asleep. He decided that tomorrow would be a good day to talk. After some sleep and plenty of caffeinated tea.
----
Serj awoke, alert. There was no grogginess that usually accompanied waking up from a restful sleep at an early time. No, Serj had business to take care of, starting with Arayana. At the hotel that he was staying in, he was sure he would find her, somewhere. He would put himself in an open, easy place to be reached and she could walk up to him. As he walked off the bus, he looked down the street and saw his Volvo parked half way down the block. He shivered as a chill went up his spine and he was suddenly over come with a sense of dread. Serj watched as she climbed out of the aging vehicle and began walking towards him. Her jeans bore no holes and she was wearing a regular white shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she still wore the Converses.
Use your brain Serj, not your heart. He couldn’t let his feelings immediately take over and delude his judgment. For all he knew, she could be lying for the first time in her life and just trying to get some money. He waited as she sauntered over, looking back and forth as if to make sure no police were going to jump out and grab her. When she finally arrived, she asked, “You talked to Shavarsh, didn’t you?”
Serj nodded. “How old is the child now?” He wanted to all about what he had unknowingly left behind.
“Jareth is eleven now. He’s staying with his grandmother back in L.A. He always asked me who his father was and I would tell him, ‘A genius with a big heart, open mind, and stupid moments.’ And I told him your name. He then looked you up on the internet. I don’t know how he spelled your name right.” She chuckled and looked down at her feet. Serj wanted so badly to kiss her. He wanted to apologize for everything he had not done.
“Arayana, I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me? You said that you were pregnant from some other guy.” He lifted her face towards his and peered into her eyes that almost swallowed him whole.
“System finally was going somewhere. A baby would have stopped you and I knew how much the band meant to you.” She averted her eyes and swallowed to stop from crying.
“I would have brought you along with us! You and Jareth!” Serj grabbed and squeezed her hand. He couldn’t understand why she kept this wonderful secret from him.
“No! Your life of a rockstar, I’ve lived it before. Drugs, sex, recklessness, it was no situation to raise a child in and I know that ultimately, you would have left. Daron and Shavo like to party. John does too, just not so much with drugs. Still. I didn’t even think you were ready to be a father then.”
Now it was Serj’s turn to look away. She was right. He was careless in his youth and with drugs he was even worse. He would have left an infant on the bar of some club while he went to get a blow job from some random chick. “I think I would have been able to step up to the task.”
“No Serj, you wouldn’t. Not even now! You could never make a good father Serj, but you need to know that you are a father.”
Arayana’s words were like a blow to the face. I wouldn’t make a good father, even now? What’s wrong with me now? He opened his mouth to argue but quit. He did recall that Arayana was master in debate and beat kids from rival schools in high school. “Can I at least see what he looks like?” He wanted physical proof that Jareth was indeed his child.
Arayana smiled and dug her phone out of her pocket. She handed it to Serj. He flipped it open and was greeted by the smiling, slim face of a young boy with curly/wavy, dark brown locks falling around his head. That smile, those eyes. He even has my nose! Oh god, I’ve doomed the kid to a life of big-nose jokes. As Serj stared at Jareth’s picture, he began to feel like crying. The boy had the complexion of his and Arayana’s, giving him a mocha tone. He handed the phone back and covered his mouth to keep from crying. There was no doubt Jareth was his child. |
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DeviantArt: HarlotsRoulette
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Posted: May 09, 2008 - 09:45 PM
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Dart
Joined: Dec 08, 2007
Posts: 863
Location: Shooting up your world
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| Oh wow! Sure you're getting better Dika! I love it! |
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Thanx Elyyyyy!
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Posted: May 09, 2008 - 09:52 PM
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ddevil
Joined: Jul 24, 2007
Posts: 1351
Location: Stowing away in Daron's spaceship with a box of Oreos and water.
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 Thank you Silvia! I noticed it to, my writing and how it has changed. I go back and read my old stories sometimes and then go, "Ew. I wrote that?!" With time comes change, you know. At least I'm not getting worse.  |
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DeviantArt: HarlotsRoulette
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Posted: May 09, 2008 - 10:23 PM
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Dart
Joined: Dec 08, 2007
Posts: 863
Location: Shooting up your world
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You're welcome
It depends. Your stuff's always been kickass, so the better you kick, the worse it gets for our asses
JK. |
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Thanx Elyyyyy!
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Posted: May 10, 2008 - 03:40 AM
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Newbie
Joined: May 08, 2008
Posts: 8
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He was careless in his youth
That sounds so strange. Serj is an old man, man!
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Oh god, I’ve doomed the kid to a life of big-nose jokes
That's definetly the thing Serj would think about!
To be honest, the development of the story makes me wondering. It started good and you had been able to make so much stories out of it dealing with second lifes, magical things, sad things. But what we get now seems to be like the average fan-fiction. I hope the third chapter brings us back to the mystery we were in the first chapter. |
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Posted: May 10, 2008 - 05:58 PM
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Dart
Joined: Feb 08, 2007
Posts: 973
Location: Via satellite from Romania
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Well,to say again what Silvia had already said your writing has changed.But I get the impression it is just because of this story's atmosphere.The narration is more impersonal,more detached.But I like it.  It fits the story very well. |
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Posted: May 11, 2008 - 01:54 AM
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ddevil
Joined: Jul 24, 2007
Posts: 1351
Location: Stowing away in Daron's spaceship with a box of Oreos and water.
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| drumlordjohn, you totally just challenged me. Now I'm going to have to work twice as hard as before to make this story as great as possible. |
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DeviantArt: HarlotsRoulette
The Harlot's Hiatus is currently in effect. Peace it.
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Posted: May 11, 2008 - 04:32 AM
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ddevil
Joined: Jul 24, 2007
Posts: 1351
Location: Stowing away in Daron's spaceship with a box of Oreos and water.
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Chapter three
Serj walked on stage and was greeted by cheers. He smiled out at the crowd as he walked up to the mike. The energy was contagious and he almost forgot about his encounter with Arayana, that is, until he realized she was not in her usual spot. Oh well, maybe she’s around here somewhere. Yet as the show continued and Serj kept searching, he found that she was not at the show at all. At first, Serj was relieved. It meant she probably had gone home and would no longer continue to bother him. However, his relief did not last long as the same sense of dread flooded over him. He found himself wishing he were at the hotel, in case she was still there. Before he left, he asked her to come by after the show so that they could reconnect. Now, Serj couldn’t wait to leave, just so he knew she was alright.
At the hotel, Arayana was sitting by the pool, her legs dangling in the water. She decided not to go to the concert so that she could get some rest before talking to Serj again. I hope he isn’t worried about me. She smiled contentedly as she hummed quietly to herself. She hadn’t told him the whole truth, the real reason why she was here, and she hoped she would never have to.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, she heard the familiar growl and her insides all turned to ice. No, how did he find me? Arayana was almost too scared to turn around, but her father once said, “To run from a fight is to run from a lesson, and those who never fight for themselves are stupid people.” Arayana refused to be called stupid or cowardly so she turned and spat, “How did you find me here?” Her lips dripped with hatred as she looked up at the man who made her life a living hell. He was the one who put her into the hospital more than once, was never there for her or Jareth, but sent money anyways. Always sent her money. The only thing he asked from her was her body and blind obedience. Arayana put up with the abuse at first, while she was still trying to get a job and let Jareth still go to his piano and voice lessons. He chose those because, “That’s what my dad did, right?” Every day she looked at his face, she could see a younger, clean shaven Serj. One who was metaphorical, intellectual, and spiritual. One who was the opposite of the man now supporting her.
“Yeah bitch, I found you. Never should have left LA without telling me first.” He was tall and towered over her. Before, he didn’t seem like much of a threat, but now…Now he had gained weight and muscle over the years. Not to mention stamina. He wouldn’t beat her here, would he? Arayana looked around to see if anyone else was outside, but to her dismay, found that it was just her and him.
“I’m a grown woman. I don’t have to tell you anything.” She folded her arms across her chest and bravely stared him straight in the eye. Wordlessly, he advanced and hit her so hard, she fell over. Oh god, he’s not scared to beat me in public. Arayana stared up at him and forced her mouth to move.
“Please, not here…” She pleaded.
“Not here? Where then? Where? Tell me!” He grabbed her by her hair and pulled her away from the edge of the pool, scraping her knees and legs against the rough ground around the pool.
“Stop it! Please!” She cried. Arayana got to her feet but was immediately struck back down again.
“You’ll get up when I say you can get up!” The man hit and kicked her, bruising her slender body. She looked up at him through a swollen shut eye and bleeding mouth and nose. A cut was on her eyebrow. The sight disgusted him, to see her so pitiful. She was a strong woman, not one to be pushed and beat around like this. It was disgraceful.
“You weak piece of shit,” he murmured. “I’m going to fucking kill you.” He wrapped his long hands and fingers around her neck and squeezed as hard as possible. He wanted her to die. Not because of anything she had done to him, really, but because she didn’t love him. Because she loved Serj instead. A sick grin spread across her face as he twisted her neck quickly, snapping it. He let her limp body fall to the ground and quickly walked away.
Serj was caught off guard by the site of police cars parked on the street, an ambulance, and the people gathered. He was also shocked to see Shavo.
“Shavo! What happened?” He gave him a hug and then looked around nervously. Was Arayana alright?
“Hey Serj, someone was murdered. Some chick.” He peered over the heads of folk to get a clear view.
“Oh god, that’s horrible! Why are you here?” And why didn’t you call and tell me you were in town? Serj pushed the thought away from his head to focus on his answer.
“Arayana called. Wanted to see me. So I came. She told me she was here…” His voice trailed off as he met Serj’s eyes. They both shared the same fear.
“We need to get inside.” Serj grabbed Shavo by the wrist and forced his way through the crowd, saying, “Excuse me, pardon me…sorry. You all should be ashamed, gawking at a tragedy like some circus side show!” People moved out of their way and just as Serj got into the lobby, he quickly located a police officer.
“Excuse me officer, can you tell me what happened?” Serj hoped that the cop would be one of those nice ones who tell you everything, but not this one.
“There was a murder.”
“I’m aware of that. But who was murdered?”
“I’m afraid I cannot disclose that information at this time.”
Shavo asked, “Was is Arayana Caravicci?”
The police man stared, confused, before nodding. “Yes, did you two know her?”
Serj stumbled backwards, dizzy all of a sudden. There’s no way this can be happening. No, it’s not possible. Shavo reached out and caught him before he toppled over and steadied him. Not only did Jareth grow up with no father, but now he had to grow up without a mother as well. |
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DeviantArt: HarlotsRoulette
The Harlot's Hiatus is currently in effect. Peace it.
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