Back Home (tag fal, any)

[Sebastian Flambert]

Warren Residence

The soft tinkling sounds of silver chimes echoed throughout Sebastian Flambert's room, announcing the arrival of a porcelain dancing bear from the inside of an ornate grandfather's clock positioned next to the boy's desk. A testimony to Shayne Warren's considerable wealth, the handmade clock had been constructed entirely out of Brazilian 'flame maple' and possessed a wild array of elaborate carvings.

"Mew..."

A soft ball of black fur stirred from within the boy's lap, alerted by the gentle chimes of the grandfather clock. In one fluid motion, the animal slid away from Sebastian's reach, flicking its tail at its owner with mischievious disregard.

"Oumff.." mumbled the boy, flinching from the tail's impact on his face. "Victoria.."

The jet-black Siamese cat seemed to scoff at Sebastian's protests in a very 'cat-like' fashion, slinking smoothly away into the top-most hallway of the gigantic Beverley Hills mansion.

Sighing heavily, Sebastian stood up from his bed and glanced about the contents of his bedroom with almost nostalgic appreciation. To his relief, every single one of his possessions remained where he had last left them three months ago when he had unexpectedly left the state of California for 'psychiatric treatment' by Dr. Claire Vlahos, his psychiatrist.

Noting the sudden change in Sebastian's behavior and frequent hallucinations, Shayne Warren (Sebastian's adopted mother) felt it necessary to immediately remove her son from the stressful cycle of school life in order to 'properly heal' the trauma of being violently assaulted by a half-crazed homeless man several months prior. Considering the violence and brutality of the assault, Dr. Vlahos agreed to write an immediate 'leave of absence' letter granting Sebastian permission to continue his studies outside of Silver & Gould and personally made the arrangements for an intensive three-month 'therapy directive' in a cottage located within the famed 'Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area' just overlooking the city of Olympia.

For Sebastian, it was a welcome escape from hectic life of inner-city living. While isolated from much of human contact, the boy nevertheless enjoyed the wide variety of activities he and his 'caretakers' participated in. Within the lush habitat of the Conservation Area, Sebastian indulged his nature-inclined interests with birdwatching, hiking, and fishing.. all while receiving 'passive' psychiatric treatment via feelings journals, art therapy, and even dance.. It was with great happiness that the boy celebrated his seventeenth birthday in the mountains, accompanied only by his mother.

A small red cellphone lay idly atop Sebastian's work desk, covered with a thin coat of dust. Suddenly remembering that he had completely forgotten to take this all-important link to the outside world with him, the boy slowly picked up the electronic device, flicking through the numerous applications to open his voice-mail box.

"You have... FIFTY-FOUR unheard messages.."

Sebastian's eyes bulged open in shock. Despite his relatively good-looks and reasonable intelligence, the seventeen-year old boy was nevertheless extremely aloof and detached from the practical aspects of life. The very idea of telling his beloved friend and sweetheart of his absence had escaped him during this time frame, and had undoubtedly caused a tremendous amount of stress in the maniac-depressive Fallon Cotton.

"Knowing Fal..." he thought, scratching his forehead anxiously, "She'd probably burnt something down by this point.."

He hesitated as he fingered his cellphone, not wanting to even think of the potential hysteria that would result from calling her, before quickly deciding to send a 'demure' text to let the girl know of his existance.

HI.. IM HOME>>>



- Seb

[Fallon Cotton]

When Sebastian first disappeared Fallon figured he needed a week off or something. She sent him texts and left voicemail, but when they went unanswered Fallon was not a happy camper. She finally gave up a month ago. Figuring Sebastian left and would never come back. It hurt. So badly. The one person who understood what it was like to have such heavy problems had left her. Did he leave her for a better life? A better person? maybe Clara came back and whisked Sebastian away. Either way he left and it did not do Fallon any favors.

She trashed her room, ruined her dresses. Basically went off her meds for a whole month and landed her for a week in another mental hospital. When Fallon was released she was in therapy and on new meds and since then she was putting ehr life back together forgetting about the young boy who was now no more then a figment of her imagination. For a whole month Fallon was doing better, her life was back so to speak.

She was losing herself in mor designs and looking to get a summer internship for a design school up in San Francisco. She already applied and would hear back in another week or so. Her life was good and although she had not forgiven Sebastian, she had cometo terms with it. Until now. Until this very moment as she looked at her phone. To see a text from a Phantom. A phantom she had forgotten about.

"Who is this...not funny. leave me alone." Fallon sent back convinced either her mind was playing tricks on her or someone was messing with her. No way Sebastian would send a text. If he was back he was sure to come see her right. But what if he couldn't. Couldn't he call...no this wasn't him, it couldn't be, yet Fallon's heart was beating so fast, her head pounding as her breathing became heavier at the idea of him coming back.

[Sebastian Flambert]

Sebastian couldn't help but flinch at the icy response, feeling a twinge of guilt run throughout his body once the heated reply reached his cell phone.

"Crap..." mumbled the boy, nibbling anxiously on his bottom lip.

It was a terrible habit he had ever since he was a child, but an understandable one considering his origins. As a horribly abused orphan living amongst a trio of pedophiles, Sebastian was prone to frequently biting down on lips to the point of drawing blood during times of extreme anxiety and stress. Years of physical and sexual abuse also had the effect of making the young man almost aloof to the feelings of other individuals.. causing no shortage of conflict in the few relationships he possessed.

SEBASTIAN

The boy replied, tapping hesitantly at his cellphone.

He racked his brain in an attempt to find a reasonable explanation for his disappearance, before drooping slightly in defeat. In truth, Sebastian Flambert simply forgot completely about Fallon Cotton during his stay in Oregon. It was a hard thing to explain to anyone the reasons of his absence, but considering the severity of his frequent nightmares and delusions that had haunted him prior to his departure.. a extended holiday away from the primary causes of stress was absolutely necessary.

ERR

"Sebastian!" called a voice coming from the second story hallway. "It's time to go!"

His head perked up at the sound of his mother's voice. Ever since being attacked on his way home from Fallon Cotton's house months ago, the thirty-eight year old woman had become increasingly more attentive to the needs of her adopted son. As a result, both mother and son had come closer throughout their three-month stay in Oregon, working through the many intricacies of their complicated relationship.

Surprisingly enough, dance proved to be an effective medium for both Shayne and Sebastian to grow together as a family. Despite Sebastian's earlier protests against the very notion of donning tights and dance flats, the seventeen-year old boy found the strenuous physicality and grace of classical ballet to be an excellent manner of self expression. Within his three months of living in Oregon, the young man had gotten surprisingly decent at the fundamentals of dance and absorbed each lesson with a hungry mind.

Upon his return to Los Angeles, Shayne had made a point of accomodating Sebastian's new interest by signing him up for classes at a nearby dance studio.

"I'm coming.." he called, springing up from his position on his bed.

He hurridly typed a brief message to Fallon before snatching up a small cloth bag hung conveniently next to the doorway.

2121 Martindale Avenue

Without waiting for a reply, Sebastian Flambert plopped his cellphone carelessly into his bag and headed out the door. In true Sebastian fashion, the young man neglected to even think about the possible flurry of thoughts undoubtedly boiling over in Fallon Cotton's head, being far too focused on his first dance lesson at 'Le Academie de Rosaline'.

[Fallon Cotton]

Fallon anxiously awaited a text message. It was Sebastian's number. It was obvious a text from his phone. had he lost his phone and someone found it playing a cruel joke. Or had her worst fear been realized. Sebastian left and returned without even letting her know. he had been gone for about three months without a word, a call, or a text. Nothing. She actually thought he had died at one point. Now...he texts like nothing happened. Fallon's heart was pounding. She felt such anger, fear, sadness and happiness rolling around in her heart.

Another text came in. Then another one and finally one with an address. Fallon felt her leg moving a mile a minute, her palms were sweaty. She looked up the address. It was to 'Le Academie de Rosaline'. A dance studio. What the heck. Fallon pushed her phone off to the side. Not even thinking of replying or going. No. She would not be baited. Sebastian obviously made his feelings known. Had he wanted anything to do with her she would have gotten at least a letter telling her he was okay. Instead she had to think he had just disappeared not knowing what happened to him for three months.

Fallon hated to admit it, but it felt like he just forgot about her, which hurt so deeply. She thought they bonded, shared a connection...so how could he just forget about her. Those thoughts kept rolling around in her head. That he forgot or didn't care and now it was convenient for him to care again. So she was not even a friend just someone he texted when he needed her and then threw her away.

Those thoughts were soon accompanied by what if he couldn't text. What if something had happened and he couldn't text. Fallon didn't know what to believe. did he forget or could he not text...what? She had her own breakdown she had dealt with. Was still dealing with. She was on different meds, ones to help her Bipolar and anxiety now. She had the internship. Her mother thought it be best she get away from LA for the summer.

Finally when Fallon could not take it anymore she stood up, grabbed her purse and some money and asked her older sister for a ride. She told her mother she was going to meet a friend. Fallon didn't even tell Sidra what was going on. She just asked to be dropped off and said she will call when she needs a ride. Fallon stood outside Le Academie de Rosaline' nervous and hesitating if she should enter or not. After about a minute or so Fallon entered and headed toward the open door with the music.

Once inside she stopped in the door way to see people in dance outfits. One of them Sebastian. Her eyes found his, but she made no move forward just trying to take in the fact he really was back and she didn't know how to feel about it.

[Sebastian Flambert]

Tights were weird...

To be honest, Sebastian Flambert still wasn't comfortable with wearing such revealing clothing around a large number of people, and was even less so when it came to the 'dance' belt required for every 'serious' male danseur. Basically nothing more than a heavily padded jockstrap, the dance belt was still loathed by the seventeen-year old boy who frequently refused to wear the offending article without a pair of shorts over his 'masculine' parts.

Luckily for him, Madame Rosaline of 'Le Academie de Rosaline' had been informed of his circumstances by Shayne prior to his enrollment, and had allowed the young boy to attend lessons in tights, black athletic shorts, and a t-shirt without a great deal of grief. Considering the fact that 'Le Academie' was extremely short of men (like most studios), Madame Rosaline was eager to get Sebastian into dance as quickly as possible and was highly enthusiastic at the idea of a male student in her almost exclusive female class.

Upon entering the dance studio, Sebastian Flambert was immediately greeted with the sight of dozens of scantily clad girls rushing to their classes. He caught more than few odd stares as he shuffled through the congested hallways, and struggled to make his way to his own ballet lesson. After some initial difficulty, however, Sebastian succeeded in locating the main dance room and quickly rushed in with a throng of late arrivals

Madame Rosaline, the head ballet mistress of the academy, stood in the middle of the classroom with an exasperated look on her face. She absolutely detested tardiness in any form, and took care to shoot each one of the late students entering her classroom an intimidating scowl.

"Everyone to the barre!" snapped Madame Rosaline, pointing to a double set of wooden bars attached to the left side of the room. "On the double, girls... before I decide to make you all do punishment exercises for your scathing disregard of my time policy!"

Without further ado, Sebastian hurried off to find a position on the barre, straightening himself up in as dignified a manner as possible before being tapped on his shoulder.

"You're in my spot.." spoke a slim raven-haired girl of fourteen years.

"S-Sorry.." mumbled Sebastian, shifting to accomodate the girl. A few giggles echoed throughout the line as the young man sheepishly moved onto the center of the dance floor before being silence by another one of Madame Rosaline's scalding-hot looks.

"You're Sebastian, aren't you?" inquired the older woman.

"Y-yes, Miss.." he replied, bowing politely.

"Well... Take a spot on the end of the barre, Sebastian."

The boy nodded, and hurried off to a vacant spot next to an attractive blonde-haired girl.

---------------------------------
Several Minutes Later

"Demi, demi, gran-plie..."

With surprising grace, the seventeen year old boy slowly lowered himself down to the floor in a smooth squatting motion, brushing the fingertips of his hand just a few inches ahead of his toes as he came back up in second position. His hands moved elegantly up past his torso in a well-rehersed port-de-bras.

"To fourth position... and prepare.."

Sebastian slid his right foot to point backwards and bent his legs softly in preparation for the mistress's next command.

"Pirouette."

In a single smooth motion, the boy sprung up on the ball of his left foot, spinning clockwise and landing softly back with both heels touching togther in first position. Pirouettes had taken Sebastian countless hours to learn, but had eventually been doable three month's time. He was hardly Baryshnikov, but for a boy who had just started learning the art three months ago, he was pretty decent.

"And.. finish.."

Sixteen girls and one boy let out a sight of relief at the head mistress's command, and bent their legs slightly in one final finishing movement.

"Very good, ladies and gentlemen.. I'll expect you all back tomorrow, with no tardies this time!"

The throng of students chuckled at this remark, Sebastian included. With a final curtsy and bow, the crowd of girls moved to pick up their gym bags from the corner of the room, each glancing an appreciative look to their male counterpart before scooting out the door. Several of the older girls, taken by Sebastian's looks, made a few tidbits of flirticious conversation with the boy, flashing perfect smiles.

Picking his own cloth bag up from floor, Sebastian Flambert filed in suit with his classmates, following one particularly attractive red-head. As soon as he stepped out onto the main hallway, a familiar face stopped him in his tracks.

Fallon.

"H-Hey." he spoke, unsure of what to say.

Almost at once, another huge wave of guilt ran through his body, nearly bringing him to his knees.

"It's... It's been a while.." he spoke, after some time. A hint of sadness was detectable in his voice, though he did a fairly decent job of masking the overwhelming feeling of sorrow he possessed.

"I.." stammered Sebastian, scratching his head anxiously.

From her appearance, the girl's emotions seemed to be at a dangerous boiling point. Unsure of what to say, the boy stood idly for several moments, before inching forward to encircle Fallon Cotton in a careful embrace.

"I'm sorry.."

[Fallon Cotton]

Fallon peeked inside the studio as the dnacing was going on, but she waited until it was over. Fallon spent most of the time pacing outside wondering what to say, what to do. Should she leave or stay? Should she still be his friend or just cut her losses? Fallon still cared deeply for Sebastian, but perhaps her feelings were too intense and she needed to back up. Such as just stay sort of friends and nothing more. Although that hurt her heart, Fallon knew it might be best.

Maybe thats why Sebastian left, perhaps things got too intense for him and for his own mental reasons he left. She could not blame him. Fallon knew dealing with her was not easy, combine that with Sebastians awful past and Fallon would not be shokced if the boy had become over whelmed. Soon kids began to leave the room. Attractive older and some younger girls. She could not help but feel a bit jealous, still it was not her place. Sebastian for all intent and purposes was a free man. She had no idea of his feelins anymore.

Fallon just looked at Sebastian. She felt an intense amount of anger and sadness as she looked at him. As he embraced hershe felt the need to push him off, but instead she wrapped her arms around him as well pulling him into a hug. Two tears sild down her cheeks. She almost broke down. Luckily she didn't.

Fallon pulled back dropping her arms. "Sorry....I am mad at you for leaving and not telling me...that hurt...." Fallon told him, "I am not sure I can accept sorry." She told him honestly. Her voice was on the verge of cracking. "I thought something happened to you...so many bad thoughts about what could have happened....why did you not tell me you were leaving?"

[Sebastian Flambert]

"I don't know.." replied Sebastian honestly, dropping his eyes down to the floor in shame.

Several attractive girls passing through the hallway gave the two teens an inquisitive stare and would've easily continued to observe the situation had Fallon Cotton not shot a seething-hot look of bipolar anger in their direction. Sensing that the pair's tender moment was not open for their viewing, the girls quickly left the scene, offering several dirty looks at Fallon Cotton as a final "parting shot."

"Maybe it's just 'cause I'm a terrible person?" offered Sebastian, nodding towards the door.

He motioned for Fallon to follow him outside, before walking through the front door of "Le Academie de Rosaline'. The warm rays of sunlight greeted Sebastian as he stepped outside, a welcome contrast to the air-conditioned frigidness of the dance studio.

"I'm messed up, Fal.." he spoke after a pregnant pause. "I really am.. I-I can't even describe what happened, not to say that's an excuse, but.."

Sebastian nibbled his lip softly, completely at a loss for words. With childlike awkwardness, the boy wrapped his armed tightly around himself in a clear display of anxiety.

"Sometimes, I think I'm not even 'right'.. I-I've never had anyone so 'interested' in me before, not even Shayne... Well, not until recently.."

"All my life, I've been neglected, abused, and.. worse.. People always seemed to be cruel and cold, so I s-suppose th-that my way of doing things - escaping pain - w-was just to run.."

He glanced up and stared straight into Fallon's eyes with a mixed look of sadness and despair that seemed to go well beyond his seventeen years of life.

"I ran.. maybe 'cause that's the only thing I knew how to do.. I left 'cause deep down inside I'm still that scared little six-year old afraid to go to bedtime.. with no mother, no father, and no friends to protect him from the bogeymen who rule the night."

"There's no justification for what I did, Fal.. and I've got no right to ask you to take me back, 'cause I'll probably ruin everything in any case.. But.."

"P-please, d-don't leave me?"

[Fallon Cotton]

Fallon heard his plea, his words and they tugged at her heart strings. She did give an evil glare to a few more then attractive girls. Her insecurities were coming to the surface. Fallon saw Sebastian as this attractive, strong, kind, loving, sweet, hot guy and she knew other girls saw the same attractiveness she did and she didn't like it. She watched the girls leave thankful to be alone once more. She turned back to look at Sebastian as he continued to speak. She opened her mouth to interrupt but he kept talking.

But then he asked her not to leave and to take him back, and this is when she knew it was her turn to speak. Fallon's voice was a bit choked up. Tears threatened to fall as her heart felt so heavy in her chest. So much she wanted to say to this man, where to begin. "You are not a bad person. do you understand me. Sebastian there is not an evil bone in your body." she touched his face making sure he stayed looking at her. "You deserve the best and only the best. You are such a great guy. I mean you have survived something horrible and yet you still have an ability to find the good in people like me."

Not that Fallon was bad, just that her disorder had some dire consequences if she stopped her meds and she often did if she got distracted. "You are right. Never say you aren't. You are. Maybe its me...maybe me being so interested in you is a bad thing." She told him.

"I mean you left for a reason, right. Maybe my intense feelings for you is doing more harm then good." Fallon said thinking maybe how deeply she felt was not doing him any good.

"You came back. That counts. Leaving seems to have done you some good. You look happier." She said running her thumb over his cheek before letting go. She took a step back.

"I won't leave you. I am always going to be your friend, but maybe thats all we should be for now. Just friends. Maybe being in a relationship is what made you want to run. I mean I would like you to be my boyfriend, but if its not good for you to be in a relationship, then I would like to be your friend at least."