"For your information, it's short for Caroline, but I don't much like that name. So your name is Shin? Now you're a body part? And you didn't answer my question, again."

"No, it's like 'Jauque' ((I fucked up that spelling)), that sound, not sh or g." He said with a sigh, "And it's not uncommon for people to smack down a servant for stepping out of line."

"I'm holding you personally responsible if anyone takes a swing at me. I agreed to take your abuse, not anyone else's." Under her breath, she added, "Not that I'll be taking yours lying down."

She led him around the corner where a small yet charming white house stood. It looked like something out of a fairy tale with its pastel yellow window trimmings, perfect garden, and useless white picket fence. As they approached, a medium sized golden retriever bounded around from the backyard, barking happily. It paused when it spotted Jin, growling softly. "Down, boy," Carol said with a small smile. "This is my sister's dog, Charmin. She's really terrible at naming things, I know. He's harmless, though." She pet him, and the dog immediately stopped growling, content once more. "That must mean my sister is here. Her name's Nichole. She lives out of town, so it's unusual to have her visit." She cast a glare in Jin's direction. "And she's extremely sensitive, so be very nice to her, got it?"

"I'm not much of a dog person..." He admitted. "I'm not responsible for what happens to you. If you get yourself in trouble, that's your own fault. And don't worry, I'd rather not cause trouble here, you'd never forgive me. Which might make things difficult later on." He said as he took the lead. "I'll need to get very close to your mother, make sure I've got a chance to."

"If you're going to be ordering me around, you're responsible for what happens. Simple as that." The dog followed them up the walk, then ran away when Carol knocked on the door.
A few minutes later, a girl about the same height and build as Carol opened the door. Her hair was short, approximately chin length, and light brown. "Carol!" She threw her arms around her sister, grinning. "Who's your friend? You don't usually bring visitors, especially not such handsome ones." She smiled flirtaciously as she pulled away, and Carol had to repress a gag.
"This is my..." She swallowed, feeling another gag coming on. "My fiance." I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...ew.
"Oh..." Nichole looked somewhat dissapointed. "You didn't mention you were seeing anyone..."
"I, uh, wanted to keep it under wraps until I knew what was going to happen. No sense getting dad all worked up for no reason, huh?" She laughed nervously, and Nichole nodded understandingly.
"Yeah, he freaked when he heard about Jeremy, then we broke up three months later. Nearly killed him for no reason. Smart of you to wait. Anyway, stopping standing out there and come in." She turned and vanished deeper into the house and Carol followed.

"Your sister's very cute." Jin commented to Carol under his breath as they followed.

((Bleh, short))

"Shut up, she's got a boyfriend. And she's barely of legal age." She led him into the living room where a couple of about sixty sat on a large burgundy couch. The man looked up, beaming when he saw Carol.
"Oh, honey! It's been so long...Who's that?"
"My fiance." It was somewhat easier to say this time, but her stomach still flipped.
The man stood, staring at her in shock. It was a wonder Carol and her sister were so small, as the man stood at a good six foot and possessed a solid build, even in his older age. "What?"
"Yeah, I didn't want to say anything until I was sure it was going to work, but...he and I are moving, and so I'm pretty sure we're set."
It took several more minutes for the man to shake his head, step forward, and extend his hand. "Well, uh, I'm Carol's father, James. How, uh...how long have you known my daughter?"

Without so much as a blink Jin answered, "It's been about eight months now," He said as he took the man's hand in a firm handshake. "But I've found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I hope you'll extend your blessings." He gave a hopeful and perfectly innocent smile. "Carol's told me alot about you, and about her mother." He said, his tone softening as his gaze moved to the elderly woman. "It is a pleasure to meet both of you."

Carol glanced at him, surprised despite herself at his lying ability.
James released Jin's hand. "Oh, has she? She...hasn't mentioned you at all. You came on a good day." This last part he directed at Carol, a small smile. "Your mother is in good mind today."
"Oh, good..." Carol went to her mother's side, smiling when the woman turned and began speaking to her daughter.
He looked back at Jin. "So...what was your name?"

"Jin Carter." He introduced himself, the lastname false of course, as he extended a hand. He shot a glance at Caro, as if to let her know what he was about to do, waiting for the woman to take his hand.

She smiled, looking somewhat confused for a moment before daintly taking his hand. She was obviously a very kind woman--it was obvious in her soft blue eyes. Her long blonde hair was well cared for, and even in her current state, she held herself with a dignified grace. It was no wonder why Carol adored her mother so much.

Jin felt ill just touching a woman like her, but at the very least it was for a good reason. He took her hand in both of his, as if out of enthusiasm rather han for his true purpose. Withing a split second a shot of energy went through her, gathering the illness and binding it in a small marble which he deposited in her stomach to be flushed out. He let go, his expression unchanging, and moved next to Carol, slipping an arm casually around her. "I'm afraid we can't stay for too long, the only flght they had in the next month was for today."

The woman looked somewhat surprised, her gaze following him as he sat down.
Carol managed not to grimace at his touch, though she couldn't bring herself to look 'cozy'. Her father smiled sligtly, assuming it had more to do with her Christian lifestyle than her liking of the boy. "Where are you two going, now?"
Carol decided to let him do the lying; she had enough guilt as was.

"We'll be going to England, my parents still haven't heard the news, so we'll be dropping by there first. I have a plot of land there, we'll build a home together. My uncle is a pilot, I'm sure he'd be wiling to fly us back here from time to time to visit." He said, his grip in her shoulder tightening slightly in warning.

Carol frowned slightly, not changing her position in the least. He couldn't do anything here, though she knew she'd most likely pay for it later.
"Oh, a pilot, huh? I flew some planes in the military in my younger days. Good way to make a living."
"Oh, dad, please don't start," Nichole groaned. She was standing in the doorway, a tray of glasses in hand. "They have to leave today, you know?"
James laughed. "You liked my stories when you were young, Nikky."
"When I was ten, yes. But I'm older now, and they've grown repetetive."
"I would love to hear your stories, Father," Carol said with a smile. "But Nichole is right about us having to leave." She took one of the glasses, looked in it, frowned, and with a glare, handed it back to Nichole. "I don't drink, you know that."
She laughed. "I thought maybe your new relationship would have loosened you up. Guess not." She offered the tray to Jin. "Drink?" She asked with a soft, almost seductive smile. It was amazing the two sisters were related at all.

"Please." He said as he took a glass. "I've cut back a lot, for Carol, but Airplanes make me a bit edgey." He explained before taking a sip.

Nichole flashed him a grin before giving her father a glass and taking her own. Their mother didn't drink either.
"After you finish that, we should get going..." Carol said, her voice containing a slight edge. She wanted his hands off her, and adding alcohol to his usual behavior worried her.

"Right..." He finnished the drink, eager to leave. "It was a pleasure meeting all of you, we'll be sure to visit often." ((Going to bed really soon))

Carol gave a small sigh of relief and stood, accepting her father's offer for a hug. "You'd better. My family's the only thing I got left anymore."
"Oh, don't be so melodramatic, Father," she laughed, though she could feel herself tearing up. She was going to miss them.
"Bye, honey," her mother said, and those two simple words reminded Carol why she was doing this.
She turned and held her mother tightly. "Bye, mom."
James held his hand out to Jin. "Take good care of my daughter, got that? I'm trusting her decision, she's got a good head on her shoulders, but if you hurt her at all..."

"Of course Sir, if I did anything to hurt Carol I'd deserve much worse than anything you could throw at me."

(Bed... now... night.)

The irony of those words nearly made Carol laugh out loud, and she bit her tongue to stifle the giggles. "Let's go. Bye, all."
"Bye, sis," Nichole called the kitchen.
Carol led Jin out of the house, the dog running up to them once more. She halfheartedly pet him, feeling depressed already.

"I like Nichole..." Jin said as they reached the gate. "I wonder of she makes a habit of wandering around alone too..." He said, clearly not being serious. He'd done enough to Carol for now.

"Next stop, we're meeting an old friend of mine. I need to get you properly eqquiped to travel with me."

Carol shook her head. "Not funny. She managed to get herself raped once. You think it would've taught her a lesson about the way she behaves, but no...she actually got worse. I think she figured the worst had happened so it didn't matter. But I'm not surprised you like her, everyone does." There almost seemed to be a hint of jealousy in her voice, but it was hard to tell. "So what kind of friend is this?"

"A demon, but I think you might actually like her. You're both stubborn and strong willed. Actually, that's a bad mix isn't it..." He let his appearance shift again, this time his hair turned black, weaving itself into long black looping braids, and elaborate style that matche a deep red robe, making him look like royalty. His eyes flashed red again, "We're flying there, it's much to far to walk or drive. About a half hour flight." He said as he beconed her closer.

She cast him a nervous look. She was his now, there was no stopping him if he decided he wanted some entertainment at her expense. Finally she moved closer to him, albeit very hesitantly. "You aren't going to try anything...are you?"