Chapter Text
Scylla looked out the window as the plane began preparing for its landing on approach into Boston’s Logan airport. It was the first Saturday of April; on Monday it was back to work teaching undergrads the principals of Archeology. Scylla gave a disapproving laugh sigh thinking of the students and their Indiana Jones dreams of uncovering the next best equivalent of the Holy Grail. They were rudely awaked their first day when they realized the amount of studying and research, they would have to endure even to have the mere hope of stepping foot in to a dig site.
Scylla was working on her doctorate in Archeology at the University of Boston. She was currently working as an assistant professor under the esteemed Professor Dr. Anacostia Quartermaine head of the Science Department. Scylla had been on a dig assisting Quartermaine last summer when she uncovered a book in the newly discovered Viking settlement in the Shetland islands. During spring break, she returned to the dig site following a hunch from one of the decoded inscriptions in the book describing a key used to unlock a chest of Viking silver hidden on the mainland of Northern Scotland. She found what she thinks is the key, a bird skull with the exact rune engraved on it. She couldn’t wait to show it to Dr. Quartermaine on Monday.
The plane landed taxing the runway towards the gate. Scylla was seated towards the back of the plane, her preferred seating on trans-Atlantic flights. She always found the seat empty beside her when the flight wasn’t full, her luck was still holding true. She collected her carryon items and watched the baggage crew below outside tossing the bags on to the trolley. She closed her eyes for a minute chastising herself for not putting the artifacts in her carryon and taking her chances through customs but she opted to stow them in her pack and check it to reduce the hassle. The passengers on the plane had mostly trickled out leaving a few people behind Scylla included as she hated the pushing and shoving that occurred as people tried to hurry off of the plane. Scylla always took her time and waited for it to clear out to avoid the cattle nature of it.
She slung her small carryon bag onto her shoulder and began heading up the aisle when she was struck by a pack flying up out from between the seats on the back of another passenger who had been bent over in the row of seats.
“Oomph. Hey watch out.” Scylla let out a startled response to the surprise bump.
“Oh, my goddess, I’m so sorry. I dropped my ear bud but I found…” The blonde stuttered to a stop when sky blue eyes locked with ocean blues.
Scylla was stunned, eyebrow raised slightly annoyed yet intrigued. Stop it Scylla, she’s cute but you have to much on your plate. “You clearly have found it.” Scylla looked down at the girls left hand holding both earbuds.
“Oh, yeah, yes. I found it.” The blonde grinned ear to ear face lighting up like the sun.
“Sooo.” Scylla nodded in the direction of the exit.
“So?” The blonde smiled questioning the next move.
“So, go on. Get off the plane.” Scylla stated in a directional manner.
“Oh yeah, no here please I insist beautiful.” The blonde’s eyes shocked open as she realized the words she used. The blonde backed into her row allowing Scylla to pass and leave the plane.
Scylla gave a small laugh and shook her head as she walked past the blonde towards the exit. Once off the plane she continued through the airport following the signs to baggage claim. Waiting for her bag she could see the blonde across from her on the other side of the carousel trying not to get caught staring at Scylla. Soon the blonde was joined by what looked to be her friends as the brunette hugged her and the redhead picked her up while giving her a huge hug. The three were loud and seem to be having a good time seeing each other when the carousel belt began to move. It didn’t take long for Scylla to see her bag come down the shoot, quickly she grabbed it and headed for ground transportation where she had an uber waiting for her.
Scylla got in to her uber and headed home. She rested her head back against the seat closing her eyes for the thirty-minute ride.
“Miss we’re here.” The driver announced noticing her passenger had their eyes closed.
Scylla thanked them grabbed her bag and got out of the car. She made her way up to the third floor flat she rented in the old red brick apartment building not far from the University, in fact it was so close that in the spring she would walk to work. It was just after eleven in the morning, the flight was long but she did manage to get a little sleep. The sun was out and shining through her favorite window onto the chair she had seated there for reading. She thought to herself that she would put on the kettle and make a cup of tea then settle into the chair with the book and try to see if she could decipher anything else.
Scylla grabbed her bags while waiting for the kettle to whistle and shuffled off to the bedroom. Grabbing a pair of sweats and a tee she popped into the shower for a quick rinse to freshen up from the long flight back from London. She got dressed leaving her hair in the bun hearing the kettle whistle. While her tea steeped, she walked over to her bag unzipping the top her head tilted to the side seeing the item on top.
“What the hell is this?” She quietly asked herself out loud as she began pulling out a black and red leather Honda CBR Racing motorcycle jacket. She quickly looked for the tag on her bag.
R. Collar
555.321.5789
542 Main St
Boston, 022155
“No, no, no, NO!” Scylla screamed. “What the fuck Ramshorn!” She grabbed the wrong bag but it was the same as hers blue Osprey Exos with red name tag. “Stupid, stupid.” Scylla paced back and forth. “Calm down, you’ve only lost two priceless Viking artifacts. FUUUCK! Anacostia will fire you then kill you. That’s all, no big deal.” Scylla fell back onto her bed throwing her arm over her face. “Breath idiot, calm down and think.” She whispered to herself. She sat up looked at the tag. Local not far just on the other side of town she thought to herself. She stood back up looking for her phone. “Kitchen.”
Scylla walked out to the kitchen shook her head seeing her poor tea still steeping. “Actually, a little strong is probably what you need to calm your nerves Ramshorn.” She poured her tea from the steeper and took a sip. The heat warmed her sending a calm wave of warmth throughout her body.
“Better.” She sighed. She grabbed her phone and headed back into the bedroom, took a deep breath and called the number.
“Collar.” The man on the other end answered.
“Hello, I think you have my bag.” Scylla said into the phone.
“Oh, hello. Is this S Ramshorn?” The man on the other end asked.
“Yes, Scylla Ramshorn. Are you R. Collar?” She asked.
“Oh no, that’s my kid Rae.” He laughed.
“Ok, does Rae have my bag?” Scylla asked as politely as she could considering how stressed she was with what was in the bag.
“Yeah, the bag is here, Rae is in the shop. I can…”
“Oh, thank the goddess, I’ll be there within the hour. Thank you.” Scylla cut the man off and hung up.
Scylla got up fixed her hair changed into jeans and grabbed her hoodie. Grabbing her phone, she booked another uber to come pick her up.
Scylla looked at the bag again and shook her head then stuffed the leather jacket back in before heading out.
-
Raelle smiled as the plane landed in Boston, the trip had been a success she made it out to the Isle of Man and checked out the course for the race at the end of May. She had been studying the course on film but really felt she had to drive it before the race in order to feel comfortable. The annual TT race on the Ilse of Man was not one to take lightly, no race was but especially this one. Too many racers had lost their lives trying to run that race, Rae did not want to be one of them. She couldn’t wait to tell her pop how it went; he was not happy about her doing this race but she had made up her mind and he stood behind her.
Raelle was a grad student at the University of Boston in their school of medicine, during the spring and summer she got rid of her school stress by racing the Moto2 motorcycle circuit. She loved her Honda CBR 600RR fire engine red and black bike. Hitting speeds up to 160 miles an hour around the courses gave her a complete adrenaline rush blocking out the stresses of med school, among other things. Raelle was tops in her med class as well as racing. She always finished with in the top five even winning a few races but not the big ones, yet. She studied hard for school and racing every time she put her mind to something she was like a dog with a bone, she never let it go until she mastered it.
As the plane finished taxing and parked at the gate, she went to take her ear bud out when her seat neighbor stood up knocking her elbow causing her to drop her earbud on to the floor. Raelle let out a sigh as the guy didn’t apologize, she decided to wait until her row cleared so she could bend over and find it. Once the row cleared, she slung her small pack onto her shoulder and moved around in the row until she saw it hanging on the edge between the seats. “Got it.” She said smiling as she stood up and out into the aisle.
“Oomph. Hey watch out.” Raelle heard the voice of the person behind her as her bag jammed into the other passenger.
“Oh, my goddess, I’m so sorry. I dropped my ear bud but I found…” Rael lost her words when her eyes locked with the most gorgeous ocean blue pools she had ever seen. The brunette in front of her was saying something that didn’t register right away.
“Oh, yeah, yes. I found it.” She said smiling staring at the beauty in front of her.
“So?” Raelle heard “something, something, the plane.” She took another beat to process.
“Oh yeah, no here please I insist beautiful.” Raelle smiled watching the brunette walk past her and up the aisle. Raelle followed staying a safe distance watching her head in the same direction to baggage claim. Raelle could not stop grinning. The brunette was mysterious and captivatingly beautiful. Damnit Rae don’t look like a stalker. Go say hello again, she's right there. Raelle said to herself watching the brunette across from her on the other side of the luggage carousel.
The carousel gear kicked in and luggage began sliding down.
“Shitbird!” Raelle heard the voice of her sister Abigail coming up behind her.
“Hey Abs.” Raelle laughed when Abigail gave her a hug.
“Rae!” Tally said scooping her up into a hug lifting her off the ground almost spinning her.
“Hey Tal.” Raelle greeted as she was put back down.
“Tal, grab her bag and let’s get out of here.” Abigail pointed to the carousel.
“Aye Captain.” Tally gave a side salute to Abigail as she headed over to the bags. “Blue Osprey, Rae?”
“Yes, with the red tag Tal.” Raelle confirmed looking past Tally towards where the brunette was standing. “Damn.” Raelle whispered.
“What is it, Rae?” Abigail asked.
“Oh, nothing.” Raelle looked again before she heard Tally yell.
“Got it!”
The three headed out to Abigail’s car. Tally threw Raelle’s bag into the trunk of Abigail’s BMW.
“Hey Abs, can you drop me off at pop’s? I have some things for him and I need to fix something on the bike.” Raelle asked from the backseat.
“You got it, hey you’re still coming out to O’Brien’s tonight for dinner and drinks, right? Adil’s band is playing.” Abigail asked looking in the rearview.
“Wouldn’t miss it Abs.” Raelle smiled.
“Sweet!” Abigail smiled.
“So, Rae how was it? Do you think you can do it?” Tally asked.
“Tal, the streets seem narrower in person but yeah, I’m glad I went. I really got a good feel for the course.”
“I’m still nervous Rae, so many have died.” Tally said with an ominous tone to her voice.
“Stop with the negative Tal, we need to be positive. Rae knows how to ride, she’s got this.” Abigail said pulling up to Collar’s Auto Body and Repair Shop.
“I know, I know but you know I can’t help but worry every time Rae races. I get nervous and excited.” Tally explained.
“Thanks Tal and I appreciate you looking out for me.” Raelle leaned forward wrapping her arms around the seat pinning Tally in a hug.
“Alright, alright good to have you home shitbird now get out.” Abigail laughed as she put the car in park.
Raelle climbed out. “Pop the trunk Abs.”
“Hey Kiddo!” Edwin said walking out of the shop.
“Hey pops!” Raelle hugged him.
“Rae bag, trunk!” Abigail yelled from the driver’s seat.
“Hey Edwin.” Tally called out.
“Hey girls, you want to come in and have lunch?” He leaned down to the window.
“Unfortunately, we can’t today. We have a few errands to run then we have to get ready for tonight. Adil’s band is playing at O’Brien’s tonight, you should come.” Tally offered.
“Oh, no. I have to deliver a car in the morning but you girls enjoy yourselves. Don’t forget though if you have to much fun call me and I’ll come pick you all up.” Edwin gave them a wink.
“Thanks, pop.” Raelle had her bag hanging off her shoulder now standing beside her father again. “I’ll see you two later.”
“See you at seven-thirty!” Abigail shouted through the car.
“Seven-thirty, I’ll be there.” Raelle and Edwin waved as the other two pulled out and headed off.
“Good to have you home kiddo. How was it?” Edwin asked as they walked into the garage past Raelle’s bike and into the joining house that Edwin called home.
The two sat and talked about the course as Edwin made sandwiches for lunch. Raelle told him about the journey from London and the countryside before taking the ferry over to the island. She told him about the bike she rented and the towns people she encountered. She talked about the course and showed him the map with the tricky corners throughout the course that concerned her the most.
“I don’t know Rae, it’s a dangerous course are you sure?”
“I am, I really think I can do this pop.” Raelle looked up from the map at her dad.
Edwin could see it in her eyes, he knew in that moment that she knew she could do it. “Well alright, looks like I need to dust off my passport.”
“Really?” Raelle smiled. “You’re going to come?”
“Wouldn’t miss it kiddo.” Edwin gave her the smile she needed.
Raelle leaped up giving him a hug. “Thanks pop. Oh, hey I brought you back a mug.” Raelle walked over to her bag opened it and stopped. "What the?"
Edwin walked over. “What is it Rae?”
“A bird skull? Where’s my jacket and stuff?” Raelle looked at the things with confusion on her face. She looked down at the tag.
S. Ramshorn
1913 Grove St.
Boston, 022115
“Pop’s, there’s no phone number. Who fills out a tag and doesn’t add a number?” Raelle rubbed the back of her neck.
“Look at least its just on the other side of town. Why don’t you relax and work on your bike. Who knows, they’re probably not home yet. Maybe they’ll call once they get in.” Edwin reassured her.
“Yeah, you’re right. Hey my overalls clean?” Raelle looked at her dad.
“Of course! They're hanging in your old room.” Edwin patted her on the back and moved her in the direction of the stairs.
“Thanks pop, I’m going to go slip them on and work on my bike. There’ some tuning I need to do and I’ve been meaning to change the spark plugs.”
“Well, what are you waiting for. Go, I’ll come get you if they call.” Edwin gave her a gentle nudge up the stairs as they both laughed.
Realle had been working on her bike listening to music for about twenty minutes.
“Rae, Rae!” Edwin called from the door.
Raelle saw him and took out her earbud. “Yeah?”
“Ramshorn called they have your bag and will be here in about an hour.”
“Thanks pop.” Raelle put her earbud back in and continued changing her spark plugs.
-
The uber pulled up to the address from the tag on the bag, Collar’s Auto Body and Repair Shop. Scylla rolled her eyes. “Great a gear head.” She mumbled as she opened the door. She grabbed the bag and got out shutting the door behind her not thinking to tell the driver she would just run in and be right back the car pulled off. “Shit!” Scylla shook her head and thought it’s fine just call for another when you get your things. She headed up to the garage.
“Hello?” Scylla called out to the blonde who’s back was to her working on a motorcycle. Scylla couldn’t help but pause and look at her for a moment. The blonde had on black chucks with blue overalls that had the arms tied around her waist. She was wearing a black tank top showing off muscular shoulders and a toned back. “Nice.” Scylla whispered raising her eyebrows with a grin on her face.
She walked closer to the girl. “Hello?” No answer.
Scylla looked up as a man opened the door in the back of the garage and waved to the girl working on the bike before pointing at Scylla.
The blonde pulled out an ear bud looking at the man before he said “Ramshorn.” Pointing behind her. The blonde turned around seeing the brunette from the plane standing in front of her. “Blue?” Raelle said surprised while smiling.
“Sorry, what?” Scylla said looking at the blonde as she whispered. “Earbuds.”
Raelle took out her other earbud walking over towards the brunette. “Come in.” She waved for the brunette to enter the garage.
Scylla smiled. “Hi, I’m Scylla. Scylla Ramshorn, I believe you have my bag?”
“Hi, I’m Raelle.” Raelle held out her hand shaking Scylla’s. “Oh gosh sorry.” She pulled her hand back realizing she just got grease all over Scylla’s hand.
Scylla looked at her hand. “Great.” She held it away from her body so she didn’t get any on her clothes.
“Oh, man. Here come with me.” Raelle walked to the work bench in the back and grabbed some dish soap cleaning her hands with it then holding it out for Scylla to use. “Come on, I don’t bite.” She smiled at Scylla.
Scylla took a deep breath then exhaled, holding her hand out over the sink. Raelle put some soap on it then proceeded to massage it on Scylla’s hand lathering it up then rinsing it off. Raelle looked around realizing there were no towels.
“Shoot, ok. Let’s go inside no paper towels.” Raelle motioned to the door. “Trust me, you’ll be fine.” Raelle laughed.
Scylla gave Raelle a look narrowing her eyes. “Ok.” She hesitantly walked up the one step and walked inside. It was cute and homey. Raelle followed her in walking around her towards the sink. She grabbed some towels.
“See harmless, lets get you dried off.”
Raelle smiled that sunshine grin Scylla found disarming. She let out a small sigh and held out her hand taking the towel.
“Your bag is over there on the chair. Hey, what’s with the bird head?” Raelle asked leaning against the door frame while drying her hands.
“Did you touch it?” Scylla whipped her head around.
Raelle put her hands up. “No, just looked at it.”
Scylla relaxed. “Thank the goddess.”
“That important huh?” Raelle walked towards her.
“Yes, it’s really important. Look thank you for not touching it but I need to go.” Scylla walked past Raelle and headed back out to the garage.
Raelle turned and followed her out. Raelle leaned against one of the work benches watching as the new stranger named Scylla paced back and forth looking at her phone before looking defeated. Raelle walked out standing beside her. “Can I help?”
“Not unless you have a car?” Scylla looked down the street.
“Pop’s, can I borrow your truck to give Scylla a lift home?” Raelle yelled back into the garage.
“Sure, but your jeep is out back, I brought it over yesterday to change the oil for you. Figured I could take one less thing off your plate.” Edwin laughed grabbing a set of keys off a hook just inside the door.
“You’re the best pop!” Raelle smiled at her dad. “Wait here, I’ll grab my bag and the jeep and I’ll be around in a moment.”
“I can’t…” Scylla started.
“I’m not taking no for an answer Ramshorn. You’re stranded, it’s the least I can do.” Raelle yelled as she ran past her dad grabbing the keys before heading inside to grab her bag.
“She’s a good kid and a great driver, she’ll get you home safely.” Edwin said walking up to Scylla.
“Thank you.” Scylla shyly said.
“I’m Edwin, Raelle’s dad. We spoke on the phone earlier.”
“Sorry I was so short, it’s just.” Scylla started to apologize.
“No need to, your things were missing it’s fine. I’d be stressed too. Hell, I was stressed while Rae was gone and she hasn’t lived under my roof in nearly eight years.” Edwin laughed.
“Raelle doesn’t live here?” Scylla asked.
“Oh no, she has an apartment over on the other side of town near the university. Oh, here she is.”
Raelle pulled up from behind the buildings. “Your chariot waits, hop in blue eyes.” She smiled at Scylla.
Edwin laughed. “Scylla it was nice to meet you. Feel free to pop in and say hello if you’re in the neighborhood. Bye Rae.” Edwin laughed and walked back in.
“Well? Are you coming Ramshorn?” Raelle grinned; she was enjoying this way too much.
Scylla walked over opening the door putting her bag in the back. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you.” Scylla said climbing into the passenger seat.
Raelle just smiled before asking “1913 Grove ST?”
“How? Tag on the bag.” Scylla said shaking her head.
“Hey, why no phone number on the tag?” Raelle asked as she drove through the city.
“I don’t know, forgot when I was filling it out, I guess.” Scylla said. “Why is your father’s address on yours if you don’t live there?” She looked at Raelle who seemed focused on the roads.
“Um, incase something happened to me.” Raelle softly said turning down another street.
“What do you mean?” Scylla asked tilting watching Raelle’s expression change.
“Well, I travel a lot when not in school and I mean if something happens to me it has a place to go.” Raelle got caught in thought for a moment before turning onto Scylla’s street avoiding the question. “Hey my friends fiancé’s band is playing tonight at O’Brien’s, you should come. Let me buy you a drink.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t really go out.” Scylla said as Raelle pulled up to Scylla’s apartment.
“Ok, well if you decide to come out, I’m meeting up with my friends at seven-thirty and we’ll be there until the band finishes around eleven. Put my number in your phone.” Raelle gave Scylla her number. “That way if you do come out you can text me where you are and I’ll come find you. I don’t have your number but I’d like to see you again so the ball is in your court. It’s all up to you, no pressure.” Raelle gave Scylla that sunshine smile.
“Ok.” Scylla opened the door and grabbed her bag from the back.
“Make sure you grab the right one this time." Raelle laughed. "Hope to see you around Ramshorn.”
Scylla double checked the tag. “See you around Collar.” Scylla gave a small laugh as Raelle waved and drove off.