Mara Kincaide

Lilith figured if the key worked, it was still her mother's place. If it didn't, well, she'd go find her father. Or Brian. Or even Brice.

There was a satisfying 'snick' as the lock released. She smiled and pushed open the door, closed it softly and looked around.

"Huh. Guess this was before her minimalist phase," she said. She stuck the key back in her pocket, gathered her blue hair up in a messy bun and headed for the kitchen. One thing was sure not to have changed: Her mother was a bitch before her first cup of caffeine.

* * *

Mara woke to the smell of brewing coffee and frowned. She rolled out of bed, grabbed her robe and knife from under her bed and headed for the kitchen.

"Explain now," she growled to the young woman perched on the counter, drinking a cup of coffee and thumbing through a magazine. The woman simply looked at the knife, cocked her head and pointed to another cup waiting on the counter.

"It's a seven, mom, drink your coffee first."

"MOM?" She carefully set down the knife and headed toward the coffee pot. This was going to take more than one cup.

Mara leaned on the doorframe of her apartment building, head tilted to the side as she studied the billboard that had appeared down the street.

It was rather elegant, all things considered, but she wasn't sure how she felt about being portrayed as something of a marionette. She preferred to think she was the one pulling the strings when she could.

Then again, this was Tampa, it was a seven and she was on a billboard she'd never posed for.

Yep, that was definitely a tug she felt.

Well, I've finally gotten my assignment for Doctors Without Borders.

It seems, since I can speak French, I'll be headed a little closer to home this time: Haiti. I don't have my complete itinerary yet, but I know I'll be leaving sometime toward the end of July and coming back sometimes in August.

( Ben )

( Chloe )

Well, this is turning into an absolutely lovely Saturday.

I appear to have been a very good girl. Not only was I given a certificate for a massage, I also was visited by the house-cleaning fairy. Which is good, because I had to fire my housekeeper last week.

There's nothing quite like coming home to a sparkling apartment.

Dear Ms. Coming in for a Consult --

My time is as valuable as my skills. That's why my patient list is extensive. I would appreciate it if you showed up on time after we rearranged three other appointments to fit you in.

I'd also appreciate it if you listened when I explained that yes, I can give you that body in the picture you brought in. It can be done. No, it cannot be done in one surgery. Yes, there will be scars. No, they will not have gone away in time for you to go to Bermuda this August.

Pouting will not change those facts.

Having a tantrum because it's more expensive than your husband is willing to pay for this indulgence is not going to cause the price to go down. In fact, it may have the opposite effect.

Thank you for stopping by. Don't let the door hit you on your still-ample ass on the way out.

( Meredith )

( Meredith )

( Gayle )

Actually, I would normally quite approve of clothing from the 1940s but I do wish I'd gotten a nice suit instead of this ballgown.

( Private )

She'd been practicing ever since she discovered -- accidentally -- that she could once again morph. Once she'd made certain it wasn't a "seven thing," she'd pulled up picture after picture of every race, color, age, body shape, and gender identity she could think of.

Mara sat naked on the floor of her apartment, surrounded by print-outs of the photos, a floor length mirror set across from her.

Now a redhead with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose.

Now a platinum blond with a square chin and green eyes.

Now old, wrinkled, hair gone lank and gray, age spots dappling gnarled joints. Whiskers that went well beyond five o'clock shadow.

Short. Tall. Obese. Thin enough that even she wanted to hand herself a cracker. The grosser body changes were harder to shape, harder to hold. The further from her true form she went, the more concentration it took.

She hadn't been able to make appendages disappear or grow things she shouldn't have. Yes, she had tried wings, thank you very much. But try as she might, Lucifer's wings were as stubborn as the man himself.

Mara picked her five favorite shapes -- three women, two men -- and set herself a challenge. Seamless transformation from one to the other as quickly and distinctly as she could. It was like watching the pictures on the pages of a flip book.

Finally, to finish off, she closed her eyes and relaxed, took a deep breath and remembered her former self. Remembered how it felt to be in Mazikeen's tortured skin. Felt the weight of her weapons, how muscles had flexed and extended in use. What the air felt like when it caressed the fine hair on her arm, how her tongue had felt too big for her broken face.

She opened her eyes again and smiled lopsidely. Mazikeen's reflection smiled back.

( Ben, Charlie, Meredith, Chloe (separately) )

( Ben )

I believe this now may rank as my least favorite seven.

( Ben )

( Charlie )

Mara had spent extra time on her appearance. Her hair was up in an elegant chignon, she'd chosen her most demure outfit -- a skirt and heels, thank you very much, not pants -- and cleaned and tidied her apartment to her heart's content. When that was done, she still felt as if something else was needed.

She sat quietly for a few moments before the idea hit her. She beamed and hurried to gather supplies. Checked her makeup in the mirror and headed over to Ben's.

It didn't take much to have the super let her in and she happily cleaned and cleaned. And never got a spot on herself, of course, or mussed her hair. And when she was done cleaning, she cooked and baked. The poor boy had hardly any food in this place!

When she was done, the small apartment was spotless. It smelled like a mixture of pine, lemon and apple (That would be from the pie currently warming in the oven).

Mara made sure she still looked presentable, straightened her pearl necklace, poured a drink -- for Ben -- and waited.

( Charlie )

( Meredith )

( Chloe )

( Ben )

And once again, I'm glad I made the decision to not schedule any surgeries on sevens. While I don't mind appearing as if I'm in an old medical drama, I rely on colors to tell me a lot of things during procedures.

I don't know whether to be surprised or disappointed, but as far as I can tell, she actually behaved herself on Monday.

Mara woke the moment she felt someone watching her. She rolled over, eyes still closed and quickly turned on the bedside lamp.

She was greeted with a soft, hissing laugh.

"Oh, it's you."

She sat up and brushed her hair out of her face.

"OK. Ground rules: Don't kill anyone, no matter how annoying they are. You don't have to wear the mask, but this is like Los Angeles and ..." She was interrupted by a snort.

"Ithh no."

"Hmm. I guess you would. Well, the no killing rule stands. Other than that, go, have fun."

She turned the light back out and went to sleep.

( Charlie )

( Chloe )

( Meredith )