RPG: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS -->CONTINUATION WEEK from HELL &

[Vespera Blaze]

Yoshi: Hai. But you cannot protect them from themselves Nezumi-san. I ask you this. What is the point in teaching, if the student is not allowed to learn?

[terran631]

*Splinter took a deep breath and sat back a little. Recent events flashed through his mind...Donatello punching Raphael...Raphael trying to strangle Donatello.....Leonardo nearly killing Kameko....Leonardo punching Raphael...Machias..such deception. Michaelangelo..nearly killing himself by running unprepared into the cold. Nothing he had done had stopped the fighting. Perhaps there was nothing to do but let them fight. Machias was trying more and more to prove herself. He had stepped away from her. Allowed her to learn on her own with only his advice to offer when asked. And she was learning. To leave them all to there own devices. Was it such a good idea? Perhaps there was an less militant path to be tried.* Hai Sensei. I see your point. Perhaps, it is difficult for me to find a balance between sensei and father. The father wishes to protect them while the sensei wishes them to learn. *shakes his head with a small smile* I am not sure just how to quell the protective instinct. Or how to find that balance.

[enigma-1]

(huh. definately getting weird, even for this place!)

[Vespera Blaze]

Yoshi: All fathers wish to protect their children, and learning to let go is one of the hardest lessons of all, for both father and child. *He paused* I am not saying that you should divorce yourself from their lives completely, far from it. Just that you allow them the time they need to find their own solutions.



*The cottage looked strange. Almost as if the base of the tree had grown out a little farther, and had grown its own thatching, a door and a window. Shivawn strode ahead of them, into the neat little yard at the base of the tree. Vespera looked around. THis place seemed... familiar to her. She leaned into Leonardo as she walked, taking comfort from his presence and support. She was about to follow her mother when she froze.* Leo... look. *She pointed to one side, back in the trees. It seemed there was nothing there, then.... one moved again, and they suddenly came into focus. There were two of them, and they walked side by side, wings folded tightly in. Both tawny gold, and the size of a draft horse. The head and foreclaws of an eagle, and the hindquarters of a lion. They should have looked like some put together beast, a bit of this, part of that, but instead they looked Right. Proud and regal, the griffins continued their stroll through the woods, and disappeared*

[kyabetsu]

Leo's gaze caught on the griffins and tracked them until they disappeared.

Linternal) okay. List of Weird ****: griffins. treehouse. Lady. travelling. iron "disturbing" things. ... nope. i don't know ANYTHING about this place.

Leo shut off the thinking part of his brain and moved into the comfortable refuge of his training. He extended the net of his senses, a spider in the middle of a moving web. He would know the instantly if something threatened Vespera physically, and since he knew exactly nothing about this place, anything that moved would be considered a threat.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Shivawn led them into the cottage got them both settled. The inside of the cottage was warm and spacious, much more so than the outside appearance would suggest. The second shock came at the appointements on the inside. Instead of the dark, archaic atmosphere you would expect in such a home, it was well lit, and decorated in a very modern style. Sleek tables, leather couches, and coloured lights providing contrast. Th kitchen was visible past an open bar, and looked completely modern. She brought them tea unasked, and sat on the chair opposite them. Finally, she spoke.*

Vespera, I know this is much to take in all at once, but it is very important, or I would not have insisted that you step across. I have a story to tell, and it is one you must hear. *she paused, and in an oratory style, began to speak again*

Hearken now to a tale of auspicious beginnings, and tragic endings, of love found, and love shorn. Hearken to the tale of a mortal man, James Blaze, and his love for one of the sidhe, the Tuatha De Danan called Shivawn...

*Vespera started, then leaned forward. James Blaze was her dad.*

[kyabetsu]

Leo automatically thanked Vespera's mother for the tea. but on the whole, his just filed away the idiosyncrasies of this place for another time. He would not let himself be distracted. The story rolled out in the background and he listened with half an ear. He was too busy trying to count exits to get caught up in the narrative.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Shivawns narrative story continued. She explained that she had come to the mortal worlds, despite the advice of others in hers. While there, she had met a man who knew the old legends, a man who's grandmother had kept the old truths alive in her daughters son. A man who fell in love with her, despite those warnings, and married her, regardless of the fact she was inhuman. In less than a year, they'd had a daughter which amazed the her because her kind did not bear often, or easily. But James' grandmother had been right. The love between the two of them soured, and grew hard, and finally shattered altogether. Shivawn returned to the Underhill, and petitioned the courts of her people to allow her to bring her daughter home, but it was too late. James used the simple folk remedies and charms he'd been taught, and warded their daughter.* I couldn't come for you Vespera. I tried. The wards kept me from taking you. When you were to old to take, I took to visiting you where your father wasn't. I introduced you to the magics found here, and you flourished with them. I was so proud the day you learned to cross the veil, and to come here. But your father wasn't.


*Vespera listened intently to everything Shivawn said. Each word seemed to open up doorways, and more memories from when she was a young child poured through. Things that she had dismissed as her imagination, or things the Doctors had told her were signs that she was sick. A thought occured to her* But, why now? Why didn't you force the issue before? I've been thinking that all the things I see aren't real for years!! Why is it only know you tell me the truth *her voice was getting louder and louder, and the last part was shouted angrily*

[kyabetsu]

As Vespera's voice rose, so did the tension in Leo's shoulders. It took conscious effort to keep from drawing his blades. but this wasn't his battle and as long as Vespera was still whole and healthy enough to be angry, he would hold back.

L (internal) but the INSTANT this goes sour... i'm leaving with her if i have to carve a trail THROUGH her mother.

[Vespera Blaze]

Shivawn: Because of him. *she pointed at Leo* and his family. Since you've met them, you started to question if what you saw was real, or fake. You didn't know if you should believe or not, and that uncertainty, instead of the disbelief you held earlier means your magic would work for you. At least some of the time. With no control, and no training, it will certainly destroy you, and quite probably everyone close to you. *Her voice was calm, and matter of fact as she recited this, as if she were discussing something as unimportant as the weather a continent away*

*Vespera collaped back into the seat next to Leo, and replied weakly* Wha.. what? My magic? I don't have any magic.

*Shivawn let out a bark of laughter* Daughter, you have been using some level of magic for years. Everything that you see, and every time you dance you are exercising it. The Sight, and the Glamorie are the easiest when you have no control.

Ves: Glamorie?

Shiv: You radiate it daughter. The art of appearance, and attraction. Why do you think you are so popular at that club you work at?

[kyabetsu]

When Vespera suddenly collapsed against him, Leo did a cursory search of her person. no darts, no knives... just relief... or something like it. He allowed himself to relax, but not by much. The older redhead was talking about magic now.

L: (internal and still strung tight) .... if its really important, Ves'll explain it later... BOTH of us can't be distracted....

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera sat there, thinking about what Shivawn had said. Magic. I have magic. I'm NOT human. And I thought life was complicated before. She glanced up at Leo, and straightened a little. He was sitting ramrod straight on the couch, and his eyes were never still.* Leo?


*Shivawn stood and removed the tea service. Let it sink in. Give her time to adjust. It was always so tiresome dealing with mortals, and she was half human after all. She resumed her seat and watched them, her expression never wavering from the serene*

[kyabetsu]

L: (making only passing eye contact.) ... yeah?....

L(internal) ... she's okay? yes. good.....

[Vespera Blaze]

*Shivawn interrupted before Vespera could answer.* Your knight is afraid Vespera. This place makes no sense to him, so he is hiding behind his training. Its not his fault really. He isn't supposed to be here. *the last was said with a glare in his direction, before she returned to her daughter* Regardless, that is immaterial at the moment. Have I convinced you that this is truely happening? That what you see before you is real?


Ves: I guess so... I mean it has to be, right? If both of us saw it, and remember it tomorrow, then it isn't a dream, or a figment, or anything like that.... right?

[kyabetsu]

Leo caught her spiteful comments, but they along with everything else, got pushed aside for later. Anger clouds the mind. Fear bends your perceptions. It sounded like they'd be leaving soon. The sooner he could put this place behind him the happier he'd be.

[Vespera Blaze]

Shivawn: Good enough I will give you what you need to get home, and I hope you will return soon. We must start the lessons. *her expression softened for the first time since Vespera had crossed over.* I missed you Vespera. You can't know how much I missed being able to watch you grow up.

*she stood and started around the coffee table towards them*



*Vespera was still confused. She had hated her mother for years. She was supposed to be the woman who had walked out on her father, and on her, and ever looked back. Nothing was black and white anymore*

[kyabetsu]

Leo shifted smoothly and put himself between Vespera and her mother. He made no aggressive move, but watched with eyes that promised violence.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Shivawn stopped, and stared down her nose at Leonardo.* Move.

[kyabetsu]

Leo called to Vespera over his shoulder.

L: Ves? you trust her?

He didn't take his eyes from Shivawn, and he hadn't moved either.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera stood, and put a shaking hand on Leo's arm. She moved past him slowly to stand between him and her mother.* I... I think so Leo.


*Shivawn ignored Leonardo, and reached out for Vespera. She put one hand on either side of her face, and kissed her forehead. Vespera felt as if someone had opened a chasm at her feet and pushed her in. Words and knowledge flooded her consciousness, techniques, and distances, and the laws and principles, were all suddenly THERE, as if she had known them all her life. She stumbled back a bit, and steadied herself.* Wow...

*She looked up, but her mother had vanished*