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Sissy: *sits on the hood of Randy's car in the senior parking lot, doing her homework while waiting for her to finally get done talking to her drama friends* Jace: *fades out of the woods nearby, unnoticed by the other seniors, and approaches the twins' car. He stands behind them for a moment, amused by the pair, then finally speaks* 'allo, girls... Sissy: *startles and looks up, catching her book before it falls off her lap* Jace! *grins and scrambles off the car, disregarding the book which now falls to the asphalt in a shower of statistics homework* Randy: *glances over before completely ignoring him* Jace: *hugs her then pulls her away to look at her* How are you, love? *looks in Randy's direction* And Randy, I must say, you look absolutely stunning this morning. *grins* Sissy: *still smiling* As well as can be expected...how about you? School's gonna be lonely without you. Randy: *flicks him off without looking* Jace: *grin broadens at Randy's gesture* What a charming young lady. I'm well enough. I'm sorry that I won't be here. I just...need to get away from the mortal world for a while. It's slightly depressing to walk in a world I was once part of and cannot fully rejoin. *glances up in Randy's direction, then lowers his voice* I got your note. Sissy: *watches his face with her head tilted until he says that...her eyes widen* She said she was going to give it back to me when she was done...ugh! *stomps her foot in child-like frustration* She's getting more and more annoying. Okay, well anyway you got it then. Jace: *a bit taken aback and bewildered* I found it on my nightstand this morning. I'm assuming Randy helped in it's getting there by your reaction. Can we...go somewhere else and talk about this? Or do you need to go to class soon? Sisy: *checks her wrist for a watch before remembering hers broke over vacation...but from the nearest building a faint bell can he heard...she sighs* Yeah, I probably need to get going. Maybe you could pick me up for lunch or something? *looks hopeful* Randy's been taking the car, and...I don't have license. *blushes a bit and gathers up her scattered homework, stuffing it into her bag. She straightens and gives Jace a little kiss on the cheek* Oh - I meant to ask you - I haven't seen Greogry at all. Did he..go home? Jace: *sighs* Yes. Nicholas passed away recently, and he needed to tend to that. He'll be the clan leader soon... *gives another heavy sigh* Well, I'll be back at lunch. Wait for me here, okay? *gives her a hug and a kiss on the forehead* Sissy: *gives him a trusting smile* Okay! *gives his hand a squeeze beogre grabbing her bag and heading off* Later that day...Lunch. *the bell rings and there is an outpour of students from every outside door of the school. Eventually Sisy separates from the anthill and heads towards Jace, hurrying as soon as she sees him. She's actually gotten a little taller over the summer, a little less pale -- she looks stronger and even a bit healthier* Jace: *leaning up against the side of his Mustang. He smiles when he sees her. He goes to hug her, then opens the passenger door to let her in. He lsides into the driver's seat and starts the car* Where to? Sissy: *settles gratefully into the seat which is much more comfortable than anything in school, closing her eyes* Anywhere you want, I don't care. So long as we beat the crowds. *raises her hand and rubs the bridge of her nose for a moment before blinking her eyes open again -- at close range she looks tired* Jace: Okay. *begins the short drive to Taco Bell* You've lost sleep. *after a beat* It's that kid isn't it? Cerule's fledgling? Sissy: *glances at him, bewildered* You tell me...I haven't seen him...it...whatever it is... Jace: *pulls into the Taco Bell parking lot* It most likely is. He's the only one I know of who would be daft enough to get under my skin. Sissy: *waves a hand irritably* Fine, so it's him then. *rubs the back of her neck* Can we go in now? Jace: *is shot down* ...alright. *gets out of the car, and they go in. Jace glances at the menu board* What do you want? Sissy: *sulkily* I'm not hungry. You go ahead. Jace: Oh. *looks at her for a moment* Let's go. Jace: Yes... *leads her back to the car* We'll just go for a drive. *they get back in the car, but he doesn't start it* I want to help you with this, but I don't know what you want me to do...or say. Sissy: *throws up her hands* I don't know either. I obviously can't think of anything, or I'd already have done it. Whose fledgling? What? I don't know. You obviously know more than I do. *clonks her forehead onto the passenger window, looking out without really seeing anything* Jace: *sighs and closes his eyes momentarily and sighs. When he speaks his voice is calm and even* I'm sorry. I know you're stressed. I don't mean to displease you. *reaches out and rubs her shoulder gently* I thought I had told you about Nahallad...I suppose I was mistaken. He's Cerule's fledgling...one of the vampires who...harrassed you. He's the one I gave my warning to before. Sissy: *gradually turns her head and gives his hand an apologetic kiss* I didn't mean to speak harshly...none of this is your fault. Just 'cause I'm stressed doesn't mean I should be a bitch. *smiles hesitantly* Guess I just figure you could make it all okay for me. And so far it's worked -- you have no idea how glad I was to see you this morning. *looks out the window, embarrassed and too ashamed to meet his eyes* Even when I bite your head off you never raise your voice. Jace: *offers her a warm smile* It's quite all right. I understand. And I shall never raise my voice to you. *places a thumb and forefinger under her chin and turns her face to his* That you won't have to worry about. *kisses her gently, but briefly* Sissy: *sighs, her eyes flickering up to his* Thank you, my love. *catches his hand between both of hers with a smile* You're too good to love a bitchy mortal. Jace: *grins* I beg to differ. *catches sight of his watch around the wrist attached to hand she is holding* Time grows short, and we still haven't found a solution to the present matter. Sissy: *releases him* Oh, right. Well...any suggestions? I can't figure out why anyone would want to follow me. *grins* It's not like I live an extremely exciting daily life. Jace: Perhaps not, but I think it's more about the fact that you are with me. Nahallad is most likely trying to challenge me since the last time we met I gave him hell. I'm debating whether or not I should do so again... I'm afraid it might provoke him further. Perhaps I should talk to Cerule... Sissy: *thinks for a moment* Is Cerule short with brown hair? I think she gave me a note for Drauna once. *blinks* She probably knows where I live. She showed up while I walking to the bus stop last year. Jace: *blink* Yes...that's her. Has she come to you any other time? Sissy: *closes her eyes* Uh...once, I think. I followed Randy to a party and she was there...she was at the bar a couple times...what I still want to New Mayhem. *blushes* Jace: Hm. Well, do you want me to talk to her? I think that's our best bet right now. Sissy: *smiles hopefully* Would you? That would be so great, Jace... Jace: Alright. I'll meet up with her as soon as I can. Tonight, perhaps. *checks his watch* We better go...the bell is about to ring. *he drives her back to the school, and they say their goodbyes -- hugs, kisses, etc. That night... *Legar's castle in Wales, his favorite home. It's not possible to apparate inside it, so Jace apparates our in front and approaches the large front door and knocks ((What KNOCKERS!)) and waits patiently, humming Beethoven's 9th* *a little girl with blonde hair pulls open one of the doors and pokes her head out* How can I help you? *she has a hard-to-place hint of an accent* Jace: *looks down at her and smiles warmly* Hello. Is Cerule at home? I need to discuss a matter of some importance with her. Ilka: *shifts nervously* I'm not sure she's up...is it...really important? *bites her lip...baby fangs, how cute* I could probably let you in... Jace: Would you please? It would be most appreciated. Ilka: Well, alright. If she gets angry, it's on your head! *shakes her little finger at him. Hauling open the think door a bit, she gives him enough space to get through while tapping something into a panel on the wall* Follow me, please, sir. *starts trotting down the passageway at highspeed* Jace: I know. No worries. *follows her* Ilka: *leads him too quickly to place the doors that flash by until she stops before a huge carved woonden one, placing her hand on it for a second before pulling out a ring of keys and opening it, pulling it outward* Cerule? Cerule: *opens an eye halfway, sleepily* What is it, Ilka? Is something wrong? *legar wakes as she sits up, slipping out of his arms...entirely naked* Did...WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?! *Legar wakes all the way in a panic and throws the sheet over her before falling out of bed..chaos ensues* Jace: *peeks in the room as Ilka opens the door, never dreaming he will see what he does* Cer-- *eyes widen...totally shocked* ... *Ilka, in a panic, attempts to shut the door on Jace's head* Oh, BLOODY HELL! *recoils and nearly falls over on the floor and would have taken Ilka with him if he had succeeded in completely losing his balance. Glasses askew, he goes to lean against the wall, holding a hand over his eyes and muttering under his breath. What little blood he has has gone to his cheeks* Ilka: *has frozen, back to the door, in shock. It has not swung closed all the way, being very thick, and through the remianing crack Legar can be heard summoning her in a stern voice. She gulps, taking a deep breath, and says faintly:* If you'll excuse me for a moment... *she hauls on the door again and slips in. It closes remarkably fast after her -- Cerule is getting rather good at telekinesis. For a minute or two, all is quiet. The girl pushes the heavy door open, hoping it's the last time she'll have to today, swinging it all the way around to the wall so that Jace has no choice but to move. She stifles a giggle, her face flushed, and leads him to the doorway by his wrist* Lady Cerule will see you now, Jace. *she gives him a little push into the room before slipping around him - she's so small that she could probably squeeze through a crack in the wall - and going to sit by the bed. She and Cerule share a smile and a giggle before Cerule turns her attention to Jace, unable to look serious though she's trying not to grin. She's redressed in "mortal clothes," shorts and a t-shirt, and sitting cross-legged on the black silk sheets. Her hair, unbound and trailing well past her waist, is full of white flowers. They look a bit crumpled, but remarkably, all of them are still alive. Legar, glaring possessively over her shoulder, has one arm around her waist. His cheek rests against her hair and his other hand is absent-midedly playing with a lock of it. Thankfully, his pants have been restored. Behind them the sun is just dipping behind the trees, gleaming through the crystal windows and givin Legar's silver hair a golden cast* Cerule: I apologize for the...distressed view you had of me. We are usually up and about at this hour. *she manages a straight face, gently rubbing the blue crescent moon on her forehead* Ilka, we will have another visitor. Will you go let him in? *as the girls nods and scrambles out, Cerule lowers her voice* I have summoned Nahallad, for I assume this has something to do with him, does it not? Jace: *straightens his glasses and gives a heavy sigh before entering. He bows before speaking* If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I had no idea... *his eyes wander to Legar, then he clears his throat loudly* Anyways, yes, I came to speak of Nahallad, but I'd rather avoid an actual confrontation with him... Legar: *his lips part slightly in a smirk, fangs glinting* Stealing your food again, is he? I'll have some choice words with him. Cerule: *turns her head to kiss his cheek, gently correcting him* His girlfriend, my love. Behave yourself. Legar: *smiles and catches her lips in his for a long-ish kiss before they both remember where they are...there is some throat clearing and smoothing of hair* Cerule: *looks to Jace with uncharacteristic shyness* You are the first outside the household to know - Legar and I have wed. *smiles and then grows serious* I wish for Nahallad to bear the burden of his own actions, thus I wish for him to be present...but we shall be there as well. His father's presence this time should be enough to prevent a repeat offence. Shall we go somewhere more comfortable to speak? Jace: *glares at Legar for his comment on Sissy and is relieved at Cerule's correction. He looks to the floor when they kiss, becoming strangely fascinated with his feet. A bemused smile slowly spreads on his face at the news of the wedding, but the tone of his voice isn't exactly an excited one* Congratulations. Best wishes to you both. *sighs* Alright, we'll do it you way. I will try my best not to lose my temper. *dark smile* Sure, wherever you would like to go. Cerule: *nods* Good. Legar, this is your house...would you find us some place that...isn't our bedroom? *blushes a bit* And please, please put a shirt on. Nahallad is not going to take either of us with any weight if we're half-naked. *laughs* It's a good thing we don't get...what is it mortals call them...hickeys! That's it! *dissolves into helpless laughter* Legar: *pointedly ignores this...indignity and puts a shirt on* I'll find something. Jace: *chuckles...in a very uncomfortable and off-ish way. He stands aside and motion to the door* Lead the way. Legar: *offers him a terse smile and mutters* Humor her when she's batty because she's not this funny when she's angry. Cerule: I heard that! *tosses a pillow, misses, and hits Jace* Oops. Well, if you're "Insane Lord Legardored", I'll be "Half-Mad Lady Cerule"! Legar: *chuckles and kisses the top of her head* Behave yourself, dear, poor Jace has suffered enough. Here...we'll go to the living room next door, I think... *makes a point of sticking his head in the door before going in* Please sit down. * as they all sit in rather stiff armchairs, Ilka drags Nahallad in* Cerule: And the fun begins. Jace, if you would like to state your business. *has suddenly goen back to being very serious* Jace: *leans forward in his chair when Nahllad comes in, elbow propped on his knees and chin resting on laced fingers* Nahallad, my mortal has informed me that someone has been watching her religiously for the past few weeks...might you, by any chance, know something about this? Nahallad: Oh, so I get dragged up from a nice nap to be interviewed! Legar: *barks* Sit. Nahallad: *flings himself into a chair sukily* Happy now? *glares at his parents with more than a little teenage rebellion...Nahal never really got over being 16. He then turns to Jace and says, with a nasty overtone:* Yes, I've been chasing your...food. So, stop me. *smirks* She's too easy to scare; pick a better one. Jace: *looks at him, hard and steady* You're not proving to measure up to much, Nahallad. I'm guessing this is revenge for our...previous engagement. Nowever, if you were truly as high and mighty as you may think you are, you would take it out on me. Not a defenseless mortal girl. There's nothing high and might in that. All I see in your actions is cowardice. Nahallad: *leans forward* If anyone here is weak it is you, for loving a weakling. I do what I want because I can. Jace: Being damned does not make you higher than them. And your reason, or rather, excuse for your actions is something I would expect to hear coming from the mouth of a child. Not only are you a coward, but an immature one. That's two strikes against you, now what will be your third? Nahallad: Perhaps that I am still sitting here tolerating this ridicule. *his voice has fallen to be quite soft, but with no change in tone* Legar: You will bear the results of your own work. Nahallad: *narrows his eyes, but he realizes...he knows...he can do nothing* Fine! *he almost snarls* What do you want of me? You can't have come here just to taunt me. Jace: I simply ask that you leave my mortal alone. And I only taunt you because you insist on being such an ass. Nahallad: *as he catches a soft noise of amusement from Cerule his mouth curls up slightly* It is my nature. Like father, like son. *there is a snapping noise and Nahallad suddenly clenches his teeth -- Cerule's touchy temper with her son has been pushed* Legar: *while still looking at Nahallad, he brushes his hand gently past Cerule's* Not after your mother... *there is a slight stumble on this word and a flicker of grief in his aura, which quiets when Cerule enfolds his hand in hers* Cerule got to me. Being around her will change you. *his eyes drop to one side as he adds:* Alexadria would have raised you better than I. Nahallad: *relaxes a little - whatever bone was broken has reset itself. The pressure keeping him in his chair is released as Cerule cautiously lowers her hand, but her care is wasted; Nahallad will suddenly not meet Jace's eyes* I'm...sorry, Jace. Please - please tell her I'm sorry too. I really am. *with this he rises and leaves, pulling the door behind him* Legar: *looks up quietly at the door, then gives Cerule - who is watching him with worry - a half-hearted smile. He tells Jace:* Alexandria died giving birth to her second son, Nahallad. Cerule: *chuckles weakly* Poor Jace. He had no idea how many cans of worms he'd be opening when he showed up with one simple objective in mind. Jace: *gives a heavy sigh then rises from his chair* It's fine. Everything has been settled, and that's all I care about. ...I feel for the boy though. I hadn't known... *sighs* Well, I thank you for your time, and I apologize once more for dropping by so unexpectantly* Legar: *waves a hand dismissively* The boy's behavior is my fault, and I'm sorry you had to suffer for it. *rises slowly and bows* Thank you for stopping by, regardless of the chaos you were met with. *grins briefly* Cerule: *stands and, after looking down at her clothing, shrugs and bows* Yes, I apologize. *as she stands there is a little rainshower of flowers from her hair* And Ilka was worried they wouldn't last through the wedding. *she smiles and scoops up a few* Here, give these to Sissy. They should last...well...a long time. Jace: *smiles* Okay, I will. Cerule: *beams* Legar: Here, we'll walk you out, though I'm sure you'd find your way yourself...eventually. *grins* *Out they go...friendly goodbyes...Nahallad watches from an upstairs window, but turns away* - End - |