Reflective Shards [Triton's Journal]

[Kara Winters]

It's been a while since I've written in here, not to mention as a teen of all things. Do the people up there realize how annoying it is to suddenly grow right before class? Nevermind the fact I got tossed into a fricken maze right afterwards. I must have pissed off some higher deity.

Right now I"m lying in bed.... because my back was cut open and there are tons of slices in my arm. And since it's clear I'm not going to be allowed to leave my bed if Trisha or Mom have anything to say about it I might as well spend the time writing an entry.

Which is just too many things to even start talking about. Like how people look at me and Were funny now these days. It's not like I've changed, or maybe I have and I just don't know it yet. We always joked around, and stuff like that, but now... I don't know. I can't figure it out quite yet. We're still great friends, and we always joke and talk.

You know... I'm finding the more I have fun at the school, the less I want to leave it. The less I feel complied to actually travel anywhere. Maybe it's the fear of going out there, or maybe it's knowing what I'll leave behind.

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

Ever have one of those days were you're utterly confused and aren't sure of the action to take next? Right now.... that's how I feel. I've healed quite a bit since that meeting with Gael, but Gael is the least of the things on my mind now. So what is my problem? Well.... the people coming into the inn in a way.

When Mom was left alone, I believed (and I still do) that she didn't know anyone but us. In fact, I didn't want any guy near her because I don't want a repeat of what happened. Besides, thinking back on it, maybe it wasn't such a good thing last time. (He wasn't so good with kids). So when Mit returned, I became annoyed, because it was obvious to a blind person he... he would have liked to be quite close to mother.

There were plently of times I wanted to chase him off, and when I had the chance to be the only one talking to him (thanks to the fact mother was kind of busy) at first I thought I could. The thing was, he was nice and polite and thoughtful, which is kind of irking because all of the others were like that too. Though he is the first to really interact with me, kind of makes me wonder if he's able to interact with the others.

I got a gift from him, but... I'm not sure if I should be using it. Not just because it came from Mit, but because it was magicked so that the blade wouldn't become sharp until I really need it to. It doesn't strengthen my skills or anything, just a... useful blade that I won't hurt myself with.

There are rumours.... that when he's done his duty, he might come to live here at the inn. That could mean so many things, in a way I don't want to think about what it could mean of all of us. With the surprise visit of Talin, it could mean... good things, or bad things.

We really should just put a sign up on the inn door that says "Mother is not interested in a relationship beyond friendship".

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

Sari

Triton sat (or lounged) upon his bed with his back up against the wall as he stared at the thing that was sitting in the middle of his room. The thing stared back and barked happily while wagging her cute rainbow speckled tail. He sighed, there had been thoughts of giving it away but....

"You named it, you might as well keep it... well her..." Triton thought silently to himself.

That it, he kept referring to was the last thing he ever expect to come into his possession, a pet. Not that he had purposely brought the pet mind you, but the egg was given to him as a gift from an old lady and he couldn't say no. Not to mention now he couldn't really kick her out because not only did he name her, but the little tyke kind of saved his a** back when that demon tried to strangle him.

"I don't even know why I named you Sari in the first place," Triton muttered.

When he thought of Sari he thought of something green and brown and exotic, not something colourful and... hyper. Well he didn't know if Sari was hyper quite yet, but with all those colour rainbow speckles on her body she looked like the type to be hyper.

He sighed, "How ironic.. I'm a Neko who now owns a puppy with wings...."

That was the other strange thing, Sari didn't seem to mind cats or at least not Nekos. (Though it would have been very stereotypical of him to assume that a dog did not like cats). She did love him though and the only thing to keep her from following him to class was to lock her in his room, which to create all sorts of interesting whimpering sounds, and paws sticking out from under the door.

"I can't keep you, you know I'll be travelling and you won't be able to keep up," Triton told her.

The puppy started to hop around, wagging both butt and tail in the air at times. She barked and looked as if she wanted to play a game with him. Perhaps play something with her owners neat floating ball with all the pointy things on it? Triton had moved that out of the way so she wouldn't hurt herself on his Ambush Planet.

"I wonder if I could train you...."

She pounced onto his pant leg and proceed to try and chew the life out of it. He shook her off and shook his head, giving her a stern no command. The pup stopped, tilted her head curisiously as if to think about it. Sari then sat down and stared up at Triton.

"Heh... you're quite the listener," he bent over to pet her.

Perhaps it would not be such a bad thing to keep her around. After all, she sounded like she could be trained pretty easily and it would be nice to have something around. It had been after all quite a while since he had played with Wish, or any of the actual pets that in truth belonged to his mother.

"What do you think Sari? Would you like to learn a few new tricks?"  

[Kara Winters]

It's hard to believe.... even though it's been over a week I still find it hard to believe. What an odd sensation it was, to find out that you suddenly grew. It didn't even hurt this time around, and no sounds of creaking joints that grew too fast. Though as usual, I was without clothes and I grew in the most inconvient time.

Though to be honest that isn't what is bothering me.

When I was a child, I met a traveller and a centuar, both very incredible people. The traveller saw things I could only dream of, been to places I wish I could have seen for myself. The centuar, she was strong, with nothing but her weapons and her magic. Nothing else but her sense that if she had to, she would fight with everything she had. I wanted so much to be like them, to see the world and to be just as strong. They were the reason I wanted to go to school, to learn the things my Mother could not teach me.

When I was a teen I became attached to the friends I had made in the school I settled in. Were has been my friend since I was a kid. Well, I never did get along well with the other Nekos, I find them too strange. I guess that has always been my problem, I've never managed to interact with any of the Nekos minus Michael. In more ways than one I feel kind of bad not being able to be like the others. My younger Second brother and sisters can interact with their own quite well thank you. Helen and Mia have no trouble with each other and even Cindy acts well with Saesame when she use to visit.

I don't like my own kind that much, they are too reckless, too forward.... too... hormonal. The things they like to do, the games they like to play do not suit me at all. In more ways than one I just cannot relate.

When I became an adult that night I panicked. My first thought was the fear of leaving the school. The very thing I wanted to do since I was a child, I was terrified of, because I don't want to leave this home I have made for myself.

But I'm an adult now, to have adult respsoniblities and goals now. Even though, I can stay now, it won't always stay like that. I'll have to go out not just from the school, but from the inn.

Is this what I really want?

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

When I first told Mother I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay or wanted to leave home, which would ultimately mean leaving the school, she told me that if I waited around long enough the answer on what my path should be will be answered. I thought she meant to meditate on it for a while, which is pretty much the answer to a great deal of the hard desicsions that ever have to be made.

I'm pretty sure though she didn't mean my answer would come in the form of a little Neko who's actually smaller than all the regulars. I was suppose to be looking after the flower event for Mother, she had her hands full arranging... other matters. That's when I met him, a little ball of fur who seemed to have very little concept of what he should and should not be eating. Clearly a Blue Moon, unless there are more like him and no one has noticed yet, but he isn't unnamed unlike the other Neko that just arrive. His name is Krysis, and he is becoming my crisis.

I now find myself to be the guaridan of Krysis, a choice that was encouraged by the other caretakers. Only the thing is.... Krysis is like no child I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of kids. Mother says he seems to be much younger in age than normal Nekos. Something like a toddler she said and I would have to teach him everything.

My work is cut out for me, but at least I know I won't be going anywhere any time soon.

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

Man.... it's been way too long since I've written anything in here. Though to be fair I've had several crisises to deal with (one of which ironically enough is Krysis). Somehow I'm not sure where to begin in this whole mess of days. I guess I should deal with Krysis first since his crisis was the first to occur.

To be honest, it was my own stupid fault, I mean we live on the fourth floor for crying aloud. Don't know why we live on the top floor, except maybe at the time we use to keep guests it was more convivent than to have those guests bypass us on their way to their room. Anyhow.... taking care of Krysis has put me behind on my chores at the inn, and when he fell asleep I figured there was no harm in leaving him alone while I cook. I didn't expect him to wake up... much less fall and tumble all the way down the stairs. Unfortunately that wasn't a controlled tumble, as it turns out Krysis broke his leg falling down the stairs. Bringing in both Mom and Yukito to try and help out along with Ayce who just happened to be there looking for Jaseth.

I really really owe Ayce for helping Krysis out like that. I don't want to think what would have happened to Krysis if the pain hadn't ebb like it did. Granted now Krysis is very drugged up, but at least he's doing better now. I'm not sure how long he'll be in the cast, and I'm going to have to ask Mom how to take care of Krysis while he's in that cast. I don't think you're suppose to move a lot when a bone gets broken, but I can't imagine how I'm going to get Krysis to hold still.

Unfortunately that remained to be the least of my worries when a new one cropped up. That one having to do with me, Were and one very angry mentor. Did I mention yet how some of the students at my school are complete morons? So it seems that there are rumours going around that me and Were are a couple, not only a couple, but doing things I tend to reserve for Yue and Jaseth. For crying out loud she's physically fourteen and been my childhood friend since I was physically ten! Nevermind the fact that Were hasn't been in top form because her vamp kitty decides to suck her blood nearly three times a day and her baby boy won't let her rest. I don't know what's up with that kid, Jin cries but a bit of cuddling gets him to shut up, that or Mom drops him off into Trisha's arms when sis volunteers.

Normally rumours wouldn't bother me, and they don't. Only it's very rare a rumour causes enough havoc to the point where the object of the rumour nearly gets beaten to a plup. For those that don't understand, let me explain.

Were, is a very good person, despite what people might think of her. She is smart, good nature and tries not to worry other people. However it is her habit of trying not to worry other people that has people worried about her. Mother calls it the 'bodyguard spell', a need in where people feel that they have to protect her, or her honour. It seems Mom had that from a few of her old friends when she was younger. Anyhow, Were has a mentor whom she calls Fluffy-sama, I really didn't get the whole issue, but appearingly a dog demon who has bloodlust, who listens to rumours about bed rompings seriously wants to kick my a**. He would have too if it weren't for some strange series of events.

Like my little sister Feng jumping on top of him (she's insane).

Or my mother pulling his ear and yelling at him.

So what happened? In the end Fluffy was roped into the service of my Mom to make up for attack me. So now he's our temporary babysitter. I pity him, I really do.

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

Old Deed, New Roads

Triton didn't exactly know why he decided to go down into the underground where the hotsprings were and the storage room was kept. A room full of old memories long forgotten and never have been since the time they've moved in, unpacked. He supposed, now that he was an adult, with a child of his own, he wanted something from the past. Not just anything though, something, from his mother's past. Triton, you see, despite all appearances and in all his writings had secret ghosts of his own. Triton, was the only child among his siblings as of currently that knew of what life was like before the inn. When his mother had lost her memory he was sworn to secercy to never tell her or anyone what had happened.

And Triton, was a cat of his word.

So time passed, and he grew up with his siblings only knowing the barest whispers of what life was like before the inn. He watched men come and go, and when it was finally decided that life was better off with just them and their mother, he fully agreed. His mother, needed no man to help her when she had her children.

More time passed, and Triton slowly grew out of the starry eyed view of adventure in the wide world. It did not mean the pull to travel was any less, but all the air headed fantasies were gone. Reality of life, family and most importantly friends settled itself into his life. Looking back on it all, Triton felt old, old to the bones despite his youth, or appearent youth. There were days he couldn't tell if he was a young man or an old cat. All he really knew however, was that the winds of change were upon the inn now.

The inn was once a home of little children, but most of those children had grown up, and in all honestly, there were only two that could be considered real children at heart. Far too different from the four or even five little ones that would run amuck in the inn. It was for this reason, that Triton found himself below looking through boxes. He felt that time was passing... to quickly for him in a way. There were still, disappointments, old wounds that had yet to heal, and as he was moving one of the boxes off to the side so he could rummage through another, something fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Upon the ground, laid a small leather bound book, that was probably no thicker than one's finger. In fact, from the look of it, the cover itself is what made up the thickness, for when Triton picked it up it didn't look like it had any paper within it. The young Neko looked curiously at the cover, trimmed in gold, but had no title. He turned it in his hands, looking for some clue on the outside of what could be on the inside. As they say though, one cannot judge a book by it's cover, indeed when he opened it there were papers inside.

The first, written in longhand, clearly with someone of superior penmanship was his mother's certificate, stating where she had learnt her potion making and rune knowledge. It told the world, that she passed, at the top of her potions class.

The second, was a hand sketched picture, of his mother who looked much younger, more child like if that was even possible, standing beside what he recongized to be the stern Summoning teacher Tusbasa. He blinked, Triton had not been aware that Tusbasa knew his mother before the school, perhaps he should call the teacher out on it someday.

The third paper however, is what held the greatest interest. There, written in careful lawful jargon was the deed to a building, specfically a little cafe in a city near the inn. The cafe, of his childhood.

He could remember the place now, even though he spent such a short time there. The wide display window that let all the light in, the smell of sweet cake, and the spicy scent of drink. Fire crackling in a brick fireplace appeared in his mind's eye. Yes, he could see it and much more, it was a surprise for Triton to see that the deed to the cafe still existed. Did that mean perhaps that the building itself still existed. Carefully he closed the cover over the papers, holding it tightly. Perhaps it was time to find out.

And maybe, just maybe, this was the thing from the past he was looking for.  

[Kara Winters]

Things... just keep getting more busy for everyone, but in a good way. Elnara has settled into home with ease, to the point where she adopted three of her own Seconds. It's quiet amusing actually to see Celebor swim in the fountain with the mer twins and have Serenity and Skye go around nearly everywhere when Skye isn't getting into the rabbit hatch.

I forgot to mention about that, Mia adopted rabbits, it's probably the most normal thing she's done except now it looks like she has a rabbit army. Wtih Mia, it's quite possible to have an army of rabbits. It sounds awful I know, but I can see her actually letting loose her rabbits on some poor... probably not so innocent by stander.

At any rate, I'm having some nervous, not misgivings about this future trip I'm planning, but I just hope I'm not going to be in over my head. Now that the portal is up, it's time to make good on my word. I'm more worried about pulling it off with so little people, not to mention I'm more than a bit worried about taking Yue away from his work and family. Granted Yue was away and he already has Seki... but now with three children. Hopefully the twins won't get into anything that'll make Jaseth faint, that's what Trisha said happened last time. I probably don't want to know exactly what happened.

More training tomorrow, once we're all the road there won't be as much time to train. The other problem at hand is that no one knows how much time will have passed since we left. There is a rough idea, probably about a decade, but it's a bit chancey. It probably isn't wise to bring Tao along for this one... she's a good griffin, but such a birdbrain sometimes, and for something that we're doing it probably won't be good. Donovan is going too, which I'm not sure how to handle that. I'm glad, it's just a bit... akward knowing your possible future father is coming along.

Not possible... he will be, but I have a funny feeling no one is going to know until it happens. Donovan doesn't strike me as an all out wedding sort of person. What do people do at weddings anyhow?

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

Well, this has been a busy week or so, with life carrying on as usual it’s hard to tell that plans for a trip to the Four Lands by many members of the household is happening. With Serenity probably returning to the Four Lands soon, it would be a good time for Donovan, Yue and I to get our butts moving on going. Especially since it’s starting to look like Lin is getting a bit clingy to Donovan.

On more everyday issues, there have been some new folks dropping in on the café. I need to learn to really just lock up and not have anyone there; it’s hard to know what’s going on. Though it’s good that business is picking up, nice to meet new people and have a café where people are doing things. Though… most of the chaos that we call the café is the result of the children. Elnara, I think is becoming a bit like Mom, though we don’t have to worry until she adopts as many as mom has. Though she nearly has the same amount of Seconds as Mom does, which probably won’t be anywhere close. We’re waiting for the next Second to enter in the family.

Though Mom’s happy being a grandmother, I kind of feel sorry for the grandfather I’ve never met. He’s been gone probably longer than we even realize being stuck in grandmother’s sword, in the Four Lands. When we find him, it’s going to be a shocker introducing the whole family, along with great-grandkids, most which come from Elnara. Now that I think of it, it’s weird to know that Gion has the sword, who happens to be Elnara’s brother. But considering that Mom and Donovan whose fathers just happen to know each other. So I guess that’s just normal in our family.

Speaking of people in the family, I fear for the kitchen in the inn. On top of the fact Trisha has taken up the idea of making a flower house back in the Second World, she passed by a special bakery a long while back, and now wants to try cake decorating. Not just any cake decorating, she wants to try the stuff that borders along art. Naturally. I’m waiting at the moment for her to ask me to bake cakes for her to carve up and decorate. At least she’s doing this in the inn kitchen and not the café’s. There’s a chance though the café might end up with some of the cakes seeing as she might want to do this for a while. Trisha is always experimenting with anything that involves art, so we’ll see how this one turns out.

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

I should seriously consider graduating soon; it would allow me to look after Iris and Krysis more. Though, I feel like I need to be doing something more. Travel lust is no longer a choice now, but I have these skills and no where to put them to use. This is what happens when you become obsessed with getting stronger as a kid and growing up. I had taken a trip to the Ranch to see what it would hold for me there.

I’ve had my taste of killing (it’s amazing how one could get into so many fights and not have it end in a great deal of blood shed until that one trip). I feel, I have no interest in going on the hunt, even though Feng and Ryu will be some day. Though it’s only so they know, they might not continue on after their first hunt for all I know. Yet, I know I could do good if I learn horseback and go with Donovan on this. There is the idea of seriously considering body guarding as an occupation, or just spending time at the café. Really, I do like the café, but spending the rest of my life tending to it, doesn’t really appeal to me.

Maybe I should consult Mom, she is the headmistress, or maybe I should talk to Tracy since he is the head I’m supposed to be under. It’s just Tracy is a bit odd, but he does have sound advice… every once in a while.

Triton

 

[Kara Winters]

So much has happened, but not enough time to write it down as it happens (which is normal really). Everyone has moved into the clan compound and it looks like something out of a fairy tale. The paths that lead to the houses are cobbled with stones, spread out far apart enough where we all have room. There is very little here in the ways of finished materials that we do not have, should we perhaps one day have someone interested in making our own cloth and growing our own food we might become a self sustaining family. Grandfather Daemon did very well as a hunter of rare artifacts (even though most of what he made went into his addiction for books), there was still a great deal to fund the building of the houses. I have been put into charge for looking after the dojo, and since I have been teaching for a while now that is what I might be doing from now on. The dojo is a perfect place for Krysis and Iris, the training grounds outside and the large dojo and house inside gives them a lot of room to run around in. Even better if they ever feel lonely it is just a five minute run to the main house where mother, Donovan and the siblings not old enough live. There are siblings all around them and a whole clan ground for them to explore. Yes, I think they will do very well here.
Of course this brings to question what will happen to Angel Café, it had already been difficult enough to look after it, and quite frankly being able to work from home in teaching others would be much easier. I am considering of giving it fully to Elnara, but now that Elnara has her own child (that was a shocker but a story for another time) she won’t have time to do so neither. I think I will talk to Elnara about moving Angel Café onto clan grounds, especially since it is planned these grounds will be open to the public. On the other hand she might not have time and nor will I once I find students so perhaps it is just best to sell the place and split the gold between us.
Speaking of gold it seems I had some waiting for without realizing it. I ran into Wolf one day, if I had not written about him before it was because I was mortally embarrassed. Wolf is the son in law of Fluffy, the man who attacked me at one point. He is a photographer for clothing (and I guess he makes some too), I had been talked into a photo session with Were by him, he had said he was selling them but I hadn’t been really paying attention at the time. At any rate, I ran into him, Lin had been late coming home from school (a social experiment suggested by her mentor Vincent), so I used a portal to go get her. Well, lo and behold Lin was there with Wolf, who in turn gave me a check from the photo session. Somehow… I don’t really want to know how many of those pictures were sold.
That… of course is when I met Kin…. Kin is Fluffy’s son, Lin talks often about him. Mainly ranting how someone intelligent, nice and athletic could have self esteem issues worse than Jaseth. Compliments coming from Lin (three of them in fact) is rare for a guy Lin’s age who is not related. So I blame my need to get to know the boy better for inviting him over to the main house for dinner. Lin of course was mortified, probably because she’s more than well aware of the types of bets that go around the family and because I just told him to meet Donovan.
If Donovan had a favourite it would be Lin, which is worse than having a normal over protective Donovan Lau as a father. I don’t know why she’s worried, mother is going to be there, and he can’t do anything with mother there. Though it might have to do with the fact everyone is going to want to drop by the main house at least once when he visits…

Triton