Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sylvester cast a sharp glance at Ialo, studying the man. "Perhaps you don't understand, sir. We know of her 'natural talent', and greatly discourage it. There is no place in the Rinaldi family for a demon lover. In fact, I'm afraid I haven't gotten to this soon enough. I have here a copy of Isadora's new schedule. The old one would never serve our purposes, encouraging her to continue with this hideous hobby of hers."

Danni looked up at that, her eyes wide. "Papa, I-" She was cut off by a single glare, and she hung her head again. "You, Isadora, will not speak unless spoken to. From tomorrow on, you will continue on with your power control classes. But you will drop everything else. You will focus instead on etiquette lessons, herbal remedies, white magic, shield charms, home economics such as sewing, quilting, cooking, and a variety of acceptable foreign languages, such as French, Greek, and Italian. There will be no more practicing martial arts or black magic. Just because you carry the mark of the Dark Ancients does not mean we will allow you to act upon it. That tattoo is a disgrace to the family name, and we will have nothing to do with it." Sylvester went on ruthlessly, then turned to look at the door.

"You there, waiting by the door. Come in, as you're involved in this next part as well." He called, and Cook stepped in. Danni got a small, hopeful light in her eye at his appearance, but her father continued to speak. "I have heard that my daughter has been living in your shack, working as a kitchen apprentice instead of working on her proper studies as she should. Not only is it improper for you two to live together, but it's a disgrace for Isadora to consort with a lowly school cafeteria cook." He turned back to his daughter, and in his eyes she saw a ruthlessness that she dreaded.

"From this day forth, Isadora, you are not to consort with this man, or anything to do with him. You will move your things into Lia's dorm room and bunk with her. She's sure to have a good influence on you. You are not to go to the kitchen, or to the shack, or to meet up with this man whatsoever. You are not to leave school grounds, or go into the woods on any occasion. I know I am making myself very clear, so there's no need for you to speak." He turned back to Cook, frowning.

"I'm sure you've gotten the message. You are not to consort with my daughter, and she will no longer bother you. I'm sorry that, being the clingy sort that she is, that she latched onto you in such a troublesome fashion. You may leave now." He said dismissively, and Cook shot one helpless look at Danni before slowly backing away, shutting the door behind him.

Danni just stared at her father, speechless, tears in her eyes as she pleaded silently with him. Instead, he merely sneered, reaching forward to take her chin roughly in his hand, his fingers rough. "You look at me and listen, Isadora. You, whether you like it or not, are a Rinaldi. You should be grateful I didn't let your mother finish the job of killing you years ago when that devil's mark appeared on your back. Rinaldi's do not cry, we do not show weakness. Do you understand? If so, straighten that weak spine of yours and get rid of those unsightly tears. This is the deal. If I find you've disobeyed me, I will send you to a finishing school in England. An all human, all female finishing school, where magic is prohibited. Is that clear?" He demanded, squeezing her face.

She just looked at him with blank, broken eyes, moving her head up and down once, which he took for agreement. Releasing her chin, he straightened again, putting an arm around his wife. "Now, there is the matter of what to do to make sure you don't use that foul magic of yours." He said, but Danni barely heard him. She couldn't be with Cook anymore. Ever. She hadn't thought he'd ever be able to take something so important from her. But, yet again, he'd managed to do just that...

Danni stared at the dark figure with wide eyes, and followed its path to the door. "Isadora! Pay attention to your father, you little delinquent. Go dreaming off again and I swear I'll slap you." Eleanor threatened, her voice low and calm despite her harshly bitten off words. "Yes, Mother. I apologize." She said softly, her voice sounding tiny and lifeless as she stared at the floor.

Sylvester looked at Lia, who was nodding her head eagerly, and that, more than anything anyone else said, made him consider Ialo. Anything to keep his baby girl happy, after all. "What exactly, Ialo, is your sister? Dark magic, white magic, something else all together?" He asked, pointing at the stool with a warning look at Danni. She obediently sat down near Ialo again, wringing her hands and chewing slightly on her bottom lip.

"Did you hear that, dear?" Eleanor asked, putting a hand on her husband's arm. Danni could see from her eyes what they were thinking: A perfect opportunity to set the girl straight. "Divine magic, dear. That'll set the lousy chit straight." She said, and Sylvester nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Finally, he said, "Very well," Then he sent a quick glance at Danni. "Be sure Isadora is exposed to large amounts of white or divine magic. It'll get the foul scent of demon out of her system." He said, and Danni shuddered despite herself. That would come this close to literally killing her if they did that. It went totally against the grain, and he knew it.

"I'll be absolutely sure, sir." Ialo responded confidently. Inside, he was dancing with elation, although he still had to figure out if anyone would notice that Carys didn't attend the school. Danni's parent's made him absolutely furious.

((I WILL have Lin shoot another arrow through the window, this time burning her father alive... If it wasn't against the rules.))

((There's always duck tape! biggrin ))