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 Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 10:58 am
 A home belonging to Raken had just the necessities, bare-minimum by choice. Here and there, though, signs of another painted the room. Two baskets in the corner held alpaca blankets, one for the both of them. On top of the basket she claimed as her own, one stuffed alpaca doll. The item was a treasured possession, but the angel was respectful enough not to play a game of trying to keep it on the bed.
Little gifts from the ranch to keep them warm, or remind them of a place she'd never seen. The Ranch, it was named Kurt's Ranch for a reason that hurt whenever she thought of it. Her pride in her father was instant, he'd built that ranch with his own hands brought the alpaca to the island and raised them himself.
A few pictures Dotted one wall, organized by there. Zofie sent her stories of her father, a man she'd never get to see again, and the Ranch he'd built. Just by reading the letters she felt she knew what was now her adopted little brother and sister. Stories of the possessed pink cat thing may have provided a nightmare to too and instant chill up the back. Alma and her family were rebuilding and expanding on her father's work. Just holding the letter the angel so desperately wanted to go, to visit what might have been her home.
For a while it was the pain of it, time taken to mourn her dad. Slowly, time helped heal, for Zofie's letter and the lack of her father in the Hall of Lost Souls told her he was gone-gone. Guardians bless Raken for being there for her. Over time, the memories became less painful. When she wrote to tell Zofie she was happy, it was completely the truth. Here with Raken, it was home. She'd visit one day but wasn't in as much of a hurry any more.
On this day, just glancing over to the baskets brought a flood back, only as with the progress, the angel smiled softly and went back to finishing plating lunch for herself and her demon.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:42 am
 Maybe Menolly had a secret power of influence. Or maybe it was their connection to Kurt. Or perhaps he was becoming soft in old age. He wasn't exactly sure of how it happened, but he knew that Zolfie's fateful letter was definitely a shove in this direction. Menolly had been broken, and he just couldn't send her to be alone in her house.
So she moved in. No arguments from her of course.
His minimalistic living had been changed with her arrival, but not as much as he had originally thought. Only little bits of her dotted the home as she was quite respectful. Though he was keeping an eye on the plush toy to see if it made any advancement towards their room.
Yes. Their room. Another change. Guardians help him, somehow they were in a relationship. Though neither had particularly voiced it, it was obvious enough. Dyas would have his hide when she found out he was dating after the nightmare he had put Azure through.
A soft noise brought his attention from his box of tools in the corner of the bedroom. He had been looking for his hammer to fix a loose nail in one of his chairs. Who was knocking at the door? "Could you get that?" He called down the hallway, as Menolly was closer to the door than him. Perhaps this was a bad idea. But it was one that was already completed, so might as well carry through with it.
Tristen had arrived to the City not too long ago, a pack of supplies on his back and a cheerful smile on his face. It was a rare occasion to be here, but he didn't come for shopping. Didn't come for the plumbing. No, those options would make sense. He was specifically going against the wishes of the very pae he was coming to. Raken of course. And the only sibling who was his elder. This was extremely dangerous as the demon specifically didn't want any way to tie his family to him. The fae did take a few precautions though. His long crimson hair was tucked up under a hat, and a flowing trench coat covered his body. With any luck, he'd be seen as just another fae walking the streets.
He made his way to Rakens home - the neighbors all knew where 'The Hero' lived. He softly stepped up the stairs, lifted a hand, and knocked on the door.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:52 am
Placing the dishes down, her head shot up immediately at the knock. A second of a head tilt followed. Visitors were not common to say the least yet there was a knock! Three steps from the door she heard Raken ask her to answer it.
"Happily!"
Beaming wildly she reached for the door knob wondering who all it could be. Maybe it was Zofie? Someone else from the ranch or another gift?! Bouncing the balls of her feet, the gray and pink angel fearlessly pulled the door open.
Already beaming smile, it took less then half a second for her to launch herself at their guest arms wrapping around their visitor with deceptive strength. Kiss mark on the cheek, oh she remembered him! "Welcome!" Her words came out in practicality a song. Little wings were flapping practically enough to pull her feet just off the ground. That helped her hug their guest easier.EvilSilverDragon heart attack in three. two..
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:13 pm
He was a little nervous to say the least. He'd never heard Raken raise his voice, but this was going against a direct request. On top of that, Tristen was also wrestling with disapproval himself for his brothers 'Hero' status. He'd managed to withhold judgement until he could ask Raken directly, but now he was staring this confrontation in the face.
Except that wasn't who he was staring at. When the door swung open, it was a female in the opening. The first thought was an apology for the wrong house. Wait. "Menolly?!" The name barely came to his lips as the blonde suddenly launched herself onto him. His arms reflexively came up to grip her for stabilization, only to quickly try to pry the angel off of him. "Menolly! What? How? Is Raken here?" Some one get her off of him! She was going to get him murdered! Of course he knew exactly who the girl was. They had met before, briefly. Back when he was with Sunny. He'd never forget a daughter of Kurt.'Welcome!' He heard ring out an instant before he heard a muffled oomf. He sighed while standing up, hammer in hand. "Menolly, you can't tackle guests, its impolite." It was easy to surmise that was the cause of the visitors shout of surprise. Raken walked out of the room to greet the guest himself, catching a glimpse of his face as he struggled with Menolly. "Tristen? What happened?" Obviously something happened. That was the only reason his brother should be there. He dropped the hammer on the table and hurried over.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:28 pm
Encouraged by the hug back, Menolly put just a little bit more pressure before finally opening her eyes. She looked around behind him expecting to see someone else. Only, there wasn't anyone else with him. There should have been, right? Brief moment of sadness flashed towards the empty air before she felt herself pulled away. "Sorry.." Raken was right, clearly tackling Tristen was unwanted.
Slowly she let him go, her golden eye sorrowful when they met him. Pouting with her wings lowered, his actions equaled rejection. "I live here, Raken is inside..." Her words were lower tone and eyes downcasted. Did Tristen hate her? What had she done to him?
As Raken approached she took a breath and put on a smile when she turned to look at him, "I'll go get him something to eat, Tristen you can come in." Quickly, the angel hurried back to the kitchen to fix something for the Fae. Maybe something good to eat might help him like her more?Tartara Seabreeze What would tris like with his side of guilt and kicked puppy?
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:29 pm
Instant relief when the female finally let go, quickly replaced with a distinct feeling of guilt. Menolly didn't deserve such harsh rebuke, but Kurt was certifiably insane.
At Rakens voice, he tried to peer over Menollys shoulder. "No, nothings wrong. I - wait Menolly LIVES with you? Raken?" The last bit said in a bit of a panicked voice as he walked inside at Menollys invitation. "Does Kurt know? Do YOU know she's Kurts daughter?" The subject of the conversation was sadly bustling about in the kitchen, obviously deflated. He'd deal with that after he pulled his brother out of this house to safety.Nothing was wrong? The male frowned, taking his brothers coat and shutting the door. "Yes, I'm aware of who Menolly is. It doesn't matter. Why are you here Tristen?" He prided on not losing his anger, but coming was a huge risk. And if his family wasn't in danger, there was no excuse. And all the fae could do was gawk over Menolly. So angry, no. But certainly a little irritated. "What if a faun saw you? Or a spy?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:51 pm
From her corner of the kitchen, the dejected angel stared at the offerings. There weren't a lot of luxuries, her greatest comfort being the demon of her heart rather then the offerings that abounded in the city of the Guardians. Occasionally there were some given or traded, earned in a fashion or another.
With a guest, particularly one that didn't care for her required full stop effort. The meal provided for her and Raken, roasted meat, potatoes, carrots and another root vegetable she wasn't sure the name. Hearty meal provided more than enough to offer the fae.
Tapping her chin she tried to decide what else might make the food more appealing to someone else. No where in any memory could she place anything the other might like or dislike. If he was like Raken then there wasn't anything amazing to add; however if his tastes were more like hers she had a few additions.
The sweet bread she'd made as her own little treat aught to do it. Just to be sure there was a secret weapon. Zipping around the kitchen headless of the two males she prepared two more small plates with a hunk of sweet bread on each. Pulling out fresh strawberries, smiling proud of herself for having held off eating them so they could be useful, the angel went to work slicing a few juicy ones to add. A slice or two may have been consumed, a good cook always tastes her food and that story she was sticking with. Slicing the sweet bread open she added the slices evenly between hers and his before sacraficing two more just for his. Some cheese and sturdy bread joined another plate to ensure her demon had something special for himself.
Calling form the kitchen she asked, "Are you hungry, Tristen?" Probably could have asked prior, but now was as good a time as any.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:39 pm
The fae looked at his sibling incredulously. How was this a non-issue? "I'm here to update our siblings about you, and vice versa. You've been gone for seasons, we care about you!" He lifted the hat on his head, allowing his long locks to cascade down his back. At Menollys voice, he looked over to her.
Poor thing looked pleased as pie with her offering. He flashed a smiled to her. "Yes actually, thank you. I'm sorry for barging in like this. But you know Rakens too paranoid for letters." What if the fauns intercepted it. It was always a fear of retaliation. His head swiveled back to the demon. "I don't think I was spotted. But this wouldn't have been an issue had you not gotten into the bomb making profession."He paused at the reason before slowly inhaling and shaking his head. He did miss Dyas and the boys. The damage had been done, and there was no use arguing about it.
The bomb statement froze him though. A surprising amount of bite from a pae covered in kiss marks. He blinked once before meeting Tristens gaze. "I didn't make the bomb. I wouldn't even know how... I only delivered it. For the Guardians." He cut around the issue in question. "Let us eat first. I know everyone has questions." Raken walked into the kitchen, gently touching Menollys shoulder. "Thank you for making lunch." He lifted his hand to take two of the plates.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:00 pm
With ease the hostess smiled back and answered, "I am glad to have you here!" Hey, he smiled at her, step one was a check. Just watching Raken and Tristen, it was hard not to see the tension Well, she had the fix for that!
It was hard to argue that there was probably a lot about Raken she didn't know by virtue of never needing to ask. What was between them, well that was enough for her. Only here was a member of his family, someone she remembered being fond of, she was happy for the insight. "Of course! If you are still hungry after you eat I'll take care of it!" Fussing over if someone got enough to eat or not was a natural role.
Menotion of the bomb set her feathers right out and her back a little straighter. It was an act he was famous for, she learned some time after knowing him. For the Guardians, it was the right thing to do. Trying not to picture the injuries children did become a task she prayed the Guardians wouldn't judge her for. Raken had acted with bravery for the Guardians they all believed in, that was enough. Most days.
Settling herself back down again she went to reach for eating utensils. One touch on her shoulder and she bloomed, sun upon a flower. Smiling warmly at Raken, she remarked, "You are very welcome" That tilt in her tone sent just a little more musically with pure joy answered him.
Renewed she carried the collected items and additional plates before suggesting, "Please have a seat Tristen, how are you doing? How is the family?" Seemed a great way to start a nice lunch conversation.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:54 pm
He gave him a rather pointed look at the dodgy answer before turning back to Menolly. "Thank you...I'm doing well. Very in fact. Ever growing. Still no word on Malek I'm afraid though. But I heard Chal moved out to one of the villages with a girlfriend. Hemi might soon follow suit with his as well." Tristen gave the most important information to Raken first. The things he would most want to hear. The fae sat down in one of the three chairs - an oddly perfect number for the pae there. "So...how did you two...meet." She was rather simply pleased, and he enjoyed the smile she flashed in response. It was a soothing thing, and the tension seemed to ease out of the home in response. He walked over to the modest living room, placing the food on the table. Malek was still missing. That was distressing. He looked over to Menolly. "My grandsons. From what I understand, Malek went missing shortly after my mission. There's been no word of his whereabouts since." With the plates set down, he moved back to the kitchen to get three cups for water.
"At the market. And you know how friendly she is." He said dryly, as if it explained the situation entirely. In a way it did. He took two of the three cups over and set them on the table.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:06 pm
Carefully she set Tristen's plates down, main lunch in front with the smaller plate of a bribe up and opposite from where the glass would go. Next fork and knife, if he needed it, to the left of the plate for use. Beaming she kept busy helping set the table as well as listening to Tristen talk. Slight eyebrow knitting ash she wasn't hearing the name she thought she would hear. There was a thought to ask but it caught in her throat.
Extra beat of her heart followed the question of how she met Raken. There was no hiding the darkening of her cheeks, upturn of already smiling lips and the eyes closed beaming. That was her favorite story, running in to him that Guardian blessed day.
Finishing the task by fetching the last glass with practiced coordination between the two in easy view, she had to pause when it was mentioned his grandson was missing. Grandson? Never mind that. "Oh, I am so sorry to hear that." That the timing right after Rakens when so many seemed to be called caught her. For a moment her eyes went to the blanket in the corner. Thats what Kurt was doing, she hoped it wasn't what Malek was up to.
Trying to ease the concern she placed the last glass down and gushed, "He was so nice! It was right when I was off on my own in the City after leaving my friend's home. I got moved right next door! Guardians willed it." Excitement pitched in her voice as her eyes sat warmly on Raken before she settled her self in her own chair waiting for the demon to also settle down.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:26 pm
As the food came forth, Tristen eyed what was presented with a hungry stomach. It all was fairly simplistic, but definitely hearty. There was even a rarity, a delicious bit of bread and strawberries! He patiently waited though to dig in.
"Nice? Raken?" He sputtered, eyes widening. His sibling had been branded many things. Intelligent, cold, generally a gigantic jerk. 'Nice' was typically reserved for those he liked. "He's...dependable." That at least was true. It was strange seeing how the angel lit up around his brother, and how Raken seemed so comfortable around her. Did he hit his head on the way to the City and never actually made it? "So, what did Kurt think of it?" Raken nodded in appreciation when the female grabbed the last glass, and sat down soon after she picked a seat in the remaining chair.
He stared at Tristen at the sputter. "Kurt is...was. A good friend of mine." He did not take pleasure in the tense change. The loss of his good friend hit him deeply. "When I found out who she was, I had to see to it she was taken care of." Raken reached out to take a forkful of the meat, guiding it to his mouth right as the fae asked the next question. His eyes flicked over to Menolly.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:38 pm
Seated herself, Menolly went right for her glass of water mainly to stop herself from going right for the desert. Putting it down to listen as Tristen spoke, her smile never fading. Nodding her head in the affirmative as he used Raken's name and nice together without verbalizing it. Happily going for her own food, her hand stilling on the fork set on a carrot, eyes falling from where they had been brightly watching Tristen.
Taking a moment, the words pulling from the same spot her courage had plummeted, saying hello to her stomach apparently. "Daddy...He went on a Guardian mission. Something to do with ships going missing. The ship came back, everyone was okay." There had been a girl from the City and sailors but no Kurt. Swallowing back emotion as best she could ever manage, she added, "Daddy's ship was the first to come back, he found out what happened but...He didn't make it. He isn't in the Hall of the Lost either. I checked. Daily." She had to take several breaths deeply in and slowly out to chase away the hitch in her voice.
Her dad did something meaningful in the name of the Guardians. It would betray what he did if she broke down and cried for him still. Trying to save them from a heavy silence Menolly pulled something happier out. "He has a Ranch. Daddy started an alpaca ranch with Ms. Zofie, she writes and sends alpaca gifts. If you get a chance you should see it. Her family plus my adopted brother and sister. There are all sorts of animals, new family came in Alma builds things." What was the name of Alma's boyfriend. She wanted to say Chal but that could just be because Tristen just said the name himself.
With a little more effort then it should have taken, Menolly took a bite full of food almost to show it was alright. It hurt, but was getting better. Having Raken to comfort her, and knowing her father's legacy lived on helps.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 7:25 pm
Tristen was confused at the change of words Raken used, until Menolly began speaking. His hand stopped from its movement towards a fork as he settled into the chair, listening.
The sorrow was clear on her face. And his own heart ached for her.
Kurt...was dead? Despite all the threats of violence, the curses, the hatred Kurt had towards him, Tristen himself never hated him back. Feared most definitely. But he had longed for that grumpy old man to like him. He was a good father, if a overbearing. "Oh...I'm so sorry Menolly, I..." Made sense why Raken said it didn't matter earlier. "Oh, I know of the ranch. Our brother Dameon is co-runner of Star Grove, and the ranch is a big trades partner. Dame by the way is doing well. Just had quadruplets." Alma...sounded familiar. But he couldn't quite place it. He watched her slowly answer, and when she had to take a breath he reached over and gently touched her hand. She was much better now than she had been, slowly healing. Both Tristen and himself knew the pain of losing a parent. He reacted by going on several seasons long expedition to take her off the isle. Menolly was handling it remarkably well. "When I can, I want to visit the Ranch myself. Kurt talked fondly of his alpaca." Who knew when that would be though.
Hand still on Menolly's, he used his free one to take another biteful of food. He quickly swallowed at the news. "Quadruplets?" As far as pregnancies go, while Dameon and Starry had multiple they were always in low amounts. Twins on pregnancy, and a single baby for two. "Guardians. Poor Starry."
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 7:36 pm
How does one respond when another says they are sorry for the passing of a loved one? That was an answer she didn't have, the best she could do was nod a little when he said it and wait. Relief came from the simple gesture, her appreciation was more then she could put into words but they painted her face when she looked to Raken, Moving her thumb just enough to wrap around his own, the angel took silent comfort.
Conversation drifted for that she was grateful, his hand stayed on hers meaning the world. Talking about the ranch coaxed what was missing form the smile Raken brought back to life with a touch. "Zofie speaks very well of the Ranch. I am glad our families are trade partners!" Trade partners had to mean friends or at least on good terms. Life wasn't like it was when the HQ existed this was huge for all of them to depend on each other.
Mention of Quadruplets caused her fork to hover near her mouth which had fallen a impolitely. Blinking a few more times she got herself back to working like she knew how to eat in polite company. Chewing down her bite she tried to imagine that many babies and failed. Took a hard right to get the babies image out of her head even then it came out. "Congratulations to Starry, I hope she has lots of help!" Curiosity and baby talk got her to ask, "Do you have any children?" Did she have a niece of nephew out there somewhere?
Losing contact with all but her father so many seasons back it was impossible to tell what she'd missed.
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