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 Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:05 pm
He followed close behind, I will need it. There is a sinful siren in front of me, threatening to throw me off with the way she moves through the air.
Lene walked silently in the direction of her home, hoof in hoof with Mandrake, who though thoroughly confused about the situation would have followed Lene to hell and back. She had not told him that was where they were going, but he felt the dread in her all the same. All he knew was that she needed him with her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:07 pm
She smiled as she glanced back at him but she had to get her mind focused. Dealing with her family would not be easy. A few moments later she landed lightly outside of her family's dwelling.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:16 pm
Nicholai landed next to her, his larger body standing protectively in front of hers. Something was coming through the brambles and he was not giving it the satisfaction of knowing she was there with him.
A black and pink head poked out of the dense brush, looking around cautiously and darting back in when it spotted Nicholai. She heard his laughter at her, but she pushed Mandrake through the brush first, hiding behind him from the other male.
Mandrake blinked and looked down at Lene, "He does not look scary," He said, smiling at her.
She poked her head around again, cheeks deep pink with embarrassment. "You're not supposed to say that out loud...use our mental path for communication."
Gregori's dark form landed next, a good distance from his granddaughters and their mates.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:20 pm
Aria materialized beside her mate a smile quite evident on her face. These are not such bad matches...not bad at all...
Serenata rolled her eyes and nudged Nicholai, I'm supposed to be protecting you, remember?
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:31 pm
Serenata's mate is not as horrible as young Damien made him sound. He appears to be a strong warrior capable of protecting our granddaughter. His eyes darted to the other male, who was Lene's match in markings. The other...is not Carpathian...
You are, just from that side of me. He laughed and nuzzled her, moving out from in front of her so that she could see her sister.
Mandrake felt eyes on him and stiffened, thrusting himself in front of Lene without even realize he was doing it. We are being watched...
Lene frowned and pushed herself into view, That's my grandfather. He's measuring you up to see if you're good enough for me.
I thought lifemates were not picked...but predestined...
They are. But just because I accept you as mine does not mean the others will. But it doesn't look like Grandfather hates you. That's a good start. Lene grinned as she felt his stomach lurch. She nuzzled him in an attempt to comfort him.
Callista settled down next, shifting from the form of a wolf into herself. Her nieces had indeed found good matches. She hoped her own children would be as lucky.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:38 pm
Valzar appeared very close to Callista, Are all males typically met with this much scrutiny?
Nor was Callista's mate, Aria reminded him. And so far he's my favorite son-in-law...
It's like a family reunion... Serenata muttered in her mind looking around letting her eyes fall upon her sister, How are you holding up, Lene?
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:54 pm
Very much so. It is a serious matter to claim a female. But you don't need to worry about that one. I still think I claimed the best lifemate. Callista smiled at him and moved toward her parents.
He does treat our daughter the best of all our lifemated daughters.
Lene smiled back at Serenata, I am nervous...but so is Mandrake. I think he described this as being placed on the auction block for inspection before bidding. Are you ok, you and Nicholai?
Zakiel's deep laughter could be heard through the woods, followed by his sister's, lighter, more musical tones. "Luciana, that vine was not made to be swung on."
She laughed and did so anyway, somersaulting to a landing right in front of Callista. "Good evening, Mother, Father."
Zakiel shook his head, "You take too many liberites, Sister. You could have gotten hurt."
Did you hear that Val? Our son laughed! Not a cold laugh either, a real one! Callista hugged her daughter, though practically pounced her son when he came into view. "I want to meet her!"
Zakiel looked at his father, "I...uh...hadn't wanted to tell anyone about that yet...Mom..."
Serenea cleared her throat as she stepped out to greet them. She smiled brightly, but it did not touch her eyes.
Pip emerged next, making it obvious to the others why Serena's bubbly mood was not present. His cold eyes locked onto the newcomers, passing Nicholai's wizened eyes after a few seconds and locking onto Mandrake's. There was flames leaping in the depths of those cold eyes of his, but Mandrake didn't look away. Pip sneered at the challenge, noticing his daughter Lene curled protectively around her "lifemate"
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:02 pm
"We will speak of this later," Valzar said quietly watching the others and their reactions carefully.
Josette stopped short of entering the clearing, "Uncle Pip does not look happy..."
Divolin followed her and eyed the two unfamiliar males with his cousins suspiciously.
It feels more like a tribunal to me... Serenata shot back as her parents left the house. She moved in front of Nicholai, "Good evening father." She glanced around the circle as some of her cousins were still appearing. "It is good to see the family together this night..."
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:16 pm
"It is," He acknowledged Serenata with a cold smile, "Though I had hoped we would all meet again under much happier circumstances."
Gregori growled audibly, turning a few heads. I will scorch his hide yet...
Serena shot her lifemate a icy glare. "What your father means to say, is that we are very glad to open our home to our family, new and old. Please, come sit with us as we get to know the newest members."
Lene's eyes were almost filled with tears at her father's iciness. "Oh Gaia..." He is not happy Serenata...I am very grateful for the others all of the sudden. I know they will let nothing bad happen.
Mandrake wrapped his arms tightly around Lene. Shed no tears, Lene my love. You will be happy, just as I will be happy, in the end.
Callista noded, "Your father is right, now we must be there for Lene and Serenata. I wish Selena were here...That male needs a good thrashing and I think the two of us would be capable of doing it..."
"I don't think you'll get a chance Mother," Luciana offerd.
Zakiel nodded, "I think Grandfather will beat you to it." He bowed his head. If there were one male Carpathian that he had no respect for, it was Pip.
Nicholai took the first steps toward the house. "Let us Go Serenata. The wide open Jaws await our flesh."
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:28 pm
"Personally I think these are wonderful circumstances," Selena said materializing between the two couples. "Any time my kin find a male who will treat them with respect and care for them is a wonderful occasion, don't you think, dear brother-in-law?" Her icy blue eyes rested on Pip.
Oh dear... Aria gasp softly and edged closer to Gregori both wanting to calm him and sooth all her children.
Serenata grinned at her aunt, then her sister, All will be well, don't worry. She wrapped her hoof firmly around Nicholai's, a clear statement that they stood together.
Valzar glanced at his mate, Should we get the girls out of here? The energy is practically crackling...
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:39 pm
Gregori wrapped a wing around Aria, a brilliant smile on his face as he stood proud, mentally cheering Selena's comment.
"If I thought that this were such an occasion, my dearest sister-in-law, I would have stated so. I am not convinced either of these males can care for my daughters. especial the one who is mortal. He spit out the word with disdain.
The girls will be fine...which is more than I can say for him. Callista's eyes were dark and forboding, anger washing off of her in clear waves. "I see nothing wrong with taking a mortal lifemate. In fact, I am sure that my lifemate is much more of a man than you." She clenched her hooves together, imagining a tight rope forming and strangling his neck.
Pip began choking by something unseen, pulling at it with his hooves.
Luciana's eyes widened, "Mother!"
Zakiel grinned, laughing at the situation. "Bets on how long he survives?"
Serena shook her head, her heart filled with hurt. "Can no one be happy for my children?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:48 pm
Divolin regarded the situation unfeelingly.
Josette gasped softly.
Callista, remember your sister, Valzar gently placed his hooves over hers trying to surround her with his love as she had done so often for him. "You do not need to do this on my account. I love you, you've given me meaning in my life, more than I ever dared imagine that I could find. Disregard what others may think...they do not know as we do."
"So..." Serenata muttered under her breath to Nicholai. "You still want to join this family?"
Selena rolled her eyes and moved to wrap her twin in a hug. "We are all thrilled for your children. At least everyone who's opinion matters," she added glaring at Pip and secretly cheering on their little sister.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:08 pm
Callista withdrew the rope, letting Pip breathe again. "He not only slights us, but his daughter and her lifemate as well..." She rested her head on Valzar's neck and glared at Pip.
"Of course, Serenata." He stepped forward, bowing in respect to Pip, "I am Nicholai, hunter of the undead and lifemate to your daughter Serenata. I ask for your acceptance of us, not because it matters to me, but because Serenata and her family wish for it."
Serena watched from within Selena's grasp, "I am ashamed of my lifemate once again, Sister..."
Pip stared down the much older Carpathian, "You cause my lifemate pain and bring discord to my home, yet you wish for me to accept you?" Pip scoffed. "I cannot accept your claim on her, not when my son believes you to be pulling wool over my daughter's eyes."
Damien appeared then in the doorway, merciless eyes pointed to Nicholai. "He was holding her...my sister. Without even talking to my father first...he should know what is expected..."
Rolling his eyes, Gregori stepped forward, "As head of this family, I invoke my right to decide here. Nicholai," Gregori smiled and clasped the other hunter's arm. "Long may you stay in the light. And may you and my granddaughter have every happiness."
Nicholai smiled back, retreating to wrap his arms around Serenata. His eyes drifted to her sister and her mortal mate. What of those two, Lifemate?
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:17 pm
His word no longer seems to matter, Valzar held his lifemate close trying to comfort her.
"One word, sister, and I will take him out back and beat him..." Selena assured her twin she threw a look at her nephew. "I may take his son with me..."
Serenata sighed in relief but at Nicholai's reminder reached out to her grandmother, Please, Lene loves her mortal, and he obviously cares for her...
Aria had been taking in the scene quietly all this time. She saw the two new males and their obviously protective natures towards her granddaughters. She also saw her own dear daughters, one very happy with a lifemate who obviously treasured her and one who was upon the point of tears. Gregori, before you make your decision, look, she shared her observations with him. Our happiest daughter's mate was once mortal...Please, I can not see any more of my girls so unhappy.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:35 pm
Gregori nodded and reached for his lifemate, I see and hear all there is for me to know to make the correct choice. He motioned for Mandrake to step forward.
The mortal did so, taking cues from Nicholai and bowing elegantly, "I am Mandrake, I hunt no undead nor do I know exactly all that this council is for. But I know that your granddaughter brought me out of a dark despair when no other could. She healed the loneliness in me and has become the air I breathe. To live without her is impossible for me, and I know it is impossible for her as well. She desperately needs to know that she is not ostracized for my blood."
Gregori nodded, eyes darting over the male and looking into his mind. Slowly, he smiled and stepped forward, clasping Mandrake's arm as he had Nicholai's. "Long may you stay in the light, my grandson. And long may you treasure my granddaughter as we do." I think he will be fine, Aria. He is honest and true in word and deed. He will, like the other, make a fine lifemate for our granddaughters.
In the background, Pip seethed, watching as his two daughters cuddled with their lifemates. His looked at Gregori, and decided that that was not the wisest way to dispel his anger, moved to his lifemate next. "Come Serena, I have words for you." He pulled her along behind him unceremoniously.
"Pip, you're hurting my wrist," Serena protested, "And I would like to talk with Lene's lifemate. I have not yet met him."
Gregori heard the word "hurt" all too loudly. He moved and broke the male's grip on his daughter's wrist, shattering Pip's wrist in the process. "Do not dare to ever let me hear that word fall from my daughter's lips again. I am in need of a new throw rug in my home, and I will not hesitate to make you it." The words were low and barely audible, but Pip nodded, coldly acknowledging his defeat this time.
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