Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau
Golden Cloud Temple China Apr. 22, 1314 AD

Alain sat cross-legged like the monks did for hours. He sat next to his Sifu on the temple steps so they could see the valley below. It was spring and the weather had warmed. Flowers and the colorful songbirds had returned to the land. The sun shone down on the villagers as they plied the rice paddies. He was a stranger from a distant land. He did not belong here, but he felt more at home here than he had felt any where since....since his death.

A gentle breeze wafted over the slopes of the mountain. It felt chilling over his shaved head. He shivered.

Sifu noticed immediately. He always seemed as transparent as glass to her. "You did not have to shave your head and beard. It was not required."

"They made me feel out of place among you," He explained, "All of you have taken me in and taught me so much these last year."

"But you must accept the fact that you are different. Unless you return to your homeland your skin and eyes will always set you apart," She said, "And even then your inability to age or die or have children will keep you seperate. The two of us, the others like us, will never fit in again."

"Does it have to be so," He asked turning his eyes to look on her, "I have no interest in the gathering or winning the prize. I just want somewhere to find peace...like I've found here."

"There are many of us that does have such an interest," She stated still looking out over the simple villagers below, "Some desire it so much that they must not attain the prize."

They felt it together. The feeling like someone crossing over his grave-metaphorically speaking of course. It was a feeling Sifu called sensing the quickening of another immortal approaching.

"Ah," Sifu stated as if she had been expecting this, "The man you encountered in India has found us."

Alain looked down to the man climbing the steps to the temple. He had hoped to avoid this. He started to rise, "I will go get my sword. You and the monks should stay out of the way somewhere."

"Nonsense Alain," She chided softly, "We are on holy ground. He has come to talk."

"And what if he decides he does not want to talk anymore," He asked, "What if he doesn't respect holy ground as the custom demands of us."

She shrugged, "Then we will die."

"But..."

"Shhh" She chided gently, "We were practicing our meditation. We shall proceed with that until he reaches us."

Alain looked at her as if speaking her foreign language again.

"Empty your mind," She told him, "Think of nothing. Concentrate on your breathing. Feel the wind against you. We will know when he arrives what he intends to do here."

----------------------X

IC: Xia-Na Liu and Brother Mogoro

"Can he defeat him?"

"I know him. I took his shattered soul and helped him piece it back together again. I Know Alain De'Montreau better than he even knows himself," She stated, "But I do not know that."

"I get the feeling you know of Gitana and her history," Sonam said watching her carefully as Xia sipped her tea.

She lowered the teacup answering, "I have heard much of her through the years, yes. I have also heard of your mother as well in my time. Tell me about them."

"She taught mom to fight. Some knight in Warwick England taught her." Sonam pressed, "Mom has even been shown how some of the moves from her bellydancing with a sword can be added as more blocks. Still she won't fight this idiot and she has never been able to push him far enough to kill her."

"If she would fight," Xia asked as she casually tasted the tea again, "Do you think she would win against Acheron?"

Sonam looked down into her tea as if she had seen someone rip out her heart and crush it right in front of her.

Mogoro had been silent but now spoke up, "She won't fight. Fear keeps her from taking up the sword."

"I see," Xia surmised simply.

"What can we do," Sonam asked quietly but hearfeltly.

"You are young. Youth makes everything an urgent situation as you grow older you learn the value of patience," Xia told her, "If you can't answer your question yourself. Then sit, wait, and be ready for the answer to become clear to you."

----------------X

IC: Acheron

One quick surprise sweep and it would be ended with him as the victor once again. He reached her swinging to sever head.

"This ends here!"

His sword clanged as another was raised to block it before severing the insufferable witch's head.

"Fool... You can't kill us. We are all in your mind and that child is my domain," She laughed...laughed at him!

More of his victims emerged from the darkness. Some he had barely defeated...now with all of them...He took a step back.

"Ourne, I tire of this..." Gitana decreed, "Kill him... Kill him for the monster he became and the cruel abuse he has used against our Selena and would use against her mortal adopted daughter. KILL HIM!"

"With pleasure, Hyoka." Ourne rumbled coming up behind him axe raised to complete her order.

"No," He cried blocking riposting and parrying swords, spears, and knives desperately, "I am Acheron. I defeated you all. I will not be beaten now! I am becoming a god! All of you are beneath me!"

He screamed as someone got a lucky blow shoving the length of a spear through his back and out through his gut. That gave the others opening for a sword pierced his shoulder and the knives stabbed his side.

Acheron cried out in agony as he was pulled down to his knees. One of them grabbed his hair pulling his head back so he looked up as Ourne lifted his axe to swoop down in a decapitating stroke like an executioner would for the foulest of criminals.

"No...no...no..." He called out in the only act of defiance to the bitch and her minions he could at this point.

"Gods don't bleed, pup." He said before the axe fell to cleave his head from his shoulder, "They don't die either."

"No!" He screamed jolting awake in his bed. He flung the sheets off of him scrambling out for his rapier and holding it to fend off the nightmare.

"Just a dream," Acheron said to himself, "Just a dream."

 

[Asa]

Sonam opting to change the subject slightly from her mother back to Gitana.

What happens to you immortals to go from noble warrior with weird powers like Gitana to evil enough to make mortal serial killers loom like priests to hermits in temples like Gitana did? Mom never went through that form.of transformation if anything she has always been healer a protector even at the risk of her own mind body and soul.

She shrugged.

Even Gitana's bat shit evil family "former partners" whatever ... Well at least two of them have helped at least protect the temple

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Xia-Na Liu
Golden Cloud Temple China August 3, 1314AD

Alain stood as the summer wind blew through the trees. The river flowed beside them towards the village and the farmer's bent over among the rice paddies. He was nervouse, but he was unable to do anything about it. Tradition bound as solely a spectator for this duel.

"You are not the one I seek," Ameretat sneered brushing fingers through his full beard. The other rested over the sword at his belt while glaring at Alain, "I have no desire to take a woman's head, but I will if I must."

Sifu took her sword in her sheath in hand carrying it reverently, "As I explained several times...Alain is my pupil and therefore under my protection. If you desire to duel him you must first defeat me now."

He glowered at her, "I do not harm women."

"Such restraint is admirable," She told him, "Though I suspect it comes from condescension rather than anything like virtue."

"If you are so eager to die draw your sword, whore." He said sliding his wavy sabre out in hand.

Xia laid her sword reverently onto the ground between them, "Do you know how many heads I have taken in my long life with this sword, Ameretat?"

He sneered, "Oh I am sure it must be many."

"None," She told him raising back leaving the sword on the ground.

"Then this will be easier than I thought," Ameretat Said raising his saber at the ready, "There can only be one."

Alain watched them for a long time just standing there. Ameretat on the verge of attack and Sifu Xia standing there casually waiting. Then suddenly with a snarl Ameretat charged swinging to sever Sifu's head from her body, but she bent her body flowing around the swung blade like water with ease. He swung backhanded but her hand caught hold of his wrist and with a simple twist Ameretat's sword fell to the ground.

He staggered back shaking his hand.

"Your sword," She said holding it hilt first for him to retake, "After all...there can only be one."

"You mock me," Ameretat growled to her.

"No," She shook her head to him, "I teach you."

------------------------------------X

IC: Xia-Na Liu and Brother Mogoro

"You are young. Youth makes everything an urgent situation as you grow older you learn the value of patience," Xia told her, "If you can't answer your question yourself. Then sit, wait, and be ready for the answer to become clear to you."

She sighed like only a teenaged young woman could and changed the subject, "What happens to you immortals to go from noble warrior with weird powers like Gitana to evil enough to make mortal serial killers loom like priests to hermits in temples like Gitana did?

Mogoro shrugged, "No one knows for certain, but some believe the more heads you take...the more quickenings you take into yourself...they think there's a point where if you only take evil people's heads all that evil overflows and eventually corrupts the immortal into being just as evil...they call it a dark quickening."

Xia nodded, "Perhaps the reverse is what happened to your friend Gitana, or even your mother."

Sonam shook her head, "Mom never went through that form of transformation. If anything she has always been healer, a protector, even at the risk of her own mind body and soul."

She sighed, "I only know of your mother from the damage she has caused to my favorite pupil's life. I would like to meet her someday so we can have a long conversation about him."

"Even Gitana's bat shit evil family "former partners" whatever ..." She continued with a shrug, "... Well at least two of them have helped at least protect the temple."

Xia shook her head, "Do not confuse that with any indication of their motives or their morality. The stories of them are replete with insanity."

 

[Asa]

Sonam nods.

Dominic really seemed a little unique... One minute laughing while slaughtering "idiots who dare attack his sister to abject reverence Infront of mom... Like he couldn't see her as anything less than the priestess she once was. His "mom" Dominique just seems cold and very direct.

She was trying to figure out where Selena went how to find her and if they were going to ever track down Alan.

What would you have to talk with mom about Alain... She is determined to save everyone else's lives there why she ran in Venice... She realized Acheron was there and didn't want him to kill Alain.

She downed the tea she had and sighed.

I need to find mom.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Xia-Na Liu
Golden Cloud Temple China July 7, 1341 AD

Alain bowed to her closed fist against open palm. "Sifu, peace and prosperity to you."

"And you Alain," She said returning the bow, "Are you leaving the temple now?"

He straightened up, "Yes, I want to see the world again."

"So," Xia smiled to him, "You think you have nothing more to learn here?"

"Never, Sifu. I will carry your teachings wherever I go," He smiled back to her, "And continue to learn with every day as you have taught me."

"Farewell, Alain," She told him with a nod, "May your Christian god bless you and protect you on your travels."

He turned to the doors of the temple and began to head through them before stopping to see Ameretat waiting for him. "Brother."

"Are you leaving because you have finally realized the truth, Alain De'Montreau," He said holding out his Dao broadsword a far cry from the broadsword of a Templar he'd no longer touch, "You will never best me in our sparring matches."

"No, I won't," He said with a smile, "You can still go with me."

Ameretat shook his head, "Your journey takes you out of this temple. I still have much to learn from Sifu."

"Whenever I need Sifu's wisdom I will be back, brother," He said as he took the sword, "Farewell."

--------------------------------X

IC: Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

Xia shook her head, "Do not confuse that with any indication of their motives or their morality. The stories of them are replete with insanity."

Sonam nodded, "Dominic really seemed a little unique... One minute laughing while slaughtering "idiots who dare attack his sister to abject reverence Infront of mom... Like he couldn't see her as anything less than the priestess she once was. His "mom" Dominique just seems cold and very direct."

She looked like she was busy thinking of something. Something Xia lauded in everyone but she was surprised by the question she asked her, "What would you have to talk with mom about Alain... She is determined to save everyone else's lives there why she ran in Venice... She realized Acheron was there and didn't want him to kill Alain."

"I have had no children, but in my life I have taught many students and all of them have been like my sons and daughters to me. Alain...more than most," She answered, "As for your mother leaving Alain to save him from losing his head...that may be true, but I don't care. She saved Alain's head by ripping out his heart."

She shrugged, "If she were here I would to ask her if she truly ever loved my favorite pupil."

"I need to find mom." She sighed drinking the last of her tea and looking so lost in herself.

Xia raised up and held out a hand for her, "Come out and spar with me. I wish to see what your friend Gitana has taught you."

 

[Asa]

Sonam shrugged and stood to walk with her but not before pausing a moment and looking to Althea.

Can you think of anything Frank might have told mom to do when she ran that might be a lead for us as to how or where she might go.

Something was tugging at her mind... Like she needed to remember something important some clue that would help her. Moving back into the main room with Xia and looked around. She got ready to spar with yet another immortal. Why xid they all seem to want t9 test her when they met her?

Why the interest in sparring with me when we should be looking for mom and Alain?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Xia-Na Liu and Althea and Brother Mogoro

Xia raised up and held out a hand for her, "Come out and spar with me. I wish to see what your friend Gitana has taught you."

She shrugged and began to head out through the door but paused asking Althea who'd been sitting quietly observing like only a veteran watcher could a question,

"Can you think of anything Frank might have told mom to do when she ran that might be a lead for us as to how or where she might go?"

Althea gave it a moment before stating, "Frank would...tell her to...keep moving. She would...not stay...in one place...long enough...for him...to track...her down."

Mogoro put in, "But eventually she would have to resettle under the radar again somewhere. Someplace she'd feel safe to start over again."

"Come," Xia told her gesturing to the door, "Let us spar now."

"Why the interest in sparring with me," Sonam asked her, "When we should be looking for mom and Alain?"

"Mostly curiosity," Xia stated calmly, "Often times action without thought tells more about someone's character than when they have time to consider their options."

She shrugged, "Also your mother has convinced herself running and hiding is her only option, which includes leaving you behind. Even if you found her how would you change her mind about that?"

"And as far as Alain is concerned," She smiled, "We won't have to find him. If I know him as well as I should he will come and find us."

She gestured to the doorway once more, "Now until then let me learn more about you by sparring with you."

 

[Asa]

Yeah the leaving me here or with Frank was so Acheron would follow her and I would not end up dead trying to end him myself since no one else would.

She paused thinking...

No... Venice... It was the last place she was happy with him... She... Wouldn't... Would she?

Fine lets spar lets have someone else pull the mouse with teeth line or whatever.

She walked with her and prepared to Spar

 

[Veroe]

IC: Xia-Na Liu

She shrugged, "Also your mother has convinced herself running and hiding is her only option, which includes leaving you behind. Even if you found her how would you change her mind about that?"

"Yeah the leaving me here or with Frank was so Acheron would follow her and I would not end up dead trying to end him myself since no one else would." She explained.

Xia nodded her agreement as they returned to the dojo of the youth center.

After a pause she added, "No... Venice... It was the last place she was happy with him... She... Wouldn't... Would she?"

She shrugged at that, "I believe that was where she and Alain lived when they were together...so it is a possibility."

She gestured to the doorway once more, "Now until then let me learn more about you by sparring with you."

They stepped inside and prepared squaring off surrounded by her pupils spectating their session. "Ready? Begin."

Sonam instantly shot into action and Xia nodded impressed as she calmly blocked dodged and avoided all the moves or strikes or holds she attempted. "That style is Korean is it not? You are quite adept at it, child. So why are you holding back?"

Her foot swept around knocking Sonam's legs out from under her.

"I have just learned that you prefer strong decisive action in the face of any conflict, Sonam," She said as the teen got back to her feet, "Now let me see how you deal with a setback."

 

[Asa]

Sonam leaped back to her feet.

The point of a spar is not to kill the opponent. Yes Gitana and a couple of the monks in her temple are Hwa Rang.

She began to move readying herself once more to spar. Carefully gaging this time the immortal before her.

They always told me unless it was life or death to always be careful with Hwa Rang as it is meant to be absolutely lethal. Mom wasn't sure about them teaching me this form because of my "temper" but Gitana felt it would be good for me.

-------

Valeria raised a brow noting the fighting style of the young woman with Xia. Sully's words of Frank choosing a Tibetan mouse with sharp temper and teeth and suspected that this young woman was the priestess daughter/watcher but did not see the priestess arrive with them. Brow raised she would have to speak with Sully about that later.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Xia-Na Liu

Sonam instantly shot into action and Xia nodded impressed as she calmly blocked dodged and avoided all the moves or strikes or holds she attempted. "That style is Korean is it not? You are quite adept at it, child. So why are you holding back?"

"The point of a spar is not to kill the opponent," She explained, "Yes Gitana and a couple of the monks in her temple are Hwa Rang."

"You mistake me," Xia replied, "Letting go is not the same as fighting with deadly intent."

Her foot swept around knocking Sonam's legs out from under her.

"I have just learned that you prefer strong decisive action in the face of any conflict, Sonam," She said as the teen got back to her feet, "Now let me see how you deal with a setback."

Sonam jumped back up to her feet immediately, but this time setting her self and more cautiously gauging Xia.

She smiled to her young new pupil, gauging her in turn.

"They always told me unless it was life or death to always be careful with Hwa Rang as it is meant to be absolutely lethal," She explained, "Mom wasn't sure about them teaching me this form because of my 'temper' but Gitana felt it would be good for me."

Xia mused with appreciation for her fellow immortal and monk, "She must have thought it would teach you restraint, but you've made it into a dangerous habit, child."

"You are withholding your full potential in this," She pointed to her feet. "First, while you're technique is flawless there's a half-second of hesitation before you commit yourself to an attack as you consider the amount of force you wish to devote to it." She raise a second finger. "Also you go against your training in shifting your strikes slightly away from the targets on my body you were taught to attack without hesitation."

"Now let us see if you can show restraint without diluting the spirit of Hwa Rang." She said settling into the classic stance for Wing Chun to receive and counter Sonam's coming assault.

 

[Asa]

Contained... Controlled... Constantly told everything... Now this... Ingrained restraint. Well this woman wants to verbally assault her mother over Alain she might as well have to go through her first. Her eyes closed then slowly opened and there wasn't a human standing before her in her mind but the balista gel dummy that the monks made to train with and with that mental image there was no need for restraint no need to temper her moves. This immortal wanted true and full Hwa Rang she was going to experience it.

Valeria tensed and began moving that way. She knew her ward would survive it but still the full on combat of the priestess daughter was still something that should be reigned in if even for the kids not to truly pick up the more lethal moves or wonder why some moves did not break their sifu.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro and Althea

Mogoro was in the doorway to the hall looking on at Sifu Xia and the young watcher sparring. His beloved wife, Althea, in the wheelchair before him. She nodded to one of the pupils gathered around as spectators to the sparring match and he reasoned she must be Xia's watcher.

At a sign from her Mogoro wheeled her over to the young watcher. When she looked at them as they approached her Althea turned her wrist flashing the tattoo watchers wore on the inside to confirm her identity to the young woman. "Do not...worry for my...husband..." She told her softly between breaths from the oxygen tank packed in the back of the wheelchair, "...He has known...of us...for many...years..."

She took a deep breath from the air tank before continuing, "...This enemy...knows of us...too...He has...killed three...of us...already...He may...strike here...too..File any report...you need to...and cut off...any access...to the directory...you have...been allowed...access to...he must not...attain our...knowledge of our...charges...It will...give him...an unfair...advantage...to claiming...the great prize...in the...gathering...if he does."

He missed the response from Xia's watcher for he suddenly felt it. It was the cold stirring deep in his spirit, the approach of another immortal.

----------X

IC: Xia-Na Liu

"Now let us see if you can show restraint without diluting the spirit of Hwa Rang." She said settling into the classic stance for Wing Chun to receive and counter Sonam's coming assault.

She approved when Sonam's eyes shut to reopen letting go of all extraneous things. Now she looked into the eyes of a warrior focused on the opponent before her. Xia Set herself shifting a growing desire to make this young woman her newest student. She really couldn't stop herself. She generally abhorred conflict without understanding...especially coming from those that needed self-enlightenment. Nothing in her many many centuries of life fulfilled her more than leading others to that light and certainty and self-confidence only found within themselves.

She moved to attack first driving the signature short and rapid punches of Wing Chun straight for the young teen's center of her body like the bullets of a machine gun on full auto. Forcing her to react defensively and counterattack with all the decisive finality her style extolled. Xia barely was able to avoid it connecting with her shifting away so the blow only struck her in the shoulder. That would be a very painful bruise for some time, but she wanted Sonam to let go of restraints so she could hardly blame her for swinging hard here.

when she moved to press the attack Xia's hand shot up to halt the match, "Hold."

Xia felt it, the quickening of another Immortal coming into her sanctuary. "We have been waiting for you," She told the man stepping through the door from outside.

--------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

With his sword bundled in an old blanket tucked under his arm Alain stepped inside Sifu's dojo and paused. He hadn't been surprised to see Sifu was sparring with a new student. What did surprise him was who that new student was.

"We have been waiting for you."

Despite Sifu's speaking to him he continued looking at the young woman in the center of the room with his Sifu. "Sonam," He asked, "Why aren't you with your mother? You are supposed to be there to protect her. What if he goes after her again?"

A face in the crowd next to Valeria was new, but an old one he recognized instantly, "Mogoro," He stammered, "...What are all of you doing here?"

 

[Asa]

So the presence of the priestess daughter without Frank or the priestess... that means the butcher is here.

Valeria spoke as she knelt down by the wheelchair nodding.

Who have we lost? I will need to at least inform Sully.

Nodding about disconnecting any connections to the network.

______
Sonam paused when the hand shot up. Her eyes shot to the door ready to leap into another fight if need be. Muscles tense till she heard his voice and growled.

The "priestess" felt I would be safer with Morogo and his wife than doing my job of staying by my mothers side.

She sighed. Shaking her head she looked back to Xia.

Now what?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Althea

She took a deep breath from the air tank before continuing, "...This enemy...knows of us...too...He has...killed three...of us...already...He may...strike here...too..File any report...you need to...and cut off...any access...to the directory...you have...been allowed...access to...he must not...attain our...knowledge of our...charges...It will...give him...an unfair...advantage...to claiming...the great prize...in the...gathering...if he does."

The young watcher knelt down by the wheelchair so they were face to face now. "Who have we lost? I will need to at least inform Sully."

Althea's eyes lowered. Watchers within the same city generally knew eachother, generally. Often they were of the same training group too. "I am...sorry child...Sully...was lost...when the...enemy...attacked...the monastery..."

As De'Montreau made his appearance Althea gestured her husband to go join his fellow immortals while the two watchers continued to talk. "The watchers...known as...Mac...died too...as well...as the one...called Frank...too...we two...may well be...all that is...left in...this city."

----------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Xia-Na Liu and Brother Mogoro

"We have been waiting for you."

Despite Sifu's speaking to him he continued looking at the young woman in the center of the room with his Sifu. "Sonam," He asked, "Why aren't you with your mother? You are supposed to be there to protect her. What if he goes after her again?"

A face in the crowd next to Valeria was new, but an old one he recognized instantly, "Mogoro," He stammered, "...What are all of you doing here?"

"The "priestess" felt I would be safer with Morogo and his wife than doing my job of staying by my mothers side." Sonam explained as he came up to them.

"She did, did she?" Poor Sonam. She had been pushed away. Cut off. Just as Selena had done to him in Venice. That awoke a good deal of pity and anger and pain in him. He took Sonam's hand in his telling her heartfeltedly, "I am sorry to hear that."

"You have survived your duel," Sifu asked him.

"I have survived my but kicking," He said sadly, "But I at least managed to keep my head."

Mogoro approached them then glaring at him. They had not parted on the best of terms long ago. "I only came because my wife insisted."

"And you've been looking after Sonam," He asked him.

Mogoro nodded, "It was hardly a chore. She's a capable and intelligent young girl. The priestess should be proud of her."

"I thank you," He nodded, "But it won't be necessary anymore I shall protect Sonam from here on."

He turned to face Sonam, "Together we will find Selena and protect her as well...I won't let him shatter her life again."

 

[Asa]

Gregory was to take over for Sully watching the one called Gitana. She was to take over for Frank... So Mac will need to be replaced.

Valeria chuckled trying to lightened the air and not alert the immortal to any problem.

Knowing the priestess daughter she will try to be watcher for them both... I pity them with her sharp tongue and temper.

____________________

Sonam was almost feeding off the attitudes and her own temper as she bristled almost growling at Morogo's tone then looking back to Alain.

Yeah but where would she run off to? She went with the train for a little last I remember our tour schedule they are headed to the coast but she could have vanished anywhere along the way.

As if some training from the many times she was left with Gitana she was still mumbling something about bullheaded priestesses as she walked over to one of the wooden "dummies" and launched full scale hwa rang attack on it. Seeing this the students were glued to her as Valeria moved ready to round them up if Sifu thought it best.

Valeria was impressed with her young fellow watcher but also concerned that such a fatal form was at the young girls disposal in a world of immortals.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Althea

As De'Montreau made his appearance Althea gestured her husband to go join his fellow immortals while the two watchers continued to talk. "The watchers...known as...Mac...died too...as well...as the one...called Frank...too...we two...may well be...all that is...left in...this city."

"Gregory was to take over for Sully watching the one called Gitana," She said with a sad chuckle attempting to lighten the rather depressing mood of the subject. She failed of course, but Althea recognized the value in making the attempt.

Moving on the young watcher nodded towards Sonam began to lay into a training dummy with a righteous and enraged wrath. "So Mac will need to be replaced."

Althea paused for a moment then nodded, "...Eventually...the council...will assign...someone new...for him."

"Knowing the priestess' daughter she will try to be watcher for them both..." Valeria put in.

Althea turned to look at Sonam as De'Montreau talked with her. She watched them interact with the eye of experience, "...I suppose...you may be...on to something..."

"I pity them with her sharp tongue and temper..." She commented.

At that Althea finally chuckled which led to her coughing and taking deep lungfulls from her oxygen tank before saying, "...You would...not be...wrong in...saying that..."
--------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

He turned to face Sonam, "Together we will find Selena and protect her as well...I won't let him shatter her life again."

"Yeah, but where would she run off to," She replied with a tone of irritation rising in her voice.

"She left with the circus she was in," Mogoro put in.

Alain nodded to him before turning back to Sonam. "Where was she going?"

"She went with the train for a little," She considered thoughtfully, "Last I remember our tour schedule...they are headed to the coast but she could have vanished anywhere along the way."

In a frustrated huff Alain watched the young woman turn to unleash a torrent of brutal attacks on a training form. He came up behind her.

"How are you taking this," He asked her.

 

[Asa]

Valeria just watched the girl unsure of her ability but she knew well not to doubt Frank or Sully and they seemed to believe she was their only option.

Sonam whips around in mid dummy assault and snapped her hands out to grab his shirt with a growl.

How the fuck do you think I am taking this? You have to fuck over her mind by verbally drop kicking her into a memory that made her damn near catatonic after all the bravado acting of not giving a damn. He was useless in helping me stop her from taking off but agreed to keep me from following her even though it's MY JOB. And now who the hell knows where she is... Oh wait that monster probably already does and probably has a headstart on getting to her. So he'll he will probably find her before we do but who gives a damn right? Just obey her and keep her daughter "safe" instead of letting her do her fucking job.and as for this not getting involved... FUCK THAT CRAP!

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"How are you taking this," He asked her.

"How the fuck do you think I am taking this," She roared whipping around and taking fistfuls of his shirt in her hands. Glaring at him she ranted out, "You have to fuck over her mind by verbally drop kicking her into a memory that made her damn near catatonic after all the bravado acting of not giving a damn."

He winced at that, but acknowledged the degree of truth to her words.

Then she turned her ire on Mogoro. "He was useless in helping me stop her from taking off but agreed to keep me from following her even though it's MY JOB. And now who the hell knows where she is..."

He looked to Mogoro who looked stricken at her venom.

Sonam wasn't finished in he venting, "Oh wait that monster probably already does and probably has a headstart on getting to her. So he'll he will probably find her before we do but who gives a damn right? Just obey her and keep her daughter "safe" instead of letting her do her fucking job.and as for this not getting involved... FUCK THAT CRAP!"

After a moment Alain sensed she was finished he took her chin and lifted it to look her in the eye, "Alright life is shit right now, Sonam. So what are you going to do about it?"

He let her go and turned to the others, "As for me...I'm going to find your mother and stop Acheron from hurting her anymore." He looked over his shoulder to her asking her, "You in?"

 

[Asa]

Rage... Fear... Loss... Rage... It all bubbled out in wild abandon of words. Only a few would know what some of her words meant but none of the were who her rage was leveled at as her fellow watcher Valeria could not argue a single point the girl raised.

She has a point... As rage fueled misguided as it is. There are times our not getting involved could have catastrophic results or have had.

She whispered to Althea.

Sonam nodded.

Let's go and not a damn one of them had better try to stop me.

Walking over to sifu and bowed

Thank you but I now have a job to do and someone who just might help me do it. Till next time.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Althea

How the fuck do you think I am taking this? You have to fuck over her mind by verbally drop kicking her into a memory that made her damn near catatonic after all the bravado acting of not giving a damn. He was useless in helping me stop her from taking off but agreed to keep me from following her even though it's MY JOB. And now who the hell knows where she is... Oh wait that monster probably already does and probably has a headstart on getting to her. So he'll he will probably find her before we do but who gives a damn right? Just obey her and keep her daughter "safe" instead of letting her do her fucking job.and as for this not getting involved... FUCK THAT CRAP!

"She has a point... As rage fueled misguided as it is," Valeria commented, "There are times our not getting involved could have catastrophic results or have had."

Althea nodded but added, "...and twice...as many...examples...of terrible...disaster...from us...getting involved...in the past..."

She looked up to young Valeria, "...We must...live within...the narrow..****** between...being a...spectator or...being a...participant to...history."

-------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

He let her go and turned to the others, "As for me...I'm going to find your mother and stop Acheron from hurting her anymore." He looked over his shoulder to her asking her, "You in?"

Sonam nodded, "Let's go, and not a damn one of them had better try to stop me."

Mogoro crossed his arms and looked a little stung but said nothing. Sifu just stood there waiting patiently.

"Thank you," Sonam bowed to her, "But I now have a job to do and someone who just might help me do it. Till next time."

"Farewell child," Xia told her warmly, "We shall pick up our sparring match when you return, yes?"

Alain then came up to her, "Thank you for sheltering her. I wish I could stay, but time grows short."

To Mogoro nodded, "After our last meeting...I did not expect to see you ever again...thank you for this."

Mogoro shrugged, "Go on, De'Montreau, and rescue your damsel in distress."

With that he turned to go, "Come on, kiddo. We have to hurry if we are to catch up with your mother."

 

[Asa]

Valeria nodded but watched the young watcher. She was concerned and was sure she should file that in some report but to who and why. They backed Frank Selena was a special case. A few of them had been like that through time... Funny how they all seemed to be very old and very broken to warrant special assignment watchers.

Sonam paused.

Morogo thank you and your wife... Within your capabilities you tried to help even you could tell there was no talking to her. Thank you both.

She then turned to Alain.

Yeah let's go try to find her... Before he does. I want a shot at him... For Frank.

She was setting herself into an almost carbon copy cold place Not like Frank's Nam but her own "job to do" cold place. She wasn't the daughter in this moment..

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

The railroad hub here in Tennessee was the one the train carrying Selena's circus would stop at before switching tracks to continue its tour further south. Alain and Sonam had chartered a plane and got there ahead of time. Now they were rushing through long lines of train cars filled with circus animals and performers. Many greeted young Sonam warmly as one of their own.

None knew whether Selena was still on board or not.

The two of them hurried to her car and found it totally abandoned. Selena had left the circus leaving nearly everything she had owned behind.

Alain spotted a footprint in the ground by the railcar. He knelt over it studying it. "This was made recently...very recently."

He looked up to Sonam, "We're right behind her."

It had been two days since they left the city. They had overtaken that gap...now they were minutes-perhaps a half an hour behind his wife-

-His wife? Yes he still considered Selena his wife no matter what passed between them, and he would not allow her to carry this burden alone any longer. No matter what it may cost. Alain was determined of that.

"Come on, Kiddo," He told Sonam, "Let's go find her."

 

[Asa]

Sonam paused him briefly gesturing around.

Study the train car. Frank always told me study the train car. Maybe you can explain to me why I lived in a rolling carbon copy of Venice and...

Sonam saw a box that was still locked and taking out a key unlocked it.

She didn't touch the money it doesn't look like. But why not?

Sonam was confused and actually a little pissed.

What is she thinking? How... Why...?

She screamed in frustration which drew the attention of the other kids.

Sonam your mommy said stay here but Daddy said you are our Frank now so you have to go.

Still annoyed looking around the train car.

Not now... Did you as see which way my mom went?

The little girls pouted and turned to Alain...

She should be a good Frank she cranky just like him.

The little boy pointed off to a well wooded hillside.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"Come on, Kiddo," He told Sonam, "Let's go find her."

"Study the train car. Frank always told me to study the train car," She told him stopping him.

Alain turned to give the interior a second closer look. After a second he gasped out.

Sonam replied, "Maybe you can explain to me why I lived in a rolling carbon copy of Venice and..."

"Venice was where we lived when we were married," He put in noting how she was staring at a single chest among the others, "What is it?"

She climbed into the car and stepped over to the chest using a key to open it up. "She didn't touch the money it doesn't look like. But why not," She looked up at him both confused and angry. "What is she thinking? How... Why...?"

"She did the same thing when she left our house in Venice," Alain explained sympathetically, "She's leaving all the money for you to find....I can only guess in her mind it's part of severing her past life so she'll have no more ties to it."

At her outburst a pair of kids walked up and stated, "Sonam, your mommy said stay here, but Daddy said you are our Frank now so you have to go."

Sonam surprisingly shrugged them off rummaging through their things in flaming huff at the carelessness of a mother. Alain felt for her. He remembered the wild rampage he'd made searching their house in Venice for some clue, anything to tell him his wife had not just discarded him like such useless refuse. But like him she needed to exhaust her pain and anger and grief doing something.

Instead he turned to the kids. "Hey kids, Did you two see Selena leave?"

The little boy pointed off to a well wooded hillside.

He got up thanking the kids profusely. Then made to leave the railyard calling back, "Sonam! This way...come on...we're right behind her."