Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Asa]

Grabbing the money she looked to the kids.

Danny...

I know feed the snakes

the little boy smiled as he loved the animals and helped the handlers with all of them.

Sonam followed Alain still pissed trying to figure out how her mother expected to live with no money. Her mind rampaging over everything as they climbed the hill only pausing for a moment after they came to an old lumber trail.

Wait... What the hell Did Zia mean I am their new Frank... Who told them about his... How would Vincent their dad know... What The HELL? Did you catch that from her?

Sonam was now sorting out even more about everything.

Let's find her and she better have answers.

Sonam studied the old lumber trail foot prints we're not so easy to spot in the massive grooves of countless truck tires and gravel.

Any ideas?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

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."

They left the railyard and headed off the hill into the woods.

Sonam pulled up after a few moments, "Wait... What the hell Did Zia mean I am their new Frank... Who told them about his... How would Vincent their dad know... What The HELL? Did you catch that from her?"

"I don't have the answers to those questions," He shrugged, "We'll find out together after we find your mother...alright?"

She nodded as they came to a muddy road made for trucks leading to a lumber camp down at the bottom of the valley. "Let's find her and she better have answers."

He hunched down studying a footprint in the mud of the road.

"Any ideas," She asked him.

"Well...it's been a hundred and fifty or so years since I've last tracked anything in the woods by their footprints...so...I'm a little rusty..." He turned his head to smile at her, "Let's hope it's like riding a bicycle and comes back to me quickly."

He turned and pointed across the road and over the crest of the hill, "If I'm right she crossed this road and climbed up the ridge about thirty minutes to an hour ago."

He raised back up craning his neck to see where the road went. Up ahead it seemed to take a turn around to the other side of the ridge. "You follow the road and see if you can find anymore footprints in it, Okay. I'll climb the ridge and see if there's any signs she may have double-backed on us."

With that he started off for the long uphill climb up the ridge.

 

[Asa]

She nodded and took off down the jagged grooved dirt road. Her mind going a million miles a minute trying to sort it out. Was Vincent a watcher too or was he just someone Frank had trusted or was Mia simply rattling off as usual. How could she help her mother and take care of the train and carnival? Maybe Frank had planned on Vincent helping her somehow. It was all too maddening not like she didn't have enough of that in her life right now.

Walking along she was never sure of footprints or just a rut in this infernal dirt road. Luckily for her balance was one of her best talents moving about a moving train most of her life so walking this pit and groove attempt at a road. She agreed with Alain about one thing mom had better have some answers for them.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He raised back up craning his neck to see where the road went. Up ahead it seemed to take a turn around to the other side of the ridge. "You follow the road and see if you can find anymore footprints in it, Okay. I'll climb the ridge and see if there's any signs she may have double-backed on us."

With that he started off for the long uphill climb up the ridge.

The hill grew steeper and the footing became much harsher about halfway up, but Alain persevered. Then when he finally reached the crest of the ridge. He felt a stir. He felt another immortal's quickening.

He halted looking around and calling out, "Selena...It's me! It's safe to come out! We need to talk."

There was a rustling of a bush about halfway down. He scrambled down the hill to it and pushed the branches back. It was only a deer. It bounded off down the hill away from him, but in the corner of his eye he saw someone race from one tree to another.

"Selena," He called out chasing after her.

She was moving fast, almost recklessly down such a steep slope.

"Selena! Wait!"

There was no way he would catch up to her like this. His only hope was if Sonam caught her at the bottom of the hill at the logging road.

 

[Asa]

Sonam heard him yell and moved faster trying to follow this minefield of a road quicker to try to catch up knowing her mother would run from even him. Stubborn priestess she grumbled under her breath as she leaped from groove to groove to move faster and faster. She couldn't allow them to lose her not this close. Finally she decided to see if she could tag that parental aspect of her.

MOM!!!

Selena cursed silently hearing him call out. She had to keep moving she knew the death toll was far higher than it should be and she had to safe those she could. She tried to move further away from him as fast as she could. Belly dancing had gifted her quite sure footing over the centuries as she moved erratically down the far side of the ridge. Then she heard it... Her daughter... Her precious little Sonam calling to her. Was she hurt? Why had he brought her with him? Why risk her? She kept running their voices we're close but she had to get to the other side of the road and down the the clearing. The airstrip... She had to get there then she would be able to endure that they were safe.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"Selena! Wait!"

There was no way he would catch up to her like this. His only hope was if Sonam caught her at the bottom of the hill at the logging road.

Hectically he clambered down the steepening slope of the hill weaving around trees, and jumping over rocks and fallen treetrunks as he chased after his wife down the hill. Selena had broke out into the road by now, but Selena was really moving. Maybe Sonam could intercept her before she dove into the thick cover of the forest on the other side of the road.

He stumbled over a treeroot and began to do a tumbling roll down the last stretch of the hill to land face first in the mud before Sonam.

He wiped the mud from his eyes and looked up at the young watcher. "Which way did she go."

He climbed back up to his feet and immediately set off in the direction she indicated.

To her he said, "We can not allow her to abandon us again, Sonam. Come on."

He continued brushing the mud off of him as husband and daughter set off determined to make their family whole at long last.

 

[Asa]

Sonam nodded and took off across the road into the next more level woodlands with a stubborn growl.

Yeah.


Moving through the trees it took a little while before she spotted a clearing... No... An air strip...

She knew exactly where she was going Sonam spoke low to Alain. Frank had to have known about this place. Hell probably knows the owners... Sneaky Frank.

Selena ran quickly across the clearing to the house and knocking on the door.

Malcolm... Tina...

The door opened and an old grizzled clearly old soldier walked out the door and with a roar of a greeting hugged Selena.

Tina... Get some grub it's Frank's little fire dancer Selena. On the run again huh? I could get some the ole boys around here to fix this little problem but Frank says it's too dangerous so you go eat and I'll fire the old bird up.

Selena nodded hugging him and scurried inside at Tina's welcome and open arms to hug her friend. There wasn't an inch of property that Tina and Malcolm didn't monitor with hidden cameras trip wires and whatever else Malcolm's occasionally paranoid mind could create. Tina knew there was someone close after a while and flipped a switch that simply appeared to turn on a fan to Selena but a brief flashing light alerted Malcolm to treeline company.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

To her he said, "We can not allow her to abandon us again, Sonam. Come on."

He continued brushing the mud off of him as husband and daughter set off determined to make their family whole at long last.

"Yeah," Sonam agreed with a determined nod.

He remembered the terrible feeling back in Venice so long ago of knowing that the relationship he had with Selena had meant so little to her that she could just leave it so swiftly and finally without saying a word to him in explanation over it. He had felt hollow, like someone had ripped his heart out of his chest, lifeless, like he was going through the motions of life day after day without Selena in it anymore. He would not countenance Sonam going through what he had back then.

No, he would not abide that at all!

Through the trees they came across buildings and a long wide strip of pavement on the other side, a small and private airfield. He reached out taking Sonam by the arm to halt her pointing to a tall pole with a camera swiveling to view them.

"I guess we know where she was heading now," He told her, "She probably has a plane to catch here."

He let go of her and began to a walk casually forward hands up, "We don't know what kind of security this place has, we should move carefully."

 

[Asa]

Malcolm walked out of the hanger with his rifle over his arm.

Can we help you?

He calmed a little seeing the young woman he suspected was the daughter he had heard about but still was never fully far from on guard.

Tina watched the monitors while talking to Selena.

Tell me about that baby of yours. Pretty big girl by now I would think. When are we gonna meet her?

Selena ate heartily but paused at her words. Monitoring Tina's actions.

Eventually... Why do you ask?

She knew they were following her but hoped that she had lost them before finding her destination.

Sonam growled underher breath but followed Alain's lead walking hands in view but very clearly determined steps till she saw the man with the rifle moving towards them.

You can tell us where Selena is stranger. That's how you can help us.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He let go of her and began to a walk casually forward hands up, "We don't know what kind of security this place has, we should move carefully."

They began getting closer to the hangar and flight tower. It was a small airfield suitable for smaller planes like sesnas. Though through the open doors of the hangar he could see several antique or recreation aircraft like a Huey helicopter, a beautiful working replica of an American Mustang fighter plane, In the corner he even saw a French Nieuport he used to fly during the first world war waiting for the recreation to be completed on it.

In the building beside the hangar a door opened and out walked a man holding a hunting rifle. He didn't have it pointing at them but the threat was there. "Can we help you?"

Alain looked back to make sure Sonam was being as non-confrontational as possible before returning back to the man with the rifle. "Good afternoon sir. We are looking for someone we believe ran to your airfield. She goes by the name of Selena. Do you know if she is here?"

Slowly he lowered his hands so the man with the rifle would not get alarmed by any sudden movements from him. His eyes shifted towards the door he stepped out of. He was fairly positive Selena was hiding inside that building.

Then Sonam growled, "You can tell us where Selena is stranger. That's how you can help us."

Alain sighed. That was so Sonam. Straight to the heart with little finesse. He liked that about her, but wished she could develop some degree of patience and well...tact.

To the man with the rifle. "She has made a decision to run away from her life. We are here to tell her that that decision was the incorrect one."

 

[Asa]

You that trouble Frank warned us about stranger?

Malcolm continued to stare them down not as worried about the blunt kid he suspected she was Frank's student as he put it to replace him with the carnival but the only man he ever heard about was some ruthless ex so any man outside of Frank come looking for the little dancer was always suspect.

Can't help ya...

Sonam growled.

Look old man we know she came this way and if you are as attuned to those cameras as it seems when we walked up then you would have seen her run across your property and in her mental state and attitude and you penchant for having a rifle like that raring to go we would be seeing corpse. Your hesitation is a classic poker tell so clearly you know something now kindly direct me to my mother... Got it?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

To the man with the rifle. "She has made a decision to run away from her life. We are here to tell her that that decision was the incorrect one."

He asked Alain, "You that trouble Frank warned us about stranger?"

"I mean no one any trouble, friend," Alain told him, "He is out there though. Which is why Selena needs her family to be there with her."

He shook his head, "Can't help ya..."

"What," Alain asked, "You're that willing to keep a daughter away from the mother she loves."

"Look old man we know she came this way and if you are as attuned to those cameras as it seems when we walked up then you would have seen her run across your property," Sonam growled, "And in her mental state and attitude and you penchant for having a rifle like that raring to go we would be seeing corpse. Your hesitation is a classic poker tell so clearly you know something now kindly direct me to my mother... Got it?"

Alain sighed before stepping forward shouting out loud. "Selena, if you can hear me, come out and speak with us. We will not turn away. Come out and talk right now."

He kept walking for the door knowing the man with the gun may use it. That would be fine. He'd been shot before. It would hurt but he'd live. He just hoped Sonam was smart enough not to follow him and draw the man's fire.

 

[Asa]

The old man looked to Sonam.

Already talking poker at your age... Yep you are a part of that carnival. So your the half pint she told us about. Are you vouching for him?

He motioned with the rifle towards Alain.

Do you seriously think I would be here with the problem? Yep you are as crazy as Frank. Lead the way to my mom before he spooks her into running again. She thinks she has to protect us from...

The old man finished her words.

From the problem ex by taking off luring him away from you and her family with the train.

She noticed him scratch at his ear and then nodded to the two of them.

House by hanger. My wife will keep her there let's go eat... You two hungry?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

Alain sighed before stepping forward shouting out loud. "Selena, if you can hear me, come out and speak with us. We will not turn away. Come out and talk right now."

He kept walking for the door knowing the man with the gun may use it. That would be fine. He'd been shot before. It would hurt but he'd live. He just hoped Sonam was smart enough not to follow him and draw the man's fire.

Sonam came up to him and he noted that the man with the rifle had lowered his aggressive stance. He was actually leading them to Selena now.

He nodded to Sonam, "Good job on de-escalating that."

They passed the hangar and he said to the man, "I admire your collection of vintage aircraft. Back in the day I once flew a Nieuport just like that one."

Alain didn't mention the facts of where or more importantly when he had piloted it. He didn't know how much the man knew about immortals. He didn't know how he'd react to the information that Alain flew his Nieuport when it was the state of the art of flight technology over the trenches of world war one.

He shifted the conversation saying, "I own a business that rebuilds classic cars much as you do with these planes."

Finally they came up to the house the man had indicated. He waited for the man to open the door and lead them inside to speak with his runaway wife.

 

[Asa]

Hearing the door Selena started to jump up but was stopped by a kindly but firm hand on her shoulder.

I think we are about to meet that little girl of yours. Its time to listen. I never agreed with Frank about you running all the time but I understood why he let you. He clearly knew he couldn't fight that ex of yours and you were way too used to running for him to talk sense into you to stop you. Looks like instead of him finding you its her turn.

Sonam sighed and sat back down.

Sonam I told you to stay with Morogo and his wife... Alain you should not have brought her with you.

Sonam snorted.

Don't start with me too much has been lost because of that asshole and it ends now Mom. Gitana... Frank... and who know who else. Alain is here to talk to you and I am here to break both your legs if I have to to make sure you listen this time... Got it?

Selena buried her head in her hands with a sigh as the old couple walked into another room for the time being at the wife's urging.

Say your peace and let me lead him away from here.

Selena finally looked up first to Sonam only to see the blood cold determination in her eyes then to Alain. Her precious Alain... her soul. She could not keep doing this she knew that she was tired and for once someone was back in her life that she wanted and had hated cutting from her life.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

Finally they came up to the house the man had indicated. He waited for the man to open the door and lead them inside to speak with his runaway wife.

They stepped inside and looked around it was a living space a little bit larger than a standard trailer home. To the left was a kitchen, bathroom and he saw through an open the door the married couple's bedroom. To the right was the living area and Selena. He stopped exploring the building upon sighting his wife.

"Sonam, I told you to stay with Morogo and his wife..." She said looking sternly upon her adopted daughter then to him, "Alain, you should not have brought her with you."

"You are one to talk," Alain snorted defensively, "You irresponsibly cut loose a young teenaged girl to fend for herself in the world."

Sonam did seem to have a good head on her shoulders, and probably could handle herself on her own in the big bad world. Though that still didn't excuse Selena's irresponsibility as a mother in doing that to her daughter.

Sonam too was not buying first class tickets for Selena's guilt trip either. "
Don't start with me. Too much has been lost because of that asshole, and it ends now Mom. Gitana... Frank... and who know who else."

Alain nodded to emphasize each name she mentioned.

"Alain is here to talk to you," Sonam continued, "And I am here to break both your legs if I have to make sure you listen this time... Got it?"

Selena buried her head in her hands before looking up to him. "Say your peace and let me lead him away from here."

He took out a chair and let Sonam take it then pulled a stool for himself. He sat down on it and looked the woman he had loved with all his soul in the eye. "Leading him away or prolonging the suffering? How long before he finds you and you have to run again? Is that the life you want to live year after year always looking over your shoulder for him every century from now until the gathering is over and he or some other Immortal takes your head? What kind of life is that, my love?"

He reached out and took hold of her hand, "I know you are scared, Selena, but together we can face him."

 

[Asa]

Selena sighed and looked at him.

If Gitana could not stand against him how can you?

She was shaking which made Malcolm tense but he was dragged back out of the house by his wife. Sonam sat down but looked ready to leap. She could take care of herself and she knew Selena knew she would never stray far from the carnival because she would always find her way back to it.

Oh yeah and how in the hell does Tia and Danny's dad know if something happens to Frank I am the carnivals new Frank? What the hell does he mean by that?

Selena knew but she didn't know how really to tell her. She just shook her head.

I don't know how long it will take for him to find me but at least he won't find the two of you. That is all that matters to me. I wish you two could understand that.

She shook her head looking between them almost pleading.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He reached out and took hold of her hand, "I know you are scared, Selena, but together we can face him."

Selena sighed and looked at him, "If Gitana could not stand against him how can you?"

"I tried on my own. If not for Gitana I would be a head shorter now," He chuckled at the stupid joke he made to make light on his failure, "But success against him is not the point, my love."


"Oh yeah and how in the hell does Tia and Danny's dad know if something happens to Frank I am the carnivals new Frank," Sonam sat down asking suddenly, "What the hell does he mean by that?"

Alain turned his head to look at Sonam even as he noted how Selena's hand trembled in his. When he looked back to her he saw her shake her head, "I don't know how long it will take for him to find me but at least he won't find the two of you. That is all that matters to me. I wish you two could understand that."

"We do understand, Selena. You are terrified he will kill us in order to hurt you," He said reaching out to take Sonam's hand and pull it to take hold of Selena's trembling free hand. "We just need you to understand that we refuse to give in to that fear. If you run we will go where you go. If he finds you we will face him together. That is the point. The worst weapon he has against you is the terror that keeps you running from him, the fear that continues to isolate you. We will not have that. Face your fear, face him, my love, we will be beside you all the way."

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

IC: Xia-Na Liu and Acheron

She waved as the last of her students as they left her dojo. That left Valeria of course. The young woman was her finest of current students and indespensible in providing an outreach in this sadly troubled neighborhood. Xia thanked the secret organization of mortals she worked for for sending her to observe her.

"Valeria, would you please set a pot of tea onto the stove and set three cups out for us," She asked her and when she was gone she spoke without turning, "You have my thanks for waiting for my students to leave."

"Mercy is not the reason I waited before confronting you," Acheron said coming up to the door. "I have come for your head."

"This dojo could be considered, holy ground," She said opening the door wide for him to step through.

"I am not a superstitious fool," He told her angrily, "Holy ground does not deter me from any immortal too much of a coward to face me fairly and openly."

She shook her head and turned to head back into the back room, "Yes, I suppose it was foolish of me to raise that point. Come we will share tea and talk this out between us."

"There is nothing to talk over and I do not wish to share your tea," He said stepping inside the dojo after her, "Now come back here and draw your sword and fight me."

"Perhaps I shall," She said stepping out into the hallway leading to her little apartment and Valeria, "But after tea. Come. Come..."

He growled part frustration and part exasperation. This woman was even more intolerable than the Hyoka had been. He came after her though glaring holes into the back of this monk's head. He spotted someone else in the little room attending the making of the tea...her watcher...good he'd need the information she'd have access too later.

 

[Asa]

What they mean is you will be taking over and becoming the head of the family. As far as I know they know nothing of his nor your "other job".

Selena sighed. Then hearing of how he faced him and was nearly killed and how he made light of it Selena pulled away from both of them standing glaring at him.

NO!!! When I go I go this ALONE for that exact reason. You are far too young to realize that this "game" as they call it is no game! Immortality when you have lived as long as I have. Sought death as many times as I have. Lost as many people mortal and immortal as I have as Gitana has as so many others have you would not make such light of facing such a monster. You are just like those insufferable drunken Scots and their conman Brit friend. Any good in our lives is a single raindrop at best and illusions of madness at worst.

Her shaking was fear and anger now. Turning to Sonam.

Please get back to the train now. Acts come and go but they need their leader no matter what.

Turning to Alain.

If you ever loved me. Go with her watch over her and help her.

_______

Eternally the poker face she simply nodded and went to prepare the tea. Her computer already wiped of all but her college cyber security classes as Althea had advised. She was on the phone as she heard her walking down the hall. The only person who knew she had no parents being Sully and he was dead and her ward.

"Dad... Yes I am still at work... Yes... I know... I know... I told you I have class in the morning tomorrow. Wednesdays we have the class in the morning because of our instructors other job... I know... I will. I know okay... Okay boss is here gotta go dad... Okay... Bye..."

Without turning around.

Tea is almost ready sifu...

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"We do understand, Selena. You are terrified he will kill us in order to hurt you," He said reaching out to take Sonam's hand and pull it to take hold of Selena's trembling free hand. "We just need you to understand that we refuse to give in to that fear. If you run we will go where you go. If he finds you we will face him together. That is the point. The worst weapon he has against you is the terror that keeps you running from him, the fear that continues to isolate you. We will not have that. Face your fear, face him, my love, we will be beside you all the way."

"No!!!" Selena sighed pulling away from both of them standing glaring at him,"When I go, I go this ALONE for that exact reason."

"That's your fear talking," He told her raising off the stool to meet her face to face.

"You are far too young to realize that this "game" as they call it is no game! Immortality when you have lived as long as I have. Sought death as many times as I have. Lost as many people mortal and immortal as I have as Gitana has as so many others have you would not make such light of facing such a monster," Selena continued, "You are just like those insufferable drunken Scots and their conman Brit friend. Any good in our lives is a single raindrop at best and illusions of madness at worst."

"'I am too young'," He repeated in a tone of disbelief and outrage, "I have lost plenty of people, Selena." He pointed to Sonam beside him, "She is only seventeen and we both know she's lost plenty of people too, and now you're willing to add to that number by leaving her behind like so much useless rubbish."

He shook his head, "I had a son once, Selena...he was an orphan from the first world war...and he grew old and died after many years, and as much as having to bury him after so long pained me I would never wish to turn my back on him and miss out on one moment of being his father, being a part of his life, like you are with your daughter now for any reason."

Looking at Sonam Selena double downed saying, "Please get back to the train now. Acts come and go but they need their leader no matter what."

Then turning back to him she said, "If you ever loved me. Go with her watch over her and help her."

"I have never really stopped loving you," He replied, "But I cannot do that. I will not be party to depriving Sonam of her mother or depriving you of watching her grow up into the beautiful and capable woman we know she will become."

He shook his head, "I know you want to do that Selena...what parent would not...So stop running away because of your fear of him..." He pointed to Sonam, "Stay and fight for her, please!"

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

IC: Acheron and Xia-Na Liu

"Perhaps I shall," She said stepping out into the hallway leading to her little apartment and Valeria, "But after tea. Come. Come..."

He growled part frustration and part exasperation. This woman was even more intolerable than the Hyoka had been. He came after her though glaring holes into the back of this monk's head. He spotted someone else in the little room attending the making of the tea...her watcher...good he'd need the information she'd have access too later.

"Dad... Yes I am still at work... Yes... I know... I know... I told you I have class in the morning tomorrow. Wednesdays we have the class in the morning because of our instructors other job... I know... I will. I know okay... Okay boss is here gotta go dad... Okay... Bye..." Acheron heard the watcher say as he stepped inside the room after his target.

Xia pulled a chair out for to take smiling warmly to him before padding over to hers. He set his jaw wondering just what this old fool was plotting. He was not here to share tea with her, and there was nothing she could say or do that could stop the inevitability of her losing her head today.

The watcher called over from the stove without looking back to them, "Tea is almost ready sifu... "

"Splendid, Valeria," Xia said sitting restfully into her chair, "Come greet our guest."

Smirking Acheron took the seat she had pulled out for him. If she wanted this farce he would humor her...to a point."

To the watcher he replied, "I am Acheron, and I am immortal. After I sever your Sifu's head and take her quickening you will serve me by giving me access to the watchers' database."

"Watchers," Xia said the word as if it was the first she had heard of the term. She looked to Valeria without any offense taken to the realization she had been spied upon for a long time now "Is that what the organization you work for to observe me is called? Watcher...it is an apt moniker."

She had always known, Valeria, had been put in her dojo as a means to surveil her by some unknown organization, but she had never let on with her suspicions towards Valeria. Frankly, Xia had hardly cared about these 'watchers'. What she had cared for was Valeria herself. She saw so much potential for growth and learning in this young woman sent to spy on her. As a teacher she could not turn her away. Xia had never even considered doing so. So she stayed silent allowing Valeria to continue spying upon her and instead focusing only on the fostering of the growth and development of a promising young student's mind.

The teapot began whistling, and she gestured for Valeria to get it nonchalantly, "I believe the tea is ready now. Serve us and pull up a chair for yourself and we three shall get to know one another."

 

[Asa]

Mom... Humor him... He is more worried about you running and not coming back than I am. I know you will be back you always are.

Selena was shaking as she looked to them before collapsing.

Fine you are determined for me to have to watch him kill all I love.. fine... Maybe then I can convince Morogo to kill me.

She turned away from them to hide the sobbing that wanted so bad to burst from her eyes.

And you are quite young in comparison Alain.

_____________

You are so unfortunately out of luck. I do not have access to the database... Just like your watcher had no access. We few young watchers do not get access we still have to phone our reports in.

She looked to sifu.

Apt perhaps but I am not your first watcher. Aryanna... Was my aunt...

Valeria smiled to her.

Oh and my call Acheron every watcher not only in town but in the region knows of your presence right here right now. And my death to them will mean nothing your presence here already means I am dead if she is dead.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He shook his head, "I know you want to do that Selena...what parent would not...So stop running away because of your fear of him..." He pointed to Sonam, "Stay and fight for her, please!"

"Mom... Humor him... He is more worried about you running and not coming back than I am." Sonam told her, "I know you will be back you always are."

She hadn't come back for him, but Alain pushed that thought aside. It was the petty hurt feelings from Venice that he was trying to move past now rearing their ugly heads again.

Selena then collapsed to the floor where she stood, "Fine you are determined for me to have to watch him kill all I love.. fine... Maybe then I can convince Morogo to kill me."

"Selena," He said concern thick in his voice as he shot back up to his feet.

She turned away from them sobbing, "And you are quite young in comparison Alain."

He was there as soon as she said the last word dropping to his knees beside her and pulling her in close against him, "It's okay, Selena. We are here with you, and we won't leave you. You will never have to face this alone again."

She wanted to die? No. No. No. Alain would speak to Mogoro before that could happen.

He saw Sonam standing over them and grabbed her arm pulling her down to join the hug.

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

IC: Acheron and Xia-Na Liu

The teapot began whistling, and she gestured for Valeria to get it nonchalantly, "I believe the tea is ready now. Serve us and pull up a chair for yourself and we three shall get to know one another."

"You are so unfortunately out of luck. I do not have access to the database... Just like your watcher had no access," She said rising up to retrieve the whistling teapot, "We few young watchers do not get access we still have to phone our reports in."

"So you just told me that I have no reason to keep you alive." Acheron glowered at her. That was indeed what he desired from her. It would assist him greatly in locating Selena as well as the rest of the other Immortals out there in the world that would challenge his ascension, "That was very helpful of you."

Xia steepled her hands together studying the man that wanted them both dead. "I suspect these watchers will be taking steps to protect this database from your misuse from this day on. They're watching you now...it is a very apt name is it not, Valeria?"

"Apt perhaps but I am not your first watcher," Valeria replied bringing over their steaming cups of tea, "Aryanna... Was my aunt..."

"Really," She said with a raised eyebrow as she took the hot cup, "When we are through here, I have pictures of your aunt in storage you can look through."

"Niether of you will survive the night," Acheron said archly taking his cup from Valeria.

"Survive...Oh yes...you did say you were going to kill me and then Valeria after our tea," Casually she lifted the tea and sipped it, "Oh, you've outdone yourself, Valeria. The tea is exceptional...do you not think so, Acheron?"

Glowering Acheron sipped at it, "It is adequate."

"Oh and my call Acheron every watcher not only in town but in the region knows of your presence right here right now," Valeria shot back, "And my death to them will mean nothing your presence here already means I am dead if she is dead."

"I have changed my mind," Acheron smiled to her and upended the cup spilling the tea onto the floor. "Your tea is terrible. Go make me more now, little girl. When I end your life I do not wish to have the bitter after taste of the shit your peddling ruining the satisfaction I will have."

 

[Asa]

Sonam knelt down but whispered to him.

If not your friend she will find someone if you don't survive this. This has all been about you all these years.

Silencing quickly when Selena turned her head to catch what was said. Sonam simply shrugged.

Let's get back to the train before they take off. I know exactly how long it will take them to find a rabbit big enough to make Venice happy.

She smirked knowing exactly how long they had as there was no place in Chattanooga had big enough rabbits they would have to buy two.

____________________

Valeria revealed nothing in expression as she spoke.

Perhaps you should learn to do things for yourself or simply learn anything beyond your pain of that natural disaster that destroyed your first home. Or learn when love has died and accept that the priestess is no longer yours. I could recommend a very good teacher. She is the only reason you are not wearing the rest of that tea from the stove.

She smiled and sipped her tea looking to Xia.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He saw Sonam standing over them and grabbed her arm pulling her down to join the hug.

She knelt down to join them, but leaned in close to him. She leaned in to whisper into his ear, "If not your friend she will find someone if you don't survive this."

His fingers tightened as he held Selena sobbing against his chest. He looked over Sonam with a quirked eyebrow.

"This has all been about you all these years." She continued.

Selena raised her head to listen to what was being whispered.

Hi heart swelled looking down into those tear-streaked eyes. He had an even more protective surge. He said softly, "Let's go."

Sonam put in, "Let's get back to the train before they take off. I know exactly how long it will take them to find a rabbit big enough to make Venice happy."

He looked over to the couple that operated this old airfield. "Thank you for looking after my wife as well as you have. I can tell you care deeply for her...and you have my gratitude for that, but we have to head off now and I hope it won't put you out too much."

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

IC: Acheron and Xia-Na Liu

"I have changed my mind," Acheron smiled to her and upended the cup spilling the tea onto the floor. "Your tea is terrible. Go make me more now, little girl. When I end your life I do not wish to have the bitter after taste of the shit your peddling ruining the satisfaction I will have."

"Perhaps you should learn to do things for yourself or simply learn anything beyond your pain of that natural disaster that destroyed your first home." Valeria said as emotionless as a stone yet somehow conveying as much venom as a spitting cobra, "Or learn when love has died and accept that the priestess is no longer yours. I could recommend a very good teacher. She is the only reason you are not wearing the rest of that tea from the stove."

Even after all that he held his cup out for her expecting her to accept the role of his servant, "My tea, girl."

"Interesting," Xia murmured sipping at the tea, "You seem unbalanced, Acheron. Your chi, it appears off somehow. Have you been sleeping well...any nightmares? It is what I find most intriguing about you."

Acheron blanched at that and dropped the tea cup from his hand. Turning to her tried to regain his composure. "My sleep is fine. My dreams are...peaceful."

 

[Asa]

They simply nodded to Alain. Sonam hefted her mother to her feet.

Let's go now mom.

Selena stood up and sighed. She offered hugs to her old friends as she left with Alain and Sonam.

He will never be swayed... Kesi couldn't even sway him.

Sonam snorted.

Lose his head that might sway him.
__________

You are a pathetically sad liar. Even I can see from your eyes that you are not well rested. Hard to avoid Gitana's mental abilities when she is inside your own head. I can only imagine how much joy she is getting from torturing you.

Still as emotionless as she spoke.