llv. Senaiji and Bathilda's Holding. Old Friends and New Part 2

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



far end of the hall


Senaiji: *is that quiet rumble as he and Bathilda talk* *and then he's laughing at Bathilda's report of a young man doormat this morning*

Bathilda: Auch. It's nicht funny. I stepped on him. Vhat if I'd been wearing mein other skin?

Senaiji: You wouldn't have woken him up in that case, love. *nuzzles mate's cheek. Staying in today to tend to some of his family business*

Bathilda: *starts to say something, but instead gasps and transforms reflexively as someone appears in front of her*

Usagi: *startled squeak at suddenly dragon, and then is suddenly dragon herself!* [I mean no harm. Forgive me, honoured lady!]

Senaiji: *startled sound, steps back on reflex*

Bathilda: Ach! *must fuss over smaller dragon!*

Usagi: *slender head is bowed, and her bright orange eyes are wide as she looks at this lady and feels the familiarity of her* [I... I'm seeking my masters. I felt them here...]

Senaiji: *stepping forward. Recognizes the girl's scent* *gently* [Who are your masters, miss?]

Usagi: *points toward where she can feel them* [They are Optima Prime-san and Iron-sama. They didn't come back, and I worried.]

Senaiji: *offers his hand* [Then let's go tell them.]

Usagi: *hesitates* [Honoured one... I look strange.]

Bathilda: *sharply, toward the sound of thuds* Vill you two stop banging each ozer's heads on zhe floor?!?

Ira: *amusedly* [He started it.]

Hardy: [I thought it'd make 'im smarter.] :D

Senaiji: [Honestly, you two. Behaving like that when we have company.] *headshake*

Optima: *looks over when the sounds of fighting stop, and then gasps and starts to her feet* Usagi?

Usagi: *confused and worried* [You didn't come home when you said you would, Optima-san. I... I don't know why I've changed.]

Optima: *looks toward Kae Yau* *Japanese* [You said that I knew three Drachs, and one wasn't related to the others.]

Kae Yau: Aye. *nods and sticks another match in her mouth* The lass is the ot'er 'un.

Optima: [Will you tell me who the other two are no...] *eyes suddenly widen with understanding* [Dallas and Debbie are the others. They have the same feeling of being larger than they seem that Usagi has always had.]

Kae Yau: *slight shrug* [Dunno 'bout names... I could smell their scents on ye. Same wit' the Gaoit'e 'n Ifiri.]

Optima: [But you sent me a letter telling me that you could answer some of our questions about the fiery ones.]

Kae Yau: [The li'l folk what tol' me 'bout 'em jes' said firey 'uns. Load'a scuttlebutt.]

Optima: *gives Kae Yau a look of "you are nuts"*

Senaiji: *meanwhile, is fussing over Usagi and insisting that the younger Drach come get something to eat*

Kae Yau: *another match!* [Bunch o' gossips, t'em. Lotta the time, the gossip's jes' t'at.]

Optima: [We have a woman who can manipulate fire too. But she can't create it. Her brother manipulates the wind.] *glances toward a yelp and sees Usagi sitting up with Hardy in one hand and Ira in the other*

Ira: *trying not to laugh, is far too amused at the situation*

Kae Yau: *small nod* [The lass is part Ifiri, t'en. 'N the lad's Gaoit'e. The Drachs're the sort to protect people 'n places t'ey's keen on.]

Optima: [But they're siblings.] *frowns as she thinks*

Kae Yau: [The lass prolly has more Ifiri t'an Gaoit'e blood runnin' in'er veins.]

Optima: *blinks, and then raises her brows* [I understand.]

Usagi: *hanging her head and pouting slightly as she ignores Hardy's teasing and replies politely to Senaiji and Bathilda*

Ira: *getting into just the right position to smack that selkie flirt flying*

Kae Yau: *as she busily gathers up some of the scented rushes that were laying on the table, makes them into a bundle, and then dips them into melted candle wax* *English* 'Sides. I was after wantin' t' meet ye Matriarch t' Matriarch.

Optima: *quizzical frown* Matriarch? I don't understand.

Kae Yau: Yer the 'ead o' a Holding, ain't ye?

Optima: *eyes widen slightly as she thinks of the lights that have started dancing out in the meadow at night, and the little rustles that she notices when she gets up to jog in the wee smas* Am I?

Kae Yau: *seriously* Ye've taken in people what di'n't 'ave a place t' be callin' 'ome. 'N ye've made it safe fer the Fae folk.

Optima: *quietly* Like Faridot. *eyes widen as she glances toward where a young blue dragon is shyly answering the questions of a large gold one* ...And Usagi.

Hardy: *as he walks over, sporting a glorious new shiner* Two Holdin's.

Kae Yau: *nods* 'N th' family ye've mentioned would'a been quick t' leave ot'erwise.

Optima: *softly* So that's why the MacKenzies keep coming back...

Ira: *waves his arms as Bathilda picks him up by a leg to look at a scrape on it*

Kae Yau: Prolly. *chuckles* Once ye invite a Fae inside, 'tis *bleeping* 'ard t' git 'em t' stay away if t'ey feel safe in a place.

Optima: But... two Holdings?

Kae Yau: Ye gave the li'l lass a place t' protect.

Optima: *softly* Usagi didn't even know what she was.

Kae Yau: *quietly* Most o' the DenYa children don't... We's ol' legends 'n stories... 'Cept when we ain't. *tucks the bundle of rushes into a niche along the wall*

Optima: *frowns* Don't they learn who they are from their parents?

Kae Yau: Depends on 'ow far back the bloodlines go. Most DenYa intermarried wit' 'umans, 'n t'ose children married 'umans, 'n so on 'n so fort'....

Optima: I understand. *looks up at her husband as he comes and offers to take Monster Mash*

Ira: *to Kae Yau* You know anything about Hell?

Kae Yau: *confused look is a go*

Optima: *quickly repeats one of her short introductory talks about Deepdwellers and the nightclub/safehouse known as Hell*

Ira: *nods and helps Monster Mash get the peach the baby's reaching for* Yeah. That.

Kae Yau: *small frown* T'at sounds like a lesser 'Oldin'... 'Un wit'out a Guardian.

Ira: Mistfire lead the enforcers.

Optima: *firmly* We protect them now. And Allie is a MacKenzie.

Kae Yau: *surprised, will look to Hardy* 'Not'er cousin o' yers?

Hardy: ...I've a cousin Allen. *brows lifted*

Kae Yau: Wonder 'f Allie's 'not'er version o' yer cousin?

Hardy: *takes out a little trinket and tinkers with it till an image appears in the air above it*

Ira: *soft snort* Met another version of him once. Decent guy.

Hardy: *produces another picture* There's 'is wife 'n child.

Optima: *hand to her mouth* Oh. Oscar makes an adorable young lady.

Ira: *soft snerk, but agrees with his wife*

Hardy: *eyes twinkling as he looks at his wife* D'we 'ave anyone in New York?

Kae Yau: *tips head back and thinks, absently sticking another kitchen match in her mouth* We's got a Gaoit'e... Lou.

Hardy: *slightly pained look* That chatty kid?

Kae Yau: *nod* Aye.

Hardy: *to Optima's quizzical look* One 'o ours lives in your parts. Skin changin' falcon child named Lou.

Ira: *surprised rumble*

Optima: Wait. A falcon? Is she a messenger?

Kae Yau: Eeeh.... Lou ain't really a 'she'...

Optima: *confused* Oh. My mistake. But is Lou known as the fastest messenger in New York City?

Kae Yau: *shrug* Lou jes' said t'ey's got a job deliverin' stuff last time I talked t' t'em.

Hardy: The kid is a falcon. Most th' time.

Optima: *nods* Then I know about them. I never realized they weren't X-positive.

Hardy: Nope. Changeling. *grin* Like me.

Ira: *surprised sound*

Optima: *curiosity lights her eyes* What does "changeling" mean in this reality?

Kae Yau: *seriously, around her current match* 'Uman t'at got changed t' a DenYa, usually t' save t'eir life.

Optima: *eyes darken with concern and widen with surprise* I hadn't realized that was possible.

Ira: *both brows up*

Kae Yau: 'T ain't arter bein' done often. The 'uman what gits Changed 'as t' consent t' it.

Optima: *glances toward Bathilda, her expression now showing understanding as she realizes the likely reason why this one's a dragon*

Kae Yau: *quietly* Aye. Batsy's a Changelin'. A stunned stupid *bleep* tried t' force 'er t' be 'is concubine, 'n she took offense t' t'at.

Optima: *winces and puts a hand on Ira as she instinctively anticipates his ire. Blinks when Monster Mash generously smears peach on her hand*

Ira: *torn between mashed peach and being indignant at what Kae Yau said*

dark purple woman: *approaches the breakfast table* *calmly* You think that's bad, you should have seen the idiot after Kae Yau dealt with him. *snags noms from what's left*

Senaiji: *startles*

Bathilda: Ach!

Usagi: *soft "eep" as she tries to see what's startled the others*

Kae Yau: Nerima. Senaiji's older sister. 'N the only reason Batsy's still 'round.

Hardy: *humorously* Like she'd've stahed wit'oot Senaiji?

Ira: *dots at Hardy*

Kae Yau: 'Til some stunned stupid *aft* tried t' exorcise 'er. *another match! And she'll reach for another handful of rushes, too*

Monster Mash: *peach in his Dada's beard. Trying to feed Dada! Sharing babby!*

Ira: *rumbles as he notices what Monster Mash is doing. Will help Monster Mash get peaches into his mouth*

Optima: *nods slowly, frowning at her own memory of attempted exorcisms she's broken up* Is that all you wanted to tell us?

Kae Yau: *headshake* Take Rin Fei wit' ye.

Optima: *surprised* Take Rin Fei?

Ira: *looks up, startled*

Kae Yau: Aye. Ye need some'un t' teach the Ifiri 'n Drachs 'ow t' use t'eir gifts, 'n she needs t' learn 'ow t' control 'er abilities better.

Optima: Oh. *serious in an instant* You've spoken to Rin Fei about this, right?

Kae Yau: Kept tryin' t', 'n the brat keeps runnin' off.

Hardy: I ken how t' catch 'er attention. *lifts his voice* AWW! IT'S FUZZY!

Rin Fei: *whoosh of pink and green flame, and then a sound of disappointment* T'ey don't want me near 'im. Quit wastin' me time.

Senaiji: Please stay and hear us out, Rin Fei.

Rin Fei: *pauses to frown up at him, her upper body solid, but her lower body and hair only dancing flame. Turns that quizzical frown to the visitors and then to her sister*

Kae Yau: I's arter t'inkin' ye'd be the best 'un t' 'elp some o' our kin at the school Ironhide 'n Optima works at, Rin Fei.

Rin Fei: *face lights up even as her body solidifies fully, but then she frowns and looks quizzically to Optima*

Optima: *quietly* I don't dislike you, Rin Fei. I just thought it was improper for you to want to marry my son.

Rin Fei: *wrinkles her nose* Wasn't wantin' t' marry 'im. Jes' t' promise.

Optima: That may be, but he's too young to make that choice. He hasn't even had his second birthday.

Rin Fei: *sighs and pouts a little, but then brightens and starts to speak. Stops and frowns at Hardy as he offers her something, a glint in her eyes saying that the red-haired man is far from her favourite person right now*

Hardy: *gently* Ask Lady Prime, or the woolly one fer th' coordinates t' yer new home. This'll take ye.

Ira: *quiet rumble. Is trying to wipe his face*

Rin Fei: *takes the device and studies it, but then lifts her brows and lets Optima take the lovely little pendent style teleporter*

Hardy: *looks around, and then quirks a brow when he sees his wife with her head in the medicine cupboard* *goes to see what she's doing*

Kae Yau: *absently humming, still has the handful of rushes she grabbed when Nerima came to the table. Is reaching for one of the special candles that only get used when she or other Ifiri are feeling under the weather*

Optima: *inputting the coordinates for the school as she explains how this device works* It will only take two sets of coordinates. See? Each of the largest gems is a button. You need to press them firmly for them to work.

Rin Fei: *interested snerk, but then sniffs and looks around with a frown as she recognizes the scent of the big candles with the wide, wooden wicks* Oy, Sissy, who's purdlin'?

Optima: *looks up with concern*

Kae Yau: *looks up from contemplating the candle to give Rin Fei a confused look*

Rin Fei: *points to the candle* Somebody ailin'?

Kae Yau: *frown* Ye'd best git goin', Rin Fei.

Rin Fei: *expression changes to an angry pout, and then she's snatched the teleporter and vanished with a swish and slight flash*

Hardy: *shakes his head* Wit'out even bringin' aneh 'o 'er stuff.

Optima: *startled at the snatch and the departure, but quickly composes herself. Goes to talk to Usagi and learn that Senaiji actually knows the girl's great great grandmother*

Senaiji: *using a stump of charcoal to draw out a family tree, is explaining family connections to anyone interested in listening*

Bathilda: *calmly pointing out the point in the timeline that Senaiji drew earlier where she came into the family story*

Optima: *gentle throat clearing, and then excuses herself to Bathilda and Senaiji before turning a smile to Usagi* *softly* [Ira and I will be back at the house. Please don't hurry. Stay here as long as you need to.]

Usagi: [Oh!] *bows that long and graceful head* [Yes, Optima-san. I will see you soon.]

Senaiji: *gentle rumble for the youngster*

Usagi: *attention back to him, her glowing eyes wide with interest and uncertainty*

Optima: *to Bathilda, with a bow* [Thank you for the hospitality, Bathilda-sama.]

Bathilda: *polite bow* [Thank you for being our guests, Optima-sama.]

Optima: *offers a hug to the new friend, undaunted by dragon form*

Bathilda: *gentle nuzzle* [Safe travels until you are able to return for a visit.]

Optima: [The same to you.] *smiling as she goes to collect her husband, son, and the peaches in Ira's pockets and bring them back to the house in Tokyo*

Bathilda: *will return to her natural form and move to help with breakfast cleanup* It vill be so qvuiet here vizout Fairy...

Hardy: Nay. Gonna be plenty enough racket. *sounds amused and afraid as he leans heavily against the cupboard that Kae Yau is standing in front of*

Kae Yau: *soft snort, attention going back to the candle*

Bathilda: *confused look for Hardy* Vhat do you mean?

Hardy: *nods to his wife* *quiet awe and slight worry in the amusement* She's nesting.

Bathilda: *startled blurt of German, then she's moving to start getting things ready while calling for one of the older Ifiri ladies to come midwife*


back in Tokyo. A quarter hour later


Optima: *picks up her telephone and talks, then gives a soft sound of surprise and glances toward where Ira is helping Monster Mash splash in the ornamental pond*

Ira: *quiet rumble* I like that bunch.

Optima: *nods. Then, softly and full of surprise* Kae Yau just gave birth to a healthy daughter.

Ira: *looks over with a surprised rumble*

Optima: Her name is Yau Fei, but her father's already calling her Yuffie.

((Written with random_xtras))