Re: Hunter and The Thief

by questor Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:12 am

Mary squeezed one of Casha's hands, smiling. Her face was a mess from the tears, makeup had run and all. "We can do some limited shopping." she said, I do want to get something for my grand child." She put a hand on the baby bump, "And I don't have much that will blend in to the population around here." Kat had called Anubis her brother and Casha her sister. She liked that, it showed how much they all had come together

Outside Dante groaned when he saw Kat poke her head in and then went into the Lounge when she heard the word shopping. "Here we go again." he looked over at Anubis, who shook his head.

"I'll get some cash ready for them to take, and ensure they have a credit card with suitable credit." He put a hand on Dante's shoulder.

Marla grinned hearing that, "Well speaking of clothes. I guess I am going to be needing some maternity clothes." Kat had wanted to drag her downtown shopping and this would be her chance.

by LadyRaven Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:53 am

Kat grinned broadly, "Oh, we can sort that out quickly enough." She said, then quickly eyed Mary up and then down again. Save for an inch or so in height and the obvious age gap between the women, she could think of at least two outfits that would suit Mary to the ground. Of course, they were both Casha's, but she was sure the woman wouldn't mind. Kat then grinned at Marla. She couldn't wait. "I hope Gabe has good credit." She chimed, "You're gonna need it."

In the kitchen with Anubis and Dante, Gabe almost shuddered, "Guard your loins, fellas." He chortled and shook his head, "But I guess we'd get the house to ourselves for the day. Good excuse to get some target practice in, I think." That was typical of Gabe, always thinking of something destructive, or violent to occupy his time. He did have other ideas floating around upstairs as well and moved to Anubis to run a few of them by him.

"While the women are distracted..." he offered, "I was wondering if I might have a few words with ya. It's nothing bad or anything, but I'd like your advice."

In the lounge, Casha smiled lovingly to her mother and then even gave her grandfather a softer look. "There's no such thing as limited shopping in this family." She said with a giggle, "And there'll be nothing I won't do to make sure you have everything you need."

by questor Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:07 am

"Oh don't worry about it. I am sure Anubis has a very big wallet. He was able to cover the last spending spree you had with no problem." Marla told them. She had moved into the room with Kat as themen seemed to have wandered off to the kitchen. Mary smiled and wiped her face and felt the ruined makeup. "Oh dear, I must look a fright."

"What do you have in mind." he asked Gabe, when he asked to talk to him about something.

Rachel went with the men. She sat down on one of the stools by the breakfest bar. She looked over at Gabe. "So young man, I take it that you have found out something." she grinned broadly.

by LadyRaven Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:19 am

Casha laughed and shook her head, "It doesn't matter." She told her mother, "Mine must look as bad." Perhaps not quite as bad, but the charcoal around her eyes was somewhat smudged. She then looked to Marla and nodded, "Yes he did, and I don't think he'll begrudge us this." She reached over to the table and passed her mother a Kleenex.

In the kitchen, Gabe eyed Rachel icily, "This is a private conversation, woman." He said sharply and when she didn't move quickly enough, he narrowed his eyes, "Ok. Been polite, now I won't be. Fuck off." He pulled Anubis to one side. "I'm planning to get in touch with a few people over the next day or so. Marla wants to get a message to her father to let him know he's gonna be a granddad and that she's happy etc. I can get a message to him through Emily in Rome, so I know we'll be safe. The other message I wanna send is to my mother and brothers. I've already told them about Marla, but I wanna tell them about the baby and all. Thing is, they'll wanna come and visit. I haven't told them the particulars of us all, Mum thinks I work for you, but she'll wanna come and see how and where we're living. I'll book them into a hotel and everything."

by questor Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:41 am

Rachel just smiled ad remained seated. She knew that it probably be a while before he accepted that people could see the future. Gypsies accepted it as a part of their lives. Her people relied on her to keep them safe and out of trouble. She sat there and even though Gabe moved Anubis and himself away, she could still hear what Gabe said.

Anubis listened. "Is not Marla's father still with the Order?" he asked. It would be dangerous even with some one else relaying the information. If it was him he would be wanting to know where Marla was and why she was out there, out of touch with the order. Why was her and Gabe together, especially since she had been paired with someone else already. Anubis would be wanting to know these things and would probably begin searching and hunting down the answers. "Go ahead and have him informed. But be prepared if he decides to search for answers. " Now his mother and brothers, were not part of the order but knew very little of what Gabe did.

"Bring them out here, and you don't have to set them up in a hotel. There is plenty of room here, even though it seems we are filling up the place kind of fast." he chuckled. "They will probably have to be told about us. How do you think they will handle that?"

Mary took the kleenix and wiped her face. She then looked at Kat and Marla. They were two very differnt people. Marla was dressed as a hunter and Kat, well she was dressed as a well dressed, well to do woman. Oh this was definately going to be an experience. She then looked over at her father. "And what will you be doing while we are out?"

by LadyRaven Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:59 am

Gabe nodded, "Yes, and I'm prepared for if he wants to track us down. I doubt he will, but it always pays to keep your guard up. I think he'll just be happy that she's safe and well loved. As for my family...." He moved them a little further from Rachel and her evesdropping. "When I left the Marines for the Order, I told her that I had been discharged and was working as private security for someone in Rome. She was happy with that. When we got stateside again, I knew she'd find out and I try to keep one step ahead. The kind of people I come from, they know about underground folk. Mafia, dirty politics, that kind of thing. She thinks Michael Vance is someone underground and she's fine with it. She don't have to know about the real you. They all think I'm on your security staff and I'd rather just keep it that way." He chewed his lip slightly, "And to be honest, I would mind the job. You've seen me in action and you know I can be trusted. And I could really do with the paycheck, ya know? I'm kinda gonna need the cash, baby on the way and all."

In the living room, Bernard smiled warmly, "I'm happy to play loving granddad." He said honestly, "Hell, get the wheelie chair out and I'll trawl the shops with you, if Casha will let me." He looked to his granddaughter with just a glint of hope in his eyes.

Casha seemed to think on it for a while and then looked at her mother. She couldn't deny one and love the other, it wasn't fair. The past was the past and it should be left there. "Fine." She said eventually, "But if I'm gonna be seen with you, you really will have to drop the monk's outfit and at least try to look like a man of means. I belong to rich family now, Old Man, and I have a reputation to uphold with the mortals. I am after all, the supposed wife of the infamously rich and powerful Mr. Vance." Supposed wife. The term echoed around her brain and she started to drift somewhat.

by questor Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:27 am

Anubis smiled and nodded. "So you wish to be made the Chief of Security." It was a position that really didn't exist. They lycan guards during the day and vampire's at night really didn't have a central leader, though most probably felt that they were suited for it. "You know you will incure a lot of anamosity from some of the lycans and vampires that think they should have that job." he told Gabe. "I know they will obey my commands, they will question you though. You will have to put them in their place."

He had no doubt that he could handle it. He had handled lycans and vampires when he hunted them. "If you want the job, I have not problem giving it to you. What do you think the salary should be?" he poured himself a cup of coffee."

Dante also listened in on what was being said. He didn't need a job. He had a trade if one called being a theif one. He could always steal what he needed to keep him, Kat and the kids in a well to do level of living. But at the moment it seemed Kat was helping herself to Big Brother's wallet. Hearing what Gabe wanted to do again made him think of Mary and John at the orphanage. Oh they would have an awakening when he present Kat and the kids. Especially since they would not have learned how to change into human form for awhile. But he wanted them to met Kat and the children. They would also be shocked to know that he had found someone and had sort of settled down.

Mary grinned as she saw Casha warming up to Bernard. Cothing for him though would have to be gotten first. None of those at the mansion was the same size as the old man. "Do you have any other clothes then those." Mary asked him.

by LadyRaven Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:36 am

Gabe quickly laughed and shook his head, "Oh god no!" He chortled, "I wouldn't dare sidestep any of your guys. I'm happy to start at the bottom and work my way up like the rest of them." He shrugged his shoulders, "I earned $30K in the Army and almost the same with the Order. I wouldn't expect or ask for anything more than that."

Bernard looked at his clothing and chewed his lip a little, "I have some civilian clothes." He offered, "Though nothing with quite the same price tag as Anubis or yourself, Casha. I have plenty of money to buy new clothes and such, if that's what you'd like."

On the sofa, Kat listened to everything with a wide smile. The opportunities were growing and one could almost see the dollar signs in her eyes getting bigger and bigger. "It's settled then." She said cheerfully, "Brand new wardrobes and accessories for everyone!"

by questor Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:52 am

Anubis shook his head. "Oh no. I think they need someone from the outside to lead them. One that has more knowledge of the Order then they do. That alone makes you the most logical choice. You can train them on what to look for, what to expect and how to defend against the Order. That will make this place an almost inpenatrable fortress. As for pay, that kind of job would at least start off at 100k a year." Anubis leaned againt the breakfest bar and studied the look on Gabe's face.

Mary looked at her clothing. "I think Father and I will have to go looking a bit less rich then we will look after shopping."

Dante got up and slipped back to the living room area and motioned for Kat to join him. He had decided that within the next few days that they would be heading back to New York City. "I have told you about Mary and John and the orphanage." he told her, "I want them to meet you and the kids." They were the closest thing that He had to a Mother and Father now, since both of his real parents were long dead.

by LadyRaven Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:01 am

Gabe lifted his brow high at the offer, "Wow, that's... I mean." he really wasn't expecting that high an offer on anything. "Do you reckon your guys would be happy with that?" He asked, "Many of them have been with you for decades, longer. I've been here a year at most. You sure?" That amount of money would set him and Marla up for a very comfortable life indeed and he could send money home to make sure his brothers and mother were comfortable as well.

Casha offered them both a smile, "Him, I can't do anything about." Casha said, motioning to Bernard, "But you..." She smiled to her mother, "I can do something about. I have an entire room of clothes Kat's bought for me. I could wear a different outfit every day for a year and never repeat myself. You are more than welcome to take whatever you like." She smiled again.

Kat pouted slightly when Dante pulled her away from the happenings. She wanted to be in the middle of it all. Then she understood why and smiled lovingly to him. "Of course." She said, "You've told me all about them, remember?" Her smile faltered slightly then, "Wouldn't it be better if we waited until the kittens had their human features? I know John and Mary know nothing about our world and I wouldn't want to frighten them or the children there. It'll only be a week or so before they can open their eyes and change a little. Then they'll look like human babies."

by questor Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:24 am

Anubis grinned and shugged his shoulders. "They will resent you being made the head of security. That is something that you will have to knock into their heads, that you are the right man for the job. It will not be an easy task but I am sure you can do it." he put a hand on Gabe's shoulder. He liked the former hunter. A true friend to Casha and now a part of their every growing family.

Mary smiled at the offer. The was more then she had ever expected and it had only begun. To have her father and her daughter there together made her heart and soul soar. She only wished that her husband could have been there to see it all. He would have been proud of his daughter, though she didn't know how he would react to her becoming a vampire. But if she knew her husband well enough, he would have accepted it like she had and woe to those of the Order that tried to take her life.

Dante smiled, "We can wait a bit. But I think it is time that Mary and John knew what I was and what you are." he caressed her face. He was not worried about what they would think. At least he hoped they wouldn't be frightened or horrified.

by LadyRaven Fri May 04, 2012 8:32 am

Gabe could only stare with a distant smile on his face as Anubis laid down the challenge of his guards, "I'm almost glad we have a good doctor on the bankrole." He said absently, already feeling the bruises, broken bones and gouges he'd be getting during the adjustment. Still, it would be enough to set him and Marla up for life and he wasn't about to pass up that kind of opportunity.

Just then, Garret entered the kitchen, rolling his thin shoulders as he wandered through. The shirt and pants were baggy on him compared to his lycan counterparts. In this form, he seemed utterly out of place and it had often been questioned why Cain had kept him around in the past. The question was still there to some degree about Anubis keeping him on, and some of the larger and more powerful guards had taken to calling him Casha's lapdog. For some reason, Garret hadn't minded that at all, telling them he'd rather be the lapdog of the queen than another dumb grunt just guarding the house. Needless to say, it had landed him a good number of beatings beyond the garden wall, but he never cared. Besides, the bruises healed in minutes and no-one in the house was any the wiser.

He moved past the old gypsy and gave her a thin smile before walking around the breakfast bar for the coffee pot. He overheard the talking briefly and grinned to himself about Anubis' offer to Gabe. He wouldn't have minded a little payback on his kin, so decided he would help Gabe take over command; when he wasn't being the 'Queen's lapdog'. He poured his coffee and bowed his head to Anubis and then oddly to Gabe, him as well. Gabe stared at him briefly with a confused look on his face before pouring himself some coffee. Garret left with another bow of his head and went to place himself somewhere near the living room in case Casha needed him.

Gabe drank some of his coffee before returning his attention to Anubis. "Can I ask you a wierd question?" He asked, then nodded to where Garret had just disappeared, "What's with the weedy guy? Garret, right? For a lycan, he's the shortest, weediest fella I've ever laid eyes on; and his wierd way of being around Casha like he is. Is he actually a guard here or is he just a pet? And what's with bowing his head to me? I mean, I'm a lowly human, right?" He shook his head, "Definitely wierd if you ask me."

In the living room, Casha smiled lovingly at her mother and gave her a small hug, "I'll make sure I can find something for you that isn't too 'in your face'." She told the older woman, but then suddenly paled slightly when Bernard opened his mouth.
"So when can I start expecting wedding bells?" He asked openly with a grin.
"What do you mean?" Casha asked.
"You and Anubis getting married." He said, "Doing things properly."
Casha lifted a finely plucked eyebrow, "Technically, we've been married nearly ten thousand years, Monk." She told him, "When I was Akasha."
Bernard chewed his lip slightly and then almost sulked. "But not in this life." He said with a pout, "I'd like to see you with his name seeing as you're already having babies with him. It's not right, morally, you know."
"Not right by the church, you mean." Casha returned quickly, "We're hardly welcome there anymore, are we."
Bernard shrugged, "Well, call me old fashioned instead then." He offered, "All of you having babies and living together and not one of you having any intention of being married."
Casha lifted her eyebrow again, "As I recall, Marla and Gabe had every intention of doing so, until Kat got in the way. Sign of the times, Bernard. Marriage isn't such a must anymore, people see it as just a piece of paper and a label, that's all."
Bernard folded his arms and slumped back into the chair, "I noticed." He grunted, "But I'm not most people, and neither are you lot. You would have got married if you were still alive."
"I am very much alive. I never actually died to become this, unlike other vampires." She said sharply, "That has already been explained to you in great detail. Anyway, why such a question now at all? It's not like we'd ever be married now by our actual names, so it would be void anyways. Besides, who on this planet would marry us knowing who we really were? Oh yeh, I can really see that happening. 'Do you, Anubis of Nile, King of Vampires, take this woman, Casha MacKensie Trydant, Eagle Hunter of the Vatican and Incarnation of Akasha of Nile, Queen of Vampires, to be your lawful wedded wife?'" Casha snorted her laughter quite loudly, "A real happy priest that would be, don't you think?"
Bernard chewed his cheek and then his tongue, "It could still be done." He returned with a rather indignant look.
Casha finally twigged and narrowed her eyes with a slight smile, "You just want the pomp and circumstance, don't you." She said carefully, "The opportunity to brandish your pride about and walk me down the aisle and all that."
"Might do." Bernard replied, averting his gaze elsewhere.
Casha shook her head and returned her attention to her mother, wondering what her thoughts and opinions were on the matter.

Kat was still a little unsure of opening up that much with John and Mary at the orphanage. "I respect that you really want to do this." She told him carefully, "But I beg that you tread carefully on this, Beloved." She sounded almost smart and intelectual about it, which was odd. "You could turn their world upside down with this and they might turn on you. Look what happened to me. The second that old fart knew what I was, he made my life hell. Cost me a long drop and sudden stop, remember?"

by questor Fri May 04, 2012 9:41 am

Anubis had noticed Garret, come in and grab some coffee. When they had first got there he had assigned him to be Casha's personal body guard. He took to the job as all his lycans took to theirs. He did not question, did not complain, just did it. Anubis had picked him because he could take care of himself and he was fast, agile and loyal as they came. He would die for Casha and Anubis knew it. Oh he had heard about what they called him and still Garret never complained and never showed any resentment to his post.

"I hand picked him for the job of looking out for Casha. He may not look it, but he can take care of himself and make sure that she is always protected. He would give his life to save her's." He smiled when Gabe mentioned him nodding to him with respect. "Like the others, he has very good hearing. That is what makes them the excellent guards that they are. They will hear you coming a lot sooner then any human guard. He probably heard what we were talking about and knows you are now the Head of Security around here. Being such, and being appointed by me, he has already accepted that fact and is showing you the respect that the position encures. He might not understand why I have selected you, might even feel that a Lycan should have been put in charge. But since you have been he will accord you the respect you deserve. Only if you fail to live up to the expectations will that respect waiver."

The older lycans would be a bit upset about not being selected. Gabe had his work cut out for him. But being put in charge by him, it would be an insult and a great breach of loyalty to Anubis if they did not show him respect.

Mary smiled at Casha's and Bernard's converstation. When asked about her opinion, "Well my dear, I to would not mind see the two of you married. I think you are overlooking the only person that could truely do the ceremony with out the Church being a problem." she nodded to her grandfather. He knew about Anubis, had no problem with who or what he was. His granddaughter was happy and content with Anubis and therefore it seemed not to mind a marriage between the two. "I think he would not mind being the one to do the honors. Like you said it is only a ceremony and a piece of paper. Do you think that Anubis would dislike the idea? The two of you were married once, in another life time, this would be like renewing your vows." She smiled at her daughter. "Besides what mother does not want to see her daughter get married."

Dante grinned and nodded. "We will just go as normal people then. Though they will be wondering how on earth you gave birth to four wonderful children. What is that Quintuplets? Kind of rare." he looked down at the four in their baby buggy.

by LadyRaven Fri May 04, 2012 10:56 am

Kat grinned then and looked into the large pram/basinette. "From what I know of humans," She offered, "They rarely carry more than one child for the full term. I've watched it on TV. Women that have had two or more in one go, they've been taken in at about 6 months and had them cut out." She shrugged her shoulders slightly, "I'm pretty sure I can fake a scar or something as testiment?" She had a point. Multiple births in human women were rare, but they did exist and their size, especially Amy's wouldn't be questioned.

Gabe nodded in understanding and drank his coffee. "He definitely seems loyal enough to her." He said after a while, "And if he's gonna show me respect like that, he deserves the same from me. That's the only way I work, Boss. I show it where I get it and vice versa."

Casha could just about believe what she was hearing and quietly rolled her eyes. "I guess I can see your point." She told them both, "But you can bring it up with him. Besides, isn't it bad luck for the woman to ask out of leap year?" She was right too, this year wasn't a leap year and there wouldn't be one for another couple of years......

by questor Fri May 04, 2012 12:39 pm

"I think your grandfather will be more then happy to have a chat with Anubis." Mary said and moved over and hugged her daughter. "And it won't be no elaborate thing either." she looked over at Bernard. "Simple, with only a few 'guests'." she told her father. She didn't want Casha to worry about a big affair. "Now my dear shall we go get Miss Kat and see about arranging a time for our little escursion?" she looked over at Marla and grinned at her as well. "While we are doing that......." she looked at her father. "You can go talk to Anubis."

Anubis chuckled and nodded at Gabe's remark. Though he was going to really earn the true respect of the other Lycans as well as the vampires that were on the estate. Some of the lycans already had a respect for him, after that first night in the Bath House.

Dante pulled her close and kissed her. "Now no running off and shopping with that Mary. Remember we will be back in New York City." he told her. Dangerous ground for Kat as she was probably well known there. Dante didn't have to worry, as the police never had a picture of him so they never knew what he looked like. The Cat was one that was seldom seen but always was known to have been there. They would keep a low profile there for sure.

by LadyRaven Fri May 04, 2012 12:50 pm

Casha smiled and nodded, and then sighed slightly in relief when the subject was changed. At the comment, she laughed and nodded, "Probably today, if she has her way." She offered, "And probably better as well. I know Dante is missing his friends in New York and wants to take Kat and the children to see them." It would be pointless to know how exactly she knew that, she just felt it.

Kat nodded quietly and then chewed her lip. "In that case." She said, "It might be an idea for me to change my look somewhat. I'm still known in New York. I can't risk being recognized by any of the old man's people." She seemed to go into thought for a moment and then cringed while shaking her head, "No, I won't go fat." She murmered, "Way too gross, but i'll definitely change my hair colour, maybe go longer with a kink in it, or full curls; we'll see what I can manage with the salons. I won't dress down though, so don't ask me."

by questor Fri May 04, 2012 3:48 pm

Dante could hear that Mary had made the suggestion that they go talk to Kat. He grinned and looked at her. "Curls might be good." he told her. "Blond I think would be good." He had to laugh at her saying she would not dress down. "Alright but not to lavish, I never flaunted what I made, but just gave them money that would keep them going for a good long time." Again he kissed her and then said, "I think they are ready for you to get things going for the trip into the city." he smiled. "I'll look after the little ones and the servents have plenty of milk for them when they get hungry."

Anubis went out and called in all the lycan guards to the front of the house and took Gabe out with him. Once they were all gathered he looked at them all with a stern look. "You now have a new Head of Security. You will obey his orders to the letter." he nodded to Gabe. "This is Gabe Brown The Head of Security." he looked over the faces of his lycans. Some he could see did not like it, others he saw small smirks on their faces enjoying the discomfort of the others. "Like I said, you have your work cut out for you." he put a hand on Gabe's shoulder.

by LadyRaven Tue May 08, 2012 12:21 pm

Gabe gave an easy smile as he was introduced to all the lycans. Definitely gonna be interesting, he thought. While some smirked, he noticed others not looking too happy about it. When Anubis had announced him so to speak, he nodded his head to Anubis and then looked at the gathered guards again. He suddenly felt very exposed, but he held his head up and cleared his face of emotion. Then a funny idea hit him. It was something he had done before when he joined the Marines and they were the best of the best in their field. Perhaps the same or a similar act might have a similar result. Folding his arms, he made his way down to face the guards at their own level. "Ok guys." He said with an almost jovial tone. "Which of ya'll do I have to beat in the pissin' contest?"

Kat smiled again brightly, but then turned her nose up slightly about Dante's idea to go blonde. "Not so sure about that one." She offered, but made her way to the living room anyways. She smiled brightly and sauntered in as she did everywhere else. "Right Ladies." She said, slapping her hands together and then rubbing them at the palms, "Are we ready for some fun?"

Casha rolled her eyes slightly, "And off we go." She said under her breath before getting to her feet. "I'll go and find Mum something decent to wear and then we'll get going." She said firmly before passing her eyes over Bernard. Then she was gone. As for the old man, he simply sat there and smiled happily. "I feel a chat coming on with the future Grandson-in-law." He grunted as he got out of the chair. "And a rather large port."

by questor Tue May 08, 2012 3:17 pm

As Gabe made his challange there was a few that grinned and slapped one of the Lycans on the back. He was a large and powerful looking man in human form. He had a mean look to him and he stepped forward grinning ear to ear, and swaggered a bit. Anubis looked at the lycan and shook his head. Luthor was one of his most powerful lycans. Even in human form he was a formable opponet. In Lycan form he could tear another apart litterly. "Good luck." he told Gabe. "I think I will call the Doc and have him stand by." Anubis wondered if Gabe had bitten off more then he could chew with his challange.

Mary followed Casha up to the master bedroom and looked at the wardrobe that Kat had picked out for her. She chuckled as she saw everything. "I will say one thing for Kat, she does have very good taste. Expensive, but good." she looked to Casha to choose something for her.

Anubis stood back to allow Gabe to deal with the lycans and wondered what Casha was up to and how things were going with her family. He had no problem with her mother, but her grandfather was still a member of the church and he really had not love for them. They all believed in a great lie and had made up so many stories that would back that lie up. He looked towards the mansion.

by LadyRaven Tue May 08, 2012 5:03 pm

Gabe looked the lycan up and down carefully and then laughed nervously over to Anubis. Dependant on how well this stunt went, he might need more than just the regular treatment. After taking a deep breath, he folded his arms and looked up at the huge man stood before him. "Right then." He said with a grin, "Furthest down the yard wins.".......

Luthor looked at Gabe and lifted a hand and motioned with his fingers for Gabe to come on.

Gabe laughed openly and shook his head, "Don't quite get it, do ya?" He asked with a chortle and unzipped his fly. He turned away and leaned back on his hips slightly. Then, just like that, he began to urinate over the grass. Folding his broad arms across his chest, he leaned back a little further and grinned. The line of urine easily went beyond six feet from his boots. The mark was easy to spot and once rezipped, he turned back to Luthor and grinned again. "Go on then, furthest wins." He goaded.....

Luthor looked at Gabe a puzzled look on his face and then at the other lycans, as if to say, "What the hell is this?" then he looked at Gabe again. "You no want to fight Luthor?" his look was one of disgust.

Gabe chewed his tongue slightly with mirth, "I did say a pissing contest." He told them, "Where I come from, fellas, it works, so why not humour me?".....

Luthor shook his head and stepped up and shugged his shoulders. He then unzipped his pants and brought it out and began pissing, and it went alot further then Gabes.

Gabe watched at a glance and then chewed his tongue again, "Hmmmm." He mused, "This could get ugly." He conceeded the defeat and stepped onto the decking. "Your way then." He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, "But go all dog on me and I won't play nice, understood?"....

Luthor zipped his pants up and faced Gabe. "Don't need to change to crush you." he laughed. A number of the others urged Luthor on, "Break his neck, Crush him Luthor, Rip him apart." Others just stood back and watched, and some of them began taking bets.

Gabe cocked his mouth slightly and nodded, "Fair enough." He offered, "You're a big guy, I'll give you that." He moved around the decking slightly, watching how the other man moved, looking for any tells that he could use. The obvious size difference meant he would keep low and as far out of reach as possible between hits. But what Luthor wouldn't know about Gabe, he'd taken on bigger than him before and come away with little injury.....

Luthor brought his arms up and balled his fists, taking on a boxing stance as Gabe began moving around the deck. "Come on little man..... Come to Luthor." he goated Gabe and laughed.

Gabe grinned and cracked his neck one more time before he took his stance. He moved forward, then back slightly, mirroring Luthor's movement until suddenly, he shot forward and hit the deck on his knees. Just out of reach of Luthor's enormous fists, he slid between the man's knees and landed a deep and damaging punch right to the other man's balls. Empty bladder, no cushioning anywhere in that area. Meanwhile, in the house, Bernard walked his way slowly to Anubis, leaning heavily on his cane. "Ahh." He said, "There you are, old boy.".....

Luthor grunted, his eyes bulged, he bent over grabbing at his balls. There were a few groans in sympathy and grimaces as they saw Gabe hit Luthor in the balls. Luthor growled and turned slowly to face Gabe again, a snarl on his lips. "Now ....... I ...... Break you...... in two." he stood straighter and swung at Gabes head.

Gabe cracked his knuckles and then stretched his fingers slightly, "You guys got balls like steel, huh." He said before balling his fists up again. He ducked down as Luthor swung for him and quickly kicked out one foot, planting it firmly in Luthor's shin....

Again Luthor growled and moved his leg a bit taking the edge of the blow but still making him stumble a bit. He took a step back and began to circle Gabe, looking for an opening. Anubis saw Bernard. "Well, you might as well come and watch." he told the old man.

"Ahh yes." Bernard chortled, "It's been a long time since I've watched a rumble like this." He watched with a distant smile as the two men circled each other, instantly knowing exactly what the smaller man was doing and how he'd done it. "Fifty bucks says the big guy goes down on the next punch." Outside, Gabe circled with Luthor, picking his next spot carefully. He'd learned from the best how to take them down unnarmed. Casha had never been beaten and neither had he.... to date.....

"I won't take that bet." Anubis told him. "Gabe is one of Casha's old team members, the last of the team. I have a feeling he knows what he is doing." he continued to watch the fight, "What brings you out here?" he asked the old man.
Luthor saw an opening and threw a punch towards Gabe's mid section and followed with an upper cut to his chin.

"That's what I meant." Bernard said, "Fifty bucks says Gabe takes the big guy down on the next punch." He laughed and slapped Anubis lightly on the back with his cane. "Apart from the fight, I'd like a word with you about Casha." Outside, Gabe's eyes went wide as he watched the huge fist come his way and then followed instantly by the uppercut. Luthor landed his punch and Gabe felt the wind knocked out of him before letting himself fall back from the uppercut to minimize the damage to his face. He still felt something crunch in his jaw though. Not letting any of the energy and motion go, Gabe kicked his legs out and flipped back onto his feet. He wiped some blood from his mouth and nodded as though he was impressed, "Not bad, not bad." He said honestly....

Luthor laughed and grinned. "You now will be crushed and bashed." He came in swinging at Gabe, trying to over power Gabe with his size and long reach.

Gabe laughed back and nodded, but as Luthor came at him, Gabe spotted his final hit and turned on his heel. His elbow came up in a flash and he dug it deep into Luthor's kidney area. On a human, these select injuries could paralyze and kill. At the very least, put them in hospital for a good few weeks. On a lycan, it could be just as fatal and Gabe knew that.....

Luthor grunted and went down to one knee, feeling the pain lancing through his body. He tried to get to his feet again.

Gabe grunted and rolled his shoulder from the impact before moving over to Luthor. He made no motion to attack and held his hands out in a nonthreatening way. "You got some serious game there, pal." He said in friendship....

Luthor grunted and eyed Gabe. He took his hand and got to his feet. He looked Gabe up and down. "You pack quite the whollop for a small fry." he said "You could have had my head there, but didn't." he looked around at the others and shook Gabe's hand. "Guess you can handle the job." he grinned.

Gabe laughed and shook the big man's hand with a nod, "Thanks." He said honestly, "But you should know. You lost the second you wet the grass.".....

Luthor shugged his shoulders and moved slowly back to the others. Many shook their heads and paid up as they had lost their bets. Anubis looked at the old man. "Well what is it you want to talk about?"

Gabe gave half a grin, deciding he would explain the Pissing Contest to Luthor another time, and went inside. Once out of sight and earshot, he groaned in agony and fell into a lush chair to recovered some of his senses. The loose molar, he couldn't do anything about. With Anubis, Bernard grinned and laughed as he watched Gabe take down the lycan as he said he would. "I'd like to talk about Casha." He said as he moved around slightly to face the bigger man better. "About what you intend to do from this point on.... and my fifty bucks." He gave the man a wrinkled grin....

"Casha? What about her. What do you mean what i intend to do from this point on?" The old man was not making sence to him.

"What you intend to do with her." He repeated. "She lives with you, sleeps with you and is about to have your baby. Don't get me wrong, I'm not so far gone to demand the whole purity before marriage thing, I gave up on that belief many years ago, but I would like to see my great grandchild born to parents with the same name." He started looking around the room slightly, "I swear I saw a large decanter of port earlier."...

Anubis crossed his arms over his chest. "Are you talking about marriage old man? Need I remind you that Casha in her former life was already my wife."

"Mmhmm." he said, finding the port. He poured himself a liberal amount and sniffed at it. "I understand that, but I also know Akasha has been dead for the better part of 10,000 years." He sipped the port and smiled, "Casha may be her in spirit, but she's still my granddaughter in this life. If you don't want to call it marriage, call it..... renewing your vows instead, hmmm?"....

Anubis looked at the old man, "Who's idea was this?" he asked. Surely it was not Casha's. She had not brought it up to him as she like him knew that they had been married once already.

"Mine." He replied honestly, "But I know Mary would like it to happen as well."

by questor Tue May 08, 2012 7:49 pm

He raised a brow at that. "What did Casha say about it?"

"Nothing specific." he said, "Just ti bring it up with you.".....

"Oh?" he said. He took a seat and looked at the old man. "So her mother wants this as well?" He thought for a moment. "Now this is something I will have to talk to Casha about. The ceremony back then is not the same as it is today."

Bernard gave a snort of laughter, "I don't doubt it." He chortled, "You probably just leaned them over the alter and dipped the wick so to speak." He held the glass up to Anubis, "Good port this, I like it." He sipped a little more, "Yes, Mary would like to see her only daughter married, as would any mother."....

Anubis shook his head. "Not quite old man. We had a ceremony that was attended by many, human, lycan, and vampire of the day. Normally a piece of cloth was used to bind our wrists together to symbolize binding us together, but we used a gold chain. We stood before the Elder of one of the Tribes in Egypt we brought together. Back then the Elder of the tribe or community performed the ritual."

He leaned back in the chair. "I will talk with her and see what she would like to do."

Bernard nodded and grinned, "Very good." He said, "And don't let her fob you off about it either. You vampires and whatnots can let a lot of things pass you by, but we mere humans don't have that luxury.".....

He knew the humans took great stock in being married. That way the name of the male member would be passed on to that of their children. Back in the day it was about the same even for him and Casha, she had been the one that wanted to be married. Especially after they had begun talking about having children. "So I have no real last name. All I was ever called was Anubis. What last name should I carry?" he asked.

"Hmmmm." Bernard mused, "Never thought of that, really." He sipped yet more port and then went to sit down. It took some effort and he grunted with both disdain and relief once he was down again. "What do you call a King that has outlived his kingdom?".....

Anubis shook his head. "Not sure. Never outlived a kingdom, Cain's wasn't mine, and it was destroyed, and the one Casha and I created revolted and I lost it."

"True, true." The old man mused, "But you still lived beyond it. But I digress. I've always known you as Anubis Nile, or Anubis of the Nile, being as that's where you came from... according to doctrine records anyways."....

Anubis Chuckled. "Nile eh." he mulled that over for a while. "Why not. Now who is going to perform this ceremony?

Bernard grinned, "Not a clue." He offered, then, "Don't look at me. I'm retired, remember. Besides, I rather fancy the idea of walking her up the aisle."...

"Retired? You people of the Church never retire." he told Bernard. "And I know of no priest that would keep his mouth shut about who and what we are.

Bernard lifted a bushy eyebrow over his glass, "The Brotherhood is not the church." He said firmly, "And I was robbed of giving my daughter away on her wedding day, so I won't let you rob me of giving my granddaughter away."...

"Well then I will leave getting the priest up to you to get." he told Bernard. "A trusted one. Though there was one that Casha knew but Anubis had never met, he was back in New York City. Gabe and Dante also knew the priest since they had met him. He knew something of what Gabe and Casha had gone through and was not the most staunches supporter of the Hunters.

by LadyRaven Sun May 13, 2012 3:51 am

Bernard gave a slight nod and then was happy to fall into silence while he drank his port. It was indeed delicious. It was almost 90 minutes before the peace was disturbed once again. A slight scuffle had errupted in the den. A servant had received a call from a friend in the city and had put the TV on. Their household was on the news! After the initial headlines had been read, the servant all but screamed and ran into the study. "Master!" The woman cried as she grabbed at he TV remote for that room. She turned the news on, "You're headline news!" And indeed he was.

The plasma screen lit up and then flickered slightly as the servant changed the channel. "That's right folks." The anchorwoman said, "Philanthropist and business investor, Michael Vance, is finally taken. The once confirmed batchelor billionaire who had been rumoured to be travelling the globe, returned last year with two women, one of which turned out to be Kataraina Vance, his sister. The second woman caused much speculation among the upper echelons and was revealed to be Casha. We don't as yet know her last name. This reclusive, and incredibly well guarded woman is rarely seen out of the Vance family mansion on the hill, but rare footage from a coffee shop on the strip has revealed that she is pregnant. We'll go now to Nigel, who is outside the shop." The camera panned left to a widescreen on the wall and showed a balding man with overly large blue eyes.
"Thanks Angela." Nigel said, "And that's right. It was at this exlcusive Starbuck's that the first real pictures of Casha have been revealed, sporting what could only be described as a glowing bump, according to the counter assistant. She came in a few days ago with another woman, thought to be a close friend, and an entourage of guards. Sightings of Casha had been reported shopping in LA's most exlcusive stores, including Versace, Dolce&Gabana, Cartier and Tiffany's, but had always been careful not to be seen. It was only because of a small scuffle with an elderly gentleman that the footage was recorded. This elderly man was later seen in one of Mr. Vance's many limos." The footage was shown over Nigel's voice, showing Casha and Marla at the shop table and Bernard joining them. "As you can see from this footage," Nigel continued, "Mr. Vance has gone to great measure to ensure his lover's privacy and from what you can see on screen, the guards here are quick to get her out of the shop and home." The screen returned to Nigel's face as he put his mic up higher and moved to the counter assistant. He held it out to the young man, "So you actually saw her and spoke to her."
The youth nodded and smiled, enjoying his 15 minutes of fame, "Yeh." He said brightly, "Real beautiful, she was."
"What did she say to you?" Nigel asked.
"She ordered coffee for two and a pasta platter." He replied, then pointed over to the booth they had sat on, "Sat over there out of the way. I knew who she was, like. Heard about her and Mr. Vance's sister's shopping trips in the city from my girlfriend. She works in one of the stores they shopped in. She was like, real quiet spoken. Weird accent, not like from here. she sounded a bit like, English or something, like."
Nigel nodded, "Then what happened?"
"This old guy came in. Ordered a coffee, like, and went and sat with them. The whole was like, really weird. She didn't look happy and the big guys with her, took her home, like."
Nigel nodded and thanked the man before turning back to the camera, "There it is, Angela, back to you in the studio."
Angela smiled at the camera, "So the question is now, who is Casha and where did Michael Vance find her? Is it true love? Will there be a wedding on the horizon? Either way, ladies, it looks like we've lucked out with the billionaire businessman and all round Adonis, Michael Vance. Now, over to the weather with Lisa Harris."

The servant stared at Anubis with shock and fear in her face, "My friend, Jean called me from home." She said, "Said you were in the headlines. What do we do now?" Then her face paled, "Lady Casha is in the city right now with Miss Kat and Miss Mary. What if they find out?!" This could turn very badly if the women were to find themselves suddenly surrounded by reporters and for once, it had nothing to do with Kat!

by questor Sun May 13, 2012 7:09 am

Anubis stood there and watched the news and then turned and looked at Bernard, his eyes narrowing. He did not have a happy look on his face. The news broadcast would go national then internationaly with in hours. Their location would be known to the Order and the city would be swarming with hunters. Their hard laid plans to make them think Casha and him were dead were now in ruins. "This is all your fault old man. Now her safety and that of our child is a great risk, and you know by who!"

He turned to one of the servents, Get incontact with Garret, have him turn around and get back here with everyone." The woman went to the phone and called the number she had for Garret. Her voice was urgent and frightened. As she mad the call and talked to Garret, Anubis paced the room a bit thinking. They had come to far over the last few months to make a safe haven for them and the others. A blood bank had been set up in secret to provide for the vampires needs, so that attacks and deaths would not have to be covered up, except for a few. Those few that were needed for the thrill of the chase and the hunt.

Dante was not to happy either. He had been getting quite comfortable there and didn't want to be running all over the place trying to evade hunters. He had virtually dropped off the grid and the Cat had not been heard about in over a year. "Guess this means we will be leaving here and heading somewhere else."

"No!" Anubis said. "We have come to far and done to much here to just up and leave." He turned to Gabe, "Ensure the perimeter guard is doubled. Send out teams below to set up watch points that can warn us if hunters are gathering."

Garret received the call and shook his head. He was sitting in the front of the limo and turned to look back at the three women in the back. He opened the sliding glass window, "We have to go back to the Mansion. There has been a development that puts all of you in danger."

Mary looked at him, "What has happened?"

Garret sighed and said, "Seems the first meeting with Mistress Casha's grandfather was caught on video and Miss Kat has been identified as Michael Vance's sister from your earlier shopping trip. It has been plastered all over the news. Anubis thinks that the Order will see it and know that Mistress Casha is alive which will mean that Anubis himself is probably alive."

by questor Sun May 13, 2012 12:05 pm

Casha's eyes instantly fell on Kat in accusation and the feline blinked dumbly at her friend, "Not me!" She almost cried, "I never said a word, I swear!" Casha growled under her breath and sat back in the seat. Kat looked utterly horrified and the second the limo pulled up to the house, the feline fled the car and ran upstairs. "It's not my fault!" She cried. Casha was in the house next,

waddling to the study with the same grace, but still waddling. "What the hell happened?" She demanded, "One second, we're driving into the city, next, Garret's telling me we've been found out!" Bernard simply sat there with his port as his furious granddaughter entered. "It seems our meeting was caught on security cameras." He offered, "But the rumours have been rife for months." Casha looked at Anubis, "Rumours? What the hell is going on, Anubis?" She asked, "You're supposed to be a recluse, nothing to report, remember?"....

He turned to face her. "Well it seems I have a very fun loving shopper by the name of Katrenia Vance that has put us on the society page of the news. Your first shopping trip seems to have caught the attention of the news media and now with the episode at the coffee shop we are definately in the news. Soon I think we will have paparizi all over the place and when that video of you, Kat, and Marla at the coffee shop goes national and then international, you can guess what will happen." He looked at Marla, "Marla here will surely be regonized." he looked back at Casha, "You have changed your look but still someone just has to make the connection and check your face out more and you know what that means if they discover you are alive."

Casha literally roared with fury. To her left, a long sideboard suffered her wrath as the contents on top were knocked flying into the wall. Many an expensive item was shattered. "I'm gonna kill her!" She screamed, "You hear me, you fucking feline?! I'm gonna rip you apart for this!" Had Kat kept her mouth shut, none of this would have happened, but in truth, she didn't need to. The people of LA had long been imagining about Michael Vance and his life. It was what celeb hunters did. In his chair, Bernard looked distinctly disturbed by this tiny woman's temper. Hunters were stronger than they looked, but Casha was another matter.....

Anubis moved to Casha and placed his hands gently on her arms. "She can't help it, my love. She is so use to that type of life style. She is like the celeberties here. But it has caused some problems now. But we are not going to let this make us run. We are staying and we will take on what ever comes. We have people in place and others on our payroll that should be able to help keep the hunters busy and even put them in the lime light. That they would not like at all." The Order liked being secrete, and unknown to the common people. Come to light that there was a bunch of gun toating fanatics running about killing people they say are vampires or monsters, might not go over to good.

Casha took deep breaths as Anubis spoke to her. She knew she wasn't doing herself any favours letting her temper flair like this. And to agree to that fact, the baby turned slightly and Casha grunted in discomfort. "So now what do we do?" She snapped, "Stay hidden away while your guards play cat and mouse with the damned Order?" She shook her head, "I won't be held a prisoner in my own fucking house!" She threw her arms free of Anubis and went to find a decanter she hadn't broken. In the hallway, Kat had chanced coming back downstairs. "It's not my fault!" She cried, "I never said a word, I swear!".....

It was Dante that came up with an idea, as he put his arms around Kat and hugged her. "Well Michael Vance is suppose to be a recluse billionare, now with a sister that no one knew about and a lover as the news cast said." he looked at everyone. "So like Casha said, don't be a prisoner in your own house." He looked over at Casha, "You have changed your look and it will take a bit of doing to 'ake a connection to you and your old life. Kat is changed some from what she looked like back in New York, and no one really know what you look like." he turned to Anubis. "The hunters only have a discription of you, and there are plenty of normal people that might fit that discription. So what I am trying to say is, don't hide, but make yourselves known. Get out there and be seen and let the news boys and girls have their fill. Michael Vance is a well known name but without a face. Make yours his now and everyone will not think of putting you and Anubis together. As for Marla and Gabe, well they could send in their resignations and say they have gone to work for the famous recluse. The order might not blame Gabe for that, since he lost his boss."

Casha stared at Dante as though he had two heads. "Are you serious?" She asked, "Just walk out there and announce our presence to the entire world? You're insane!" But wait a minute, her head said. The more she thought about it, the more it actually made sense. To LA, Anubis was just a name with a lot of money and power behind it. No-one had ever actually seen him and as he'd said, Casha's appearance had changed so much over the last year, it would take a whole room of experts to put her face to MacKensie Trydant and make it fit. Even the idea over Gabe and Marla made sense, though that could warrant some unwanted attention if the name of Michael Vance wasn't completely water tight. Then Kat spoke up, though very quietly, "My ex won't dare say anything about me." She offered, "I know things that could land him in more trouble than you guys could ever cause." Casha snapped her eyes to the feline and made to remark the comment, but then shut her mouth again. Eventually, she threw her arms up and stormed from the room, unable to believe she was actually considering this.....

"So go public, let the people see me?" Anubis asked. He to was considering what Dante had said. It was insane but yet what better way to difuse the situation then to make it look like the recluse was coming out into the open now and with everyone. "Hold that thought everyone." he said and went after Casha. He caught up with her and enveloped her into his arms. "Like you said, we can not be kept prisoners in our own house. Or would you prefer staying here every day in seclusion with your recluse lover?" he held her tightly and moved a hand over her baby bump. "At least this way you can go out into the city and enjoy yourself, and our little one will not be couped up in a lonely mansion."

Casha stopped as she felt Anubis wrap his arms around her. Everything being said made sense and as insane and dangerous as it sounded, it was probably the perfect thing to do. For a moment, all she could do was stand there and let him say and do what he wanted. After a while, she shook her head, "No." She said, "I can't be cooped up like that again. I'm used to the freedom now." She closed her eyes and turned her face to the door. "So how do we deal with this?" She asked, "Open the doors and invite Vanity Fair for an interview?".....

Anubis grinned and then said, "Then I will order the limo around and we will all be going into the city to do shopping. They will get to see Mr. Vance face to face and everyone else. Like me Dante seems to have kept his picture out of the press, so no one, not even the Order knows what he looks like." he hugged her, "Ready to be the center of attention of the news media?"

Casha groaned quietly and then nodded, "Just don't expect me to be polite." She told him. "If they get in my face, I won't be nice about it.".....

He laughed. "Well with all the guards we will be taking I doubt that they will be getting that close. Though you will probably be asked alot of questions." he then guided her back to the other room. "Bring the limo around, and two escort vehicles. Gabe I want extra guards, and you along with Marla. Kat...." he looked at her, "Dear Sister." he grinned. "You be on your best behavior." he looked over at the female servent. "Take care of the little ones, for Dante is coming along with us. My darling Sister can not be seen with out her husband."

Kat almost died, "Why can't we take them too?" She asked, though the tears and upset had long gone now. Casha looked at her mother and grandfather and then back at Anubis, "Here we go again." She sighed. Gabe was quick to rally the guards needed and he took point position, but he shook his head at Marla, "Not this time, Babe." He said, "You're seen as Casha's friend, not her guardian." He smiled and touched her lower stomach lightly, "Besides, as the Chief, I'm putting you on maternity leave as of today." Casha snorted her laughter slightly and shook her head, "Ok, so are we going or not?"....

Marla looked at Gabe narrowing her eyes. "This once, but don't think I am going to be taking it all easy all the time." she told Gabe, but she still tucked her gun into her large purse and extra clips if she needed them.
Dante looked whispered to Kat. "Would love to take our little ones, but remember they are not old enough to look more human. Later we will let the world see them. Another surprise for the news media."
Anubis ushered everyone out. It was Casha, Marla, Mary, Kat, Dante and Anubis in the limo. Gabe and the guards took the two escort vehilces. When they arrived at their destination the guards got out and made sure no one was going to get close. That is when Anubis stepped out and helped Casha out. Dante got out ont he other side and helped Kat and Mary out. A Crowd gathered and it was not long before the news people were there.

Last into the car was Bernard, hobbling along on his cane and looking as proud as punch. When the 'family' arrived, Casha stepped out of the limo on Anubis' hand and they quickly captured attention. Within seconds, people were using their phones and taking pictures, and Casha turned her face away slightly in paranoia. Bernard, as last in, was last out and stood leaning on his cane, smiling at the people staring at them all. "Isn't this nice?" He said, moving to stand with Mary. Kat was in her element and waving to people as they took her picture. Moments later, reporters arrived, having been scouting the city for a story. Needless to say, they were overjoyed to have a big one land right in their laps! Casha remained close to Anubis and put a protective hand over her bump as the questions began. "Mr Vance!" One called, "Mr. Vance! What's made you give up your seclusion on the hill?!".....

Many more questions came, "Where did you meet Casha? Are you married? What is Casha's last name? Who is that with your Sister?" and so many more. Anubis smiled and looked around at all the people and the reporters. He held up a hand to have a bit of quitet as cameras flashed and everyone tried to get a glimpse at the new sensations in the city.
"I figured that it was time that I showed myself." he began, "I have traveled the world quite a bit and have decided to settle down some." he looked at Casha. He looked at the next reporter, "I meet Casha in the Middle East some time ago. On a venture there and we have finally gotten back together." he turned and took Casha by the hand and went inside the Jewlery shop that they stood before. He chuckled and looked at the rings in the display case, shaking his head. "Your best and most unique." he told the man behind the counter. The wide eyed clerk nodded and hurried back into the back and soon returned with the owner of the store and a black velvet lined tray that held a number of fabulous rings. Anubis chose one, it had a large diamond in the center, and two large rubies on either side. He slipped it on Casha's finger, smiling at her."I'll take this one." and he laid a credit card down on the glass counter top. "Now shall we go out and answer the question about being married."

Casha could barely breathe, being caught up in this whirlwind of happenings. Feeling this, the baby inside her starting turning over and moving around, causing her some great discomfort. And before she knew it, she had a huge diamond with partnered rubies on her finger. Outside, Kat was happily lying through her teeth who she was and where she'd been all these years. "I met up with Michael in Egypt." She told them, "I was dealing with some finds for the museum when Casha and I became friends. I just knew Michael would remember her so I called him. The moment they were reunited, I knew they were magik." More and more questions and even Bernard was happy to answer a few, "Yes, I'm very proud of my grandaughter." He said proudly, "And my lovely daughter, Mary." he hugged the woman close and smiled for the cameras. Once Anubis and Casha had come out of the jewellers, questions were fired at her, about her egyptian heritage and her former work, how they had first met. Casha held both hands up, "One at a time, please, just one at a time." How they met. Casha searched Akasha's memory, "I met him first on a dig in Iran,"The President of Iran, introduced us."....

When the reporters saw the ring more questions began to be fired about marriage. "We are going to be married here shortly." he held up her hand with the ring on it, and made sure the old man saw it. "But it will be a private wedding and with a very select guest list." he told them. "Now as to how we met. Well lets just say when I saw her on the dig site in Iran I knew she was the one for me. But her work there and my buisness dealings seperated us and kept us apart for some time. Until Kat here met up with her and found out we had met before. Eversince she brought us back together, we have not been parted." he began to move down the sidewalk and the guards kept making sure the people moved away from them. "Who is that with your sister?" another reporter asked. Anubis looked over at Dante and chuckled. "Why don't you ask him or my sister."

Kat smiled widely, showing the cameras her best side, "This is Daniel." She said, picking up the name that Casha had used back in Gotham. "He and I have been an item for a few years. We've recently started our own family and I'll be happy to introduce you to them once they're old enough to be out and about." This caused a stir. More questions were then fired at Casha, "So what's your last name?" They asked. Casha had to think quickly of a name fitting the Middle East regions, "Mohesh." She said, "Soon to be Vance." She tried to smile, but it was almost painful. She was then asked about her pregnancy and who's baby it was. "Of course it's Michael's baby!" She snapped, "How dare you....!" More questions. Casha shook her head slightly, trying to put them all in order. "We were first married in a small village near the dig site.." She said, "But under US law, it isn't recognised, so we're marrying again here. I fell pregnant after our first marriage, of course. I don't know when the wedding will be yet, we have a baby to deal with at the minute. Yes, I'll be applying for a US passport. No, I'm not wearing contacts." They were asking about her uniquely coloured eyes now, "I don't know if that's what Michael saw first, I wasn't exactly watching where he was looking at the time.".....

Anubis finally had to stop the questions. "Please if you would. The ladies would like to do some shopping and as you can see Casha is not use to such attention. The Baby has been quite active and all this I think is making the little one move about alot. While the ladies shop, Daniel." he used the name Kat had, "and I will try to answer your questions."
One could hear women in the crowd, saying, "Wow what a hunk of a man." another, "Both of them, what are you talking about." There were alot of dreamy eyed ladies out there looking at Anubis and Dante. Dante was asked by a reporter what he did for a living. "I am a procurer. I am employed by Mr. Vance to aquire items for him that he takes a likeing to." which in a sence was true. Though it was what he took a liking to that usually got stolen. There were more questions and Anubis and Dante tried their best to make plausable answers.

by LadyRaven Sun May 13, 2012 2:54 pm

After Anubis and Dante had been questioned thoroughly, the attention then turned to Bernard, who seemed a little suprised to be asked anything at all.
"Were you the old man in the coffee shop?"
Bernard blinked a few times and then nodded, "Yes, that was me." He said honestly.
"What did you speak about? Why did Casha get so upset? Who are to her and Mr. Vance?"
Bernard gave a warm wrinkled smile, "Casha hadn't seen or spoken to me for some time and sadly, I came bearing bad news, hence her upset at the time. But all is well now and we're all happily reunited. I'm her grandfather."
"Who is the other woman?"
"That is her mother, Mary, as I said before." Bernard said.
"You are English, right? And her mother is English?"
Bernard shook his head quickly, "No." He said, "My family originate from Scotland and to answer your next question, Casha's father came from Egypt. A rather nice gentleman with means and manners, so rare these days."
"Where is Mr. Mohesh?"
"Sadly, he passed away some time ago."

The questions continued for some time before Bernard held his hand up and shook his head, "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what I don't know. The rest you'll have to find out from the others."
The reporters turned on Anubis and Dante again, "So what were you doing at a dig in Iran? What work was Casha doing there? Who was she before she became your lover? Is this relationship set to last? What is your last name, Daniel? How many children do you have with Katarina Vance? When can we see them?" It seemed to go on forever and a day, they wanted everything they could get.

Inside the store, Casha watched the reporters and other people crowding around the men and sighed in both exhaustion and frustration. "Do these people never rest at all?" She asked to no-one in particular. Stood by her, an assistant smiled and offered her some hot tea.
"I'm afraid not, Ma'am." She offered politely, "Like dogs with bones. They have to strip every ounce of meat from it before they bury it somewhere."
Casha looked up at the assistant and then across at Kat and Mary. Kat was as relentless as the reporters outside as she handed poor Mary every outfit possible that could fit. "I know someone else just like that." She said quietly.
"I heard that!" Kat chimed back as she held up two gown-styled dresses for Mary to try on. Marla didn't escape her attention either.
The assistant laughed, "Well, Mr. Vance is big news right now. You all are." She said, quite happy to just stand there and chat.
"But why?" Casha asked, actually feeling comfortable with this woman, "We don't do anything to warrant so much attention."
The assistant laughed again quietly and poured Casha some more tea, "Mr. Vance is very rich and powerful, but he's never seen. People begin to speculate and pass rumours around. Unfortunately, it happens. And then when he suddenly turns up again with a sister and a beautiful, exotic looking lover, the fur flies. You're the envy of the entire female population of LA, probably the West Coast."
Casha drank her tea and stared up at the woman with both confusion and concern, "That wasn't my intention." She said honestly. "To be perfectly honest, I never knew anything like this before I came here. By the way, what is your name?"
The assistant smiled in a comforting way, "Nobody ever really does." She offered, then, "My name is Elsa Mahoney. I'm a bit of a foreigner here, same as you, really."
Casha nodded, "I've never felt so foreign in all my life, Elsa." She said, then patted the seat next to her, "Sit with me."
Elsa sat down with a smile and put the tea tray down. "Give it a week, maybe two and they'll move on to someone else." She offered candidly, "That's life in Hollywood. A flash in the pan and they find a new bone to chew on."
Casha nodded, "Mahoney, that's Irish, isn't it?"
Elsa nodded, "Yes." She said, actually grateful that someone had noticed. "How did you know that?"
Casha smiled honestly and put her tea cup down, "I'm actually Scottish by birth." She said, "My grandpa out there, his name is Elland. Mum is the same."
"But your name." Elsa said, "That's Middle Eastern, right?"
Casha nodded, "My father was Egyptian." She lied, "But I was born in Scotland." Unknown to the human, she'd just about heard everything Anubis, Dante and Bernard had said. "Went to the Middle East when I finished uni."
"What did you do over there?" Elsa asked, genuinely curious.
"I was a bit of a hunter." Casha said with mirth. Almost the truth, she thought.
Elsa lifted her brow, "Oh." She said carefully, "What did you hunt?"
"Treasures mostly." Back to the lie, "Archeology. When people found certain things, they gave me a call."
"Oh!" Elsa said with relief, "You mean like old pots and arrowheads, stuff like that."
Casha gave half a nod, being careful to make sure everything fit perfectly, "Something like that."
"And that's how you met Mr. Vance?"
"Mhmm." Casha smiled, "But business got in the way; you know how it goes. Then Kat turned up with all the glossy things she does and wham, he's back in my life again. Couldn't let him go after that."
"That's really romantic." Elsa sighed, then looked at the bump, "When are you due? If you don't mind me asking, like."
Casha rubbed her bump lovingly, "About ten weeks, give or take."
"Are you getting excited?"
Casha nodded, "Very." She said, "And nervous. You hear so many horror stories and such, it's a bit disturbing."
Elsa seemed to settle into her seat and grinned knowingly, "You don't need to be nervous." She said honestly, "It's actually a really beautiful thing. Sure, it hurts like hell and it takes forever, but...." She opened a large locket around her neck and showed Casha a small picture of a baby boy, all dressed in blue and white with a little shite cap on his head. "Just seeing this makes you forget all that pain and hard work. Makes the whole thing worthwhile."
Casha smiled warmly at the picture, "He's gorgeous." She said.
"Thank you."
"Still nervous though." Casha laughed.
Elsa smiled warmly, "Women have been doing this for thousands of years. God designed us just for it. Besides, what man on this planet could possibly go through it and live? They get a dose of flu and they're dying."
Casha couldn't help but burst out laughing as she nodded, "Good point." She chortled.
"Do you know what you're having?"
Casha shrugged her shoulders slightly, "The rumour in the house says it's a boy because I'm all bump and girls supposedly are more all rounders. Personally, I don't care. So long as it's got all it's fingers and toes and it comes out screaming, I'll be happy."
Elsa nodded and then suddenly got to her feet. The manager had come out and wasn't looking too pleased with his assistant. She smiled to Casha and quickly went back to work. The manager then came over and rubbed his hands together with his head slightly lowered in respect. "Madam." He offered politely. Clearly, he was sucking up, big style. "I trust you're finding your visit here a pleasant one so far?"
Casha flashed a vague smile, "Very nice." She said, "Your assistant, Elsa, is wonderful. You really need to pay her more."
The manager laughed nervously, "And the items?"
Casha nodded, "They're very nice." She said, "But it's not me that's shopping, it's my mother and my friend, Marla, so you should be sucking up to them, not me."
The manager laughed again and quickly disappeared as Casha sipped more of her tea.

She stayed that way for nearly half an hour before something caught her eye. Kat had truly made the magik happen as Mary appeared from the changing rooms a completely different woman. Casha eased herself to her feet and clapped her hands in applause. "Kat, you are the most annoying, interfering, wonderful genius on this planet." Kat beamed with pride. "Mother, you look stunning." Then Marla appeared and it was the same result. The women had been utterly transformed.
"As a thought perhaps, Ladies." The manager said carefully, "Would you care to view our summer collection for this year? Here at Christian Dior, we take great pride in our best customers."
Casha almost flinched as Kat literally pounced on the man, "Absolutely!" She cried. A few minutes later, a line of rails were brought out and then Elsa came out to model the first items. Kat couldn't have been happier and on the spot, ordered everything but the wedding dress. That would be pointless as it wasn't her style and neither of the other women would be the same size long enough.
Casha returned to her seat with a sigh and rubbed a particularly sore spot working it's way from her left hip to her right by way of her lower back. Her already swollen feet and ankles were protesting and she felt hot.

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