Topic: A Father's Love, A Daughter's Hesitance

Second Chances

Date: 2012-05-31 13:44 EST
((This was possible thanks to the awesomesauce Kristoph! C: ))

Nikia's bare feet carried her swiftly and quietly over the grass that led her to the Demon House. Once she reached the door to said house, she eased the door open quietly, minding the thermos in her hands that radiated warmth into her fingers. She was guessing, that at this time of day, her mother was wrapping things up, and would be done soon, so she slipped towards the main room, and plopped down onto a couch. There was a glance given to the room around her. Noting that it was empty, she deemed it safe to unscrew the cap to the thermos. She inhaled softly when the coppery rich scent filled her nose, and the small area around her. After moments of appreciation, the thermos was brought to her lips, and partially drained.

No matter how empty an area might appear however, even to vampires" senses, appearances could often be misleading. Sages and philosophers alike would agree that if there is one component that will draw forth spirits - or Demons (though that's a misnomer and Daemon more appropriate) it's Blood. The life is in the blood, and the power is in the blood. And blood calls to them, and their like. But demons, daemons, and undead alike would keep a wide berth of the man who walked the corridors of Demon House - if not for respect of him, respect of the blade upon his back - Justiciar, the Judge.

That which would send them back to where no amount of necromancy could call them forth again. Not that he was seeking confrontation; oh no, quite the opposite.

This day he was still moving keepsakes from his chambers here to his new rooms at House Eternal, where he'd taken over the mantle of Leader. Forgoing the byways of magic, he chose instead the mundane method - at least for the smaller and more manageable objects, savoring the sights and smells of burgeoning springtime across the Coven grounds - especially the roses. Booted feet, encased in soft supple leather, paused as he passed a trail that had just been walked barefoot, and a door left ajar - closing his eyes and inhaling, a slight smile rising on his lips. Someone was brave, powerful, or foolish, to bring open vitae into this place, and he would venture a glance into the room to see the culprit - as his eyes would widen in muted shock. "....Ms. Nikia?" His voice was raspy, he'd been thinking to himself and not expecting conversation, and he cleared it self consciously before continuing, "do you suppose that's wise?" his tone was dry - as fitting for debating wisdom with one so young, perhaps.

Second Chances

Date: 2012-05-31 13:46 EST
The liquid that ran down her throat warmed her, chasing out some of the cold that came with what she truly was. In fact....it was one of her most favored things about feeding....Then....Wait....was someone calling her name" That's what dragged her out of the hazy warmth that she was in, before she turned, amber green hues searching for the source of her name. When her eyes found Kristoph, they rested on him for a moment, waiting. His question reached her ears, and caused her to snort, ever so softly. "Perhaps it is....And perhaps it isn't. From what I've learned from mom....This place is a safe haven, for one to be whom they are, without being afraid. If I were elsewhere I wouldn't be drinking this." she said softly, before she sighed, and replaced the cap onto the thermos. "I didn't think I'd be doing any harm.....I haven't before."

He paused upon entering the room, standing behind the couch now that she was on, and raised a hand as if to brush aside her words, "And certainly she was right, to a degree. You have no need fear danger, especially here, for being what you are." His eyes fell to the thermos a moment, glittering emeralds before returning to hers. If for those eyes alone, one might even mistake a family resemblance, for which he would consider himself lucky, even if she would not. "Drink, quench your thirst. It's quite alright....I've experienced it myself, before..." his voice trailed off for a moment, recounting briefly another life, another time, "I merely meant....though no harm would come to you, attention might."

Knightfall

Date: 2012-05-31 17:44 EST
A dusky red glow would begin to suffuse his face, if only for a moment before he could conceal his thoughts again, "I cry your pardon, I....wouldn't be one of those who tried to screen those who sought their daughters attention." His tone full of dry humor, by the time he'd finished the sentence. In actuality, he would screen them, if he could - but something about her told him that the task was quite unnecessary, that no matter the dynamic of their relationship now, as it were, she was....capable of handling herself. And wise enough to ask help when it was needed, as well. So many thoughts spiraled through his head, it was hard to focus on any one alone - he'd never thought to have a family. Not one that wasn't in the past, and gone. Not one of his own. Let alone a daughter. Which he loved, but whose existence alone made him fret. Being a naturally protective person was easier when emotions didn't cloud your judgment.

Her fingers froze in their motions when he told her to drink, before they started again, only in reverse, resulting in the opening of the thermos. His words.....had brought to mind her friend, Toby....and the day he had learned what she was...She had been scared of losing his new found friendship, but instead of him freaking out, and running, he accepted her warmly, not for what she was, but for who she was. And that's what made her realized that it was better to know the person first, before judging them. His words dragged her out of her absent train of thought, before she dragged one of her eyebrows upwards, her face questioning. "What do you mean by that, screening those who seek my attention?" she questioned, before the thermos was once again to her lips, and drank once more. This action brought a faint tint of pink to her cheeks, which almost gave her the appearance of a china doll. Only she was much bigger, and much more lively than a doll.

Knightfall

Date: 2012-05-31 17:46 EST
"May I?" he gestured and glanced to a spot near her, before moving to the other side and waiting before taking a seat. "....I only meant, and forgive me....in my mind's eye, in my memories....I recall that it is proper for a father to," and his brows furrowed somewhat, in thought, "....adjudicate his daughters suitors. Be they male, female, human, or ....more." Before he would sit, if she acquiesced, he would first unlimber the sword from his back, placing sheathed blade propped against a near tabletop, setting it just so, that it would fall and cause a clatter; the tip of the blade appeared to be flat, and if one knew anything of swords it could be argued that this particular weapon was....an executioners blade. Along the sheath was written the word, Aequitas. His eyes sought hers again as he sat and made himself comfortable, and attempting at casual, "Forgive me, I only just realized after saying it, the hypocrisy of my words. To encourage you not to judge, but instead allow me to instead." He gave a quick shake of his head, causing a cascade of long black hair across his eyes, as he would smile, "Not yet a parent, and already making a fool of myself and finding wisdom in the mind of my would-be child." This was said as much to himself, quietly - save that her hearing would pick it up regardless. He was in many ways ageless, but it was hard to reconcile the fact that this lovely young woman he sat with, growing lovelier by the imbibing of the red fluid of life, was to be his daughter. It near boggled his mind, fathomless even as it was.

She nodded a few times. "Of course you can. I don't mind sharing the couch." she said simply, before she drew her feet closer to her, and folded them up underneath her own body, while listening to him speak. "Ah, That, Then I supposes that one of these days I'll have to introduce you to Xero. He's my Fianc"....And....We were supposed to be married already....but things keep happening, and we're never....ever really able to make plans...And....as of late I've hardly seen him. The last time I saw him, he looked worn, and haggard, like he'd been through alot. And all he would tell me when I asked was that he'd been taken prisoner, and questioned. He wouldn't tell me much more than that. And I'm worried now. I don't know if he's alright....and the fact that he's being so secretive worries me." She shifted, and curled up slightly, her eyes drifting away from his while she spoke. "I'm worried that one day he'll just never show up, and he'll be lost. And he'll just be another person for me to miss, and wish that he was still there." Once she stopped speaking....she blinked multiple times....She hadn't meant to say all that in one big rush. Definitely not to Kristoph. She hadn't even told her mother about it all. His soft comment caught her attention once again, and she snorted. "Wisdom isn't everything here. Sometimes it's more of quick thinking, and acting on emotions. Being wise doesn't make someone all mighty." ((Once again someone does me too much credit - I must point out it takes two, with a thanks to Fiona-mun for cutting. *smiles*))

Knightfall

Date: 2012-06-28 21:11 EST
He smiled at her words - at her wisdom - but it was a smile touched by sadness; the two of them sat together sharing that couch, and though they both looked younger than their years - he far more so than her, of course - the wisdom that she now spoke with (and indeed derided with her own words) managed to cut him to the quick. She was too young, in his opinion to know such pain. His blessing, and his curse, to be as empathetic as he was - listening as she spoke, and allowing her words, her tone, and her concern to carry that pain directly to his own soul.

At least there, it wouldn't be alone. But that which was still human in him managed to realize as well, that it was more than just her pain which needed company.

He spoke, his tone soft and that same sad smile still upon his face, "You're more than right in that estimation, my daughter", and with that last moniker - calling her his daughter - managed to make his voice crack, just a little bit - and he wouldn't have been ashamed for others to hear that, but part of him was glad that they were secluded; he was just as hesitant to spill how he felt as she had been hesitant to spill her own emotions. But if she would open to him, so to would he open to her.

More than a marriage to her mother, her trusting in him - inviting him to share himself with her, made her his daughter in his heart, despite lack of blood connection or even legal connection through rite of marriage.

"Wisdom can be....overrated; all the wisdom in the world is....impotent, if the will doesn't exist - if the passion doesn't exist - to add..." he struggled with the words and a slight frown formed on his lips; opening up like this was hard, and didn't come naturally to him - he was a stoic man, generally - but after a long pause, he finally found the words, "....wisdom means nothing, you're right, unless the drive to act upon it is also present."

He frowned again, though not a face he wanted to put on for her - he would rather appear....a learned parent, one ready to face the hardships that parenting would bring - and though in reality he was well prepared for the task for which he was about to volunteer, he hadn't expected such a thing from her. But, he would offer, none the less.

What else could a father do"

"Nikia," his eyes meeting hers, if she would allow, "anything I can do - I will, to assuage your....worries. I will seek him out, if you would have that, and find word of him - where he keeps himself and why he hasn't come to you. Would you let me do that for you, daughter?" Though verdant green, his eyes were stormy as they met hers, "I would....brook your worries, if you will let me; a life waiting is no life." and again his voice would venture to the edge of breaking as he spoke.

As if he were familiar with a life spent waiting.

For someone he loved.

Second Chances

Date: 2012-07-04 02:45 EST
She didn't shy away from his eyes on her....in fact they rose to meet his, and held them. There was perhaps a hint of teenage defiance in the gesture. Just a hint. Maybe it was because she was hurting emotionally, maybe not. That's something to be expected, without any reason. She was *young* in a sense, and therefore naturally rebellious.

It wasn't until he started speaking, and his voice cracked on the word 'Daughter' that the defiance in her eyes melted way and into softer emotions. Ones that someone could explain as soothing. And instead of speaking right away, she simply listened to him speak, finding comfort in that.

Then she inhaled softly, and nodded.

"There are very few times that wisdom actually does good. 'Cuz normally it's coming from old people that hardly get out that often. The real advice that one should treasure is that of the newer generations that seem to be smarter~" she murmured softly, and looked pointedly at him. Though the look on her face, and the tone of her voice clearly showed that she was teasing him.

The offer that followed this made her fall quiet. For a while. As if she was unsure of what to say, or if she wanted to speak at all.

The silence seemed to stretch on for a long time, before she nodded, lightly.

"I think....I would like that....But then I might not....I...I don't know what I really want any more. I sometimes find myself wondering if it's worth all the trouble. If guys and dating period, are worth it. " She huffed, softly, and as if to accent, and place emphasis on her statement. "I'm quite simply tired of being hurt after being so hopeful."

It was here, after these words that she let her eyes drop down from his gaze, and down onto the canister that was cradled gently in her lap. Then her gaze traveled towards her bare feet. They were drawn closer then, and tucked up underneath her. She was fidgeting. A clear sign that she was nervous or uncomfortable. Those words that she had just spoken?

They hadn't been shared with anyone else. Except for Toby...And even then it wasn't quite so blunt, and more evasive, and vauge.