I didn't need any of this I feel anxiety in my neck The consequences now apparent Feeding back unchecked Incessant blue in spiral coils Fingers underneath the skin Adrenaline is not my mistress But she always knows just where I've been

Church - Chaos

The rippling of the gate drew her luminous green gaze and she sighed faintly with a concerned look lifted towards her brother, voice pitched low and soft. "This will nae be amusing Danny. Daddy is going to yell."

She welcomed that support he offered. Considering she felt a thread of worry about how her parents would react to her news. Cieara could only hope her mother could keep her father from exploding into a towering rage that ended with her grounded for life. Something she knew only to well Lucius could actually do if he so wanted.

"If he does, you let me handle it." Daniel replied softly. He could easily sense her nervousness through their touch, and he himself felt the same, given the oft-volatile nature of their father's temper. But, as she was well aware of also, Daniel was quite protective of Cieara, no matter how much he grumbled at her constant teasing.

With a ripple of air, Fiona stepped through the alcove, followed behind by Lucius. He had been caught going over reports that morning, as he had yet to don his armor for the day. But then, this was family, and there would be no need for that here.

Cieara drew in a quick calming breath at the sight of their parents entering and just gave a faint squeeze of black nailed fingers against her brother's arm as she watched then, feeling her mouth go dry in a sudden swelling of nervous energy.

Fiona glanced around for a moment, and then found her children and an elegant brow rose, as she was quick to notice the tension both seemed to be carrying. Her raven dark head turned towards Luc and she smiled softly as her gloved hand moved to capture his. "Ah, I assume there be something going on Love."

"Indeed." The soft words rumbled from the barrel chest as Lucius's fingers entwined with Fiona's, giving them a soft squeeze. Walking with her over to where Cieara and Daniel stood, he glanced over the two, an arm slipping around Cieara's shoulders for a soft hug. "We got your call, little sweet."

Feeling the bite of her fingernails into his arm, Daniel tried to send what calming energy he could to his sister. For Fiona he smiled, glad beyond words that their mother was here. Perhaps, just perhaps, this would remain calm...somewhat.

Pale green eyes lifted to gaze at her father as she felt the weight of his arm around her shoulders and a smile drew upon the rose tinted lips. She was also relieved that her mother had answered the call, but suspected Fiona was aware of what this might be about. "Ah, Daddy' Mum' I be needing to talk to ye about something. Something I nae think ye will be to happy about."

A look of both curiosity and concern washed over Lucius's features, and he turned to allow the two lady DeAusters to go sit down on the sofa. Settling into the chair across from them, he looked over to Cieara. "Why would you say that, little sweet?" Sinking down on the sofa beside her mother with the same easy inherent grace and her hands drifted down to fold in her lap as she regarded her father. He was the more worrisome of the two and took another deep calming breath. Trying to find the right words, but realized that no matter how delicately she put it, the effect would likely be less then tranquil. "Tis about Lord Yhaull Daddy. I wanted to speak to ye regarding him."

Mother looking at me Tell me what do you see" Yes, I've lost my mind

Daddy looking at me Will I ever be free" Have I crossed the line"

T.A.T.U - All The Things She Said

Cieara was being as honest as possible. She would make no mention of just "How intimate" she had gotten with Veighn, as that would just ignite her father's barely controlled temper into a flash fire conflagration that might just blow her right over. She also was careful not to draw her brother into it directly, but was grateful for his touch nonetheless. At her father's question she tensed, worrying her lower lip with a pressing of evening teeth for a moment before replying. "I like his wit, his off sense of humor. I appreciate his intelligence and the rare moments of charm he has. So, aye, I like him." She didn't think she should have to explain the attraction as she was already treading a very fine line after all. Fiona just returned the press of her fingers to Luc as she listened to Cieara. Perhaps understanding only to well her daughters feelings, as she had felt the same way. She however hadn't ever told her father about Lucius. Back then she knew he never would have approved of a holy paladin, anymore then Luc was pleased about this Mage now.

"That same wit and intellect seduced Tasha, and you know what happened there." Growling softly, Lucius shook his head at the thoughts, quiet for a few seconds before looking back to his daughter. "You know what he did to her, and what he has forced onto Lankyn. And now that devil sets his sights on you..." Again he faded into a soft growl, the fist clenching again.

Daniel could easily feel the building anger in his father, and he again gave Cieara's shoulder a soft touch, as his own temper grew a bit, but for different reasons.

Cieara gave a faint sigh. "I am aware of what happened with Tasha Daddy. He has nae made any such attempts with me. While ye may nae like hearing it, I have nae seen him force any such things upon anyone unwilling. Aye, he be less then pleasant to some, but," Her chin lifted a bit, with a pointed pause in her dulcet voice. "Ye nae be exactly the most friendliest of visitors to RhyDin either Daddy." "Aye, I be knowing what he did with Lord Lankyn as well. Again, I believe if the deal was nae fair, tis sure it would have nae been set." Pale hands lifted, palms outward now as she regarded her father steadily, with just the faintest of tremors as she showed unscarred palms for his review. "I have also nae made any deals with him either." Taking a moment she remove the covering of leather upon her own elegant hands, Fiona gently brushed a few stands of Luc's hair back from his brow before laying them back to his shoulder with another calming touch. She wasn't thrilled about this either, but did understand the attraction. Although she did have to wonder just what Veighn was up to. Was his interest of some unknown design or was he just as swept up as her daughter apparently was"

To compare him to Veighn was enough to make him speechless again, and he looked up to Fiona, truly not knowing what to think about this. His Cieara, his little sweet, liking a man who had already shown a penchant for hurting those they considered friends and family"

The next words came, perhaps from an unexpected quarter, from behind Cieara. "You know, it is her decision, after all."

She cast a quick look back over a shoulder at her brother, luminous green eyes shimmering with sudden concern as she willed him to be silent. Their father was already upset with her she didn't want him angry with Danny also. Looking back then to Lucius, she gave a faint sigh, tones low and carefully modulated. "Daddy, I know he be dangerous. I am nae foolish in that and yet I still find I like him. I shall of course still be careful in my dealings with him, but I find I nae feel at all comfortable hiding my interest in Lord Yhaull from my family either."

"Would you rather have found out from Icer, or worse, from that gossip paper?" Daniel's temper, while slow to rise most times, was building. He leaned forward a bit, glaring at their father. "She could have kept this to herself, but she didn't. She knows how you react to things, and yet she's here, telling you about it. Doesn't that count for something?"

I was alone, staring over the ledge, Trying my best not to forget, All manner of joy, all manner of glee, And our one heroic pledge.

How it mattered to us, how it mattered to me, And the consequences.

Placebo - Meds

Cieara's pale green eyes went wide at her father's question and she couldn't help it, sudden mirth filled laughter spilled from her. "Ah, nae Daddy, tis merely an interest at this point in time. Nae any offers of the like. I did say "Flirtation" after all and that be what it is presently."

Crimson eyes swung around to regard Cieara as he slowly turned his head back around to regard the others in the room. "And just how many times have you enjoyed this Mage's company?" Lips curled back at the last word, as though Lucius found it distasteful to say. Which would have been an understatement. Wholesale horror was moving through his wrecked thoughts, trying to accept the thought of that one near his precious daughter.

Cieara gazed at her father, seeing the various expressions moving over his face and feeling the swelling and surges of temper in the way he spoke and the flashing of his steely eyes and just took another deep breath. "Much of the time I have spent with the Mage has been within the location of the Inn." No lie there. "I did escort him last night to Onyx as well."

That brought another soft growl, as he turned back fully to the others now. "Lankyn is a damned fool, leaving that one alive." The Trueblood lord had directly told Lucius, Wylde and Lusiphur that Yhaull was not to be under hard guard, as he held the Mage to the agreement they had forged in the glen. Belial had also vouched for the "Black Wizard", as she hoped to bring about further agreements that would be mutually beneficial to their sides. Lucius had vehemently decried the whole turn, and had been shut down.

"He doesn't seem to want to try to force Cie into anything like that. He just wanted to talk." Daniel said softly, trying to reign in his anger also, but it was a totally different reason. Lucius immediately cut his gaze over to his son, eyes narrowing again.

"So far, nae much time has been spent with the Mage outside of the Inn and Onyx House Daddy." Cieara stated softly and reached up to catch Daniel's hand again at the sharp gaze shot towards him from their father.

"Lucius Love." Fiona now moved, gliding over towards here where he stood in front of the large window and caught his hand into her own. "I for one be glad she is telling us herself. Nae would have liked learning about it in that paper or that gossip rag ye be fond of reading."

Daniel's fingers slipped into hers, again trying to give her that calming reassurance, while trying to mute the anger he was feeling. Both of which, he was finding hard to do.

For Lucius, Fiona's hand kept his fist balling again. "Which is the only reason I've not yet ordered her back to Gharnholme." He looked to his wife, knowing she was right, but Daniels word had betrayed something. "And how do you know he just wanted 'to talk'?"

"Ye would do nae such a thing Lucius. Would do ye little good unless ye be thinking of locking her up and I think I might have some say in that." Fiona's winter green eyes flickered as she gazed up at Luc and just gave his fingers a warm pressing of her own. "Cieara will learn through her own actions, as we did after all M'love."

Cieara's fingers wrapped tightly around her brothers as she sat tense upon the couch, each word her father spoke just felt cutting somehow. She also sensed that the anger Luc wanted to unleash on her was shifting to be directed at Danny and she didn't want that.

"Because that's all he did." Daniel replied after Fiona had finished. He knew Cie was very much feeling in the middle, and he had to bite off adding more for a second, trying to be cautious in his words. "Why don't you try trusting her, dad" She's beaten the Trials, and beat your ass in the Arena, so maybe try to cut her some slack?" So much for being cautious, he thought to himself.

Whatever Lucius had been about to say was choked back, and he simply stared for a moment at Daniel. His hand trembled under Fiona's own, but he didn't speak. He didn't trust himself to hold back, and right now, the small part of his mind that wasn't screaming for someone's blood was trying to push that. Control...other ways to deal...

In my dream I break the chains that hold this place together but in my dream the consequences would be so much better Then they are.....cause beyond the walls that hold us here Skies that stretch across the atmosphere Oh a revolution is near

In my dream I hear the echoes of the recent battle....yeah Lost and wounded as the faded cries begin to settle for the night But the words you use to hurt me now Only seem to make me strong some how Oh a revolution is now

Fefe Dobson - Revolution Song

Releasing her brother's hand now she rose up with hands falling to rest on her hips and just shot a hard look at her father. "I KNOW what he did to Tasha Daddy. I was cautious but Lord Yhaull has nae may any such attempts to me. I also know that he makes deals but nae forces them. It be choice! I wish ye would understand that!" Cieara's own temper was starting to unravel and she was starting to yell louder. Thinking volume might work where reason wasn't.

"Calm ye self Cieara. Yelling will nae work in this. Sit!" Fiona snapped out sharply and watched as her youngest did sit, looking belligerent and annoyed. "Lucius. Ye will nae be blaming Daniel. He does what he can but ye have been sending him off in other areas away from his sister after all."

"A mistake I will rectify now." Lucius replied, resisting bringing his hand up to rub where she had gripped his shoulder with that understated strength both DeAuster women had. "Daniel, your duty is to your sister. Guard her, and protect her. And if Yhaull does anything to her, I will hold you directly responsible."

Cieara just gaped at her father and bristled instantly, nearly vibrating at how insulted she felt in that moment. "I am nae three years old now! Danny nae needs to be shadowing me like some guard dog Daddy!" She couldn't believe what she was hearing and just reverted to an action she hadn't used since she was sixteen and actually huffed as she sat back down.

The grip upon Luc's shoulder eased with a light pressing of fingers, as she glanced at him and just stayed silent as he was fuming and Fiona could feel that intensely.

"You can't do that!" Daniel's shocked voice echoed his sister's, as he looked at his father, features flitting between surprise and anger. "I've got my duties to Terrak, and someone's got to keep an eye on things while you're not around!" He was also trembling in rage, and a thread of another emotion was trickling in now, foreign and making him recoil instantly at the feel.

He closed his eyes, feeling his children's anger, fueled by his own, and silently cursed Yhaull. The Mage had managed to do what no one else had. Now, he had to figure out what to do about it. "Indeed..." Lucius finally said, his voice low, but still holding the edge. "I will speak to Terrak. Daniel, you are to begin patrolling the West End. Watch over the Blood holdings there. Cieara, you continue as you are."

"I can't believe ye be doing this Daddy!" Cieara did make and effort to keep the tone even but it was edged with ill temper and she shot a smoldering look at her father, one of anger. "I am nae a child and Danny nae needs be guarding me. I have nae brought shame to the family name. I behave very correctly I will have ye know!"

Sighing, Fiona just looked at Luc then at their children. She didn't want to counter Luc in front of them, as that had never been good in the past and she knew it. "I think while Daniel recovers he should stay here. The patrols be lighter then the front line, and I think he can manage. Once he is able to handle more we can discuss this again."

Shocked in silent trances Our eyes search just to know What makes flesh and body hunger For another burning soul Conscience quiet pleading In the corner of my eye But seeing is believing All consequences fly

A demon's day in madness kissed I swear I never had it like this Forbidden yet I cannot resist

Melissa Etheridge - Resist

"Daniel" Tis only for now, for he be angry. Nae think this be something against ye." Fiona's soft words moved across towards her son. "Ye be knowing ye father after all. He acts in the moment and it will nae last." She hoped at any rate and then her attention shifted towards Cieara. "I will nae say I be happy about this Cieara. However, I believe this be ye choice to make. Just have care. That Mage be powerful and dangerous."

"I know Mum. I know." Cieara was struggling to keep from having a tantrum. She was beyond that or so she believed but she wanted to break something anyway but did take in another calming breath. "It's nae fair he be punishing Danny because of me. Nae fair at all."

"I know Sweet. But Danny be needing to rest for a week or so anyway. This be a good thing. Ye will still have something to do after all Daniel. Better then kept at Gharnholme with nae else until ye be fully healed." Fiona replied, trying to sooth them both.

"Yeah, mom..." It was hard to work up a smile, but he attempted it as he slowly stood straighter with a wince. he would not allow himself to slouch in front of her. Not now. "I understand." Not exactly true, but he didn't know what else to add. He didn't say more for the moment, letting the two ladies speak.

"I be hoping ye father will calm down. Tis a shock after all, as he nae trusts that Mage Cieara. With good reason if ye be asking me." Gliding over for a moment Fiona laid a hand upon her daughter's taut shoulder. "Ye have care with that one."

She then made her way towards Daniel, a light brush a fingers against his cheek having drawn him about. "Ye know ye need to rest son. So use this time do that. The patrols here be easy enough. Likely by the time ye be ready to return to the battlefields, ye father will have relented. Ye kin me?"

"I kin ye, mother." He replied softly, needing that touch for the moment. It was a reminder of simpler times, and for a moment it calmed his own raging inner senses. His eyes flickered toward Cieara, on the sofa, then back to Fiona. He nodded once, using the edge of the table as a prop of support.

Placing a light kiss to her son's cheek Fiona moved away and returned the caress to the top of her daughter's fiery curls. "I shall speak with him also, and strive to calm his anger over this. Thank ye Cieara for telling us first however. I think ye did well in that."

Daniel silently watched, letting the two speak. He hoped his mother was right, but right now, he couldn't see as she did. But, she had the weight of experience on her side, and knew their father better than either Cieara or himself.

"Wish Daddy would see it that way Mum, but your right. Time might help." A sigh fell from Cieara and she gave her mother a stiff little smile. Her mood far from delighted but she was trying to get it under control.

"That be all I will ask for now. Just give him time to come to terms be all." Fiona smiled to both and then moved towards the portal. "I shall be around and ye have only to call if ye need me. Stay safe my children." He nodded slowly to Fiona as she moved toward the portal, and brought up a hand as she prepared to step through. "I'll try." He said softly, though he felt anything but right then. He glanced toward his sister, sitting stiffly on the sofa, wondering at her thoughts, as she was guarding herself.