Thursday 26 October 2017

Chapter 3.10 - Lost Trust


*Warning: As per usual, rated for Blaise’s dirty mouth. This chapter contains bad, uncensored language.*
_~…~_
“I told you not to come here.”
Adrian’s voice was deep and low, a sound so uncharacteristic Lyra couldn’t help but look up from her reading, realising for the first time that someone was at the front door. She’d been so absorbed in her book that she hadn’t even heard Adrian opening the door. Outside, the weather was still storming, with sheets of rain drumming against the muddy soil and gusts of wind howling around the corners of the house.
The heat from the fire crackling merrily in the fireplace was steadily escaping through the open door, making Lyra scowl. Did Adrian have to talk to whoever was at the door right there? It was damn cold with the door open like that.
 “Just let them come in, Adrian,” Sionann requested petulantly from her position on the couch, echoing Lyra’s thoughts. “You’re letting the heat out.”
She was getting bigger and heavier by the day, and even though Lyra knew her friend still had a month or two to go, the fairy looked about ready to pop any day now.
Adrian’s grip on the door tightened, and for a moment Lyra thought he would refuse, but then he stepped away from the door with a resigned sigh.
“Come in,” he murmured at the guests, but he was clearly and quite visibly hoping they’d refuse and leave, to no avail. The guests immediately stepped inside. They were familiar to Lyra in a distant way, like she’d met them before, but not long enough to make an impression. Maybe she met them at Sionann and Adrian’s wedding?
 “We need your help,” the blue-haired fairy announced in a no-nonsense tone the moment Adrian closed the door behind them. “Lord Leneo said –”
 “No,” Adrian interrupted brusquely, folding his arms across his chest in a way not unlike Blaise’s usual stance. “I’m done with the Hunt, Deidre,” he declared firmly. “If you need help, go ask someone else.”
“There is no one else!” Deidre retorted shrilly, a touch of hysteria in her voice. Her wings, darker than any Lyra had seen before, fluttered impatiently. “You know just as well-“
 “Adrian, please, just hear us out,” the male fairy (what was his name again?) requested, halting Deidre’s tirade. “If you still feel the same after hearing what we have to say, I swear to you, we won’t bother you again. Just hear us out.”
Adrian continued scowling at them for a moment before he sent a questioning glance to Sionann. Whatever answer he found in her returning glance calmed him down, and with another resigned sigh, he took a seat on the couch and indicated to the others to do the same.
 “Alright, I’m listening,” he stated non-committedly. The male fairy paced around, clearly trying to find the best words to make his case.
“It’s almost time for another Hunt,” he started, but Adrian immediately interrupted him.
 “I’m fully aware of that, Chauncy,” he declared firmly, “and I already told you, I’m done with the Hunt. The only reason we’re still on the island is because of Sionann’s health issues, so if you’re trying to convince me to rejoin the Hunt, save your breath. I won’t do it.”
 “Not even if it means Sionann and her child will be put in danger?” the third member of the party asked quietly.
The blood drained from Sionann’s face and her hand immediately went to her bump, protectively cradling her unborn son. Adrian abruptly turned to the speaker, a severe expression on his face.
“Exactly what are you meaning with that?” he demanded, anger growing in his voice. “Are you threatening us?”
The blonde raised her hands in defence.
“Peace, Adrian,” she pleaded. “If you’ll just let us explain…”
Adrian scowled, and a muscle in his clenched jaw jumped. His answer was a single short sentence.
“Please do.”
Chauncy immediately took up the invitation.
“You remember a while ago, when Tighe was attacked?” he asked rhetorically. “Well, it wasn’t an isolated event. There’s a Wild out there who’s deliberately targeting fairies, the same one who attacked Tighe. Last night he attacked Caiolinn and Meallan…in their house.”
Sionann let out an audible gasp at the revelation.
 “They’re injured, but they’ll be fine,” Chauncy reassured them, “but the point is, our wards aren’t enough to keep our homes safe anymore. We need to take down this Wild before he hurts more of us. Deidre,” he indicated with a nod of his head, “tumbled with him before, and he’s vicious, and very dangerous. We need a mage of your power.”
Adrian swept a hand through his hair, clearly conflicted.
“If that’s the truth, there’s only more reason for me to stay,” he pointed out. “If this Wild is capable of breaching our wards, there’s no guarantee Sionann is safe here. I’ll have to stay to protect her. You know she isn’t capable of using her magic right now. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a mage somewhere else. I won’t do it.”
 “Adrian, there is no one else,” Chauncy insisted. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask Blaise, but there is literally no one else available. To take this Wild down, we need a powerful mage, and all the other mages are already spoken for. I don’t know what their duties are, but Lord Leneo confirmed they’re not available. I fear this breaching of wards is just the beginning of something much bigger, something we need to stop before it’s too late. We have to take down this Wild, and we’re not strong enough. We need you.”
“Please,” the blonde agreed.
Lyra didn’t dare to move. She’d almost forgotten about the Hunt, it being so far and distant from her normal everyday life, but with the conversation happening around, it was impossible not to be reminded. Just how dangerous were these Wilds anyway?
Sionann slid a hand over Adrian’s, wordlessly trying to reassure him.
“Do you really think it’s necessary?” she asked Chauncy quietly. Chauncy nodded, his eyes apologetic.
“This is completely unfair to you, I know,” Chauncy apologised to her, “and really, we’re sorry, but we need him. We need you, Adrian.”
Adrian sighed, clearly conflicted.
 “Give me some time to think about it,” he requested tiredly. “I’m not comfortable doing it, but if this Wild is really as dangerous as you say…”
“Of course,” Chauncy murmured graciously. “The Hunt will happen at dusk, New Moon. If you decide to join us, come to the base an hour prior. Until then,” he respectfully inclined his head, wordlessly indicating he’d be waiting.
Deidre looked like she wanted to protest, but Chauncy merely held up his hand at her.
“We made a deal, Deidre,” he rebuked the fairy. “He’s free to decide for himself.”
The group bade their farewell and left the house, leaving Adrian to contemplate their offer.
Sionann slid a hand onto his thigh, wordlessly comforting him. With a great sigh, he turned to her and wrapped his arms around her.
“Keeper, what a bad time for this to be happening,” he murmured into her neck. “I don’t know what I should do.”
Sionann hummed in agreement, her face troubled.
“Talk to Blaise,” she suggested. “He’ll be able to tell you if they were telling the truth or not. I don’t want you to do this unless absolutely necessary, but if it is the truth and you do decide to join them…” She pulled away, and gave him a small, trusting smile. “I trust you,” she declared. “I trust your skills, your abilities, and your dedication. I know you’ll be fine. I know you’ll come back to me. And Lady Alison’s wards are stronger than any other, and I trust in her as well, so I know I’ll be safe, even if this Wild comes a-knocking.”
Adrian released a shuddering breath and pulled her back into his arms. “Thank you,” he said simply, holding onto her like a drowning man held onto his lifeline.
Lyra gently closed her book and walked away to her room, giving them some privacy. She had intruded long enough, and she needed time to sort out her thoughts. All of a sudden, the present and the future no longer looked quite as secure.
_~…~_
Blaise didn’t return home until late that evening. He’d been out hunting the entire day, and when he came back, he was clearly cold, dirty and absolutely miserable. On his shoulder, his dragon, Ignis, drooped listlessly, clearly just as miserable.
 “What a shitty day,” he complained, his always-present scowl marring his brow. Ignis chirped in agreement and launched off Blaise’s shoulder before flying to the couch and promptly curling up to sleep. “I hate mud. And I’m tired of all this fucking rain. Why the –”
“Deidre’s team came to visit, this morning,” Adrian abruptly brought a halt to Blaise’s complaints. Blaise’s scowl immediately intensified, and a dark, dangerous look entered his eyes.
“Did they now,” he growled, a touch of anger in his voice. “I fucking told them to stay away.”
 “Is it true?” Adrian demanded. “About a Wild breaching wards.” He crossed his arms across his chest, clearly daring Blaise to lie, or evade the question.
Blaise gave a derisive snort. “’A’ Wild?” he repeated. “Try all of them. I don’t know how they’re managing to do it, but there’s been a series of incidents where the wards have been breached, and it’s not just from one Wild. What do you think I’ve been doing all day? Catching bubbles?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Adrian demanded, ignoring Blaise’s sarcasm. Blaise gave a sigh and tugged on the dragon-wing in his ear.
 “Look, what does it matter?” he evaded. “You’re not a part of the Hunt anymore, and Alison’s wards are strong enough to keep you safe. Telling you would’ve only made you feel guilty.”
 Damn right, it would,” Adrian retorted. “I’m not going to sit around doing nothing if it means people are dying out there! If I have the skills to protect them, then I have a right to help! If I knew things were so dire –”
Sionann clapped her hands together, interrupting the building fight.
 “Let’s discuss this like rational adults, shall we?” she asked calmly. “Adrian, attacking him now isn’t going to change anything. Blaise, explanation, now.”
Blaise sighed with irritation and gave a shrug.
 “There’s not much to explain,” he insisted. “Wilds are breaching wards, we don’t know why, we’re on their trail and hunting them. What more do you want? Deidre and them should not have come here.”
 “Well, they did, and they told me they need my help,” Adrian retorted. “Keeper Blaise, I deserve to know this! I’ve been involved and a part of the Hunt for far too long to be kept in ignorance like this. If you needed my help, you should’ve told me.”
Blaise’s reply was surprisingly mild.
 “You knew, Adrian,” he pointed out. “You’ve always known we’re short on manpower. It doesn’t make a difference. You should be on the mainland. You wouldn’t have been able to help anyway if you were.”
 “But I’m not there,” Adrian whispered. “I’m here. And if I can still make a difference, then I will. If you need manpower that much, then fine. I will rejoin the Hunt.”
_~…~_
On the surface, nothing changed, but ever since that argument between Blaise and Adrian, the atmosphere in the house changed, just slightly, becoming much more driven. Blaise still didn’t think Adrian should rejoin the Hunt, but he never said something, and he did everything in his power to make sure Adrian’s skills were still on par and help him get his edge back. He pursued his goals like a madman, and Lyra’s own lessons with him came to a temporary halt as all of Blaise’s spare time was given to helping Adrian.
It was awe-inspiring to watch Blaise and Adrian spar with each other. Lyra had known, in a distant part of her mind, that Adrian was also a fighter, but watching him go head-to-head with Blaise and stay level with him was…breath-taking. Amazing. Fearsome. Lyra had had no idea he was so good. She couldn’t understand why Blaise was so worried about him. With skills like those, it would take something major to bring him down.
Before long, New Moon arrived, and with it, the date of the Hunt. It was the first time a major Hunt happened since Lyra appeared on the island, and she watched their preparations with mild curiosity. It was much, much more meticulous, and there was a terse, predatory feel to their movements.
Sionann was completely silent as she watched them, and Lyra couldn’t help but wonder if she should feel worried as well. Perhaps the Hunt was a much bigger deal than she originally thought it was?
Ignis gave a cheerful chirp as he hopped to his feet, looking expectantly at Blaise. As if the sound pulled him out of his thoughts, Blaise straightened and turned to Adrian.
“It’s time.”
“Right,” Adrian agreed and stood up from his meditative position. He took Sionann into his arms and simply held her, perhaps gaining strength from her presence or perhaps saying good-bye in case the worse happened, Lyra didn’t know. It didn’t help that Blaise – Blaise, who didn’t exactly believe in displays of affection – did the same to her.
 “Catch you later,” he promised her softly, and then the two of them were gone, transported by Blaise’s dragon to the base where the Hunt was due to start, leaving Lyra and Sionann to stay behind in the suddenly overwhelmingly empty house.
“Is it always like this?” Lyra asked Sionann, overwhelmed by the barrage of emotions suddenly assaulting her. He couldn’t help but feel like Blaise’s words had been both a good-bye and a promise. She’d never, not once, worried about Blaise and his participation in the Hunt, but now…now she was suddenly terrified she was going to lose him. They still weren’t really dating, but dammit, he was important to her. She didn’t want to lose him.
 “Yes,” Sionann confirmed, and there were tears in her eyes. “The Hunt, especially the New Moon Hunt, when everyone’s magic is at its lowest, is very dangerous, and there’s no knowing what’ll happen.  The Wilds are driven to frenzy, making them more dangerous, more reckless, and sometimes skill is not enough to defeat them.” She wrapped her arms around her. “It’s a tense time for those waiting, but there’s nothing more we can do but trust in our loved ones’ skills and pray that they’ll be lucky enough to return to us. I trust Adrian, and I trust Blaise. They’ll come back to us. They will.”
She dabbed at the tears in her eyes and turned to Lyra, making a conscious effort to smile at her. “So let’s not worry about them further. It’ll be several hours before they come back, so let’s make the most of it, right?”
_~…~_
It was one of the longest nights Lyra ever remembered experiencing. It reminded her far too much of that night, where she had been unable to do anything but wait helplessly, waiting for news that her brother was safe, that her dad was going to be okay, and that helpless despair at finding out that nothing was okay. She had promised herself that night that she’d never be so helpless again, but here she was again. Waiting. Helpless to do anything but wait.
Helpless to help when she needed to the most.
How could so many things go so wrong in such a short time?
Adrian had died during the Hunt.
She still had no idea exactly what happened, what caused it, but when Sionann collapsed just after midnight, her face stricken and her wings turning pitch-black, Lyra had instinctively known. Adrian was gone. He was never going to come back. When Blaise returned in the early morning hours, his face had all but confirmed her fears, but by then she was already numb. She had her own bad news to deliver.
The stress had caused Sionann to go into labour, prematurely, a long, difficult labour, and coupled with the fact that her pregnancy hadn’t been the smoothest ride, it had been too much for the fairy. Alison had arrived just after the contractions had started, alerted in some supernatural way Lyra had no idea of knowing, but despite her best efforts, they hadn’t been able to save Sionann.
She had never even been able to hold her the son she’d been looking forward to for so long. Little Reagan was born strong and completely healthy, and Lyra wanted to resent the child for causing his mother’s death, but she couldn’t. He was just as much a victim as any of them. Both Blaise and she had lost their best friends in one night, and Reagan had lost his parents, before ever getting the chance to know them. It just wasn’t fair.
But life never was fair, was it? She’d learned that a long time ago. Death was indiscriminate. It didn’t care if someone was good, or evil. It didn’t care if it took people who would’ve been the perfect parents, and left their helpless child to be raised by two bumbling idiots who had no desire nor knowledge of how to raise a child.
 “Blaise,” Alison looked at her son standing by the sliding door, broodily staring out over the backyard. His shoulders were tense, and Lyra didn’t even have to know him as well as she did to see how much he was hurting from the deaths of his friends.
“Don’t,” he interrupted Alison before she could say anything else, his voice thick and gruff. “Just don’t. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t need you to act like you actually care about me. Not now. Not today.”
Alison looked like she wanted to protest, but she didn’t. Instead she just sighed resignedly and looked over at Lyra, who was quietly sitting with Reagan, numbly watching the scene in front of her.
“There is still the matter of the child,” she mentioned gently. “He can’t stay here. I hate to do this while the loss-”
“Don’t bother,” Blaise interrupted her again, still refusing to look at her. “I know my duty. Adrian asked me to look after him, and I will bloody well do so.” In a softer voice, he continued. “It’s my duty as his godfather.”
“So, you’ll leave the island?” Alison asked mildly. “You’ll give up the Hunt?”
Blaise swept a tired hand across his face. Lyra wordlessly watched them, wondering what it’ll mean for her. If Blaise left for the mainland, would she be allowed to go with him? Or would she be forced to stay on the island until the next Full Moon, before moving on to who-knows-where? She’d almost forgotten that Alison had told her she’ll have to move to a different world next Full Moon. She didn’t want to. This world was where she wanted to stay. This was where she felt like she belonged, much more than she had ever belonged in Sunset Valley. This was home. With Blaise, and now little Reagan.
 “As much as I loathe to, yes,” Blaise agreed tiredly. “My promise to Adrian takes precedence. I don’t want to give up the Hunt, but Reagan is more important. I will not fail the last promise I made to my brother in all but blood.”
Alison stood up, clearly satisfied with his answer.
“Then I’ve heard enough,” she decided. “Go to your sister, in Moonlight Falls. She’ll help you get set up. You understand things are different there, and you’ll have to work for a living, right?”
Blaise had a sister? Lyra hadn’t known that. But then, what did she know about him? He was remarkably tight-lipped about his personal life. Still, she was the last person to talk. She had never told him anything about her family either.
Blaise immediately scowled at the reminder. “I’m not an idiot,” he snarled at her. “Of course I know that. I might never have lived there, but I do know that, at least.”
Alison defensively held up her hand. “Peace, son,” she begged mildly. “I just wanted to make sure you’re prepared, that’s all.”
Blaise’s scowl intensified with irritation. “And I told you, stop acting like you give a damn. You never did, and I sure as hell don’t need to deal with your hypocritical shit today. So please, if you’ll just fucking leave now so I can get on with my life, I’d really appreciate that. We’ll be gone, first thing tomorrow.”
Alison sighed, her eyes sad. “I’ll never be able to convince you that I do care, will I?” she murmured softly.
Blaise didn’t bother to grace her with an answer. He turned his back on her, clearly indicating he was done talking to her.
Alison smiled wanly, clearly used to his behaviour, before turning to Lyra.
“We’ll need to discuss your new living arrangements,” Alison informed Lyra, not un-kindly. Lyra fisted her hand, instantly understanding the implications, but before she responded, Blaise interrupted.
 “She’ll be coming with me.”
Alison frowned at the interruption. “I’m not sure that’s –”
“There’s no way I’ll be able to take care of Reagan on my own,” Blaise declared crossly. “She’s coming with me, end of story. I trust her.”
“That’s not for you to decide-”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
The words rang hollowly in the silence that followed, and Lyra couldn’t stop the scowl on her face. She was sick and tired of always being unable to make her own decisions, and she was sick of being restricted by so many rules and orders. This was her damn life, and surely she deserved being able to make her own choices. She was done living like a prisoner.
 “Did anyone bother to think what I wanted?” she asked cuttingly. “Am I not allowed to make my own decisions? And can you please stop talking about me like I’m not in the room?”
For a long, tense moment, Lyra thought nobody would respond to her, but then Blaise turned around and looked her squarely in the eye.
 “Do you want to come with me?” he asked brusquely. Lyra didn’t even have to think about the answer.
“I do.”
“Then you’ll come with me.”
Alison looked like she wanted to protest, but after a second she sighed and admitted defeat.
“Are you sure about this, son?” she asked earnestly.
“Dead sure,” was Blaise’s immediate, unhesitant answer. “I trust her. With my life, if must be.”
 “Let’s all hope it never comes to that,” Alison muttered, but thankfully dropped the subject. “Very well, Blaise. I will trust you. I will allow her passage through the Barrier.” She gave a nod of both agreement and farewell. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
She clicked her fingers, and with a flash of light she disappeared, a method of travelling Adrian had assured Lyra long ago only the dragons and Alison could do.
“Mind telling me exactly what that was about?” Lyra asked bitingly as soon as the light disappeared. She wanted to cross her arms defensively, but with Reagan sleeping soundly in her arms, she didn’t want to bother him, so she contented herself with giving Blaise a glare.
He simply shrugged, completely unaffected by her glare.
“Our rules dictate that a newcomer must be vetted and tested for a minimum of one cycle before being allowed into the mainland,” Blaise explained unconcernedly.
Suddenly, it all made sense. Lyra had wondered why she had to stay on this violence-ridden island for so long if she had no desire to fight herself. They had been watching her, observing her; trying to decide whether she was a threat or not. She hadn’t been given a place in Sionann’s house from the goodness of her heart – she’d simply been placed under observation, from the start.
Was everything she experienced in this house a lie? Had Sionann and Adrian actually cared about her, or had they simply been doing their duty? Was her relationship with Blaise real, or was it just a sham, after all? Why then, did they bother making her feel like she belonged?
Plumbob, she felt betrayed.
“You mean this was never real,” she accused him bitterly. “Sionann, Adrian, you, none of it. You were just doing your duty.”
He quirked his eyebrow at her, clearly not impressed with her statement.
 “If it was just a case of us doing our duty, you would never have been allowed to hold that child,” Blaise retorted, nodding towards the baby still sleeping contentedly in her arms. “I certainly wouldn’t have asked you to come with me to the mainland, either.” He sighed and turned his gaze back over the backyard. “It might’ve been duty at the start, but nothing was a lie. You won our trust, simple as that.”
“And I’m just supposed to believe that,” Lyra retorted bitterly. He turned back to her, a slightly irritated scowl on his face.
“Believe what you want, but it is the truth.”
Lyra didn’t know what she was expected to believe. They had lied to her for all this time, and yet…none of the experiences felt like lies. There had always been a warmth in Adrian’s eyes and attitude that couldn’t be faked, and Sionann…Sionann, especially, had made her feel like family. She didn’t know if she could accept those memories as fake.
And Blaise…
He sighed tiredly and held his head like he had a headache. He looked absolutely exhausted, and way more vulnerable than she had seen him before. He was always so strong and stubborn, and Lyra had spent enough time with him to know that he wouldn’t, wouldn’t, allow himself to lower his guard so much if he didn’t trust her.
So, did that mean she trusted him enough to believe him? She didn’t know, but she wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him. He always went on about ‘trusting her instincts’, and right now her instincts were telling her that it was not a lie, that he was telling the truth; that it would be okay to trust him.
“Alright,” she allowed. “I’ll trust you. Just please, don’t lie to me again. Not about something this important.”
He snorted in amusement, but he still looked sideways and gave her that tiny smile she’d started to fall in love with.
 “I never lied to you in the first place,” he declared. “Might’ve omitted the truth, but never lied.” She frowned slightly, not impressed at all by that answer, but his eyes softened a bit, and Lyra felt her scowl fade away. He looked so damn tired. She almost wanted him to go back to his normal gruff, brusque self. She’d seen signs of his calm and quiet personality before, in their training sessions, but right now, she wanted his normal self back. She didn’t like seeing him so tired.
“But fine,” he agreed, bringing her back to the topic at hand. “I won’t do it again.”
She nodded, gratefully accepting the promise. She’d hold him to that, in their new lives on the mainland. For however long she stayed with him.
_~…~_
A/N:  I blame Lyra and her ridiculously complex roll for this one. Family structure roll reveal: not Full House. It’s Mixed Couple. I needed a reason for Lyra to adopt a child that would make sense for her character, and this is the only one I could think of. I will also do a Child reveal, since that plays into why Lyra turned out like she did: 2 kids. She’s fated to have only one child herself. So full roll reveal:
Mixed Couple
Freelance Photographer
Freelance Scientist
2 kids
Idle Careers
Runs in the Family
How could Lyra turn out anyway else?
With Reagan's birth, I’ve rolled for the next generation, and that roll is going to be another fun one to figure out. *bangs head* And I thought Evelyn and Chantia’s rolls were bad. Still, that’s what’s making this challenge fun and interesting. XD 

Wednesday 18 October 2017

Chapter 3.09 - Passion


*Warning: Contains bad language and reference to adult events* (The content mature content warning still doesn't want to work)

Rain lashed against the windows, and the wind pulled on the doors as it drove the rain in sleety sheets around the house, but inside it was warm and cosy, a pinewood fire crackling merrily in the hearth. Winter had arrived fully on Howell Island, and with it, it brought the most vicious storms Lyra had ever experienced.
Winter on the island was much different than winter on Sunset Valley had been. Back there, winter was all about cold, crisp and clear skies and snow-covered ground. It snowed more than it rained, and most of the time the snow fell during night, leaving them to enjoy their days in the snow and the sun.
Here though, it rained so constantly the snow had difficulty settling on the ground. It was a cold, icy sleet rain that bit into any exposed skin and soaked you down to the bone within seconds of stepping outside. There was no way people on the island would voluntarily spend the day outside, just to enjoy the weather.
It certainly kept the members of the household inside.
Sionann was humming as she flitted around the house, sorting out the items she wanted to take with them when she and Adrian left, Adrian assisting her good-naturedly. They were scheduled to leave the island at the end of the week, a prospect that had Sionann alternating between boundless excitement and tearful shows of affection. She was extremely excited to start their family, but she was clearly saddened that they would be leaving Blaise, Lyra and all their other friends behind. Adrian, and even Blaise, strangely enough, took the fairy’s spontaneous change of moods in stride, allowing her to shower them with kisses (Adrian) or hugs (Blaise, although he was very reluctant and resigned about it) whenever she was in one of her tearful moods.
Lyra herself had been the recipient of way too many teary hugs herself.
At the moment though, Blaise seemed a little less tolerant of her cheerful mood than normal, that ever-present scowl on his face deepening just that tiny little fraction more whenever the fairy hummed too loud or dropped an item or really, doing anything that produced noise. He was deeply immersed (or trying to focus, at least) in some books and documents in front of him, and it was quite clear that Sionann’s current exuberant mood kept breaking his focus.
It was, if Lyra was completely honest, a little amusing to watch. He certainly never tried to keep his temper in check around her.
He shoved the book in front of him away with a scowl, and Lyra couldn’t help but notice the title of the book: ‘Science Vol.2: Quantum Genetics’. She raised her eyebrows incredulously. Science?! Of all the things she’d thought he’d be interested in, science had been the last thing in her mind. Okay, maybe she was just stereotyping a bit, but she’d always considered him to be more brawn than brain. Looking back on it…there really had been no reason to think that. He had definitely never given her reason to think he was stupid.
“I never thought you to be the science type,” she confessed before her brain caught up with her goddamn mouth. Why, why couldn’t she be more aware of her words before she spoke them?
As expected, he looked up at her with a massive scowl marring his face.
“What, think I’m too stupid?” he challenged acerbically, eyes glittering dangerously.
“I never said that,” Lyra snapped defensively. Sure, she might’ve thought it subconsciously, but she had certainly never voiced it.
“Of course you didn’t,” Blaise muttered with that deep, baritone growl of his. With an irritated sigh, he pushed the book further away from him and threw his pen back on the table. “I’m not,” he admitted reluctantly. “Not really.” He gave her a sidelong glance and before she could take that perfect opportunity he presented her with he snapped, “I’m referring to being the science type, you idiot. It’s a passing interest, nothing more.”
 “Right,” Lyra agreed with a brow raised sceptically. She held up the book, clearly showing the title. “Because reading about Quantum Genetics is something everybody does for fun,” she pointed out sarcastically.
“Look, I don’t criticise your hobbies, so don’t go around dissing mine,” he snapped at her. “I have some very personal questions I want to find answers for, and if I have to read about quantum genetics to find those answers, then I will bloody well do so.”
Lyra crossed her arms, a little annoyed.
 “If you’re so passionate about it, then don’t call it a ‘passing interest’,” she pointed out mulishly. “And I wasn’t criticising you. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“With you, who the fuck knows,” Blaise muttered, and Plumbob, that stung. Something in her eyes must’ve betrayed her feelings, as Blaise sighed and looked away, guiltily breaking eye-contact.
“Sorry,” he apologised reluctantly. “That was uncalled for.”
Just a little, Lyra wanted to agree, but didn’t, because he had a point. She was a naturally offensive person, always fucking up relations by saying the wrong things at the wrong times, and even when she tried not to, the words always just…escaped from her mouth. She was painfully aware of it, and yet it never seemed to help. Still, he didn’t need to be quite so blunt about it.
“No, you’re right,” she agreed numbly and returned to her default response of running away whenever something upset her. Normally she would simply let criticism slide off her back, but for some reason, because it was Blaise saying those words, the critique hurt way more than it should. She hated to admit it, but she’d grown quite close to him during the almost two years she’d been living and training with him. “Sorry for bothering you. I’ll go now.” She was halfway out of her chair when Blaise’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
 Sit,” he ordered, and she was so used to obeying his orders from their daily lessons that she was down in her chair again almost before his words registered. He sighed, and tugged at the dragon-wing hanging from his ear.
“I’m trying to figure out how it’s possible, from a scientific point of view, for Energetic people to become Magical,” Blaise confessed reluctantly. “And I’m doing it not because I’m interested, but because I’m trying to find sense in the nonsense that’s magic. The entire universe is governed by laws, so why would magic be different? That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
It made sense, Lyra supposed. Still…
 “Well, that explains the quantum part,” she agreed, silently accepting the peace-offering in his words with a nod, allowing both of them to move on, “but why genetics?”
Blaise shrugged unconcernedly. “When an Energetic person becomes Magical, does their DNA change?” he asked rhetorically. “Is it a person’s genetics that determines whether they’re born Magical or Energetic, or is it simply the presence of the right Force?”
Interesting questions, Lyra mused. She had certainly never thought about it, but now that she did…
…wouldn’t that question ultimately explain why she had become an Anomaly? If it was simply the presence of Magic or Energy that determined what a person’s nature would be…why had Alison said she and her siblings were affected by the potion their dad drank? Genetics must definitely have played a role.
“And you can find the answers to these questions in that book?” she asked, a little sceptical. Blaise immediately huffed.
 “Or course not,” he scoffed, “but it does give an adequate explanation of the effect outside forces have –“
 “Sionann!” Adrian’s urgent voice suddenly broke the carefree peace of their conversation, causing Blaise to bite off his words mid-sentence. They both shot up from their chairs when they noticed what had caused Adrian’s outburst. Sionann had collapsed, and Adrian held onto her with urgent desperation.
 “What happened?” Lyra asked concernedly, but Adrian didn’t answer her. He simply looked at Blaise with a wordless plea, causing Blaise to nod sharply and whistle, the sound shrill in Lyra’s ears. The dragon napping on the couch immediately responded, chirping and rising into the air before disappearing in the time it took Lyra to blink.
“He’ll find Alison,” Blaise promised Adrian.
Sionann’s eyes fluttered open and she weakly sat up, still held protectively in Adrian’s arms.
 “I’m fine, I’m fine,” she assured them, her voice a mere shade of her normal cheerful tone. “I just got a little dizzy, that’s all.”
“Bullshit,” Blaise retorted bluntly. “You fainted, Sionann. That’s not just ‘a little dizzy’.”
“I’m fine,” Sionann insisted, but a voice behind Lyra disagreed.
 “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that, hmm?” Alison asked, and holy shit, when had she arrived? On her shoulder, Blaise’s dragon gave a cheery little chirp before flying off. Before Sionann could protest, Alison was on her knees beside the fairy, hands glowing with that unnerving energy Lyra had learnt to recognise as magic.
“Thank you for coming, Lady Alison,” Adrian intoned gratefully. Alison hummed in agreement, eyes still focused on the light radiating from her hands.
“You’re all valuable members of our community,” she stated before looking up at Adrian. “I have no reason not to have come.”
 “Yeah, because we all know you have nothing to keep yourself busy with,” Blaise muttered sarcastically, arms crossed across his chest and brow lowered broodingly.
“The fact that it’s my son calling for me might’ve had an influence, yes,” Alison conceded, giving Blaise a stern stare. “I know you don’t think much of me, Blaise, but I am still your mother.”
And wow, Lyra hadn’t known that. Blaise was Alison's son? She didn't look old enough to have any children, let alone any that was Blaise's age.
 “What’s wrong with her?” Blaise asked with a jerk of his chin towards Sionann, abruptly changing the subject.
“Her magic’s depleted, that’s all,” she declared matter-of-factly and turned towards Sionann. “I’m afraid you’re up for some hard times ahead, child. Your baby’s magic isn’t compatible with yours.”
Sionann turned pale and her hand immediately flew towards her barely-there baby bump. On her other hand, Adrian’s grip visibly tightened.
“Its magic isn’t compatible?” she asked worriedly. “Does that mean I’m going to lose my baby?”
 “If you’re careful, abstain from using magic and get lots of rest, there’s no reason your baby won’t be fine,” Alison assured the worried parents-to-be. “Your baby is strong and healthy, Sionann. You’re the one whose health is going to suffer. This baby is going to be a constant drain on your magic, so you're going to need a lot of sleep and as little stress as possible. I would also advise you to stay away from any foreign or strong magic.”
Blaise's brow sank even lower at the words, something Lyra hadn't thought was possible.
"'Strong magic'?" he quoted with a dangerous note in his voice. "Like the Barrier, perhaps? You know they’re leaving on Friday.”
Alison sighed and gracefully stood up, pursing her lips in displeasure.
 “I would very much prefer it if you leave the island,” Alison admitted, agreeing with Blaise, but still addressing Sionann, “but like my son concluded, the magic of the Barrier will not be beneficial for you. I think it’ll be better if you stay here until your child is born. I will not advise you to cross the Barrier at this stage.”
Adrian gently picked Sionann up to help her onto the chair, seeing as Alison was done diagnosing the fairy, and frowned slightly at the warning.
“You really think she’ll be safe enough here?” he asked worriedly.
Alison hummed noncommittally. “Safe enough,” she concurred. “It’s only until the baby is born, and if she stays here in the house until then, she’ll be perfectly safe. If you’re still worried though, I can lay some protective wards around the property to reinforce your own ones.”
Some of the tension in Blaise’s shoulders dissipated at Alison’s offer. Adrian looked down at Sionann, eyebrows lifted in a wordless question. She smiled at him and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Whatever you believe is best, Lady Alison,” she agreed easily.
_~…~_
Alison had definitely not been exaggerating when she’d told Sionann the pregnancy would be difficult. The normally cheerful fairy was completely listless, unable to summon the energy to do even the most basic of tasks. Everybody else took on the different house chores, trying to reduce her burdens as much as possible, but everybody could see she was going through a hard time.
It left a slightly frizzled feel in the house, and between Sionann’s listless helplessness, Adrian’s badly-hidden concern and Blaise’s impatient irritation at the fact he couldn’t do more to help his two closest friends, Lyra really couldn’t wait for the baby to be born and for things to return to if not normal, at least semi-normality.
It all just served to cement Lyra’s absolute determination not to have any children, ever. She would not be able to go through the torment Sionann was going through, but the fairy remained enthusiastically excited over her pregnancy.
Despite all the change, the extra work and the bad weather, Lyra and Blaise’s daily training sessions still continued religiously. Adrian no longer participated in the Hunt, unwilling to cause more stress to Sionann, so Blaise was out of the house more often, filling the gap Adrian’s absence left, but he still took the time to continue Lyra’s lessons. It was a piece of normality Lyra was very grateful about.
Today was a self-defence day, and a spar day on top of that. A shiver of excitement ran down Lyra’s spine at the thought. She had improved with leaps and bounds since she’d first started with her training, but sparring with Blaise was still just as exhilarating as it had been in the beginning. In fact, she might even be willing to admit it was better now that she could semi-keep up with him.
One of these days she’d be able to get a clean hit on him, and the corner of his mouth would lift with that ridiculous self-satisfied smile, and shit, Lyra shouldn’t be so excited by the prospect, but dammit, she was. She’d do anything to see that smile. Then again, he was just as competitive as she was, so maybe that wouldn’t be his reaction, but Plumbob, it would feel so good to get a victory over him.
She really hoped today would be that day.
He regarded her with brooding eyes, a bored slant on his mouth. He still carried that self-conscious confidence in himself, like he knew he had the skills to tackle anything that attempted to take him on. Just once, just once, Lyra would like it if he could take her serious. He always regarded her with that bored attitude, and Lyra seriously just wanted to wipe it off his face.
He rolled his neck and shoulders in his normal pre-spar routine and then he moved. In the beginning, the mere speed with which he moved had been enough to throw Lyra off, but now she could keep up with him without effort.
They exchanged blow for blow, neither managing to break the other’s defence, and they danced around each other at an impasse for the majority of the spar. He baited her with openings she never took, and she challenged him with a lithe gracefulness his sheer bulk simply couldn’t keep up with. It was exhilaration in a way she couldn’t get enough of, and this, this, was what she lived for.
Then, for a fraction of a second she spotted an opening without the tell-tale signs of baiting and she moved before she even finished the thought, overtaken by sheer instinct and muscle memory, and holy shit, she was in his space, forcing him to back away, and this was it, she was going to win –
He flowed around her and in a split second their positions were reversed, and she was once again pinned against the wall in a way that was becoming far too common.
A tense silence fell around them as they glared at each other, their heavy breathing filling the air. Lyra lifted her chin challengingly, daring him to deny her almost-success as she met his eyes without embarrassment.
“Don’t ever get over-confident,” he growled menacingly at her, the sound coupled with his proximity sending sparks down her spine, as normal. She lifted her chin just that fraction more, unwilling to submit, even if he did have a point, biting at her lip and –
His pupils dilated.
-  and suddenly, without warning, he kissed her.
The kiss just as demanding and unrelenting as his personality, and holy freaking hell, it was every bit as good as Lyra had always thought it would be. She closed her eyes and submitted into the kiss, overtaken by the sensation and loving every second about it.
She’d always thought Edwin was a good kisser, but Plumbob, he could never even hope to compare with Blaise. The difference between them was so vast that if Edwin was good, Blaise was a master. Edwin had been a good way to experiment and find out what she liked, but with Blaise she didn’t have to experiment, because somehow, he was managing to push all her buttons without trying.
He growled impatiently, and she could feel the vibration through his lips, and oh. Oh. What had she been thinking about? She couldn’t remember. All thoughts had left her mind at that moment.
He pulled away, and she couldn’t quite suppress a sound of disappointment at the loss. He looked at her with hooded eyes, pupils blown wide and breathing heavily, his breath misting in the cold.
 “You,” he breathed accusingly, his lips pulled into a snarl, “are gonna be my death. Do you have any idea how hard it is to hold myself back when you challenge me like that?”
And wow, freaking hell, what a revelation that was. She had had no idea he was as attracted to her as she was to him.
“Well, then don’t hold back,” she ordered, meeting his eyes challengingly, and with another growl, he lowered his head and unhesitatingly obeyed her command.
And the second time was every bit as good as the first.
_~…~_
Things had changed, absolutely and undeniably, between her and Blaise. That kiss against the wall had changed the dynamic between them irrevocably, and Lyra wasn’t quite sure what she thought about it. Oh, don’t get her wrong, she was absolutely crazy over how forward he suddenly was with her, and she would not deny that both their inhibitions seemed to have disappeared with the wind, and she could not get enough of his kisses, but…
Well. She had no idea how to label this thing that was between them. It wasn’t love, and it wasn’t dating, but…it sure as hell wasn’t ‘friends’ anymore. It wasn’t even ‘friends with benefits’. It was something else, something more, but she couldn’t define it. She wasn’t his girlfriend, and he wasn’t her boyfriend, but…they were undeniably involved with each other. There was passion between them and they kissed each other senseless whenever they found the time and privacy, but…there was no sense of you’re mine.
It was simply kissing and making out, and maybe a little bit of groping. Nothing more, nothing less. She could not figure out what to make of it.
Was that all he wanted from her? Was that all she wanted from him? She didn’t really want to date him, but was sex really all she wanted from him? And yes, despite the fact that it hadn’t happened yet, there was no denying that ‘yet’. Each time they kissed things grew hotter and heavier and only an absolute idiot would deny that one of these days they were going to get into bed with each other, and she also wouldn’t lie to herself by saying she didn’t want it, because she did. She definitely wanted it.
…But was that all she wanted? She didn’t know. Plumbob, he confused her. At least that hadn’t changed.
But right now, at this moment, she didn’t care about any of that. She was firmly living in the now and here, and now and here involved kissing Blaise as much as she could while they had the house sort of to themselves. Sionann was sleeping, tired out by her pregnancy that was well into the second trimester by now, and Adrian was out at the base, waiting for the latest shipment of necessities to arrive. For about one blissful hour it was just her and Blaise, so they were taking full advantage of the time available to them.
Things were just starting to get interesting when the door opened, a sound Lyra was only vaguely aware of, too absorbed in the sensations of the activity she was participating in.
Several moments later Blaise pulled away from her, but his hold on her back was still strong and possessive, a clear sign that he, too, hadn’t had enough.
“Is there something you want, Adrian?” he growled at his best friend, who Lyra belatedly realised, was staring at them with an utterly amused expression on his face. Lyra immediately drew away from Blaise, feeling a little bit like a child who’d been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Plumbob, this was embarrassing. She wasn’t even sure Adrian knew about her and Blaise…yeah. Just a little bit awkward.
 “Oh, by all means, don’t stop on my accord,” Adrian teased good-naturedly. “You two seem quite comfortable. I’ll just head to the kitchen and unpack these groceries, while you two continue to amuse yourself. But really, you might want to consider a bedroom.”
Blaise rolled his eyes and released his hold on Lyra’s back, finally allowing her to flip herself off him. She immediately scrambled to get away, but he moved his hand to her thigh, his grip keeping her firmly in place.
Piss off,” he ordered Adrian with a snarl of his lips, but his body was relaxed, and despite the content, his words held no real bite. Adrian simply chuckled at him, clearly used to Blaise’s mannerisms and moved to the kitchen like he’d promised.
Lyra sighed and flipped her head to rest on the back of the couch. There was no way they’d be able to continue now. Blaise realised it as well, as he growled lightly and gave her thigh a squeeze before he stood up and stalked off towards the kitchen to give Adrian a hand. Adrian simply chuckled when he noticed Blaise, shifting slightly away to provide him access to the groceries.
“Oh, by the way, Lyra, I found something at the base you might like,” Adrian informed Lyra, causing her to look curiously at him. He rummaged in one of the bags in front of him and withdrew something Lyra hadn’t seem in ages.
It was a camera. Sure, it was one of those crappy tourist ones, the kind that had no adjustable settings except flash, but it was still the most magnificent thing she’d seen all day. She hadn’t even realised how much she’d missed her photography until she saw the crappy thing. Sure, it wasn’t her camera, the one that been so valuable to her not only for its capability, but also for its pure sentimental value, but…it was still a camera.
She immediately vaulted out of her seat and walked towards the crappy thing. She picked it up and held it almost reverently. She had her photography back.
Adrian laughed, probably at the expression on her face, and she wasted absolutely no time in pointing the thing at him and taking a shot, and hearing that shutter click was absolutely heavenly.
She knew she was acting uncharacteristically, but she just so damn happy, she didn’t give a damn.
“Welcome home, Adrian,” Sionann said from the corridor, a happy little smile on her face, and everybody turned their attention to her. The nap seemed to have done wonders for her, as she looked relaxed and happy, and there was a little bit of colour back in her cheeks. It made such a beautiful picture that Lyra immediately took a shot of her as well.
Sionann opened her mouth to say something, but her expression turned into one of shocked wonder and she turned her attention to her baby bump.
 “Oh,” she murmured delightedly and looked up at them. “He just kicked.”
Adrian’s expression lit up at that titbit of information and he immediately went over to her, giving her shoulder a chaste kiss and laying his hand on her baby bump.
Click. Lyra took the photo. Those kinds of personal candid shots were her favourite, and even if the camera was a crappy little thing, it still managed to capture the moment without fail.
Blaise lifted an eyebrow at Sionann. “’He’?” he repeated. “You’re having a boy?”
Sionann nodded happily. “Yes,” she confirmed with a content smile. “I know Lady Alison said I should refrain from magic, but the gender determination spell is such a small one and I simply couldn’t resist. It’s a boy.”
“We’ve actually known for a while,” Adrian admitted with a sheepish laugh. He wiped a piece of Sionann’s hair out of her face, an absolutely tender look on his face. “Sionann wanted to start discussing names, and she was adamant to know the gender before we started. She didn’t want to, and I quote, ‘do twice the amount of work when once will do.”
 “So you’ve decided on a name then?” Lyra asked curiously. Sionann’s smile softened, and she wrapped her arm around Adrian.
“Reagan,” she confirmed, “meaning, ‘little king’. He might have been a bit of a surprise, but he’s going to be our little king, so he needs a name to honour that. The whole world will be his kingdom, and we will do absolutely everything we can to ensure he has the most amazing life possible.”
She smiled up at Adrian, her face lit with pure, innocent happiness, and once again, Lyra simply couldn’t resist.
Click.
And another moment was immortalised in time.
_~…~_
A/N: I know there’s no such thing as a ‘gender determination’ spell in the game, but there is MasterController…XD I like to know the genders beforehand, so I normally take a peek. That’s not really cheating, is it?
Reagan was actually supposed to be born this chapter, but there are certain other scenes that need to happen first and I’ve already ran out of space in this chapter to include those scenes (damn you Blaise – you weren’t supposed to kiss Lyra yet!), so he’ll be born in the next chapter. He’s already born in-game. :)
Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention. In case it wasn’t obvious, the Secondary Career has been revealed: Freelance Scientist.