A Patriarch Returned?

[Lillith]

She sat atop some Club somewhere, raven wings wrapped around her supple yet strong body. Vaugely she heard the humans below, yet her mind was not on the Hunt tonight. A shift, the moon glinting off every feather, captured within her hues of jade as her pale face lifted to the night skies. Oddly enough, Faith was thinking on her family. Go figure huh?

Memories sped through her mind, a sigh parting lush lips as long nails picked at the roof. Her Angel Kyle, oh how she missed him. Mothers scent as she made tea in the kitchen. Laughter bubbling from Hope as she and Cass came up with wonderful ways to defile Faiths wardrobe. Christians slow to come smile. Mystrias always ready kindness. The entire family gathered at GreySeerer, picnicing in the Grove. Those had been the days. It had been a very long time indeed since she had allowed herself to tumble within these happy thoughts, and she found it didn't hurt nearly as bad as she thought.

Yet things were different now. Hope was at war. Lucky bitch. No one had asked Faith if -she- wanted to go. Snort. Cass had gone off with her little boyfriend, who fucking knew where. Not a peep from Mommie Dearest. Last person she had seen had been Christian. Such sadness there had been in his eyes. She hadn't had the heart to fuck with him, though he did still belong to her. Of all the people she did think on, one remained so very far from her thoughts.

[Lillith]

Father.

And as if on que,as soon as she -did- allow herself to let a trickle of his memory, something clicked within her. She stiffened, her wings snapping open as she pulled herself to stand, looking again at the moon. Almondesque eyes would narrow slowly as the moon darkened, as a pull long gone settled within her. He had risen. Mutherfucker. With a hiss she would fall from the building, wings capturing the night wind, speeding away from Humanity towards Home.

It seemed Father was back, and surely there would be Hell to pay.

[Samaena]

Sentinels in grey loomed before her, the mists of the evening crawled slowly across the earth, the dew laden grass and the shadows flocking in to greet her as she made her return all brought with it a sense of foreboding she really did not want to feel.
The only good thing about being back here was The grove…but even that sacred place was haunted with memories she wanted to leave far behind. There would be no compromises this time, she knew what she had to do and that steely determination bred within her every fibre took over. There was no glance back for the man she loved, nor for any sign that there would be a way back; she only hoped.

A deep breath expelled as she took pause to recompose herself…but there was something not quite in place, here was something else she felt as she made her return. Not even the Castle in the distance bore any similarity to what she felt, a place she had once called home, now derelict and empty. The life and the love gone, the echoes of the past etched within the walls for all and any that would hear. This was something better and it drew to her lips a very cold and cruel smirk.

A long lost family member was back…as if he had thought they’d believe the façade. It had worked she supposed but there was nothing spoken, only thoughts roaming, wishing she was somewhere else. The binds that tied her to this place would soon enough be severed. There would be no more.
None other could do this for her and it was all straight in her mind.

For now those shadows were embraced with open arms and she moved among them. The state of the Grove brought a sadness, albeit brief.
The trees were hidden by tall growing weeds, the snagging brambles only serving to entrap any that would dare seek to undermined the magics here. The power…oh she felt it surge through her and she had missed it. Though her first port of call was now the dead oak that lay topped among the stones that still protected vigilantly. The energy sparking from one to the other, a synchronised circuit of warding…a warning to any that would dare to defile.

It was normal to her as she simply passed through, making way to the gnarled twin oak that stood in the shade. An appraising eye took in the state of the tree…so her sister dearest was alive and well? A small chuckle echoed through the sanctity of the grove and her crime followed.

The small dagger was slipped from her waistband at her lower back, she knew she had to be swift..and with the reflexes of a lightning bolt she struck. The blade sinking into the bark of faith’s oak, scoring and causing it pain, pain enough she heard and soon felt as the branch swept her from her feet. Leaving her breathless and laughing to herself as she lay within the wet grass now…clarity came to her in that moment and she laughed that much harder.

Cassandra was back.

[Samaena]

While the cats were away, she could play. Wasn’t that how it had always been? Slowly dragging herself from the soaked grass she could only mutter to herself. She really had forgotten how much that hurt and a hand came to rub at her bruised chest. Daggers were looked at the tree that had caused her this but she was almost sure Faithy would be laughing, knowing full well Cass would have paid the price for her crime.

It didn’t matter any more, she wouldn’t be here long. Just long enough to tie off lose ends. Mother, Father, Faith and the rest would soon be a part of her past, another life, another land far, far away. The thought brought another smile to taint her otherwise cold features. Grey eyes sparkled with the promise of being able to go back, with Alex back to a place she had come to know and like…a place she’d like to call home.
Away from the bitterness, the family shit and her Angel…well she could go to Hell. Forgiveness was not and would not be forthcoming for Hope.

A long look toward the castle as she dragged herself to her feet, a passing thought of claiming the homestead for her own, changing things to how SHE wanted them, barring the doors, barring the windows…reflecting a hatred that was so deep seated it would reflect in the very castle itself but…if she was going back to earth with Alex there was no need to. They could do with it as they wanted. It was cast away, as was the strand of ebon across her visage, a step taken to retrieve her dagger. The attention she required was now probably well and truly noted and that was all she had wanted. For now

“Now Faithy, where the fuck might you be!” she demanded from the tree as she stooped to pick up her weapon. She didn’t want to waste any more time than she needed to. As that dagger was tucked back in place, from the corner of her eye her attention was drawn to something glittering in the grass, half covered by the dirt, threatening to be buried forever…and her curiosity had her venture over to retrieve it from its earthy grave to be.
Between nimble, slender fingers the dirt crumbled away to leave nothing more than a wedding band in her hand, a ring she knew well enough…and that wave of grief struck her as hard as the Oak had in its retaliation of her crime.

“Mother” the word was nothing more than a whisper really. If her thoughts were correct, she could return it before that final blow was delivered. Was Moon really back? The ring was tucked in her pocket, far too much respect to wear such a piece, and far too much love to let it go to the Earth.

If only they had known? They could have saved Her? The sneer now upon her pale features spoke of danger and hate once more. If Hope hadn’t been willing to save their Father, what fucking hope had their Mother have had? The low growl of disdain echoed throughout the Grove as she stormed from the serenity, the sanctity and safety of the place they were all drawn to eventually.

There was much to do and the least time she spent here. The better.

[John]

Their idiocy was a testimony to their frailty. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that his children, and those in league with them would have been so incredibly gullible. However once more they had not only proved that they were hardly fit to bear his name, no, they had also proved that they weren't worth the scraps of cloth that hid their shameful nakedness from the world. Disgusting, his hatred for all things seemed once more at an all time high. Like a boiling sea of carnage his impatience drew itself forth from him like some enigmatic tide of vicious darkness. Indeed 'Daddy' was back. Why? Why had he returned and for what reason? There was always a reason, there was never a thing done in vain. Not with Moon.

Never with Moon.

He had been awakened prematurely. The concept in and of itself had been sound. Keep Kaliya safe in the hands of a doppleganger and allow the children to kill one another off in their mindless struggle for supremacy in his absence. Had it worked? Of course not, the lot of them had mulled, hummed, and hawed over the absence of their mother and had all but danced on his grave upon his 'untimely demise'. They were incapable of doing anything correctly and his resurrection of sorts had once more brought to him the stunning realization of the futility of his designs.

They were failures.

He was a failure.

Was it truly so hard to see the truth of it? Did any of them truly understand the enigma that was presented in the essence of Moon. Not even his beloved Kaliya understood the true agony of being who he was. A man of power, a man of esteem, a man so twisted by grief over the flock of mindless pawns he called children, that he had lost all but the faintest hints of honor and esteem. Moon was a failure as a husband and as a father and sought to have nothing more than a clean slate. To whisk his Kaliya away to begin anew, to perhaps be inspired by some new world, or some great vision. However was it possible? Was it worth it?

The gateway was forged deep within the face of the jagged spires of the mountain and it burst into a flaming aura of twisting ebony and neon blue, as it awakened before him. Both of his hands ascended and spread through the gelatinous material as he peeled forth from the realm, in which his home existed to the Other World where he had manufactured a false life for Kaliya, with a doppleganger who he was sure she had not truly seen for what it was. Or perhaps she had, and she had adored it all the more? For once he was beyond caring and sought only to have his wife back, to return to the deteriorating lifestyle he had involved himself in before his 'demise' and to perhaps throw himself back into his study to hide away from the incessant downfalls that seemed to follow his every movement.

Perhaps a part of him longed for it. He passed through the gateway into the chambers, just as the doppleganger ascended from the bed. The perfect effigy of Moon, peered down at Kaliya, who rested soundlessly at his side throughout the evening. The doppleganger ascended from the bed in a whisper of ebony and trailed out of the room to enter the hallway, to see it's creator pacing steadily to wards it. Moon's features were stone cold, and the pallor of his countenance reflected the age old, callousness that had been forged after years of disappointments and failures. The doppleganger leaned away from him, as Moon paused at the creature's side. It was a perfect replica of dead flesh, and semi living tissue, molded over a skeletal structure crafted to be identical to his own.

"Is she aware?" inquired Moon, his voice even, calm and indiscernible stoic.

"No, or, perhaps she was too enthralled by my attentions to consider that it was all a ruse," replied the doppleganger rather simply.

Moon's eyes narrowed and in a sudden movement his left hand ascended, the cloak of ebony snapped out wards in a vicious arc, of darkness. The sound of steel peeling through flesh and bone echoed for a second through the hall as the doppleganger fell lifelessly to the ground, in a pool of putrid blood, which moments later turned to ash and faded as Moon passed by.

The doorway to the bedroom was eased open and his eyes fell upon the slumbering form of Kaliya. A part of him desired to stay here, to slip into bed beside her, and to awaken to her. The other part of him desired nothing less than to return home, to a welcome party of blood and violence. Let them give him a reason to slay them all. He paced forward soundlessly, a silhouette midst the darkness as his right hand ascended and pressed upon the side of Kaliya's face.

"We must return home," he said softly. "There is work to do,."

His voice was calm, but in spite of it, was disturbingly tired.

[Samaena]

Aware? No, had she been aware of what her husband had done there would have been hell to pay. Perhaps she were the bigger fool for falling for such an elaborate ruse. All she had been aware of was Moon shifting from their bed for whatever reason took his fancy at whatever godforsaken hour of the day/night it might have been. Yes she was blissfully unaware. The serenity of sleep and the decadence of swathes of silk she pulled around her to fill the gap Moon had been in…only it never did the trick. There was only place for one at her side while she slept and…in her dream he was touching her face?

Only she didn’t dream, the smallest of smiles touched her lips and that dreamy sleep filled purr was the only response to Moon and his odd statement. “Come back to bed…we are home” slender fingers curling around his hand on her cheek but she never removed it.
In fact she bodily moved a little so he could indeed join her and go back to sleep…but it wasn’t a dream was it?

As much as she’d have loved to pull him in, to again lose herself in the lifestyle she had swiftly and easily become accustomed to, his words hit. ‘We must return home. There is work to do’

The frown upon her bow came first. Sleep was a memory as her eyes finally opened to look up and see the truth. “What?” she asked with a tone of mild disbelief. He wasn’t serious was he? They’d left for a reason, they had a home here, things were as they should have been.
Weren’t they?

She didn’t want to go back. She had thought Moon had taken her away from it all, so they could live in peace. She knew better than most that the children had their own lives to live and she let them live them. Her choices had been made long ago and she stood by the man she had always loved, no matter what had come their way…this time the study, if indeed they did go back to the Castle…would not be a hole to hide away in. Kaliya had known a life with her husband for the first time in a long time and she wasn’t about to see it all go to hell now.

Moon had some explaining to do. Perhaps she’d question later but he’d have known she’d want answers. For now she’d not press the matter, she’d not missed the weary tone in his voice…and he looked haggard. H hadn’t looked like that when they had come to bed. Just what was going on? Her questions were reflected upon the features of her face, her body language had become something more strained, the tension of old remembered with those few little words. What work could he have possibly referred to. The life they had left behind was finished, done with. What could possibly need work? As coherence all too hastily cast away the sleep her lips were pursed to save her asking a myriad of questions she knew she’d never receive the answers to. Instead she merely averted her eyes and withdrew her touch from his hand, to allow her to push herself up to sit at least.

All good things came to an end sooner or later didn’t they?

[John]

His resurrection had revealed to him the truth. The lunacy and madness had gone on for long enough. How could there be rest, when there was so much occurring beyond in the world. Let them carry on and act like imbeciles, but not with the name GreySeer. No longer would he allow the undeserving masses birthed with his name, sully it and dirty it with their incompetence. No, that time was now, and he would end it. Yet it was Kaliya that he saw, his eyes focusing upon her face, his gaze drawing upon the curve of her lips, she was smiling. She was peaceful.

If there was a corner stone to his foundation it was her. A deep breath was taken and held for a moment. The brutal edge of the blade was removed in one gentle caress as her fingertips touched his hair. Swiftly he took her hand and placed his slender lips against the column of her wrist. She had no need for this.

"My love," he whispered softly.

She ascended as she always would, to take his side as he knew he would. Why did she have to come? He slid his right hand out, the darkness parted from his sleeve, as the cloak moved from his shoulders and pooled behind him. Slowly, he slid his fingertips along her shoulder and began to guide her down until she was once more on the bed.

"No Kaliya," he said softly, a smile upon his lips. "There is no work for us, I was mistaken, there is only work for me to do. There is something that I have left behind, in that old world, and I have left it unfinished."

No lies, no more, not for Kaliya, no longer would he use his beloved in the games he once played.

He ascended and took the time to remove the remainders of his clothing. Slowly the covers were drawn aside, and he slid the backs of his long, slender fingers along the side of her face. A soft smile ascended upon his face, as he leaned forward to press his mouth to hers. A deep, rather loving kiss was placed upon her lips. It was the beginning of many affectionate touches, which would eventually lead to their togetherness through the night. Not a word would be uttered, nothing more to trouble Kaliya. Though that evening he made love to her, deeply, passionately. Each passing moment, was spent with the sheer intent of making his beloved, coveted Kaliya, realize that all was well, and he would not drag her away from the heaven he had created for her.

No, it would be he, who departed in the morning. A letter left upon the pillow at her side.

Beloved Kaliya, I shall return soon, my matters are pressing and although I long to tell you all of the details, I fear that they would merely remind you of all that we left behind us. I was selfish for having wanted to take you with me to 'That Place' so I will return very soon, with my affairs in order, my deepest love, Moon'

It was scrawled out in his handsome script, and when she did awake to find it, he was indeed quite gone. In a wave of darkness that stretched itself across the land to obscure the rays of the sun itself did he travel. Like some plague from God himself, he stretched forth his hands and thundered forth throughout the skies, to wards The Castle.

[Samaena]

While Moon took that pause for thought, that deep breath she could only watch with that expectancy. When were they leaving? Immediately or when the hour suited them both? She’d be with him no matter what, he knew this. Mild confusion was soon replaced with a smile as he whispered those two words ‘My love’ – she had been about to speak till that kiss was placed upon her wrist…it was nothing but a simple show of affection she adored so much.

Still she held her tongue as that blade was cast away. Her smile broadened and she managed to utter one word as she pulled him closer “Stay” almost a purr. The cloak he wore pooled away and she had no desire to query when they’d leave. It was enough that she got her wish, he was in fact staying. She didn’t take much guidance, bed was where she wanted to be, where she wanted to be with the man she loved and adored beyond all reason.

There was almost an instance and total satisfaction as he began to tell her he was mistaken, that there was no work for them to do. It wasn’t until he said that it was work for him to do the frown replaced bliss. “But…” she began in protest. “We left it all behind. Leave it unfinished, it doesn’t matter now” it didn’t matter that her protest was futile, fact was she had tried. Anything else she might have said in protest was denied her as he joined her in their bed and stole away that very deep and very loving kiss. Oh she was not one to refuse, her arms wrapping around him, pulling him in ever closer to while away the hours making love. Perhaps Moon would not go after all…or perhaps it would be later rather than sooner.

The false sense of security Moon had left her with that night was dashed away in the cold light of another day. Her husband was not at her side to reach out and snuggle to…there was nothing but a hastily written letter left upon his pillow for her to wake up to. It was just as hastily read and the tension soon enough set in as she realised he had left her here…alone, with no route to follow.

“No!” she wailed more in anguish than anything else, but temper had her scrunch the paper in her hand as she hurriedly dashed from the bed, dragging with her a copious amount of silk to cover herself. She could hope at least to catch him…but even as she made way she knew deep down he had already gone. Her hopes dashed way with a sigh of resignation. What more could she do but wait, and think?