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Post by Circe on Jun 10, 2020 18:24:23 GMT -6
So it had come down to this, not only was the fledgling reluctant and willful, but also distrustful. These thoughts cascaded through Catherine’s mind as she looked over what the court physician had to show her, on one had she was grateful that the unseen hadn’t yet discovered HIPPA, but also very much aware of what this lack of privacy gave her. Sighing as she set down the paper, she looked across the desk at the small, thin and wiry man that served one of her so called family’s most intimate needs. “You were right to tell me, I appreciate the assistance.” She said slowly, her expression twisting downwards into a frown. This wasn’t the news she had been hoping for; she had simply hoped that Eliodoro, the newest member of their court and family, would have an easier time adapting than he had. Unfortunately the latest report showed that there were struggles that even she had not even assumed. “You’re dismissed Doctor.” Catherine said firmly having already made up her mind during this brief discussion. The man bowed and murmered a polite goodbye before seeing himself out of the room.
If Tyrus wasn’t going to avoid this any longer, and it seemed that perhaps she had been too optimistic when it came to his development of his newly acquired state of being. She had determined that there was a long and lengthy discussion over due, never mind that it was the middle of a work day for either of them, as far as she was concerned this was avoiding either of them becoming compromised in their positions; at least not any more than they already were.
With a change of clothes and cancellations made for the rest of her day, feigning a family emergency, Catherine had the court’s own mirror dialed for Broadmoore.
Once there, she didn’t bother to feign interest or politeness in regards to the receptionist, and instead pushed past without so much as a word. “Ma’am! Ma’am! You can’t go in there!” They protested weakly, unsure if this was normal practice or not. The institution’s director did tend to keep ever the odd, and revolving cohort of so called friends. But this wasnt normal, and he wasn’t sure that he wanted to be in the middle of whatever this happened to be. That was a job for security instead.
Opening Tyrus’s door without so much as a knock, and with security hot on her heels, she regarded the hapless mage and fledgling with a cold and withering expression. Dressed in her finest suit, made of a rich black wool, burgandy silk blouse, with ruby and diamond studs at her neck and the gold roman coin at her neck, clearly this had nothing and everything to do with the court.
“Explain yourself, Elidoro.” Catherine demanded, emphasizing her anger and disappointment with each syllable and word.
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Post by demikara on Jun 10, 2020 18:43:16 GMT -6
Tyrus looked up as the door opened and met her gaze, then looked to the security behind her. "I'll handle this gentlemen." He assured them. "Catarina. Please come in, close the door behind you, and tell me a bit more? What am I meant to be explaining, exactly?" He was obviously in trouble of some sort, given how she had come in and the look she was giving him. The real question was what had he done this time.
He had a sinking feeling this had to do with his most recent visit with the court physician. It came on the heels of the visit after all, and it was the only thing he could think of that might have gotten this reaction. It hadn't been what he wanted to hear either, but he could handle it. It just meant he needed more practice again, needed to intensify his personal training.
It certainly wasn't a reason to come storming in furious with him.
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Post by Circe on Jun 11, 2020 20:31:50 GMT -6
The door shut behind Catherine at Tyrus's request, wether it had been nudged by a foot or some unseen magical force was unknown. "The court physician spoke with me today, he was quite concerned." She replied for now ignoring his dismissive tone. There were some things she could bear, but this was not one of those things. "I had been hopeful that last week's incident had been a one time event, especially given your purported skills and reputation as a mage. I can see now that I was mistaken." Catherine added. Her tone was frigid and distant, hiding well intentioned and underlying current of concern.
"Have I not done everything in my power to ease your transition? Have I not sheilded you from my father's wrath, Eliodoro? Have I not made it certain that your family was not forgotten? Now I understand Marietta's reluctance and distrust, yours however I do not,"She had done everything possible to ensure that this transition was smooth, that irrespective of what had transpired to cause the situation that the very best was made of it. "I have availed to provide you with what is necessary to learn to survive and then some. I owe you that much alone."
As much as she hated it, it seemed that they were inexorably tied together through their relationship with the veil. "I did not take this lightly when I agreed to enter into a contract with you, but you are still thinking like you will not live to see it's completion." Catherine had determined eventually that Tyrus meant well, just that his intentions had been misplaced. By taking her as an apprentice, she had willingly signed on eager to be rid of the painful bindings so favored by the Council. "You fail to understand that even now as your sire the bond is not something easily broken. I am responsible yet for upholding my end of our agreement."
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Post by demikara on Jun 12, 2020 8:38:02 GMT -6
"Some changes in my magic due to my change are expected." He pointed out. "Hell, there was a chance that I'd lose my magic entirely. The change in my magic, combined with the general instability and chaotic nature of my magic isn't that much of a surprise." He would remain calm. Even if she managed to hit a very sore button. "And while I thank you for not letting my family be forgotten, that doesn't change the fact that Grandfather is the one who killed my brothers, not that long ago. It is only natural that I am still upset over that." He was still mourning for Ra's sake for all that he kept quiet about it.
He knew better than to be open about his mourning, under the circumstances. "You have been an excellent sire, despite the unusual way in which I was turned." Though he would contest her shielding him from Grigore, based on the whole missing part of his pinkie. At least that would, eventually, heal.
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Post by Circe on Jun 12, 2020 14:18:09 GMT -6
Catherine could sense that he was beginning to crumble, but she wouldn't seize the opportunity and exploit it just yet. She disliked being cruel, especially to one like Tyrus who still didn't understand the gravity of the situation or the problems he had caused with his lack of being forthright when a problem arose. "Platitudes, Tyrus, platitudes." She said finding him being deliberately obtuse as usual.
"I could have made the decision to leave you for dead in that circle. I could have dispatched a different, closer and need I remind you less skilled team." Catherine reminded him. The situation had had so much potential to go so wrong, but between Xiaolian's hastily erected barrier, Ivar's team monitoring the singularities, and the assistance provided by Molly and Walther; they had managed. Half of that was due to Dallas's nature as a crack team that had the experience and ability to navigate some of the more problematic situations that the Unseen World tended to get itself into.
"You have been avoidant and dishonest Tyrus. These are problems that... do not simply require more practice."
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Post by demikara on Jun 12, 2020 14:28:37 GMT -6
"My circle was tampered with." At least she has dispensed with the Eliodoro bit. "And dispatching a different team would have been foolish given where they were being dispatched to. You're not a fool, Catherine." Though it was a good thing they had been the ones who came, given the situation. He didn't want to see what would have occurred if she had sent a less experienced team. "That occurred before I was turned, and when I was able to examine what remained later, it was fairly obviously tampered with. I work with volatile magic and my experiments are dangerous. All of which is to the benefit of the court, as it has always been." Everything he did experimentally he could come up with a reason why it benefited the court. Some of it was distinctly more direct than others.
"The fact remains that you didn't make different choices. Had you made them, it is quite possible that you would remain a dhampir and I would be dead." And things would be wildly different. It had been a pivotal choice to save him, just as it had been a pivotal choice to do the ritual which had been meant to heal her teeth. He would never have done the second if he had known the changes he'd have to put up wtih.
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Post by Circe on Jun 12, 2020 14:44:02 GMT -6
Tyrus had struck a nerve, knowing that Catherine had never wanted the current situation that they were both in. Closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath, she prayed silently to whatever gods were out there listening to give her the strength and patience to get through this. "You are spoiled Tyrus, and it is not a good look for you." She stated reigning in her anger for now. But meanwhile her words dripped with malice and intent. "My circle was tampered with.. My magic is for the benefit of the court! Bloody hell boy, listen to yourself whine! Instead of asking for help, you grasp at straws and consult gods be damned fortune tellers instead of your own sire!" She had hoped that if a problem arose, he would ask her, but instead all he did was consult tea leaves and his books. It was no wonder that Grigore grew impatient and subsequently remained irritated with his daughter's struggles with such a willful fledgling.
"If it's my choices that are the root of this problem as you say, then I release you from your obligations from hereforward." She said slowly and carefully. "Because it's obvious that you care little for anything other than your books and life handing you everything you could ever desire."
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Post by demikara on Jun 12, 2020 14:53:48 GMT -6
Tyrus nearly spoke, then forced himself to pause and take a breath, then two. They had to get through this. "It is true I prefer my books to people. People make very little sense to me, though I have been trying. But life has not handed me everything I desired. Despite my sheltered upbringing, I worked hard for my skills with magic. I am, however, aware that I have been a little spoiled." He hesitated a moment, then conceded. "Perhaps very spoiled. I am trying to adjust to this new way of life and am struggling. I am not- It's very hard for me to ask for help."
He was trying, even though it was clear that he was struggling to put it into words. "But I do not think that you are able to release me from my obligations to you. Grandfather would not allow it as a vampire, and the council would not allow it in my role as teacher." It would be nice if that was the case, but it wasn't. They were bound tightly together in more than one way.
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Post by Circe on Jun 12, 2020 16:41:53 GMT -6
Catherine gave Tyrus a disapproving look as he went on. As far as she was concerned, he was how they had ended up in this situation. Inexorably linked and constantly vying for control over one thing or another, instead of working together for a common goal they worked in opposition to one another, and frequently. However, at least she had gotten him to admit to being spoiled. "People are people. Live with them for awhile and you might understand that they're remarkably like you, with their ups and downs." Catherine thought for a moment before continuing, it was tempting to make him live like most humans would. But Grigore had already cut him off from the family's funds, declaring that he would have to learn his way through the world if he was to make better use of them; anything besides more potions and books. Banishment wasn't going to do Tyrus any good, more than likely he'd just take advantage of it to hide out on the ranch with his experiments.
"But I'm almost certain Father would agree with me to release you." She was almost certain that she could come up with some inane reasoning that would get her her way with Grigore. The mental gymnastics required to deal with Grigore were exhausting and bothersome. "I think I can petition the Council just fine. Klein is the weak link. You said so yourself." Catherine added plainly. She was sharp, observant, and experienced with court politics that were just as cut throat as that of the Vampires. But it wasn't often that she made use of these talents, instead preferring to spend her days doing anything but playing Princessa or Knight Commander.
Catherine knew what strings to pull and what barbs to use to get what she wanted, centuries of experience had taught her well. Fortunately most weren't subjected to this attitude, and instead knew a mostly human mentality when it came down to the daily ins and outs of things.
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Post by demikara on Jun 12, 2020 16:55:26 GMT -6
"I would agree with your petition. You've learned control and its as fine as it's going to get. It's like trying to pour a waterfall through a spigot to go any finer." He would be glad to be free of her as a student. It was exhausting teaching someone who did not want to be there. "You maintain control even when I am trying my hardest to compromise you emotionally. They can't exactly ask for much more." And he was tired of pushing and prodding at her every wound to get that emotional reaction. It had been hell on their relationship and hell on him.
"And Klein will do anything the court wishes him to do. He knows at whose leisure he serves." He had always been like that, as long as Tyrus had known him. Klein held his position through his value as someone who did as the court commanded him. "Grandfather is...different than what I am sued to, but he favors you. I am well aware that Brandon is alive because he decided it may displease you. I suspect I am alive for the same reason." There had already been one attempt to kill him after all. Tyrus was not to naive as to think someone else had sent the vampires to kill him. He was alive at Catherine's pleasure and her pleasure alone and he hated it.
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Post by Circe on Jun 12, 2020 17:40:45 GMT -6
"Your grandfather only favors me because I've managed to not get myself killed in recent years." Catherine commented, failing to mention to Tyrus that as long as any one of them were connected to the veil like they were, death would not be an easily manageable prospect. She agreed though that their relationship as student and teacher had to end, it wasn't doing either one of them any good. It wasn't that she lacked fine control, she just preferred not to use magic for every little thing like he did. To her magic was a last resort tool, and given her position with MCU it was also likely a wise decision. "You are alive because I dislike killing. It is messy and inconvenient. Not to mention that killing you would upset things, and we cannot afford another singularity event." She added, remembering all to well the acrid smell of burning flesh and vegetation, combined with the heavy, oppressive feeling of high levels of pure magic. It made her sick to her stomach just thinking about it and the amount of sheer luck it had taken for even her team to manage it.
"Brandon is alive thanks to his own stupidity. But that's beside the point here," Catherine said as irritation began to seep into her voice. "I will speak with Klein later this week about what to do with you. I'm sure he has some creative suggestions on how to manage a willful fledgling such as yourself."
She hated the idea of having to make use of Klein, and the uncomfortable usage of titles that came with it. Their relationship was complicated, and neither was used to the reversal of roles when it came to the court.
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Post by demikara on Jun 12, 2020 17:50:16 GMT -6
Tyrus winced at the thought of Klein having anything to do with deciding his fate. That was not going to be fun. At least it was back to him being called a willful fledgling and not her trying to wash her hands of him. She could try, of course, but Tyrus had doubt that Grigore would allow it, favoring her or not. Though he didn't think his death would cause another singularity event. He really should run through the possibilities on what would happen if he died, given the magic he contained. Then again, if the answer was not a singularity he wasn't sharing.
"I am unfortunately sure he does as well." And he really didn't want to know what they were. He had a feeling he was going to find out though. At least they had move away from what amounted to banishment. He had lived outside the court briefly of course, long enough to know that the world was a peculiar place. But Madeline had broken him of his habit of leaving things for the servants to clean. He didn't even have servants for the ranch at all.
Well, other than the ranchers themselves. But they were less servants and more employees. There was a difference.
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Post by Circe on Jun 13, 2020 15:56:43 GMT -6
"Of course you are." Catherine replied blandly, clearly done with Tyrus's excuses and whining. As far as she was concerned, Tyrus was not only distrustful but secretive with everyone. It wasn't that long ago that he had forced her to lay her own soul bare in front of him in order for whatever training he deigned necessary to happen, but now it seemed that he was inclined to a few secrets and she was not. That alone only served to widen the gulf between the fledgling and the sire, and no matter how Catherine tried to offer assistance or remain just within reach, he shoved it aside or rejected it completely.
Sighing she pinched the bridge of her nose with long and elegant fingers. Fingers on hands that were now kept impeccibly manicured and polished a dark blood red. If she was ever going to have to practice patience and empathy, now was the time. Between the chaos in the court, the questions left after Brandon's misdeeds, and issues with the Werewolves, it left very little time for anything else.
"Allow me to put it this way, I will be placing you in a position to gain clarity and perspective, and I am going to strongly encourage that you learn from it. I know you have been working to appoint an assistant director since you took over the place, see that you make your decision by the end of the week, Tyrus."
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Post by demikara on Jun 13, 2020 16:08:40 GMT -6
A week? Was she insane! "I will need at least a month to transition. And even then, I'll need to be able to make executive decisions here. As oversight." This was insane. Broadmoore was no where near ready for him to move on anywhere, despite his desires. This was his position away from court, his chance to ignore what hell he had to deal with in Dallas.
She was rushing something that could not be rushed. The spike of anger lodged in his heart and with long practice he kept it off his face. The new court would be like the old court in this respect at least. He'd never get a life outside of it.
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Post by Circe on Jun 13, 2020 16:24:00 GMT -6
"Then you have a month, but not longer." Catherine was willing to give an inch or two, it would take that long just for the paperwork for what she had planned alone. She absolutely hated pulling rank on anyone, especially someone like Tyrus, who could more than likely wipe the floor with her if it came down to a fight. Catherine knew she simply wasn't skilled enough with magic, despite the best efforts of everyone. So she would have to settle for what she could do, and that was pull on the strings attached to the court. While Catherine may have been something unusual and special at one time, now though she was really nothing special, and she was painfully aware of it. The key however would be to not telegraph or reveal her thoughts and feelings, unless she wanted them used against her.
"You will retain oversight, but your capacity in daily operations will be greatly reduced." Catherine could feel the migraine beginning to blossom behind her right eye, she had hoped that with her human half now gone those would have greatly diminished or at least reduced. But instead she could feel the sharp, burning pain begin to worm its way through her skull, and make the pit of her stomach churn naseously.
"You can be angry at me all you want, I don't much care. You've been angry at me since the start of all of this. But I do think it's time you learned that there's more to the world than the Court, this gods forsaken place, and your students."
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