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Post by demikara on Sept 18, 2020 18:10:06 GMT -6
Tyrus was not looking forward to this, but it couldn’t be put off any longer, not with the results he now had, tucked into a satchel on his side. He had called Catherine for help navigating the court, ashamed he had even needed it. But the court was much larger than his small home. And he didn’t have it memorized well enough to navigate it blind, not yet. Carter had dropped him off at the entrance to the court and Tyrus, ashamed, waited for his escort. They were telling Grigore tonight. To that end he had dressed well, though in the more modern clothes the court favored.
He was in enough trouble being blinded. He didn’t want to imagine how much worse it would be if he showed any form of disrespect to the incredibly stern Grigore, who gave him almost no grace for being so new to the world. He was at least considered Catherine’s responsibility, which was better than directly being Grigore’s as far as he was concerned. He still tried to keep his nose clean though, trying to keep his head down and out of sight from ‘grandfather’ who put up with him more than cared for him.
He was used to being a useful toy at least, kept around only because he had enough magic and training to be useful to the court. That he had an entire lifetimes experience with. It was how Grigore treated his toys that was different in this case. The mage’s unseeing eyes flicked towards the door, looking for the bright light of Catherine, and he kept his other senses open. The court was quiet tonight at least. That would help. Hopefully he wouldn't need to lean on Catherine, though he suspected he'd need some help navigating the stairs at least. There weren't any stairs in his house. He hadn't tried walking down a set of them blind just yet. So long as he went slow though, he would probably be fine. He hoped he'd be fine at least. There were a lot of 'at least's in his life right now, a lot of trying to look on the bright side. It didn't always work.
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Post by Circe on Sept 22, 2020 20:10:26 GMT -6
Tyrus didn't have long to wait before the bright spark that was Catherine and his sire made its way down the stairs to greet him. This hadn't been her idea, and in fact she stayed as far away from Grigore as possible, often citing it necessary to be independent instead of reliant on him and his good graces. She personally would have rather hid and ignored all of this from Grigore until something had been resolved regarding Tyrus's eyes.
"Tyrus." Catherine greeted standing next to him, the sound of her spike heels scuffing against the hard concrete. "Keep your shields up, do not react, and keep your inner stillness." She said before gently placing a hand on the other's elbow. A warning perhaps, but also a word of advice going forward if he was to survive. For now, it would be easy to feign protocol in this instance, and hide his blindness for as long as necessary. "A flight of ten steps, then it levels off for awhile before you step up again, and then walk through the door. Afterwards, you will turn left and continue down the hall to the family chambers." Catherine explained patiently.
She had seen that everyone but the guards and those who had proven to not be social climbers had been exiled from the court for the night. La principessa's orders were second only to Grigore's, and while it wasn't often she took advantage of such things, tonight was an exception though.
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Post by demikara on Sept 23, 2020 10:39:13 GMT -6
"Of course." He agreed, and let her lead the way. He could probably keep his inner stillness, if he tried. He wasn't looking forward to Grigore's reaction though. But he couldn't avoid court forever, and while there had been some improvement in his vision, the process appeared to be slow. His eyes still glittered with the orange-red of divination magic. But he was better able to make out shapes now, and the improvement would be important. It was the only thing he had to protect himself against his 'grandfather's' wrath.
At least Catherine was here and being kind to him. And she was clever, helping him hide the blindness that currently afflicted him. It was getting better, he reminded himself. It was just going to take time. They just had to somehow sell this to Grigore so he didn't end up very dead by the end of the night.
He kept his shields high.
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Post by Circe on Sept 23, 2020 18:38:07 GMT -6
They both couldn't avoid court forever, and eventually a plan would have to be made to deal with Grigore. For now though they were largely at a stalemate or holding pattern, depending on who was looking at it. Neither one was enjoying their new status as royals of the newest court, and would likely have done anything to return to the previous status quo.
"You're done with the steps, all that's left is the doorway and turning. You'll have to act like you're escorting me after that. The less he knows the better." She said as they paused briefly outside the door.
This was not a formal court event, and instead could be considered nothing more than a family meeting. But that didn't excuse either one from the ancient protocols the unseen courts, covens, and packs followed. Dress was one of those, and as much as it irritated to be stuck in a dress and heels, she followed protocol.
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Post by demikara on Sept 23, 2020 19:32:49 GMT -6
"He'll find out shortly." Tyrus still couldn't manage looking directly in someone's face just yet. The magical imprint was enough he was much closer, but he was aware he was not close enough. He'd have to be tonight. Still, they were on the same side now. They had to be, to survive against his grandfather. Even if being the same side looked very different than he had assumed it would when he was younger.
He found the doorway and turned, then straightened and 'escorted' her, letting her subtly lead all the same. It was important that they look the right part, and he could manage to appear to lead all the same. More importantly they had to make him look as competent as possible before Grandfather found out. Make it look like this was a minor stumbling block at best. Like he'd still have use to the court.
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Post by Circe on Sept 24, 2020 16:06:09 GMT -6
When he found out was more what both of them were dreading. It wasn't the how, as they had done everything they could to control that variable, the only thing that either of them wasn't able to control was Grigore's reaction himself. But they could more than likely present it so there was little cause for concern, that this wasn't serious and only a minor inconvenience to them all. After all, Tyrus's mage sight would likely be advantageous in some way; in what way however Catherine hadn't yet figured out.
It seemed to her lately for all of her age and supposed experience, that she still really didn't know anything beyond the basics. For now she was silently thankful that there had been no challenges to the throne, where either she or more likely Tyrus given his status as the next male successor to the throne, would have to put up a defense. As far as Grigore was concerned, while Catherine was capable, she was only female and often prone to being soft.
Pausing at a doorway, she gave Tyrus's elbow a reassuring squeeze before continuing forwards to meet Grigore.
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Post by demikara on Sept 24, 2020 16:19:45 GMT -6
Tyrus continued on, a practiced empty smile on his face. It was best Grigore did not think he upset in anyway. It was a tightrope act in the court and he well knew it. He was able to make out the magic of his grandsire's form and he offered a bow. "Grandfather. It's good to see you." Well, see in a fashion. He has shapes now though and his vision was better every time he woke up, every time he quelled his blood hunger. It was getting better and he just needed to emphasis that.
"Eliodoro. Caterina. The two of you are in a unique position to provide me answers. There was a veilstorm on the solstice. You are to find out why." It was that simple. "Eliodoro, listen to your mother in this. Do as she says." He casually referred to Catherine as Tyrus' mother on a number of occasions and Tyrus had to suppress a flinch every time. "I want to know the cause of the storm and if it is a person, you are to either recruit them or kill them, depending on who they are."
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Post by Circe on Sept 24, 2020 16:28:33 GMT -6
Catherine cringed inwardly at being called Tyrus's mother, she had from the start told Tyrus that she wasn't interested in taking that role at all. She had explained that the two daughters she had raised with Izaak, even though their marriage had ended bitterly, were the only ones she would allow to place her in that role; not even Brandon, who saw her as more of a parent figure than he had his own parents at times.
"I am well aware of the solstice storm Father... we are ourselves currently seeking answers." She replied glancing over at Tyrus for a moment. How she hated the darkness of this new court, and while the machinations were similar to the Fae, they also held a sharpness that the Seelie would never hold. But what she had told Grigore wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the entire truth either. Twisting words about and around, never promising or vowing one thing or another was a skill Catherine was grateful to have learned with the fae. In the unseen, words held power, and the fae held this as one of their commandments.
"The lieutenant may know more than we, and she has already pledged herself to the court as you remember."
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Post by demikara on Sept 24, 2020 16:35:16 GMT -6
"I want answers quickly, Caterina. Use whatever needs you must. If the lieutenant may know more, then I expect you to interview her. You have one week to come up with answers. That should be plenty of time given how close the storm was to Dallas." He looked them over and frowned. "Boy. Why are you not looking at me?" Tyrus had been looking in his direction, but had been a little off. It wasn't enough for most people to notice, but Grigore had fully expected Tyrus to meet his gaze. He didn't put up with his heirs not being able to look properly at him.
Tyrus hesitated a moment. Catherine seemed to want to deflect on the storm and he could understand that. They had been the cause of the storm. How the hell was she going to come up with something believable in a week as to what caused the storm? At this moment, he had a bigger worry. "There was an incident on the solstice, Grandfather. I am healing quickly from it, but my vision is temporarily altered." That was true enough. And it hopefully wouldn't end up with him dead in a ditch somewhere.
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Post by Circe on Sept 24, 2020 16:44:39 GMT -6
How she hated that name, while she knew it was the Italian version of her own given name, it still didn't make it any better that Grigore insisted on calling her that. Clenching her jaw and pressing her hands together in front of herself, Catherine willed herself to keep an inner stillness that would not belie the turmoil inside. At that very moment she found herself intensely and keenly aware of the weight of her jewelry, the painful pulling of the half a dozen pins required to keep her hair in its bun, and the pinching of a pair of heels seldom worn.
How could she tell him that for the better part of the solstice she lay insensate underneath a massive oak tree of her own doing? No doubt he would use that power, the one she could barely control against her and Tyrus. "Eliodoro made some unwise attempts at larger workings on the solstice, and it backfired. It has since been taken care of, and all that remains is the magic to dissipate." Again, it wasn't a lie but it also wasn't the entire truth either. Grigore would soon have to learn to make heads or tails of his daughter's wording if he wished the entirety of anything from her.
"A week however is generous, Father. I will see to it."
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Post by demikara on Sept 24, 2020 16:52:57 GMT -6
"I see. Well, so long as you are still able to do your courtly duties. You are still able to enforce my will Eliodoro?" That was the important part. "Or will you need to heal further before I send you out to any fights I may need you for? This had better be as temporary as you think it is. I would hate for you to become useless to me. I have no use for a cripple." And he would dispose of Tyrus accordingly. He didn't need his family line to spread uncontrollably after all. And the boy was young enough that Caterina couldn't miss him too terribly if he handled the issue.
"It is healing well, Grandfather. I'm confident that my vision will return soon and I will continue to be of use to the court." It had to. He hadn't missed the threat in Grigore's statement. His vision would improve, quickly, or he would pay the ultimate price for it. He rather liked living and fully planned on doing what he could to speed the healing of his eyes. Rest and blood seemed to work best.
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Post by Circe on Sept 24, 2020 17:07:01 GMT -6
Catherine clenched her jaw harder and resisted the urge to react to Grigore's poorly veiled threat. "If anything Father, Eliodoro is in a prime position to enforce your will. His sight has been altered in such a strange way that he is able to see any magical threats before it becomes apparent to the rest of us. As you know, if the physical sight is weak, the rest of the senses are amplified." She said smoothly, hoping that would at least buy them some time to figure out what the hell had happened. Even though Grigore had recommended it, she still planned to talk to Xiaolian and figure out just what the hell was going on.
The lieutenant had always been cagey, bordering on secretive as soon as she had joined the team. While Catherine wouldn't argue that Xiaolian had been unhelpful, she would however argue that the woman hadn't meshed well with the others, even going so far as to feud with Molly. Who while Catherine understood was young, still had a passion and enthusiasm that had long since been burned out of many of the rest of them.
"I can assure you that this will not happen again... Eliodoro I trust has learned his lesson and then some Father. The next solstice will not be so problematic." If she believed it was it a lie? Was it a lie to say what they both hoped? To speak it into existence instead of leaving it out there to be speculated upon? Catherine didn't know, all she knew was that these meetings were exhausting and angering at the same time.
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Post by demikara on Sept 24, 2020 17:15:14 GMT -6
"Excellent. Perhaps there will some use despite your infirmity. Heal quickly, grandson. In the meantime, the strange change to your vision is acceptable." It would do. The boy wasn't completely useless despite his current blindness. He'd have to keep an eye on the two of them though, to make sure Eliodoro healed and that dear Caterina didn't try and shield the boy more than she already was doing so. And she was certainly shielding him quite fiercely tonight. It was good to see them bond, he supposed. "You are both dismissed. I will see you again in one week's time."
"Yes Grandfather." What more could he say? Catherine had managed to spin his current blindness into something good for the court. And he had a week to get enough vision that he wouldn't be killed. He would need plenty of blood and rest and had no clue how he'd manage to get enough blood to heal quickly. Nightly feedings could become twice a day, he supposed. It was being a glutton, but it was healing his eyes. He bowed to his grandfather and backed away, waiting on Catherine so he could follow her brightness out there. He just had to keep his shields high and his demeanor calm. He was terrified, but he couldn't show a drop of it.
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Post by Circe on Sept 24, 2020 17:39:07 GMT -6
Like Tyrus, Catherine didn't let on her feelings about the whole thing. In fact she had spent the last six months bottling everything up while secretly looking for a way to disentangle herself from her so called sire's claws. She would never see the man as her father, even if he tried to force the matter. He couldn't take away or change the fact that another man had seen fit to step in and be what he decided not to be.
"Yes Father, good night." She repeated echoing Tyrus. Protocol and her ability to spin things like the fae had taught her had been the only things that had saved either of their rears. Catherine didn't dare turn her back on Grigore, and instead backed out of the room. It was only a few steps but still felt awkward none the less in three inch heels and a dress.
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Post by demikara on Sept 24, 2020 17:50:36 GMT -6
Tyrus waited for her outside and waited for the door to close, before his shoulders relaxed somewhat. "Would you like some tea at my place? So we can discuss what we need to do next." Let Grigore hear that and think what he wanted. It could have been them wanting to discuss what they wanted to do to figure out what caused the storms. Frankly, he was incredibly curious as to what she thought they could pass off as causing the storms. At least Grigore seemed to think it was only a sole storm. They had something going for them in that case.
They needed a believable lie, or to change the truth so he wasn't aware of the dangers of the solstice for the two of them. They'd find a way to weather the next solstice somehow, without Grigore knowing hat they did or how they did it. They had to find some way of handling that much magic. They couldn't afford to cause another storm. They couldn't afford to be knocked out for an entire day twice a year and unable to defend themselves.
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