Children of the Vindicated (FF, Adult) Thread #1

[isabelle]

*Max*

I'm sorry to see that Sarah isn't eating much, but I can certainly understand. The food is strange and different. And so is the whole world. Everything has changed so dramatically.

I glance at Liz, seeing her look of understanding and sympathy, too.

"Well, I was going to go to the library with your mother and try to sort out what to do now. Maybe you'd like me to take you on a short tour of the house, first?" I wasn't sure if I'd really remember everything, but somehow the place was the easiest. And of course, my short walk around last night looking for Sarah helped remind me a bit.

I'm sure I could ask Skyler or someone-else to help them out while Liz and I are in the library. Maybe Liz would even prefer to go with them. As much as she loves books, being in a library where she couldn't read anything might be kinda difficult...

[Dreamer_Dreaming]

~*~Sarah~*~

"Well, I was going to go to the library with your mother and try to sort out what to do now. Maybe you'd like me to take you on a short tour of the house, first?"My father said to me.

"No daddy I'll be fine. I know strange planet and all. But I'm not a little girl anymore. Even if I'm not your only daughter. You have to know where you stand on this planet and where we stand as well. No dad you and mom can have your fun. I'm sure Justin and I can find something." I tell him. I hope he knows only trying to do what best for him and Xada. And now that I dont disown her maybe I can actually thank her, even when she tried killing me yesterday.

I stood up."Come Justin lets go and explore."

[isabelle]

*Max*

I shake my head at Sarah's suggestion. I don't want her and Justin to be wandering around alone. Neither one of them know how to speak or even read the language. More important, as I told Xan, Khivar may still have supporters around. Normally, Sarah and Justin should be able to wander the grounds safely and I'm probably over-reacting, but 'better safe than sorry,' is still good policy...

Standing, I put my hand on the control panel again. "I know you're a big girl -- you're both capable people," I add, nodding at Justin. He's only 14 but I know he conciders himself adult. "But I think a guide would be a good idea -- at least for the first day. Okay, princess?"

Strange -- I've called her that before once or twice, especially when she was all decked out and fancy for some party. And she's known for some time that I was 'theoretically' a king on some other planet, making her something of a princess.... But once she stepped through that wormhole, it became real. She's a real Princess. I wonder if she's figured out what that means. The good and the bad...

There's a knock at the door and then it opens to reveal one of Xada's aides.

"Hello," I tell him, speaking in Antarian. "I was hoping you or someone who speaks English could escort my daughter and her friend around the grounds." I glance back at Liz and ask her silently. *You could go with them, if you prefer.* I would love to have her company but I'm not sure if that isn't just being selfish. She might enjoy herself more if she were exploring with the children.

[CalLen]

Skyler-

I head towards my quarters with my towel around my neck. I nod to the guard standing in front of the doors leading into my room and he swings the door open. “Thanks Lane.” I say as I walk in towards my bathroom. I take a cold shower and I can’t help but think about Xada. She was my job, my life. She is my responsibility. I shake my head. Yeah that’s it. I have a brotherly love for her. I continue getting ready. I need to go check on the grounds.

I walk down the hall towards courtyards when I see the door to the library cracked. I push the door open and see Xada sitting in a chair by the fireplace. I see the girls sitting right close and I rush in to save the day. I walk past the ladies, straight to Xada whose back is turned to me. I reach my hand out and place it on her bare shoulder. Xada jumps and turns to me. I don’t remove my hand.

“Hi, I thought I would save you.” She smiles a smile of thanks. I feel someone grab my arm and I turn to see Nara, one of Xada’s ladies in training, “Oh, Lord Anton that shirt you are wearing is so fitting of you.” I smile at Nara, “Thank You, Nara, you look nice also.” I turn back to Xada and take a seat in a chair beside her. I place my hand on her thigh and lean in to whisper to her. “Oh what these ladies wouldn’t do to get moved up.”

[KatnotKath]

OOC: sorry for the delay, was very tired last night and just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to post anything lol. Hope this works. If you don't like the last little bit she adds about 'somewhere private' Isabelle, tell me and I'll edit it out, it was something I added on impulse...

~Liz~

Max confirms what I was suspecting, but then surprises me as next he leans over and kisses my cheek. I smile, feeling something of a warm glow spreading through me. It’s a surprise, but definitely a nice one…

Still, as nice as it is, a little attention from my husband doesn’t wipe away all the worries about what’s going to happen… The first couple of years that we were married I guess there were times we wondered what might happen if we were given the chance to come back, but it’s been a long time since it became accepted that it wasn’t going to happen…

Yet now, here we are… Although it’s not exactly as would have been imagined… For starters, there’s Xada – the recognised queen – which leaves something of a quandary as to what Max is…

As Max goes on to explain though, there is of course one thing that is certain… Whatever he is thought of here, he is Xada’s father, just as he is that of Sarah and Xan. I nod as he says he wants to get to know her. “I know…”

His focus shifts to Sarah and Justin for a moment, and I can see that Sarah is probably feeling a little lost right now. This changes everything so much, and yet she needs to be reminded that one thing will never change…nothing will mean that Max isn’t her father and I’m her mother, and nothing will mean that he and I don’t love her…

*And there are other decisions to make -- to figure out what happens next. I don't even know how long we're going to stay here. I need more information...*

Max sounds almost as uncertain as the rest of us right now, and although it might seem strange to some extent, being something unusual, I can understand that completely. I nod in response to his mental words and reach for his hand, closing mine over his. *I know…we’ll work it out…*

Sarah declines the offer Max makes of giving her and Justin a tour of the palace before we go to the library, but I can’t help feeling rather worried as she says they’ll just go alone. It’s not so much the language barrier, although that is a major factor of course – I don’t think I’ll be going off on my own anytime soon – but more the fact that I’m just not quite happy with her, or Justin walking around alone.

Sarah isn’t a child anymore, I know I have to accept that, but the fact is that Khivar escaped yesterday, and he nearly killed Xada… Later, he nearly killed them all, and when it comes down to it, what his followers might try, or even some other enemy, is not something I want to find out.

Justin isn’t even my child…and Kyle would never forgive me if anything were to happen to him… I’d never forgive myself either…

Sarah and Justin are used to living on earth where, even if things aren’t ‘safe’ all the time, they can protect themselves to an extent. Sarah has her powers here of course yes, and they are pretty strong, but Justin has nothing… Maybe I’m over-reacting, but I guess that’s what mother’s tend to do, and I’m afraid that’s not going to change… This is an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people, and right now, I don’t care who might say it is safe, I don’t want them walking round alone… I am about to voice this when to my relief it is revealed that Max is thinking similarly. His words are diplomatic, trying to treat them as adults, but still insisting on an escort. I smile softly. *Nicely dealt with…*

As he heads towards the door, opening it and speaking to someone, not that I can understand what’s being said, I hear his voice in my head again, asking if I want to go with Sarah and Justin instead. I look over and shake my head. *No…I’d rather stay with you… I want to spend some time with my husband…besides, you can always give me a tour later on maybe…* I smile plays on my lips and I can’t help adding something more. *Maybe somewhere nice and private…?* I suggest softly. Sarah would be complaining loudly if she heard me say that, but seriously…we’re not exactly middle age, Max and I both still like to have fun…

[Athenea]

~*Xadalyn*~

I jump when I feel someone’s hand on my shoulder, but I smile when I see who it is. Thank the goddess, someone with more of a stimulating conversation that what to wear to the banquet tonight. “Hi, I thought I would save you.” He says reading my thoughts. Skyler Anton has been Commander of the Guard since my mother died. I always had a bit of a crush on him but Queens aren’t supposed to get involved with anyone except high ranking Royalty. Even though Skyler’s father was a Duke it still wasn’t enough. So as usual I pushed my own wants and desires to the side for the sake of my planet.

Nara walks up to us swinging her hips seductively and I feel my temper start to flare but I keep it in check. “Oh, Lord Anton that shirt you are wearing is so fitting of you.” She says touching his chest lightly and I think I am going to strangle her. As usual Skyler is nothing but polite. I don’t see how he can stand it, but of course Skyler is well versed in Court Protocol and even though Nara is a little whore, her blood line provides her with some leniency.


“Oh what these ladies wouldn’t do to get moved up.” He says sitting down beside me and whispering in my ear and I am fully aware of the fact that his hand is now resting on my thigh and his lips barely brushing against my ear. “Or to get moved to under you.” I say with a smirk and Skyler rolls his eyes. “Don’t be crude.” He says but I can tell he’s trying to hold in his laughter.

[CalLen]

Skyler-

I lean back in my chair and Xada laughs, “Or to get moved to under you.” I smirk but hold my laughter in, “Don’t be crude.” I can't help, but let a look of interest run across my face, "I am perfectly apt to share the work." I add insinuating more.

Why was I acting like this? I couldn't help but flirt with Xada. In my line of work you aren't allowed, or I didn't allow myself, to fall in love with someone or have feelings for them. As soon as you start to have feelings you lose the one you have grown so close to. I have lost my first love and won't be that volnerable again.

I pull my hand off of her leg and look around the room, hoping to change the conversation, "So, I have never noticed how beautiful this room was." I avoid eye contact with Xada.

[Dreamer_Dreaming]

~*~Sarah~*~

I heard my father called me princess for the first time on this planet and it makes me wonder where I really stand on this planet. My father the king. My half sister the queen. And I suppose my brother the prince. And I guess I am a princess but it wont mean I'll be going around ordering people around, thats just not my style. I'm not that type of person. I do things for myself. I'm very independ, I guess I get that from my mother.

"No Daddy. I dont want a baby sitter. You dont always have to protect me. I can protect myself, and I have you to thank for that. But please let me do this on my own for once." I tell him, but he's not listening. He's speaking in antartian language. And I'm kinda bug by this. Not understand what he talking about. Hey these people may be talking behind my back and I wont even know it.

I sigh and walk out anyways. I'm sick of being treated like a child even my father said he not. But I feel like he is.

I walk down to the main stair and look around the place. It doesnt look like alot people around my age would hang out here. I go to the front door and open it. I step outside, and see Xada training.

I look around the place, and see an old swing set. I smile and goes sit on it. it bring back memories. Where Xan and I use to play when we were kids. But now things change. he change. I change. Even my parents have too. I'm pretty sure justin have too. I look up and see justin infront of him."Do want me explain what going on? or do you still want to belive its still a movie? becuase its not."

[isabelle]

*Max*

I'm glad that Liz has decided to stay with me and I hope she won't regret it. Hopefully my visit to the library won't be amazingly boring for her. I think I'd really appreciate having her input on the information, problems and solutions there...

*Thanks, sweetheart,* I tell her.

The guard assures me that he can speak English himself. His name is Rylan. I thank him for his help and he looks rather embarassed by it. But before he can respond, Sarah hurries out of room and Justin follows her.

"Stay close to them," I tell Rylan in a hurry. "They may need help."

Rylan bows deeply and then hurries after the teens. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair before turning back to Liz. "I guess we're on our own then. Ready to head to the libary?"

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

I note that Max doesn’t respond to my latter suggestion, but given that Sarah and Justin just ran out, completely ignoring his previous words, I can’t say that’s too surprising… *Just be careful Sarah…please…* I send to her sighing and shaking my head as the guard that Max was speaking to hurries after the two of them.

Looking over at Max, I see him doing similar and smile. “Ever wonder what it would be like to not have two moody teens to deal with…?” I ask softly. He’ll know that I’m only joking, I wouldn’t give up Xan or Sarah for anything, but it hasn’t been easy over the years, coping with people who looked on us pretty much still as being kids despite the fact we had children… Even now, at parent-teacher evenings, we still get strange looks sometimes… I guess that’s not helped by the fact people say we don’t look our ages anyway…so they think we were even younger than we were… Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, but sometimes I do wonder what it would have been like if we had been able to wait just a little longer…

Then again of course then we’d still be at something like the ten to thirteen year old terror stage, so maybe that wouldn’t be so great afterall…

I take a deep breath and close my eyes a moment, telling myself I’m being silly, thinking about things that really don’t matter, and pushing such thoughts to the back of my mind. As Max asks if I’m ready to go, I nod. “Sure…lead the way…” I tell him with a smile on my face as I step forward and slip my hand into his.