It felt exactly like a heart attack that would not end. Painfully Marthinus T. Steyn clutched his chest, using forced pain to keep him at the very least alert. His legs felt like rocks and the spot where the silver touched his bare skin was vibrating a sick and methodical ache that had him on the verge of vomiting. He was holding onto the iron gates of the property, the back, armpits and front of his jumpsuit now soaked with his sweat. There wasn't anything Nova could do for him except drive him back to the estate. She had not wanted to leave but he warned her that staying would be worse - maybe for him, but for sure for her.
His head jerked back at the suddenly smell invading his nostrils. His new sense were so overwhelming at times that it frightened him. The one Hammerthynn called LT was approaching - each scent being as identifying as a picture. The gates began their mechanical whir in motion and LT walked out in human form. The older werewolf looked half his age, but Marthinus knew better than to think the red head was anything but a teenager. LT grabbed him silently and hooked Marthinus' arm around his shoulders, leading the struggling man back into the safety of the Den.
Confessional (private)
When not leading his Pipers or courting women, Brig finds solace in the control room of the Den. This was his cousin's Situational Room - cold, steel and state of the art technology that rivaled even their heightened sensory perception. Where the unsanctioned missions from their Beta were dealt to the Pipers in secrecy. Home base in Johannesburg had one before Brig saw to its total destruction during Hammer's extraction with the vampire kin. It was its exact duplicate but with much needed upgrades that Brig saw to with the completion of the Den itself.
Leaning onto the consoles on his knuckles, Brig watched as the perimeter was scanned for temperature fluctuations, seismic or man made. The coding wasn't his concern, nor would he take the time to explain it, but the ability to control and see everything surrounding the property was what could always draw Brig back here in the dead of night when he could not sleep. Besides, all the good stuff always seemed to happen at night around here. Speaking of which...
The sensors narrowed in on the trail signature of a car and a quick scan revealed a figure at the entrance. Immediately LT entered the room, just in time to catch his Commander sigh and roll his eyes.
'Go get him.'
LT left as quickly as he had entered leaving Brig to notifying his Beta that his pup was outside scratching to come in.
Marthinus T. Steyn
16 years ago
Brig Jameson
16 years ago
Brig stood outside of Marthinus Den apartment waiting for the Beta. Brig was normally not a nervous man, but he knew how this was going to go down so he was standing with the fingers of his right hand pinching his bottom lip. He would pinch, then smooth down the stubble growing in and then pinch again. He'd continue this until Hammer showed up or if there was some grateful distraction like a small war or maybe dinner.
Pinch, pinch...smooth.
The soft scuffing of Hammer's boots was a welcomed but dreaded distraction. Hammer wasn't going to like what Marthinus did, not that Brig was completely sure of what the newbie had actually done, but returning to the Den with a silver burn could only mean Marthinus went somewhere he shouldn't have.
And Brig could only think of one place that would qualify as 'off limits'.
Hammerthynn approached Brig and raised his eyebrows at him.
Brig hooked a thumb at Marthinus' door. 'Silver burn, upper torso.' He reached down and opened the door, letting Hammer go in first.
Pinch, pinch...smooth.
The soft scuffing of Hammer's boots was a welcomed but dreaded distraction. Hammer wasn't going to like what Marthinus did, not that Brig was completely sure of what the newbie had actually done, but returning to the Den with a silver burn could only mean Marthinus went somewhere he shouldn't have.
And Brig could only think of one place that would qualify as 'off limits'.
Hammerthynn approached Brig and raised his eyebrows at him.
Brig hooked a thumb at Marthinus' door. 'Silver burn, upper torso.' He reached down and opened the door, letting Hammer go in first.
Iov Hammerthynn
16 years ago
Hammerthynn wiped the blood off of his face and stepped onto the covered patio at the back end of the Den. Naked he was silently recovering from his change and relishing his late dinner when LT approached him. Brig's second in command was no messenger boy and any conversation with LT almost always resulted in Hammerthynn's blood pressure rising. He nodded at the younger wolf who quietly said two words.
'Your aipa.'
Hammer blinked his good eye at LT and reached down to pick up his clothes. His aipa. Silently he admonished himself for even bothering with the old man. With a slight grimace he dismissed LT and dressed quickly.
His cousin was standing by Marthinus' door when he arrived. The tell tale lip pinching was all he needed to confirm that his aipa had done something stupid. Stupid and dangerous. He barely gave Brig time to speak and open the door when Hammer put his sizable body through the frame and walked directly up to Marthinus who was sitting in the main living area waiting. Hammer walked up to the old man and looked at him down his nose. With a disgruntled sniff, he nodded to Marthinus waiting to hear his excuse.
'Your aipa.'
Hammer blinked his good eye at LT and reached down to pick up his clothes. His aipa. Silently he admonished himself for even bothering with the old man. With a slight grimace he dismissed LT and dressed quickly.
His cousin was standing by Marthinus' door when he arrived. The tell tale lip pinching was all he needed to confirm that his aipa had done something stupid. Stupid and dangerous. He barely gave Brig time to speak and open the door when Hammer put his sizable body through the frame and walked directly up to Marthinus who was sitting in the main living area waiting. Hammer walked up to the old man and looked at him down his nose. With a disgruntled sniff, he nodded to Marthinus waiting to hear his excuse.
Marthinus T. Steyn
16 years ago
Marthinus sat in his living area, slumped uncharacteristically in a square sofa chair. His arms were hanging off of the armrest, his fingers twitching and moving. He could smell Brig standing outside the door and immediately sensed his agitation as Hammerthynn finally burst his way into his quarters. Marthinus could still smell the blood on him, fresh from feeding. The scent made his nostrils flare and his stomach grumble.
Hammer practically blocked out the light in the room, casting a dark shadow over Marthinus, making the moment even worse. He had gone from a powerful CEO of a multi billion corporation to a lowly newbie in a world he did not understand nor did he want to. A world where his grandfather and now leader of the only world he had ever known triggered a hate in him that was completely unstoppable. Marthinus looked up at Hammer and quietly spoke.
'I realize now that certain...avenues are closed to me. However, I would like to understand why I just tried to tear the throat out of a woman I've known since birth, a man whom I am directly descended to and respect...and just when the throbbing on my chest is going to fucking stop.'
Hammer practically blocked out the light in the room, casting a dark shadow over Marthinus, making the moment even worse. He had gone from a powerful CEO of a multi billion corporation to a lowly newbie in a world he did not understand nor did he want to. A world where his grandfather and now leader of the only world he had ever known triggered a hate in him that was completely unstoppable. Marthinus looked up at Hammer and quietly spoke.
'I realize now that certain...avenues are closed to me. However, I would like to understand why I just tried to tear the throat out of a woman I've known since birth, a man whom I am directly descended to and respect...and just when the throbbing on my chest is going to fucking stop.'
Xeph
16 years ago
Xeph wasn't one to say "I told you so" but today he almost wished he were. He'd had a feeling Marty was the sort who needed to learn his lessons the hard way, and judging from the report he'd just been hastily given, he'd called it right.
He arrived at Marty's place in time to see Hammer and Brig disappearing inside. There wasn't any benefit to be gained by joining them; Marty wasn't his aipa, after all. And Hammer was certainly capable of handling the man. No, Xeph had a feeling his presence would only serve to intimidate the erstwhile human so he simply held back in the hall, leaning agsint the wall. He wasn't close enough that he thought his scent would be heavy, but he was surely close enough to hear most of what went on.
Xeph wasn't above shameless eavesdropping if it acheived his goals. And in this matter, he felt it wise to listen in. If Marty's actions had endangered their Pack; if what Xeph had been told was true and Ellis decided to come down on the Kadzait for it, he would have to include Hammer in the consequences, and Xeph wasn't looking forward to that at all.
He gave it a few moments; perhaps Hammer wouldn't want Brig there while he disciplined his charge. Either way Xeph didn't see that there was anything to gain at the moment by joining them in berating Marthinus.
He arrived at Marty's place in time to see Hammer and Brig disappearing inside. There wasn't any benefit to be gained by joining them; Marty wasn't his aipa, after all. And Hammer was certainly capable of handling the man. No, Xeph had a feeling his presence would only serve to intimidate the erstwhile human so he simply held back in the hall, leaning agsint the wall. He wasn't close enough that he thought his scent would be heavy, but he was surely close enough to hear most of what went on.
Xeph wasn't above shameless eavesdropping if it acheived his goals. And in this matter, he felt it wise to listen in. If Marty's actions had endangered their Pack; if what Xeph had been told was true and Ellis decided to come down on the Kadzait for it, he would have to include Hammer in the consequences, and Xeph wasn't looking forward to that at all.
He gave it a few moments; perhaps Hammer wouldn't want Brig there while he disciplined his charge. Either way Xeph didn't see that there was anything to gain at the moment by joining them in berating Marthinus.
Brig Jameson
16 years ago
'Oh shit,' Brig muttered as Marthinus finished his question.
The old man just didn't get it - their hierarchy, he was sure, was no different than Marthinus' bloody vampires. There were certain buttons you did not push, certain situations you did not bring upon yourself and most definitely certain tones you did not take with your Amaroq.
Brig closed his eyes and was not surprised to hear the savage growl rumble emit from Hammerthynn's throat as he leaned forward and grabbed Marthinus, lifting him from the chair.
The old man just didn't get it - their hierarchy, he was sure, was no different than Marthinus' bloody vampires. There were certain buttons you did not push, certain situations you did not bring upon yourself and most definitely certain tones you did not take with your Amaroq.
Brig closed his eyes and was not surprised to hear the savage growl rumble emit from Hammerthynn's throat as he leaned forward and grabbed Marthinus, lifting him from the chair.
Iov Hammerthynn
16 years ago
Hammerthynn always tried to maintain the presence of mind not to tear someone's limb off and beat them with it. It was a struggle over the years but he had succeed in not maiming anyone unintentionally with his rage. However, Marthinus was making it exceedingly difficult to maintain that streak.
Reaching down with his right hand, Hammerthynn grabbed Marthinus by the shoulder and lifted him up off the chair, dangling the smaller man in front of him in mid air. With his left hand, he grabbed the burned area just beneath that shoulder and squeezed. Odds are Marthinus would pass out from the immediate and overwhelming pain, a human would at least, but his werewolf side would make this moment long and even more painful. He felt his teeth elongate and his mouth push forward, half changing into his wolf snout, very much ready to kill. In a cold, borderline animal voice, Hammerthynn let loose the only emotion he had ever bothered to learn and began to help Marthinus learn the ropes of his year long duty as an aipa.
'Tread softly. This is the life you chose, Steyn and this is the life you will honor. Your place is here, your master is Kadzait and your loyalty is NOT with the vampires.' Hammerthynn squeezed Marthinus wound harder and he watched with open pleasure as the old man faded in and out of consciousness; his were side refusing to relinquish him from this savage reprimand.
'The sick rage at the pit of your stomach - learn it well and embrace it. That's a dishonor that your were blood line seeks to rectify. The woman you call Ellis Duban, formerly Elizabeth Duibine left her mark on our family centuries ago.' Hammerthynn nodded back to Brig who had now replaced his look of disappointment with equal vengeful hate.
'The man, Simon Huntington, your vampire whore's slave. He is just as guilty of her treachery and it runs deep within our were blood as well. The life you had before means nothing. You were nothing. You came from nothing. Now you're a Kadzait and it would behoove you to remember nothing before the moment you were gifted,' Hammer now dug the claws that had protruded from his half turned hand into the area around the silver burn to emphasis the following. 'This is your path and I'll see you not deviate from it, so remember this moment, Marthinus. Remember this pain because it's as much mine, Brig's, the pack's...as it is yours and don't you ever forget it.'
Hammerthynn held on a moment longer, catching Marthinus eye through the pain filled stare and then he dropped him like a rag doll back into his chair. Hammerthynn's head swam in the painful euphoria of his change but held it at bay but only because of the fresh blood in his gut. The old man was lucky he didn't kill him, that was of course if the Alpha chose not to kill Marthinus himself.
Hammer turned his head, calling Brig to his side.
Reaching down with his right hand, Hammerthynn grabbed Marthinus by the shoulder and lifted him up off the chair, dangling the smaller man in front of him in mid air. With his left hand, he grabbed the burned area just beneath that shoulder and squeezed. Odds are Marthinus would pass out from the immediate and overwhelming pain, a human would at least, but his werewolf side would make this moment long and even more painful. He felt his teeth elongate and his mouth push forward, half changing into his wolf snout, very much ready to kill. In a cold, borderline animal voice, Hammerthynn let loose the only emotion he had ever bothered to learn and began to help Marthinus learn the ropes of his year long duty as an aipa.
'Tread softly. This is the life you chose, Steyn and this is the life you will honor. Your place is here, your master is Kadzait and your loyalty is NOT with the vampires.' Hammerthynn squeezed Marthinus wound harder and he watched with open pleasure as the old man faded in and out of consciousness; his were side refusing to relinquish him from this savage reprimand.
'The sick rage at the pit of your stomach - learn it well and embrace it. That's a dishonor that your were blood line seeks to rectify. The woman you call Ellis Duban, formerly Elizabeth Duibine left her mark on our family centuries ago.' Hammerthynn nodded back to Brig who had now replaced his look of disappointment with equal vengeful hate.
'The man, Simon Huntington, your vampire whore's slave. He is just as guilty of her treachery and it runs deep within our were blood as well. The life you had before means nothing. You were nothing. You came from nothing. Now you're a Kadzait and it would behoove you to remember nothing before the moment you were gifted,' Hammer now dug the claws that had protruded from his half turned hand into the area around the silver burn to emphasis the following. 'This is your path and I'll see you not deviate from it, so remember this moment, Marthinus. Remember this pain because it's as much mine, Brig's, the pack's...as it is yours and don't you ever forget it.'
Hammerthynn held on a moment longer, catching Marthinus eye through the pain filled stare and then he dropped him like a rag doll back into his chair. Hammerthynn's head swam in the painful euphoria of his change but held it at bay but only because of the fresh blood in his gut. The old man was lucky he didn't kill him, that was of course if the Alpha chose not to kill Marthinus himself.
Hammer turned his head, calling Brig to his side.
Brig Jameson
16 years ago
Brig stepped forward at Hammerthynn's silent command and finished their lesson of the day.
'You know me as the Commander of the Pipers, but I am also blood cousin to the Beta here. The Jamesons and Hammerthynns have been intertwined for centuries and the hate you feel for your old mistress and her man runs in both our werewolf families. The Pipers, again blood cousins to us both, share that same blood memory and now, you too, share that hate. You'll learn to temper it, in time, but never forget - not that it would let you. You can't go back, Marthinus. You can never...go back. Once you realize this, it'll make this transition, and our job, much easier.'
It was as if Brig and Hammerthynn had been one man who's soul had been split. The compassion that Hammerthynn lacked, Brig made up for. Hammerthynn led with an indifferent heavy hand, Brig with the knowledge of a nuturing leadership passed down from Jameson father to son - but he knew he lacked the edge that Hammerthynn had - the edge that allowed his Beta cousin to do what most men morally could not comprehend.
Hammerthynns ruled, the Jamesons provided support and with his job done, Brig took his leave. Taking one step back, he silently left the room and passed through the doorway into the hallway. In the heat of the moment he had not registered the Alpha's presence, but with a respectful nod, he passed Xeph and exited.
((Brig out))
'You know me as the Commander of the Pipers, but I am also blood cousin to the Beta here. The Jamesons and Hammerthynns have been intertwined for centuries and the hate you feel for your old mistress and her man runs in both our werewolf families. The Pipers, again blood cousins to us both, share that same blood memory and now, you too, share that hate. You'll learn to temper it, in time, but never forget - not that it would let you. You can't go back, Marthinus. You can never...go back. Once you realize this, it'll make this transition, and our job, much easier.'
It was as if Brig and Hammerthynn had been one man who's soul had been split. The compassion that Hammerthynn lacked, Brig made up for. Hammerthynn led with an indifferent heavy hand, Brig with the knowledge of a nuturing leadership passed down from Jameson father to son - but he knew he lacked the edge that Hammerthynn had - the edge that allowed his Beta cousin to do what most men morally could not comprehend.
Hammerthynns ruled, the Jamesons provided support and with his job done, Brig took his leave. Taking one step back, he silently left the room and passed through the doorway into the hallway. In the heat of the moment he had not registered the Alpha's presence, but with a respectful nod, he passed Xeph and exited.
((Brig out))
Xeph
16 years ago
Xeph listened quietly, leaning back against the wall of the hallway, to Hammer's voice and then Brig's. As Brig left the room, nodding to Xeph, the Alpha returned the gesture and levered himself up off the wall. A few long strides took him quietly to Marty's doorway, where he resumed his casual pose, this time in the frame.
The only person he might take off-guard was Marty, he figured. Hammer should know he was there by now. He'd remained a polite distance away while they took Marthinus to task, but it seemed the worst was over.
Xeph's only hope now was that retaliation wasn't in order. If Marthinus' actions today resulted in a member of his Pack being injured somehow, or threatened... Xeph didn't want to consider the consequences.
He wasn't a big fan of martial law, but when it came to the safety of the Kadzait, there was no grey area. Black or white, for or against, that was how it worked when you were Pack. And woe betide you if you chose 'against.'
Xeph had nothing to say immediately; this was Hammer's aipa and he was simply here, as he knew Hammer would expect, to follow up. Something like this could not happen without Xeph becoming involved somehow, but he was hoping to keep his involvement to a minimum.
The only person he might take off-guard was Marty, he figured. Hammer should know he was there by now. He'd remained a polite distance away while they took Marthinus to task, but it seemed the worst was over.
Xeph's only hope now was that retaliation wasn't in order. If Marthinus' actions today resulted in a member of his Pack being injured somehow, or threatened... Xeph didn't want to consider the consequences.
He wasn't a big fan of martial law, but when it came to the safety of the Kadzait, there was no grey area. Black or white, for or against, that was how it worked when you were Pack. And woe betide you if you chose 'against.'
Xeph had nothing to say immediately; this was Hammer's aipa and he was simply here, as he knew Hammer would expect, to follow up. Something like this could not happen without Xeph becoming involved somehow, but he was hoping to keep his involvement to a minimum.
Marthinus T. Steyn
16 years ago
Being unceremoniously picked up out of the chair by his shoulder was not something he had ever quite experienced. Hammerthynn had lifted him clean out of the chair and by one hand. Had Marthinus not been suffering from skull splitting pain, he would have been very impressed. He lost that train of thought when Hammerthynn's hand closed around the burn on his chest.
Marthinus' grimaced so hard that he thought his face would rip. His entire body tensed and his hands came up, grabbing Hammer's wrist which felt like hard stone; unmovable and impenetrable. With great concentration, Marthinus listened to everything Hammerthynn said.
He was indeed nothing before this. His life with the vampires, the past fifty some odd years of his life had already begun to pale to the several months as a werewolf. Marthinus did choose his life - but what choice did he really have? His allegiance was always threatened by violence, that was the one thing that both the vampires and werewolves shared in common. There was no common ground, just their ground and all interlopers would be skewered.
Brig was speaking now. Marthinus opened a tear filled eye and fought back the vomit that was rising ever so quickly. This 'transition'. Their 'job'. He had to make it easier but how could he when Marthinus didn't even know what his new world was. Hammer's claws pierced his skin and through the burning tears Marthinus could see the old werewolf's have changed face. For a moment Marthinus was in awe of the control, it being the one thing that he lacked in this new life - not that he really had it in his old one.
Next Marthinus felt himself fall, landing in the chair underneath him. He sat there, unable to move, vomit or lose consciousness and bleeding now through his white shirt. Through his hazy vision Marthinus saw Brig leave, but then someone else move into the doorway, but his dizzy pain could not let his eyes focus and his sense of smell betrayed him. Hammer took one step back and then stepped to the side, giving the person in the doorway a better line of sight.
Trying in vain to straighten himself in the chair, to appear he still had his long gone dignity, Marthinus told them what had happened.
Marthinus' grimaced so hard that he thought his face would rip. His entire body tensed and his hands came up, grabbing Hammer's wrist which felt like hard stone; unmovable and impenetrable. With great concentration, Marthinus listened to everything Hammerthynn said.
He was indeed nothing before this. His life with the vampires, the past fifty some odd years of his life had already begun to pale to the several months as a werewolf. Marthinus did choose his life - but what choice did he really have? His allegiance was always threatened by violence, that was the one thing that both the vampires and werewolves shared in common. There was no common ground, just their ground and all interlopers would be skewered.
Brig was speaking now. Marthinus opened a tear filled eye and fought back the vomit that was rising ever so quickly. This 'transition'. Their 'job'. He had to make it easier but how could he when Marthinus didn't even know what his new world was. Hammer's claws pierced his skin and through the burning tears Marthinus could see the old werewolf's have changed face. For a moment Marthinus was in awe of the control, it being the one thing that he lacked in this new life - not that he really had it in his old one.
Next Marthinus felt himself fall, landing in the chair underneath him. He sat there, unable to move, vomit or lose consciousness and bleeding now through his white shirt. Through his hazy vision Marthinus saw Brig leave, but then someone else move into the doorway, but his dizzy pain could not let his eyes focus and his sense of smell betrayed him. Hammer took one step back and then stepped to the side, giving the person in the doorway a better line of sight.
Trying in vain to straighten himself in the chair, to appear he still had his long gone dignity, Marthinus told them what had happened.
Iov Hammerthynn
16 years ago
The Alpha's scent had permeated into the room. Hammer ran his tongue over an enlarged canine and stepped back, giving Xeph a better view of the proceedings. Marthinus started with his return to his vampire family's lair - a location he failed to disclose - and began to talk of his sudden change when he came into contact with Huntington. Then the fierce and painful change when the woman Ellis had appeared, apparently taking everyone by surprise. Hammer looked over at Xeph and caught his eyes.
When Marthinus finished, Hammer let out an annoyed sigh and looked down at his aipa. The old man was strugging, that much was obvious. To be turned at such an old age was very uncommon and not practiced for a reason. It was too hard to let go of a life that was, for the most part, already lived. His actions annoyed Hammer but he did understand the reasoning.
You don't choose your family, they just are.
Here was a man torn, born of both worlds and trying to be a part of both. This is one of the rare areas that Hammer failed - nurturing. His previous aipas, only a small handful, were of the respectable and common age - how could he teach this old dog new tricks? He would need the Alpha's help, so Hammer blinked his solitary eye and shrugged.
When Marthinus finished, Hammer let out an annoyed sigh and looked down at his aipa. The old man was strugging, that much was obvious. To be turned at such an old age was very uncommon and not practiced for a reason. It was too hard to let go of a life that was, for the most part, already lived. His actions annoyed Hammer but he did understand the reasoning.
You don't choose your family, they just are.
Here was a man torn, born of both worlds and trying to be a part of both. This is one of the rare areas that Hammer failed - nurturing. His previous aipas, only a small handful, were of the respectable and common age - how could he teach this old dog new tricks? He would need the Alpha's help, so Hammer blinked his solitary eye and shrugged.
Xeph
16 years ago
Xeph's talents were of the sort that he could usually excersize control over, talents he understood and could use or ignore at his discretion. There were times though, like now, that they would hit him like a ton of bricks, and as he stood in the doorway looking at Marthinus, he was imperceptibly shaken by the force of the man's distress. Rigid self-control kept him from moving so much as an eyelash, but it left him reeling inside.
Any reprimand that might have come to his lips was stilled before he had a chance to voice it; perhaps Hammer was all gravel and nails, but Xeph had known a kinder hand as a child and sympathy was an unknown feeling for him.
Xeph had Gifted before, twice. The first was dead, but the second of course, was still going strong and thriving. He supposed this could have happened to Nikhila, but he liked to think he'd been attentive and her Gifting, for the most part, had gone smoothly. Marthinus, though, was going down a road he didn't like to see any Kadzait on.
While Xeph didn't like to depend on his particular sort of intuition as a crutch by any means, it did tell him what he needed to know; what would help Marthinus. The problem was, how could he provide what the man needed?
Or... perhaps he couldn't provide it at all. He didn't think he was right for this particular task; not after the way they'd met or from what Marthinus knew of him.
He realized he'd been standing there staring for what must seem like years to the man in the chair. Xeph approached, crouched down in front of Marthinus, and gave a nod of his head to Hammer, indicating that the Beta should take a few steps back to at least grant them the illusion of privacy.
Ignoring the blood (it would be fine soon), Xeph peered into Marthinus' teary eyes.
"No one said it'd be easy," he commented softly. "I imagine your life hasn't always been easy at any rate."
He didn't wait for an answer, just kept talking. "I can't take back what's been given. You're a part of the Kadzait now, by your own choice. But we don't like to see our brethren flounder. I realize that in the giving we have also taken, and if there had been any way to save you without doing so, we'd have tried it."
Xeph tilted his head. "Perhaps I can help you find some answers," he suggested, "if you might be willing to help me in return." He held out his hand as if to forestall any argument. "The answers will be forthcoming regardless," he added, "but I think maybe you could use a task as well. Your keen mind and your long years would be a benefit to me right now. What do you say?"
He wasn't going to mention what had happened. There would be no talk of punishment, no discussion of repercussions. He could take any resulting problems up with Hammer later. Instead Xeph just watched Marthinus' face and waited for a response, a question, whatever came.
((ooc: Permission obtained to use Caretaker's Twinkle.))
Any reprimand that might have come to his lips was stilled before he had a chance to voice it; perhaps Hammer was all gravel and nails, but Xeph had known a kinder hand as a child and sympathy was an unknown feeling for him.
Xeph had Gifted before, twice. The first was dead, but the second of course, was still going strong and thriving. He supposed this could have happened to Nikhila, but he liked to think he'd been attentive and her Gifting, for the most part, had gone smoothly. Marthinus, though, was going down a road he didn't like to see any Kadzait on.
While Xeph didn't like to depend on his particular sort of intuition as a crutch by any means, it did tell him what he needed to know; what would help Marthinus. The problem was, how could he provide what the man needed?
Or... perhaps he couldn't provide it at all. He didn't think he was right for this particular task; not after the way they'd met or from what Marthinus knew of him.
He realized he'd been standing there staring for what must seem like years to the man in the chair. Xeph approached, crouched down in front of Marthinus, and gave a nod of his head to Hammer, indicating that the Beta should take a few steps back to at least grant them the illusion of privacy.
Ignoring the blood (it would be fine soon), Xeph peered into Marthinus' teary eyes.
"No one said it'd be easy," he commented softly. "I imagine your life hasn't always been easy at any rate."
He didn't wait for an answer, just kept talking. "I can't take back what's been given. You're a part of the Kadzait now, by your own choice. But we don't like to see our brethren flounder. I realize that in the giving we have also taken, and if there had been any way to save you without doing so, we'd have tried it."
Xeph tilted his head. "Perhaps I can help you find some answers," he suggested, "if you might be willing to help me in return." He held out his hand as if to forestall any argument. "The answers will be forthcoming regardless," he added, "but I think maybe you could use a task as well. Your keen mind and your long years would be a benefit to me right now. What do you say?"
He wasn't going to mention what had happened. There would be no talk of punishment, no discussion of repercussions. He could take any resulting problems up with Hammer later. Instead Xeph just watched Marthinus' face and waited for a response, a question, whatever came.
((ooc: Permission obtained to use Caretaker's Twinkle.))
Marthinus T. Steyn
16 years ago
It was the Alpha who approached him as he sat poised to pass out. The pain in his chest felt like fire and he was beginning to have a hard time concentrating on the two figures in the room when suddenly Xeph knelt down and began to speak.
Marthinus blinked lethargically as the Alpha spoke. His head had begun to be too heavy to hold upright, but the sound of Xeph's voice was curiously interesting and so he used his full concentration to hold still and listen.
Answers. Answers for himself and answers for the Alpha. Yes, his mind thought and he found himself nodding yes. 'I just want to understand,' Marthinus said clearly. 'I want...a little peace.' He was not aware of the emotion brimming over or the tears that spilled down his cheeks.
Marthinus blinked lethargically as the Alpha spoke. His head had begun to be too heavy to hold upright, but the sound of Xeph's voice was curiously interesting and so he used his full concentration to hold still and listen.
Answers. Answers for himself and answers for the Alpha. Yes, his mind thought and he found himself nodding yes. 'I just want to understand,' Marthinus said clearly. 'I want...a little peace.' He was not aware of the emotion brimming over or the tears that spilled down his cheeks.
Xeph
16 years ago
Xeph gave Marthinus one last, deep look and then nodded. "I think we can manage that."
He moved back, including Hammer back in the circle, as it were. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. Tonight, maybe, or some night soon. Hammer can introduce you, but I think if you were to spend some time together, you might find what you're looking for."
Brilliant. Xeph himself might not be able to provide peace, comfort, answers, in the right fashion, but hi mother... Lily had spent her entire life keeping peace, soothing troubled souls, figuring out how to say what needed to be said.
And it would help her, he thought. His mother was as lost as Marty was, in her way. With Liam's death, Lily no longer had a rigidly defined role to play. Xeph was certainly beyond her care, for the most part, and while she had her son and her trusted friend by her side, Lily was quietly floundering for something to do, herself. Xeph saw it in her the same as he saw it in Marthinus, a need for a purpose, and a need to be useful.
He looked at Hammer. "Introduce him to Lily," he said with a smile. He didn't use the word 'mother;' Xeph didn't want Marty equating his mother with some strange concpet of superiority or hierarchy. "I think they'll get along."
Turning back to Marthinus one last time Xeph added, "And get some sleep. It'll do you a world of good."
He moved back, including Hammer back in the circle, as it were. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. Tonight, maybe, or some night soon. Hammer can introduce you, but I think if you were to spend some time together, you might find what you're looking for."
Brilliant. Xeph himself might not be able to provide peace, comfort, answers, in the right fashion, but hi mother... Lily had spent her entire life keeping peace, soothing troubled souls, figuring out how to say what needed to be said.
And it would help her, he thought. His mother was as lost as Marty was, in her way. With Liam's death, Lily no longer had a rigidly defined role to play. Xeph was certainly beyond her care, for the most part, and while she had her son and her trusted friend by her side, Lily was quietly floundering for something to do, herself. Xeph saw it in her the same as he saw it in Marthinus, a need for a purpose, and a need to be useful.
He looked at Hammer. "Introduce him to Lily," he said with a smile. He didn't use the word 'mother;' Xeph didn't want Marty equating his mother with some strange concpet of superiority or hierarchy. "I think they'll get along."
Turning back to Marthinus one last time Xeph added, "And get some sleep. It'll do you a world of good."
Iov Hammerthynn
16 years ago
Hammer nodded in agreement, Lily could definitely provide a more nurturing side than he ever could and that's what Marthinus needed right now. He wasn't so heartless that he didn't recognize that Marthinus was on the verge of being a danger to not only others but to himself. Looking down at the old man he noticed Marthinus had finally fallen unconscious.
With a grumpy sigh Hammer walked back to the door and held it open for he and the Alpha to exit. A nursemaid he was not, Marthinus could sleep off his evening in the living room chair.
((OOC - holding the door open for Xeph but exiting))
With a grumpy sigh Hammer walked back to the door and held it open for he and the Alpha to exit. A nursemaid he was not, Marthinus could sleep off his evening in the living room chair.
((OOC - holding the door open for Xeph but exiting))
Xeph
16 years ago
Xeph watched the newly Gifted's head nod and shoulders slump, then looked at Hammer and shrugged.
"You definitely keep me on my toes," was all he said to his beta - a good-natured half-growl as he preceded Hammer through the door.
He said no more; time would tell if he was right in this. He had a feeling though, and he'd learned over the years to trust his hunches. Xeph wasn't stupid. If they could win Marty's trust; the real, deep-down Pack trust that most of them eventually developed, no matter the curcumstances of their Gifting, the man could be a wellspring of information about this new vampire... threat? Maybe.
He wasn't going to push though. First and foremost, Marthinus had to learn.
((ooc: Xeph out with Hammer))
"You definitely keep me on my toes," was all he said to his beta - a good-natured half-growl as he preceded Hammer through the door.
He said no more; time would tell if he was right in this. He had a feeling though, and he'd learned over the years to trust his hunches. Xeph wasn't stupid. If they could win Marty's trust; the real, deep-down Pack trust that most of them eventually developed, no matter the curcumstances of their Gifting, the man could be a wellspring of information about this new vampire... threat? Maybe.
He wasn't going to push though. First and foremost, Marthinus had to learn.
((ooc: Xeph out with Hammer))