Jan listened to his maker with a growing sense of shock. Everyone knew it would have to happen some day. At some point Ellis would push Simon over the edge, even his own clan secretly wondered what it would take. Jan had his own theories and figured there were many crimes of conscience building up for centuries in his maker's thoughts but the last straw would likely be a threat to his human family.
He looked over and Marthinus so recently back from the hospital and wondered if Ellis was somehow responsible for the whole thing. Did she poison him or try to kill him? He was told it was a heart attack but there were things out there that would cause that to happen and Ellis would have access to that kind of information if she wanted it.
Not the wisest choice the woman had ever made but then threatening Simon's family had never seemed like the best of choices to him. His maker was more loyal than Ellis ever had a right to ask for without the threats and she was blind if she couldn't see that. The one thing she used to insure his loyalty would be the thing that brought about her death.
There had to be some better way to go about this that didn't result in the death of members of his father's human family, some of whom seemed like half brothers and sisters to him over the years. Like Marthinus who was such a cute kid when he was little. "Uncle Jan" used to carry him around on his back as the horse for some of the games they would play. He wondered if Marthinus remembered those things.
Still sort of numbed to the whole situation as his mind tried to take it all in, Jan said.
"Woah"
Not the most intelligent thing ever stated but at least he followed it up with something more thoughtful.
"Maybe it'd be possible to hide news of her death for a bit, you run things within the clan more than Ellis does so they are used to seeing you instead. It wouldn't be able to be done forever or anything but maybe long enough to make sure that most of the family is somewhere safe."
Though they could really hope that Hillman did the job for them. Jan stood up and walked over to Simon. This was a man he looked up to and not just because he saved Jan's life but because he gave him a family and a place to belong, it made him feel like he was worth something and not just so no named pickpocket that no one would notice, living or dead. Simon was the only father he had ever known and there was no way anyone would keep him from standing with him whatever choices Simon made.
It did however make him uncomfortable to see such a strong man cry but he did his best to ignore it. Putting a hand on Simon's arm, he asked
"You want me to go with you?"
Long overdue
Every now and then Marthinus would catch himself mid breath, waiting for the pain that never came. The one dose of Eternity had done a great deal of repair to his heart. Still, the fear was still there, lingering.
Marthinus wandered upstairs in his apartment located in the Domicile. His hand over his heart, his feet slowly climbing the 2 flights of stairs. It was one of the larger quarters, about 3 thousand square feet. His office was connected through his study. He slowly strolled down the upstairs hall in the direction.
He needed to speak to Jacob. Marthinus knew it was his son that ordered the Eternity. He didnt need Simon or anyone else telling him that Ellis had probably refused to stop his death. She would not be happy. Jacob was ready to assume the CEO position, having worked at the nation's capital as a lobbyist for the corporation. He was nearing 30 and had the finest education Duibne money could buy. Marthinus was walking on borrowed time and it frightened him.
Jan
18 years ago
Nova
18 years ago
Nova stilled as she listened to the clusterfuck Tacharan was currently in and wondered just how things had gotten so out of hand. The litany of mental cursing brought on by Simon's announcement that the Beast had been utterly compromised was brought to a dead halt when he explained that he was the one who had told...and why.
She had the rather dense thought that The Beast was -supposed- to be a research tool before realizing that she had known all along what it really was. It was just easier to do her job, and do it well, and let other people have the crap that went with it on their consciences. And now they would all pay the price for one person's lust for power.
And then there was what had been done to Simon...all this time and she'd had no idea. His to loyalty to Ellis was legendary, and even her cynical heart believed they had found a perfect match in each other. That they were together because they made a kick ass team and had each other's back. Yet another illusion shattered, and Nova held very few when it came to that sort of thing as it was.
She looked to Marthinus, wondering what he thought of all of this. To think that this brilliant man was just seen as another pawn to Ellis quite frankly pissed her off. Her friend, though, was, as always, the picture of dignity and as unreadable as she was not.
Still struggling to find words, she looked over her brother's monosyllabic response and grinned.
"You said it man."Â?
She put on a more serious expression and listened as Jan pulled together a more coherent statement, which was more than she could do right now, but she was still smiling internally at least. It was probably a little weird to feel this proud of her guys in the face of this mess, but there wasn't much help for it.
Jan hadn't even needed to say 'we're with you'; just went straight to making plans. It was just understand, and that took her pride up another notch. And he didn't have a half bad idea, either. Devious to be certain, but smart.
She looked down at the floor when Jan made his offer go with Simon, somewhat unnerved by the XO's emotion but mostly afraid that she would end up getting teary eyed too, and crying twice in one week would just be the end of her steely nerves. Nova found herself remembering that day in the hospital, when she had been asked to stay behind while her creator hunted down revenge. She had been frustrated that day, knowing that she could not help more, all to aware of the fact that she would never get a piece of that Hillman bastard.
Now, she reckoned she would crochet coasters if that's what Simon wanted her to do for Tacharan, and she wondered when that had happened. Oh, she was a loyal enough clan member; certainly worked her ass off for them and would tear anyone apart if they fucked with one of hers, but she was also a touch absent at times. Going off to various labs around the country for months at a time, staying well out of the political games, and doing work that was partly for Duibne and, she would admit, partly self serving. She researched and progressed and developed because it was what she loved and Duibne gave her the resources to do it.
When had that self centered commitment turned to this devotion?
She decided it probably didn't matter, even though it was somewhat frightening to think about. Instead of dwelling further, she lifted her head, having fixed her gaze at some point on the floor, and met Simon's eyes. When she spoke, she was glad to find that she absolutely meant it.
"I'll help any way I can. I can go with you, or stay here and make some calls to get your family safe and Duibne prepared, since Marthinus.."Â? She shot her friend a stern look..."Â?should be resting."Â?
She had the rather dense thought that The Beast was -supposed- to be a research tool before realizing that she had known all along what it really was. It was just easier to do her job, and do it well, and let other people have the crap that went with it on their consciences. And now they would all pay the price for one person's lust for power.
And then there was what had been done to Simon...all this time and she'd had no idea. His to loyalty to Ellis was legendary, and even her cynical heart believed they had found a perfect match in each other. That they were together because they made a kick ass team and had each other's back. Yet another illusion shattered, and Nova held very few when it came to that sort of thing as it was.
She looked to Marthinus, wondering what he thought of all of this. To think that this brilliant man was just seen as another pawn to Ellis quite frankly pissed her off. Her friend, though, was, as always, the picture of dignity and as unreadable as she was not.
Still struggling to find words, she looked over her brother's monosyllabic response and grinned.
"You said it man."Â?
She put on a more serious expression and listened as Jan pulled together a more coherent statement, which was more than she could do right now, but she was still smiling internally at least. It was probably a little weird to feel this proud of her guys in the face of this mess, but there wasn't much help for it.
Jan hadn't even needed to say 'we're with you'; just went straight to making plans. It was just understand, and that took her pride up another notch. And he didn't have a half bad idea, either. Devious to be certain, but smart.
She looked down at the floor when Jan made his offer go with Simon, somewhat unnerved by the XO's emotion but mostly afraid that she would end up getting teary eyed too, and crying twice in one week would just be the end of her steely nerves. Nova found herself remembering that day in the hospital, when she had been asked to stay behind while her creator hunted down revenge. She had been frustrated that day, knowing that she could not help more, all to aware of the fact that she would never get a piece of that Hillman bastard.
Now, she reckoned she would crochet coasters if that's what Simon wanted her to do for Tacharan, and she wondered when that had happened. Oh, she was a loyal enough clan member; certainly worked her ass off for them and would tear anyone apart if they fucked with one of hers, but she was also a touch absent at times. Going off to various labs around the country for months at a time, staying well out of the political games, and doing work that was partly for Duibne and, she would admit, partly self serving. She researched and progressed and developed because it was what she loved and Duibne gave her the resources to do it.
When had that self centered commitment turned to this devotion?
She decided it probably didn't matter, even though it was somewhat frightening to think about. Instead of dwelling further, she lifted her head, having fixed her gaze at some point on the floor, and met Simon's eyes. When she spoke, she was glad to find that she absolutely meant it.
"I'll help any way I can. I can go with you, or stay here and make some calls to get your family safe and Duibne prepared, since Marthinus.."Â? She shot her friend a stern look..."Â?should be resting."Â?
Simon Huntington
18 years ago
Simon put his hand on Nova's shoulder and pulled his children close. Jan and Nova's loyalty would never be questioned. He whispered to them, 'Do what you can, bring the rest of the family here or somewhere safe. Away from Ellis and her prying eyes. Do this for me and I will never fail either one of you.'
He pulled away, approaching Marthinus. The years of hiding from his heirs had finally heaped their burden onto his shoulders and crippled his soul. Watching each be bred, educated and put to work for the Clan without so much as a word from him, their father. Simon's face was mixed with emotions.
'Marthinus...I don't have the words.'
He pulled away, approaching Marthinus. The years of hiding from his heirs had finally heaped their burden onto his shoulders and crippled his soul. Watching each be bred, educated and put to work for the Clan without so much as a word from him, their father. Simon's face was mixed with emotions.
'Marthinus...I don't have the words.'
Marthinus T. Steyn
18 years ago
'Marthinus...I don't have the words.'
Marthinus smiled sadly at Simon. He had never seen a vampire carry so much guilt and saddness. He respected Simon, not only for his courage but for his honor. He was too good for this world.
Reaching out he placed a hand on Simon's shoulder. 'You don't need them. Your actions speaking more sincerity than any word could.' Marthinus touched the door panel and opened the door for Simon. He watched the would be vampire king leave to meet his destiny.
Marthinus smiled sadly at Simon. He had never seen a vampire carry so much guilt and saddness. He respected Simon, not only for his courage but for his honor. He was too good for this world.
Reaching out he placed a hand on Simon's shoulder. 'You don't need them. Your actions speaking more sincerity than any word could.' Marthinus touched the door panel and opened the door for Simon. He watched the would be vampire king leave to meet his destiny.
Nova
18 years ago
Nova nodded her head and gave Simon's arm a squeeze.
"Shit, Simon...you've never failed us before, don't know why you'd start now. Yeah, we'll think of something, you do what you gotta do."Â?
She watched in silence as Simon and Marthinus shared their parting words, but as soon as he was out the door she launched into action.
"You,"Â? She pointed at Marthinus "should get back in bed. There's phone calls to be made, and we're going to have to work out a way to get plenty of cash without Ellis knowing about it, and flights to book..."Â? She put her hand on her hip "Mind if we use your office, considering you'll be -resting- and won't need it?"Â?
"Shit, Simon...you've never failed us before, don't know why you'd start now. Yeah, we'll think of something, you do what you gotta do."Â?
She watched in silence as Simon and Marthinus shared their parting words, but as soon as he was out the door she launched into action.
"You,"Â? She pointed at Marthinus "should get back in bed. There's phone calls to be made, and we're going to have to work out a way to get plenty of cash without Ellis knowing about it, and flights to book..."Â? She put her hand on her hip "Mind if we use your office, considering you'll be -resting- and won't need it?"Â?
Jan
18 years ago
Jan looked up at Simon and smiled, glad his creator trusted them both with his family and believed they were capable enough to handle this for him. He wrapped his arm around Simon and squeezed in reassurance before letting him go and speaking up.
"We'll get it done. I still have some contacts in Austria, we might be able to hide some of them there in the underground. Not likely to be noticed among -that- group."
He frowned worriedly as he watched Simon leave and then turned back to Nova and Marthinus.
"Well I suppose we've got work to do." He listened to Nova sentenced Marthinus to resting again. Chuckling, he said.
"Marty can help us make calls.....from bed."
He winked at Marthinus when Nova wasn't looking, knowing that if it were him, he'd be up as soon as she were out of the room.
"We'll get it done. I still have some contacts in Austria, we might be able to hide some of them there in the underground. Not likely to be noticed among -that- group."
He frowned worriedly as he watched Simon leave and then turned back to Nova and Marthinus.
"Well I suppose we've got work to do." He listened to Nova sentenced Marthinus to resting again. Chuckling, he said.
"Marty can help us make calls.....from bed."
He winked at Marthinus when Nova wasn't looking, knowing that if it were him, he'd be up as soon as she were out of the room.
Marthinus T. Steyn
18 years ago
Marthinus crossed his hands behind him and walked to the stairs leading to his bedroom, but more importantly, his office. 'We need to contact Jacob and have him bring his mother and family to your friends in Austria, Jan. He will know what to do on that end.'
Taking the steps he realized he felt good enough to double time them, but decided against it, not wishing to cause any undue excitement with his vampire shadows. 'The family has its own secrets, secrets Ellis didnt bother enough to care about. Her arrogance has made her sloppy in the recent years. I'm not even sure how many vampires she has out covering the family anymore.' He shrugged, reaching the top, passing his bedroom door.
'I suppose we will see.'
Taking the steps he realized he felt good enough to double time them, but decided against it, not wishing to cause any undue excitement with his vampire shadows. 'The family has its own secrets, secrets Ellis didnt bother enough to care about. Her arrogance has made her sloppy in the recent years. I'm not even sure how many vampires she has out covering the family anymore.' He shrugged, reaching the top, passing his bedroom door.
'I suppose we will see.'
Jan
18 years ago
Jan nodded to Marthinus and pulled out the cellphone from one of the many pockets that this particular pair of pants contained. Flopping down crosswise in one of the chairs, he threw his legs over one arm and leaned his head against the other.
Jan cast a sideways glance up at Marthinus and noted that the human went right past his bedroom and into his office. He smirked and looked back at his contact list.
Young vampire vs old human
He expected it to be an interesting match and he wasn't sure who he'd lay odds on.
"On it."
Jan put the phone to his ear and waited for someone on the other end to pick up.
Jan cast a sideways glance up at Marthinus and noted that the human went right past his bedroom and into his office. He smirked and looked back at his contact list.
Young vampire vs old human
He expected it to be an interesting match and he wasn't sure who he'd lay odds on.
"On it."
Jan put the phone to his ear and waited for someone on the other end to pick up.
Nova
18 years ago
Nova unclipped her yellow phone as she followed Marthinus upstairs, heading for his office with the intent of making a few calls of her own. She scowled as the CEO walked right past his bedroom. So it was like -that-, was it?
"Your -room- is that way."Â?
She gave a long suffering sigh as she remembered her own battles to get to work and not bother with taking care of herself and realized she wasn't the only one like that. Still, Marthinus shouldn't be pushing himself like this.
Compromise wasn't really something Nova did, but in this case it seemed the only way to go; she wasn't about to upset the poor guy by pitching a fit. Still, she moved with something near aggression as she opened the office door and picked up a large chair, moving across the room and lining it up with Marthinus's office chair.
"Feet. Up."Â?
That said, she flopped onto the floor, leaning against the side of Marthinus's desk, and twisted around to snatch a pen and paper.
"Your -room- is that way."Â?
She gave a long suffering sigh as she remembered her own battles to get to work and not bother with taking care of herself and realized she wasn't the only one like that. Still, Marthinus shouldn't be pushing himself like this.
Compromise wasn't really something Nova did, but in this case it seemed the only way to go; she wasn't about to upset the poor guy by pitching a fit. Still, she moved with something near aggression as she opened the office door and picked up a large chair, moving across the room and lining it up with Marthinus's office chair.
"Feet. Up."Â?
That said, she flopped onto the floor, leaning against the side of Marthinus's desk, and twisted around to snatch a pen and paper.
Marthinus T. Steyn
18 years ago
Marthinus did not argue with Nova when she brought the 2nd chair over for him. He sat and lifted his legs, watching her do her work. He could hear Jan on the phone downstairs making his arrangements. He sighed a little happier knowing that Simon had such good vampire children. A proud smile crossed his face thinking of the man who would be Elder.
He only wished the inevitable blood shed that would definitely follow wasn't necessary.
((ooc - nova, jan and marty out))
He only wished the inevitable blood shed that would definitely follow wasn't necessary.
((ooc - nova, jan and marty out))