I know Who I am...(invite only)

[Chaindog]

He was pleased that she walked with him. He heard the sigh and knew it had to be bad news. When she explained what happened he let a small sigh escape. He was the last of em all. Well technically he was dead as well. But that was for another time. Right now he was still trying to make sense of all this. He knew he couldn't do a DNA test as he wasn't living. He could always go to his friend Zodiac. He knew she could peer into his mind. Maybe that was the best bet. Make it look like he was under hypnosis as not to give away his kind. But even if he wasn't the father, this childe had no one else. Maybe he would just take her under his wing and teach her a few things. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Zodiac and Dulce as well.

"I need to see the both of you A.S.A.P. Meet me at work. I'm bringing a friend. Keep it under wraps."

He sent the text and leaned against a railing and looked at her with a way to break it to her.

"Tomi...I never drank and your mom didn't in the field as well. But...I have an idea. When me and her were held captive the enemy drugged me. Maybe something at that point happened. I don't remember. So what im going to do is have a few friends meet us at work. One of them will put me under hypnosis and try to open that part of my memory. That will explain more. I'm willing to give it a shot if you are?"

He looked at his phone and smiled when he got a reply back from Dulce. She had agreed to meet them. Now it was just the waiting bit to see if Tomi would agree to this as well.

[Dulce Periculum]

The text the blonde just replied to was quite odd. Chaindog was rarely asking her to meet anyone. In fact she couldn't remember a time he had asked her to do such a thing. She cleared the lobby of West Towers and stepped out into the balmy night air and gave a quick glance to the dark sky over head. It was calm which was disappointing. A good storm would always improve her overall mood. Wasting no time she progressed through the transit and as always she moved her with a lethal stride. The random second glance of a warm blooded face was met with an icy blue stare until it turned away or she was long gone. She was growing more cold and anti-social each night that passed. It didn't disappoint her but the lingering reminders of attempts still made irritated the hell out of her. Did she look like she wanted to make nice and share pleasantries with strangers?

The grind of loose gravel beneath sharp heels echoed as the back door to Zodiac's Honeymead shop went with the lethal allurists hand and opened. It had been awhile since she had stopped by. Too long in fact. Her own business had been far more demanding than she anticipated. That and chasing unruly toyols ate up more time than one could imagine. In any case she was going to be there anytime Chain called or text for anything. The fact they were meeting at Betty's shop made it more intriguing. Was the gypsy getting a surprise as well or did the woman know more than even she did about what had recently came up that involved secrecy? Zodiac knew most things before others did so it wouldn't surprise her. Only one way to find out what was up.

"Zo? Chain?" She called out as her body round the back and stepped into the main area of the shop. Her eyes swept over the product display cases in their search for activity.

[Zodiac]

"I need to see the both of you A.S.A.P. Meet me at work. I'm bringing a friend. Keep it under wraps."

"I didn't know you had any friends," she laughed softly in the back of her mind as she read the text. It was simply a reflex joke, nothing more. Since she met the man mountain Dulce had decided to turn, it was an interesting experience to say the least. Chain certainly made the perfect security guard. His presence alone gave most pause when they walked in the door. Most wondered if the gypsy was insane most nights, and employing this man was probably among their points of reference when the subject came up. Standing next to him, the casual observer would wonder how the girl even survived. He could easily have snapped her in half and stuffed the remains in his back pocket without breaking his stride, but usually he stood quietly looking like a boulder ready to fall on top of the gypsy as she signed her instructions to him. Jennifer once said she could see the pros of a guy like this as a security guard. All Zo had to do was stand behind one of his legs.

But in time she saw the side of him most would never know. He could be a total gentleman when the occasion called for it. Several times he sought out her councils and trusted her to divine his past and future. There was a good soul hiding inside that engine of destruction and she was privileged to have seen it. She was also wise enough to know he could be all business at times. Attending one of his 'training camps' told her that much. She remembered slapping him the first time he spoke to her in less than polite terms, resulting in her hand hurting for an hour or two and not much else. She had learned though, oh yes she had.

Her fingers danced over the keypad now.

Where else would I be but at work? A place you should be as well. : D . I look forward to meeting your friend and curious why you are bringing them to me.

She hit SEND and turned her attentions back to the brew she had been working on when she heard from below.

"Zo? Chain?"

"I'm upstairs, Gretta," she called out with her mind as she stirred the pot. "Chain hasn't arrived yet."

[Tomi]

“Wait what?! Captive? You and My Mom were prisoners of war?!” She squeaked out, aghast. Her mom never told her that. There had been nothing in the box of old papers that said anything about her mom being a prisoner of war! Why didn’t her mom tell her? What else was there about her mother that Tomi didn’t know?

You think you know someone, and all the the while there is this secret life that they kept from you past their dying day. Did her mom think it would scare her? Hell that would have been far more exciting to tell at ‘show and tell’ than her rock she found when her and her mom went emerald hunting. The guy swore up and down it was an emerald. But Tomi wasn’t stupid, it was an ugly piece of greenish white glass with tons of cracks in it. But if she could have told everyone in her class that her mom had been a prisoner of war.. well her life would have been so much better! She could have been in the ‘popular group’ instead of the ‘you’re even too lame for the lame group’ group. Why didn’t tell her?!

Tomi stewed for another moment on the ‘prisoner of war’ information before the word hypnosis sank in. “Hypnosis?” Tomi frowned, what would hypnosis prove? “You think you were so traumatized by sex with my Mom that you blacked it out of your mind?” She never even realized that those words came out of her mouth, as she was puzzling over this huge slab of muscle being traumatized by her tiny little mother? Louder she said “Sure I will go.. “

No sooner had the affirming words left her mouth, did she realized what the hell she had done. She had just agreed to go someplace alone with a complete stranger. Tomi swallowed nervously.

‘Oh my god. Have you seen him?’ She thought to herself as she gulped air ‘Biker dudes give this guy a wide berth. Police ignore him..they pretend he doesn’t exist, and you just agreed to go somewhere .. ALONE with him?! What were you thinking?!’ She suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. What did she really know about this guy? Other than the fact he might.. remotely .. be her biological father, that might want to get rid of the evidence of his indiscretion? He could be Canada’s most wanted serial killing cannibal rapist, and she just blithely agreed to go who knows where with him.

‘Think rabbit think… what else did he say, again?Think!’ Tomi gnawed on her lower lip, as she went back and tried to grab what he had said from her memory. He said ‘a few friends will meet him at work.’ She tried to pretend that she wasn’t the least bit upset, nervous, apprehensive, scared shitless. She failed. This guy was huge, hard as a rock, built like a tank.. what kind of job did he do? She didn’t didn’t know, she hadn’t asked him. He probably ran an incinerator for a mortuary. He could snap her like a twig and get rid of the evidence of her very existence in one fell swoop.

And who has friends that just happen to be ‘hypnotists’ anyway, unless..unless he was with the Circus? Yes he was the strongman and they were going to kidnap her and make her their circus slave! Oh dear lord, she hated the circus! She tried to appear nonchalant as she piped up, “So what is it you do for work, anyway.. God I hope it’s nothing to do with the Circus.. “ She cleared her throat, and then justified lamely, “I .. um.. really hate .. clowns. They creep me out.”

[Chaindog]

He couldn't help but laugh to himself as she talked about hating clowns. Something her mom even hated. He led them outside as he put on his sunglasses and proceeded to walk towards work. It was only a mile away so it wouldn't take long. All the while in his mind he kept trying to figure out how to do all this. Would Zo be able to make this work? How would Dulce react? What would he do if it was all true? He never tried to worry or over analyze things but this time he was failing. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"I work at a Curio shop of sorts as a security officer. Well not really a full curio shop but its got a lot of items you do not normally see. Now my friend Zodiac is a ...Seer of sorts. She can read cards, do the tea leaf thing and even some hypnosis. That is why I need to see her. As for your mom and the sex bit...We never did anything. I think I have said that a few times now. Now the other person is Dulce. She showed me around the city when I moved in. Introduced me to Zodiac and I got a job. It keeps me busy and I get to crack a few heads when we have a problem."

He figured that should just about cover it when they got to the shop. He walked in hoping she would follow as he called out.

"Zo...Dulce. Are you two around?"

He looked back to Tomi and smiled.

"Oh and watch out for Ginny. She is a feisty little thing."

[Dulce Periculum]

A few fingers unfastened the black button of the jacket that covered the lean frame of the female to the mid thigh. Upstairs the shop owner was to be found. A relaxed series of stepping carried her up to the second floor of Pandora's Box and searching for the gypsy who had created not just one but two of the most successful businesses single handed in Harper Rock. The dark veiled mystic had grown into a business mogul and the blonde allurist was never surprised at the success Zodiac had achieved. Few would be that had come into her presence. It was the womans goal since she first met her not long after arriving in Harper Rock hersel. It was not surprising Chaindog wanted this to be the spot they all met and now she had arrived. It made sense. Zodiac owned it, Chain worked there and it was easy enough for Dulce to get there on short notice.

"Looking nice, Zodiac." She called out as she stepped around the upstairs taking in the development since she was last in the shop. "You have been working hard as always."

Dulce leaned around a corner here and there peeking at what was new but not prying or making any attempts to be invasive. She was there to see what Chaindog was being so secretive about. It was not like him to be concerned about keeping things 'under wraps' in general. Her curiosity built up as she waited for either Zodiac or Chain to appear. She heard Chaindog's voice down below.

"Chain? I am upstairs. I think Betty is up here too." Now the reason they were called to meet hopefully wouldn't be too far off from being revealed. "Zo?"

[Zodiac]

She heard Dulce come up the stairs, but her attention now was sifting the potion she had made. Cheesecloth now pulled out the fragments of Elder flowers and peppermint leaves that had not cooked down. She did this several times until satisfied it was as clean as it could get, and then began to funnel the liquid into bottles. Each bottle had a few drops of honey added as she progressed along. Corks trapped the liquid within and printed instructions were slip tied with colored string around the necks of the bottles.

Another Pandora's Box Product
~Nanna's Fever Remedy~

Instructions:
Serve 'tea' warm. 15 seconds in conventional microwave or heat in saucepan

Take this in bed, well covered with blankets to retain the heat.
For severe colds and fevers, drink one pint as hot as possible, and remain in bed, well covered.
For children: one half to one cup.

After taking this remedy, stay in bed well covered for at least 12 hours to promote free perspiration.
Please note: This remedy is quite harmless and safe. It will induce perspiration 20 to 40 minutes after taking, and sometimes sooner. This will soothe you to sleep, and the perspiration will continue for several hours. Helping reduce fever by an average of 5 degrees within 2 hours.

If symptoms persist, repeat the following evening/bedtime.

Ingredients: Elder Flower, Peppermint Leaf, Distilled Water, Honey.

(note: those with known allergies to these ingredients should avoid using this product)

It was never too early to get the jump on cold and flu season. A simple holistic medicine her Nanna had taught her to make and sell in their travels. It and the other such brews she made did nothing for the vampire population of the town, but her mortal clients swore by the stuff and not one eye of newt required to make it. Not every thing she made had magickal properties to it but some claimed it was magic. Despite putting exactly what was in it on the label, some insisted it had to be her that made it work, so she made the stuff, took their money (not an outrageous price, but a price) and enjoyed the smiles she got in thanks (as well as their money).

Her thoughts were still on Chain and his odd request. Who was he bringing over? If it was Abelle, he would have sent her name. For a moment she had hoped the pair of them were coming to ask a special favor of her, but that obviously was not the case this evening. As she tied the last tag on, she pulled her phone from the apron pocket and texted her childer.

Where are you, you little hex on my life? Your 'big dog' is stopping by Pandy's with a surprise and I don't think it is you, so I suggest you get over here like-now.

She hit SEND as she heard Chain calling from below and Dulce answering him back. "If you would have looked around the right bit of partial wall in place, you would have found me, Gretta." she snorted as she appeared. She approached the taller woman as she undid her apron. "So, what or who ya think big boy brought us to play with?" She was curious now.

(OOC) in my childhood I was fed this stuff and it does work. A real potion! for the curious, go to: http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Me ... remedy.htm Yes, I had a 'Nanna' in my real life.

[Abelle Broussard]

“I’ll be fine Eun Ae” Belle nodded and rolled her eyes as she held the phone between her chin and shoulder. “Trying to get settled in is all” she told her cousin in Korean. She had desperately tried to get them to learn French, but it simply wasn’t happening. All for the best she supposed. After all she did so much enjoy learning about her culture and history. Langue included.

“Don’t waste all your money calling me. We’ll just write letters to save money” she couldn’t have the girl wasting all her funds on calling cards, just to call and check in on her cousin.

Eun Ae was quite the spirited young girl. Always full of life and energy, the complete opposite of Abelle, that would have rather been personal training with her grandfather. In the end she was thankful that she did study with family. It had given her a chance to understand and embrace the other half that always seemed missing.

“I love you too,” as she hung up, the Droid lit up again. This time with a text from Zo.

“Your little hex?” her eyebrow raised as she bit the corner of her lip. “I know I been gone for a while, but damn…a hex?”

“Be there shortly” she messaged back and rushed to put away a few more things and get ready to go out again.

One of a few things her cousins taught her, was how to be more of a lady. They helped her understand that a girl didn’t have to be a girly girl in order to be a lady. Aside from the torture they put her through with doing her nails and hair, treating her like a foreign doll with the ginger curls; she took away some really good habits.

“They better not laugh at me Eun Ae,” she mumbled under her breath, as she rubbed a light tint of pink lip moisturizer over her plump, heart shaped lips. Just that and a hint of blush on her cheeks, made a world of difference for the hidden beauty. Untangling her braid, that plated down her back nearly to her tailbone, she simply let the waves cascade over her shoulder.

She wondered what in the world her “big guy” had to talk about in such demand. Barely home a day and already the excitement of the big city sucked her back in, but this time she brought a new weapon with her.

Patience.

It had never been her strongest characteristic and she had no problem admitting it, but it didn’t get her far in training with her grandfather. He broke that spirit nearly within the first week she was there, and she never felt the same since. Through meditation and discipline she was able to channel those old feelings and watch them blossom into something new. Smiling a little to herself, she slipped on her sneakers and fastened her belt on the new jeans she had acquired the last day in Korea. Sueol had to be by far the most amazing city she had ever seen. So much to see and do and so little time.

Locking up behind her, she made her way to Honeymead station and headed to Zo’s s shop. Anticipation crept up on her and started settling into a pit of impatience. “I promised I would try,” biting down on her lip again, she shook herself out and walked in through the front doors.

“Your little hex is here” she called out as she took the back way in and sprang up the set of stairs,

“Hello, hello” she shouted out as she heard Zo and what sounded like Dulce talking. Dulce was Chain’s maker and Zo was Chain’s employer, she thought to herself, trying to put the pieces together. Coming around the partial wall, she slid in with a gentle smile.

“What’s going on” approaching the two women she nodded in respect to Dulce and leaned in to give Zo a kiss on her cheek.

[Tomi]

“A curio shop?” Tomi repeated like a parrot. Then she heard ‘security’. He was kidding right?! Why the hell would a curio shop need security? They thought someone might abscond with grandma’s broken china? Not likely.

Tomi gave Thomas a wary look and counted how many steps it would take to bolt out of the curio shop door. In fact, she made damn sure there was no one between her and said escape route. She was only half listening to him, as she was looking around with eagle eyes at items she could use to mount a defensive retreat. She wasn’t really listening until his said ‘Oh and watch out for Ginny. She is a feisty little thing.’

“Ginny? Who is she?” Tomi pictured a feisty murderous child raised by gypsies and fed by the blood of their captured slaves. “Well Ginny just better look out for me!” She intoned stubbornly. She could take a child. Hell yes she could. Snap! She would take Ginny hostage, She grinned, and then thought, if need be of course. Only if she were threatened of course, she nodded to herself. Tomi wasn’t one for wanton violence. Heavens no! Not really. She may enjoy watching it on television, or in the movies.. but.. actually partake. No.. that wasn’t her. She wasn’t strong enough, she sighed grimly.

Tomi heard voices upstairs. She looked up stairs and then at Thomas, at which point she swallowed nervously, and then she looked at the exit. Her brave exit strategy would be blown to hell if they went upstairs. Impulsively She grabbed Thomas arm. “We aren't going up there are we?”

Tomi quickly let go when she realized what she had done, mumbling a barely audible “Sorry..” She could bolt right now and be fine. Except. Except .. she would never see her father.. or the man that her mom ‘said’ was her father, ever again. Because how would that conversation go?

The proposed scene played out in her head, an angry Thomas railing at her, “You ran away..now you want to see me again? Why? So you can run away again?”
Tomi: “You don’t understand, I was scared.. and alone.. and I thought..”
Thomas: “You thought I would hurt you?! And You ran away.. what changed? Hmm?”
Tomi: “I want to know you…”
Thomas: “Oh really.”
Tomi: “I know it seems bad.. but .. You’re huge and scary!”
Thomas unimpressed: “And now I am not?”
Tomi: “God no.. you’re more scary! - Oh **** I didn’t meant that!”

Tomi shook her head, ridding herself of the horrible scene. No. It was clear. She had to stick this out. She rubbed her sweaty hands on her slacks. “Oh god.. I am so nervous…”

[Chaindog]

He made his way towards the stairs and nodded. He knew that's where Zodiac and Dulce would be. Her private area that he had been to a few times. When she asked about Ginny he seen the cat come down the stairs and hiss a tad. He stuck out his hand and let her smell it, then rubbed her gently.

"This is Ginny. Zodiac's cat. She is feisty so please..Be careful. As for going up, yes we have too. You have nothing to worry about. They will help out any way they can. And this is something I need to do. I need to know what happened during that time period."

He proceeded up the stairs when he heard another voice. It was Abelle. He was a bit shocked when he heard her since she had up and vanished over a month ago. He would deal with her on that matter at another place and time. He got to the top and called out before coming in and looked back at Tomi.

"Just be yourself OK. Everything will be figured out by nights end."

He walked into the office and seen Zo and Dulce already sitting down waiting for them. He moved his eyes to the side to let them know that his friend was behind him still out of view. He then looked to Zo and had hoped she would be able to pick up on his thoughts letting her know that this person was a mortal and she knew nothing at this time.

"Zodiac, Dulce...I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice. Tomi will be right in. I think Ginny is still sniffing her out. I hope she doesn't get hurt by your pet dear."