Xx-Hogtie: Invite-Xx

[Elizabeth]

She was in the caverns like any other night...keeping to herself. Since her return from the accursed realms, Elizabeth could be found there, if anyone was bothering to look for her. Not that many, or any where. It could be months before anyone spoke to her-minus her husband. In reality, if they did not need her to add the new ones to the forum, Elizabeth knew not a single soul would seek her out. She now knew why so many elders slept or had disappeared in some capacity or another. They were a dying breed; the elders. This time was owned by the modern ones and the triumph and shortcomings would be theirs to own as well. Perhaps those of the modern second and third generations will repeat the history they once lived and in time...they too will be nothing more than ghosts of a different time.

Once upon a time, Elizabeth would have snuck into the minds of those she sired and those her husband had sired...but what was the point anymore? They were all practically strangers and anything the woman attempted to do was either ignored, or seemed displeasing to those she considered family. Those she thought considered her family.

It was not unusual to get an inspire; or good thought passed her way from a couple of her childre, or her husband-and each time that occured, Elizabeth knew who was sending her positive thoughts for the night. However, this individual rarely was around and when they were they did they spoke not a single word to her. Just let the woman know they were here. It was infuriating and rude in the Telepath’s mind.

This had been the third occurrence in about three months and she was going to get answers to a lot of questions that were within Elizabeth’s mind. Primarily, what was this person’s agenda or end goal? What were they wanting, if anything and how long were they planning on staying around, or was this just some odd fluke?

Elizabeth moved to a small ‘L’ shaped passage in the caverns that hosted different species galore and hidden gems or all sorts before summoning him to her. Elizabeth wasn’t positive if it would work, and very well might not work, but she would find out soon enough. With him, Elizabeth had to act sooner than later, because it might very well be another month before she knew he was within the city again. Without any further haste, Elizabeth demanded his presence in front of her with the mystic power that would draw him to her before he knew what was going on and would be met face to face with his sire.

There was a small, subtle smile on Elizabeth’s features when the dark haired male stood in front of her. “Now, we do not have to communicate through evasive means. It is much better to speak, as to not get the wrong message or impression about the other, is it not?” Elizabeth looked at the male that was much taller than she, hands laced behind her back as she rocked front to back on the balls of her feet, staring up at her childe. “How are your wolves?” She inquired with her head tipped to the left.

[Jacob Regan]

The night like so many other nights before started with a sigh. Deep and slow he breathed in the dank stale air of the catacombs which he now haunted. Breath, something most have forgotten to do it seemed. Perhaps it was the animal part of his nature that kept up with the practice. A simple thing to draw a breath and yet he could understand why so many of those that dwelled within this city forgot to do it. It seemed that in this life just like the one before it was easy to forget and be forgotten. He didn't mind, time was the only constant he could rely on.

Stretching he stood up and dusted off his clothes. The old leather of his coat groaned in protest, the sound as familiar as a lovers whisper in his ear. He smiled at the thought, she was still asleep he could tell. A slight pang twisted somewhere deep inside. Perhaps one of these nights he would seek to rouse her from slumber, perhaps just to see her eyes or kiss her lips.
That would not happen tonight though, perhaps tomorrow night.

A tingling sensation caused his brow to furrow. He knew this most intimate violation of will and he was quite certain he knew who was causing it too. Bracing himself against the slight sickening feeling of being weightless and formless he shivered against the soul touching cold that seemed to grip hold of him. It felt like an eternity moved by in the blink of an eye. His mouth twisted at the corner with curiosity.

She materialized in front of him as his vision cleared from the sightless void through which she had pulled him. Her voice came to him as from a far and all at once clarity slammed back into him. Her first statement made him smile, still the same as always. Perhaps she like time was a constant too. He watched her movements, the slight smile she wore as she rocked back and forth. Perhaps not.
Elizabeth's question caused another pang though his features betrayed not a hint. His gaze traveled down to her feet as he assessed her well being.

Satisfied that she seemed in good health his eyes met hers once more.
"You seem well Mother." Jacob countered and for the first time since he was brought here he took a minute to look at his surroundings. It smelled earthy, a little dampness to the air and there were some scents he couldn't quite place. "Interesting choice of meeting place."

[Elizabeth]

The blonde woman looked around the caverns as Jacob said his hellos and in a roundabout way, tried to pry from the woman, the location in which he was summoned to. "Yes, I suppose it can be interesting. Mayhaps." Elizabeth didn't find the place all that interesting-she just found it to be a useful place to attain jewels a plenty for a quick sale to line her pockets that much more. "But, I thought it may be interesting to thee, since you have missed a few things while you slept. Or were away. Whichever of the two." Her smile faltered for just a minute, thinking on how he called her 'mother.' Elizabeth remembered some things about Jacob, but there were still some gapes in her memory. Or an absence. Much like Shamus...he was there and then gone for a year or longer.

"These are the caverns...I think the men and women in here are more of a challenge for you and would suit thee better than the...mausoleum is it?" She had seen him down there once or twice before in the past few months...she herself collecting bones for rituals. "There is a castle here. In the city. Not far from the Noble mansion. Do you remember it? The Mansion, that is." Her head tilted to the other side as she observed the male in front of her. "Come walk with me?" Elizabeth asked, but did not wait for an answer before heading to the bigger part of the caverns, where the 'L' shape met a square shaped space near the entrance of the caverns. If Jacob followed..that would be wonderful, but if he did not...it would mean nothing different to Elizabeth. She would continue on with her gem collecting and leave when her bag was over filled with various stones.

[Jacob Regan]

The way in which she spoke and moved was a familiar pain that he did not shy from. There was much history between them, from even before he came here to this city to seek her out. A plutonic friendship founded on what was at the time mutual interest, staying alive. Over the years though, like the night they met he would notice subtle changes in her that seemed to be reoccurring, before he left them the last time those changes had been pronounced to the point that he almost didn't recognize the woman at the time.
He was looking for them now, but she seemed herself. For the most part.
"Both." Jacob said in answer to her comment of him being away or in slumber.

When she answered the question of where they were he was left wanting in detail, but that was just another old familiarity that he found he missed about her.
"The Catacombs." He corrected her smoothly, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes.
Her next words took him a little by surprise and then stirred an even older, deeper and much darker pain. His eyes flashed to the feral gold of the wolf's for just an instant before he gained control of it and forced it into submission.
"I remember." Jacob retained his calm, this however did not surprise him.
Following her beckon he walked with her through the unfamiliar caverns.

His eyes followed her movements, his senses tracking her every passing move. As they walked he realized that he was indeed fixating on something he couldn't quite pin down. After a moment of contemplating it he broke the silence that had fallen between them. Or perhaps she'd been speaking to him and he hadn't heard. Whichever was the case didn't matter to him right then.
"How are you doing Mother?" He asked, the concern in his voice real. Quickly he followed up on his words. "The last time we spoke before we lost touch..." His words trailed, that was perhaps the best way to describe it. "...you didn't seem quite yourself."
Perhaps she didn't even remember that, who could tell. A lot have happened since then and a lot of time had passed too.

[Elizabeth]

"Indeed the catacombs." Elizabeth nodded her head, though she did not see the building as two separate entities-merely as one. But, not wishing to argue over technicalities, Elizabeth just agreed with her childe. There were far more important things to discuss and potentially argue over, than that of a location. His answer about the mansion was short and to the point and had her interested in why that was. Elizabeth did not pry, instead she simply nodded her head. If people wished to expand on their thoughts...they would. If not, then that was their right and business.

While they walked, Elizabeth would pick up a gem and pass it to Jacob. "I think this place is a trap of sorts. Between you and I. It houses beautiful things-but very powerful and dangerous things as well." The blonde haired woman would point to the gem that had been passed to Jacob from her. "Which time was that, Jacob?" Elizabeth asked plainly, eyes back on her childe and not on the gems or the creatures in the caverns. Elizabeth then laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose the exact time and date, matters not...no?" The woman thought about the times people claimed she was not quite herself...as if adapting, or losing parts of her memories was a negative thing. As if she were not allowed to adapt to these modern times.

"Something happened once...A couple things happened once. Last year." Elizabeth admitted both calmly and quietly. "There were men, experiments. It affected me for some time. Months, but not too long, I suppose. What are months to centuries, yes?" Elizabeth lifted her shoulders into a shrug and then looked past the pair of them. "There were things that made naught sense and things that transpired before and after that incident..." Elizabeth was not going to go into details about such things, but she remembered the absence of certain people and the pain in which it brought her. "Chickory is back as well. What coincidental timing...if only..." Elizabeth did not finish the thoughts that had haunted her for months now about some of her other childre...primarily his sister Roan..."If only things were as they were but a handful of years ago." Elizabeth concluded slowly, her eyes back on her childe. "Tell me what you have been doing these past few years, Jacob Regan." She was interested for two reasons....how life had been for the male and what would keep him away from his family for so long.

[Jacob Regan]

Jacob listened quietly to her speak as she told him of things that in truth made little sense to him. He wanted to ask what men, what experiments but he refrained from doing just that. It was last year, in the past and no use now to drag up old skeletons. Instead he kept pace with her offering what he hoped would be the comfort of his company. She seemed well if a little wayward, but well none the less. The memory of their meeting made the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile, he sometimes missed that woman. But then again he sometimes missed the man he had been, he had had a purpose even if it was a morbid one for revenge. She'd seemed so sure of herself despite he predicament, a woman of action. Perhaps they'd been what the other had needed at the time.
The past, it was all in the past.

Her question made him jerk back to the moment and he frowned in thought. What had he been up to, too much tell and too insignificant to bother her with, but she'd asked.
"Not all that interesting a tale to tell Liz," he smiled and picked up a dusty rock that hid flames of deep winter green. "I've been about, here and there." His story was almost ridiculous in fact, in fact it was and he would rather just leave it behind him and move on. "I guess you can say I was on a journey of self discovery and like you said what are months to those who have centuries."

The rock in his fingers seemed warm to his touch and he sighed. The embers of green made him ache in ways his mind was unwilling to admit too. Soft waves of coppery reds and velvet skin. Jacob shook himself and breathed deep of the dank underground air. "What have you been up to?"

[Elizabeth]

The woman listened to her childe as he talked and watched the way he handled himself as he spoke. Here and there could be anywhere and yet everywhere. Had he left the city? Did he find something new there? Something different and maybe even slightly better? The woman frowned at those internal thoughts before listening to what he had to say, not interrupting anything while she just listened. This was their problem before; the woman believing she knew everything simply because she was older, but now she knew the times had changed and that was not true.

Self discovery. The woman nodded her head, knowing all too well what that was like. She had been there before within the last year, only for different reasons. "And will you stay this time, or are you leaving once again? Have you found yourself, or who you think you are destined to be?" The woman canted her head in his direction, peering over at the rock he had in his possession.

"Me?" She asked, surprised that he was focused on her, but should she really be? They had always had a bond, and concern over the other, even if things were going terribly. "I suppose I could say I have been doing my own journey of self-discovery. Though, I am not positive if who I was, was better, or worse than who I am now and transforming out to be. It was then a thought cropped into the woman's mind, knowing that if anyone knew her as well as she used to know herself, that it was her childe, Jacob Regan. One of her eldest of childre.

"What do you think? Pray tell, am I who I once was and who you once remember, or am I evolved, for lack of words?" Elizabeth looked at him with an amused smile upon her features before reaching a hand out to the rock and grabbing it from her childe. Her eyes bore down at the rock and its colouring before they returned to the male at her side. "They say I am close to the same, but then again, I know there are things that are not the same. It is as if there are memories that I cannot validate or verify, or subjects in which people wish to not broach or mention. I wonder why that is. Tell me about the woman you once knew and then I will tell you if she is the same, if you may?"

[Jacob Regan]

Her questions sat uneasy in the pit of his stomach and he wasn't sure how to answer them. It wasn't the questions themselves that bothered him though, it was rather that thy were causing him to question more. Finally he decided on just the simple truth before he would pry or try to anyway.
"I might stay for a while longer this time. As for finding myself, I don't rightly know the answer to that but I intend to find out."

Jacob listened to his sire as she spoke of her own journey and as she spoke her words only caused the uneasy concern he was already feeling to intensify. There was a lot more to this, to her then met the eye and he wasn't sure he had the right anymore to impose himself in it and try to help. Trying to help had been the whole cause for his own personal hell and perhaps the only good thing that had come out of that was his bonding to Cagey.
Keeping his thoughts to himself for the moment he let her finish because he felt she had more to say, the act of her grabbing the emerald he held made him smile even if the smile was mournful. 'What happened to you mother,' the thought was fleeting but the implications lingered heavily.

"I think you've changed, how much I am not yet sure. For better or worse, I'm still your childe Liz." He took her hand and folded her fingers closed over the rock and in his hands. "What they say I can not confirm nor dispute, but if you want I'll help you find what you think you've lost." His smile was gentle, warm. He was concerned for her, perhaps he always would be.
"The woman I remember was strong and sure. She had her flaws, but that never seemed to stop or slow her down. She had courage even in the face or fear and did what she thought was best and right for the occasion..."

Jacob turned his gaze into the gloom of the caverns and took a deep slow breath. "The same or not you are still Elizabeth, but yes something does seem to have changed. I guess if it is for better or worse is up to you."

[Elizabeth]

It was nice sitting here, talking with one of her childre. The last person she did that with, had been her chicory, which had been some weeks prior. And though her and Shamus spoke often and she enjoyed their many various conversations, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder how each and every one of her childre were doing. She knew the physical state of each of her childre, but not so much the emotional state of each of them. Cosi had his Athena, so Elizabeth presumed he was content and happy. Lisa was as she always was, slinking into the shadows and out of them every once in a while. Vincent-nothing had changed there on the front of one of her newest and youngest childre, Regan had been the biggest conundrum of them all, flittering in and out of the city, and Roan...well, dear Roan was more lost than Elizabeth or any of her other childre.

She looked down at her hand in Regan's and then leaned against him a little. "How will you go about finding such a thing?" She looked at him from the side once again before shifting her attention to in front of them where there were a person walked past them without a care in the world about what they were conversing about. "I do hope you stay a while." She would be the first to be blunt and honest, since he seemed to be undecided about what it is he wanted to do. Maybe with hearing what it was she wanted, he would stay. "I do not believe many feel the same way about me, as you do. Myk, Temperance's childre may." She commented idly, smiling again as she thought about the eccentric Myk. The man she adored for his wisdom and whimsical personality.

"Mayhaps we can help the other, in finding what it is that may have been lost, or help them in remembering the person they once were." The woman suggested as her eyes landed on an old rusty blade that she couldn't and wouldn't be bothered with acknowledging or spending the energy to collect for some petty cash.