[Citanul]

While it may have seemed silly to anyone else, Tremere was happy to bring his family to the beach. The overcast skies and soft waters would be good for the pups. He felt like they needed a little bit of time to be pups - even he and Spardia had that when they were young. Besides... It was an opportunity to treat Spardia to some sea-side delights.

"Don't venture too far!" Tremere warned, walking to the edge of the water and scooping up one of his daughters in his arms, bouncing her gently. "We'll have lunch in a little while, okay?"

"Okay daddy!" The chorus of voices rang out as they ran and played happily in the water.



While they were just developing personalities, Tremere had a good feeling about them. All of the pups were certainly growing fast.

[Kallile]

{Spardia – Human Form}

Spardia walked along behind the small family she had brought into the world with a gentle smile on her face.

Of course, the thought that there would be gentleness oozing from the blood mage was far from the truth. Spardia was very much still a dangerous fledgling in her magical art and her temper was not tempered by the fact that she had entered into motherhood. In fact even now her temper was just beginning to stir as the small family walked through Jawan.

She was understanding, of course, that Tremere wanted to spend as much time with his young children as he could without actually raising them. So the fact that she now watched the three youngsters running ahead with their father did not bother her. The fact that they were here with her in tow was something that bothered her to some level. She wanted no commitment to Tremere; the children were essentially a business transaction. They were far from a mated pair.

But her thoughts drifted as she watched her only son dance closer to and then away from the waves that crept up over the sands. He looked so much like her—it made her black heart weep to watch him. How she desired to hold and protect him from all the evils of the world that she had not been protected from…

“We will need to stop and get them cleaned up before eating; we don’t need them eating the sand they’ll end up wearing.” She remarked with a small smile as the girls sat to begin building a castle in the damp sand.

“They have already grown so much…soon they will start showing their talents.” Again her eyes flickered to her son. Please, Gaia, let him have a gift. She couldn’t bear to watch him live as she had.

[Citanul]

Knowing that Spardia was far from stable, Tremere was doing his best to just keep everyone calm and happy. The outing with the pups was his idea - he knew Spardia didn't have to come, but it would do well for them to have both of them around for a little while. She needed a break as well. This day-trip would give her some time to relax. The ocean was a good place to relax.

"Oh, I know. There are some showers just over by the road." He gestured to them, chuckling gently as he picked up a pink shell and handed it to his daughters for the top of their 'castle'.

"Ooooh. So shiny, daddy!" The paler girl giggled and put it ontop, grabbing a few other shells and giving them to her sister. They played rather well, though it seemed their little brother was often left out.

He didn't seem to mind however, giggling and sitting in the surf in his little shorts, splashing the water. He was just as happy on his own, though on occasion did  come to his mother for a little bit of a cuddle.

"We can hope so. I'd like to see what sort of talents they develop."

[Kallile]

The woman was far from ungrateful—simply silent worries that a family in many senses of the word would be what they were destined for if many more trips like this occurred. If they lost the edge; if power between them became equal and they became sated…then they would lose everything. What made them a force to be reckoned with was their joined instability—their common need to use one another to an advantage. That was what made them a powerful couple. They could not be that if things such as marriage or even living together became a topic.

But for her young children who still so needed both parents influences in their lives; she would let days like today slide and try not to show too much of her growing worry. She was even dressed a little differently; a black one piece bathing suit clung to her body with one large section of the middle missing on each side so only a thin bar of fabric connected top and bottom. The rest of her was shrouded in a sheer crimson sarong that was drapped over her left shoulder and flowed gracefully around her sandal-bearing feet. “Good, we wouldn’t want to make…too much of a scene.”

She snickered a little—oh how the masses would flee if they should share a meal the way they had the first time they met.

Hexia’s ice blue eyes lit up as Tremere handed Eden the pink shell. She too began to search for equally pretty shells and trilled with glee when her sister handed her some very shiny ones. She leaned forward, minding the edges of the castle. She decorated her side with the shells before plopping herself back on her rump to admire her work. And then a brilliant idea struck her.

“We need a mote! Wif alligators an’ sharks!” She declared. Hey, that’s what all princess castle had, right? Unicorns on the inside and big scary things with lots of teeth on the outside. Even in her wide smile her tiny fang tips were beginning to become more prominent. Though that did not phase Spardia much—her canines were a little more pronounced than a normal persons just because of her lineage.

Spardia smiled at her tiny engineers before looking to the breaking waves for her son. “Atticus, wouldn’t you like to help the girls build a mote for their castle?”

“Yeah Atti—you can be the shark!” Hexia chimed in with a giggle.

[Citanul]

For Tremere it wasn't an issue. Their need for one another certainly wouldn't be doused, nor comfortable, not from a few outings with the pups. They needed to enjoy being children for maybe a few months longer before training began. And at that point, his visits would become infrequent. If Spardia needed his help, or the children, he would be there. Of course she was a force to be reckoned with, but when it came to the subtleties of hunting, or feeding without draining the entire lifeforce, she would need help teaching them.

"Mmm. Yes, that may be too much for anyone to handle right now." He chuckled softly, adjusting the band on his swim trunks to sit a bit higher on his waist. Of course his pale body was a sight - not overly muscular, enough tone to know he took care of himself. It was quite misleading, for his strength augmented by his vampiric abilities meant he was much stronger than anyone would give him credit for.

"And snakes!" Eden chimed in, giggling as she helped her sister dig out a somewhat lopsided circle around their castle. Her teeth seemed to be much slower coming in, but were still rather sharp in nature. She was quieter than her sister, but many times had been caught manipulating a situation to her advatage - crying on cue, or easily fleeing the scene of something broken. Seems she took after dear Grandmother Lysa and a little bit of Tremere.

Atticus walked over after a few moments, surveying everything with a stern look on his face. "I won' fit inna moat like that!"

Tremere couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, but Atticus, you could draw one around the castle, couldn't you?"

Suddenly the boy's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically as he began to do that with his fingers, drawing a shark in the sand.

[Kallile]

Oh, Spardia would certainly rely on her baby-daddy once the children went into proper training. For now things were light and fun, but very soon all that would begin to change as their personalities solidified and they began to express their talents and skills.

Hexia giggled at Eden and Atticus both as they both gave their inputs. She seemed to be the happiest child—but found particular glee in making her brother have second thoughts. A button-pusher, some might say—not at all a far cry from her grandfather Caine or her mother in many respects. Although there was something different about the black-haired little girl that Spardia just could not put her finger on…

“I sent word to Malkov to come and meet us here. I have left him in the dark long enough—it is time that he meets his first nieces and nephew.” Of course, she did hope Tremere didn’t mind.. .but then she saw something she knew they would both mind.

Taboo (Human Form)

Just over the next sand dune she could see a very familiar suit lurking around. It was a hard suit to miss—large and white it was in every sense of the word a biohazard suit with reverse purpose. Taboo had followed them? The scientist was hard pressed to be found outside of his lab on most day.

But lately Spardia had been noticing him hanging around more—all geared up so he did not infect her children. It was very unlike him and smelled of betrayal.

“My darling, I do think we have a peeping tom. Why don’t we invite him over so he doesn’t peep any longer?” Her eyes were fixed on him and her voice venomous. Taboo knew better than to cross her—his blood could be the true biological weapon of mass destruction the world fears and all she needed was a cut and a bit of sadism on her side to make it happen. But she would let Tremere play the part of protective father for the moment. She would teach her children the importance of patience…at least long enough to let the ill-fated speak before meeting Gaia herself.

[Citanul]

It didn't help that Atticus generally thought before he reacted. There were times though... When irritated, he would just snap a bit - seems he might have some of his grandmother's temper in him when it came down to it. He was happy to be included however, digging up part of the moat before he began to draw sharks and crocodiles around it.

"Of course. He should be the first to know of them." Tremere agreed. If Spardia wanted the pups to be a secret as long a possible she would need her brother's support. He would be the most likely to keep them under wraps - any of the other siblings would be likely to blab.

A brow quirked before Tremere scanned the horizon to see their intruder. He didn't know who this one was, but he would take care of it. "Of course dear." He patted Atticus' head before going over to Taboo, towering over him with a rather menacing grin. "Now, now. Why are you peeping? My family doesn't need to live in fear. Now, come join us." He picked him up by the suit and put him onto his feet, walking him over to them.

[Kallile]

Hexia cast a wry eye over to her only brother and grinned before beginning to draw little snake squiggles amongst his other bits of sandy artwork. “Don’t forget the snakes!” Oh course, her little heart really wanted to be filling in the mote that he has digging…but that would just make more work for she and Eden. Though her charms were far from developed, Spardia had a feeling she was going to be highly spirited in just a short while and hard to get a handle on. She would have to start her training early.

“Oh course if his arrival interferes with your lunch plans we will meet again elsewhere…but we frequented Jawan enough in our youth that my family would not think to follow him here. Malkov is as familiar here as the others are with the Slums.” She watched Tremere go off to collect the offender, and in the meantime Spardia turned back to building the castle with her children.

Taboo was rethinking this idea the instant he saw the vampire begin approaching him. Oh no…oh no no no this was bad. There was nothing in this little agreement that gave him immunity from the family in question and when the father began approaching to protect his flock…the scientist was frozen in fear. About the time he collected him wits was about the time Tremere had him by the collar to drag him with amazing ease back towards the family.

“Taboo…to what do we owe the intrusion?” Spardia hissed as they neared, not looking away from the tower she was carefully molding together with Eden. At the mention of his name Hexia’s head popped up from behind Atticus’s with a grin. Oh, mother was getting angry. Mother was so funny when she was angry!

“I…Inoculations. T-the children haven’t finished all their inoculations and we aren’t…aren’t sure that they are all safe with their genetics alone! I-I’m just monitoring to be sure…for their safety…”

[Citanul]

"Snakes don' live in tha water." Atticus mumbled - but he didn't argue with his sister, instead just going along with it. While he didn't like to argue he would if something he felt strongly about was opposed; and then, he and Hexia seemed to be at odds. And with Eden siding with her sister... It sometimes made Atticus even more singled out.

"Oh no, of course not sweetheart. What's two more guests at our luncheon?" Tremere chuckled as he dragged Taboo over, though left him a little ways from where his brood was playing.

Eden was busy making a spiked barricade around the castle when Taboo approached. She seemed curious, smiling lightly and moving closer to her mother. "What's an innoculation?" She asked, watching this new person with intrigue. Mother and father must know him, to invite him to lunch.



It was now that Malkov made his entrance. If most didn't know any better they might believe it was Caine himself; he was the one who looked most like their father, though the paleness of his eyes and the jet-black hair belied who he truly was. A soft smile seemed to light his whole demeanor as he approached his family, pulling his hands from his pockets.

"Spardia, Tremere. It is good to see you again. You spoke of news, in your letter?"

[Kallile]

Hexia stuck her tongue out in response and kept right on drawing her little squiggly lines with forked tongues on one end. “Fine then, they’re eels.” She retorted. Stupid brother, it was their castle—he didn’t have to play.  She would quickly find her mother’s hand resting gently against her back.  

“Now now, this is a fantasy castle, isn’t it my darlings? There can be anything you want there to be…without giving your brother lip.” Her tone was not angry but firm as Hexia lifted her eyes completely skyward to look at her mother upside down. As soon as the girl gave a sheepish smile and went back to her work Spardia scooted herself closer to Atticus. Running a hand over his back she gave him a warm smile. “My little man, you are so smart.” She whispered softly to him so the girls would not be able to hear the slight tone of favoritism in her voice.

Spardia made a face at Taboo—his face mostly obscured from view by the visor. “Even if one were to become ill their father’s blood would heal them. Do not take me for a fool.” Her tone did a 180 as she turned to smile at Eden. “They are shots, dear, meant to keep you safe from being sick. But there won’t be any shots today—today is much too special for that.”

The familiar voice that drifted towards them was met with Spardia quickly rising from her spot (mindful of the children and their castle, of course) and in a swift walk to meet and embrace her brother. “Malkov—it was been too long my dearest one. And yes, there is a great deal of news…” Her gaze feel to Tremere—one final glance before revealing what they had to share. Stepping to the side she gestured towards the small trio playing around their castle.

“Malkov, please come and meet your nieces and nephew.”

Taboo felt as if he could simply melt into a puddle at her words. He was dead…he was so dead. Nothing mattered now—if he told them the real reason he was here Spardia would kill him…or Lysa. He wasn’t really sure. And if he stayed and tried to keep lying…wait, brother?

The young scientists eyes went wide and his face white as he lowered the UV protection on his visor. Oh dear Gaia…a blood mage, two vampires, and three little unknowns. He was all alone in a pit of supernaturals and right now he was the enemy. That usually only meant one thing—he was target practice for the kids. Spardia was going to drain him and feed some of him to her man and her brother…they were going to teach the young ones how to feed using him…they were going to poison the entire eatery….

He clamped his eyes shut for a minute as all the possible outcomes continued to swirl with maddening speed through his head. “I…I don’t feel so well…might I just go home?” He mumbled to Tremere in hopes of some mercy.

[Citanul]

Atticus wrinkled his nose at his sister. He was about to say something before his mother praised him. He looked up to her with a little smile, carefully daring to climb into her lap and snuggle against her for a few moments. Neither parent was particularly physically affectionate, but on occasion he liked the contact. Besides - he wasn't so sure about this new person in the suit watching wearily.

Eden smiled happily, giggling a little. "Eels don't have tongues!" She teased her sister, but drew them the same way before looking to Taboo, rather curiously. "Good. I don't like shots. But daddy will keep us from being sick, right?"

Unable to help his soft smile, Tremere gently stroked Eden's soft hair from her cheek. "Of course my little beauty, I'll always keep you safe." Glancing back to Taboo he watched him for just a few moments. This man held no threat to his family, but he wanted to keep him to find out why he was here. "Mmm. Well, we are going to have some lunch. There is no better cure for what ails you than a fresh lobster roll, stay with us. You aid you were watching the children anyway, see that we are taking good care of them."

The gentle embrace was returned as Malkov smiled. "It's so good to see you, Spardia." His gaze turned to the little ones, obvious surprise as he chuckled. "And you were the last one I'd suspect... It is happy news though." He moved to kneel with the little ones around the castle, trying not to seem too intimidating.

"Good morning little ones... I'm your Uncle Malkov."

[Kallile]

Hexia only glanced over to her sister and giggled a little before making little squiggly lines of fire sprout from around the forked tongues she was drawing. ”Well they can have tongues if they breathe fire, mom said!” She wrinkled her nose at the very mention of the word “shots”. ”I don’t like them either…why is the mean shot giver coming to lunch with us?” She whined although it was no real concern of hers. She could care less if he was or wasn’t there but she was certainly going to raise a fuss about it in the meantime.

Taboo on the other hand was very concerned about being  with this particular family all day. He shouldn’t have come out here at all and he was seriously starting to doubt the worth of this mystical element that Lysandroth had promised him in return for chances to catch glimpses of her grandchildren. And if more of Caine’s lineage were going to start coming out of the woodwork…he was certain they could smell his disease on him and the power they might obtain from it. Spardia certainly had. “I-If you really insist, then it would just be rude not to accept.”

He did not want to make Tremere angry; not when family was so close by and the man might feel the need to protect his offspring.

Releasing her brother to allow him a closer look at her young, Spardia took a moment to beam proudly. “I was the last I suspected as well…but all things have a price they can be won over for.” She paced back towards Tremere, giving Atticus a loving ruffle of his hair and Taboo a glare as she walked. “And please excuse our…guest. He was an unexpected addition.” With that she gave a man an elbow to the ribs and he quickly sputtered out his name.

“Taboo, sir. So sorry to interrupt your family reunion…”

Hexia sat up to look at Malkov better—her little blue eyes drifting over him several times before giving an approving smile. ”You kinda look like mommy.” She finally said with a giggle. There was a parental throat clearing from behind her and with a little hop she quickly remedied her wrongs. ”I’m Hexia, Uncle Malkov.”

[Citanul]

Tremere gave a smile at his children before looking back to Taboo. "Well, it would be rude not to take him, since he isn't giving you shots. We have to discuss why he chose to spy on us today." He explained - his children were intelligent enough to now why. They knew that there were people out there that might hurt them, and that was why their parents kept them close.

Malkov merely smiled. Today was going to turn out to be a good day... He had missed his sister dearly, and his nieces and nephew? They were the most precious children he could imagine. "Hello there Hexia. And yes, she is my sister. You and your sister and brother look alike."

Nodding a little, Eden gave a gentle giggle, coming over to her Uncle to sit in his lap. "And I'm Eden, Uncle Malkov."

Not to be outdone, Atticus huffed and sat up straight. "I'm Atticus! An' I don't look like everyone else!"

[Kallile]

Taboo gave a small shudder at Tremere's words. This was far from good...he should have never taken Lysandroth up on her offer. He should have stayed in his lab and minded his own business. "T-there's no need for that. Really. You know where to find me later...you know how dangerous it is for me to even be here in the first place." He tried. If logical pleading with the vampire wouldn't work well...then he was probably going to end up being lunch.

Hexia watched Malkov with distinct interest. "But mommy says she has lots and lots of brothers and sisters who don't really look alike." The youngster argued lightly--not really for arguements sake but just pointing out a fact.

Spardia chuckled lightly at her little ones. "No dearest, mommy has lots and lots of half brothers and sisters that don't look like me. Malkov is my full brother--we have the same mom and dad. Just like you, Eden, and Atticus."

She turned to Malkov and gave him a smile. "How have you been these long years past, brother? My changes are plain enough to see...but what of your changes?"

[Citanul]

Hm. Well... With the whole family here, Tremere supposed that Taboo could be let go. He did know where to find him, after all. The hazmat suit was easy enough to spot, and his abode wasn't too far from here. "I suppose. We wouldn't want to make a scene at the restaurant. We will speak after my children are in their beds - do not go far."

Letting go of the shaken boy he smiled lightly at Malkov. "It is good to see you. I've heard you have been unwell. A smile upon your face says otherwise."

"And there are three of us, two girls and a boy." Malkov laughed gently. "It is quite similar. Though I must say, we never got along like you three seem to." He stroked Hexia's hair and picked up Eden as she held her arms out to him.

"Unfortunately not well, as Tremere pointed out. Dejar and I... Well, we had some problems. He's come back in the last few weeks and I am... Well, unsure as to how to handle it." No use lying to his sister, she always could tell anyway. "Nothing as extraordinary as these little ones."