Family Resemblance (NJ)

[Maira]

Rowan squirmed as his mother tried to make him face Niko. For some reason, now that he had his mother to hold him, he didn't want the comfort of the warm man. When Demeter finally succeeded in getting Rowan to look at Niko's hand though he was very interested. His fang marks were almost gone! Rowan giggled as Nikolas ruffed up his hair and when his mother asked if he was okay, he nodded vigorously.

Suddenly not feeling not nearly so bad, Rowan held out his arms to Nikolas hoping the man would still want to hold him. Maybe he could have a father after all. All the other kids he knew seemed to like their fathers. If Niko was his father, he liked him. He was warm and funny and nice.

~~~~~

All the stress of the day finally melted out of Dominic, Saiyuri wasn't quite so lucky. She'd just made to scoot up onto the kitchen counter like she'd done in the bathroom when the rushing of the Shift started again. Already in mid-leap Saiyuri didn't have the chance to shut the Shift down, it was either make sure she didn't fall flat on her face, or shut down the Shift.

As it was, Saiyuri still wound up in a heap on the floor because in her backwards jump onto the counter, her wings had gotten in the way. "Ow!" she yelped sharply as her wings smacked first into the counter and then into the tile floor as she landed on it. As soon as she'd felt the Shift coming, Saiyuri had closed her eyes. Anymore she didn't know what she was going to turn out like at the end of it all and most of the time she was too scared to look.

Dominic had watched as mid-leap Saiyuri's black feathered wings had torn through her favorite sweater, she was going to be so pissed, smacked into the counter and unbalanced her and sent her sprawling on the kitchen floor. Instantly he was kneeling by her side and doing what she'd asked him to do so many times, he took a close look at her and then whispered, "No spots my love, just the wings." Since the strange Shifts had started, Saiyuri's forms had been erratic and to head off any shock Dominic, if he was around, always told her first.

Saiyuri slowly opened her eyes, looking at one of her hands as she did so to make sure Dominic hadn't missed a spot. He hadn't, there were no rossettes on her skin thank the gods! Maneuvering her wings, luckily hidden from the kitchen table where Demeter, Niko and Rowan sat, by the counter, Saiyuri figured she'd be able to shift them away before any of them noticed.

Doing as she'd done each and every time before this, Saiyuri reached inside of her to close off that part of her that grew wings she was sadly dissappointed when she didn't feel the Shift take her. She tried three more times and nothing. In a near panic, she looked to Dominic and begged, "Will you get Dion please?" and then she scrambled on all fours out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bathroom Demeter had run off to earlier.

[Shinigami]

Tobin kept his arms wrapped tightly around Dion as he let her talk about her day. He rubbed his hands over her back and sighed. Telling Saiyuri of her mother's job could be a rough one, even Tobin had a tough time with it when he had heard, but it was something he could live with. Dion ended the lives of the damned, and in turn had probably saved thousands of lives getting murderers and such off the streets, but it was hard to hear about at first. He smiled as Dion's forehead clunked against his shoulder. "No, you can't go lay down just yet. We still need to get Saiyuri and Dominic situated and keep Oberon from killing any more small living things. We may even have to play mediators for Niko and Demeter if need be.."

Tobin leaned hi head against Dion's with a sigh, the day was certainly going to be long one, and it had already been on its way to ending when all this started. He didn't even know what time it was anymore, just that it was dark out. He was surprised that the kids hadn't made their way down the stairs and into the drama yet, but he wasn't counting his blessings just yet. He was happy they had sense enough to keep their noses out of it, he figured it probably wouldn't last, so he wanted all this be done with as soon as possible.

Tobin picked his head back up and looked down at Dion. "We should head into the kitchen and see what needs to be sorted out."

***

Nikolas smiled as Rowan giggled, finding the sound of his son's giggles to be music to his ears. He watched Demeter sit down with Rowan in her lap, and was set to sit across from them when he saw Rowan reach his hands out to him. He glanced at Demeter before reaching out and lifted Rowan up, getting to hold him for the first time. He smiled at Rowan and decided to sit next to Demeter, just in case Rowan decided he wanted to go back to his mother.

Nikolas smiled at Rowan, pulling the first hand that had gotten bitten out infront of them both. "Hey, wanna see a neat trick?" He knew this always used to amaze him when he was too young to use his powers, so he hoped it'd be the same for Rowan. He snapped his fingers, his hand settling into a thumbs up immediately after, but there was a small flame on top of his thumb, as if he were hiding a lighter, only he had no need for the lighter. He smiled and showed the flame to Rowan. "Go ahead, blow it out."

Nikolas heard a sound from the other end of the kitchen, tilting his head slightly so he could see out of the corner of his eye. He made sure to keep his attention on Rowan as well, so as not to draw his attention over. He saw Dominic lean down, to Saiyuri most likely. He had heard she was Pard, after all, maybe the stress caused her to shift forms. He saw her run off, probably to the bathroom, but she was fast enough that he couldn't see if she had shifted or not.

Nikolas moved his attention to Rowan, making sure to relight the flame on the tip of his thumb every time Rowan blew it out, just to frustrate him a bit before he finally let it go out. He kept an ear out for Dominic and Saiyuri, but didn't want to upset Rowan again, or rather, he didn't want to get bitten again, which was a result of Rowan being upset.

[Demeter]

Dion whimpered but stayed put. It was times like these that she drew the most comfort from her husband. He always seemed to be right there whenever she dragged some new mess into their lives. Dion pushed away and backed off the couch. She'd deal with Oberon and get Saiyuri and Dominic taken care off.

She stood and straightened the shirt she was wearing. "The moment this is over, I'm going to bed and staying there for a week," she said and held her hand out to Tobin. "You're welcome to stay there too, of course," she grinned at him. After she had Tobin off the couch, Dion turned and started towards the living room just as Saiyuri scrambled out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bathroom. Swallow a sigh, Dion turned away from the kitchen and headed down the hall. She had seen wings.

At the bathroom door, Dion knocked and called out to Saiyuri. "It's your Mo-It's Dion. Can I come in?" Dion shook her head at the slip. She hadn't earned the right to call herself Saiyuri's mom yet.

***

In the kitchen, Demeter watched father and son. It seemed like Nikolas was handing the sudden apperance of his five year old son quite well. Of course that might have been because upsetting Rowan in any fashion generally led to getting bit. Demeter scooted down the bench seat a few inches, leaned against the table and just watched the two as they played with the flame Nikolas had produced.

***

Upstairs, still glaring at the closed bedroom door, Oberon sat on the bed and sighed. Why had he caused his fish to go belly up? He'd been talking to Sara at the time and she'd been going back and forth on the subject of getting back together with Scott. The jerk was her baby's father after all. She claimed that she couldn't deny him the right to her son but wasn't a whole family better then a split one?

Oberon growled. He'd had...feelings for Sara for quite a while now but things kept getting in the way. The first time he'd been about to spill the beans about his feelings for her, her water had broke. And it had just been one thing after another and now she thought the best thing was for her to back to the guy who'd gotten her pregnant and left her. He'd been told all this over the phone and then his fish had died. All of them. Belly up at the same time.

Oberon glared at the door once more before going over to it and yanking it open. He'd gotten halfway down the staircase when he saw the stange woman from earlier (the one who'd called herself his sister) scambled into the bathroom and then his mother had gone to the bathroom door. He'd seen a flash of black that had definally not been there before. "Right," he muttered to himself as he pulled an about face on the staircase and headed back to the spare bedroom. "Back into the bedroom where it may be boring but it's sane."

[Maira]

Dominic made it out of the kitchen just in time to see Dion go past him, after his wife, in a blur. Well, at least he didn't have to try and explain that. Shrugging, Dominic walked over to Tobin and asked lightly, "Are things always this hectic in this family?" He couldn't help but smile at the chaos that was coursing through the house, for regular humans this would all seem sheer insanity, for those ...not human, it was still insane but more easily accepted as normal when all was said and done.

Saiyuri froze at the knock on the bathroom door. Only when she heard Dion's voice did she relax at all. Of course, relaxing at this point was all relative, she was still in quite the panic. Not even hearing what Dion said (or almost said) Saiyuri yanked the door open, grabbed her mother and pulled her in, then shut and locked the door as soon as the other woman was in far enough.

Frantic, she just stared at Dion, her now crimson eyes pleading for some sort of explination. Out of the blue she blurted, "THIS is why I had to see you! These damn wings, killing my plants, I don't know what to do... I can't make them go away until they're damn good and ready..." At the end, Saiyuri sagged in defeat and, making sure her wings weren't in the way, leaned back against the counter to support her while she cried.

~~~~~

Rowan didn't even notice that his father's attention strayed from him at all while he continued to blow out the little flame that was coming from his thumb. After only a few minutes Rowan got bored blowing out the flame and he turned to look at Niko and asked, "Papa?" Rowan smiled smugly at the look on Niko's face and at how that word sounded coming from him, "Can I do that too? You look like me so I can do that too right?" As if for reassurance that it was okay to call Nikolas that, and that he could indeed do the same things as his father, Rowan looked to his mother where she was sitting a little ways from them.

[Shinigami]

Tobin chuckled at his wife as he took her hand and hauled himself off the couch. He had expected Dion's comment, and had been thinking something similar, though when she had added that he could join her he had smirked, immediately thinking about he could get all the damned kids away from the house. He blinked as he saw Saiyuri dart by, followed by the unmistakeable form of wings attached to her back. Tobin sighed, and smiled lightly as Dion went off to check on her new found daughter.

Tobin smiled as Dominic came through behind his wife, and paused when he saw she was going to be taken care of. Tobin smiled, laughing at Dominic's comment. "Yes, there is always an air of chaos around this family. It's a large extended family with a mix of many species." He redirected Dominic back to the kitchen, giving Dion and Saiyuri a little time to work this out. "It's a lot to get used to, but once you do, it becomes like a second nature."

***

Nikolas blinked when he heard Rowan call him 'papa', but a huge grin stole across his face. If Rowan was willing to start calling him Papa, then he felt very good about getting to know him and bond with him later. He chuckled at Rowan's question. "Yes, you'll be able to do that too, but you'll have to wait a year or two. You don't have your powers yet." NIkolas tapped his foot a little, causing Rowan to bounce a few times, hoping to draw another giggle out of the boy.

Nikolas turned to address Demeter and he bounced Rowan a few more times. "When he starts to show some of his powers I should teach him how to control them, that way things won't get accidentally burned as often." His father had made him teach himself in the beginning, which was mostly controlling the heat of his skin and his anger causing candles and other potentially flammable things to light up. Niko blinked as he heard the phone ring.

***

Tobin sighed as the shrill ring of the phone made its way through the house. He was on his way to the kitchen so he decided to answer the kitchen phone, that is, if one of the kids didn't answer first. Lucky, or unlucky, for him he got to the phone first, picking up the cordless phone. He sighed and answered in his usual nice way. "Hello." Tobin's eyes narrowed and a growl escaped his lips as he supressed the urge to throw the phone.

***

Rhystic smirked on the other end of the line, having heard the growl from his younger brother. "Now now, Tobin, that's not the nicest way to greet your older brother, is it?" His smirk turned into a snarl as his father turned his back. He really didn't want to -ever- speak with his younger brother again, but with his father's current illness, he had to. He heard Tobin cursing and pulled the phone away from his ear slightly, wincing.

Rhy sighed, eyeing his father as he turned back around, be he didn't care if he played nice anymore. "Look, Tobin, I didn't want to hear from you just as much as you don't want to hear from me, but it's important... Yes, our fahter's health is important enough for me to call you." Sighed, that last comment finally silencing his brother. His father motioned at him to keep talking, Marrus wanting Rhy to actually pick Tobin up and bring him over.

Rhystic waved his father off, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Look, father has become ill and he wants.. he wants me to come get you and bring you back to the family house. I know... no, it's still the same house... Just indulge father, will you? I am."

***

Tobin sighed, rubbing his temple roughly, trying to calm his now raging headache. He took a deep breath to calm himself before speaking. "Rhystic, I've had a -very- long day, and I love father, but coming here now is just not good." He sighed, turning around to glance around the kitchen. This was going to drive Dion crazy. Rhystic was pure blood Custos, and had a knack for playing with people's lives. He never really approved of mixed people, and his house was full of them at the moment.

Tobin sighed. "Look, we have a full house at the moment, one that's already been through a lot, and we need a little peace and quite today... Damn it, Rhy! Fine.. come, but I'm not leaving until things are settled here." Tobin hung up the phone before Rhy could respond, rubbing his face as he groaned. This was going to get interesting.

[Demeter]

Dion scooted around Saiyuri and started to poke at the wings. She had yelped when Saiyuri had yanked her into the bathroom but she had quickly silenced herself as she saw the pair of wings sticking out from Saiyuri's back. Dion, not quite sure what to do with her crying daughter, stared at the wings and tapped her foot against the ground. She'd never had any problems with her wings...of course she'd been handling them since she had been old enough crawl. Wings were one of the few traits a Custos or angel showed from a young age. "Given the fact that you grew up pard and, pardon the term, ignorant of your hertiage, I'm surprised that you've been having issues."

Dion kneeled on the toilet seat and continued to poke at the wings. "Having trouble retracting them at will," she murmered to herself. "It's more then likely both the stress and the haywire emotions related to your pregnancy but if this happens on a regular basis, it could become a problem." Dion pondered the problem. "It would probably be best if you stayed somewhere close to me. And relax. The key term here is Relax."

Dion hopped off the toilet seat and rummaged around in on the drawers. She had, like in every other oom, placed scented candles in relatively subtle scents in the bathroom. Dion found the box of matchs and lit a few of the vanilla and lavender candles in the bathroom. She leaned against the wall opposite of Saiyuri, placed her hands on the woman's shoulders and looked straight at her. "Okay, I want you to breath. Deep, slow breathes. Forget about this. Forget about all the stress and think of your favorite place."

As Saiyuri worked on relaxing, Dion thought. It would be best if Saiyuri stayed close by during her pregnancy and Dominic would want to be with his wife. The basement had been converted into a two bedroom apartment a few years ago. Maybe they could stay there? She'd have to ask Tobin. Dion looked up at Saiyuri. "Okay, once you've calmed down. I want you to tell me how often this happens and if you know what triggers it. Anything common happening to you when the wings show up?"

***

In the kitchen, Demeter nodded to Nikolas. "That would probably be very helpful. I would be completely lost when he starts burning things. Would you...maybe...like to come over a couple of times a week; just to see him. I work from home most days but if you came over to spend time with Rowan, I could give the babysitter some time off." Demeter knew she was offering an olive branch to Rowan's father but she also knew it was needed now.

Her head snapped up and around when Tobin picked up the ringing phone and growled. She leaned in the few inches between them and whispered. "I have a feeling this day is about to get more complicated."

***

Up in the spare bedroom, Oberon flopped backwards onto the full bed and stared at the ceiling. He had a feeling that he was going to be up here for a long time. Oberon rolled onto his side and dug his cell phone out of his pocket. After checking for reception, he punched in Sara's number and waited for her to answer. When she did, he said. "Still thinking about getting back with what's-his-face?"

[Maira]

Saiyuri flinched the first time that her mother poked at her wings but with each following poke she just stood there and took it. If her mother was a Custos/Angel cross, Saiyuri couldn't figure out what was so damn fascinating about her wings. After all, Dion would have grown up with hers. Wings were wings weren't they?

A low growl nearly escaped from Saiyuri as Dion told her to relax. How in hell was she supposed to relax with all that was going on? Instead of growling, she did as her mother said. She closed her eyes, breathed deep and tried with all her willpower to picture her favorite place. One problem with that excersise... If you don't know where your favorite place was, how could you picture it?

When Dion started talking again, asking her more questions, Saiyuri was relieved to not have to try and picture things anymore. Opening her eyes, but still breathing somewhat deeply as she liked the scents of the candles, Saiyuri answered as best she could. "This is not by any means the most awkward of the Shifts that have started to happen, though it is the one that made me wonder about myself. There doesn't seem to be any particular thing that triggers my Shifts, just heightened emotions. I nearly Shifted earlier tonight when we were sitting at the kitchen table. Truth be told I'm surprised it held off this long before forcing me into it." At that last thought, Saiyuri shuddered and sagged a bit against her mother's hands.

~~~~~

Rowan was delighted at Niko telling him that someday he'd be able to make the little fire too. When Niko started bouncing him, the little boy's joy just couldn't be contained any more and he started laughing and trying to bounce Niko's leg even faster.

He was distracted with bouncing for a while but then Rowan heard his mother say something about Niko possibly coming over. Giving out a loud whoop of excitement Rowan scrambled off of Niko's knee onto the bench between his parents. He threw his arms around Demeter jumping up and down, "He can come play? Really?" Then, without waiting for his mother's answer, he turned back to Niko and jumped at the man, "You get to come over!"

~~~~~

When Tobin had quickened his pace to answer the phone in the kitchen Dominic had just waited in the doorway watching the scene before him. The look on Tobin's face at the start of the phone call dropped a cold chunk of ice into Dominic's belly. As the phone call progressed and Tobin was growling and grumbling, the feeling didn't get any better. When Tobin finally hung up, Dominic asked warily, "Do I even want to know?"

[Shinigami]

Nikolas barely opened his mouth in reply to Demeter when Rowan started jumping around, finally ending his bouncing by throwing himself at Niko. He quickly caught the ball of energy that was his son and smiled at how excited Rowan had become just hearing that Niko could come spend time with him (or play with him as Rowan was planning). He was replying to Rowan, to let him know he was coming, but he was looking at Demeter, since it answered her questions as well. "Well, then I'll certainly have to come over and hang out. We can play, and I can show you how to use your powers when your old enough." His next reply was for Demeter, as he was still looking at her. "I work from home as well, in fact, I'm a cartoonist and illustrator for children's books. I could probably even use Rowan for sketches or what not, so it's not like I'll be missing work."

Nikolas was silently much more happy than he appeared to be. He hadn't wanted Demeter to leave in the first place, and was actually wrestling with how to ask Demeter if they could get more serious when she had left. He was hoping there was still something there, especially with Rowan in the picture. It would also lessen the blow for his father, who probably wouldn't get angry if Rowan was there for him to gush over. His attention was then brought to Tobin's phone conversation the second he heard the words "Damn it, Rhy!" come from the other side of the kitchen. He knew the name; it was Rhystic, Tobin's brother, who hates Angels as well as looks at mixed bloods as being beneith him.

Nikolas whispered to Demeter. "It's going to get a -lot- more complicated if Rhystic comes here. Tobin and Rhystic -hate- each other a passion unrivaled on this earth. A new spin on sibling rivalry, that's for sure. And Rhy isn't very tolerant of Angels and mixes..."

***

Tobin was busy trying to put the phone back on it's base without slamming or breaking it when he heard Donerylspeak. It took an extra second for what was said to register with him, but when it did he sighed, rubbing his temples with a bit more pressure than was needed before glancing over at him. "That was my brother, Rhystic. We... We don't really get along... at all... like water and oil, really. Rhystic is pure Custos, and he -hates- Angels, hence why he doens't like me. And he has this habit of thinking he's better than mixes because he's pure." Tobin took a deep breath, mummbling "Pure asshole is more like it.." before plopping himself down in a chair across from Niko, Demeter, and Rowan.

Tobin knew he should warn Dion before Rhy made it over, but she was helping Saiyuri out, and Saiyuri certainly couldn't be showing Angel wings when Rhy got there. He'd mot certainly cause a scene. He glanced over at Niko, who knew more history behind the two brothers. "My father is ill, and is so worried about his sickness that he asked Rhy to come here and get me. Rhy's indulging him, so he'll be showing up soon. If anything starts, run upstairs and get Hawk. He's the only one Rhy can stand."

Tobin sighed, crinkling his face in annoyance before he stood, "I have to warn Dion.. so she doens't try to shoot him on sight." He made his way to the bathroom, listening to make sure there wasn't any immediate problem on the other side of the door before he knocked briskly, pausing for confirmation that he'd been heard. "Dion, we're going to have another visit. Rhystic is coming, but he swears he'll be good. Marrus is sick, and sending him to get me."

***

Rhystic sighed, pulling his fingers through his now finger-length hair. He hated this little task his father had set on him. He knew Rhy and Tobin didn't get along, and now he'd have to stay there for a time only the Gods knew. Even with as much as he dispised his little half brother, he loved his father, can just couldn't refuse the request. Their love for Marrus seemed to be the only thing Rhy and Tobin had in common, but he knew that wasn't true. They had gotten along at first hadn't they? He seemed to remember laughter between them when they were younger, but that was before Rhy knew Tobin was half Angel. Half of the vial creature that had murdered his mother. Rhy knew Tobin's mother probably hadn't been the one to kill his mother, but she probably knew who had, and was friends with them at the very least.

Rhy was almost to the house now, driving there, which was something he rarely got to do. He currently lived in one of the many circles of Hell and his office was actually closer than those humans could ever imagine they'd be to Hell. He never got to drive to work, so he enjoyed when he got to use the black, streamlined sport's car. As he neared the house, he noticed there were a lot more parked cars than he had expected would be around. He sighed, knowing that Tobin had mentioned something about them having a full house, be he hadn't thought he -meant- it.

Rhystic circled the block once or twice, not so much for a parking spot, but to make sure he would be able to keep him head when he entered the house. Maybe he'd go find Hawk. His youngest nephew, which was saying a lot since he was one part of a triplet, had always amused him. Hawk had always looked more like Rhy than he had his own father, and after the Test he had come out a Custos, which was tolerable for Rhy. At least he had managed to get along rather well with him when he had come to stay with Marrus for a time. Rhy finally pulled up to the house, putting the car in park and cutting the engine, sitting a moment in his car before making his way to the door.

[Demeter]

Dion opened the door and groaned when the first thing Tobin told her was that Rhystic was coming over. That was the moment when Dion's brain just fizzed out. With Rhystic coming over her house was going to be a well of stirred up emotions. Saiyuri with her pregnancy, Demeter and Nikolas dealing with the discovery of just who fathered Rowan, Oberon and whatever his problem was and now there would be added bonus of Tobin and Rhystic deep, mutual hatred of each other. "I..." Dion glanced from her daughter to her husband and whimpered. She wanted to help Saiyuri but it was all too much at once. And, dispite Rhystic's promise of being good, Dion wasn't sure she wouldn't want to shoot him the moment the animosty started to roll off the two brothers. "I-I'm sorry," Dion pushed past her husband, went through the kitchen and out into the backyard.

She crossed the grassy yard and sat down on one of the little benches that had been placed under a tree. Dion stared up through the bare branchs of the tree and shivered. Damnit...why didn't she think to grab her coat. As cold as she could have gotten, Dion wasn't about to go back into the house until she had managed to relax.

***

Demeter stared at Nikolas and Rowan before smiling. "I know all about the dislike between Tobin and his brother. I do talk to my sister, you know. That would be nice, you coming over once in a while. I'll give you my address and phone number before we leave. Just call before you come over so that we can have a bit of warning."

Demeter pushed a bit of hair back behind her ear and leaned back against the seat when Dion rushed past her and out of the kitchen door. She winced at the slamming of the door but didn't make any move to get after her sister. Dion probably needed a bit of time alone. Instead of worrying, Demeter turned back toNikolas and stared at while Rowan occupied his attention. She hadn't forgotten him; it was hard to forget someone when she had minature of that person running around her all the time.

[Maira]

Saiyuri stared, completely baffled, as Dion apologized and then rushed out of the bathroom. Blinking a few times, trying to figure out what had just happened she turned to Tobin and asked as calmly as she could, "Did I miss something?"

Leaning up against her bathroom counter as she was, Saiyuri was already braced when the rushing of the Shift took her again. Panicking at the short time span between Shifts, Saiyuri was certain of the worst when the feeling finally receded. Shaking with exhaustion and fear she whimpered, "Now what Tobin, now what do I look like?" The fact that she still had human vocal cords was a good sign, but it was the only thing she could be sure of.

~~~~~

Dominic wished he knew this family more. Right now he felt so out of place. He wanted to sit and chat like he belonged but growing up with a single mom, yeah, he wasn't used to the whole huge extended family. Instead, he watched Demeter, Nikolas, and Rowan from over by the sing, where he'd been standing with Saiyuri. He didn't want to intrude on the newly realized little family within the bigger one, they looked so happy right then. Especially Rowan. Dominic just hoped that his and Saiyuri's child was so well adjusted. After all, their child was going to be an even bigger 'mutt', as Dominic was fond of teasing Saiyuri, than Rowan was.

[Shinigami]

Tobin sighed as Dion rushed off, knowing this had been the last straw for her. She had been stressed enough with what was going on before, and now she had Rhy to deal with as well. He silently cursed his brother, fighting the urge to run to Dion's side as he was sure she needed some space to breathe and calm down. Tobin instead turned to Saiyuri and had done so just as he saw her begin to shift again. He held his breath, knowing that Rhy would be there shortly. Tobin let out his breath slowly as Saiyuri addressed him, wondering what she had become. He gave her a smile, and kept it as he tipped her head up. "You had me worried for a second. I saw a flash of spots before they all faded, along with your wings. You look human now, Saiyuri."

Tobin jumped slightly as he heard a pounding on the door, almost immediately after he had finished speaking. He growled under his breath, muttering before he glanced back at Saiyuri. "My brother is here.. and he's a pure Custos.. a very intolerant one. I'll try to keep him out of the way, but just be wary. I don't trust him as far as a hurricane could throw him"

Tobin knew Rhy would never open the door himself and walk in since he didn't want to be there himself, and Tobin was the closest to the door current, so he answered it. He swung the door open, just barely making sure not to let it hit the wall before he levelled a glare at the visitor.

***

Nikolas smiled at Demeter, chuckling lightly. "I'll certainly give you a call.I'm sure you could use a heads up to brace yourself for this ball of energy when I come over." He motioned to his son. He began bouncing Rowan again after the boy settled down, just to hear that giggle again, smiling. He could sense Dominic standing off to the side, unable to see him as he was currently facing Demeter.

He knew the guy must be feeling out of place, and it would only get worse once Rhy arrived, so he glanced over his shoulder, managing to catch sight of him. "Hey, Dominic, come sit down. No need to just stand about when there are perfectly strong chairs lying in wait." He smiled, being friendly, and hopefully polite enough the Dominic wouldn't see fit to refuse. And besides, they still had a few things to discuss, so they could get it out of the way.

Niko motioned for him to sit at one of the chairs across from the little new-found family. "Come now, I need a few details to present to my father after all." He paused, sighing. "And then there's Tobin's brother, Rhystic, to discuss. I should give a heads up before he gets here." Nikolas groaned as he heard the knock at the door, knowing it could only be Rhy. Niko motioned a bit more quickly now. "Well, hurry. I can still tell you a few things before Rhy decides to be a pain in the ass."

***

Rhystic gave a solid loud knock on the door before stepping back to wait for it to be answered. He certainly wasn't going to open it, and if no one felt like answering he could always head home and tell his father he tried. Sadly, that wasn't the case as the door swung open almost violently, and Rhy understood why as soon as he saw the green-eyed glare directed at him. He gave a fake, almsot saracsticly polite smile and greeted Tobin. "Hello, -little brother.- May I come in?"

He watched Tobin growl and walk away, but leaving the door open and decided to take that as a yes. He walked in and was following his brother at a distance, a slight look of disgust on his face. He always knew when there were mixes around, and the house was rife with them. He saw that the majority of them were in kitchen as they passed, apparently on their way out into the livingroom.

[Maira]

The panic that had taken Saiyuri along with the Shift left her the instant she saw Tobin smiling at her. As he spoke to her, telling her what had happened, a small smile of her own flickered over her lips. "Thank you," she said to his back, as Tobin went to open the poor abused door. Between Rowan, Oberon and now Tobin's brother, Saiyuri wouldn't doubt the door needed its hinges checked if not being replaced completely.

Giving a small sigh at all the chaos of the day, Saiyuri turned to face the mirror above the sink. She didn't look horrible and there deffinately weren't any spots, but she did look as though she'd been crying. Not having a hair tie, Saiyuri just knotted her black mess of curls at the nape of her neck. Turning the water on cold, Saiyuri bent down and splashed it on her face. Immediately her puffy eyes felt better and so she splashed herself again. Between the water and the scented candles, Saiyuri finally did start to relax as Dion had prompted her to do.

Finally, she turned off the water and turned to get a towel to dry her face. As she did so, she saw a flash of skin along her back in the mirror. "Are you kidding?!" she asked of nobody but her own wings. "Why does this always happen when I'm wearing my favorite clothes?"

More than a little miffed Saiyuri looked at her belly and whispered, "This is all your fault you know. I've lost four good shirts since you made your presence known." At the slight stirring in that seemed almost in response to her words, Saiyuri couldn't help but smile. "Okay fine, you're worth the four shirts and however many more that will get ruined. But its cold out today, I didn't need any air conditioning in this one." A small laugh escaped her as she finally let herself out of the bathroom to go find her husband. Only at the last minute did she remember the holes in her shirt and she let her hair down, it was more than long enough to cover them.

~~~~~

Dominic smiled gratefully to Nikolas as the older vampire invited him to come sit with him and his family. With one last look at the kitchen entrance, hoping Saiyuri was okay since he had seen Dion bolt past a while ago, he went and took up one of the offered chairs.

As he'd been making his way over to the table, Nikolas had been talking to Dominic and the man couldn't do anything but smile at the other vampire's friendly manner. He was just about to give the details that Niko wanted for his father when suddenly there was a pounding on the front door. Raising an eyebrow curiously in Niko's direction he got his answer immediately.

~~~~~

Rowan had watched the pale man carefully once Niko started talking to him. When he smiled at Niko, Rowan nearly blurted something out but was rudely interrupted by somebody banging on the front door. Once the noise had stopped, and everybody's attention was back where he could have it, Rowan blurted what he'd been going to before, "Papa! He has teeth too!" Of course Rowan was referring to the fangs that had been flashed when Dominic had smiled. If his mother hadn't been sitting right there, Rowan likely would have climbed up onto the table and across it to get a closer look. As it was though, he'd already bitten people today, he didn't want to get in any more trouble.

Dominic just laughed and answered, "Yes Rowan, I have teeth too. We're cousins of sorts I guess." As he spoke to the boy, he looked to the father hoping he hadn't said anything that wasn't true. He really had no idea about vampire society.

~~~~~

Saiyuri had made her way into the kitchen, getting the smallest glimpse of the man that must have been Tobin's brother on her way in, when Rowan made his exclamation about Dominic's fangs. She smiled at the boy's energy and innocence. Quickly but quietly she made her way over to the group at the table, staying well out of Dominic's sight. When she finally reached them, Dominic was so distracted with Rowan and Niko that when she came up behind him and kissed him on the neck he jumped.

He may have jumped, but almost instantly Dominic recognized the feel of Saiyuri's lips on his skin. Another smile escaped him as he turned to look at his wife, pulling out another chair for her in the process. It didn't take more than a glance to recognize that her wings had gone and she was human again. "Glad to see you're feeling better," he said as she sat down in the chair he'd offered.

Saiyuri gave Dominic a quick smile and then turned to Nikolas and Demeter, "My Shifts have been erratic and that time I couldn't control it, my wings wouldn't go away." She didn't know them more than from just the few minutes in the livingroom earlier but Saiyuri felt she could trust them. After all, they were here, in Dion's house. Demeter was her aunt. If she couldn't trust family, who else could she trust?

[Demeter]

Demeter grumbled as she heard the knock on the door. That must be Tobin's high-and-mighty brother, the great Rhystic. She snapped back the urge to growl in the direction of the door and forced a smile onto her face as Saiyuri started to talk. "I know the feeling of erratic shifts. I had them constantly throughout my pregnancy with Rowan. Course I did discover that I like my hybrid form during that time. Except my wings never did any random spurts of showing up but I suspect it would be different for different people."

Demeter grinned at her son as he exclaimed that Dominic had sharp teeth too. She leaned over and, forgetting that Rowan currently occupied the space known as Nikolas' lap, nuzzled him. She plucked him from his father's lap and sat him on her own. "That's cause he's like you, little fang-boy."

***

Dion narrowed her eyes and glared at her own house. Rhystic was in there, probably contaminating her living space with his personality. She'd never gotten along with Rhystic for many reasons. Even if she didn't have the whole half angel thing going on, she'd still dislike him for the stress he caused Tobin. She looked upwards and saw Oberon pacing back and forth behind that bedroom's window. He was talking on the phone and probably trying to kill something. Swallowing, Dion stood up, took a deep breathe and marched towards the door.

Once inside she gave the occupants of her breakfast table a smile and went right into the living room. She marched over to the older brother and poked him in the chest while hissing at him. "You upset anyone, -anyone-, and will hunt you down like a dog and then I will see to it that you can never reproduce and scatter your spawn across the earth and all the realms of hell because I know that you think you're to high up to even think of touching anything besides a damn full blooded Custos in anything else besides killing. Someday, you are going find a mix that you have no clue what to do with and then we shall see just how long your high and mightyness lasts," Dion turned on her heels, went up the staircase and, after reaching the door of the spare room and opening it, she walked through and slammed it shut.

Dion looked across at her son as he stared at her. "There are days when I hate your breed, do you know that." She sat down on the bed and sighed. "The fish thing, you're obviously upset about something. There, problem solved, don't get upset near small, defenseless creatures." Dion stood back up, slammed her way out of that room and slammed her way into her bedroom.

[Shinigami]

Nikolas let out a low growl under his breath as he felt Rhystic walk by, eyes flicking toward the doorway briefly. He had been hoping to talk to Dominic and Saiyuri about Rhy -before- he arrived. He knew the bastard had good hearing, and if he knew Niko was talking about him he'd butt in. His grumpy mood was taken away all at once, as Rowan blurted out his observation of Dominic's teeth. He smiled with amusement, before pausing slightly as Demeter leaned in, nuzzling Rowan before plopping him on her lap.

Niko smiled back at Dominic, having heard the 'cousin' comment. "Actually, you're not far off. The bloodlines are fairly exclusive, except for the rogues, and even they have some standards and reservations. Almost every vampire within their respective bloodlines are related, in some way. I'm actually the first vampire to bridge two bloodlines - that I know of anyway." Niko's eyes flickered back toward the doorway leading into the livingroom, before being drawn to Dion as she walked in, gave a smile, and marched towards the now offensive room.

Nikolas chuckled to himself as he heard her give Rhy the third degree, glancing up at Dominic and Saiyuri. "Well, Rhy shouldn't start trouble right away after that. He knows better than to piss off his sister-in-law." His gaze turned a bit more serious. "Though, you should still steer clear of him if at all possible. He -hates- mixed bloods, and even considers -me- a mixed blood just for being a mix of two bloodlines. And it's possible he may try whatever he can to piss off Tobin."

***

Tobin leveled a glare at his older brother, not quite willing to be civil and offer him a seat, or anything else for that matter. He opened his mouth to speak, or tell Rhy off, rather, when Dion stormed through. He held his tongue, knowing Dion would do well enough in setting Rhystic in his place. Tobin smirked as he saw his wife march right up to Rhy, poking him in the chest as she red him the riot act. He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting patiently until Dion was finished, and enjoying the show as well.

Tobin listened as she stormed off, a few doors slamming not too long afterwards, unconciously wincing as each door was slammed. He glared back up at Rhy, who had the audacity to be wearing an amused expression on his face. Tobin growled lightly before addressing his brother. "I'm going to check on the others. Stay here." As he turned to walk toward the kitchen, he noticed Rhy move with him, following him. He growled and grumbled his way intot he kitchen, having expected Rhy not to listen.

Tobin, placed his back to wall almost as soon as he entered the kitchen standing beside Niko, Demeter, and Rowan at the table. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose for a second before glancing at the others, forever keeping an eye on his brother as he wandered over to lean against the counter. Apparently neither of them trusted eachother enough to have the other at their back, which had been a natural habit for them since Tobin's 16th birthday. "Is everyone settled out here? Does anyone want anymore tea?"

Rhystic snickered, having followed his brother into the kitchen to spite him, and also to show him that he -never- took orders from a mixed breed. He had a wide smirk set on his face as he answered Tobin. "I'd -love- a nice cup of tea, actually." He watched his brother growl and glare at him, yet again.

[Maira]

Rowan gave a small squeak of surprise and protest as his mother plucked him out of his father's lap. He would have protested and tried to crawl back over to Niko but just then Dion walked in and smiled at all fo them. Rowan of course smiled back and waved.

He heard his aunt yelling at somebody in the livingroom and flinched a bit. He'd only been yelled at once by her and that was more than enough. He felt sorry for whoever she was yelling at now. When doors upstairs started slamming Rowan looked at his mom, his little eyes full of worry as he asked, "Is Aunty Dion okay?"

Before his mommy could answer him, Uncle Tobin came into the kitchen with another man. Without realizing he was doing it, Rowan hissed at the other man and he dug his fingernails, as if they were claws, into his mother's arm. Luckily, the Tiger/shifting part of Rowan would not kick in for some years yet and his fingernails remained just fingernails.

~~~~~

Dominic and Saiyuri barely had a chance to take in what both Demeter and Nikolas said, let alone the fact that they'd heard Dion yelling at somebody in the livingroom before they heard doors slamming upstairs. Was Rhystic really that bad? They were about to find out...

When Tobin came into the kitchen with Rystic on his heels, Dominic felt Saiyuri tense immediately. Not taking his eyes off of Rhystic, Dominic put a calming hand on Saiyuri's arm. She didn't even notice. Something about Rhystic made Saiyuri's skin crawl. He didn't exactly look as horrible as everybody had implied thus far, but the feeling that was just pouring off him in waves was unnerving.

When the man was the first one to answer Tobin about the tea, Saiyuri bristled. Tobin had obviously not been talking to his brother but to his guests. Reminding herself that this wasn't her house and she really had no right to be rude to other people in it she sat there and simmered.

Dominic looked worriedly between his wife and the object of her attention. He could read the dislike in her features clear as day and likely Rhystic could too. To try and distract the man's attention from his wife, Dominic answered Tobin, "We're all fine and if we want tea I'm sure we can take care of it, thanks though." All he wanted was Rhystic out of Saiyuri's sight, he could feel her getting more and more aggrivated as she stared at the man.

[Shinigami]

Tobin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them again. He smiled lightly at Dominic and mouthed a "thank you" before turning his gaze on his brother. His gaze turned to a light glare, but the hint of a come-back could be seen brewing. He would not let his borther leave without getting one quip in. He smirked slightly. "Well, if my -welcomed- guests can take care of themselves than I'm sure you'll be able to get your own tea, -Lord Rhystic-."

Rhy was technically not a Lord, just the son of one, but he had often -insisted- that others such as mix breeds called him 'Lord'. Tobin was sure he was also handling most of their father's duties if he was so sick to warrent this visit. Both men had a soft spot for their father, and would do almost anything for him. This situation was pushing that 'anything' boundry like a 16 pound cat in a size 6 shoe box.

Tobin had seen his brother wince at the term, and allowed himself to show his feeling of smug satisfaction before bracing himself for Rhy's next remark. Rhystic was one who -always- had to have the last word, even if said word had absolutely no relavence of any kind. Tobin saw that look of mischief flit through his brother's eyes as they stared eachother down, but surprisingly, Rhy's gaze moved, taking in the other people occupying the room.

***

Rhystic had winced at his brother's comment, not because he felt his own flesh and blood should mock him so, but because Tobin drew out the implication that he was not, in fact, a Lord at all. His father was the Lord, and ruled over the 7th Layer of Hell, most commonly called The Pit. He found it ironic that his father ruled over the one place where the betrayers were cast into, when both brothers held a fierce loyalty to their father, and he to them. The only exception was the two brother's hatred for -eachother-.

Rhy smirked, knowing Tobin was protective over his family, just as Dion was. He didn't even have to insult Tobin directly, just someone sitting in the room. He laid his gaze on the female he'd never seen before, flicking his gaze to her spouse (evident by the protective, calming stance he stood in at her side), before coming back to her. He left her be for the time being, but he could tell she was not amused by his presence, and neither was he by hers. He left Demeter alone, tempting a direct sister of Dion was suicide in her current state of anger. His eyes finally settled on Nikolas and the little runt in Demeter's lap.

Rhy knew Nikolas, as he was the one who was always at Tobin's side when Rhy had visited or run into him before. He was very loyal to the little Angel/Custos mutt, and visa versa. He could tell by the scent that the little runt was Niko's son. He reaked of vampire. He knew mocking a Keahi's family could end in a fury, but he decided to chance it, hearing the runt hissing at him still. He smirked. "Well, well, well. What do we have here, Nikolas? What would your father say if he knew you were poluting your bloodline further?"

***

Nikolas didn't think, he reacted. In an instant he was held back by Tobin's strong grip on his shoulder, but he had already managed to bolt up off the bench, his pocket now embedded in the table and sizzling slightly as the hot metal burned the surrounding wood. His other hand was braced against the table and his foot was propped up on the bench behind him. His whole stance screamed that he had been planning to vault over the table at Rhy, and the death grip on his pocket knife made it clear that he had intended to bring it with him. He shouted his fury, being held back. "My father is not so ignorant as you! So long as he is surrounded by family he is happy!"

He was almost growling, green eyes dark with fury when he flicked his gaze to his friend. Tobin's eyes clearly told him to stand down, and at first this left Niko confused. Tobin had always commented that if were ever presented the opportunity or the motive, that Niko was free to kill his brother (showing just how deep Tobin's hatred went), but he was telling him not to kill? He saw Tobin's eyes shift to focus on something behind him and as he glacned back he realized that it wasn't that Tobin didn't want him to kill Rhy, he just didn't want it to happen in front of Rowan.

The blade in the table cooled as Niko placed both feet on the floor, standing upright and yanking the knife out of the table. He gave Rhy another warning glare, before he relaxed his stance a little, but he refused to sit just yet. He was reeling slightly, almost afraid of his own rage. He had almost killed someone in front of his son, a son he had just met not too much earlier that day. That was -not- a good way to start off a relationship with your new-found son, but he wasn't about to let Rhy insult or harm his son in anyway.

[Maira]

That was it, that was the last straw for Saiyuri. At the same time that Nikolas jumped off the bench and nearly launched himself at the man, Saiyuri was up and out of her chair. The Change took her, with no fight from her this time, in an instant. She didn't even wait for her form to settle before she had Rhystic slammed up against the kitchen cupboards. Her left hand clamped on his throat, black claws pressing into his skin, her wings out behind her like a thundercloud she glared into his eyes with her own crimson ones. "You heard what Dion said you fool. You do NOT insult this family, especially an innocent!"

She was after blood, Dominic could see that. Something had snapped in his wife and she was after blood. He had -never- seen her this angry and truth be told he didn't want to go near her at this point. What if she turned on him? He listened in horror as she spoke to Rhystic, even her voice sounded dangerous. Wishing he had been quick enough to react, quick enough to stop her, Dominic turned pleading eyes on Tobin. Somebody had to stop her before she did anything she would regret when this strange blood rage left her.

Saiyuri was oblivious to anybody else in the room and when Rhystic said nothing to defend himself a wicked gleam came into her eyes. Her left hand still clamped about his throat, Saiyuri trailed one claw from her right hand down his cheek, not drawing any blood but pressing hard enough to leave a welt. "Well I heard what my mother threatened to do to you if you upset anybody and you did upset Nikolas. As she's not here maybe I should do what she promised," she threatened, her voice low and only for Rhystic's ears at this point.

As she spoke her right hand had made its way down Rhystic's chest, her claw leaving a small tear in his shirt in the wake of its progress. She was nearly to her destination when a hand gripped her right wrist and dragged it away from her prey. Growling her fury at being denied her vengance, Saiyuri tightened her grip on Rhystic's throat, small drops of blood welling up where her claws were now firmly pressing against his skin.

[Demeter]

Dion twitched.

Dion twitched again as the emotios whirling around the house spiked. First Rhystic, then Nikolas, then Tobin, and now the certain flavor she had attributed to Saiyuri. It was as if someone took over her body just then. When asked later, Dion would say that she didn't remember the motions she took but she scooted off her bed, removed the sweatshirt she was wearing to reveal the thinly strapped tanktop, and stalked out of her bedroom.

She stalked down the hallway in the wrong direction from the kichen and into her office. From behind a red glaze, Dion studied the various, sharp objects displayed on the walls. Her gazed narrowed down the pair of sai she kept behind the rather uncomfortable sofa. She took them down off the wall and stalked towards the staircase.

Once she entered the kitchen, Dion growled low in her throat. Tobin was over by the table, near Niko. Saiyuri stood nearly flush against Rhystic with one hand digging into the soft skin at his neck, the other drifting lower. Dion, remembering her threat, stalked across the space seperating them, the knuckles of her hands bone white as she clenched the sai.

Dion switched one sai to her other hand and gripped the wrist that Saiyuri was slowly lower, not really taking into account her changed apperance, nor did she realize that her own apperance had changed. Her wings were out and her eyes were practically glowing as she snarled at Saiyuri. She growled again when the girl growled back and shoved her backwards, ignoring the damaged now done to Rhystic's throat.

After returning the sai to her hand she placed the left one on Rhystic's already ingured neck and pressed the other against his crotch. "I told you, Rhystic, upset anyone and I would castrate you. Would you like to slow or quick?" Dion pressed the right sai into his flesh harder but not enough to yet tear the fabric of his pants.

***

Demeter wasn't as quick as her sister or Saiyuri but once her mind got over the shock of what was said to Nikolas and about her son, she growled and leapt over the table, claws out and wings flaring. When her sister growled, Demeter back off but only slighty and caught Saiyuri as she was shoved backwards.

Demeter scowled and snarled at Rhystic. "Make it slow, Dion, and do it with a spoon so that it will hurt more," she snarled out, wings fluttering in agitation.

[Shinigami]

Tobin left Saiyuri alone as she pinned Rhystic to the cabinets, bus she her claws started in inch down he grew antsy and nervous. He knew Rhy wouldn't normally take a threat like that, and thought it strange that he was hesitating in defending himself. Though, maybe he thought defending himself would get him into more trouble? He had only come at the request of their father, and as that thought flit through Tobin's mind once again he neared panic. His father, already ill, would be heartbroken to hear Rhy had been killed by his own "family."

He went to rescue his brother, and odd thought to him, but he saw Dion step in and grab Saiyuri's hand. At first he was relieved, but then he noticed she had shifted into her Angel form, and had a sai in hand. He winced when she pulled Saiyuri back, who was caught by an equally enraged Demeter. Dion had fully intended to carry out her threat. He heard Demeter's comment, but disreguarded it. Where Dion was an Angel of Death, he was an Angel of Mercy, and could hopefully calm his wife before he had to explain his brother's death to their father.

Tobin shifted into his Angel form, though not as gracefully as usual given the circumstance and the fact that he still had his shirt on, which was now ruined. He stepped up behind his wife, tentatively placing his hand on her side, not wishing for her to turn on him. "Dion, no." He voice was calm, yet solid enough to hopefully get through to her. He glared at his brother over her shoulder, now able to hear that he had been quietly growling. His expression sad it all for Rhy; 'Your damned lucky I decided not to let her kill you.'

***

Rhystic's face scrunched when Saiyuri slammed him against the cabinets, hearing Niko's shouts as he contended with an angry woman, one with Custos blood. He had been expecting Niko to be the one to have pinned him, but now he was face to face with the woman who had been so displeased with him. He could smell it now, she was a child of Dion's, or rather, -another- child of Dion's. He was confirmed when she had mentioned her 'mother's threat,' obviously meaning Dion, who had been the only woman to threaten him as soon as he came in.

Red began to form in a ring around Rhy's iris', but he kept his true form at bay. Anyway, he didn't have the room available for his wings. He growled as Saiyuri's claws drifted lower, slicing through his shirt and across his skin. He shifted to throw her back when her hand was grabbed, causing her to clench tighter around his neck, drawing blood. He hissed, but wasn't able to retaliate before she was pushed away. He was then faced with a new challange - Dion.

Rhystic was furious. He had only come at his father's request, to heed the wishes of a sick man, and he had to deal with this shit. He growled and managed to get his arms up before he was pinned, once gain, to the cabinets by Dion. His hands hadn't helped him much, as they were must less effective than the sai currently resting heavily against the front of his pants. He heard Dion's question, but preferred on concentrate on finding a way to lever himself against Dion and break free - without hurting her, which was proving to be the difficult part, and he hadn't even caught Demeter's little quip. His eyes flickered past is attacker as he felt a familiar power. He narrowed his eyes, seeing Tobin's Angel form approaching them, and on instinct he began to growl anew.

Rhy was surprised when his brother laid his hands on Dion and told her to stop. He had thought he was going to help her if anything, but the glare he received let him know he was not forgiven for his comment, only having his life spared, and probably not because they were brothers. He knew Tobin would have a hell of a time explaining his death to their father, which was probably the only thing leading Tobin to help him. Not that he was complaining. He had underestimated just about every female in the house.

***

Nikolas had watched not only Saiyuri, but Demeter jump into action. They had obviously reacted when he had, only they had not been close enough to Tobin for him to hold them back. He glanced to his side, at Rowan, and immediately picked him up off the bench. He settled the boy on his left side, not really wanting the boy to get scared, or even act on impulse and run after his mother. His right hand was free to play with his pocket knife, having aquired a damned good aim over his many years when it came to knife throwing. He tossed the knife in the air, catching it by the blade before tossing it up again.

Niko continued to toss his knife in the air as his gaze went to Dominic. He felt bad, the poor guy getting stuck in the middle of something like this. He was new to the family after all, and it was obvious that Saiyuri had never acted like this before, because even her own husband looked too terrified to approach her. His attention was drawn back to Tobin as his caught the shift out of the corner of his eyes. Well, at least it would end soon. Tobin would either help kill Rhy, or calm Dion. Unfortunately Niko figured it would be the latter. His eyes were now riveted on the action, waiting.

[Maira]

As his mother practically dumped him on the bench in her hurry to join Aunty Dion and the other lady Rowan watched in amazement. He'd never seen so many wings on people, not ever! And then Uncle Tobin had wings too! He wanted to run and touch the wings, and to bite the bad man as he was now sure he was, but his father picked him up and settled him on one hip. Rowan squirmed for only a moment before his attention was again focussed on all the wings in the room.

~~~~~

Saiyuri hissed at Dion as she was finally yanked off of Rhystic and thrown backwards. New to her wings, they nearly overbalanced her but she managed to stay upright somehow. Only once she was stable on her own two feet again did Saiyuri realize that Demeter had caught her. Smiling her thanks, a fang bearing enraged smile, she then turned her attention back to the scene of her mother, Rhystic and now Tobin.

She watched angrily as Tobin moved to stop Dion from following through on her threat from earlier and a low growl started in her throat. Hadn't he heard what his bastard brother had said? Flexing her wings and her claws, ready to attack again if needed, Saiyuri took one step closer and waited.

~~~~~

Dominic was feeling more than a little overwhelmed. He felt as though he was drowning. Even a vampire of minimal experience such as himself could feel all the emotional tumult that was coming off the four winged figures, and the one all their attention was focussed on, in waves. If Saiyuri hadn't been among them all he likely would have made an escape already. This was -not- something he wanted to mess with at all. Instead, he stood waiting, hoping his wife wouldn't do something stupid. Hoping she'd recover from whatever madness had seized her.

~~~~~

Eventually Rowan's fascination with all the wings wore off and he started squirming again. After only a minute or two, Niko finally let him down. Not sure what to do with his newfound freedom, Rowan looked at all the adults quickly to see if he was being watched, he wasn't.

Taking his chance, Rowan slipped past his father and Dominic, past Uncle Tobin and between his Aunt Dion and the lady that looked like her. None of them were paying attention to him either so just stood there watching. He resisted the temptation to touch Aunty Dion's wings as he didn't want her attention right then, she was busy with the bad man. As he watched a wicked smile came across his little face, making his eyes sparkle with mischief baring his little 'puppy' fangs.