Trouble Maker

[Shinigami]

((Note: This is a JOINER, so feel free to jump in. Also, it is set a few years after Seeing is Believing.))

Nicias was damn near giddy when he had received the message from Nemhain. Someone was looking to start a fight, and a big one, with an Angel family and they wanted -him- on the front lines. While he had never been much for fighting, he loved to stand on the battle field and watch the chaos around him. He didn't know who, exactly, was starting the fight or why, but he rarely cared.

He kneeled before his beloved Goddess of Havoc and listened as he was given is orders. Nicias glanced towards the man standing next to her as he spoke about the family they were going to attack. The man was actually a Custos and had something against the head of the Arrighi family, all Angels. His job was to be a consultant to his general and to weave his illusions to insure their victory. The last bit of news from the man startled him:

"They have a Seer, a very ancient one, so you will need to be careful."

Nicias' eyes widened and he flicked his eyes towards Nemhain before returning them to the Custos. "I may be powerful at weaving illusion, Sir, but I have never tried to fool the eye of a Seer, not even a novice one. I am afraid this may be beyond my ability."

"Nonsense, young Nicias." Nemhain spoke. "I have trained you well. You will do this job, and you will do it well." Nicias nodded, but frowned. He understood the unspoken words of his Goddess. If he did not do this he would be punished, and if he was not powerful enough, then he would perish on the battle field. And he wasn't about to let himself die, so he was left with one choice: Do his damned job well and assure the Custoss victory.

***

Aurelius stalked through the halls of his family's home, quite shocked that he had been called home on urgent business, and also quite annoyed that no one would tell him why he was there. Everyone he asked simply urged him to go speak with his father, which was where he was headed. As he neared his father's office doors, he saw guards posted, which was unusual unless during wars. They opened the doors for him without question.

He noted his eldest brother, the family's general, Jahaziel, and Ezekiel all already in the office. "What in Hell is going on? Why are guards posted outside of your door?"

The Lord sighed. "We have gotten word of trouble starting. There has been news that a Custos army has been eying our House and Jahaziel has confirmed that there is a battle looming over us." Rel glanced at the blind Seer before moving back to his father. "And you need me because?"

"I want you on the battle field with your brother, the general, and Ezekiel. I will be taking this opportunity to decide who will be my heir." Aurelius scowled, not very happy that his father had chosen -now- to actually consider him as a possibility for heir. He was also a bit shocked that his father was putting Ezekiel on the battle field. The ancient soldier was usually appointed as head of the house guard in times of battle. Lord Arrighi dismissed the group, they would meet again before dinner to speak about the upcoming battle in more detail.

***

Nicias had returned to his Earth bound home to gather things, mainly weaponry, and inform Zane, Gunner, and Jezebel he'd be gone for an unknown length of time. Jezebel had been adamant that he tell her what was going on, but he simply brushed her off, telling her it was work related. He did tell Zane and Gunner what it was about, however. They both had a love of trouble, and Nicias had been given permission to enlist more people.

"Come on, Nici!" Zane's use of that nickname made Nicias cringe. "You know I like a good fight! Let me help!"

"You might as well let him, Nicias." Gunner grumbled. "He'll only bother you." Nicias snorted, knowing it was the absolute truth, and he couldn't convince Zane to back down. "Well, then. If Zane is going, so are you Gunner. You're more level-headed. You can work with him and keep him in check."

"Hey! I don't need a babysitter!" The two older men ignored him, obviously feeling he -did- in fact need a babysitter. Gunner sighed and nodded, accepting. "When do we start?"

"I've already started. I've been weaving illusions to put the Angels on edge all week, but if you're both coming we need to leave as soon as possible."

[Maira]

She knew something was up when Jahaziel, along with his brother, was summoned to the Lord of the House's meeting chamber. She'd even gone so far as to walk past the end of the hallway that held the Lord's meeting room and saw there were guards posted at the door. As far as she could remember, that only happened when something big, and rather unpleasant had either happened already or was about to happen. As the House had seemed peaceful since her return from Olympus, she figured something big was in the works.

Not knowing how long the meeting could take, Aeven picked an alcove just around the corner from the meeting room's door and settled herself in for a bit of light meditation. If she was lucky she might catch a glimpse of what was being said in the room, and if not at least she would be calm and centered for whatever knews Jahaziel would bring out of it.

*****

She had met the trio one night when they had decided to have dinner at the restaurant she worked for. The Waterside was not an overly ritzy restaurant but it did provide nicer faire for its guests and when the trio had wandered in, the waiters had all looked a bit worried. They came back into the kitchen gossipping about the strangers and Sasha had just had to get a look at them.

Just looking through the little porthole-like window in the door separating the kitchen from the dining room, Sasha had been able to tell that the men were different. Rather like she was different. The waiters all seemed to be avoiding the men so Sasha had swiped an order book from one and taken their order herself and their friendships had grown from there.

Now, a few months later, Sasha made it a habit of taking the two younger of the men food on a regular basis. Plus, she just liked their company. So, riding her motorcycle over to Zane and Gunner's place was automatic now. When she pulled up at their apartment, she grabbed the "to-go" boxes and headed up to the door. A quick knock and then she twisted the knob and headed in. "Guys! Dinner!," she shouted as she walked into their kitchen and got to work dishing up the meals onto real plates.

*****

Aeven wasn't totally sure how long she'd been waiting around the corner from the meeting room but when the doors opened she came alert immediately. She had only caught the smallest glimpse of what had been said in the meeting but that little tidbit was enough to set Aeven's mind working. She -would- be going into battle. Her time in Olympus had been quite beneficial to her warrior abilities, as well as a few other abilities of hers, and she wasn't about to be left at home minding the children.

When Jahaziel turned the corner, Aeven slipped silently to his side and walked with him down the hallway a short distance before she told him. "I'm going." It was short and simple and made her point very clear. Now it was just up to Jahaziel, and likely Ezekiel, to argue the point as she knew they would.

[Shinigami]

The three of them glanced up instantly at the sound of Sasha's voice and, like Pavlov's dogs, all of their stomachs growled just from the knowledge that she had come baring food. Gunner and Zane had been riffling through their things to figure out what to pack, and Nicias had been acting as a supervisor of sorts, making sure they were only packing necessities. All that stopped as they followed the smell of food into the kitchen.

"Oh, thanks the gods! I'm starving!" Zane exclaimed while rubbing his hands together. Gunner was just as eager to get towards the food. "What did you bring us today?" Though, he was already checking out the containers to see what they were filled with. Nicias knew they would need to be in Hell asap, but he felt his own stomach rumble in protest. He hadn't eaten much that day.

"Alright, boys. Eat up, but I hope you enjoy it fast, because we still have to get going to Hell as soon as possible." Of course, he sat himself down to 'eat up'. Nicias smiled at Sasha. "So how have you been my dear? These two haven't been giving you trouble, have they?"

***

Jahaziel had grown quite used to Aeven appearing by his side like that. He had known she was lurking in the halls to begin with, but she had just shown up as he walked through the house a number of times. Ezekiel was also fairly used to it, but he has also gotten the chance to see her pull away from the wall. The brothers instinctively moved so Aeven was walking between them. They both turned their heads towards her at her rather abrupt declaration. Ezekiel was the first to answer.

"You most certainly are not. You will be need to stay back and protect-" Ziel cut his brother off with a rather dismissing wave of his hand, and the expression on his face was enough to say 'Oh, please.' He knew Aeven hated to be told she would be in charge of keeping the women and children safe. He had seen her new confidence and power since the moment she came back to the house, though, he agreed with Kiel on one point.

"Now, while I -don't- think you should be left to mind the women and children, I also think you going out onto the battle field is a bad idea. As is eavesdropping." He made sure his head was still turned her way. Her seers powers had been growing, but that didn't mean she could use them to spy on others. "Now, even if I do want you here, it will be as head of the house guard, or the assistant to it at the very least. We can't take every warrior out onto the fields. If a few get past those soldiers we'll need more here to take them down."

Ezekiel had hissed at his brother for waving him off, but he settled his 'ruffled feathers' when Jahaziel agreed that Aeven stay behind. Even though there had been a significant improvement in her abilities, plus the added power of her newly discovered Custos side, he was far too fond of her to put her in that sort of danger at such a young age.

[Maira]

Sasha smirked at the sound of three grown men practically running out to the kitchen. Zane's exclamation, followed by Gunner's question just turned her smirk into a smile and she answered, "Sorry, boys, just the surf and turf tonight. Hope you don't mind lobster and steak with a nice side of seasoned vegetables. Watching all three of them sit down to eat the meals she'd dished up, Sasha then served herself up a plate of what little was left. Luckily she had never been a heavy eater or she'd never have been able to survive on what the men routinely left for her to nibble on.

Nicias' words to the other men to hurry up and eat because they needed to get to Hell perked her curiosity. When he then asked how she'd been, Sasha gave him a flirtatious smile and answered, "They're nothing like you Nicias love, just a couple of ungrateful beggar boys." Here she shot the two younger men one each of her killer smiles to show them she didn't mean it, then she put a small forkful of veggies in her mouth and turned her attention back to Nicias. When she'd swallowed she asked, "So, going to go play in Hell? How come the boys get invited and I don't?"

*****

Before Ezekiel could complete his thought, Aeven had turned to glare at him. She had gained perfect control of her shifting while at Olympus so the flash of red in her eyes was -not- because she was losing control of her temper. It was to show just how angry she was.

She was just opening her mouth to object to Kiel's idea that she should stay home and babysit when the older angel was silenced. She'd felt movement from Jahaziel and she guessed it was him waving at his brother to shut him up before he got hurt. While she worked more closely with Jahaziel, and he too was protective of her, at least he had accepted the changes in her since coming back to Heaven.

Glaring at Ezekiel for only a moment longer, Aeven turned her attention to her mentor and listened while he spoke. She didn't like what he had to say much better than what Ezekiel had been about to say but she was at least respectful enough to hear him out before voicing her thoughts. She didn't bother to fight his accusation of eavesdropping and instead went straight to telling him, "While I'm flattered by the position you think I should hold while being left home, its still babysitting. I've been trained by Gods, I've been trained by the best Heaven and Hell have to offer, not allowing me to prove myself in battle is a foolish thing to try and do Jahaziel." Her tone was firm and unyielding and made it clear she would go to battle whether she was "allowed" or not.

[Shinigami]

Of course the boys were more than happy with surf and turf. Zane and Gunner couldn't afford lobster and steak on any normal day, and Nicias could only splurge once in a while (and he was usually treating Zane and Gunn, too). They dug right in to their food, absolutely in love with Sasha's cooking. Nicias let out a laugh as she called his two younger friends 'ungrateful beggar boys.' Zane puffed his chest out. "Hey now!" He gave Nicias a mock glare, but smiled back at Sasha. Gunner just smiled and rolled his eyes.

All three of the boys glanced up when Sasha asked about Hell, then the younger two glanced at Nicias, wondering if they were allowed to tell. Nicias answered after swallowing his own mouthful of food. "I was contracted to start a rather involved battle with and Angel family by some Custos. He allowed me to bring others along, and of course Zane wanted in so he could light things on fire. Gunner is coming as his babysitter."

Zane snarled at Nicias, for practically calling him a heathen and also for saying he needed a babysitter again. Gunner laughed. "Yeah, someone needs to make sure this one keeps is head on the battle field." He ruffled the youngest Vampire's hair before returning to his meal. Zane questioned Nicias. "Hey, Nici, how come you didn't tell Bel, but you told Sasha?"

Nicias cringed at the hated nickname once again. "Because Jezebel doesn't know I'm a Custos, or else it would ruin my delicately laid plan. And..." He turned to Sasha, "Because you are more than likely to come play with us if you'd like. I could used someone with your skills. Could you get away from the restaurant indefinitely, though? I'm not sure how long this battle is going to take..."

***

Ezekiel had been put a little off guard at the look of pure anger on Aeven's face. He wasn't used to such an expression from her, though he knew he was probably being over protective. She had never seemed to mind it before, though... He could certainly understand her want to prove her skills, but he still couldn't imagine putting her out on the battle field. Kiel only hoped his brother wasn't so easily persuaded that he would fail to argue after she mentioned the Gods that had trained her.

Jahaziel, though certainly impressed with Aeven's resolve, wasn't quite willing to give in just yet. He let out a heavy breath as they continued to walk through the halls. "That is exactly my point, Aeven. You are well trained and fully capable, and we need someone like that -here-. The only other soldiers with those skills around here may very well be Ezekiel and I, and Ezekiel is being sent out onto the battle fields under Lord Aurelius' command. And while I may be staying behind, I cannot protect the house alone."

He paused in the hall, which basically forced Aeven and Ezekiel to stop as well. They were blocking the hall at that point, but he didn't give a rat's ass. Besides, the only other person around was Aurelius, and Ziel was almost certain the man was following just close enough to eavesdrop on their little disagreement. "Please, Aeven, I am not saying you aren't capable, just that we need your skills at the house."

[Maira]

The laughter that tried to bubble out of her when Nicias called Gunner Zane's babysitter had to be quickly suppressed. Still, Sasha nearly choked on more vegetables. Zane was just so idignant that she couldn't help it. When Zane then asked Nicias why he'd been willing to spill where they were going to her but not to Nicias' lover, Sasha turned and regarded Nicias with a raised eyebrow.

The answer from the Custos first made Sasha's eyebrow climb higher, then it made her laugh and wiggle on the barstool she was seated on. Had she just seriously been invited to Hell? To join in a battle no less? "Nicias, the restaurant is a past-time for me. If they can't accept my "emergency" leave, then I don't need them." Her answer was as calm as she could make it and she was totally serious about the job. The fact that she had just silently purchased The Waterside gave her a bit of an advantage when it came to her job security.

Then, with a bit of an evil grin quirking up the corners of her mouth, Sasha added, "Plus, I think blowing shit up would be lots of fun." Here she turned and winked suggestively at Zane. They may tease him about being young and a heathen for liking to set stuff on fire, but she wasn't much better despite her age.

*****

She had managed to stay calm thus far and Aeven was -not- willing to lose her temper with Lord Aurelius standing only a short distance away. Still, with Lord Aurelius standing right there she also wasn't willing to back down easily. She needed to prove herself, and not just by winning an argument against the fact that Jahaziel wanted her to babysit the House while all the other soldiers got to go off to war.

A wicked gleam came into her eyes then, which luckily for her Jahaziel couldn't see or she would have lost the element of surprise. As silently and as quickly as she could, Aeven rushed Jahaziel and flattened him (only a little roughly) against the hallway wall. Then in a low but perfectly audible tone, even to Lord Aurelius, Aeven informed Jahaziel, "I may not be as old as some, I may not be proven as others, but damnit Jahaziel, no matter how nicely you put it, me staying here is nothing more than glorified babysitting and you know it."

Then, her wicked grin widening and her voice going just this side of sultry, she leaned in closer to him and whispered in his ear, "Plus Ziel if we both stay here, with hardly anybody around there won't be anybody to stop me from doing this on a regular basis." After which, Aeven planted a kiss firmly on the older angel's lips, nipping his lower lip as she pulled away. "I've missed you Jahaziel but somehow I don't think right now is the best time for me to show you just how much."

[Demeter]

Carma's network of spies ran deep. One didn't remain second in command to a layer of hell without such things like spies. He had his ties to the Arrighi house in Heaven. A daughter and a former lover who, oddly enough, his daughter was rather attracted to. Aeven, though fully trained, was still a novice when it came to battle. Battle was what his spies were reporting and he'd feel better if he was there for Aeven during her first actual, unplanned battle.

That and Rune was due to return to duty in a few days. He'd worked hard to keep the news of his return quiet but Carma knew that Rune would find him once he returned. He wanted to be away from the man who had a happy family. He would just cause problems. It was already the reason why he'd stayed away for so long. Why he'd asked for the transfer to the training department. Going up to heaven would just extend his vacation from Rune.

He popped up a few miles from the perimeter of the house. Once he reached the first bank of guards, he identified himself as Aeven's father and an friend of Jahaziel. He was allowed in. He followed a second pair of guards down a hallway. And stopped dead when he saw Aeven latched onto Jahaziel. For a moment, he blinked like an owl at the sight of his daughter wrapped around another man. He quickly got over that, seeing as he'd been the one to plan her first adventure with a man; not him of course. He started laughing when he noticed that the angel she was attached to was the blind seer. He bent at the waist, braced his hands on his knees and just laughed.

***

Salut leaned back against the couch in her private rooms. She'd heard the rumors flying around the household. She knew what could be coming. She remembered the previous battle all too well. That was an event she remembered all to well. She associated both good things and bad because of that event. She been raped, yes, and while that had been horrid and nasty, it had led her to Ezekiel.

Salut grinned. A slow, lazy sort of grin when she thought about her lover. Her much older lover. Her older and very talented lover. It had taken then a while to get over their respective shyness about each other and a quick shove into a empty room by Grayson to wake them up.

Salut stood up and went into her office. If the rumors were true, she'd need to make sure she was stocked up on supplies. She counted things out and noted down what she would need to reorder. She leaned back against the shelving units, hugged herself around the waist. Yeah, the last battle that had breached the house had led her to Kiel but it had also led to painful things. And, if the rumor's were true, this wasn't about one son pissing off the son of another house. This was about Custoss. Custoss could do horrible things.

Salut slid down the shelving unit. She wanted Kiel.

[Shinigami]

Both twins froze Jahaziel had started to raise his hands, about to defend himself as he thought Aeven was going to attack him (in a sparring sense, of course) in order to prove she was fit for the battle field. He began to relax when he heard her words. She was, indeed, upset about getting set as the head of the house guard, but she wasn't angry enough to do anything more than keep him against the wall. Ziel heard Aeven's voice take on a tone that could be described as alluring, and he was so shocked to hear what she was implying that he didn't have time to react to her growing closer to him. The kiss made everything freeze, and it wasn't until she pulled away that his brain began to function again.

Ezekiel froze, wide eyed as Aeven pinned his brother to the wall, not expecting her to be so upset about being left at the house. Then again, he couldn't quite hear what she was saying, so when she planted a kiss on his brother's lips he sucked in a breath, but otherwise couldn't move. He broke free of his temporary paralysis and reached forward to pull Aeven back, and off of Jahaziel, when she pulled back on her own. Aurelius had nearly choked in surprise, but was more amused than anything else.

The laughter that errupted through the hall caught everyone's attention. They all looked towards the noise, to see the Custos the family had once hired to guard one of their daughters, as well as the man known as Aeven's father, doubled over with laughter. Jahaziel growled, pushing himself away from the wall as he shifted into his Angel form. He snarled as he spoke. "Damn you, Carmine! What in Hell are you doing here?!"

Ezekiel just didn't know what to do, and he needed someone to babble about it to, so he headed where he always did when he needed someone to talk to: Salut's quarters. He had been planning on heading there anyway after they had met with the Lord to inform her about the upcoming battle.

***

Nicias was glade to hear that Sasha was willing to come with them, whether or not she had to permanently leave her job or not, but was a little saddened. He hoped she wouldn't have to quit entirely, especially since she wasn't required to help them. Nicias rolled his eyes as her next comment only served to fuel Zane's fire.

"Ha! See? Blowing shit up is fun, just admit it already!" Nicias and Gunner rolled their eyes again before going back to their meals. Gunner would much rather fight with his bare hands, and Nicias loved to -start- the trouble and just watch it unfold, though he was a fighter when he needed to be.

[Maira]

She was expecting some sort of reaction from Jahaziel, even if it was just for him to push her away and tell her she was crazy. But all she got was silence and a stiffening of his body. Only, the silence didn't last and suddenly Jahaziel -was- moving. He rushed past her and off in the direction of the loud laughter. Before she even followed her mentor as he rushed at the laughing man, Aeven knew who it was. She'd gotten to know that laughter rather well during their time shared on Olumpus.

As Jahaziel yelled at Carma, Aeven just raised an eyebrow and walked calmly toward her father. When she was a short distance away she greeted him, "Welcome to Heaven Father. You'r timing could have been better." She was calm on the surface, but already Aeven was planning revenge on the Custos for laughing. He was the one who saw to her new found confidence and the first chance she actually got to use it, the bastard laughed at her. Not that he should have been around anyway...

*****

Sasha smiled warmly at Zane's happy tone but didn't comment on what he said anymore than she already had. She didn't want to goad him into too many antics after all. Instead, she concentrated on her meal for a few moments before asking Nicias, "So, when do we go and do we have time for me to swing home to get some things?"

If they didn't have time, she would just have to survive with the things she had in her saddlebags on her motorcycle. Oh shit. Her bike! She couldn't just leave it sitting in the parking lot of Zane and Gunner's apartment complex for an untold amount of time, somebody would steal it!

A bit worried, she answered her own question before Nicias had a chance to. "Okay, well we have to go back to my place, if for no other reason than so I can put my baby in her garage."

[Demeter]

Carma quickly quieted his laughter to a chuckle as he backpedaled away from Jahaziel. He sidled around to hide behind his daughter. "I just find it so entirely interested, Jahaziel, that the members of my family," he motioned to Aeven and himself, "seem to be attracted to you. Or have you forgoteen about those two member weeks we shared all those years ago."

Carma's grin faded as he thought about the other reason he'd shown up in heaven. "There's another reason for my presence here but it's better not to talk about such things in the hallways. But it is safe to say that I've heard what might be happening. Where my child is involved, I keep my ears to the ground."

Even though he'd only known Aeven for a few years, he was already wildly protective of the girl. Just like he was protective of Darius' children. While they were herded towards a closed off area to discuss what Carma knew, he dropped back to walk with Aeven. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Good going, girl. Glad to see you actually got some nerve. See, living with me for two years was useful."

***

When Salut heard the door to her rooms, adjecent to the quarters the twins were assigned to, she scrambled up. Few people were allowed in without knocking first. She peered out of workroom and bounced over when she saw Ezekiel standing in what she considered her living room. It amused her to see the big angel standing in a rather feminine room.

She hugged him first and then kissed him, lingering, as she always did, over his mouth. Once she was satisfied that Kiel was in one peice, she pulled back and stared up at him. "So, what's going on? I heard that the Lord called for you and that Aurelius has been called back." She liked the younger son more then the older one.

[Shinigami]

((We must have been posting at the same time, or I never refreshed my page, cause I didn't notice your post >_< lol. That's okay. It was easy enough to modify))

Jahaziel had stopped short of actually -charging- the Custos, but he had truly wanted to hurt the man... at least a little bit. He watched Aeven approach him, speaking to him calmly. Ziel couldn't fathom how she was so calm, but then again, she had been the one that pinned him to the wall. He gave another little growl... that had to have been Carmine's fault, too. What in Hell had he done to Aeven while they were away at Olympus?!

He glared as the Custos hid behind his own daughter and snarled again as he mentioned the tryst they had once had a few centuries ago. He was too worked up and confused to even try answering. He took a few deep breaths and shifted back to his more human form. Jahaziel could understand Carmine's concern for his daughter, but he would be cornering the bastard of a Custos later to figure out exactly what happened at Olympus.

Ziel brushed past them and kept walking the way they had been headed, obviously expecting the others to follow as they had been doing. Aurelius moved up from behind the group to walk along side the Seer. He spoke softly, but he wasn't trying too hard to hide her conversation. "I did wish to speak with you, which was the main purpose in my following you. Would that be acceptable?" Ziel nodded, more than willing to talk about more important matter of battle at the moment.

Ezekiel had reached Salut's quarters, but instead of knocking and waiting as he had done many times before they had gotten together, he simply let himself in. He didn't see her at first, but then he saw her bouncing towards him from the direction of her work room. He welcomed the hug and kiss and returned each, humming pleasantly as the kiss lingered. Kiel was quite happy to be somewhere normal and comfortable after the display he had just seen.

He gave a sigh when Salut asked what was going on. He really hated times of war. "We are looking at an impending battle. A large one, from what Ziel has seen. Lord Aurelius was called back to help his brother lead the soldiers on the battle fields. They're placing me on the fields as a general under his command. And Aeven wants out and onto the battle fields."

***

Nicias looked up from his food once more as Sasha asked when they'd be leaving. "Well, the actual battle won't start for some time, as they have to mobilize an actual army to fight it, but we should leave as soon as we can. If you need to go home to grab things that's fine. You can meet us back here. I'm sure Gunner will still be pining over leaving his shop."

Now it was Gunn's turn to make a face at the older Custos. He owned the mechanics shop just below the apartment, and not only would he be leaving all of his tools and equipment behind, but he would be leaving the cars in the garage behind. Only one of which was finished and fully functional, but he still feared for their safety in his absence.

Zane snorted at Gunner's expression, before he turned to Sasha. "You may want to bring something you could use as a weapon. Though, with your abilities you may not really need them in the long run." Gunner and Nicias looked at him in silence for a second before he got annoyed. 'What? I'm not an idiot heathen! I know a thing or two about battle, too, you know!" They both smirked at him and ruffled his hair at the same time before going back to their food. Zane was growling and huffing about being treated like a kid.

[Maira]

When Carma sidled around to hide behind her, Aeven giggled. Her father, hiding from the man she wanted to become her love... From all the stories she'd ever heard it was always the prospective lover that did the hiding. Of course, what her father was saying to the enraged Jahaziel likely wasn't helping the Angel's temper any. Aeven was well aware of her father's fling with Jahaziel and while it had weirded her out initially, she had been schooled (by Ares of all the gods) that it didn't matter if father and daughter both enjoyed the same man.

When Jahaziel started snarling more at Carma, Aeven just looked at him. She knew she was going to get a talking to later, if Jahaziel would even allow them to be alone together, and when that happened she was planning on telling the older angel just how silly he'd been acting.

Once everybody started walking again and Carma draped an arm around her shoulders, Aeven slipped an arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder comfortably. After growing up not knowing who her parents were and thinking they didn't want her, finding out that she had a father that cared for her had been the biggest gift in Aeven's life. The fact that he acted paternal at times, and as the worst possible influence in her life at others, just made life interesting. Concering her backbone in her dealings with Jahaziel, Carma had definitely been a bad influence.

As they walked and Carma talked to her, Aeven was finally able to smile at him. "Yes Papa, those two years with you were very useful. Of course, laughing at me the first time I manage to lock lips with the man didn't help the situation any. Now I doubt he'll even let me be alone with him anytime soon."

*****

When Nicias answered her, Sasha just nodded and hurried to finish her meal. She lived back near her restaurant but the ride wouldn't be long. The only problem she could see with Nicias' plan was that she didn't own a vehicle other than her motorcycle and getting back across town would take a while on foot.

"Well, I could head over to my place, get packed up and then maybe you guys could come get me? I've only got my motorcycle remember and if I'm locking her up for who knows how long, I'd have to hoof it back here which woudl take more time that I think you want to waste."

[Demeter]

Salut lead Kiel over to the big, squishy couch she'd shoved into the room just for him and urged him to sit. Once he was stretched out on the tan colored material, Salut cuddled up next to him. They had an easy relationship, much unlike the early days when they'd tiptoed around each other. She rested her head on his chest, her back pressed into the pillows lining the back of the couch. "Lovely, impending battle."

She looked up at him. "If you get yourself killed out on the battle field, I'll will be pissed off at you." She kissed his chin. "Come back to me alive. I may excuse mauled if you still have a heartbeat." It may have sounded harsh to some, her excusing a possible mauling, but she was a healer. She could put him back together so long as he still had a heartbeat.

Salut crawled up the length of Kiel's body and kissed him again.

***

Carmine filed into the empty room last. He dropped his arm from Aeven's shoulder. He glanced at the people in the room"I'm sure the people in this room know my position in hell. I'm second in command to the Fifth layer lord. As such, it is my jon to ensure my Lord's safety. I may have been absent from the fifth layer for a few years but I still have ties."

"My network of spies have picked up rumors of a Custos planning a raid, battle, war, the term varies, against this house. My daughter is a member of this house. I go where I am needed. My spies have yet to uncover who, when, or what will happen but they are working on it." Carma turned and stared at the younger angel standing next to Ziel. "Will my services be accepted for what they are? A father guarding the back of his daughter?"

[Shinigami]

The room was a meeting room designed to keep whatever business was discussed inside. Neither Jahaziel nor Aurelius wanted any more information flooding the house via rumors if they could help it. Ziel had noticed his brother slip away from the group, but Rel had just taken notice. He had hoped to get Kiel's opinion on a few matters, but it seemed he would have to track him down later. Jahaziel settled himself at the table, listening as Carmine spoke, though he already knew why the man was there.

Aurelius gave his full attention to the visiting Custos. He had been informed of Carma's position in Hell, so he was not entirely surprised to hear the man had such an extensive network of spies. Rel nodded to confirm that there was indeed a Custos plotting against the house, and he understood Carmine's request. "So long as you are willing to -cooperate- with this house and do not usurp any orders I or Ezekiel give, then I see no reason why you cannot stand beside your daughter on the battle field. As a soldier you understand there must be some semblance of order in battle."

He glanced at Aeven. "And as far as who is placed where and for what purpose is up to me. I have not seen your improvement since returning, but I have heard much from others. You -will- be on the battle field, but you must deal with Ezekiel as your general." Jahaziel cocked his head to the side at that, but didn't protest. Kiel took on a whole different personality on the battle field.

***

Ezekiel allowed himself to be led to the couch and sat down. He stretched out and welcomed they feeling of Salut laying against him. Her demand for him to return alive was actually expected, though the fact that she would allow him to be mauled wasn't, exactly. It made some sort of sense to Kiel. She was a healer after all. Putting people back together is what she was good at. He gave a reassuring smile as she crawled up his body and kissed him once more, gladly returning the kiss.

He wrapped his arms around her and kept her where she was. "You have my word. I will return to you alive. Though, I pray I won't be mauled." Kiel kissed her again. "I just worry about the others. About Aeven. I am a completely different person on the battle field. And not exactly -nice- to my soldiers during such times. Though, I think I would be more worried about leaving her alone with my brother, now."

***

Nicias glanced up, blinking as he realized the flaw in his plan that Sasha pointed out to him. He was just about finished eating, even though he had eaten at a respectable pace (unlike his two friends, who had inhaled their food). He thought about the route to take that would be the fastest.

"Well, these two still need to finish packing, and then Gunner will want to check on his shop before locking it up, so if you're ready I could follow you. That way you could lock up your bike and get your things. And this place is on the way to the gate we'll be using."

Zane gave a pout and some off-handed comment about Nicias getting to go to Sasha's alone, but the glare he received shut him up. Gunner shooed Zane off to get his stuff together while he finished doing the same himself. "You'll be seeing Sasha again soon enough, and Nicias already has a woman he's stringing along, remember?" Nicias laughed at that before addressing Sasha. "Are you ready?"

[Maira]

Aeven knew her father's heart was in the right place but the fact that he named protecting her as his reason for wanting to join the fight sort of rankled. He was a damn good fighter, she'd seen him sparring with the gods many times during their stay in Olympus, but she had learned from the same gods, and him, and Ezekiel. She knew she wasn't the best out there but she was pretty certain she could handle herself. The only thing that made her not completely angry at her father was that she was actually looking forward to seeing him in real battle. Sparring could be so controlled sometimes and while it could look viscious, it normally wasn't.

Still, even though she wasn't completely happy with how her father relayed his intentions, she listened quietly. She had always been good at listening, but now more than ever she was determined to hear everything that was said. When Aurelius indicated, and then flat out told her she would be allowed to accompany the soldiers into battle she couldn't completely supress the small smile that surfaced. She nodded her head gratefully and answered, "Thank you Sir." It was simple but she honestly had not other words that wouldn't sound cheesey.

*****

((ooc: did I read that right? Zane is interested in more than just Sasha's cooking? news to her! hehe))

Oh how she loved her boys! Sasha was quite amused, as normal, by how quickly Zane and Gunner inhaled their meal. After Nicias finished his meal and told her what they could do about getting her home, packed, and back over here so they could all leave, she smiled and nodded as she took her last bite of food.

She was about to thank Nicias, but the comment Zane made stopped the words cold. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow then shook her head and smiled. Goofy Keahi. If he knew anything about her it was that she wasn't interested in being serious with anybody, and that included Nicias. Yes all three of her male friends were good looking and had great personalities but she'd just not had a good experience with the one relationship in her past.

Anyway, as the two younger men left to go finish packing, Sasha quickly gathered up the dishes and depositted them all in the dishwasher and turned it on. If they were going to be gone for a while, those dishes would be downright disgusting when they got back if they weren't washed. And if she left it up to Zane or Gunner, they'd forget. Once the dishwasher started filling up, Sasha turned to Nicias and told him, I'm ready when you are.

[Demeter]

Carmine smiled and exicuted a small bow. "Of course, my Lord. I know how to behave and how to talk orders." weither or not he would do those things depended on just how heated battle got. If he got just a little too involved, the battle-crazed burserker warrior would show up. "If someone could show me to a place where I could bunk, shower and eat." He wouldn't offer his personal services up to anyone on this stay in the house. He couldn't bring himself to do that.

Aeven piped up and offered to escort him to the visitor's rooms. Carma bowed to the two other angels and followed his daughter out of the room. Once they were a ways away, Carma turned to look at Aeven. "You could always seduce him in public." he said before walking ahead of Aeven.

***

Salut peered up at Kiel. "What did she do now?" she asked about Aeven. The girl always seemed to be doing something. Fainting at the sight of blood, turning out to be half-Custos, running off to play with gods. She always seemed to be into something. Salut sat up. "She's actually being let out on the battlefield. Well, I assume that if she's capable of defending herself then she can be out on the battlefield. I hope she's gotten over that whole fainting thing."

[Shinigami]

If Jahaziel had been in a much better mood he would have joked that Carmine could stay with him, but he was confused enough as it was. He had once enjoyed the little fling he had with the Custos, but now with his daughter, and a girl he had been around since she was a child, began to hit on him... well, it was just not something he was used to. Then again, he had been around Aurelius since his birth and had still ended up sleeping with him as an adult... and Aeven was an adult...

Ziel berated himself for the line of thought he had started to follow. He had heard both Aeven and Carmine leave, so he was now alone with Rel. He looked up in the man's direction. "You wanted to speak with me, Lord Aurelius?" He could feel eyes on him as his 'Lord' looked at him.

"Yes, Jahaziel. I want to know what you saw. What awaits us when all this begins?" The Seer sighed. He had seen a lot, and not all of it was guaranteed to happen. Somethings could still be changed before the battle began. And that is exactly what he told Aurelius.

***

Ezekiel glanced at Salut before he was forced to pinch the bridge of his nose. The very thought of it gave him a headache. He sighed heavily before he spoke. "Oh, she is capable of defending herself, and I'm certain she has gotten over the sight of blood. She gained a great deal of confidence training with her father and the gods." He didn't even want to acknowledge the rest of it, but its not like it was going to go away, and it would be easier to tell Salut than to have that little chat with his brother.

"She had a little -too much- confidence now... she pinned Jahaziel to the wall and kissed him..."

***

Nicias had grabbed whatever trash had been created from the carnage and thrown it out. He would remind his two friends to bring the bag out with them when they were ready to go on their way. He knew from experience how horrible forgetting something small like that was... He smiled at Sasha when she indicated she was ready to go. He called out to Zane and Gunner that they were leaving as he followed her out the door, twirling his car keys around a finger. Traffic was rather dead that day, so he wouldn't have any problems following Sasha on her motorcycle.

Zane and Gunner went about packing things. A few sets of clothes went into their bags, but the majority of their things were weaponry and toiletries - things they would need everyday on and off the battle field. Once that was finished Zane checked the apartment over while Gunner when down to check and lock up his shop. He was throwing stuff out that wouldn't survive a long absence, and hiding away things that they didn't want to get pocketed if someone broke in. He was still a little peeved that Nicias had gone to Sasha's alone. He liked her, that was true, but he was also leery about relationships. Zane's main concern for Sasha stemmed from the fact that Nicias liked to toy with women - Jezebel being the perfect example.

[Maira]

When Carma asked where he would be staying, Aeven volunteered to show her father to the guest wing of the House. As soon as they left the impromptu meeting room, and were a way down the hall, Aeven just gawked as with no prompting whatsoever Carma turned and suggested that she seduce Jahaziel in a public place.

When he turned and just kept walking down the hall, Aeven just stared at her father's back for a moment before shaking her head to clear it and running after him. When she caught up with the Custos, Aeven spoke to him in a hushed tone, "Wait a second, what I did in the hallway was not planned. I just did it to prove a point to him that I'm not the same girl he remembers." Then with a half smirk she said more to herself than her father, "And I'm pretty sure I got my point across."

*****

Zipping across town was a breeze. For some reason there was no traffic at all but Sasha wasn't complaining. She loved open roads, preffered country roads but honestly just liked not having to deal with other idiot drivers.

It was only a matter of a few minutes before Sasha arrived at the building her loft apartment was in and she pulled the motorcycle into the alley and down to her garage. The automatic door opener didn't work all the time but she was lucky today and when she pushed the button on the control the panelled door started to creak up shakily. Since the garage was small and full of other stuff she stored Sasha actually got off and pushed the bike in carefully. Once it was situated she jogged back outside and manually pulled the door down and pulled the latch to lock it.

Sure that her baby was safe for the duration of her trip, Sasha jogged back to the front of the building, jingling her keys in her hand as she ran. Just as she turned the corner Nicias pulled up and she waved at him before going up the stairs. She slipped her key in the lock and turned the knob, opening the door and holding it for Nicias to slip inside ahead of her.

Luckily the building was only three floors (not including the garages in the basement) and the trip up the stairs was quick. "Here we are," she told Nicias as she used a different key to let herself into her apartment and left the door open for Nicias to follow her. Tossing her keys on the little table she had by the door, Sasha bolted back toward the area she had screened off as her bedroom. "Take a look around if you want, I'll be ready in a minute!" she hollered from behind the japanese screens surrounding her bed.

[Demeter]

Carma grinned at his daughter. "Ziel, if I remember correctly, likes to be one who engages the game, if you will, rather then be the one who is pounced." He looked over his shoulder at Aeven. "He'll most likely avoid being with you in private now. Probably freaked him out by jumping him in the hallway. The only way he'd let you near him now is to being in crowded, public places. So, as you claim that you'd like to be more then student-teacher, seduce him in public where he can't avoid you."

Carma grinned at her daughter. "Remember Ares stalking me around the banquet table last year?" He called up the memory of the Greek god slowly circling a table and flirting with him with a grin. "Do something like that."

***

Salut blinked and then laughed. "She...He...." she stuttered out while gasping for breathe. The blind angel had creeped her out for a while but, now that she was with his brother, Ziel wasn't as creepy. But it was hard to see him being jumped by Aeven, no matter how much confidence she'd gained during her time away.

Salut collaposed against Kiel's chest, snickering. She buried her face against his solid body, hands gripping fistfuls of his clothing, and snickered. She had a hard time picturing the girl who fainted at the sight of blood jumping the angel. She picked her head up, resting her chin against his chest, and snickered. "And what did Ziel do?"

[Shinigami]

Jahaziel was tucked away in the corner of the kitchens, the old cook that ran the place doting on him now and again between yelling at the other cooks. He liked it there. It was noisy and warm, and it allowed him to block out all other thoughts by just focusing his senses on everything that was going on in the room. And it helped that the cook adored him and treated him like a grandchild she could spoil. Though, he was probably old enough to be -her- grandfather a few times over.

He was trying -not- to think about how Aeven had kissed him. Of course, he had been shocked beyond belief, but he was also a man, who had been accosted by an attractive female. Ziel was sure that if it had been anyone else, he probably would have turned the tables and pinned -her- to the wall it gain the upper hand back. But it was -Aeven-... There was a part of his mind somewhere yelling 'So what?!'

***

Aurelius had been annoyed that the Seer hadn't given him many details, but he also knew the man never liked to say things unless he was certain they would be correct. And he had mentioned there were a few events that could still be changed. He had retreated to the training room after he and Jahaziel parted ways in the hall. Rel had lived on earth for quite a while, and while he hadn't let himself get too soft, he was certainly not as ready for battle as he would have liked to be.

There were plenty of other soldiers in the room, probably preparing themselves for battle as he was, but they left him alone. He moved through his sword forms and foot work, testing his speed, strength, and endurance. Aurelius had been teaching for so many years, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to wield a sword like that.

***

Ezekiel groaned when Salut laughed. He didn't see what was so funny. First of all, his brother wasn't the type to take such an action, preferring to be the aggressor. Second of all, it was -Aeven-! They had practically helped raise the girl. He was certain he was pouting as he kept his arms around the body of his laughing lover. When she looked up at him, he sighed.

"He didn't do anything. Jahaziel just -froze-. Though, I can't blame him for that... it was probably quite a shock, but I would have expected him to push her back. Aeven is like a -niece- to us... we helped train her since she was young..." What Ezekiel failed to remember was that -he- had trained Aeven as a young girl, but Jahaziel hadn't started training her as a Seer until she was much older. Kiel squeezed Salut into a light hug and signed again. "My head hurts."

***

Nicias hadn't had much of a problem following Sasha. Of course, her bike was able to maneuver better through the streets than his car, so she got ahead of him, but he was still able to keep his eye on her. At least she had the only motorcycle on the road that day. He pulled up just as she was coming back towards the front of the building, so she had already tucked her baby away in the safety of her garage.

He followed her up the stairs and to her apartment. Nicias was looking at the buildings decor as they went and did the same as he followed Sasha into her unit. He smiled as she bound off and got right to the business of packing, giving him permission to ogle at her things. He shut the door first, then started wandering around, inspecting pictures and trinkets spread throughout the living room area. Nicias had a natural curiosity and he believed people's things could tell you a bit about them. At least the place was much nicer that Gunner and Zane's.

((ooc - *dies* so many characters >_<))