Children of the Vindicated (FF, Adult) Thread #1

[nickimlow]

Alexander

"Let's get back to our rooms. I want to be sure Justin and Sarah are okay. Hopefully Sarah will share what she saw. It's the only way we'll be able to change it," Dad said just before Larak showed and exchanged a few words and left.

We headed back and walked in silence for a while until we finally reached the room. "Maybe you should be asleep, too, after we check on Sarah," Dad pointed out, to which I could not argue. I was tired, regardless of whether or not I could sleep, and it wouldn't hurt to lie down for a while. I had a feeling breakfast wasn't that far away.

But first we had to deal with Sarah. Her episode earlier had really been unnerving and I couldn't understand why she didn't see the importance of letting us know what her visions had shown her. If we needed to get ourselves out of danger, we had to know the scenario in the first place.

Mom told Dad that Sarah and Adayla were last in Xadalyn's apartment so we made our way there. "Xadalyn? Mother? Is Sarah still in there?" It was kind of strange to hear Dad call the mother he couldn't remember, well, Mother. I wondered if I would have referred to Tess that way, had she lived to see this day. Who knew? The fact was that she hadn't.

“Sarah and Adayla are in the guest room Sarah was using. I’m getting ready for bed, I’ll see you in the morning, Max,” Xadalyn answered, and there was something odd that stood out in her voice but I couldn't quite place it. Truth be told, she sounded drunk.

We turned and headed towards Sarah's place. When we got there, Dad knocked on the door, calling for her and Adayla. It was the latter who replied and when we went in, Sarah seemed to be just the way we'd left her- in tears.

Mom and Dad rushed to comfort her and find out what was wrong. Of course, she refused to tell us anything, insisting that she was fine. Oh right, so that's why you're crying.

Sarah looked at our parents for a moment before turning away and getting up to walk over to the window. I sighed to myself, finding it hard to ignore the frustration. But I buried it and reminded myself that it couldn't be easy on her.

I joined her at the window and followed her gaze, my eyes resting on the moons of Antar. "Nice, isn't it?" I said with a smile. I stood there quietly for a while, hoping to get her to calm down first. Then I faced my sister and told her gently, "You know we can't do anything to stop whatever danger's coming our way if we don't know what we're up against. Sarah, you can make a difference in this- we are all a part of this mess, together."

[KatnotKath]

OOC: hope this is okay

~Liz~

Sarah pulls away sharply, rebuffing our attempts to comfort, and I reach for her again. "Sarah, please, don't do this, don't block us out..." I begin to plead with her. My hand contacts with her shoulder and...

~Flash~

Max, covered in blood on the ground...he's dying...

The congress, Xan and Sarah... The congress attacking...

"For the sake of Xada and Antar"

~Flash~

Blinking, I look back up, seeing Sarah walk away, looking out of the window. Xan joins her, speaking words softly, in a low voice that keeps it between the two of them. I wonder about going over, but from her reaction before, obviously that's not what Sarah wants and instead I swalow and turn back to Max. *She got another flash...I saw it...* I tell him. *She saw you, Xan and herself dying... It was the congress... They chose Xada over you...* I tell him, biting my lip as I try not to think about the images I saw. So much blood, so much pain, and suffering... I'm not scared for myself, although I have no idea whatever plans they're making up will include me, but for my family...

I don't want to believe that Xada would agree to it, but then comes the question of whether or not she would have a say... She's the 'queen' in the eyes of the planet yes, but how much control does she really have... She's come of age, but even so she's still a child...

We will prevent this though... I have to believe that, and we need for Sarah to do so as well...

I cross the room, joining Sarah and Xan by the window. I reach out for her again. "Sarah, I saw it too..." I tell her softly. "But I need you to believe something - that we WILL stop this... You and I, we both get these visions for a reason. It's a warning, and this can be prevented!" I look at her. "We need to know what else you saw earlier though, I'm sorry sweetheart, I know it's hard, but we need to know..."

[isabelle]

*Max*

I'm disappointed as Sarah again pulls away without any explanation. This petulant behavior is really getting frustrating and I don't know what to do about it.

*She got another flash...I saw it...* Liz tells me, and I brace myself, waiting to hear what it was. *She saw you, Xan and herself dying... It was the congress... They chose Xada over you...*

I nod, grimly. That's not entirely unexpected. Larak indicated that most of the council would oppose such a plan, a fanatical minority just might decide to go through with it on their own. Still, I believe I can avoid it by giving Xadalyn official authority to act in my name -- one of the options I was already concidering in the meeting. She's done it all this time so there doesn't seem to be any reason not to, although I'd still like to know her a bit better, first. It's not common to do it that way, I know, except for very brief time-frames. For a longer one, that usually comes with transfering the seal, which can be taken back, but I can't give her the seal. It would be the end of Antar.

I tell Liz, *It's going to be okay. There are ways to deal with the council, we just need time to convince them.* This is incredible. It's not even like I've refused them yet. I can't do it for other reasons, but truthfully, nobody's even ASKED me to transfer the seal. Kyria told me that was what Xadalyn wanted, but Xada hasn't mentioned it at all since we got here. Nobody has...

I don't understand why they would want to target Sarah and Xan, too. I don't think they know that Xan is Xada's twin, but even if they did, why kill Sarah? It makes no sense! Xan and Xada both have an inactive seal, but Sarah doesn't. She has nothing to do with the line of succession right now...

Liz goes and sits with her, trying to get some details. I look at Adayla. "Thanks for looking after her," I say before turning my attention back to Sarah. "We can stop it, Sarah. I promise," I tell her. *I already know about the council and I have guards posted for the night. You're going to be safe.*

My next question is directed to both Sarah and Liz, since Liz saw the latest one, at least, "Can you give us any details? Where did this happen? How many were there? Was it daytime or night? Did you see any of their faces?"

[Athenea]

~Xadalyn~

"All right, I'll see you then," Max says and I hear his footsteps head down the hall towards Sarah’s room. I then turn to Daimeon who has already positioned himself beside me, back on my bed.

“You should’ve let me answer the door.” He says with a smirk and I roll my eyes at him. “Oh, and that would have went over very well, especially since you were hitting on his youngest daughter earlier.” I comment.

“What could he really have done to me? Nothing, besides they’ll be leaving soon, right?” he asks me. His cockiness astounds me sometimes, I don’t know if its because he is a Prince or just born with that kind of arrogance.

“I don’t know, he doesn’t seem to trust me enough to give me the seal. I don’t even think he sees me when he looks at me.” I say

Daimeon looks at me confused for a moment before saying. “What do you mean? Who else would he see?”

I sigh and pause for a moment before answering. “Tess.” I say simply and when I still see the confusion on his face once more I continue. “Tess is the name my Mother went by while she lived on Earth. And let’s just say that she was a totally different person than the woman we knew.”

“Speaking of family…” Daimeon says changing the subject. “Where is that cousin of yours? I thought he said he would make it back for your birthday?”

“Yeah, well, you know how good he is on keeping his promises.” I say and then someone cussing very loudly in both English and Antarian. His voice carries and I know where he is heading and I smirk at the reason for his anger. Men…when will they learn that woman are the dominant species?

“Go hide please.” I say simple to Daimeon. As I get up and put my robe on. He rolls his eyes but obeys. “I’m only doing this because he would just as soon kill me as look at me.” he says putting his pants on but leaving his shirt off. “I’ll be in the closet.” I give him a lingering kiss and say.

“I’ll make it quick so we can finish what we started.” We are interrupted by a loud banging on my bedroom door. And a very loud voice, “Open up you little bitch! I know you’re in there!” I roll my eyes at his apparent lack of respect and open the door.

“Cousin.” I say leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed. I look at the boy that looks to be about fourteen. His blue jeans and oversized navy blue long sleeve shirt makes him look even shorter than he is, if that’s possible. Of course looks can be deceiving. Because this seemingly teenage boy standing in front of me, holds more power than most people know.

“Cousin.” He says gritting his teeth in an effort to hold in his rage. “Where did you put my body? You know how I feel being on my home planet in this ridiculous body.”

“I suppose it’s close to how I feel about my own cousin missing my birthday that he promised he would be at.” I tell him, though it doesn’t seem to weaken his anger any. I can practically see the steam coming out of his ears.

“I had work to do, and that had to come first.” He says slowly as if holding back what he really wanted to say.

“What kind of work?” I ask curiously. Last time I saw him he was still working as a diplomat on Earth. “None of your damn business!” he screams and turns and stalks off down the hall but I’m not letting it go that easily. It’s been a bad day and I’m tired of secrets and lies.

“Nicolas! Don’t you walk away from me! I’m not done talking to you!” I scream but he keeps walking and I finally put a shield up between the walls in front of him so he can’t walk any further.

“Move it.” He says not even having the decency to turn and face me. Most people would be scared right about now, hardly anyone has the guts to stand up to the great Lord Nico’Las of the House of Kresson. Of course I’m not most people.

“Not until you tell me why you missed your only cousin's birthday.” I say even though I know its only making him angrier that I’m not letting him stalk off in a huff.

He turns around to face me. “You know what your nothing but a spoiled little brat!” he says coming up and getting right in my face.

“This spoiled little brat is still your Queen and she wants to know what you were doing on Earth!” I scream right back. I know this was getting out of hand very quickly but I was tired of getting lied too and pushed around.

“I serve no one!” Nicolas screams at me, “Especially a little whore like you!”

That was it. “Oh yeah, that’s right, you would rather be Khivar’s little BITCH!!!!!” I scream and then shut my mouth just after I said it realizing my mistake. I can’t believe I just said that to him. We stand their for a few moments just looking at each other in shock.

I move to open my mouth to aplogize but nothing comes out and he doesn't look angry anymore just hurt. I can see unshed tears in his eyes. I know what he did for us, how he suffered and yet I let my anger get the best of me. "Nicolas...I..."

The slap across my face keeps me from finishing my apology and he grabs my chin in his hand to make me look at him. "Don't you dare heal that." he says menacingly and I just nod my head as he turns and walks away I dissipate the shield so he can pass.

I wipe some of the green blood away from my now busted lip. I deserved that, I deserved worse, I guess I'm lucky I'm the only family he has left. Most people would be dead. I watch his retreating back as I try to make the blood from my lip stop on its own. I don't dare heal it, I might get some strange looks tomorrow because I have a feeling it will bruise and swell but no one will ask questions.

[Athenea]

Back on Earth


Two days

Two days he had been trying to get a hold of Max and had yet to do so. They had all sort of drifted after graduation, but they still kept in touch even though they now lived in different parts of the country. Max and Liz got married and became parents at a young age. Isabel had moved to Baltimore where she and Jesse lived the rich life with there very hyper sons. And him and Maria where living in New York, Maria working on her third album and he working on his art, which surprisingly was getting popular.

He had just gotten off the phone with Isabel. “I’m sure its nothing Michael, there probably just busy…..JACOB! JONATHON! NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE!!!! Listen, Michael I got to go, but if your so worried about it I’ll dreamwalk Max tonight, okay.” She had said and then there was a loud crash and then the sound of kids laughing. “Bye Michael.” She said and hung up. And he had sat staring at the phone before finally hanging it up. He also thanked God that Maria seemed to have no desire to have kids, she had also never wanted to get married. Michael thought it had something to do with her Dad leaving but as for children he had always thought she would make a great Mom.

Of course, watching how much Max and Liz had struggled in the early years and the little horrors that Isabel and Jesse had produced he couldn’t blame Maria for not wanting to rush right into motherhood. But Max and Liz were very happy with their lives together and their children. Xan was a good kid, he reminded Michael so much of Max, quiet, a bit shy, and loyal. And even though Xan’s birth mother was the bitch that betrayed them, you never saw any of her in the boy. And Liz loved Xan just as if she had given birth to him. Another quality about Liz Parker-Evans that he had admired. She could have left Max to raise his son on his own and moved on with her life, but she didn’t. Michael didn’t think he’d ever have that kind of strength.

And then not long after Max and Liz got married Liz got pregnant with Sarah, who was also a good kid, if not a little moody at times. He came out of his thoughts with Maria coming into the kitchen her hair all disheveled from sleep. She was just wearing on of his Metallica t shirts and Michael thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, even without he usual perfect hair and makeup.

When she spotted him sitting at the kitchen table she immediately asked. “What’s wrong Michael?” And he sighed; over the years of being together he could swear she could pick on his emotions, even when he tried to hide them, which he used to be good at. Maybe it wasn’t alien related, maybe it’s just something that happens when your with someone for so long.

“I haven’t been able to get in touch with Max for two days and I’m starting to worry.” He said and she walked over to sit in his lap. “It’s probably nothing Michael, they live very busy lives just like us…And don’t you think if something was really wrong you or Isabel would have picked up on it?” she says running her hands through his hair, something she always does to calm his down.

“Yeah, your right, its not like I think something bad has happened to them. It’s just a weird feeling that something has happened.” He tells her. “Isabel said she would dreamwalk him tonight.”

“See, and in the morning she’ll call and say that Max and Liz decided to take the kids on a last minute vacation.” She says kissing his lips before getting up and start making their much needed morning coffee.

“Yeah I guess.” He says but he still can’t get rid of the unsettling feeling.

[CalLen]

Skyler-

Patrolling the quarters...a task I know like the back of my hand. I do it everynight. Once down the left corridor before circling around and making my way back around the palace. Checking to make sure every guard is positioned for the night shift. I remember just the other day being one of them. Standing motionless for hours waiting for the head guard, Dom, to walk around checking positions. If we were a foot off he would give us the hour sermon about how positioning was key in our plan of protection. I am not so hard on the guys. I hated Dom, we never saw eye to eye and nothing that I could do would change that. I walk pass one of the new guys. He looked tired. His eyes drooped and I notice him shift a little as though he was trying to wake himself up. I place my hand on his shoulder, "Your relieved soldier. Get some sleep." He glaces at me in a moment of worry, "Don't worry you will be prepared for tomorrow's shift." He scurries off down the hall and I grab Tieras, one of the older guards, and assign him his new position. I take one last walk around before heading to my quarters. I lie down on my bed. I just can't get Xada out of my mind. I wondered what she was doing....what she was thinking. I don't know what to do. I close my eyes pondering the choices before dozing off.

[isabelle]

*Max*

As I'm waiting for Sarah to respond, I'm suddenly distracted by shouting in the hallway. This could be danger and I immediately get to my feet and step back towards the door. I don't know if Larak's guards are in place yet or not, but I want my sheild to be between my family and whatever is happening out there.

It's not until I'm nearly at the door that I recognise that one of the voices is Xadalyn and the other... No, it can't be!

The door is still ajar and I open it a bit wider so I can look outside and it's true. It's him. "Nicholas!" I whisper. He's storming off in the opposite direction, but I'd recognise the back of his skin anywhere. I can't imagine what he's doing with Xadalyn. One thing I do know, if he had been in Sarah's vision, Liz would certainly have said so immediately.

[Athenea]

Adayla

As Max tries to get Sarah to open up and talk about her vision, Sarah seems not to want to talk about it at all. I hear voices shouting in the hallway and Max gets up to see what’s going on. I glance out the door myself to see Nicolas stalking off and Xada with her hand to her face.

“That man frightens me.” I say quietly, and I am not a woman easily frightened. But then I turn away and say more loudly. “Why don’t you go get some sleep. I know you all have had a long day and we can talk more in the morning. I can stay with Sarah tonight if it will make her feel safer.” I offer.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: okay, if this is terrible say and I'll edit it out, but I really have to get to bed so thought I'd post it... Isabelle, if you want me to change it just say, I think I can see a way from here to where we want to go, but Liz is going to need a little reassurance first, hope that isn't going to be too much of a problem.

~Liz~

Sarah's continued silence causes me to worry further but I try not to show her this. The less we know, the more vulnerable we are, I just wish she would see this...

As Max now asks again for details though, he focuses on specific things this time, including me in the question since he doesn't know how much I saw. Unfortunately, I didn't see much... As wonderful as it would be to have seen faces and a place, it wasn't like when I get a vision myself, but rather like in the past when I've got a flash from someone... Most of the time, the things I see are broken and distorted, and I'm not really sure how much help I can be...

I close my eyes, trying to focus on the smaller things, but the image which fills my mind is one of blood, death, one by one, my family lying dead on the floor... I swallow and bite my lip, trying to push past these to the things whch lie beneath. If only Sarah would show me though, if only she'd let me see the whole thing...

Shaking my head, I sigh as I look over at Max. *Most of what I saw was fragemented I'm afraid...* I tell him silently, my mental voice containing an apologetic edge. I wish I could have seen more... Part of me thinks I should!

I take a deep breath, trying to recentre myself as I try once more. The image of Sarah, screaming - inside my head, I focus, trying to mentally move the image round to see the other side, to see the other part of this vision... Who's on the other side of that blow...? Who's trying to kill them...?

I see an impresionistic view of three people, but I can't make out their faces... They're mid height, older I would guess and...

Opening my eyes, I shake my head in despair. It's there, but at the same time it's not it seems... There's something about the vision which bugs me, something I'm missing, but I can't think what... The lighting, the surroundings...?

I feel Max tense through our connection, cutting off any further thoughts of the vision for the moment as he suddenly stands as there's a noise outside the door, going over... I position myself similarly, placing myself between Max and Xan and Sarah now, putting in place a second barrier line of defense should it be needed. No one will harm my children while I'm alive and able to stop them...

"Nicolas..." I hear Max whisper, and instantly move forward, arriving just in time to see him walking away. It can't be... I thought he was dead...

"W-what's he doing here...? And why's he just being allowed to walk around freely?" I turn around and ask of Adayla, my chest tighening at the mere thought of him being so near. He's not who I saw in Sarah's vision, that much I know, but I can't help thinking if anyone is a real danger to us right now, that would be him... She suggests sleep, and her offer to stay with Sarah is a kind one, but with Nicolas walking around, I can honestly say that sleep is the last thing on my mind... Not that I don't trust Larek to be good to his word regarding guards, but still... I shake my head and look up at Max. "Do you think he knows we're here...?"

[Athenea]

Adayla


"W-what's he doing here...? And why's he just being allowed to walk around freely? Do you think he knows we're here...?" Liz asks

“He is probably only here for a little while, him and Xada fight more often than not and he doesn’t stay long. Lord Nicolas is Xadalyn’s cousin.” I explain. “His mother and Tess were sisters.”

“He usually just keeps to himself.” I say silently thanking the goddess that he does.