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

[nickimlow]

OOC: Love Khivar for being such an ass. Ahem. Oh, great Max post, Isabelle! Like how it's concise.

Alexander

Max Evans stepped into the house. He looked smart, as usual, dressed in a crisp shirt - which looked like it had only just been put on - and a handsome suit, carrying his briefcase. Having a lawyer for a dad could be intimidating sometimes, especially when he was also a king in his past life. Dad a king, son a geek. Yeah, that was pretty, uh, normal.

"Hello Xan," my father greeted me as he set his briefcase down. "How's everything?"

Why did Dad always have to look so . . . happy . . . and calm? Even if I were to punch him in the face right there and then, just to get a reaction, he would probably smile and give me a pat on the shoulder.

Not that I would have tried. My skin wasn't that thick.

I lifted my hand and pointed upward with a single finger, indicating the noise that was coming from Sarah's room. "Does that answer your question?" I replied, raising an eyebrow at him. "Apart from your thoughtful, considerate daughter doing her deed-of-the-day - ahem, bulldozing my eardrums - everything's a-okay."

[isabelle]

OOC - Concise, eh? I was kinda unhappy with it 'cause I thought the post was too short, but at least it got my character into play. Glad you liked it. And I agree about Khivar. Way to mix the truth with the lies to make everything more difficult. Very evil.
I really like the Antarian aging thing, too. Can I assume that Max gets the same benefit? Or maybe just some of it since he's part human? ... He's now 34 or 35, but he'll look like he's 25 or 26?
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*Max*

"I noticed," I grin as Xan mentions the noise from above. I remember how Isabel and I used to argue about the other's music, too, and now I definately understand Dad's point of view. I'm surprised Liz hasn't said anything about it. Obviously, she's not trying to study right now. I'm so proud that she's gone back to get her PhD in molecular biology. Soon, we'll have a real doctor in the house although not the kind I imitate when I use my healing powers.

"I guess your ears are okay, so far, but we can definately do with a reduction in the volume around here." I agree before asking, "Is anyone else here?."

Xan shakes his head, 'no.' and I nod. If Sarah had company, I couldn't do this. I wave my hand at the ceiling, although the motion really has nothing to do with the actual use of my powers. Instantly, the sound is reduced to about half. Before Sarah can object, I call to her. "You're not the only one in the house, honey. Please keep it down!"

[Dreamer_Dreaming]

~*~Sarah~*~

I sitting here on my bed. listening to my wonderful switchfoot CD. I loved hearing them. Xan finally left my door. Good no more bothering me. I glad Dad not home to turn off my music like he always does. Suddenly My music turn off. Great dad home.

I got up out my room and went down stair" Daddy you have stop doing that! It my music!" Xan must of told him again. Mr. Rat if ask me. he always a baby going to tell Daddy because I wont listen him."Are you happy now, it turn off. no thanks to dad" I tell Xan."Cant we trade him for a dog instead?"

I come off the steps and kiss my father." How your day?"

[KatnotKath]

OOC: no fair - if you do the not aging thing Isabelle, he's going to look like Liz's toy boy lol

Great posts so far, sorry it's taken a while to get mine up.

~Liz~

Did I really used to wear things like this…? I wonder to myself as I hang out some of Sarah’s clothes on the line. I actually think I did…but that’s not exactly my style anymore… I’m not saying that I wear pleated skirts and peter pan collars…far from that…but it’s been a long time since I was leaving my midriff bare.

It wasn’t exactly attractive while pregnant, it wasn’t ideal after given that the last thing we really wanted to remind people of was our young age given that we had two children already… I can’t say that it was the ideal time to have Sarah…but I’d never regret it… I love my children…

A small smile plays on my lips as I continue to hang the washing on the line. To say that we’re not exactly normal, would be an understatement, but we do have what is basically a normal life…

My eyes fall on my wedding ring for a moment, and even after all these years, I still feel a little thrill. I love Max, and being married to him is just my dream come true – literally…

My mom and dad questioned what I was doing…changing my college choice…taking on a child that wasn’t my own, and marrying so young, but it was the right thing for me…

Even had Harvard still been a possibility, can I really say it would have been worth leaving Max…leaving Xan…? My answer – no…

It hasn’t always been easy, but I have never regretted the decisions I made…

Suddenly I hear what I can only think of as an explosion of music… I’m stood out in the garden, yet I can hear it out here…I think that gives some idea of how loud it is, and I know only one person in this house would have it that loud. Sarah…

Glancing at my watch, I realise that I’ve been out here quite some time, getting lost in memories and reminices I guess…

I hurry to finish, pegging out the last few items of clothing and then picking up my basket and carrying it back inside and setting it down on the floor.

The music is still blaring through the ceiling and I frown slightly, about to call to Sarah to turn it down, but just at that moment the volume decreases by about half. I know that she’s not going to have done that voluntarily…so that means…

I smile as the sound of a pair of voices drifts to the back of the house.

I need to check on the pasta that’s in the oven, so leave them to have a little time together as I go straight through to the kitchen. It’s not doing badly, but it needs a little more time. I hear my daughter’s voice come drifting through too, so put the oven gloves down on the worktop and set the timer for another half hour before walking out to join them.

The sight which meets them can’t fail to make me smile…my family…my husband, and two children… “Diner’s going to be a little longer I’m afraid, I hope you’re all hungry though…”

[isabelle]

Nadine - Max didn't turn the music OFF, he only made it softer...
And Kat, I'm sure Max can use his powers to keep Liz looking younger than her years, too.
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*Max*

Predictably, Sarah comes flying down the stairs to complain. Even at half volume, the music was still loud, just not blasting, but I guess that's not good enough. Then all her wrath disappears in an instant as she transforms into my little angel and wraps her arms around me for a 'welcome home' kiss.

"Long and tiring," I tell her when she asks about my day. "I'm glad to be back here with the three of you." I give Sarah a squeeze and tousle Alexander's hair. Then, looking up, I see the Evans that I miss the most.

"Liz," I smile. Releasing the kids, I walk over to her and bend down for a kiss. "Love you," I add as I pull back.

"Love you, too," she whispers.

I know the kids are making faces behind me, but I don't care. "I'm sure we can manage a short wait for dinner. How was everything at school?"

.

[shadows]

-Kyria-

I walk toward the house and get closer and closer to the front door. My heart was racing, my blood on fire. This was the moment I had been waiting for... no more waiting. It's time.

I raise my foot and boot meets the knob of the door, with the force of my leg the door comes tumblintg down. I immediately walk inside and glance at the astonished faces what once would have been the royal family. They sit there not moving looking at their busted door. I look back at the door, and realize that probably wasn't even necessary.

"Oh, yeah... um... bout that.." I say looking at the door, "sorry. Uh..." I walk over to the door and pick it up and try to set it back in place, which of course didn't work. Then, I realized what in the hell was I doing? I didn't have to hide my powers in front of them, and what did the door matter where they were getting ready to go! I let the door hit the ground and looked back at their puzzled faces. "It won't matter anyway."

I walk over closer to them. "The Queen of Antar requests your presence.... which in other words means demands your presences... so you don't have a choice in the matter. So, you all want to do this the hard way or the easy way? Choice is yours... I of course enjoy the hard way." I tell them. All of them still froze in astonishment.

[isabelle]

Wow. Great post! ... I'm not really sure how to respond. I hope this is okay...
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*Max*

As the door comes crashing down, it's all I can do to keep from throwing up a shield, but I have to refraim. For all I know, this is just some disgruntled client, although certainly not one I've worked with. All day I've had an odd feeling that I was being watched, but I thought it was just because they're concidering making me a partner at the firm and I've been hyper-aware of appearances. But this is definately something different...

I reach out and put an arm around Xan while Liz pulls Sarah close, waiting as our invader struggles with the door and actually apologises. What she says next, however, sends a chill through my spine.

The Queen of Antar.

I can only think of two or three possible people that could be. Khivar's wife, his daughter, or ... or Tess didn't die at the military base sixteen years ago and has decided she's not done messing with my life. In any case, none of them are people I'm willing to answer to. In my opinion, the legitimate Queen of Antar is my wife, standing here right beside me.

I do know one thing. I will not cower before anyone who comes barging into my house like this. Especially someone from Antar.

I take a step forward, folding Xan into Liz's other arm. I don't need to raise my hand in order to be ready to use my powers, and I am ready. If she so much as twitches in a way I don't like, she'll be locked in a neat green force-field.

Planting myself between the three of them and this stranger, I stand a little straighter than usual and make my own demands. "I don't know who you think you are, but we're not going anywhere with you. I don't answer to anyone claiming that title."

.

[shadows]

-Kyria-

"I don't know who you think you are, but we're not going anywhere with you. I don't answer to anyone claiming that title."


I watch as Maxwell stands, his hand twicthing. No doubt he was prepared to use his sheild or any other of his capabilites to defend his own. I had came upon that same sheild many times during friendly training with Xada.

"Oh, c'mon. You can't do better than a sheild?" I say smiling looking from him to his queen and children.

"Okay, okay... Ill fix the dam door if itll make you happy..." I walk over to the door and raise my hand. "I don't know what it's going to matter here in a few minutes anyway, cuz your not going to be here." I say as the door pratically fixes itself.

I look back at Maxwell, and I could tell he was ready now to do whatever it took to defend those he loved.

"Your so protective and ready to defend this family of yours here on Earth?!?!.... " I say, "Too bad you don't have those same feelings for your family away from here... well, I don't know if you could call on child an actual whole family, but you get my drift..........."

I look at Xan, "What? You thought you were the only one?" I shake my head and laugh. "Not quite! What! Did you think you were the only one your mother gave them blue eyes to?!?! " I look at everyones faces, they were so puzzeled trying to put into place everything that was being said.

"You see twins are just as rare on Antar as aliens are here on Earth!" I smile, "So can we leave now or what? Cuz we kind of got to catch this worm hole back home here real soon or your daughter might be serving my head on a silver platter...... yeah,yeah... her mother comes out of her every now and then...so, lets go!"

[nickimlow]

OOC: I wrote a LONNNNNG entry, and then I hit Back. How clever of me. What a genius.

Alexander

Mom came in and announced that dinner wouldn't be ready in a while. Was I hungry? Starving, more like, having skipped lunch and all. Before I could point that out, Dad got all mushy with her. You know, I understood the love bit - I'd had a few crushes of my own, and maybe two major ones - but kissing in front of your kids, you have to admit, is awkward.

"How was everything at school?" my father asked.

Before either of us could answer him, though, the front door came crashing down, catching all of us by surprise. Uh . . . huh. The events that followed were equally - if not more - strange.

Some dark-haired woman came barging into the house, babbling about the door and about Antar and about . . . a queen demanding our presence. Now . . . what on earth was that all about? Why so sudden, why now, and why after so many years of no news? The assumption that no news was good news was not quite right after all.

"I don't know who you think you are, but we're not going anywhere with you. I don't answer to anyone claiming that title," my father said boldly, his chin high. Maybe a bit too high. He stood straight and prepared to form a force field to protect us. It was happening so fast. This, this was a side of my father that I had never seen before, since we had never had a reason to.

The woman mumbled further, fixed the door, and came back to us. This time, the look in her eyes was intense. "You're so protective and ready to defend this family of yours here on Earth," the bizarre Antarian - or posessed - woman said. "Too bad you don't have those same feelings for your family away from here - well, I don't know if you could call one child an actual whole family, but you get my drift . . ."

Now she was really proving to be a psycho. I wondered whether she belonged to the planet Antar or a mental institution. What did she mean by his family away from here? And that talk of a child? What child? I exchanged a bewildered glance with Sarah.

"What? You thought you were the only one?" the woman went on, seeing the shocked expression that must have been showing on my face. The next words she said took a while to register in my mind. "Not quite! What! Did you think you were the only one your mother gave them blue eyes to?"

I stared at her. Blue eyes. All my life, I had been wondering why I was the only one in the family with blue eyes. I had told myself that it was all in the genes. Someone else along the line must have had blue eyes. What did she mean by my mother having blue eyes? Mom had brown eyes, chocolate-brown. No, not a hint of blue in them.

"You see, twins are just as rare on Antar as aliens are here on Earth!"

This was getting more and more absurd. Twins. Twins. Twins? Crazy, double crazy, triple crazy. This had to be another one of those dreams. In a few minutes, that blonde lady with the big blue eyes would fall from the sky again and I would wake up. I pinched myself.

No, that was quite real.

"So can we leave now or what? 'Cause we kind of got to catch this worm hole back home here real soon or your daughter might be serving my head on a silver platter . . . yeah, yeah . . . her mother comes out of her every now and then. So, lets go!"

Wormhole? Back home? Daughter - as in, what, Dad's daughter? Her mother?

I was sure she wasn't talking about my mother, Liz, or my sister, Sarah. So she was talking about . . . Let's just put a big red question mark there, shall we?

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, lady," I said, putting my hands up. "You haven't made sense at all since you first barged in and I think you have the wrong house, the wrong family, and maybe the wrong head screwed on you."

I knew I was risking it. And I didn't have powers to defend myself if she got angry. But hey, I had a say, didn't I?

"We aren't going anywhere," I echoed my father, glaring at the deluded woman.

My stomach made a rumbling noise. Perfect timing. Just when I wanted to be a little macho. Hopefully, no one heard that.

[isabelle]

*Max*

The invader laughs at my shield, although I haven't even used it yet. She casually fixes my door and I let her, since she's not threatening my children right now. The display does prove that she's probably telling the truth about being from Antar.

I steal a quick glance at Liz and see the puzzlement in her eyes. Over the years, her powers have frequently saved us from many troubles. Dangers to the kids, to Mom and Dad, even a car accident although usually it's much more mundane things like buying the wrong washing machine or something. But Liz said nothing about this and I'm sure that means she didn't see anything. Maybe because it was from off-Earth...

Once we're again shielded from the eyes of anyone on the street, the invader continues to talk, giving only partial and indirect explanations to what's going on. A family on Antar. Xan's mother. Twins.

Twins. "No. It's not possible," I say, almost to myself. "I saw him before he was born. It was only him --" I stop myself. That had been a mind-warp. Meant to make me think my son couldn't survive on Earth. It had all been a lie. Tess could easily have hidden a second child. But why? And why return only Xan to Earth?

"So can we leave now or what? Cuz we kind of got to catch this worm hole back home here real soon or your daughter might be serving my head on a silver platter...... yeah,yeah... her mother comes out of her every now and then...so, lets go!" she says. She sounds urgent and concerned, but not threatening and not scared. Who is this girl?

My daughter -- Tess's daughter -- is calling herself Queen of Antar. If it's true, I need to know more. I need to find out what it all means. But it might be a lie, a story meant to trick me into a trap where Khivar and his cronies are still waiting to kill me and my family. I can't risk them. I can't.

Then Xan speaks up, hiding his fear with anger. "Wait a minute, wait a minute, lady. You haven't made sense at all since you first barged in and I think you have the wrong house, the wrong family, and maybe the wrong head screwed on you. We aren't going anywhere."

"Xan," I say gently, raising a hand to silence him although I'm rather proud of his courage. "We'll explain later." Liz and I never told Alexander the truth. We considered explaining it all a few years ago, but then thought it should wait until he was older, if we did it at all. I didn't think it would ever matter. I never expected anything like this...

I fix this stranger with a level gaze, refusing to be intimidated. The things that she said are starting to fall into place although there's still a lot of information missing. "You're right. We did think he was the only one. But you're telling me that Tess had a daughter that she never told me about? Xan has a twin sister and she thinks she's Queen of Antar?"

If this is our child, she certainly isn't Queen. Not while I'm alive. Unless, she is Khivar's wife, too -- or his son's wife -- and is claiming the usurped title that way... Of course, she's not even 17 years old...

"Who are you?" I ask, as I don't even know who I'm talking to or the name of my own daughter. Tess claimed that Khivar had rejected Xan because he was human. If that's the truth, does this mean my daughter, whoever she is, isn't human? "Who is she? Why does she want us now?"