Author: Blaine Wintercrest, Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 12:58 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Oh how he wished he could rip out that lecherous tongue of his cousin’s. Family or not, he didn’t trust him; in fact, being family made Jordas’ case that much worse. Blaine knew of most of the males in his family to be the sort to chase after woman after woman. He had done so, Krys had, their father and now Jordas. Just look at him and his sweet sounding promises when darker matters lived in his mind over what to do with his daughter. And she was playing right into his hands like putty. Krys could see that this was going to end badly and wished that he hadn’t come here to begin with. Had everyone just minded their own business, then what was to come wouldn’t have.

Blaine relaxed a little, enough for Krys to stop holding him back, but it seemed like it wouldn’t be the Lycans that needed resistant. Toya was about to storm out there while Liz held onto her. “Quiet woman, you’ll give away our position.” It was annoying, but at least now he wasn’t the only hothead in these parts as he turned his attention back to the Rose and Jordas. It took until she spoke of Liz in a negative light that her uncle gathered what she was doing but he was too late to stop his mate as she sprung out of the bushes. “Damn it all”, he sighed, gritting his teeth and Jordas saw that his senses were correct. “What are you lot doing there?”

“Quiet you, I’ll ask the questions around here.”, Blaine said, marching his way towards him and lifted him up by his collar. “What do you think you are doing? Talking that nonsense about mountains and whatnot.”

“Eh? I just meant taking her to see the mountains…”

“Uhuh, sure.”

He let the women tend to Rose, or rather vice versa- he had who he wanted in his grasp and was shaking him violently why the younger wolf was trying to get what he was saying. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Hell no!”

By now the only one not acting like a fool around here was Krystopher. He didn’t have a stake in any of this and figured he would have to play peacemaker since no one else was doing the job. He came from the bushes and put a hand onto his brother’s shoulder. “Put him down, Blaine.” A couple of angry snarls came from beneath his lip before dropped Jordas and he landed on his backside. “This is why I don’t eavesdrop.”, he said to Liz as he went to help her out of the fountain. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t have brought Blaine, knowing his temper”, he said to Toya as Blaine fetched her.

“It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s Jordas. We barely had a day’s reunion after all these years and here’s he is trying to run a game on you. I know those lines, those are the sort used by men that are ruled by that….thing between their legs.”

Jordas gave him an angry look; he hadn’t planned on doing anything at all. And he was one to talk anyway. “Says the man that run amok bedding any woman he could find.”

“Look here, you cheeky bastard. You think Toya’s little love tap hurt? I’ll give you something to cry about!”

“Come on then! I’ll knock you on your arse this time!”

The two wolves were about to charge right at each other when Krys got between them, barely able to hold them back from tearing the other apart.

“Okay, we were at fault here. We aren’t going to spy on you kids anymore. At least I’m not”, Krys spoke, trying to speak up from the growls his family was giving each other.

Author: Rose, Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:05 AM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Rose raised her finger to her lips as she thought about it. “I would like that. I’m more attuned to winter but it’s been a long time since I’ve been in the snow. That could prove to be a fun adventure so I would like to take you up on that offer. That is… If you think you can make it back through the desert with minimal complaining.” A chuckle left her lips as her hand fell.

Liz was holding in her laughter towards Blaine but her eyes darted to Krystopher before she gave in. “I concede. I’ll stop. I don’t think I need to help it anymore.” Rose had known for a while they were being followed but nothing could get around her sight save for a few things.

Once more the Oracle chuckled towards Jordas’s confirmation that the desert wasn’t entirely bad. Liz helped Krystopher keep Blaine back once Rose began to show him her tattoo. Toya was wide-eyed and looking between Blaine and back to Jordas. She was wondering which one was going to die first. The overprotective father or the guy not really provoking him. Or at least trying to provoke him.

“Rosenites even in the other world believed in the Soul-Stream but perhaps it was hidden unlike here. No one really knows and we don’t really care to find out.” Rose fixed her robes and stared up at the wolf king. “Sometimes I am surprised but it takes a lot and a special person.” No telling who that special person was though from the way she spoke. Her blue eyes followed his glance and she laughed. “Have since we left the mansion.”

Rose looped her arm with his if only to make the protectors worse. Toya knew by that point that Rose was being troublesome but she patted Blaine on the back and gave a smile. “She’ll be fine. She’s a strong and smart girl. Always has been.”

Rose thought about it and shrugged. “It might be in his nature to be this way. He wasn’t always so protective like he is now. Keira changed all of that when Torn up and left. She was really young and it frustrates both of my parents even if Mother doesn’t say anything. She won’t admit it but she favors Belle and Jayden being together because it’s a solid and safe relationship.” Toya snorted a bit as she gained a not so amused look on her face. “If I had to guess the two troublemakers have a lot to do with why Father is being so protective right now. Mother probably started it and Liz probably carried it on.” There was a laugh from her lips again as she walked with him around the night garden away from the fountain.

“They made bets for weeks on if Uncle Krys and Liz were actually a pair. They are good for each other but Mother can be rather nosey even if she tries to hide it. She is just as bad as the other four.” Toya almost stormed out this time and Liz grabbed her. Unlike the boys, it looked like Liz knew just how to hold her back.

“She’s your daughter you can’t beat her ass Toya.”

“I brought her into this world I can damn well beat her ass whenever I please. Doesn’t matter if she is five, eighteen, or fifty.” There was a light growl from her lips as Toya flailed about in Liz’s stronghold.

Rose was amused by the look in her eye as she looked up at Jordas. “Of course, there’s cousin Liz… and her habit of trying to be more tomboy than she actually is. She gets moon-drunk way too often for her own good. She doesn’t even need to bathe in the moon but she goes nuts anyways… Probably to get Uncle Krys going. Wouldn’t be shocked if Liz ends up a Wintercrest… I mean it looks like the Wintercrests have a type. Loud, mouthy, and spontaneous.”

“WHY THAT LITTLE SHIT” Liz left Toya go and the White Queen fell on her face as Liz rushed out of the bushes.

Rose stomped on her foot nimbly as a fallen branch came up and whacked Liz in the face causing the younger cousin to fall. “Having fun?” Blue eyes looked in the direction of the pack that had been following them. “Or should I say some more embarrassing things?” There was a mischievous look on Rose’s face. Liz got back in and Rose let go as she lunged for the Oracle. Rose was nimble once more as she jumped just a far enough away that Liz missed her grab.

“That sight of yours is the most annoying thing in the world,” Liz said frustrated towards Rose.

“Oh, is it?” There was a tilt of Rose’s head and a sweet look on her face. It was a rather bullshit look since she was only playing innocent. “How about you let me show Jordas around Sularia without supervision? You can trust me after all.” She motioned a hand to herself as Liz once more came after her. Rose again moved just enough and kicked a pebble up hitting her cousin in the chest. There was quite a bit of force in it as Liz looked like she had lost all the breath she had. “There’s only one way this is going to end Liz. I don’t think you want to try and fight me like you used to when we were younger.” She sang it out and Liz growled again.

“Wintercrest men apparently like hot-tempered, ill-mannered, and hostile women.” This time it was both Toya and Liz who were going after Rose. Rose was quick enough to not only evade but also counter both of them. Eventually, Rose had somehow managed to get them so upset that they hadn’t noticed what she had done. A few more pebble kicks later and both women were soaked in the fountain. They were floundering about like they had no sense and Rose was laughing hard.

“You better take them both home Father and Uncle Krys before they catch a cold.” Rose waved her hand. It showed that Rose had a sense of humor under how serious she could be. She put her hands on her hips and stared at both Blaine and Krystopher. “I promise you can trust me. I’m not naive like Keira was nor am I dumb.” It was blunt and to the point.

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:12 AM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Jordas knew of Blaine, at least from the younger years he last saw him in. But it wouldn’t have been proper to spill those beans to Rose about her father. As for her mother, he was just glad that her daughter wasn’t like her. “A couple of knuckleheads from the looks of it”, he humored as they continued their little stroll. “Eh, your mother can be a pain, and her mouth is only second to her fist at being quick but I suppose she does mean well. But I ain’t saying to her face, a wolf has to have his pride after all.”

He shot her a meager look, it was baffling a bit still to think of her whole existence leashed onto her profession, which eventually would later give him the reason while she was so focused on it. Devoted even, if one wanted to look at it that way. The world, in general, was an odd place, but with everything that had happened to his family and later would be wound up from one world to another was something that seemed out of the ordinary. “Haven’t seen snow in a while, I take it? Well, Glaciem’s not too far off from arrival and us except the first wave of snow there in the coming weeks. Tell you what; if you like, I could escort you back there when it comes?”

Blaine wasn’t impressed by this talk of “snow”, nor did Liz’s egging on helped. If anything, it only made him more aggravated. That slick little hornywolf! He came here to scope out and found a prize in Rose. Gods knew what was going on in that perverted mind of his! Only terrible thoughts about what to do with his daughter, surely! “I’ll skin him, that’s what I’d do if he plans on pulling a Torn”, he muttered beneath his breath. Krys shook his head, “Wouldn’t fire up the hothead any further than he is now, dearest.”

Jordas, every now and then, heard something that sounded like conversations in the shadows and the scents were a giveaway of who might be tracking them, but aside from that, he behaved normally aside from the butterfly brought up to his face. It was a strange one but it did give Rose comfort so he left it be as just that. “It’s the way to live life, at least when you aren’t buried in responsibilities. If anything, your father and uncle are proof of that since they still think they are kids with the way they fight.”

“Guess the desert isn’t so bad…” Jordas flashed her a charming grin that made his cousin sick to his stomach. “Damn blood…damn you father…uncle…grandfather…”, he muttered some more, wanting to list off his ancestors and blame them for this situation but the couple was on the move and so were they. He nearly flew off the handle when Rose lowered her robe, ready to yell at her to put that back on while Krys tried for dear life to hold him back. Jordas just looked with a face full of red as she explained the image on her body. She was definitely right; it was very awkward. But it did open his mind as to why she took her job so seriously. “Heard of the Soul Stream, wasn’t much of a thing on the other world, but then again, the mantle of those that handled that life and death thing was constantly shifting.” He stumbled a bit as he was still blushing and Blaine could only think that he was thinking more dirty thoughts. He struggled fiercely against his brother’s hold as he fought to get free, which was in vain.

“So you live a life without surprises?”, Jordas replied, the color finally returning back to his face. “Or much of them, I guess? I can see some of that being a burden at times. What is life without a few of those now and again?” He glanced from the corner of his eye for a split second and then focused back on her. “So you know about them, then?” He shrugged it off and let her lead him on further into their little adventure. “I shouldn’t be surprised that the golden wolf is protective, not that I’ve been trying anything. It’s just an innocent walk with a new friend.”

Author: Rose, Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:47 AM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Rose chuckled a bit at Jordas and tilted her head. “I don’t quite remember what Blaine was like when he met Mother. I was already out by myself… Though I could see it. Those two are alike in a lot of ways and different in just as many.”

Thinking on the situation with Keira and Daylor she merely shrugged now. “Only time will tell with that one. Eventually, Keira needs to be able to be happy. I think she holds herself back.” The Oracle put her hand on her hip and gave an interesting look up at Jordas. “Been this way my whole life. It hasn’t exactly been easy being what I am so the work keeps my mind off of it.”

Finally, they were at the night gardens and could at least enjoy themselves there. “Better things to do? The next thing you know there will be little Jordases running around and then what will you do?” Liz crossed her arms and took a look at her future brother in law.

Krystopher at least agreed with Liz and she seemed pleased. “The Wintercrests seem to gravitate towards Roses. It’s a mighty big problem and Jordas and Rose have caught each other’s attention,” Liz whispered to the group as they followed them inside the gardens.

“I’m just curious to see what is going on.” Toya shrugged over to her husband.

Thinking about the cold lands Rose merely smiled up at Jordas. “I miss the snow lands at times. I’ve been in Sularia for much of my time here in Revaliir. I have duties to the Oracles and though Bryony doesn’t care what I do… I feel obligated to help where I can to keep this place pure. After all… This was where my rebirth was. I feel a kinship to the water.”

The flutter of wings caught her sight and Rose held out her free arm. One of her slender digits extended by itself. Gently something appeared to land on it. A soft flutter of wings once more before a bright array of colors flew around them. There was a butterfly on her finger. Its wings were glowing a deep blue while around them were many other butterflies of different shades. They were illuminating the gardens as much as the flowers at this point. Rose curled her finger and lifted the butterfly up to Jordas’s face. Its wings fluttered against his face before it took off at his touch. There was a chuckle from Rose.

“Sularia isn’t so bad underneath the desert sun. There are many treasures here to enjoy. Though I suppose looking at the mountains in the morning would be a lovely sight. Sularia doesn’t have any. However, in Glaciem you can see the aurora from Horae Island off the shore. I suppose that I am still fairly young at heart,” there was a smirk from her as her voice held a gentle tone.

For a moment she pondered something before leading Jordas over to a gemstone like fountain that had the valuable stones glowing as the water flowed over them. There was just enough light. “This is going to be awkward but I want to show you something.” She let go of his arm and turned her back to him. Moving her hair over her shoulder she undid her robe enough to show her back. Luckily thanks to the clothing underneath she was still covered though barely.

There was a spiraling dragon with many, many scales down her back and a portion of her right arm that had been hidden with the long sleeve. There were a few scales colored in towards the top while the sides had many different arrays of colored scales but the vast majority of the dragon was a mere outline aside from its head and its tail. The dragon itself was shaded blue with golden eyes. “My teacher Bryony has a tattoo similar. Each colored scale at the top represents a decade of life. Each scale on the side in varying colors are different accomplishments. I decided to get one likes hers since I don’t really plan on living too short of a life. She is well over three thousand now and her scales have all been colored in for a while but she had found ways of making adjustments.”

Rose turned her head enough to have her blue eyes look at Jordas. “It’s a memento of life. A life I didn’t have to be given. I told you that we are kin with the water… but it’s much more than that. If my mother birthed me into this world… then the water also did so. To be an Oracle of Sularia is as much of a curse as it is a gift. Rosenite children do not die but when the water calls… They become oracles after being bathed and our souls are returned through the water from the Soul-Stream. We are inhabited by the spirits of Sularia to see visions that would help us. Every ten years we must bathe in the waters or madness takes hold. After all… This is borrowed time for us. Eventually, the madness will result in death if we neglect it.”

She pulled the robe back up and redid it. “Most of us have to grow up fast. A vast majority of parents no longer want their child once they become an oracle. I’ve been very lucky to have both my mother and father still wish to call themselves that. I walk the boundary of the past, future, and present. Not all of it is pleasant. Nor should it be in my opinion.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 7:24 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

It was just as he suspected and spoken of earlier- absolutely everyone had to work out in these parts. Nothing too unheard of, but it was still a minority in comparison to most of the world. Perhaps it depended on the different societies; some could spare having only the strong work while the privilege kicked up their feet back but in places like Sularia where death could creep up without warning, they had to work harder.

“Most people can get along with Blaine as far as I could remember. He was a bit of a hothead and would jump at any opportunity of a fight or adventure. Caused his mother and father some headaches, he did. Suppose that when met your mother, he mellowed down real quick.” It was still odd for Jordas to think of that skirt-chasing bachelor settling down.

But then he heard more about Keira’s situation and a smile crept up. “That boy will never learn…still has some of that hotheadedness in him from the sound of it. Perhaps nothing is going on with her and her bodyguard, perhaps there is. But if it is the latter, then one day he will come and break down the door and wished he hadn’t.” For a moment, he felt as though they might have been followed. Perhaps it was just a bad itch in the back of his mind, but every so often, he thought he could hear voices and movement, yet nothing really stood out around them so perhaps the desert was continuing to play tricks on him. “Don’t be one of those “All work and no play” girls…Don’t want to overwork yourself or else it will be like a bad tumble…down a mountainside.” He smiled as he followed her through the building and towards the night gardens.

Meanwhile, Blaine looked at his wife unamused while Krys was pondering why he has dragged here himself. The former cut his eyes at Liz with that remark of hers before coming back down to Toya. “Don’t we have better things to do than to spy on them?” He wouldn’t admit it but he was a bit worried from what was going on at breakfast, but surely nothing was going to come from all this…right?

“Well, it is in our blood…”, Krystopher stated to Liz before he caught a hot glare from his brother. “You know it’s true”, he said with a hasty whisper before the ringleader led them on. Blaine could use a good drink right about now, but instead, he was spying on his cousin and stepdaughter.

“We reside close to the mountains of the highlands, where the weather is thankfully much more suited for my kin. I’d feel like a piece of ice left out in the sun if I was to stay here for a good long time”, he chuckled and made nothing out of her being accompanied on his arm. “The sight of the mountains are lovely, especially in the morning.”

“The sight of the mountains, are lovely, especially in the morning…”, Blaine mocked him, word for word. If he didn’t know any better, it would seem like he was trying to butter Rose up with sweet words, a trademark of the Wintercrest men. Not that he would mention it to Toya or Liz- they would have a field day with it. Perhaps Krys would understand his plight.

Author: Rose, Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:04 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

She smirked a bit. “Here even the higher class is required to pull their weight. Ever seen a little rich boy hoeing and planting before? It’s a common sight in Sularia. Everyone pulls their own weight. Those two weak to do it… Some get cast out and others study areas where manual labor isn’t required. Food can be scarce depending on the season… Not overly scarce but enough so we remember why we need to work together.”

Rose laughed hard and tilted her head. “I was twenty or so when I first met Blaine… I was still considered a greenhorn when it came to my work as an Oracle. At first, I was perplexed. He was nothing like my biological father and yet they got along perfect. Of course, by the time I met Blaine, my mother was six months pregnant with Jayden and they had gotten married on a whim. Color me shocked.”

The Rosenite wasn’t as young as she looked. She was probably closer in age to Jordas than he knew. Which he had probably caught onto by now. “No, Torn was human… I think that’s where most of the issue came from. My sister had hired him to take her safely to her destination so she could make maps. They hit it off and it wasn’t long before she had conceived the twins. Daylor is Keira’s current bodyguard and father kicks in the door every time he thinks something is going on.” There was a chuckle from her.

Rose paused when he asked her what places she liked and for a moment there was a dumbfounded look on her face. “Don’t tell Father… but… I’ve been a workaholic since I was five. I don’t really… do anything other than work. It’s important what I do.” There was a blush across her cheeks as she thought about it. “Learning, crafting, mage work, and a whole other list of duties keep me busy. I will admit that I haven’t had the time to do much of anything in Sularia despite living here. I was a temple priestess before I took on the duties of being an oracle full time.”

Still, Rose looked thoughtful for a moment. “Okay, I know. This way.” She led him to a large circular like building. “I’ve never been in here before but I know what it is.” The brunette flashed him a smile as she took himself. The building was pitch black on the inside but the further they went in blossoms came into view that glowed in the dark. Crystals hung from the ceiling illuminating only a bit and fireflies were all about the gardens. “These are the indoor night gardens.”

On the outside, Toya and Blaine were dragging Krys and Liz around. “Where did they go?” Toya huffed.

Liz looked amused a bit. “The night gardens. Hey Blaine how do you like… Son-in-law Jordas.” She elbowed Krys lightly with a chuckle.

Toya looked up at Blaine and soon Toya took them through a secret entrance. They all masked their scents and hid in a giant bush watching the two of them. Luckily, there was a waterfall noise that kept their huffing to themselves.

Rose kept Jordas’s arm snug against her out of instinct. “You said you like the cold… Where is your tribe exactly?” She felt awkward now for some reason. If she had known they were being watched she probably would have run away embarrassed.

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:36 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Aside from a few more mishaps, breakfast seemed to go without a hitch. At least from his kin’s idea of it as well as it looked to be from the rosenites that were now entangled with the Wintercrest name. With that out of the way, the two started on their way out to see the city- of course, Jordas would be coming back to spend some time with the family before he left in a few days. His men were left to their own devices while he was gone and he followed…no, was escorted by Rose until she literally yanked him onto the streets. “Why was I suppose to have gotten los…” There was something odd about her, like the Rose he had met had been some sort of mask. He was amazed by it, but he supposed that it came with the territory that was their untied families. They all had their quirks and weren’t conventional by any means, he could understand that.

Still confused over her words, the wolf was dragged over to the aqueduct rather than the bridge that led to her mother’s portion of the city. “Hey now, what do you think…” She wasn’t seriously thinking about…oh no…

Before he could protest, the two leaped (more so he was forced to) into the water. Somehow they ended up on the top of some castle, his wide eyes stared in awe over what was happening. Magic wasn’t something he was big on back at home and it was certainly throwing him for a loop. When he was finally able to get his senses together, that was when he noticed the city as a whole- each part differing from one another, but they looked to be one cohesive unit. He looked on in awe, peeking at the sights before looking down to see this lake she spoke so highly enough about. Scratching the top of his head, he continued to look around, eventually setting eyes onto the marketplace as instructed. “Not really mad, I’d say…most places typically have even the little ones and the elderly work unless they are of high class, but that’s the typical concept the rest of the world had adopted. Seeing how your siblings are, doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

“Hm, that’s what I’ve heard. The “main” attraction of the city being that, though I can see why you lot would have a surplus of children, bastard or otherwise.” Being closer to wolves than people, he didn’t quite grasp how one could abandon their own children, or have several one night mates. Even his Uncle had trysts that mattered to him and raised his bastard child, which was Blaine of course. “Only makes sense that y’all would. Someone has to take the reigns, and if it ain’t the men, then it’s only fair that women take charge. Though it's nice to know that they will fight just as much as men do over women.”

When the subject changed to her mother, he frowned but listened. While he had a better grasp over why she was the way she was and he could on some level understand, his pride had been wounded along with his men and it wasn’t going to be easy for him to swallow for a little bit. That Wintercrest pride run deep in his blood, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to make peace. “Well, if anyone was a good match for her, Blaine seemed to be the top candidate. Surprised that she made him such a family man. He was so sure that he’d never be tied down to one woman before. Guess the years have ways of changing people.”

Now only that, but to raise those that weren’t blood and take them on as the same as legitimate children seemed harder. But Blaine managed to raise the lot of them. ”Well, this Torn…he wasn’t wolven, was he? Us wolves tend to be loyal to one until literal death does us part. That might help to explain why he was so crossed with the fellow. Either that or he did exactly die. But your father has been known for being a hothead- has that cooled down as well?” He thought it was only right since she started calling his cousin “father”.

“Eh, the little buggers will be strong. They carry your people’s blood as well as the Wintercrests. All survivors that weather the storms and such. Hate to be their enemies when they’ve grown up. Our kind is fighters that will go down swinging even if things look grim. Pretty sure there’s fight left in your father and uncle if something happens, even if they are old”, he said with a quick chuckle. “It’s fine. Family history and remembering those before us and after is a strong thing to us. Not many of my family are around, at least until I learned that some were up here. Not too long ago, I had to bury my father, your great uncle.” He held a sad smile, no point in getting all depressed, especially since he had lived a good life.

Again, he was strung along her and they phased out of the water. All this warping about was making him slightly dizzy, but he had dealt with worse in his life. Jordas shook his head until everything stopped rattling and looked to Rose. “Nah, that’s not really my thing. My guards, on the other hand, one or two at the most probably are willing to visit such fine…establishments.” Finally she decided not to pull him about and walk with him instead, something he could appreciate. Thank the gods.

“Yeah, you say that this is more than just a paradise, but surely through a visitor’s eyes like my own, it’s hard to think anything bad about Sularia. I have heard bits and pieces of its history though. But overall, it's a nice place- wish it was a little colder though.” Wishful thinking aside, it was a lovely place that he could see visiting more often, especially if Rose was his escort through here. Just no more of that warping stuff.

“Still unfamiliar with this place, so I’ll follow your lead. What other places do you like, Rose?”, he spoke, hosting a genuine smile on his face.

Author: Rose, Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:12 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

The twins saw Jayden’s face and began to hush down as they had for Rose. They were only a little wound up but they appeared to listen to Jayden and Rose rather well compared to the rest of the family. (If only for a moment at least.) Rose smiled up at her little brother as she took his kiss and returned one to his own cheek. It was nice to see him happy with Belle and not just slaving away at being a knight. Though Rose could hardly talk since she was mostly all work and no play.

The Rosenite looked rather thrilled at the prospect of showing someone around Sularia. The place was gorgeous and it wasn’t all the time that she got to show an outsider everything there was to know about the oasis city.

Once they were done with breakfast Rose said her byes to her family one by one. It was likely that she wouldn’t return to the White Court Manor after showing Jordas Sularia. After all, she had a job to do and it didn’t stop for anyone not even herself. Like a noble lady would she took his arm in hers as soon as they were outside the manor doors. He was a good nine inches taller than she was and she was far more petite. “Arriving in the middle of the night like you did I’m surprised you didn’t get lost. Let me show you why.” Rose was sort of giddy as she released him only to take his hands and pull him. She was energetic away from her family where most of the time she had to be proper to end the chaos.

They reached the first set of bridges that led into the red court and instead of crossing she pulled him with her near the aqueduct. The water was an odd shimmering sea green. “See… Lots of water but… I’m going to show you a view not many people get.” Her finger touched the water and it rippled. The water, in turn, began to shimmer even more as they phased right through. It was a cold rush as they leaped through the water at the top of the castle. “Come on,” she chuckled as she began to climb the final hurdle. There was a flat surface towards the top where she led him. She held his hand to keep him steady against the roof.

“Alright…” The sun felt hot but she didn’t appear bothered by it. “We can’t stay up here for hours but… From this point, you can see everything in Sularia.” She began to point out the many different courts of Sularia. The places they could go. The importance of the places and where they were. The way the roads were built and why they were. They even watched an airship come in and the airship dock magically assembled itself so passengers could get off and on.

“The water is special. It is brought from deep beneath the earth. This place’s very fabric is filled to the brim with old magic that no one can understand anymore. What we believe as the afterlife in Sularia… is powerful here. We call it the Soul-Stream. From the Soul-Stream comes the Oracles like myself and many others. We are born from the deepest lake in all of Sularia. Believe it or not, the lake is under us…” She waved to their feet and smiled up at him.

“It didn’t always use to be this full. The academy is responsible for how vast the trees are. How full the fields are… The magic of the water towers that provides Sularia with its life. Everything here is in sync with one another. From the time you can talk you are expected to pull your own weight. It sounds mad but it’s the only way to live here. Just because it looks like a paradise doesn’t mean we don’t have problems like most desert folk. You must have noticed by now… Looking down at the crowds that you can see.”

She opened her arms towards the market. “That it is mostly women. Rosenites are a cursed race. There’s one man to every ten women. That’s if we’re lucky. To be honest, for my mother to have three sons is a miracle. You must have noticed how many sisters I have. It’s common. It’s actually highly common for most women in Sularia to go unwed or without a mate. Large families that are run only by one parent are incredibly common. It’s how we keep our numbers so high.” Rose frowned a bit and tilted her head.

“People come from far and wide to use our women for a night of fun. For us, it is just a fact of life. It is what it is. In other societies, men run the houses but here… It is the opposite. The women are strong and they aren’t afraid to show their dominance. It… causes a lot of trouble honestly. Men are fought over because of how scarce they are… and some men think its okay to have multiple women without permission. People end up dead. That is why Sularia is split into five districts for control… Not only that but the sheer size of Sularia itself is like many cities melded together. Each district is different from the next… It has its own culture. It’s own pace.”

Her blue eyes turned to Jordas. “It also makes Sularia special. There’s not another place like it in the entire world. At least I would hope there isn’t. Sularia survives because of the powers granted to the queens by the cavern of trials. As nutty as my mother is… She is a good ruler. Mother hurts greatly because of my brother dying. She goes through therapy a lot to deal with it. She drinks a lot to try and forget some days. It’s a lot better now than it used to. When Costel first died… I remember her just wasting away. All the alcohol she could get her hands on. She didn’t care about herself.”

Rose shook her head. “Then Estrella, Costel’s wife, passed away from a broken heart. She loved my brother greatly. My mother took in the girls after that. You saw Astrid and Remedy. Mother did the best she could for them and she got better for a time. It was around the anniversary of Costel’s death when she got drunk and found Blaine. I’m very thankful of him for what he did for my mother and what he continues to do. She is a good woman even if she tends to be a pain in the ass.” The young Rosenite laughed a bit and gave Jordas a smirk.

“Just takes a bit to get used to her. I promise you’ll like her eventually. She’s just a hard ass to everyone. When Keira’s husband fell from his godhood… Well… Blaine didn’t like him at all anyways. He hated Torn but that’s beside the point. Keira was only seventeen when she had those babies. They grew fast thanks to their blood. She’s not really that old at all. Torn made a whole bunch of promises to her… and when he fell he just disappeared. Angela couldn’t find him. Keira was heartbroken. She came back with two young babes in tow. She was in tears. Father was furious.” She called Blaine father now so she could transition herself back. That was right, she considered Blaine her father figure. It was only right to call him so.

“He wanted to rip heaven and hell apart to find Torn and beat him to death. Instead, Mom and he took care of the twins. They helped her. Keira is a master map maker. She is an important asset to my mother and their court. So, it was very important that she continued doing what she did… It meant that the twins stayed with my parents… As a side effect… they don’t really listen to Keira. Hell, they barely listen to anyone. They are spoiled rotten but maybe that’s because everyone feels bad for them.”

Rose rolled her shoulders. “I’m sure you didn’t want to hear our woes though. I’m not even sure why I continued with them.” She chuckled now as she took him by the hand once more and phased them through the water. This time they were near a much larger stone bridge. Pulling him along she took him over it. “This is the Yellow District. The beach, docks, brothels, and taverns are the best in Sularia.” She paused for a moment and laughed. “Not that we are going to a brothel.” Her eyes met his and she tugged him along before taking his arm in hers. She walked by his side now instead of pulling him along like a toy.

“Sularia is famous for their gardens… We have indoor night gardens and our day gardens aren’t too shabby either… Our beaches are red like the rest of Arri’s sand. You probably saw that from the castle though.” She began to look like she was in deep thought.

“Is there anywhere you would like to see in person? I don’t mind since I apparently have the time right now.” There was a pleasant smile on her face. “Bryony said I don’t have to come back down to the vault for a few days now.” It was more like she had just been told that by the look on her face.

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:26 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

To say that Blaine wasn’t thrilled with this budding idea of what he was seeing was an understatement. While Rose wasn’t technically his blood daughter, he still treated her as such and had a good relationship with her. Jordas…from what he recalled was a good man, but he wasn't completely innocent if memory served correctly. He wouldn’t admit it to his wife because she already knew the Wintercrest men to be “loose” as she so graciously put it. Then again, Blaine wasn’t looking forward to this as much as she probably would as the two continued to discuss things.

Jordas, in the meanwhile, was paying her mind until the two terrors opened their mouths. “Yup. That’s what two kids like yourselves thought too. Continued to be rowdy little things until they got snatched up and then…well they still didn’t learn, so why bother.” He pointed at both Blaine and Krystopher, “Then they grew up and never learned to be good. The end.”

Krys rolled his eyes, “Not my fault. I still won the bet back then.” That caused his younger brother’s eyes to roll.

Moving back to the conversation with Rose, it once again got interrupted by the arrival of Jayden and Belle. “He’s yours too?”, he asked his cousin to which he nodded before looking to his wife, still coming to terms with the relationship of theirs. At least now Jayden was allowed to come home. The young man stopped laughing and held a sheepish smile while he felt Belle get a bit anxious. “Toya, leave them alone”, the father said, eating some of the eggs on his plate. He liked Belle and didn’t think too much of her being with his son, not like how he was hesitant with how much Rose and Jordas were getting along. Perhaps it was wrong, but it would be time before he could digest this as well.

Jayden gave his nephew and niece a clear look to knock it off as he escorted Belle over to her eat and pulled it out for her. From there, he went over to Rose and kissed her cheek, “Good seeing you as well”, he smiled before taking his seat along Belle. Krystopher was annoyed as well, “At least I don’t have grey hairs. And wait until you kids get older, then you will be like your uncle and aunts and be red in the face too when we find out.” It was a troubling thought for Blaine, in addition to this Jordas and Rose possibility. But maybe he was just reading too much into this. Jordas was having a good time not being the butt of the joke for the time being. He managed to not choke on his food somehow during their antics and smiled at Rose, “Certainly. I’ll give my guards some time to rest…had a rough day yesterday… “

Besides, he trusted her enough to venture with just the two of them through the city.

Author: Rose, Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 7:13 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Toya’s green eyes were going from Jordas to Rose and back to Jordas. She saw what Krystopher and Blaine did. Oh, Blaine was going to ABSOLUTELY love this. “Mysteries as deep as the ocean. My favorite ones are the ones that don’t seem to have the answer. Open-ended.” Rose offered a smile up. “But I was really young when I took the apple. I didn’t know what I wanted or what I liked. I just wanted to be more useful than I was. I was fifteen? Maybe younger.”

Rose’s eyes drifted to the twins who were enjoying their new cousin. “Oh nooooooo.” Tempest put her hands on the side of her face. “Not the boogeywolf… Is he the cousin of… Doesn’t exist wolf?” Kite snerked at his sister and they were both laughing now in their seats.

The thought about the cold weather perked Rose up a bit more. “I prefer the cold myself. Sadly most of my duties keep me here in Sularia. I used to live in the snow lands back home. For a long time actually.” Rose tried to think back to how many decades she spent by herself there but she eventually gave up.

Toya nudged Blaine back as soon as she got the news that he saw what she did. Her eyes were glued but only for a moment as the door in the main room opened. Toya’s attention IMMEDIATELY moved to those who were coming in. Belle was on Jayden’s arm and they were laughing about something. Toya’s eyes narrowed a bit but she appeared to be more pleasant to Belle’s face.

“About time you came home… I was wondering if you got lost in Belle’s blankets or something.” Toya made a snappy remark as she studied the two of them.

Belle was a shy girl and her face flushed almost instantly. “Auntie it wasn’t like that I swear!… This time….” Her voice got really shy as she flushed more. “Jay promised to help me load up the clinic full of herbs and salves so he went to the fields with me to pick. We were so exhausted we ended up passing out in one of the clinic beds. I swear nothing happened.” Belle looked up at Jayden to help her with the story.

“I had two seats saved for you both anyway.” Toya spit her words like fire but it was clear she liked Belle. She just didn’t like her mother. “Ain’t none of my business what you two do as long as Angela keeps her nose out of having grandchildren.” Once more Belle was blushing and it looked like she was about to burst.

Kite giggled, “You look like a tomato.”

Tempest chimed in, “Because they are in loooveeeee.” They began to giggle and Rose rolled her eyes slightly.

“It’s good to see you, little brother and Belle. You both look well.” Rose didn’t make an appearance often so she was happy to see them both thriving.

“They are in love like Cousin Liz and Uncle Krys,” Kite leaned over to Tempest. “…Would their kids come out wrinkly cause Uncle Krys is so angry and old?”

Liz made a displeased face and kicked Kite’s ankle lightly. The boy yelped and Liz crossed her arms and stared at him.

“Somethings… Really never change around here.” Rose laughed a bit. "Once… this circus wraps up I can take you into the city Jordas."

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:37 AM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Blaine gave the twins a low growl, clearly showing the disapproval of them having overheard him and to knock that off. If not, then they would be sent to their room for the rest of the day. They could cause all the trouble they wanted in their own confinement. Jordas, on the other hand, was too busy listening to Rose and her strengths and weaknesses as far as her knowledge abilities went. “Aye, the land is filled with so many mysteries. Guessing you are the sort that loves a good one or two, eh?” The one that currently plagued him soon enough was wondering how long it would take those kids to figure out when not to be wise asses. “You know, you keep that up then the boogeywolf is bound to show up and snatch you away if you keep up with that mouth.”

“Then I’d be breaking even then, wouldn’t I? Crazy kids”, Blaine spoke up. At least he would know not to leave the three of them alone or else he might come home to find someone hanging by the collar of their shirt on the roof or something. As entertaining as that thought could seem in this crazy house, that wouldn’t do at all. Jordas rolled his eyes and chowed down on some of the cooked eggs. “I barely know of the city other than it existed. Like I said, I don’t know much about the desert- it's out of my environment.” Still, it was amazing to learn that there was plenty of water around, which was a lifesaver given that the desert could easily kill if the party wasn’t properly prepared. “I prefer the colder climates but it’s not so bad around these parts I guess.”

When he heard Rose’s suggestion, he gave it some thought before nodding. “I wouldn’t mind that. I suppose that I do need to look around the place while I’m here. Sure.” Krys observed the two of them and started to snicker to himself while he ate. Blaine looked at his brother and then to Rose and Jordas looked to Toya, silently nudging her to see what was going on for herself. This probably wouldn’t end well.

Author: Rose, Posted: Sat Jul 7, 2018 8:28 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

The twins looked at each other and giggled a bit. “Grandpa taught us it. We overheard him.” They nodded as they put their grandfather in the hot seat for a moment. Though it most likely wasn’t his fault that they had overheard. They heard everything.

“It’s both,” Rose stated as she folded her hands on her lap. She thought back to the early days. “It was a test and I rose to the challenge to take it. Very few people were able to do it but I was told that the god at the time had high hopes for me. It’s probably the only reason why he let me take the apple of knowledge so young. However, with Revaliir being new to me I am afraid that I don’t know much about this place and that alone is refreshing to me.”

Kite and Tempest whispered amongst themselves once Blaine had threatened them. “But Grandpa,” Tempest scooted a bit closer to the table as she put her hand up in jest as if Jordas couldn’t hear her. “If you knock our heads with cousin Jordas won’t he lose what little sense he has left at his age?” Kite giggled at his sister. Rose rolled her eyes a bit and chuckled towards them. They were smart and smartasses at the same time.

Rose turned her attention back to Jordas and smiled. “You should see the city before you say that. Sularia is known for their aqueducts. They bring up the water from the deep earth and it runs throughout the city for our fountains and more. There’s also Lake Kirika nearby and not to mention the ocean itself. Underneath the castle district is the underground lake where Oracles are reborn. There is water everywhere here in Sularia and that’s what makes this place so special.”

After thinking about it for a few moments she tapped her fingers against her lap. “If you want I could show you the city. It would get you away from this madhouse for a bit and I’m sure that the others have things they need to be doing… Like school,” she pointed it at the twins who looked at her shyly trying to hide themselves. “The White Court is right at the beginning of the city so you’ve missed most of it already.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 10:55 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Jordas didn’t get this whole Rosenite culture thing, especially with her getup. Blaine could see it, though he didn’t make much of it and went back to enjoy his meal while the chaos continued. It was a habit the way things worked here anyway. “Well, that won’t likely work now”, he said, pointing out Kite’s actions once he overheard them. But he supposed that they wouldn’t be on guard forever and then he could take the advice to heart should they continue to hassle him. The twins apparently have been known for doing such and then some. Definitely troublemakers like their grandfather and uncle.

Toya and Rose explained a bit more about the Oracles, easily seeing that the former wasn’t too keen on explaining it in great detail. Sounded like a double-edged sword to him with this whole bit. Blaine went over to comfort his wife, who clearly was still bothered by hearing about her eldest daughter’s death, even after all these years. Most that were present fell quiet while those words went on, that was until the little ones broke the serious moment.

“Who taught you that word?”, Jordas said with a rose brow before looking at some of the adults present. Any of them really could have been the culprit.

“What don’t they hear?”, Krys responded, “In this house, anything of the sort is possible.”

To be truthful, Jordas shared his cousins’ disinterest of gods and their liking. The only reason why they would care at all was that of ties to Angela. “Endless knowledge? Sounds like a blessing and curse to me”, he said casually. “Only because I think that we shouldn’t have all that knowledge, lest it makes us a liability, and gods know what that bit could put others through.”

“Don’t know about that, but I know one thing…you three better stop flinging food about. Or I’ll knock your heads together”, Blaine sighed before he started to play with Sparrow.

Jordas rolled his eyes and turned to Rose. “I take it that you lot hang around the sea? Hardly seen any water about these parts, though I only know little about deserts. Forests and such are more of my thing.”

Author: Rose, Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 4:05 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Rose was nursing a headache of her own as she strolled into the room and calmed the chaos. “I see. I suppose it is not so bad.” She put her hands on her hips before she settled down herself. “You shouldn’t encourage their bad behavior.” Her ocean like blue eyes connected with Jordas’s. “Also if you want to hit them a bit better you should have lifted your hand up just a few more notches. Kite is ticklish in his tummy…” Kite covered his belly as his aunt spoke.

Toya smirked a bit and gently bounced Sparrow in her lap. “Rose is part of the highest order in all of Arri. She is an Oracle and the Oracles of Arri are a special case even for them.” She was proud of her daughter but her smile slipped. “Oracles are born…” Her voice cracked a bit and she pulled Sparrow close to her.

Rose noticed this and took a sigh. “Oracles of Arri are children of life and death. It means when we are born we die… Sometimes we slip into the eternal rest and sometimes we die horrible deaths. I was strangled by my own umbilical cord at birth.” Toya put her face into the back of Sparrow’s head. “And I was brought to Sularia where my body was placed into the lake of rebirth. Oracles of Arri are born every one hundred years. I was a lucky child. I was returned to my parents are five years of Oracle training in Sularia. My robes are that of the Oracle… so they probably look weird to an outsider. We spend the majority of our time in the water here… so… The less clothes the better honestly.”

“Auntie Rose is a pervert…” Kite said softly to Tempest.

“I am not a pervert Kite Wintercrest.” Kite shot straight up and looked at his aunt. “If I was I would have two little munchkins like you running around.” She poked both twins in their stomachs. “I’ve been out in the temple of Adraejen god of Magic and Knowledge. However, when I got there his temple was afraid of me and disappeared under me… While I am there Drae has to have a spell on me so that doesn’t happen. I ate the apple of wisdom and survived. I have endless knowledge.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 11:01 AM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

“The apple and the tree, right?”, Blaine returned before putting the bottle to his lips.

Meanwhile, Krystopher was recovering from the head smack and glared at Liz. “I’m only repeating what you said. Just like you said that he’d probably have his way with at least half the city by the time he turned sixteen.”

Blaine looked at his son as he was reaching his limits and would be soon getting ready to sleep. “I didn’t do nothing. He’s the one that had to be a cute baby and the women wanting to hold, hug and kiss him. Can’t help that he takes after me.”

“I don’t know about that.” Jordas leaned forwarded to look at Sparrow then his father. “He has your look, but I don’t think he has your big mouth.” Blaine threw a nearby pillow at him.

“Besides, we were only gone for about an hour…maybe.”

Krys was ready to buck Liz off his lap and did so with little result. “Handle your liquor better, woman.”

The night would be a blur for most as the passing of alcohol went around and eventually all present were drunk. While Liz and Kry retired a bit earlier than the others, Jordas dismissed his guards, still trying to recover from the Queen’s “welcoming” and he and Blaine held onto each other for dear life as they made the grand voyage up the stairs, falling down them once before bravely taking on the task again. Somehow he found his way into an empty room and fell face first on the bed.

The morning afterward was chaotic, to say the least. Aurora had her baby brother in her arms, who seemed to have Blaine’s lungs after all with all that wailing. Jayden was taking with Jordas, who was nursing a hangover until he was met with a flying grape. And then another. “Look here, I’m not an old man. I’m younger than your grandpa, he’s an old man.” Sparrow was returned to his waiting mother and seemed more content.

As soon as Blaine heard the voice, he chuckled before sipping on some juice. “And here she comes.”

Jordas would have questioned who, but the who had arrived before he could mutter it. What the hell was she wearing? He didn’t quite understand if the hierarchy here required the women to wear more or less clothing.

“No, this is what happens when Wintercrests and Rosenites get together!”, Blaine declared jokingly. “And yes, your mother’s been drinking.”

“So has he”, Krys pointed out. “It was a time of celebration. Another Wintercrest man is around these parts. That’s Jordas, our cousin from the south.”

“A pleasure”, Jordas smiled while throwing a grape that previously hit him underneath the table at one of the twins.

Author: Toya, Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 7:42 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Toya stared at her husband. “And? I love my children… they are just dumb.” She stated it as a matter of fact.

Looking at her brother in law Toya meandered over to him and hugged him. “Krystopher I do love you.” She smacked him hard on the back of his head. “Don’t talk about my baby like that.” She put her hands on her hips and Liz snorted out a laugh.

“You deserved that Old Man.” Liz came over and took a seat on Krys’s lap as she stole a swig of alcohol from him.

“This firecracker will roast you alive,” Toya put Sparrow on her hip and her hand on the free hip. “I think when we conceived Jayden that helped our relationship a lot.” Sparrow yawned and snuggled into his mother. She kissed the top of his head and chuckled. “Gods he is ready for bed already. Did you keep him out long today?” She eyed Blaine for a little bit but it obviously didn’t matter. He was a baby and got tired all the same.

Liz sipped on the alcohol that Toya eventually gave her. “That would make us around the same age Jordas.” She admitted it begrudgingly. “Don’t let Krystopher know.” She whispered and laughed hard. She knew he had heard and winked at him.

They had the rest of the night to catch up and crack jokes at each other. Liz and Krys ended up staying the night in their old room way too drunk to make their way home.

In the morning there was a huge breakfast that Liz and Toya helped cook. The spread was laid out on the large dining table. Everyone was at the table either dressed or in their pajamas. “Come on Tempest stop beating your brother with the wooden spoon.” Keira reached and took it… but Tempest had other ideas.

“Fine Mama, I won’t use a wooden spoon no more.” she brought up a slingshot and fired a grape at Jordas now. “RUN OLD MAN RUN!” Kite got in on the action and before long Toya was sunken back in her chair.

“This is a god damn madhouse,” she spoke to Sparrow who was staring at his niece and nephew watching. “Don’t be like them, Sparrow. You gotta be good.”

“Tempest. Kite. Sit down.” The voice boomed and the twins dropped their slingshots. Appearing in the doorway was a lithe brown-haired woman with bright blue eyes. Her skin was pale but flushed pink from the heat. She wore the robes of the oracles of Sularia. “Keira get more control over them they are only ten.”

“Didn’t know you were in town Rose, we have a seat for you just in case,” Toya pointed to a seat next to Jordas.

“Decided to stop in on a whim… Good thing I did. This was like a circus. Have you all been drinking?” Toya said nothing as her daughter went over and took the slingshots tossing them to Keira. “They can smell weakness in your like animals.” The words made the twins grin as Rose kissed them on the top of their heads. “Remedy stop the scowl or I’ll give you a reason to scowl and sit upright. You are a lady of the court.” The small blonde angel fixed herself. “Mom, can you please sit up right? You are setting a terrible example.”

“I am a damn good example thank you very much. I don’t take shit from anyone.”

“And… that is half the reason why you have Sparrow.” Rose commented as she sat next to Jordas.

Liz snorted and drank some water. “I recall Blaine telling her that last night. Good to see you, Rose. Welcome home.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:50 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

“If you weren’t mouthing off at your sister, especially when she was pregnant and irrational, then our miracle wouldn’t have happened”, Blaine jested as he took another swig. “When it comes to Angela, Toya for some reason think its okay to swipe at her. I think she likes getting punished by her or something. Maybe for attention.”

Jordas cocked his eye at her when she blew up about Jayden. What the hell did he do? Meanwhile, Blaine looked her and took another swig. “You threw him out of the house for two days, all the while you were moping about. You think you could really disown him? Gods, she was unbearable when that happened, and yet she forgot it was by her own hand he had departed. There was progress being made, slowly but surely. The whole thing confused Jordas, honestly. Maybe in time, he would be able to get a grasp on the situation but he felt it was better that he didn't’ for now.

“It could be worse, Sparrow might his eye on a few of her daughters in the future”, Krys shrugged, but the drunk wolf shook his head at his brother. “Don’t Krys, I already teased her about that. She wasn’t thrilled, let’s just say.”

“What the hell made you stick with the firecracker?”, Jordas has to ask.

“I fell for her, probably when she fell off her dragon and onto my lap, naked.”

Jordas rolled his eyes. “No, no, not like that. Since when were you such a pervert?

“Probably by my seventeenth summer.”

“Figures.”

Jordas watched Astrid come in and leave just as quick. It seems like the Wintercrest boys were doing just fine as far as he could see. More than fine. “Geesh, Blaine. Pushing them out like no tomorrow?”

“Like Liz said, Jayden is mine. Keira and Ynnarah are the twins, but now that I think about, Ynnarah hasn’t been home for some time as well. Longer than the others. Aurora’s upstairs, and she’s pretty much like Toya in attitude. She’s our youngest daughter, and Sparrow’s the baby.” He reached for the decanter and then noticed it was empty as he stumbled up and made his way to fetch a bottle. “I took in her daughter Rose, from a previous marriage. Also posthumously took in her oldest son, Costel and we have his children as well. You saw Astrid, and Remedy might be around.”

“You forgot Keira’s twins”, Krystopher added.

“Ah, yea. The little troublemakers.”

“You have a whole damn litter, brother”, Jordas roared in laughter, slapping his knee. “What about you Krys?”

“Just one. Isabelle’s a handful by herself.”

“Well, you have some catching up to do. And I’m not even at the starting line.” The house rocked with laughter from the three men as they took their drinks. “I am surprised at you though. Liz’s is far too young and pretty for you, oldtimer.”

“Oh?”, Krys huffed while his brother snickered half way into his drink. “You are what, about ten years younger? And don’t let her looks fool you.”

“Eleven years, actually. Told you your old mind is slipping.”

Author: Toya, Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:36 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Liz nodded a bit and smirked at her aunt as Jordas answered her. “Shut it, kid.” Toya was soft spoken with Liz as Liz giggled.

“My name is Liz Rose. I am Toya’s niece and Krys’s mate.” It was a confusing family tree for sure so she got that out of the way. “And yes I am half wolf.”

Toya adjusted Sparrow up so Jordas could see him better. “He is our little miracle baby. We were all done having kids until he was born. Now we are stuck raising a pup… Our golden years out in the distance just a bit out of our reach.” Toya kissed his forehead and he babbled at Jordas now.

“Oh… You mentioned the…” Liz looked at Toya whos face had gotten red.

“I swear to god if he gets her pregnant Blaine. I will disown his ass faster than I can destroy this city.” Liz winced a bit at Toya’s words. Toya left the room and Liz took a deep breath.

“Well… See here’s the thing. Angela, The Mother, is Toya’s older sister. They don’t really see eye to eye… Jayden is Toya and Blaine’s oldest and he is seeing Angela’s daughter Belle. Toya and Angela don’t much like it and Toya has been throwing a fit about it. It’s quite a new thing actually… So the soreness hasn’t quite been smoothed over. She is actually rather pissed about it. Jay is the oldest so it is a sore spot that her oldest might be making her even more related to Angela than she wants to be.”

A petite young woman with long brown hair came into the room. She shuffled to Blaine and kissed his cheek. “Hello, Grandfather.” She moved to Krys and kissed his cheek. “Hello, Uncle Krys.” She proceeded to give the same greeting to Liz as well.

“Welcome back Astrid. I hope your trip was well.” Liz gave a smile as Astrid nodded and disappeared up the stairs. “Well… Looks like Keira and Jayden weren’t the only ones out of the house.” Liz chuckled as she took a seat next to Krys. “Hard to believe you are related to these two old men.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:06 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

All Jordas manage to do was roll his eyes. He wasn't a mind reader, so it wasn't his fault that she reacted like that. Besides, if they were here to do harm, why the bloody hell would they be out in the open? Blaine groaned and went over to his wife and kissed her forehead. "I know, and you know that I wouldn't let that happen either. You aren't alone in this." He understood her, but this method would sooner or later bite them on their backsides one day. Cyprus was gone, but she was still an itch for a lot of them. Time would heal those wounds, just how long though, was anyone's guess. 

He listened to Liz explain in a nicer and more rational way. "Yes, well thank you for that. I have a fairer understanding of the situation now. I do apologize for the misunderstanding." He bowed his head to the young woman as he climbed back into his seat. "Yeah, things have been on edge lately. You picked a good time to stop by on a visit", Krys offered as he looked to his drunken brother. "Toya's a good woman, just hot-headed. Always had been as long as we knew her."

Jordas nodded and slumped into the chair, taking in the comforts of the bottle before seeing her return with Sparrow. "Looks like Blaine, nearly identical." 

"Wouldn't bother just yet. Not sure where Keira is, and Jayden won't be back until late", Blaine said, though his voice was filled with some hesitation towards the end of the sentence.

"Oh boy…", Krys uttered while their cousin looked at them with a stupor look. "What? What's wrong with that?"

Author: Toya, Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:47 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

“Let me tell you something boy… A mother dragon asks questions after when her young could be in trouble. It was a decision that Liz and I made together due to the children being in the house. After Cyprus, we’ve been on our guards. I can’t afford anything happening to my family so yes, I will kick their asses and ask questions after. You will accept my reasoning.”

She gave a face to Blaine before backing off. “I keep what I said. With Sparrow in the house, I was not going to chance anything. We ambushed them and knocked them out. Some of them fought back but not enough. I will refrain from any more violence considering the threat my husband has issued.” She huffed a but at Jordas.

Liz gave Krys a kiss to his cheek as he came in before the reunion started. “No… Blaine married the incarnation of a dragon.” There was a snort as Toya growled at Liz for her words. “With the pups inside we made the best choice and then I went to get Krys just in case. We’ve been on high alert since the Cyprus thing. Even our guards make a mistake… but also… Coming into Toya’s domain they probably thought she would take care of it.”

“That’s what I was thinking as well. It isn’t the first time that it's been left to me.” Toya left before coming back down with a sleepy baby who was rubbing his eyes. “Did you miss your mommy?” Sparrow cooed at her and hugged her. “That’s my boy.” She kissed the top of his wild blonde curls and he snuggled into her. “Suppose… we should rally the pups and introduce them to Jordas. They are all home right now.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:37 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

"My guards were instructed to not hurt anyone unless my life was threatened. They were trained well." He hiccuped before staring her down. "Queen? Well, if you acted like one then I would treat you like one. Right now, you remind me of a rabid dog." Jordas snickered before shaking his head. "Let me guess, you are the sort to fight first and then ask questions. That's why it was easy to beat them if they didn't fight back. Perhaps you should open your ears rather than to close your fists first."

While Blaine liked Jordas, even he couldn't save him from the hole he was digging. True, Toya shouldn't have done what she did, but it was her house and the lad was trending in dangerous waters. "No, I'm from the good one of the two brothers. I'm not one of Christian's boys." He shrugged as she approached him only to eat a fist against his face, which knocked him out of his seat. 

Blaine only sighed and took more of the drink as she made a damn fool out of herself like Jordas was. "Settle down, Toya. You'd think the city guards would have allowed them to come this far if they were truly a threat? He shouldn't have mouthed off, yes but attacking them right out of the bat? Did they even get a word out before you started walloping them?" The assumed answer would have been no. Jordas rolled his eyes; he was having a great day until this banshee came from out of nowhere and started to assault them all. Was she really in charge of this place? He felt sorry for them. 

 "Yeah, Liz. Everything's okay. Those guys out there are probably messed up a little bit, but they should be fine." He looked to his cousin, "I'd refrain from stirring her up again." Then to Toya, "And I'd suggest that you be nice as well. He's family. I might not have the pull, but I'm sure Cathrine and Angela do." Jordas nodded and cracked his jaw. "Yup, it's all fine." 

Krys came in, wondering about the guards outside when he noticed Jordas. The scent hit him and he shook his head. "Jordas? Boy, you've grown." 

"Krystopher…your hair…its gone. Didn't think you were that old yet…" The two grinned at each other and then hugged. "Drank too much it looks like…Blaine, what did you do to our baby cousin?" 

"Our baby cousin challenged me, so it was accepted", he offered as he poured another glass. 

"Don't mind if I do", Krys replied and took a quick swig. "Were those your boys out there?"

"What's left of them, yeah. Didn't know that Blaine married a queen. How was I suppose to know? Only thing I was certain of was that there were a couple of fellows saying they were from our blood."

 
 

Author: Toya, Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:15 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

Toya stared at Jordas and looked down at the guard. “You should train them better. Also, the proper thing to do when entering the house of a queen is to tell them you are coming. I could have killed them but you are lucky that I decided to show restraint. I do not take my house being threatened lightly.” There was venom dripping from her lips as she took a step forward as he fell.

“More Wintercrest boys… Bet you are big time slut too. And a king? My, my, my. I would be careful who you raise your voice to in this house. This is my house not Blaine’s.” Her fists clenched and they proceeded to clench so hard that her knuckles were white. Finally, it seemed like a reaction as she sucker punched him right in the face.

“He can leave any time he wants.” She went over to a door and slammed it open. “Well, Blaine. Do you want to leave? The door is nice and open JUST for you. If you are trapped leave.” She could tell where this Jordas was going with that. “If not… make sure your cousin keeps in line because I am having a rather good day.” That alone was rare in itself.

Liz came jogging in. “Krys is behind me but I heard the slam and came running… Everything okay Aunt Toya?” Finally, her amber eyes met Jordas’s and she sniffed. “Lovely.” She knew immediately from the smell alone he was related.

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:02 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

The two were toning down a bit, both in their excitement as well as their drinks when the twins busted in. "Oh gods", Blaine grumbled as the two went after one another before Tempest took it a step further and the two were off in scraping. "Oooh, that girl has a nasty hook.", Jordas jeered while lifting the glass to his lips again. Blaine did nothing to stop them. "That's your young cousins, twice removed. Kite and Tempest, or Terror One and Two if you prefer."

"So you've been busy I see…" He laughed a bit before everything went dead silent when Toya came in. "Oh boy, look alive. You are about to meet the wife." If Blaine wasn't so drunk from spiking the already potent drink, then he would have given some details about Toya and what to avoid. Oh well, the lad was smart enough to not ruffle up her feathers. Right? 

Jordas immediately saw the guard, his guard and he puffed his drunken face at her. "What the bloody hell, woman? Have you not heard of guards? They are mine." He went to stand up but did so too quickly and merely fell back into his chair. Who was she to beat up innocent men? Surely Blaine must have seen something in her, especially with his reputation. Or maybe she had him trapped somehow. 

"I am Blaine's cousin, Jordas. Jordas Wintercrest, King of Snowden." He took his glass and downed the rest of the drink. "Clearly you aren't wolf. I can smell that. Must be one of those siren-like Rosenites. Tell me, what have you done to my brother", he asked, pointing at Blaine who was trying his best to silently tell him to knock it off. 

Author: Toya, Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 4:37 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

There was rustling in the next room over from them. “GRANDPA! KITE IS BEING A SHIT HEAD!” A little girl with long brown locks came running in. She had big beautiful blue eyes like Blaine.

Kite ran in with wild blonde hair and the same blue eyes. “GRANDPA! TEMPEST PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE THEN SAID I STARTED IT!”

“YOU DID START IT DOG BREATH.”

“YOU ARE DOG BREATH TOO!” As soon as the words left Kite’s mouth Tempest threw a punch so hard that blood came from Kite’s nose and they were immediately on the floor beating the crap out of each other.

“CHILDREN ENOUGH!” The door got kicked in and Toya made her way in. In the clenches of her hand was one of the soldiers that Jordas had left out front. Both twins stopped and sat up looking towards their grandmother. “Now, does anyone want to explain to me what a group of soldiers that I have no idea got here were outside of my home?” She dropped the bludgeoned soldier on the ground. “They are alive of course.” Her green eyes met with Jordas.

“Kite, go see your cousin Belle or your Aunt Angela. Go now.” Kite scrambled to his feet and ran out the door holding his nose. “Tempest, you apologize to your brother when he comes back. Scram the adults are talking.” Tempest got up and ran out of the room in the opposite direction so she could run up the stairs.

“Anyone want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” Toya put her hands on her hips staring from her husband to this newcomer. “I was with Liz when we ran into the soldiers… Krystopher is on his way… After we knocked the piss out of everyone out there.”

Author: Jordas Wintercrest , Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 3:54 PM, Post Subject: Different Times, Same Faces [P,R]

It was hard to believe that anyone had survived that gruesome "war" as some of his people called it. His distant relatives seemed lost in history as their blood spilled onto the grounds. His uncle, aunt, and children were among the causalities, or so it was said. None of the known children- Krystopher, Blaine or Misty were spotted on the battlefield or in the lost kingdom. His own father was sure that they were dumped somewhere else, perhaps as a last cruel gesture, or they were taken in as slaves. Either way, they seemed lost and life continued on after the dead were sent to the heavens by the pyre. 

It had been about thirty years and Jordas had taken the reins of leadership a few years after his father's passing. It wasn't easy but he was bred for the role from the start of birth. For the most part, he kept the peace over his kingdom and would soon have to choose a wife and later on, have an heir to take over when he could no longer. The thought was a bit depressing over thinking that far into life, but what wasn't was news that a Wintercrest was up north. A couple of men that claimed that surname was in allegiance with the Rosenites of Arri. At first, it seemed like someone was slandering the good name but he suppose that it would be up to him to find out.  

With a couple of guards, Jordas made the travel up to Sularia. The desert's climate wasn't exactly comfortable, especially for those that were used to the much colder weather, but they made it through unscathed. The moment he hit the city, he was sure that his nose was deceiving him. Blinking, he sniffed again and was amazed that he smelled another lycan. No, more than one. More than two even? What was the hell going on? He was told at a young age that his cousins were dead, but again, none of their bodies were recovered or found. 

Signaling his men, he followed the smell. His movement was brisk as they eventually made it to a manor and without warning, he made his way inside, keeping the others out as he continued to trail the scent. 

"Who the hell are you?", a voice came from the stairs. Turning, he spotted an older looking man with blond hair, eying him with a questioning look. "I am looking for the men that call themselves Wintercrest."

Quickly, the man of the house made his way done, "Yea, I'm one of them. Blaine. Now, who the hell are you again?"

"Blaine? Can't be. There's no way." 

Blaine was really confused by all this. There was something familiar about this stranger, but here he was, busting into his home and demanding Wintercrests for some reason. "Blaine…if it's really you…it's me…Jordas…"

It was Blaine's turn to be surprised, "What…little goofy Jordas?" The man started to laugh, that stupid nickname that was bestowed on him by his older cousins. Soon the laughter turned to a tear or two before he moved over to Blaine and they embraced in a hug. "You are a sight for sore eyes. Didn't think that you'd be here at all. It's been ages…"

"Yes, indeed. We all thought you and the others were dead."

"Not all of us. Krystopher's around here somewhere. Misty's who-knows-where. And Paige…not sure if you know about her, but she's in the same boat as Misty."

Jordas was still a bit flabbergasted; he didn't think that the rumors were true. But here he was, standing before the Wolf King, acting nearly the same as he had back then. Gods, that was such a long time ago. "I'm happy for you all. A lot has changed for me. My father, your uncle, passed away years ago and I succeeded as king. The others are fine and well, though. With their support, we made it through these trying times."

"My apologies for your father; he was a good man and now he can join his brother in the heavens. But please, come with me. We have some catching up to do."

Blaine led Jordas over to the living room and broke out a decanter and a pair of glasses. "Think you can handle the strong stuff or you still sipping milk?" Jordas snatched the glass out of his hand and along with the decanter. "Please. Think you can keep up with me, old man?" It wasn't too long before the house was filled with laughter and old stories by the two as they had their fill. Perhaps a little too loud and a little too drunk.