Mithar Keep & Frescot House IV: Magic babble lies within

[Murkus]

[The Frescot House]

Sarget's stomping does not very much help Adir's nerves. He whips around to face them. The tenseness in his shoulders turns to a different kind as he sees Sakura, and his heart sinks. "Baby, I don't even know where to start." He swallows, and the look he meets her eyes with is haunted. "VIGIL's gone."

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

"Oh, no no no. He... doesn't really have a dad. He was grown from a seed. It's kind of a long story." Sakura rushes to explain. It sounds very silly explaining it. Grown from a seed? But he sure looks a lot like Sakura, and nothing like Adir. Zillia can see that when she bends over to kiss him. Very much like Sakura, except for the green skin, flower head, and blue eyes of course. Oop! Russell paws at her face when she's so close, favouring the silly lady a little smile.

"But yeah, it'd be great if you could help me with my problem." Admittedly Sakura is confused about what Zillia is saying too, but hopefully she'll explain.

[The Frescot House]

Sakura looks at him dumbfounded for a moment. "What..?" She steps toward him and puts a hand on his arm. "What do you mean 'gone'? What happened, Adir?"

[UncleWolf]

Invasion of the Body Hugger

The little catgirl gives Adir a nod but doesn't speak. When she sees the other child though, Adir will find her clinging to his leg defensively as she looks the young boy over.

Escaped Children

"That's fine. As Cessie knows, I'm still a student however so I'm unavailable during actual week days though evenings are fine if you and your husband would like to go somewhere." Thad explains.

[Murkus]

[Arriving]

"Seed, long story, yes dear, ahoho," Zillia gives a snooty laugh, winking ridiculously as she prods Sakura in the shoulder with her elbow. She hardly takes a moment away from returning Russell's smile, though. "You can break your code later when Cessie isn't around. Ahh!" She takes one of the tiny hands that explored her face. "His hands are softer than a duckling's down. What a lovely little boy."

Zillia manages to snap herself out of the baby's spell at Cessie's behest. "You need my help? Well, darling, I only came to visit..." She didn't come to work! Zillia suddenly manages to look positively exhausted from what was surely a long trip. "You take a guest in your house and don't even offer her anything to eat. Nor a place to sit, nor a drink to soothe the nerves..."

((While I can't recall, whether or not Zillia needs to eat or rest at all is irrelevant towards what she says ))

[The Frescot House]

"What I mean is I got outside and I can't see the tower any more! It's gone," Adir's touched arm lances up to grip Sakura's shoulder, as his other stretches out to point one leathery finger at the distant, empty space in the sky where once the top of VIGIL's spire rose. "It helps when a twelve foot monster from hell walks up and tells you the same thing."

[Invasion of the Body Hugger!]

What Cern looks for is an explanation, what he gets is Adir's patented Soldier Look! Not quite as bad as the Mom Look, but it gets you there. "First of all, son, you're not supposed to point," He says, reaching down to take the pot off his boy's head. That thing smarts! Best to keep helmets away from Cern or he'll think he can ram his face into anything. "An' second, listen to your mother."

"Look, you went and frightened our guest!" Despite his Look, Adir can't hold back the melodrama. He reaches down and gestures at the pod girl gently. "Cernunnos, this little lady here doesn't have a name yet. We have to choose one. Little lady," he points at his son, his comparatively big hand the mediator between the two tiny figures. "This is Cernunnos. He's a nice boy, I promise. And he can be a real gentleman. Can you both say 'hello'?"

His eyes twitch back up. He's sure Sakura will follow Cern any minute now.

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

"Please Zillia. I really need your help. We don't know who else can do anything to fix this." Sakura's voice takes on a pleading tone as she looks at the nymph imploringly.

[The Frescot House]

Sakura stares at the spot Adir points, suddenly unfamiliar without the usual landmarks. The dryad scans the sky, left to right and back again, thinking they must just be looking in the wrong spot. "How-" Sakura's head whips around to look back at Adir. "How is that even possible?" That can't be right, can it? It can't just be gone.

[Invasion of the Body Hugger!]

Cern looks up at his dad bashfully and tries to make himself small under that look. His eyes dart to the little girl at Adir's bidding. He soon forgets the scolding in favour of curiosity. "Hello." He says, like daddy said. "Why don't you have a name?" Everyone has a name! What is he supposed to call her if she has no name?

Like Adir expected, Sakura pokes her head out of the kitchen. Her eyebrows raise when she sees the little girl and she gives Adir a questioning look. "Well hello there. I never knew we were having a guest." Sakura's voice automatically takes on that babying quality. She smiles broadly. How can she help herself but to smile around a small child?

[Shadowcaller]

[Toddlers Escaped]

Sakura laughs. "Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you, though." She gives him a wink. "You'll be the first person we call, if you're not too busy with Cessie's kids. You're gonna find out that hers my kids come as a package a lot of the time, though. Isn't that right, Cessie?"

[Arriving]

"Please Zillia. I really need your help. We don't know who else can do anything to fix this." Sakura's voice takes on a pleading tone as she looks at the nymph imploringly.

[Arriving]

"I'll get you something to drink and eat then. Just take a seat and relax both of you. It looks like you need it." Cessie says, as she gets up from her seat.
She was thankful there was no alcohol in the house though in case Zillia asked, she still recalled what happened that time the nymph had gotten drunk back in Hestopia. She had never been invited into the city ever again.
The sorceress will then go and arrange some quick food and drink for the two. It will go fast as Cessie really didn't have much patience making anything more complicated than microwave food.

[Toddlers Escaped]

"I believe they're starting to become a bad influence on one another, I can't tell who is influencing who at this point though." The sorceress says with a little laugh. "I think Cora is the wildest one honestly. Can't imagine what she got that from though. I was such a calm child."

[Murkus]

[Arriving]

"Oh, Cessie, thank you darling," Zillia gives her granddaughter the sweetest smile she can muster. "Coffee or brandy, whichever you have in greater supply."

Her eyes follow Cessie until she's left. They flit to Sakura, and it will become apparent how large, how strange they are. How lovely, as well. "Caaaalm yourself Sakura. Deep breaths. Stress isn't good for the children, you know."

Zillia sits at last, to the dryad's right, and she reaches out to take Sakura's hand in both of her own. "Now what, exactly, would you like me to do? Clear words, please. Straightforward. I am old. I do get confused." A smile touches her face. As does something else, something more subtle.

[The Frescot House]

"Remember where it is we live, sweetheart," Adir advises her delicately. He draws her in close. "Now listen, this thing, the monster that made that," the Stag points at the scorch mark on the side of their house, "Told me a couple important things. First... it said that if I do anything about it or go after them, they'll... sorta annihilate me?" Yes, putting that as a question makes it sound so much better.

Adir doesn't give her time to think about that one. "Second, it said there are survivors. Somebody made it out, Sakura!" There, much more cheerful news. It even puts a strained smile on Adir's face. "It, uhh, also said the same annihilating thing about them, but if any of the big three are still kickin', I don't think they know how to do anything but retaliate."

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

"I just want to be back to my normal self. Maybe you can undo what she did somehow. I was just thicker I guess, before she did this." It's not like Sakura's never been this thin before... mostly, but she's not going to feel comfortable in her own skin having been messed with like this.

[The Frescot House]

Sakura's eyes somehow go even wider with horror. "One of the things that did that was here?" She's starting to sound panicky. She looks at the burn and the place where the tower should be visible. "What do we do?" She's never felt so unsafe in her own home. What if Adir hadn't been here? With just the fairies watching the babies... Sakura doesn't want to think about it.

Sarget rumbles in that angry way Adir recognizes by now. "No one will ever harm you, Sakura, or the children." He says firmly, but his face betrays how troubled he is.

[Toddlers Escaped]

"I'll definitely remember that." Sakura giggles at Cessie. "I know right. I'm not taking any responsibility for that. She's just full of energy."

Speaking of energetic kids, the trio comes running through the room, scattering from their monstrous pursuer! "Run run! Hide!" The kids laugh and find some hiding spots. Bastion crawls under a table, Laela scrambles behind the stairs, and Cora scurries behind Sakura's skirts. Hopefully the big bad monster won't find them!

[Shadowcaller]

[Toddlers Escaped]

All the brave heroes scatter and hide as soon as one little monster comes chasing them? Makes one question a future adventure career for them.
Garn enters the room and slowly approaches the two mom's talking while looking around suspiciously.

((I'll wait for wolfy in the actual conversation.))

[Arriving]

Cessie is for now busy making microwave food in the kitchen so the two can talk. Garn is there, watching them however.

[Murkus]

[Arriving]

"Oh, darling, I can't undo anything. But maybe I can fix you," Zillia suggests, squeezing Sakura's hand a little tighter, ensuring the channel is set. "My kin cannot create something from nothing. But with the right transference of essence..."

Zillia makes a show of closing her eyes as she wills power into Sakura.

And, rooms away, Cessie may find herself undergoing shrinkage! Even as Ms. Mithar's curves disappear, Sakura will find herself fuller, flusher, and delightfully voluptuous (though not to her original extent) once again!

"Oh yay!" Zillia says, clapping her hands together.

[The Frescot House]

Adir manages to spare Sarget a gracious glance. It's nice having your father-in-law being a walking tree. Big confidence booster.

"Listen to your old man! We've got you," Adir insists, his eyebrows running together as he grips Sakura a little tighter. He doesn't want to hold her or hug or her or anything quite yet. Now's the time for planning. "Way I see it, there's... a couple good options, alright? The monster said stay put, but I don't think it meant that literally. We either take the whole merry band we've got and hide out, or I get us some protection." Adir grins at her. Raise those spirits! "I can call Jon, or put in a word with the family..." The Frescots, he means, of course. Jon he knows would cost him, and he doesn't know how competent or reliable the Frescots can be without his father... "If I could I'd have my dad and his whole host in front of you, but..." Adir's eyes drift. He doesn't know if he can even get in touch with his father.

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

"Oh!" Sakura looks down at herself. That is better. "That's pretty close to how I was before." Her clothes sre still pretty loose after all! It kinda strikes Sakura that she really has gotten quite chubby. Hm, oh well. If she wanted to lose weight she'd start joining Cessie on her walks and stuff. Not have it taken from her like this.

[The Frescot House]

"But what about Cessie and her kids?" Sakura looks toward the portal linking their homes. "You don't think they went there too, do you? She needs to know about this." There's too many people to be scared for after this...

[Shadowcaller]

[Arriving]

There is a loud crash and Cessie can be heard yelling from the kitchen. "ZILLIA!" She sounds rather upset and Garn can tell too judging by the dark look he's giving the nymph. He appears ready to escort her to his master whenever she's willing or not.

[Murkus]

[Arriving]

"Oh!" Zillia spouts excitedly, clapping a hand to her cheek. "There's my darling granddaughter, calling for me. Come along Sakura, let's see what she wants!" Zillia hops up, gives Garn a sweet nod, and toddles off in Cessie's direction.

"Is any of that food ready yet, child?"

[The Frescot Home]

Adir can't help but smile. Of course. Sakura's first thoughts are for her little munchkins, and the second ones flit to her friend, her friend's children. That's just how his wife is.

And this could, in fact, work to their advantage...

"You know what? I can't think of a safer place right now than a castle, on a cliff, with a crazy sorceress inside," Adir squeezes his wife's arms and glances at the portal, then the mound of their home. He beams at Sakura. "I need gear. How quick can you get the kids ready to go?"

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

Sakura looks after Zillia, alarmed and confused. She hurries to her feet and scrambles after the nymph. What the heck is going on?

[The Frescot Home]

"Um, a little while." Sakura looks toward their home, running through things in her mind. Five kids means a lot of stuff and a lot of preparation. "I think you'll be done first. maybe you should go ahead and talk to Cessie while I pull things together." She suggests.

[Shadowcaller]

[Arriving]

Cessie furiously stares at the nymph as she enters, which is not too surprising considering what the nymph had done. "This always happens when you decide to 'visit'." She gestures down at herself. "But you're going to undo this right now or will I have to clean up your mess, again?"" Her voice is filled with an unusual dose of spite for her.

[UncleWolf]

Invasion of the Body-Hugger

"I was made just a few weeks ago." The little podling admits when asked why she doesn't have a name. After a moment of thought she lets go of Adir and steps up to the young child, leaning close to sniff him over before poking at his shoulder gently if she's allowed to.

Escaped Toddlers

"Well, even if they're bad influences, the important thing is that they're friends, isn't it?" Thad asks. "As for being full of energy, I will say that even among my brothers and I we have some pretty spectacular differences. Chad, who is about twelve, loves heights and likes to climb on things for example. Me though? I'm absolutely terrified of heights."

[Murkus]

[Invasion of the Body Hugger]

Adir's eyes travel from the two talking children to his wife. He offers her only a grin in return for that questioning look. The stag moves across the room. He gently touches the podling's head as he goes by, and ruffles Cern's flowers.

He puts one hand on the arch and leans against it, sparing a glance back at the kids. "Hey, honey. She's, um... one of the neighbor kids." Yeah. That. "Our new neighbor, actually." Adir looks as surprised about that as Sakura probably is.

Adir turns and looks at them. He... isn't sure if he should stop little Miss Podling from sniffing Cern, but he'll have to see how the boy takes it.

"...Mind if we have her for breakfast?"

[Arriving]

"Oh!" Zillia gasps, shrinking away from Cessie's wrath.

"Well, dear, I hardly remember you being so upset the last time I visited," Zillia says. She pauses, purses her darling red lips. "Well, come to think of it, I don't remember very much of last time. But do you think that might be more a problem with you, not me?" She asks, and smiles.

[The Frescot House --> Mithar Keep]

"Are you sure? I don't... I dunno if..." Adir flattens his lips into a soft, concerned line. He doesn't wanna leave her alone here. But... he takes a little breath, and sighs. "Alright baby. Lemme get my 'go' bag. I'll be at Cessie's in ten minutes, tops."

Adir hesitates. Then he rushes his mouth in for a kiss. Normally he's kinda jilted with these, in front of Sarget, but this one holds back nothing. The stag holds her there a moment, provided Sakura permits it. Then he pops off her lips and, flashing a grin, bounces away toward the house.

And, true to his word, about eight minutes later Ms. Mithar may hear a knocking, knocking at her citadel door. A bit on the frantic side, and that's provided the Keep hasn't been attacked by demons or some such nonsense.

[Gullara]

[Invasion of the Body Hugger]

"Neighbours? We have neighbours now?" Sakura raises an eyebrow. They're not exactly by anything. "Okay, we can get another plate for her. Do you know what she eats?"

Cern leans back away from her a bit, a look on his face like he has no idea what to think of the girl sniffing him. "Why're you smelling me?" He asks the obvious question. He really wants to know! It's very different. No one else smells him? Does he smell like something?

[Escaped Toddlers]

Cora yelps and giggles as she scoots under Sakura's dress to hide from garn. The dryad laughs and shifts her skirt so it covers the little feet poking out. "Well if you think you can handle them." The dryad says with laughter in her voice, a little distracted by the childish antics.

[Arriving]

Sakura blinks at Cessie's reduced shapeliness. Oh geez... "Zillia! You can't just... do that!" She gestures at Cessie. "That's just what happened to me. It was terrible." What could she be thinking? She's supposed to help, not do this.

[Shadowcaller]

[Arriving]

"Turn me back, now." Cessie states coldly as she stares at Zillia. She didn't have the patience to argue with the nymph right now.

[Escaped Toddlers]

Cessie isn't sure what to think when her daughter suddenly decides to hide behind Sakura but she can't help but to smile as she suddenly crawls underneath the dryads dress and have to cover her mouth to not laugh. Garn doesn't find the situation amusing though, they were playing a serious game here! He moves towards Sakura and isn't shy about attempting to lift up her dress in order to spot Cora.

While Thad doesn't get any comments while this is happening, I'm just gonna say that Thad's parents weren't very creative with names.

[Mithar Keep]

Adir will find that the door is already open and that Garn is busy brushing out dust through it with a broom. As he spots Adir, the gargoyle gives him a glare. There was always trouble around him and that brown woman.

[Murkus]

[Arriving]

"Do what? Turn you..." Zillia blinks a few times, not really looking at either of the women. Wasn't Cessie always rather too skinny? Why she never noticed-- Oh! Oh dear. "Oh dear oh dear. Stand still darling!"

And with a forward wave of her hands, Zillia gives Cessie all of her own eye-catching curves... quite literally. Zillia rapidly shrinks down in her toga-esque, turning into a skinny stick of a thing, and Cessie will suddenly enjoy all the superficial beauty of her voluptuous grandmum.

Good gods, does that sound wrong.

"There," Zillia says, propping her fists on her bony hips and closing her eyes with a smile. "Good as the day the spirits made you."

[Mithar Keep]

"Not now, you," Adir says with a glare at Garn, dressed for battle in his full ceram-kevlar hybrid. Sans mask, of course. One gloved hand curls around the strap of the stag's largest duffel, the other around the barrel of the largest rifle he's got left. "Point me to Cessie or get out of the way."

[Shadowcaller]

[Arriving]

Cessie could tell what just had happened without even looking and had to restrain herself from not sighing loudly. "Zillia, do you even remember what I look like? Since this isn't it." She replies as she squirms uncomfortably in her now too tight clothes.

[Mithar Keep]

Garn snorts but if he puts it that way...

The gargoyle turns around and will guide Adir inside the keep. He will likely see that there are a number of big bags at the entrance. Looks like the sorceress is unpacking. He can see her currently walking down the stairs, looking down at Adir. "Adir, what's going on?" She could tell something was going on.

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

"Zillia, just-" Sakura bites her lip. "Wait, here." She runs off and comes back moments later with her oversized bag. "Here, just get us back to normal if you can." She pulls out her camera and starts pressing buttons. "Um, there's one of us in here somewhere..." She struggles with the camera for a minute before she finally holds it up. "Here, like this." Cessie will remember this picture as one she insisted they get Kirin to shoot for her. It's just the two girls with arms around each other's waists.

[UncleWolf]

Invasion of the Pod Child

"You smell funny." She says to the young boy, wrinkling her nose at him. "But I'll remember it." She adds before looking up at Sakura. "Meat." The podling says. "I like meat." With that, she gives a sharp-toothed grin.

Kinda disturbing on the face of a little girl really.

Toddler Escape Attempts

"I'm certain I can." Thad says with a sure nod.

(The conversation can probably be ended)

[Murkus]

[Mithar Keep]

"Oh, gods," Adir starts, grip around his bag and gun tightening. "Don't tell me you're leaving too. Was something here? A demon?" The stag glances back out the door a little twitchily.

[Invasion of the Pod Child]

"We all tell him that, still won't get him in the tub any faster," Adir says with a grin and a gander at the two kids. He doesn't seem to find the toothy little girl as unsettling as he ought to. His head twitches toward Sakura, and he forks a thumb at their carnivorous guest. "Neighbor. Neighbor, singular. And that little girl-shaped thing there is... one of her seeds. It's really, really weird, hon, but she seems harmless." He flicks his eyes to the side. "Nice, even."

[Arriving]

"I'm sorry!" Zillia says, seeming slightly flustered. She doesn't like Cessie being cranky and everyone pressuring her! She stares after Sakura. Once the dryad is flicking at her camera, Caesa seems still further confused. "Sakura, I don't see how fiddling with your gadget there will... oh."

Oh, there's... a little glowing picture in the device. A tiny Sakura and Cessie. Well, a tiny Cessie at any rate.

Caesa flicks her fingers as though she were playing a harp, the motions minute and graceful. Sakura and Cessie will very suddenly find themselves as they were in the dryad's picture.

[Shadowcaller]

[Mithar Keep]

Cessie gives Adir a puzzled look. "I'm not sure what you're talking about Adir, surely Sakura told you I have been away? I haven't been in the keep for weeks. I can tell something has happened though but there is nothing here but Cora, Bastion and Jillian. They're up in their room playing right now." She starts sounding rather concerned, was there something that could threaten her children?

[Arriving]

Cessie breathes out in relief just as the mircowave starts beeping. Sounds like their food is ready. "Thank you. I cannot tell how many times that has happened to me by now." Sakura should know exactly what she's talking about. She shakes her head. "I hope you're okay with leftovers. I warmed what Kirin cooked yesterday in the mircowave."

[Gullara]

[Arriving]

Sakura gives Zillia a thankful smile. "Thanks Zillia. I feel so much better." Like herself again! The dryad stows away her camera and adjusts her dress to get it sitting right. "I'm gonna go check on Russell. Meet me at the table again?" Provided they agree, Sakura hurries back in the direction they came to check on the baby. Best not get distracted for too long, he might need her.

[Invasion of the Pod Child]

"Oh, well okay." This is all very strange, but Sakura can roll with it. "Um, meat huh? Well we can get you something to eat sweetie." Sakura crouches down to get on the pod girl's level. "Adir can make it for you." Anytime anyone eats meat in this house it's Adir's doing. When Sakura makes food, and she often does these days, he has to put up with a vegetarian option.

"I don't smell funny." Cern insists. He steps over to his mom and grabs her arm. "Mommy, she said I smell funny." He whines.

Sakura just ruffles his flowers a bit. "I'm sure she didn't mean it like that, Cern. You just smell different." The boy frowns, but he seems to accept that explanation.

[Murkus]

[Mithar Keep]

"Sakura... may or may not have related that," Adir says with a slight cringe. What's a forgetful fella to do. "But it doesn't matter. You shoulda stayed on vacation. There was a demon at my door this morning. And..." Adir struggles with the next part. On his own, it'd be difficult, but breaking it to Cessie... "VIGIL's gone. The tower's down, at least. I think people are dead. I don't know who."

[Arriving]

Zillia makes no comment regarding the leftovers. She gives Sakura a smile and replies, "You're very much welcome."

And once the dryad's gone, Zillia stares at the floor. At her granddaughter's feet, and other places. "...Do I really upset you like this every time I visit?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Mithar Keep]

Cessie just stares at Adir for a moment, all color draining from her face. "What did this 'demon' do Adir? Is Sakura and the children safe?" She asks, but is starting to move towards the kitchen before he has a chance to answer. Apparently she's expecting him to follow her.

[Arriving]

Cessie is busy taking out the food from the microwave, attempting to occupy her mind with anything else than the Zilla situation. But as it's addressed directly she turns to look at Zilla, leaving the food on the counter. "What do you want me to tell you Zilla? We're obviously profoundly different persons and I don't know how to handle you ever time you show up."

[Murkus]

[Mithar Keep]

"Nothing!" Adir says, rather amused, rather panicky as he throws his arms up. "It threatened me, and it scorched it's stupid handprint on the side of my house, but it didn't do anything! It said for me to stay put and leave it alone. Thas' all. Sakura and the munchkins are gonna be here any minute."

Happy to have someone to lead him, Adir begins to move after Cessie almost on reflex. "Cessie? Where are we, uh, headed off to?" His voice is reedy, quavering with excitement and no small tickle of nervousness. "You've got a plan. Right? I hope you've got a plan." He hesitates. "You must have some way to contact Wenomir. Or KR. Right?"

[Arriving]

Zillia glances away, seeming to lose herself in her own thoughts again, the same way she might've when she briefly forgot Cessie's figure. Zillia, it's worth noting, is still incredibly skinny. It seems she hasn't the power or won't bother with fixing herself. "Yes, well... I just wouldn't want you to be miserable every time I'm near you. You aren't. Are you? Darling? Because that isn't the sort of granddaughter I want to have." She smiles a little bit. "A miserable one. Perhaps it is best if I go?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Mithar Keep]

"I'm going to contact Wenomir." Cessie explains, letting out a sigh of relief as she hears that the Frescots are unharmed. She still feel tense as she walks however, just how could this have happened in such a short time? She had been aware of these 'demons' but they had never seemed to be more of a threat than anything else in the nexus.

"And my brother." She adds. "Just make sure Sakura makes it here alright, the keep should be safe for them." At least safer than their little dwelling.

The phone calls will take place off-screen so Adir could either stay around with Garn and wait for Cessie to be done or go and help Sakura.

[Arriving]

Cessie leans against the counter and glances up at nymph. "I don't want to push you away Zillia, I know you mean well. But when you show up out of nowhere every few years and start transforming people, how do you expect me to react? I'm truly grateful for your help though but if you really want to be a part of my life, you can't just disappear for years at the time."