Helantri Deru is...well, a calm oasis in ways, but a fortress beneath its beauty. The mansion holds influences from Earth's China, but a good many other sensibilities are merged into that as well. It appears open, well-lit, and airy...but can be sealed to virtual inpenetrability at a moment's notice. The grounds around it are graced by beautiful gardens, practically a horticultural museum or botanical masterwork. There are what appear to be training areas scattered throughout, but they fit into the landscape as though they belong. They do. The protective and cloaking fields around the entire area are exceedingly similar to those around Saea's Gardens.

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Felina smirks. It would have been awkward anyway. But at least the olive branch is there. Before too long, there's some grouper--magic-generated, of course, not hand-cooked--the bread, the rice balls, and the drinks of everyone's choices on the table, and enough chairs scattered around for everyone to at least have a place to sit.

Felina's sitting on the outskirts of things. Hostess or not, and however much she likes the company, mingling she's perfectly happy to leave for everyone else to enjoy...especially when she's starting to get a hair tired.

Dewei's quite content to be hanging out with his sister. They used to be inseparable, so this 'growing up' thing can be odd at times. He finishes a bite of rice ball, and looks over to Ai. "Didn't you say that you wanted to speak to our father, Miss Ai?"

Ai, who is in the middle of a tiny bite of fish - eating like a butterfly, Mara has said - sets down her manifested utensils. She nods, and is very careful to swallow before speaking.

"Yes, but privately... I had forgotten." The goddess turns about a little to face Felina's husband. "Would you mind, terribly? It is nothing dire, or terribly urgent."

"Hm?" He looks up, hadn't been following that closely. "Oh...certainly, Miss Ai. This seems like a good time. You know, before we break out the booze and have such a raucous party that none of us will remember." He grins, puts a hand on his wife's knee for a moment, and then stands up. "A walk, then?"

Ai glances at her grouper, decides she's had enough, and waves it into oblivion. "If you please." She stands, bows her head a bit to all around the table. "Excuse me. Please lead the way, Orrin."

"Absolutely. Though..." he notes as they leave the room, "we may both end up lost at this rate. Have you ever really walked through this place, especially the lower level? Three centuries' practice isn't enough to get through this labyrinth, to be sure." The dumen grins. He can find his way around, of course. But it begs the point...this house can be confusing.

"No, not really. I have only been to the upper levels that I can recall." Ai walks beside him, comfortably apart, for some time before she formulates the question that's been circling in her mind. "I have to ask you, as a prerequisite to asking something else that depends entirely upon your answer to this. Orrin. What do you know of my father?"

"That's...quite a question." Orrin breathes out as they walk, considering his answer. "I know...well...his history. The part that involved the dumen race, anyway. I know his previous interactions with my wife. Far more deeply than the twins do. I'd go so far as to say that I know of every important encounter between them. But...I also know that Felina seems hesitant to strike at him now, and that he's teaching my son well. I know that he healed me where I otherwise would have died. And, of course...I know that he raised a fine daughter."

"Heh..." Ai turns her head a little. She doesn't normally blush this much, but though she's almost positive she's naturally older than Orrin she still sort of see him as an adult, and herself as a child. "Well... this brings to light my second question. I should be forthcoming. I am interested in your son, Orrin, and I want to know if history will make things too hard. Please, though," she puts up a hand, "before you answer, allow me to elaborate. Dewei is the first man in ages to interest my mind. As I am sure you can guess, centuries drag on far too long to refrain from entertaining physical company some times, but I can honestly say that I have yet to meet a man who intrigues me the way your son does." She has never been promiscuous, or anything like it, though she does want to kick 'lovestruck virgin' out the window forthwith. "And it is not as if I fawn over him, or he me. I simply have an interest in him and wish to know if it should be curtailed for the sake of anything particular."

Orrin cracks his knuckles thoughfully, though no notable sound results. Thinking, a touch agitated. Not at her, at his own logical answer. But... "Ai...do you know how Felina and I met?"

"Well, I..." she blinks. "No. Is it a story I can tempt out of you with a smile?" And she gives him her very best puppy-eyes, heartbreaking smile complete with clasping her hands in front of her waist and turning one knee to scratch her sandal on the ground.

Orrin grins at her sidelong. "Well, sure, if you want to break out the heavy guns." Lets out his breath. "Well...it was pretty straightforward. She took me as an apprentice, and we kind of hit it off. Mostly, because I was doing my best to charm her." He smiles softly. "Even then, it was nice. She's...well, pardon the expression, but a hell of a lady." He's quiet for a moment. Expression fades. He looks ove to Ai. "What she didn't know, though, was that I was a being paid to woo her. More specifically, to get close to her, until I edged out a chance kill her."

"... meep." Ai actually covers her mouth. "You fucker! I... oh. Wait." She smiles. "It obviously ended well. Please, tell me more? If it is okay. And do not worry." She glances down to the collar of her suit. "I have not yet pulled out the big guns."

The dumen smirks a little, greatful for the momentary relief. Looks ahead again. Face grows serious. "I was very good at my job, Miss Ai. I was a contract assassin for most of my life before meeting her. This time, though...eventually, I realized that I'd had a chance to kill her moments before. And another one before that, and one the day before, and so on. I just...couldn't bring myself to do that. I actually, truly had feelings for her. I realized that I wasn't faking it anymore."

He sighs quietly. "It had been quite awhile since we'd met at that point, since Felina's not very quick to trust people to a real extent. We were sleeping together by then, sometimes...one night, I told her." He smiles wryly. "Needless to say, she threw me out on my ass."

"And rightfully so," Ai nods as she crosses her arms over her exaggerated chest. "But you do not need to hear that from me. May I continue to pry?" She blinks. Then clarifies, just as she had with Dewei.

"Well...Felina was devestated. Just...shattered. We both were, but only one of us deserved it. A month or so later, I caught wind of another contract on her, one I thought had a chance of succeeding. I owed her far more than I could ever pay that time, so...I tried to stop it." He scritches his head sheepishly, clearly where Dewei had picked up the habit. "Half-worked, anyway. I bit off more than I could chew with that one...not that I didn't know that coming in. I did some damage, took out two guys I wouldn't have been able to before--it's funny what really caring about something will do to your fighting--but, then they went straight through me. Literally. With something sharper and more metallic than I usually like to put in my body." He smirks a little, though his face is noticeably somber underneath at the memory. You don't forget death-blows.

"I did do what I set out to, though. Raised enough hell that Felina became aware of what was going on, and was able to pinpoint it despite the cloaking magic being used." She showed up and didn't take too long to finish what I'd pretended to start...especially since the other guy was far too smart to try to fight her without the help of ambush, and took off."

Orrin shrugs. "Of course, I was dying. Sharp semi-shiny things where they shouldn't be and all. And the thing about Fel...she's way too good to be real. I mean, she has her freaky side, sure, and talks tough, but...she's a saint. I didn't deserve it, but she admittedly grudgingly brought me back here, to heal."

The dumen's eyes are thoughtful and far away for a few moments after he finishes this story, and looks back up to Ai. "Things got better after that. Gradually...very gradually. It took far longer for us to really get close the second time than the first." The corners of his raven lips twitch upwards. "A hundred and twenty-three years later, she agreed to marry me."

Ai wonders. That's a very long time to simply... hang around. She wonders if she could ever do it.

"It is a beautiful, if somewhat demented, story, Orrin. I apologize if this sounds terse, but... how does that affect my interest in Dewei?" She stiffens a little. "If you do not mind my asking."

"I actually have a point, for once!" Orrin grins, himself again. "The point, is, Ai...Felina and I love one another very much, and we're very happy together. I'm sure you can tell...that anyone can. And yet our history is...well, it's pretty awful in the beginning. It took a long time to work through that, and neither one of us will ever forget it. We're aware of it. But...it's history. Not today. If Felina and I can love one another like we do despite what happened before, surely...well. If you and Dewei turn out to be meant for one another, and really have something special, then surely you can work through your parents having a bad history." He folds his hands behind his neck, another Dewei-trait. "For what it's worth...I know that Felina's willing to try to work through things with your dad if it would make Dewei happy. Maybe not be his buddy, but...work through them, anyway. And I'm not entirely sure your father isn't willing to do the same, if it would make you happy."

"So what you are really trying to say is..." Ai slips her arms around his shoulders, as far as she can. "... 'give it a shot?' Thank you, Orrin."

Orrin smiles at her. "With one or two extra words...yes. That."

Ai steps back, beaming. "Oh... while I am at it. Are you going to come to the games, Orrin? Before I forget to ask."

He grins. "I wouldn't miss them. Fel and I are both planning to attend."

Her smile only broadens. "Great! I have set aside flowerbox seats for the two of you, and for father and Mara. I think you will approve. Anyway..." she crosses her arms again. Sometimes the resemblance between Ai and her father is downright creepy, where mannerisms are concerned. "Thank you. I should go and tell everyone good evening, I think... I have much to do before then."

"That sounds like a plan. Shall we?" That rhetorical question in the air, they start heading back towards the dining room. "If you need any help, feel free to ask," Orrin offers. "I, for one, am good to shove around for manual labor. Ask my wife." He smirks.

Ai stops in the doorway, thinking about that. "Actually, no, but I do need someone to march the colors of the athletics commission into the stadium, if you would like to... eep!" 

Mara-kuru grins and sits on Ai's freshly-pounced belly. "Hiya."

Orrin grins. "Okay. Make that investing in two squirt bottles, if Ai will be joining us often."

Mara looks up at him. "I heard that, fruit loop!" And she leaps for Orrin.

"Gah!" And he goes down solidly. Of course, now that Ai knows more about his background, she can probably guess that his deft roll with Ting's pounce earlier had been no fluke. He just...lets himself be thrown around by his family and extended family. It's part of being a family, in their case. "Mara, dear, that half-pound of fish you had nearly doubled your weight," he whines, grinning. "Go eat a cookie or something so you can do more damage."

Mara sniffles. "Hey Orrin, do you like hairspray at all?" She grins evilly. "And bows?"

"Ehm...what was that I was just saying about your positively unmatchable figure, Mara?"

"Says the guy who's married to my ether twin." Mara pokes the tip of Orrin's nose, and lets him up. "Men are so silly. Right Ai? Ai?" Mara looks around, and spots Ai heading over to say her goodnights to everyone. She grins. "She makes your boy blush," she nods, "if you haven't had a little chat with him yet, you need to. Birds and bees. Or kitties and..." tilts her head. "Whatever the hell Ai is."

Orrin grins at her as he gets to his feet. "Some fifty years ago, sure. He's a smart kid. They are cute, though, eh?" This isn't designed for public embarassment, actually, so his voice is somewhat quiet.

"Yup! The kind of cute that makes my ears want to take yoga so they can rub together."

Ai stops just in front of the table where the Onos should still be sitting, minus Orrin. "Excuse me," she meekly draws attention to herself, "Thank you for the meal. I must be going, Felina. I have dozens of jobs to do to prepare for the games."

Felina had been spacing out a little...smiles at Ai, though, focusses, and stands up. "It was certainly a fair exchange for your company, Miss Ai. Feel free to let me know if you need any help with the preparation, huh?"

Ai grins her sprightly, teasing grin. "Perhaps after you have rested. Feel free to just drop by, though. I am interviewing participants tomorrow at the moon, if you want to come." She bows her head, shooting a crossways look at Dewei and Ting. "Bye, kids. Dewei, tomorrow we must make up for your missed training today." No innuendo meant, this time, either.

"Bye!" Ting hops over a chair to hug her goodbye. And does.

Dewei smiles, and nods. "Right. I"m sure your father will make sure of it, anyway."

Ai hugs Ting with typical half-reserve, lays her hand atop Dewei's for a moment, and vanishes. Mara-kuru yawns when she leaves.

"She's such a sweetie. Not creepy helps, either. So. Who likes tequila? Mara does!"

Felina grins. "I think bed's in my very near future, actually."

"I do!" Ting bounces, laughing. "This time zone's way offa mine. I'm wide awake!"

"'kay night Fel love you kisses!" Mara beams at Felina, but for once, doesn't act on her words. "Alright, Orrin, Dewei..." She waves her hands unnecessarily, producing three bottles of orangish liquor (actually teleported from her store at home). "Wanna drink with the girls?"

"I should probably go, too, Aunt, and see about getting some sleep. I am still an apprentice, and seriously doubt I'll be given a break because today was busy." Dewei grins a little.

"Hmm...depends. How many claw marks will I have after the first hour?" Orrin inquires. "The first two?"

Felina smiles at them, wishes them all a goodnight quietly, hugging the kids briefly, and then wanders off, half-pondering tomorrow's challenge.

"Oh honey," Mara grins, "probably just me and ting will be clawed up. Drunk girls like to rassle. Or at least Drunk Mara likes to. Or maybe Drunk Mara likes to watch girls wrestle? Something. Anyway." She pushes a bottle towards the Dumen. "Drink up. Don't eat the worm, though. It's probably a fake worm."

Dewei waits a few moments, decides that's a "bye now," and is about to leave. Ting taps his shoulder. He's pounce-hugged when he's half-turned around, and grins. "Thanks, Ting. Goodnight." He hugs her. "Bye, aunt, father." Smiles at them, waits for a wave from his dad, and then is gone, bound for Istan Aiga.

Orrin looks down into the glass, and cocks an eyebrow--which he can actually do quite well--when there's really a worm in it. "That works." Takes a sip, and grins at what looks an awful lot like his wife. "So what do I do when the drink bites back?"

"Give it its money and call it a cab." Mara nods. Drinks. Drinks, and drinks. "God damn it! That burns!" She smiles at Orrin. "Sorry. Your turn Ting, I love you, you're cute."

"Yay! I love you, too! And a little of this stuff, and I'll love everybody before long!"

---

While those three have some much-needed fun between themselves, Felina has one more thing to do before bed, and wanders off in search of Makyon, yawning once, and carrying some small bundle beneath her arm.

The slip mage is actually on one of the training fields, practicing. His space-folding talent makes it an interesting sight, as he appears at any seemingly random to location to to throw a punch or kick, or bounce off a psi wall. Once he even throws a punch that sees his fist striking a target across the field without covering the distance between. He doesn't notice Felina at first.

Felina simply waits and watches, quiet, remaining out of the way. She's nothing if not patient...and always interested in watching her students' progression, anyway.

After a while, a tiring Makyon does notice her. "Hey! Have a look at this." And to amuse her, he throws a punch, folds the space between and hits himself in the back of the head. Hard enough to send him tumbling to her feet.

Felina smirks, and has to chuckle after a moment. "You're not allowed to have so much fun at this hour. Stop it."

"Yes ma'am!" Makyon salutes smartly, and gets up grinning. "What can I do for you, milady?"

"Don't think I don't know when you go behind my back on things. I'm fully aware that although everyone else ended up in the limelight, what happened today was your fault." She holds out the cloth-wrapped bundle. "Your penance." A slight pause. Then, in a less theatrical voice. "Thank you." Once he's taken it, she turns quietly to leave.

Puzzled, Makyon takes the bundle, but out of decorum, doesn't look yet. "Hey," he calls quietly, "practice tomorrow?"

"I'll be busy for an undetermined amount of time early tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be all day. In either case, I'll leave some notes for Orrin to see to your tasks for the day." She raises a hand so it's visible over her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll end up done by noon. Vacation time till I get home, yay."

"Vacations suck without good company. Sleep well!" He looks into the bundle, puzzled even further, and goes through it until he finds the emblem. Blinks. It can't be what it looks like. Can't, nope, not at all.

"You, too." Felina, for her part, is quite tired. Yawns fully when it can't easily be seen, baring fangs her kids had inherited and kitty-tongue they hadn't. Bedtime. A quick shower and nightgown later, and that's right where she is, hardly giving herself any time to brood or plan over tomorrow.

Makyon carefully sets the bundle aside, to continue his practice. Motivation is good stuff.

---

"Look, Felina, I know I'm pretty. But if you dye your hair red people'll think you're me."

Mara-kuru scowls at the mirror in front of her, her eyes red and her ears hanging low. "Quit repeatin' me at the same time."

Ting giggles. "That's not mom, Auntie, that's youuuu!" And she pounce-hugs Mara from behind. Not a take-down pounce, just a death-defying hug from above. Looks out over the full serinian once her chin's on Mara's shoulder. "Heeeey..." She points at the mirror. "That's me!" At which point she starts giggling uncontrollably.

Mara looks up at Ting, and back at the mirror. "That's what she said. But I don't trust her any farther than I can throw me. And... ulp. Uh. I'm good."

"Suuure you are, aunt." Ting snickers.

Orrin, at this point, is just sitting back and grinning. He's quite buzzed, himself, but...there's nothing funnier than a serinian-blood's alcohol tolerance.

"Sittin' pretty over there," Mara grunts. "Someone needs a nother round, and it could be me, I forget. Orrin... you know, you kinda look like a guy I met one time. Except he had, like... seven arms. And fins. Actually you look nothing like him, except for the fins."

"And where were these fins, Mara?" the dumen inquires.

"On his ass."

"Aunt!" Ting whines.

"Tsk. Just when I thought it was safe to take a private shower." Orrin laughs. It's funnier with alcohol.

"I'm jest playing Ting I never did make a move on Fel's squishy." Mara nods, just about the time she falls into her chair. "It'd be like doing my brother, or dad. Eeesh."

Orrin snickers. Yay for brothers-in-law! It keeps me safe from so many oddball shenanigans around here." Ponders. "And gets me into about four times more."

Mara starts to say something else, but pauses. "Oh. There's something ringing in my brain." She blinks, her ears lifting as she wiggles them. "I have to go home to the nether plane. Sorry it's important bye!" With her onomotopoeia Poof spelled POFO due to drink, Mara vanishes without another word.

Ting blinks, a couple times. Sniffles. "I lost my auntie!"

Orrin grins, more gently, and gets up. Walks over to his daughter, puts an arm around her shoulders, and points her in the proper direction. "I'm sure you'll see her tomorrow. She loves it when you visit. Let's get you off to play with something shiny while the rest of us get some sleep."

"Hee...yay...!"

---

Awhile later, while Ting's off un-wreaking havoc upon the arena at Raufante, Orrin quietly pushes open the paper-screen door to his bedroom and Felina's. It's dark, and no light from the hall falls across her face. The room's arranged to prevent it.

Still, he can see well enough to tell that she's quite asleep.

It's very quietly that the dumen makes his way over to the ajoined bathroom to fill a basin and wash his face and arms, and then head back into the bedroom to change into sleeping garments. He'd slept nude, once upon a time, but...some light pants are good when his daughter and sister-in-law both have a habit of popping in unexpectedly at any odd hour. Three or four interesting incidents, mostly with Mara, have convinced him that clothing is good at all hours.

He finally slips quietly under the blankets beside his wife. Felina stirs, but doesn't awaken. The dumen's jet black eyes soften, and he just studies her face before laying down fully.

It's still such a novelty, it really is. Being with her again. Seeing her face...not just in ever-blurrier, more confused dreams, but as it is. As she is...she's so beutiful. It's hard to believe, sometimes, that she's...his. So thoroughly. That they belong to one another. She has a certain look on her face...she has very distinct moods sleeping, and he knows them all. She fell asleep thinking about some task at hand, and is ready wake up to it tomorrow. forcussed, in a strange sort of way. He smiles. It's so...her. He wants to touch her cheek, in the worst way. To feel her skin. But...she needs to sleep. That will awaken her for certain. He kisses her hair lightly, and lies down, to a light, half-conscious smile on her part, before she drifts off completely again.

Orrin essentially gets his wish despite the consideration. Fifteen minutes sees her curled nearer to him, head against his chest. There's something like a faint smile on her lips. Whatever he feels for her...it's most definitely, completely mutual.

---

Dewei and Ai appear not terribly far from where he senses Mara. His ears are perked, wondering what the emergency can be.