A collection of one shot and snippet stories of Itisha Astrais in the Dark Hunter world. These are mostly written as spur of the moment thoughts I had while reading the series. Of course when Itisha gets involved with anything, the universe scrambles to right itself around it. It can be fun. Please enjoy!
"Matera?" He had sworn it was her. Even nearly mistook the pale crystal blues as a different color in the evening. The confusion in her face was enough to get a good look at her. Long snow white hair drawn back in a bun and braids that fell down near her knees. Clothing in pure black that included a long Victorian styled coat and snug pants and bared feet. Honestly at first glance, even the pale eyes and way she held herself could have easily confised him or anyone else who knew his mother.
When she looked into his eyes, he had expected repulsion and braced for it. Expected the raking of her eyes over his body. No matter how much coat he wore, no matter how dark, they always looked him over like a uncooked steak waiting to be picked out and thrown over the fire.
Instead her eyes held fascination and she held her gaze with his. It froze him. He waited for the usual commentary on 'freaky' or anything else. Instead she had taken a small step forward and he nearly wanted to run. It was like she read his panic and he watched her freeze and blink.
"Sorry." She whispered softly.
He shifted uncomfortably and put his sunglasses on, "It's alright." Was she pouting? He swore she looked disappointed when the opaque sunglasses went on.
"You're lying, but thanks for that assurance." She responded airily.
"I don't lie." The tall male responded down at the shorter woman. For some reason from a distance, she looked like she should have been taller. Instead he was an entire foot taller than she was. Not that she seemed at all daunted by this.
"You're uncomfortable and waiting for me to leap on you like a starved tiger. Which thankfully I have eaten already today, so you can rest easy that I won't try and gnaw your leg off."
"Can I help you?" A change in topic. Something away from just how accurate she had been.
"You tell me, you're the one that called me 'Mom' which I think I would remember helping raise a kiddo with such neat eyes like that." Eyes that definitely reminded her of someone. He wasn't daimon though, and she sure as hell knew what Stryker looked like.
What was wrong with him? The comment on his eyes made him grit his teeth for a moment before tightly responding, "Sorry. You just looked like someone I knew."
Okay, so someone with eyes like that and also knew someone who looked like her. She who looked like Apollymi. Wait... "You're Apostolo- er… Acheron. Right?"
The male froze as he stared at her "How did you know that name?" He took a step back, looking ready to fight.
Welp, she bungled that, "I'm It- Ghost- gah no not that anymore. Mushu! It's Mushu now! My name is Mushu. I know your mother. Long time friends with her actually."
Oh, well that totally made everything better. Not. "That is hardly comforting."
"Yeah well, I like the Earth and people on it too much to let my friendship blind me to let her have her way all the time if that is what you are worried about. Anyway, hi. Officially. Nice to meet you finally. Ah…" Claps hands together, "Sooo… sorry about that confusion and stepping into the personal bubble there. I don't usually get that distracted."
Ash stole a moment to focus on her and couldn't see anything about her, a frown pulling on his features, "You aren't another illegitimate child, are you?"
"What?" She stared and then Mushu started laughing hard, "Gods, no. Mine were all scales and wings and less walking Hot Topic closet."
"I am just becoming absolutely endeared to you. Truly. You are just sweeping me off my feet. Go ahead, keep talking." Sarcasm dripped off of his words like melting ice.
"Well if you insist, Hot Topic. And I do mean the hot part." Yes she commented on his looks, yet she didn't look anywhere else but his face.
"Okay, Lizard." He shot back with a frown.
"Dragon. Not Lizard. I don't do that tongue thing." Then Mushu gave an entirely shameless grin, "Though I bet you could only imagine it." And then she did a little hiss and flick of her tongue that made him stare at her. She had to be insane.
"I would rather not, thanks." He shifted again and watched as this 'Mushu' looked entirely apologetic at his response as though she felt it herself. He watched her straighten. He lifted a hand up before she could apologize, "You're an empath?"
"Yup. Unfortunate side effect of saving someone of Aphrodite's, but eh, could be worse gifts." Then a charming smile, "Anyway, officially apologizing out loud. Unfortunately, I do have to run. So, a pleasure to meet you. Might run into you later, who knows. Just keep the Mushu is a short-white-girl thing a secret. I like watching them look around for me when I am standing right there."
"Uhh-huh." Strange, and that was him talking, "I will. Admittedly I would find that amusing too."
"Thanks, Hot Topic. Sorry for startling you. See ya!" And she vanished right from where she stood.