Someone requested more India. So here, have Rajni + paranoid Yao + garrulous Daria Dragomir.

May 2002

"I'm afraid I have some…potentially disconcerting news."

"...Oh?"

"There's a family moving in to one of the old mansions in the forest."

"…."

"I don't think there's cause for worry though. The house is far from your mountain. I sincerely doubt that they'll be any trouble."

"…It was you who told me that this place would be safe, specifically because none of the humans venture into the forest. And now you're saying you 'sincerely doubt' they'll be any trouble? Forgive me for being less than reassured."

"I won't make excuses, but I can honestly say this is unusual. You know how the forest is, it dissuades humans from entering it. There must be something unusual about this family."

"What kind of humans would choose to move into a run-down mansion in the middle of an overgrown forest? All of the other factors aside?"

"I would like to find out myself, frankly. And as soon as I do I'll let you know if they're going to be a problem. You have my word."

"…."

"Yao, I know this isn't what I promised you. And I know you're concerned, but please, wait for me to get more information. Don't assume the worst and leave. This is a good place for you, and your children."

"…That remains to be seen. And I will always take the actions that will protect those important to me."

"…."

"…But I will wait for you to get your information, Rajni. Because my children have grown to love this place, in the time we've been here. And because I know what my presence here means to you."

"It's not just me, Yao. Your presence has made the mountain, forest, and town a safer place for everyone. The amount of mischievous spirits and spirits and sprites has dropped considerably in the past year. Though I won't deny, I've enjoyed having time to actually run my clinic instead of dashing off to deal with some imps while a patient sits in the waiting room, probably thinking I'm smoking hookah in the back. The townspeople aren't overly judgemental, but having a flighty doctor who's always dashing off can't be giving them any sort of good impression. So I won't deny that I've thoroughly enjoyed not having to run off to deal with malicious spirits in the forest, thanks to you."

"You've given my children a good home, Rajni, so think nothing of me protecting this place for you. It's effortless, and the least I can do. But understand, I will not stay here if the humans get too close. If we end up having to hide again. I will not stay here if it becomes like every other human-infested area; dangerous. The children's powers are too wild, too uncontrolled, and Kiku will leave outright if he starts feeling like he's being sullied by human presence. I hope you can understand."

"I can, Yao. I do not wish you to leave, but if you believe you have justified reason too, I will respect your decision. You've said you'll give me time though, so honour that. I believe Mr. Beilschmidt has the number of the couple, and I'll see what other information he has. Will you wait?"

"…I will wait. But please, don't take too long."

"You look grim, Rajni. Am I to presume the information you gathered is not good?"

"…I wouldn't presume anything. It is not the information I was expecting, but it could be better, in the long run. Depending."

"…Depending? That's not a word I think I like."

"…"

"Rajni, please."

"…Yes, yes I'm sorry. Yao, have you ever encountered sorcerers before?"

"….Sorcerers?"

"Yes. They-,"

"Sorcerers. Humans who exchange life energy for the ability to use magic. An inherently destructive magic. Generally have no respect for the natural laws, or the Children of the Wild. Tendency to use Youkai in ritual sacrifices. Powerful and unpredictable. Sorcerers."

"….Well, they're a bit more organized, nowadays. Less of the unpredictability. And I don't believe sacrifices are a popular practice anymore. The sorcerer community is very well policed, you see. They're based mostly out of Eastern Europe, and all practicing sorcerers have to be registered to a high council. Anyone using magic irresponsibly or destructively is dealt with by the higher tiers of the society. It's very family based as well. There are about four main sorcerer families who hold the main seats on the council, and as many as twelve smaller ones who also wield power. It's an intricate system, and it's very unlikely that you'll find an out of control sorcerer these days. More sorcerers were burned then witches during the European trials, after all."

"Rajni-,"

"Yao, please. I told you it could be better in the long run, and I meant it. The name of the family moving here, Dragomir, it's one of the smaller families within the system. They used to be very powerful, but infighting and power struggle have left them on the lower tiers in recent times. Again, the society is very well policed these days, so it's hard for me to get information on anything from the past decade or so. I believe it's the youngest son who's moving here, and honestly Yao, he might not even be a sorcerer. The affiliated families don't tend to leave Europe. If he's here, it could mean he's not part of the practice. The reason I say that's better, is because it means you're not in danger of revealing yourself to some clueless human, who's going to start crying about monsters in the forest. It will be a man, or a family, who knows what's out there, and who knows to leave it alone. Can't you consider that possibility?"

"Your optimism sounds strangely naïve, for someone your age. Inferences and maybe-perhaps. Is that supposed to be good enough? Sorcerers, Rajni."

"I-,"

"If you want to take a chance on these Dragomirs, than you better be sure. Before they arrive, you better be sure that they are not dangerous, that they are not going to try and use my Children to fuel their own power. That they're not going to hunt us for sport. Intricate society or not, sorcerers are dangerous. Perhaps even moreso, if they're so far away from Europe and their 'heavy regulations'. If you want me to trust you on this, if you want me to stay, you need to be sure."

"I will be sure, Yao. I promise you, if they're dangerous, you'll know before they arrive."

Daria Dragomir, the wife, arrives early to scope out the renovations being made to the house, and it's both a blessing and a curse. A curse, because if Yao finds out Rajni will have betrayed his trust and the dragon might pack up and leave right then and there. And a blessing, because his search for answers on the Dragomirs has been frustratingly fruitless, and an opportunity to speak with one directly may be just what he needs.

"So you're the town doctor, yeah?" comments Daria with a grin, sitting on his couch and admiring the various paintings of India on the walls, "Must be a big job for one person. You must be really capable! I feel taken care of already."

She chortles to herself, and Rajni smiles at her nervously. He can't sense anything on her, but he can't imagine a powerful sorcerer wouldn't be able to hide their aura to a degree. And Rajni's power is very diminished; he's never been good at sensing things.

"I'm glad to hear that," he says with a smile, "Is it just you and your husband moving here?"

Daria shakes her head, hair bouncing. She's a very expressive woman, full of big movements and a face full of emotion. A conversation between her and Julius Vargas would probably be very fun to watch.

"We've got a son, Danut. He's just a little thing, not even in school yet. Full of energy though." She smiles, wide and toothy, and Rajni can't help but smile back. He's still on edge, still nervous about what he doesn't know about this family, but Daria is relaxed on his couch. One arm slung along the back, drumming her fingers along idly, and smiling wide. Sorcerers tend to be cautious, suspicious, and paranoid as a rule. And Daria appears to be none of those things.

But still, that's not enough to go on. He needs to be sure. For Yao's sake, and for the safety of all the Youkai in the forest.

"I can't help but wonder, Mrs. Dragomir, what inspired you to choose here as your new home," he asks, keeping his tone casual as he picks up the teapot and refills both of their cups, "California is quite different from Romania, isn't it? And I don't think this town is even on any maps."

Daria's beaming smile thins into something more secretive and sly, and she chortles again, picking up her teacup and looking furtively from behind the rim.

"Well, who doesn't want to come to America?" She asks, tilting her head, "The land of dreams and honey, isn't it? And California being as it is, with no winters to ruin a good mood. Different doesn't mean bad, Mr. Rajni. Different just means different."

She smiles wide and Rajni tries to reciprocate. He has a feeling his smile comes across as strained, flat, complimenting the unease he feels rolling through his body. Daria's demeanor hasn't changed, not really, but she's sitting straighter, one leg crossed over the other, and there's a gleaming light in her eyes that's making him nervous.

"This town isn't on any maps," she continues, after taking a sip of her tea, "But we heard of it anyways. Someone we know passed through here, and was quite taken with the…scenery." She smiles again, like there's a secret she's not telling, and Rajni fights to keep his own smile in place. "We were intrigued, so Dimi came up here, to see if it was really as cool as our acquaintance said."

She grins, a wide toothy smile that suddenly reminds Rajni of a shark. "It was," she adds, "As rich and wonderful and intriguing as we were told. Dimi and I decided we wanted to spend some time here, and Danut hasn't started school yet, so it wouldn't be too much of a shock on him. And he's excited to move to America, besides."

She laughs, the tea in her cup sloshing around as her shoulders shake. "Our Danut, he's so bright, he's got English down pat already! He's such a good boy. He was trying to do Latin before you know. But he's so little, it made his head spin. I think he saw English as the lesser of the two evils."

Rajni blinks, and raises an eyebrow.

"Latin?" he repeats, "That's…that's quite the undertaking for someone his…you said he's not in school yet?"

"Starting first grade here in this town in the fall!" beams Daria proudly. Then her smile fades into the secret, furtive one again. Like there's a joke she's in on and he's not. Rajni's tea is beginning to taste sour, and he's starting to feel out of his depth. He's met sorcerers before, but they've always been the suspicious kind, blatantly showing off their power to dissuade people from trying to doublecross them. Trying to make it clear that they're in charge of the situation. Daria is exhibiting none of that posturing, but all the same, Rajni feels as if he's lost control of the conversation, and the entire situation.

"Are you confused about the Latin?" she offers, after the silence between has stretched to something close to uncomfortable. She tilts her head; that same furtive smile still in place, eyes glittering. "Well it's unusual, but we've got a lot of books in Latin. Passed down through the family- that sort of thing. Neither Dimi and I have read them all, there're far too many. But Danut thinks if he gets a head start he'll be able to do it. He's an ambitious little thing." Her smile widens into a grin suddenly, and Rajni stiffens as Daria sits up straighter, placing her tea cup on the table. She leans forward, and rests her elbow on her knee and her chin on her fist, still grinning.

"Hey," she begins, still grinning, "I noticed you've got your own books in Latin, in those shelves by the door. I think I recognize a few, actually. You inherit those like me and Dimi did? Or do you know a good antique books dealer? I'm always looking to make new connections." Her eyes are still friendly, her posture still relaxed, but Rajni's stomach drops down to his feet.

The shelves by the backdoor of his sitting room are all filled with books in Latin, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, and Ancient Mandarin. Each and every one of the books is magically affiliated, whether they are spellbooks or books on healing practices that require a hint of magic, or are only effective on Youkai. And Daria has stated that she recognizes them, and has strongly hinted at a number of troubling things in her casual, flippant questions.

Rajni's mouth hangs open as he struggles to find something to say, and Daria tilts her head to the side, still smiling, but with a challenging, expectant gleam to her eyes.

She is challenging him, that much is certain. Perhaps she found his summons for her to come talk with him in his sitting room to be strange, and came here to confirm or deny her own suspicions. Perhaps she saw the books and immediately jumped to a conclusion, but waited for Rajni to say something to reveal himself, just as he has been waiting for her to. Perhaps she thinks he's a sorcerer like she is, and perhaps she really thinks he's just a small town doctor who collects ancient books.

But the time to play coy, Rajni thinks, is probably over. He needs to know why Daria Dragomir is here, and he needs to know if she and her husband are a threat to his town.

He inhales.

"I protect this town," he begins, his tone firm, and Daria grins in response.

"As a doctor?" she asks, and it's teasing, it's a joke. She knows that's not the answer, but she's playing with him now. She's probably been playing with him the entire time.

Rajni doesn't want to play anymore.

"As a Djinn," he answers, and he puts weight behind it. Puts his age behind it, his ancient magic, the fire of his bloodline. He may be weak among his kind, watered down and diminished, but that does not mean he isn't powerful. Not if he wants to be.

Some of the teasing light has faded from Daria's eyes, and she's looking at him more appraisingly now, with more consideration. Her smile is soft and sly, and she makes a 'hmmm' sound in the back of her throat.

"Ah, I guessed wrong." She says casually, almost to herself, "Though I did consider it briefly-, I guess I thought assuming you were Djinn would be racist? Well, that's a point away from me. You had me pegged from the get go though, didn't you? This was an inquisition of sorts, I could tell."

She's not accusatory, and in fact, does not look threatened or uncomfortable at all. She is slightly more tense, but that secretive, furtive smile is gone. She is no longer acting as if there's some great secret that she knows and Rajni doesn't. Things are all out in the open now, and the air is clearer for it. He feels something in his chest loosen.

"A sorcerer," he supplies, "Your entire family." And Daria beams at him proudly and laughs, her russet-coloured curls bouncing as she does.

"Danut is so little, he wants to be one, but Dimi and I don't believe in starting them that young," she says, still laughing. Then her expression smooths somewhat, and she looks at him, just a little more seriously.

"Protect, was it? Are we perceived as a threat then? If you have some knowledge of sorcerers, you'll know we're quite the disciplined group. None of that foolishness from the Middle Ages. We know how to conduct ourselves."

"In regards to actions around humans," Rajni counters flatly, folding his hands into his sleeves. "There's no guarantee on how you'll conduct yourselves around the spirits and inhabitants of the forest and mountain, and my protection extends to them as well."

"Our goals here aren't malicious," Daria replies immediately. She still looks far too relaxed, the playfulness not entirely gone from her tone, but she's looking at Rajni with a somewhat weightier gaze. "This area has a high charge of magical energy, or wild energy, whichever you prefer to call it. And surprisingly little of it is malevolent. Dimi and I have been wanting to put together a…guide of sorts. A bestiary. We've encountered our fare share of magical beings, and surprisingly few have been mean and nasty. But the prevailing view in the sorcerer community is that you wild spirits, you monsters, if you pardon the slur, are inherently bad. We're looking to create an account that disputes that, and this area is so nice! Even the forest, while it certainly isn't welcoming, doesn't have the same aura that really frightful creatures do. We want to update some of those terribly biased bestiaries that only include the nasty things that go bump in the night. Dimi and I want to write a book about, you know, peaceful forest spirits. To show they exist." She looks pleased with herself, proud of this supposed goal of her and her husband, and Rajni finds himself feeling just a little irritated. It's the same feeling he'd get when he was living in Calcutta, and British activists would come in, report on the community efforts to counteract the rampant poverty, and then act as if they had single handedly saved India as a result.

"Forgive me if I seem a tad skeptical," he replies dryly, "But you saying that that is your goal does not guarantee that it's true. I have a responsibility here, and many beings have put their trust in me. How can I be assured that you truly mean no harm?"

"Well I don't think anyone can be assured of anything, fully," says Daria, and the last of her smile has finally faded away. The last vestiges of her playfulness. "But we've got a son. Barely six. And neither Dimi and I are prepared to do anything that could jeopardize his safety. And besides, if we were looking to cause mischief, why would we move here? That'd be foolish, picking fights in a magical forest, when we're across the ocean from our families and any sort of assistance. We'd be idiots to do anything ontowards here. Doubly so now that I know there's a tough doctor-Djinn keeping tabs. If you're not prepared to trust in my motives, than trust in the fact that I've got common sense, and a reasonable amount of self-preservation."

She has a point, it's true. If they were looking to cause trouble, this would be the last place to do it, away from the tight hold that the sorcerers and their affiliates have on Eastern Europe. It is only the two of them, and their young son, who are moving here. And if Rajni is willing to believe anything in her story, it's the earnestness in her parental desire to keep her son safe.

And distrust, he knows, is a big part of the problem that Youkai like him face. The Djinn, witches, warlocks, Spirit Children- the inbetweeners of the world of the Wild. They lose the most, when it comes to the animosity, the paranoia, the fear that exists between Youkai and the humans who know of them. Rajni has always tried to work past that, has always tried to reconcile the Wild and the human world, whenever he can. It's why he's here, in this town. It's why he's trying to convince Yao to send his older children to school.

But it has to go both ways, he supposes. If he's going to trust Youkai to live close to this human town, then he has to be able to trust humans to live close to the Youkai. Even sorcerers.

"If you move here," he begins slowly, breaking the silence, "You must stay off the mountain. Do not go near it. Do not expand your research beyond the forest. Can you do that?"

"You've said that even more seriously then you've said everything else." Daria answers, looking intrigued, "May I ask what's so terrible about this mountain that it's so taboo?"

She's asking the question seriously, but Rajni is still reluctant to say much more. Dragons are extinct, Spirit Children rarely survive past infancy. Who's to say his own feeble warning would be enough to dissuade a self-proclaimed researcher, if they knew of the existence of such rare creatures?

"That mountain is someone else's territory, and I've promised them they will not be disturbed." He states, vague but firm, heat and fire behind his words. "I do not break my promises, and I will be beyond upset should someone cause me to break this one. If you or your husband set foot on that mountain, any agreement we come to today will be made void. Do you understand me, Mrs. Dragomir?"

Daria's eyes widen just a fraction, before narrowing, and Rajni sees her swallow thickly. It's the only sign of nervousness she's exhibited, the only hint that she's not as unflappable as she seems. It's a bit gratifying to see.

"I understand." She answers, after only a beat of silence has passed. "Dimitri and I will not go near the mountain, you have my word."

It's the first time she's used her husband's full name, and Rajni can feel the full weight of the earnestness behind her words. Something uncoils within him, relaxes, and he finally feels as if he'll be able to give Yao some good news. Feels as if, maybe, this will all work out.

"Thank you," he says, and the sincerity of his gratitude makes his voice tremble, just a little. "Thank you, Mrs. Dragomir. If your word is worth anything, than I believe we will get along just fine."

3 months. 3 months and I give you a chapter of pure dialogue between a minor character and an OC. 3 months and I give you this? I give YOu tHIS?!

(I'm just trying to keep the past timeline moving linearly that's all man I'm just a simple person trying to do simple things)