Forgotten - Chapter 10 - Signals

Marvel does what Marvel does, and I do what I do :) That's the simplest way to 'splain it. And here's what I do :) Enjoy…

Mortimer sat on his bed, impatiently waiting for the next mission. He had his own room at least. That much was going for him. But mostly his life had settled into a series of self-loathing masochism. It occurred to him during the first week living in the new base. While it was wonderful to see Telissa more often, it certainly hadn't helped him to get over his little crush on her. Sure, he was well fed, but watching as other guys hit on her was infuriating. What was worse... he had no right to say anything about it. It wasn't like she was his.. it wasn't like she'd ever be his.

He shook himself out of his bad mood and decided a short walk wouldn't be amiss.

"There you are." Mystique said, upon seeing him. "Do me a favor and find out what's bothering Telissa so much."

"Why should I?" He asked indignantly. Mystique gave him a bored look.

"Because I'm asking you to. Besides, she likes talking to you, and she seems really depressed." Mortimer made a face at that. Telissa liked talking to everyone. He wasn't special. Still, if something was bothering her...

"I'll swing by the kitchen."

"Thanks." Mystique murmured, walking down the hall towards Magneto's office.

"Not doing it for you." Mortimer mumbled, but he doubted she heard him with her cell phone ringing at that moment. When Mortimer entered the mess hall all he saw was Pyro and Avalanche sitting at one of the tables. Mortimer didn't really care for Avalanche that much, but at the very least the man would follow orders. He and Pyro had become fast friends... not too surprising since they were both around the same age and into the same things (destruction and women).

"Hey, Toad." Pyro greeted.

"Hey. Something up with Telissa?" Mortimer asked. "Mystique asked me to check on her."

Pyro nodded, his worried eyes drifted to the door that lead to the scullery hall. "Yeah. She sounds really down, but she wouldn't say why." he said with a shrug.

Mortimer nodded. "Guess I'm up then." he murmured before walking through the swinging door. He wasn't one to know exactly what made a restaurant-grade kitchen so spectacular, but Telissa had certainly put this one to rights. It wasn't that the place had been filthy, but she'd cleaned in here until the stainless steel was nearly reflective. Right now she was sitting cross-legged on the island she usually prepared food on...so he could assume she had finished putting the food for the day out. Her side faced the door, and her hunched posture almost looked painful. She had a small bowl of something that looked very cheesy and was using a small fork to eat it. Pyro and Myst were right...she looked depressed.

"It can't be that bad." He murmured, gaining her attention. When her eyes settled on him she smiled brightly, twisting the knife in his gut just a degree to the right.

"Hey, Mortimer." She said softly.

"Hey, yourself. What's going on?" he asked, carefully approaching the island she was on. He tried not to watch too closely as her spine uncurled and she straightened her back upward.

"Nothing."

He stared at her, disbelievingly. "Yeah. Right. Try that on again." He said, but she wouldn't meet his eyes. "Come on now." He coaxed. "Everyone's talking about how sad you seem today... what's going on?"

She shrugged dully, and at first he wondered if it'd take a bit more prying to get her to talk. "It's... a bunch of things."

"What sort of things?" He asked, planting his hands against the edge of the island and peering down into the bowl she was eating out of. "And what are you eating?"

She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes...her beautiful eyes. "It's green bean casserole." she said, tipping the bowl towards him so that he could see. "Easiest comfort food in the world. Just need to mix green beans with cream of mushroom and queso cheese and heat it up in the oven for a bit."

"Uh huh..."

"It's..." He expression faltered slightly. "It's our favorite." She said softly.

A heavy beat of silence clung in the air as he pondered that tiny sentence. "Our." He said, knowing and yet curious if this was what he thought it was.

"It's silly." She said, ducking her head and letting her hair cascade over the sides of her face.

"Hey, I don't mind a little silly." He assured. "Tell me." Telissa considered him for a second.

"It's our birthday." she murmured, her voice catching slightly. He nodded sympathetically. Most of the times he found Telissa down in the dumps it did have something to do with her siblings... He'd never thought to ask her when her birthday was, he'd been too busy. Of course she was lonesome for them on today of all days.

"You miss them." He said simply, and she nodded. She sniffed loudly and quickly put another bite of casserole into her mouth.

"Like I said. Silly."

"That's not silly, Telissa." Mortimer said.

"Missing them doesn't help to bring them back." Telissa countered. "I could fill flasks with tears and it wouldn't buy me anything." Mortimer puzzled over that expression. The woman really did have the weirdest sayings.

"But it's not silly to miss someone you care about." he said.

She sighed and looked up at him. "What about you?"

"huh?"

She smiled. "Who are you missing?" she asked.

He shook his head, an amused expression on his face. "There's... no one for me to miss, Telissa." He said. He tried to think quickly to deflect this line of questioning. "You said it was a bunch of things. What else is bothering you?"

She blushed, looking down. Was she embarrassed about something? And why did blushing make her look that much more beautiful?

"I..uh.. I may've been a little rude... to you." she said.

"What? When?" He asked, startled. He honestly couldn't remember the woman being anything of the sort.

"Well, not to your face." She said. "I... I objectified you a bit."

Mortimer's expression froze in confusions and he shook his head in hopes of reordering his thoughts. "You're going to have to explain this in details."

She sighed. "Pyro and Avalanche were boasting, like always." she started and he nodded. Those two. They were best buds, but always trying to show each other up. "And Avalanche starts saying he's the 'studliest' between the two of them." Telissa rolled her eyes at that, which Mortimer mirrored in his own way. "So I walk in and take their trays, because they're too damn lazy to actually put them up like normal people." She huffed. "And Avalanche asks me of the guys in the brotherhood, which would I rather.. uh.. have relations with."

Mortimer's eyes bugged out for a second. "Oh, I am gonna kill him." he said looking back towards the door.

"It gets worse." Telissa grumbled. "I wasn't having a good day, and it all just seemed so trivial and stupid, and I knew he was baiting me, figuring I'd say him since Pyro's more like my little brother." She sighed heavily. "And I said you."

"Whua..." Mortimer swallowed, hoping that the sandpaper in his throat would dislodge. "Wait, what now?"

Telissa's expression turned speculative. "That's exactly what he said." She murmured before shaking her head. "I then repeated myself and when he asked why. I said obviously because all Avalanche could do is shake things to shit, all Pyro can do is burn things up, but the Toad has amazing muscles in his thighs... and then there's the tongue." she shook her head. "I reduced you to your parts." she spat in self-disgust, but Mortimer was in a bit of a daze. He had never thought about his ability to jump (strong thigh muscles) or his tongue as a plus when it came to sex... Then again, that was mostly colored by the fact that most women didn't find them to be a plus. Or at least, they assumed it wasn't a plus.

"You... I..." He chuckled. "Naughty." he said at last, unable to process his thoughts and words at the same time. He could feel himself blushing though, and that was something he'd never done... well, okay, he'd been a kid at the time, but still. No one made Toad blush. He was supposed to be cold-blooded, after all.

She chuckled softly. "I know. Still, it did shut him up."

"Oh, I imagine so." He chuckled. "You're... a lot more devious than I've given you credit for." he said, noting her smirk. It made the joy in the moment turn slightly sour... it was always like this. He couldn't help but remember the times they'd talked. Every single time he discovered something new and interesting about her that made him care for her that much more. This crush was beginning to crush him.

He cleared his throat loudly. "Uh... Well, I should... go and check in with the boss. See about this new mission he wants me out on." Of course, Mortimer was partially bullshitting his way out of this situation. He couldn't do anything to help Telissa feel better about her siblings or anything, so there was no point in him staying. Still, she looked happier now that they'd talked. That is until now...

"You're going out again?" She asked, looking slightly disappointed. This was ridiculous. He was not her best friend or her babysitter. He wasn't beholden to her in any way.

"Stuff needs doin'." Was all he said, but he did manage to soften his tone from the harsh one he'd planned to use. She seemed to contemplate the counter top she was sitting on carefully.

"Oh." she said softly, setting her bowl down behind her. "Right."

He was doing that creepy stare thing again. He wasn't a telepath, and he certainly would never understand women... but he just stared at her quietly as she thought. What in the world was going on in her head? Why did she always look so crestfallen? It was maddening. He wondered if he'd ever figure out how to keep her smiling.

"Right." He muttered. Better to rip this Band-Aid off quick.

"Mortimer?" She asked softly, turning towards him. He blinked, in confusion when she uncrossed her legs. They dangled off the table on either side of his hips.

"Wha—" His question died of shock along with him, when she leaned forward, her hands carefully braced on either side of his neck, her lips delicately brushing over his. For an instant, he was nothing but heat, and it was impossible to think or move or breathe. It was chaste, and simple, and sweet, and dear GOD, what is air?

She pulled away, looking up at him concernedly. "I'm sorr—"

"No." He gasped, leaning into her as his hands pulled her legs on either side of him. He wrapped his arms around her, devouring her lips and pulling her body flush to his. Her kiss had been glancing... his was consuming. He needed her more than air, and fuck it that's why God made noses anyway. He could taste the spicy cheese and greens she'd been eating and something else that he couldn't define. He felt her hands slowly slip up his neck, her fingers tangling into his hair, and he groaned into her mouth. One of his hands traced up her spine while the other lingered over her hip.

Finally they pulled apart with mutual gasps, and she drooped, panting heavily against his chest. "Mortimer, please... Let me learn to walk before you make me run." She murmured.

Mortimer's body tensed when the reality came crashing in. Her kiss had been giving, but his had taking. She had been offering him something, and he greedily demanded more. And... she didn't appear to be angry about the entire thing. She should be yelling at him, she should be furious and never want to see him again. Did that mean.. did she want this? Want more of this? Was this her way of telling him.? ... This was impossible. She had no idea how impossible it all was. Because kissing and touching and sex, that was all one thing, but she deserved so much more. And hell, he had no idea how to deal with chocolates and hearts and rainbows and feelings. This was impossible.

He jumped back from her, landing against the far wall. It was odd, because he needed to reach out a hand and steady himself against the wall. His jumps never disoriented him so much. He panted as well, trying to get enough air to breath properly again and failing. "I'm sorry." he said. "I have to..." she blinked at him in shock, obviously unaware of everything going on in his head. "Sorry." he repeated lamely, hitting the door to the kitchen at a jog.

Lucky for him both Pyro and Avalanche had moved on. No one was in the mess hall to question why he looked so hunted. He continued his jog until he reached Magneto's office door. He rapped at in with demanding knocks before being allowed in.

"Mortimer? What?" Mystique began.

"Mission." He said simply.

Mystique and Magneto exchanged a look. Magneto then considered him carefully before nodding. "As it happens, there is something I'd like you to check on."

He nodded. "Good."

"We've received a call from woman named Mei." Magneto murmured.

"And?"

"She has informed us that my dear friend Charles has returned to his school." Magneto finished.

Mortimer blinked. "Wow... that's... Huh." He felt stumped. "So... you want me to confirm that?"

"We've already checked out her story." Mystique said. "What we don't know is how this 'Mei' received this information, and how or why she managed to contact us."

"Oh. Right. Investigate Mei." Mortimer said with a firm nod.

"Not only that." Magneto elaborated. "It seems this Mei has quite a reputation for infiltration…" He paused, taking a deep settling breath. "..and finding those who have been lost." He made a face. "As of yet, we haven't had any leads on finding Mr. Maximoff's sister. I would like you to handle this as delicately as possible, if only so that we can keep her as a reliable resource." Pietro Maximoff, or Quicksilver as he'd taken to calling himself, had shown up only a few days ago complaining about his sister Wanda being abducted. Magneto had promised to use every resource available to find her…evidently he wanted to include this Mei among those resources.

"Sure, sure." Toad muttered nodding. "I can do delicate work. I'll smooth things over and ask her what we need to know while I'm finding out about her."

"Are you alright, Toad?" Mystique asked.

"Fine." He said nodding quickly. "I just need a mission." He hoped that he was right.

Victor returned to the floor of his penthouse for the evening, and found something upsetting to greet him. He knew that Vivianne had taken to training for hours on end just to keep herself occupied and still fit. When he stepped off the elevator, his ears picked up on a different timber resonating within his personal gym…one that decidedly too baritone to be his daughter. He found Vivianne and her trainer. Kedar Yarrow as Serus had called him, were in there together…unsupervised. He reckoned he couldn't really be angry about that. Serus was pretty adamant that the boy was trust worthy. But…he just didn't like the idea of having to share Vivianne. Not yet…

Kedar was wearing the sweats he seemed to live in along with a sleeveless shirt. Vivianne was wearing nearly shapeless pink gym shorts and a gray sleeves shirt over a black leotard…and her hands were on fire. Victor wondered if she'd done that purposefully, if she were trying to increase her tolerance for pain or something. Only, Vivianne didn't seem to be in pain at all as she watched the fire dance about her fingers. Now that he was looking, he realized the fire wasn't burning her… Kedar was observing this as well, his left elbow resting in his right hand as his left hand cradled his chin thoughtfully. His eyes snapped to Victor, and Vivianne's eyes followed his gaze. Her expression was one of pure delight.

"Look!" She cried like an excited toddler eager to impress. The flames in her hand grew in a single wave before shrinking into the form of two knives. She held the knives in each hand and threaded them through her fingers as though she were used to juggling knives. Though he had no part in teaching her this, something in Victor swelled up with pride and joy.

Kedar chuckled. "Very impressive, Vivianna." Vivianne beamed at Kedar and Victor felt as though he'd swallowed glass. He tried to school his expression into a proud smile.

"Yeah, that's something I haven't seen before." He said. "M'not sure how you're doing it, but that's pretty damn extraordinary." The full force of Vivianne's smile turned on him, and he knew he'd been right to compliment her as opposed to act out on his resentment of her trainer. He sauntered closer, looking at her hands speculatively before asking the question that he'd really been wanting to know. "How long've you two been at this, anyway?"

"Uh…" Vivianne's eyes wandered to the clock on the wall. "Oh gracious… has it really been 2 hours?"

"So it would seem." Kedar noted, scratching his chin.

"Can you turn that on and off at will?" Victor asked motioning to the blade of flames in her hands.

"Yeah!" She said. "Well, if I focus enough." She corrected with a self-conscious smile.

He nodded, an impressed expression on his face. "Nice. That'll really come in handy."

"And the more I work on it, the more I'll be able to do." She told him excitedly. He couldn't help but smile indulgently at her. Her mood was so much like a child showing their parent the high score she'd made on a test.

He nodded. "That's great, but if I know you, it's probably been a while since you've eaten anything decent." He smirked to soften the criticism. "Why don't you go find your mother and see if she needs help with supper? I'm sure she'll be wantin' to hear 'bout your progress as well."

Vivianne nodded, the fire in her hands disappearing without so much as a puff of smoke as she made her way towards the door. Then she looked back curiously. "You aren't coming?" She asked.

"No, I got some questions for Kedar." Victor murmured. Vivianne eyed him with sinking expression on her face. Almost as if she was suddenly realizing the number of ways that could go badly. But she nodded absently before exiting the room.

"It truly is fascinating how quickly she is learning to connect to her elements." Kedar said, staring at the now closed door. Obviously the boy assumed Victor wanted to talk about Vivianne's training… it wasn't entirely untrue, but it wasn't all he was interested in learning.

"She's my daughter… I can be very adaptable when I've a need for it." He said before his eyes landed on Kedar. Kedar didn't shift under his gaze despite the fact that Victor was sizing him up. Victor respected that in a way… he also hated it. "She is my daughter…." He said again. "Are you …completely aware of our situation?"

"I believe I am… but I may not be following you." Kedar replied diplomatically.

"I only just learned that Vivianne existed. But, from the moment I clamped eyes on her, something in me just knew. I wasn't aware that she was mine or anything, but I knew that somehow I was responsible for her." Victor met his eyes. "You get what I'm saying?"

Kedar nodded contemplatively. "Paternal urges are not solely for those that are tied to us by blood." He said. "Zivon, Serus's father, is of no relation to me. Still, he looks on me as though I were his… not because of blood, but because of the love he and my father shared as boyhood friends." Kedar smiled.

Victor looked away, eyeing the door Vivianne had just left through. "I find… that I'm a very territorial animal." He said.

"Ah." Kedar's expression changed slightly. It wasn't full-on nervousness, it was more enlightened with an edge of nerves. Good. The boy understood he was in a dangerous position. "You have nothing to fear from me… I am keenly aware of Vivianna's age." He soothed. "I assure you, I would not try to take what is yours."

Victor's expression changed into grudging admittance. "Now wait just a second… I'm not saying that exactly." Kedar seemed very confused at this. Victor sighed, trying to piece the words together in his brain before they hit his throat. "I'm not saying… I mean, maybe you'd be good for her. Good ta her. So, I'm not saying that I don't want anything happening."

"You wish me to.." Kedar began, sounding more incredulous with each word.

"I ain't saying that either." Victor grumbled. "If something were ta happen…. Something mutual and natural… If you were ta see her in a new light…." He shrugged. "I am territorial… but I'm also adaptable." Victor let out a long heavy breath. "Given time, I may even come ta like your presence. But you'd have ta give me time… and the truth."

It seemed that Victor had shocked Kedar into speechlessness. Victor wasn't exactly complaining about that. Still, he knew it couldn't last.

"I am.. very confused." Kedar admitted. "I certainly did not anticipate this, and I haven't the wit to answer you in any way."

"Look." Victor growled, messaging his brow with one hand before continuing. "All's I'm really saying is…. there is an aggressive beast in me. I don't know how long it'll take, but for a while every time I walk in a room and you're there, I'm most likely going ta want ta growl at you. But, the rational part of me understands that you are good for this family." He paused, putting weight on his words. "I trust you with my daughter. Maybe I'd even trust you with her on a very permanent basis, in any way that that might develop. You seem like the sort that may be up to the task. " Victor paused, giving him a level stare. "Don't fuck that trust up." Kedar considered those words and gave a single nod. "Good. Now… maybe you could explain ta me why Vivianne's suddenly able ta catch fire."

Kedar actually chuckled at that, some of the tension leaving him. "Well.. the easiest way to explain it would have to be to say it's just an element that she connects to."

"…right."

Kedar smiled. "Among our people we all can connect to or manipulate certain elements."

"Earth, Wind, and Fire?" Victor joked.

"To say the least." Kedar said.

"Suppose Water's in there too."

"Yes. And Light, Sound, Electricity, and Dark." Victor's brow drew down in confusion. "There are more than just the four basic ones." Kedar confirmed. "Still, Vivianna's quick adaptation to fire has made me believe that it was not the first element she connected to."

"Come again?"

Kedar's face became somewhat strained as he tried to think of a way to explain it simply. "The most basic elements that we can all connect to are the first four; Fire, Earth, Water and Air." He explained. "Many of our own learn to manipulate these elements, but only through connecting with them and their masters can anyone advance. Vivianna's first element was one she connected to without even realizing it, and it allowed her to manipulate Fire."

"Well then, which element did she start with?" Victor asked curiously.

"Air." Kedar said. "It is why fire burns strongly in her hands, why it will not consume her, but while she can shape it, manipulate it, she cannot hold it or form it any great length of time. She is constantly connected to the air element without even trying." Kedar smiled fondly at that, and Victor felt the alpha male inside him want to growl.

"You seem… I don't know the word."

"Air is an element I have yet to fully connect to. I can manipulate it, but it is not easy." He explained. "I am too rooted in earth." He said as if disappointed in himself. "Many people do not fully appreciate the Air element or its Master. Air is free and easy, it can be unpredictable and whimsical. Many people find it too playful or capricious… but Air can cut through the earth's bones and turn rocks into projectiles, it can turn water to ice, and a fire fueled with air will never die. Not to mention, it is a key in all transportation… If she can continue on this path, your child will never be held against her will. For wherever air is, she can be."

Victor blinked in confusion, totally baffled by this onslaught of information. "Wait, you're saying she could.. teleport?"

Kedar nodded. "She could learn to move through thin air. She could fly and teleport to any place in which air flows."

"You said, 'if she can continue'… what would that take?"

Kedar groaned. "It is both difficult and… not." He said ominously. "Vivianna is very focused right now on furthering her study of Fire. Consider how quickly she's learned to manipulate it, I can see why. This isn't bad, but it is ill advised. She will never advance in Fire until she's finished her study of Air. In order to do that, she must connect with the Master of the element. Lord Kaze."

"I'm sorry, did you just say 'Lord Raze'?"

"Kaze. With a K."

"Oh." Victor muttered with an absent nod. One question was floating around in his head. "… does… has anyone ever mastered all the elements?"

"The four basics? The simple answer is yes. It can be done." Kedar's expression became firm. "But none can divide their attention. The element that she has connected to first must be studied first. Only once that branch of study has been fully explored can she continue onto something else."

Victor nodded. "So… This Lord Kaze… how would she 'connect' with him?" Victor really didn't like the way Kedar was eyeing him. It was if the man was debating how much he should say.

"Difficult and yet not." Kedar said at last. "She must enter his realm and beseech his Patronage."

"Uh huh…" Victor drawled, conveying his confusion in two syllables.

"Essentially, she must travel very far into the sky and then throw herself off whatever vehicle she's used to attain the height… Free fall, as it were."

Victor stared at him, completely dumbfounded. "Uh.. and… that's… Ok." He shook his head, trying to clear it. "So, then they connect and it's all good?"

"In theory."

"What the fuck you mean, 'in theory'?" Victor demanded.

"I mean that she will be heard by Lord Kaze, but that does not mean he will aid her." Kedar clarified. "If she continued to fall without his appearance, without someone to swoop in and rescue her she would smash into the earth and die." Kedar sighed. "It is a… leap of faith, as it were."

"But… Okay, so let's say they don't connect but she's saved… what then?"

"She could jump again." At Victor's scoff he continued. "It would show diligence if nothing else…. Lord Kaze is very like his element. There are few who enter his realm seeking his patronage who meet such an end."

"But some have." Victor summed up.

"I do not want you to say I have been dishonest." Kedar said. "There is a chance, slim though it is, that Lord Kaze would find Vivanna unworthy and turn away from her. In that event, she would be at the mercy of gravity."

Victor let out a long sigh, forcing himself to calm down. "Right. You're right ta tell me all this." He confirmed albeit shaky as hell.

"While I am being perfectly honest?" Kedar continued. "I don't think that would happen." He said with conviction. "Lord Kaze can be remarkably child-like, but he is never unjustly cruel."

"Good ta know."

"You should discuss this with your wife." Kedar announced.

"My wi... Serus, you mean. We aren't exactly—"

Kedar laughed; openly, loudly, without hesitancy. "You have not gained a piece of paper from your government or performed any rituals among kin and countrymen, but she is bound to you nonetheless." He announced. "It would take a force stronger than any I have known to separate her from you."

Something about that made Victor uncommonly happy…and shocked… and moved in a way he'd never felt before. It was happening a lot now that Serus and Vivianne were in his life.

"Still Serus will know the risks. She'll understand and be able to explain to Vivianna." Kedar surmised. "I imagine her mother's words will help Vivianna to make the right decision." He chuckled, shaking his head. "I suppose I should have realized this would happen."

"Whadaya mean?"

"Vivianna connecting so easily to air." He said with a smile. "Technically, it does run in the family… after all, Serus connected to Air first as well."

Victor's eyes widened. "What?"

"I believe it is time for me to leave." Kedar said. "You need to speak with your family." Victor nodded, showing him out.

"You have no idea." He said as soon as the elevator doors had closed.

He was surprised, again, to find the dishes out and the smell of food heavy in the air as he entered the penthouse. Also, he was surprised to be under Vivianne's glare as she leaned back against the wall.

"Busy day." He murmured to her conversationally. He was trying very hard to forget Kedar's words about Serus, but it was difficult. "You… find out anything interesting?"

"I read this one article." Vivianne said, a very snarky smirk on her face.

"…oh?"

"Yeah. It said that statistically speaking most men completely support pre-marital sex until they father daughters." She bit out. Serus, who was looking through one of the top cabinets for something, turned and glared at Vivianne. Though, Vivianne couldn't see her mother from where she was, it was obvious that she could feel her glare. She fidgeted nervously shifting farther away from Serus's general direction.

Victor actually laughed. "That sounds 'bout right." He said, curious about the heavy weight pressing in on his chest.

"I'm hearing a tone that I don't like." Serus announced, eyeing both of them.

"It's fine." Victor said, holding up a hand to dissuade her.

"No, it's not fine." Vivianne countered, glaring at him. "What did you say to Yarrow?"

"First off, I'd like ta point out that you don't know what I said ta him at all, so you don't even know if you have the right ta get upset." He growled.

"You were talking to Kedar?" Serus asked, moseying over to his side.

"Yes. I wanted ta know why my daughter was on fire." Victor said. "He's a good teacher. He should know how to explain it."

"Ah."

"I also wanted him ta know that if I look like I'm glaring at him, it's just because I'm territorial." Victor seconded. "But that I understood how much he was needed in this family."

"oh.." Vivianne said, looking down guiltily.

"Yeah. I'm not a complete idgit." He grunted. "He said that Vivianne needs ta back off on studying Fire for now."

"Really?" Serus asked.

"He said that? Why?" Vivianne seconded. She sounded so crestfallen.

"He said that Vivianne hasn't connected ta Fire, she's just manipulating it." Victor reiterated. "The element she's really connected to is Air."

"Air?" Vivianne asked, her head lolling back as she rolled her eyes. "That's just terrific." She said sarcastically.

"Hey, watch it. Air's a great element. It's what your mother connected to first." Victor reminded. Vivianne's gaze snapped between the two of them in confusion.

"oh.. Uh." From her expression Victor could tell that she was surprised he knew that. Whether or not Serus was surprised, she certainly didn't show it. "Really?" Vivianne asked her mother.

Serus nodded. "Yes."

"… I always thought you connected with water first." Vivianne mused.

Serus shook her head. "No. That's Savrana's element." Serus smiled. "I connected with Air first… just like my mother."

"Grand Mother Iversa?" Vivianne asked, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. It bloomed into a full smile when Serus nodded.

"Kedar seemed kinda jealous about it, actually." Victor said.

"Really?" Vivianne sounded so surprised her tone rose to an almost squealing pitch.

"He said Air is one'a the most versatile elements and he has yet ta fully connect to it."

"He's right." Serus said. "Kedar is a good teacher, a good trainer, but a free spirit he is not. Nor is he spontaneous or able to think outside the box."

Vivianne seemed to process that before nodding. She eyed Victor curiously. "So..the two of you talked about my training?"

"Yes. I asked about the fire first, because it kind of shocked the pants off'a me ta walk in and see you on fire."

Vivianne chuckled. "Yeah.. sorry about that."

"Right. As long as you're not experimentin' on your pain tolerance." Victor muttered.

"What?" Vivianne asked. "Why would I.."

He shrugged. "Happens ta a lot of regenerators… I went through a phase like that once. I felt like… if I could increase my tolerance fer pain, I'd be a lot stronger." He shrugged.

"Is that true?"

With a weary sigh, he admitted, "Yes. But..it's not a good practice ta get into."

"But that's not something we should be talking about, really." Serus said. "Right now we need to focus on what comes next for you."

"Yes." Victor said with a nod. He'd had enough of talking about Kedar.

"If you're actually connecting to Air so easily that you can manipulate Fire, then… all you really need to do now is work on basic technique and then connect to Lord Kaze."

Vivianne nodded, her eyes staring off into space. "I see." She murmured. Her eyes snapped to Serus. "Would you be taking over my training?" She asked sounding both eager and nervous at the same time.

"Kedar would be near-by. I doubt he'd pass up the chance to observe a master Aeris in full training mode." Serus admitted. "But, yes, I would."

Conversation continued this way for a long time. Dinner seemed to drag on as Vivianne bombarded her mother with questions. Victor tried to remain in the loop as support for Serus, but it wasn't something he was used to at all. Still, he managed, and if Vivianne realized that he was completely clueless, she never tipped her hand. Finally, Vivianne was off to her room to do.. whatever it was she did when she was alone. Victor reminded himself to breathe often as Serus cleared the table. He tried to order his thoughts and keep things simple. He didn't want to fight with Serus, but he felt as though she'd been lying to him all this time.

"Victor." Serus called his name softly. "Just ask me." She said, staring at him from the other side of the table.

Victor sighed. "You never told me any of this." He said. "All this… elemental magic, or whatever it is."

"You're right. There's a lot that I haven't told you. Mostly because I've been told to keep the secrets I've been born with as well as I can. But also because you left before I could decide whether or not it was something I could trust you with." Serus said as she slowly approached his side. He had to nod at that. "There is much… very very much… that I haven't told you, that I'm still afraid to tell you." He looked at her in confusion. "I'm afraid that what I tell you may alter your opinion of me."

"It wouldn't." Victor maintained. "You're mine and I'm yours and nothing changes that." He said with absolute certainty. "Maybe… Maybe it's about time we made that official." He said.

Serus's eyebrows rose. "If that's a proposal, it's piss poor at best."

He chuckled. "Never was one for romance." He looked to her hopefully. "But maybe we could talk about it…"

Serus nodded, a fond smile on her face. "We have a lot to talk about."

I'm a horrible person for not updating this more. I've been working a lot more on writing my own stories, and a lot of time has been given to a collaboration fan fic that I'm doing with a friend :3 An Avengers fan fic (oh the feels). Hope you liked! :) Peace out.