shadow0015: Ah, yes, Tialla is a sneaky one. I haven't read Purple yet, but I intend to. "I'm also a guy and we don't have the synaptic scheme to use logic, deductive or otherwise." God, it rocks to be a chick. (sighs happily)

Chapter Thirteen

Nathyrra scowled as she and Tialla walked towards the cabin. "Why did I let you talk me into this?" she asked the girl.

"Because I'm charming and if you don't, I'll just keep breaking into your house." Tialla replied.

"I see."

XXXXX

Seelomar looked up from the vegetables he was coming as his daughter entered the cabin. "I thought I told you not to leave the cabin."

"You didn't even know I was gone."

"Tialla!"

"Chill, Dad. We have a guest." Tialla said, grinning smugly.

Nathyrra walked into the room. Seeing Seelomar's confused expression, she said, "I'm sorry, your daughter told me that you had invited me. I don't want to intrude. I'll go." She turned around.

Tialla shook her head at her father.

"Wait!" Seelomar called out. Nathyrra stopped. Seelomar smiled. "Please stay. I was planning on asking you myself. It must have slipped my mind."

"Her name's Nathyrra, Dad." Tialla declared as she walked towards the door. Nathyrra glared at the girl as she left the room.

"Nathyrra? That's a pretty name." He looked towards the pantry. "Can I offer you a beer? Wine?"

"Water, please."

Seelomar smiled and handed her a glass of water then went back to cutting up veggies.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Nathyrra offered.

"No thank you, I can handle it." He stated.

"I'm surprised. I don't many know males who enjoy cooking." Well, except for Rico…

Seelomar chuckled. "Well, I am a father…"

"So I noticed."

"So what about you? Do you have any family? A husband?"

"No…they're all deceased. And…I…I'd prefer not to discuss the matter of my beloved."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

Tialla walked back into the room. "Is dinner done yet?"

"Be patient, young lady." Seelomar commanded.

XXXXX

Awhile later, the three sat at the dinner table. Tialla was recounting a tale of one her 'antics' at school. "…So she sees all the cute elven guys who like me just as a friend are talking to me and she 'accidentally' spills ketchup all over my model of Eilistraee. So, I got on the school announcements and said, 'Britney is a slut. Guys, if you're listening to this, this is the voice of the gods. We have spoken'. I got suspended for that and later expelled for fighting."

"I see." Nathyrra said dryly.

"But that was back in the day." Tialla assured her.

Seelomar shook his head. "I'm surprised that you rented out the Blueshield place. Not that many renters this time of year."

"It's for work."

"What exactly do you do?" Tialla asked curiously.

"Layoffs. Payroll deductions. That sort of thing." Nathyrra said evasively.

"Oh. Sounds boring." Tialla stated.

"Tialla!" Seelomar cried.

Nathyrra shrugged. "It has its perks." She attempted to steer the conversation away from the subject of her occupation. "So, is there a school on the island?"

"We're trying home schooling for a while."

"I read at a college level and do algebra II on my own." Tialla said proudly.

"She's a good student. It's the conduct that we have to work on." Seelomar said sternly.

Tialla rolled her eyes. "Not my fault that I don't take bullshit well."

"Hey! Tialla-" Seelomar began.

"Don't say that-" Nathyrra began.

Tialla blinked at Nathyrra.

Nathyrra smiled. "Sorry."

XXXXX

After dinner, Seelomar had take out a wisp and began to play music. Tialla had groaned, claiming that it was 'crappy old fart music', but still accepted when her father asked her to dance.

A warm smile crept across Nathyrra's lips as Tialla and her father danced. For a minute, Nathyrra thought she saw Seelamin dancing with Tialla rather than Seelomar. Nathyrra blinked and the image was gone.

When the song ended, Tialla grinned and led Seelomar towards Nathyrra. "You two should dance."

"What?" Nathyrra and Seelomar asked in unison.

"Come on, Dad, when was the last time you danced with a woman who wasn't a foot shorter than you?" Tialla asked, grinning at her 6'2" father.

Seelomar smiled and held his hand out to Nathyrra. "May I have this dance?"

Nathyrra smiled and took Seelomar's hand. Their dance began with two slow steps, followed by two quick steps. Seelomar lifted his hand slowly twirled Nathyrra. It continued with a series of more complex moves.

Tialla smiled at her father. He so likes her…

XXXXX

Nathyrra stood outside on the porch. Seelomar had just finished making sure that Tialla was in bed and now walked onto the porch. He grinned at Nathyrra. "Suddenly I've got a teenager on my hands."

Nathyrra smiled. "She's a good kid."

"I think so too. Most people think she's bad."

"They shouldn't." Nathyrra looked at Seelomar. "Where is her mother?"

"She died a few years ago. Spell casting accident." Seelomar said. Nathyrra could sense that he wasn't telling the truth. She did not press the matter however. "I take it she was a drow?"

"Yes, she was. Drow wizard in fact."

"So does Tialla have any arcane abilities?"

"If she does, I don't know about them." An awkward silence passed. Seelomar looked up. "Mistletoe." He idly commented, looking at the decoration above him and Nathyrra.

"It appears we are both right under it." Nathyrra said, also looking up.

Seelomar and Nathyrra looked at each other. Slowly, they both reached towards the other and kissed. Nathyrra's inner assassin cautioned her about distractions. Nathyrra told her inner assassin exactly where it could stick its dagger as she continued the kiss.

Tialla's acute vision allowed her to see her father and Nathyrra quite clearly in the dark as she stared out the window. The half-drow grinned. You go Dad.

After a minute, they broke apart. Seelomar gave Nathyrra a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

Nathyrra smirked. "Yeah, I hated that." She sighed. "I should go."

"Really?" Seelomar checked the time. "It's only three and a half hours before midnight."

"Thanks for dinner."

When Seelomar turned around, Nathyrra had left. The man chuckled. "Strange woman. Great kisser, though…"

XXXXX

Nathyrra stormed back to the cabin. Why must I have feelings for him? WHY? I barely even know him! I can't afford distractions…

A package rested at her front door. Nathyrra arched an eyebrow and took the object inside. The details of her mission rested inside. Nathyrra's eyes widened and she gasped with shock when she saw the names of the targets.

Seelomar and Tialla Silvapanthoron.

She continued reading. Apparently, Tialla's mother, Araynalla, had been a follower of Eilistraee. She had managed to convert several agents of the Valsheress to the goddess of moonlight, and the valsheress decided to take action. Another red sister had taken her Araynalla's life several years ago. Seelomar had fled with Tialla, hoping to save his family form the Valsheress. Nathyrra's job was to dispose of them, Tialla in particular.

She picked up the two poisonous daggers that had come with the package. Nathyrra sank to her knees. Hells…