Hi again! Thank you for all your reviews!
Don't worry if the encounters in the next few chapters are a bit short, we'll see everyone again, the aim is just to introduce them for now...
Anyway, you won't be too surprised to notice that I've already changed quite a bit of things - since it was the trend since the first chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter IV – Fate's Touch
Having met Odin made it quite clear that making all gods get their life together wasn't going to be that easy – if even their leader had all but given up, it truly pointed out how deeply the problem ran…
Of course, Adra had known all along that this wouldn't be easy, this world wouldn't be on the edge of becoming a Lost one otherwise.
So, while Odin and Thor were tentatively getting to know again Loki, now known as Leifr, and his family, the Old One trapped in a child's body was refocusing on another of her missions…
Remus was doing an impressive work – in the Wizengamot, but also with digging into Tom Riddle's life.
On the political side, he'd confirmed and reinforced the alliances around the Potter and Black families, that were starting the gather all those dissatisfied by both the traditional and dark-leaning alliance that in recent years had become too narrow-minded and insular and the more progressive and light-sided partisan that were all too ready to burn the roots of their society to the ground. A new, grey alliance was growing, pushing back against both sides – claiming for respect for the age old traditions, but also a better integration of the muggle-borns entering the wixen world, agreeing that some magic could be dangerous, but arguing that it didn't mean they should be banished but simply better controlled…
Things wouldn't change in a day, and not even in a year – but the werewolf was rather hopeful.
His other work had been, paradoxically, far more complicated.
Someone had taken great care to nearly erase Tom Riddle from the wixen world – and the man's existence was now only found in some old archives and the memories of some people.
Thankfully, Adra's suggestion to check on the muggle world had born fruits.
Whomever had hidden Tom Riddle's existence clearly wasn't well versed in the non-magical world, and there, Remus had found the files on a young promising orphan that all but disappeared at eleven year old.
He'd also found the obituary notice for the death of the Riddle family in Little Hangleton, when Riddle was around 15 year old, leaving him as their only heir as he had been adopted by his biological father mere months before – the local newspaper had talked about a "happy reunion", had waxed lyricals about how about Tom Riddle Senior and his parents were to have found the teenager, stolen away by his wayward mother…
For a wix, it wasn't hard to read between the lines a far different story of love potions and mind-control.
Then, he found traces of a young orphaned heir, who graduated with honors after doing self-studies and traveled all around the world – and it wasn't hard to understand that he'd done it the muggle way in order to fly under the radar on the magical side of things.
Riddle had traveled all around Europa, but also in Egypt, Central and Southern America, and China… But once in the countries, once more his trail grew hard to tail as he left once more the muggle world for the magical one.
It was his pride that helped the werewolf find the man again, as he eventually stumble on the records of a "Marvolo Gaunt" that had been granted access to an old magical site by the Mexican magical government…
From there, it became rather evident that the man was searching for old magical knowledge all around the world – and by the time he'd stopped traveling around, his identity was well established as Marvolo Gaunt, and he'd entered the British wixen society once more, quickly making friend with the more dark inclined circles.
Marvolo Gaunt hadn't been seen since the fall of Voldemort – and was presumed dead by the government.
All in all – it was pretty much confirmed that once more, Tom Riddle was the dark lord, and just like in Adra's first life, had traveled around to gather knowledge.
Left was the question about how he'd managed to cling to life this time around.
Remus had started, without much surprise, with the Black library – but he'd quickly extended the search to old esoterical knowledge from the destinations the man had traveled to.
For now, he'd found a few leads hearsay around, but nothing concrete.
¤.¤.¤
"Dumbledore had been asking questions." Remus informed them "As soon as I started to research Riddle, he told be it was too dangerous and best left alone."
"And does he expect the problem to somehow solve itself?" asked Pandora with a frown
"Of course not. He thinks Adra's going to do all the job herself." Luna corrected "He's not used to have help, only underlings." a shrug "That's sad."
"I don't think he's anymore a bad guy than he was in my first world…" Adra sighed "But just like Luna said, he'd been a leader for too long."
"Yes, he's not the one you need to mingle with." Luna nodded sagely "It's the half-bloods and the young heroes."
"I've felt quite a few birth…" Adra mused at that "Fate really did all she could to help this world, I've never know so much Chosen Ones to be alive at the same time." a smile "Ah well, I guess traveling a bit wouldn't be amiss… Let's go back to the States!"
"This is greco-roman territory." Anubis warned "They're among the pantheons who've kept the most powers, and they are rather insular."
"All the more reason to go and shake things up!" Adra counted enthusiastically, mind made
"Great, we were long overdue a family vacation." Leto mused "I've already applied for magical visas and permanent Wizengamot portkeys." the Lovegood patriarch informed them, not surprising anyone given how used they were to his powerful Seeing talent
The next few days and weeks were a flurry of preparations, and soon the rather large group was arriving in New York, in the MACUSA's arrival chamber.
"There's a Black House nearby." Pyxis indicated, taking the lead toward East Village
The house was well maintained and the rather large, if a bit eclectic family settled easily in the home, that had clearly been well-maintained, as Arcturus Black had been a regular resident on the place in his younger years.
They'd been in New York for a few weeks already when, as they were nearing the magical entrance of the Central Park Zoo, Adra stopped, head tilted as if listening to something only her could hear.
Suddenly, she turned tail, going instead toward the non-magical entrance.
A bit surprised, but knowing she wouldn't be doing this for nothing, the rest of the group easily followed her, and just as Remus was about to pay for the entrances, they heard a stunned voice "Oh my, my wallet is missing! I'm sorry little one, seems like we'll have to post-pone this trip..."
The baby, Remus mused, probably didn't really care as he looked rather young, probably not even 2 year old yet...
But with a sharp push to the knee, Adra was pushing him toward the distraught mother. The werewolf reacted quickly "If you don't mind, why don't we pay for you?" he proposed, reacting to the prompt
The woman raised her eyes toward the golden eyed man, stunned that a stranger would offer this so freely – her eyes glanced on the rather large group, with it's four children, taking in the fact that there was only one couple in sight despite the children clearly not being all siblings, and something in her eyes softened.
"You really wouldn't mind?"
Meanwhile, Adra had turned toward Leifr "If you wouldn't mind…" she gestured discreetly toward a shifty looking, balding man that had been about to address the single mother before Remus talked
The mischief god tilted his head, then his eyes narrowed as he realized the man was trying to pocket a wallet that look way too feminine for him.
A pulse of magic, and the man was stumbling, wallet rolling away from him – and quickly snatched by Luna, who sing-sang "Look miss, is this what you were looking for?"
Relief shone in sparkling blue eyes "Well, looks like you won't have to pay for me, though I thank you for the offer. Thank you, little one."
"You're very welcome." Luna replied with a smile "Why don't you come with us to visit the zoo? The more the merrier!"
The woman was startled by the proposal, but after a moment of hesitation accepted.
"By the way, I'm Sally." she introduced herself – the rest of the group soon answering in kind "And this is my son, Percy."
[Life Quest updated! Child of the Sea...
Goal Complete: meet Percy Jackson
Reward: +10XP
Goal Complete: prevent Gabe Ugliano from abusing Sally and Percy
Reward: +10XP, +5 to Physical Resistance Skill
Bonus Goal Complete: prevent Sally from meeting Gabe Ugliano
Reward: +20XP, +1PP]
Sally had a faint aura, not quite enough to be mistake for a wix, but magical enough that it was clear she'd been touch by something otherworldly – but her son shone to those who could see or feel magic and auras.
The boy wasn't a wix either, quite clearly – but he was a half-blood, and a powerful one at that.
"You're going to have you hands full with this one once he grows up." Leto commented as they finally entered the zoo "The sea is untamable after all."
The blue eyed woman stumbled at the proclamation, and keeping her boy tighter in her arms, she asked, distrust thick in her voice "Who… No what are you?"
"We are wixen of course." Luna was the one to answer, as if it was evident
Sally raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar word, already becoming more at ease as she was reminded that if they'd wanted to attack her and her son, they wouldn't have come with a troupe of children…
"Witches and wizard." Xenophilius was the one to elaborate, hands waving around him "Beings blessed by Magic herself! Worshipers of the old gods! We see through the veil that hides the preternatural from regular humans, and plays with our own rules."
"And right now you are completely destroying one of said rules…" Remus pointed out with a sigh "Why am I always the only one remembering about legalities?"
"Hey!" protested Pandora "I'm responsible too!"
"You play with volatile runes in your basement!"
Sally let out a startled laugh at the interaction, and just like that any tension left in her disappeared "I didn't know witches and wizards… wixen you said, existed." she mused
"We hid ourselves away from the non-magical world centuries ago." a shrug "Technically, Remus is right and we shouldn't be telling anything…" she pointed at Percy, who was staring intently at the fished in a nearby pond "But with the little one here a half-blood, it's easy to make an argument for you not really being a muggle. A non-magical I mean." she added at the end of her speech remembering the young woman wouldn't know the word
"Is it that evident?" Sally couldn't help but ask with some worry in her eyes
"Crystal clear. This child is powerful, and he's been touched by Fate."
"Oh. His father warned me, that it wasn't going to be easy to hide his scent."
"There are charms for this." Pyxis explained – the kind of charms he'd been piled with whenever he ventured outside of the magical world when he was younger, before he learned both to deal with the monsters, and how to spell himself all but invisible to their senses.
This was one of the downside of being incarnated in a mortal body – monsters honed on them just as easily as on powerful half-blood, and were for the most part too stupid to realized they were more than another mortal to snack on.
Adra nodded, tugging on the charm bracelet her brother insisted she wore constantly "Like this." she explained "It hides away most of our aura." a shrug "Of course it grows less effective as we grow up, but by then we've learned how to defend ourselves."
Sally's eyes widened, as she took the fact that Adra wore the bracelet to mean she was a half-blood to – something the young girl didn't bother to correct as it was simpler than explaining that four of their group were in fact full-blooded gods, albeit two among them were in a mortal body…
After the zoo, they'd headed in the magical district, Pandora taking charge of the impromptu shopping trip, introducing Sally to the different shops, to the items that could be used even without active magic, and finally, they ended in an old work-shopped bathed in sun by it's large roof-windows, filled to the rims with odds and ends brimming in magic.
"Well met, Mast Enchanter."
"Well met indeed, Head Lovegood, Heir Black, Potter and Lovegood." the lean, rather young man greeted back – not that any of the wixen let themselves fooled by his looks, as all could feel he was a half-blood, and when given the chance they tended to age well and live long
Proving he wasn't to be under-estimated, the artisan honed quickly on Sally and Percy.
"You'll need a charm, and a powerful at that." he tilted his head toward the woman "As for you I doubt you've ever needed one?"
By the time they'd left the craftshop, Sally had learned that she was a half-blood too – albeit one whose powers were discreet enough that she'd never been harassed by any monsters…
Given that she was an orphan, she had no idea which of her parents was the godly one – and apparently said parent must have forgotten all about her, something that happened all too often among the gods.
The woman had been stunned – but quickly noted the other weren't surprised and had assumed she already knew. They also offered her to drop by Gringott's, explaining that the goblins were the only ones able to make a genealogical tree that included even divine beings, something she declined, needing a bit more time to wrap her head around the new information and musing that if her parent had forgotten her there really wasn't any need to look for them.
As for little Percy, he now wore an enchanted silver chain around his pudgy hand, masking his scent in a way that meant he would be safe from the monster for the years to come.
[Life Quest updated! Child of the Sea...
Goal Complete: protect young Percy from monsters
Reward: +10XP
Bonus Goal Complete: introduce Sally to the magical world
Reward: +20 XP, A Queen of a Woman Perk]
[New Perk unlocked
A Queen of a Woman(2 PP): +5 to Water Skills
Available: 22PP]
[Level up! You are now level 19!
+2 SP]
The enchanter, as a half-blood himself, had put a heavy emphasis of the need to learn how to protect himself shared by all the children of the god.
"Besides, with how hyper-active we tend to be when young, it'll be a good way to tire him out." he'd mused with some amusement, before nodding toward Loki, Sirius and Adra "I'm honestly surprised those three are so well-behaved
Remus had guffawed at that, as Adra had been climbing on Leifr's shoulder to take a closer look at floating golden plate engraved with south-American symbols that was lazily turning on itself, while Sirius sat cross-legged on the floor, having an intense staring contest with the owner's pet, that looked half-way between a Mexican dog and a jackal…
Chaos tended to follow them around – though he guessed for someone that didn't know that only Adra was physically as young as she looked, the three could indeed pass for well-behaved demi-gods given the antics he'd seen some of them get up too during the children's outing in the wixen world…
Still, Sally had become a friend, and in the following weeks they saw Percy and her several more times.
They had been rather amused to learn that she'd also met with the master enchanter a few more times – Dewin Lewis was a son of Hecate, and a member of the minor House of Lewis, a Welsh magical line that had been among the first wixen to emigrate to the States.
The man had been rather good with helping the unknowing half-blood learn how to navigate the magical district, and more importantly he'd managed the rather difficult task to make her understand that no matter her wishes to protect her son, keeping him hidden wouldn't be enough…
He also had to be taught.
Yule had come by once more, which they had celebrated among family, then Christmas had been spend packing as Luna had suggested that it was time to move on. Goobies were shared with Sally, with promise to write letters and see each other again, which shouldn't be too hard thanks to Adra and Pyxis shadow-travel abilities...
¤.¤.¤
This time, they settled in a Potter mansion in the Blue Hills, nearby Boston.
The mansion was near the National Reservation, that was rather famous on the wixen side of things as it hosted a sacred Wampanoag site dedicated to Granny Squannit.
The house was in good state, as it was shared with the American branch of the family, who often spent their summer there – and upon hearing that they were around, they had soon been invited over to the Americans Potter's main residence to share a meal.
The Potter branch of America, albeit not reduce to a single family member like Adrasteia's side of the family was, wasn't large by any mean either – being comprised only of a distant uncle, Ralston Potter, an old retired hit-wizard and his only son, Hardwin, a potion master of barely 30 year old sporting the same rat nest of black hair as James Potter had, and light green eyes.
Upon hearing that they would be visiting the Blue Hills Reservation, he enthusiastically volunteered to come with them, quickly explaining that it was the right season to gather winter snake-roots flowers, and those around Granny's Hole in the Ground tended to be especially powerful.
And so they found themselves wearing clothes woven with warming enchantment and magical hiking boots as they started 1985 by going hiking.
The snow covered forest was beautiful, and Hardwin good company, who soon managed to enroll al the children into searching for not only snake-roots flowers, but also sea mistletoe bays and some wood-mint roots.
Luna was enthusiastically digging left and right, dragging Sirius with her, while Adra and Leifr, while less maniacal, were participating too, letting themselves enjoy for a moment the simple joy of being children.
It was as they were nearing the Hole in the Ground, as Granny Squannit's sacred site was called, that Adra started to act distracted, eyes straying left and right and all but forgetting everything about the plants as she started to follow her instincts instead…
While Hardwin was a bit surprised at her behavior, the rest of them shared looks, being significantly reminded about her attitude when they'd met Sally and Percy – thought there was something different, clearly, as she appeared far less certain of what she was feeling.
Soon, her meandering brought them to the Hole in the Ground, at the edge's of which pregnant woman was sitting, so heavily bundled up in winter clothing her baby bump was nearly hidden.
"I really wouldn't expect bearing a child of Summer to be so comfortable in the cold." mused Adra as she easily joined the woman on the ground
"You'd think so too, uh?" the blond pixie-like woman mused with some mirth in her voice "But somehow this place always calms him up…"
"Well, Granny Squannit is known to protect woodlands creature, I guess he must somehow qualifies." Adra mused with some amusement in her voice
The woman looked surprised for a moment "This place is dedicated to Granny Squannit? Uh, that explains it!"
"You didn't know?" Hardwin wondered "It's the most famous sacred place in the area!" he protested "All wixen know about this place!"
"Ah but that's the crux of the matter isn't it," Leto pointed out lightly, arms full with the various herbs Luna had entrusted to him "Wixen knows about this place!"
"Please," the potion master protested "I may not have inherited the ability to see magic you Lovegood are gifted with, I still developed a pretty good magic sensing skill when studying for my mastery!"
"Ah but you're forgetting one thing cousin," Adra said, pouting with an amused smile toward the woman's round belly
Hardwin's eyes widened, then he blushed, and bowed his head apologetically "Right you are, little cousin," he tilted his head toward Leto "My apologies, my temper got the better of myself."
"Happens to the best of us." Leto accepted with a smile
"Still…" Hardwin eyed the blond woman with curiosity "how powerful must this child be to allow his mother to find her way here?"
"So I guess I'm in a place I'm not supposed to be in?" the woman mused
"If you found your way here, you were supposed to be here." Hardwin contradicted "It's just that usually people without magic don't find this place…"
"Well, this little one's father does love the woods, albeit in the warmer season." the pixie-woman mused "By the way, I'm Natalie, Natalie Chase."
Pandora had quickly laid a warming charm on the area, and performed the pregnancy spells she'd learned when pregnant with Luna, and they spend a few hours talking in the strangely welcoming area that was the Hole in the Ground.
Where Sally had taken the existence of the wixen world with surprise and curiosity, Natalie was very different, as they soon realized as they talked. The blond woman took the existence of the wixen without surprise, but with a nearly childish enthusiasm, asking numerous questions to all about anything and everything, but not seeming very worried about her child beyond a normal mother's worry.
Seeing as it was growing late, the group had escorted back Natalie to her flat in Boston, making plan to see each other again quite naturally.
"You look smitten." mused an amused Adra as she watched her cousin nearly walk into a lamp-post
"Doesn't matter, does it." Hardwin shrugged, knowing better than to refute something that was apparently so evident "She's clearly in love with her father's child."
"That she is." Anubis agreed "But well, Frey is happily married you know, I'm rather surprised he even strayed, it doesn't happen very often with him..."
This time, the potion master did walk into the nearest lamp-post, eyes widening as he realized "Oh. The baby's a demi-god child, not a powerful muggle-born." his head tilted as he eyed his cousin contemplatively "Are you one too?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, you're powerful, obviously, but better yet you seemed to feel Miss Chase's presence…" he remembered
Adra tilted her head, but didn't contradict the wizard – it was after all her modus operandi among those that didn't know that Pyxis and her were incarnated gods. Hardwin nodded, taking it for a silent agreement.
"Which parent was it, if I may ask?"
"Neither." Pyxis was the one to agree "James and Lily did a ritual."
"That's old magic." Hardwin mused, eyes wide and shining with both awe and curiosity
"Very old." the Black heir confirmed "We had to scour the Potter, Black and Lovegood libraries."
"Well, I'm happy they did it." Hardwin said with an enthusiastic nod "Their loss was very sad, but thanks to their hard work, our family isn't gone." a smile "And I love having a cousin, my mother was an orphan so I didn't have any of them when growing up." a shrug "I'm a bit old to play hit wizard and robbers but I can always help you with potion homework when you go to Hogwarts!" he promised with a large smile
Adra answered with a smile just a bright – Hardwin was a far better cousin than Dudley had been after all, and she was really sorry she hadn't learned about him until mere months before dying in her first life.
It was about a week later that they met with Natalie again, introducing her to the local magical district just like they had for Sally.
It was as they were taking a break in a local café that she suddenly announced "I think my water broke."
Chaos followed the assertion, making Adra laugh fondly as even Death himself was panicking – before Pandora and her stepped in, managing to calm Hardwin enough for the local wizard to call for an emergency portkey for the wixen hospital of the area.
Seventeen hours of labour later, on the 13th of January 1985, a new Chosen One opened his eyes to the world.
"Well met, little Magnus Chase." whispered Adra with a fond smile
She wondered, at the awe in Pyxis eyes, if he had been like this for her birth.
"The other gods respect me for my powers. But only Life can give birth to new souls like this." said god mused as if hearing her thoughts
[Life Quest updated! Summer Child...
Goal Complete: meet Magnus Chase
Reward: +10XP
Bonus Goal Complete: introduce Natalie to the magical world
Reward: +20 XP, A Fairy among Wixen Perk]
[New Perk unlocked
A Fairy among Wixen(2 PP): +5 to Light Skills
Available: 22PP]
They spent nearly three months in Boston, celabrating Imbolc with Ralston, Hardwin but also Natalie and Magnus – and by the time they left, it was pretty evident that Hardwin would either be little Magnus' step-father, or the ever present uncle that wasn't always blood-family.
Adra had a good feeling about it, and didn't feel bad about Frey – while she really thought the god must have really liked Natalie, as he was rather notorious among the Norse Pantheon for how faithful he was, he had chosen to bow to the rule and left, and knew when he did that, that it meant the pixie blond would be free to find someone else.
And Natalie wasn't ready just yet – but she had at least already given her friendship to the young goddess' cousin.
Once more, Luna had decided it was time to move, just like Adra's senses had started to tell her…
And once more as they left, she knew they'd be back.
¤.¤.¤
Their next destination was San Francisco, where they had to rent a place since none among them had a property in the city.
There, they met Natalie's brother, whom she had asked them to give a few things – letters and gift as just like she had given birth to Magnus, the man had become a single dad eighteen months earlier.
"Wow, talk about a family beloved by the gods." Sirius had blurted as they met Frederick Chase and his young daughter Annabeth "Two siblings, two half-bloods!"
Loki reached out, giving a sharp, though light slap on the back of the other god's head.
"Manners."
"Is this one of those mortal things I don't understand?" the Egyptian mused, sending puppy eyes toward Adra
"It just wasn't very polite." Pandora was the one to explain "You didn't give the poor man the time to even say hi before you outed his daughter, and he may not have even known his sister's child was a half-blood too."
Given how stunned the poor man looked, ready to drop his daughter, on top of his already a bit scattered looks, he clearly mustn't have know.
Remus took the baby from his arms, while Leto led him to a bench to sit down – which he did, all but throwing himself on the seat.
"Little Nat too…" he mused "Is she alright?" he added, clearly worried "I mean I wasn't ready at all, never expected to suddenly find myself saddled with a child and…"
He stopped himself, realizing what he'd just said "Not that I don't love her, I just… Didn't expect her!"
"Well you know when a man and a woman get together these things tend to happen." Loki pointed out dryly
"That's just it! I didn't! We didn't!" the man protested before blushing as he realized he was talking to a child
"Ugh. Virgin goddesses." Leifr rolled his eyes "OK, I guess you really didn't expect her!"
Frederick Chase smiled fondly "I really didn't. But I wouldn't want to live without her now. But please," his question was addressed toward the whole group "tell me about my sister?"
"Well at least Natalie knew what to expect." Pandora reassured him while gently rocking the little blond girl, whose piercing gray eyes were already closing "And she's got a friend who'll help her adjust in Hardwin Potter."
The sandy blond man looked markedly more relaxed as she reassured him.
"Good," he smiled "that's good, help is good."
"And something you look to be sorely needing." Xenophilius mused kindly
The smile grew a bit self-depreciating "Well like I said, I really wasn't ready to have a child. I've recently got my doctorate, and started working at the San Francisco University History Department…And suddenly I learned that my best friend in Harvard was in fact a goddess, and that our thoughts had given birth to a child that I had to raise because apparently gods can't take care of their human children…" just talking about it, the man seemed a bit overwhelmed "And on top of that I'm supposed to protect this little girl because she could be attacked by monsters, which I don't even know if I'll be able to see..."
"Oh my," Remus shuddered "she really laid it all on you at once."
"Athena always was like this." he couldn't help but defend the goddess, clearly still thinking fondly about her despite it all
"Well I think that this rule that the gods can't take care of the children they helped make is bullshit." Adra assessed, earning a surprised look from the doctor at such a language for such a young child "But at least we can help you a bit now that we know about you and Annabeth, and you know you can talk to your sister without hiding anything."
"You are right. And way too intelligent for a little girl… Are you a half-blood too?"
"Something like that. And more." she winked "Welcome to a world of magic, Mr Chase."
[Life Quest updated! Wise Girl...
Goal Complete: meet Annabeth Chase
Reward: +10XP]
And just like she'd said – they introduced one more single parent to the wixen world, and more importantly, to a competent Master Enchanter.
The years seemed to shed from his face and shoulders as Frederick was introduced to the hiding charm – and he was nodding seriously as he told about starting to teach his child how to fight early on, as self-defense would never be enough for a half-blood.
He may not have the good friends that were Dewin Lewis for Sally or Hardwin for Natalie, but the gods were respected enough among the wixen, and the bigots few enough in America, that he would always find someone to help when in need in the magical district of San Francisco.
[Life Quest updated! Wise Girl...
Bonus Goal Complete: introduce Frederick to the magical world
Reward: +20 XP, Knowing the Past Perk]
[New Perk unlocked
Knowing the Past(1PP): unlocks Legends Knowledge Skill
Available: 22PP]
[Level up! You are now level 21!
2 SP, +2 MC, +1 PP]
It was in San Francisco that Adra was visited by a god.
The Lovegood had gone with the Chase to the magical district, Remus was gone to a Wizengamot cession – leaving only the four gods together.
Then, with a powerful burst of power, the evening around them became as bright as the day, before the light coalesced into a familiar silhouette.
¤.¤.¤
"Hermes." Loki greeted familiarly, having grown rather close with the god during their poker nights
"Leifr. Or should I call you Loki?" the other greeted in return, rather cordial despite the question
Leifr shrugged.
"I don't mind either." he admitted – he'd grown used to be called Leifr that those that didn't know who he was, and didn't mind the change of name given the fact that he really had changed after his merging with Nuada
"I won't pry." Hermes reassured, admitting "I'm not even her for this, father hasn't realized yet that there are gods from other pantheons in the area, and I'm not about to point it out to him." a sight, before he turned toward Adra and Pyxis "No I've come here to talk to you."
Adra nodded her head politely, but without deference.
While she pretended to be a half-blood among mortal, she wasn't one after all.
"Mortals seem to think you a half-blood, but I know better, I've seen you in the Sidh after all." he said
Adra agreed mutely, not having anything to add and not knowing where the other god was going – but not too worried, given that he'd made a rather good impression when she'd seen him during poker night.
"And you've been going around doing our job."
"I don't quite follow what you're saying…" she had to admit after this unexpected affirmation
She clearly wasn't there to do their job after all, but on the contrary to make them to it again.
"You've helped uncle's brat, and the Norse' brat, and now my niece's one…"
"You're talking about the demi-gods." she finally realized
"I am! And you are helping them, and their mother, when we should but we don't… Even I don't do it because I know father would throw a tantrum… But I've got a child who needs help."
There was true sadness in his eyes, and it was the first time Adra witnessed things from the godly parent's side – from a godly parent who truly cared yet didn't dare to act.
But of course, Hermes was the god of thieves, and had quite a few common points with Loki, and as such knew how to go around the rules that bothered him.
Such as by asking for help from a third party.
"Tell us." she all but demanded – and Hermes complied immediately, having waited for this.
"Luke is in Westport. His mother isn't able to take care of him anymore, but she's somehow hidden by the Mist so the mortals don't realize it…"
Adra nodded, and was suddenly moved by a sense of urgency. She turned toward Pyxis, who as thought guessing how she was feeling – and it was well possible that he really was, given their family ties – nodded and asserted "Let's go. I'll leave a message for the family and the Chase."
Hermes bowed his head in thanks, which surprised even Anubis and Loki – Greeks gods were particularly prideful after all.
A whispered thank you, and he was gone, the four other gods not far behind him, thought to a different destination.
The neighborhood where May and Luke Castellan was drab, and grey, going perfectly well with Adra's mood – because now that they were so close from what could only be another child touched by Fate, she could feel the wrongness in the air.
May – had probably been beautiful, once upon a time.
But now, her long blond hair were unkept, her grey eyes shone with madness, and to Pyxis and Adra's Soul Art, her very soul was crying in distress, thrown out of tune by a powerful curse.
Luke Castellan was small for his age, and there was a deep weariness in his eyes that tugged at Adra's heart-strings.
[Life Quest updated! A Thieve's Downfall...
Goal Complete: meet Luke Castellan
Reward: +10XP]
"We've been sent by your father."
A scowl.
"I don't believe you. He's never cared before, has he?"
"He does care." the young goddess contradicted "But there are laws, bad laws, that forbid him from coming."
"If those laws are so bad why does he listen to them?"
"He doesn't really, does he? After all, he sent us to help."
"And how are you going to help?"
The boy was still mistrustful – but at least he was opened to listening, not looking anymore as if he would bolt at any moment.
"Your mother needs help, doesn't she?"
"The adult never listen when I tell them."
"That's because she's hidden."Luke turned toward his mother, then toward the four gods, dubious.
"She's not hidden."
"Not like that." Leifr contradicted, before letting his seidr flare a bit "You see you mother like this…" an illusion took over "But other people see her like this."
The sane looking May Castellan was beautiful, Adra mused sadly – and given the wide eyes of her son, he though the same.
"And because they see this," Loki pushed on, letting the illusion dissipate "they don't believe you when you say she needs help."
"But what can I do then?"
"You just have to find people that can see the real her, just like us." Pyxis explained
"Where?"
"Do you want me to call the healers?"
Finally breaking down, Luke nodded wordlessly, fat tears rolling down his cheeks in silence. Pyxis smiled reassuringly before calling his Patronus, swiftly sending it toward the New York magical hospital.
"Your mother has been hit by a very powerful curse," Adra explained
"She's never getting better, is she?" the boy couldn't help but ask helplessly
"She'll never be as good as a regular person…" the girl had to agree softly "But with help, she'll be better than she is now."
As they were softly talking to the boy, explaining about magic and the wixen world, the healers had arrived, and the group was soon taking a portkey toward the hospital, where May was soon taken toward the long-term ward while Pyxis was taking care of the paper-work.
[Life Quest updated! A Thieve's Downfall...
Bonus Goal Complete: get help for May Castellan
Reward: +20XP, +1PP]
"What's going to happen to me now?"
"You can stay with us." the Black heir reassured the boy kindly "We'll take you to see your mother as often as you like."
"You can't!" Luke blurted, suddenly looking panicked "The monster will come after you too!"
Even the healer's eyes widened at the affirmation, as he easily realized what such an affirmation meant coming from a boy who hadn't know about magic but moments before…
"Don't worry, we know how to hide children like you from monsters." the healer reassured him quickly – this clearly wasn't the first time he met a lost half-blood "There's a man just like you who makes special jewels that hide you from the monsters not too far away from here. We can even call him here if you want."
The four gods were rather impressed by the reaction of the healer – and barely half an hour later, Dewin was entering the ward where a standard health-cheack had been given to Luke, Sally and Percy in tow.
"We were taking tea together when the call came." explained Sally "I thought seeing another young half-blood would help…" a smile "I hadn't realized you were already here."
Meanwhile, Dewin had been explaining in simple words how his enchantments would hide a half-blood's scent from monsters – putting once more the emphasis on learning how to defend himself in the meanwhile, as the bracelet would grow weaker as the child grew older.
In the following hours, Luke had been explained why monsters came after him – and given a bracelet to hide from them, with little Percy a very good example of other children like him.
He'd also been offered a roof by both Sally and Dewin, on top of Pyxis – and the boy was clearly thorn, as on one side he wanted to stay near to his mother, but on the other, he didn't know Sally nor Dewin quite enough to accept their offer yet, while he'd gained more trust for Pyxis, Adra, Sirius and Leifr when they'd got help for his mother.
"How about this," Adra suggested "you come with us, but you try to spent the week-end with Sally or Dewin, so that you can come and see your mother?" a reassuring smile "We could even come with you too if you'd like."
The boy nodded shyly – and soon, a shadow portal was opened, and the four gods plus one half-blood were back to San Francisco, where Remus greeted them with a dry "Don't tell me you've kidnapped another child?"
[Life Quest updated! A Thieve's Downfall...
Bonus Goal Complete: take Luke Castellan in
Reward: +20XP, +1PP]
[Level up! You are now level 22!
1 SP]
"Hey! I adopted Sirius." protested Pyxis "And Luke is an official ward of House Potter… well he'll be as soon as you file the paper work."
"Plus like we said last time, it's not really kidnapping when the other party agrees." Adra added
Weeks quickly became months as Luke got used to the permanent chaos that was life with the Lovegood, Black and Potter.
He'd also grown close enough to Sally, Percy and Dewin to grow used to portkey back to New York alone, spending his week-end with them, quite a bit of his time there spent in the long-term ward where May Castellan now permanently resided.
Just like they'd told him – his mother would never be completely fine, but slowly her fits were growing less numerous, and beyond the madness he could once more see love shining in her eyes for her son and his father…
Even if he still didn't know who said father was, and she didn't always recognize him as her son…
Then, as May was dawning, Luna decreed once more that it was time to move, and they were saying their goodbyes to Frederick and little Annabeth.
¤.¤.¤
They ended in Los Angeles, where the Lovegood owned a beautiful, surprisingly modern yet whimsical house – that had been built by Leto's brother before his untimely death, about fifteen years earlier.
Adra nearly stumbled as they set foot in the city, senses growing haywire – it took some time for her to realize that she was so disturbed because there was multiple Chosen Ones in the area, something she hadn't encountered yet given that her ability to sense those touched by Fate was rather new…
And this world the first where she'd met so many heroes at once!
The first few days, like always, the extended family spent settling down in their new place and wandering the area.
The Lovegood "Sparkling Mansion" wasn't hidden from the muggle world, thought it was heavily warded, as, in the words of Xenophilus, 'Uncle Charalambos always was a bit strange, but lovable'….
Leto clearly thought fondly about his brother, and was enjoying the house greatly – and their new neighborhood, for all that it was muggle, had it's own kind of strangeness given that they weren't too far from Hollywood, and in an area full of priceless mansions filled with famous personalities non of them knew anything about!
By now, Adra was nearly five year old, and Leifr looked to be nearly ten, so none of the adults in the house thought about it twice when the children decided to go explore by themselves.
Luke was gaining in confidence by the day, helped by the mismatched family around him, and though he still eyed anxiously around for monsters, he knew well by now that they were well and truly hidden…
Which is why they were rather surprised when, as they were nearing the Coldwater Canyon Park, they suddenly felt the air change, and a gravely voice calling "I can smell you little half-bloods, there's no use running away!"
The children shared glances, but realized that the voice, far from growing nearer, was getting away.
"It's not us he's searching for!" Luke whispered just as the other had the same realization
No other words were needed – despite having never had to use it in battle in this life, FuurinKiba slid easily in Adra's small hands, a lance humming with magic appearing in Leifr's own hands.
Luke had a knife, the goddess noted – the metal shining in a dark shade that meant it was Celestial Bronze, the holy metal the Greeks favored, that couldn't harm mortals. She made a note to have something better made for the boy as soon as possible.
Luna dropped behind, as the youngest, and the one less geared toward battle – but there were runes engraved in polished gems in her hands, and Adra knew the girl would use them if necessary.
The monster was entering the park now, pushing past the race track and toward the wilder part of the area.
Adra mentally cursed her her size, as it was difficult to catch up with what appeared to be a rather large, hunchbacked cyclop. Loki glanced toward her with a bit of worry – she understood why easily, as for him to kill a Greek or Roman monster wouldn't go unnoticed.
"Can you take us away quickly once we're done with it if needed?"
A nod.
"Then I'll be able to take care of it."
"Without unleashing your powers?" the Norse-Celt asked, clearly worried
"I will if needed. I'm not as powerless as before my First Rite." she reassured the god
"And I'll step in if needed to," he warned her "Old laws and agreements be damned." a shrug "What's Sparkly gonna do if he does like it? Complain to Odin?" a shrug "He'd have to find him for this, and I doubt he'd think to look in London!"
Luke was listening to the exchanges, a bit non-plussed – then his eyes widened as he realized what they weren't quite saying.
"You're not really half-bloods are you?" he whispered, stunned
"Not… quite." Adra shrugged "But now really isn't the time for this."
The boy nodded, agreeing with the sentiment easily. They were nearing the cyclop after all, who'd nearly stop walking and was now slowly approaching a grove. Adra's senses were screaming – and with a nearly soundless sob, followed by a desperate war cry, a little girl was flinging herself out of the bushes, celestial bronze dagger in hand.
Not wasting a moment, she went of the offensive too, Luke half a step behind her – as for Luna, she was carefully making her way around the clearing, soon getting to the groove where the girl had been hidden.
Where a baby, barely more than an infant, was still hidden.
On the battlefield, the cyclop howled with rage as the three children ganged on him.
Thankfully, cyclopes weren't that fast – but they were also very resilient, and Adra could tell this was going to be a long battle, as even Fuurin barely left a dent in the monster's tough hide. Granted Fuurin wasn't that strong yet, as the weapon hadn't had the chance to level yet, but still!
Minutes stretched as the fight went on, and Adra could feel that she was tiring – as were Luke and the unknown girl.
Unleashing her aura was a bad idea, as just like Loki it would all but scream her presence to the local deities, which wasn't something she wanted quite yet...But she had other means at her disposal.
Ignoring the string of notification informing her of numerous skill gains, she turned her nails into claws, slashing through her left palm and turning the flowing liquid into a sphere brimming with primal power.
She had in no way the ability to throw the attack, so it would have to be delivered point blank – and in a weak point. She eyed the gigantic creature, and it's evident weak-point. She'd need some help getting up there…
"Luke, I'm going to need some help!" she called, pointing with her tanto toward the large eye. Understanding what she meant, the boy dodged out of the way of large club the monster used as weapon and was soon propelling her toward a low hanging branch. Landing like a cat, Adra crawled forward, while the other girl, having understood she had something in mind, was drawing the cyclop nearer.
A beat of a heart.
And Adra was jumping, dig Fuurin in the cyclop's shoulder and thrusting her left hand forward, right toward his lone eyes.
The monster screamed in pain and rage – then stumbled to the ground, before disappearing in golden dust.
The children let themselves fall to the ground, out of breath and giddy to have survived the battle.
[Hunt Complete: Cyclop (LV30)!
Reward: +10XP, unlocks Cylop's Trade, Cyclop's Skin and Cyclop's Lungs Perks]
[New Perk unlocked
Cyclop's Trade (1PP): unlocks the Forging Crafting Skill
Cyclop's Skin(2 PP): +5 Elemental and Physical Resistance
Cyclop's Lungs(10 PP): grants the ability to breath underwater
Available: 25PP]
[Life Quest Updated! The Princess of Thunder…
Goal complete: meet Thalia Grace
Reward: +10XP
Bonus Goal complete: help Thalia in battle
Reward: +20XP, +1PP]
[Life Quest Updated! Thunder Boy...
Goal complete: meet Jason Grace
Reward: +10XP
Bonus Goal complete: protect Jason from monsters
Reward: +20XP, +1PP]
[Level up! You are now level 25!
+1 SP, +2MC]
[First Path unlocked!
Path of Body: +10 and KP, +5 to BODY MC, +10 to Fighting Skills
Path of Mind: +10 and RP, +5 to SPIRIT MC, +10 to Magic Skills
Path of Heart: +10% to Critcial Power, +5 to HEART MC, +10 to Communication Skills
Path of Luck:+10% to Critical Chances, +5 to LUCK MC, +10 to Survival Skills
Available: 1]
"I both had and hadn't missed this." Luke mused
"Half-bloods are geared toward battle." Luna pointed out as she caught up with them, baby still in her arms "So it's normal to enjoy I. But at the same time you're not stupid, you realized you aren't trained enough, and that it's very dangerous."
"Jason!" the unknown girl exclaimed, accepting the baby back with a grateful smile "Thank you." she said after having checked on the baby "I wasn't sure we'd make it this time."
"Well two unprotected half-bloods, powerful ones at that… You must attracts all the monsters of the area." Leifr pointed out
"We do." the girl agreed "I'm Thalia," she added finally remembering they hadn't introduced each other yet "And this is Jason, my little brother." she added, gesturing toward the baby she held rather expertly
The children introduced themselves in kind – and the girl nodded "You're the new neighbors aren't you?" she asked "I saw your arriving to the Sparkling House, but like always nobody noticed anything amiss even with all the strange things you were doing." she said, a hint of bitterness in her voice
"Well there are wards around the place to prevent muggles to see anything strange." Luna pointed out
"Muggles?"
"Non-magicals." the ethereal blond explained "You may not be a witch, as a half-blood you're still magical."
Thalia raised an eyebrow "A witch?"
"Did you think the gods were the only beings hidden from the world?" Luna asked inocently, making the other frown and consider the question
"I guess it makes sense… After all the monsters too are hidden, and I saw your family doing strange things that I'm not familiar with." she mused "So you aren't half-bloods?"
"I'm a witch." Luna answered
"And I'm a demi-god too." Luke said with an encouraging smile "Magic is strange, but it's useful even if we can't use it." he said, pointing at the charm bracelet he was wearing "It can hide our scent from the monsters for example."
"Really?" Thalia's eyes widened "Would it be possible for us too?" she asked with hope shining in her eyes as she glanced toward her little brother
"There's not reason it wouldn't be." Adra was the one to answer, pushing herself up "And speaking about it, let's head home, if we're headed to the magical district, we'll need at least one adult with us."
There was some hesitation at that in Thalia's eyes – the same kind of mistrust for adults Luke had when then met him. As if guessing at her feeling, the boy took her hands reassuringly – and the young demi-goddess settled down, reassured by the gesture.
"How is it," wondered a bemused Remus "that each time you go out without me you bring someone new home?"
There was no hostility in the man's voice, thankfully – and Thalia couldn't help but laugh at the genuine wonder she could hear in his voice, an inherent kindness in his voice she wasn't used to hear making her instantly take a liking to him.
"These are Thalia and Jason." Leifr introduced "They're going to need hiding charms."
"Well, we hadn't visited the local magical district." Xenophilius smiled "It's the perfect occasion!"
"Won't your parent miss you?" Pandora was the one to ask
Thalia waved the concerned away "I'm not even sure she's realized we aren't home. But don't worry, I've got money!"
The woman's eyes widened in concern, but she realized that pelting the girl with questions wasn't the way to go.
"Well I'm afraid muggle money isn't of great use in the magical district." she explained "But we aren't short on cash in the family," she reassured her "And if you need anything else, you'll be able to exchange either muggle or godly currencies in Gringotts, the magical bank."
Thalia's awe at the magical world had been a rather pragmatic one, just like Luke, the idea that all these people knew about the gods and the monsters, and how to protect themselves rather appealing for a child that was already far too used to fight for her life for her young age. The warning not to stop training herself not that she had a hiding charm had been all but useless as it hadn't even crossed her mind, same as Luke.
They'd also managed to learn a bit more about her family life while they wandered the shopping district, the girl eventually letting out that her mother still wasn't over the departure of the father, and had fallen into alcoholism.
It was pretty clear that the girl resented her mother, and wanted nothing to do with her, only staying because she was so young – and to take care of her little brother. The situation was heartbreaking, and it was a wonder social services hadn't been called on the woman yet, as this time it was pretty clear that the fact no one cared wasn't due to the Mist, but simply to human neglect.
All in the family knew they'd be looking for a solution for the girl – even if they had to take her and her brother in themselves – but convincing the rather independent Thalia to accept help was going to take time.
In the meanwhile, she was invited permanently in the Shining House as a guest with her brother, and was soon seen coming everyday.
It took all but a week before she arrived one day with a trunk full of her brother and her things, and started participating to the lessons the other children took – that went from muggle school topics to magical and mythological knowledge, with a healthy dose of fighting lessons added to it now that there were several demi-gods in the household.
¤.¤.¤
It was as June was nearing that they met their next half-blood.
The band of children had been walking toward the Coldwater Canyon Park when a large, a bit beaten up pick-up slowed down on the road, coming to a crawl near them. A window panel was rolled down, and a handsome face appeared.
The man was clearly of native American descent, all tan coppery skin, shining dark eyes and cropped black hair. Though he was smiling, there was some sadness in his eyes - belied by the evident relief in his voice.
"Thalia, Jason, I was wondering where you were!"
"Mister McLean." Thalia answered with the kind of smile she rarely gave to adults "I didn't know you were back in the area."
"Just dropping by for a job." he explained "I've got Piper with me and I wondered if you would be opened to baby-sit for a few days while I'm filming!"
"That won't be a problem, just let me know when."
"Great." the man smiled "I really didn't want to take her on the set…" he mused with some left over worry in his voice "I dropped by Beryl's place, but she couldn't tell me where you were…" a frown "You know you can tell me if there's a problem right?" he asked
"Mother is the same as always." Thalia said, a bit of coldness creeping in her voice as she talked about the woman who'd given birth to her "I can take care of Jason and myself."
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should."
"Don't worry." this time, Thalia gave the man a genuine smile "I've got new friends who take care of me."
Leifr, Luke, Luna, Sirius and Adra all nodded seriously at that, making the man's attention turn toward them.
"We're from the Shining House." Luna said with a smile
"And they are bleeding hearts that take in everyone who needs it." added Luke, with both snark and gratefulness in voice
"Hey!" protested Adra with a hint of blush on her cheeks – she had been the one dragging home people left and right after all
"What? It's true!" Luke laughed, Sirius and Leifr nodding alongside
The man laughed at that "Well, it's good you've found people to help." he said "I'll be dropping by Piper tomorrow morning around seven then?" he grabbed something in his car "Here, my contact details if you need them! I'm afraid I must go, I'm already late."
"See you tomorrow Mister McLean!"
The children waved the man away, and Thalia explained "Mister McLean had a small role in mother's last film, and one thing leading to another, he asked me to babysit since he saw me taking care of Jason. He's a single father, and has just started gaining small roles, so he's not that financially comfortable, but apparently he's got a lot of potential." a shrug "He doesn't even live nearby, but whenever he comes for filming, even when he hasn't got Piper with him, he drops by to say hi."
The next day, the same beat up pick-up was parking in front of the Shining House, and Mister McLean and his daughter were getting out.
[Life Quest Updated! A Native Love Story...
Goal complete: meet Piper McLean
Reward: +10XP]
"Oh my," Leto smiled "that's one special girl." he directed toward the father
"That's what my father always said." the other answered, a hint of pain glinting in his eyes before being pushed away
Given how young the baby was – the man's loss must have been quite recent, they realized.
"Condolences. It's never easy to loose a loved one." Pyxis somberly offered
The other met the Black heir's eyes, and nodded, having seen a hint of the same pain in the other's eyes – those weren't empty words.
"Thank you." then toward Thalia "And thank you again for agreeing to keep an eye on Piper."
"It's never a problem." Pandora smiled "Even if we adults tend to be outnumbered, they are mature enough not to make our job too hard." she said
"I see that." the actor agreed, a hint of curiosity in his eyes – but he didn't pry
"Anyway, are you ready to take care of a child with such… special needs?"
This time, the man appeared clueless.
"The mother didn't tell you." Xenophilius was the one to voice everyone's realization
"Tell me what?" he eyed the people around him "Clearly, it's something important."
"It is." Adra muttered "I can't believe the nerve, did she really leave without saying anything?"
"I guess she didn't expect her daughter to be so powerful." Leifr pointed out reasonably, before raising his hands in defense "Not that I'm saying I agree!"
"Why don't we talk about it when you're done with your job?" Pandora offered reasonably "While important, it's not something that'll have any impact right now, so you don't need to worry about it, just focus on you job, and we'll take care of your girl!"
The other nodded – there was still a bit of worry niggling at him, but the lone woman's suggestion was reasonable indeed, and he really needed the paycheck.
"Well," Adra mused as Tristan McLean left the Shining Mansion "Guess we're introducing magic and the gods to a complete muggle."
"Mister McLean doesn't believe in strange things." Thalia said "I didn't even know that Piper was a half-blood too."
"She is." Leifr said "And like I said, a powerful on just like you are, so once she starts to grow up and her powers to manifest, even if she isn't aware of it herself, she'll start to attract monsters."
"It would take longer, as the scent is hidden when the demi-god doesn't realize their own power… But she would also be completely unprepared." Xenophilius added "It doesn't happen often among wixen, as most of our demi-gods inherit an ability to sense magic enough that they can identity each other, but it's always dangerous for the child."
Thalia nodded seriously, understanding easily enough – she remembered the first she'd been attacked after all, how terrified she'd been how she'd thought she would die…
But she also had a celestial bronze dagger on her, that she'd taken everywhere with her ever since she was old enough to hide it on her, and she had managed.
How would she have reacted, if she hadn't been aware she would be attacked, hadn't known what monsters were…. Hadn't had a weapon that could be used against them? Would she have even survived?
Glancing at Piper, her eyes grew a protective gleam.
"Well, I guess we'll have to educate Mister McLean." she said with a firm nod "He's reasonable after all, and he cares about his daughter."
The second part – was a glowing endorsement for her, given her own relationship with her mother…
They talked about it during the day – impressing once more on Sirius the importance of not blurting things out too suddenly, as some people did react poorly to this… But the Egyptian god had made great progress since he'd been adopted by Pyxis, and even if just like the older god he'd never completely understand mortals, he was still far better at acting in society than he was a couple of years earlier.
When Tristan McLean came back by the evening, he was discreetly added to the Shining House's wards. As he was invited to enter the grounds, he tilted his head "I hadn't realized earlier how shiny the house is, I guess this is how it got it's name…" a pause as his eyebrow drew together in a frown "I can nearly seen the glitter move…" he mused, clearly unsure about what he was seeing
Shaking his head he sighed "Well, I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
Pandora smiled serenely, and gestured him toward the path that led toward the back of the house "Everyone is on the sun deck," she explained
The actor followed her, tilting his head from time to time he caught a glimpse of strange flowers or fluttering creatures in the garden.
Just like Pandora had said, the family was gathered on a large wooden porch, Jason and Pepper asleep in a large wooden crib near what must have been Pandora's place, given the abandoned tea cup and large, leather-bound tome.
Some of the children looked to be busy with homework, he noted – he did a double-take as he was what they were using "Quill and parchment? That's a bit old fashioned isn't it?" he joked
"While we've learned that ink-pen and paper are more practical in everyday life, traditions must be kept for school work and official correspondence." Leto answered, raising his head from the paper he was reading before getting up to greet the native American man.
Remus who was nose deep in another roll of parchment pushed it down on the table with a furious snarl "I can't believe she's at it again!"
"Calm down and make words Moony." Pyxis soothed him "What's going on?"
"A new proposal for the next Wizengamot meeting." Tristan raised an eyebrow at the strange word "You should have received it too…"
"I have, but I have read it yet." Pyxis explained "I'm still looking at grand-father's correspondence."
"Anyway, that blasted Umbridge is putting another law proposal for the" he raised his fingers in quotation marks "protection of citizens against dark creatures."
"We'll reject this law like the previous one."
"It's the fourth time in two years." sighed Remus tiredly "Ever since she's gained the minister's ear, she hasn't stopped campaigning against any and everything that doesn't fit in her narrow-minded view."
"Anything but purebloods you mean." Adra said dryly "Some things never change."
"Well if the woman is becoming that much of a nuisance, I guess it may be time to take care of her the Black way." Pyxis mused
"Blackmail and threats?" Leto asked with some mirth in his voice
Pyxis took a scandalized face "Why I nerve! I just want to be sure she's as respectable a witch as she claims to be!"
"She's not." Adra affirmed, some leftover bitterness from her first life bleeding over
"Well then I'll just point out to my respectable peers that we need trustworthy people in the government." the Black heir nodded resolutely, Adra echoing him with a smile that was faintly bloodthirsty
"Ok… so is this some kind of cult I'm not aware of?" Tristan mused, interrupting the exchange
Adra fought a blush.
After lecturing Sirius, they had been the one to forget about the muggle in the room who wasn't yet introduced to magic…
"We're not a cult." Leto said with distaste "I'm not going around saying your culture is a cult, am I?" he pointed out
"I don't talk about witches either." Tristan answered "Even if I do see what you mean." he added with a sheepish smile "Judging on partial information may lead to mistakes."
Leto smiled, accepting the admission for the apology it was "Anyway, less boring political talk, more tea!" he proclaimed loudly
Remus nodded, and deciding that since they were introducing the man to magic, he may as well take advantage of it.
A wave of a wand – and a the pile of parchments was neatly collecting itself and floating toward the office he used in the house, Pyxis following his example… albeit without a wand.
"Study hours over for you too," Leto said to Luna and Anubis
The three put away their belonging swiftly – by hand this time – while Pandora called her husband, who was overseeing Thalia and Luke's sword training cession.
Tristan, pushing to the side the strange thing he'd seen once more wondered "Aren't they a bit young?"
"They are talented." Xenophilius contradicted, sending a freshening spell toward the two children, who thanked him politely "And it's important for them to know how to protect themselves."
"For them in particular?" the actor sharply noted
He may be willfully blind to magic – the man it seemed had some instincts when it came to his daughter.
"For them and all children similarly gifted by their condition of birth." Leto said
"You call this a gift, I call this a curse." Luke couldn't help but said with a scowl "We're misfits. Unsuited for life among mortals, deemed unworthy by our divine parent to be cared for…"
"Your father care for you thought he doesn't dare go against the old laws." Adra reminded him softly
"It's just… They're supposed to be all powerful, but they still follow those stupid rules." Luke sighed "I know he must care at least a bit, he sent you to help after all…" the boy admitted "But I just want to see him at least once…"
"I saw my father." Thalia said dryly "And it drove mother even madder." she rolled her eyes "Persuaded she must be the most beautiful woman in the world, if the king of the gods got into her not once, but twice… He still dropped her like a shoe because of the laws." a shrug "He did seem to care a bit when he was there but… Well they're not on the same wave-length as us, right? I mean he nearly killed me once because he gave me candy from Olympus." a shrug "He forgot half-blood couldn't eat too much of the stuff… And then I had to remind him of it again when he tried the same with Jason!"
"Ok, the joke has gone far enough! Gods? Really? I refuse to belive something like this!" Tristan protested heatedly
"Why?" Luna asked inocently
"Because I can't believe in gods that would be cruel enough to make a world like this!"
"Well for one things, there's this thing called free-will." Loki pointed out "Mortals have a right for self-determination." a sigh "And well, the local gods have grown… Negligent…" he mused
"Mortals forgot about them, and so they stopped aiding them." Anubis nodded "I mean godly powers come in part from the faith of their believers… Without faith, their abilities are reduced."
"You shouldn't tell such stories to children." the actor said "It's unkind to make them believe this like this. That if they believe there's some sort of higher entity that'll help."
"They won't help." Luke said dryly "That's precisely what we're saying. They'll mingle a bit about mortals when they're bored, and fly away when there's a child, using the excuse of the 'old laws'." an eye-roll "So no we don't believe those higher beings will do anything for us." a shrug "Well most of the time, I guess sometime they do try…" he admitted reluctantly
The man was a bit surprised, not having expected this kind of answer.
"Is it this hard to believe in the preternatural?" Pandora was the one to ask softly
"It's like I said…" Tristan repeated, less heatedly and more despondandly "What kind of world is it if those who have the power to help don't?"
"An imperfect one." Xenophilius answered patiently "But it already was, wasn't it?" a shrug "Besides, when help is met with forks and fire, it makes it difficult to want to help." he couldn't help but point out
"Forks and fire?" the man may not believe – he wasn't stupid, and so he easily made the connection with the talk about witches from earlier "You're talking about magic, aren't you?"
"You've already seen it," the Lovegood heir pointed out gently "Though you choose to remain blind."
Tristan's eyes strayed from the shining wall where the glitters still looked to be moving around in lazy volutes – to the garden, where a tree's fruit weren't on the branches but floating lazily around, and finally, he realized that he really wasn't hallucinating.
A warm cup of tea was put in his hands, and he took the time to sip it slowly, enjoying the foreign but fragrant flavor, and slowly coming to terms with what he was seeing and hearing.
¤.¤.¤
"This… You are telling me this because of Piper aren't you?" he finally managed to ask a long moment later
The family had been patiently waiting for him, the children playing nearby was the adults were back to their paperwork he noted with some surprise, not having even realized that all this had been happening around him.
"We are," Pyxis answered calmly "because even without knowing what she is, she will come into her powers one day or another… And will attract attention for it."
"Do you mean that Aphrodite was…" his eyes widened as he realized it as he was saying it
"She was." Leifr nodded "And beware the names, for they have power." he reassured him "I doubt she has any ill intent against you, of course… But well," a shrug "she can also be a bit vain, and she has a volatile temper. All Greek and Romans tend to have some ego, really."
Tristan's eyes widened once more, as he realized what this precision meant – that there must be other gods around.
"Honestly, I think she didn't warn you in good faith," the Norse god forged on "Her gifts aren't that noticeable usually, and as such her children don't attract that much attention too quickly."
"But Piper is powerful." Sirius said "She's already subconsciously using some amokinesis, albeit in a rather harmless way."
"Amo…"
"She's emitting an aura that makes people like her faster." Adra explained "It's nothing more than making people that don't like babies a bit more inclined to tolerate her for now, but it's still very earlier to start manifesting powers."
"Yeah no kidding, I didn't manage to produce my first sparks before I was five years old." Thalia pouted
"And starting to master you elektrokinesis at such a young age was impressive in it's own right." Adra reassured her "Right now Piper's power are passive, just like your immunity against electric damage." she explained
After that, Tristan had slowly started to come to terms with the fact that life wasn't quite as straightforward as he'd thought.
He'd been invited to stay for dinner, and the night, as the adults were rather worried to let him take his car when he was still clearly reeling a bit from all that he'd discovered that day.
The poor man was clearly the one who had the most difficulties wrapping his head around the wixen world and the existence of the gods – but he was trying, for his daughter.
A few days had gone by, and while it was clearly still a lot to take in, the man had extended his stay a few day to spend the week-end with them to visit the magical district.
[Life Quest Updated! A Native Love Story...
Bonus Goal Complete: introduce Tristanto the magical world
Reward: +20 XP, A Father's Strength Perk]
[New Perk unlocked
A Father's Strenght (5PP): +5 to all Communication Skills
Available: 27PP]
The trip had been a cultural shock, but had also helped the man completely accept what they had explained to him -it was one thing to see strange things in a strange house with a strange family…
It was quite another to be introduced to a whole new society, with it's own culture and traditions, and paradoxically, it had helped accept that all he'd learned in those few days was true.
As such, little Piper was now the proud owner of a hiding charm to protect her, and while Tristan didn't know where the magical district was in Oklahoma, where he lived, he was left with an emergency portkey to help if needed, and the promise that they would come and see him in the area once they left Los Angeles.
¤.¤.¤
With that, the wixen and half-bloods parted way with the McLean father and daughter – much to little Jason's distress.
And on the first day of June, at dawn, Adrasteia woke up to a powerful feeling, unlike anything she'd ever felt.
"Brother."
Pyxis opened his eyes, unused to have his sister woke him up like this, but immediately felt the urgency in his voice.
"I need to go in the city." she informed him
He was rather surprised, but agreed nonetheless.
"Another Fate touched one?" he asked with some curiosity
"This, and more." she answered with a smile
Death's noted that she was absentmindedly stroking the mating and wedding mark on her wrist, and suddenly, he understood.
Getting up, he got dressed with a wave of magic, taking care of Adra's own clothing with another magical flare and reached his hand toward her "Shall we go and meet your other half, then, little sister?"
A smile – a the shadows opened before them.
ADRASTEIA LV 25 (4 YO)
BODY
Agility 7(16)
Strenght 4(8)
Endurance 6(8)
SPIRIT
Intelligence 6(13)
Wisdom 7(14)
Fortitude 5(12)
HEART
Empathy 7(9)
Perception 5(13)
Sociability 4(11)
LUCK 4(16)
PERK ACQUIRED (16PP spend, 27 available)
Black First Rite (1PP): grants Easy Black Magic Potency (+10 to Easy Spells of Battle Magic, War Magic and Curse)
Moon First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Light Battle Aura (+10 to all damages)
Potter First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Sensing Skill up to 25 SP
Ravenclaw First Rite (1 PP): unlocks +10 to easy memory tests and +5 to Mentamancy Skill
Jack of All Trade (5 PP): +1 SP per level
Natural Genius (2 PP): double book learning rate (locks Hard Work Genius Perk)
A Father's Strength (5 PP):+5 to all Communication
FIRST PATH - Mind(+10 and RP, +5 to SPIRIT MC, +10 to Magic Skills)