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Stellan'spov

„Of course, I appreciate the art, it's just that I think that they could have put a little color in the ceilings so more people would notice." I stated my thoughts on the subject "I mean, do you even know how many people actually look up when visiting a church?" asking for hard proven facts was a hit below the beltand I was aware of that.

"They have services, like that? That's a grand waste of money if there ever was one. And you just want the color up there so you would have had something else to analyze once you got bored with the other quests." Raven smirked, having seen through my initiative for the argument.

I sighed „It's just that the connections in a savant family are easier to read and the only people who weren't overjoyed with the wedding were Summer Whelan, who was obviously nervous about her reading piece, which she should have not been nervous for, because she read that beautifully. And the other person showing interesting thoughts was Victor, but he's most likely thinking of a way to get to his soulfinder." I said eyeing the mentioned individual.

Raven frowned "Well he is in quite a pickle with that one. Having your soulfinder imprisoned in Afghanistan of all places must suck, especially for a FBI agent"

"At least he has one, unlike some of us" Xav said putting a piece of cake in my sister's hand.

Ray looked at the cake and smiled "If it gets me free cake then I'm fine with being alone," she took a bite grinning "besides I'm just so perfect that I don't need another half to complete me anyway." Xav and Crystal smiled at that.

"Thank you for coming," Crystal said "I know that it was quite the trip for you"

"You won't say that after you open our gift, and we had to visit Tanya anyway you guys were just a side trip" Raven grinned.

"And why is that?" Xav inquired.

"Because between Stellan's intelligent and my creativity there really isn't anything we can't pull off." Raven smirked.

She was lying, hacking into their computer and getting the pictures we deemed to be the most embarrassing did not show our skills at all. Getting to throw codes was as simple as reading QCD Lagrangian equations. Making the bride and groom an embarrassing photo album each, had been Ray's idea and it seemed easy enough to pull off so we just went with that.

"I swear if it's a glitter bomb I'm so not introducing you to my man Kurt Voss" Xav threatened Ray with his finger pointed at her.

My sister put on a dramatic act of looking worried and then grinned evilly as she said "oh please it's much worse than a glitter bomb and I'm sure Will wouldn't mind making our introductions" she said already weaving at the said man.

Xav stopped me before I could follow Raven and asked in all seriousness "how's she doing?" he's voice was low probably to keep Crystal from hearing our conversation.

"She's better now that Tanya in-forced the shields around her subconscious, but there are nights when some of the nightmares still pass through" I said making my voice quieter too. These were personal matters and I did not need all of Savant net knowing what the victory against the Caese's had cost to Raven.

As it turned out Genevieve had played a big role in controlling Ravens immense powers, and also in keeping the lid on most of the traumatic memories that haunted my little sister in sleep. After the incident she had figured out that her powers had more to them then she had previously thought. So when her bedding started disappearing I first thought that she had less control over her powers while she slept. But it turned out that during night time, when her nightmares got too bad, her instincts took over forming a protective barrier around her.

I had originally asked Xav if he had any idea how to help Ray, seeing that he is a healer. But later, after doing some research I figured Tanya would more likely be able to help. Though my sister's ex-soulfinder still kept tabs on her via me.

"I think you should let her talk it out" Xav was saying.

"I'm more than happy to listen, but I think she needs to face everything first, and for her it's hard seeing as it has barely been six months since she lost Genevieve. She has only recently stopped staring into space in hopes to contact her"

"And here I thought the no emotions thing ran in the family" Xav said, sporting a grin, which told me that he had said something similar to Raven at some point. My guess was somewhere around the time they met last Christmas.

"I do know how to read emotions" I said and silently added, I just don't know what to do with that information.

I was never good at understanding how emotions worked, sure I could read the situation but why I had to act differently according to each one was a mystery to me. The only person whose emotions I understand is Raven. She seems to think a lot like me so it's easy for us to predict and understand each other.

"You're hopeless," Xav said shaking his head, then he tilted himself towards me "what's in that box though, should I be worried about opening it in public?" he asked indicating to the gift table.

Giving him a cat's grin I said "not at all. I think the guests will find it quite amusing"

Ravens pov

I felt like I hadn't slept so well ever since Genevieve passed away. Stel and Tanya had cornered me few days ago and we had a long talk about my powers and my consciousness. I knew there was a reason why Stel was so keen on meeting Tanya. But I didn't like worrying them so I agreed to let Tanya look at the lower levels in my mind. What she didn't know was that I only let her go to the fifth floor, anything below that is off limits even if they are trying to help me. I don't go down there because I know that they store the core of my power and the suppressed memories. It's mentally exhausting and it's my mind, so I have no idea what it would do for anyone who doesn't know how messed up I really am.

And the closest one to figuring that out is Stellan, but I think he would be fine with it. After all, he's seen what I'm capable of.

But since I wasn't running solely on caffeine today, I could enjoy Xavs and Crystals wedding to the fullest.

"Oh come on, please? Your family is full of talented musicians, can't you switch him out for a few minutes so he can fall head over heels for me" I was currently in the middle of convincing Will and Margot to let me meet the ever so talented Kurt Voss. Who I might have a musical crush on. Strictly musical nothing else.

Will looked at Margot who seemed to be at a loss for words. I decided it's time to start seriously guilt tripping them.

"You really shouldn't be so greedy, you can talk with them all the time" I said making my voice shiver the way Stellan had said makes people feel guilty and it was working, I could see it in their eyes.

"You know I really don't think you were that manipulative when you were a kid" Will said sighing.

I grinned "yeah well dying does change people."

"You really shouldn't joke about stuff like that," Margot pointed out.

"People to say that a lot," I mused.

"I feel bad for Hiroshi," Will said "having to put up with both of you must really be a maddening for the guy" he mocked.

I nodded "yes, his positively at his wit's end with us"

Then as if remembering, Will said "oh yeah I almost forgot, mum wanted to know if you could do a family portrait of us?"

I was shocked, but managed to pull myself back together enough to ask "what?"

Will smiled "I think she's getting sentimental with all of us gone now, and since she wasn't sure if she would run into you here, she wanted me to ask you if I happened to run into you"

I nodded "but why would she ask me? I mean Sally and Simon are wonderful artists."

"She saw the painting you did of Xav, and she loved it," Will smiled at my puzzlement.

It took me some time to remember what he was talking about, but when I did I almost yelled: "Oh, but that was one of my worst works ever, I wasn't even thinking of what I was doing."

Will smiled "I must admit that the model you chose was exceptionally ugly, but the painting itself was marvelous."

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"What's this I hear?"came a somewhat familiar voice from my left, "are you an artist?"

I turned my head and standing there was a mop of black hair and a pair of piercing green eyes. I looked to the stage where he had been just a minute ago.

"So your gift is teleporting then?" I said struggling to keep my cool, I'm not a fangirl, I just really appreciate the music they make, "dang life is so unfair you get musical talent and cool superpowers."

He laughed. "Nothing so fancy I'm afraid," he said looking me over.

I guess I should feel a little self-conscious now, but I think that the blue fit and flow dress looked good on me so I just straightened my back. "I am bit too young for you my dear" I said "you're welcome to stare though."

He laughed again, "from the way the Benedicts talk about you, I'd say that that's not the best idea either"

I turned to Will "William what lies have you and your brothers been spreading about me?"

"Nothing too damaging, I assure you" Will smiled.

"And to think I thought you were the best behaved after Uri," I pouted "Xav has corrupted you." I turned to Margot then "I'm so sorry you didn't meet him in time to save him from his horrible brothers." She burst into giggles.

"But coming back to you" Kurt turned towards me "I heard the word artist, so what do you do?"

"Oh I'm not that good, just an aspiring painter. I do ink-and oil -paintings too, but aquarelle is more my style."

He was nodding as he said "and what's that I heard about you painting the Benedict family portrait?"

"I have done a few before though I prefer still life or single person paintings" I said turning on my professional side.

"Would you mind painting my band then?" he said casually.

My mouth dropped "what?"

"Would you mind painting a band portrait of me and the guys" he said again a little amused at my reaction.

I swallowed "sure, I guess that's fine, but I'm leaving for Japan in five hours."

He crooked his head, then turned to Margot "aren't we going to Japan on our Asian tour next month?"

Will's soulfinder nodded "yes we are, in two weeks actually"

"Can we work it into that time span?" he looked at me.

"You have no idea how long it takes to paint a full length painting, do you?" I asked counting all the stuff I'd have to get before they arrive.

"We can take a break in Japan, the tour hasn't started yet so we can play with the dates a bit, right?" he again looked to Margot.

"Some small arrangements can be made I think, is it ok if we talk about this in privet" she asked turning to me.

I smiled "of course."

As we walked off to find a quieter place I turned towards Kurt "By the way, love your music."