Tamsin saw Kara pull out 4 bottles of beer on the small bar counter and immediately opened 2 of them.
"Wow, never knew there was a human brand called Raging Bitch. Nice name. For beer though, I'm kind of partial to Dark Belch. I should stop by and get you some from Evony's stash," Kara stated plopping down on a stool.
Tamsin just huffed out a laugh, "Well Bo got me that beer brand. It's ok, but Dark Belch is a little too bitter even for me BUT it does have a good kick to it."
Tamsin slowly slid into a stool and smirked, "But good luck getting in contact with Evony. She's still under lock and key."
Kara played with her bangs and aloofly mentioned, "Sleeping on the job Tamsin? Didn't you hear the latest from a couple hours ago? Evony has been released. Vex, it seems wasn't able to run the dark for the region too well, so he brokered some deal with her where they co lead. It was either that or Vex would have to be the ruler of the dark all by himself sooner not later after everyone abandoned him."
Tamsin usually tapped into the Valkyrie network and passively listened but she had not had an opportunity to do so since she just woke up. She would have to validate this information later she mused.
"So," Tamsin said getting direct and to the point, "why is Arin reborn almost a year ahead of time and who is her assigned mother?"
"I was summoned by both Odin and Freya to see them when I returned from my latest mission. When I did go to the throne room I overheard then arguing about you. Apparently they both know and accept that Bo will someday rule over Valhalla as the Goddess of the New Order," Kara informed formally.
"No fucking way Kara. That is not the Odin we know. He's up to something either that or you are playing some trick on me. Don't play me Kara. You may have been sworn into Bo's order but people like you never change and if they do it's for the worst," Tamsin growled slightly. She hated Kara too since she backstabbed Tamsin several times. She was loyal to no one, so needless to say Tamsin took what she had to say with a grain of salt.
Kara just quickly exhaled. Tamsin was right to distrust her but nor did she want to prove herself, but now was a good as time as any but it would mean that Tamsin would have to talk to Hildr face to face.
"Okkkkkk. If roles were swapped, I'd do that same Tamsin. Soooooooo aren't you going to ask me about my new hair style and how I got it?" Kara twirled her hair again.
"No, because I just assumed that someone you double crossed had a vendetta against you," Tamsin huffed out a laugh.
"Well, I did this to myself Tamsin. Long story short, I went to the hall to drop off some souls outside when I was contacted my Odin to see him. Hildr questioned my allegiance and I almost killed her and her fucking cronies that guard the Hall and the people that were worshiping your statue. I…. I was bound by the old code so I stood down voluntarily mid fight to pay homage to the goddess that created it and lay down my life for her. Valhalla. As an offering of peace, I planted my double sword into the ground and gave her my hair is my commitment to her. If you doubt the events at the Hall, ask Hrist and Hildr when you see them," Kara just smiled smugly.
Tamsin just analyzed this and just said in an unsure manner, "So you gave yourself to the mother of our world, Valhalla? Ummmmmm there is no such."
"Sure there is. It was written that as long as Valhalla was, the old code was. Also do you find it peculiar that Odin's and Freya's code tell us to be good stewards to her? Bo gave me a choice as your remember to follow her or whichever god I wanted. Today I follow both," Arin said taking a big swig of beer.
"You can't be a servant to 2 masters Kara. I can't take the chance you will betray me and I don't have time for your riddles either," Tamsin scoffed.
"Bo, the goddess of the new order required that I follow the old code and right now the old code is embodied in Bo. Why? Does Bo have another code? If not, I see no conflict," Arin stated again taking another big gulp.
Tamsin thought about this as silence came over them. Tamsin had every right to dismiss and eject Kara from Bo's order. Even kill her right where she sat because she could not only kill or betray Bo, but Arin as well. That would be Kara's motive.
How to break the deadlock required her to keep an eye on Kara and she communicated without closing her eyes as she drank to Hrist.
'Hey Hrist, it's Tamsin. Earlier, did Kara stand down from a fight voluntarily in peace and offer her sword and her hair in allegiance to serve Valhalla,' Tamsin thought out.
'Oh m..my GODS. T… Tam.. Tamsin, Missing Valkyrie, Bonded par…' Hrist thought back.
'HRIST, PLEASE! Just answer it!' Tamsin smiled as Kara.
'Yes. She was enraged by Hildr's challenge that said would betray Bo and engaged us all. She could have killed several of us, but she accepted her fate and knelt down mid fight in surrender even when we were about to kill her. She … she said that she served the old code and the goddess of Valhalla. BTW we saw Arin briefly. She is with Kara now and… it's unusual to say this, but Kara does seem to be a good mother to her. Kara is patient now,' Hrist thought back.
'WHO is her assigned mother?'
'Kara. Well it looks like it. I don't know if she is really the assigned mother though but she … ummm acts like it. I could be a trick, but I've been a mother to several, and… and… that is hard to fake.'
"So, what were Odin and Freya arguing about?" Tamsin asked Kara stalling for time.
'HILDR! I just talked to Hrist about the incident at the Hall with Kara. I also know she is following the old code. DO *YOU* TRUST HER?'
Tamsin had to ask Hildr. Not only was she there, she was part of Odin's order, and finally they were linked in the fact that they both felt.
Tamsin immediately felt Hildr via her emotions now and the answer was yes. That was a relief because if the answer was no, Tamsin would have to kick Kara out and it would probably be violent, if not for Bo but for Arin.
Kara thought for a moment and then just said, "You were praying to Odin and your voice could be heard echoing all over the room and hallway outside. You asked Odin not abandon you. Freya made it clear that you were the most powerful Valkyrie that was to guard Bo, his blood daughter, and not Arin, myself or any other Valkyrie. She made impassionate plea to give you your powers back."
"What? Freya asked that I get my powers back?" Tamsin registered in shock. Was Freya in her corner after all?
"Yep. Odin knew Bo was injured and said that he couldn't because you belonged in Bo's order, so it is up to her. Apparently, Odin could only give you the power to heal like a human since you didn't belong to him anymore," Kara clarified. "Wow this Raging Bitch crap isn't bad. It grows on you."
Tamsin huffed out a laugh, "And you believe what Odin had to say?"
"Yes actually. First he didn't know I was outside listening in. Second, he was actually at his wits end. He was flustered," Kara smirked gulping the last of the beer and opened a new one.
Tamsin was still on her first beer. Tamsin learned to moderate her intake since it was no longer her life she had to worry about. It was 'sleeping beauty'.
"So," Kara noted, "As to why I am here. Odin and Freya exchanged premonitions of the future concerning Bo. Bo would be overwhelmed by a 'sea' of Fae and she was losing. Second Freya had several where Bo cried herself to sleep with Destiny in hand, Oh yea.. there is it," Kara gestured to it since Tamsin put on the bar. "She was ready to end her own suffering with it."
"Shit," Tamsin exhaled putting her hand on her forehead, "Odin told me that no matter what he did, the dream kept happening. It was as if even being a god, not even he could stop it. And Freya, crap. The only way Bo would even attempt suicide is if I left her or I was killed. No way I am leaving her. FUUUUCK."
Tamsin knew there was a very high possibility now that she was killed. With just Odin's vision of the future, she may have been elsewhere. But with Bo crying to sleep, it was certain she was gone.
This was a raw deal for Tamsin. She felt so selfish for Bo bonding to her only to have Bo kill herself over her death. Her heart sank. Just when things were looking up and she could now at least have a human life span, here she was still stuck with only days, weeks or months to live and Bo was dumb enough to try to match it.
This was grossly unfair for Bo. It was one thing for Bo to fall in love with her, but for Tamsin to fall for a mark. Odin's daughter and trouble-maker extraordinaire? She knew better. She gave Bo her heart willingly and maybe that was a mistake. Sure, she still would not turn Bo in even though in an indirect way Odin was trying to keep her safe, but she should have just disappeared. It would have been better that way.
'Now what do I do,' Tamsin thought in misery, but Kara tapped her shoulder to get her attention.
"Hey Tamsin, we can drink our miseries away later, but the REASON why Arin's rebirth was so early and she is here is that Freya told Odin that if something did happen to you, Arin would keep Bo strong and would continue on IF Bo was her mom. She claimed that a maternal instinct was about as strong as a Valkyrie bond," Kara concluded guzzling the beer and opening Tamsin's.
"So wait. YOU are not assigned to be her mom?" Tamsin asked following up.
"Yes, in the interim. The reason why I was chosen and not another Valkyrie was because I was the only other Valkyrie that swore fealty to Bo. Therefore IF Bo takes Arin in as her mother and both of you guide her, Arin will grow up knowing YOU and be bonded to Bo in some other fashion. Freya already knows that Arin promised you to protect Bo with her lives as well. Annnnnnnd finally, when Arin does grow up and then you move on due to your human attributes, Arin will stand in your place as a full Valkyrie. I must say, Freya did thing of everything, which I hate to admit," Kara leaned back in her stool and relaxed.
Tamsin thought that was a good plan as well, but needed all the other angles, "So what happens if Bo refuses to be her mother or it falls to me?"
"Weeeeeellllll," Kara looked up to the ceiling, "that means that I would raise and train her as my daughter as per my word I had given both gods, Odin and Freya. Look, I don't mind, but I am almost dead certain you have serious reservation on this and NO, Arin needs someone with a longer life span to teach her the ropes."
Tamsin then just blurted out, "Bo is so damn busy with her succubus booty calls and helping out her friends that I can't see her with kids of her own. This is a huge commitment and lifestyle change for her. I… I don't know Kara."
Tamsin hesitated but knew it was better to be blunt with Kara since Kara was on her same team.
"Kara, Hildr vouched for you just now…" Tamsin began but was but off when Arin just chuckled.
"Wait. Hildr TALKED to you?!" she said unbelievable almost spitting out her drink.
"No but, I felt her response when I asked if she would trust you," Tamsin cleared up.
"Wow, she's my harshest critic," Kara leaned forward resting her chin on her hand planting an elbow on the short bar. Honestly, she was quite surprised. That first, Tamsin knew how to FEEL Hildr's response and second, Hildr thought she could be trusted in Bo's order. Talk about flattery after all the wrongs she had done.
"Anyway Kara, you on a very short list of Valkyries I wouldn't trust to raise Arin," Tamsin started saying with caution.
"Wow, I feel the love Tamsin. I think I need a hug BUT no surprises there," Kara feigning hurt feelings and shock. She just waved it off.
"But if Hrist vouched for you as a mom, then it's ok for now so long as you are loyal to the old code AND I get to see her at LEAST weekly," Tamsin stated in a serious tone almost staring Kara down.
Kara didn't flinch but thought it was fair and solemnly nodded in agreement. She hadn't been the mother to many unless assigned. She avoided it since it was a hindrance and burden to her. Also, when she was the mom to Valkyries, her old self found it hard to betray them after they grew up. Yet another issue.
Now under the old code, none where a real problem.
Tamsin was still deep in thought about her demise. At least if Bo had to be strong for Arin as a mother, she would stay, but how that would hurt her. To consistently see and be with a person who is a splitting image of someone who passed. A bonded partner. That arrangement would be bitter sweet.
Tamsin just wanted to turn back the hands of time and just left when she could.
Kara heard a very faint giggle what sounded like it came from Tamsin's room. So jerked her head to look over to Arin and she wasn't there.
"Tamsin? Arin isn't on the couch, I think she is with Bo," Kara carefully noted.
"SHIT! I told her to stay put," Tamsin jumped off the stool and walked briskly to her room and listened.
Kara was close behind also being stealth.
"AWWWWW do over!" Bo exclaimed.
"OK succubus, but keep up with my mega fast reflexes. Miiiiiiiisss Mary Mac Mac Mac, Allllllll dressed in black black black. With silver buttons buttons buttons… " They heard and Tamsin opened the door a crack.
Bo was smiling brightly, beaming with joy. She looked like she too was a kid herself following along with the corresponding hand and clamping motions.
Tamsin never knew that Bo was good with kids, as Arin hopped up and down pointing out that Bo messed up. Bo then swept her up into a hug and tickled her a little, to which she squealed in laughter.
"Awwwwwww Okkkkkkkkk Arin of 3, 4, 8. YOU are in! Now that you are one of us, ya wanna know the SECRET handshake," Bo lowered her voice like it was a secret setting her down to sit in front of her.
"UH HUH, UH HUH, UH HUH! PLEEEEESE Bo," Arin pleaded speaking quickly yanking on Bo's arm playfully.
Kara and Tamsin were not both in awe of Bo. She connected with Arin in just the time they were talking and that was good.
Tamsin smiled broadly. From that moment alone she knew Bo could be a good mother and would teach Arin things that she learned the hard way. That meant that Bo could raise Arin just fine. Maybe not in the Valkyrie ways, but in her ways that Tamsin grew a respect for. Bo would impart the best of herself and Tamsin still had time to teach Arin the Valkyrie ways.
Valkyries really didn't have much of a childhood since they almost immediately went into training, but Bo would be able to give her a full childhood, IF Bo took her has her mother. Beside, Valkyries don't need to be retrained. Their fighting skills came back to them sooner or later. Additional training only made them more dangerous.
Tamsin and Kara entered into the room and stealthily walked up to the bed.
Bo just smirked tightly at Tamsin and giddily admitted, "Wow TamTam, and to think you where this CUTE and precious."
"Better enjoy it, 'cus she'll grow out of that stage in a couple months," Tamsin prodded back.
Arin just popped back up, "Hey mom, when do I have to be back in Valhalla to start to training?"
Kara who was standing to the side and just behind Tamsin just admitted with little emotion, "The day after tomorrow but we have to leave tonight since I have to do another mission for Odin. I'll need to arrange for another Valkyrie probably in your former order to look after you."
Arin frowned and pouted crossing her arms across her chest, "Awww Poopie!"
Bo just found it amusing how spirited Arin was, "Wow, now I know where she gets her stubbornness from," Bo playfully jabbed back to Tamsin.
Tamsin just rolled her eyes and scolded, "Arin, you know the rules. You need to obey your mom."
"Why can't I stay with my twin sister and the goddess of the new order?! She's a god right? So what Bo says goes," Arin agued with her arms still crossed sulking.
Bo just interjected knowing that Tamsin probably needed to talk to her first, "Arin, Remember that I needed to talk to Tamsin first? Can I get a moment with her while you wait in the next room and try to beat your own high score on Rabid Birds?"
"OoooooooooooKkkkkkkkkk," Arin just said getting off the bed dejected latching onto Kara's out stretched hand moping out the door. Kara closed the door behind her quietly.
Tamsin just broke the silence huffed out a laugh, "So Bo, already trying to corrupt my twin sister. Last time I checked Miss Mary Mac and Paddy Cakes were not moves I learned and perfected for combat," Tamsin jeered scrunching her face.
Bo just shrugged and patted the spot next to her, and Tamsin without hesitation sat down and before Bo even opened her mouth, Tamsin kissed Bo on the lips briefly and told her everything she discussed with Kara. She made a promise to Bo to tell her everything voluntarily now that they were bonded after all.
Bo just didn't say a word and let her say her peace. Bo knew how hard this was for Tamsin to just be an open book. Tamsin kept her secrets for so long it was just a reflex almost to hold information back or evade. In Bo's case, Bo would use to have to ask Tamsin directly sometimes before she got an direct answer. Not anymore.
Tamsin finished giving Bo all the facts and Bo nodded and asked, "What do you want to do Tamsin?"
Tamsin furrowed her brows in thought and just mentioned, "I don't know how much time I have left Bo. I can only assume I …. became a legend taking into account both Odin's and Freya visions. I WANT you to give me your word you will continue on even without me if that happens. GIVE ME your blood oath. As much as it hurts me to know that I can't be with you forever, I need you to continue to be that idealistic and stubborn succubus I first met."
Bo hesitated. She didn't want to face the very real fact that her bonded partner was going to die on her not much sooner after they bonded.
"Bo. PLEASE," Tamsin begged. She hated begging but she needed Bo to hold on.
Bo could see in Tamsin's deep green eyes how much this meant to her and it seemed like a dying request. She already agreed earlier to move on and love again but this time, Tamsin wanted something more concrete. As she was pausing, she noticed Tamsin shed a tear.
Her Valkyrie gave up everything for her with the full intent on keeping her alive and happy and it melted Bo to know that, Tamsin, now so human, was still doing the same even now in what could be the worst possible scenario.
Bo's muted expression broke to one of empathy as she wiped a single tear away lovingly from Tamsin's cheek and then held onto her hand looking into her eyes dead on, "You have my blood oath Tamsin…. th… that… I will continue without you no matter what happens."
Bo too shed a single tear but added, "I'm the unaligned succubus after all." Bo did her best to lighten it up and weakly smirk at the end.
"Whatever succubus," Tamsin snapped back doing her best to smile.
It was these conversations that both Bo and Tamsin avoided before, but as of now, they had enough love and bravery to tackle the hard issues together.
"So," Bo mentioned changing topic, "What of Arin? Freya's plan for me to be her mom seems to be well intentioned enough. I love and fully trust you Tamsin. What do you suggest, if you want to tell me?" Bo asked making sure to give her a choice so that the thrall would not affect her.
For an instance Bo mused that by Tamsin voluntarily telling her everything, the thrall really didn't really affect her. So how much of thrall was left that was keeping her in line from her jealous rage directed at Lauren?
"Emmmm. I know Kara has changed radically now following the old code and even her harshest critics are coming to her side. However, Kara being at the bottom of the barrel before at least, and the glaring issue with her inability to spend time with Arin due to her missions, kind of leaves Arin in a lurch. Normally the assigned mother can not only spend time with the young Valkyrie but also has a tight knit support system. Kara has neither. Don't get me wrong. From the looks of it, Kara will do her very best to support Arin to the point where she is independent, but it's not optimal," Tamsin asserted analytically.
Bo then asked, "Then why not assign Arin to a Valkyrie that can spend that time with her?"
Tamsin then hesitated and also added, "Bo, I want time with my sister too and that can't happen with any other Valkyrie and I also need someone more…. Permanent than myself that is with me," Tamsin frowned and looked away. She knew what she was asking of Bo and it was unfair to just thrust this weight and obligation on her but she needed to at least ask.
She was now asking Bo to become a mother. Granted Bo wasn't a Valkyrie by any stretch of the imagination, but Bo was the Goddess of the New Order in Valhalla which did allow her to take Arin as her daughter. As for the support system? She had the gang. Fighting skills? She would get all those back eventually but Bo had enough connections where she could still pull it off if additional training was needed. As for the rituals, ceremonies and traditions of Valhalla? Who gave a crap? Arin would grow up to be an independent thinker. She wouldn't be lemming like Tamsin who learned things the hard way.
Also if Bo was her mom, it would give Arin's promise to protect Bo with all her lifetimes more credence than just doing it out of her sister's request. Bo would still be protected by the best Valkyrie she could think of even after she was long gone.
Finally Arin would have 2 support systems, the sisterhood AND the gang. No other Valkyrie would be as privileged as Arin if Bo accepted.
Freya was right Tamsin brooded. The bond of a mother was almost as strong as the bond Bo and Tamsin shared now. It would keep Bo going. Freya was in her corner after all and she knew how to feel and navigate with emotions all this time. She just didn't display it.
Bo really didn't need to hesitate when she responded gently guiding Tamsin by the chin to look at her, "I would gladly be her mother only if you think I am worthy of such a task. We can raiser her together. OK?"
Tamsin just nodded quickly and hugged Bo tightly, "Thank you Bo." She said overjoyed.
"Tamsin, I love this new side of you. You tell me everything even when you know it may hurt me and I know it is not because of the thrall. So no, thank you." Bo murmured in the hug. "Please stay me forever Valkyrie."
Tamsin just held her even tighter. Bo's request for her to stay was a loaded one. How can she stop fate? Tamsin wanted to be with Bo but being stuck with her 24x7 would cramp her style. Also fate had a way of still coming true right when you did drop you guard.
"I can't stop fate Bo. If Odin can't and he's a god, what more me?" Tamsin murmured finally releasing Bo from the hug.
'Kara, Bo has accepted to take the role as Arin's mother. Thanks for taking care of her in the interim,' Tamsin thought out to her.
'Arin reflexes from what I can tell are top notch. She also feels more so than other Valkyries her age. She seems to be in tune with her emotions and deals with them quite well despite getting her memories back loaded with it. It's odd, we repress emotions and trained to do so, but Arin accepts them and works with them quickly without getting worked up. She's .. she's fit to be your twin sister. She's a… a… ummmmm' Kara thought back but couldn't find the right words. All the words she used in her vocabulary were harsh and void of any emotions. Now she wanted to say something nice and it had to carry the right sentiment.
Tamsin was still kissing Bo but that even got her attention, 'Just spit it out Kara.'
'Ummmmm she's good … no… nice… wait… CRAP….. ummm cute as a button?... ummm Dammit Tamsin if you repeat any of this I will kill you…. she's an absolute darling and judging by her reflexes alone is also worthy to be in the 3rd order. I'm actually disappointed… no….. SADDENED that I won't be her mom now,' Kara finally spat out still trying to play this new Miss Mary Mac game with her.
"Holy crap," Tamsin said breaking the kiss.
"What?" Bo asked curiously thinking something happened while they were kissing.
"I just told Kara over the link that you will be her mom and I expected her to be relieved to not carry the burden as normal. However, she just told me she was sad to let her go," Tamsin thought out loud.
"And all this time I was thinking that it was my succubus skills that impressed you," Bo jeered.
Tamsin's sheepishly grinned, "Sorry succubus, was multi-tasking there. Emmm would you rather not have me do that next time?"
Bo was flattered that Tamsin was so considerate of her feelings but loved Tamsin for who she was complete with all her idiosyncrasies and just pecked her on the cheek and mentioned, "You do what comes natural Valkyrie. I am sure I do weird stuff too that you overlook."
"Yea true. It happens more often than not," Tamsin scrunched her face at that confession but was also being sarcastic.
Bo then circled back in a serious tone and requested again, "Will you promise to stay with me forever?" Bo hugged Tamsin tightly not wanting her to go. The talk about not being able to avoid fate wasn't right. Tamsin was never a person that just gave up, but these visions of the future essentially sealed her fate.
Tamsin would find true love, become possibly one of the most powerful Valkyries out there, only to be taken out of the picture by some Achilles heel and Bo had a sinking feeling that she had something to do with it as well.
Tamsin knew by virtue of Bo asking her to promise, it meant she was avoiding the thrall effect and it also carried with it certain gravity to it that Bo need reassurance and closure.
"It's called fate for a REASON Bo. …." Tamsin huffed out.
"*I* choose my own fate and so can you Tammy," Bo interjected forcefully.
Tamsin just thought about it and just calmly retorted, "What if fate and choice happened to be one and the same? Where you willing chose it with or without the foreknowledge."
"That's not fucking choice. You would never choose to leave me willingly Tamsin," Bo pleaded grabbing her hands.
"Control is an illusion Bo. We think we can somehow control everything, but we have to face it, there are things out of anybody's, even Odin and Freya's, domain," Tamsin huffed out.
"NO! We will freaking find out what happened and avoid it! You're giving up on me and I don't accept fate. Our lives are a combination of BOTH fate and choice and *I* choose to not allow you to leave my side as selfish as that seems. I am commanding you to stay with me until tomorrow ceases to exist for us all," Bo roared in despair.
Tamsin just smirked back at the desperate succubus before her and just chided, "And fate takes commands from the Unaligned Succubus and Goddess of the New Order?"
"Tamsin, I may be Baby Fae to you and my opinions may seem to have less merit than yours when taking into consideration your life times of experience. But you are frackin' jaded," Bo argued getting agitated.
"There is an order to the entire universe Bo. You think you can bend and break every rule out there, but there are some that are immutable…" Tamsin puffed out in an exhale like it was a commonly known fact.
"The end of your life is *NOT* one of them! That is non-negotiable!" Bo yelled getting out of the bed turning her back to Tamsin.
"Gods Bo!" Tamsin yelled back throwing her hands in the air, "You'd sing a different story if you knew my full history! It's just so convenient to overlook all the shitty stuff I did in my past lives but the universe doesn't forget dammit with or without your forgiveness!"
Arin and Kara were just staring at one another. They had stopped playing their game since they could easily hear Bo and Tamsin argument loud and clear.
Kara just nicely said, "Hey Arin, let's take a walk ok?"
Arin just stubbornly stated, "No. Tamsin is my twin sister and we don't hold secrets from one another any anymore." Arin knew this already the second she was reborn.
Arin bit her lower lip and asked Kara unsure of what will happen, "Mom, will they be OK? They seem really angry at one another."
Kara had no experience in this field but thought it best to answer as honestly without hurting her daughter or former daughter, "Bo, the Goddess of the New Order, is a Succubus. That is how they communicate, with feelings. It… It takes a very special Valkyrie like your sister to be able to talk those same emotions back and still respect one another. They'll be fine my daughter."
"But… but how can they be ok? This is all negative energy," Arin furrowed her brows.
Kara was speechless. Arin was asking questions that were not only out of her domain, she was analyzing them critically. Normally as Valkyrie could care less about this emotional nonsense or shut it out. "They are bonded. They will always come back to one another. OK?"
Kara hugged Arin overriding her own training but it was what Arin needed and if Arin was going to be raised by Bo, she'd better be able to deal with these more complex emotions regardless. Kara really had no idea if what she said was true, but surmised that if Tamsin could stand to be around a succubus which was almost a complete opposite of a Valkyrie, the bond had to mean something since it still formed.
"How fucking gullible do you think I am!" Bo screamed jabbing a finger toward Tamsin, "Stop playing that tired song bitch! You even said that in the letter. Do you want to know WHY Trick just magically got out of our way?"
Tamsin just crossed her arms and shrugged, "Emmm because he knew you wouldn't listen and was hoping for reverse psychology to work?"
This snarky comment just riled up Bo even more as she just spat back, "Because I made a deal with Trick on your behalf. He promised to get out of my freakin' way *IF* I read every single book he had about Thomasina and the Twin Dark Valkyrie's evil deeds! So YES! I know everything darnit so STOP belittling me like I'm some kid! I CRIED myself to sleep when you were away knowing that you directly or indirectly killed maybe millions of innocent lives. You SPILLLED an ocean of innocent blood under my father and what hurts me the most is that YOU fucking knew better! Then to top things off, you took contracts for sole profit and greed doing what?!"
Tamsin didn't have to wait long at all as the extremely frantic succubus before her just continued and threw her hand into the air like something that just exploded, "Killing more innocent people! Finally, I'm not dumb enough to let you bond with me without knowing what I was getting into. I'm a brunette, not a fucking blonde!"
Bo just plopped on the bed sitting on its edge with her back still to Tamsin.
Tamsin then felt really bad for doing this to Bo, but just meekly mentioned knowing full well that it was a mere pittance to her sins, "I'm…. sorry Bo."
Bo crossed her arms and just was still seething with anger. Apparently Bo still had yet to get over it fully and needed more time. Tamsin just asked cautiously, "Soooooo why, knowing that I'm no good for you, did you pursue me? You had Lauren."
Bo just stated with a tear rolling down her face, "Because Tamsin, no matter how much I tried to break away from you. You were there for me when I faltered, no strings attached. I first thought it was all just a ploy to deliver me to my father, but NO. You gave a shit. You were unselfish and encouraged me, helped me reality check just MY ethics. *MY* ethics. Your Goddess of the New Order. You just knew the correct course of action and guided me to it without being overbearing or judgmental. It was great just talking to you because I knew that if you did the worst of the worst, you had to know what was right and just. I fed guilt free from others for the first time when I was in an active relationship with you. Not because you were inadequate for the task, but you knew what I was and helped me realize that feeding and true love were 2 very different things."
There was a long pause and Bo finally turned around to Tamsin and proclaimed loudly, "But my heart longed for you when you were away and WHO was I to cast you out for being evil because I'd have to face myself in the freaking mirror too."
Bo finally stood up still not done with her monologue and nearly yelled, "You think in only 2 dimensions Tamsin just like most of the Fae! EVERYTHING is over simplified and distilled into just 2 choices.
White,
Black,
Light,
Dark,
Good,
Bad,
Angels,
Demons.
Well screw all that! I'm telling you there are shades of GREY and every color in between!
There are Demons hidden amongst the Angels and in extremely rare cases there are Angels hidden amongst the Demons! And I KNOW I'm no Angel since I just fuck up shit with all the time with my good intensions alone.
I feel like that Demon among all the Angels!
Tamsin, I bonded with you because I found you that while you were no angel, you weren't a demon either. YOU were the ONE Angel amongst all the Demons and my compliment.
So DON'T give me the self pity crap about your past life. Like you said, past life, past tense. MOVE FORWARD.
You also told me in your letter that no one can change the past."
Bo exhaled and tried to get the best way to say it when Tamsin interjected.
"Bo, I am truly grateful for your forgiveness. I'm also sorry I belittle you and don't give you enough credit. Kendra told me the same thing," Tamsin mentioned softly, "I wish I could take back all the evil things I did, but my time machine kinda ran out of gas. I accept fate Bo because I have a lot to atone for."
"Then don't give up when you've already accomplished so much," Bo jabbed back, "I can change the PAST. We all can Tamsin! What we do today affects the here and now and hence will change the future, but what you fail to realize is that when we do this….. It CHANGES how we view the past as result. Tamsin, you are a product of your past and I don't want to bond with and angel. I want to be with YOU. ALL of you."
Bo then knelt at the foot of the bed in front of Tamsin and pleaded, "I know you kept me at a distance initially because of all the demons you hide inside, but I know them all and I have them too. While I don't condone what you did in your past life, you have changed for the better and follow my banner and that is payment enough. I Love you, so PLEASE STAY. Fight. Choose to remain with me."
Bo never felt so needy in her life. Karma or fate had to out for Tamsin and Bo needed more time to figure something out. It looked like more research was needed in Trick's library after the wedding. Bo also came to the realization that she may need to talk to Odin and Freya since they seemed to have critical pieces of the puzzle, but that had to be as a last resort.
Before Tamsin knew it within a span of minutes, Bo had transformed from a raging mad succubus to a goddess enforcing her wisdom against the universe to a very vulnerable human now cowering in utter ruins requiring something that wasn't necessarily hers to give. Tamsin felt really dizzy at this turn of events and much of what Bo said was true. It was a rarity to have such a young Fae know so much about life and wielded her power well in addition. What kept throwing her off was how human and vulnerable Bo was despite being a goddess.
It broke her heart to see Bo like this now. They were bonded now and Tamsin wasn't going anywhere by choice. But Bo had become so dependent on her, Tamsin realized, that she at least had to be that pillar of strength too for the succubus to continue.
Tamsin felt her face get red at Bo kneeling before her and just finally said, "Bo. I will fight against the whole world and universe for you. Fate better watch his back since he obviously didn't know not to fuck with a Valkyrie."
That was the best that Tamsin could do as she could not guarantee that she would be by Bo's side but apparently that was all Bo needed to hear that she'd try.
Bo leapt up and tackled Tamsin who thought it was some sort of ninja move and immediately rolled on top of her and restrained her out of reflex.
Bo just giggled and cooed all reenergized, "I love you Tamsin. Do you always wanna lock me up when I'm over joyed?"
"Whatever succubus," Tamsin huffed out a laugh and lightly planted a kissed on Bo's inviting lips. Tamsin then backed up and then helped Bo up too.
Bo then asked with her puppy dog eyes, "Tamsin, will you sing just one song for me?"
Tamsin scrunched her face, "I don't sing Bo."
"Yea right, so were just talking to Kendra on the mezzanine at the church?" Bo challenged.
Tamsin just gave up and rolled her eyes, "Fine, I was doing a favor for Kendra but I stopped singing several life times ago. I'll do my best but just don't laugh. What's the song?"
Bo just stated bluntly, "Memory from the musical Cats."
"Uggg," Tamsin rolled her eyes.
"What my Valkyrie, you don't know that song?" Bo inquired grasping her arm in reassurance.
"I kind of do, BUT," Tamsin said scrunching her face, "I hate musicals since they NEVER happen in real life. Take the Phantom of the Opera for instance. If there's a fucking pissed off ghost in a theater, RUN away idiots and don't stick around to find out. But Noooooooo. Instead some girl's gotta stay around and sing something to the effect that the Phantom of the Opera is there. Well no fucking shit! RUN forest RUN!" Tamsin just chuckled at the end.
Bo giggled as well. What Tamsin said was true but her take on Broadway plays were so typical of her and hilarious at the same time.
"Oh please sing for me TamTam. Just this one song for me," Bo pleaded.
"Nope. Besides, I know the melody but not the words," Tamsin mentioned trying to wiggle her way out of it and offered, "Why don't I just sing the Ave Maria. It's a tried and true secular classic of mine."
Bo just ignored her and reached for her phone and typed quickly and in less than 15 seconds pulled up the lyrics then waved it on front of Tamsin, "Hey, new invention call the internet Tammy."
Tamsin frowned.
"Please Tasmin, it would mean a lot to me my Valkyrie and Angel of the dark," Bo pouted.
"Fine," Tamsin rolled her eyes to the ceiling and took the phone.
Tamsin never sang for a private audience before. She hopped out of bed to stand in front of Bo and cleared her throat.
Bo was like an eager kid and decided to lay tummy down on the bed with her right arm propping up her head with an attentive look. She knew she was in for a treat.
Tamsin played the tune in her head and sang, a little nervously at first since she was singing for Bo and not to some faceless crowd.
"Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can dream of the old days
Life was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
Every street lamp seems to beat
A fatalistic warning
Someone mutters and the street lamp sputters
Soon it will be morning
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life and
I mustn't give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale court smell of morning
A street lamp dies
Another night is over
Another day is dawning
Touch me,
It is so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you'll touch me,
You'll understand what happiness is
Look, a new day has begun."
Both Arin and Kara stopped the game they were playing again and just listened to Tamsin.
Kara knew that Tamsin and Arin both use to sing as a part of a choir for Odin and Freya, but those days were long gone as the need to collect souls took precedence over more formal celebratory events not directly linked to it. All Valkyries could sing to a degree, but when you were part of THE Choir in Valhalla, it meant you were beyond good. You were the best and practiced to become so. When Arin and Tamsin were there, they were inseparable as new Valkyries to the order and rumor had it, they were the best in the choir.
Now Kara got to hear Tamsin for the first time and was moved. Not only did Tamsin sing it perfectly, it had a presence to it that she couldn't quite explain. Kara could not only hear the words, she felt it.
Kara knew that this song was from a play where the character, a much older cat, was reminiscing about her younger life where she had everything only to end up being a shadow and now deposed relic of herself towards the end of her life. The song did end on a happy note as the cat was ok with this since 'tomorrow' promised a new life of happiness. It was all the reason to hold on for tomorrow.
Arin was in awe of her sister and if her sister could sing like that, then could she? Arin turned to Kara at the conclusion, "Mommy, will I ever sing that well?"
Kara just grinned. Had she been her former self she would have down played and put down Tamsin's singing ability, but now, Arin was her own and needed to build her up, "You will. You were with Tamsin in the Valkyrie chamber choir many lifetimes ago. I heard you were the best out of all of them."
"Were you ever this nice Mommy? I don't seem to have memories of that," Arin asked since she knew every memory that was trickling back about Kara was a bad one.
Kara just hugged Arin and laughed lightly, "I swore fealty to Bo and the creator of the old code. My… my PRIORITES have changed radically since Bo healed me. Besides, you can only play the bad guy only so many times before you prefect it, so now it's time to take on another role."
Bo was beyond speechless. Tamsin did sing with both power and emotion and by the gods of Valhalla, she wasn't a weapon of destruction any longer. Tamsin was beauty, both inside and out.
Bo wiped away a couple of tears that fell because Tamsin just managed to move her heart yet again and for a moment thought her assessment of her being an angel amongst the demons was wrong. She was just an angel.
Tamsin couldn't believe that Bo tricked her again. By the second stanza she knew she was in trouble. That's what she got for not knowing the words off hand but did her best to sing it. Then something magical happened, when she sang it, she believed it and filled with hope. The song moved her jaded soul and it changed her.
It was one thing to just say it, but sing it? That was the same as proclaiming it to the world and making a commitment to follow through as well.
Tamsin finally concluded and plopped down next to Bo both ticked off and embarrassed that she managed to be duped again but at least it was Bo, her bonded partner that did it.
Bo could not help herself and just had to kiss Tamsin all over gently on her face and just murmured in an almost inaudible tone, "I surrender my angel of the dark. I don't care what the past says about you, IT'S WRONG. Thanks for giving me your word that you will fight for us until tomorrow ceases to exist."
Tamsin put her arms about Bo and there they sat silently but Tamsin finally replied softly, "You tricked me again Bo. I … I just never knew surrender could be so sweet."
Bo just mumbled back, "Ditto."
Silence engulfed them for a time until Arin's giggle could be heard outside probably from a game.
Bo just wacked Tamsin's arm lightly and changed topic with a coy grin, "OK, Arin and Kara have been waiting so, let me get dressed and let's get out there."
"Juussttttt a couple of ground rules when dealing with Arin," Tamsin mentioned helping Bo out her shirt which was really hers anyway.
"And they are?" Bo put her arms over her head allowing the shirt to leave her person.
'Wow, I could get use to this,' Tamsin though taking in all of Bo's naked form. Bo just acted like nothing was out of the ordinary.
"First as you already know I am EXTREMELY protective of my younger sister and I just forgave you for deflowering her SEVERAL times before. So…. Rule number one," Tamsin announced.
"No succusex around Arin until she is of full adult age."
Bo just nodded.
"Sooo that means that IF you need your fix, feed yes, but undressing, ripping clothing off, defiling, sacking, heavy petting, pillaging, dominating and raping your Valkyrie or other intended feed is a BIG no no while she is around," Tamsin smirked knowing that Bo would grudgingly agree.
Bo frowned and bit her bottom lip. She loved doing all those things to Tamsin and more and to not do it, was going to be a challenge. She just nodded slowly at the gravity of the situation.
"Two, when Arin is of age, you take care of the birds and the bees talk even though it will come back her anyway but DON'T show her advanced succubus techniques. AKA nothing slutty you understand. Arin will probably remember enough moves as is from her past life."
Bo just nodded looked to the ground like she was being scolded.
"Three, I get final VETO power what she wears. I don't need that Goth Pet of yours showing her all the different shades of black she can put in her wardrobe among other things and I don't need her showing off more skin than clothing," Tamsin voiced looking up in the air to get more rules.
"Four, she needs a rigorous training routine since she IS a 3rd order Valkyrie. I will train her at first, but I dictate her training and who she trains with at the very least 3 days a week which I still think is rather minimal," Tamsin looked at Bo and Bo just looked up at her and nodded once more meekly.
Tamsin knew that Bo was feeling the very real pressure of being a parent and she was after all reading her some sort of riot act so she decided to end on a positive note.
"Finally, you will be Arin's sole guide on life. Arin will have emotions unlike any other Valkyrie. You will teach her how to deal with her emotional stresses and still make sound decisions. Be her mother, counselor and guide. Have her learn to be a leader of many and have your ethics and standards. I need you to be there when she succeeds and becomes the great Valkyrie I know she is, but more importantly, I need you to be her rock when she falls. Give her what I didn't have for the longest time, an extended loving family," Tamsin concluded with a click.
Bo looked up and Tamsin and smiled in earnest. It turned out Tamsin asked for so little and since she got everything else. She was actually honored that Tamsin trusted her that much.
"Do you agree to everything my succubus?" Tamsin queried.
"Yes," Bo smiled confidently and kissed her.
'Kara, take Arin for a walk at the kids park across the way, keys in the junk kitchen drawer. Need to talk a little business with Bo for 10 minutes,' Tamsin thought out mischievously.
'OK, you sure that is enough time so satisfy her appetite?' Kara quipped as she was now teaching Arin a game of reflex which all Valkyries do to sharpen their acuity and skills. Arin was really good at it.
'Yep.'
"Thank you," Tamsin murmured out seductively kissing Bo on her neck ghosting her lips down Bo's jugular.
Bo immediately and unconsciously tilted her head back to give her Valkyrie access to everything.
"Thank you," Tamsin said again softly kissing the base of her neck.
"Mmmmmm" Bo purred out softly.
Tamsin then paused at her color bone , her lips just barely touching it, breathing on it heavy. Bo arched her back expectantly and Tamsin backed up.
Bo was in lala land, Tamsin had learned her well. Too well. By Tamsin not giving her what she expected it was sending her other senses in over drive as she closed her eyes hapless at what this warrior was doing to her.
Tamsin then planted a quick light kiss onto Bo's collar bone, and just mumbled again, "Thank you."
Bo arched her back more to which Tamsin pushed her back gently into the bed.
Tamsin was kneeing next to her as she planted another light kiss lower toward her now firm nubs. "Thank you."
Now Tamsin's other hand was ever so lightly touching her ankle and it was moving up
"Ahhhhhh," Bo left out a muffed gasp trying to suppress her noises from being herd by Arin.
"TamTam," Bo hissed out grabbing as much sheet as she could, "Arin might hear. You said…."
Tamsin hovered over her tip and just sweetly asked, "I said You Bo." Tamsin then whacked Bo's harden nub with her tongue.
"Ahhhhh," Bo mewed out yelling into a pillow next to her.
"But I… can do WHATEVER I want, YOU have just have live with it, but just relax and let me show you how grateful I am," Tamsin said in a husky voice her lips encircling her tip and her other hand heading quickly to the castle gates.
"Fuuuuuck!" Bo stifled her yell into the pillow again.
"And Bo, I have a huge surprise for you," Tamsin cooed out entering Bo and switching to her other tip pulling Bo in close to her.
"Uggggg, please, end this," Bo pleaded.
Tamsin then smiled and in a seductive voice just inches from her ear, "After you kept dominating me and I you, I learned ONE thing when we stopped doing that to each other."
Tamsin then started to bring Bo to her crest but slowly. "I learned how to be gentle, kind and most of all, how to LOVE. I love you for just being you."
Bo wanted to just aggressively dominate her Valkyrie but Tamsin was doing something radically different. First of all, Tamsin was saying 'thank you' after each kiss. This was unlike her and second Tamsin was kissing her with upmost care. Tamsin was expressing love and not sex. Bo just melted and let her.
Bo came to the precipice slowly as if walking up to it and then Tamsin gently allowed her to crest.
Lovingly.
Bo didn't scream but controlled her peak and hugged Tamsin in a vice-like grip.
She floated back down to earth and Bo kissed her Valkyrie and angel of the dark, now returning the favor.
"God I love you TamTam," Bo cooed nipping her ear lobe and her hand sliding into the leg hole of her loose shorts. "Ummmm no underwear Valkyrie? I love it."
"No time to slip some on… Goooooooooods," Tamsin exhaled smoothly as Bo's finger worked her bring her to the edge gradually as well.
Tamsin crested quietly, but when she was descending she felt Bo's charm flow into her. It wasn't strong, but it was just enough to allow her to glide down from her peak slowly.
"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkkkk" Tamsin whispered out with every breath grabbing onto Bo.
After all was said and done, Tamsin just locked onto Bo's mesmerizing brown eyes and just said all exhausted between several breaths, "I… I… I *LOVE* you Succubus."
"God you're fucking amazing my angel. You had me as soon as you pulled those succubus type moves on me at Tricks place. I love you too," Bo confessed solemnly. This was also probably the first time Tamsin didn't say her signature phrase, 'I hate you' after sex. Of course that really meant that Tamsin loved Bo but felt embarrassed by the fact that Bo had so much control over her. Now it seemed that Tamsin was ok with Bo having that much power over her. Tamsin was giving all of herself to her and it was really a sweet gesture.
Tamsin really found it heart-warming that Bo was calling her an angel. She deserved no such title, but at least the person's opinion that seemed to count the most thought so.