6
The sound of the air horns made Lin jump and start to cry where he had been sleeping in his Taddy's lap. Ianto knew what it was and stayed with the baby as Jack stormed out to watch as the old trucks rumbled in with the bright paintwork of Travellers.
Of course. The Traveller community would accept these people as eccentric, easier to move in the earthling circles needed to survive. Jack watched Luc step forward to stare at a huge house bus, his face changing to one of anger before schooling itself once more and Jack knew it must contain the wife that had succeeded his mother.
Bormeth was puffing out his chest with glee as the doors swung open and then to Jack's shock an old man reached out to be helped down the steps. He looked … gentle. Like ... Odin or Santa or something with white hair, a soft fuzzy beard and his eyes looked kind as they looked over the crowd forming and settled on Rhiannon who stood back with Lilly on her shoulder.
"So, let me see the child Lucannan!" his voice was deep, melodic as he held out his hands and Rhiannon glanced at Luc then gently handed the sleeping bub to her grandfather.
He examined her face closely, humming as he looked at her hair, her ears, her little nose, her lips, her….eyes. They were wide open, Luc's catlike gleam to them as she stared at the man holding her and then she blinked, showing normal eyes as they slid to see where her parentals were and she squeaked at Luc who moved to take her back.
"No, she might rule your house but not mine" the man said grandly as he moved away from Luc to hold her to the sun, "Look at that hair. Just like your mother's."
Others were getting off the transport and one leaned over to see, Luc's face changing again and Rhiannon stepped forward with more strength than she really felt, "And in this house I am the one in charge! Give me my daughter back!"
"You dare speak to the mighty …" the woman blustered.
"I don't speak to bed warmers" Rhiannon snapped "I speak to the man who is not my leader!"
The old man looked at her with surprise as Bormeth moved forward now. Jack felt the brush of fabric and was transfixed as Yan powered past, her black clothing flowing like priestly robes and the bright rainbow ribbons around the edges were like fringe work.
"You are in MY realm and you will live by my rules!" Yan boomed, "For a start, that is MY child. Give her to her mother!"
The old man regarded her and then turned to Bormeth "Who is this?"
Bormeth opened his mouth to answer and then shrugged unable to explain.
"I am her brother, her sister, her elder and the head of my house" Yan let the clothing move and she breathed out as Ianto bled in, the clothing becoming a black suit with a rainbow tie that sent several people running, "I am not the one you wish to argue with here."
The old man blinked, looking Ianto up and down then turning to Luc, "This is who you are connected to now?"
"Yes Ba. This is Mister Missus. He is Rhiannon's brother when not being a woman" Luc nodded.
"Is he…is he a God?"
"No." Ianto answered for him "I am an enigma who has been blessed by the Gods, but I am not one."
"And it is Harkness-Jones?" he frowned.
"Yes Gamell, I am Ianto Harkness-Jones. When in female for I prefer to be called Yan" Ianto nodded, refusing to give him title.
"I see. So. The baby is … right. Give her back a moment daughter" he reached for the baby and held her up.
"In the custom of our people, I give you a name of my ancestor that will go into the song of your life" King Gamell said grandly as he raised the baby to the heavens, "I hereby give you the name Athena!"
"Oh wow" someone muttered, "His mother's name? She won't like that."
Ianto watched the wife frown and step forward to speak to her husband but he was already handing the baby back, "She is perfectly formed, definitely of our blood and I declare her my granddaughter!"
"Grada!" Gecko was running with glee, his siblings following him as he ran for the old man who lit up "It's me… Shae. This is my brother David and my sister Mica as provided by my new Mama."
"She had offspring already?"
"I told you this" Bormeth hissed. "She is of another's bed."
"My husband died in battle" Rhiannon snarled using the agreed story "I was widowed with two small children. My brother took me in, as is the way. Now Luc is my mate, his son my son. My children, his children!"
"Yes. As is the way" the old man nodded.
The queen tried to pluck at his sleeve but he was moving away, the cats sitting nearby gaining his attention.
Luc displayed his teeth at her before turning away.
This was going to be …. Interesting.