Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 5, 2007 17:07:09 GMT -5
[[Me an Emmy only. Others, enjoy the creativity! ^_^]] ------------------- February 14
London, England
10:36 PM ------------------
Snow fell over the city, seeming to hush the normal hustle and bustle of the city life. Aside from the holiday, there was a sense of serenity and warmth throughout the whole city that the snow seemed to cause. It was the first snow of winter, oddly enough. The weather had been extremely unpredictable that year. While many stood in awe, most kept on their busy way, stopping only for a moment to admire the plush white clouds that fell from the sky, a small smile appearing on their features. Lovers walked down street lamp lit streets arm in arm, giggling, laughing, and smiling. But there was one couple, walking only hand in hand and neither one of them were smiling. A sort of grim air hung between them as they walked.
"Daddy," a small voice begged, "Please just tell me what is wrong. I'm sure we can find some way to get through it. We always do."
"Not this time, Panda," an older male voice, "Your Uncle is a nice, responsible fellow. You will be very happy with him. Just look around you, Mana. London is beautiful this time of year. There is no prettier site than London at first snowfall."
"I don't give a pig's heap," Mana said frowning at the male, not even listening to his request, "It snows other places too that are just as beautiful. I don't care about London or Uncle Tom. I care about you. I will not leave your side."
"You will child," Gabriel said, "I cannot continue having you around. It would put your life in danger and I can't have you hurt or killed. Your mother, God rest her, would never forgive me. I promised her when she passed from this world that you would be well looked after and taken care of. And you with me at this moment, I'd be breakin' my promise. I can't have that."
"You promised her that YOU would look after me, not some Uncle I've never met before," Mana said taking her hand from his and crossing her arms over her chest with a pout, "AND you promised ME that we would never be apart. Remember that day in Morocco when I was five. You pinky swore on it, but I guess that doesn’t really mean anything to you not does it."
"Don't be sayin that, " Gabriel said with an irritated sigh, "You know I love you and I promise you that when I get things in order, I will come for you and we can have adventures again. That shouldn't be long and I'll be countin' the minutes until we meet again. Daddy just wants to have things right so we've nothing to worry about again"
Then the handsome older dark haired male stopped and turned to the small blond beauty by his side. He kneeled down in front of her so that her aqua eyes mirrored his own, filled with sadness. He took her in for a moment. She looked just like her mother, which both made him proud and hurt him a little. He loved Emma so much, but having Mana was more than she could bare. Still, she was smiling about her beautiful small accomplishment, even until the moment she died. Gabriel never forgot that. He took Mana to him, and gave her a warm hug. The small blond had a look of confusion at first, but hugged him back, never wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry, my little Panda" he said softly into her ear as he kissed the top of her head, " It is my fault that we are in the mess. It is my fault that I have to leave you here. It is my fault that we will be apart. I hope that you can forgive me...for all of my mistakes. I love you so much. I want...I've always wanted what was best for you. That is why I tried so hard to turn you into the beautiful and intelligent young woman you are today. I'm so proud of you. I want you to know that. I may have done some pretty stupid things in my life, but you are one of my greatest accomplishments, and the reason I keep living from day to day. No matter what happens, we will always be together. Just like your mother is with us now. We are so tightly bonded that our spirits are one. That will never change. Letting you go will be the hardest thing that I ever do in my life-"
"So don't Daddy," the nine year old sobbed into his shoulder, "Let's just forget this whole crazy idea and go back to the ship. We can figure something out...together. We have been in worse situations. Please let me help."
"This is why I have to leave you here," he said letting a small tear go down his eye as he pulled away and stroked the child's face lovingly, "because it will get much more dangerous that we both could have imagined. This is why I am leaving you here. It gives me more inspiration to clean up sooner so that we may be together again. I don't want to live with Tom. I don't want you to have to go to school here, where I can't teach you anymore. I don't want you to have to miss out on having adventures by my side. But, because I want to see you now, again, and forever, this is the sacrifice we both must make. I will come back for you because I cannot live without you. I need you to please understand this, my dear. I am by no means 'dumping you off', but merely leaving you to become acquainted with your long estranged uncle in order to settle some business. I need you to do this for me because you love me. And I need you to be a good girl about it too. Can you do this for me?"
Mana sniffled a bit as she wiped a tear from her eye. She studied the sincerity in his eyes for a moment before giving a shaky nod. She wasn't happy at all, but she loved her daddy and would do anything for him. He smiled and kissed her forehead softly before getting up and taking her hand again. From there to Tom's, they both walked in a heavy silence.
On the stoop, both seemed to take a deep breath and a minute to compose themselves. Gabriel pushed the doorbell with a heavy breath. Mana looked at her feet for a moment then glanced up at her father. He looked down and smiled at her, which caused her to give him a small smile in return. Mana was still very much upset though. She held on to his hand tight as they waited for the door to open.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 6, 2007 11:31:07 GMT -5
At the sound of the doorbell, a small boy stood, racing towards the door. With a roll of his eyes, the scotsman followed, picking the boy up by his collar and giving him a look. "Into the other room with you." He muttered, then opened the door and stopped dead.
"...Gabriel."
Thomas Covenant hadn't seen his younger brother for years - longer than he cared to remember. Running a hand through his greying hair, he cast his eyes downwards and spotted the child - his niece. Snapping his gaze back up to his brother, he nodded shortly. "Come in for a moment, out of the cold." He said, ushering them into the large house. The young boy peeked out of the living room with a curious glance, and Tom shooed him back in. "This is no business of yours, young Mithos. Off with you." With that, he turned back to his brother and waved a hand at the couches.
"Take a seat."
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 6, 2007 15:10:07 GMT -5
"Thank you Tom, " Gabriel said walking in, Mana pulled in only by his hand, "It is good to see you again."
He looked around and then looked down at Mana. She didn't look at anyone, but so much as frowned at the floor. He sighed and came down to her.
"Why don't you go find that boy, Panda, " he said with a smile as he took his finger under her chin and made her look up at him, "Daddy want's a work with your uncle for just a bit. Okay, love?"
"But Daddy," the young girl started to protest, but with one dangerous look for her father she gulped and nodded, toddling off in the direction of the room that the pair of eyes came from.
"Thanks again for letting me come into your home, Tom, " Gabriel said taking his brothers hand in a sterdy handshake, "I know it has been a while between us, but I missed ya. I'm afraid I come on business of a grim sort, and a small request. I am terribly sorry for the timin' though. My ship just got into port. Is there somewhere more private we can converse. My little Panda is a bit of a snoop."
He glared at the doorway to which the aqua eye stuck out. The eye then quickly dissapeared. Mana huffed and crossed her arms as she went over to the nearest chair, not even paying attention to the young man who was in the room with her. She wanted to cry again, but her pride wouldn't allow it. Why wouldn't her father tell her what was wrong? Most times, she was smarter in dire situations that he was. So why was he being so secretive? She hated her uncle and this place already. She didn't want to stay, but if her daddy begged her, she would have no choice. Her glare at the floor softened as she sighed and put her chin in her hands, wondering what this all could have been about.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 6, 2007 16:32:02 GMT -5
"Of course." Tom replied with a weary smile, leading his brother up the stairs. "My study is practically soundproof." He said with a small laugh, holding the door open and then closing it firmly. "...You want me to look after Mana?" He asked. He had surmised as much when Gabriel had turned up outside. "You shouldn't even have to ask, Gabriel." He said, shaking his head a little and sitting down behind his desk, slinging his feet up onto the polished wood. "You should have done it years ago, you know - the sea is no place for a young girl, especially the adventures you end up on."
Meanwhile, downstairs, Mithos watched the girl with his head tilted to the side. "...So you're Tom's niece?" He asked, his clipped, upper-class accent unmistakable, despite being clothed in a dirty shirt and jeans. "Tom's a nice man - You shouldn't be so disrespectful."
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 6, 2007 17:31:40 GMT -5
Gabriel chuckled.
"You have always known what's best Tom," he said taking the seat across from him, "That I do not doubt, but when matters of my daughter are concerned, I still feel I did the right thing. She's well rounded, well trianed, and well educated. I saw to that. She's had all the advantages she would have had on land and more. She's a fighter and a survivor. I'm proud to have her as my daughter. But...it is not her mistakes that I be meeting you here tonight. No, Im afraid you are right. I need you to take care of her for a while."
Gabriel took a deep breath and stood up. He walked over to the window and smiled softly as the snow still fell over London. It really was one of his favorite sights in the world.
"I suspect, being millitary and all, that you know of the war that is threatening our peaceful existance," he said putting his strong arms behind his back, " I was hired by the Gozchu Clan to deliver their illegally purchased weponry to a safeport in Iceland. There the weapons would be stored and an army would hide until China needed them. Everything was sailing perfectly, but then the United Nations found out about the plan somehow, and I was boarded. To save my crew and my daughter, I surrenered the weapons and swore that I had no knowledge of them. They turned the heat to the Gozchu's who mysteriously dissapeared. And now I fear the worst on my head for all of this. I was so confident that we could make it. Helena has never been boarded before by a government heel, but I was not going to jepordize my family for a bunch of Chinese liberalists. I need you to take care of my little Panda until I can find a way to resolve this thing peacefully. Mind you this is only temporary and she is fiercely loyal to me, so no putting silly ideas in her head. I will come back for her when I have settled things, which shouldn't be very long. I have info on where the Gozchu are hiding, so I will go and make my apologiez and offer to replace thier shipment. Hopefully we can come to a peaceful solution."
Gabriel then turned to his brother and smiled. He looked truely amazing and the lights of the city. A person who was both fierce looking, and kind of heart. He walked back over to the chair across from his brother and sat.
"I am glad that you are agreeing so readily, you being the batchlor and millitary man you are," he said lounging back, "and I am sorry to have to ask this of you. I know you have your own life. But it means a great deal to me that she will be safe and well cared for while I am away. I also noticed you have a boy hiding around here somewhere. When were you married, brother? I never knew I had a nephew! *hearty laugh*"
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 6, 2007 17:41:59 GMT -5
Tom smiled warmly, shook his head and laughed heartily. "He's no relation - I was very good friends with his father, and when he passed away, I was charged with looking after the boy. He's only been here a few months - But he's got the hang of things pretty swift." He explained with a smile. "I expect you'd have met his father once or twice, actually - Raiden Misaki, he went by. Quite a big name, and as I hear, it threw up quite a storm when news of his death got around."
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 6, 2007 17:54:15 GMT -5
"Ay Raiden," Gabriel said stroking his strong chin, " I do remember him. Nice fellow and a hard worker. Never a more honorable man. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Make sure that you don't tell Mana any of this neither. I'm not entirely.....*sighs* Im not entirely sure I will make it back from this adventure. I don't want her worrying or following after me. It would just make it all the harder for us to come back alive. And if I do die out there, at least I will know she is safe here and in the best hands available. So do I have your word, brother? Will you protect my most sacred treasure?"
---------
Mana glared at the young boy who dared to enter her thoughts. He was a cute boy, but he had bossed her none the less. A trait of which she was severely annoyed with. No one but her father told her what to do.
"Why don't you mind your own business, *perro," she growled at him, "Who was talking to you anyway? Can't you see I'm busy?"
And with that she hopped off the chair and walked out the door. Like it or not, she was going to find out what her father was so scared of. It had to be big if it got her father this worried about her safety, and she was going to find out exactly what it was. Surely, there was a way to avoid this whole situation completely. She listened around for voices, but remembered that her uncle said that his office was soundproof. So instead she struggled to remember where their footsteps had ended. She walked up the stairs and begun to snoop.
*Perro- Dog in Spanish.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 8, 2007 16:41:07 GMT -5
"I'll keep her here. Keep her safe." Tom promised, watching his brother with sad eyes. Then, he crossed the study and hugged the other warmly. "...Stay safe, little brother. I don't want to tell my niece that her daddy's dead." He said quietly, then stepped back. "Now go, tell her goodbye - But be swift. I know myself that the longer you take, the harder it is."
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Mithos followed Mana into the corridor, grabbing her wrist softly. "I wouldn't, if I were you. You won't hear anything, and you certainly won't get into the study." He told her, with a seriousness that belied his age. Violet eyes watched aqua, and the young boy let go of her wrist.
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 8, 2007 17:13:47 GMT -5
Gabriel smiled and gave his brother a squeeze. He knew that Tom would be reasonable. He had always been the trustworthy ones when they were younger. Gabriel envied his older brother greatly, but in a respectful way. Whenever Gabriel had looked back, he could not deny that there were things he would have changed to be like his brother. But it just wasn't the way things worked out.
"Thank you Tom," Gabriel said as he got up and put his hand on the door, "I will owe you forever, big brother."
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"Get your hand off me your brat," Mana said wrenching her hand out of the boy's reach, "You cannot tell me what to do. You don't even KNOW me. So mind your own business."
Just then the door opened, causing the two children to jump. Mana saw her father come out and her face went pale. Had he heard her? Was she in trouble? He came up to the scared looking blond with a grim look on his face, and a sad smile.
"I best be off love," he said kneeling in front of her, "Your uncle Tom has kindly agreed to take you in until I return. You will behave for him properly won't you?"
"I guess," she said with a sneer and crossing her arms.
"Young lady," he said taking a large hand on each of her shoulders and a dangerous tone, "I want your word on it. Your word as a young lady who will someday be one of the greatest female pirates known to man. I want you to be on your best behavior for your uncle and polite to this boy here. They didn't have to take you in, but they did. I want you to treat Tom and the boy with the same respect you give to me. AND I want you to do well in everything you do, especially school. I will not have me daughter bein a retarded pirate."
"Dad, please," she begged," I wanna-"
"I don't care Mana," he said frowning, "Promise me."
"Fine," she said huffing and crossing her arms. Gabriel smiled. No matter how much like her mother she looked, she still had his spirit, through and through. He pulled her in for a close hug. She was so angry at that moment that she didn't hug him back. She wanted to beat on him and curse him for dumping her off in such a place. She wanted to scream at him for not letting her in to help him. She wanted to thank him for breaking up their family. But instead she stayed silent, frowning, and not looking at him.
"Good bye my little Panda," he said standing up and ruffling her hair. She moved his hand and crossed her arms again, only giving him a nod.
"Father," she said as cold as she possibly could.
Gabriel gave her a miserable look, but then straightened up and headed for the door. He paused briefly, looking back at Mana who still refused to look at him, and at Tom who looked apathetic. He gave Tom a smile and a nod before heading out into the cold night. Mana stood for a moment, not really paying attention to either of the men.
Her heart broke and her stomach twisted and knotted. She had never been so upset in her life. Least of all with her father. How could he just leave her like that? Just to go off on his own adventure. But then the thought struck her. Maybe...maybe he really was just trying to protect her. By the look on Tom's face, maybe this was more dangerous than she had figured. Her father just wanted her in good hands. She was, after all, his only heir. And what better thing to do than to protect your most sacred treasure. Just then she burst out into tears and ran down the stair and out the door into the cold snow without her coat.
"DADDY," she screamed at the shadow who seemed so far away. She ran towards him as fast as she could. The shadow stopped and turned around. The wiser aqua eyes met the young ones as he stopped dead. Mana ran into his open arms and sobbed.
"Daddy," she choked out, "I am so sorry. Forgive me. I promise to be good, I really do. Please don't go tonight. At least leave in the morning. I don't want to let you go."
"Darling," he said softly stroking the frantic girls hair, "I can't do that. But I am glad that you gave me your real word, and I forgive you. I am proud of you my little Panda. I don't tell you that enough. And I know your mother is proud too."
"Please don't join her Daddy," Mana sobbed into his chest, "I want your word, as the greatest pirate who ever lived. I want you to swear you will come back for me so we can be a family again. Please...Daddy...."
"I swear on the grave of your mother," he said softly, tears coming down his cheeks as he held the girl tightly, not wanting to let go himself," That I will come back for you, or die trying."
"Alive, is best," she said with a small smile as she looked at him for one last time, taking in his gentle eyes and sad smile.
"Alive it is then," he said giving her one last peck on the cheek as he stood up, "Now go back in before you catch your death. I can't come back to you if YOU are the one who is dead."
"Yes Daddy," Mana said softly as she turned around with a sniffle and headed toward the house.
"I love you Panda," He said with a wave as he turned around.
"I love you to Daddy," she called after him with a little wave of her own.
Tears were still streeming down her face as she went into the house. She was shivering from head to foot, covered in snowflakes. She was wretched with such emotion at that moment, she almost felt rediculas for crying so much. Her Daddy swore on her mother's grave that he would return. And that kind of swear meant that he was going to keep his word. Still, she had her back up against the doorway, slid down slowly, and cried into her knees.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 8, 2007 17:30:02 GMT -5
Tom watched his brother leave with as apathetic a face as he could muster. He wouldn't let either of the children see him cry - he had to be strong for them. Without a word, he let Mana chase after her father, not taking his eyes off Gabriel. When the young girl returned to the doorway, he finally sighed, picking her up and pushing the door shut with his foot. "Turn the fire on." He said simply to Mithos, and the young boy nodded, scurrying into the living room. "...He'll keep his promise, Mana. And so will I."
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 9, 2007 12:23:26 GMT -5
Mana was to tired to object being scopped up into her uncle's arms. As much as she hated to admit it, his embrace was very warm and comforting to her. She sniffled and layed her head on him as he spoke. When he mentioned her father, she looked at him with a small frown.
"Of course he is going to keep his promise," she said a little indignantly, "He ALWAYS keeps his promise."
ONE WEEK LATER
Mana had settled quite comfortably into her uncle's house. It was large, but not to large, and very comfortable. Mithos and Mana had bonded by becoming rivals in the fighting arena. Tom had seen fit to try to teach them both about combat and guns. Mana taking more naturally to the latter than young Mithos. But in general, there was a sort of grim air, but all were content.
Mana had been the first down to breakfast this morning. She kept checking the paper to see if there was any news of her father or his crew. Again this morning she was dissapointed. The other's joined her not long after and Helga served them all breakfast, turning on the radio as she did. Mana took a look at her eggs then grinned at Mithos, as if ready to throw them, but she could see Tom's watchfull eye from behind the newspaper so she thought better of it. Just then her ears perked up when she heard the latest news signal come on.
And in more recent news, a ship was recently sunk in the depths of the China sea. More is still to come on the name of the ship but it would appear there were no survivors. The bodies of the Capitan and Crew were floating in the ocean when Chinese harbor masters uncovered this burning ship. In a press conferance this morning, Police Chief Daizo stated that it was believed that the ship, being an older ship, suffered from an electrical fault that led to the fuel lines which caused the ship to explode and nothing more. Wait... wait.... I have the name of the ship....
Mana's eyes were wide as she held her breath. She prayed silently that it was just some Chinese fisherman. What she heard next...changed her life.
The Avenger. The ships name was the Avenger said to be the last remaining pirate ship on the seas, run by none other than the gentleman pirate himself, Capitan Gabriel Covenant.....Ladies and gentleman, today we mourn the loss of a truely great man and the last of the Pirates.
Mana's face paled. Her fork dropped on her plate as Helga quickly shut the radio off, giving the girl a sympathetic look. Mana seemed to be in a sort of numb dreamstate. She begin to pound herself with her fist, convinced that it was all a horrible dream. When she felt the pain, she shook violantly and continued to hit herself.
"Wake up," she said in a sort of monotone, tears coming down her brusing face, "Just wake up. Please...wake...up.....wake..... *chokes sob*"
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 9, 2007 13:59:52 GMT -5
The sound of a newspaper hitting the floor seemed far too loud as Thomas Covenant stared into empty space, his usually alert and bright eyes suddenly dull. This... This couldn't be happening. It wasn't possible. Without a sound, he turned to Mana. "Stop it. You'll hurt yourself." He told her, his voice empty of emotion. There was no anger. There was just sadness. With that, he stood, leaving the silent kitchen, and then the sound of a heavy door slamming echoed through the house.
Leaning back against the wall beside the door, Tom sank to the floor of the study and failed to choke back a sob, burying his face in his hands. Every day since Gabriel had left, Tom had promised he would be strong - for the kids. He had to be strong. But now... He had been dreading this. His little brother - the only person he had trusted since Raiden had died - was gone. It wasn't fair. He'd promised! He'd promised Tom and Mana, and Tom had known that it was a promise Gabriel couldn't keep. The one promise he couldn't keep, to make sure his little girl would be safe.
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 9, 2007 14:46:17 GMT -5
Mana stopped as Tom told her too. She looked over at him. He looked as miserable as she as he walked from the room. She sobbed more for a moment then ran to her room and locked the door. She still didn't want to believe this. She was hoping that they were mistaken and that somehow her father survived.
"He had to have," she said through choked sobs, "H-h-h-he promised he would come back. Daddy always keeps his promises...D-d-daddy has to come back....He promised....he promised....."
She went over to her bed and continued to sob. She heard Helga knock on her door and try to comfor her but Mana just screamed at her to go away. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want to hear anymore news. Her daddy was trying so hard to come back to her...the evil news was so wrong. She didn't want to see anymore news papers, watch anymore TV, nor hear anymore radio until he returned. Then she would laugh in their faces. She would show them. She would have her revenge for them being so wrong.
But her heart knew otherwise. Somehow, she knew the exact moment he died in the night. She didn't tell anyone about the dream she had. She just wanted to believe it was another nightmare. Her daddy's spirit didn't come say goodbye to her in a dream. Her lungs didn't fill with water as his did. But...her heart told her all the same. Her beloved family was gone. She sobbed into her pillow.
Helga shed tears for Mana and for Tom. She knew that Tom was feeling his grief too. Almost as much as the young blond. She thought about going to tell Tom of Mana's refuge, but thought better of it. He needed time to shed his tears as well. He had been so strong for the children. She admired him greatly for this. But she could tell most of the week by the look in his eyes that he knew of his little brother's sure demise. And he was terrified. And now that his greatest fear has been realized. He needed his time to grieve before he could comfort his neice.
Helga went back down to the kitchen, still crying softly. She started to clean up when she noticed Mithos. Even he looked a little sad for them. Helga smiled softly. He was such a good boy. She went over and hugged him.
"You are a good boy, young master," she said softly, "You too know what it's like to lose your family. Perhaps, in times like these, you can be a big help to those who need you most."
And with that she got up and went off to do some housework. It always helped her to think. But instead, she found herself perched in front of Mana's door, unable to leave, heart breaking with every sob the girl gave. She sat, protecting and waiting to see what would happen.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 9, 2007 16:11:11 GMT -5
After an hour, maybe longer, Tom ceased his sobbing, simply because there were no more tears left in him. With his head leant back against the wall, he could hear through to Mana's bedroom, and every one of the little girl's sobs broke his heart a little more. He had tried to be strong for them - he really had - but the week since his brother had left had been difficult. He was surprised that the children, as perceptive as they were, hadn't noticed the change in him. Over the past week he had been quieter, moved more slowly to stop them fighting, been less aware of... everything. With a soft sigh, the scotsman muttered a single word; "Marco."
The silence that replied was deafening, and he shook his head a little. Foolish to think he would hear a reply. But it had always been. That was it, then. Gabriel was really gone.
Mithos snuck up the staircase quietly, tapped Helga on the shoulder and smiled sadly. "...I'll try. ...Do you suppose you could find Tom?" He asked, just trying to give the housekeeper something to do. With the same sad smile on his face, the boy twisted the door handle just so, and with only a soft click, the door swung open. Slipping into the room, he shut the door behind him and crossed to Mana, silently sitting beside her on the bed and pulling her into a hug.
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 9, 2007 17:01:02 GMT -5
Helga looked at the boy, then nodded quietly.
She walked down the halls to where Tom's room was. She knocked softly and looked in.
"Master Tom," she said looking into the room. Her heart broke as she saw the empty and miserable look in his eyes. She had seen the changes in his over the past weeks. They had disturbed her. But this was more than she could bare.
"Forgive me," she said as she wrapped him in a warm hug, "I know how hard this is for you and the girl. You have been so strong in front of all of us, and yet you know young Gabriel wouldn't make it. Im sorry for your loss. You and the young mistress. I just hope that in these years to come, some of your strength rubs off on to her and the young lord."
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Mana watched Mithos come in. Her eyes were red and puffy, but there were no more tears. Most of them drowned her pillow. She lifelessly allowed him to hug her. She felt his warmth around her, and yet she was still cold. So very cold. She tried to speak but no words would come out. Nothing would ever seem the same again. The sunshine outside seemed dimmer, the birds seemed out of tune, and her mind and soul seemed a large void. Life was meaningless to her now.
"My family," she choked out, "Is crushed"
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 9, 2007 17:14:27 GMT -5
Tom smiled tiredly, nodding. "...I think I'm going to stay in here for a while. There are some letters I need to write." He said quietly, smiling as the housekeeper simply nodded and left. With a heavy sigh, he finally stood, walked to the desk and sat behind it, pulling a ream of expensively decorated paper and a pen towards him. Tapping the end of the fountain pen against his temple softly for a moment, he began writing.
Dear Gabriel...
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Mithos shook his head softly, squeezing Mana. "No." He said quietly, closing his eyes. "Tom and I are still here." He told her with a soft sigh. "At least... At least Tom really is your uncle. You've got one blood relative left."
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Seasoned and tasty. *smirkwink*
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 9, 2007 17:33:27 GMT -5
Mana looked at Mithos with her empty eyes. She reckognized the sadness in his. How did he deal with it for so long? All the pain and anguish of knowing that you are the only one in your family now. He was right, but....
"I don't really know Tom," she said in a monotone, "I only just met him a week ago. How can he be my family? How do you deal with the fact that your family is gone too? Do you feel this horrible every day?"
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 9, 2007 17:38:05 GMT -5
Mithos shook his head softly, violet eyes locked with aqua. "...Not so much, any more. Tom's a nice man, and a good father figure, considering he's had two children dropped on him within the last month." He said, sighing quietly. "It's difficult but... It'll be easier for you - I'm here. Someone your own age to talk to." And so, he sat there, hugging her to him and comforting her.
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The next morning, Mithos woke up to sunlight streaming through the window - which was odd, because his room was at the wrong end of the house for that. And then he spotted Mana curled up next to him, and he smiled, sitting up and brushing the creases from his shirt.
Tom lay slumped in his study, head on the desk and pen in hand, page after page of letters to Gabriel strewn across his desk.
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Mana Ego-Chan
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Seasoned and tasty. *smirkwink*
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Post by Mana Ego-Chan on Feb 9, 2007 19:18:39 GMT -5
Mana awoke to Mithos looking at her. Her eyes remained the same, void of light. It would be a while before she could heal. She didn't smile. She didn't say anything. Honestly she had not slept quite right the night before. Her father's greusome murder haunted her dreams all night long, thus creating the empty shell before Mithos. She wasn't hungry like she normally was, and she really didn't feel like getting up.
"I hope you slept well," she choked out, barely finding her voice.
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Helga doubted anyone would be hungry, but she made some none the less. She had wondered who in the world Tom would spend all night writing letters too. Frankly it concerned her. When no one came bouncing down the stairs she decided to bring breakfast to them. She started with Tom. She opened the door to find him asleep at his desk. She smiled softly and went over to him, looking on his desk to see papers everywhere. All of them started the same way, Dear Gabriel. She choked back the tears and put the food under his nose.
"Sleeping like this will ruin your back Master Tom," she said softly.
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Emma
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Post by Emma on Feb 10, 2007 7:36:08 GMT -5
The smile faded as Mithos shook his head softly. "...You need to have some breakfast." He said simply, standing up and placing a hand on Mana's shoulder. "It'll help - Trust me. I know exactly how you're feeling." He told her, without an explanation. And he did - He hadn't eaten for almost a week after his father had died, and he had regretted it afterwards.
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Tom blearily sat up, streching his back with a wince. "...You're right. Sorry." He said simply, shifting all the papers to one corner of his desk in two neat piles. "Thankyou, Helga. I don't know what I'd do without you." He said with a tired smile that wasn't entirely true. He was far too worn out to be happy, but he'd put on a face for the housekeeper, at least. "Now go, find the children." He told her, shooing her out as he started on his breakfast, glancing at the letter he had written when he had fallen asleep.
Dear Gabriel,
Remember the game we used to play as children, Marco Polo? Marco.
Tom
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