[u]Tyrael & Mar[/u]

It felt like a month since he left to the Inferno. Time winded down in ways that doesn't accurately reflect here in the Mortal world, and he had worried that he had been too late. But his Familiars ensured him that he would arrive shortly before he was needed, and they were right. Tyrael didn't bother to be subtle when he arrived; as the two armies quarreled, Tyrael had tear open portals between the Inferno and the Mortal world for himself. And his army. Compared to the hundreds gathered at the college, thousands of demons poured out from the Inferno Portals. Those on Eania prepared themselves for battle, thinking that Djarkel had finally decided to attack. Djarkel were simply confused, as they have yet to give that order to attack. But before either side could truly begin to battle, Tyrael made his presence known. [b]"ENOUGH. The feast to foster the growing relationship between the college and it's sovergn nations in a few hours. Prepare yourselves for it."[/b] It seemed that neither side was really listening and were about to attack, but first they'd have to go through Tyrael and his army. His army that outnumbered bothsides ten-to-one. Combined. It was a show of power that he knew Eania feared, and that Djarkel knew better than to challenge. It would be more difficult to convince the more bull-headed soldiers from causing trouble, but when he would have to deal with three hulking demons, Eania or Djarkel, the odds were not in their favor. Tyrael ordered his demon army to set up post within the college to act as guardsmen. Unlike the others who stay out of sight and only act during troubles, Tyrael had his demons on standby and placed everywhere in plain sight. Ever teen feet there was a demon standing like a statue, just waiting for someone to cause trouble. They were everywhere, from the lowest reaches of the caverns to lining the top of the roofs of towers. The demons were oddly quiet, just standing around menecingly, watching, waiting. 

After Tyrael had set up captains amoung his more trusted demons, he was about to go to his room to get ready for the feast when one of his students came to greet him. He had forgotten that he had students and not just demons. The student chatted with Tyrael, asking him things about the Inferno and the demons he met. Tyrael anwsered him simply and deflected his questions. But than the student mentioned something happening to Mar. [b]"Wait. Say that again?"[/b] The student told Tyrael that Mar was seen in the heading towards the Infirmary with Athalus, Alaria, and a few golems. And a child. Tyrael didn't stay a second longer and headed towards the Infirmary. [b]"A child... A living child. I could scarcly beleive it..."[/b] Tyrael passed the demons guarding the entrance to the Infirmary and entered. Not too far away was Mar, holding something wrapped in cloths. Tyrael did not move an inch when he heard the sound of the child, cooing to it's mother.

Mar held Lyn close and gently rocked her, her eyes stared in a lazy way upon the sight. She was alone within the room as Althalus had decided to clear away the plates which he earlier arrived with, their contents quickly emptied between the three hungry mouths. Lyn stilled chewed upon the last piece with a delighted twinkle in her eyes and the small toy held in her firm grasp, the only object that hadn't been unfortunately marred with blood. Mar's coils had adjusted to situate her comfortable in the room's center still unable to digest the previous happenings which had conspired or their meaning. Her mind was still locked in such thoughts when someone, a familiar heavy footed individual, had arrived. 

Her head turned to spot the monotone coloring of Tyrael's flesh. She started to turn and face him, the cloth loosely wrapped about her child within her holding hands. The brown eyes softened a bit upon seeing the Fallen Orc, a sign she had changed a bit among those within the college, then spoke. Her voice was calm and steady in its approach. "Tyrael, meet Lyn. My daughter." 

She let the words settle in to his mind while draw, cautiously, closer. Her tail glided easily to bring her within a range where he could easily see Lyn's hand hold the hunk of meat and chewed it rather relentlessly, more out of entertainment then actual hunger. Mar made a mental note to seek out some prey with a tough hide then fashion something for Lyn to teeth upon, unsure if the infant would develope her own set of fangs with vemon. 

The demon orc wasn't sure what he should do. He didn't think he had any right to see the child, and yet he wanted to anyways. Mar did ask him to meet her daughter... Lyn... He strode quietly towards the two. He did not stand too close to the child or her mother. In fact, Tyrael stayed only close enough to see the child, but not for her to see him. He was quite aware of how his usual apperance had on children, which was an obstacle he had to deal with when he raised his own child. Or had to deal with orphaned demonmancers.

Though the child was covered in blankets Tyrael knew that it had two legs instead of a tail like her mother. A sure sign that Athalus was indeed the father. The baby was already teething as well, not a surprise to Tyrael. He was aware of Naga's quick growth and maturtiy. He estimated that in perhaps three months, the child would already be walking on it's own two feet. Maybe even speaking. So many things this child could do, would do, and the first of her kind as well. But part of him wondered what role he'd play in her life. If he ever could. HIs shoulders were relaxed, his face was almost screne. He didn't look like he was about to kill someone for once, mostly because for this one moment, he wanted to cherish what life could offer. But as quickly as he would kill his prey, Tyrael resumed his usual firm stance. [b]"Congradulations."[/b] It was all he could really say. Nothing else he thought of would really convery what he felt about seeing Mar's child. A certain amount of happiness. A bit of regret. Guilt. An odd anger. But mostly, he was peace. Something that he has forgotten about in a long time.

"She doesn't frighten easily. Naga's are most impressionable by those they see." Mar bluntly explained after Tyraels's congradulations had passed. His demeanor, she noted, had only changed for a moment then once more seemed to resume back to its original state. 

Mar sighed at Tyrael's rather usual behavior, at least to her. Why were males so...difficult? Didn't he understand it was important for Lyn to see him and draw that trust connection? She couldn't help the fury of quesitons pounded upon her skull at Tyrael's stubbornness. A slight, but mild, frustration had flutter through her while her eyes looked down. Lyn seemed too busy to notice the pair of eyes which glanced upon her, her daughter's attention fully on the meat chunk that drew a slight giggle. It was unlikely Lyn would've cared as very little, save for the incident with Xyden had frightened her. Without warning Tyrael about what she was going to do, Mar tilted Lyn upright enough where her head was still supported but the child's eyes came face to face with him. 

Lyn paused. Her little eyes widen upon sighting the Demonomancer, her little fist seemed to had dropped the little tidbit onto the floor yet her eight never wavered from Tyrael. For a moment, one would assume the baby would sudden cry and wail. Instead a slight giggle came, one that started out small then flowed into slightly delighted shrieks. Mar's look had an expression which seemed to have a 'told you so' attitude to it. Another deep breath, Mar slowly repositioned Lyn back to her laying state and cradled safely within her arms. With surprising gentleness, she then asked a question. "Would you like to hold her?" 

[b]"I would imagine so..."[/b] Tyrael said blankly. He wasn't really thinking, which certainly didn't do him any favors when Mar suddenly lifted Lyn up to his face. He has faced many horrors and evils in his life, but this was one of the few moments that he showed some sort of fear. It was foolish of him, but it was too late so try to hide it when he flinched at little Lyn's sudden apperanace. He feared the worse, but instead of cries he got giggles. She seemed more concerned with the slab of meat she was chewing to be in fear of him. Tyrael wasn't sure what to make of that. Mar lowered her child down gave him a look that told him that his worries were misplaced. He tried to keep his composure, but returned his own look of sarcastic indifference. It never hurt to be too careful. But once more he was caught off guard when Mar asked him a simple question; if he wanted to hold Lyn. Instinctivlty he looked at his arms. He had thought that they would, at the worse, be scarred by runes, but he had previously forgotten that he was in battle just a few hours ealier. His arms was still barbed and serrated, the better to cause wounds with. He had to channel one of his Familiars to remove the thorns, but even than he noticed that his arms were natrually spikey. He worried that he'd hurt Lyn with them and so he shook his head. [b]"It would be for the best if I did not."[/b]

Mar looked at him with a raised eyebrow, her eyes lowered to the spiked arms then nodded her understanding. Though she was sure in a few years it would've been pointless as her daughter would've likely climbed upon him, a thing she noted was common to most bipeds. They seemed to enjoy denying gravity often enough. Since Tyrael was unable to hold Lyn, Mar turned her body to where Lyn could easily see him. Again, a soft giggle and wiggling arms greet him. It seemed her daughter wasn't easily fazed by most things and Mar felt a warm, proud feeling wash over her in that moment. She knew then, Lyn would grow into a fine Naga. 

"Some point, that won't matter. Bipeds do tend to climb and Lyn isn't likely to be any different." Mar stated her thoughts clearly. 

For a moment, she let the silence pass as Tyrael and her stood there. It wasn't as simple as Mar originally had hoped it would've been, her eyes drifted back to Tyrael before finally breaking it. "You were right...about my banishment being a death sentence. I'm never going home again..." 

It seemed some hidden hurt was in her words. Something easily spotted despite her attempt t hide it, her eyes still fixed to the reason she would remain at the College. Lyn seemed to had gotten sleepy, her head softly pressed into Mar's arm and started to fall into a slumber. 

Tyrael smiled weakly (Or whatever he could pass as a smile anyways) and waved back at Lyn. He watched her squrim in her mother's arm. She was so lively even though Mar was holding her tightly. Now that he thought of it, this would be the first time he had ever seen the baby of a naga, or what would have to pass as one. Their children indeed grew up fast, and by the time word would have reached him that a new child was born it would already be ready to hunt it's own meal. That energy would be good though; if Lyn is anything like her mother, she would be full of passion, in her own way of course. When mar mentioned that Lyn would be something of a climber, he smirked. [b]"They do tend to reach great heights."[/b] Tyrael mixed a bit of poetics in that phrase, though he also meant that literally. There wasn't a mountain in Tiien that hasn't be climbed by a mortal who left their mark, or their corpse. Lyn would do great things, he imagined.

As the baby grew tired and was about to sleep, Tyrael was considering taking his leave when Mar mentioned a thing of the past. Remorse was behind those words. Now that Lyn was born, here and alive, Mar could never return to her home, or even her people. It would have been one thing to merely have been exiled. But to bare a child with another mortal, that was something that he knew would never have gone well in any speicies. He was unsure of what to say about the situation. He was never good at consoling others, not without drowning them with a wave of words he hardly understood himself. So he might as well just try to speak from experience. [b]"Home is not a location. It is not a town, or a building. It is where you can settle your life and live. That can be anywhere"[/b] Tyrael watched as little Lyn began to snore silently into her mother's bosom, the meat she was previously chewing now being held weakly in her hand. Slowly, he lifted his hand and reached towards Lyn. He gently caressed her cheek, feeling the soften against his fingers. He was careful not to let his claws touch her, and soon he withdrew his hand away from her face when she began to stir. Long ago his body was clad in steel, and now it still remained hidden under his armor. But he could still feel warmth, a bit of life even through his cold, dead flesh. It was a strange thing that he only felt when he was with his own daughter.

[b]"In truth, I do not see this place as a home. Not the college. It is merely where I live for now. But to the north there is a small town, away from the world. Hidden in the darkness, where only demons live. But among them is someone whom I cherish deeply. Where she is was where I would call home. Where she would go I would ensure that she could live peacefully there, and I would always return for her."[/b] Before Tyrael would have losted himself talking about his daughter, he went strait to the point he was trying to make. [b]"You have to find a new home. You will never return to Mesa Gaan. But it does not need to be your home any longer. Your home will be where you make it now."[/b] That's what he wanted to say, all those years ago. Part of him wished that it wasn't so; he liked the life he had before, before he had to become part of the college. The days he would spend in his forge creating things with meaning, hunting not only to entertain but to live, the thrills he had risking death. But despite longing for those days, they are gone now. He should not linger onto the past, nor should Mar. There were other things he needed to get over as well.

[b]"What I said those many months ago... I appologize for having lashed out at you. I envy your independance. I have grown used to the ways of the college, and lost touch of those whom matter to me. I knew this, but lied to myself that it did not matter. But to have seen that you were still yourself, whereas I have allowed myself to be warped to greatly. I acted out in anger in an attempt to deny the both of us the idea that things would never be the same. However..."[/b] Tyrael closed his eyes and thought back to his home. His daughter, the place she was at. Or should have been. He wondered why she left, where she was now. What she wanted in her life. [b]"That was never for me to decide. Not for you."[/b]

Mar listened to Tyrael's speech and while she wanted to believe it was as simple as he made it sound, it wasn't. The past couldn't just be forgotten because it was part of what them individuals. Fogetting it meant to ignore what and who they were, at least to Mar it did. Change was never simple for her kin and habits ingrained through DNA was difficult to be rid of, more so then it would be with Lyn, her child fell asleep softly and ignorant of the topic's importance. Even if the unthinkable would happened, the Naga always moved onwards but Mar wasn't sure how. Part of her, a weak part, could've lived comfortably at the College among it's many students and staff. However that wasn't a everlasting solution. 

Another flaw she was inherited was the unsettling ability only to think of the present. Never the future as it would always become the present, something that didn't help her current case. She took a deep breath and replied. "I could do what you say yet there's one thing you're forgetting. Despite wanting to forget the past, it will always affect the present in some form or way. So it can never be truly forgotten. Naga aren't very good at adapting to new circumstances so I'm not sure how to begin. That is the main concern and one I will have to overcome in time. The most important task is Lyn's happiness and health first. The rest can wait." 

Mar twisted to gently desposite her child upon the mattress and snuggled between several sheets to keep Lyn from rolling off. In addition, Mar's own tail had created another barrier. With one eye upon the sleeping form, Mar continued her conversation with Tyrael. "As for what happened... I was merely ignoring the truth of the matter and despite your rash way, it was likely best. I need to accept things I rather wish were otherwise. Only then can I do what's best for my daughter. Though since we're being truthful...I envy how easily you are able to show your emotions, even in anger. Something I find hard and confusing." 

Tyrael stood silently as Mar spoke her part. The past always had a way to haunting you. But forgetting the past was not something he did. If he was that type of person, he would have never had bothered to bring Mar to the college. Or have anything to do with the naga. But he understood that it wasn't something that could be ignored. He knew that well, because that's what he's been trying, and failing, to do, for all these years. Moving on was difficult when he was still chained to the past. But didn't comment on it aside from his own internal monoluge. At least now Mar had some reason to live; to make sure Lyn is happy and healthy. Better than simply being here because he asked her too.

As Lyn continued to sleep Mar laid her gently down. Tyrael figured this would be the best time for him to leave and return to his duties as a teacher of the college before Mar had some final words. He smirked again when she mentioned how easy it was for him to express emotions. [b]"Easy? Not the word I would use. Emotions are a powerful thing. But even my grasp of expressing them needs work. So I have been practicing."[/b] Tyrael than began to turn to leave, but halfway through he paused. [b]"I must be present at the feast. I will be expecting some violence, you should as well."[/b] Little did the demonic orc know, violence was not about to come from their guest...

Mar simply nodded and then watched the Fallen Orc continue. She couldn't say anything that would change his mind or alter how he felt, merely allowed the moment to pass. Alongside it so would the discomfort. The only choice remained was would she attend the feast or merely avoided it for a quiet night between Althalus, Lyn and herself. Not wanted to dwell on impending decision's need to be made, she lowered herself to curl around her young offspring before they both fell into a blissful slumber.