JETMODE: * Kain and Tai manage to outrun the storm almost as far as Kamaria, pushing themselves and the horse perhaps harder than they should, but neither wants to be outside when the rain hits. A third companion, unseen by either, wings even farther ahead, joining her counterpart on the roof of Glenn's mansion, where he is pacing uneasily, wings flicking. "Took you long enough," he sighs, when she arrives.

TIAMAT: * The figure's sister lands a little more heavily than she intended on Glenn's roof, bristling slightly. "I keep pace with them, you know that," she says flatly. "What have you got?"

JETMODE: "A problem -- that's what I've got." His tail lashes uneasily, and he glares at the roof below, as though he can see through it to the source of his bad mood. "The kids still don't know anything, right?" he says a little sharply, looking up at her again.

TIAMAT: * She arches an eyebrow, partially in alarm, partially in annoyance. "No, of course they don't." She follows her brother's look downward toward the house for a moment, then back up, expression flat and expecting.

JETMODE: * His tail lashes again, and he folds his arms, managing to look both concerned and petulant. "I don't want to hear it from you about this, all right, but -- the old man figured it out. He wants to tell 'em when they get back -- tell 'em everything."

TIAMAT: * The winged figure stares darkly at her brother for several moments, looking for all the world as though she wants to snap, "I told you so," though she manages to contain herself. After a minute or so, she stalks to the edge of the roof and looks down; on the street outside the Greenstone manor, a blond-haired figure can just be seen approaching and then disappearing inside the house. She turns back to her brother, look even darker than before. "How?"

JETMODE: "Hell, I don't know, sis." He scowls. "Guess he got a good look at her in the council meeting, you know? He already knew she wasn't dead ..." He unfolds his arms, then folds them again, wings flaring. "Maybe it'd be better if we hadn't ..."

TIAMAT: "We had to," she interrupts with a growl. "You know we did. We can't let the stone..." She trails off, looking out toward the direction she came in moments ago. "They weren't far behind me. They'll be here any minute..."

JETMODE: "Guess it's plan B, then," he says distractedly, running a hand through his hair and shaking his head. "I don't think he was gonna do anything tonight, but he's been snoopin' around ... dunno what he's up to." He looks at her almost wearily for a moment. "Do what you gotta do, I guess."

TIAMAT: * Tai and Kain ride into town at nearly full speed, the storm now practically on their heels. The wind has kicked up and the streets are mostly empty as they urge the horse on toward Glenn's estate; by the time they reach the central part of the capitol, the first few drops of rain are coming down around them, and it's drizzling steadily by the time they dismount outside the Greenstone manor. A clap of thunder sounds not far behind them.

JETMODE: * Kain swears as the thunder hits, shoving Tai toward the house and jogging around to the stables to get his horse under shelter. By the time he makes it back to the manor, the drizzle has become a downpour, and he's thoroughly drenched. "Almost," he grumbles, shedding his pack and cloak in the front hall and considering the matter of his boots.

TIAMAT: * Tai, having darted into the house when Kain shoved her, is in the front hallway when he enters, though seems to have found an empty bucket while he was tending to his horse and is wringing her hair and cloak out in it, rather than all over Glenn's floors. She slides it toward her companion with her foot as he comes in the door. "At least we're home now," she says wearily, apparently too tired to comment further.

JETMODE: "Yeah.. sorta." Kain peels his boots off, not noticing the bucket at first, then glances up as he hears footsteps on the stairs. "Dad? What're you doing here?" he asks blankly as Kail steps into view.

TIAMAT: "Oh...Lord Dorgany," Tai says, looking equally surprised when she sees the senator. She gives a somewhat clumsy little half-bow, suddenly looking concerned. "Is Lord Greenstone all right?"

JETMODE: "Nice to see you, too," Kail snorts at his son, then turns to Tai with a smile. "He's fine, Tai. I'm here on other matters -- but I guess those can wait until you're at least warm and dry." Kain gives him an odd look and shrugs, starting up the stairs with his gear. "Is my usual room open?" he asks, and Kail shrugs.

TIAMAT: * Tai gives Kail an odd sort of look, but before she can comment, Glenn appears behind the blond elf. "Oh, Tai -- Kain. You made it back. Good to see you're in one piece, we were a bit worried when we saw that storm coming in." Tai smiles. "The journey was long but not difficult. Everything went smoothly..." She glances between the two senators a little questioningly, and Glenn smiles warmly. "We can talk in the morning. I'm sure you're both tired...you should rest now." He glances at Kail hesitantly, though doesn't comment further.

JETMODE: * Kail looks momentarily torn, but he nods. "Yes. Morning is fine. They've had a rough ride." Kain looks at the two of them irritably and shakes his head. "Well, if we've made up our minds ..." he says, then ducks to avoid a cuff from his father. "I'm going to bed ..."

TIAMAT: * Tai gives them both a curious look, then smiles tiredly. "Thank you, sir. It will be good to be back in a bed again." Without further comment, she quickly follows Kain up the stairs, disappearing into her own room. When she's gone, Glenn turns to Kail. "You should spend the night too, old friend," he says quietly. "I'm sorry, I know you wish to speak with her, but -- she looked exhausted."

JETMODE: * Kail shakes his head. "They both were. It can wait." He frowns, watching them go. "I'll keep an eye out tonight ... if anything happens, I suspect it will be sooner rather than later." He grins sharply at Glenn. "I assure you, I'm not going anywhere."

TIAMAT: * Glenn arches an eyebrow slightly. "... The room next to hers is open," he says after a moment. "Third on the right. Just let me know if you need a hand with anything."

JETMODE: * Kail inclines his head. "Thank you." Then he starts off after Tai, giving a long stretch as he goes, as if to get ready for a long night of watching and waiting. He pauses, however, when he reaches her door and finds it standing just slightly open. "Tai?" he calls warily, placing a hand automatically on his sword hilt. When he receives no response, he pushes the door open and steps inside, looking around sharply.

TIAMAT: * The room is dark and empty, save for the small, slim figure of the elf girl, curled on the bed, the blankets not even properly drawn around her. The storm now rages outside, blocking out most of the last of the twin suns' light of the day, though the steady rise and fall of the girl's shoulders suggests that she's fast asleep.

JETMODE: * Kail gives a low sigh of relief on spotting her, then shakes his head and walks over to the bed to arrange the blankets more comfortably over her. He reaches out to brush her hair gently away from her face, then stops, drawing his hand away and shaking his head.

TIAMAT: * Tai stirs very gently, though doesn't wake from her slumber. A few moments later, a window behind Kail slides slowly open -- he may not even hear it, with the wind and rain and thunder outside. A tall, winged figure -- soaked through and dripping wet -- climbs into the room, gasping sharply when she spots the blond-haired elf next to the bed.

JETMODE: * Kail's sword is out of its sheath almost before he looks up to see the winged figure, recognizing her immediately despite all the time that's passed since he last saw her. "You can't have her," he barks, lightning flashing over his stony expression. "Not this time."

TIAMAT: * The creature growls lowly, crouching slightly, her figure mostly shadowed save for her glowing eyes, which are narrowed in distaste. "You know we had no choice," she hisses, "we have no choice. She must come with me." Behind Kail, Tai stirs again, sitting up a little and blinking groggily. "What...?"

JETMODE: "There must be another way," Kail snaps, "because I am not letting you have her again. She's come back after sixteen years in spite of your efforts --" He takes a step forward, eyes narrowing. "That should tell you as much as anything that she's meant to be here."

TIAMAT: * The figure flares her wings when Kail steps forward, and Tai, still groggy and confused, glances around the senator's body, gasping and coming suddenly awake when she spots the intruder. "What...what's going..." "I have told you what is at stake," the figure replies to Kail, ignoring Tai. "We told you what would happen if the two stones are made one again. We have been at our post for over two millennia -- we cannot allow that to happen now."

JETMODE: "If you would just explain," Kail growls, not backing down an inch. "Surely knowledge will make for a stronger shield than ignorance!" His voice rises in volume. "If I know what's at stake, then they -- the ones who bear the stones -- should know as well."

TIAMAT: * Tai makes one last, rather desperate attempt to get a word in, but she is once again cut off. "The time is not right for them to know," the figure bristles angrily, her voice also rising to be heard over the storm, which seems to have doubled in intensity in the last three minutes. "Not when they are so close together--" She cuts off as footsteps can be heard pounding in the hallway outside, coming quickly closer, and the door suddenly springs open. Light from the hallway reveals Glenn's silhouette in the doorway, where he stands very still, apparently a little too shocked to say anything just yet.

JETMODE: "Now is the perfect time," Kail retorts. "And once they know, they can decide what to do about it." He seems to relax slightly, knowing he's in the right on this point. "You can hardly get away without explaining something." He doesn't appear to have noticed Glenn's arrival, nor does he notice the subsequent appearance of his son, who peers around Glenn blankly, as though he isn't certain whether he's dreaming.

TIAMAT: * The winged figure glares at Kail, then glances at Glenn, then behind Glenn at Kain, grimacing. She seems to be at a loss for words at the moment, and the room is silent -- save for the wind howling outside the still-open window.

JETMODE: * Before anyone can break the oddly noisy silence, there's a sharp thud at the windowsill, and another winged figure -- dripping wet -- steps in from the window, shaking his wings. "Give it up, sis. They've got your number this time." His tail gives a lash, and he pauses to wring out his tunic.

TIAMAT: * Tai gives a little shriek when the second figure appears abruptly, pulling the blankets up to her chin in wide-eyed terror; even Glenn gives a start, taking half a step backwards. "Oh...my. There's two," he says faintly. The first figure ignores all of them, looking extremely aggravated. "... Fine," she spats suddenly, wings going slightly limp.

JETMODE: "Well, I don't guess it'll wait 'til morning at this point, will it?" remarks the second figure, leaning back comfortably for a moment. "But I guess we could all go somewhere less crowded." Kail, seeing he's won at last, lowers his sword and sheathes it, frowning. "Perhaps so." He looks back at Glenn. "The parlor, perhaps?"

TIAMAT: "Parlor," Glenn repeats blankly, still staring at the two creatures. "Of course." He glances at Kail, then turns, nearly bumping into Kain, whom he apparently either forgot was there, or wasn't aware of his presence in the first place. The female creature doesn't seem inclined to move, and finally Tai stirs slightly. "Lord Dorgany..?" she asks apprehensively, apparently completely unsure what to do.

JETMODE: * Kail turns to look at her with a faint smile. "Please, come with us to the parlor, Tai," he says. "I promise it will all make sense in short order." Kain shakes his head and shrugs, and he turns from the door to go to the parlor as ordered. The second figure flicks his wings comfortably and nudges his sister. "Come on, Fen. I can barely stretch my wings in here."

TIAMAT: * Tai slides out of bed, still fully clothed, and trots toward the door after Kail, giving the two creatures a wide berth. The one called Fen watches her until she disappears then sighs, glaring at her brother briefly before following the party downstairs.

JETMODE: * The brother brings up the rear, joining the rest of the group once they've all settled -- as best as they can -- in the study. He settles near the door, apparently in an effort to prevent anyone's escape. Kail, looking weary, stands at the head of the group, running a hand through his hair. "Well. Where shall I begin?"

TIAMAT: * Glenn already has a large pot of tea and several cups set on the table in the center of the room, though no one seems very inclined to drink at the moment. He himself sits in one of the chairs, still staring at the two figures in mild fascination, while Tai settles nervously next to Kain on the sofa. When no one replies to Kail's question for several moments, she finally speaks, sounding timid and unsure. "Who...what...are you?" she asks quietly, directed at the two winged creatures.

JETMODE: * The second figure grins suddenly, tail twitching, and he stands -- only to bow low and almost mockingly. "Well, miss, we're Immortals. The Deified, if you will." He crouches down again, scratching his cheek. "You could say we've been tasked with guarding a particular family line -- but Fenny can explain that better than me." He pauses. "Ah, of course. My name is Fogel -- my sister, here, is Fenril."

TIAMAT: * Fenril's wings flare again, apparently by way of greeting, and Tai gasps a little. Glenn arches an eyebrow in interest, but remains silent. This silence stretches on for some time again, until Fenril finally takes a couple steps forward, straightening to her full, and rather considerable, height. "Fogel and I have been watching over the Dorgany family for ... more than centuries. It is our duty, our purpose, to protect those who carry the bloodline, and the burden that they bear." She pauses, considering.

JETMODE: * At her pause, Kail speaks. "Kain, I know you have a pendant -- you've had it since you were young." Kain nods, shrugging, and flicks the chain out of his shirt, exposing the dark stone. Kail nods. "Tai -- and I think it's impossible that I’m mistaken -- you should have one, as well."

TIAMAT: * Tai stares at him for a moment, then nods as well, pulling out her own chain, which she also keeps under her shirt. She exchanges a look with Kain, studying his pendant for a moment before looking down at her own. "They...they look like they...fit," she says curiously, moving a little closer toward Kain, though Fenril suddenly takes another step forward, speaking sharply. "Stop! Do not put them together--" She looks as though she wants to approach further, though Tai has already flattened herself against the back of the couch, looking thoroughly unnerved again.

JETMODE: * Kain looks unnerved both by the pendant and by the shouting, and he's surprised to see a look of alarm on his father's face. "She's correct," Kail says, looking weary. "The burden on the Dorgany family is in the shape of those two pendants." Fogel nods, attempting to unstiffen his wings from where they froze in panic. "They're a seal, you see," he offers.

TIAMAT: "Seal?" Tai repeats faintly, and Fenril nods. When everyone continues to stare at her expectantly, she sighs. "Let us just say that once, a long -- very long -- time ago, a great force nearly destroyed the very planet. That's why the pendants were formed -- originally as one stone, to seal this force, then split in two to ensure that it would never be unleashed again." Tai stares at her for a long moment, then back down at her necklace. "But why do I have one? If it's supposed to be a...Dorgany...heirloom..." She trails off, looking up at Kail suddenly.

JETMODE: * Kail pauses, apparently choking down on several emotions at once, then he nods, smiling -- though it is with a hint of pain. "Sixteen years ago ... my wife died giving birth to our second child -- a daughter." He leans heavily against a nearby chair, watching Tai for a moment before he continues. "Make no mistake, after her loss, I had no intention of letting the child go ... but I was given little choice in the matter." He glances at Fenril and Fogel, and the latter twitches his tail. "I only had the opportunity to give her a name before she was taken -- and that name was Tai."

TIAMAT: * Fenril stares blandly back at Kail when he looks at her, though a shadow of an emotion flickers across her features briefly. The room falls silent after Kail speaks, Tai apparently too stunned for words. She opens her mouth to say something, though nothing more than a small whimper comes out at first. She closes her mouth quickly and swallows hard, then tries again. "Why..?" she says quietly, to no one in particular, though Fenril answers rather abruptly. "We had to keep the stones apart," she explains flatly. "We couldn't risk someone getting both of them and putting them together." "...Oh." Tai stares at her for a moment, then looks back at Kail uncertainly.

JETMODE: * Kail nods, straightening, but Kain looks as though he's just beginning to comprehend what's being thrown around in the room. He clearly isn't sure how to feel about it, looking between Tai and his father and frowning. Kail chuckles briefly, shaking his head. "I suppose," he says comfortably, "that means you've found your family after all." He looks at Fenril again. "And I do not intend to let her take you this time."

TIAMAT: * Fenril gives a very quiet "hmph", though Tai doesn't take any notice at all, a sort of vacant look crossing her face for a moment. She blinks, looking at Kail once again. "You're...really my father? Really?" She sounds as if she can hardly believe what she's saying, the words sounding odd even as she speaks them.

JETMODE: * Kail looks at her for a moment, then gives a slow nod. "That I am, Tai." He rubs his forehead a moment, smiling crookedly. "I am sorry ... for all the time we lost." Kain looks between the two for a moment, shaking his head once and rubbing his temple, as though he's having as difficult a time as any of the others. "Weird," he says finally, looking at Tai. "Just weird."

TIAMAT: * Tai continues to stare at Kail silently until Kain speaks, jerking her head slightly to turn her gaze on him. She looks at him oddly. "So that makes you...my brother," she says, sounding very strange indeed. Fenril crosses her arms and shifts uncomfortably, but does not comment.

JETMODE: "Yeah." Kain scratches his head, looking at her almost warily. "I didn't know.. nobody told me I had a sister --" He breaks off, shaking his head. "Weird." Kail smiles apologetically and shrugs. "I thought it would be easier ... if you didn't know." Fogel's tail slaps against the floor. "So!" he says. "All out in the open, then." He looks around the room. "So what do we do now?"

TIAMAT: * Nobody comments for a moment, until Fenril utters a faint sigh, glancing down at her brother. "YOU know perfectly well that our job is far from over." She looks up at the two siblings. "We've been watching over the two of you since you've been born, and we have no intention of stopping now. It's even more unsettling now that the stones are so close together..." She trails off, looking troubled and slightly irritated.

JETMODE: * Fogel sighs, flicking his wings wearily and giving his sister a bored look. "Well, obviously we're gonna keep guarding 'em.. but so long as they don't put the stones together, and they already know why they shouldn't, then there's no reason they shouldn't be allowed to stay together, right?" He glances over the small group, and Kail looks hopefully at Fenril. "No one outside the family -- aside from Glenn, now -- even knows about the stones ..." He hesitates. "So .. if she's willing, I would like Tai to come home with us."

TIAMAT: * Tai looks surprised, staring at Kail again, this time with a mixture of emotions -- some disbelief, but mostly a sense of overwhelming joy. She glances at Fenril hopefully as well, and the Immortal gives an irritable sort of grunt, apparently of approval. Tai turns back to her father. "So...you mean I can live with you? Right now?"

JETMODE: * Kail's expression becomes relieved, and he sags against a nearby chair, almost as if exhausted. He glances up at Tai and chuckles, shaking his head. "Well ... I think we had probably better wait out this storm ..." He smiles. "But yes, absolutely. As soon as you're able." Kain doesn't appear to have anything to say to this, scratching his head again and shrugging.

TIAMAT: "Wow..." Tai breaths quietly, looking rather lost for words. "I mean...just...wow." The room goes quiet again -- the storm even seems to have lessened in intensity a bit -- until finally Fenril speaks once again. "I think," she starts slowly, "that as long as the children will be so close together, one of us should take a...more active role in protecting them, and the stones." She glances down at Fogel, eyebrow arched slightly.

JETMODE: * Fogel gives her a very wary look and shrugs. "I've been guarding that house for as long as I can remember, Fen," he says, and his wings give a flip as he shrugs. "You're welcome to take up bodyguarding if you want." Kain gives Fogel a very strange look, and the Immortal grins. "You heard me right."

TIAMAT: "That wasn't an invitation for you to take a leave of absence," his sister replies flatly. "I just think one of us should stay a little closer to them than we normally do, as long as they're together." She looks up at Tai, then at Kail blandly. "Assuming, of course, this is quite all right with you." There is a hint of disdain to her voice, but she does sound as though she actually is asking Kail's permission.

JETMODE: * Fogel bristles, but he doesn't speak, waiting for Kail to give a reply. The blond man frowns, watching her. "I can hardly argue with an offer to protect my children, can I?" he says dryly, and Fogel gives a short nod. Kain, for his part, looks a little weirded out at the idea of having a large, winged, tailed person hanging around all the time.

TIAMAT: * Tai seems to mimic her brother's expression, and the two of them suddenly look very similar as they sit next to each other. Fenril stares at both of them. "I will attempt not to interfere with your daily routines," she starts after a moment, "though I will always be nearby." Tai gives a little nod, shifting somewhat uncomfortably.

JETMODE: * Kain looks highly doubtful, but he shrugs, and Fogel grins at him. In spite of the fact the boy doesn't know him, he's been watching over him since he was tiny and feels fairly well-acquainted. Kail glances at Glenn and smiles wanly. "I do apologize, old friend. I seem to be depriving you of an assistant."

TIAMAT: * Glenn, who has remained silent during this little family discussion -- truth be told, he feels a bit out of place -- grins reassuringly at his friend. "Don't be absurd, Kail, she's your daughter. Besides, now I have two of your children to harass when I need errands done."

JETMODE: "Then perhaps it's a fair trade," Kail laughs, and Kain finally relaxes, slinging his arms back behind the seatback. "Well, at least now I can split the chores," he says dryly, glancing at Tai with a slightly strained grin.

TIAMAT: * Tai raises her brow at him in mild surprise, then returns the grin, looking a little embarrassed. "Well...I...I'm just glad..." She trails off, apparently still lost for words, then suddenly looks up at Glenn oddly. "Sir -- what about the information I found in the church? Regarding the family in Ocala?" "Ah..." Glenn starts, looking thoughtful. "Well, obviously it was misinformation. I contacted one of my sources in Ocala, and they investigated thoroughly. Never found any evidence of the family you discovered in the temple's records." Tai looks a little confused, and Fenril's face has suddenly gone rather stony.

JETMODE: * Fogel utters a long, slow snort -- sounding much as if he's trying not to snicker, and Kail lifts an eyebrow, understanding immediately. "Well, you did what you felt was necessary, I'm sure," he says dryly.

TIAMAT: * Fenril glares down at her brother, though still does not comment, despite the even more confused look Tai is giving both her and her father. Before she can question anyone further, however, Glenn stands suddenly. "It is late. And it has been a very long night. I think a good night's sleep would be best at this point, and we can discuss what to do from here in the morning." He glances at the two Deified a little uncertainly. "Do you...need room to stay?" he asks a little hesitantly.

JETMODE: * Fogel grins. "Well, it'd be nice not to sleep in the rain for once." He doesn't bother looking at Fenril, not much caring whether she wants to sleep outside or not. "'Course, I'm find sleeping in the stable loft or somethin', so I don't freak out the servants." Kail glances at Glenn with a faint smile. "He's been known to do that at the estate ... I'm afraid the stable hands have caught him at it once or twice."

TIAMAT: * Glenn arches an eyebrow, looking mildly amused. "Well...we'll just have to make sure we're careful when you leave, I suppose. There should be a couple of spare rooms open. Everyone may as well sleep under the same roof and be safe together."

JETMODE: * Fogel inclines his head, just as willing not to go out in the rain again. Kain sucks in a deep breath, letting his head drop backward. "So.. we can go back to bed, then?" Kail glances at his son with faint amusement and looks around the room. "I've got no objections -- as long as everyone agrees." In particular, his gaze lingers on Fenril.

TIAMAT: * Fenril gives him an irritated look, scowling. "Bed. Yes. I, for one, feel like I could use a decent night's rest." She stalks to the door, pausing to one side of it as if waiting for everyone else to file out. Tai glances between her newfound brother and father uncertainly.

JETMODE: * Kain gets to his feet almost immediately, giving a long stretch and looking around at everyone else. "'Night, then," he says, arching an eyebrow, and ambles toward the door, giving Fenril a long, wary look as he passes. Kail nods shortly in agreement, waving for Tai to follow him.

TIAMAT: * Tai nods, getting quickly to her feet and scampering after Kain, eyeing Fenril nervously as she passes. The Immortal nods to Kail and Glenn before following the siblings out and back upstairs. Tai catches up with Kain and walks with him, glancing up at him as if to say something, but drops her gaze a moment later and remains silent.

JETMODE: * Kain glances at her, but he doesn't saying anything, sticking his hands behind his head and shrugging slightly. "Busy day," is all he says. In the parlor, Kail walks over to Glenn and Pats his shoulder with a quiet apology. Fogel seems content to remain where he is.

TIAMAT: * Glenn smiles faintly at Kail, clasping his own shoulder and looking very tired. Tai merely nods to Kain, pausing outside their rooms when they arrive. "Well...good night, then." She pauses again, then disappears inside her own room, taking care to shut the door this time.

JETMODE: * Kain grunts noncommittally and retreats to his own room, more or less ignoring Fenril. He isn't certain whether he'll wake in the morning and find the whole thing was a dream, but he knows he wants to sleep on it.