Gabriel, Evangeline and Lily appear at Shades and asks the secretary to tell Ciara Grey that Gabriel is there to see her. Ciara says she’ll be right down and Leon comes along. Upon reaching the bottom floor, Ciara is floored to see her daughter. All grown up, but obviously her daughter! Evangeline introduces her werepuppy to Leon while Ciara clings to her awkward feeling Lily. Gabriel makes his usual mysterious disappearance. Ciara invites Evangeline and her pup upstairs to have lunch with them (mostly because she’s once again suspicious and a little jealous about a possible Leon puppy!).
Ciara and Lily sit down to chat while lunch is being made. Lily questions Ciara about her marrying and slaying vampires. Ciara says it’s complicated. When Ciara asks Lily what happened to her, she’s spared from answering because lunch is ready. Sitting down to a normal lunch with her mother and guests feels very awkward to Lily, despite Evangeline’s efforts to keep her distracted and Leon’s charming conversation. After lunch Lily wants to take a nap, but alone. She snaps at Ciara about Anthony Carnatelli and walks out. Evangeline stops Ciara before she follows, and tells her to call someone to watch her. Ciara calls up Oracle and orders them to send the best hunter they have before her daughter steps foot outside of the hotel. Ciara turns to Leon for comfort!
- Ciara leans towards the extreme in wanting to be near her daughter and keep her safe. But she refuses to stop what she’s doing with Anthony.
- Lily can’t keep her emotion under control.
Gabriel, Lily, Evangeline, and Brutus appeared in an alley behind Shades!
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus barked as if in agreement!
Lily: *She only blinked and now they were… this looked kind of familiar. She wanted to scream about translocating but… this was her mothers hotel! She should be happy to be here, but she was dreading it!*
The assistant could only gawk at him. Before she knew it, she was calling Ms Grey on the comm-link. “Ms Grey. You have a visitor named Gabriel. He says its urgent.”
Ciara: *Ciara was going to tell them to go to hell. It was way too late for- … Gabriel was it? That made a difference!* I’ll be right downstairs.
Lily: *Don’t panic and breathe. She ate the piece of chocolate even though she was pretty sure that was the woman’s way of trying to keep her placated.*
“Arf! Arf!” went Brutus! He wanted chocolate, too!
Leon: Huh? Did I hear someone say something about Gabriel? Can I come, Cissy?
Ciara: *Sliding on her shoes, rolling her eyes at Leon.* Why not. Maybe he’ll leave and take you with him. *She was already stepping in to the elevator!*
Leon: *Fake pout!* I feel the love! *But he rushed up after her and slipped in!* It’d be nice to see Gabriel when my life isn’t in danger.
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus gobbled that chocolate up! And then he was jumping all over Evangeline, slobbering wet kisses all over her!
Ciara: If he’s here just to complain about Anthony Carnatelli, I’m shooting you both. I just wanted to warn you.
Leon: Hey! I can complain about Anthony Carnatelli all I want, thank you very much! After all, he nearly throttled me to death!
Ciara: How about you kiss him, and we’ll talk about what’s worse? *She flashed him a wicked grin as the elevator opened on the bottom floor and she head down the hall!*
Leon: Ha ha ha ha! Very funny! *He muttered. As if she had to go reminding him about kissing him and all! It was all she could talk about when she got home from that boat ride!*
Ciara: *Ciara entered the back offices, first catching sight of… That guy who was the were target at the cafe? Interesting!* So you’re the… infamous… Gabriel. *She stopped dead silent! It couldn’t be, but those pretty eyes..!* That’s… my daughter.
Leon: *Followed after Cissy! He grinned when he saw Evangeline.* Ms Clark! Back so soon?
Lily: So I am. *Mommy! She looked tired, but just the same! Lily realized she still had that gun and those stones of the crazylady’s in her hands, so she slowly hid them behind her back.*
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus went, tail wagging and tongue hanging out!
Leon: *Wolfish grin!* A werepup! He’s absolutely adorable! Where’d you find him? *He reached out and scratched him behind the ears.*
Ciara: *…Forget awkward moments, Ciara moved across the room to pull her daughter in to her arms! This was her baby!* Lily, I was so scared for you…
Lily: *At first she stiffened! But slowly she pulled her arms from behind her back to wrap them around her mommy, burying her face in her shirt, and delighting in the familiar smell of her perfume.* I’m so sorry!
Leon: Wow! You two sure had quite a day, didn’t you, fella? *He grinned.* I wish my fur was this soft. *He finally realized something and looked around.* Where’d Gabriel go? I forgot to thank him for rescuing me again.
Ciara: Don’t be sorry. Don’t ever be sorry. *She pulled back to look at her face.* You’re practically an adult now… *Ciara glanced back at Leon. Gabriel was gone… but for the moment, she really didn’t care!* Why don’t we go upstairs. Ms. Clark can tell us about her wolf.
“Arf! Arf!” panted Brutus!
Lily: … who is he? *Lily motioned a finger to point at Leon. At least it wasn’t the gun.*
Leon: You’re so cute! *He told Brutus!* Ms Clark, whatever happened to you leaving on that flight of yours?
Ciara: *Ciara wouldn’t have been upset if she DID point that gun at Leon.* Leon Santos. He’s… well I suppose he’s living with us. I thought I’d make a rug out of him…
Lily: …he’s the cooties boy? *Lily remembers the cooties boy. Mommy would only bring him up every single summer.*
“Arf! Arf!” went Brutus, tail wagging and tongue hanging out! He was loving the attention and he gave Evangeline a lot of wet sloppy kisses!
Ciara: Only to complain about how much you tormented me. Why is there some loose werepup, anyway? Did you knock some girl up?
Leon: *Blinked!* What! Me? I’d like to remind you about the countless other male weres out there. I’ve never seen this little guy before!
Brutus found himself facing in the other direction but he didn’t mind! He barked. “Arf! Arf!”
Ciara: You wouldn’t of had to see him before if youlove them and leave them. *She gave Leon a dirty look, already leading Lily down the hall for the elevator!*
Ciara: I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if youhad that pup with Ms. Clark, you were so quick to invite her over before. *She wasn’t going to hiss.*
Lily: *This was going to take some getting used to. Suddenly family and… normalness.* …You sound jealous. Is Leon your boyfriend?
“Arf! Arf!”
Ciara: I am not jealous. There’s nothing to be jealous of.
Lily: *Ms. Clark, that was her name.. Well Ms. Clark was still the crazylady, but Lily did want to smile. Her mother was never ruffled!* That sounds… ridiculous. Are you for real?
Ciara: That’s because you give that wolfy smile, and it means you’re up to something. *At the top floor she leads out of teh elevator in to the suite!* There’s a bit of new furniture, some of which is Leon’s fault… but I haven’t touched a thing in your room. Would you like to see?
Lily: *Lily shook her head slowly.* I don’t… really want to yet. I think I’ll stay out here.
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus barked. Of course one couldn’t be sure if he was barking for the sheer joy of barking or if he was trying to say something.
Ciara: We’ll just send Leon after him. Leon will make us something to eat, come sit down with me until it’s ready. We can talk about what we can do now that you’re home! *Ciara pulled Lily to the sofa and sat her down before sitting beside her!*
Brutus had had enough of barking and licking! He actually lay down in Lily’s lap and then put his head down.
Lily: *There was a furry thing in her lap! And… it was really hard to resist petting it! So she gave up and pet the puppy, eyeing her mother carefully!* I’m not really sure what to do… But I have some questions.
Brutus did enjoy the petting! He could get to like this! He lifted his head for a bit just to yawn and then put it back down.
Ciara: You can ask me anything you want. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot you’d like to know. *Alright… maybe she can’t keep ignoring the puppy. She was petting it too.*
Lily: Right. … Did you marry a vampire?
Ciara: *Ciara coughed! Leaning back, she tried to seem… anything but guilty. She sort of thought those question would come later…* I did. Three times. But do we really want to talk about that now? There’s plenty of other things…
Lily: Yes, we do. You’re dating Anthony Carnatelli now, aren’t you?
Ciara: I… how would you know that? Baby, it’s not for fun. Believe me, I would be more than happy to slaughter him the next time I see him. It’s complicated.
Lily: Complicated. *She repeated, obviously not buying a word she said.* Because you were looking for me? I’m here now, you’re going to stop, right?
Ciara: It’s hard to stop something once you’ve started… That man is dangerous and he needs to be… taken care of.
Lily: Someone else can do it. If he’s like- …You’ll get hurt, mama. I just got here, I don’t want you to go.
Ciara: I’m not going anywhere. Why don’t we talk about something else. Do you still like piano or violin..?
Lily: *Lily let it go. For now… Surely he mother would stop now.* I don’t know. I haven’t really done anything… for awhile. Do you still play?
Ciara: Work, more work… and Leon. He’s chaos wrapped up in a man’s body.
Lily: And you let him live here? That makes a whole lot of sense. *Lily was getting comfortable. Sitting back on the sofa, and cuddling the puppy!*
Brutus was awake now but the only sign was his tail wagging as he was cuddled!
Ciara: He needed somewhere to stay… And maybe he isn’t so bad a majority of the time. He still fights with Angus though.
Lily: The gnome? You’re not still playing pretend games, are you?
Ciara: *Ciara eyed her carefully.* I distinctly remember you arguing with Angus all the time yourself.
Lily: Little girls always have imaginary friends. It’d be silly to do that stuff now.
Ciara: *Ciara opened her mouth- and quickly shut it. It dawned on her, that she was about to chide Lily for the very thing she was doing herself.. But… She didn’t flat out deny they all existed, she just ignored them!* Lily… what happened? Where were you?
Lily: *Saved by lunch! Lily very deliberately didn’t answer the question!* I’d like chocolate milk, please!
Ciara: *Ciara took the pup from Lily’s hands to carry under her arm as she led them out to the balcony. It was a perfect place for lunch, large, beautiful and the view was fantastic! …Now why didn’t Lily answer he question!*
Brutus was not a light puppy but at least he knew enough to stay still! He was wide awake now, tail wagging!
Lily: *Lily took a seat slowly, greatful for Evangeline’s distraction.* I’m starving. I was wondering, what was the puppy’s name again?
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus found himself on the ground but he didn’t mind. He stretched and began to jump!
Ciara: *Ciara sat down, finding herself grinning at Leon!* Showing off now, aren’t you?
Lily: *Already stealing fries to eat and pushing a plate in to Evangeline’s hands, she wasn’t shy about trying the food! In fact, food had to be the best part of being free!*
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus jumped up on everyone!
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus suddenly lost interest in everyone and started on the steaks!
Ciara: *That woman was painfully obvious. But for once, she wasn’t going to point it out.* It’s surprisingly good. I thought you might’ve only knew how to make steak.
Lily: *She didn’t talk, she was too busy eating between helping Evangeline not make a huge mess. She was doing this on purpose! Evangeline was blind, not stupid! But Lily didn’t complain, she’d just roll her eyes handing things to her and making sure to devour anything that was in the vicinity of her plate!*
Ciara: If I weren’t afraid of you eating everything in the kitchens, you could be a chef there.
Lily: *Lily paused, mid pineapple!* …I used to…?
Ciara: Hmm… Except when you’re doing it off the balcony when I’m trying to sleep.
Lily: *Lily choked on her drink, snickering…! Leon does that?!*
Ciara: *Smiling… genuine smiling, even! If he daughter can laugh, she could smile.* It’s making those rumors that I keep wolves as security dogs worse.
Brutus paused in the middle of his bone-chewing. “Arf! Arf!”
Lily: *Lily grinned at Leon!* So I figured out you’re a werewolf too. Does that mean you can get all furry like Brutus?
Lily: Because you’re not actually a real were, right? Cause Mama would have said so with that “Stupid werewolf cooties” like she does about… other stuff. *She had to remind herself those happy fairy tale creatures weren’t real.*
Ciara: Or talked about his tail. He still hasn’t shown me, and he spends a great deal of time bragging about it.
Ciara: Oh, I see. You want to be wined and dined before showing it off? *A wicked teasing smile!*
Ciara: I am. But if you want me to take you out, I can if you’ll show me your tail.
Lily: *This was… cute but disgusting.* I’m kind of tired and I haven’t slept well in ages. Can I take a nap in your room, mama? You could flirt with Leon all you want then.
“Arf! Arft!” Brutus got up and pawed at Evangeline’s hand!
Ciara: *She tried not to look evil at the thought of pulling his tail, but did turn to look at Lily!* Do you want me to sleep with you? I really wouldn’t mind.
Lily: *Lily thought about it for a moment, then smiled!* And miss out on a day with Leon? I’ll be fine by myself.
Ciara: I’ve no intentions of running off a leaving you alone, no matter how soft and fluffy his tail is. I can stay here with you.
Lily: Would you feel better if you called me a babysitter? *It was hard to tell if she were joking or being sarcastic!*
Ciara: Baby, you’ve been missing for years and I don’t want anything to happen to you.
Lily: *Lily stood up slowly, pushing her chair back.* You say that, and yet you couldn’t tell me you’d stop seeing Anthony Carnatelli.
Ciara: That’s not fair. I told you my reasons, Lily. We’ll go take a nap, and talk about it later.
Lily: …I don’t care about your reasons! You’re pretty much a vampire’s whore and no one should ever have to do that!
Brutus watched Evangeline go and was quick to follow!
Ciara: *Ciara blinked, stunned!* Lily, what happened while you were-
Lily: You know what, it was a mistake to come home. *She turned away quickly, brushing past Evangeline.*
Ciara: Wait! *She was out of her chair quickly, to catch her daughter by the arm.* You can’t leave, it’s not safe!
Lily: Don’t! *She pulled her arm free, and took a step back.* You can lecture me about being safe when you stop screwing around with a Carnatelli! I’m going. *She cast a crossed look between hurt and disgust at Ciara before heading for the elevator.*
Ciara: But she’s-… christ. *Ciara fumbled quickly for her phone, and dialed Oracle’s number. Why the hell can’t she go after her own damned daughter? How could that make it worse?! She spoke as soon as someone answered!* This is Ciara Grey. You’re going to send a hunter here to shadow my daughter before she steps a foot out of my hotel. A good hunter. The best one you have, or I’m going to show up there personaly and strangle every last one of you.
And that is how … minutes later, Conrad M. Wolfe was standing in his superior’s office being briefed on some last minute assignment concerning Ms Ciara Grey’s daughter … all while yawning after having just taken a nap!
Ciara: You promise. And I’m supposed to just take your word for it. *Ciara snatched her phone back to march to the kitchen!* Leon!
Ciara: She left me. …And that damned woman won’t let me follow her! I have a right to follow my own daughter! She’s a baby and shouldn’t be alone, and I know damned well there’s something she’s not telling me, and I know it’s bad, something really bad. *She set the phone down on the counter quickly before she decided to throw it. She wasn’t going to cry either, she was just going to stay angry!*
“Arf! Arf!” Brutus quickly followed!
Ciara: So what if something happens to her and I’m not there to do something about it? I called Oracle but… but they’re all a bunch of screwups!
Ciara: What is that supposed to do! I’ll just have the name of the first person I’m going to murder if something happens to my daughter! *She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Damnit…! She didn’t want to cry!*
Ciara: No it’s not. I’m her mother, I can’t. I have to kill vampires, and bully hunters, and do motherly things.
Ciara: You don’t know anything. You’re just- you’re just a wolf with cooties. *Ciara thought about it before she stepped forward quickly to hug him and press her face to his shirt. She wasn’t going to cry, but if it would make him feel better..!*
Ciara: *She didn’t sniffle. It was most certainly allergies.* And pushed me in the moat when I hit him with the sword…
Ciara: Then he cracked me with his elbow and knocked out my last baby tooth… You were really mad when I started crying…
Ciara: *She smiled in to his shirt, a half sniffle.* There were teeth marks on his arm… I thought you might bite me too, you looked so mad.
Ciara: I’m sure he was afraid to say no after you beat the daylights out of him. *She looked and frowned at him.* You distracted me.
Ciara: If I say yes, are you going to give me that awful wolfy smile?
Ciara: My hero. *She rest her forehead against his chest again. Because he needed the comfort, of course.*