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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 21, 2020 20:19:33 GMT -5
This is the sequel to Monarchy of Roses, feedback is welcome
Prologue
"Pierre and Maria, I am so disappointed in you. In spite of Nika's odd birth, you should have told her" said Hugo sternly.
Pierre Lacroix sighed and ran his hand through his salt and pepper hair, wishing he still smoked. "Hugo, that would have made Zoe even harder on Nika. She was groomed to be a prodigy Zoe could show off on telly, and to have her know about the Sol Duga would have been overwhelming", he said.
"I understand, but Nika is a Lacroix, through her mother. I know her father is sort of famous, but she ought to know. I have news, but she needs to know", said Hugo.
"Is she to go on a mission? But she has her teaching, and she won't go without Josh", said Maria.
"You know we never go alone on our missions, Maria. I am certain that her young man may freak out and I hope we don't have to zap him. It would be a shame, he is very talented", said Hugo.
"Yes, I quite liked Dot Hacker's latest album. Josh is a brilliant musician, he makes her so happy. Don't you dare hurt him", admonished Maria.
"Of course not, but you know our rules", he said.
The wizard's face grew serious. "It's about Zoe, one of our members saw her in Argentina", he said.
Pierre bolted upright, his purplish-blue eyes gleaming from behind his glasses. "But we identified the body at the morgue, the dental records matched up", he whispered.
"It looks as though I'm not the only shape shifter in the organization. Zoe might have faked her death, found a cadaver and changed the teeth. If that is the case, she must be punished. She left behind her daughter and shifted without permission, our member saw her in the 1920s. If that is her, she must be punished for unauthorized time travel and shifting", said Hugo.
"So you want Nika to find her mother", Pierre stayed.
"Yes, and if Josh understands he will come along", said Hugo.
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Post by Tim on Nov 22, 2020 0:18:41 GMT -5
So Nika will be looking for her mother. Interesting.
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 22, 2020 20:18:52 GMT -5
Thanks Tim for the feedback
Chapter 1
Nika couldn't help the feeling of giddiness and pride as she watched Josh perform with Dot Hacker. Even though they were playing at a club in Pasadena, she was proud to see her boyfriend onstage performing with the band in which he made his best, most innovative music. As always, Josh wore baggy drop crotch pants and a black t-shirt with his shaggy brown hair covered by a beanie, his guitar slung low across his lean body.
The crowd of about 200 people were mostly hipster types in black with the men in beards and jeans and the girls in glasses and Converse, all of them quiet and listening attentively to the music. Nika was dressed in black as well but hers was a more simple, classic style with her black pencil skirt and white blouse and black blazer, her curly dark hair in loose waves around her shoulders. Josh closed his eyes as he played an intricate solo, yet it was muted and not flash like many other players. His high tenor voice reached falsetto levels on occasion as his vocals floated above the delicate, keyboard-heavy music.
Josh beamed with pride and he felt a combination of euphoria and exhaustion after the show. He loved seeing Nika in the crowd watching with with those lovely purplish-blue eyes and couldn't wait to take her home, his heart racing in anticipation. He brushed off his bandmates' good natured teasing as he took a quick shower and changed into pair of baggy black sweatpants and a Beatles t-shirt before putting away his gear. "That was an amazing show!", said Nika happily.
Josh hugged her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Thanks, my Night Owl", he chuckled.
"I mean it, especially your leads on Disorder. I thought I heard a bit of Radiohead in the riff", she said.'
"Correct, I'm rubbing off on you", he teased.
Nika laughed. "I know, I have a rock music for a dad and barely listened to any growing up. And a certain guitarist is going to get a reward", she purred.
Josh immediately grew warm and his brown eyes turned gold with lust. "Be careful, Night Owl. I have to drive us back", he growled.
"I know, we are both patient people", she teased.
Josh said goodbye to his bandmates as he and Nika loaded his guitar, amplifier, keyboards and drum machine into the back of his Volvo. "We'll need to get some rest, we're picking up John and then driving to Palm Springs to visit your family", he said.
"I know, Dad still won't learn how to drive. Flea or someone else has to drive him everywhere, he's so spaced out that driving may not be a good idea", said Nika ruefully.
"Yeah, but that's what makes John a brilliant musician. It's an artist thing, we all have a bit of cloud-cuckoo lander in us", Josh mused aloud.
The short drive from Pasadena to the hills was only twenty minutes as the lights of Los Angeles beckoned in the distance. Even through the city's ever-present smoggy haze, the lights of the city shone through like stars casting their glow around the metropolitan area. The hills were a contrast to the hustle and bustle of rest of LA, the hills looking down on the city lights which glowed like fireflies in a darkened jar.
Josh pulled into the driveway of their modest house and opened the garage door. Nika helped him take out the equipment before they went inside. The lights revealed a large parlor with a brown sofa facing a TV and a coffee table which held a bouquet of peonies in a purple glass jar whose scent filled the air. Next to the parlor was his music room which provided a contrast to the neat and orderly parlor. While the room was cluttered, it was not untidy and there was a sort of order to the room. Piles of CD's and vinyl records were scattered in neat piles around the room, a record player and a CD player resting on a brown table. Several keyboards were pushed against the wall next to a rack of guitars, a drumkit, assorted keyboards and drum machine, a cello and three bases completing the mélange of instruments. Three bookshelves were crammed with all sorts of books, ranging from novels to art books to history and random finds from local used bookshops and charity shops. The whole combined to show this was an artist's lair, unknowable to the normals around them.
Josh placed the guitar and keyboard back in their proper places with the amplifier and drum machine nearby. "When we get back, I have to finish my painting. Otherwise, the texture will be all weird", he mused aloud.
"Both of us need to shut off our brains, but it's so hard. Come to bed, don't you want to see your surprise?", she teased.
A slow smile formed on his face and his brown eyes turned golden. "Of course, I can never deny my Night Owl", he laughed.
Josh followed her upstairs to their room and stripped down to their boxers as Nika went into the bathroom. He wondered what sort of surprise she had in mind and chuckled to himself knowing that watching him perform always made her want to jump his bones and come up with something different.
It seemed as though she took forever and Josh tried to remain patient even if the anticipation made his stomach tense and his heart race. He could hear her in the bathroom and was anxious to see what she was going to do. After a seeming eternity, the door opened and his eyes widened in appreciation.
"Wow," he murmured.
"You like what you see, Josh?", she teased as he could only nod.
Nika leaned against the doorway, wearing a diaphanous royal blue chiffon Greek peplos with her curly dark hair piled atop her head and a thin golden diadem around her brow. Even though the costume had a long skirt, the fabric was virtually see-through and there was a slit up the side, he could see she was nude underneath. The realization made blood rush south and his mouth go dry, as he watched her walk towards the bed. "I love that outfit, it's fucking sexy", he growled.
Nika chuckled, her dark blue eyes amused. "I knew you would like it, this is a peplos which I bought from Etsy", she replied.
Josh groaned as she joined him on the bed, sitting p and making her straddle his lap. "Bad girl, I feel it. Where did my shy little Night Owl go?", he teased.
"Your Night Owl grew wings", she giggled.
The two of them flopped down on the bed, breathless and pleasantly exhausted. "Lucky we don't tour so much, I need my energy", he teased.
Nika tried to glare at her boyfriend but couldn't help the giggle escaping her lips. "Why shouldn't I reward my handsome, talented boyfriend?", she laughed.
"And I like getting rewards from my beautiful, intelligent girlfriend. Too bad we have to be more discreet at your grandparents' house, they are so British", he chuckled.
"They know we live together, but I wouldn't want to freak them out. Good night, Josh", she said.
"Good night, Night Owl", he said before turning off the light.
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Post by Tim on Nov 23, 2020 0:23:37 GMT -5
Guess the quest starts soon.
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 25, 2020 7:41:44 GMT -5
Chapter 2
The figure padded up the stairs silently and entered the room. The room was quiet except for the soft snores of the couple in bed, a thin sliver of moonlight coming through the parted windows. Josh rolled over and smiled in his sleep when he felt Nika's body against him, the sensation of sharing a bed with his girlfriend one he knew he would never get tired of. There was a slight chill in the room and he pulled the blanket around them, grumbling softly. He had an odd sensation there was a presence in the room as slowly opened his eyes.
The room as still dark and his eyes slowly adjusted. Josh sat up with a start when he saw the silhouetted figure by the window, grabbing the large paperback book on his nightstand and preparing to throw it. "Relax, Josh. I won't hurt you. Please wake up Nika, we must talk. Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, excellent book", said the figure approvingly in an upper-class English accent.
Josh could only nod as he gently shook her. Nika opened her eyes and saw Josh pointing to the figure as she let out a squeak, clutching the blanket to her chest. "I am sorry to bother you, Nika. Please turn on the light", he said kindly.
With shaking hands, she reached over and turned on the light. In the soft light of the bedroom, the figure appeared as a middle-aged hippie in jeans and a Jefferson Airplane t-shirt, their graying-brown hair in a ponytail. "Who are you? There's nothing here to rob", asked Josh warily.
"Nonsense, you have quite a collection of musical instruments. I didn't mean to be rude, but I am Hugo Lacroix, the head of Sol Duga", replied the hippie dude.
"Are you Interpol or something? I only smoked pot a few times in high school and tried cocaine once", said Josh.
"Of course not, but I mean no harm. Nika, your family never told you about us, a very big oversight. The Lacroix are one of the four clans of Sol Duga, along with Torres, Sutherland, and Jarvinen", said Hugo.
"Great-Aunt Olivia's last name is Sutherland", said Nika.
"Yes, she married into the Sutherland clan. You are a Lacroix through your mother", said Hugo.
"What the hell is a Sol Duga?", Josh demanded.
"If you don't agree, I will zap your brain so you forget about us. The four clans are all members of Sol Duga. I am Hugo Lacroix, the head of Sol Duga. We are an organization of hereditary time travelers, we help people or prevent things", said Hugo.
There was silence. "That's impossible, that'll bring out the butterfly effect and you'll screw up things worse", said Josh.
"Not really, Bradbury was a brilliant writer but had no idea about time travel. And don't ask us if we can stop Hitler, Germany was such a mess someone worse might have come along", said Hugo.
"I wish you could, Dad's family is Jewish and luckily that side of the family was already here in the US before all that", Josh muttered.
"I'm glad to hear that. Nika, for some reason, your mother and grandparents never told you about us. I will need to speak with them", said Hugo.
"What about Dad?", she asked.
"John is coming along, he ought to know. I have a feeling he could believe me", replied Hugo.
"But how do you travel in time? DeLorean, lighting strike?", asked Josh sarcastically.
Hugo took out a ring from his pocket. At first glance it appeared to be a piece of costume jewelry, a brass ring with an opaque gray stone. On closer inspection, tiny white swirls floated on the smooth surface and slowly moved around. "Cool ring. So you guys use mood rings?", asked Josh, raising an eyebrow.
"You could use a mood ring, but I prefer to use a monochrome ring. I will go with you to Palm Springs, and I would like to meet your father. He is a brilliant musician, but I prefer his solo work", said Hugo.
"Uh, thanks. What is your favorite of Dad's albums?", asked Nika.
"A Will to Death, or Shadows Collide With People. And I love your work with Dot Hacker, Josh. You are a brilliant musician, I'm looking forward to your next album", said Hugo.
"Thanks, I guess. But why are you here, couldn't you wait until we got to Palm Springs? And how did you get in here?", asked Josh.
"I floated in, I can teleport since I am a wizard", replied Hugo.
"Wait, you're a wizard? How old are you?", asked Josh.
"Yes, and I am exactly 3,009 years old", replied Hugo as the couple gaped.
"I suppose that's the normal reaction. Just go to sleep and I'll explain more tomorrow in Palm Springs. May I use the guest room?", he asked as Josh just nodded.
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Post by Tim on Nov 25, 2020 12:40:32 GMT -5
I guess that, during this, Nika will discover who her grandmother's true identity.
Good one about Hitler. Guess Sol Duga also gets asked about stopping the assassination of JFK and such.
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 25, 2020 12:51:28 GMT -5
Yeah, because people think it could’ve been stopped. Sol Duga can’t stop that since it would change history in a major way, and not necessarily in a good way. Germany was such a mess that someone worse than Hitler might have come to power. Josh asks that because his father’s family are German Jewish, the family came to the US in the 1850s. Many people I know here in NJ are part Jewish, it’s common in the NYC area.
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Post by Tim on Nov 25, 2020 12:52:50 GMT -5
Best to leave major historical events alone.
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 28, 2020 21:43:40 GMT -5
Chapter 3 Josh woke up the next morning and wondered if last night was some sort of really weird dream. "I know, it feels like a weird dream. But I have a feeling about this, I think Dad will actually believe Hugo", said Nika. "If he's a wizard, I hope he doesn't have ex-ray vision", said Josh with a grimace. "Same here. I don't know why Pepere and Grandmere never told me about this Sol Duga bunch. And why is Hugo here?", she mused aloud. "It might be an Alice in Wonderland thing, but we'll just have to see", replied Nika. Josh was glad the bedroom door was closed as they went to the bathroom to shower. Normally they would have taken their time in the shower, but both were anxious to speak with Hugo and pick up John. Downstairs Hugo had made a pot of coffee and was admiring one of Josh's paintings on the wall. "Is that yours? You have a good eye, Josh", said Hugo. "Thanks, I painted that. It's three flowers in different states of decay, Fleur d'Cay", Josh replied. "Baudelaire references, I presume?", asked Hugo. "I've read Fleur d'Mal, but it was actually three flowers in a vase. It's another artistic outlet for me", said Josh. "You are very good. Nika, have you phones John?", asked Hugo. "Should I? But Dad isn't easily freaked out, he might actually think you're cool", said Nika. "Actually, John is a Torres through his father. Your grandfather Frusciante is half Puerto Rican, his mother was a Torres", said Hugo. "What? But Torres is a common Spanish name", said Nika in surprise. "It is, but I know these things. I suppose your great-grandmother never knew or didn't want your grandfather to know", said Hugo. "But that's only a quarter", she said. "Sol Duga blood is strong, the abilities manifest itself in anyone who has at least 1/8 Sol Duga heritage. We have very few pure bloods, we don't want inbreeding", replied Hugo. "Wait, so John is one of you guys? He would actually like that, since he's really into that woo woo stuff", said Josh with a rueful smile. "Perhaps. I will explain more once we get to Palm Springs. Let's get some breakfast and then pick up John", said Hugo. "I'm used to making big breakfasts, I did that for Dad when I lived with him so it was one less thing for Mildred to do. He's in the studio all day and wouldn't emerge until late", said Nika as she took out the George Foreman grill and began to cook eggs, bacon and sausage. "I quite like your father's solo work, the Chili Peppers music is a bit too mainstream for my tastes. I especially liked A Will to Death and Shadows Collide With People. You and John have an excellent musical rapport", said Hugo. "Thanks. When John and I started writing songs together, we had this great chemistry and just clicked. We love making music together, but John is really into electronic music right now and he'll call me to add some keyboards", said Josh. "For a skinny lad, you have an appetite", laughed Hugo when breakfast was finished. "I know, I guess it's a good thing I can't gain weight. And my girlfriend is a good cook", Josh chuckled. "Hah, I learned from Grandmere. She loves to cook, I learned from the best", said Nika with a laugh. She rinsed off the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher before going to brush her teeth and get dressed. "Josh, I will vow to you, if anything, I will not let Nika go on her own. I see how you look at her, you truly love her", said Hugo. "I know, I've had girlfriends before but she's the one I want to spend my life with. For years I thought she was a cute kid, but two years ago I realized she had blossomed into a beautiful woman. And she is brilliant, the whole package", said Josh with a dreamy sigh. "Good for you. I try to avoid human relationships, since I am immortal. And outsiders can't know about us, I don't want the FBI or MI6 or Interpol to know", said Hugo. "That makes sense, sort of how like the government doesn't want people to know about what's in Area 51 or Hanger 18", said Josh. "I know, Americans are an especially gullible and incredulous lot", agreed Hugo. "Have you met the Count St. Germain?", asked Josh. "Yes, quite an interesting chap. He was an immortal like me and he really did meet Jesus. Unfortunately, he committed suicide in the 70's, he couldn't take being immortal. As long as there are members of Sol Duga, I have something to live for", said Hugo. Nika came downstairs, wearing a long denim skirt and a purple blouse. "You look great, Night Owl. Lucky I don't have to get all dressed sup", laughed Josh. "Of course, but Grandmere won't mind", she teased. Josh wore his typical baggy black sweatpants and black pullover, a gray beanie perched atop his head with a fringe of brown hair poking out around the edges. "Grandmere is going to tell you to fatten up", teased Nika. "I got a super-fast metabolism, even as a kid. Mom says the same thing, it's a Mom thing", Josh laughed. Josh made sure the door was locked and helped Nika put their bags in the trunk of his Volvo. "We're taking my car since it's bigger", he explained. It was barely ten minutes later that they arrived at John's house. "Dad, we have a guest and he's coming with us to Palm Springs", said Nika. "I know, I got a text from Pierre saying this Hugo guy was coming with us", said John matter-of-factly. "What? Weren't you alarmed?", asked Nika in surprise. "No, if your grandparents trust him, I think he's okay. And I'm open, I'm always open. I'm taking Chiara, she's been lonely since Gabriel and Bianca died", said John sadly. Chiara deigned to give them a haughty look with cool green eyes before John put her in her travel cage. "I'm sorry to hear about your cats, John", said Hugo. "Thanks, both were old and sickly and had to be put down. Chiara is only three years old, I might go down to the shelter and get another one so she doesn't get lonely", said John. John put his suitcase in the trunk and carefully placed the cage on the floor of the backseat. "Did Chiara like your new music?", she teased. "Hah, but yeah. I'm working on some acid house, I bought some vintage Roland gear on eBay and been messing around with it. I want to make the tracks sound 80's, not cold and digital. When we get back, I'll play it for you guys", said John eagerly. "Cool, I haven't played a Roland in ages. My keyboards are more modern. Roland's are temperamental", said Josh. Soon they had descended the road away from the hills and were heading towards I-10 going east. The ever-present LA traffic towards the beaches inched westward in the opposite direction as the eastbound side had less traffic. The suburbs of Orange County soon gave way to small towns and then desert as they headed further east, the car stereo playing Aphex Twin at John's request. The spare electronic music seemed appropriate as they drove through the desert east of Orange County, on their way to oasis of Palm Springs. Josh parked in the driveway of the handsome Spanish-style house and got their bags out of the trunk. John had taken Chiara's cage out and the tuxedo cat gave him a dirty look as she waited for the door to open. Pierre opened the door of the house and led them inside while Maria put a kettle on the stove. "I will explain everything", said Hugo.
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Post by Tim on Nov 29, 2020 12:17:29 GMT -5
How an an immortal commit suicide!?
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Nov 29, 2020 12:30:42 GMT -5
How an an immortal commit suicide!?
The Count St Germain was a French adventurer who claimed to be immortal and to have met Jesus. I’d read some book on unsolved mysteries years ago which claimed that the Count St Germain survived until the 1970s and committed suicide because he couldn’t take being immortal. The book said he shot himself, apparently he was impervious to other suicide methods. It was an old book, I don’t have it anymore but I did remember that part.
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Post by Tim on Nov 30, 2020 0:26:34 GMT -5
Immortal?
More likely he was a kook who did WAY too many drugs.
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Dec 2, 2020 10:15:36 GMT -5
Chapter 4
The air inside the living room was heavy with anticipation and uncertainty as everyone sat on the couch, holding cups of tea. Even Chiara was still as she laid down on John's lap and looked at Hugo with curious green eyes. "She seems like a very intelligent cat", said Hugo.
"She is, I play her my music before I decide to put it on the album. She has excellent taste", said John with a proud smile.
Maria entered the parlor with a plate of freshly baked gingersnaps. "I haven't had gingersnaps since I was a kid, my grandma used to bake them", said Josh as he handed Nika a cookie.
"I enjoy baking, and cooking in general. Nicole's grandmother taught me to cook Greek food. she's my stepdaughter, Pierre's daughter with his first wife, I adopted her after we got married. She lives in Cyprus where her mother's people own an olive grove and an olive oil factory", said Maria.
"Aunt Nicole and Uncle Giorgios have visited Palm Springs, I've never been to Cyprus", said Nika.
"Maybe we can go there someday, I've never been to that part of the world before", Josh mused aloud.
The small talk continued for a while until everyone finished drinking their tea and eating cookies. Hugo set down his mug and everyone turned to face the wizard. "The reason I wanted you all here is because we believe Zoe faked her death", he said.
The words hung in the air as they slowly sunk in. "What!? But why? But how?", Nika stammered.
"Remember, she had a closed casket funeral. Her body was mangled in that car accident and the family had to do a closed casket funeral since the body was in such bad shape. But I identified the body through the teeth, the mouth had the same sort of crown as Zoe and the fingerprints matched", said Maria in alarm.
"I may not be the only shape-shifted in Sol Duga. Somehow Zoe might have faked her death", said Hugo grimly.
"Why don't you dig up the body?", asked Josh.
"The body was in such bad shape, and it will attract attention", replied Hugo.
"Okay, but why do you think she faked her death?", asked Nika.
"Antonio Torres was investigating the disappearance of several local girls in Ushuaia, and he swears he saw Zoe, in 1923. Here's a picture", said Hugo, taking out his wallet and showing them a photo. The picture as though it was shot by a spy camera and it showed a woman's profile from about three feet away. Her curly dark hair was neatly coiffed into a bob whose fringe brushed the top of her high cheekbones, her almond-shaped eyes a dark blue with purple highlights. On the edge of her lip was a tiny mole just below her slim nose as Nika let out a cry. "Mom!", she exclaimed.
"Wow, is that her, Mr. and Mrs. Lacroix?", asked Josh.
Pierre adjusted his glasses and examined the picture. "My God, that is her. That mole, no one else has it but her", he said, showing the picture to Maria.
"It is Zoe! How could she do this?", she demanded.
John and Nika were startled at the older woman's outburst, so out of character for the normally placed Maria. "Wow, but why? She could have just quit her job", said John.
"Zoe was always about duty, I don't remember her doing anything spontaneous. Perhaps she just snapped and went mad", said Pierre.
Nika slumped back on the couch as tears filled her eyes. The idea that her mother had abandoned her and the family was overwhelming as it now finally sunk in and tears fell down her cheeks. With a loud cry, Nika bolted from the room and ran upstairs to the guest room. Josh was about to run after her when John stopped him. "Leave her alone for a bit, she needs to cry it out. It's a big shock", said the older man kindly.
Josh let out a huff and looked towards the stairs. Every fiber of his being wanted to run upstairs and hug her, to comfort her. But he knew John was right as he let out a sigh. "I can't imagine what's going on in her mind, her mom abandoned her. And to go to the ass-end of Argentina to the 20's, pardon my language", said Josh.
"No offense taken. But I am very angry at our daughter, she abandoned her child. I can't imagine abandoning my children, Mama and Papa would have never abandoned us", said Maria angrily.
"I know, Maria. I don't know if I should hug her or throttle her", said Pierre, shaking his head.
"Same here, I can't imagine anyone doing that. I couldn't do that to my parents, it would devastate them. Zoe sounds like a nasty piece of work, no offense Pierre and Maria", said John.
"I understand, I just want to know why she did it. If she was unsatisfied, she could have told u s. We would've understood", said Maria in despair.
"It is not your fault, Maria. It is Zoe's fault", said Pierre.
John motioned for Josh to follow him upstairs. Nika lay sprawled out on the bed face down and sobbing, her dark hair loose from her French twist and scattered across her back. John took her into his arms and hugged her, holding her and smoothing her hair like he did when she was a child. "Mom abandoned us!", she screamed.
"She did, and I can't believe anyone could be that selfish. But you got your Lacroix family, and Josh and your Frusciante family", he said.
Nika looked up with red-rimmed blue eyes, her face flushed. "I want to kill her", she muttered.
John let her go and she slumped into Josh's arms. "I never thought, all those years, she was in Argentina. How can she abandon Pepere and Grandmere, Uncle Basil and Aunt Nicole?", she muttered.
Josh just held her a few minutes. "Your mother sounds like a selfish woman, Night Owl. But you got us, we'll always protect you", he vowed.
"Josh is right, Zoe is a very selfish woman. Even when I was at my most fucked up, I wouldn't have faked my death. She's very selfish, I can't imagine doing that to my parents", said John.
Nika managed to calm down as she snuggled against Josh. "Mom is selfish, but I got you two, and my grandparents, aunts and uncles", she vowed.
"Good. Now let's see what Hugo wants", said John.
The trio went back downstairs as Maria swept away the cookie crumbs from the floor with a broom. "I'm sorry if the news alarmed you, but I understand. You didn't see Zoe at the funeral since it was closed-casket and assumed it was her in there. But it was selfish of her, and she broke one of her biggest rules. Members of Sol Duga aren't allowed to time travel without telling me, since I give the orders", said Hugo.
"So you send people on these missions? How often is that?", asked Josh.
"Not as many as you think, only if I feel it's something that needs to be done. I send members who have the appropriate skill set and knowledge. Antonio was investigating a series of disappearances of local girls in Ushuaia, he's a detective. They were not anywhere in Argentina or in neighboring countries, he thought they might have been kidnapped and sent back in time, he was following a hunch", said Hugo.
Nika looked sick. "I hope Mom isn't involved with that", she said in disgust.
"Antonio just did a very a thorough investigation in our time, he got the government involved but nothing turned up. The Argentine government is very eager to get this solved, it makes the country look bad since they aren't supposed to be as messed up as other countries", said Hugo with a sardonic smirk on his face.
He became serious. "If Zoe is involved, this is very bad news. She might have gone rogue", said the wizard.
"Josh, do you speak Spanish?", he asked suddenly.
"Si, puedo hablar Espanol, porqué vivo aqui en Los Angeles. Tenemos muchos gentes de Mexico y otros paises que viven aqui, muchos gentes hablan Espanol y son algo que necisstas para vivir aqui" (Yes, I speak Spanish, because there’s a lot of Mexican and other Spanish speaking people there. A lot of people speak Spanish and it’s useful), he replied in fluent Spanish with a slight American accent.
"Verdad, y yo tambien. Necessito hablar Espanol en California Sul" (True, and me too. I need to speak Spanish in Southern California), said Nika, her Spanish spoken with a Castellano accent.
"Que bueno. I agree, Spanish is very useful in southern California, it's practically a necessity", said Hugo.
"I'm going to start dinner, then we'll talk more about this later", said Maria.
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Post by Tim on Dec 2, 2020 13:05:46 GMT -5
Maria, that daughter of yours needs a good talking to!
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Post by ladyfiaran22 on Dec 5, 2020 10:26:52 GMT -5
Chapter 5
"Are you sure my granddaughter is feeding you, Josh? You're so skinny", chided Maria.
Josh laughed as he served himself a second helping of mashed potatoes. "Nika is a great cook, but I've always been skinny and so is Dad. Mom asks the same question", he chuckled.
"I'm just teasing you, I did teach Nika to cook. And looks like Chiara is enjoying herself", said Maria. Chiara looked up at the older woman with cool green eyes and went back to eating her grilled steak.
"I tried to go vegetarian years ago after I got out of rehab, but it messed with my system since I'd been so malnourished for years. My system needs protein, since when I was on drugs I lived on coffee and cigarettes", said John as he had another helping of meat.
"Yeah, Dad. Luckily I taught you how to operate the George Foreman grill", teased Nika.
"That's an awesome device, it's idiot-proof. It's one less thing for Mildred to do", said John.
Hugo sat in a corner and read from his Kindle. "I have no need for human food, have for 2,500 years", he replied.
"Does that bother you?", asked Josh.
"No, it give me more time since I don't have to eat. If I have to eat in public, I will, but I can't taste it", said Hugo.
"Wow, that really sucks!", Josh exclaimed.
"I have gotten used to it, Josh. And I am trying to read Lord Dunsany", said Hugo, going back to his tablet.
Dinner was finished as Maria gathered up the plates and placed them in the dishwasher. "Many years ago, this would be the time where we would smoke Regals. But both of us quit smoking in the 70's, after the doctors were saying it caused cancer", said Pierre ruefully.
"I know, I used to smoke a lot more in the 80's and 90's, I was a two-pack a day smoker until the late 90's. Now I'm a three-cigarette per day smoker", said John. He took a out a silver cigarette case with an engraved infinity symbol on the lid and selected a Dunhill, lighting the tip with a matching silver Zippo lighter before taking a drag.
"I suppose after all the drugs you did, a handful of cigs won't do anything", said Pierre.
John nodded and exhaled. "Yeah, I did enough drugs to stun a horse. I only smoke after meals, it's either cigarettes, junk food or coffee", he replied.
"The one time I tried to smoke, I nearly threw up", said Nika.
"I know, you tried to smoke one of mine. Then again, I'm down to three a day from two packs", said John.
John took his time smoking until the cigarette was just a centimeter long. He dropped the tiny butt into a delicate porcelain ashtray just as Hugo got up and set aside his Kindle. "Please go to the parlor", he ordered softly.
Everyone went to the parlor and sat down on the various sofas, even Chiara looking a bit afraid at the wizard as she leapt onto John's lap. "There are several things I must tell you. First of all, John, your grandmother on your father's side was a Torres", said Hugo.
John's hazel eyes went wide and Chiara meowed loudly in alarm. "Really? She died when I was a kid and I barely knew her, I know she was Puerto Rican but Dad always insisted he was Italian. My Dad is half-Italian and half-Puerto Rican, but insists he's Italian. When he was a kid, people didn't like Puerto Rican", he said.
"Yes, your grandmother was a Torres but her parents never told her. I suppose they were concerned about attracting attention, I imagine such things would have been looked on as weird in rural Puerto Rico", said Hugo.
"Yeah, I wonder if Dad has any idea or what. So does that make me 25% Sol Duga?", asked John.
"Up to an 1/8 is sufficient, when one marries into a Sol Duga clan and is inducted as a member, the children are full bloods. Maria was inducted after we got married so our children are full bloods, Nika is 75% Sol Duga, if she and Josh have children after he gets inducted, the children will be full bloods", said Pierre.
Both Nika and Josh blushed and giggled nervously. "Hypothetically speaking, of course. But members of the same clan cannot have children together, it leads to inbreeding", said Hugo.
"Yeah, we don't want any more ugly, deformed Hapsburgs", joked Pierre.
"Yes, what an ugly, ghastly-looking bunch of people. Nika, what happened to the Romanovs?", Hugo asked all of a sudden.
"They were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918, and a crazy lady claimed to be Anastasia", she replied with a confused frown.
"That's what people believe, it's easier that way", said Hugo.
"Wait, did you guys save them? What about the woman who claimed she was Anastasia?", asked Josh.
"She wasn't Anastasia, she was a very sad and disturbed woman. Yes, we did save them", said Hugo.
Maria got up from the couch and gave her a hug. "Nika, I am the Grand Duchess Maria Nicholaevna Romanova", she said softly.
Nika's eyes rolled nearly to the back of her head as she slumped against the sofa. "What?! Then Aunt Olivia is Olga? And Aunt Tessa is Tatiana? And my great-grandparents were the czar and czarina", she whispered.
Josh looked just as shocked as did John as Chiara gave everyone her own shocked look. "So my girlfriend is royalty. Wow", he said in a daze.
"Not really, once the family came forward we made sure they got official-looking British passports and ID's as the Parker family. So as far as the world is concerned, the Romanovs died in that basement", said Hugo.
"This is too much. Mom faked her death, Dad and I belong to a time traveling organization and I'm a Romanov. What's next aliens?", she muttered.
"Aliens do exist, the US government is covering up Roswell. But seriously, all of this is a shock", said Hugo.
"I hope Putin doesn't find out", said Josh in alarm.
"No, he thinks the Romanovs are dead. And none of your relatives is interested in being the next ruler of Russia, even if Putin is a total wanker", said Hugo.
"But why are you telling me this? I've been doing my student teaching and working on my Masters, and I learn all this. I need a drink", she muttered.
"It's because of Zoe, when Antonio went to Ushuaia he took a picture and it was her", said Hugo.
Nika suddenly had an idea of what Hugo wanted. "You want me to go find Mom. But only if Josh comes with me", she declared.
"Of course, you can't go by yourself and he knows Spanish. But in the 47 Ronin, did the Ronin go after Lord Kira right away?", asked Hugo.
"No, they bided their time until they believed he had forgotten about them. Yes, I want you and Josh to fetch Zoe from Argentina. But first, I know you'll want more answers. Go to England and speak to the family, Olivia, Natalie and Alex at Roseblanche", said Hugo.
"I'm going too, I want answers. I need to know more", said John.
"Of course, tomorrow go and book a flight to England. I hope you have nothing lined up", said Hugo.
"No, the songs just need to be mastered", said John.
"And it's summer so I don't have teaching", said Nika.
"The other guys in Dot Hacker got some session gigs lined up, I was planning on going to a used bookstore", said Josh.
"Okay, good night everyone and see you at Roseblanche", said Hugo,
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