[Relationship] Going A Long Long Way

[Tereza Rozanov]

Rather than raise questions by driving all the way to Fan Fach and leaving the car unattended in the middle of nowhere for who knows how long, Tereza opted to leave the car at the Fan Fach car park up the road and hike the rest of the way. She grabs her backpack out of the trunk, shouldering it. "Wonder how many of hikers wander past the place and never realize what's there," she muses to Sam.

[Samantha McManus]

Whether she's been getting along with Tereza better lately or just plain under less stress after Lippincott's departure, Sam has relaxed considerably in the past few weeks. She's gotten the last of her tattoo done, dressed more and more in Tereza's style, and let her hair down both figuratively and literally. At the moment her ginger locks are at an unruly waist length.

"Well I'm sure that's the way Viv's mum likes it, aye?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Probably. Best to avoid 'mortals wandering across the veil' or however Viv would put it," she says, tossing Sam her bag and shutting the trunk. "Should be a nice walk," she remarks, setting out down the road without a second thought.

[Samantha McManus]

"Good weather," she nods as she follows.

"And neither of us is quite mortal."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I was already kind of at peace with that, with being a mutant, but getting bitten just added all sorts of unconsidered dimensions." The hike up to Fan Fach remains pretty nice and, despite the other cars at the car park, they see and Sam senses very few people nearby. As they approach the lake itself, Sam can sense the tingle of the fey magic in the area pulling at her Morrigan side. There's almost a music to it, though it's hard to tell whether it's happy at her presence or trying to soothe her.

[Samantha McManus]

"I can't tell if they're glad to see me, or hoping I won't stay long," Sam says as the feeling comes on.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"That probably depends on who you ask," Tereza chuckles, reaching out to touch where she thinks she remembers the boundary being. Fur ripples across her hand as she presses into it, vanishing quickly. "Well, I think the barrier remembers us at least. Shall we?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Let's see our girlfriend," she nods, stepping through.

[Tereza Rozanov]

Tereza pushes through after her, fur rippling across her before she returns to 'normal'. The castle is still there and like the outside, it's a bright sunny day with banners fluttering on the towers.

[Samantha McManus]

"I suppose we should announce ourselves," she says as she walks up to the gates.

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

Vivienne crosses the court yard excitedly.

“Tereza! Samantha! You came!” She gathered both girls into a single hug and kissed each on the cheek.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Told you I'd be back when I could be," Tereza says, leaning into the hug and eyeing the pair of Rainbow Guard that had been stepping out of the gate only to retreat when the Lady's daughter greets the visitors.

[Nimue Chinnoir]

On the far side of the courtyard, Nimue watches the reunion with a small smile, waiting patiently for the formalities.

[Samantha McManus]

"Ah, and here I was ready to be all formal," she laughs, putting an arm around Viv.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you off. I know it was kind of sudden."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

“You are forgiven if I am for leaving.”

She gathers herself and releases Sam and Tereza.

“Mother, you have met Samantha and Tereza.”

[Nimue Chinnoir]

Nimue approaches. "Oh, I remember them. Morrigan, a pleasure," she says, giving Sam a respectful nod.

[Samantha McManus]

"That's a warm reception, considering I've come to steal your daughter away."

[Nimue Chinnoir]

"All children have to leave home sometime," she says with a soft laugh, "And I think she will be happier with the two of you than she will in this old place. That being said, the two of you are welcome to my hospitality for as long as you wish to stay."

[Samantha McManus]

"What do you say, Viv? Should we mooch off your mum a little longer, or do you want to hit the road already?"

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"We can stay for awhile. I have gifts and someone I would like for you to meet." She spoke excitedly as she gently pulled the two towards the main living building.

[Nimue Chinnoir]

Nimue calls after them as Vivienne drags them away, "The three of you can use the guest quarters in the Moon Tower. We'll celebrate with a dinner tonight, if you're available." She doesn't wait for a response, just gives a knowing smile and moves to go on about her business.

[Samantha McManus]

"The 'moon' tower, eh? I think your mum is having some fun, there."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I presume it's just a name," Tereza chuckles as Viv drags them along.

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"More or less. Structured to take advantage of the night sky." Vivienne lead them through the corridors to the appointed chambers.

"It's also one of the larger collection of rooms."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well, that sounds pleasant regardless," Sam nods.

"Gifts, you said? Honestly, you didn't have to get us anything."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Yeah. We're happy just to have you back with us."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I will be coming home and hopefully what I've done will be worth it."

She let them settle as she fetched a small box from a side table.

"It's for Samantha but if it works it will be a gift for all of us." She handed the box to Sam.

[Samantha McManus]

Sam quirks a brow and opens the box.

"...a ring? Are... are you proposing to me?"

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"It is an offered commitment, yes." She smiled.

"It's stone is from the ring on Melion, the metal forged from the silver dust of the bracelet that shattered when I was freed and the patches I had made for us. I am offering you, hopefully, the power over me and my wolf and with more luck the power over Tereza's. To change a curse in the hands of...who knows into a tool in the hands of someone I love and trust."

[Samantha McManus]

"So a magical ring that... well, that's an awful lot, isn't it?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"It's not much more than some other things," Tereza says, poking Sam on her shoulder.

[Samantha McManus]

"No, I... I suppose it isn't."

"Should I put it on?"

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Whenever you like. No rush. To be warned, I am not sure what exactly it will do for us."

[Samantha McManus]

"This is probably as safe a place as we've got to try," she says, picking it up gingerly and going to slip it on.

[Narrator]

As Sam slips on the ring, she feels that familiar tug again and thoughts come unbidden to her or perhaps from her.

These are her wolves. One already bears the mark of the Morrigan. As that thought occurs to her, Tereza stands up a little straighter, watching her.

The other has offered her this symbol of commitment. If she asks for them to hunt, they will hunt. They will bring down the stag.

[Samantha McManus]

Sam's eyes dilate for a moment before she finds herself again.

"That felt... just a little profound. I think... some of the things we've been doing have been more significant than we knew."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"To quite a few. How do you feel? It wasn't painful?" She watched Sam closely, a bit anxious to be sure nothing harmful happened with the blending of the two magics.

[Samantha McManus]

"I feel fine. No pain, just... I can feel the both of you. I mean, I always can, but this... deepened it. I can feel your wolves, specifically."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Hopefully it's not too much," Tereza says, only mildly worried.

[Samantha McManus]

"Like I'm going to complain about feeling more of you two."