A long awaited Return ( Private)

A whistle could be heard in the distance if anyone was standing in close quarters of the student lounge, it was one of her favorite places to actually go in this school. The beautiful stained glass windows she could stare at for hours they memories they brought back, and the just feeling they gave off. They to her appeared to be the mark of an inner flame something burning from inside the castle. She wanted to go into the small balconies over head and stand there and wonder if anyone would call out to a Juliet from a distance.

But alas, right now she was just trying to calm her nerves to long it has been since she had seen or heard from Nate. The relationship between the two of them has now changed and she wanted to make amends and perhaps create a different type of bridge between them. Softly a smile pressed against her lips as her fingertips lightly touched the clear tea pot sitting before her, violet eyes watched as the herbal leaves rose and fall against the heat.

The tiny burner was plugged into the wall but neatly tucked towards the side of the table facing the window so the cord was almost hidden in the crack of the wall. A few jasmine flowers had been sprinkled over the table while the pot continued to steep against the heat of the burner. A light twist of zest of tangerine she had added to the mix and off to the side a small plate filled with slices had been added. Just in case the guest she invited decided to show up. Two jade color cups and saucers sat on the table waiting to be filled with the warming liquid.

Lavender locks of hair flowed like a waterfall down her back as she sat there in a geisha dress it was white with coy fish all over it and small pounds that shimmered because of the blue threads. Sitting with her legs cross her bare feet would sway out and in a bit as she waited. She knew that no one ever came to this place, and once he arrived she would make sure that the doors would become locked so that no one else could come inside. The sound of soft humming could be heard as she was in the spirit of the mood, you could tell by the expressions on her face she really didn’t know what to expect.

The lounge was the most likely place Lillian would have wanted to meet. It had the most space. So if his suspisions were correct, and his batting average was over 500, he had adequately prepared.

The note had made extensive use of her caligraphy, which was his first clue. Lillian had perfumed the letter and envelope. Thus making a big, and traditional, display of the invitation.

His steps were silent as he made his way to the lounge door. Not clad in ceremonial attire, but he was dressed well. suits well really suited the man's frame, demeanor, and status. Rather than his normal black or silver tie, Nate wore a royal blue with gold stripes. He matched his cufflinks to the tie, though his belt remained his custome built one.

The door smelled of jasmine...and orange? no it was something else. Regaurdless it was a good scent. Nathaniel opened the door and stepped in shutting the door behind him quickly and quietly. He enjoyed tea, though ceremony was not his strongest class.

Gray eyes quickly assessed the room. Cleaned recently, dusted, 76 degrees roughly, semi formal, tangerine and not orange. the gaurdian former bowed formally and offered the box of oriental sweets.

"I trust these will compliment your tea Lillian, or is it Lady Lillian these days", he inquired formally, but politely.

It was interesting taking in an asian costume on the continent of his birth. Though to be honest, Nate was a child of the world.

The humming would softly continue until she heard the creaking of the door lifting those violet colored orbs, looking at a chance to see who was arriving. Then his reflection was captured within them as she watched him walk up towards her, the memories began to flood in her mind like waves cashing against the coastline. Lifting her hand out of her lap she would wave it gently outwards and then up and the door would lock behind the two of them, she could hold it locked as long as her emotions stayed under control. Hopefully Nate would just think that she was waving at him, but from her experience he was also trained in the ways of the magic art.

A smile swept across the softness of her lips as he approached her reaching out she would take the end of the box and rest it on the table, while she stood to greet him and bowed her head in his direction. The smile never left her lips as she would reach her arm out hearing him speak she was going to serve him his tea proper as any lady would.

Speaking in a very light and delicate tone shaking her head lightly,

“ It would only changed to Lady Lillian if you wish me to address you as Mister Nathaniel, instead of Nate”

The ball was bounced in his court as she would wait for him to sit, moving towards the table’s side she would reach out towards the pot and take the handle within her hand.

“Have and seat and thank you for joining me. I do hope that you enjoy Jasmine with a bit of Tangerine in your tea, it is one of my favorite herbal blends.”

She would watch his every move there was no denying it Nate was a very attractive man, even in his younger years now he is just more rice with age.

(Sorry for the delay)

"Call me as you wish, you've heard many of my names", he responded as he obeyed. Using magic to close the door seemed unecessary to him. Yet, he knew Miss Dashelle was rarely one to follow any rules but her own. A trait they both shared, but used for different goals and with different motivations.

Her eyes followed him, which felt akin to a cat waiting for a mouse to draw to close. Perhaps it was his oldhabits, experience, or shared history, but he moved with more pause than his norm.

First he set the box of sweets upon her tea table. His eyes slowly ran the gauntlet of the room and back over her. A look a tamed pet was not present on his face, nor was the stressed gaze of a newly caged animal. Nate held that iced look of a man how thought out every action.

"To what do I owe the occasion", he inquired as he uncovered his box displaying the rice cakes and lightly fried treats. "I do enjoy that combination of tea and citrus. I'm only an amatuer when it comes to tea, though", he confessed as he only learned the intricocies of tea in his time in Japan. His gray eyes took in the detail of her kimono, set up, and choice of tea. Noting the privacy, he would speak again,"You seem to be quite the student; proper attire, tools, invitation, and a privatized venue. I am not sure if this is a social occassion."

Nathaniel wasn't worried, but Lillian was not an easy read. Nor had she and himself the best of histories. The gaurdian former, wondered why her eyes were lingering, though he did not expect his questions answered.

The magic was a just a simple gestured used to make sure that their conversation was only for their ears, and perhaps the ghost’s living in the different pictures along the wall. Perhaps he would assume that she might have a hidden agenda behind the idea of getting him to meet her, yet for the first time there wasn’t any. Her only agenda was to patch up their rough history if she could, and hoped that maybe, just maybe that could be friends after everything. Gently the vibrant smile highlighted her lips hearing him speak that she may call him anything she wished to her, she thought for a moment pressing her index finger to her lips. His reflection was captured into the mist heart of her eyes and for a moment she held them there.

“Then I think that Nate serves you well, unless you are in a formal setting and it shall be Mister Anderson” playfully she would winks in his direction trying to lighten the tone of the mood.

His facial expressions told her all that she needed to know he didn’t react or respond in any particular way, he attempted to keep that solid expression on his face. Her goal, to get him to lighten up just a little be and enjoy himself.

Tilting her head ever so slightly a few loose strands of hair swept across those soften cheeks as she looked at him with violet eyes.

“ I am glad you enjoy the zest, I can teach you if you like sometime. The secret is to use the right herbals with the right type of fruit, or another herb. Some are best just to enhance your taste before you eat something. The reason I invited you here is I thought it would be nice to start to get to know each other, instead of having this weird void that has been lingering over the years?”

Smiling hearing his answer to the question she presented but she smirks and nod’s lightly, contemplating on what to say.

“I am a student at the university but as you know I am always around for other reasons as well. But, that aside what have you been up to since black lotus?”

Black Lotus, a name burned into his very being. The academy completely changed his life course. It was fair enough of a question, though to him it was like aother life. despite his upbriging, he was too green back then.

"I've been busy. Took on consulting and specialist work, mostly in Europe and Asia. I went to college online, to allow me to keep up with my travels. I have 2 BS a BA and a handful of AAs. I may pursue a masters while I work here", he explained.

Nate was still rather gaurded toward the young woman. He watched he as he sipped his tea. The soft zest was enjoyable and jasmine was a good leaf. his eyes didn't leave her though.

He was never one for authority, as he'd groan much too independent and worked too much freelance in his life. yet he could never figure out her agenda. She was fillled with secrets and unclear motives, and back in the day, she had knowledge of much much more than he did. Was it their old affiliations that made him wary of her, or just her mannerisms? Still his answers were too simplistic.

Trust was one of the things Nate did not give out very easilly, and the killing and fighting over the years made a wary young man a cynical and slightly paranoid. Horrific experiences changed a person.

"Though I find myself offered a job as an aide to Tristan. Is that your doing? i am not really one to ignore coincidence."

The lashes of her eyes would kiss her cheeks softly as they would remain on him as she listened to his every word. She knew that he didn’t fully trust her and it was mostly based off their past but the hopes in building a bridge over those feelings. Violet eyes kept his reflection within then listening to his every word very impressed of his accomplishments. Nodding gently setting her glass on the table and shifting in her chair a bit so that she could see him better, as she spoke softly towards him it was perhaps sweeter than normal.

“Those are very good accomplishments Nate, I wish I was as strong and dedicated as you are. However, that was not the case with me believe it or not. I almost did not come out of the depression. Which is why I had to leave black lotus, the darkness and memories there were just too much for me to bare.”

A subtle frown pressed over her lips as she looked downwards into her tea glass this was a bit more of a submission move for the strong willed woman. Rare it was that she would let her guard down but with her old high school friends it was easier.

“ I had nothing to do with that actually, that was all Tristan. “ lifting her eyes she would smile gently. “ I know that you don’t trust me and I don’t blame you. But perhaps if you knew the story of who I was you would understand and be among the first besides Riley.”

Her heart had love that man even after his disappearance and it was because of that, she nearly lost her mind and had to depend on Tristan to keep her safe, and sane. But then again she never was that sane…
Running her finger over the rim of her glass she would eye the teapot and then look up at the charming man before her. He had always been stunning to her, and she only wished things had been different. A sigh escaped her lips gently as she whispered a few un heard words trying to give herself the confidence.

“ What do you really think of me Nate?”

Steel eyes took in he motions. Japan suited the young woman, like royalty and those of status, everything she did was meaningful. Like fae, coutesians, and geisha, Lillian seemed to do everything with deliberation. Those a land of traditions and a language where tone could completely change communications and meanings, Lillian seemed to shine.

He respected that about her. Perhaps because in some of that facility they were similar. Nate percievered her as controlling, and he strove to be unreadable. He was imperfect at it, but hard to read was better than an open book.

Yet she wanted his honesty. Thinking over their past he dipped a candy in his tea and took a bite. They were not being completely formal with the tea, and this was a habit from his childhood.

She was right though, he did not understand her. riley was friend to him. Though, Nate never pried into the the enthusiastic and loud young man's relationship.

reaching to adjust his glasses...nate stopped as his index finger glided along the ridge of his nose. He took off his glasses. closing his eys and setting his hands upon her table he decided to answer. First he opened his eyes after contemplation.

"With caution and pause. In our past it seemed like you and the council had plans for me. Like myself you tend to ignore rules and rulling bodies that conflict with your goals. I keep you at striking distance because you remind me of myself; driven, confident to near arrogance, and not afraid to do your own work. Yet I don't know your agenda, and any person like myself, has own. Not knowing your motives, plans, or morals left you a wildcard. you spearheaded the council's efforts to use me as some sort of muscle. Then when you started with the unauthorized magic, granted it was not my place to control magic, but it was myplace to be able to react to threats to the student body. I didn't trust the faculty, or any of the governing bodies at Black Lotus. You represented some of those evils I was 'made aware' of. I realised the place was bad news when I was offered weaponry and allowed to operate outside of Japanese, and internatioal laws. The only thing that kept me able to operate was the fact that having clandestine operators as parental figures, allowed me to quickly aclimate myself to the situation. I got blood on my hands, in the name of protecting others. Others that realised I was one step away from insanity. I stand by most of what I did back there, but I can't forgive the place for what it was. I don't know how deep you were involved with everything, but the council did some bad things, and you're the council member I dealt with the most. given your skill with magic and how controlled you always seem to be, and of course Tristain's involvement with you. I never entertained the idea that you were a normal human...if you're human at all. Seeing again has me conflicted, am I going to return to my old ways? Is Black Lotus comming after me? Or will there be more blood on my hands? And then part of me wonders; What do you want of me, what do you know of me, and what aren't you telling me about this place? Deja veus and coincidences make me uneasy, and paranoia has become something of a defensive mechanism of my psyche" , confessed her night-dark haired guest. Back in their school days, Nate would have structured this in a report and stripped his emotional tones from the input. Lillian seemed to be trying to get past that. Tact, was something Nathaniel lacked when given reign to speak freely.

The years like the school had not been kind to him. Though the thing that got him through it all was his dedication. He suffered, but it was a sacrafice, if he didn't give of himself, several students would have died or worse. The teachers, the area, the students, and the school itself seemed evil. Yet in some sort of twist of fate, this young man offered a heart of gold and future brightly wrapped to spare lives and pain.

Being a successful Gaurdian had made him a monster. Nate now worried about what he would do to stay on the edge and not fall into the true darkness.

Keeping herself well in custom she would only lift her eyes every now and them towards the young gentleman before her. A smile would sneak on those soften lips as he took one of the sweets and dipped it into the tea. At least he could appreciate good tea very few in this age ever took out any time to enjoy the natural beauty of nature around them. Violet strands of hair lightly brushed against her brow just lightly as she giggled. Breaking that custom just for a moment before clearing her throat and listening to the words that he bestowed upon her, she enjoyed hearing him speak.

Her intent on hearing his words was certain as her tea cup remained on the saucer, a gentle expression remained fluid over her cheeks. Flushing a very light red as he spoke about her, but she wanted to know it was important to her if any ground between them would ever break. Little did he know the things that she did dealing with black lotus the mark upon her from that school would never leave, it would act as a reminder throughout the rest of her life.

Watching his hands she placed her own in her lap the temptation to touch them was great, she was a very touchable person it was just part of her personality. Yet, do to some memories that linger she would not press at least not until she knew they were in the clear. There was one thing he was correction at least she was a very driven person and when she wanted something she would stop at nothing until it was within her reach.

“A wild card Nate, I can understand what made you think of that. I perhaps was enjoying my life for once. Little do you know the life that I lived, the live of abuse and neglect, if Tristan had not been in my life I would still be locked in a closet of hate due to my wicked mother I am wild at heart, I move with the breeze through the flowers and the trees.”

She would pause and look up towards him once again the expression was looking as if she was trying to decide something. Hands would curl together in her lap as if she was trying to grab on to each other or grab a bit of strengthen and pull it up from her boot straps. In essence she was but she would do her best not to let that show.

“I was never evil I was just one of the few that knew of the man in the hat, and the portal in which the darkness made itself known in. The lingering shadows where not just shadows and I wanted to tell you these things but it was like a code of silence. If we spoke to much about that order danger would befall on others. I was not evil I was one of the few actually fighting the evil, but due to the summoning of Tristan and the incidents that occurred I can understand what perhaps you saw.”

A weakness would show only for a moment in the darkness of those violet eyes she would go silent and look over at him, and do her best to give him a smile. Perhaps, he knew what she felt, perhaps he didn’t and would ask, and still she felt this was progress. She took walked that very fine line between humanity and monster if provoked one would never guess what she would do.

"I am not trying to make an enemy of you Lillian", words of endearment comae from the young man's mouth. his tone still held on his emotion. However, he was trying. "You and I have enough to deal with as it is. Working on my own, and working against things and people like that Stranger, has left me hardened for lack of a better term. I don't know what was real back in the old days. I will do what I can with the olive branch Lillian, but I'm not easy to make peace with", Nate paused knowing his words were bad.

Lifting the tea to his lips he contemplated and sipped. Taking the moment needed to separate his thoughts, he watched the leaves. Not one to believe in divination, tea leaves were still a good focus.

"An abused animal often becomes a fighter...but can be reabilitaed.I'm not going to forget my past or change my ways Lillian, they've Kept me alive and those I care about safe. I will keep an open mind as long as I am not given reason not to", a voice edged with rationale breaks with Nate's.

He never claimed to be good, he just became what was needed. for himself and those who he helped.

Keen eyes watched Nate as he sipped his tea and in turn she would do the exact same as she listened intently to his words. Though she had no intention of ever making an enemy out of Nate, all she really wanted to do was to build a bridge over the troubles and walk with him down a new road. Nodding every once in a while to what he said, she would have to agree their past was enter threaded with much dismay and hardships. They would together have to build this bridge brick by brick and this would be the first.

hispering softly the magic in the room would slowly begin to fade as she sat there, reaching over in a delicate way to extract a piece of candy from the dish.

“Mister Anderson, I just really want to be friends with you, instead of feeling like a constant battle of pressure between us. Much misunderstanding came from our past, along with hurt and pain. The only way I can ever mend myself completely from the damage that happened at Black Lotus begin to understand who you truly are....”

Looking over the rim of her glass as she would watch his reaction she was a bit unsure of how this would make the old guardian feel. She took a brave step in the next direction she suggested, she wanted him to better understand who she was.

“I want you to start training with Tristan and I. I want you to grow with me; I am only a minor in the abilities of magic. Tristan told me that you have hidden skills why don’t we work together to figure out more of ourselves? Let’s face the mystery of the past and make memories of the future?”

Placing the sweet treat against her lips she would take a very small bit out of it, and begin to chew and swallow before repeating this measure until the candy was gone.

"I can agree to that. I've got enough enemies, as do you. Just remember, to let a stream trickle, so it does not overflow", Nate said as he choose a candy himself. A truffle, somewhat symbolic really, given the dual nature of the candy and the man holding it.

He thought of "training", Tristain had worked with him and his "gift" before. Though Nate was content with what he had learned and developed. His magic was of two worlds, arcane and scientific. His raw elemental nature, lacked the subtle illusions and mind changing finess of a fey/fae caster, but he could do things not possible by current science. Would his teacher approve of his growth?

He sipped his tea and thought of the crystal given to him long ago. His tea was nearly done. Looking to the leaves, he saw a dove. At least he percieved a dove.

It had been a long while since he'd seen a good omen. Perhaps, both his and Lilian's luck was turning for the better?

Violet eyes continued to watch him as he spoke which only caused a twisted smile breach over her softened lips as she spoke softly.

“Such a sweet and sour thing isn’t it? The way things are, we are friends and yet in the depths of her beings we wonder if we almost make better foes. I think though you and I know what truth is…”

The smile would remain on her lips though she would begin to whisper an utterance to where he would not be able to hear. The charms where broken from the doors and he could leave at any time, she was happy that they had their conversation and that he joined her. The road of mends was upon both of them and perhaps in due time they would become even better of friends. For now she had another matter to attend, and the water was under the bridge for both of them so to speak.

Slowly rising up in that geisha fashion she would stand there and bow before him her eyes would follow his own looking out the window. A slender hand would reach forward in attempt to touch his cheek before she spoke.

“A dove is a good sign indeed; perhaps peace is on our future. Now, I have another matter in which I need to attend. Tristan was requesting me bring up some herbs that I have gotten from the garden.”

Carefully if he let her touch his cheek she would remove her hand lightly as she would retrieve her bag and start to put various things from the table on it. She would leave the teapot, the burner, along with his cup and only two sweets; she would place all the rest in her bag and hoist it up on her shoulder. Grinning she would give him a rather playful wink.

“Keep those… I am sure we will be using them perhaps again in the future. I would like it if you would join me sometime, in the garden and I will show you how to pick the right herbs for each tea. Until then dearest Nate take care of yourself, I will be seeing you.”

Smiling she would turn and slowly start to head for the doors of the lounge, looking over her shoulder every now and then to check up on the him, making sure if he wished to ask her anything else she would be able to answer it. If he said nothing more she would disappear into the hallway as she made her way towards her chambers to change into her cloths for her next endeavor.

(Would exit unless stopped)