Gathering the Family [Flynn, Nanalie, or Invite][NR]

Since Demi herself wasn't allowed out of the tower and yet Destiny was, Demi had been sure to inform her that her family was on their way, and when exactly they would arrive: and where. So, Destiny was waiting, arms folded across her chest, wings out in the off chance that something menacing appeared, and halo glowing brighter than usual due to the angels agitation: at least she wasn't producing the storms and such around Darkman Tower that her father was, but she didn't blame him.

She kept her lightning blue colored gaze trained on the location that the pair would be coming from; face nothing more than a poker face at the moment. She didn't know how much Nanalie or Flynn knew, but she didn't want to exactly come off as if something super bad had happened, nor did she want to down play it. So for now a poker face would be what they would have to deal with: at least until they were safe inside of Darkman Tower and she could properly explain things while on the way to the suite they'd be staying in.

Out of the water and onto land; beyond the subtle shift of his gait; there was no difference. He was a tad faster over land; but the humans had made it easier; leveling and evening the earth to make their own lives easier. A tinge of different; something not of this world. Different in ways even he was not; of an entirely different world and place. Not dangerous. Almost...

Familiar.

Destiny. The angelic one; Demi's oldest friend. That... he wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing actually; the last he'd heard she was in one of her hibernation cycles. That she was awake this soon... hmmm.

To her he ran; her position easily tracked via scent alone; moving at a blurring speed through the human world he did not enjoy and would have preferred his daughter have not been exposed too so early.

In short moments he came to a stop; only the hint of heavy breathing, a short pant, and he was recovered. He was an old man after all; eventually he would start to feel the exertion of carrying his child, their possessions, and the drag of the water over such a long swim. A nod of his head to her and he was kneeling to allow Nanalie to dismount. He would remain silent for now; not out of any reason beyond the angel did not speak his native language, so greetings beyond his soft purrs would have to wait until he could shift forms again.

Nanalie dismounted and stared up at Destiny, blinking slowly. "You have on a poker face...", she said simply, the words in English so that the angelic female could actually understand them. It would probably be one of the few words she would actually care to speak until she saw her mother and knew she was safe.

She waited, slightly impatiently, for Destiny to lead the way to her mother; though she was sure she could find her way herself, she felt her mother's general direction, and knew that the closer she got to her the more easier she'd be able to find her. But, she had never been to the city before, and was going to stick close by to her father, and just wait for them to be taken there.

Destiny gave a nod to Flynn and offered the briefest of smiles to Nanalie, a slight chuckle slipping out. "Indeed I do.", she said before her face once more became impassive. She turned, leading the little bit of a way they had to Darkman Tower. She didn't want to say much at all, since they were out in the open like this, but would offer at least a bit of information to perhaps sooth any worries the pair might have.

"So, a situation has come up.. as I'm sure you were told since you're here.. but know that she is safe, and hasn't been harmed."

She fell silent after that, Darkman Tower growing close quickly, given where she positioned herself to intercept the pair. Once past the protective wall she held open the door for the pair to enter after her into the building itself, her form losing a bit of the tension it had while she was outside.

A quick shift as they began to walk, his hand placed on Nana's shoulder; soft squeeze and a smile; as they followed. The smells of humanity had his nose twinging; and not in a good way. The city always rank of humanity and all it's vices; not a nice smell to a creature of open spaces and forests. He waited to speak; same as she had; he was a solider, he knew how things worked. Inside, he would be free to speak without being heard by the wrong parties.

"Nothing was said; merely she is here. What exactly are we looking at? To have Demi scared... that has me... worried. The basics, please. A least until we can speak privately."

Otherwise known as; enough to calm Nanalie; before they discussed business. He knew his daughter; she would accept the truth of her words; but she wouldn't be happy until she saw her mother again.

Nanalie remained silent, and just stuck close to her father. As the tower came closer, and she realized that that was where they were headed she tilted her head back, looking up at how high it really was. It was, all in all, amazing to her that a building could reach that kind of height, and she was excited to go inside, especially because that was where she knew her mother was.

She stepped inside as Destiny held the door open and looked around; at least it smelled a lot cleaner inside than it did out - but again, she had grown up on the island, so she knew trees, and plants, and mountains.. and occasionally when Amaranth had tourists their smells too. So, everything all at once was making her feel very very small inside.

She reached her hand out, grasping a hold of her father's clothing with her left hand, moving herself closer to him, shy like.

Destiny thought over his question, figuring how much could be said in a more public setting. "Someone is... dead. And the person who caused that death is after her." She had no problem being blunt, even in front of Nanalie. She knew that the child had a connection with her mother, Destiny herself had the same thing, so she was very sure that Nanalie knew a lot more of what was going on than even her father probably did: especially if she had broken past that chaotic barrier that Demi had going on and probably would continue to have until she saw her family again.

Once they were all inside of Darkman Tower she shut the door behind them and led the way to the elevator. "Fastest way to the top..", she said after it opened and she held the doors open for them to get in too. Now that they were inside the building she felt it was safe enough to fully explain. "Demitria and Squall, a friend of her fathers, went to Himitsu's city and caused some trouble. For Demi it was her usual harmless fun, painting rainbows, knocking over a few statues, put a hole in a wall... property damage, nothing else. Squall... well, he killed some folks."

A sigh escaped her. "Both were reprimanded by my father and told to keep their noses clean and to remain away from Himitsu and her city... Demi listened, Squall did not. Out of that death rose a vengeful being... and it was more than a match for Squall. The man was slain. Usually those beings tend to disperse once their revenge is done... this one did not. So, the likely target... is Demi."

The elevator doors opened again as they reached the 999th floor. She held the doors open long enough for everyone to get off and than began to lead the way down the hallway, leading to Demi who was now very close by. "Unfortunately... Demi doesn't fear death, at least not her own... she does, however, fear the loss of you two, and my family... "

Destiny opened the door, revealing the suite her friend, Demi, was in... "My father might or might not call you up to his office soon... please, get comfortable, I'm going to head up and see if he needs anything now..."

Glorious. Simply... glorious. Some pissant decided to cause problems; go himself killed; and now Flynn's family had to pay the price? Way to ruin what had been a great day. "Lovely. I believe I would better be suited fighting whatever decides to make the grave mistake of coming after my family." His old solider instincts speaking; the need to protect what was his and what he loved so dearly.

And then he saw Demi, and he lost his train of thought for a moment. Soldier or not; he had more to care about then just himself. More to protect then old friends that where as much soldier as he was. His daughter... she had to be protected; but that wasn't really an issue; not here, not with the protections offered by this place. But he was a protector none the less; and he couldn't help but feel his place on was on the battle field.

"What exactly are we going against."

Nanalie had remained close to her father, though the elevator amused her slightly. It had been rather fast in getting them up to the floor they needed to go. When it opened her mother's scent had filled her nose, and she knew between that and the fact that she could sense her, that they were close, very close.

She was almost skipping as Destiny led the way, her excitement at seeing her mother and knowing that she was okay for herself was enough to make her want to rush. After Destiny opened the door she ran in, straight up to her mother, and dived at her, arms outstretched in a tackle hug that she desperately needed. Upon latching on to her mother she would instantly reach up, touching her face, while using her special form of telepathy to communicate: demanding to know if she was okay.

Demi dropped to her knees as she heard Nanalie running across the carpet towards her. When her daughter reached her she scooped her up in her arms, wrapping them around her in a hug. At the telepathic demanding she smiled at her and nodded. "I'm alright, really. I haven't even see what's after me."

Her gaze then shifted to Flynn, worry showing plainly in her gaze. "Was the trip here okay?" Her gaze flickered to the angel, who seemed to have that poker face glued into place. It made her almost want to strike her... but Destiny would probably end up whooping her ass... and she found herself suddenly hoping that the angel hadn't mentioned the fact that, to protect everyone, she had been willing to go to the white city and fight the creature herself; without backup.

Destiny watched the mother and child embrace and smiled before turning her lightning blue colored gaze back to Flynn. "I'm not entirely sure.. I'm assuming some sort of pissed off spirit, but I'll definitely go find out..." She then turned her gaze back to Demitria, it losing some of the friendliness. She was still very pissed off at her best friend for wanting to go on what, at least Destiny, considered a suicide mission.

However, it wasn't her place to spill the beans: they were adults, and that meant it was Demi who needed to speak up, if the words were going to be spoken at all.

"I shall return shortly.. please get comfortable. Demi knows what to do if anyone needs anything to eat... and Niala is next door, though she's sleeping at the moment..."

With that Destiny shut the door and walked back down the hallway, off to go figure things out more...

-Exit-

Spirits.

Always. Fucking. Spirits.

Why did it have to be spirits every damn time.

Wait, Niala was here? Well... that was comforting.

For now however, it was time to be with his family. To them he went; arms around them both and noises not unlike an affectionate house cat being released by him now. She was safe, Nana was safe, he was safe. Everyone was safe for the moment; everyone he cared for. He could relax some; or rather, he could try.

"I wish we could keep this from her; protect her from worry."

And a nuzzle into his daughter, affectionate and worried and everything a father that wanted nothing more then to protect his child and make the world be nothing but beauty and safety and happiness even after he knew he had failed to some degree. "A spirit of revenge... why would it be after you...?"

Nanalie was, despite the situation going on, incredibly happy at the moment. After another few moments in her mother's and father's arms she climbed down. She was happy and content, her mother was safe, her father and her had made it... and now she was more than a little curious about the suite they were in.

So, figuring she would do a little exploring she began to wander her way through the several rooms that made up the suite...

Demi leaned herself lightly against Flynn, allowing Nanalie to climb down when she was ready. She wanted to hold her close and keep her safe; but this place was safe. Probably the safest place she could honestly think of. She also knew her little girl was a natural explorer at heart, and wouldn't be content until she saw what everything was, and what was behind each door.

Besides, it would give her time to talk to Flynn. "I... well." She sighed softly. "I was on my way back to Himitsu's city for the second time that day when I saw Squall appear just outside of Edge's borders. I talked to him for a moment, realized he was someone my father knew, and well... allowed him to tag along. So, in a sense, it's entirely my fault those people died because had I not taken Squall there... well, he might not have ever gone in the first place."

That logic...

That stupid logic...

If that was the logic that had a spirit chasing her...

"How exactly is it your fault that a psychopath with a penchant for murder decided to release that itch on a city?"

Now he was pissed. No vengeance spirit was going to destroy the only happiness he'd found in half a lifetime. Not over something that stupidly trivial.

"Where is it. Where is the beast. I will end this now; before anyone else is injured. I must. I cannot stand by and watch what I love hunted and destroyed."

Nanalie, every the wonderful explorer, moved herself from room to room, figuring out what was quickly the living area, bedrooms, bathrooms, and the small kitchen that made the suite up. The whole place amazed her, and she found herself wondering if Niala, who was next door, had much the same set up. But, she wasn't going to bother her right now, especially if she was sleeping.

So, she wandered her way back over to her parents and stopped by her father, tugging lightly on his clothing. She had picked up on the conversation, and the mood, and it bothered her slightly. She wanted happiness, not anger. "Daddy. What if it's not after mommy? What if it's after something else? What if the angry thing is upset over something that has nothing to do with mommy. Then you don't have to go make it disappear. So, maybe it's best we wait and see?", of course, as she spoke none of it was in English, though she figured her mother would still pick up on the meaning behind it all with the feelings she was telepathically projecting to her at the same time.

It was her child-like logic, but logic nonetheless. Nanalie wished for them to simply wait a little bit and see, so that perhaps, she could enjoy this time with her family, now that she was calm and safe feeling.

She had been about to open her mouth and respond when Nanalie had wandered back over offering her wisdom. While she didn't understand the words she spoke out loud, the impression she got telepathically was indeed far beyond her years. It was amazing how smart their little girl was; and what she was suggesting. A small smile slipped across her face and she chuckled.

....

Now that. That he could get behind; logic wise. Leave it to the innocence of a child to clear an old soldier's blood lust.

"I... This can be done."

He was a man of action when he felt it was needed; and his instincts screamed for him to act now. But, but... he was more then the sum of his instinct and training. He would listen to his daughter's words; he would stay for a while longer.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

He'd believe she was right.

Logic, non-logic; revenge spirit or not... if there was a chance that Demi was not the target... he would sit and wait.

The moment anything otherwise was indicated...

Well... a new toy; a new trick.

He was not about to lose anyone; not on this day.

Nanalie's happy and content smile reappeared on her face and a soft giggle of happiness slipped out. Then she turned her amber gaze to her mother and reached out, placing a hand on her arm. While she preferred to touch her mother's face, she wasn't that tall, and honestly any part of her body would work for the telepathic communication.

"Why did Destiny smell angry at you, mommy?"

The question was both spoken out loud as well telepathically, though she threw in the remembrance of the smell that even telepathically her mother would be able to pick up on. She blinked up at her in curiosity, waiting for an answer.

The Butler, back from Sugure No Shima, knocked on the door before opening it and stepping inside while clearing his throat and adjusting the tie to his immaculate black suit that still had the scent of islands and sea water.

"Excuse me," he said. "I have recently returned from Sugure No Shima with the latest of developments. Since it directly relates to Mistress Demitria, I chose to relate the news to you first." The Butler wasn't one to hesitate or half-step, and went right into it. "Mr. Kane would probably say, 'I got good new and bad news,'" except when the Butler said it, he sounded exactly like Alec. "I feel permitted to deliver the bad news first. The spirit responsible for Mr. Leonheart's death in Shinkai Shigai has appeared upon the island before Lady Amaranth and Ms. Ishikawa, the Boss of Shinkai. Mr. Kane was correct in his assumption that the spirit was created from the destruction that Mr. Leonheart caused, and that it would remain in this world until those that wronged it are themselves killed. The second person who has to die so that it can pass on has been revealed not to be Ms. Ishikawa. I regret to inform you that this person is now known to be Mistress Demitria."

She didn't know why she was surprised that her little girl had caught onto that: Destiny never sounded angry with Demitria, but this time she had more than deserved it. She had crossed that specific line with the Angel and had entered herself into the dangerous territory of her 'bad side'. She didn't blame her, of course. While her idea had been for the greater good of everyone she loved, it still would have affected them all in the end anyway, some more than she had at first realized.

But, she wasn't going to sugar coat her response, or lie. She had taught Nanalie better than that, and would be a fool to turn around and lie to her in the end. A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Let's just say that mommy was going to go over there by herself to fix the problem because she didn't want you, or your daddy, or anyone else to get hurt because that thing came looking for me... and Destiny's not happy I even suggested it."

Her gaze flickered over to the door, taking in the butler's appearance. Her eyes grew wide at his words. That thing was on Sugure no Shima... that was all she needed was for harm to come to Destiny's daughter, hell the Angel would probably kill her for the spirit if that happened. But then... well, then he was explaining that Demi herself was indeed it's target.

"You said you had good and bad news... I'm assuming that's the bad, so what's the good?"

And now he was growling softly; backing away and shifting his gaze out the nearest window. He was... twitching now; tail flicking back and forth quickly. He needed to do something. He needed to end the problem. He needed to destroy things.

"I need to be there. I need to stop this. No one is going to suffer at the whim of this beast."

He was almost begging for someone to stop him; his need to stay close to his family to protect them and his soldier's need to end the problem before it becomes a dire threat. He was trying to listen to his daughter's wisdom. He was trying to be calm. But it was hard. So... very.... hard.

Nanalie blinked up at the butler, then turned her amber gaze to her mother before finally settling it on her father. Concentrating on herself she telekinetically levitated herself up into the air in front of her father so that she could look him in the eyes. She placed one hand on one side of his face and another hand on the other side of his face.

In a voice as soft as a whisper she spoke out loud, "Daddy... he said he had good news too. Please calm down..."

The Loyal Butler noticed the look on Demi's face. He noticed how the male, Flynn, had begun to act, and knew the man wanted to do everything in his power to protect his family. What he noticed the most was the child floating in mid-air, but his plain expression didn't change at all.

He continued. "...The good news, however, is that the spirit and Ms. Ishikawa had a moment of... let's call it reconcile. It spoke to Lady Amaranth and indicated what Mr. Kane had already confirmed. It also indicated that Mr. Kane, while investigating the death of Mr. Leonheart, fearlessly confronted it face to face. It is because of whatever Mr. Kane said to the spirit that it decided not to pursue Mistress Demitria, making it a point that it was solely because of what Mr. Kane said to it." The Butler then gave a stern look toward Demi. The Butler rarely ever showed any emotion at all, which meant he was dead serious.

"In my 30 years of service, I have not seen Mr. Kane extend this kind of generosity towards many people. It is obvious to me that he cares for you a great deal to put himself at risk the way he did. You should be thankful."

The Butler turned, his job done, to leave. "Oh... Mr. Kane will still require that you remain within the safety of the Tower for the allotted week, just to be on the safe side. The spirit said that it would not attack, but this could be a ploy to lure you out. So please... enjoy and take advantage of the many accommodations in your stay at Darkman Tower."

The Butler exited the suite, and closed the door behind him.