Board Thread:The Mech Bay Bar'n'Grill/@comment-24930445-20140526230330/@comment-24930445-20140614020054

~Months earlier~ “How was the lesson? Hey, watch it!” Brandy asked as she dodged an oncoming man clearly in a rush. It was the first day of spring after a harsh winter and the streets of the spacers quarter were jam packed with people out to enjoy the warmer weather. Many of the shops were full, the food shops, particularly those with colder refreshments, doing the largest business. Ilrea absently twirled one of her drumsticks through her fingers, a slight smile on her lips as they wound their way through the crowds. “It was good. Arti taught me that drum solo in Dalbea’s new song. I thought it would be harder than it really is. Your mom’s an awesome teacher.” Brandy winced. “How can you listen to that music? It’s so… barbaric.” Ilrea laughed. This wasn’t the first time she had this conversation with her best friend. Everything about the two girls was polar opposites. How they had become like sisters, no one could ever figure out.

Ilrea was definitely her father’s daughter in appearance. Being half felinoid, she was covered in black fur, complete with tail. Her hair was naturally white as her Drow mother’s had been, though today it was a very dark shade of purple. The color combination between fur and hair set her bright green eyes off beautifully, though her looks were not something she often thought about. Slouchy jeans, untied combat boots, denim shirt with the sleeves ripped off over a black “Dalbea” tank top was her current fashion rebellion against her mother.

Brandy was the typical cheerleader next door right down to the short cheer outfit and tennis shoes she currently wore. She was darkly exotic, her Romanian Gypsy, Jamaican and Japanese genetics creating a masterpiece in female form. Her black pony tail bobbed happily as she walked, the short cheer skirt bouncing along as if keeping time with her hair. She smiled as she bantered with her surrogate sister, though, if someone took the time to look hard enough into her bright blue eyes, the pain she hid from nearly everyone but Ilrea would be evident.

“You do it just to piss your mom off.” She said matter-of-factly.

“Step.” Ilrea corrected.

“She’s still your mom, Ilrea.” Brandy sighed and held up her hand to stop the argument going vile. This was the one thing neither girl could agree on. Brandy could not understand why Ilrea was so set against Kat. She, personally had attempted to become more like her friend’s mom, trying to pretend she didn’t care what others thought.

Ilrea actually had always been more in tune with Brandy’s mom, Artistra, or Arti as her friends called her. Ilrea had always been in awe of how easy it was for Arti to meet new people and treat them as if they had been close friends for years. It was something the girl had never been able to do her entire life.

It was obvious Ilrea didn’t wish to fight either as she took Brandy’s upraised hand and began swinging it in time to their walk.

“You can’t understand what they’re saying, you know.” Ilrea laughed at Brandy’s continued to berate Ilrea’s band of the week.

Her laugh abruptly ended as someone walked into her from the side. Spinning, she grabbed for for the person as if to steady them. At that same moment, a clawed hand also grasped her arm to steady her and Ilrea gasped, seeing the white fur covering hand and arm.

“Ilrea!” Brandy cried, her hand coming free of her friend’s. They both knew who the man was and both girls crouched, prepared to fight him. Surprisingly, Axin had immediately released her.

“I’m sorry, Ilrea. I wasn’t paying attention t’where I was goin’. Please forgive me.” Ilrea arched an eyebrow, holding her pose as the crowds passed around them unnoticed. Axin had stepped away from her, bowing slightly.

She hadn’t been fooled by this move. She had seen her father fight enough to know that it would take a far greater distance to be safe from the man before her. She had heard the story of this man’s existence. She knew that he was not a mere clone of her father, but in a bizarre coincidence of magic, her father in fact.

When Ryax had returned to the Underdark to rescue Kat and the others after they had been kidnapped by the Drow an a doctor named CorDynne, he had discovered the existence of a daughter; Ilrea. When they eventually escaped, Ryax brought her with him. Somehow, in the ensuing fight with the Drow, magics unknown to any of the techies had ripped Ryax into two separate beings, one white, one black.

In time, the white… Axin.. was looked upon as a copy, a being not as good as the original. In time, he would come to hate his other half. In time, he would want his other half dead.

These thoughts played rapidly through Ilrea’s mind as she stared down her father’s… well.. her father. “What do you want, Axin?”

He held his hands away from his sides, palms out. “I want nothing from you Ilrea… except… maybe to know you as he knows you.”

She frowned, the tenseness in her body relaxing slightly. “What do you mean?”

He sighed, and shook his head. “I’m not here to hurt you. It was quite by accident we met here today.” He had no problem lying, even to her. He had actually been following her for weeks now, seeking his chance to meet her. He hadn’t lied about not wanting to harm her, however.

Since his split from Ryax over ten years ago, he found he had feelings for the girl they, as one, had rescued. His love for the girl may not have equaled that of his other half’s, but then he hadn’t had the years Ryax had with the girl. Years, to watch her grow, to nurture her.

Slowly, Ilrea straightened, though she still remained wary. Although he watched his daughter, he noticed her friend was not so inclined. “Ilrea. This isn’t a good idea. Lets go. Your mom and dad’ll be pissed if they find out.”

Axin sighed again. “You should go. I don’t want your… “ she noticed his hesitation, his wince. “your parents to be upset with you. I.. if its possible, perhaps we’ll meet again. I meant what I said about getting to know you, Ilrea. I.. am your father too.” Turning away from the girls, he disappeared into the crowd.

_____________________________

~Present Day~

He had seen Ilrea again. Several times, in fact and always on the days of her drum lessons with Arti.. They spent many hours talking, though never without Brandy. In time, Ilrea grew to trust the man and, though he would never be her father, he did become somewhat of a friend of sorts. Brandy still didn’t trust him, however.

Ilrea had sworn Brandy to secrecy very early on. Both girls knew her parents would flip if they ever found out she had been meeting with Axin. Brandy hated the idea and the worst fight they ever had happened just after they had left their second meeting with Axin.

Brandy had been intent on marching to the Kit-n-Kaboodle and informing Ryax exactly what had been happening and what exactly had been said. The fight nearly came to blows and the the girls didn’t speak for days afterwards.

Eventually, they just sort of stepped back into their friendship, not really apologizing to each other, but no longer angry at each other either.

Their conversation today had been about the month spent on the mountain. Axin had been worried when the girls hadn’t shown up for Ilrea’s lessons, but it had been easy enough to discover where they had gone. A simple call to the Company as a potential client confirmed that the family had gone on vacation.

Ilrea had carried on about the wolves and how they had been able to watch the pups play. She admitted that she and her mom had talked a lot and the animosity between them had lessened quite extensively.

“So what are your plans for the weekend?” Ilrea giggled as the chocolate ice cream dripped down Axin’s chin and he grabbed up a napkin to catch it.

“Not really. We’re probably just going to stay around the house. Mom’s off somewhere. Betty thought we should stay in town.” She shrugged. “We’re gonna be bored out of our minds, I’m sure.” She perked up suddenly. “Hey Brandy, you think your mom will throw in a lesson? I’ve just about picked up that riff in ‘Stars Beyond’”

Brandy shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her.” Ilrea knew Brandy still didn’t approve of their meetings with Axin, but they both kept quiet on the subject to keep their friendship.

Axin finished his ice cream and stood. “I should go. I have some things I need to get done. Good luck with the extra lesson.” He leaned in and kissed the top of her head. “Be a good kid, will ya?”

Ilrea smiled up at him, taking his hand for a brief moment. “Have a great day, Axin.”

And he was gone.