Room 103b . . . { ..o.p.e.n.. }

[Telguest]

Room 103b.

Perhaps it had been there before and no one had noticed.  Or perhaps it was one of those rooms that appeared when there was a need. A magical room neatly tucked away in some other form of space until it was called upon?  Whatever the case may be, it was there.  

The door was placed in the corner, not necessarily between 102 and 104, so it may take a moment for this room to be found.

As previously stated, this room was in a corner, and therefore, the door followed the make of the corner and was shaped in a perfect 'L'. It looked to be a rather boring door of ebony. No special marks or dents, not even a pattern. There were no cracks or even spaces around the edges of the door. Perhaps, this door was simply painted on the wall and wasn't really there at all? There were no hinges and there was no doorknob, but there was a note.  What did it say? Well... that would all depend on who looked.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Now Titania wasn't sure what to expect so when they came across Room 103b and it was not where one would think either so it was a good thing that the kids were helping her!  It was Baz who found it first and when they went towards the door, well what they assumed was the door he wrinkled his nose.   "Mommy....how do we get inside room 103b?"  And Titania looked between her children, but before she could say much Izzy moved just a bit to pick up the note, but she couldn't read it.   "Mommy look there is a paper....it has letters on it...." She would hand the paper to Titania. "Read it mommy."  Iz asked with a bit of a hurry and read it mommy in her voice as Bas added.  "Yeah mommy, read it."  

Titania would look to the twins.  "Okay, you two promise not to move?" And both twins nodded with solemn little faces.  "Uh huh." They chorused.   And Titania let go of the twins and would begin to read the note that was left where the twins were sent...so that way they would know what it said.

[Telguest]

As the Paper went from one hand to the next it waited to see which hands, and attention would stay on it the longest.  That is how it worked.  If the Paper changed for every glance it was given, the thing would be rendering all the time. However, it could handle more than one focused attention at a time.

Currently, Titania had the Paper's attention. The Paper's parchment shimmered and then words slowly formed - one letter at a time.

"Needed by two, their charge is to you.
To walk through the door, be it three or more?
For what you seek, requires you must speak.
Before your thoughts become what's sought."

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Well seeing the kids couldn't quite read unless it would have had a drawing on it, she had no clue how they would have got anything.   This place had so many weird things, she had heard stories of funky doors and such and now, now she was dealing with one of her own.  

She was looking down at the paper that she had in her hands as words appeared, what the heck was this, some weird voodoo if you asked her.  Yet, she wouldn't know who left it because of the way that it all worked.  

She read it out loud.
"Needed by two, their charge is to you.
To walk through the door, be it three or more?
For what you seek, requires you must speak.
Before your thoughts become what's sought."

When she was reading it out loud the kids were looking at each other like they were completely lost.  This weird shifty stuff was above their pay grade.

Then she paused.   Took out her cell phone, took a picture, making sure that the whole message was in that picture checking it trice before she sent it to Damon along with a small message. -It's Titania, I have the kids at the Tel-Ranaemyn Inn to see if they could see their fathers family....this make any sense to you?-

Even after she fired off that text, she had not texted John just yet, but if Damon had no clue she might, besides if the Inn at her and the kids at least by texting Damon someone would know!  

"We seek the door to Room 103b.  So the children and I can see what is waiting for them."

Surely it wasn't as simple as that...was it?

[Damon Fauci]

It was still light out.  Which meant that Damon was currently in a state that few ever witnessed.  In his pitch black room in his rented Rhy’din suite, wrapped in his sheets, with his face buried in a pillow.  Were he human, his sleeping position would have suffocated him hours ago.  He was not human, however, and he found planting himself face down in goose feathers for eight hours rather restful.  Nevermind what he wore to bed, that description would be shorter than this sentence.

The alert on his phone jerked him immediately from sleep, thanks to an old reflex born from the years when Jade was a perpetual damsel in distress.  Her once ludicrous need to be a so-called functioning member of society had woken him up more times than he’d care to remember.  And yet, it was because it might be her that he rolled over in bed and snatched his phone from where it sat on the nightstand.  Had he believed it to be Dominic, he’d have let the device rot until it was out of battery.

Color him surprised, then, when he saw the message was from someone else entirely.  He’d exchanged numbers with the witch figuring that one day there might be reason to reprise the dinner out they had years ago, yet in his hand he held a distress signal.  Reading it once, he sat up and rubbed his face as he read it again.  The Tel’Ranaemyn, huh?  Interesting.  After a moment of consideration, he wrote the following back:  Doors come with all manner of locks.  That one is telling you that your words are the key.  Remember words are binding contracts in certain circles.  It also tells you what you likely already know:  words manifest.  Choose yours wisely.

About to toss his phone away, he thought twice and added one more sentence:  Especially when it comes to the children.  If Titania didn’t realize how valuable children were in many of those same circles...he didn’t want to be the one to break it to her.

Of course, it could just be a harmless door?  Only Titania was in a position to find out for sure, and she'd already given it her answer.

[Telguest]

Titiana spoke to the Paper and the surface of it shimmered and the words rolled as if on a wave.  The letters rearranged themselves but the painted on door did not change.

”We is the Inn entirely?
To fit through the door is catasthropy.
Speak of whom, the entrants must be defined!

Wish to see, or wish to go?
Those things must too be known.”

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Of course, she didn't know Damon's sleep pattern or if he even really slept. She didn't know about him and day light or moonlight or anything really. The conversations had yet to get into any of that. But that would make sense for him to be ready if Jade was often the Damsel in Distress.

Titania was a damsel, she was in distress and she had thought she had this, but yet she wasn't so sure anymore, once the paper's words re-scrambled and gave another riddle if you will. So now she wasn't so sure, but she had answered the door the first bit, at least she thought she had before she looked down to the text message about the way that it was, and how the words are binding in certain circles. And she knew about kids and she just, her brain wouldn't think that her kid's flesh and blood would be evil to them, but then again, she didn't know for sure how it would work.

So when the paper changed and she let out a small huff as she took a picture and sent it with the text of – I told the door "We seek the door to Room 103b. So the children and I can see what is waiting for them." Apparently, it didn't like that answer.- She waited a moment before it hit her...vampire...daylight. -Sorry if I woke you, just figured someone should know what happened to me if this door ate us. And my kids just wish to see their fathers side of the family or I would just leave.- Truth there.

So uh, the door didn't like the answer, they were sent to the door so wasn't the door basically waiting for them? But now she was curious does she want to find out what is behind the door or did she just want to go. She sighed and looked to the kids who were watching the door expectantly, they didn't see their fathers side of the family that often, and not because their mom kept them away. Titania actually thought it would be good for the kids to see his family, know about him from their view, along with know about well their family.

Bas looked to his mother, his adorable little face, just looking angelic. “Mommy, why doesn't the door just open. The other doors open.” And lil Izzy was pouting. “I just want to know if our family is behind the door mommy.” And Titania sighed as she was watching her kids, who she wasn't sure how long until they threw actually fits, and towards her phone giving it time for Damon to respond.

[Damon Fauci]

After adding that last sentence about the children, Damon had indeed tossed the phone away.  When he reclined back onto the mattress, however, his eyes remained open.  Staring at a ceiling for the second time this week, as if he knew what was to come.  If his many such conversations with Jade were any indication, it was likely that this was not the end of the correspondence, but the begin -

Ding, agreed his phone.  Head shook against the backdrop of his pillow, a smirk curling his wolfish mouth.  This was turning out to be a fascinating start to the day.  He didn’t bother sitting up this time, half-heartedly pulling the blankets back over himself with his free hand.  When he saw Titania’s latest messages, his brow rose.  Yes, I know that inn.  That’s what you said?  Dangerously vague.  You’re lucky that was its only response.

He scrolled upward to reread the door’s reply.  It wants you to name yourselves.  A door with a thirst for names at the Tel’Ranaemyn Inn, that certainly stirred memories.  The rest...not sure.  Could be that the door can show you images of them.  Like watching a movie.  Or it can take you to them.  Like a portal.  The important thing is to be clear and specific.  Who you want to see, where, when.  It’s urging you to make demands so make them.  What's your ideal meeting?  Ask for it.

The rest of what she said, he didn’t address.  While she did wake him up, he wouldn't confirm or deny that.  And he was the last person who should comment on any matters related to family.  But the bit about her wanting someone to know where she was in case something unfortunate transpired...while he didn’t address that with her beyond the fact that he knew where she was, those words lingered.  Enough that he threw off his blankets and got out of bed.  

As of yet he had no plans to leave the suite, but he would get dressed.  

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

It wasn't that Titania expected Damon to come to the Inn, she really truly and honestly had no such thoughts, what she did think was it was wise to give him a heads up.   She didn't have too many friends and most of them she had at one point were her babies daddies family so that was a bit awkward, wasn't it?   And yes she had kept him informed, because why stop, and well he didn't say stop texting, go away or anything else so unless he did she figured it was good to go.

-Thank you Damon.-   Yes, he got a nice little message there, and she looked to her kids who were both not very happy at the moment.  She almost groaned, wishing something would be easy in her life, but apparently, that was not to be the case.    -I get that...okay here goes nothing!-   Yes, she told him that before she looked back to the door.

So she looked to her kids before looking back to the door.

“Titania with her children,  Bastian Cauthon and Izzy Cauthon.”  There she named them and she did not have the same last name so she didn't say she did.   And the kids looked to their mom like why did she have to give a name when the boy downstairs said to send them there.  

And then what was it that they came to the door for.  Well hell she didn't know for sure and yes Damon said that she should be specific but she wasn't sure who was suppose to be there to see the kids or what was waiting for the kids, that was almost enough to make her way to turn around and take them for ice cream, which they were getting impatient as it was.  

“Oliver sent us up saying to bring the kids to Room 103B.   So who or what is waiting behind the door.”  Yes, she said it....and well dang it … she had things to do eventually today but she wasn't leaving her babies here with an evil door.

Izzy was being good but Bastian started to growl at the door.  

[Telguest]

Titania spoke the names of the entrants out loud. The Paper shimmered once more, and this time transcribed themselves on the sheet in silver ink. Then the Paper dissolved from her hand, leaving the names hovering in the air. The three names circled and turned in the air before sticking themselves on the painted door.

The outline of the painted door glowed silver and the names sunk into the paint until they were absorbed and seen no more. The door started to fade away, only to be replaced by a blinding silver light. A high pitched shrill and giggling were heard coming from beyond the light, along with a hint of cinnamon and the smell of sulfur.

It gave the pretense of being safe. The kids, if they were able to decipher their senses, may sense a lot of activity coming from this door.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She did speak the names and she blinked watching the paper shimmer before the names were in silver ink, and then the paper left and the names went around the door.   That was...interesting.  The twins were watching thinking FINALLY something was going to happen.  

When the door glowed silver, she was starting to have second doubts and perhaps even third doubts, but she wasn't going to back down, she was going to see where this took them, she owed it to the twins if you asked her.   The sounds almost made her way to go away and yet it was as if they were drawn to the sound, even as her arm came up to shield her eyes, the twins seemed to be okay, with a light shielding.

With Bas and Izzy tugging Titania with them, they stepped into the light ...  

[Telguest]

This is what was inside the door...

The smell of sulfur increased once they stepped into the light, and, once they were through, the reason was clear.  Not too far from where they appeared was a gas burner, and on top of the burner was a pan.  In it, cinnamon sticks were roasting.

It looked like an outdoor kitchen with a few other burners situated under a large open canopy. They all contained cinnamon as well. Under the canopy were tables where older ladies sat cleaning various vegetables before plopping them into a large pot. These ladies were all dressed in blue and white habits, their hair tucked under a white cap.

Small children laughed and called out as they chased each other while playing tag and other games.  Some of the children looked to be about the same age as Titania's, others were a bit older, like Oliver at the front desk. They were not clean.  Their clothing bore signs of extended outdoor play.

All of this was taking place in a large area surrounded by a wrought iron fence.  There wasn't anything else to the area but a thick forest beyond the fence, and the back of a large, old church.

No one had taken notice of the new arrivals yet - everyone seemed busy about what they were doing.  The feeling of security rested over this place and yet, under the surface, something felt out of place.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

The children were rather persistent and even against Titania's better judgment they did step into the light.  The smell of the sulfur increased in the nostrils though if you looked at the kids you would doubt they smelled a thing but the cinnamon.   Once they were able to look around, they did, the kids quit pulling and all three heads were taking everything in.

Titania felt Bas and Izzy move closer to her legs, as they were spotting all the women wearing the same outfits and moving with veggies, and the smell of the cinnamon sticks being cooked on the stoves.   The kids for once were not tugging at their mother to go play with the other kids, there was just something about this place that they were not so sure.

After letting their gazes move off of the people and to the place, they found they were behind a church, and they were inside of a wrought iron fence, and that had the kids feeling even less secure about this adventure.   And part of T wanted to say, Ha see what happens when I listen to what you two want..but she didn't she was being a good mom.  

But something did feel off and it would explain why her kids were so...close to her.   And she just pulled out her phone to check if she had any service, not that she was using it right now, but she figured it would be good to know if she had that access or if she would be all about hopes and prayers because she turned back around to see if the silver light where the door was was still there or if it had disapeared.

It was then that Bas tugged her arm.  “Mommy, are we suppose to be here?  This is where Oliver said we needed to go?  Was he confused? “

[Telguest]

Perhaps Oliver was confused.  He only read what was on the note and didn’t bother asking about it when he had gotten it.  Only knew that children were suppose to go to that room.  This isn’t to say that others couldn’t either.

It was about the time that Titana took out her phone that they were noticed by a female who carried a medium sized wicker basket  on her right hip. Though she was dressed the same as the older ladies, she was younger. Likely In her twenties. She had been walking towards the older women when she spotted the threesome from the corner of her eye.  They looked out of place and it made her stop.  The lady looked around, but no one else seemed to be taking notice.  She didn’t expect the ladies to notice, once they got into their work it usually took more than visitors to stir them. As for the kids, they were playing.  

This young lady shifted her basket and approached Titania and the kids, smiling welcoming, her eyes curious.  All her hair was tucked under the bonnet that she wore - which was different than the caps of the older ladies. “You should have reception here,” she began to explain as she drew closer. Stopping at a reasonable distance as she smiled at the three of them. “It may not look like it, but electrical things get through here.”

The basket she carried moved from one side to the other.  “Welcome! Are you guys here for the festival?”

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Well, Oliver was a young male so there was a really good chance for that right!    But just sending kids one would think that to see family that perhaps the mom would want to stay with her babies.

But she did take out her phone to see if it had service, and she was very glad to see that it did still have service because things had gotten well...strange.  And she might have to do a whole...wait a moment ... moment you know.  As her phone was up and she was making sure that she had service she might have snapped a picture but with these phones, it's rather hard to tell if she was looking for service or shooting pictures.  

When the other lady stopped the kids both moved to grasp their arms around Titania's legs and look up at her, still not sure what the heck this was.   Titania took in a breath of air as she looked to this seemingly friendly lady but well looks could be deceiving and she did manage a smile.   "Where...is here?"  Yes, she asked that bit she was curious where they were, as would anyone who walked through a mysterious door with a silver light should be.

But she looked towards the lady, her head tilting.  "The festival?   What festival is that?"   Because well that was interesting.   "I think there may have been a mix-up ... unless some of the kids family members are hiding around here, truthfully we just went to the inn so the kids could see family."   She was looking at all the kids.  "Unless ... well ... I mean I guess it would be possible."  She didn't know what any of that side of the kids family was up to and well it had been a while so some of those kids could be...well related perhaps, was that why she was there?

She might have sent just the picture to Damon in a message with a simple button push... in case the place looked familiar but she wasn't freaking out or anything yet, even if her kids are attached to her legs.

[Telguest]

The young lady laughed. It was a musical type of laugh that lights up a persons face and made their eyes shine.

She removed a hand from the basket and motioned around the area. "We are all family here," she said. It was the perfect type of reply one might expect to hear from a church. "Though you do seem a tad confused." Which she found to be a bit confusing herself.  There was no sign of the passage the three came from. Behind them was the rest of the fence, the forest, and a small town not too far away.

Ah! She had a thought. Shaking her she let out a small laugh. "Of course, how silly of me. You must have family here at the festival. What are their names?" If this was the place the Paper had delivered them, their family had to be here.  

She extended a hand to Titania. "My name is Sarah. Welcome to the Church of Saint Emiliani!"

The name of the church might not have rang a bell to Titania, or even the name of the young lady here. However, if she were sending pictures of the church to Damon he may recall the place.

Despite the cherry countenance of the place, the guarded feeling hung over everything. The kids, with their mixed heritage, would be sure to feel it. As though something was trying to be contained.  

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Titania was taking it all in, and even though the lady seemed friendly, and nice enough something still felt off.   She wasn't the only one as the children were clinging to her legs.  Not the normal MO for these kids...at all.  

Oh yes, if she had been thinking in that way but she said that and she was well, a shocked look that was replaced by a ding lightbulb moment.   She was good though and she looked towards her and she nodded.  "Yes, I am a bit confused."  She really was and she was trying to be a good sport and she had been disappointed when the passage wasn't there when she looked.

"I don't know if we do have family here.   But the kids that I have with me are my children, Bastian and Izzy Cauthaon."   She wasn't sure whom would be here, and it was almost as if a memory tinkled over her features.   "Perhaps...this is the same place that Airtia and Pip have helped out in the past?"  She didn't know if it was still going on, that whole family thing was weird, wasn't it?  And in truth Titania wasn't family but the kids, the kids were.

As it was, no matter how friendly the lady was, the twins both seemed afraid to let go of their mommy as if something bad would happen.    And they were not letting her go.

[Telguest]

Sarah's smile was fixated. Once it was there it didn't matter what was said - this girl was going to smile.  As the older ladies said. it was one of her best features.

So she smiled and nodded as she listened to what Titania was telling her. Though the first set of names didn't ring any bells, the second set did. At least one name: Pip.

Epiphany and Sarah were good friends and had gone through training here, at the church, together.  They even kept each others secrets. Recalling this caused a crack in Sarah's otherwise perfect smile as her mind turned inward at what was being held inside the church.

Sarah was always delighted to meet new children and so, for the moment, her attention would be directed to them. She crouched down to be more at their eye level and regarded both of them, her welcoming smile back in place.

"Hello children, would you like to play?" She asked them.  "There are children here your age and you can go right along with them."

Sarah stood back up so she could talk to Titania.  "You see, this is a church and an orphanage, we deal with children all the time. They'll be fine as long as they stay in the fence. " She was trying to imply that Titania may want to leave the kids behind.

Sarah rocked back on her heels and looked to where the older ladies sat.. She was supposed to be delivering this basket, but they hadn't called after her yet. "I'm not sure about the one called Airtia, though I do know Pip.  There is someone who comes to see her, too. She never gives a name, but she's there inside too.  Would you like me to take you?"

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Well, that was an interesting thing, and probably a good thing a lot of the time.   But Titania was speaking and then she was watching when the first set didn't but that one name, Pip did ring a bell so there was that right!

Titania wouldn't know what Epiphany had gone through she was kin to her kids but not to her, and well nothing to dwell on things were what they were right.  

When she was speaking to the kids and she looked towards them, and they looked to each other.  "If...we go play with the other kids we can leave when our mom leaves right.  We won't be stuck  here?"  That was Izzy while Baz joined in. "I don't wanna be a lost boy I wanna be mommy's little man."  

Titania looked to Sarah before she would attempt to calm her children down.  "It's okay guys mommy won't leave without you."   A chorus of "Promise."  Came out of them and she responded. "Promise."  So the kids did move off to play but they made sure that they could see their mom and if she went to go out of sight or too far you can bet your bottom dollar the kids would run and cling again.    

Titania turned her attention to Sarah and she thought of that one and she nodded.  "Kids stay in the fence."  Of course, they would, but she turned to Sarah.  "I am sure that they will." Stay inside the fence but she wasn't sure what she was doing at a church and orphanage.  

And when the girl was rocking on her heels she thought of that one.   And when she was speaking of Pip that was something.   "Do you think I should go see this person?  The one without a name?"   She just ... well, she had no clue how she ended up here.  "I don't think it would hurt anything do you?"

[Telguest]

Seeing the children run off made Sarah happy. She did love to see children having fun and, having seen them clinging to their mother as they were worried her.

Sarah watched the children run off, and other children went to greet and them, wanting them to join in their games. She was still listening to Titania’s train of thought, even if she wasn’t fully looking at her.

“What’s that?” She asked as fully caught the last bit of what was said.  Sarah pulled her attention back to where it belonged: on the person, she was conversing with.  “No.  No, I don’t think it will hu—“ and she cut herself off and bit down on her bottom lip. She then took a half a step back and regarded Titania a moment as she squinted her eyes.  

“You’re not evil, are you?” As soon as the question was asked Sarah laughed, loud and jovial. Tossing her head back and dismissing the thought with a wave of her hand. “How silly of me, of course, you’re not.” Although, Sarah wasn’t the best at detecting these type of things she knew that the church had a ward against evil - especially demons - so she didn’t think too much about it.

Sarah turned and waved for Titania to follow as she started towards the back door of the church. “Follow me. I’ll take you to them.”

The basket of vegetables still held in her arm.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Well, when one walked into a door that had to be spoken too, it was understandable to be a bit off, when you arrived where the door had taken you.

Baz and Izzy did run off though and the other kids seemed to take to them, and they did join in the games, though they were a bit wary and were peeking at their mom as she was walking with the lady named Sarah.

Titania wasn't sure what was going on but she knew her kids were playing for the moment, she figured it wouldn't  hurt to pop into the church then slip back out again.  

At the question, Titania shook her head.  "Not that I am aware of."  It was something though and she went with her, and well it was something, perhaps Sarah wasn't the only one that wasn't always good at seeing such of people.  

Now she was a bit curious, first, it was a lady and then it was them, who exactly was she about to see?   And when she went to see them, the kids were outside, yet the kids wanted to see family.  She had so many questions in her head, and yet maybe meeting whoever this was would answer some sort of question.

She followed Sarah without too many more questions towards the church and she would be able to go inside.

[Airtia S. Cauthon]

Airtia was inside the church. To be more exact, she was two floors down, in the lower basement. The room was decently sized and the way down to it was marked by a string of dim lights which ran along the staircase walls. The room itself got light from strategically placed floor lamps. The ceiling was low - anyone above seven feet would have to crouch a little. The walls and floor were white marble, which made the blackened trunk that was in the middle of the room, stick out. There were no chairs or other furnishings. The only thing that contrasted more was the blood red cloak worn around Airtia's shoulders.  

The trunk was on a raised dais and Airtia stood at one side of it.  Her hands resting on the lid.  She had forgotten how many days she had come here, despite how being in the church made her feel. At first, the Nuns had tried to bar her entrance. The Nun in charge, Sister Mary-Marks, had been able to sense things about Airtia and made it abundantly clear that she was not welcomed. However, they had been able to make a deal.  No names were taken and Airtia would come alone to the basement of the church.

Sarah always felt a bit apprehensive around Airtia - or as she called her in whispers 'The Red Witch' - and didn't like being near her.  Sister Mary-Marks made it Sarah's duty to keep an eye on Airtia and let her know if she did anything to the trunk.  Honestly, Sarah wouldn't know if she did or not unless there was something visible to see.  She had no magic of her own.

If Titania was following, Sarah was taking her down those steps with plenty of time for the kids to follow too if they wanted. "I find the room to be a little creepy when she is here. The one who comes to see Pip." Though she spoke softly, her voice carried along the steps. At the bottom, there was no door that needed to be opened. Only an archway that separated the steps from the lower room. A few steps up from the arch, Sarah stopped.

"I'll announce you, and then you can go right in," Sarah said. She wasn't going to go in. She didn't even offer, instead, she lifted the basket she had been carrying. "Have to deliver these, you know."

Sarah spoke up so to announce her arrival. "Hello. Excuse me? There's someone to see you."

Then she gave Titania one of her smiles and headed up the steps rather quickly.  Titania was on her own.

Airtia had heard Sarah, no matter how quiet she tried to be and, with the announcement, she took her hands from the trunk and turned to face the archway and whoever may walk through it.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Titania was watching Sarah as she spoke, something seemed odd, and yet she had a feeling it wasn't too bad, that she could go to where this lady was that came to visit Pip, I mean it shouldn't be to bad right? But if Titania knew how the lady that visited Pip made Sarah feel she might have been having some second guessing going on … okay more so than she already did. When they were headed the kids did run from playing because they were not letting their mommy out of their sight...and she couldn't really blame them the whole place had a strange feel to it.

When Sarah was speaking, though, Titania smiled. “Thank you.” But Titania was curious and her voice was soft so it hopefully didn't travel to the kids. “You find it creepy?” Now she almost wished the kids had stayed behind but trying to tell them what to do was hard, because they were at such an age that most of the time she got tired of arguing with them and if the creepy person was the family she didn't want to keep the kids from the person. As they walked she noticed the way that they were going and once down the steps she noticed the archway, and it wasn't too far at that one. When Sarah stopped Titania was watching her that seemed weird.

Then Sarah said she would announce her and she smiled at her. “Thank you.” Still a bit weird...and while Sarah took that pause...there might have been a quick text sent. -Inside the church with the kids. Apparently, someone that creeps Sarah, who I just met, out is in the basement. But they come here to see Pip, the kid's aunt.- Because she didn't know they knew each other so she would indeed fill things in. And if she went missing people would now the last place she was. So her text wasn't composed the best and that wasn't normally Titania but it was one of those quick lil fire it off in case I die text messages. Sorry, Damon.

And that announcement was...strange to say the least...who the heck had the girl so spooked? Now that had the curious cat that most females had in them perked up in Titania. The kids were no longer clinging to her they were curious.

Izzy took off running into the room, and stopped once she got inside, carefully mind you before you heard...”Mommy!!! Bas!!!! It's Grammy Airtia!” Because she well was sure Airtia has said what she wanted to be called but Izzy called people as she saw them, and Izzy beamed up to her. “Grammy Airtia!!! It's me. Izzy! Hi hi!” Bas moved quick into the room while Titania behind him and he smiled. “Gram Airtia!!!! Hi...” And Titania walked in last after the kids and she looked to the kids, but she couldn't reprimand them they missed her, and she took a breath. “Airtia. It's good to see you.” She wasn't going to repeat that the kids had missed her.

[Damon Fauci]

By now the Italian had dressed, groomed, and left his suite.  At the front desk, he was notified that three packages had arrived for him.  With a smooth word and a gracious tip he bid them brought up to his room while he was out.  He would deal with those later.  Outside was mild, especially when one considered the time of year, and he wove through the streets with such confidence it was like he'd never left.  As he'd selected an area of town where he always found it easy to secure a meal, the vampire was already moving from the wining to the dining when his phone signaled him.

The text from the witch gave him pause. . .Epiphany was the aunt of her children?  To say that was unexpected news was an understatement. With a furrowed brow, Damon pried himself away from the eager female he'd wooed for dinner, leaving her and the establishment he'd found her in for the crisp winter air.  In the privacy of his thoughts, he read the text a second time.  His jaw tightening as clearly he wasn't pleased about one detail in particular. To Titania he replied: I know that church.  He'd been on its grounds before.  And there was a day when Epiphany somehow convinced him to accompany her as she played with the orphaned children.  Those that ran the church were not fans of his, for obvious reasons.  And Damon was not a fan of theirs, either.  Nothing he sent to Titania would shed light on any of this, nor on the fact that he knew Epiphany.  He only added:  Notify me if you require assistance.

Yes, he knew that church.  So another text was sent, in the name of being prepared, but this one was not to Titania.  Join me here? Take the ways, I'll meet you.  Damon knew too well that such a text would result in a phone call, and when it did he would answer.  In the meantime, to ensure that the likely argument would be skipped, his second text was a single character that would shed a clear light what was going on and why they were needed: 6.

It was the first time that he was the one to clarify a situation using the code.  Usually it was the others who were required to use it, in order to put the latest chaos in context of its actual urgency so that Damon knew whether or not he actually needed to come running.  The specific circumstance that was assigned six was never to be taken lightly.  Now, if events for the witch transpired fortuitously and it turned out there was no six after all, Damon conveniently had a secondary use for the one he was summoning to the realm.  

Heading off in a different direction than before, he answered his already ringing phone.

[Airtia S. Cauthon]

Why Sarah acted as she did towards Airtia was a story for another time. When the twins came through the archway Airtia adopted a  gentler face and stance. She even extended her hands out in welcome to the incoming children. While she was surprised to see them,  they were members of her family and had done no ill to her.

"Lil' ones, what brings ye 'ere?" Airtia spoke softly to them, though the question was directed to Titania with an edge of concern in her voice.   She looked up and posed that question to her as she came into the room. Small echoes of their voices hung in the air before vanishing.  Perhaps that was why Sarah, too, spoke softly.

Airita stepped forward, ushering the children away from the raised trunk. "Did word o' the festival reach ye, and that tis what brought ye 'ere?" Curious as to how they got here. Her silver eyes looked back to the arch, as though she were looking past it, up the stairs, and to the activities up above.

"Ye were nae hurt, were ya, Titania?" The Nuns would never harm the children - outside of restraining and discipline - unless there was a justifiable cause. Airtia mentally answered her own question as she set her attention back on the young lady.  It had been a while since she had seen them and people who associated with her family where not always what they appeared to be. "'Ave the lil one's come into their abilities yet? "

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