{"sf1_id":347252,"sf2_id":null,"title":"Spirit Bound: Chapter Eighteen","author":"plainwalk","words":5755,"posted_at":"2012-02-27T22:42:00.000Z","tags":["Akita","Cub","Gay","Highschool","M/M","Magic","Male","Nudity","Rottweiler","Series","Violence (Not In Yiff)","Wolf","barepawed"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/347252-spirit-bound-chapter-eighteen","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/view/347252","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=347252\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#20 of Spirit Bound\n\nMuch the same as the others, some nudity, discussion of gay sex, and violence outside of sex.","content":" **Chapter 18: The Fur From Cork**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Micah gave a terrified yelp and dove under the table, rattling the dishes when he banged his head.\u0026nbsp; Nicholas dove past Geoff and out of his sight.\u0026nbsp; Avery must have manifested because Geoff could see her eyes begin to glow with electricity, and numerous arcs jumping from her storm grey fur to the metal cutlery.\u0026nbsp; Geoff knew he'd manifest as soon as the lights burst, and he'd wager everything he had that all the other Spirits had, too.\u0026nbsp; He felt a shiver travel up his spine as the breathing in the corners of the room began to grow louder.\u0026nbsp; 'What in Tartarus _are_ those dogs?'\u0026nbsp; A bolt of electricity shot from Avery at Nathanial, but his chair flew back, out of the way.\u0026nbsp; The arc hit Dirk, and danced across his body.\u0026nbsp; He fell forward onto the table, stunned and unable to move.\u0026nbsp; A large furry body flew over Geoff's head and knocked Avery's chair backward, spilling its occupant and assailant into the hall.\u0026nbsp; Two large bolts of lightening shattered the dark, one from inside and one outside the house.\u0026nbsp; The baying of a large pack of dogs accompanied the thunder.\u0026nbsp; Several people yelped, but Geoff wasn't sure who did, he might have been one. Ozone and smoke made the air foul, as did an oddly familiar cold and dusty breeze.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The table shook again as Conor slammed his paw down, \"Stop this at once!\u0026nbsp; Nathanial, go to Geoff's room and stay there till I send for you!\u0026nbsp; Avery, with me, **_now_**!\u0026nbsp; Faelen, bring Dirk to his room.\" He stood up, the power radiating off of him was worse than Monday night after Geoff snuck out to see Nathanial.\u0026nbsp; Avery and Nathanial both cringed, anger forgotten.\u0026nbsp; The doorbell rang.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nathanial stood from his chair, and placed his paw over his heart as he bowed, \"Sir.\u0026nbsp; My apologies for letting my anger best me.\"\u0026nbsp; He turned and walked out, ignoring Avery, but he suddenly gasped and moved swiftly to something.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff followed Conor out as he rushed out into the dim hall, lit only by the lamp beside Conor's chair in the living room.\u0026nbsp; Nathanial was crouched over the smoking corpse of his dog.\u0026nbsp; The doorbell rang, again.\u0026nbsp; Conor snarled, \"Get rid of whoever the hells that is, Geoff.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff ran down to the door, and peeked out.\u0026nbsp; It was Liam, with his medical bag.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's Sensei, Sir.\"\u0026nbsp; A snarl and nod answered him.\u0026nbsp; Conor picked up Avery and went upstairs.\u0026nbsp; Nathanial glared after her, the air rippling around him.\u0026nbsp; Geoff growled at him, furious, as he opened the door, \"What the fuck was that?!\u0026nbsp; You just flew off the handle at some little comment!?\u0026nbsp; She was wrong to say that, but you just made things a hell of a lot worse!\u0026nbsp; For us _and_ Da!\u0026nbsp; How is he going to explain things, now, huh!?\u0026nbsp; If she liked, or even tolerated you, he could have smoothed things over, but now?\u0026nbsp; I hope your damned well pleased with yourself.\"\u0026nbsp; Two dogs moved to flank Nathanial, he didn't appear to notice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"My response to her rudeness and bigotry was less insulting than what she gave.\u0026nbsp; I will apologize when she does.\u0026nbsp; Micah didn't deserve to be spoken to like that.\u0026nbsp; Nor did you or I.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam interrupted, \"Who is injured?\u0026nbsp; I hate to interrupt your lover's quarrel, but if someone is injured I would like to know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Dirk.\u0026nbsp; Faelen is carrying him to his room.\u0026nbsp; He was manifesting, so he should be fine before long.\"\u0026nbsp; Liam brushed past them, running upstairs.\u0026nbsp; Geoff blinked after him, \"How'd he know someone was hurt?\u0026nbsp; He can't scry, or whatever, like you can, can he?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Leave the dead dog there!\"\u0026nbsp; Liam called down the hall.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His honest question, with a bit of attempted distraction, worked.\u0026nbsp; Nathanial's hackles lowered and he relaxed.\u0026nbsp; \"I have no idea what he can do.\u0026nbsp; I wouldn't even try to guess about what he _can't_ do.\u0026nbsp; If you told me he could fly, I'd probably believe you.\"\u0026nbsp; Nathanial spoke, then he sighed, \"Well, I better go to your room.\u0026nbsp; I hope Dirk's all right.\u0026nbsp; I should probably try to catch up on school work.\"\u0026nbsp; He slowly walked downstairs, dogs following.\u0026nbsp; Geoff grumbled as he went to start cleaning up the food.\u0026nbsp; It'd have to be tossed because of all the glass in it.\u0026nbsp; He was still hungry.\n\n* * *\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam heard a large electrical discharge inside the McDougal's home, as a bolt of lightening struck a large tree behind the house.\u0026nbsp; He was running up to the house, and had just stepped onto the lawn.\u0026nbsp; The sudden noise and light made him lose his pacing and he stumbled, catching himself before he fell.\u0026nbsp; 'Well, at least I know why I am here, now.\u0026nbsp; Are Mages attacking?'\u0026nbsp; The house was almost entirely dark, only a small lamp in the living room was visible.\u0026nbsp; He rang the doorbell.\u0026nbsp; He could hear Conor's voice inside.\u0026nbsp; The tone was strained, in anger, but too muffled for him to make out.\u0026nbsp; He rang the doorbell again.\u0026nbsp; Geoff ran to the door and peeked out.\u0026nbsp; He didn't seem hurt, or too upset, so things must not be too bad.\u0026nbsp; He did seem scared, angry, and distraught.\u0026nbsp; 'A bad argument?\u0026nbsp; Between whom?'\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff opened the door, and Liam found himself stepping into a very tense discussion between Geoff and Nathanial.\u0026nbsp; 'Surprising.\u0026nbsp; The last two I would expect to be fighting.'\u0026nbsp; He was told Dirk was injured so he began running upstairs, and nearly tripped over a... something.\u0026nbsp; He couldn't really see it, but he could sense a large, furry, and dead object was near the top of the stairs.\u0026nbsp; It seemed to be a dog, an unnatural one, like the two flanking Nathanial, which he also could only sense by the disruption of his Chi, but not see.\u0026nbsp; He was often glad his Chi created a field around him that could detect objects, almost like short range sonar, a trick employed by Monks and Hunters.\u0026nbsp; He'd have to examine the corpse, and the living dogs, later.\u0026nbsp; He smelled singed fur and ozone, as well as a cold breeze from the dining room.\u0026nbsp; He called back to them as he turned the corner to go upstairs, \"Leave the dead dog there!\"\u0026nbsp; He silently raced upstairs and heard two more voices in a heated argument in Conor's study.\u0026nbsp; Conor and a woman, apparently named Avery.\u0026nbsp; He could smell more ozone coming from the study, the woman must be the one releasing all that electricity.\u0026nbsp; He moved on to Dirk's room.\u0026nbsp; Faelen was moving stacks of bones closer to his father, who lay on the bed twitching.\u0026nbsp; 'At least he is still manifesting.\u0026nbsp; That should make things easier.'\u0026nbsp; \"Faelen, I need room to work.\u0026nbsp; Enough bones.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bones clattered to the floor as Faelen jumped, \"Bloody hells!\u0026nbsp; Don't do that!\u0026nbsp; I'm really not used to not hearing people.\u0026nbsp; What are you doing here?\u0026nbsp; How did you know Da's hurt?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam ignored him, and placed his bag down and ran his paws lightly across Dirk's body.\u0026nbsp; Disrupted nervous system, minor muscular damage, a small crack on one bone, and burns where the electricity hit.\u0026nbsp; Already most of the damage was repairing itself.\u0026nbsp; 'Remarkable.\u0026nbsp; I would really like to have this regenerative ability.'\u0026nbsp; He pulled out a few ingredients and ground them in his mortar and pestle.\u0026nbsp; \"Thermos.\"\u0026nbsp; Faelen pulled a thermos out of his bag and opened it.\u0026nbsp; Liam dumped the powder in and focused his Chi as he mixed it, \"Lift him up.\"\u0026nbsp; Faelen raised his father into a sitting position.\u0026nbsp; Liam placed his paw on Dirk's head and calmed the twitches of his nerves.\u0026nbsp; He helped Dirk slowly drink the hot potion, as he gently soothed the Spirit.\u0026nbsp; Liam waited until the potion was half done before saying, \"I am concerned.\u0026nbsp; Why would this 'Avery' wish harm to O'Conall?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"She didn't.\u0026nbsp; She was aiming at Nathanial.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam felt his hackles rise, \"Indeed.\u0026nbsp; That would explain much.\u0026nbsp; It does raise a similar question.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"She insulted Micah and the rest of the Marks.\"\u0026nbsp; Liam waited for more information, then cleared his throat when none was forthcoming.\u0026nbsp; \"It is a matter between my employers and their guests.\u0026nbsp; I've already said too much.\"\u0026nbsp; Liam nodded.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Dirk was nearly finished the potion, so Liam handed the thermos to him, \"You will be sore for another half hour, remain manifested and do not move until that passes.\u0026nbsp; You are confined to light activities until tomorrow, you are off duty until I clear you.\u0026nbsp; If you will excuse me, I have a... feral dog to examine.\"\u0026nbsp; He grabbed his bag and left the room.\u0026nbsp; The argument was still going on in the room, it sounded even more heated.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't care about your damn reasons!\u0026nbsp; He's a Mage!\u0026nbsp; Geoff's a Spirit!\u0026nbsp; They're both male!\"\u0026nbsp; Avery was reaching a very uncomfortable volume.\u0026nbsp; Liam shook his head and knocked.\u0026nbsp; \"Go away!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Enter.\"\u0026nbsp; Conor sounded almost calm.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What!?\"\u0026nbsp; Liam opened the door, \"I'm still talking to you!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes, I can't help but hear that.\u0026nbsp; I also can't help but notice it is 'to' me, not 'with' me.\u0026nbsp; I will _discuss_ this with you in a moment.\u0026nbsp; Yes, Healer?\u0026nbsp; How is Dirk?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I apologize for the interruption, Mr. McDougal.\u0026nbsp; Mr. O'Conall will be fully healed by morning.\u0026nbsp; The shock he received may have proven fatal to another, but he was manifesting when he received it, and that prevented the worst of the damage.\u0026nbsp; I noted a number of injuries, including a cracked bone, that his Spirit powers will repair swiftly.\u0026nbsp; The more concerning damage was to his nervous system, including his brain.\u0026nbsp; He was nearly having seizures when I reached him.\u0026nbsp; I was able to stop the degradation of his nervous system and repair most of the damage already caused.\u0026nbsp; He is confined to bed for at least another half hour, to allow the muscular and bone damage to heal.\u0026nbsp; He is confined to light activities until tomorrow, I will check on him prior to school.\u0026nbsp; I will give you the bill at that time.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Very good, Sensei.\u0026nbsp; You have my gratitude.\"\u0026nbsp; Liam could tell his interruption worked.\u0026nbsp; Avery had lost her momentum, and was thinking clearly again.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Do you require anything further?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, thank you, Sensei.\u0026nbsp; Not right now.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Then I will go examine that creature in your hall, if you do not mind.\u0026nbsp; I will likely be here for an hour.\u0026nbsp; Sir.\u0026nbsp; Madam.\"\u0026nbsp; He nodded to each before turning and leaving, he closed the door behind him.\u0026nbsp; A conversation started up behind him.\u0026nbsp; He went downstairs and turned on some lights.\u0026nbsp; He was intrigued to notice that once the light reached a certain level, the mastiff became perfectly visible.\u0026nbsp; He switched off the light, and it vanished from sight, very much the way Geoff seemed to when he was manifesting.\u0026nbsp; He began grinning broadly, and knelt to fully examine the creature from the Elemental Plane of Darkness, humming as he did so.\n\n* * *\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff frowned as he took the last few dishes from the table, 'What is that noise?\u0026nbsp; Humming?\u0026nbsp; Last thing I thought I'd hear this afternoon.\u0026nbsp; Who is it?'\u0026nbsp; He poked his head out of the dining room and saw Liam kneeling over the dead dog.\u0026nbsp; He was facing away from Geoff, and his whip-like tail was wagging hard enough that his rump was shaking a little, too.\u0026nbsp; He was humming happily, as he ran his paws along the fur, pausing to pinch or poke every once and a while.\u0026nbsp; He moved to check its teeth and claws.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam seemed to see him standing there, his huge grim not fading, \"Ah!\u0026nbsp; Geoff!\"\u0026nbsp; He chortled, \"What a marvellous specimen this is!\u0026nbsp; It's perfect!\"\u0026nbsp; He chortled again, rubbing his paws together in glee, \"See these teeth!\u0026nbsp; The claws!\u0026nbsp; Not bone, no.\u0026nbsp; Nor are they keratin, or any other common material in Earthly organisms!\u0026nbsp; This 'fur' isn't properly fur either!\u0026nbsp; Ah, the papers I can write on this beastie!\"\u0026nbsp; He sounded like he was from Cork.\u0026nbsp; Geoff was absolutely perplexed, he would've sworn that Liam was born in the same area of Cork he was from, judging by his accent.\u0026nbsp; \"Here, here!\u0026nbsp; You must see this!\"\u0026nbsp; He had a small scalpel in his paw.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff's eyes popped, \"Whoa!\u0026nbsp; Hey!\u0026nbsp; No dissections in the front hall!\u0026nbsp; I know the place is beat up, but we don't need a pool of blood here, too.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Bah!\u0026nbsp; This is in the name of science!\u0026nbsp; Or arcane lore.\u0026nbsp; Whatever.\u0026nbsp; Knowledge, pup!\u0026nbsp; In the face of new discoveries, what matter if a few bits of wood become a little stained?\u0026nbsp; Where's your laboratory or butcher shed, then?\u0026nbsp; An ice house would serve in a pinch, the sawdust will soak up what I don't bottle.\u0026nbsp; I do hope I have enough bottles.\u0026nbsp; My journal, now where did I put my journal?\"\u0026nbsp; He began checking his pockets and medical bag.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff looked at him warily.\u0026nbsp; 'Liam?\u0026nbsp; That's not Sensei.\u0026nbsp; Who is that?\u0026nbsp; Liam makes sure everything is in its precise spot.\u0026nbsp; He doesn't lose something unless someone else moved it.'\u0026nbsp; He edged closer, \"Who are you?\u0026nbsp; You're not Liam Smith.\u0026nbsp; Sensei doesn't _lose_ stuff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam seemed to start, and answered in his normal voice, \"It is me, Geoff-san.\u0026nbsp; No one has assumed my form.\u0026nbsp; I merely lost myself in this discovery.\u0026nbsp; I would like to begin initial examinations, promptly, if possible.\u0026nbsp; Where would a good place to start, be?\u0026nbsp; I do not have a proper site, but I require a good bit of the pelt and tendons.\u0026nbsp; Some of the blood, and other materials may also be of assistance.\u0026nbsp; If there was a scientist in the Arcane Society I could trust, that would be ideal.\u0026nbsp; They delight in these discoveries as well.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam put a paw to his head and winced.\u0026nbsp; Geoff answered, \"Agent Ella.\u0026nbsp; Nathanial trusts her.\u0026nbsp; She wanted to meet you, anyway, Healer.\u0026nbsp; I'm actually surprised all of this commotion hasn't brought her here.\u0026nbsp; Why do you need that stuff?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A gift.\u0026nbsp; Also, these planar entities have invaluable components for medicines and the creation of magic devices.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Like grimoire?\"\u0026nbsp; Liam smiled slightly.\u0026nbsp; \"And, yes, you did seem to 'lose yourself'.\u0026nbsp; To someone from Cork.\u0026nbsp; That wasn't you.\u0026nbsp; It was about as far from you as you can get. \u0026nbsp;Like the Celt at school on Tuesday.\"\u0026nbsp; Liam's face became stony.\u0026nbsp; \"I trust you, now.\u0026nbsp; Mostly.\u0026nbsp; This makes it hard, but you must have your reasons.\u0026nbsp; I can lay a tarp out in the garage, and I have the Agent's phone number, if you want to call her.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I thank you for your trust.\u0026nbsp; Mostly.\u0026nbsp; I, obviously, have secrets and wish to limit the number of people who know of it.\u0026nbsp; I am losing the ability to prevent you from discovering it on your own, or reasons for not telling you.\u0026nbsp; The primary reason was how quickly your identity was discovered, as well as Nathanial's.\u0026nbsp; Despite your best attempts, Nathanial-san was discovered Monday, and you on Tuesday.\u0026nbsp; Not the most glowing review for one who wishes to keep a secret.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff growled as he looked away.\u0026nbsp; Liam was right.\u0026nbsp; _He_ wouldn't want to tell a huge secret to him, based on that.\u0026nbsp; And Liam's secret seemed to be huge, despite how quickly certain people seemed to know of it.\u0026nbsp; \"I will trust Nathanial-san's judgement.\u0026nbsp; May I have the number?\u0026nbsp; I will just have to be persuasive when I claim my materials.\"\u0026nbsp; He winced slightly, again, \"Having Nathanial-san speak to her, first, may help.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Do you need your medicine?\u0026nbsp; I can put a kettle on.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Liam grimaced and shook his head, \"No.\u0026nbsp; The side effects are already debilitating.\u0026nbsp; I would take the pain to avoid making them worse.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You've mentioned them before.\u0026nbsp; What are the side effects?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A heavy sigh was his answer, but after a half minute Liam spoke, \"After the amount I have taken this week, my Chi production is almost nothing.\u0026nbsp; If it had not been for Faelen's semen, as well as yours, or rather the Chi in the semen, I would have been unconscious for most of this month.\u0026nbsp; At this rate I may still fall unconscious.\u0026nbsp; I do not seem to be getting any opportunity to rest, and I am constantly placed in situations that require me to expend Chi.\u0026nbsp; It is most aggravating.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff snorted, \"That sounds like an understatement.\u0026nbsp; I bet Nathanial feels the same.\"\u0026nbsp; He shook his head, \"Mom's here.\u0026nbsp; They don't seem to like each other.\"\u0026nbsp; He gave a brief summary of what happened, \"And this is _before_ Mom found out we're not just sweet on each other, but dating, and that Da, well...\"\u0026nbsp; He shuddered, \"I just hope he doesn't tell her _all\u0026nbsp;_ of what happened.\u0026nbsp; Hearing about an all male four way would probably kill her, or us.\"\u0026nbsp; He pulled out his phone and called up Ella's number, he handed it to Liam who copied it into his phone.\u0026nbsp; \"Let's move this to the garage.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They struggled to carry the mastiff through the kitchen and into the garage.\u0026nbsp; It was very heavy, and quite awkward.\u0026nbsp; Once it was there, Geoff grabbed a tarp and they spread it out and placed the beast on it.\u0026nbsp; Liam smiled as he looked down at it, \"That pup is constantly surprising.\"\u0026nbsp; The smile faded, \"I just wish this did not accompany a most distressing temper.\u0026nbsp; He is currently unfit to become a student of mine.\u0026nbsp; _Very_ unfit.\u0026nbsp; Where is Nathanial-san now?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Da sent him to my room.\u0026nbsp; He's not allowed out until Da lets him.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A wise precaution.\u0026nbsp; Let us adjourn there, I wish for him to talk to this Ella first.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff shook his head, \"You go.\u0026nbsp; I need to clean up the dining room, first.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They parted ways at the dining room, Faelen had left his father and was vacuuming the room, making sure there was no glass on the floor.\u0026nbsp; He grumbled, \"Those light bulbs are going to be a pain to get out of there.\u0026nbsp; I'm still hungry, too.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff nodded in agreement.\u0026nbsp; Liam smiled and continued on.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff grabbed the last dish off the table, \"Hey, Faelen, Dirk's all right?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah.\u0026nbsp; Da will be fine.\u0026nbsp; Liam is cute, smart, tough, _and_ a top notch Healer.\u0026nbsp; You guys moved the... thing into the garage?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff nodded, smiling at Faelen's assessment of Liam, \"He's still odd.\u0026nbsp; He was from Cork this afternoon.\u0026nbsp; He was going into raptures over how marvellous a specimen the mastiff was.\u0026nbsp; He wanted to dissect it right where it was, and he couldn't find his journal.\u0026nbsp; Liam-sensei?\u0026nbsp; Losing something?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Cork?\u0026nbsp; Like where Lowell O'Conall is from?\u0026nbsp; Or at least lived a long time?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I suppose?\u0026nbsp; What does that have to do with anything?\u0026nbsp; We're from there, too, and he's supposed to have been your great-great grandfather.\u0026nbsp; He's dead by now.\"\u0026nbsp; Faelen shook his head and started packing up the vacuum.\u0026nbsp; \"He sounds like he's going to tell us what he is.\u0026nbsp; He's just concerned at how quickly our identities were uncovered.\u0026nbsp; Can't say I blame him for being reluctant.\u0026nbsp; But he is noticeably odd, and he seems to know it.\u0026nbsp; He says we'd likely figure it... out.\" Geoff's tone became almost accusatory, \"You suspect something, don't you?\u0026nbsp; He's not a Vampire, Fey, or Spirit.\u0026nbsp; Those're the only really long lived things I can think of.\u0026nbsp; So what are you thinking?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Faelen put the vacuum into the closet in the hall.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm not sure.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, come on.\u0026nbsp; Don't leave me hanging.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Faelen gave him 'a look', the one reserved for when he was being an ass or an idiot, \"It's his secret.\u0026nbsp; It'd be like outing him.\u0026nbsp; It's just not cricket.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"But friends talk.\u0026nbsp; They don't keep big secrets, right?\u0026nbsp; Bah!\u0026nbsp; You're right.\u0026nbsp; Just tell him that you know whatever it is, so he'll finally tell me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I should mow the lawn tomorrow.\u0026nbsp; The grass is getting long.\"\u0026nbsp; They had moved to the kitchen and were cleaning up there.\u0026nbsp; Faelen was looking out the window at the backyard, \"The flower beds could use some attention, too.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff shook his head at the very unsubtle hint that the subject should change.\u0026nbsp; They talked about very mundane topics for the next ten minutes as they tossed out the food and tidied the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; The storm was passing.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm going out to check the Dryad's trees.\u0026nbsp; You coming?\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff nodded, and they went out through the garage.\u0026nbsp; The dim light made the mastiff hard to see, Geoff doubted that Faelen could see it at all.\u0026nbsp; Faelen still made a large detour around the tarp, grabbing some tools in case the trees need some care.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff and Faelen finished caring for one of the Dryads, her tree had some wind damage, and she was in a bit of pain.\u0026nbsp; They carefully removed the broken branch and put some sap-based sealant on the fresh cut.\u0026nbsp; That'd keep mould and other infections out.\u0026nbsp; Faelen took a few minutes to work some manure into the soil around her roots, while Geoff spoke to her.\u0026nbsp; He always found Dryads interesting, they were a bridge between the Fey and Spirits.\u0026nbsp; Their appearance and abilities were more in line with the Fey, but were very similar to Spirits in that they were tied to a very particular natural element: their tree.\u0026nbsp; The light was still on in Conor's study, and Geoff noticed that Faelen's ears often twitched towards it.\u0026nbsp; He knew better than to ask what was being said.\u0026nbsp; If Faelen thought he needed to know, he'd tell him.\u0026nbsp; Geoff was very tempted to manifest and see if he could hear for himself, but he thought it'd be pushing it.\u0026nbsp; If Conor found out, while he was _this_ worked up, it'd be... unpleasant.\u0026nbsp; His parents didn't believe in spanking, and had never hit him, but they were still very good at making their displeasure known.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Faelen's ears twitched and perked, \"Conor is looking for you.\u0026nbsp; We're done here, so let's go in.\u0026nbsp; Good evening.\"\u0026nbsp; He inclined his head to the Dryad, she was looking very pale and she just smiled weakly.\u0026nbsp; Geoff said his farewells before they ran back in.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll put this stuff away, go see what Conor wants.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks, Faelen.\u0026nbsp; Jeeze, I'm soaked.\"\u0026nbsp; He carefully wiped his hindpaws off before stepping into the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; \"Da?\u0026nbsp; I'm in the kitchen!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor looked annoyed as he walked in from the hall, \"Where were you?\u0026nbsp; I was looking for you.\u0026nbsp; Gods, you're soaked!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, one of the Dryads was injured during the storm.\u0026nbsp; Faelen and I were helping her.\u0026nbsp; Do you need me right away, or should I dry off first?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor waved at him, \"Go.\u0026nbsp; I wanted to talk to you and Avery together for a bit before bringing Nathanial back in.\u0026nbsp; I don't want you catching cold or messing up the house, though.\u0026nbsp; Avery is upstairs, wring your clothes out in the garage, and then go dry off and change.\u0026nbsp; Make sure Faelen does, too.\"\u0026nbsp; Conor went back upstairs.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In the garage, Geoff stripped naked, shivering in the chilly damp.\u0026nbsp; He wrung his clothes out, Faelen did as well, once he finished putting the tools away.\u0026nbsp; They held their wet clothes in front of them as they stepped back into the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; Faelen's ears twitched, \"She's upstairs, talking to Dirk, I think.\u0026nbsp; Even when she's calm her voice seems to carry.\u0026nbsp; I mustn't be used to the pitch of women's voices any more, not after spending so much time with just us and our fathers.\"\u0026nbsp; They quickly moved through the kitchen and down the hall to the stairs.\u0026nbsp; The light was out in Geoff's room, but Nicholas and Micah were watching TV.\u0026nbsp; Faelen took Geoff's clothes and headed for the laundry room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, guys.\u0026nbsp; Nathanial is still in my room?\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nicholas and Micah looked over, eyes widening.\u0026nbsp; Geoff hid his grin.\u0026nbsp; He knew that his soaked fur was plastered to his skin, making all of his muscles stand out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Micah smiled, \"Yup.\u0026nbsp; Sensei went out, though.\u0026nbsp; He went with that Jackal guy.\u0026nbsp; Jay.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff frowned, he didn't know any Jackals.\u0026nbsp; Then he realized the mastiff corpse wasn't in the garage when they came in from checking on the Dryads.\u0026nbsp; Nicholas was blushing and turned back to the TV.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Micah was unabashedly checking him out.\u0026nbsp; Geoff stretched and subtly flexed, \"Well, I need to dry off and get dressed.\u0026nbsp; Make sure you guys get your homework done, if you have any.\"\u0026nbsp; Nicholas grunted.\u0026nbsp; Micah was too busy staring to respond.\u0026nbsp; Geoff grinned openly and walked into the bathroom, noting there was a small pool of water where he had stood.\u0026nbsp; The Wolves dried off and then went to get dressed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nathanial was sitting on his bed, reading his Geography textbook.\u0026nbsp; He looked up and smiled, eyes lingering on Geoff's white sheath.\u0026nbsp; \"_Hel_-_lo_ there!\u0026nbsp; The Dryad is doing well?\u0026nbsp; She seemed to be in pain.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff was shocked for a second before remembering, \"You felt me go outside and checked to see what I was doing?\"\u0026nbsp; Nathanial nodded, \"She'll be fine.\u0026nbsp; They're actually very tough.\u0026nbsp; Sensei went with Jay?\u0026nbsp; He's another Agent?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah.\u0026nbsp; Ella was trying to sleep, so she gave me his number.\u0026nbsp; He's off right now, so he has time to help Sensei.\u0026nbsp; They both seemed really excited about this _discovery_.\u0026nbsp; I'm not sure what Jay was more excited about though, the mastiff or the Rottweiler.\"\u0026nbsp; Nathanial stopped, a surprised expression on his face, \"I don't mean like that!\u0026nbsp; I meant, the, um, Healer part.\u0026nbsp; That he was so young, but he got rid of Demon taint.\u0026nbsp; It's supposed to be extremely hard to treat.\u0026nbsp; That's why the Society and the other two groups tend to just kill tainted Furs.\u0026nbsp; They don't have Healers capable of treating it.\u0026nbsp; At least none around, I'm sure they must have a few.\"\u0026nbsp; He was blushing as he talked, embarrassed by his inference.\u0026nbsp; \"Jay met Liam-sensei by the garage and teleported out with the Shadow Mastiff.\u0026nbsp; They went to somewhere in Halifax.\u0026nbsp; I _think_ near Dalhousie University.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't Liam's office, but nearby.\u0026nbsp; I'm not good at placing things that far out.\u0026nbsp; I had Liam-sensei call me when he arrived, to make sure things were all right.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I thought you could only sense things in a few blocks?\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff was trying to pull on his shirt as he talked.\u0026nbsp; He was still damp, and the shirt was clinging to him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hold still.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff stopped.\u0026nbsp; \"Arms up.\"\u0026nbsp; He complied and felt his shirt move itself away from his fur and slide on.\u0026nbsp; \"That's true, but I can 'look' through phones.\u0026nbsp; I can tell he's close, that way, but not pin down the exact distance.\u0026nbsp; It was a surgical lab or something.\u0026nbsp; You should've seen Liam's face, he was obvious delighted to find someone as interested in this as him, and the lab itself seemed to thrill him.\u0026nbsp; He was upset he didn't have his journal.\u0026nbsp; I didn't know he had a journal.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff smiled, \"He had my accent, too?\"\u0026nbsp; Nathanial looked shocked, \"Yeah, he was like that upstairs, too.\u0026nbsp; He wanted to dissect it right there in the hall.\"\u0026nbsp; Nathanial looked like he was going to be sick, \"Whoa!\u0026nbsp; Go to the bathroom if you're going to chuck!\u0026nbsp; I need to go see what Da wants, he's going to call you up in a bit.\u0026nbsp; It looks like things are calmed down.\u0026nbsp; Just keep yourself under control, would you.\u0026nbsp; Once she gets over her surprise, Mom is really quiet reasonable.\u0026nbsp; She just _really_ hates surprises and things challenging what she's decided is going to, or is supposed to, happen.\u0026nbsp; I don't like this temper of yours.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nathanial smiled wanly, \"You and everyone else, including me.\u0026nbsp; I don't know what triggered it.\u0026nbsp; It was the same time my magic has been going haywire.\u0026nbsp; It started Tuesday, when I saw Liam-sensei get shot.\u0026nbsp; And speaking of surprises, you're the same as Mrs. McDougal that way.\u0026nbsp; Just ask Faelen.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff winced, but leaned in to kiss Nathanial and headed upstairs.\u0026nbsp; He knocked on the door to his father's study.\u0026nbsp; \"Enter.\"\u0026nbsp; His mom left Dirk's room and followed him in, a little shame faced.\u0026nbsp; Conor waved at them to sit.\u0026nbsp; \"You have something to tell Avery.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff felt a little confused, \"Ah.\u0026nbsp; Yes?\u0026nbsp; What?\u0026nbsp; I can think of several things, but she seems to already know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor leaned forward, pressing his fingertips together, \"Yes.\u0026nbsp; But say the words.\u0026nbsp; I had to get it confirmed by Faelen.\u0026nbsp; It should come from you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff stared at his hindpaws and cringed, his voice was barely audible, \"Mom.\u0026nbsp; I-I'm gay.\"\u0026nbsp; A few tears ran down his muzzle and dripped off the end of his nose.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Avery moved, and Geoff flinched, \"Don't be silly.\"\u0026nbsp; She hugged him, \"I know.\u0026nbsp; I've been trying to deny it for years, but I know.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff began crying into her shoulder, \"It isn't something you should have been forced into telling us, but I know I have a temper and it scared you.\u0026nbsp; I probably would've said things to hurt you.\u0026nbsp; Ah.\u0026nbsp; More things.\u0026nbsp; I'm sorry for what I said at tea.\u0026nbsp; I don't know what I think about this Mage of yours, but,\" she laughed, \"He has a temper to match mine, at least.\u0026nbsp; You'd best learn to be as diplomatic as your father if you want to keep him.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I do.\u0026nbsp; But his temper is... unnatural, I think.\u0026nbsp; He is a very shy and timid dog, normally.\u0026nbsp; Until Tuesday, from what he said.\u0026nbsp; His magic has been acting odd since then, too.\u0026nbsp; I hope it isn't because of me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Avery frowned, \"Then perhaps you shouldn't be around him.\u0026nbsp; There is a prohibition on what you're doing.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sensei told us his theories on why that is, and it makes sense.\u0026nbsp; Nicholas and Micah aren't affected the same way, either.\u0026nbsp; And I can't leave him.\u0026nbsp; I love him, more than I was in love with Faelen.\u0026nbsp; I-I plan on asking him to marry me when we start grade eleven, if things keep like this.\u0026nbsp; I want to get married once we graduate.\u0026nbsp; I can't imagine life without him, now.\u0026nbsp; You'll probably call it puppy love, but...\"\u0026nbsp; He laughed, and sniffed around his tears, \"This is almost exactly what he said to that Society Agent.\u0026nbsp; She didn't really approve either, but she seems to love Nathanial like a big sister or something.\u0026nbsp; He has that effect on people when he's himself.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His mother stiffened, \"Agent?\u0026nbsp; Why were you talking to an Agent?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff gulped, \"Um.\u0026nbsp; Oops?\u0026nbsp; She was waiting for Nathanial when we went to find Micah.\"\u0026nbsp; He gave a quick run down of what happened.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Avery sighed, \"The Fates really have it in for those Marks boys.\u0026nbsp; I guess I wasn't helping.\"\u0026nbsp; She let Geoff go, \"I don't approve of your lifestyle choice, or this pup, but I won't oppose it, either.\u0026nbsp; Just, no... lovey-dovey stuff around me, okay?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor rubbed his temples, \"Dear.\u0026nbsp; It isn't a choice.\u0026nbsp; He was born gay.\u0026nbsp; The same way we were born straight.\u0026nbsp; Did you 'decide' to be straight?\"\u0026nbsp; Avery looked away, Conor looked stricken, \"Avery?\u0026nbsp; Please tell me the truth.\u0026nbsp; I-I need to know, I will still love you, but, please.\" \u0026nbsp;Geoff felt his stomach churn at the grief in his father's voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She smiled slightly, \"No, I don't think so.\u0026nbsp; There are a few women who are... interesting, but you are the one for me.\u0026nbsp; I've thought about it before, but such things are taboo.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor relaxed, \"Oh.\u0026nbsp; Good.\u0026nbsp; So have I, well, more than thought.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What!?\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff hugged his mother a bit tighter.\u0026nbsp; Avery tried to shake him off, \"I'm talking to your father, Geoff.\u0026nbsp; Go away!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Mom, we're the same the way we react to things.\u0026nbsp; Shush.\u0026nbsp; Look at me.\"\u0026nbsp; He forced himself to look into her eyes, \"I love you, Mom.\u0026nbsp; Just relax.\u0026nbsp; Don't lash out in anger, the way I hurt Faelen when I found out who his mother was.\u0026nbsp; It sucks having to apologize, even more when you really hurt the other person.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His mother began calming down, keeping her eyes on her son's, \"I know.\u0026nbsp; I never seem to learn that lesson.\u0026nbsp; I hope you do.\u0026nbsp; Now.\u0026nbsp; Who was... no.\u0026nbsp; Just, ah.\u0026nbsp; Do I _really_ need to know any more?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff smiled, softly, \"Yup.\u0026nbsp; It was a prescription.\u0026nbsp; Da told you about the Healer's theory about Spirit-Fur relations?\"\u0026nbsp; Avery nodded, \"Well, Nathanial and I have been intimate.\"\u0026nbsp; His mother tensed, \"Shh... I'm sixteen, almost.\u0026nbsp; I'm not a child.\"\u0026nbsp; The look in Avery's eyes showed that she disagreed, \"And anyway, he had a bad dream and got lost.\u0026nbsp; His soul went...somewhere.\u0026nbsp; We think it was the Elemental Plane of Darkness.\u0026nbsp; But I brought him back before by kissing him and pushing some of my Spirit Energy into him, so I kissed him again.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How romantic.\" Her voice was dry, \"Right out of a fairy tale.\u0026nbsp; I guess he's the princess in your relationship?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff blushed, \"Mom!\u0026nbsp; I thought you didn't want details!\u0026nbsp; But if...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She cut him off, putting her paws over her ears, \"NO!\u0026nbsp; No!\u0026nbsp; Just, just go on.\"\u0026nbsp; She put her paws down.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That much Yang is dangerous, so Liam-sensei said that Nathanial needed Yin to balance his Chi.\u0026nbsp; Only Da and Faelen are Yin.\u0026nbsp; Dirk is Yang like I am.\u0026nbsp; Da is the only one strong enough to counter all the Yang I gave Nathanial, but he doesn't seem able to transfer his energy like I do, so that left the, um, natural way.\u0026nbsp; If you know what I mean.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh, gods.\u0026nbsp; He's, what, sixteen!?\u0026nbsp; Conor!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Geoff grinned evilly, \"Come on, Mom.\u0026nbsp; It's not like Nathanial was a virgin, anymore.\u0026nbsp; Not after the night before.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Geoff!\u0026nbsp; No details, I said!\u0026nbsp; I don't want to hear it!\u0026nbsp; Gods.\u0026nbsp; Men.\u0026nbsp; Think sex is the answer for everything.\u0026nbsp; If it has a hole, stick a dick in it and it'll fix everything.\"\u0026nbsp; She shook him off and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Conor smiled, \"Well played.\u0026nbsp; She took that better than I thought.\"\u0026nbsp; Geoff smiled back.\n\n  \n  \n\n"}