Sally was radiant as she crept past the den and into the kitchen. The house was surprisingly lively; servants flitting about as everyone prepared for lunch. Pausing at the kitchen door, Sally simply watched with a smile for a long moment. A million thoughts and questions cascaded through her head, each one trickling off the next like a babbling brook of unending curiosity. 

She could see Hiram through the open door of the den, still curled up with whatever book he was reading... for the hundredth time, she was sure. Christian was seated at the kitchen table, mulling over the day's newspaper with a bowl of... something. Sal hovering warmly near Amelia as she cooked with an adoring tell-tale smile. 

Quietly, Sally just watched, soaking it all in. They seemed so normal. So affectionately, endearingly normal that she had to wonder if it was all a show. Or if she was just being a silly child. Her brows knit as she watched Christian lift his spoon to his lips, wondering what exactly he was enjoying. And, frankly, why they were all awake in the middle of the day. The way Sully spoke, she'd half expected to walk into a Stokerian dystopia. This... was anything but. And it FASCINATED her. 

Lost in her own thoughts, the eery feeling of the hairs raising along the back of her neck snapped her from her musings. Instinctively, she turned toward the den just in time to catch Hiram's eyes flit back to the page he'd been reading. Playfully, she shot him a teasing pout before tiptoeing into the kitchen. Whatever Amelia was cooking smelled positively HEAVENLY, and given her late night... and early morning... she was FAMISHED. 

Her dark, damp curls bounced lightly as she slid into a seat at the table. Her lithe fingers instinctively triple-checking the top button of her dainty tea dress. Chewing her bottom lip, she silently ran down the list of suggestions Sully had given her as she was dressing. Collar, loose hair, no perfume, plain soap. 'Just a little effort, don't try too hard' she reminded herself... trying to shake the ominous feeling of never knowing if she was doing something wrong. 

Silly little thing. In a house FULL of others, she was worried about being the weird one. It drew a hearty chuckle from Sal across the kitchen, startling her from her mental checklist with its boisterous melody. Christian, likewise disturbed for entirely different reasons, shot both of them silent glance before folding his paper neatly and fixating on his new companion. 

With a slow, deep breath in and out, Sally practised calming the unsolicited panic that slowly rose in her chest. Mentally counting her heartbeats, she fought the urge to fidget or bounce, silently cursing the uninvited goosebumps that trailed their way down her back and arms. With unexpected familiarity, Sal's heavy hand came down across the back of her neck, strong fingers running through her damp curls with ease as he stroked her hair comfortingly. "Don't worry. You'll adjust," he promised, nodding to Amelia, "Just ask Meli. Soon enough unnatural will be your second nature." 

Sally, unsure how she felt or how to react, simply sat still; marvelling at her own predicament as she worked her way toward a reply. "I'm rather well-adjusted to abnormal things, I think," she smirked... entirely unprepared for the teasing cackle that echoed in from the door. "I'll say," Hiram quipped, drawing a pouting glare from both of them and a silent look of reproach from Christian as soft piano runs echoed down the hallway with melodic fury. Apparently Sully had finished his repairs. Maybe he'd finally make it down to the lobby? There was much to discuss. 

Sullivan played another run on the piano, and nodded. Everything sounded as it should. BUT, just to make sure, he played a full chromatic scale up, and then back down the length of the Grand. Smiling, he pushed himself away from the piano.

"Perfect."

Setting his tools back into their case and placing them in the desk drawer nearby, he finally made his way out of the room. Shoes clicked and echoed down the corridor and everyone in the room turned to watch as the youngest brother emerged from the shadows that filtered into the hallway. Pausing, just a momentary hitch in his step, Sullivan looked at everyone.

"Good morning."

Making his way to the table, he kissed Salena's forehead and then took his seat. "Amelia, how long would you guess we have until lunch is served?"

"Roughly fifteen minutes, Sir," she called back, causing Sullivan to frown slightly and look at Sal as he stepped up beside Meli, speaking quietly in her ear.

"Perfect, that gives us a bit of time to speak before we stuff our mouths. Christian, I need to reach out to Harvey and gather his notes for Salena's prescriptions. Also, have you had any chance to inquire about me with... others?"

Christian nodded softly, then looked at Hiram and Sal who joined them at the table. "Brothers. It seems our dear Sullivan is somewhat of a mix-up. Of all -things- to tell me this, a distant cousin has done so. Word in the underground is Sullivan's soul struck a deal to return to handle Carlisle, but in the process, there was a hiccup that caused him to forget all of those details. The tree that our dear Tsukina had transplanted in Seattle, was enough life essence to jump start his regeneration. This caused him to heal -before- all of his memory from after death made it to him. He is incomplete."

His icy-blue eyes, natural to the Black family, scanned over the table. Tsukina lowered her head, and he cleared his throat. "This is not your fault, Tsukina. If we would have known, we'd have been there to meet him, and made sure everything went smoothly. Someone else let this slip."

"So what is he?" Hiram asked...

Sullivan nodded, in tandem with Hiram's question. "Yes, then what am I?"

Christian looked between them. "You're a bit like us, a bit human, and something else entirely... However, I believe the best way to explain it, Sullivan... You're an Angel and a Demon in a Human's body. Upyr, and Angel... And from what I've gathered, your job here is to collect and lead the dead and dying to their final rest. In turn, you will be granted power to help us remove Carlisle from this world and stop his oppressive vision."

All eyes were on Sullivan... He was certain even his would be on him if they could be. Then again, he found himself looking at his hands in question, as if unsure what, exactly, Christian's words meant. He was to gather souls? How did one even gather souls? Would he know and understand if the time came? Was it only evil? Was it everyone? What had he allowed himself to become to protect the world from Carlisle?

Looking up, he shook his head.

"I'm afraid I don't really understand," he whispered out.

Christian nodded. "We don't quite yet, either. However, there was one other prominent visitor. She said she loves you, and is excited to see you do what you were always meant to do. Greatness. She says to take care of Salena. She was always part of the plan so that you wouldn't be alone."

Sullivan felt everyone in the room, himself included, gulp at the implications of Christian's words. He didn't need to say who the other visitor was. Everyone knew.

Normal... normal... just be fucking normal... 

Sally immediately felt like she was drowning; a crushing wave of apprehension crashing over her as five sets of identical blue eyes fixated on her with weighty expectation. The high-collared dress she'd chosen for their comfort suddenly felt as if it was strangling her. Why was it that she found herself short of breath so frequently around Sullivan. 

The heart in her chest thumped frantically, feeling like it might burst if she let it. ...which only made the crisp echo of Christian's last words all the more starkly haunting. Plan? She was a plan. This patchwork mess of a half-life was planned? Who would do that to a person? To her. 

Her breaths came faster and shorter with each subsequent thought... her mind flickering like the jerky still frames of her cinematorgraph. Angel? Demon? Collect... the... dead? 

Tears stung her eyes, slipping silently down her cheeks as Sal's expression turned dark and broody. 

"....reaper...." the word tumbled across her lips like a coughed whisper... like she choked on the word as it came it out. And as the tone of it settled into their bones, every blue-eyed monster at the table finally remembered what it felt like to be a human at a table of beasts. 

Gasping for breath, Sally shoved herself away from the table, too overwhelmed, too horrified to maintain her fragile facade. She wasn't okay. This wasn't okay. There was nothing about any of this that way okay. Her eyes flickered between them so quickly Sully feared she might seize... her flinching gaze meeting blue at every turn... which only intensified the panic that was slowly settling into the hollows of her body like a crushing vice grip. 

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, trying to fight for any semblance of decency or grace. There was none. "I need... I need a minute. I just... I can't," shaking her head, Sally backed away from the table; her pupils... for the very first time... betraying the familiar black lakes of fight or flight that the brother's had become so accustomed to. Hiram gripped the table's edge so hard she thought it would dent as he watched the drive of prey finally win out. Trembling, she turned for the door; her footsteps quickening as her controlled walk slowly morphed into an all-out dash. 

The tell-tale creak of the heavy door echoed into the kitchen as her footsteps echoed down the smooth stone steps. Meli, breaking the silence with a soft chuckle, simply smiled at Sully, "Well... it took her longer than most." She was as warm and chipper as he remembered, the most well-adjusted of their adoptees, by far. "I think she'll mesh nicely, once the shock wears off." 

Delivering a platter of grilled cheeses to the table, she smacked Sal with her spatula, "Go on and fetch her. The soup will be ready soon." 

Outside, Sally huddled herself between the roots of a large wisteria in the familiar safety of the garden; suddenly terribly homesick for her own floral sanctuary as she shivered and sniffled. What in the name of all holy FUCK had she gotten herself into? Was life REALLY that cruel? Hugging her knees to her chest, she curled herself into the comforting hollow of the tree as she willed her heart to stop aching. 

Sullivan stood to give chase, but Christian's commanding boom of a voice made the kitchen cease to function.

"No. Let her go. Give her a moment."

Everyone sat back at the table, except for Amelia who brought the sandwiches over, smacking Sal in the process. "Go on and fetch her. The soup will be ready soon."

"No..." Christian spoke up again. "I'll go and have a chat with her. Tsukina, please come with me."

At that point, Christian rose and left the rest of them inside, Tsukina on his heels. As he exited, Hiram slowly released the table and took a deep breath before chuckling and looking at Sullivan.

"She's a good one. Smart. I'm glad she didn't run from my line of sight. The chase is still my hardest thing to fight."

Amelia smacked Hiram's head with her spatula. "IIIIII know. That's why I was ready to peg you with the spoon-of-NO." She giggled before dancing around them and going back to her soup. Sal snerked, as did Hiram, but when they laid their eyes on Sullivan, they stopped. His cheeks were damp as trails ran over his skin and down to his chin. He stood, watching the door from his seat, waiting.

"Sullivan, sit down. Christian is the best one for this. Especially with Tsukina. So what was it she said again?" Hiram asked.

"Reaper!" Amelia called out, cheerful as normal, from her soup stirring.

"Reaper, hmm?" Hiram reiterated, turning to look at Amelia, then back to Sully. "Well that's interesting for sure. We've never dealt with a reaper face to face now, so maybe that's why Christian hadn't thought of that..."

Sullivan nodded softly, finally falling into his seat with his eyes still glued on the front door.

Christian and Tsukina walked out of the house and down the steps. Without even looking around, they headed directly, eerily, to the wisteria tree where Salena sat. They sat on the opposite side of the tree to give her some modicum of peace and protection.

"Salena, my dear... Is there anything I can do to ease your troubles? I'd love if you felt welcome and safe in my home. Because I want you to know, you are both. We have many humans that stay here of their own free will, and they are safer with us than with their own kind. I know it's a lot to learn, and can be very overwhelming. I promise, though, that this is a safe environment for you. Should you like, Kina can get you a cup of tea. She has many great blends that can ease your nerves."

Christian leaned his head back and rested it against the tree's trunk, his knees pulled up halfway to his chest with his arms resting on his knees.

"So, talk to me... What can we do for you?"

Behind the tree, Sally huffled softly and for the briefest moment, Christian thought he felt the roots tremble. "Do you..." her voice was soft and childlike, "Do you remember what it's like to die?" 

There was another soft whimper, and they were all silent for a long moment. For Christian, his turning was a distant memory, bold and unfading, but still dulled by the ages. Tsukina, on the other hand, sighed softly in an all-too-familiar way. Sally, perking up at the sound, snerked, "Do you have any idea how many times I've died?" 

Rubbing her cheek gently on the smooth bark of the tree, she continued, "Over and over and over again. And always, I'd sit on the edge of the gap... stuck in the middle... with... those things..." she choked on the words as she sobbed into the roots of the tree, watering it with her anguish. "And... it's all a plan??" 

Sniffling she lifted her head, "Who does that?? I mean... it's not bad enough that someone had to DIE for me to live. And it's not bad enough that the most important parts of my body aren't mine. And it's not bad enough that we're just different enough for me to fucking die every other fucking month, but just similar enough to ALWAYS come back. And it's not bad enough that you secretly let me raise the daughter of my donor. And it's not bad enough that you're going to purposely stick the dead girl with the mortician. No, none of that is twisted or morbidly ironic enough. Nah... let's go a step farther. Let's make her fall in love with a REAPER... just for good measure. Becuase why fucking not?!"

She shuffled around a bit, relaxing into the tree trunk. "And I thought I could be okay. I mean, I've survived enough already, right? This should be nothing, right?...RIGHT?!"  

Christian smirked at the irony of it all, but calmed his mind before speaking.

"That is some life you've lived, Salena. I do remember dying. It was not a pleasing experience. I can assure you I know that much. Even if it was almost two hundred years ago."

Sighing, he listened to her breathing and her heart rate as it settled.

"Is there anything I can help you with right now? I wish I could explain -why- someone deemed this necessary for you. I can certainly agree that it isn't fair to put someone through this."

He took a deep breath then looked at Tsukina, "Why don't you tell her your experience?"

Kina chuckled lightly, the silk of her long cheongsam whispering softly across the grass as she slowly moved around the tree. Kneeling next to Sally, she offered her hand... waiting patiently as Sally stared for a brief moment before crumpling into the woman's lap. Kina, smiling, pet her hair softly. 

"Death is peaceful. Living is agony. Especially when loving your beloved seems unfair," Kina whispered, cradling Sally like a child, "I would know." Sally blinked up at her as Kina nodded toward the tree where Christian waited on the other side. "I was intended for Hiram," she smiled. "Handpicked... promised before birth. Raised for this. But... I was always supposed to be as you are. Never... eternal." 

Sally's incredulous look of shock and recognition made Kina's nose wrinkle softly as she wiped the tears away with her silk sleeve. "This family has a way of... showing destiny where to shove it," she chuckled softly. Pulling the collar of her gown away, Kina revealed a single, familiar scar dotting her chest, "This bullet was meant for Hiram, too. As a message. I'm the only person in the history of the family that was created instead of born. Because the hard-ass over there just couldn't let me go." 

Christian, from around the tree, snerked softly, "And you thanked me once it was done." 

Kina, giggling, nodded in agreement, "That's true. But not before your sweetheart came to my rescue." Holding her palm out, Kina caught one of the falling blossoms in her palm. Silently, she took a small stick and 'planted' it into the ground. With a soft, slow breath, she closed her eyes and Sally watched as the flower wilted to ash... the branch growing green as a blossoming sapling in its place. "THIS was supposed to be Sully's. Now... I guess it is. Just in a much different way. And... as hard as it may be to fathom now, it gives us an opportunity we've never had before. One for real peace. In life, and not just in death." 

Christian, peeking ever so slightly around his shoulder, marvelled at how far her control had come, as Kina - rocking gently - rested her chin on Sally's head. "Tell me, dear one, do you think that just any frail body could house the heart of a kin... however diluted? Do you truly think that out of all the doctors and crooks in this whole twisted world, it's any coincidence that Carlisle found YOUR father? That he chose YOU to barter?  And is that really LESS scary than the men inside... who after knowing you less than a full day would claim you like family? ... happily put their lives on the line for you without question? Die for you? Kill for you? LIVE for you?" 

Kissing Sally's cheeks, Kina paused for the briefest of seconds before swallowing hard and continuing, "Yes... there are unfathomable things in this world. Yes, they are shocking and sometimes they are terrifying. But... they are also the most committed, loving, dedicated people I have ever met. And I've met my fair share." She smiled as she emphasized the word 'people'. 

Holding Sally close, Kina whispered gently, "You said yourself that Sully felt familiar. And it may seem absurd, or morbid and ironic and unfair. But... look at it another way. I say: who better to love death than 'the dead girl'? You know him in ways no one else ever will. You are the ONLY person I know who can embrace him without fear... who can love him entirely for all that he is... without reservation. And, in turn, are you not the most natural pair in the world? So, yes it is a terrible, awful thing that you have been put through. But tell me truly, did it not prepare you to be his match? ... more so than ANYONE has ever been or could ever be? And in THAT is there not beauty and order and RIGHTNESS?"

Christian, still leaning on the opposite side of the tree, smiled. This is why he loved her so. This is why he'd saved her. She was perfect. 

Sally, sighing softly, nodded. It made sense. Twisted sense. But sense. And right now she needed something, ANYthing to make sense. 

Catching her breath, she wiped her face for a few moments before stretching and taking Tsukina's hand to stand. "We should go back in side," she admitted with an embarrassed smile, "But... could I still have some tea?" Sally's expression was sheepish and innocent as Kina smiled and nodded. "Of course. But first, lunch." Leaning around the tree, she gestured for Christian's hand, "Is there anything you long to add before we return, my Love? I know you keep much to yourself in these family workings. Have you any wisdom for our new little sister?" 

Christian smiled and shook his head as he took Kina's hand and stepped around beside her.

"No, only to reiterate what you've already said. We would happily trade our immortality to ensure your safety. Also, that I do not believe there is anyone less prepared to be there through Sullivan as he makes this strange transition, considering he is not exactly like us. If he were, we would be the authority on the issues, but I believe he will run into problems that only a more human aspect may be able to solve."

He smiled at Salena.

"I lost my humanity many years ago... Tsukina only shortly some time ago, a few years now at most... But Sullivan... He never lost his, not even now, and he's going to struggle with that. A lot. I'm almost certain of it. Especially when it comes time for his gift to come to fruition. I do, however, think he's immortal as we are. So eventually, either he will have to make a decision with you, and you should be prepared. He never wanted this life... Which means he may retain that he does not want it, nor for you. But I fear he made choices in the afterlife that have forsaken his original feelings and beliefs on the matter."

Christian looked off toward the city of Chicago, sighing softly.

"So he's going to need someone like you to assure him that this is all for the best."

He turned and stepped away from them, his hand dropping from Kina's.

"Kina, take her inside. I have things to discuss with the trees. I need to prepare them for our departure. Things are in motion, and we need to step back out of the shadows. I know it's soon, but, I can't ignore the signs."

Christian's hands clasped behind his back as he wandered off into the garden. "I'll join you inside for dinner momentarily. Please, do not wait for me. I won't be long, but you should all eat," he called over his shoulder before disappearing into the dense foliage around the castle.

Sighing softly, Sally nodded as Kina lead her inside. From the first step of the landing, Sally could veritably feel the energy inside perk up. And Kina, nodding reassuringly, confirmed her suspicions. Kina was gentle and slow, allowing Sally to take her time as they approached the kitchen once again. Sally's eyes traced the tile floors, sure that it would be terribly difficult to look at any of them... most of all Sullivan. But, as her mismatched eyes beheld the tears in his, all of her fear and doubt melted away. 

Her heart nearly lurched out of her body, causing the breath to catch in her throat as she gasped. Dropping Kina's hand, she instinctively rushed to his side. "Oh Love, no," she whispered softly, cradling his face in both hands. Melting unceremoniously into his lap, she wiped and kissed his tears away with utter disregard for the onlooking audience. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, nuzzling into the crook of his neck, "I'm so sorry." 

Sullivan shook his head and wrapped his arms around her.

"No no, it's my fault. I shouldn't have rushed you into this world. It's a lot for me to handle, and I was born in it. I shouldn't have expected it to be so simple." He pressed his forehead against hers and took a deep breath. His eyes, bright blue but not unnaturally so, searched through her mismatched portals and into her soul. He smiled, feeling her warmth and love. He knew it would all be okay, even if it was all estranged and weird for a bit.

Kissing her softly, he nodded, and simply held her in his lap. "Are you hungry? Because I am -really- hungry."

Sal, Hiram, and Amelia laughed. "Us too!" they all chipped in. The monsters were hungry? He could feel Sally turn and look at them. It had to be odd for them to express that and be speaking of normal, regular human food. Sully looked at her, half expected to see confusion or fear... But all he saw was her smiling down at him; he couldn't help but to smile back and nod.

"Here we go!" Amelia chirped as she set a soup bowl in front of Sullivan, and then a second in front of the seat beside him. "Soup for the love birds!" She smiled then slipped back to the soup pot to ladle more out for Hiram, Tsukina, Sal, and herself. Anyone else could feed themselves when they joined... Christian included. Serving the bowls, she joined the family at the table.

"So, I gotta say, you're really good." She smiled at Salena. "I know most folks that run away soon as they see the eyes and the fear of the unknown sits in. Hell no, not you! You take a few days of crazy, not possible, before you snap and run." She nodded. "I'm honestly impressed."

"She's not faint of heart," Hiram started then stopped and blank faced as he looked at everyone. "Well, I mean. She's certainly got the heart of a warrior and a fighter. Can we at least agree on that?"

Everyone laughed at Hiram, even himself, before they dove into their food. Sullivan the first to moan and groan, forgetting how much he loved Amelia's cooking...

"This is DIVINE, Amelia!"

"You would know!" she quipped back with a wink before laying her head over on Sal, who chuckled with everyone else. Sully simply blinked and stared, spoon in front of his mouth as it sat open. That, he had not expected, and it took him a moment to recover... Slowly he lowered the spoon and closed his mouth before chuckling along with the group.

"That was quick, much quicker than I remember you being!"

"I've had to grow a lot since becoming head of staff."

"I can tell," Sully nodded with a chuckle, before rejoicing in another bite.

Sally, nibbled a few bites of grilled cheese slathered in tomato soup before she spoke. She was taking her time to process. And, encouragingly, that seemed perfectly fine with everyone else.

"Umm... thank you," she finally managed to blush at Amelia, "It... kind of comes with the territory." She shrugged lightly. "You gain a pretty high tolerance for crazy after the... second or third time you live through death. I mean... really live, anyway," Sully blinked at Hiram scoffed as she winked at him. Was she REALLY making undeath jokes? Already? 

Yeah... she'd fit in just fine. 

"As for you,"  she glared at Hiram playfully, "I'll have you know I have the heart of a Witch, thank you very much. And I dare say that's something more than a fighter." She chuckled hesitantly. That one was forced, but at least she was adjusting. Recovering quickly as she stuck her tongue out. 

And finally she rounded on Sully, "And why should you be at all surprised by Amelia's wit. I rather suppose it is a matter of survival when you share a house... much less organizational responsibilities... with HIRAM." There was the tongue again. What had poor Hiram done to be the butt of all her jokes? Sully wondered. But... the sparkle in her eye as she smirked at him said it all... the game was on. 

And suddenly, Sullivan loved her even more. 

"So," she perked up, digging into the soup, "At exactly what point does it become acceptable to commence with the 20 questions?" She grinned playfully at her new 'family', "I'll exchange one for one, if you like. At least until Christian is done with the trees..." she trailed off with a quizzical, yet fully accepting look that easily melted their hearts. 

Yep. She'd fit juuuust fiiine.