regency au } { of visiting enemies and careful conversations

[hereditare]

Derek: [and he will see the carriage pull in and reach for his proper tunic and pull it on, lashing it in place with his sword belt and going over to meet them.]

Kali: [is helped out of the carriage, and her eyes land on Derek with a smirk] Sir Hale. It has been a long time.

Derek: That is has. Welcome to my home, Lady Kali. Do you require any assistance with your things?

Kali: [she shakes her head] Our knights will attend to that, but thank you.

Derek: [motioned to the two pages waiting] Our page will show them where the guest wing is. There is also room in the knights quarters for your pack.

Kali: Ennis and I are very grateful. Will your sister be joining us?

Derek: Yes, she is just overseeing some of the preparations while Lord Parrish is in town dealing with a matter with two of the merchants. He should return before dinner.

Kali: Wonderful. I'm looking forward to it.

Derek: If you don't need anything from me then, I will go to let her know that you've arrived.

Kali: Please do. Is there somewhere we can wait?

Derek: Probably best for her to meet you in your parlor. I will have tea and biscuits sent up, unless you have not had your afternoon meals, and I can have food sent instead for you and your men.

Kali: The tea will be fine.

Derek: [bows his head] She will be along shortly. [Bows to the silent tower known as Ennis and heads off to find his sister]

Laura: [who is in her chambers, missing her daughter, hating all of this]

Derek: [knocks and then enters] They're here.

Laura: Wonderful. [her tone does not agree with her words]

Derek: [goes over to sit with her, rubbing her back] Hey, I know. They are only here a few days before they continue on. Then we'll go south and meet them.

Laura: I know. And I know Cora will take care of her, but ... it feels wrong not to be with her.

Derek: There will be times you'll have to be away from her. The first time is always the hardest.

Laura: I knew that, I just didn't think it would be this soon.

Derek: [nuzzles her] You'll be okay. Just focus on how good it will feel when you have her in your arms again.

Laura: [sighs as she leans into him in return, before nodding] How is Elena doing with all of this?

Derek: Very pregnant and very much wanting to help any way she can.

Laura: Hopefully Kali and Ennis will be people of their word and this will end quietly.

Derek: If not, I made sure our knights were housed in the quarters closer to the manor so that their packs have to get through them to get to the manor.

Laura: [nods] Good.

Derek: We should go meet with Kali. I had tea sent up already.

Laura: [she nods as she gets up] Was Julia with her?

Derek: There was a lot of them. I didn't see her though.

Laura: I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Derek; [pushes some hair off Laura's face] Just think positive. You're the alpha.

Laura: I know. But even other mother was worried about Kali's emissary.

Derek: Well, I'm not afraid.

Laura: [she nods before squeezing his hand gently] We should get this over with.

Derek: Let's go. You were helping prepare the menu for tonight, if asked.

Laura: [she nods, before going to head towards the parlor with him]

Ennis: [is checking the defenses from the window, taking note of the placement of the knights] The Hales still have very good defensive strategies. Derek learned well from Peter.

Kali: Yes, well, we're not here for war. [a beat] Not yet, anyway.

Ennis: But if we strike now, their defenses are weak.

Kali: If we strike now, Peter will use his influence with the Argents to slaughter us in our sleep. Besides, the true goal isn't here. We would leave Peter holding all the cards, and that is not smart.

Ennis: [growls, not liking logic]

Kali: [her eyes turn to the hall to make sure she doesn't hear the Hales returning, before moving closer and lowering her voice] Without the girl, there is no point. If we want the Hale power, we need her daughter here.

Ennis: This is why we should have done this a year ago when we learned she was with child.

Kali: And what good would it have done us then? We can afford to be patient.

Ennis: I don't like being patient.

Kali: [gives him a soft look, before reaching forward and brushing a hand against the side of his face] I know. But trust that it will be rewarded.

Ennis: I trust you.

Kali: [smiles] Good.

Ennis: [goes to kiss her, bit lifts his head] They're coming.

Kali: [smirks] Then we will be on our best behavior.

Derek: [and he goes to open the door for his sister]

Laura: [makes her way inside with a very practiced smile] Kali, Ennis. It is good to see you again.

Ennis: M'Lady Hale. Thank you for allowing us to visit as we pass through the country.

Laura: Of course. The least I could do for my mother's old friends.

Ennis: [goes to sit]

Derek: Is the tea to your liking, or should I call for something more?

Kali: [shakes her head with a small smile] No, it is fine. But I am surprised to see the castle so empty. I was expecting your family to be here.

Laura: Yes, but unfortunately, by the time you informed us of your arrival, we had already made arrangements to visit my uncle for the summer. We sent Cora ahead with the children but my husband will be joining us for dinner, as will Derek's wife, Elena.

Ennis: I will say, we were shocked at hearing of your marriage, Derek. It was not thought you would be the type to be tied down.

Derek: Amazing what happens when you find the right woman.

Laura: Lady Elena has been a rather warm addition to the manor. We are happy to have her.

Ennis: It will be a pleasure to meet them both tonight. [a small predatory grin]

Laura: [smiles softly, something placating that she learned from her mother, but her eyes show that she's not letting her guard down] Of course.

Derek: [nope, his guard is up]

Laura: [reaches over and lets a hand on his arm gently] We should check on dinner. But feel free to let the servants know if you need anything.

Ennis: We will.

Derek: [stands and holds his hand out for his sister] See you at dinner then.

Laura: [nods and takes his hand, before turning and heading down the hall. She waits until they're out of earshot, before glancing back to him] Go find Elena. [she has a feeling he'll feel better if he's able to spend some time with his wife before they have to have dinner]

Derek: What about you?

Laura: I will be in the kitchen waiting for Jordan.

Derek: [kisses her forehead] Howl if you need me.

Laura: [she nods and parts ways with him]

Derek: [and he will head off to find Elena]

Elena: [who is in their chambers, catching a quick nap before dinner and trying to stay out of the way]

Derek: [and he will join her in their chambers, going to take a quick washcloth bath to clean him from his training sessions, and then change into his underclothes before sliding into bed behind her and snuggling against her back]

Elena: [hums softly, as she shifts back into him.]

Derek: [kisses her shoulder] Did you have a good nap?

Elena: [she nods] I wish I wasn't so tired all the time.

Derek: You're busy growing a baby. It's hard work from what I've heard.

Elena: [hums again, before tipping her head back to look at him more] You're upset about something.

Derek: Ennis and Kali arrived.

Elena: And I take it, it didn't go well?

Derek: It's like I said - they aren't to be trusted.

Elena: [moves to rest one hand over his] It will be fine.

Derek: Just promise me you will not walk the halls alone while they are here.

Elena: I can't do much walking as it is. I will be careful.

Derek: Good. [nuzzles her neck]

Elena: [leans back into him] Caroline is still here, isn't she?

Derek: Yes.

Elena: Then I will make sure she stays with me.

Derek: And I'm sure I will have an easy time asking Sir Tyler to keep watch of your rooms.

Elena: Be sure that he won't be distracted by the company. [teasing]

Derek: He will have more reason to make sure you are both safe.

Elena: I know he will. I was joking.

Derek: I know, but Laura's dealing with depression from being away from her daughter, and I'm worried that they may see it as a sign of weakness, and then with you so close to the birthing day and their presence... it has me a bit on edge.

Elena: I know. [she moves one hand to rest against the side of his face as she shifts to look at him] And I will be fine. You will know if I'm not. [that is the way the bond works, after all.]

Derek: [he closes his eyes and leans against her hand] Peter warned me to be alert. He's worried they are planning something. That's why I just want you to be careful.

Elena: I will be. [she brushes her thumb against his cheekbone for a moment] Perhaps I should send word to Stefan. Ask him if he will be interested in visiting over the winter. [because I'm assuming at some point the vampire stuff came up?]

Derek: Stefan I will invite in. I don't want to risk Damon terrorizing the locals to try and get at you though.

Elena: No, of course. But if there is an attack, Damon doesn't need to be in the house to hurt them. We simply have to drive them out, and he will do whatever it takes to protect me. That I am certain of.

Derek: I don't trust him.

Elena: I know. And I don't want him anywhere near Caroline either. But it can't hurt to ... have him nearby.

Derek: Can Stefan do to Damon what Damon did to Caroline?

Elena: I don't think so. Vampires cannot compel other vampires.

Derek: [sighs] That would have made it too easy.

Elena: If Stefan comes, Damon is likely to follow.

Derek: Let us see what tonight brings. Tell me how you and Caroline feel after meeting them. If you feel that Stefan's presence will benefit us, we can extend the invitation. I will just have to find a way to make sure no one on the staff accidently invites the other in.

Elena: [she nods in understanding] We will see what happens.

Derek: Do you want me or your ladies to help you get ready for dinner?

Elena: [she shakes her head] Caroline will be here to help.

Derek: Then I will see you when you come down. [kisses her gently] I love you.

Elena: [kisses him back with a small smile] I love you too.

Derek: [and he will leave her and go off to find Tyler and send him up to guard the ladies.]

Parrish: [riding back into the manor, Boyd at his side. He dismounts, looking over at the carriage and the new faces as he hands his horse off to a stable boy]

Laura: [is in the kitchen with the servants when she spots him and makes her way to the door, giving a small wave so that he doesn't go in the front]

Parrish: [and he sees her and smiles, going off to where his beautiful wife is waiting] I see our guests have arrived.

Laura: [she nods with a small smile, letting her hands rest on his arms] How were things in town?

Parrish: Went well. I was able to resolve the land issues between the farmers and ordered a fence built along a line drawn to be able to prevent this dispute further, and the younger farmer is to alter his brand on his cows so that they do not look similar from a distance.

Laura: Good. Now we have our own issues to attend to.

Parrish: That bad? [he's going to quickly take off his cloak and gloves, handing them to the page that was dusting off his pants]

Laura: I don't trust them. They're ... after something I just don't know what.

Parrish: Have they come to call since your mother passed?

Laura: [she shakes her head]

Parrish: Then perhaps it is because you are no longer pledged to the Argents, and thus they are evaluating the defenses here to see if they can find any strategic advantages. From what you have told me, they seem to be ones who want power, and since I'm not from a very lethal hunter family, that makes you an easier target now in their eyes.

Laura: [she nods] It wouldn't surprise me if that were the case.

Parrish: I wish I had more to offer than being unable to stay dead for long.

Laura: [she shakes her head] That is enough. If anything, it will give us the element of surprise.

Parrish: And you won't have to fear them being able to kill me for long. [he smiled and leaned in to kiss her]

Laura: [sighs as she kisses him back] And our daughter is safe.

Parrish: Yes, she is. Peter is probably spoiling her rotten as we speak.

Laura: I'm sure they're both loving that.

Parrish: Too bad we didn't send for Liam though. We could have used his little spy talents.

Laura: Hindsight, unfortunately.

Parrish: Well, let me go get changed into something more suitable.

Laura: [she nods] I will see you at dinner.

Parrish: [one more kiss, and he will be on his way through the manor to their chambers]

Laura: [and she will make sure the table is set and ready for dinner, needing things to keep herself busy]

Derek: [and he will be the first to come down to check on things] I saw Parrish in the halls. He said things went well in town.

Laura: [she nods] How is Elena?

Derek: Tired. I think she is done being pregnant at this point.

Laura: [smirks] Well, fortunately it will be over soon.

Derek: I know. I'm ready to meet our child.

Laura: Hopefully it will go well and he or she will be healthy.

Derek: That is my wish.

Laura: Good. [pats his shoulder] Good luck with the birth.

Derek: [chuckles] Is there anything I can help you with?

Laura: [and she will give him simple tasks to do before dinner when they're all around the table with Kali and Ennis]

Parrish: [and since he is the Lord of the Manor, he will lead with a prayer blessing their guests and so on as grace before the meal]

Kali: [as they settle in to eat] So, Lord Parrish, I am not sure I am familiar with your family name?

Parrish: Not many are. I am from an island off the coast of Italy. [which wasn't a lie. That was where the doctor who had experimented on him had his lab.] I came to the mainland to get away from that life and make one for myself here.

Kali: How enterprising. You have done very well for yourself.

Parrish: Well, I am lucky that Laura graced me with her affection. The rest was nothing I couldn't handle.

Kali: [glances over at Laura with a nod] I'm sure. Besting Daniel Argent in a joust must have been a walk in the park. [teasing gently]

Parrish: [laughs] I will admit, I did take certain pleasure in that. The man deserved to be knocked off his high horse.

Kali: I couldn't agree more.

Derek: [smirks. The one thing that everyone at the table could agree with]

Parrish: [and he reached over to kiss Laura's hand] And the love of this one is the best reward I could earn. [winks at his wife]

Laura: [smiles back at him, giving his hand a squeeze in return] He is incredibly persistent that way.

Ennis: So will you be continuing to ride in tournaments? I'm sure you both can't be away from the manor for long now with Lord Peter living in his own manor.

Parrish: It's something we haven't discussed yet. I'd rather spend time with my wife and your daughter while she is young. But I don't see my absence lasting too long from the jousting field.

Laura: If anything we could always hold tournaments of our own here.

Derek: Yes, but I would rather not have to embarrass the Lord in his own Manor.

Parrish: Is that a challenge, Derek?

Derek: Perhaps one day.

Laura: [she sighs] As you can see, we have plenty of competitive males to go around.

Ennis: Not to count the rest of the knights in the ranks, I'm sure. [looks over where Tyler is standing guard by the door leading to Elena's wing]

Elena: [notices that and takes another bite of her food] Do you joust, Lord Ennis?

Ennis: No, m'lady. I tend to be bigger than most horses can bear with the armor. I excel in the melee fights. I prefer to be more active than just hitting others with a stick.

Elena: [she nods] I always did favor the melee fights. No offense, Lord Parrish, but I've always preferred events that were more skill than luck.

Parrish: None taken, Lady Elena.

Ennis: Perhaps then you will do the honor of cheering for me in the next one? Since I know Lord Derek does not enter the melee, it won't be a conflict of his interests.

Elena: So long as one of my dear friends from home do not oppose you, I cannot see the harm.

Ennis: It would be an honor then, m'lady. [trying not to smirk too much in Derek's direction]

Parrish: So Lady Kali, where do your travels take you after you leave us?

Kali: We tend to avoid France, so we are headed east towards Russia. We have an appointment with an alpha there.

Parrish: You are headed towards Russia this late in the season? I hope you brought extra layers since I hear their winters are long, come fast, and hit hard.

Kali: It is not our first trip to Russia. But unfortunately it is on the way to Japan.

Derek: Are you visiting Madam Satomi while you're there?

Kali: We have an appointment with her once the winter thaws. The Ivanovs have offered us safe stay while we wait it out.

Parrish: Ivanov. I know that name.

Derek: Peter knows them. There was a time before he found his mate that Lady Nadia was a possible choice for him to marry. I believe they are still friendly.

Laura: [shakes her head] Nadia is a Kirsanov. The Ivanovs are the other pack in Russia.

Derek: My mistake. Sorry, M'lord.

Parrish: [chuckles] Just don't do it again, Derek.

Kali: The Ivanovs are a bit ... rougher around the edges, while the Kirsanovs tend to be more diplomatic.

Parrish: There's nothing wrong with some rough edges. Sometimes having that roughness is what you need to be able to make it through impossible odds.

Kali: [smirks] Or winters in Russia.

Parrish: Again, impossible odds. Though I'd rather have warm blankets and extra body heat to get me through the winter.

Kali: I'm sure you would.

Derek: [shaking his head. Too much information]

Ennis: Warm blankets and body heat doesn't keep you fed.

Laura: No, I suppose it doesn't. Luckily our kind has always been good hunters.

Derek: A good skill to be able to provide for our families. [squeezes Elena's hand under the table]

Elena: [squeezes his hand back] Yes, it is.

Parrish: And to protect them. Because it takes more than hunting to run a manor. That's what separates us from those that become hunted.

Laura: [she nods] That it does.

Ennis: As long as it doesn't make you soft and comfortable.

Laura: [her eyebrows go up as she turns on him] Do you believe we have gone soft, Ennis?

Ennis: [looks over at Derek, then her with a smirk] You are not your mother and Peter, that is certain.

Laura: [the look that she gives him is much cooler than it was five minutes ago] Still. It wouldn't be wise to underestimate us. My mother may be gone, but she has been gone for many years now. I'll do what I have to to protect my pack.

Parrish: [looking between them, and then to Kali] I'm sure you both have had a long trip and wish to retire early to catch up on your rest, Lady Kali.

Kali: [her eyes were also set on Laura, but she'll glance back to Parrish with a nod] Yes, of course. That sounds like the best idea for all of us.

Parrish: [stands, going to hold out his hand for Laura easily] Then I wish you good night, Lady Kali. Lord Ennis. Perhaps tomorrow you will come to enjoy the new sunrise that comes over this manor. It may not be as pretty as the ones you remember, but I think you'll see that it's still the same celestial powerhouse you come to expect of when you think of it. [and with his sweet, playful smile, he looks back to his wife] Come, my dear. Let's retire.

Laura: [nods as she takes his hand and lets him lead her out of the room]

Derek: [and he will follow suit with Elena]

Ennis: [chuckles, standing up and offering his hand to Kali]

Kali: [smiles softly as she takes his hand, before letting him lead her back to their chambers]

Parrish: [and when they are in their room which is luckily on the opposite side of the manor] So how long did we agree for them to stay here?

Laura: [shakes her head] Only a few days.

Parrish: We can handle that. I mean, we've handled Daniel, we can handle these two.

Laura: [she nods, turning to look out the balcony] Yes. It won't be long and then we can have Amelia back and everything will be ... fine. [she can't help but feel nervous that there's more to this that she's not seeing]

Parrish: [coming up behind her] Do you want to know the easiest way to get rid of an enemy, Laura?

Laura: Kill them?

Parrish: No. You make them your friend. [he runs a hand along her back, leaning on the balcony beside her] Yes, they are planning something. We know that. They probably know we are suspicious of them. Rise above it, and get to know Kali like your mother did. You can tell if she's lying just like she can you. But try and treat her as an equal and a possible friend, and see what you can get.

Laura: I don't trust her.

Parrish: You don't have to. I'm not asking you to make her one of your ladies or closest confidants. But if nothing else... it will put her off guard and make her wonder what you are planning.

Laura: I am not good at being duplicitous. I never have been. Peter usually took care of those situations for me.

Parrish: Then take a page out of his book and learn. Because Derek is worse at it then you are.

Laura: [sighs, before turning into his arms and exhaling slowly] I don't know if I can.

Parrish: Yes, you can. All those times you were cordial to Daniel? The times you were trying to break me from my affections while not wanting to hurt me? It's in you, Laura. You can do this.

Laura: [closes her eyes, letting her head rest against his shoulder] Alright. I'll try.

Parrish: And I will have your back. And... try to get to know Ennis and see if I can make a conversationalist out of him.

Laura: [snorts] Good luck with that.

Parrish: Please remember, my love, I am the king of accomplishing the impossible. [grins]

Laura: [she laughs, before leaning in to kiss him] Winning my heart is one thing. I was willing to give it.

Parrish: I know. But I did conquer the giant and knock him off his horse. And came back from the dead to do it.

Laura: [hums softly] Like my own personal fairy tale.

Parrish: And all fairy tales end with a happily ever after.

Laura: So far it has been very happy.

Parrish: And it will be. [he leaned in to kiss her] Ever. [kiss] Ever. [kiss] After.

Laura: [sinks into his kisses and just pulls him closer, wanting to forget about the evening and just focus on being with her husband]

Parrish: [oh, and he will give her a lot of things to think about. Because you know, there is no baby to interrupt them tonight and wake them for food in the middle of the night]

Laura: [nope. Just the two of them, just like right after they were married, and he is just the distraction she needs]