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[Starfire]

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Tatiana was growing more anxious. She kept finding herself in odd places in even odder clothing. She feared the end would be near soon. It was one of these occasions she happened to find herself at the Garden in most decidedly improper clothing. Mr. Tai was there and shocked by her appearance. Tatiana seemed to come to herself and was mortified. Hastily, she donned a robe and admitted her fears to Mr. Tai. He seemed to understand and reassured her, telling her Mr. Hugh had found a ritual that would remove the curse. Tatiana was ecstatic! a cure! at long last.

Mr. Tai told her to be at the garden in two nights and Mr. Hugh would work the ritual he found. Tatiana was dancing on air, it was the lightest she had felt in such a long time; so much so, she even felt the gnawing sensation abate. Tatiana didn't know how she would pass the next two days, she was so nervous and anxious.

At last, it was time. Tatiana went to the garden where she was met by Mr. Hugh, Mr. Takeda, and Miss Bethnarahn Jix. Tatiana was shaking she was so nervous, what if it didn't work, what if the chewing got worse? what if . . . . . She was going to what if her self into a nervous breakdown. Taking a deep breaths, Tatiana tried to calm her nerves. Mr. Hugh assembled all together and opened a gate. Tatiana was a bit startled. She had expected it to take place at the Garden. With a bit of trepidation, Tatiana stepped into the gate.

As she emerged on the other side she started to shiver and fought hard to keep calm. It was a musty room, little used with a staircase in one corner leading down. Mr. Hugh and the others started down and Tatiana followed. It led into and even worse room, cobwebs hung in the corners, broken furniture littered the floor. And a teleporter sat in the corner. Worst of all, Tatiana could hear scratching and snarls outside the walls. She could smell the pungent aroma caused by certain spells, and she nearly lost her nerve. Mr. Hugh stepped on the teleporter and she knew she could not back out now. Digging her nails into her palms to shore up her fleeing nerve, Tatiana followed the others on the teleporter.

Mr. Hugh, Mr. Takeda and Miss Bethnarahn were all busy fighting and Tatiana fought hard not to scream and cower in place. There were demons and imps all over everywhere. Shaking badly, she hurried to the hidden doorway Mr. Hugh was indicating. She huddled in the small hallway as Mr. Takeda and Miss Bethnarahn finished dispatching their current adversary. Mr. Hugh went into the room and began to kill things inside. And again, Tatiana fought hard not to simply recall away. Soon all were gathered in the room, with only bleeding corpses scattered around. In the center of this room was a pentagram, with more cobwebs and broken debris scattered around. Mr. Takeda and Miss Bethnarahn continued to keep watch and check on the entrances to the room, while Mr. Hugh got ready for the ritual.

Mr. Hugh directed Tatiana to the center of the pentagram. Tatiana stared at it a long time before working up the nerve to step into it. She knew as she took that last step that there would be no turning back, either Mr. Hugh would succeed or she was doomed.
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aka: Tatiana Thorn nee Alexi; Summer Kane; Ivory Skyfire; and others

[Silent Poet]

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Hugh stood there, glowering down at the pentagram from his fill six foot six wiry height. Slowly he nods and lifts his steel grey eyes upwards.

"Step ye ta' tha' center, here ... me bonny poppet" Hugh says tapping his staff on the floor tiles four times.

"Yes sir, Mr. Hugh" Tataiana says trembling as she passes over the gateway into the circle. Immediately a green barrier of burning flames encircled her in the tiny space. She nearly collapsed until she felt Hugh touching her forhead with his right hand.

He stood at the northernmost point of the circle half in and half out.

Tatiana could only hear part of what he was saying, but she watched as Hugh stripped his armor and clothing to the waist.

"Do it now, Beth. me love" Hugh said as he placed his left hand on Tatiana's belly.

Tatiana saw and felt Hugh stiffen as Bethnarahn used the dagger Hugh had given her to reopen his old lash wounds. As she went down his back runes began to appear on the back of his blue glowing hands.

It was the tenth one from his 12th year that caused the Highlander to stumble falling to one knee and then as he stood screaming in gaelic, the air around the room began to howl in protest. The ley lines of the sacred spot began to glow and vibrate.

The tempestual winds raged and Lord Takeda and Lady Beth anchored themselves to Hugh.

"Lass tha' sigils on me right hand spell love, an' tha' sigils on me left hand spell hate. Let's see which story yuir friend prefers" Hugh says as he moved his right hand from her forehead to her belly.

Tatiana screamed as a pixies surrounded her.

"Trust me, love ... harm wi' come ta' ye" Hugh said leaning in.

"I trust you Mr. Hugh" Tatiana said softly.

Hugh nodded at her, then tilted his head back out of the circle. Tatiana could not help but notice the wounds on his back had bled freely and as Hugh's blood hit the floor of the circle the winds only increased.

"Hold tight ta' me, love this is goin' ta' be a bumpy ride. I need ye ta' tell me yuir happy thoughts" the Wordsmith said still holding her belly.

She nodded and started reciting every moment of her son Grigori's life. She vaguely noticed that Hugh was now surrounded in an aura of red glowing sparkles.

She had just reached Grigori becoming an apprentice of Hugh Kinley when she saw Lord Takeda's blade pierce Hugh's back and reappear in the center of his chest.

As Hugh slumped forward and Takeda removed his blade she felt a ripping sensation and noticed Hugh's hands trembling as they held something. She felt a flash of energy as Hugh gasped for breath and staggered upright.

"Bloody hell, tha' hurts" Hugh says as he chants and grings his hands together.

He stands up and and opens his hands and blows the dust to the four watchtowers.

Then he helps her up.

"Well, love, tha' was no so bad" Hugh says as he falls forwards into Takeda's arms.
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"When he spoke, what tender words he used! So softly, that like flakes of feathered snow, They melted as they fell." - John Dryden