Post by oddball on May 14, 2007 12:37:31 GMT -5
Trial by Fire
Dinner Surprise
The clock ticked by slowly, the ominous feeling began to creep over the inhabitants of the house. Oddy sat calmly in a plush chair, his feet resting on the nearby table. He wasn’t as concerned as the others, Celeste and her boyfriend Trio sat together on the sofa. The tensions rose as Celeste thought about her brother. It had been almost five years since she last saw him.
“You sure he’s gonna show?”
“Yes… He said he would, and I believe him.”
“Dinner is smelling good…”
“I said she was a good cook. No one can out cook my Oddball.” Said Oddy as he sniffed the air, the sweet smell of a roast wafted through the house.
“So what was he doing when you saw him?” asked Trio nervously. “I mean, how did he react when you told him about me and Celeste?”
“He was watching the sunrise. He seems curious about you, I mean after all he cares for Celeste more than anyone alive. He’d never let you live if you hurt her…”
“Thanks for the comforting thoughts there Oddy…”
“Oh Trio, stop worrying. You’ll be fine…” Celeste wrapped her arm around him. “Trust me… How much can he have changed in five years?”
“You’d be surprised Celeste… He’s changed a lot.” Celeste shot a look at Oddy that shut him up instantly.
“I don’t care, he’s still my brother after all… He won’t try anything. Believe me…”
“I hope you’re right…” A knock came at the door, and Trio jumped so high he nearly fell out of his seat.
“I’ll get it…” Said Oddball as she streaked across the room to the door. All held their breath as the oak door creaked open. The sight waiting for them was not what they had expected.
“Rose?” Oddball said as she beamed at the younger dog standing in the door.
“Hi Oddball, long time no see… Oddy, how you doing?”
“Rose? What are you doing here?” Oddy asked as he got to his feet and welcomed in his old friend.
“I was passing by and I thought I’d drop by…”
“Well it’s always good to see you Rose, but sadly we’re expecting company…” Another knock came at the door, Oddball opened it quickly. Vincent stepped calmly into the room and stood behind Rose.
“Hello again… Miss DeMaria…” Vincent stood, his arms behind his back. His cloak and sword were not present, but he was wearing a long sleeved dress shirt. His pants were slightly dirty, but matched the shirt well.
“Mr. Dal… I take it you were the company they were waiting for?” She said without turning around to face him.
“He’s joining us for dinner… Would you care to?”
“No thank you Celeste. I have things I have to do. Just stopping by to say hello. Have a nice evening everyone…” Her attitude had changed, she seemed a little colder and distant since Vincent had arrived. She left as quickly as she had arrived, passing Vincent without so much as a glance.
“What was that about?” Asked Trio in utter confusion.
“Don’t worry about it…” Vincent said as he walked over to his sister Celeste and gave her a tight hug. “I’ve missed you sis… How’ve you been?”
“I’m fine Vincent… I’ve been wondering about you though. Where have you been?” Celeste released her brother and took a good look at him. He was older, more care warn and beaten up. His eyes had changed, no longer the soft expression and face of their youth. He’d grown a great deal.
“I’ve been around… I do a lot of wandering. Oddy’s been keeping me busy, training and recon and all. How you doing Oddy?” Vincent said with a small glance to Oddy, who was now standing with his arms around Oddball from behind.
“We can catch up after dinner… Visit with your sister.”
“So…” Vincent looked at Trio for the first time, Trio immediately straightened himself up as a soldier would to a commanding officer. Vincent chuckled a little at the reaction. You must be Trio… Oddy told me about you.” Vincent kissed his sister’s forehead, noticing her torn ear. “You’ll keep her safe right?”
“Yes sir!” Trio replied. Vincent could tell he was nervous, after giving his sister a smile he approached Trio calmly.
“Relax buddy… I only want Celeste to be happy and safe. And based on what Oddy’s told me earlier today, I know you can handle it.” The clock rang seven o’clock. “Guess I was a little early…”
“No worries Vincent… Food only finished cooking about five minutes ago. All need be done is serve, so why don’t Celeste. Trio, and yourself go and take a seat at the table. Oddy and I will bring in the food.” Oddball said as she motioned the group to the dining room, Oddy followed her into the kitchen, she soon squealed from the other side of the door. “Oddy! We have company… Maybe later. If you behave.”
“Oh all right…” Oddy replied in a somewhat depressed tone. Celeste smirked and shook her head.
“They’ve been like that all week…”
“So…” Trio looked nervous still.
“Oddy told me you were once in the military?” Vincent asked, but Celeste kicked him under the table. He then realized where the conversation would quickly turn.
“Unfortunately yes… But I won’t talk about anything. I of all people know the dangers of reopening old wounds.”
“As curious as I am… I appreciate the thought. I see Celeste has told you about what happened.”
“Yes, she has… But if it’s alright Sir, may we change the subject?” Trio looked at the tables surface nervously. He didn’t feel comfortable calling Vincent by his name. It just didn’t feel right. He commanded almost the same respect and manner as his older Brother had in the military.
“Very well then… How long have the two of you known each other?” Vincent asked as he leaned onto the table and rested his head in his paws. He now looked to be the concerned brother Celeste had long described.
“Oddy didn’t tell you?” Celeste asked quietly.
“He told me about your relationship… Not how long it has been going on.”
“Four years last week Sir.”
“Trio?”
“Yes Sir?”
“Stop calling me Sir… This isn’t the military, I’m not an officer… I’m a civilian. Nothing more…” Vincent picked up his head and looked at the table setting before him. “Call me Vincent…”
“Sorry Vincent… Old habits…”
“Die hard, yes I know. Been there myself a few times…” Oddy and Oddball now entered into the dining room, each carrying a large platter. Oddball set the roast in front of Vincent.
“Guests first… Help yourself Vincent.” Oddy placed mashed potatoes and gravy nearby, and left the room again with Oddball to get the remaining dishes.
“Celeste…” Vincent took his fork and roughly stabbed himself a small slab of roast.
“Yes?”
“There’s something Oddy told me that rather caught my attention…” He now took a fair helping of the potatoes and smacked it to his plate, Trio was now getting himself some roast while Celeste conversed with Vincent. “Concerning your talents…”
“He told you how I found out you were alive…”
“Yes… I must admit that I was surprised to hear that news.”
“Well if I thought you could handle it… I’d show you what else I can do now.” Trio gave a small smirk that Vincent missed.
“And that would be?” Vincent began to cut himself a portion of roast as Oddy and Oddball returned with the remaining plates.
“An ancient art called Edo Tensei…” Vincent looked up at Celeste as he placed the meat in his mouth, Trio quickly noted the pointed teeth that resided in his jaws. “Something that may prove useful to your goals down the road.”
“So Oddy taught you the art of reanimation…” Vincent said after swallowing. He then turned to face Oddy. “And I supposed the ones she can reanimate are…” His head turned to Celeste now.
“I can reanimate anyone of my choosing…”
“But you’d choose them?”
“Vince…” Oddy said. Vincent turned to him now. “I taught her the art because it coincides nicely with her abilities as a Canio-Dragon… Each of you was given an ability based in a particular element in nature. Celeste is a rarity, as she is a Spirit Element.”
“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m proud of her to have matured so quickly, I just ask not to be present for any demonstration or use of this new technique of yours…” Vince turned his eyes to Celeste, gave her a quick glance. Then went back to eating. The meal was fairly silent for a while, each individual lost in thought. Vincent sat there, eating his meal with his eye closed. Celeste looked at him, remembering their lost past together. Then she remembered something that had happened earlier.
“Vincent…”
“Yes Celeste?” He looked at her, his face seemed to have softened slightly.
“What was up between you and Rose earlier?” Vincent shrugged and looked at Celeste with a smirk.
“Guess she’s come to realize that she’s gonna have to fight either me or Eebrum… And based on her reaction to me, I figure she sees me as the easier target.” Vincent took a glass that had long sat before him and drank the liquid inside. “But it won’t work…”
“Why is that?” Asked Trio.
“Because… Vincent is the stronger.” Replied Oddy. He stood for a moment and exited the room, only to return a moment later with a candle and matches. Placing the candle on the table, he struck the match. The room was filled with the smoky odor as Oddy brought the tiny flame to the candle’s wick. “Care to demonstrate Vince?” Vincent looked at the flame for a moment, concentrating on the little dancing flame. Quickly it rose to six times it’s previous height and coiled around on itself as a snake, it’s little fiery tongue shot out at Celeste and Trio. Trio jumped nervously, but Celeste calmly applauded.
“Now watch…” Oddy took a glass of water and poured it over the flame serpent, with minor comment from Oddball at the newly created mess. “Vince?”
“Right…” Vincent looked again and the drowned wick and winked an eye, in an instant a small blackened flame grew to life on the soaked candle. As the flame before it grew to the size of a small fire born snake, the only difference, this one was not connected to the candle anymore. It slithered across the table towards Celeste, it’s dancing flame body leaving not so much as a mark on the linen cloth that draped the table. As it approached it coiled itself and rose to Celeste’s eye level. Making a quick movement of a striking cobra, the flame grew to immense proportion and spun around Celeste and Trio both. Trio nearly fainted, but Celeste shot her brother an ugly look. “Sorry sis… Couldn’t resist.”
“The element of fire… In some cases a harbringer of death, but also a beacon of light and life. For from the ashes of death…” Oddy looked to Celeste and smiled. “Comes new life, and hope.” Oddy grabbed a knife from the table. “Now one thing I’ve learned about your brother Celeste…”
“And that is?” Oddy turned quickly and threw the knife at Vincent’s paw on the table, the blade embedded itself easily in Vincent’s flesh. Oddball gave a cry of shock and surprise, Celeste stared in disbelief, and Trio truly did faint this time. “What the hell!?”
“Look at his wound…” Oddy pointed, and Celeste did look. Vincent removed the blade with his free paw and showed the bleeding wound to his sister. Holding the bloody mess over his plate, Vincent’s blood burned as black as the flames he had created in his display.
“Celeste… With the strength I have in my body I will get him for what he did… I promise you. I promise them…”
Dinner Surprise
The clock ticked by slowly, the ominous feeling began to creep over the inhabitants of the house. Oddy sat calmly in a plush chair, his feet resting on the nearby table. He wasn’t as concerned as the others, Celeste and her boyfriend Trio sat together on the sofa. The tensions rose as Celeste thought about her brother. It had been almost five years since she last saw him.
“You sure he’s gonna show?”
“Yes… He said he would, and I believe him.”
“Dinner is smelling good…”
“I said she was a good cook. No one can out cook my Oddball.” Said Oddy as he sniffed the air, the sweet smell of a roast wafted through the house.
“So what was he doing when you saw him?” asked Trio nervously. “I mean, how did he react when you told him about me and Celeste?”
“He was watching the sunrise. He seems curious about you, I mean after all he cares for Celeste more than anyone alive. He’d never let you live if you hurt her…”
“Thanks for the comforting thoughts there Oddy…”
“Oh Trio, stop worrying. You’ll be fine…” Celeste wrapped her arm around him. “Trust me… How much can he have changed in five years?”
“You’d be surprised Celeste… He’s changed a lot.” Celeste shot a look at Oddy that shut him up instantly.
“I don’t care, he’s still my brother after all… He won’t try anything. Believe me…”
“I hope you’re right…” A knock came at the door, and Trio jumped so high he nearly fell out of his seat.
“I’ll get it…” Said Oddball as she streaked across the room to the door. All held their breath as the oak door creaked open. The sight waiting for them was not what they had expected.
“Rose?” Oddball said as she beamed at the younger dog standing in the door.
“Hi Oddball, long time no see… Oddy, how you doing?”
“Rose? What are you doing here?” Oddy asked as he got to his feet and welcomed in his old friend.
“I was passing by and I thought I’d drop by…”
“Well it’s always good to see you Rose, but sadly we’re expecting company…” Another knock came at the door, Oddball opened it quickly. Vincent stepped calmly into the room and stood behind Rose.
“Hello again… Miss DeMaria…” Vincent stood, his arms behind his back. His cloak and sword were not present, but he was wearing a long sleeved dress shirt. His pants were slightly dirty, but matched the shirt well.
“Mr. Dal… I take it you were the company they were waiting for?” She said without turning around to face him.
“He’s joining us for dinner… Would you care to?”
“No thank you Celeste. I have things I have to do. Just stopping by to say hello. Have a nice evening everyone…” Her attitude had changed, she seemed a little colder and distant since Vincent had arrived. She left as quickly as she had arrived, passing Vincent without so much as a glance.
“What was that about?” Asked Trio in utter confusion.
“Don’t worry about it…” Vincent said as he walked over to his sister Celeste and gave her a tight hug. “I’ve missed you sis… How’ve you been?”
“I’m fine Vincent… I’ve been wondering about you though. Where have you been?” Celeste released her brother and took a good look at him. He was older, more care warn and beaten up. His eyes had changed, no longer the soft expression and face of their youth. He’d grown a great deal.
“I’ve been around… I do a lot of wandering. Oddy’s been keeping me busy, training and recon and all. How you doing Oddy?” Vincent said with a small glance to Oddy, who was now standing with his arms around Oddball from behind.
“We can catch up after dinner… Visit with your sister.”
“So…” Vincent looked at Trio for the first time, Trio immediately straightened himself up as a soldier would to a commanding officer. Vincent chuckled a little at the reaction. You must be Trio… Oddy told me about you.” Vincent kissed his sister’s forehead, noticing her torn ear. “You’ll keep her safe right?”
“Yes sir!” Trio replied. Vincent could tell he was nervous, after giving his sister a smile he approached Trio calmly.
“Relax buddy… I only want Celeste to be happy and safe. And based on what Oddy’s told me earlier today, I know you can handle it.” The clock rang seven o’clock. “Guess I was a little early…”
“No worries Vincent… Food only finished cooking about five minutes ago. All need be done is serve, so why don’t Celeste. Trio, and yourself go and take a seat at the table. Oddy and I will bring in the food.” Oddball said as she motioned the group to the dining room, Oddy followed her into the kitchen, she soon squealed from the other side of the door. “Oddy! We have company… Maybe later. If you behave.”
“Oh all right…” Oddy replied in a somewhat depressed tone. Celeste smirked and shook her head.
“They’ve been like that all week…”
“So…” Trio looked nervous still.
“Oddy told me you were once in the military?” Vincent asked, but Celeste kicked him under the table. He then realized where the conversation would quickly turn.
“Unfortunately yes… But I won’t talk about anything. I of all people know the dangers of reopening old wounds.”
“As curious as I am… I appreciate the thought. I see Celeste has told you about what happened.”
“Yes, she has… But if it’s alright Sir, may we change the subject?” Trio looked at the tables surface nervously. He didn’t feel comfortable calling Vincent by his name. It just didn’t feel right. He commanded almost the same respect and manner as his older Brother had in the military.
“Very well then… How long have the two of you known each other?” Vincent asked as he leaned onto the table and rested his head in his paws. He now looked to be the concerned brother Celeste had long described.
“Oddy didn’t tell you?” Celeste asked quietly.
“He told me about your relationship… Not how long it has been going on.”
“Four years last week Sir.”
“Trio?”
“Yes Sir?”
“Stop calling me Sir… This isn’t the military, I’m not an officer… I’m a civilian. Nothing more…” Vincent picked up his head and looked at the table setting before him. “Call me Vincent…”
“Sorry Vincent… Old habits…”
“Die hard, yes I know. Been there myself a few times…” Oddy and Oddball now entered into the dining room, each carrying a large platter. Oddball set the roast in front of Vincent.
“Guests first… Help yourself Vincent.” Oddy placed mashed potatoes and gravy nearby, and left the room again with Oddball to get the remaining dishes.
“Celeste…” Vincent took his fork and roughly stabbed himself a small slab of roast.
“Yes?”
“There’s something Oddy told me that rather caught my attention…” He now took a fair helping of the potatoes and smacked it to his plate, Trio was now getting himself some roast while Celeste conversed with Vincent. “Concerning your talents…”
“He told you how I found out you were alive…”
“Yes… I must admit that I was surprised to hear that news.”
“Well if I thought you could handle it… I’d show you what else I can do now.” Trio gave a small smirk that Vincent missed.
“And that would be?” Vincent began to cut himself a portion of roast as Oddy and Oddball returned with the remaining plates.
“An ancient art called Edo Tensei…” Vincent looked up at Celeste as he placed the meat in his mouth, Trio quickly noted the pointed teeth that resided in his jaws. “Something that may prove useful to your goals down the road.”
“So Oddy taught you the art of reanimation…” Vincent said after swallowing. He then turned to face Oddy. “And I supposed the ones she can reanimate are…” His head turned to Celeste now.
“I can reanimate anyone of my choosing…”
“But you’d choose them?”
“Vince…” Oddy said. Vincent turned to him now. “I taught her the art because it coincides nicely with her abilities as a Canio-Dragon… Each of you was given an ability based in a particular element in nature. Celeste is a rarity, as she is a Spirit Element.”
“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m proud of her to have matured so quickly, I just ask not to be present for any demonstration or use of this new technique of yours…” Vince turned his eyes to Celeste, gave her a quick glance. Then went back to eating. The meal was fairly silent for a while, each individual lost in thought. Vincent sat there, eating his meal with his eye closed. Celeste looked at him, remembering their lost past together. Then she remembered something that had happened earlier.
“Vincent…”
“Yes Celeste?” He looked at her, his face seemed to have softened slightly.
“What was up between you and Rose earlier?” Vincent shrugged and looked at Celeste with a smirk.
“Guess she’s come to realize that she’s gonna have to fight either me or Eebrum… And based on her reaction to me, I figure she sees me as the easier target.” Vincent took a glass that had long sat before him and drank the liquid inside. “But it won’t work…”
“Why is that?” Asked Trio.
“Because… Vincent is the stronger.” Replied Oddy. He stood for a moment and exited the room, only to return a moment later with a candle and matches. Placing the candle on the table, he struck the match. The room was filled with the smoky odor as Oddy brought the tiny flame to the candle’s wick. “Care to demonstrate Vince?” Vincent looked at the flame for a moment, concentrating on the little dancing flame. Quickly it rose to six times it’s previous height and coiled around on itself as a snake, it’s little fiery tongue shot out at Celeste and Trio. Trio jumped nervously, but Celeste calmly applauded.
“Now watch…” Oddy took a glass of water and poured it over the flame serpent, with minor comment from Oddball at the newly created mess. “Vince?”
“Right…” Vincent looked again and the drowned wick and winked an eye, in an instant a small blackened flame grew to life on the soaked candle. As the flame before it grew to the size of a small fire born snake, the only difference, this one was not connected to the candle anymore. It slithered across the table towards Celeste, it’s dancing flame body leaving not so much as a mark on the linen cloth that draped the table. As it approached it coiled itself and rose to Celeste’s eye level. Making a quick movement of a striking cobra, the flame grew to immense proportion and spun around Celeste and Trio both. Trio nearly fainted, but Celeste shot her brother an ugly look. “Sorry sis… Couldn’t resist.”
“The element of fire… In some cases a harbringer of death, but also a beacon of light and life. For from the ashes of death…” Oddy looked to Celeste and smiled. “Comes new life, and hope.” Oddy grabbed a knife from the table. “Now one thing I’ve learned about your brother Celeste…”
“And that is?” Oddy turned quickly and threw the knife at Vincent’s paw on the table, the blade embedded itself easily in Vincent’s flesh. Oddball gave a cry of shock and surprise, Celeste stared in disbelief, and Trio truly did faint this time. “What the hell!?”
“Look at his wound…” Oddy pointed, and Celeste did look. Vincent removed the blade with his free paw and showed the bleeding wound to his sister. Holding the bloody mess over his plate, Vincent’s blood burned as black as the flames he had created in his display.
“Celeste… With the strength I have in my body I will get him for what he did… I promise you. I promise them…”