Meeting the Family - Mel

[Zye Woden]

Zye had come to know and love Mel's world. To say that their time together had been one of the most liberating and happy times of his life was an undestatement. He was free with her, free from the hate he had grown up around, free from the fear, free from the need to destroy and kill, and free from the guilt that came with that. But more than any of those things, he was free to be himself. Mel saw him for who he was and what he did and she didn't care. She didn't leave when she had the chance. She didn't run and hide. In fact, she stayed and took care of him. It was no wonder he was so happy.

But if she was going to commit to him fully, Zye felt she desrved to know all of what she as getting into--all of House Woden. And that had to start with his mother. She was an easy in-road, much easier than his father. He'd called her up, set up an appointment with her on Iridonia. Even through their exile, House Woden still had faithful followers. What was 2,000 plus years of service good for if not to accrew a few cult-like followers? With one of them it wasn't hard to set up a secure meeting with his mother and Mel on Iridonia. Mel had the advantage, she knew what was coming. His mother--well, Zye doubted his mother never was unaware of anything. She had eye and ears everywhere. Her skills of manipulation were only equal to her skills of observation. He would try to catch her on her heels as much as he could, but his mother Athenar Woden was the type he had never caught by surprise.

____________________________________________________________________​

​

The alarm went with a whining beep. Zye had never needed an alarm before. His physical discipline and training regiment had been enough. Early in life, his uncle Karna had made sure to wake the young vampire with a bucket of cold water and screams of death. It was a highly motivated reason to wake up on time. But when he drifted to sleep with Mel in his arm's, he needed all the help he could get.

He grunted, rolling over and giving the alarm a Force-shove. The metal box clattered across the floor, the power cord tugged from the wall, silencing itself with an electronic whine of defeat. Groaning, Zye rolled back over, giving Mel a squeeze and kiss on the forehead. "Morning."

Zye held her long enough to risk drifting back to sleep before he willed himself to swing his legs over the edge of the bed. A motion sensor in the room brought the lights up to full, something Zye had installed on the Dark Talon to accommodate Mel's needs. He dressed quickly, donning a black tunic, pants, boots, and a belt with both his whip and short sword. The entire process took exactly 2 minutes.

Once he was moving, it didn't take much time for Zye to become fully alert and to shake the sleep off his body. He remembered. Iridonia. His mom. Meeting Mel. As the Dark Talon reverted back to real space, he tapped the remote control on his wrist, activating the stealth device. The brilliant ship began to descend towards Iridonia. In the other room the automatic caf maker could be heard kicking in, warming up a fresh brew of the hot liquid. The two of them were alone on this ship, besides the droid garrison, but its advanced design made it almost feel like they weren't.

"How did you sleep?"

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

[SIZE=12pt]Life had taken some dramatic changes in a very short time. From the chance meeting at the Queen’s ball for a bunch of foreign invaders to Mel inviting one into her home and ultimately into an intimate relationship.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]No one could have been more surprised than she. She didn’t hate foreigners she just had no understanding of them and had never chosen to understand them. But then [member="Zye Woden"] was a unique among them all wasn’t he.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A vampire. She did have to run that through her mind a few times. Drinks Blood. That was also a bit of getting use to she knew that other races had individual needs but never quite like Zye’s.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]And now here she was headed into the mouth of the beast, to meet his mother. Politician. She didn’t use the word but she knew what her dearest thought of it and it was because of his mother.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Mel had tossed a bit in her sleep about the meeting but Zye had eased the concerns away she was after his entire not his mothers. They had agreed that she would meet his family no matter what their thoughts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]WHY? They might want to eat her![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A few reasons yes to understand Zye better to see those who raised him. Second it was customary to meet parents when two people were committed to one another.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The lights came up and Mel laid there staring at the ceiling she could hear Zye moving about so quickly, [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]“I’m awake[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]” yes I am…is it really time to be awake.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I slept better once you began holding me.” Finally she shifted her gaze to the face of her lover. All that dark hair, beautiful eyes, and everything else that came with it. She smiled though, “Zye are you nervous?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]2 minutes to dress it was almost like he was in protector mode.[/SIZE]

 

[Zye Woden]

[member="Melanctha Dallamoor"]

Being so close to Zye's "home" (to the term loosely) once more stirred things up in Zye he hadn't thought of since he first met Mel on the dance floor that night. However, as satisfied as he was with her, and as much as the noble Hapan lady was good for him, old demons died hard. He was certianly on edge, on the verge of terrified if he were to be honest with both himself and her. Athenar wasn't quite the "mother dearest" stereotype of love, warmth, grace, and compassion. Athenar was more likely to whip and beat Zye with her own hands at her displeasure in his deeds as a child. When he was older and too skilled for him to be subdued by her hands, she found other ways to make him experience pain at her displeasure. And any attempt to try and hide the truth from Athenar was futile. She had a cult of secretive worshipers on Iridonia that believed she was an all-seeing, all-knowing goddess of cunning and divisive control that was as capricious as she was beautiful. Nothing pleased Athenar more than knowing she could instill so much fear from her power.

All of it was almost enough to bring childhood horrors flooding back into Zye's mind. Horrors that were vivid enough to nearly rip him from the precious peace he had with Mel in the private sanctum of this moment. He didn't want to be robbed of this precious moment. His life had already been robbed of plenty. He didn't know how many years he would have with Mel, and he wanted to maximize every second. He would have centuries to deal with his emotional baggage later.

He gave a smooth smile in attempt to play off the question, "What would I have to be scared about? I've gone toe to toe with some of the most horrible monsters in the galaxy and walked out of the Hapan Palace unscathed."

He crossed his arms and leaned back against the ship. To take his mind off it, Zye diverted his attention to Mel's form in the bed. She was as perfect physically as she was mentally and emotionally.

"I slept much better as well," he agreed. "I'm convinced you look more beautiful in my bed. I can't quite describe it. Maybe it's the lighting. I don't know, it just makes me want to--to--"

He shoved off the wall, pouncing on Mel in the bed without warning for a surprise tickle attack. His fingers played across her perfect skin in a gentle, playful but still slightly erotic flutter of motions. No matter where she went to block him, his fingers were quick to find somewhere else sensitive. He was naturally faster than any human alive--just by his race alone. And you could bet your life he was totally going to use that to tickle her right now.

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

"I think you just like this bed. I think" she was teasing him "that if I'm in your bed it's a conquest you know notch on the post"

His voice had drifted away but too late did she catch him coming towards, "oh no" she tried to run but he was so quick that the tickling began before she took a breath. Laughter filled the room.

"Ahhhh Haha oh God " she tried to twist away but found no release.

"I know. I know what to tell her." For a moment they stared at one another. "I will say it was your magnetism and personal assets that got me in your bed."

She waited to see how that went over it gave her a moment to breath. She was still then she started to draw circles on his knee.

[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

[member="Melanctha Dallamoor"]

"Its a It's a big post," Zye said with no small measure of undertone in his voice, "Its got room for lots of notches," he smirked, "But there's only one notch that feels right for my post."

He feigned a hurt look, "I think the truth is your just looking to increase Hapan Imperialism in the galaxy at large. Is my bed just a slick colony expedition?"

At last he settled down, giving Mel some reprieve. He listened to her possible explanation as to why they were together. And it wasn't too far from the truth. Zye preferred the truth. He was after all, a horrible liar. He hadn't picked that skill up from his mother. It was a lot easier to work with the truth, you didn't have to remember the lies you told. His face took a much more serious expression.

"I would work with it. Athenar--mother, does not take kindly to lying, when she discovers the truth, her vengeance is cold, and she has no problem exacting it over years to come," he figured she might as well know how serious he meant it, "Once she uncovered that a cleric to her services had been storing away credits to fund a charity in her name without permission. She considered it a lie and embezzling. She put him in our prison, in the lowest cell and ordered the warden to infect him with parasitic worms. She visited him every day for the remaining 56 years of his life to make sure that priest was otherwise able to live a long, healthy, miserable life surrounded by his family in the same condition. She slaughtered half orphans herself before the priest one by one, then let the other half remain in the prison with him for the rest of their lives. In the end she converted the orphanage into a temple for her." he let the story sink in for a second. "So just know, if your going to tell Athenar a lie, make it a damn good one."

The worst part is, this story wasn't even the most horrible one Zye could have told her. Athenar had a history of behavior that the matron was very proud of. Goddess of cunning and knowledge indeed. She very well could have been the demon of vengeance.

"Come on then," he said, swatting Mel's fantastic butt. It would be a lie to say he didn't watch its caramel colored form wiggle after he landed the loving blow. And, he might have wiggled it a little with his own hand. Just for good measure. "Let's get you ready to meet the goddess, ok?"

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

"It is a big post, bigger than most." She tried not to smile she was trying to be serious to be Hapan serious but in private when it was just them she threw all that out the window. She showed Zye her emotions her pain, her fear, and most importantly her love.
"You have found me out [member="Zye Woden"] I'm here to spread Hapan Imperialism." She sucked her cheeks in a bit to keep from smiling, "I am at your mercy." She was in many ways at his mercy but not in the I'm gonna throw you in the dungeon way.

She realized that he had taken her comment serious, she had meant it to imply something else. His personal assets but perhaps considering all things they needed to be a level of serious.

She listened to the story it was cruel and meant to leave an impression. Since Zye was retelling it the act had fulfilled its purpose no one forgot.

A playful swat to her rear told her he was moving forward, get the deed done attitude.

Mel reached for Zye's hand, "We can go home if you want." She wanted to protect him as difficult as it was but she knew that leaving would only project a weakness to be exploited. She also understood that she would have to meet them at some point.

They could eat her, punish her, or worse separate her from Zye.

 

[Zye Woden]

[member="Melanctha Dallamoor"]

"I always knew you were up to something," Zye smirked, "Glad I finally caught you."

He swung one leg around over on top of Mel, pinning her to the mattress, "That's right you are, and you better not forget it. You may have your imperialism, but I have superior genes."

His face became a little more serious as she mentioned that they could go home. They were going to have to face this some time. His father, his mother, the would intrude on them eventually. At least this way he had a chance to decide what grounds this started on. Zye shook his head, "No, this is important. For us. Not just for them."

When the Talon settled at last on the surface of Iridonia, the pair found themselves in a small town on an isolated island. Around them paradise-like trees rose like massive testaments to the hope and beauty that almost belied the planet this island was on. The ground was covered in a sandy soil and sparse grass-like growth across it. The wind blew through in a soft breeze with the smell of the nearby ocean on it. The shade of the trees offered a nice contrast to the bright, warm sun overhead. Zye pulled the hood over his head closer with a grimace.

"Its the last place you'd expect the Wodens to run to with the bright sun and the ," he muttered, "So my mother thought it would be the safest place, her safest house, her safest sanctuary."

And a redundancy on that was the massive number of devotees to Athenar who lived on this island. Zye strode forward through this hot, bright hell-land of paradise, his eyes squinting, his gloved hand gripping Mel's. He did his best not to squeeze her hand, if meeting Athenar wasn't hell enough, the fiery light around them made it so much worse. The pair approached a massive stone building that was as squat as it was acient and sturdy. On the outside were over sexualized carvings of a femine figure in a variety of erotic and power-evoking stances.

Zye winced, "Sorry, I forgot about those."

There were few things more awkward than accidentally showing your girlfriend 500 year old erotic fan fiction art of your mother subjugating and murdering people. Zye moved to the massive durasteel doors, shoving them open. It took a great deal of strength, and both opened with a loud shuddering creak that sounded like souls of a thousand children screaming in terror--no small engineering feat.

Inside it was pitch black, but Zye could see the eyes of his mother peering out from the darkness.

"What toy has my wayward son brought to be this time?" his mother's chillingly calm voice came through the darkness.

"A simple, 'hello, its good to see you alive' would suffice, Athenar," Zye said. "Bring the lights up."

"It is no concern of mine if the mortal is too weak to see in the dark," Athenar said in haughty tones.

"Oh for Force sakes," Zye muttered, he stepped into the temple, with a snap of his fingers the overhead bulbs came on, revealing the Macabre woman sitting on her stone throne. She gave a cruel smile at her revelation to the new comer.

"Greetings, mortal. I am Athenar. Who are you?"

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

She had not thought much about the decorations really just a form of art to her that while many would find fascinating she would not have such gaudiness in her home. It would be unheard of in polite society of Hapes for her to do so. She just gave a smile to [member="Zye Woden"] hoping he understood she wasn't offended. She squeezed his hand lightly to affirm that she was ok.

That was until they walked into a room that was total darkness. An unfamiliar room that she could not navigate. A bit unnerving for the Hapan to say the least.

Couple that with the voice that radiated from the room not knowing how big the room was but able to feel that bit of cold that said large she would assume that she was center of it. To sit upon a throne while she doled out her will. A toy?

Hmm that could be considering a bit insulting but this was a game now and she would not be drawn into that particular conversation. She would admit it first that to be blind in the darkness was a weakness one she was always working to overcome in any environment.

Who was she?

She held her head high she was proud of who she was, "I am Melanctha Dallamoor" She did not feel the need to give titles right now after all so far she was just Zye's mother. Mel would work hard to keep them on even ground.

 

[Zye Woden]

[member="Melanctha Dallamoor"]

Athenar gave a smooth, sly smile. She eyed Mel with an unnerving stare, like her eyes could see through her clothes, through her skin, through her very flesh into what lie between her atoms--or beyond her physical form. For all intents and purposes, she very well might have. Or maybe the woman was so old she could just tell what someone was with the decent studying. If you lived long enough, you saw the same eyes on different faces.

The silence hung in the air for a long, uncomfortable length of time.

"Do I not get a greeting, mother?" Zye broke the silence with a frustrated, but controlled tone, "Your only son and only child after all?"

"I have no son," Athenar hissed between her teeth from between her clenched teeth, "What son consorts with mortals without first thinking of his mother? Are you not the most thoughtless and heartless son?"

Zye looked to Mel, giving her a look that simply read see what I mean? He shrugged, turning his head back to his mother, "I'm sorry my existence is such a pain to you, Athenar."

"I may forgive you in due time," Athenar said turning her eyes to Mel once more. She settled back on her throne, crossing her legs and propping one elbow on the arm of her stone throne, "Bring us the feast."

Out of the shadows came several slaves, bearing massive golden plates almost the size of them. Each slave was dutiful in their expression, and the physical complection of perfection. They were men and they were women both. Regardless of gender, both were clad in white linen around their waists with perfectly manicured hair and skin. On their plates were stuffed roasted animals, cornucopia of fresh fruits, breads, and vegetables, all exotic and tropical. There was enough food here to feed at least ten people, with plenty left over.

"Come, eat, have your fill, then you may tell me what makes you believe you are a worthy fit for my offspring," Athenar said with a wave of her hand. "I await your self-assessment. I should warn you, I do not take kindly to lies, nor am I easily deceived."

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

Yep meeting 'mom' was not going to be an easy negotiation. When the food began appearing Mel knew that the woman had made her preparation she just wanted to make them dangle while she played a game.

Well well.

It did hurt her heart to listen to the exchange between her beloved Zye and his mother. Was she truly just that cold that she let him go because of her a mortal? How many Vampires were there in the galaxy right now hiding in the shadows and manipulating those around them? How many owed allegiance to Athenar.

She was drawn to the food. Smells of something savory filled her nose. A fine feast she had to admit. A show of opulence. For what purpose she wondered.

She could not be the same with Athenar as she had with Zye.

Zye had needed understanding, kindness and love to ease some of the hunger within him. She doubted very much that his mother would accept or admit to a need for such things. She saw that look Zye gave her as they listened to her speak.

Mel nodded she wanted to give an answer now forgo the meal but custom dictated that she eat first and then detail why she loved Zye and what made her suitable for him. This might have been an easier task for her father had he been alive. He would have no issue citing reasons but Mel she did not like talking about herself.

There would be some discomfort in doing what Athenar requested.

Mel reached for Zye's hand if he ate nothing she understood but perhaps he would sit with her while she ate.

[member="Zye Woden"]

 

[Zye Woden]

[member="Melanctha Dallamoor"]

Zye was no fool, he knew there was a bigger game at play and he knew this was a test. With Athenar, everything was a test. On one hand, if he ate he knew the food could be poisoning--or he could show her that he trusted her, knowing the food was poisoned. If his didn't eat, he could insult his mother and show he didn't trust her--or he could show her he was wise enough to know only a fool would eat what he was offered. There was no winning. There never was with his mother. Zye sighed through his nose, gently taking Mel's hand. At least she was with him in this hell.

His other hand took a steak off the plate with his bare hands. Zye sank his teeth into it, locking eyes with his mother. He didn't look away from her until he had completed the meal, wiping his chin with his forearm. He watched as Mel ate. He was concerned, and she was beautiful. Athenar watched them both. Suddenly, without warning she grabbed one of the male slaves by the throat and sank her teeth into his shoulder. He didn't fight or struggle. The man remained on his feet, calm and unphased as she drained him of his life. It wasn't until she had taken every drop of blood from his form that the man's corpse dropped at her feet.

"Ah, good, now that we have eaten, sit," Athenar snapped her fingers. Two of the other slaves move behind the pair, dropping to all fours. Athenar crossed her legs, "Tell me, Mel, in your own words what makes you worthy of my spawn."

 

[Melanctha Dallamoor]

All these games they were playing with one another. Zye caught in the middle of how what where and why of it all. Mel watched Zye as he devoured the steak. Out of the corner of her eye she caught Athenar's movements.

It was savage but she did not look over or stare as the woman killed the man. Zye had told her about these kinds of practices and while she hated every minute of it, and hated that she couldn't do anything about it there was nothing to do. IN this room she was the weakest and it likely would not take much for Athenar to kill her in some form of sport.

Mel lifted her fork once more and slowly chewed her food. A test of wills, a test of how much she was going to endure, a test of everything they stood for. Mel swallowed hard keeping her face as passive as she could years of being a hapan who hid her emotions had prepared her for such meetings as this.

She looked across to Zye and nodded to tell him she was ok, and that so far she wasn't running and screaming. It was however quite possible that other things to come might send her into his arms for protection. But not yet.

She did not drink her mind needed to be clear.

Mel looked over, "I am not worthy of him." She started looking at Zye, "He in many ways exceeds everything that I am or am capable of." She smiled then looked back to Athenar. "I however offer opportunities, prosperity, and possibilities to place within HIS grasp. I know what he is, and who he is. The side effect to all of it is I love him with all that I am and I believe he loves me as well."

She looked over to Athenar and waited for criticisms.

[member="Zye Woden"]