An Eagle Without Wings (Pinger)

[guoping]

Natayla nodded her head. "Yes m'lord," she said as she opened her bottle of blood. She drank deeply from her bottle, relishing in the metallic taste.

Hades also hopped up to the coffin, he laid on Natayla's lap and looked up at Riku. "So you are a demi-god, that certainly does explain some things."

"I will assist you in anyway I can," Natayla said.

[sora]

Riku was still confused to the extreme. "Ah...you don't have to call me that," he muttered, still unsure of what to make of all of this. He stood up, walking towards the door. "Meian, can you stay here? I...need some time to think," he said, closing the door behind him.

He climbed up onto the roof since it was one of the few places he could really think. He sat sat there, looking up at the sky. "Why...why did you do this to me, father? Does that mean...all the training to avenge my family and they weren't even real."

"Now don't think like that." Riku's eyes widened and he turned to look beside him. It looked like a human but Riku knew it wasn't. It was a man with long silver hair, wearing a dark outfit, much like Riku was wearing right now. It had one addition though and it was sitting in the man's lap. A pure black helmet. The man himself didn't look very old, maybe 28 at most but Riku knew exactly who it was.

"F-father?" Riku stammered out, completely shocked.

The man smirked, turning his glowing golden eyes to his son. "You got it, kid. But moving on. I figured I'd come see you. It has been 9 years, after all," Hades said like it was the most innocent thing in the world.

Riku jumped up. "That's all you can say!" He shouted like he was actually yelling at a parent. "After leaving me with some random family you suddenly decide to appear now! Well it's a little late dad!"

There was a silence between them. Hades' raised an eyebrow at his son. "Done?" Riku huffed, sitting down. "I have to admit, you are right. I don't exactly earn father of the year by any stretch but if it's any consolation, you are alive," he added.

Riku looked at him, slightly confused. Then his mind put together the pieces. "You sent the vampire away when it attacked me?"

Hades nodded. "Yes. Vampires are under my jurisdiction so they have no choice but to listen to me. That's why I sent Meian to help train you to be a hunter. Even though you're only half-god, they can still listen to you."

Riku nodded, taking it in. "And...what about my mother? My real mother?"

The god of death sighed. "Your mother...was a beautiful woman. She was charming while at the same time strong. I'd never met another mortal like her."

"Was...?"

"Yes...well I'm not sure how much you know about the other creatures but...she was killed by a elder dragon," the god said, much remorse in his voice. Riku looked surprised to hear this. "Do not worry, I made sure that dragon suffered the greatest punishment the underworld has. He's still suffering through Tartarus at the moment," he continued, his voice keeping calm but Riku could tell he was angered. He was the same way.

"So...what happens to me now?" Riku asked, a bit calmer than what he was.

Hades looked over at him, pleased he was taking it so well. "You stay here. What, you thought I was going to drag you down into the underworld?" Hades laughed and it seemed to make Riku lighten up a bit. "Only when your time comes. For now, consider this a gift for the 19 birthdays, I've missed." He stood up and Riku followed his example, realizing the god was at least over 6 "5. "Know now that you are a true son of Hades and should you ever need my assistance, you need only ask. I'm sure Cerberus wouldn't mind going for a walk on earth for a bit," he added as an afterthought.

Riku sighed, eyes closed and shaking his head, but at the same time, he was glad. He finally had a place where he belonged, even though it wasn't a physical home. "Dad..." He looked up but Hades was gone.

[guoping]

As Riku and the god of the underworld had their heart to heart Natayla polished off her bottle of blood. She was still mulling over the nights activities, and the taste of his blood. The half-blood shuddered, she'd never had anything so good in her life.

Hades, her cat, seemed to be reading her mind and looked at her disapprovingly. "Even though he is a demi-god, don't forget yourself."

Natayla's cheeks reddened. "Quiet Hades," she snapped, laying down. "Don't forget that Hades, the god I named you after, has jurisdiction over vampires. Since Riku is his son he has rule over me as well."

Hades scoffed and hopped to the windowsill. "Sleep. Now."

Natayla didn't have to be told twice, as the lid swung closed she fell into a deep sleep, almost like a coma. Meanwhile Hades looked to Meian.

"I hope Riku doesn't go and get a big head," he sighed, scratching at the wood. "I can't have him ordering Natayla around when she still has the dept to pay."

[sora]

Meian sighed, resting. "I can assure you, it won't. Riku's never been one to flaunt his power without it being a dangerous situation," he said, vouching for his young master. Meanwhile, said young master was sleeping on the roof, preferring to be outside in the night than inside. Having managed to finally talk with Hades had lightened his mood and he now understood more of that was going on, even if he didn't like it. Having control over the very beings he hated because one killed his adopted family...so far, it wasn't making much sense.

Back inside, Meian couldn't sleep. "I'm more worried about what the other races are going to do. I don't think the vampires will like it very much that a human, a hunter no less, has control over them. They might try to stir something up," he continued, thinking out loud.

[guoping]

Hades bowed his head. He knew that this new information would not go over well at all. Riku wouldn't get any trouble from Natayla's family, providing he stayed away from Natayla.

"At least now we can give Riku any information he wishes without being severely punished." the black cat sighed. For the most part that was the only thing he was concerned with. "I believe I should contact Natayla's parents before she wakes up."

Hades hurried to Natayla's vanity and scratched at the mirror. He cast a look back at Meian. "They should know the current developments. Don't worry, they'll keep their mouths shut."

In the mirror the face of a beautiful woman appeared. Her black hair was held back with a long silver ribbon and her golden eyes offset her tan skin. There was no doubt that this witch was Natayla's mother.

"Good evening Nina," Hades bowed his head.

"Oh, hello Hades," she smiled brightly. "Is my little girl doing well?"

"One could say that. Are Lord Van der Zee and Alphonse awake yet?" he asked, cutting right to the chase. "We have discovered that Hades, god of the Underworld, has a son."

Nina's golden eyes brightened with this news. "Go on."

[sora]

Meian nodded. "Yes, I am his familiar. He-"

"Is right here." Riku walked in through the door, closing it as he entered the room. Meian flew over, landing on his shoulder. "I'm fine Meian," he muttered to his familiar. "I couldn't sleep so I came to check on you guys. It's an honor to meet you," he said, bowing slightly to the image in the mirror. "My name is Riku and yes, I am the son of Hades."

Meian gave him a shocked look. What had the boy been thinking about up on the roof that would make him accept everything that was happening so quickly?

[guoping]

Nina bowed her own head. "Likewise. As you can see I am not a vampire, but-" and then a dark look crossed her face. "What are you doing in my daughters room?"

Before Nina could say something that they would regret later Hades stepped in. "He saved Natayla's life twice today. He saved her from the sun, and Erik."

"Nina my love!" a man said from another room. "Are you talking to Hades?!"

In a flash an extremely handsome man with pale skin and shoulder length blond hair stood beside Natayla's mother. "Ah, good to see you Hades," he smiled cheerfully, hugging his wife. "Oh, you have a visitor. I am Derek Von der-"

"Dear," Nina sighed heavily, obviously she had years of experience with his enthusiasm. "This is Riku, a son of Hades."

At these words Derek straightened and bowed his head. "An honor to meet you."

[sora]

Riku mentally twitched but didn't show it. Vampires are under the jurisdiction...they are not enemies...they are not enemies. He nodded to the vampire, showing his respect. "An honor to meet you as well. As her familiar said," he continued, not really wanting to use the name of his father for a cat, even if it was a familiar. "I saved her life but my payment was that she gave me a name of a vampire that I was to hunt," he explained, keeping his tone level. "I have since changed my mind, learning of my...real family. I'd like to have a meeting with your coven leader," he finished, hoping that his request was acceptable.

[guoping]

Derek made a strained face and cleared his throat. "I can arrange that but it will take some time. You see we left the coven when Natayla was young due to some... circumstances."

Nina put a hand on his chest and nodded her head. "The son of the coven leader wanted to marry her, we wouldn't have it and so we left."

"Old Kain should still allow an audience if I request it," Derek continued, giving his wife a look that said she had said too much.

[sora]

Riku nodded. "I'm grateful for the support. If they don't agree, just tell them mention my father. I'm sure that will change their minds," he said, remembering Hades' words about how he controlled the vampire population. "How soon do you think a meeting can be arranged?" He asked, trying to time things. He still needed to stop at home and pick up a couple more weapons, plus he wanted Natayla to be there. She was the one who told him he was a demi-god, indirectly, so he felt he owed her something.

[guoping]

"It may take a few nights," Derek answered, musing.

"Come here tomorrow night," Nina invited with a motherly smile. "It will make getting an invitation easier, and if you could convince Natayla to come with you we would very much appreciate it."

"It shouldn't be more than 2 nights to get an audience," Derek said. "Erik may have a grudge against us but his father is a much more reasonable man."

[sora]

Riku bowed his head. "Thank you. I'll have Natayla escort me there." With that, he moved a hand over the mirror, cutting off the connection.

Meian looked shocked. "I'm impressed, Riku. You actually had a civil conversation with a vampire," he commented.

Riku glared at him. Must find something to mutilate... Still, he kept his thoughts to himself and turned to Hades. "It's almost dawn. Does she wake up during the day?" He asked, gesturing slightly to the sleeping Natayla.

[guoping]

"She forces it," Hades said, jumping to sit on the lid of her coffin. "Even though she is able to withstand sunlight it still goes against her nature to be awake during the day."

Laying down Hades continued. "I've had to force her to sleep on many occasions, but I think with everything that's happened she'll rest threw the day for once."

He looked up at Riku. "I wouldn't be too much of a hurry to meet her parents too soon if I were you. They're extremely protective."

[sora]

Riku stared at him for a moment. "Protective? Do they think I'm going out with her or something?" He paused. 1. He saved her. 2. Twice. 3. He was at her house. He face palmed. "Damn...I think I'd rather take Cerberus for a walk right now, dad," he muttered to himself.

Meian shot him a look. "So, you did talk with Hades," he remarked.

Riku nodded. "Yeah. It wasn't what I was expecting though." Hades didn't seem like the evil guy everyone made him out to be. "Anyway, as soon as I see her parents, I'm getting rid of this idea of us dating," he added, crossing his arms.

Meian chuckled. "Yes, yes. But you do seem to be attracted to her a little bit," he reminded the half-blood.

Riku sighed, sitting against the coffin. "Well, my father is the protector of vampires so it does seem natural. And I'm not that attracted to her. Acquaintance at best," he snapped, glaring at Meian.

[guoping]

"At this point I'd take Meian's word over yours," Hades chuckled. "You're not the first to be attracted to Natayla, and fortunately and unfortunately she is completely oblivious now a' days."

Hades shook his head again. "She should wake around noon if I get my way."