Jylat - Starting Over

[Yolanda Riona]

For a long moment, Esmeralda remained with her hands now cupped under her chin in absolute silence. Her eyes seemed to search her thoughts, becoming unfocused until finally her attention snapped back to the couple before her.

"Well, I can't say it wasn't poor tidings that led her here. Her brother and our son, for that matter. Least to say, they all were living in Capitol City but as I'm sure you've already heard, the city's been wiped off the map to our greatest misfortune. I'm afraid that's only the very beginning of this tale though. Safe to say, she was adopted. By another family before us though. Dromar never really told us the details of how he ended up with those two, but Crosis and I figured it out eventually. Killed in an attack on their own office. Who would have believed it? I'm sure they all took it hard."

She dropped a hand on the table, tracing imaginary circles on the surface.

"Jodie's a strange kid though. You wouldn't think twice that she's been through as much as she has. Or her brother, for that matter. But I get the feeling she's reaching breaking point all the same. Someone her age, I'm surprised she hasn't already. It's a lot to take in within a matter of months. Sometimes I wonder if she already has, but she's just hiding it."

[Links Tyrell]

Links bowed his head slightly and gave a low 'hmm' sound as Essy finished talking. He knew very well what it was like to loose a family member...only in her case she hadn't been the one responsible for the death. Alindel, for the first time, decided not to interupt the slight pause, as if somehow knowing what Links was thinking.

"That would explain a lot," said Links eventually, "Judging by what she said in the hallway I would imagine if she hasn't hit her limit she is very close to it. That may be another reason her magic is reacting so strangely. Being stressed and upset puts great strain on your body and in her condition its just making things worse."

Links paused for a moment, giving a glance at Alindel before continuing, "I appreciate you're willingness to hear me out, I'm afraid the reactions I recieved in the hallway are not uncommon at times. However, I can only do so much for her, the rest she'll have to figure out for herself..."

[Yolanda Riona]

Esmeralda simply nodded.

"My mother spoke of magic like a rare novelty. But I do believe most of my tolerance spans from Crosis' side. You would be surprised to know that his father prided himself in the arts. Used to scare the living daylights out of me. On purpose, too. He didn't like me much at first. But I'd have to say I grew on him. Or had to."

She smiled almost faintly.

"I doubt Dromar has any recollection though. His grandfather passed on before he hit toddlership. We figured it would be best that way anyway. Magic is feared for a reason. It's better not to get involved in it if you can help it. Although I know in your case it's utterly impossible and to that I sympathize.

"It's true though. You hear very little about it these days. To be quite frank, I wouldn't have thought it to run in Jodie's veins. I don't think you'll have much to worry about though. Stubborn she may be. But I do think she knows the seriousness of the situation."

[Links Tyrell]

Links remained silent, seemingly caught up in his own thoughts. What Essy had said may have affected him a lot more had she said it twenty years ago. Links knew very well the dangers behind magic and the potential catastrophes that could ensue if it was not treated with respect.

"There is always a little magic in every family I feel, it is just a question of who and when. To save you any further...complications... I will refrain for any outward expression of my skills whilst around your family. I feel a more private setting for tutoring would be in Jodie's best interest anyway."

Alindel seemed to be looking a little upset, the feline fidgeting with the tip of her tail for a moment before speaking. "I do not feel that magic should always be feared. Magic is a tool, just like many other everyday objects. In the right hands a military vehicle can be a source of good and protection, yet in the wrong hands it can bring pain and suffering. To say one shouldn't get involved in magic is...naive. I don't mean to offend but regardless of your previous experiences you shouldn't judge all magic the same way."

[Yolanda Riona]

"It's not a matter of judging it all the same, dear. But you have to understand that something so powerful is bound to be abused. I can't help but feel that's why its existence is so minimum in this world. Call it theoretical but perhaps it's a hint of the past times. Just how many users do you know? I can count on my right claws. Your husband to be, Links, Jodie now, and..."

Esmeralda trailed off into thought. It only lasted a moment, but age had its repercussions.

"Now, what was I saying? Well, anyway, the point is that it's rare these days and I feel that it's due to the abuse it has sustained over time. I don't even know how this town would react if you were to give a show and have to agree to seclusion as your best tactic, Links. Quiet Jylat may be, but it's been shaking ever since what happened two weeks ago. And it wasn't just the ships who frightened them. I'm not sure if you heard, but there were terribly powerful users, too."

[Links Tyrell]

Links seemed to shrink in his seat a little, it was an odd sight to see but it didn't last long. He pushed his char back and stood up slowly, turning away and walking a few steps across the room so that he could glance out of a nearby window.

"Powerful users indeed...and a form of magic I have not seen even during my studies." He paused, as if debating his next words very carefully. After a moment he turned back to Essy and Alindel, "As I will be helping your daughter I feel you have a right to know a little something about me. You say that magic should be hidden and for the most part that is correct, I have only ever used my skills in seclusion...as unnecessary as it is to fear magic I'm afraid it is a common reaction to the unknown."

"However, keeping it hidden is only one aspect of magic use...the other is control. If you cannot control it then it will control you as is happening with Jodie, and that is where it becomes dangerous. I know all too well."

Again Links paused, Alindel seemingly looking a little worried as if she knew what was coming.

"It will not be easy for you to hear but you need to know how bad magic can get. I was not the only magic user in my family, my older brother Arthur was proficient in it also. However, he was twisted by forced he should have known to ignore. He tried to kill myself and my parents...yet in the end it was I who ended up with blood on his hands. My lack of control at that time cost me the life of my brother and since then I have strived to learn that skill. I cannot defend what others might do with their talents but I can assure you that I will not repeat their mistakes, nor let anyone around me make the same one if I am able. It might be just words but you have mine that you, nor this town, have anything to fear from me."

[Yolanda Riona]

Least to say, Links' telling had caused a an uncharacteristic-esque loss of words for dear Esmeralda. She never really gave it second thought that they would hit so close to home, but it explained things. She did recall vaguely in her memory the relapse of the Tyrells for a while although she hadn't given it much thought. Although Jylat was a small village where most everyone knew everything about everyone else, Esmeralda had never been someone to hassle with other people.

"So, that's what happened... Well, I'm most sorry to hear that. I knew there were troubles afoot. I've been sort of straying from the home folks though, so I never got the full story. That's what happens when you join show business. You never want to deal with the public again."

She laughed half heartedly. Her violet eyes touched Alindel in reassurance before returning to Links.

"If I recall rightly, your parents were always good people. Although it's a shame how things turned out with your brother, and again, I'm sorry to know that you have suffered such a loss, be comforted that I have little fear of you. Especially if it's fear that could cost my granddaughter's life."

[Links Tyrell]

Links simply nodded and gave a small curtious bow. "Thank you," he replied, reaching a paw to his head and slowly rubbing his forehead, "Now, if you would excuse me for a short while. I have to find a quiet spot with a gentle breeze where I can recharge my energies. I'm afraid that jolt your daughter gave me was a little more than I was prepared for."

"Are you alright Links?" asked Alindel, sliding from her own seat and turning to face Links, "You didn't use too much magic did you?"

"Don't worry my dear, it was more than I expected but nothing a few quiet moments won't cure." He turned back to Essy, giving a brief nod of his head, "Do you think I might make use of your garden a little? Or perhaps we should leave for today...although I would suppose that depends on how little Jodie is doing with her mission."

[Yolanda Riona]

"The garden should be fine. But don't feel you have to push yourself, deary. I might not be any magic user, but it sure seemed to me that was a lot put forth by Jodie than you anticipated."

Esmeralda stole a glance out the window, her claws tapping against the oak table. She had been eying it most of their meeting, but with things wrapping up as they were, she finally let her gaze wander in full. It strayed only temporarily though.

"As for how she's doing, herself, I can't say myself. She's not exactly the most... personable teenager. But she's trying. I'll give her that."

[Links Tyrell]

Links gave a small nod at Essy, gave a small smile at Alindel and turned towards the door at the back of the room. "I shouldn't be long, if you need me for anything I'll be nestled under a tree somewhere...just follow the whistling sound." Links reached the back of the room, opening the door and stepping out into the garden beyond.

Alindel watched him leave and then turned to Essy, "While Links recharges perhaps I could help with Jodie and Dromar? I tend to be good at helping to resolve tense situations...that is if you think it would be appropriate."