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Tweak says, "ROMANI ITE DOMUM!"

Cody Jean Lane (loyal_2a_fault) wrote,
@ 2011-10-19 09:31:00

Current location:	Australia
Current mood:	happy
Current music:	Shameless - Garth Brooks
Entry tags:	cassandra, hsu, orestes, penny, post lisa, school

A Penny For Your Thoughts
The dust flew up around her, and for a moment, Cody was sorry she hadn't put her hair up. But since it was Hsu arriving in Australia, she had kept it down, to please him. The sleek jet landed on the remote airstrip, and taxied over near where she sat astride her pretty Pinto pony. Her gloved hand held onto the reins of a grey, strong but small, mount, saddled up for her mentor. Hsu had been flying for over thirty hours, give or take, and she knew him far too well to think that he wouldn't be restless. Besides, they had much to discuss before they arrived at the school.

The two ponies snorted at the noise and wind, but the plane engines shut down, and the door opened up. Three men came out, first, armed to the teeth. Cody, herself, was armed with pistols and sword. Along the airfield, private for the school, there was an army, some of which were older students being taught by mercenaries. Orestes stepped down, his eyes always scanning, moving, checking, before he flicked a finger and the attendant stepped back for Hsu to come down the stairs. As Cody had thought, he was dressed in jeans, and his glance over to her was unreadable, before she saw the slight nod and hint of approval. She knew him, so well, and he always seemed to like how she thought about things without being told. Orestes headed over to the SUV's, calling out orders to men and being introduced to the most senior of the students, a young man named Darrell, who was young and black, muscular and reminded Cody a bit of Marcus. Darrell had won his first challenge, and the trainer presented him to Orestes, who shook his hand and introduced him to Hsu. The young man's face was one of almost worship, and he lit up when Hsu spoke to him, before Orestes invited him to ride in the main car with him. This was a high honor, indeed, and Hsu walked across the grass to where she waited, his expression calm. This was what he had built, and they had intended, so she hoped he would be pleased and proud of the school that would train and indoctrinate his own personal army. It was a great school, with the best facilities.

He swung up, and the pony stepped and snorted a bit. Cody just grinned at him. "Well, you wouldn't want a slowpoke mount that was too broken in, would you? What's the fun in that?" The SUV's went down the road, but she and Hsu took off across the hill, towards the remote ranch school that they built from the ground up. Cody whooped as her hair flew, and they both began to just ride, full gallop, in the sun and wind. It was perfect weather, and the best way to bring him to the school he had not visited since it was finished.

They took their time, though, just letting the horses have their head, before slowing up a little. Cody nodded at his mare, calling to him.

"How do you like her? Your mother picked her out for you." Cassandra had been very picky, and made sure her son had a horse worthy of a Hsuing-nu. Cody had picked out a horse for Daniel, a bit bigger, a gorgeous black stallion that he had not yet seen. Daniel would arrive from New York the next day.

Hsu did seem happy, and they trotted in, side by side, towards the buildings. Cody kept glancing over to him, waiting for him to say something about what she had texted him on the plane for. He stopped, dismounted, and waited for her to do the same.

"Tell me about him." He looked down at her, nothing showing in those blue eyes.

Cody chuckled, and looked down, then back up. "It's a her, Hsu. I kissed a girl, and I liked it, and I married her." He wouldn't get the Katy Perry pop song reference. Cody thought she saw a glimmer of surprise, and they walked across the bright green grass, holding the reins of their respective mounts. "Her name is Penny. She's Aussie, middle class, quiet, normal and teaching at the school. She sings, some, mostly older torch song stuff. Not pop. She's quiet." Cody repeated that, then shrugged. "We were friends. I hired her for the school. She is so calm and good with the kids, especially the younger girls. But I fell in love with her, and she wanted to get married. I didn't want a wedding, I just wanted to be with her." Cody kicked a weed with the toe of her boot, and looked sideways at Hsu. "She balances me, here. Your mother really likes her. Orestes checked her out on the new system." Since the debacle with Lisa, Orestes had taken Andy MacDonald's system and completely revamped it, and now it was state of the art. "She grew up not far from here, and she doesn't want to leave. I never thought I would marry again, but she is different. She reminds me of Ben, and some of Lars. She just fits in my world, and I think you are going to really like her. She gets me, all of me, and she isn't threatened by you being my priority. Penny is really grounded, confident and secure. Not like George."

Cody stopped by the corral fence, so he could get his questions in, before they were surrounded by people. She brushed her hair out of her eyes, and gazed up at him, trying to see how he would react. "I really love her. Not that silly infatuation love I thought I had with George. It is just a quiet and peaceful thing...like it just fits my life, right now." Cody turned and saw her wife, sitting up on a fence quite a ways away. Penny was beside Cassandra, and they were calling out instructions to some young pre-Immortal girls, who were doing sword practice before lunch. Penny was learning about swords, but she helped Cass with all aspects of teaching fitness.

Penny was a couple of inches taller than Cody, but still quite petite, with medium length blonde hair that was close to Cody's color. Her eyes were blue, and she was trim and fit, her hips a bit curvier than Cody, and her breasts smaller, though lovely. She was pretty, in that girl next door way that was not threatening. She was no supermodel, but Cody wasn't into that, anyway. Penny was wearing dark blue jeans, like Cody, as well as boots. But Cody wore a button down white blouse, and Penny had on a blue T-shirt that had 'Happy Wife, Happy Life' written across the breasts.

Cassandra looked across, seeing her son and Cody, and guessing that they were discussing Penny and Cody's sudden marriage. The two women had married at the local town courthouse, on the spur of the moment, but Cassandra had approved. It was good for everyone, giving Cody Jean some of the affection she craved, and diverting any glancing towards Daniel. Plus, she knew her son's tastes, and if Penny were so inclined, he could enjoy some shared time with his student and her spouse, and all around peace would be had. Daniel would like the cheerful, smart Aussie. While Penny was not wealthy or highly educated, she was very smart and hard working, and had a passion for old music and history, things that she could share with Hsu. It was a good fit, and Cassandra was communicating silently with her son, sharing her own approval and confidence in the young woman.

Cassandra had recently broken off a relationship with a man that Hsu took an instant, intense, dislike to, because she trusted his instincts. Since George and Lisa, the inner circle had become wary of outsiders, so Penny was a breath of fresh air. They had been working so hard, while Hsu had been working in his financial, political and other ventures. Cassandra and Cody had just realized, the day before, that it had been over ten months since they had seen Hsu, face to face. Cassandra had gently teased Cody Jean, in front of Penny, that her son would be wanting some private time, after so long apart. She deliberately watched Penny, to see if there was any jealousy, but the young Australian just laughed, and nodded in agreement. There was no big deal, there, and that helped Cassandra to know that this woman would fit right in.

The school had numerous buildings. She and Hsu were near the corrals by the barn and stables. Behind that was a building that housed a gym, basketball court, tennis court and indoor pool. Outside of that was another pool, marked for laps. There were three buildings that were for housing the kids, dorm style. There was a bunkhouse for security staff, a medical building, an operations command and a large classroom building. Near the main house, there was a dining hall, with a rec room and library/computer room. The main house was incredible, a beautiful space for Cody, Hsu and their inner circle, set just far enough from the school buildings that it had privacy. On the outside, it blended with the school buildings. But, inside, it was spectacular, a luxury home that Cody Jean and Cassandra both adored and were proud of. Cass had her own wing, Cody had hers, and they set up one for Daniel. In the center, there were rooms decorated and designed for Hsu's exacting tastes and his pleasure, including a Roman bath. His bedroom had a custom designed bed that was incredible, just a huge, round, curtained retreat that had all of the modern comforts with the old luxury that befitted him.

In Cody's wing, she and Penny had their own bed and bathrooms, but they usually slept together in Cody's more luxurious suite. Cass' suite was regal and elegant, and they had made Danny's suite a bachelor's playpen. The main house also had a state of the art theater and music room, an office for each of them, as well as an office and suite for Orestes. It had a gorgeous kitchen that Cody and Penny both used a lot. Oh, and there was another thing that Cody had gotten, to make Hsu feel welcome and right at home...

Almost in slow motion, a puppy began bounding across the grass towards them. He was a puppy, but he was a BIG pup, with massive feet that indicated that this dog would grow to be one BIG boy. The Bull Mastiff ran right at them, and stopped by Cody, who knelt down to pet him. "Oh, yeah, another addition to the tribe you need to meet. Hsu, this is your dog, and he needs a name." The puppy's whole back half wiggled constantly with excitement, as he danced around Hsu's feet.

New horse, new dog, finished school...lots of good things for Hsu to enjoy and take in. But Cody was waiting to hear what he might say about her, after being apart so long, and about her new spouse. She glanced over and saw that Penny was watching them, too, and she guessed that her wife was nervous about how Hsu Danmei might react to her.

So Cody held onto her horse's reins, and held her tongue so she wouldn't ramble nervously. His reaction would be interesting, to say the least.

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Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2011-10-27 02:31 pm UTC (link)

Hsu was tired and not just because of the long flight. Life since the Lisa debacle had been hectic to put it mildly. It had blown the existence of Immortals sigh high. There was the reactions of many Immortals, some panicked at being thrust into common knowledge, and it had caused a resurgence in Watcher recruitment as they made the most of people's fears. But he had discovered there were some surprising benefits as well, a major one being, that they could wage the war against the Watchers far more openly. And not only on a battlefield but in the media as well.

There were also the students, here at the school, being raised with his doctrine, trained to fight and to hate. He had learned much about the idea of a school for Immortals from those mutants, and thanks to Cody and his mother, it was really working. Although this was his first visit since the school had been up and running, he had been out while it was being planned and during the early construction and was keen to see how everything had progressed since then...as well as this new spouse of Cody's.

When he stepped onto the steps from the plane, he stretched for a moment as he looked over the gathered students, recognizing some of them, like Darrell from the reports that were regularly sent to him. However, his attention was on Cody as he saw, with pleasure, that she had brought a mount out for him. She was a fine mare, stocky and solid, just how he liked his ponies. And as they galloped over the field, he shot her a look of something near contentment. She knew him so well after all this time.

It wasn't that Hsu was surprised that there should have been a same-sex marriage. Cody had her share of female lovers over the years. It was more that she would get married at all, after the fiasco with Alston. In fact it was quite a surprise that given how romances had gone both for her and Daniel, and even his mother, that none of them had permanently sworn off it. Not for the first time, he was relieved that he could not have such problems. However, when he saw Penny, he clearly approved of her looks, at least, and couldn't help thinking how good the pair of them would look either side of him.

The tour was given, and he was very impressed with everything that had been done for the school, and he was looking forward to exploring the inside of the main house a little later. He knew what a fine hand Cody had in interior decorating, so was certain it would be perfect. He dismounted as the puppy came bounding over towards them, giving a long, eyebrow-raised gaze over at Cody. It had been a while since he'd had a Mastiff. Caesar's line had died out a while ago, and with being so busy, Hsu had not had the time, or inclination, to get another, but as the puppy ran up there was definitely a pleased, even kind of happy, look in his eyes. "He will be an excellent addition to my tribe. Thank you." He gave her a small, half-smile. "I shall think on a name for him."

"And talking about the tribe expanding, you should beckon your wife over here and let me meet her." He bent down and picked up the puppy, who had immediately taken to him and was trying his best to lick any piece of Hsu's skin his tongue could reach. "Not that she has yet earned that right in my eyes." Even with the upgraded system and the checks, he was still being more cautious than was perhaps necessary. "And have you told Daniel about your marriage?" His son would be there tomorrow, and he still remembered the image Cassandra had put in his mind. While he accepted such a relationship for Cody as it would not affect what she had with him -- or had better not -- he wasn't so sure Daniel would take it so well.

"However, it does appear that your tastes have improved since your last marriage, and from all the reports that I've heard, she is a very good asset for the school, and of course, the fact that she already knew about us saves a lot of complications." He began walking towards the house, puppy in one arm and leading his horse with the other. "I'm hungry, and we can all talk over a late lunch. Then you can show me the rest of the house." Including, of course, his room.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2011-10-27 10:39 pm UTC (link)

The look on Hsu's face, when he saw the dog, was gratifying. Cody Jean often searched for the small things that brought the tough, stoic warlord joy. She never did it in the manner that some people might with him, in that they try to curry favor by sucking up. Cody getting favors from Hsu usually involved her initiating a whole DIFFERENT type of 'sucking up' and that was one of her favorite past times, anyway. That was not a chore, in her eyes. She chuckled, quite amused, as the dog licked him, everywhere he could, and just kept wriggling in Hsu's arms. This was one very active puppy, and rambunctious, too.

"Good...you better name him, soon, or he'll get used to me calling him Shithead." Cody actually laughed out loud as she pulled off her leather riding glove to scritch him behind the ears. "He must be a Hun dog, because his ability to pillage and plunder is legendary, already. The little beast has already chewed up a bridle, a ton of balls and your mother's favorite English riding boots." When Cassandra had come out of the barn with her destroyed boots, shouting for the mastiff, he had hightailed it across the field like the Roman army was behind him, and didn't come back till nightfall. The Immortal woman had regally stood with boots in hand, as the pup crawled on his belly in the dirt to her feet, then looked up with such a mournful gaze, she didn't have the heart to punish him...much.

Cody Jean scuffed her toe in the dirt, a little, at his question about Daniel. "I texted him about it." Things were still uncomfortable between herself and her mentor's son, since the incident with Lisa and the boat cruise. Hsu taking her hunting that night had diverted any lingering thoughts she had about him, but he seemed almost hurt by her focus on his dad. Then, when they had begun the school, he had been somewhat snarky, until he had come out one time and the kids had really liked learning from Daniel. That seemed to please him, but he still kept his distance from Cody. Right after that, Penny had come on board. "I figured I would talk to him more about it, tomorrow, in person." When you were here. She didn't say it out loud, but she wanted to have Hsu there, because Daniel seemed closer to him than ever before, and more distant from her. "I just hope he doesn't offer her an Adios Motherfucker."

Cody didn't beckon Penny over to where they were, instead nodding towards the house. Cassandra and Penny walked to the main entry, and waited for Cody and Hsu to hand off their horses to a couple of senior students, and then they joined them in the grand, marble, foyer. Inside, the scent of lunch could be clearly discerned, along with the sounds of the cook getting it ready for the family to sit in the formal dining room. Cody Jean walked over and gave her new wife an encouraging smile, and put her arm around her waist to lead her over to Hsu. Penny wasn't afraid, necessarily, but she knew that this man was the core to Cody's world, and that his disapproval would be the death knell to their marriage.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2011-10-27 10:39 pm UTC (link)

"Hsu, this is my wife, Penny Lane. Penny, this is Hsu." Cody smiled at both of them, and Penny held out her hand to him, her expression friendly and open, and looking him right in those light eyes.

"G'day. It is so nice to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from your mum and from Cody." Penny didn't fancy a lot of makeup, unless they were really doing something outrageously special. She stuck to tinted moisturizer/sunscreen, a bit of liner and mascara, and a nice, soft lip balm. Her nails were short, because she played piano and guitar, but her hands were soft and pretty. She did look him over, head to toe, and her expression showed that she did think he was attractive. However, she had little sexual experience with men...or that many people at all, for that matter. Mostly, she had dated young men from around her hometown, and they certainly had little in the way of power or wealth. Hsu's Immortality fascinated her, as a history geek, especially his time as Attila and in England.

"Lunch is served, Sir." The housekeeper was excellent, a sturdy woman that Orestes had known and recruited to the job of running the main house. Cody had not liked the woman, at first, because she was brusque and bossy, but Penny had intervened between them and boundaries were set. Cassandra ruled her roost, in her wing, and Cody Jean ruled much of the rest, but Lourdes bustled about pretty much under her own direction. A few times, she had attempted to go to Orestes, because she thought that the teen looking woman couldn't possibly be the mistress of the henhouse, but Orestes had told her that Cody and Cassandra spoke with Hsu's voice and not to bother him about household matters. After that, it all settled down to a nice routine.

They all walked towards the dining room, and, of course, Hsu took his place at the head of the table. The room had an entire wall of glass windows, looking out on the beautiful pool, fountain, jaccuzzi and small lake. Through the glass, to the outside edge, one could see a wood tower, where guards stood with automatic rifles and the latest in tech to spot any kind of intrusion. Cassandra took a seat to her son's right, after kissing his cheek in greeting. Cody took one to his left, and Penny took the seat beside her.

"Sir, luncheon today is whole Barramundi with soy, lime and ginger, rice pilaf and creamed peas. There is a selection of pastries, for after." The housekeeper went out, sharp in her crisp, starched black and white uniform that she insisted on wearing, though Cody told her it wasn't necessary. She came back with a bottle of vintage Blenheim Chardonnay that she had a taste poured for the 'master' to approve of, then pour for all. Cody was annoyed that the woman served him so meekly, and gave her so much lip for so long. Cassandra just took a sip of water and smiled.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2011-11-14 02:56 pm UTC (link)

Hsu put the puppy down when he became a little too active, and he immediately tried to chew on his master's boot. Hsu gave a stiff command to stop it, and the puppy whined briefly and then sat down looking up at him. "I shall recompense Mother for her loss." Although he was quite amused by the antics. "A name? His enthusiasm for destruction reminds me of a man I respected nearly as much as his brother." The puppy's tail whipped back and forth over the grass as he looked up expectantly and yipped. "Yes, I'll name you for Khasar, brother of Genghis."

The mental image of that moment of near intimacy between Cody and Daniel still resided in his mind, even though he was confident that the following hunting trip had swept all thoughts in that direction from Cody's mind. That she had found this mortal lover and taken her as a wife just added to his view that it was a moment's weakness on her part. Daniel's part he wasn't so sure about, but since that whore betrayed him, it was difficult to know just what his son was feeling or thinking. He knew Daniel had been reluctant to visit the school before and had only agreed this time because Hsu was going. Daniel had also spent a lot of time with Cassandra and neither of them would tell him what they were up to, although if it kept Daniel distracted -- and it seemed to -- he had no objection. "You surprise him, and he is likely to buy her one of those. But it's your decision." The truth was, if she told him about Penny, Daniel might change his mind about coming totally.

As Cody led Penny over, Hsu tried to look as unintimidating as possible, which still wasn't very. He nodded at the introduction, looking her up and down as thoroughly as she was doing to him. She was certainly attractive with the looks and figure that he liked. She seemed polite and respectful, and he'd had separate reports from his mother that she was a great asset to the school and truly cared about the mission, the students, and Cody. "And it is a pleasure to meet you." He took her hand and kissed the back gallantly. The Beatles-ness of her name meant nothing to him and sailed right by. "I would like to say the same, but Cody Jean has been a little less forthcoming about you. Still, I'm sure that can be remedied. My mother speaks highly of you, also." There was a mild disapproving tone in reply to her use of 'mum'.

After greeting his mother, Hsu nodded to Lourdes to serve lunch and approved the food as the housekeeper listed everything off. While her formal manner might not sit well with Cody, Hsu liked it, including the starched uniform. It was how his household should be, with the servants, even senior ones like Lourdes showing the proper deference to their employers. Too often over the last century, or so, such behaviour had fallen by the wayside. However, the woman had needed a small reminder that Cody spoke with Hsu's voice when he was not there and was far more mature than her looks led people to believe. Since then she had been careful to be very proper.

Hsu tasted and approved the wine and then started in on his meal. "Cody, after lunch I want a more in depth tour of the school. I'd also like to see some of the students go through their paces, particularly in combat." He had been kept abreast of the progress students were making, but wanted to see for himself what was going on. "And Penny, how are you finding working with and teaching Immortals." Since they had been exposed, it was something Hsu was interested in learning...how mortals reacted.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2011-12-12 01:05 am UTC (link)

Cody had warned Penny that Hsu was very old school, and that was evidenced in the gallant kiss of her hand, which made her blush, slightly, and the tone she picked up in his voice when he referred to Cassandra. Cas gave Penny an encouraging smile, and Penny smiled back, very disconcerted by the intimidating but incredibly attractive man. She could not know it, but her response to him was a bit like Cody's when she first met Hsu, that mix of trepidation and attraction. It was a gift of the warlord.

"They have been studying some ancient battle modes, particularly the Hun offenses and the Spartan phalanx battle formations. Stelios Lakiotis was kind enough to send me some detailed instructions." Cody took a bite of fish, and nodded her approval to the chef, who looked in from the kitchen. It was perfect, and very healthy. One thing they made sure of, with the students, especially, was healthy food and fitness. Fat, slovenly fighters didn't live long, and she was not going to see her students become lazy couch potatoes.

"I have to admit, it took some getting used to. I was stunned by the information about Immortals. I have always been a bit of a history geek." Her Aussie lilt was almost melodic to Cody, who found it very sexy, with the undertone of an almost purr to it. Very, very sexy voice. "I loved to study Britain, and Rome, when I was a teenager. Then, more recently, the Eastern cultures. Cody Jean and your mother have told me so many things...I am loving it. Like a kid in a candy store. Knowledge, especially first hand? It is the best." Penny was careful to use the full term for his mother, and Cassandra hid a grin behind her wine glass, as she sipped.

"She's a huge admirer of Richard the Third." Cody offered the information. "It was one of our first conversations, after she argued with a student about the play. Penny told the student never to believe propaganda, even if well written, because the truth was much deeper, and that Will Shakespeare was being used by the Tudor Queen."

"Cody used one of my lines, which is that most history is written by the winners of wars. You have look deeper, and that is what I tell my students." Penny was clearly at ease in the topic, and passionate about history, and teaching. "The chance to teach, and to know that the knowledge will go on with them long after I have passed? It is an amazing gift. They are so..." She sighed, but it was happy, between bites. "...they like sponges! They are so ready for the world, and they are so vulnerable to the evil that has preyed on all of you." Penny grew serious, taking Cody's hand on the table. "I can't believe that these bastards are out there, and what do. It is evil and wrong. I feel like it is a privilege, to be a part of such a cause."

Both Cassandra and Cody Jean grinned at Hsu, and their expressions told the same tale. They were now not only converting Immortals, but sympathetic mortals were joining this army, and following Hsu Danmei in the war against the Watchers. Penny was in love with Cody, but also a declared enemy of all things Watcher. After the debacle with Lisa, Cody had been careful where she put her heart, and her trust, but Penny had been a good bet.

"And, of course, I love Cody." The look was love, yes, but also heat. Cody could imagine that Hsu was imagining the two women in bed, pleasuring each other. Penny saw a bit a naughty in her wife's eyes. "She's been helping me expand my knowledge and experience."

Cody turned her head to look at her lover, her brown eyes quite naughty. "Hsu is the one who expanded mine, so I feel a duty to pass that on." Bad, bad girl...that was Cody Jean, and Cassandra struggled not to laugh.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2011-12-19 03:28 pm UTC (link)

"Perhaps you should issue an invitation out to Stelios. The students would enjoy learning techniques firsthand, and I'm sure he won't be against showing off his skills." Hsu paused to take another mouthful of the succulent fish. "Of course, I also want to see how well they are coming along with modern tactics and weapons." However, the benefits of learning ancient strategies would be key in forming a cohesive fighting force. From the Huns there was cunning and the advantages of lightning fast strikes, fron Stelios' Spartans, the phalanx they learned to depend on their comrades, to make sure each link was as strong as the next.

Hsu didn't fail to notice the tender looks that passed between the two blonde women. They really did make a delectable pair, and having them both in his bed, at the same time, was rapidly becoming a fantasy. A fantasy that he really wouldn't mind turning to reality. "I take it Cody has told you of my friendship with Richard? Well, I'm glad to meet someone who looks beyond what is simply written. My own people suffered similiarly at the hand of propoganda. And sometimes it's not even the winners, but merely those who have a written language."

He was finishing his meal and wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "I think, with such an approach, you will be invaluable to the students Cody and Mother have brought here." He nodded at her avowal against the evil of the Watchers. Though his feelings towards many mortals bordered on antipathy, and moreso since Daniel was so betrayed, it was reassuring to hear that there were those who, now Immortals were public knowledge and, mostly thanks to Hsu, so were Watchers, who were determined to make a stand to support them as well. "I'm glad that Cody found you. Any person who is willing to stand against the cruelty those bastards employ is an asset. It's been a long war. Now, with this school and with more Immortals, and mortals, stepping up, we will defeat them."

Out of the corner of his eye, Hsu saw his mother's amusement at the clear affection between the newlyweds and no doubt himself, guessing what he was thinking. He slowly lit a post-lunch cigarette. "So, you know that you must have a very good teacher as Cody was an excellent student. She learned all her lessons very well." Not that he wouldn't mind discovering just how thorough Cody's teaching had been for himself.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-01-19 04:12 am UTC (link)

Cody chuckled, nodding. "No, Stelios isn't shy about showing off his Spartan fighting skills." She turned to Penny, grinning. "You'll like him, he's a lot of fun." Cody had been alternating the sword and other ancient weapon practice with rifles, handguns and other powerful weapons of destruction. "I know the kids are really looking forward to watching you fight."

"Cody told me that you were a friend and knight. I find it impossible to imagine how the images of Attila came out to look as they did. You are much better looking, so maybe they were jealous." Penny gave him a slightly flirty smile, but not too much so that she worried Cody Jean might object. "You cannot believe everything you read."

Both Cody and Penny listened to Hsu, regarding the Watchers, with great seriousness, and utmost attention. Penny was the first to speak, holding her wife's hand. "It is a war that MUST be won, for the sake of us all. Our students have a good time, and we enjoy the process of teaching, but the higher purpose is never forgotten."

Penny coloured very prettily at Hsu's comments. "I've found that Cody is dedicated to passing her excellent education forward. She has even taught me a few courses that she said were of particular interest to you." With a smile, Penny rose and took some dishes into the kitchen, and Cody followed her in to push her against the counter for a very nice after dinner kiss. When they came back to the dining room, Hsu would clearly know what had been going on.

Cody slid the glass door open. "Now that you are fed, how about some sword practice. The older boys are on the field, right now."

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-01-31 04:37 pm UTC (link)

"I was. I choose very carefully which rulers are worth my following them, and very few have met that mark, Richard among them, and I was honoured to carry out some highly sensitive missions for him." There were still not many who knew the truth of those secret missions, Cody and his mother among them. "As for those so-called likenesses of Attila, precisely. Even those that came after my reign, just built upon the fallacy that I was an uncivilized barbarian, although it has helped me maintain anonymity in that respect." Hsu didn't smile back at Penny, but his eyes were certainly pleased, and appreciatively of what was slight but definite flirting.

He looked at the two blondes holding hands, a united front. Cody had taught her wife well. "I'm pleased to hear it. Not that Cody would let the focus slip at all. I have a few plans to go over with you all, things I've been working on, but that can wait until tomorrow after Daniel arrives."

Hsu's gaze passed over both of them, this time as he smirked, and Cody would know exactly what that smirk meant. "I hope, then, that I will get a demonstration of those lessons sooner or later." His tone made it clear that he would prefer sooner. He watched them go into the kitchen and didn't think much about it as he took some drags from his cigarette and ignoring the amused looks from his mother. When the two newlyweds emerged, they both had that pleased glow that he knew so well -- well, from Cody at least -- which told him that they'd been doing more than cleaning away dishes.

Stubbing out the cigarette, Hsu nodded and followed Cody out of the sliding door. "I'm already looking forward to it. I believe Orestes has had my sword taken to the field already." As they headed over there, added. "Select your two best students to go against me."

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-02-13 07:17 pm UTC (link)

"Lourdes, high tea will be held later than usual, thanks to the late lunch, and the barbeque will be after dark." Cody gave crisp orders to the housekeeper, who nodded and said nothing. "Have Zulai specially prepare the Master's suite, especially his bath. I have placed his favorite items in there, but I want the water perfect." Cody Jean had very precisely overseen the construction and decoration of Hsu's suite, and his bath was one of her points of pride. It was Roman in basic style, but also very modern with the latest technology, so that her lover had the perfect lighting, music, temperature, heated towels and refreshments. That, along with his huge bed, would show him that she was attending to his needs as seamlessly as she always had. The housekeeper bustled off, and Cody walked with Hsu, with Penny on the other side of her, and Cassandra on the other side of her son.

"Rafael! Have Darrell and Wei Long prepare to fight the boss." Her swordmaster nodded, and pulled the two top male students out to the center of the grassy ring, as the rest of the students climbed up on the fence around it, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see the legendary Hsu Danmei fight. The two young men could not have been more different, in appearance. Darrell was tall, muscular and quite handsome, with tattoos on his arms. Wei Long was slight, barely five foot six, and very serious in his manner. The Chinese man's small stature was deceptive, however, because he was fast and fearless, incredibly athletic. In addition to fighting, the young man was a very skilled explosives builder. He was a prodigy of Cody Jean's, and she was excited to see him fight her mentor.

Orestes handed Hsu his sword, and the boys took stance. Everyone was breathless with anticipation, well...everyone but Cody and Penny. They were breathless from the groping kiss they had behind a small structure on the edge of the ring, hidden from view of the students, but not Orestes or Cassandra. The security chief just rolled his eyes, and took his position near his boss, ready to join in the teaching of these promising students. Cody knew that the female students were waiting a turn to show off their skills, particularly Alala, one of her most brilliant, but cocky, students. Alala was headstrong, stubborn and far too intelligent. She resisted all attempts at correction, far too sure of her superiority over her peers, in part because of her proud Greek heritage. She was the only student who had not only taken a head, in a challenge (like Darrell), but had also killed a Watcher, in her native Greece.

Cody and Cass both looked over at the young Greek, who was flipping her sword handle from one hand to the other, clearly itching for a chance to fight with the big boys. In some ways, the girl reminded Cody of Hsu. She was not like her young peers, choosing not to participate in social fun and games. She was serious, disinterested in pop music, culture or gossip. If she wasn't studying, she was fighting or training. She was openly contemptuous of many fellow students, and many teachers. She treated Cassandra with respect, and now gave some to Cody, but only after Cody knocked her on her Greek ass. However dour her personality may be, Cody did admire her absolute hatred of Watchers.

"Alright boys...look sharp!" Penny shouted to the two students about to fight Hsu.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-02-22 12:05 pm UTC (link)

Hsu took his jacket off and took the sword from Orestes. The next few minutes were spent loosening muscles, his arms and shoulders in particular, by moving seamlessly through a few basic kata positions. Murmurs rippled through the gathered students as they watched the man who had brought them all together. His scimitar also garnered many stares. They had all been told about Hsu's favoured weapon. Large, heavy, and unbalanced, many of them had wondered how easily it could be wielded.

They didn't have long to wait to find out. Hsu's focus was on his young opponents, and he barely spared a glance for Cody and her wife or anyone else. He had run his eyes over the two boys, appraising each with a warrior's eye. Darrell, closer to his size would be stronger, and his reach similar, but Wei would rely on swiftness, using that as much of a weapon as he had taught Cody to do. Not that it concerned him much, he had sparred for centuries against someone far stronger and faster than he was. He would test them, and they could enjoy the fact they had sparred with an ancient Immortal, Attila himself.

Ready, Hsu motioned for Darrell to make his move first. He knew he had some real experience, and he was pleased to see that even with the weight of his intense gaze, the boy didn't wilt. Hsu blocked Darrell's first attack with a strong block that would send sharp vibrations along the other blade. If the students thought that such a heavy, unwieldy blade as the scimitar would slow Hsu down, they were quickly corrected. The weight at the end of the blade allowed power to gather with downward swing, conserving more of his own strength for blocking and upward cuts. And he was a master of this blade as he swung an arc around him with a slashing cut that Darrell only just managed to parry. Even then it drove him to the ground.

Wei Long then entered the fight with a shout. The Game had rules about one-on-one fights only, but Hsu didn't, and he was pleased to see that his army was being taught likewise. He stepped back from the larger boy, keeping him in his line of vision as he faced the Asian. He was fast, and Hsu had to adjust quickly to the change of pace, falling back. Those who knew Hsu's fighting style knew that he often gave ground, luring opponents into a false sense of having the upper hand. By this time Darrell was back on his feet and joining in again. Hsu was pushed back more under the onslaught and was truly being pressured by the double attack. All three of them bore cuts inflicted by their opponents. Then, with a loud bellow, he stopped and blocked and pushed Darrell back with all his strength, turning again on Wei Long with a furious series of attacks that were very reminiscent of the bouts with Xiao, except that the young man was no centuries old vampire, and it was all Wei could do to fend Hsu off.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-03-22 02:49 am UTC (link)

Cody, Penny and Cassandra all watched, cheering on the kids and urging them to do their best. Wei Long, especially, did quite well against an opponent so much larger and more experienced. Darrell fought hard, but he took a very bad step into one of Hsu's blows, and it cut him deeply, causing him to fall back, shouting in pain. If this had been a real fight, Hsu would have moved in for the kill, but he was focused on Wei Long. Cassandra turned her head, slowly, and saw her Immortal female student just itching to join the fray, so she gave her a slow nod, and Penny shouted for Darrell to go out. The young man reluctantly climbed over the fence, and Alala hopped off of it, swinging her sword to loosen up, before striding over, cocky and sure.

The Greek woman was very tall, six foot, to be exact. It was rare for a woman to fight a man, but she was more well matched than most. Cody Jean had sparred with Hsu, and she knew that he was extremely strong, but also fast. Alala came right in, as Wei Long tried to step out of Hsu's barrage of blows, and brought her sword up between them, catching the blow and feeling the vibrations through her bones, as metal hit metal.

Those dark gold eyes locked to Hsu's, and she had a little smirk on her face, which Orestes knew was pure arrogance. His King would knock that down a few pegs, no doubt. "Alala." Orestes rumbled the word to Hsu, so he would recognize it from he overview of the best students they had done on the plane. Only one female made that list, so Hsu should know who his new opponent was.

She stepped back, those long, long legs giving her nice stance, and swung to side, her body a more narrow target that way. Going in, she crossed her blade down, then up in a fluid arc, one of Cassandra's best moves, and he would recognize some of his mother's style in her student.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-04-15 06:11 am UTC (link)

The entrance of his newest opponent took Hsu by surprise, not that it lasted more than a fraction of a second as his blade met hers. The shock of sudden steel against steel sent strong vibrations up his arms, but he was far too experienced to let it bother him. He would have guessed who it was, even if Orestes hadn’t growled out the name to him, although he always appreciated such heads up. Now he sized Alala up as an opponent, remembering what he had been said from the overview. She took a good, firm stance which was good, but he didn’t like that smirk of hers. Overconfidence? Maybe. Arrogance? Apparently. Whichever it was, or both, he would teach her some humility.

He hadn’t forgotten about Wei Long, but he had backed off, glad of the chance to catch his breath, and while Alala was his immediate concern, he kept the Asian in his peripheral vision. Still his focus was mostly on this girl. Tall and fit, her height gave her an advantage that was quite rare amongst females, putting her on a more even footing with most men. While still not as strong, she at least had a comparable reach, and as with Cody, he suspected she would be fast. She may have taken a head, and he always appreciated anyone who killed a Watcher, but from his briefing, he knew the Immortal she had beheaded had not been terribly old, a few scant centuries. Fighting an ancient was a completely different level.

He watched her move, assessing her, and spotting the graceful movements of his own mother in her style. That changed his assessment of her a little. After all, Cassandra was one of the very oldest. However, his style was completely different, although he suspected that all the students had been taught how their benefactor and leader fought. This time, he didn’t waste time on taking the defensive but went straight on the offense. Parrying Alala’s first strike, Hsu twisted her blade aside, but instead of pressing an advantage inside her guard, he landed successive blows where she could block them but with his full strength, wielding his own blade with a savage efficiency that few without his long experience of actual battle, could match.

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-04-20 12:24 pm UTC (link)

Cassandra watched her son and student carefully. It was important that the young female Immortals gather strength, and not become lazy or complacent. While Alala might be a touch arrogant, her confidence was an asset, so she did not want that knocked out of her. Cass remembered the women of the Viper team of assassins, and how Bill had seen to it they were exceptionally trained. She wanted much the same for her students.

Alala was ready for his blows, having been taught much about Hsu’s fighting style. However, it is one thing to be taught about it, and quite another to face it and experience it, in person. Her arms ached from the vibrations and the weight of blows. Her expression became less of arrogance, and more of concentration. She, too, was keeping Wei Long in her sights, see is he would re-join the fray. When Hsu came inside, and delivered some successive blows, she had to duck and do an impressive flip, out of his range, to gather herself. It was then that Wei Long came in from the opposite side, taking the lower shots, while Alala took the top. It was a fighting technique that Cody had taught them, to keep the enemy off balance, having to protect himself from upper and lower shots. After a while, Penny shouted a word, in Chinese, and they switched, with Wei Long engaging with more upper blows and Alala going for Hsu’s legs. Hsu had gotten in a good blow to Alala’s long leg, and she hissed in pain, looking down at the blood. That took the smirk off her face.

Cody watched her lover fight, always amazed by his skill. However, she was proud of her students and how they did not shrink back in fear, and how they worked as a team.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-04-30 10:18 am UTC (link)

Against both students, Hsu was truly hard-pressed. Both were lithe and agile, and the flip Alala did was quite impressive, even for him. Still, it was hard work in defending against the pair, dodging one while parrying the other, even though he recognized their tactics immediately. After all, where had Cody picked them up but from himself and his close allies. Even as he got in some good blows and slices, he was not escaping fully unharmed with the blood from a few cuts smearing on his skin.

Penny's command warned him as much as it directed Alala and Wei Long. Of course, such commands were based on those he had implemented years ago, a code that only those in his organization would know. As quickly as the two students switched, Hsu adapted in combating the change in upper and lower blows. Then he caught Alala's leg. Dispelling her smirk was pleasing, but had he been a true enemy, her loss of concentration could have killed her. It was a lesson he was going to remind her of. Now it was time to end the bout, and as he parried Wei, he kicked out, maintaining perfect balance, his foot connecting with Alala's wounded leg, sending her to the ground. A few more blows, and he had disarmed Wei.

He was breathing just as heavily as they were as he raised his sword in a salute and lowered it to his side. "You all did exceptionally well, and you've been excellently taught." He glanced over at Cody, Penny, and his mother with a nod. "However, you cannot let your guard down for an instant, even when wounded. An enemy will take advantage, and that could easily mean your head as well." He looked down at Alala, who was getting to her feet, as he handed off his sword to Orestes and took a towel from him. "There is always improvement to be found, but after today and facing the three of you, I can say that you are learning very well, and if the rest of the students do as well, we shall be a formidable, even unbeatable, force against all those who would kill or oppress us."

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-05-08 12:30 pm UTC (link)

“Especially when wounded.” Cody Jean walked forward, to take swords from her three students, and hand them off to the youngest. The younger kids worked as assistants to the elder, and the elder took the younger under their wings, as tutors in all things. That spirit of teamwork and cooperation was important, not only in fighting, but also in dispelling that ‘there can be only one’ attitude for Immortals. There can be many, but only the strong and the best trained would survive to fight again. “Against an Immortal, they will know you heal, and they will take advantage. Against any other enemy, it is your advantage, for they may NOT know. Never let your guard down, ever, believe me…I know.” There was a shadow that crossed Cody’s impossibly young face, one that Hsu would understand. The unending pain of losing a child never truly dulled, and it fueled Cody’s drive to see each of her students live. James’ mistake of mercy made the training of these children an obsession for the grieving mother.

“You did well.” Cassandra put her hand on Alala’s shoulder, and smiled. “I do not know many women who could have faced my son, even in mock battle, and held their ground for that long. I, myself, have not sparred with him in many years, and perhaps I have grown rusty, Danmei?” Cass’ expression was smooth, but her eyes held a look that she only shared with her son, a humor unique to them. Others might never see it, but it was a lightness between two people who rarely showed softness. “I think that my son and I should meet in the morning, for a match, before the others rise.” That would be a wonderful opportunity for them to have time all alone, in a time that they often had when he was a child. The quiet of dawn with the clash of steel, mother and son sharing strength, had a special appeal to Cassandra. Later, Hsu had done it with his own child, many times sparring with Daniel in the new light of a new day. Something about that was so special, it kept them all close.

“The stroke…that one with the block, to the right…how do you do that, with the scitmar? It is so…balanced. Perfect, but it shouldn’t be, with such a bulky weapon.” Alala was duly impressed, and Penny had to grin at the girl’s bold question. Most of the kids hung back, nearly in awe and afraid to voice anything to their hero and near god. But not the Greek. She was always absorbing, always questioning, those eyes taking in each detail. “Your grip…how do you keep that so…”

“Time, child. In time, you will have that skill. This is a warrior of centuries. When you are truly one with your sword, you will not have to calculate so deliberately. It will come naturally.” Cassandra knew that Hsu had a long trip, and that he might not want to answer the questions of the young people who were following his every move and word as though disciples. The children were so star struck, if he answered Alala, then there might be a flood of questions from the gathered youth. Hsu’s patience was always something that could wax and wan. “I think, son, with your permission, that these three fine warriors could join us at the head table for dinner.” Wei Long’s head jerked up, disbelief in his eyes, and both of the others looked shocked and excited. It was such an honor!

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Re: Happy Wife...

loyal_2a_fault
2012-05-08 12:30 pm UTC (link)

Cody arranged for a large, open barbeque, with the staff cooking a side of beef, as well as other tempting foods in the manner of a tribe, outdoors and open. There was a large, head table on a dais, and for a student to be invited to dine there was an honor, especially with the presence of Hsu, himself. Why, they had fought over the chance to sit there when just Orestes was there, so with Hsu, it was a great compliment, as well as incentive for all of the young students. Cody had invited Stelios Lakiotis to come, and she thought that he would be especially interesting to Alala, as well as Dimitri, another young Greek who was from a village very close to the Spartan’s home. The boy’s adoptive family had been killed by Watchers, and the boy had run, saving himself but bearing the guilt of surviving. Cody hoped that having someone to identify with, as Stelios was not just Spartan but had survived the battle that killed his friends, would help the quiet, handsome, young man come out of his shell.

They did not know when the Greek Immortal might come, and they were not sure when Daniel Hsu might come. The scent of slow roasting meat wafted over the entire property, and people bustled about, creating an atmosphere that made Orestes very happy, indeed. It felt right, for him and for his King, to come to such a place. These were Hsu’s people, his warriors and tribe. They might not be Huns, but they were learning the old ways, and the new…the very best of the new. After they left the students in the ring, letting the three fighters take questions from the others about what fighting Attila, himself, was like, the Security Chief got to lead his boss, along with the women, to his own pride and joy.

The building looked non-descript, but inside, there were classrooms of computers and equipment that were much more than state of the art. It was beyond being the latest, it was constantly evolving and perfecting, allowing their gifted creative types to build the very best spy and security systems. The incident with Lisa had rankled Orestes, and he felt a great deal of guilt over the pain suffered by the son of his boss. Added into that, he had to take the heat for the security risk to all Immortals, and many had been personally furious with HIM, not Hsu, for the failure to detect that traitor before the damage was done. Never again would he let that failure harm his boss. The pride showed on his face, which was usually so stoic, when he led Hsu in.

“Sir…Great King…this is the technology center.” That was putting it mildly. Millions, tens or even hundreds of millions, had been spent building a better mouse trap. It took MacDonald’s ideas and made them fluid, ever changing and adapting. Cody called it very Darwin-istic, in that regard, creating survival for itself and all of them through ever adapting growth. The fluidity of it also made it nearly un-hackable. Orestes built it on the foundations of MacDonald, the long dead Spinelli, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and others…centuries of great minds. He had every right to be proud. Penny clapped her hands, lightly, to salute Orestes, and the gruff Greek snorted, seeming to be dismissing her praise, but secretly loving it. However, there was one opinion he really wanted.

The three women stood together, hanging back, waiting to see Hsu’s reaction to Orestes’ creation. Would he approve? Cody knew that Orestes really wanted Hsu to feel confident that Orestes had fixed what had been broken, and that which had put his precious son in danger.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-05-15 10:40 am UTC (link)

He let Cody impart the lesson about merc9*y and not showing any of it against an opponent. It was a lesson she had learnt decades ago, and even more tragically James had never got the chance to learn. While not as devastating as losing Daniel would be, he still mourned the loss of his adopted son, no less the fact that it was a waste of such great potential and an unnecessary death. Instead, once she finished, he added. "And always remember a true fight is a lot different to sparring because no matter how challenging this one might have seemed, it is very different, mentally, when it is down to kill or be killed." He had more to say, particularly about the sense of teamwork -- as Cody called it -- or building a true sense of a tribe, but that would wait until later, at dinner. And tomorrow Daniel would arrive, and when these students met his son, he felt sure that even more than they were now, they would be eager to fight for him.

Hsu nodded at his mother's praise for Alala. There had not been many women who could match her in skill and ferociousness, and in time, with maturity, she might become as strong a warrior as Sorsha or Cody. He raised an eyebrow at her that matched how own amusement and likewise showed a different side of himself. "I hope you haven't, Mother, after all the training we used to do." Once Hsu and Cassandra had reunited all those years ago, he had heard from her enemies, his friends, The Horsemen, that her sword skills had been somewhat...lacking, and that she had relied more on her Voice and magic. While that was good, he had decided that to become really strong, she should hone her fighting skills as well. So, they had spent many, enjoyable, hours sparring together. "It would be a pleasure. You know dawn is my favourite time to defeat opponents." There was almost a teasing smile, enough that Cassandra would see his rare foray into levity. Some might think it strange he should relish matching swords against his own mother, but they were both warriors in their own way, and she was far more ancient than himself and it was rare for him to have that opportunity.

He was grateful to her for fielding Alala's question. Not that he really minded answering it, but more that he knew it would open a floodgate of questions from the others as well. "Yes, I think they've deserved such an honour. Stelios should have arrived by then as well." He'd had a message that the Spartan would arrive sometime in the early evening, although his son would still be a day later. "And if anyone has questions about fighting styles, weapons, or our goals, I'm sure between all of us, we will be happy to address them after dinner." That way he would satisfy his students' curiosity and be able to share the task of answering them, which would be less testing on his own patience.

Since the Lisa debacle, Hsu had worked very hard at turning what could have been an unmitigated disaster into an opportunity. There were still hurdles to climb, still Immortals to convince that being exposed was not so terrible, and still enemies, plus some new ones. But what Hsu had found in his efforts of damage control that while there were still dangers, being out in the open had somewhat evened the playing field, forcing the Watchers out into the open as well. Now, if an Immortal disappeared or was found beheaded, the world would know. Slowly, very slowly, he was convincing Immortals of the futility of the Game, and an unexpected benefit was that, like Penny, more mortals were joining his cause as well. While there were powerful people siding with the Watchers, distrustful of what Immortals, and particularly Hsu, wanted, there were others who supported them. As well as this school, which had a very specific purpose, Hsu had adapted ideas taken from those he knew in the mutant world and their struggle to have equal rights. Daniel had proved a great asset in courting politicians, media moguls, and businessmen into trusting and supporting Immortals. Indeed, his son had thrown himself into the work.

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Re: Happy Wife...

futurescourge
2012-05-15 10:40 am UTC (link)

The other concern, that of security, had been left to Orestes to fix and rebuild. And so Hsu was immensely looking forward to seeing for himself how the systems had been improved so that such an error would never happen again. He knew that Orestes blamed himself for the oversight which allowed Lisa to exploit Daniel as well as that many Immortals did as well; however, Hsu knew it was not so simple. The fact was that they all had become reliant, complacent even, in MacDonald's system as it had served them so well for so long.

He looked around the new technology centre, looking over the hardware and, more importantly, the software on different systems which were all integrated. He took his time, asking pertinent questions here and there and pleased that Orestes, as he expected, could give him a concise but full answer. When given a challenge the man had never failed to come through. Finally, he looked at the Greek, seeing the pride and hope for approval on his usually stoic face, but Hsu gave nothing away in his own. "Centuries ago, I commanded you to build a Roman bath in the middle of my city, a technology far exceeding that of the Huns, and you succeeded above my expectations. Again, you had a task to give me the best in the world, technology that was not only the very best and advanced, but that can adapt and grow with each development." Only now did he nod, putting a hand on his lieutenant's shoulder. "Once again, Orestes, you have given me something that has exceeded my own high expectations."

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