my house of stone, your ivy grows

Lucille hadn’t left her apartment for her blood rationing yet, but she had every intention of doing it at some point in the day, so when she answered the door and noticed the cooler immediately, she realized it was her rationing being delivered. She couldn’t help but be annoyed, feeling as though it was yet another thing to throw in her face that the world saw her as a monster. That was the whole point of the attack; show the world that vampires are truly vicious creatures. “This wasn’t necessary.” She grumbled to the other as she looked up at them finally and immediately recognized them as Xiu An’s mother. Lucille swallowed hard as she looked at Mei, shifting her weight a bit. She’d never met Mei even though she could remember a time when she desperately wanted to. All of that meant nothing now and it was almost just as painful to see Mei as it was to see Xiu. 

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Mei Lian was glad everything was up and running at full speed again, officially ending the rationings. It was taking its toll on everyone (not to mention the sporadic attacks that had sprung from vampires not being able to feed as much as they wanted). But things were slowly getting back to normal and this was one of the last blood bags she had--so she figured she’d donate it to someone she’d been meaning to check up on for quite some time. Mei had heard of Lucille’s arrival on the island within days of it happening, but with rebuilding and restoring, she’d hardly had time for herself let alone to meddle check in on the lives of her daughters. But now that things were settling, she could finally take a breather. And (potentially) protect her daughter.

“Oh, I know. But with the rationing officially lifted, we still had a few blood bags left. I saw your name as one of the ones left so I figured I’d bring it myself.” She offered over the little cooler before holding her hand out in greeting, “Mei Lian.”

Jackson rubbed his eyes and knew without even looking at himself that he most likely looked disheveled and messy. That was his look on a good day, but considering how tired he felt even as he woke up, he knew how exhausted he must have appeared. The shifter shook his head, trying to get his barring’s, before replying back. “ Yeah, I’m not very useful in other areas, so I figured that was all I could do. “ Jackson explained. He wasn’t a useful member of society by any means. He was a thief who was trying hard not to steal anymore. Not exactly a noble past or future to speak of. 

“ Yeah I’m okay. I just didn’t really get much rest the last couple days. “ He noted before letting out a sigh. “ This place is so welcoming. The least I could do is try to show appreciation”

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“Any help at all is good enough. Everyone has different skillsets after all.” Mei explained, giving him a little smile as she hummed, nodding in agreement to the positive comment on the island. “That’s goo to hear. Especially after..everything. I’d hate to hear that on top of everything the residents here were being rude to those who are still coming here and wanting to give us a chance. On behalf of the Council I want to assure you that we’ll do everything in our power to make sure something like this never happens again.”

As she spoke she walked over to him, offering her hand out in a proper greeting, “Mei Lian Liu.”

Looking around the destruction, Cyrus couldn’t help but think, if he had stayed in Dubai with Octavia for a few more days they wouldn’t be here for the attack, he knew that Octavia would want to return the second she heard the news, but since she didn’t like planes it would still take a few weeks for them to arrive, and she would be safe with him while the rebuilding was happening.

He was lost in his thoughts and just got back when someone bumped into him. Cyrus smiled. “I did, thank you.” he said, he probably would give his back to Octavia, he wanted to make sure she had her strength. “How’s everything? do you need any help?” He offered.

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Despite being close with the king (and by extension his family) Mei Lian still blinked in surprise when she realized she’d bumped into the prince and she bowed her head slightly, giving him a little smile, “That’s good. Please let me know if you or Octavia need anything more.” Rations or not, she wasn’t about to deny a royal a little extra if it was really needed (not unless Octavian said to anyways). 

“Oh um..” She looked around at the volunteers that were passing out the blood bags and carefully marking off each vampire on the island. It almost felt like a miracle that it was going well. “I think for now it’s under control. If anything, I think the docks need the most help. Until they’re fixed and stable I fear this rationing will have to continue. And if it does....” she trailed off, lowering her voice as she shrugged a bit. “I don’t think all the vampires on the island will do well with being regulated for too long.”

Amongst every other thing happening on the island, Mei Lian was very aware that a pair of siblings were now here, the younger of whom had utterly broken her daughter’s heart decades ago. Mei vaguely knew of the Hart family, and honestly figured it’d be a matter of time until their paths crossed. She just hadn’t expected that the Hart children would arrive to the island at somewhat of the same time that Xiu An did as well. But she supposed fate was like that- given that she and Julian wound up on the island as well despite being apart for almost two centuries.

She wasn’t going to do anything about it though. Xiu was an adult after all (and she wasn’t even sure if her daughter knew the other girl was here). Just the same though, in doing her daily check of blood rationing, she noticed Lucille’s name hadn’t been checked off, and since she was done for the time being at work, Mei decided to do a home visit. 

Bag of blood securely in a small cooler, Mei Lian headed off to the where the high-rise apartment buildings were, knowing exactly where the girl lived (just in case) and soon enough she was knocking on Lucille’s door. “Delivery.”

@lucillexhart​

Harley’s checkup with his doctor had gone well, and Harley was getting ready to leave the hospital when he ran into someone else. “Sorry.” He said, apologizing for bumping into her at the exact same moment she did the same towards him. Then she was asking about his bag, and he shook his head. “No, I’m a witch. But there was one very vocal vampire I ran into that seemed to think he deserved another bag. Hope you didn’t bump into him too.”

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The words were out of her mouth before she even scented the magic on him. A witch. Had this been any other day she might have floated the idea to him to work for her for a few days in exchange for pay--she’d been working on experimenting on witch blood and its interactions with vampiric. She’d almost felt like she’d been close to a breakthrough...but then a chunk of her laboratory ended up ruined so here she was now, feeling like she’d been taken at least ten steps back. Sighing, Mei Lian shook her head, giving him an apologetic smile. “There’s been multiple vampires like that unfortunately.” She worried for the humans on the island--or even ones like him, whose blood was like a drug to vampires.. “He won’t be the last, so you should keep your guard up. Especially around here.”

Xiu had tried to follow Mei outside, to see what caused the siren to ominously cut through the air. She made it to the threshold of the lab when she was also knocked back, her back clipped the corner of a desk as she crashed onto the ground. 

There was a ringing in Xiu’s ears as she stood up on wobbly legs. A sharp pain radiated across her back. The vampire could feel a small amount of warmth trickle down her spine and seep in to her shirt and the waistband of her jeans. Her mind felt foggy, more than likely from the impact to the ground. She shook it away the best she could, leaning on the frame of the door through bleary eyes for Mei. She was a fighter, and she’d be damned if a little fall like this would keep her from finding her family.

“Mom?” She called out, pushing off the door when she saw her on the ground. “Mom-” She stumbled to her, falling to the ground next to her. “Are you okay?” 

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Mei could smell the blood that was sticky on the back of her head that mixed with the smell of smoke in the air, fire. There was a pounding behind her eyes and it took a moment for her to even be able to catch her breath before focusing in time to hear Xiu calling for her. “I...y-yeah. I’m okay..” She forced herself to sit up and focus, ignoring her own pain as she realized it wasn’t just her blood she was smelling. “Y..You’re hurt.” She winced as she sat up more and moved, twisting to face her daughter and she reached up, cupping her face, inspecting her. All the while flames shot up behind them and Mei Lian’s eyes trailed over to them, eyes widening in fear and her breaths coming out shakily as everything slowly started clicking into place. The explosion, the fire, the sirens in the distance. The laboratory was everything she’d worked for for centuries. If she’d lost it... 

@paradisusstart​

There was possibly a good reason why Jackson rarely got involved in things. It was exhausting. He had spent most of his over a hundred years of life by avoiding being the kind of person his sister had wanted him to be. He was a criminal, he was reckless and he was kind of a general mess. That also made him want to avoid being a good person. 

This however was a community that thrived on working together and allowing people like him the chance for a second chance. He couldn’t let his own issues stand in his way in order to do the right thing. Jackson had helped build and clean up the disaster for days and he rarely didn’t get any sleep. Now here he was days later accidentally having fallen asleep with his head down on a table. He wasn’t used to being so useful and it had taken a toll on him.  When he heard a loud noise, the shifter bounced up awake. His hair a mess in his face as he rubbed his eyes to wake up. 

“ Shit, sorry. I have no idea how that happened”  

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Mei had spent so much time overseeing the blood rationing and the repairs at her labs that she hadn’t really gone out much on the island and she decided to remedy that. And it was as heartbreaking and angering as it was inspiring; there was still so much mess, still people hurt...but they were trying. Everyone was working together, trying to repair things, trying to make things better, and it gave Mei Lian hope for the future of their home.

As she walked she accidentally stepped on a chunk of glass, causing it to shatter, and when she startled someone she looked over, shooting the man an apologetic smile. “If you’ve been helping out with the repairs, I’m guessing that’s how. Manual labor is oftentimes tiring.” as she spoke she watched him, and something about his scent was....vaguely familiar... “Are you alright?”

Rationing was done there as well, which is where Mei was now, overseeing it all as both vampires and non-vampires made their way in and out of the building--one of whom she accidentally bumped into. “Oh--sorry. Did you get your bag for the day?”

@paradisusstart​

Mei Lian didn’t mean to keep them late at the laboratory that night, but she had some time-sensitive samples she needed to run tests on of witch blood mixed with that of an ex-human, wanting to see how their compositions worked together, wondering if it could have some positive outcomes for her. Things looked promising too, and she was just jotting everything down when suddenly sirens went blaring and she looked up, frowning in confusion.

In a second she was up and using her speed to rush outside--just in time to get knocked backwards by a blast, making her knock her head against the pavement and hiss in pain, disoriented for a moment even as she looked up blearily at flames around the side of her building. 

She listened to Mei, her brows upturned over her nose in surprise as she brought up the labs. Xiu never thought it was an actual possibility, working with her at Liu Labs. If only because of the stigma that still surrounded what she was, a human turned, and the difficulties those like her faced when it came to controlling their hunger. “That’s amazing. Truly.” She beamed, eyes following where Mei pointed as they walked, “I’m sure we can get it up to that, I mean- of course- if you want me there. I’d love to help out.” 

When they entered her room, her eyes widened a little bit. She’d always felt loved by Mei, but even after a century and a half, she was still surprised with her generosity. Perhaps it was because how much Mei’s father, and those like him in mindset, hated her, and made sure she knew just how much. She never expected anything, nor did she ever try to ask for anything, she was simply grateful for anything she was given. She wrapped her arms around Mei in another hug, “Thank you.” She smiled over at her before looking into the room a little more. “It’ already feels like home.” 

“Xiu An.” Mei called softly, looking down at her. “I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t think you were capable. I trained you. I raised you. Do you really think I’d jeopardize my work by my hubris if I genuinely didn’t think you could handle it?” She asked gently, raising an eyebrow at her. “Besides, if anything, you’d be an asset. An after of sorts, for those maybe on the fence of becoming one of us. Ex-Humans are so stigmatized...it’d be helpful for people to see someone like you, who was a human once upon a time, but is fully assimilated now and living a wonderful life. ...And if anyone has anything negative to say about my daughter then they have no business being around me.”

“I’ll make sure not to do it again any time soon.” Xiu An giggled, squeezing Mei’s hand in response. She nodded, following closely behind her mother to make their way out of the office. “Thank you, I really appreciate it. You know I do, right?” She smiled gently and glanced around the halls, excited to finally be in a place that felt like home again. “Germany was incredible, I learned so much more about the human body and how it works. It really seems like we’re learning some new about it every day.” Her smiled widened a bit at the wonder of it all, “And Doctor Clarke was so kind, I think you would’ve liked her.” 

Xiu looked back over at Mei, “But, I can go into more detail about that later. Catch me up! This island seems like it’s thriving.” 

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“Good. Don’t think I won’t hold you to it, Xiu An.” She happily kept a hold of the girl’s hand, deciding she’d worked enough for one day and instead would do what was much more important to her. “That sounds wonderful--and useful. If you were still interested in coming to work with me at the labs?” She offered with a grin, remembering how excited Xiu had been when she’d first told her of the labs she’d be opening when the island first began.

As they spoke, Mei Lian showed her daughter around the Liu estate, pointing out rooms and where halls led. “Everything has been wonderful, yes. His Majesty’s vision for this all becoming a reality has been pretty amazing to witness. Not to mention my own work. We’re up to three changes a week. I’m hoping to be at five by the end of the year.” Mei paused the conversation to lead Xiu into a room at the end of a hall, opening the door and waving her hand inside; the room had a large bed and was already furnished, a few paintings from back home on the walls but it was otherwise bare. “I hope you weren’t expecting to stay at a hotel or anything. And of course you can get your own place like Luna, but...” she shrugged, smiling as she turned back to her. “I always hoped you’d join us here on the island eventually.”

Xiu’s grin only got larger as the woman almost tackled her in a hug. She quickly wrapped her arms around Mei in return in a tight embrace, laughing gently as she regained her footing. “I wanted to surprise you! The project was done a bit sooner than anticipated and I thought it might be a fun surprise. Luna helped me coordinate it.” 

She smiled over at her adoptive mother as they pulled away, her own eyes misty once she saw the tears in Mei’s. “Yeah, I’m alright. Great, actually.” She laughed gently, trying to hold blink back the tears that threatened to fall as she continued, “I missed you guys though. It was hard to see the project through to the end.”

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Mei fondly rolled her eyes as Xiu An replied, shaking her head, “I should have guessed she’d be involved.” she teased, knowing her two girls forever plotted everything together. As she spoke though she just kept looking the girl over, tucking some hair behind her ear while still cupping her face with the other hand. "I’ve missed you too. But I’m proud of you for following through with your learning though.” She told her, pulling her in for another quick hug before letting her hand slip down Xiu’s arm to take her hand and give it a squeeze.

“Come on, let me show you around. You’re of course welcome to stay here as long as you’d like. Tell me about your travels? And I’ve a lot to tell you about here too. You’ve missed a lot, being away for so long.”

Xiu had poked her head into the room as the servant spoke, unable to contain the excitement of seeing her family again. She mouthed a ‘thank you’ as the servant turned and walked out before softly stepping into the room. When she heard her Mei speak, it took everything in her to not burst into laughter. “Oh, yeah, you know Luna. We’re running on her clock. But this carnival sounds like a lot of fun.” 

Xiu’s grin widened as she spoke, and it took everything in her to stay in her spot a few feet away and let Mei realize it was her on her own, without her jumping into her eyeline. “Hey, Mom.” 

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Mei Lian was so laser-focused on her work she hadn’t even noticed that the scent or the steps coming into her office weren’t her daughter--or, well, not birth daughter anyways. But when she heard the voice she froze, letting out a gasp as she looked up. “Xiu An--?” her eyes went impossibly wide, looking over as if she’d seen a ghost, but when the girl spoke again it snapped her out of it and in a second she was moving, the pen rolling off the desk but not even having time to hit the ground before she had her arms wrapped tightly around her, hugging her tight.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?!” she asked, holding onto her for a moment more before she pulled back just enough to look her in the eye, her own gaze teary and her grin nearly splitting her face in two as she reached to cup Xiu’s face. “You’re alright?”

Mei had promised Luna a mother-daughter day at the carnival, but she also needed to finish up some work so she brought it home with her, figuring it would make things easier. She even promised Luna to meet her at the carnival, knowing her daughter was quite impatient--which was all the more apparent when there was a knock on her door and one of her servants popped their head inside. “My Lady, your daughter is here.” 

Letting out a soft sigh, Mei Lian smiled and nodded, waving her hand to allow her in but her head was still down as she finished writing some notes. “Zhen Yue, you get your patience from your father. I thought we agreed I’d meet you at the carnival in an hour...”

@xiu-an​

Just In Bloom, the place to be if one needed a little something to make something up. Not that the Prince had much to make up for but he did tend to spoil his wife a little every now and then, especially when they both had been busy. Work took up their time, also their son was another aspect though he didn’t interfere much yet with his upbringing. That would come when the boy was old enough to pick up a sword at least. He wasn’t sure what she was doing right now, so he kept an eye on the door just to be sure, just in case she’d suddenly walk in. “Just the biggest floral arrangement you have, as long as it has roses in it. Thanks.” He mused , waiting for it to be done for him. “Any ideas of what would be a nice gift to give?” He asked a random person, any ideas were welcome after all. 

@paradisusstart​

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Mei Lian had entered the flower shop to buy a few of her own little bouquets, loving having fresh flowers around her house to brighten things up--especially with summer now in full spring. Besides, she also wanted to see about getting some good luck ones for her Luna with her daughter opening her restaurant soon. When she heard the familiar voice she looked over, smiling as she saw the prince there. “If it’s for Kate, I’m sure she’d love anything you were to give her. But personally? I think it you went outside the box a little, she’d love it even more.” She nodded towards flower arrangements, some with peonies and sunflowers and other things. “Roses are pretty and all, but can get kind of cliche.”