#lmevent10

Rowan never enjoyed these types of meetings, but knew they were necessary, now more than ever. She sat with her notebook, pen and opened the book to the parchment threatening her family. “I’ll break the ice. I can’t be the only person who got one of these at the wedding. I see the original immortalem have chosen not to peacefully exist among us.”

Sebastian felt a sense of relief that the recent events unfolded relatively smoothly. It was a significant challenge to bring everyone together to agree on a singular objective, but perhaps the Immortalem was the one thing they could all seem to unite around. "I also received a message," he replied to Rowan's statement. "I have made the necessary preparations for Kings Hill, but I worry it may not be enough to withstand whatever plans are brewing. Those plans could unleash chaos like we have never seen before." He continued, "I request that we ally in terms of resources, knowledge, and skills to combat these wicked forces."

Skai sat with her baby strapped to her front, soothingly rubbing the sleeping baby’s back. “Gigant-sorry, Rowan is right. They didn’t choose peace. But you propose we share intel and resources. Who’s to say we can trust each other? If anything we need to iron out a contract and consequences if one of us betrays another.”

Markus "They haven't chose peace since they have been back." His brows furrowing together from his seat next to Rowan. "This is a time when we do need to come together. Skai is correct though. We need some sort of contract, I believe that can be solved once we figure out what we should do. These threats we recieved should not be taken lightly."

"Well, I think a good place to start would be with transparent communication," Sebastian said, trying to sound confident while remaining humble. He was the least experienced person in the room and hoped to gain insight into the others' perspectives. "All communications regarding any information that could impact our ability to defend against the Immortalem must be shared openly among all parties. There should be no hidden agendas or secret alliances."

Bear lounged in the extra large desk chair beside his wife, feet kicked up comfortably atop of the conference table before him. When Rowan mentioned her note, the sense of relaxation he exuded shifted, along with his body in the chair. Bear's feet lowered to the floor with a thunk and his large hands replaced the limbs atop of the table instead. "No," He said, blue eyes landing on Rowan. "You weren't."

Subtly, Bear's attention shifted to Skai next to him. More importantly, the sleeping infant strapped to her chest. "Those fuckers threatened m-" He paused, gaze returning back to the profile of Skai's face. "They threatened me." Bear covered. Moments later, at Sebastian's suggestion to ally, the Master of Mayhem made a face. Thankfully, Skai had a rebuttal. "Skai's right. You all like rules and stupid legality." As if that ever truly helped anyone when it came down to it. He paused, a thought coming to him. "This sounds like a job for the witches. Or the King Witch," Jakovan sent Bear a curious look. "If there's anyone who should be elected, I'd suggest Haven's monarch." He began. "They tout neutrality." Hell, it was the exact reason that the realm was created. "For all intents and purposes, they're set to be all of Lume's fail safe." Depending on who asked that is, he mused. He ignored the expression that Bear wore and focused on Evren. "…Well?"

Evren sighed. It wasn't the introduction that she wanted. But it wasn't terrible. "He isn't wrong," She said, meaning Jakovan. "Haven exists so that everyone, no matter the species, has a home and can leave a peaceful life." Evren paused. "Historically, we've not chosen sides. Not during inter-realm warring and subterfuge. And unlike everyone here, we have no official enemy." She reasoned. "As for the King Witch and this supposed contract…" Evren trailed off. "How are we to do this? The contract? Is it only between us leaders? Or realms' as a whole? Does this suspend current animosities between certain realms? How much is needed to know when it comes to immortalem information? It's quite obvious that the network they're working with is vast and fast moving."

Iris shook her head, listening to the back and forth. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. Our trust in each other is so shitty that we start immediately trying to assign someone to hold us accountable before we even get into the intel on the beings who threatened us or a plan to stop them.” She laughed. “I can’t believe you all have made me publicly agree with Markus.” She bit her cheek to avoid a smile or eye contact with the vampire. “Like he said once we figure things out then we worry about the contract.” She cleared her throat. “So, these people threatened my child. What do we know about them since they know so much about us? Maybe we should start there. First level of trust, we share what we know about the immortalem.”

Hale sent their mother a look, green eyes narrowing when she publicly agreed with Markus. Of all beings. Mother Nature help them all, they mused. "Since Markus is the oldest monarch here." They said, addressing the vampire King directly. "You have to know something. What do you know about the immortalem? Other than they're even older than you are." Hale was unable to not make that dig. "And did they threaten you at all?" Hale paused, eyes falling onto Rowan. "…Did they threaten Scarlett?" They asked, not at all okay with the possibility of their niece falling into the ancient beings focus.

Rowan gave Markus’s arm a squeeze when Hale mentioned him and his age. She spoke first though to since the question directed at her was simpler. “Yes, they threatened the entire Hartwell line. So that includes my babies. Iris is also right. We need to refocus on our common enemy. Honey?” She looked at Markus. “With your extensive research it might be best for you to start us off with the information sharing? Unless someone else wants to start?”

Markus smirked at Hale commenting on his age and sat up in his seat. He waved in Antonia before speaking, “Antonia and I have both done extensive research. We found each other through the common interest and have sense continued digging. As we know these are the original immortalem. There were seals in place to awaken them. One of the final ones being your parent’s death.” He said with a nod to Sebastian. “That opened the door for their offspring to begin emerging as well. Of course most of us know this now.” He shrugged, “what you don’t know is that a coven is behind this. The leader being stripped of his magic has had his hands in many fires. It lead to this.” He placed a comforting hand over Rowan’s and gave her a gentle squeeze, “in our research we were too late to stop all of it and sense then this coven has grown more and more powerful with each day. The immortalem at their side learning the world they have been locked out of for so long.” He looked to Toni who had put in as much time if not her life into this, she deserved the floor and a chance to speak up.

Antonia had attempted to sit there quietly since this wasn't her true scene. She wasn't a leader, but this subject matter was one she knew better than anyone. "Markus attempted to spare me some anonymity with the man who brought this all to light and broke these curses. That man's name is Lawrence Rhys. I know a lot about the immortalem and studied them my entire life because he's my father. That coven Markus mentioned, they're my father's followers. They stick by him right or wrong. They do his magical bidding. He was so dangerous and a loose cannon of sorts, the High Priest," she looked at Jakovan, "stripped him of his magic. Now, he works with the immortalem. He may not control them but wherever his influence is, is a dangerous place to be. Some of you have already been on the negative end of his actions and he had no vendettas with you. So whatever the plan, it needs to account for him. And it needs to account for the fact that somehow he can find your weaknesses and use them against you, or create new ones."

Jakovan shot a quick glance at Wren nearby, his wife's hand on the forearm closest to her. "Lawrence Rhys was a threat to all of Lume. Yes, I was the conduit who stripped him of his powers." As the High Priest, it was his job to enact the will of the ancestors. It was, in fact, what they'd chosen him to do. "While Rhys openly has a problem with me, who he's really upset with is the ancestors." Jakovan paused before he shook his head. "Any other witch, void of magic and unable to use ancestral abilities again would've quit. Left well enough alone. But not Rhys. Antonia's right. He is dangerous and a loose cannon. Do not dismiss or overlook him." The dark witch's tone turned grave. "I can guarantee that he hasn't done the same for you. Or those you care about. Right now, everyone of us and whomever we love are in danger simply because they know us." He waited a moment to continue. "Now, it sounds like all of us, or those closest to us, have been threatened by the original immortalem? Or by Rhys specifically?" Jakovan asked. "Raise your hand if that's true." He instructed, raising his own hand. "And if not you or loved ones directly, is it something you do care about? Would give your life for, if you had to?"

Jacen heaved a quiet sigh, knowing he couldn't just sit quietly now. Now that everyone was going to raise their hands about being threatened and he wouldn't. It would make him look guilty. "I think they want your power or realms. I didn't get a threatening message. I didn't get any message at all. Probably because we're a territory. So there's an underlying current here of them wanting to rule over us. Not with us. Not under us."

Markus raised his own hand at Jakovan's request. His brow raising at Jacen and giving a nod, "They want revenge. When they were locked away it was our ancestors, that locked them away. They want their control back. They want Lume back."

Wren knew what was coming. She knew they were going to suggest violent ways to resolve this. "Then how do we resolve this in a way that we have the least amount of casualties? It's easy to suggest war as we sit up high and watch, but I think we need to be smart. Like our ancestors. Except their curses required sacrifices, and I will tell you all right now, Jakovan Petrov will be no one's sacrifice. So our solutions need to be smarter than those that came before us.

Sebastian presented a different perspective. "Toni, could it be that the Immortalem isn’t attacking out of malice or personal revenge, but rather to protect something greater? While it seems like we are at risk, maybe we aren’t the true targets. Or was your father genuinely just seeking power? If that's the case, is there something we could offer to help restore balance?"

Antonia shrugged. "I don't necessarily have a line of communication with the Originals, but I wouldn't leave it at something bigger. Their existence was kept from us by those who came before us. They restricted them. Bound them. They were like living statues with no concept of what was happening in the world. It would beg the forethought that maybe there is some malice involved. Maybe it's not you by name, but maybe they want revenge and we're just the ones they have left to take it out on." But if he wanted to play devil's advocate, they could. "Or maybe, they are playing the game of threatening us before we, out of fear, harm them?" When he asked about her father, her eyes slid to Jakovan. "It's simple. Give him Jakovan and I'm sure he'll leave the rest of you alone. Not that I'm bartering, but his life long agenda is to kill Jakovan."

Wren stood, chair squeaking as she did. Her fingers ignited with sparks from electrokinesis. It was an ability she couldn't control as well as she wanted to but the mere mention activated the ability. She kept her hands at her sides, trying to quell the anger rising within her. "Before any of you think of agreeing to that asinine plan, I suggest you find another plan. You're wondering what they want? Ask them. Get a plan together to ask them what they want. Turn them on Lawrence, rather than trying to barter with a monster." Wren saw Antonia hold her hands up. Wren's own hands stopped flickering with electricity.

"I'm just answering the question not suggesting anything with certainty," Antonia said. "You all make the calls. That's above my paygrade."

Iris chimed in just as Wren sat. "I kind of like the turn them on Lawrence plan. Get him out of the way then we deal with them? Plus I have a bone to pick with that bastard. So I would love a piece of retribution on him."

Markus smirked, “I think turning them on Lawrence would be the best option. The issue is, getting in to do that.” He shrugged looking at the other leaders, “we have options to get inside and try to turn the tables but at the same time, we know it could be dangerous to send anyone in to this alone and they will more than likely essentially have to be alone.”

Rowan agreed with the plan but there were a couple tweaks she could assist with. "I don't think they have to be alone. What if we did this in parts. As a team, so no one takes the burden of any one thing? Antonia could maybe talk to her father, but take backup? That way we have insight on what he's doing." She knew Markus was going to hate this next part because it involved his sister. "I'm not going to out anyone as immortalem, but I do know a person. Maybe, we could use that connection and that person could work on an in with Sebastian?" Rowan moved past it quickly. "There are three originals plus Lawrence. Two of them would be squared away with that plan. Maybe Jakovan and I could work on protections and plans for if we could get a meeting? To make it safe. Iris and Bear could work on defense plans and containment if needed. They would also have to work with me and Jakovan. Skai and Markus could over see the plan? Make sure everyone's pulling their weight. But that leaves two immortalem to deal with?"

Alden spoke up from his place. "I have an in with one of them. Maybe me, Jacen and Evren could work on that front? I have contacts from my time as a spy. I know last known sightings of at least one of them."

Damien finally spoke. "That leaves one immortalem left. I can see if Kaan would be willing to help. That leaves me, Kaan and Mom." He looked at Wren who nodded. "I think we should all take different approaches and stagger this. But Markus and Skai could help with timing. So they aren't suspicious. But it's a solid plan from my standpoint. What does everyone else think?"

Sebastian nodded in agreement with the plan slowly formulating, spoke once more. "Seeing as I was a catalyst to their resurgence, I am more than willing to assist wherever it may be best." The thought of putting himself up as a potential pawn did not phase the King at all. If it weren't for him, perhaps they would not be in this predicament and have more time to mitigate the threat."What potential timeline do we think this could be achievable?"

Hale blinked. "Wait." The nymph heir glanced around the table. "We're missing something here." They paused, eyes landing on Rowan. "Hey, Your Highness. What am I? Thin air?" Hale asked her, rhetorically. "Am I not here?" They wondered aloud. "Aren't you missing someone on that list?"

Jakovan's hand wrapped snug around Wren's as they sat beside each other, his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Hale," He chided, blue eyes narrowing slightly as his tone hardened. "I don't think Rowan meant it like that. You and Robin are expecting. Next month, right? Perhaps, we don't want to incur Iris's ire about you or for putting you in any unnecessary danger. You're the Forest's heir, after all." He replied, head nodding in Rowan's direction afterwards. "And I think Rowan, Alden, and Damien's plans are good. Solid."

He paused before answering Sebastian's question. "Timeline? It won't happen overnight. First, we're unaware of where the original immortalems are located, aside from the one Alden has an in with. And we don't even know if he knows where that one is anymore. Second, we have to talk to them. Try to build a relationship with them. Enough to find out what they want. And if we're, our species and our realms, are even the ones that they have a problem with. It could vary, depending on the immortalem. Time has changed. Those that locked them away are dead. Third, we want to turn them against the very witch that helped free them from their magically imposed prison?" The dark witch laid out, face turning towards Sebastian specifically. "The only ally that they have, and likely trust, that isn't also an immortalem. This is a summit climb. A marathon, not a sprint. Life as we all know it depends on this." He sighed under his breath. "I don't think there is an achievable timeline for this, Sebastian. Every part of this plan is a variable. And is dependent on everyone's collective work."

Rowan smiled at Hale, trying to ignore the mental assault of yelling in her mind. "I didn't forget you. I had a place to put you, but your mother is mentally assaulting me with threats. And most of us are parents, we know that you're going to be busy within weeks to a month from now. No one wanted you to be in any danger. If you would like to help, That's going to be something you have to volunteer yourself for. No one wants to take you away from Robin or your baby." She looked over and nodded at Jakovan. "I agree, we can plan out a timeline for when each group begins their task, but there's no way to determine when this turn is achievable."(edited)

Antonia caught Hale's eye. "I want you, Hale! I'm the only one without a partner. My task is relatively safe. My father doesn't know you and you have no relation to Jakovan or Markus so I think you'll be fine. That is as long as he doesn't catch onto our game. So if you would like to be with me, I would love having you."

Hale's attention moved from Jakovan and Rowan to Iris. They sent their mom a look with a pointed tilt of their head. "She doesn't have to do that," They commented, honestly. More than aware of their mother's protective streak. Even in political meetings, it seemed. They'd speak with their mom later. "Alright," Hale let out with a sigh. "Just making sure that this wasn't a snub." Especially since their own political counterpart, Damien, was appointed a task. It definitely looked like one. "Well, I'm volunteering." They specified before Toni interjected and she caught their gaze. Like a sail losing wind, Hale settled. "Okay, I'll be with you." They agreed.

Bear laughed aloud. "Now does everybody have their roles?" He glanced down at Dragon who was comfortable in Skai's arms. "Hey, did you want something to do? Since we're doling out complaints and grievances?" He asked the infant. His son laughed. "Hey man, fuck you." Hale interjected. It made Bear laugh again. Moments later, he simply shrugged. "Any-fucking-ways, since King Boy Wonder here called this damned meeting, what else is on this agenda?" He asked, meaning Sebastian.

Jacen listened and jotted down a question he didn't want to forget. "Before we move on, I want to circle back to something Sebastian said. You were the catalyst?" he asked Sebastian. "Why you? What happened that day that we don't know about? Are involved in this somehow that we have no clue about?" Jacen asked, because until this point he had no clue that Sebastian was the catalyst to any of this. Maybe he had gotten lost or maybe he was out of the loop, but that piece didn't fit the puzzle. "Why do I feel like there's more happening here and some of us are out of the loop?"

From her seat, Evren briefly pointed a finger towards Jacen. "That's actually in my own notes, thank you." She murmured. "Yes, can you expand on that, Sebastian? What do you mean, that you were the catalyst?" She asked the human King, sending him a curious look. "Is there more information that we're not being given? Weren't we all supposed to divulge information so that every realm's leader could make informed decisions to save all of Lume?" She inquired, meaning the earlier comments made before Rowan directed the topic back to relevancy of the impending threat of the original immortalem.

Sebastian swallowed the small lump forming in his throat at his Freudian slip, now that all eyes were on him seeking a further explanation. "It has come to my understanding that the spells binding the Immortalem in place were broken when I became King of Kings Hill. The night of my coronation." It had propelled all of them into this mess. Barclay had told him that and so much more before he met his death. "The firstborn male heir had to be on the throne. It's why my parents lied about my death and sent me away..."

With a scrunched face, Evren spoke in a curious tone. "And what is so special about the firstborn male heir to the throne? Was it only specific to the Kings Hill throne? Or was it due to your specific lineage or bloodline, Sebastian?" She asked, picking up her pen to add to her notes.

Letting out a small sigh, Sebastian shrugged in his seat. "I don't know Evren. All I know is that my parents died as a game piece to the Immortalem's game and I am now the pawn placed on the throne. Can't tell you any more about my bloodline or lineage considering all of this is new to me.

Bear dramatically sniffed the air. "That sounds like bullshit to me." He looked towards Evren. "What does your spidey-nymph senses tell you, Oh Neutral One? 'Cause I know a bad liar when I see 'em." He speculated, brow raising at Sebastian before looking between Jakovan and Antonia. "And you," He let out, eyes zeroing in on her. "You're a therapist, right? A witch too. But you know more than what people think. You're an expert, right? That's why you're here. So tell us, sexy, what do you know? Specifically about Boy Wonder here that has these old haggard ghouls recklessly threatening me personally?"

Skai burst into laughter. "Oh, Dragon, it's getting good! Daddy's showing them his true face now." She rubbed the baby's back. "This is a lesson in trust. Do we trust Kings Hill? Or should I poison the water supply?" The baby giggled as she nuzzled his cheek. "He said no poison. So you're all safe. Unless you're lying to us," Skai directed her gaze at Sebastian.

"What sense would it make for me to bring you here to put on some performance for you all?" Sebastian stated back, his tone growing more serious. "How dare you come into my land and threaten my people? Do you not see yourself?" he asked before looking around the table. "We're doing exactly what they expect. Derision, divisiveness. No wonder they continue to attack us. Give it enough time and we'll do the work for them."

Markus raised his hand to Sebastian and shook his head. “We need all the information possible. You having a direct connection as you say is concerning.” He looked around the table at the others, “we’re not here for anything other than solutions. Sebastian, we need any details you have. If there is something connecting you to them we need to know it now. Before we step foot into this plan and not during. Our loved ones and our realms are at stake.”

Rowan cleared her throat. "Stop arguing. Stop threatening each other. A question was posed. Sebastian didn't know the answer and then the same question was posed to the expert here to tell us more. Can she speak? Or is there any reason why you all decided she shouldn't?" Her tone mirrored the one used for the admonishment of her children. "We came here to speak openly with each other. Not threaten the moment we suspect someone is being dishonest. Act like adults, please. All of you."

Bear jabbed a thumb towards Sebastian. "I directly asked the sexy therapist over there but he," The digit jabbed at Sebastian again. "Clearly didn't want her to speak." He turned his attention back to Toni. "So, what do you know?"

Antonia held up a hand. “Is it my turn? Okay, um…no one poison anything, please. No one is threatening anyone. I am a therapist, yes, to answer Finnian, but anything I know from my therapy sessions is off limits here. Client-Therapist privilege. So I can’t tell you anything I know about Sebastian. But I have never discussed the immortalem in this capacity with Sebastian. Nor have we ever discussed what happened that night or why it happened, so what I know about the lore is fair game. But it may also unfairly implicate Sebastian because I don't know if what the texts say happened." She looked over at him apologetically. "He may be right in saying he doesn't know much more. These texts were hard to find, and so obscure that critical thinking was needed to apply them. Even Markus and I pieced it all together too late."

She heaved a sigh before continuing. "What I managed to find was that like Sebastian said the first boy in the family could never be King. It was the price Sebastian's bloodline paid to help seal the immortalem in. Kings Hill gave more than the other realms. They suffered the price year after year by sending away their first sons. So it was a bloodline and Kings Hill throne thing. But should the first born son ever sit on the throne, meaning all the seals and curses were broken first, he would be the last seal to break. Which, according to the text, would also cost him his humanity. I can’t tell you what that means as I have no direct interpretation and no first hand account of if it.”

Hale looked directly at Sebastian. "So what the fuck does that mean? Are you not human?"

Sebastian met Hale's gaze directly, keeping his tone steady for everyone in the room to hear. "As far as I know, my humanity remains intact. I’m uncertain what will happen to it."

Iris looked at Rowan. “Is he telling the truth?”

Rowan shared a knowing glance with Sebastian before looking back at Iris. “Don’t make me do this. If he’s lying let him. When we find out one way or the other he’ll have to answer to why Kings Hill should be trusted. And that will be his truth to bear should he or his people ever need help or alliance in the future.”

Skai laughed again. “In the presence of a telepath, a vampire, a hybrid and 4 nymphs who all have separate insight into what your body is doing. Sure, human. We believe you.” She winked. “You’re so cute! I think I’ll visit more soon to chat.” She blew him a kiss.