On the way down, Lana held Olivia to her chest and wrapped herself in stage -1 armor to hold her in place. Caser happily walked on her other side. He loved kids, he discovered. Between the Blade kids and tending Lana's babies, he was in bliss quite frequently. He didn't even mind the smelly diapers. Lana had to take care of him as a kitten. He felt it was worth returning the favor.
Caser could hear the kids playing before his humans so he ran ahead. When the humans got there, they saw Caser with Deal on his back, held on by tentacles, running circles around the other kids. He stopped, let Deal off and another got on. Lana and Sil laughed at the antics. Sil certainly appreciated the hard work they put in to make a home for these kids. It won't be forever. He told the kids it was time to head back to the ship.
They looked disappointed. "I'm sorry everyone but I need you where I can see you. You know what we're up against. You will still do school here. Borden will bring you if he's okay with that, or maybe Peter. You'll do your combat training and sleeping on the ship. If I need to leave again, you will come back here unless I state otherwise. Was it fun being here?"
There were many sounds of yes, very, totally, and such things which state they would like to stay but they knew more than anyone the monster was out there somewhere. Sil took a few minutes to check out their accommodations.
"You gave them Power Fighter pods?"
Lana nodded, "This way they can practice some abilities in a safer environment. It's a private server."
Sil grinned. It was no wonder why he loved this woman. He escorted all the kids and Borden to the teleporter. Winnifred seemed quite upset her children were being taken away from her.
"Sil, I had Winnifred here tasked with taking care of the kids' food needs and such. Can they continue eating breakfast and lunch here or maybe she bring them their meals?"
Sil nodded, "bringing food to them is fine when they aren't here. They must keep up their training and education. They can come just a bit early so they can have a good breakfast before school."
Winnifred smiled broadly. She was getting ready to return to the Blades area when Lana stopped her.
"They will be needing dinner. You need to familiarize yourself with where they live on the ship which means go with them then you can go cook them something."
Winnifred nodded. She had not been allowed out of the shelter since she got there. She had butterflies in her stomach.
"I just need to remind you, this location is not known for a reason. Say you're from another place."
Winnifred nodded as Sil opened the teleporter. Borden went through first. Sil returned Owen and gave his wife an intense kiss promising to be back later.
Lana watched everyone leave then headed to her home. It was time for her to give Mandy her next lesson then it would be dinner time. Shalt and Dobin fell in behind her now that they were not watching the Blade Children.
"How long do you think this arrangement will work like this?" Dobin asked.
"However long it takes to take Hilston down. Honestly, I don't know what's going to happen there but if the kids have the right abilities, they may be able to help Sil win Hilston's defeat."
"He sounds as strong …" Shalt ended his statement there. Dobin didn't know there were vampire kings.
"Maybe a four-spike dalki?" Lana helped.
"Yeah," Shalt agreed even though he had no clue what a dalki was. He kept meaning to read up on human history to try to understand them better but he's been too busy standing post at doors. He decided if he was able to study his ability book while standing at the door, why can't he read the news. He truly felt himself a small-minded vampire at this point. He vowed to himself to do better.
Mandy was standing at her house when Lana arrived. They were continuing whip training today. Mandy had mastered conjuring it but was still working on learning how to turn a vine into a weapon. Lana stood watching her for a bit and realized the problem was lack of speed. She withered Mandy's vine then stood facing her.
"Speed drills using martial arts to help with your swing. I attack, you block"
Lana threw out slow punches high and low. As Mandy got the patterns down, Lana sped up. Soon Lana had her going faster than she thought was possible.
"See how much control you have of your wrists and what sped you're showing? Do that with your whip."
Lana disengaged, "again."
"Good," as Lana watched her form improve. "Now, target practice. When you're good enough, you'll be able to put out a candle without touching it with your vine."
Lana grew some targets and watched as Mandy tried hitting them. She succeeded in contacting them a few times. Lana had to keep reminding her about her form. Soon their time was up. It was time to change the babies diapers and get dinner cooked.
After changing them, she placed them on the floor on a blanket while she cooked. Shalt stood over the children watching the two entrances.
"Shalt, have you ever thought of a family of your own?"
"I prefer to be an uncle, actually. I have never been good with the ladies and kids are best when you can give them back."
Lana laughed. "My understanding is, now is the best time with children because they don't talk back yet."
Shalt laughed, "that too!"
Lana was halfway through meal prep when she was informed a handsome blond was heading her way. She was already smiling happily when he walked in. He nodded at Shalt and found his wife immediately. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck. Lana squealed softly at the affection.
"Are you hungry, love?"
"You are cooking. Of course I'm hungry!"
Lana chuckled and got the meal cooking. Not long later they were all sitting to eat. She was now in the habit of preparing a steak at every meal for Shalt so he could join them at the table. Sil was now comfortable around Shalt and Dobin and no longer hung his head around them. He even talked a little bit to them. Lana asked him about his conflicts but he considered them so insignificant they weren't worth mentioning. He just shrugged and said they were all weak.
After dinner, they fed the babies, got them a bath, and into bed. When Lana lay down in her bed it felt so good she felt instantly tired.
Sil laid down next to her and held her. "They are requesting the Daisy, Pure and Cursed Factions to attend a duel for a leadership position. Daisy has already accepted. Quinn wants to wait for Pure to accept before he does. When Hector from Graylash was here, he delivered a message from Owen personally. He told Quinn there was a place for him at the leader's table. I think Owen expects Quinn to win."
Lana chuckled, "don't you?"
"Of course."
Lana yawned and closed her eyes.
"I won't be spending the night for a bit. As much as I want to, with this decision up in the air and the event coming up, I need to be there for Quinn."
Lana nodded drowsily, "Come for dinner if you can." She moved closer to her husband, enjoying his embrace and was out quite quickly.
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