Meet the person that is Duggie.
Chapter 7 — Duggie — Meet the person that is Duggie.
As Duggie walked back towards the apartment he looked up at the sky which was getting a little overcast but not by much and the temperature was still warm.
“Those people next door are nice,” said Hemma, “One has already said that he’s more than willing to baby sit us if you want to go out dad.”
“That is good of him. They are of the same gang as the Vixens so I guess they all have similar attitudes and very nice to be around,” replied Duggie.
When the family had arrived at the apartment, they found that three guys all with club crew t-shirts on where working on the external appearance and cleaning the windows. Duggie opened the back door to the apartment block and walked the short distance to first door on the ground floor and opened it and allowed the young ones to enter. The short hall way had two doors on, one led to the bathroom which Duggie opened and left open. The room opposite was a small bedroom which Duggie looked into and said to the children, “For tonight that will be my room, you three can sleep on the mattresses on the floor in the main living room, we’ll sort out the sleeping arrangements tomorrow. Right you three, bath, then get ready for bed, Damien your in the bath first, then Beatrice and lastly Hemma. So move you three,” and chased the three children towards the bathroom and when the three had disappeared into it he turned and went back to the living room.
The living room was a twenty foot by twenty foot with an extension of another fifteen feet for the kitchen area. Leading off it was two doors, each led to a bedroom, the walls were of a pale yellow white mix. Along the back wall was a long window that looked east, the window measured fifteen feet long, by half the height of the wall. The kitchen area looked well equipped but the cooker, Duggie thought, ‘that will need changing, I need my cooker, yeah its good that the canteen is there, but as I love cooking I need my cooker.’ He checked the cupboards and found them all empty.
Soon the sounds of Damien, Beatrice and Hemma playing in the bath drifted through the apartment which made Duggie smile, as the last time they had been this happy was when Claire and her friends had visited a few weeks ago. ‘I need to talk to Nibs and Sandra at some point over the next couple of days,’ Duggie thought to him self.
“Knock, knock,” said someone with a female voice from the entrance door.
“Come in,” called Duggie when he realised that someone wanted to come in.
Jane walked the distance between the doorway and the living room, where Duggie had grabbed one of the mattresses and placed it on the floor. Jane said, “You need any help?”
“Yes and no,” replied Duggie.
“Yes and no,” said Jane quizzically.
“Sorry, miles away, I’ve not heard the kids so happy for a couple of weeks,” Duggie said.
“Well, I’ve brought help,” said Jane and in walked Richard C, and Nicole.
Nicole said, “I know more help is on its way over in the form of Ithian, Walliballa and Sharra, in a bit.”
Duggie just stood there and lightly shook his head, “I have no idea what to say,” said Duggie.
“Just say nothing and sit the hell down and let the three of us sort things out in here and make sure the kids are clean and washed,” said Richard.
“Ok, I can’t even offer you a drink,” said Duggie.
“Don’t worry,” said Jane as she disappeared into the bath room with her sleeves pulled up and wearing a playful fight face. The next sounds out of the bathroom were the three young ones laughing as Jane started to play games with them.
“If you two wouldn’t mind, going through the black sacks and finding which one has the bedding in so I can, at least make the beds,” Duggie said.
Both Richard and Nicole started to rummage through the black sacks and sort them out in one pile went clothes, and into another went other items. About thirty minutes later Duggie had sorted out the three beds and made sure his room had his futon mattress in with basic bedding. When the three children and a very wet Jane walked out of the bath room.
“I’m sorry Jane, I should have warned you about the three being psychos in the bath especially when it comes to group bath time,” Duggie apologised
“Don’t be, I’ve not had so much fun in a long while, and your three are fun,” replied Jane and roughed the hair of Hemma.
“Right you three, get ready for bed then join us outside. At least the three of us were able to find some cups and a couple of bottles of Sumukko, so shall we go and sit outside,” said Duggie.
“Yeah,” said Richard. And the four adults walked outside and sat on the grass and saw Walliballa, Ithian, Sharra and Jaboc walking towards the apartment from the direction of the club, it looked like Walliballa was carrying a carrier with some large bottles in. Duggie changed his right hand first finger into a claw and pulled the cork out of the bottle and poured the a small amount of the contents into the eight cups and gave one to Richard, Nicole, and Jane. When the four had approached the four people could see Jaboc was carrying a small rucksack.
“Some basic supplies like milk, tea, coffee, and things from the kitchen Duggie, one of the staff gave me the rucksack as I was leaving and said for the new family,” Jaboc said as he swung it off and sat down.
“God, you people are great,” said Duggie.
“This is us,” said Jane, “We love life and it rubs off onto the people we work with. The job for life you see on our job adverts isn’t a gimmick, it’s true, if someone signs on to work for any of the Echo Tech Inc umbrella companies then we take care of them from the second the pen lifts from the paper until the head stone is placed over their grave.”
“Any beyond that, as if the person had children and they weren’t of adult hood age, then we make sure they are looked after until they come of age,” Nicole said.
“That must cost a fortune to do though,” said Duggie.
“No, as happy employees makes for a work force that cares for the work they do and give their jobs 110%,” Nicole said, “They could all earn double what they earn from us, but they all get treatment at any Echo Tech medical facility world wide for free, free entry to Echo Tech Academies.”
“When they retire they get to keep the homes or they can move to a new home in Echo Tech city or one of the Echo Tech Inc Villages that are dotted around the world,” Richard said.
“Why though you read the papers and watch the tele and the rest of the corporate world just want to rip each others throats out,” said Duggie as Beatrice, Damien and Hemma all walked out of the apartment and walked to join the eight adults.
“Just because we care for the world and the population,” said Jaboc, “I think that’s the reason we are all involved in the war, because we do all care for the world and the population.”
About half an hour later all three of the children had fallen asleep and Richard, Duggie and Jane carried one each into the apartment and placed them on the mattresses, and then Duggie opened the window and the three returned to sitting outside. Duggie asked, “Jaboc the apartment is great, but how much can I use?”
“As much as you want, all the apartments are used by people who live on site and this one is normally used only if we need extra space. It was used over the last few weeks by the ghosts we had on site due to the Wacker War,” Jaboc replied as he poured a cup of Sumukko from one of the bottles Walliballa had carried over.
“And don’t worry about changing the apartment, that’s one of the reasons why I work here,” said Walliballa, “I make sure that if the previous inhabitants changed something either internal or external it looks like it did when the new inhabitants move in.”
“Thanks,” replied Duggie, “I had a den in my last place where I kept my personal photos and pictures and would like to build another and also in time probably put a few things out here.”
“Now that’s an idea Jaboc,” said Nicole, “making the back area behind the apartments nicer to see.”
“Yeah, add a veranda area and maybe build some flower beds and such,” Jaboc replied and mused over some ideas he was having.
“If you want I’m more than up for looking after things like that,” said Duggie, “I did spend a good twenty years with some druidic friends on one planet whilst they were fighting to save their homes from being consumed by an encroaching evil. The kids will tell you that the back garden use to be absolutely beautiful. Until Sam was kidnapped and I lost my way somewhat.”
“Yeah Claire has spoken of Sam to me a couple of times, she must one special lady?” said Jane.
“Sam was and still is a very special lady, not just to me, but to the kids as well. She’s the reason I have Bill, Claire, Hemma, Beatrice and Damien. It was almost unheard of for my kind to have young ones, and we never had been able to have them with a human. Then I met Sam, we both fell in love with each other and I settled down here in Suraban, that was some twenty years ago now, I think Sam has a different genetic make up to other humans but I’ve never asked and I will never ask her what her past is, she is who she is,” said Duggie and he took a sip from the cup of Sumukko, “we loved each other equally and in all things, but she worked as a PA for one of the Rotork VPs. I think his name was Edwardbinna or similar. Our biggest mistake when we fell in love was I never asked her to marry me. Then seventeen years ago Sam gives birth to Bill and under a year later Claire arrives.” Duggie looks out over the grounds of the Club and continues, “Six months later Edwardbinna moves offices to the Azar head office and he asked Sam to go with him. As much as we loved each other, she loved the job she did, and it did pay bloody well, she moved and every month she sent me about half her pay for the upkeep of Bill and Claire and we stayed in contact, via email and letters, I wish I had moved with her. Then ten years ago Edwardbinna moves back to Suraban to run Rotork here in the city, Sam moves back with him and this time we correct the mistake we should have never made, we get married, and Sam became Claire and Bill’s step mum, and before any of you ask, it was a mutual choice of both of us, and the fact the kids had only every seen their mum in a few pictures and Sam when she returned looked somewhat different than she did when she left for Azar, and they had never asked after their mum and if they had I would have told them the truth,” said Duggie and took a sip from his cup and continues, “Then Hemma arrives and is followed by Beatrice some three years later and Damien arrives a couple of years after that, three more little miracles, as we both would say” and Duggie takes another sip of Sumukko, “Then two years ago she disappears, I did realise at the time that she would never have disappeared, but I convinced myself that she had. Edwardbinna is prompted to Chairman and leaves a couple of days later for Mantranna. Then Claire comes home one evening after spending the afternoon over with the Vixens and tells me that she had a vision of Sam. I put the kids to bed, I would have told Bill at the same time, but he is out running errands for the drug dealers who lived next door. I then tell Claire everything about me, Sam, the world, the Evil and she tells me about a dream she had about Sam, and that she does understand why Sam became step mum. The next day I’m at work and Bill is looking after Beatrice due to her having a stomach bug. I was contacted by the school and was told that Claire had broken the nose of an Abilgail Miller, who I knew from what Claire had told, was the main ring leader of the school bullies that had been bullying Claire since she started at the city free academy. I smiled when the phone call ended and thought, ‘nice one, the bitch deserved it,’ and she did. The biggest shock was when I found out that the Vixens had asked Claire to become one of their number that afternoon, I knew that Claire’s life was changing for the better. Previous to this I knew that she had the ability to see magick, as once when the family had been on holiday she had told me that she could see an aura coming off the stones in a stone circle in South Attica, I cast Aura sight and confirmed that the stone circle was a nexus, and via a few well worded questions I was able to discover that she could see mana, which is normally one indicator for people who have the ability to wield magick. Claire doesn’t know that when they, the vixens go and rescue Sam in I will be there as I have a few things I want to do to the high lord. That friends is mine and Sam’s story.”
“I think I may put a lot more of Intelligence’s resources into finding Sam,” said Jane.
“Yes and also making sure that if she is being held in Mantranna we know the city inside and out,” said Nicole, “so that when the rescue goes in the forces are ready and fully prepared for what they will face.”
“And I will teach Claire and Hell Bright to Mana call when we go to the Academy, so when Sam does contact Claire again, Claire can try and find out as much as is possible about where Sam is and what Sam can see and hear. As the more information we have about the environment the better the chances of a successful rescue mission,” Ithian said.
“Can I ask Ithian that you don’t tell Claire that I am also a Line walker,” Duggie said.
Jaboc then said, “I have to admit though the Vixens are an incredible team through, they just accept life, I don’t think they care what your background is, they accept people for people.”
“That I do agree with. When Sarah put them forward for Academy selection, I journeyed and spent a few weeks watching them and how they interacted with people. I had my reservations about if they would fit in at the Academy,” Jane said, “but now I think they will excel in the environment, they have shown a passion for life that they don’t show the outside world.”
“That I do agree with,” said Richard, “I knew Nick would love it at the Academy, the freedom to do what he wanted at his own pace, when I heard he had become she and had joined this group called the Vixens, I had no idea that the Vixen’s Sarah had proposed was the group he/she had joined. Jaboc will tell you I went and watched them as well, to see how they interacted with the world and the people in it. I do think their attitudes are best shown during the weekend they were working as security at the Blue Ridge Music, professional, helpful and fun loving. I think a lot if not most are coming to the pre-wedding bash on Frodar and I know all have been invited to the wedding, and I think they all have said yes they are coming.”
“I do enjoy good festival’s I think I may look at running one here on club grounds for the local inhabitants,” said Jaboc.
“Well if you do, let us know as I think we will all come and enjoy it,” said Jane.
“Yeah I will do, I think all the staff would as well,” said Jaboc.
“Duggie with you being the age you are,” said Jaboc, “would you be willing to answer questions about the world’s history or to provide information so we can put it in a form more accessible to the Academy students and other Conspiracy personal interested in history?”
After a few seconds thought Duggie replied, “Yes I would be willing to do that, and I will also need some help to transport my library and treasure trove from its current location to here.”
“May I ask as to what is in your treasure trove Duggie?” Nicole asked.
“About a quarter of a billion decks worth of gold and gems and if you include the other items of priceless art works from before the last ice age, it would jump the value to around two to three billion decks, and that was valued some 500 years ago, but it’s the library I want, over 6000 hand written books on ancient Jarrzarian myths and other strangeness and also a complete diary of my 2000 years of living at the Samutai temple in North Jarrzar,” replied Duggie.
“Samutai Temple?” Richard asked, “Where was that based, I’m a Tibirra Master, and I’ve never heard of the Samutai Temple.”
“You should have done Richard, I know what the Samutai were,” Ithian said.
“The temple was based on the northern coasts of Jarrzar Richard, the actual temple was dug into the cliff face, I’m surprised you do Ithian they were wiped out 400 years ago when they went head to head with an intelligence that sought to control the ruling family of Jarrzar. I had left to go walkabout about 100 years earlier, and when I heard of the destruction I returned and found the temple itself still standing, and only a couple of the elder masters still alive. They died a few years later, when the last had perished I sealed and left temple and I have never returned,” said Duggie.
“The temple itself was a place of great learning and also the one place women could learn the fighting arts from, the way of the Samutai was a female fighting form, and also the home for three Chiang-Ku dragons, I think, including yourself, Duggie,” Ithian said.
“Yeah, even though I went by a different name back then, I’ve only been known as Duggie for 45 years now.”
The rest of the evening was spent chilling and getting to know each other
* * * * * *
At about 12.30AN Jaboc received a concerned comms message from Braddock, “Jaboc, Braddock, do you know where Ithian is?”
“Yeah, he’s here with me, Duggie we’re chilling out the back of some of the apartments. Why?” Jaboc said.
“A message from Claire, they are transporting some injured youths to the club via I think teleportation and need him to get to the Lab ASAP,” Braddock said.
“Ok, Braddock,” Jaboc said, and then he turned to Ithian and said, “Claire and Hell Bright need you in your lab ASAP, they are bringing injured to the Club via magick.”
“That would mean teleportation, and as I know Claire doesn’t know the medical facility, I’m gone,” said Ithian and vanished.
“What the hell?” Duggie asked.
“Let me explain, we as a force care for all people, it don’t matter if one minute you are trying to kill us, the prisoners the assault force bring back will be given a complete medical once over and any major injuries will be treated before they are processed, and for these people to be brought back at such speed, means that they may not have made it brought back via road,” said Sharra, “Even here, if a punter, even if he started the problem is hurt, then he is given the once over at the medical facility automatically. On a couple of missions I’ve transported civilians to a medical facility via teleportation, and I am very careful over the use of my magick skills and spells.”
* * * * * *
At 01:00BN Duggie was still sat out side looking at the clear night, when the mini buses and FAVs returned from the policing action and drove towards the club, about forty five minutes later the lights in the Gangrel apartments where turned on as the Marauders and the Hammers returned to the apartment block, Lara, Dean and Trixxie walked outside and lent up against the wall and then lit up joints or roll ups before they would head to bed and sleep.
“Evening friends,” said Duggie.
A slightly startled Lara and Trixxie looked over in the general direction and saw Duggie sat on the ground, and the three walked over towards him.
“Evening,” said Trixxie, “can I take it you are the gent with the three young ones?”
“Yep, that’s me,” replied Duggie and looked at the collection of bottles that stood beside him, and found a half full bottle of Sumukko, “Can I offer the returning force a quick drink?” offered Duggie.
Lara and Dean both thought about it for a second and said, “Yeah, why not.”
“I have to excuse the state of the cups, but until about 45 minutes Jane, Nicole, Richard and a few others from the club were here drinking and chatting about many things,” Duggie said.
“Not to worry,” Dean said, as Duggie poured the Sumukko into a cup and offered it to Dean.
“Good operation?” Duggie asked.
“Yeah I would say so,” Trixxie said, “Some of the specialist support were very impressive, mind you I would like to know what happened to Hell Bright and Claire, I didn’t see them as we cleared up and dealt with the prisoners. I mean I saw Anna disappear at high speed with one of the injured.”
Dean said to Trixxie, “I’m not sure what you saw in the room off to the side,” and Gary walked out, where he lit up a blunt and looked around for the others when he saw them sat with Duggie, he walked the short distance to them and sat down.”
“Not much I was concentrating more on what was happening up the stairs,” replied Trixxie.
“Any one know what happened to Hell Bright and Claire I saw them go into the building and I never saw them come out?” Gary asked.
“I was about to explain it to Trixxie Gary, as I saw something of what happened,” replied Dean.
“Arh, right,” Gary said.
“The specialist support given to us via Vixen Bravo was to counter threats beyond normal human understanding,” Dean said.
“I can see you are going to beat around the bush over this matter therefore I’m going to shut up,” said Trixxie.
“Can I ask Lara and Dean, as I’m I right in saying you Gary have only just joined the Marauders, how well you know your respective units?” Duggie asked.
“Pretty well,” Lara replied.
“Yeah, pretty well, before Trixxie told us she was a member of the young Gangrels and told us about the gang pretty much the guys in my unit, including Michelle’s brother were pretty close friends at school we use to do very much the same activities or if some didn’t they would always join the ones that did.” Dean said.
“Would you trust these people with your life?” Duggie asked.
“Yeah I would say I would, including Michelle, I know for a fact if Michelle’s brother hadn’t been crippled in a car smash, he would be a member and if not my direct number two then he would be a squad number two,” said Dean.
“Now my next question is to you Trixxie, would you say that this is what you want to do, help people, make sure people are safe, support the naíve general population even though they would not probably not support you if it came down to it?” Duggie asked.
Gary realised what Duggie was doing and smiled, he’d never realised that Duggie was in on the whole conspiracy and just sat there listening to how Duggie went about testing Trixxie’s attitude towards life, and things.
“Yes, I love life, Dean will tell you that on a couple of occasions I have been the first one in to save a person in distress, especially if the odds are not in the persons favour,” Trixxie replied.
“With that answer allow me to explain what is going on here, at the club and in quite a few other places around the world,” and he just vanished from sitting next to Lara and re-appeared standing in the doorway to his apartment block, “I’m here now people,” and when everyone looked at him he vanished again and re-appeared back beside Lara.
“You can cast spells Duggie?” said a shocked Gary.
“Gary I can do far more than just simply cast spells, like Ithian, Claire and Hell Bright,” said Duggie, “You’ve seen the tattoos Paul, Abbey, and both the Claires have yes?”
“Yes,” Gary replied.
“They are magickal, I created the ones my Claire has, and the ones Bill has and the ones on Hemma, Beatrice and Damien. The reason for the bottles was that I’ve been sat here chatting to Jane, Nicole, and others about things, and I’ve come to realise that my skills as a tattoo master and a master of the Samutai fighting arts are in need and that I have knowledge that may be of help to the conspiracy. I’m almost 5000 years old, and 3000 of those I’ve spent it here on Darra Von. The first five hundred I travelled fighting creature’s and I may say humans that enslaved, tortured and made life hell for the population. I then spent the next 2000 years as a Tattoo Master and teacher at the Samutai temple in northern Jarrzar, they were very much fighters of the evil that now again threatens our and I do mean ‘our’ world. The temple was one of the major sources of fighters of the evils in that region. And I’ve spent the last five hundred years wandering, helping people fight evil, injustices and similar the world over. This is the longest I’ve spent in one place, but my love for my wife and the mother of my children have given my a purpose and now hearing that my once timid and shy daughter is willing to do things like get injured people to medical facilities as fast as is humanly possible and hearing that even the injured prisoners are treated and helped before they are processed has given me back the drive to help, train and advise the new fighters in the best ways of combating the evil. I offer to both the Marauders and the Hammers my knowledge, to a point my skills, and remember my first responsibility is to Hemma, Beatrice and Damien, and again to a point my abilities to help and train you all to be ready to face what is coming,” Duggie said, “and let me say that I think you Trixxie may posses an understanding of things beyond normal human perception. I’ve never been that good at testing to see it people have the ability. Included in the offer is training in the Samutai way of fighting.”
“Would you be willing to train and teach tattooing?” Dean asked.
After thinking about the idea for about a minute, Duggie replied, “Yes, but to be a Tattooist it helps if you have a flair for art in general.”
“Does the ability to draw, count?” Dean asked.
“Yes it does,” Duggie replied.
“Would you be willing to teach me how to Tattoo, I’m only talking about normal ones, rather than the magickal variety,” Dean asked.
“Well me and Paul are planning on setting up a Tattoo Parlour, I don’t see why not,” said Duggie.
Trixxie yawned and said, “I think I shall say night and chat to you lot tomorrow,”
“That may be an idea actually, getting some sleep,” said Lara, and she like Trixxie got up and headed in to the Gangrel Apartment.
The three men just sat there and looked up at the stars, both Gary and Dean fell asleep after about another hour, Duggie cast a warmth cantrip to make sure the pair didn’t get cold. He then just lay back and looked up and watched the stars and the nearest moon.
* * * * * *
At 05:04 Duggie watched the sun peek over the sky line and start to lightened the sky, he stood and created his Karrack blades and ran through the basic fight sequences and then the blades disappeared and he went through the basic unarmed Kari of the Samutai. When he finished he realised the Dean was awake and watching him, he smiled at Dean and said in ancient Jarrzarian “Good morning Dean, a good sleep I hope.”
Dean just looked at Duggie and asked, “I have no idea what you just said, but good morning to you Duggie.”
“I’m sorry Dean,” Duggie replied, “It’s the first time in just over two years I’ve run through the Samutai Kari with and with out weapons and doing so I don’t think in basic I think in ancient Jarrzarian. What I said, was Good morning Dean, a good sleep I hope.”
“I did thanks, I’m surprised though I thought I would have been cold, but I wasn’t,” Dean said.
“I useful little spell a warmth cantrip,” said Duggie.
“May I join you, I think it would do both units good to get into the habit of rising and running through some basic combat forms?” Dean asked.
“Certainly. Just follow and copy,” replied Duggie and he ran through the basic unarmed Kari for a second time.
When he had finished the pair walked inside the Gangrel Apartments and Dean put the kettle on for a drink, “Coffee?” Duggie.
“Mm, yeah thanks, black no sugar,” replied Duggie.
When the kettle had boiled and Dean had made a couple of coffee’s both he and Duggie sat at the table set up in the kitchen area.
After an hour of quietly chatting about the things Duggie had done in his life, Duggie heard one of his three had woken and had got up, “I shall leave you Dean and see you later, one of my three is awake and would be looking for some thing to drink.”
“Ok Duggie, I shall see you later then,” Dean replied.
Duggie then went back and found it was Beatrice who had woken and had gone to the loo and was now looking for him. As Duggie walked in she heard him and quietly walked towards him and Duggie then bent down and picked her up and walked to where he had put the three’s dressing gowns and put it on her and then walked outside and as he sat with Beatrice on his lap he levitated himself so he hovered some two inches above the damp morning grass.
“Dad, do you know what we will learn in school when we go?” Beatrice said
“To be honest I have no idea, Beatrice, but from what I have been told about it, you will learn much more fun things than you did at the other school,” Duggie replied.
“I hope so, I want to learn things from you too daddy,” Beatrice said.
“Ok Beatrice, touch this tattoo and concentrate on it,” said Duggie.
Beatrice did touch the tattoo indicated which was a panther and Beatrice did concentrate on it and suddenly stood beside the pair was a large black panther, and Beatrice had a big beaming smile across her face, “Me created it, yeah,” said a happy Beatrice, she then put her hand out and stroked the panther who laid down beside them, “Daddy create something,” asked Beatrice.
“Ok,” Duggie said, and concentrated on the tattoo of a wolf and sat on the other side of the pair was a wolf. “Now young one, you must promise me that you will never touch the tattoos and concentrate on them unless me, Bill, Claire or any of the Vixens have given you permission and are around and nearby to supervise, these things,” and Duggie touched each of the four tattoos Beatrice had, “are very dangerous, the people out there,” and Duggie pointed beyond the club’s fence, “do not understand and would attack and very badly hurt you and me, and everyone else here and you wouldn’t be able to go to school and learn fun things, you would be sent back to the horrible school that taught you nasty things. Do you understand me Beatrice.”
“Yes daddy I do, I promise I will never create Blackie without you, Bill or the Vixens being with me and them saying yes,” Beatrice said.
Then Duggie heard Damien call out, “Daddy where are you?”
“I’m out side Damien,” Duggie called in reply, “now Beatrice concentrate on Blackie disappearing,” Duggie then said to Beatrice.
Which Beatrice did and the panther and wolf disappeared just before Damien and Hemma walked out in their dressing gowns and they both walked towards him, just before they both sat on the damp grass, he said, “wait you two,” and he cast two levitate spells one on Hemma and the other on Beatrice, and he then asked Beatrice, “would you mind moving so your brother can sit on my lap?”
“Yes dad, but I’ll get a wet bottom,” replied Beatrice.
“Will you, sit on the ground and find out if you do,” said Duggie, as Beatrice moved from Duggie’s lap and went to sit on the ground, she found her self floating slightly above it as did Hemma as she sat beside her dad. Both of them smiled when they realised they were floating only a couple of inches above the ground but they were still floating.
Hemma lent over and gave Duggie a kiss on his cheek and said, “I love you dad, you’re the best dad in the world.”
“Thank you, and you three know something, you are three of five of the best children in the world, the other two are,” said Duggie and before he could finish.
Damien said, “Claire and Bill are the other two.”
“Yes they are, aren’t they,” and the four sat in the warming sun rays.
* * * * * *
About 07:30BN the four got up and walked back into the apartment and slipped in to the clothes they had on yesterday and the four walked across the grounds towards the entrance to the garage and breakfast, on the walk over Duggie said, “you three know what’s on today’s agenda don’t you?”
“No, what dad?” asked Hemma.
“Starting to sort out our new home, that’s what,” replied Duggie, “there are a few modifications I am planning to do to the apartment, if Jaboc gives me permission.”
“Yeah, what dad,” asked Beatrice.
“ Like joining the front apartment to the back one and making a section of the front apartment into a tattoo parlour,” Duggie replied.
Damien who was riding on Duggie’s shoulders was very happy sat up higher than everyone else. As they walked in, one of the mechanics drove past them on a bike, looking over his shoulder was a mid sized dog which was sat in a baby carrier, as the four walked down the ramp the dog and owner walked up the ramp and the dog ran off into the field.
The guy said, “Good morning to you, and what a lovely morning it is too.”
“That is very true,” Duggie said, “maybe you can help me, do you know of anywhere I would be able to purchase a full size range cooker?”
“Mmmmm. No, not of the top of my head, ask Braddock, he may know if not he should know who to ask, I’m Brain, one of the mechanics at the club and the dog, is called Stripes,” and the dog ran back and the four could see why it was called Stripes, it was brown with black stripes from head to the tip of it’s tail. The mechanic then bent down and made a fuss of her, and said, “You gone then,” Stripes then licked Brain’s face, he then felt the stomach area, stood up and said, “Not long before she has her first puppies.”
“Oh,” replied Duggie, “You got rid of any yet?”
“Yeah, one, but the vet here in the medical facility thinks Stripes should have at least three maybe four,” Brain replied, “Why do you want one?”
“Yeah, I would be interested in one,” Duggie replied and the three children’s faces just lit up with the prospect of having a pet, “You heading towards the canteen?” asked Duggie.
“Yeah, I am heading that way for some breakfast, then Braddock has asked if I haven’t got any work on that I join a painting detail, he wants some of the apartment blocks at the front of the club given a lick of paint,” Brain said, “and as I ain’t got anything booked in until Savraday, I volunteered to help today and tomorrow.”
“Oh well I know which apartments you will be working on,” Duggie said.
“Oh which one?” Brain asked.
“Mine and these three, I’m Duggie and this is Hemma, Beatrice and Damien. You going to come down from up their now Damien,” said Duggie.
Damien looked a bit unhappy but said, “Ok dad,” and Duggie lifted Damien up and over his head and dropped him to the ground, and the group walked towards the canteen Stripes walking just in front of the group.
“I wish I could train stripes to stay at my heel, like Nibs has Daraus trained,” Brain said.
”I know, mind you Daraus stays at anyone’s heel unless they say its ok,” Duggie replied.
“What?” Brain exclaimed, “How do you know that?”
“I’m Claire and Bill’s dad,” Duggie replied.
“Arh, that would explain it,” Brain said as the group entered the canteen and walked towards the food run.
* * * * * *
A couple of hours later a group of six guys drove via the sub-surface road towards the front apartments with a trailer fill of paint and painting equipment. Riding on the back of the trailer was Angel, Damieel and the twins fairy partners, as they both wanted to go and have a play with Hemma, Beatrice and Damien. During breakfast they had seen Duggie and the children and had organised it so the young ones would be out of the way whilst the two bedrooms were being painted.
When the vehicle had pulled up everyone got out and they all carried a couple of pots of paint up the ramp to the ground floor of the apartment block.
Duggie had already began to pick things up and move things around the flat, the three mattresses had been placed outside on a large tarp on which was all the bags of clothes and the bedding. Hemma and Beatrice had started to put the food away in the cupboards.
Angel and Damieel ran up the ramp and they both poked their heads around the door and called, “Hemma, Beatrice, Damien where are you?”
“We’re in here, Angel, Damieel,” replied Beatrice.
Both Angel and Damieel walked into the apartment and found the three putting food items into the cupboards, Angel said when they saw Duggie walk out of one of the bedrooms, “Hello Duggie, those three ready to go?” Damieel said.
“Yeah they are, where you going to go?” asked Duggie.
“We thought to the swimming pool it looks big and fun,” replied Angel.
“And we all have our swimming costumes here,” Damieel said.
“Right you three, go and get your bags and do as Angel and Damieel tell you,” Duggie said and the three young ones ran outside and grabbed their bags and joined Angel and Damieel as they disappeared down the ramp and the group walked hand in hand along the sub-surface road towards the swimming pool.
Brain who was stood outside the doorway waited for the young ones to disappear with the Twins, said to Duggie as he walked out, “Right what room do you want us to start on?”
“The bedrooms thanks,” replied Duggie and walked outside carrying a couple of large hold alls and found three members of the Hammers and two members of the Marauders were up and lent up against the wall of Gangrel Apartments. He called over, “hey you lot if you want to sit down, come and sit on the tarp if you want.”
“Thanks Duggie,” one replied as Trixxie walked out with a joint between her lips and followed the five as they walked towards the edge of the tarp.
Trixxie called after Duggie as he disappeared back into the apartment, “What time did you get to bed last night?”
“I didn’t,” replied Duggie.
When Duggie had walked back into the apartment, two of the workers had brought up a couple of sets of step ladders and a large plank which had been set up in the larger of the two bedrooms.
One of the pair asked, “Who’s going to be sleeping in here?”
“Assume the two girls for the time being. Damien in the next room down and I’m having the smallest room as mine,” replied Duggie.
“What colour or colours do you want the rooms then?” Brain asked as he walked through the door carrying four cans of paint.
“A light colour on the ceiling and a second slightly different colour on the walls. I’m not sure what if anything is planned for the flooring,” Duggie replied.
* * * * * *
As the five walked towards the swimming pool, Hemma had hold of Angel’s left hand who had hold of Damien’s left hand who was holding Damieel’s left hand and then on the other side was Beatrice. All five had big smiles. Flying just above the shoulders where Rijuulm and Eloobra and they like the twins were going to enjoy themselves.
When the five had changed they walked out of the changing rooms and onto the leisure pool area and the five hand in hand jumped into the leisure pool and spent most of the day enjoying themselves lounging and just playing in the pool area, about 12:00BN they were joined in the pool area by Jum, Wong, and most of the Hammers and Marauders.
Wong and Jum both entered the pool area and dived in and started to swim lengths and after 30 minutes they had both swum close to a 3000 metres and then they climbed out and joined the Angel, Damieel and the young ones chilling and playing.
Both Gary and Dean had the Marauders and Hammers relay racing with one half squad down one end and the other half squad on the opposite end.
* * * * * *
Around midday Jaboc and Walliballa walked up from the sub-face road.
Jaboc called out, “Hi Duggie, you here?”
“Yeah, in the small bedroom,” called back Duggie.
Both Walliballa and Jaboc walked in and stood in the doorway of the small bedroom.
Walliballa said, after taking in the colour scheme, “Nice colour scheme.”
“Thanks, I like deep colours especially when I’m planning having this room as my shrine room,” replied Duggie.
“So where are you going to sleep then?” asked Jaboc.
“In the living room, I sleep on a futon bed which rolls up when not in use,” replied Duggie, “Jaboc, where would I be able to get my hands on a full range cooker that I can modify?”
“Modify in what way?” asked Jaboc.
“You saw the cooker in my old place,” Jaboc nodded yes, “it arrived as a wood burning combi cooker boiler, I converted it to no fuel use combi cooker boiler,” Duggie said.
“I understand,” said Walliballa, “are you talking about converting it for TW operation.”
“Yeah,” replied Duggie.
“No, but Braddock probably would,” replied Jaboc.
“Another question, who would I go and see about having someone tested for abilities beyond human?” Duggie asked.
“Who do you think needs testing?” asked Walliballa.
“Trixxie from the Gangrel Hammers, when they got back yesterday after the policing action she, Gary, Dean and Lara sat outside and chatted, she saw Claire and Hell Bright go in but not come out,” Duggie replied.
“Oh,” said Jaboc, as Duggie closed the lid of the paint and started to walk outside, both Jaboc and Walliballa joined him and the three sat down.
“I did a quick attitude test to see if she was of the correct mindset to know things, It also provided me the chance to aura check the people, I got a faint blue aura from her, which normally indicates an ability to control, and our chat yesterday and the events later in the evening told me its time to get back into the game, and I have offered to train them in the Samutai fighting arts,” Duggie said.
“Would that offer extend to other people?” Walliballa asked.
“Yeah anyone who wants to learn,” replied Duggie, “I’ve also offered to take Dean as an apprentice tattooist. It takes a good year to two years to become a tattooist.”
Walliballa asked, “This den you want built, how big do you want it?”
“About ten metre square, and from the middle I want an area depressed into the floor where people can sit in a circle and have a table put,” Duggie replied.
“That’s not hard at all,” Walliballa replied, and as he was sat cross legged he created a shaft which he extended down until he had hit the bed rock, “It will be quite easy, its chalk here on I think a layer of sandstone.”
* * * * * *
An hour later Walliballa and Jaboc had returned to the main club, allowing Duggie to return to the painting. Sharra, Rose and Sym walked up the ramp from the sub-surface road and saw Duggie walk into the small room carrying a pot of paint.
Sharra called out, “Duggie can I see you for a little bit?”
“Yeah come in Sharra,” Duggie called back.
Sharra, Rose and Sym walked in and saw the room Duggie was painting, the ceiling which was finished was a warm deep yellow and two of the walls had been finished a warm red colour and Duggie was stood on a chair with a paint brush in one hand and an edger in the other painting the wall to ceiling join.
“Come in,” Duggie said.
“Can we have a chat with you in private please?” Sharra asked.
“Yeah come in, shut the door and grab a paint brush, then it looks like your working,” replied Duggie.
“Now that’s an idea,” said Sharra and that’s what the three did, they came in and shut the door. When the door was shut Sharra said, “Do you remember you said you would assist and advise in the teaching of Magick?”
“Yeah I do,” Duggie replied.
“Sym here is the person who I am teaching and Rose is her non gifted twin sister, Ithian said that twins if they both know the skills make for powerful mage partnerships,” Sharra said.
“Welcome Sym, Rose, allow me to introduce myself, I’m Duggie Demitrie, Chiang-Ku dragon, Line walker with spells and skills from the schools of Earth, Fire and Air elementalist and Diabolist, and Tattoo Master. Just so you know The chat last night has given me back my enthusiasm for teaching, and I may be teaching Trixxie from the Hammers if she can wield, but I will also be very likely be starting a school teaching the Way Of The Samutai Warriors,” Duggie replied.
“Are you Claire and Bill’s dad?” Sym asked.
“Yeah I am,” replied Duggie.
“Where are the little ones anyway?” asked Sharra.
“With Angel and Damieel enjoying the swimming pool, well that’s where they were heading this morning anyway,” Duggie replied.
“The reason for the chat is I need to find someone who can supply me with the items I need to make some spell books, and I was wondering if you knew of anywhere in Suraban that sold supplies like that?” Sharra asked.
“No, I don’t, I’ve not actually needed a spell book or supplies to make one for a very long time, in a couple of weeks I will be able to make things like that as I intend to change the upstairs apartment into an alchemists lab, hang on doesn’t Ithian have a lab here?” Duggie asked.
“Yeah he does, but I don’t know how to make the parchment,” Sharra replied.
“I do,” said Duggie, “and as I am going to see if Trixxie can wield, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the Lab for myself. Shall we head that way now.”
“Now that’s an idea,” said Sharra.
Duggie walked out leading the three women, and called, “Brain, I’m heading to the main club for a while, you and your crew going to be ok here?”
“Yeah,” said Brain as he walked around the corner, “We’ve almost finished in largest of the bedrooms, and when we have we’ll start on the next one, and get as much done as we can, and finish tomorrow.”
“Ok,” said Duggie and the four headed towards the main Club, via the Sub-Surface road.
As the four passed the swimming pool and gym area a few of the Hammers crossed from the swimming pool into the gym area. Duggie called to them, “Any of you know where Trixxie is?”
“Yeah, she enjoying her self in the pool area,” one of the group said.
“Thanks,” said Duggie and he headed for the entrance to the pool area, and saw Trixxie sat on a raised area chatting to Dean and a couple more of the Gangrels. Duggie walked in and walked towards the raised area and said to Trixxie, “I was wondering if you were interested in finding out if what we were talking about last night was true?”
“Yes I am,” replied Trixxie, she then turned to Dean and David and said, “I shall leave you and chat to you later.”
“Ok Trixxie,” said Dean, and as Trixxie left and headed for the changing rooms, Dean turned to Duggie and said, “I’ve had a chat with Gary, Lara and Michelle and they all think it would be an excellent idea if we could join you when you do your, Samutai Kari.”
“Certinelly, shall we say this evening at about 08:00AN,” replied Duggie.
“I think that will be a good time and we can organise a good time for you to actually start teaching us the Way of the Samutai,” Dean replied.
“Yes, 08:00 outside the apartments,” said Duggie.
About five minutes later Trixxie walked out of the changing room and around the side towards the exit to the Sub-surface road and met Duggie, Sharra, Sym and Rose.
When Trixxie had arrived and the group had left the swimming pool area Duggie said to Trixxie, “Some introductions are in order, you already know Sym and Rose I think, but you don’t know Sharra.”
“No I don’t, good afternoon Sharra,” Trixxie said.
“Good afternoon Trixxie, I hear that you may be a wielder of magick,” Sharra said, “Sym defiantly can wield we chatted with Ithian this morning and discovered she can and I will be teaching both Sym and Rose the skills they need to know.”
“I don’t think I’ve met Ithian yet,” said Trixxie.
“No you probably haven’t yet, that’s where we are heading now to his lab in the main club, I need to check it out as one of my skills is that of being able to create potions and techno-wizard items and I need to have access to a proper Magickal lab, and before you say anything Sharra, I can only create a few items and most of them are things I use around the home, like a proper cooker rather than the lump in their at the moment, and spell book pages,” Duggie said.
Sym and Rose both looked incredibly puzzled at the terms Duggie has just used.
Sharra said, “The term Techno-Wizard is a type of mage that can create items that work when the user supplies it with his or her own power?” and she looked at Duggie just to confirm the definition was correct. Duggie smiled back and nodded yes as they turned the corner and walked through the garage towards the back entrance and the ramp up into the main club.
Very soon the group was in the reception area of the north wing third floor, the guard saw Sharra and before they disappeared up to the ramp he asked, “Business?”
Sharra turned to him and said, “Duggie is authorized, as is Sym and Rose, and Trixxie knows about the Conspiracy.”
“No problem boss,” the guard said.
“Just so you two know, at some point I’ll make sure you, Duggie, get issued with a pass card for the third floors and make sure that you and who else knows in the Marauders and Hammers know Trixxie?”
“Gary, Dean , Lara, and I think Michelle know,” Trixxie replied.
“I’ll make sure they get issued with a pass card, carry it with you at all times, it allows you access to the conspiracy secured areas of the Club and sub-surface facilities,” Sharra said and led the group to blank wall where Sharra knocked and the group waited.
About a minute later a door appeared in the wall and Ithian walked out and said, “Welcome back Sharra, hi Duggie, I’m surprised to see you here today I thought you would be decorating?”
“I was but I’m here to ask you if you wouldn’t mind testing Trixxie to see if she can wield and I am looking to see if I have to set up my own alchemists lab or not, as I can create a few TW items,” Duggie said.
“No problem, please all, come in,” said Ithian, when everyone was in the Lab the door disappeared.
Trixxie looked some what shocked at the fact a door had appear from nowhere and the next thing she knew she was stood in a large room and the door had disappeared. Ithian said, “Right young lady, catch,” and Ithian threw one of his toys to Trixxie, which she caught and she looked at it and it suddenly changed from a box to a ball. Ithian said when that happened, “Now that’s a good sign, what you have in your hand is a training toy, clear your mind Trixxie and concentrate on it, can you see the aura that surrounds the toy?”
“Yes,” Trixxie replied, and the toy’s aura flashed red and it changed shape again to an egg shape.
Suddenly four white flashes happened and Hell Bright, Claire, Charrbrr and Vitanna stood in one of the Pentagrams inscribed into the floor.
When Claire saw dad stood in the Lab she said in a shocked tone, “What you doing here dad?”
“I am not only a Tattoo Master daughter I am also a Line Walker with knowledge of Earth, fire and air elementalist spells and those of a diabolist, and I’m here to see if Trixxie can wield and it looks like she can, so therefore I will be teaching her to become a line walker like you and every one in here,” Duggie replied.
“Why didn’t you say something before,” said Claire.
“Simple, depression and lathery, when Sam was kidnapped I fell into a depression that a combination of you and the people here have brought me out of,” Duggie replied, “and in certain respects its better that Ithian teaches you, I have other responsibilities remember.”
“I know dad,” replied Claire, “I have research work to do.”
“And don’t think your going to get it easy either Sym, Rose, after this weekend is over with, I’ll be handing a lot of the club level security work over to Sam so I can concentrate on training you two.”
Ithian then said to Trixxie, “When you have mastered it you will be able to detect the changes before they happen and control what it becomes.”
“Ithian have you got a specific teleport spell for those receiver pentagrams?” Duggie asked.
“Yeah I have Duggie,” replied Ithian, “Grithh, transport spell tomb please. Oh good point, Peeker, Squarker, here now.”
Two imps appeared over one of the receiver pentagrams and said, “Yes master.”
“Two more users of the lab for you two to remember,” Ithian said, “My lab guardians Peeker and Squarker, they are very good they never forget peoples auras.”
Peeker then said, “We bow before you master,” when they has scanned Duggie’s aura.
Squarker said to Trixxie who was stood in shock at the fact a book had just floated across the room and had settled on a book rest, “Welcome shocked to surprise city.”
“Oops, sorry Trixxie,” said Ithian, “in here you will see the strange and wonderful, Grithh is one of my aerial servants, he knows the main lab and store better than I do and therefore is a very useful magickal construct.”
“Hell Bright, Claire would you take these three to the Library and then if they haven’t been to the medical facility there as well,” Ithian said.
“Yeah, no worries,” replied Claire.
“Trixxie, I’m going to be starting to teach the Way of the Samutai this evening at about 08:00AN outside the apartments,” Duggie said before she disappeared on her tour.
Ithian then said to Duggie, “So what do you think Duggie?”
“It ain’t bad, I could definitely work here, but I will also construct my own one as I don’t think you have the research books I will be bringing from the Samutai temple when I get chance to fetch them,” Duggie replied.
“Duggie, I know the Chiang-Ku don’t possess a natural ability to teleport, but you do have a greater understanding of portal spells, would it be possible to link the lab here with my one at the Academy?” Ithian asked.
“To be honest, I don’t know, a shifter would know, but I don’t know of any here on Darra Von,” Duggie replied.
“No, but the academy database may though,” Sharra said.
“Damn true, it may at that, shall we adjourn to the library and have a look,” Ithian said.
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