Darya- *Darya coughs from inside....moving about the cabin with slow deliberance. Her face has aged kindly, yet the wrinkles are deep and worn. As she brushes aside some stray strands of hair, her hand burshes against the tatoo over her eye...she pauses...smiling...remembering. Then sighs. "It is hard living alone" she thinks to herself as she makes her way over to her evening sitting chair....*
Danny- *He hears a cough from inside...and blinks...realizing what it was. He sighs a bit...and then walks towards the door to the entrance...and pushes it open...peering inside and looking at Darya...* Mom? *He asks...quietly.* You okay?
Darya- *her whole face lights up as she sees Danny walk through the door....she stands slowly to greet him with open arms* Danny! So good to see you! *beckons him to her..ignoring the question about her health and supressing another cough*
Danny- *smiles a bit...and nods...opening the door and stepping inside...walking up to his mother and giving her a tiny hug...careful not to hurt her in her frail state...* I didn't know if you were awake or not, so I didn't come in right away...*he reaches out a hand and puts it on her shoulder...easing her back into her chair as he sits down on the hassak next to it...* You okay, Mom?
Darya- *nods and waves a hand dismissively, implying that he took unessary measures of caution....* I'm fine, son! Fine...now that you're here...*smiles at him...* I was wondering when I'd see you next...
Danny- You know I visit every two days.*smiles...tilting his head...watching the now elder old woman that took care of him through his entire childhood...**he blinks...and leans forward, edging closer to her.* Yeah...*smiles a bit* I'm glad you're okay. I was worried.
Darya- *grins and nods with a slight laugh* Yes I know...but I still like to pretend to be surprised...*winks* You are so good to me Danny...*An odd color floods her eyes with that comment, making them look distant and whistful, she shakes her head and clears her throat* No need to worry about me....I'm doing...*suddenly coughs hard....takes a minute to regain composure and says with a slight smile* Fine...
Danny- No you're not...*he sighs...and tilts his head...* Mom...why don't you move in with me already? I've asked you almost every day for the past five years, and your health just keeps getting worse and worse! *he reaches out...taking his mother's hand* Please, Mom. Let me take care of you, okay? Sulie'd like to see more of you, too. Why do you insist at staying at this dilapidated old cabin?
Darya- *shakes her head* I've told you a thousand times Danny....*pauses....avoiding another cough skilfully* This is where your father died...and this is where I'd like to spend my last days. *shakes her head* You've got too many things to occupy your time, other than your old mother hanging about. I am old Danny...and I've accepted that...*pauses* How is Sulie doing?
Danny- *blinks...then sighs...deciding it's not worth arguing about again...he just nods, and reaches over, leaning his staff against the wall.* Sulie's good, Mom. *He shrugs a little...not sure of what he could add to that, since Sulie's so complicated at times.* Sulie's good.
Darya- *nods quietly...* I'm glad to hear it....You must tell her to visit me sometime....since her mother will not extend that courtesy...*her voice begins to turn bitter...revealing an ancient grudge against Sulie's mother, but she changes the tone as quickly as it begins to slide...* Danny.....There is something I need to tell you....*almost whispered*
Danny- *He blinks...tilting his head* What? About Sulie's mother?
Darya- *shakes her head slowly* No Danny.....bigger than that. *sighs and takes a deep breath* Your father and I agreed to tell you this together....but after he got sick, things changed. He made me promise...*coughs and pauses* Promise to tell you this before it got too late....
Danny- What is it, Mom...? *he blinks...and turns his head a little...watching her with his dark green eyes...wondering what it could be that she has to say...he bites down on his lip a little bit, hoping it's nothing bad...*
Darya- *reaches out her hand* Give me your hand son.....
Danny- Okay, Mom...*nods, and takes her hand...his head lowering and watching them.*
Darya- *holds her hand palm up and points to it with her other finger....* All of my line have this mark....*slowly opens her palm to show him...a dark red crease in the center that looks like a flame.....she looks up to his eyes...hoping he'll unerstand*
Danny- *He blinks...raising his head and looking at her.* So? I don't have it. That's 'cause Dad was human. I didn't have the crease, but I do have your longevity. *blinks* It's just a DNA thing, Ma.
Darya- *She sighs and shakes her head..sitting back in her chair....* No Danny....no. You are right that you have your father's humanity in you....you are his son....*takes a deep breath and looks down at her hand* But I am not your biological mother....
Danny- What??? *asks...his voice hard at first, mainly caused by the sheer surprise...he blinks...and then his voice goes softer as he begins to calm down from the initial shock of the words...* But...you raised me...You were there since I was born, Mom...You HAVE to be my real Mom! You just have to!
Darya- *shakes her head kindly at him....her eyes patient and loving...* Danny, I have been proud to call you my son...and to hear you call me mother. And I am your mother in most respects....but I was not the one that gave birth to you....*pauses....coughs, and continues* When your father and I first got together, we had a surprise visit from a woman named Karen....*nods slowly* She brought you to us....she could no longer take care of you....you were her and Mel's son....
Danny- *blinks...* Karen...? *he tilts his head* I don't remember the name. And I don't remember anybody else ever taking care of me but you and Dad! *he blinks...seemingly almost unable to believe what she's telling him.* What was she? Human?
Darya- *nods slowly* Danny....just because you are not biologically my son, doesn't mean I love you any less! You were too young to remember her Danny...yes...she was human.....*measures your reaction....*
Danny- Well...then she CAN'T of been my real mother! *almost pounds on his own chest* I'm one hundred and twenty years old, for cryin' out loud! And I look like a twenty year old human! I'm in the physical state of a seventeen year old one! I CAN'T be the product of two humans. Your blood HAS to be in me, Mom. There's no other explanation!
Darya- *shakes her head slowly.....it pains her to see him this way...she coughs a couple times and regains composure* I don't know how to explain that Danny.....other than I know Karen was in her day a sorceress of some power....who knows what she could have done to protect you before giving you to Mel and me. Mel and I have been watching you carefully for signs of any of these spells...and your aging has so far been the only thing we can tell....*lets her voice trail off*
Danny- *He blinks...then shakes his head.* No Mom! I can't believe it!!! *he reaches out and grips her hand, though not tight enough to ever hurt her.* Dad wasn't the type that slept around! We both know he loved you with all his heart! He never woulda had sex with another woman! You're my Mom!!!
Darya- *covers his hand with her own.....staring calmly into his eyes...* Danny...listen to me. Your dad's past is as colorful as your own will be some day....He loved me with his whole heart and I returned that love, but this all happened before I ever met your father. *nods her head..and says almost sternly* Danny...it is true...it's time to believe it...
Danny- *sighs...lowering his head...biting down hard on his lip...* But...but Mom...*squeezes her hand...* I don't want to believe it...you taught me everything...when Dad died all we had was each other...I...I don't know any other woman as Mother...and...*he lifts his head up...looking at her.* Why didn't this Karen want me? *blinks* What kind of a woman leaves her own child? She's not my mother...Can't be...
Darya- *pats his hand gently* Danny...I am your mother...in all respects except for the one which Karen will always hold. She gave birth to you....but I raised you. *shrugs* Karen knew that she couldn't take care of you as well as Mel and I could....she was thinking of your best interests....
Danny- *sighs...scooting closer to his mother...squeezing her hand...* Mom...you're...*he blinks...and lifts his head...his eyes already misty* Not going to be around...much longer...are you?
Darya- *blinks back at him calmly....and shakes her head.....* That's why I had to tell you.....And...you must tell Sulie too...
Danny- Why? *tilts his head* Why does Sulie have to know? Why does...*blinks* Why does she have to know you're not my real Mom?
Darya- *Her hand ssuddenly begin to heat up under Danny's and her face drains of its color...she drops his hands and smiles slightly....answering the question with her scilence....* Danny....you must go soon....I am beginning one of my fire cycles again....and it weakens me....
Danny- *He blinks...* Mom...I want to stay...I want to stay with you...I'll take care of you. *sighs...*
Darya- *shakes her head...* there's not much you can do, son.....And...*sighs and looks away* I don't like you to see me like this.....I'll be fine once the cycle passes....but I must let it take its course through my body....
Danny- *sighs...and nods a bit...* I...okay Mom...*sighs...and stands.* I'll tell Sulie...about everything. *blinks...* Mom...*sighs...and just shakes his head...*
Darya- *stands slowly...wants to embrace him but knows she is too along in the fire cycle....she blows him a kiss...* I love you Danny...always have and always will....this changes nothing between us.....
Danny- *nods...and blows one back...* Bye Mom....I love you...*he bites down...hoping she knows that that fact is a constant...and will never change...he turns his back...and takes off...wanting to leave before he can't bring himself to...*