xp_logs | Amanda, Topaz and Maya's Grandfather

Amanda and Topaz meet with Maya's grandfather and talk about the possession issues.

(Thanks to Rei for socking!)

The meeting place wasn't exactly much to look at, Topaz thought as she climbed out of the car, stretching. She was small, but being curled up in a car for hours at a time could leave anyone cramped. She twisted her neck a bit to crack it, sighing as she followed Amanda to the door.

"So I'm guessing this is the part where I'm only here for looks and shouldn't speak?"

"Nope, you're here to help me look like a responsible adult who doesn't want to throw his grand-daughter into a deep hole until she reaches eighteen and can think like a rational being," was Amanda's wry reply. The blonde peered through her sunglasses towards the small diner that had been chosen as their meeting place. "You know, I'd rather face Nazis than do this sort of thing. At least I can zap the Nazis."

"Yeah you don't usually have to deal with family, do you?" Topaz couldn't resist teasing a bit. "Mine you can punch in the face, the terrifying Trio's are back England where they can't bother you...although you had to talk to them to get the kids here, didn't you? What was that like, being a proper adult?"

"Bloody awful. Still, at least for most of 'em, I could pretend I was undercover or something. This bloke... I get the feeling he'll see through any bullshit." Amanda wrinkled her nose and then brushed the wrinkles out of the simple white blouse and khaki slacks she was wearing. "All right, let's get this over with. Do I look all right? Nothing stuck in my teeth? No stains on my arse?"

"Nope, you look like a perfectly normal and passable adult and teacher who can absolutely be trusted with someone's child. Probably too late to consider that bringing me with you negates most of that," Topaz added with a small smirk as she opened the door to the diner and walked in.

Otoahhastis was sitting in a corner both with a cup of tea in front of him. When the sounds of the bell when off, indicating that someone had entered the diner, the man looked up at the two ladies.

Amanda hadn't been sure what she'd been expecting, but as soon as the man in the corner fixed his penetrating gaze on them, she knew she was definitely not going to get away with any bullshit. Maya's grandfather looked like he had been carved out of the land surrounding them, tall and broad-shouldered, his expression almost grim. "Mr. Lincoln?" she asked as she approached the booth, even though she knew who he was. "I'm Amanda Sefton, and this is my assistant, Topaz. Thank you for meeting us."

"Please, have a seat. You have come a long ways and must be weary from your travels." He gestured to the seats in front of him. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

Topaz cast an uncertain look at Amanda before hesitantly taking a seat. "Thank you, sir." The waitress came over to see if the new arrivals needed anything. "I'll uh...just take a glass of water, please."

"Tea, please. With milk." Amanda suppressed an amused eyeroll at her 'assistant' and her awkwardness. People were really not Topaz' forte, despite the empathy, Or maybe because of it. "I really appreciate this. Maya's... well, she can be a handful."

"She has a wild spirit, but she has a good heart." Otahhastis nodded. "Are things difficult with her?"

"I think she's a sweet kid," Topaz said quietly. "Has a bit of a tendency to get in trouble though."

"Anything I should be concerned with?" He asked looking at the young one.

"More something we need to ask your advice on, actually," Amanda chimed in. "I don't want to be rude, but I don't know much about your culture. Is possession something you're familiar with?"

"Possession is something I am very familiar with. I am the tribe medicine man and spiritual healer. Maya has been showing signs isn't she? Being sensitive to it."

"You could say that," was Amanda's wry response. "Topaz can probably tell you more about the actual incident, since she was there." She looked over at the younger girl. "Want to share what happened with the Slenders?"

Topaz gave Amanda a look that could easily be called panic before schooling her features into something more reasonable for having just been asked a question (rather than being asked to diffuse a bomb), and said, "Maya was...kidnapped, a few months back. Basically she was brought to another dimension that has a kind of...effect on people who stay there too long. It brainwashes them and turns them into a sort of drone I guess is a good way of putting it. Thing is, Maya was only there for a few hours and we had to pretty much knock her out and drag her back because she'd already been completely taken over by the place."

"What were these beings called?" He asked out of curiosity. "Our family has been known to be highly sensitive to other beings. I, myself, have been trained since I was a little boy. It seems Maya may need this training as well. I do not blame you for doing what was necessary to bring her back."

"Uh...they're called Slendermen," Topaz said uncertainly, taking a sip of water. "Not the most well known creatures but this isn't the first time we've dealt with them. They're uh....tricky."

"Tall men." Otoahhastis said, seemingly unfazed by the mention of Slendermen. "Is the school equipped in teaching Maya how to block possessions?"

"I can try," Amanda said reluctantly. "But I don't have a lot of experience in Native American magic. I'd really appreciate being able to ask you for advice. And there's her vulnerability in the meantime - is there anything we can do that will help protect her? Like a protection charm, only geared towards what's going on here?"

"Native American magic is very old but so is all magic." He finally gave the blonde a subtle smile. It was filled with friendliness and warmth. Otahhastis nodded, "There might be something..." His voice trailed off and he stood up, "I will return momentarily."

Topaz watched him go, taking a sip of water. "Well this is going to well," she said, tracing a finger around the rim of her glass. "what do you think he's getting?"

"Hopefully a straight jacket. Or a muzzle?" Amanda snorted a short laugh and picked up her tea mug. She made a face as she tasted it. "Should have stuck to coffee."

"That's what you get for trusting diner tea," Topaz pointed out as she sipped her water.

It was a good five minutes before the old man returned, carrying what looked like to be a wooden box with carvings etched into the wood. He sat back down and looked at Amanda. "I can teach you what my grandfather taught me. But it isn't something you can learn in one day. I'll let you think upon it. In the meantime, there is something that can help my granddaughter."

He gestured towards the box. "What lies in the box is a relic that has been passed down in my family for generations. Maya must be the only one to open this box. I am entrusting that this will be done?"

Topaz would admit, that was a bit more dramatic than she had expected. "Uh...yeah, absolutely. That can definitely be done."

"I'll take that as you offering to take charge of the box," Amanda muttered as an aside to Topaz, but she nodded to Otoahhastis. "Thank you. We'll do exactly what you say needs to be done. And I look forward to learning from you."

"I am kidding." The old man laughed as if it was an inside joke. "However, the relic is old. It should protect her from any more outside influences." He pulled out a card and pushed it towards Amanda. "My cell phone and email. Whenever you have time."

"Thank you sir," Topaz said politely. No one could ever say she didn't have manners. "Is there anything you'd like us to tell Maya?"

"To give her Grandmother a call." He gave the woman another smile.