Down the rabbit hole (Nia)

[Lord Lucian Yale]

Normally Lucian Yale would never have even dreamed of this. He was somewhat lose, deep within forbidden territory which most stayed away from but they had their reasons. Out of fear and lack of real knowledge about the ones they shunned, the inhabitants of the isle of los lobos were never leave the comfort of the towns and villages dotted about the isle.

However Lucian was not one to let his fear control him, affect his decisions even though he was still viewed as a relatively young lycan. At only thirty years old, Lucian Yale was probably the youngest lord in recent history of this unique island and it's court.

His initial intention had been nothing more than an evening stroll, he needed space. Lord Yale needed this more than anything, he needed to escape from the strain of court life and the politics that were so tightly wrapped about it. This had been harder than he excepted when he accepted the title less than eight years ago.

His eyes tore from left to right, taking in every inch of his new surrounding. It seemed that he had wandered into the gypsy camp, his thoughts must have consumed him and the lycan had not looked where his feet were taking him. Soon his curious gaze fell upon a single caravan, unlike the rest it drew him in like a moth to a flame. Something about this particular caravan pulled him in, making him want to climb the few steps that led up to the door. Lucian wanted to discover what lay inside.

Curious.

His brother wolf was unusually silent, this had never happened before in their short time together as one being. Yes he had only understood the true meaning behind the voice of his brother wolf within his mind, twelve years ago it made itself known to him. The moment it appeared scared him but his beta had explained everything to him chasing the fear away. This silence was worrying as his brother wolf had always been rather vocally.

Taking a deep breath, Lucian crossed the distance between himself and the caravan in question. Each step he climbed, moved him closer to his destination and whatever lay behind that door. Once at the top of the tiny flight of stairs, slowly he lifted his hand, knocking the wooden door three times. What was done, was done. All that he could do now was wait and see what happened next.

[Madam Nia Hendrix]

Nia sighed softly as she sat back at her table once her last customer of the evening was gone. She looked to Puma, the baby ball python wrapped around her arm, and stroked the bottom of his head gently. "Busy day, boy. Thank Luna they're all gone now." She stated calmly before she began to take off her jewelry.

Today had been a very busy day. A very busy day indeed. She sighed and stroked her finger along Puma thoughtfully. She needed to rest. She knew the night was young. Even for gypsies, but she had a busy day, and a busy day meant a lot of readings, which meant her energy was pretty sapped. She wasn't going to join into the usual festivities of the camp tonight. She usually did a couple of dances with some of the other girls and just generally flittered about the camp to help the elderly or the pups with their food and plates. Tonight she was going to crash in the bed and sleep late into the morning. .That's how tired she was. She knew Sparrow would find someone to cover for her since she would be sleeping in lat Fordel wouldn't be happy about her late morning, but he would get over it. He understood by now just how taxing the visions and the readings could be on her. There were some days where she stayed cooped up in her trailer all day. Sparrow usually took care of her on those days because Nia actually felt sick. She tried not to work herself too hard and end up with one of those days, but sometimes she had no choice. She couldn't turn down poeple who came to her. Not when they were offering her a way to provide for her family.

She looked to the door when she heard someone knock against it. She frowned softly. She hadn't seen that happening. She glanced out her window to watch a group of people dancing around one of the two fires of the camp then looked to her door. She sighed and decided she wasn't going to try and get the jewelry back on. She walked to the door and opened it, figuring it was someone from the camp wanting to have Nia read their palms or do a card reading. She blinked at the man in front of her. He was someone she'd never seen.

"May I help you, Sir?" She asked calmly. Blue eyes skimmed up and down his gaze before she glanced over his shoulder to the other campfire. Sparrow, her mother was sitting beside her mate, Fordel, who was playing on his guitar contently while some of the gypsy family sat around the fire, chatting while a deer roasted on a spit. She looked back to Lucian, waiting to see what he was here for.

[Lord Lucian Yale]

This was awkward, Lucian was not meant to be here waiting for anyone to answer the door. However he had to know what drew him here, what caused this silence within himself. The soft sound of footsteps alerted him that someone was inside. This was a positive sign that he might gain answers to his query. The wait even though it was likely mere seconds was killing the lord, he hated to wait and was highly impatient.

For the moment, Lucian delved into his own thoughts, thinking over the business that still needed to attended when he returned for this ‘quest for knowledge’. His own beta’s case was never far from his mind but still he could not help feel envious. Envious of the happiness, of joy that came with having someone by your side night and day, of having someone love you for you not for who you were and the power and status you possessed.

This was one of the many problems this particular lord had, he could not find someone who truly loved him. Maybe he was destined to be alone, like many others. Only time would truly tell for now he would take every day as it came.

The creak of the door, brought him back down to reality. Whoever was on the other side was answering his knock, opening the door to query and interest. The sight of a young, rather beautiful woman was not what he imaged would behind this door. She was truly a sight to behold, a beauty who he could not turn his gaze away from. Had he died and gone to heaven? This was attraction at first sight but yet his wolf was still eerily silent.

He was not here for a reading, just answers. “I hope you will be able to Madam” His normally calm and collected tone was abandoned, he was shuttering ever so slightly. Lucian Yale was nervous before this young madam, finding it hard to speak with ease. Never before had this lord had trouble speaking to the fairer sex but this young women was another story altogether. “May I come in?” He inquired, as he nervous toyed the edge of his fine waist coat. He had foolishly let his tailored coat back in his suite, forgetting it the moment he decided upon this evening stroll in the woods under the gaze of the waxing moon.

[Madam Nia Hendrix]

Nia studied the man for a moment with those intense blue eyes. There was chaos swimming all around him. Tense chaos. She could feel it all around. She opened the door further, gesturing him to come in, stepping aside in the cramped doorway so he could step in. She felt more than tension and chaos though. "Of course." She said faintly as she gestured for him to come in. As long as he was planning on paying for her services, she would happily welcome him in. She glanced out the door once more to her mother and her mate and some of Nia's friends that were hanging around their camp fire tonight.

So much for sleep. A man with so much that was clearly on his mind was going to take a good while to decipher and help. Puma's head slowly slithered out from it's hiding spot under his body and his tongue flickered out to smell the new comer. He was always a curious sort. People didn't realize it, but snakes could differentiate the differences between people. They always knew who was holding them, and Puma was always the most comfortable and at ease when Nia was holding him or he was wrapped around her.

"Please, M'lord." She said gently as she gestured to the small little dining table covered in a midnight blue cloth. A stand for her crystal ball stood in the middle of the table. The three pewter howling wolves made a lovely display with or without the crystal ball so Nia usually left it out when she wasn't using the crystal ball. "Sit." She said gently as she closed the door behind him. She flicked her sign over just in case. She did not allow for others to bother her when she was working. She took Puma and gently nudged him to her shoulder, where he proceeded to curl around her neck much like a necklace. He tightened his hold on his mistress, but not enough to choke her. Just enough to hang on and keep from falling off. "Is there anything I can fix you, M'lord? Tea? Coffee?" She looked to him as she filled a tea kettle on her tiny stove to fix some tea for herself if not for him.

[Lord Lucian Yale]

This was awkward, very awkward as he slowly entered her home. Never before had he been so bold as this, never before had he even dreamt for visiting the gypsies but here he was. Lucian Yale was inside one of their homes, searching for answers of what had brought him hear of this most starry of evenings. The moon hung high in the sky, her rays caressing everything they shone upon. The brother wolf stirred ever so slightly under the touch of la Lune but quickly grew silent once more. His hands were clammy, sweat poured for each and every pore, what was this woman doing to him.

Never before had he been this nervous about anything, yet in a split second he was falling apart in front of this beautiful stranger. The moment the door closed behind him, his wolf awakened from it’s slumber standing to attention in this strange place. It had not left him here but awoke in an unknown location. Lucian could not help roll his eyes at this strange comment, his wolf was never that bright but always thinking too deeply.

The lord would be more than willing to pay for any amount of insight, as long as it helped even a little. His mind presently was greatly troubled at the previously silent lycan within, it was a something he had never heard of before. Quickly he told a seat at the small table draped with a midnight blue cloth, his arms rested upon the edge of the table. “Thank you for this ma’am, I can pay anything you ask” He informed her still more confident than moments before.

“Tea would wonderful” A warm cup of tea would be more than welcome, likely it would take the edge of his nerves, calm him down. His eyes were drawn to the object around her neck, for the first time he noticed it move. A snake? Strange but Lucian would not judge, it was her choice to wear this snake like a piece of expensive jewellery.

“I know this might sound strange but please hear me out” He started, taking a deep meaningful breath before carrying on. Hoping his words did not frighten her, cause her to chase him away. “I was drawn here but I do not know why” He honestly told her, turning his gaze down to his hands, nervous at what she might think of him, a lonely lord wandering in the moonlight.

[Madam Nia Hendrix]

Nia studied the man thoughtfully for a moment as she fixed him a special tea that would to calm his nerves. It would make the reading easier for her if he could relax a bit more. She set herself a normal cup of chamomile. She didn't want to drink anything that could dull her senses during a reading. It was bad for buisness if she couldn't see clearly. She looked to the tea pot when it started to whistle and she took a towel, gently picking the pot up carefully and pouring the water. She picked up the mix matched tea cups and set his in front of him and hers down before she slowly settled in across from him.

"Well, before I ask for any sort of payment, I have to ask why it is you're here, M'lord." She said calmly, blue eyes meeting his gaze. Nia liked to think she had a fairly decent price. Something a noble man such as himself could afford. And it all depend upon what he was asking for. If he was asking her for some guidance or advice, she didn't charge all that much.

She sat there, stroking a finger over along Puma's smooth skin calmly as she studied him thoughtfully. She wasn't worried about the snake choking her. Puma knew the hand that fed him and he wasn't going to choke the woman that owned that hand. Otherwise he would starve to death probably. The snake lifted his head and slowly slithered around to wrap around her arm and fingers once more. She didn't bother trying to move him. He liked to chill out on her wrist instead. He could get a better look at the customers from that point. Some of her customers didn't much appreciate the snake though, so she usually put him away.

She smiled faintly at his words and nodded her head softly. "Those that are troubled are often drawn to the camp. Especially when they hear word that there's a mystic woman." She said softly as she lifted her tea to her lips and sipped at it casually before leaning forward and resting her chin on her hands. "What is it that troubles you, M'lord?" She asked calmly, blue eyes watching him intensely, searching for the answer in all that chaos that was going on.

[Lord Lucian Yale]

His hands were terribly sweaty as he tried to grasp the simple cup of tea that his hostess had provided. He hoped it would calm his nerves. Hopefully Nia could help him, bring some light upon this most strange of meetings, this was the first time Lucian had acted this way, so impulsive. It simply was not him, not at all.

A soft, soothing scent floated from the cup, the lord breathed in deeply taking as much as he possible could. It helped, allow him to relax, chasing some of the tension out of him. His muscles loosen as he leaned backwards into his chair, relaxed. His facial features softened, making him seem younger even if it were for a moment. Lifting the cup, resting it against his plump lower lip, tipping the hot tea into his mouth.

“I truly wish I could answer that Madam but sadly I have no answer to offer you” He answered her query truthfully. When she named her price, he would pay it no matter the amount, Lucian was not as rich as other heads of the five houses but he had a tidy sum in his bank account and in his pocket. Any advice par taken on this evening, would be helpful in calming his turbulent mind which containing one silent brother wolf.

The music and life that was housed in this camp was highly inviting to anyone who dared to enter, or just so happened to wonder by. What troubled him? Many things often troubled the mind of this rather young, inexperienced lycan lord. Politics and the fast paced life of Vaan’s court was hard to keep up with, he never knew if he was coming or going. On top of that was the troubles within his own pack. His beta had fallen for an enslaved, owned slave. Her master was one to walk on eggshells around him, you never knew which side you might trigger.

“If I am honest, many things trouble me. The life I lived was not what I envisioned when I become an alpha” He started, the words seemed to flow like water. It was easy to speak, confess to this young woman who was clearly older than he. “Politics of court, I was not born for this but I can’t just abandoned those around me because I find it hard” Lucian Yale was not quitter, just because he was struggling with the papers that piled higher and higher upon his desk each morning.

[Madam Nia Hendrix]

Her head nodded softly. "Sometimes we are drawn somewhere an do not know the reason. It is perfectly normal." She stated nonchalantly as she sipped at her tea, blue eye studying him, focusing on him.

She studied him intently when he spoke of the politics of the court. He was not the first who came seeking her advice for cases in the court. Blue eyes studied him as he calmed. Yes, it made it much more easy for her to focus when the customer was calm. She started to pick up on the people in his life and she sat back in her chair softly. "I see a woman, very heavy with pups. And a man.Her mate?" Blue eye studied him intently. "Your beta?" She asked calmly as her finger softly stroked at the snake around her neck. He was trying to help his beta. To keep the two of them safe. She could pick that up. She did not wait for an answer. She knew the answer already. She stood and went to a cupboard, pulling out an empty pouch and a larger pouch that was full of stones. She carried it over to the table and sat back down. She poured some of them onto the table and skimmed through them before she selected several. She held one up to him, showing it to him. "This is a tiger eye. It'll let you see everything. You just tuck it into a pocket or worry it in your hand for clear thinking and insight." She said as she set it down in front of him gently.

She took the stones that were strewn over the table and gently urged them back into the bag before she set them aside and opened a drawer, pulling out a deck of cards that were wrapped in a deep purple cloth. She wasn't going to use them just yet. Sometimes she only needed to talk with the customer to decipher what was going on and what he or she needed without even using the cards. It depended on the situation and the person. "There is more to it than just your beta and his mate though,among other things, isn't there?" She asked calmly, giving him a questioning look. She knew there was more. But she did not wish to push him too much. She couldn't afford to push too much. If she pushed someone into giving answers they didn't want to give she could lose customers, and her and the camp couldn't afford to lose customers.

[Lord Lucian Yale]

Perfectly normal? How could this situation be perfectly normal, him a lord of his own making drawn into the middle of nowhere, into the heart of a gypsy camp. To his logical mind, no action made any lick of sense but maybe this was his brother wolf’s way of communicating with him after the many weeks of silence. Much had changed in the last few months, how could time be so cruel to one so lonely as he? He was a man ruled by logic and reason, so this situation was uncomfortable and confusing.

He clutched the tea-cup tightly, often looking down into the warm depths, trying to find an answer to this peculiar evening. The lord wondered exactly what this woman could do for him, what answers to his many swirling questions could she give. His head shot up at the mention of a woman, the very description of Eva, the pregnant mate to be of his beta. Could it be possible that he was jealous of his happiness? That he desired what his beta had. The joy and fulfilment that love brought.

Lucian nodded his head, answer her question silently. He watched her every movement as she headed for the other side of the room, opening a cupboard removing something, something small hidden within an ocean blue silk pouch. A tiger eye? It would show him everything? Simply how was possible, he stared up at her confused.

A deck of cards soon followed the precious stone. Tarot cards? Lucian had not seen that coming, before this night he had never truly believed in the art of fortune-telling through cards alone. How could cards reveal the path that lay before him? “I know it runs deeper than my beta and his recent burst of happiness” His lonely had stretched and deepened across the years, it had lessen the moment he had his pack, the moment he had become part of something greater than himself.

[Madam Nia Hendrix]

Nia studied him thoughtfully for a moment as she shuffled the cards slowly. She stopped after a few minutes of thought and reflection. she picked the bag back up. He would need more than a tiger's eyes to help him in his trouble. She sensed that much. She set the cards in front of him and gestured to them. "Shuffle them." It was not a request. It was a command of sorts. She needed his energy to flow through the cards before she could do things properly. "Don't stop until I tell you to." She routed around in the bag again until her delicate hand came out with a deep purple stone with jagged, crystalline, points surrounding it.

"This is for your beta's mate. It's amethyst. It will protect her and the pups growing in her belly. Have it fashioned into a necklace for her and have her wear it, and tell her when she sleeps to tuck it under her pillow." She set it in the smaller pouch and then reached into her bag once more, pulling out a smoothly tumbled piece of turquoise."This I'm sure you recognize, as will your beta. Turquiose is also a stone of protection as well. And it is a stone of friendship. " She met his gaze.

She could pick up the jealousy from him. He wanted what his beta had. He wanted to be loved. To love in return. Nia could easily understand that. Her lifestyle got a little lonely sometimes. She had lovers on occasion, but they never stuck around very long. She had yet to find someone who was accepting of her way of life. It was not an easy life to accept. Gypsies were the outcasts of the lycan society that resided on Isla de Los Lobos. No body wanted anything with the gypsies. They lived a totally different life to the others. There were not many who could understand that. She looked to the stones and carefully placed them in the smaller pouch, taking his tiger's eye and placing it in the pouch as well. She set the pouch in front of him and held her hand out in front of him to take the cards from him.

[Lord Lucian Yale]

His troubles ran deeper than most knew, Lucian hide, bottled everything deep within himself. He could not be seen as a weakling, a man who could not handle both himself and his pack. Lucian Yale was an alpha and a lord to the King. He just had to be strong. Cards? How could cards help him now, unless it held the answers he sought or the number of a life coach. For now he would play a long, curious what would occur in the coming moments.

He reached forward, taking the cards from them, they felt normal, looked like just another pack of cards. Shuffling the cards in no particular order, keeping his confused gaze locked upon the form of Nia. Within her hand, she held another stone, different to the one she had given to him previously. It was a deep purple, beautiful to behold. It reflected Eva in every respect, the pregnant she-wolf was a piece of beautiful art work moulded by the harsh life she had been forced into as a youth. She was everything he wanted in a mate but alas she belonged to another, his best friend and beta Raphael.

“I shall personally oversee this stone made into a necklace” His own feelings were starting to shine through, betray him to this breath-taking stranger that seated opposite him. Lucian would never act on this particular feelings, never break the trust that had been built over the last decade between alpha and beta. Protection was something that been a necessary of late, things had changed. The dynamics of the world were slowly altering, the king was moving towards another, a new more sensible lover. The court was changing.

Friendship was something Lucian and his brother wolf had been craving more and more, the very thought of connection with another was something he would not dream of missing. A simple connection could easily evolve into something more. The signal to stop appeared, his hands slowed down to complete stop before he handed the deck of cards back to her.