Chapter Eight: The Second Daughter

Jane arrived on the other side of the hole - clearly a portal of some description from the way it had worked - and was nearly knocked over by someone running past with what seemed to be a pair of pants in his hand. He was laughing manically and looked to be having a great time. Jane stared oddly at the man as the rest of the party entered through the pitch black hole, it shut behind Sean as soon as he stepped though. A few seconds later another man ran past in his boxers, clearly chasing the man with the pants.

"Oi, come back with my pants you dirty little rat-bast" He shouted, waving his fist as he sprinted down the street.

"That's not normal, just so you know" Sean explained in response to the stares he was getting. "Well, it is normal for them, but they are the only people that do it" He continued. Jane glared into space for a few seconds before turning to Sean.

"Why do I get the feeling he is going to be pinned down by a Siberian Tiger?" She asked, causing Sean to bellow with laughter.

"I think we should stay here, it will be amusing" Sean commented.

Meanwhile, down the street where the pant thief and the pant less man had run down, the pant thief had been knocked off his feet by a Siberian Tiger leaping out from one of the alleyways. It was currently perched on his chest, growling and baring its large teeth. The pants thief didn't seem very worried however.

"Morning Katrine, nice weather ehh?" The pants thief asked the tiger, grinning rather nervously. The tiger smiled as only a tiger could smile, eyeing him before the pant less man caught up.

"Caught you. Or rather, Katrine has caught you, but still, you are caught, regardless of catcher. Now, give me my pants" He said, taking the pants out of the thief's hand and putting them on. "Now, unless you want to get some quality time in with Katrine here, I suggest we go see Sean" he announced, nodding at Katrine, who got off him. The strong tiger muscles shrunk, the teeth and fur receded and the tiger slowly stood up right, a woman in a t-shirt and jeans was the end result of the transformation.

"Andrew was an easy catch, he wasn't even trying. If he was, the guy'd be on the back of Time, about a mile in that direction" She explained, pointing to the sky. Andrew, however, was displeased.

"It’s Andy, and don't forget it, or I’ll make you Time's chew toy" he told Katrine coldly.

"Oh don't be so stiff, it’s only a name. The words used in yours hold no bother. It is just a strung-together noise" Katrine told the group.

"Pahh, everything is just strung-together noise these day, no appriciation for the old tongues. Now, let’s not keep our old codger waiting” The man now in pants told Andy and Katrine, heading back towards the party they had ran past a good minute ago.

The trio arrived at the newcomer party and was greeted by Sean, who always took command of things. He spoke to the man who had his pants stolen first.

"Hey John, glad to see you are now wearing pants. It was not a pretty sight, your boxers" Sean told John - who glowered but stayed silent - before turning to Katrine.

"You didn't get in a quick nibble while he was down did you? A tiger nibble can cause some serious problems" He joked, causing the tiger-girl to laugh.

"No, I have enough self-control to not nibble people. When I am a tiger at least. It’s a different matter when I’m humanoid" Katrine replied, equally joking. She then approached Nena and stood next to her, they clearly had some sort of bond with each other. Eliot studied this new girl for a few moments and then spoke up.

"So, you’re a tiger, but you don't have a tail, like Nailah does. How does that work?" Eliot asked, in a quiet, questioning tone, but it was over-ruled by Jane, suddenly screeching at Sean.

"You! How did you do that invisible trick, the one when you first arrived" Jane demanded, pointing at him and glaring. Sean laughed for a few seconds at the sudden off-topic - or at the very least delayed topic - but anwsered anyway.

"It’s complicated. You need to grasp the ability to move between here and the Astral Plane first, and then be able to bend light around your spectral image you leave behind when you keep a foot in this plane" He explained, causing Jane to stare blankly, the usual reaction when Sean explained something.

"I’m sorry I asked" Jane replied. Sean then turned on his heel and pointed down the street, to a large building.

"We are all heading in that direction. Let’s go, we don't want to miss it!" He shouted, storming off down the road and not letting anyone get a word in edge-ways.

Eliot tried to ask Katrine about why she didn't have a tail but couldn't get her attention properly. Then, walking down and wondering about it, he suddenly stopped, realization kicking in. Jane spotted this and tapped Beth, who stopped Sean's war-march.

"What's up?" Jane asked Eliot, who ignored her and turned to Silverfang.

"Why don't you have a tail?" He asked Silverfang, who took on Eliot's highly confused face.

"I...I don't know. I just assumed it was normal not to have one. I don't even have one when I do that wolfy thing" He said, befuddled at the new development. Sean, however, scoffed at the comment.

"You call growing some hair, and slightly elongating your teeth a wolfy thing? It’s a terrible, half-baked concoction that only humans could be pleased with. Honestly, I don't see how you can be sentient and still be so stupid" He ranted, as he did when it got onto the topic of humans. "You haven't got a tail because you have a half-assed mentality, and no instinct or training. That, means you can't call half of your proper strength to bear. It’s like having a Mini cooper tyres on a Dodge Viper" he continued before sighing loudly. "But, you have me now, so I’ll teach you how to be proper later" he finished before continuing down the road, leaving everyone stunned at his rant.

"Wow. That was, unexpected" Jane commented, being the only person that could gather enough coherency to speak. Sean simply shrugged.

"Yep. It happens" He replied, marching down the road. Everyone else simply followed him in stunned silence.

A good minute later the group arrived at a large building, several signs outside displayed things that Jane couldn't comprehend at a glance. One sign - whatever it was made out of appeared to be moving very slightly - had 'Universal Schism' written on it, in English. She thought, it was probably her mind doing stuff again, like it did with that Human House. She pointed to the sign and spoke to the group. She was more bothered about if it was in English rather than what the Universal Schism was.

"That is in English, right?" she asked, not sure what she wanted to hear from the two. Eliot replied quickly, and shortly with a 'sure it is' but Silverfang was more articulate.

"Yes, it’s in English. Why?" he asked, it was strange when someone had to ask about a language they were reading. Jane simply shrugged.

"I don't know. I just thought it might be something else" She said, Sean clearly knew what she was talking about, and nodded.

"You think that the thing at the Human House is going to be common ground now? Don't worry; it probably won't be until you get better. And the board is made out of Shifting Sands. It changes from viewer to viewer, and shows the language they are most fluent in" He explained, before nodding to Tak. "What are you seeing?" He asked.

"I see Agnaet Erit Cam, the True Wolf Language. I thought the ability to write such was lost with Lupia. It is an interesting substance Sean" Takanuva replied.

"It is. And really helpful for Tourist heavy places such as this place. Anyway, let’s get in" he announced, but Jane stopped him, clearly looking for a second question.

"Isn't a Schism a division, usually between two groups?" She asked, not many band names made sense, so she didn't really know why she was trying to figure this one out. Sean looked at the board for a few seconds before nodding.

"Yea, but they probably didn't know that when they named it, probably just thought that it was a really cool name" he explained, and then turned to the building and opened the door. A blast of noise roared out of the doorway, invading the group’s ears.

"Dam that is some good noise reduction" Katrine commented, wide-eyed.

"In we go" Sean all but ordered, entering the building. The group had no other option than to go in, which they did after varying levels of hesitation.

As the group entered the building, they saw Sean talking - although the level of din meant he was more shouting to be heard - a large man, clearly a bouncer. They missed the start of the conversation, or it was a very strange conversation.

"Well, I would like to think I am a very important person to her. although, I am not sure" He shouted, to which the bouncer nodded. He then looked at the group that had walked in and approached Sean, flanking his back half.

"Your entourage has to stay here though, we get too many crazies" He shouted back, gesturing for Sean to follow him.

"Where do you think he is off to?" Jane asked them, looking around as Nena shrugged and followed Sean.

"Probably backstage. He is going to go see Lilly, his daughter, before they start” Beth explained.

"Sean has two daughters?" Jane asked in an incredulous tone.

“Yep” Beth replied basically.

Whatever went on in that room Jane didn't know, but when Sean walked out of the backstage room carrying a large unconscious man, Beth shook her head, and Satyr just scoffed.

"Can't you go anywhere without knocking someone out?" She asked, to which Sean shook his head.

"Nope. It’s a necessity, like drinking tea" He replied before whistling softly, to a point where it couldn't be heard over the din of people. The bouncer sprang into life, looking around and straightening his suit.

"Going to tell us what went on in there?" Jane asked Sean.

"Nope" Sean and Nena said in near-sync, as the bouncer guy spoke to them.

"Hey, the band will be on stage momentarily, have fun" The bouncer told them, trying to remember the last few minutes of his life.

"Just like that? No ticket, or pay at the door?" Eliot asked, it was very strange.

"Yep, San likes to keep people entertained, so this place has something going on all the time. And its free, the bouncer just keeps out guys that look unsavoury" Sean explained, leading the group through the now open double doors and deeper into the building.

The group where lead into the main area, where thousands of people where gathered. Considering it was a closed area with thousands of people all dancing around, it was surprisingly cool. The Earthlings where looking surprised at every feature, but the others treated it like every day things.

"So, how do they keep this place so cool?" Jane asked as the others were staring at everything and everyone. There was a lot of non-human species around to catch the Earth eyes. Some looked like fish, lions and other animals from Earth and some of them where so strange that they had no base of comparison with anything from Earth. However, Jane was more interested in learning more about everything.

"Basic air magic. San has a few dozen magi around, and they keep the current fresh and cool. They trade out every few hours, and get to eat, sleep and spend the money they earn doing this" he explained, before thinking for a second. "On a controlled basis, I don't see why you couldn't try it. Air is easy to use, due to its abundance, and the amount of stray mana around here should make casting simple, even for a novice like you" Sean continued, before flicking a finger at Jane. A breeze ruffled Jane's hair.

"I would love that, magic seems pretty cool. So, any tips to make this easier?" She asked, running her hand through the air, she could feel it but it didn't move to her command.

"Hmmm. Well, magic has been all myth and fable for you, so there is a sub-conscious block in your mind. It will be hard, but try feeling the air. If you can get the sense of what the air is, then I am sure you can do a bit of air-flicking" He said, their conversation was brought to an unofficial end as the band came on stage.

“That’s Lilly” Beth told Jane, pointing out one of the girls on the stage, the one with the guitar instrument. The band then began to start their songs, the guitar playing was amazing, and the drumming was highly proficient, but she couldn't make out any of the words. “It’s a din to wake the Kabals, but I’ll be dammed if it isn’t brilliant” she exclaimed lively, before melting back into the crowd. Jane decided to go find Sean, and see if he knew anything. Once she found him, she got his attention before speaking.

"What are they saying?" She asked very loudly, and even then it barely got though.

'Use Tele-speak. It’s easier in this kind of situation' Sean said into her mind, causing a touch of shock. She waited a few seconds and then thought something, with Sean in mind.

'Does this work?' she asked, knowing it got through because of a smirk.

‘Yes, yes it did. And the mike they are using should have a translation enchantment on it, strange you can't understand them. But they are doing a song about trusting people; you probably haven't got it down at Earth. It’s a popular song, and Lilly plays great on the guitar' Sean explained, which Jane nodded to.

'Ok, I’ll just listen to the music, it’s nice, even if I can't understand It.' she replied, and did just that.

While listening to the band, Jane felt the air around her, trying to make it move to her whim, as the band played. She got nowhere with it, and the band played several songs - including one she thought she recognized from Earth - before the lead singer spoke up.

The crowd was whipped into frenzy by this point, and Jane felt bruised and tired from the constant bumping she had endured.

Sean didn't seem bothered though, either that or he simply did something to avoid getting bumped. She wouldn't be surprised to hear he had sent every bump into another dimension or something equally crazy. However, he had a truly pleased smile on his face, as if watching his daughter play in the band had made him happier than most things could. She thought that he had rushing so quickly, without even vaguely explaining the situation and leaving everyone confused before walking off at with a smile on his face. He must have dragged everyone here with such speed because he wanted to show this band to everyone. It was a nice idea, and she could get where he was coming from with his enthusiasm, something she wished her parents to have with her. Lilly was truly lucky to have such a parent.

"It’s great to see we are so loved in this house of entertainment. A few of the older people in the audience are giving me glares, but I have my lovely Lillyana here to protect me, so I'm safe as houses. Speaking of houses, I hope to see you all at San's house later for The Ball" the singer told the audience. Jane saw that Lilly was grinning widely, and Sean was probably just as happy.

Suddenly, as if summoned by her thoughts, Sean appeared by her side.

"You ready to go? There is a lot more to this planet than just this building" He explained.

"What was that?” Jane asked, referring to the gig they had just watched.

“It was my daughter playing in her band” He told her, heading out of the band area, past the confused looking bouncer and into the open again. Lilly was outside waiting for them as they arrived, she didn't look like she had just be on stage, playing a guitar with astounding skill, for so long and thrashing around as if she had something under her skin. She there was not a single drop of sweat on her and her cheeks where not even slightly flushed. There was - like everything that was related to Sean in anyway - something else, something about Lilly that wasn't being announced, for whatever reason.

"Thanks for coming down, I am glad you could make it" Lilly told Nena, giving her a hug before turning to her father. "You 'n' all, never thought you would be here" She said to Sean, grinning as she gave him a hug as well.

"You’re welcome dear, wouldn't miss this any more than I would miss Nena getting sold in an auction and getting to kill every one of the little bastards that where there" He replied, grinning widely. His other smiles where rather maniacal - not that this one didn't have manic traces - or even a bit forced at times, but this one was the first Jane had seen that was proper.

"Well it was a lovely break, but we got to get back, San is busy and we have to help him" Andy said, shocking Jane slightly by breaking the silence he had held. "I know I don't, exactly, but I stick by this one through thick and thicker" He continued, gesturing to John as he did. "I’ll probably see you up there in a bit Sean, but for the rest of you down here, goodbye and have fun" he finished, giving them all a light wave and heading off, followed by John and Katrine.

Jane tried to take advantage of the momentary silence in Andy's wake but Lilly took the opportunity first.

"That is great hair. How did you get it to grow so long?" She asked, running a hand down it. Jane blushed as she did whenever someone complimented her hair, and simply shrugged.

"I am not sure, it just grows. My dad never cared enough to cut it, and I liked to keep it this long. It felt good" She replied before turning to Sean. "There was a song they played, the second one, and I recognized the guitaring in it" she told him, as Lilly ran her hand through the deep jungles of her hair. It felt a lot like a comb going through, for some strange reason.

"Yes, I thought you would pick up on that" he replied to Jane's question, taking a breath to launch into one of his massive explanations before Lilly removed her hand from Jane's jungle and pointed to the building behind them.

"I best be getting back as well, always more things to do" She told them before opening the door and going back inside.

“Love ya, hun. Knock 'em dead" Sean called to her as she left.

“Thanks Dad, I'll try. Not, actually kill them,but you know...” she replied before disappearing into the building.

"On that note I’m off, going to take Nehvna and her lovely dear shopping for clothes, shoes, hair styling or Wave Motion Cannons. Whatever the shops sell" Beth announced hastily, dragging a softly complaining Nehvna by the hand off down the road.

"What cheek" Sean said in wake of Beth's leaving, he shook his head before turning to Jane. She was clearly a bit confused - probably didn't know what a Wave Motion Cannon was, but he would explain it later - but attentive. "Anyway, about the song. You humans are an ignorant, self-destruction race bent on stripping every last scrap of wealth from the ground and killing yourself with the pollution of your factories, or the unbridled fury of the sun. And if that wasn’t enough, you invent weapons to kill yourselves even quicker than that" Sean started, and Jane didn't seem to be in the mood for another anti-human rant.

"Yes, I got the general idea that you don't like us. Now, can we talk about the song?" She asked him, which made him chuckle.

"If you'd let me finish. Now, once in a blue moon, when the stars align and cows give birth to three headed offspring, you humans come up with a flash of creativity, and make something that doesn't actually blow up, ignite, cut apart or otherwise harm anything. So it could be said that your music is on a level that some other species enjoy it to the extent that it is copied and played by their musicians. And some species like your creative impulses and would like to take you and have you impulse on their planet, but unfortunately its illegal and carries a high punishment, so that doesn't happen often" he explained, finishing with a nod and generally looking pleased about himself.

"So, you like our bands?" Jane simplified, deflating Sean. He clearly deflated and glared.

"Yes. You music good. We like. We copy" Sean used short, sharp sentences, much like a person just learning to speak.

"Ok, ok. No need to speak like a caveman" Jane replied, sighing before shaking her head. "I guess you have important you stuff to do, so I am going to follow Beth's lead and drag my boys - and girl, since Nailah is here - around to check out the shops" Jane told Sean, turning to Eliot and Silverfang with a grin.

"Sure-sure. The 'Houses and Tak will head up to San's and talk business with the big man. But first, you lot will need money" Sean said, pulling a card out of his pocket and giving it to Jane. "That is for one of my accounts here at San's place. I am sure that you can't spend all that is in it, so go nuts. I’ll see you peeps later" he told them, but Jane looked like a light bulb flashed in her brain, and she stopped him.

"Just one thing before you go. Is, or was Atlantis real?" She asked, and from Sean's hysterical reaction she thought herself rather stupid for asking.

"Ahh girl. That question is complicated, I’ll tell you about it later" He replied, turning and walking away, followed closely by Nena. Jane shrugged looked at the card for a bit and then walked up to Silverfang and put her head on his chest.

"I think this is the first time we have been alone since your house" She said, looking at Eliot as she spoke. "So, who's up for some shopping?" She asked. Eliot shrugged indifferently, but Nailah grinned, looking rather excited. Silverfang however, simply shook his head.

"Really? Out of everything you can ask him for, you ask if Atlantis is real? That is just...well it’s just you really" he told Jane, holding her tighter to his chest so he wouldn't get hit. "Anyway, shopping sounds good".