HOME AGAIN

Tongson sat before the fire pit staring into the flames.  The brisk breeze blew down off the mountain peaks bringing with it the hint of chill and cold telling of the change of seasons.  Soon the first snow fall of the season would decorate the peaks behind him.  Fall foliage and many of the highland animals would vacate for lower areas closer to town.  Even Tavia mentioned packing up and returning to their city home.  Tongson inhaled filling his lungs with the scents he’d come to love over their spring, summer, and fall sojourn here on their peak in the mountains. 

Tomas left six months prior on one of his journeys that took him far away from the family.  The twins were barely crawling when he left.  Their older brothers and sister ran the quad with their spindly legs racing all over until they curled up in young children puppy pile style fall fast a sleep for a few hours.  Mickey and Night Hawk’s daughter ruled the rest of the children like the diva she loved to be.  Her new brother might temper those outbursts as he got older.    Yes, life was good here on their peak.    The book store and Tavia’s new arts and craft business needed attention.  And the tribe needed him.

Tongson stirred the fire watching the sparks fly into the dark midnight sky.  Deep within the house, most slept.  Ready for the journey they would undertake in the morning.  Maybe not until late afternoon if he didn’t sleep soon.  This time the truck and SUV would take them down the mountain and back to town.  Shape shifting with small babes and toddlers took more energy and time than any of them had leaving the mountains this late in the season.  Tomorrow would come no matter how much he longed for time to slow allowing him more time in the serenity and quiet he’d come to enjoy.

“Can’t sleep?” Tavia asked slipping her arms around him from behind.  She hugged him to her.  

Tongson nodded as she kissed his cheek.  “I wish sleep would claim me.  We elude each other.  Back to town tomorrow.”    He sighed and leaned against Tavia.

“The seasons have seen us grow and change.”  Tavia slipped her hand into Tongson’s.  She knew the call earlier in the week still haunted him.  His father at the age of one hundred had joined Tongson’s mother in the hereafter.  Watching two human parents age weighed heavily on their adopted son.  Neither of them permitted Tongson to deny his heritage or who he was.  Their unconditional 

love and support shaped the man next to her.  The man, the spirit bear, she loved and called husband.

“Tomas called,” she whispered leaning closer to Tongson.  

“How is he?  I miss that Tom Cat!”  Tongson sneezed as if on cue.  “Even miss his blasted dander tickling my nose.”

“He’s coming home.” Tavia squeezed her senior husband’s hand.  “Both my husbands will sleep with me between again.”

Tongson nodded.  Sometimes home was a place, a feeling, and even the people who made up the family.  He was blessed to have all three here and now.  Tomorrow he would have more again in another place that called him home again.

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Happy Weekend Gang!

A few readers have remarked on how harsh and hard Tyburn and Rachel's saga is.  Pris and I are thinking about where to take the story next with them.  Meanwhile, the other part of our Alaskan group is making their way back to town after some time in their mountain home.  

Be sure to keep warm as the chill of fall begins.  Keep a good book or two handy  to share as you cuddle with your Spice and loves under a blanket in front of the fireplace.  I know I will!

Until next week,

Solara

 

Love, Faith, Hope-The Greatest of These

Tomas looked up from the sermon he laid upon the pulpit.  He smoothed out the crinkles in the pages again.  He splayed his hand over the words making up the title.  His throat constricted as two more filed in and made their way up the aisle until they found seats in the hard wooden pews filling the converted church.  

Tavia’s weak smile warmed his heart.  Two pews back Mickey and Night Hawk sat keeping the children occupied.  Tongson’s brief nod as Tomas’s eyes met his communicated more than Tomas could ever say aloud.  Human and shifter alike dab their eyes.  Many took the packets of tissue offered as they entered the sanctuary.  

Tomas cleared his throat catching the attention of the packed room.  He nodded to the gray haired woman sitting at the battered piano.  She played the opening chords of Amazing Grace.  A quartet of men and women rose on the left side of room.  Their voices blended as each sang a line of lyrics before all four sang in unison.    Another familiar song filled the room as two shifters sang a ballad about illicit love and broken hearts.  As they sat, Tomas spoke.

“Friends, neighbors, and loved ones, today’s tragedy brings home once again why we must unite as a community.  One person took too many lives, hurt innocent beings, and lost touch with himself.  Others seek to harm and hurt anyone who is different.  Some shrink away in fear.  Some use words and actions to justify the malice they do.”

Tomas paused.  Several heads nodded and whispered echoed off the walls.  Licking his lips, he continued.

“Our fellow shifters in Talbot’s Peak face life and death daily from human and shifters.  Humans face the same from humans and shifters as well.  They’ve chosen to unite and live.  To embrace their differences and work together to create a haven and home for those that want to live in peace, love, and a faith in their fellow citizens’ innate goodness and sincerity.”

More nods and soft yeses resounded.  Tomas scanned the crowded room.  Two large men stood near the exit doors.  Their arms hung at their sides.    Moments earlier, they were tight against their chests.  Tomas inhaled deeply.  His eyes meet Mickey’s.  She mouthed I love you, raised her and Night Hawk’s joined hands, and blew a kiss toward Tomas.

Tongson sat with his arm around Tavia.  His wide smile and wink erased any lingering angst Tomas felt.  Tavia’s head bob gave him the fuel he needed to go on.

“There are many quotes on faith, peace, and love.  Many of us here are pagan, a natural religion.  Others are of varying faiths.  For me, I have three that guide me daily.  I’d like to share these with you.  First comes from the Christian Bible:  Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.  The next quote I stumbled upon surfing the internet looking for inspiration for tonight’s topic.  I found one that hit home by a person named Adlin Sinclair a British executive and humanitarian.  He said, and I quote, ‘Without faith, hope and trust, there is no promise for the future, and without a promising future, life has no direction, no meaning and no justification.’  The last is from Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Tomas looked up from the paper in front of him.  He felt all eyes watched him intently.  It was though the community breathed as one spirit, one entity, with them waiting for his next utterance.  Tomas swallowed hard and followed where his heart led him.

“I sense a deep love and caring within us.  Those in Colorado are hurting.  We’ll do what we can for them through our connections with Talbot’s Peak.  I know I want to tell each of you I love you and your love gives me the courage to go on despite this awful tragedy.  Our faith in each other unites us and brings us together to work in peace and harmony for the greater good of all.   Over the next days, weeks, and months as those touched by this begin to heal or let out their grief and hurt, let’s remember we’re in this together.  No one stands alone.”

Tomas gathered up his papers.  He stepped down from the pulpit.  One person stood, clapping.  Another joined and another.  Smiles, greeted him as he made his way down the aisle.  When he reached the door, the largest of the guards leaned down.  “The donation area is packed with boxes and items offered by everyone in attendance.  The cash jar is stuffed to the brim.  We found another and it is overflowing as well.”

Tomas clenched the paper in his hands.  A tear threatened to streak down his check.  A soft hand wiped it away.  He turned.  Tavia and Tongson stood next to him offering their hands.  He moved toward them knowing he’d come home to where he belonged and acceptance was the norm, not the abnormal.

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Hi Gang,

My heart goes out to the people of Aurora, CO.  Having gone through the last Los Angeles Riots,  I can relate to the feelings everyone is going through.   My post this week is my attempt to make sense of the world around me and the horror that sometimes fills our lives.  Hug your loved ones, friends, and extended family by blood or choice.  Tell them you love them and how much they mean to you.  It's important.  Take time to enjoy each other and have hope that a brighter tomorrow is out there for all of us.

Solara

A Howlish Full Moon

Night Hawk leaned back against the side of the hot tub.  Tongson sat across from him, as did Tavia and Tomas.  Mickey sat on the bench close to Tomas.  Steam rose off the water bubbling up from the hot springs below.  Chilling breezes blew down off the still snow-covered peaks surrounding their secluded valley.  The children slept in their room not far from the patio where the quintet relaxed.

“You’re report says little of the antics Sherre Khan continues to support.”  Tongonson slid closer to Tavia.  She laid her head on his shoulder while continuing to hold hands with Tomas.  Mickey’s cheesy grin told Night Hawk her afternoon nap and cuddle with Tomas was worth the private welcome home she’d saved for him.

Tomas sighed and tipped his head back.  A howlish moon filled the sky.  Down in the lower forty-eight, somewhere near the high country in South Dakota, a wolf kept watch and waited.  Dante knew the war would eventually come.  They’d agreed most of Talbot’s Peak would fight against Khan.  Problem remained who would and who wouldn’t.  

“I learned from Serge, Khan wants power.  He craves it like the addict for the drug.  The dissensions within his household appear to go unnoticed by him.  Or better stated by Serge and Dante both as judiciously ignored.”  Tomas snorted as he cuddled Mickey to him.   “I prefer the peace of our quiet domain than adding more who seek to cause discord and resentment.”

Tavia cleared her throat drawing everyone’s attention.  “The powers-that-be want Khan found and gone.  Not as in out of the Peak.  His pelt carries a price.  A bounty that magicks or humans will seek.  I pity the ones who go up against his guard without studying him and his power along with his allies first.”

Night Hawk nodded.  Tavia bit her tongue to keep her words to herself.  The young mage grew by leaps and bounds, as Tongson tutored him in the older magical practices only elite shifters knew.  Serge was amongst the group.  She wondered if he would keep his oath when the time came.  She didn’t want to lose Tongson nor did she want him to be the death of his life long friend.  

Mickey groaned, rubbing her belly, she reached out to Night Hawk.  “Our son moves restlessly.  But a few more of these moons and he will make his way into the world.  I fear you will not be here for him.”

Night Hawk rose and made his way to where Mickey sat.  He dropped to one knee.  “My precious love, I cannot promise what tomorrow holds as it is still being conceptualized, awaiting its own birth as does our son.  My intent is to be here always for you and our family.  If my path takes me elsewhere, may it bring me home to you safe and sound.”

Mickey’s sorrowful smile cut at Tomas.  He wished he could reassure all of them that the balance of power would continue.  That none would perish or turn against family, friend and ally.   He wished a thousand more years of peace would reign. But one exceedingly power addicted shape shifter didn’t understand give and take.  He took what he wanted and the consequences be damned.

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Happy Weekend Gang!

My extreme apology for this very late post.  My day job announced mandatory over time starting in a few weeks.  My spice family celebrated two anniversaries so far this month with another to come before the month is out.  Spending time together celebrating and discussing logistics while I work 9-10 hour days has taken center stage.  

I hope you enjoy this snippet of the continuing discussions happening once Tomas arrived home.  I understand that the Ice Witch Hadley's ignore back in the Peak is getting ready for round two.  Louie's search for his daughter maybe closer to home than he realizes.  The muse is puttering with who is next up in the serials running from our shape shifter friends.

Solara