Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Cuyler and Helka finished their call to Revna and made their way back up the hill towards the house. As they topped the rise, Helka paused, her hand going for the sword at her side. “Cuyler,” and she nodded off towards the south east. Cuyler followed her gaze and could see a land vehicle moving across the country side, on a direct line for the house. “Seamus!” Cuyler’s voice carried easily across the distance. Kirsten and Ada looked up seeing Helka, sword drawn, and they easily with familiarity slipped their shields to their arms and glanced to where their Chief was pointing.

Over the distance a very loud and guttural “BAAAAAAA” could be heard.
The Edmans

The door to the house flew open and Seamus walked out grinning. “Arms down, all… that’ll be the hero of the night coming home, I think.” Again, the loud bleating “BAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” was heard… and the ground vehicle swerved, swerved back, and then stopped as a jet black blob launched out of the back like a shadowy missile and made straight for the house.

Helka was the first to respond followed in quick succession by the rest of them. To the last of them they all shrugged and went back to what they were doing. Kirsten looked around the garden, impressed. She looked at Devlin, “We’re going to be doing some hunting while we’re here. Hey Oddvar think you can get a boat to haul in some fish and bring it here?” Oddvar shrugged, “Of course, but it’s a bit soon maybe in a couple weeks.”

In less than half a minute, Angus came roaring down the path towards the house and slid to a stop right in front of Seamus. Angus hopped up and down over and over, bleating and shaking his head. His wool had been sheared and bandages covered his sides, but the mighty ram paid them no heed. Finally Seamus grabbed his horns and pulled him down slowly. “Easy Angus… easy… it’s ok… easy lad… ya did good boy… really good… yes ya did.” Angus calmed and then pushed Seamus off and looked around before eyeing the door of the house. “Aye, she’s inside. Why don’t ya go give her the news you’re ok in person?” Seamus said and Angus bleated “BAA!!” and then went and bumped the door open and walked in as if he was the Lord of the manor returning home.

Helka grinned watching Seamus with the ram, but didn’t say anything, but it was kind of adorable.

Seamus closed the door behind him and looked at the Edmans.

“You’d need more shields.” and then laughed.

Seamus

Kirsten and Ada looked at each other and started a very quiet but animated conversation. And then Devlin stopped mid step turned and glared at his wife. “No, absolutely not. You are not teaching that ram to launch itself off of a shield. Kirsten.” The lighter auburn haired woman looked at him, “Oh come on, Ragna would love that. It will be her wedding present.” Devlin opened and closed his mouth twice, shook his head, pinched the bridge of his nose, “Cuyler…talk some sense into her.” Cuyler laughed, “Nope, your wife you deal with it.”

Inside the house Ragna was roused by a very large and soft nose to the face. Once Angus was inside they all heard, “Angus! You daft ruddy ram what you were you thinking?” and hooves prancing but not bouncing on the stones. He head butted her softly making her wince anyway. He snuffled her from head to toe. Ragna reached over and rubbed his muzzle, grabbing one horn, her voice dropping to something more manageable. “Easy Angus, I’m still hurt.” Angus suddenly stood stock still and looked down at her as if admonishing her for getting hurt. “Yes I know you think I’m one of your ladies now.” She ran her hands over the bandages, “I was worried about you too.” The ram pranced in place, and finally settled down, head laid along side Ragna on the side of the bed. “I’ll have to think of some reward for you.”

Tara watched just as amused with Ranga and Helka was with Seamus. She stood up and walked out of the house. She walked right over to Seamus laughing, “Seamus I think you lost your wife to the real hero, but she’s awake now.”
Ragna and Angus

Seamus didn’t look at Helka, instead staring off in the direction of the trail. The truck was gone… but now a new vehicle was coming. hovering a foot above the ground, it was sleek and expensive. Seamus looked back at the assembled Edmans, and then went to the house and ducked inside, coming back out with his sword. “Make yerselves scarce. Cuyler, Helka, you can stay; but no weapons. The rest get outta sight.”

Cuyler handed his axe to Oddvar who grabbed his pack and motioned to Devlin who grabbed his as well and they disappeared around the back of the house. Kirsten and Ada, all humor and teasing gone grabbed theirs and slipped into the house. Helka passed her own to Ada to place right inside the door.

Ragna looked up, taking in the absolute stillness and readiness of her friends and their appearance. “Forbann det! Hva skjer? Ada? Kirsten? Ada gi meg sverdet mitt. (Curse it! What’s going on? Ada? Kirsten? Ada, give me my sword.)” Ada shrugged, it wasn’t like Ragna was getting up or could wield it at the moment. But she walked right over to the hearth, grabbed it and placed it on the bed next to Ragna. Angus started to bleat and paw the ground. “Shush Angus, quiet now,” Ragna soothed him softly, but that didn’t stop the ram from turning to face the door and press himself tight to the bed frame firmly between the door and Ragna.

A scant few minutes passed and then the long hover car stopped about fifty yards from the house. The front door opened and an Andorian in a suit got out, antennae waving to wards Seamus. Another got out the driver’s side. The first opened the back passenger door and out stepped a woman. Bright red hair and a form fitting pants and shirt outfit clung to her body as if painted on. Dark boots conveyed her towards Seamus.

Cuyler and Helka got their first impression of what the cousins thought of themselves. Helka wondered briefly how pale the woman stepping out would go if she knew exactly how much more monetary wealth they had than her. It would probably make the woman pawn and grovel all over her. Helka took a seat looking for all the world like the Viking Queen she was, Cuyler standing by her side and just behind Seamus. They were both silent but there was a wealth of understanding passing between them.

“Far enough, Victoria.” The woman stopped and fixed Seamus with a glare, and the two Andorians flanked her. “What happened to familial hospitality… Cousin?” she asked with acid in her voice.

Seamus

Familial hospitality went out the door when ‘family’ attacked their daughter. Neither said it or showed it on their face, but Helka began to quietly burn.
The Edmans

Inside the house Ragna closed her eyes trying to listen, “Kirsten open the windows, just a crack I wanna hear what’s going on.” Kirsten rolled her eyes but did as Ragna asked. Seamus’ voice carried clearly despite the windows being to the side of the house. The question about familial hospitality made Kirsten and Ada shift subtly but they didn’t make a sound.

“Went the way of the dodo after your brother beat my wife and threatened to do all kinds of other things. So take all notion of hospitality and shove it up your arse. Now speak or leave, you’ll nay get a chance for anything else.”

One of the Andorians glowered and took a step forward and Seamus looked at him with a glare that gave him pause. “Ya know, friend, in days past many of my ancestors painted themselves blue when they fought the English. Interesting compound it was, too. Acted like a strong anesthetic… couldn’t feel when they had limbs lopped off or arrows stuck in ‘em. You take one one more step like that lad and we’re gonna find out if’n your skin works the same. Ya hear?”

Ragna snickered quietly and gently ruffled Angus’ wool. Her eyes danced with laughter and menace as her gaze met Tara’s with approval for Seamus’ words. She whispered softly to Angus, “Aye I wanna see that too.” She had to force a very calming breath. She wanted to be outside with Seamus not stuck in a bed here.

Victoria put a hand on the guards arm and he stepped back. Seamus grinned and said “Good dog.” and then he looked at Victoria. “Does he fetch, too? I could go for a haggis.” He turned and looked at Cuyler and Helka. “Haggis? Haggis?” and then nodded and looked back. “That’ll be three haggis and chips, lad. Don’t forget the vinegar.”

The Andorian gritted his teeth but said nothing. Victoria shook her head. “Typical. Seamus, I am here to offer you one chance to redeem yourself. If you step down as Marshall and give the office to Argyle, we won’t press charges against you or that trollo-“ “Aye, you’ll be watching your tongue, Victoria. That’s my wife yer talkin’ about. And that there -” and he jerked his thumb over his shoulder, “- is her parents. And I don’t think they’ll be as kind an’ understandin’ as me if you call her what I think you were about to.”

The girls stirred and Ragna waved them to relax. Trollop wasn’t nearly as bad as the things Argyle had said. Behind the house Oddvar set a hand on Devlin’s shoulder to calm Devlin as much to calm himself. This clan was out of control. Devlin considered the Edman girls family, sisters. With Shauwn always chasin’ after Revna and Devlin always with his brother, they had all grown up together. When Ragna had been born they had all taken a turn in protecting her. She was the apple of everyone’s eye despite her temper. Devlin had never been moved to hit a woman, but this Victoria was coming close to being the first.

Cuyler simply crossed his arms and gave the woman a once over and he didn’t shrug, but he seemed to, and he found her lacking from the styled hair to the expensive clothes, he gaze told her he found her ‘less than.’ But it was Helka, still seated in her chair, not even bothering to acknowledge that there was someone there that really pushed it home. There was an air of power and certainty about Helka, and then slowly she turned her gaze on the woman, one brow raising at Victoria’s mistake, not even bothering to evaluate the woman and totally ignored the guards as if they didn’t exist. That their presence would make no difference in her continued state of un-harm or not.

Victoria cleared her throat and said “Fine. You have our offer. Whats your answer, Seamus?” Seamus stood silent for a moment and then said “I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.” and he looked at Andorian number one. “That means no.” he said as if in explanation. “Now leave. You’re making the sheep s#!+ smell bad.” Victoria smiled a wicked smile and said “Well, I tried… didn’t I?” The first Andorain looked at her and then at Seamus. Seamus looked at Victoria. “Like that, eh?” he asked.

Seamus

Inside the house Ragna started to push herself up, enough of this, she wanted blood at this point. It was only Tara’s good sense that got her lie back down before she hurt herself and sent Seamus into a rage, and ruined all their plans. Ada shook her head, impressed because Ragna didn’t listen to many people.

Cuyler looked at Helka and back where Seamus was looking and then back and Helka and shrugged in a very masculine dismissive way that clearly said the Andorian could do better.
The Edmans

Seamus looked at Victoria and said “Victoria Elizabeth McKenzie. As Clan Marshall, I’m telling you to get back in your car and get the hell off the estate. You’ve said what you came to say, and you got your answer. Go on.” Victoria smiled maliciously and said “Oh, I’ll do as the mighty Marshall dictates.” and she moved to the car and the second Andorian opened the door for her. As she stepped inside she looked over the door and said “But the joys of contract labor, Seamus. They aren’t McKenzie… they don’t have to follow the rules, now do they? So they can do as they want, I suppose.” and she laughed as the door closed.

Ragna rolled her eyes, “There are still laws and this is private property Dritt støvel.” It was a vulgar term and not something a lady would say, and she glanced at Tara and shrugged. Tara had said a lady never apologized when she was right, and Ragna was right. Ada grinned at Ragna’s comment. Good to see she was still herself after what happened. Kirsten was listening to the whole thing. “He’s quite the specimen you landed, Ragna. If you hadn’t married him, and I wasn’t so in love with Devlin, I would take that Scott right off your hands.” Ragna rolled her eyes, grinning slightly. But a slow sickly feeling was settling in her stomach.

The two Andorians looked at Seamus and then at each other and grinned. Seamus didn’t budge, but he said “All right, then. So you blue devils are supposed to have a notion of honor. I don’t carry a phaser or pistol or anything of the like. Two on one, no weapons. Agreed?” The two looked at each other again and number one shrugged and nodded in agreement. Seamus held up a finger and turned slowly and walked to Cuyler, propping the McKenzie blade next to him. “If the get past me, just cut ‘em down.” he whispered and he nodded once and turned back.

“No!” Ragna had heard enough. Torn abdominals and bruised diaphragm meant she hadn’t shouted and no one outside the house would hear, but the word came with all the force and authority she carried. She ground her teeth against the pain and rolled her her side, pushing up on bruised hands forcing herself to sit up. Angus was having a fit, pawing at the stones, grunting, and headbutting her legs every time she tried to swing them to the floor. “Angus, you ruddy ram, move or you’ll be dinner.” It wasn’t that Ragna thought Seamus was incapable. Actually she’d love to see him beat the hired thugs to a pulp, but she’d simply had enough in the last day and a half. Ada looked at her, “Ragna stop, you’re gonna hurt yourself.” Ragna ignored her.

Cuyler nodded once. This was exactly what Seamus needed, and Cuyler knew it. Helka knew it, Oddvar knew it, Devlin knew it. A very small part of Cuyler hoped one of them got past Seamus so he’d get to take some of his own anger out on them, but Cuyler knew that wasn’t going to happen.

Stepping back to the two, Seamus set his feet apart and waited. They took off their suit coats and ties and laid them on the hood of the car. They then walked slowly to Seamus and stood for a moment, antennea wavering.

The first blow was sudden. A flash of blue and a loud SMACK, and Seamus’s head whipped to the side and back. It was a solid blow, and Seamus was rocked back a step. The blow from the second one landed on the opposite side and Seamus spun and went down on the ground. “GET UP.” The first one moved to grab Seamus by the hair. Seamus’s head rose and he looked at Cuyler and Hekla, bright red blood flowing from his mouth…

And he smiled.

Helka met his gaze and nodded. They struck him first, both of them. She saw it and so did Cuyler and Seamus had told them to leave, and never threatened them. These two ‘contract laborers’ were being added to the list. Their ‘company’ would be out of business and shut down and they would be brought to Norway along with Argyle and this Victoria once the reconciliation was over. Cuyler looked from Seamus to the two Andorians and a very evil smile crossed his face. He was going to enjoy watching this.

Ragna heard the blow, they all did, and there was a strangled sound of rage deep in her chest. She grabbed Angus by the horns and shoved him away. She ignored Tara and Ada. She was getting up if she had to crawl. But it was Kirsten who put a stop to it. She sent Ada to the door and politely and apologetically waved Tara back. Her shield scooped Ragna’s legs up and back on the bed and she set sword and shield down on the floor. She put an arm around Ragna’s shoulders and with the other hand forced her to lie back, and it was forced, Ragna arguing with her the whole time. She leaned in quietly whispering in her ear. “Ragna! Stop now. I know it’s hard, but some times we have to let them do it their way. He needs to get his anger and his rage out, and they have defiled the clan lands. Seamus has his duty and you have to let him do it. I know you want to be out there with him, but you can’t. I know, one day you’ll be the klanvakt (clan guard) but not here and not today. We love them fiercely and it hurts to know what he’s doing. But your Seamus is going to put these Mehes (someone who just follows and can’t think for themselves) in their place and then he’s going to come to you. I promise, and you can cry and scream and rage at him all you want. Some times our duty as shield maidens means we have to do nothing.” On it went, Kirsten whispering quietly to her friend as they listened to the fierce but short lived fight in the yard, and Ragna fighting to get up. Angus, stalwart defender of his Da’s lady was back guarding the bed shaking his head aggressively at the door.

The rock now in his hand smashed into the Andorian’s temple and sent him reeling. At the same time, a strong back-kick took the leg out from the other and he stumbled forward… right into the swing of Seamus’s rock-holding fist. Blue blood splattered as nose bone shattered and the figure dropped to his knees holding his face. Seamus was on his feet and moving. The first one was still dazed, and Seamus bodily lifted him off the ground and threw him into the side of the car, head first. Antennae stopped quivering. Seamus moved to the second and grabbed him by the back of the neck.

“Up up up boy… time to go.” and he lifted the struggling figure to his feet and then ran him face-first hard into Victoria’s side window. A shriek could be heard from inside. Seamus opened the front passenger door and picked up the second one and rolled him inside. The first he grabbed by the shirt and lifted up and pinned him to the side of the car.

“Now you’re gonna do me a favor. You’re gonna tell whatever firm, service, or agent you bloody bastards work for that no amount a’ pay is worth coming back here for. You or your boys do, and I’ll feed those head-fingers of yours to my pigs. You understand me?” He drew back a big fist and sent a bone breaking blow to the ribs, and an audible crack was heard. “Go on! Get out! An’ if I were you, I’d nae work for this woman of her family again!” He shoved the crumpled figure into the front of the car. He then opened the door to the back.

“Victoria… always a pleasure.” Seamus said with a bloody grin… and then spit some of that blood on her shirt. Slamming the door shut he turned and slowly walked back to Cuyler and Hekla, taking a seat between them.

Taking a breath and exhaling, he watched the car turn quickly around and speed away. “Oh, sorry… I forgot to introduce you. Where ever are my manners, I wonder?” and he smiled, bloody teeth adding another level of maliciousness to his look.

Seamus McKenzie

Cuyler grinned, “Right where they should be, can’t say I missed much by not being introduced.” Helka laughed, placed one hand on his cheek and turned his face to hers and inspected the damage. Standing up she kissed his cheek and walked over to the rain barrel, grabbing a cup and dumping the contents. She scooped water out of the barrel and brought it to him. “Rinse your mouth, and then give me that shirt. It’s got their blue blood all over it.”

Seamus stripped the shirt off and handed it to her wordlessly. He swished the water in his mouth and spit, cascading bloodied water onto the ground.

Oddvar and Devlin came from behind the house as soon as the car was out of sight. “Seamus if it’s alright with you, Devlin and I are going to go hunt dinner, and find a place to pitch the tents.” He still had a bottle of the whisky and passed it to Seamus.

Seamus nodded. “Red deer to the east, rabbits all over. No stags, though. I am Game Warden, after all.” and he winked and then took a big mouthful of whiskey and winced. Swallowing, he stuck a finger in his lower lip and ran it around, pulling out the bloody digit. “Second one had a hell of punch, he did. Really hurt…” and he took another drink, holding it in his mouth to numb the cuts.

Ada came out of the house placing her and Kirsten’s packs off to the side and glanced around at the group and then made a bee line straight for Helka. She glanced from Helka to Seamus. “Jeg beklager klanmor, Marshall. Hvis jeg ikke kjente Ragna bedre, vil jeg si at hun får et panikkanfall. Det er alt Kirsten kan gjøre for å holde henne i sengen. Hvis hun ikke har skadet seg, er det av Friggas egen velsignelse. (I’m sorry clan mother, Marshall. If I didn’t know Ragna better, I’d say she’s having a panic attack. It’s all Kirsten can do to keep her in the bed. If she hasn’t injured herself, it’s by Frigga’s own blessing.)”

The Edmans

“Jeg skal gå. Hvis mennene kommer tilbake med hjort, trenger vi et spytt for å steke dem på. Hvis dere alle vil sørge for det, vil jeg se til Ragna.” (I’ll go. If the men come back with deer, we’ll need a spit to roast them on. If you all will see to that, I will see to Ragna.) Seamus said and stood up. Swallowing the whiskey and then rinsing his mouth with water one last time, he picked up his sword and walked into the house.

He looked at Ragna and said “Wife, ease yourself. I’m here, they’re gone, and I want you to rest. I need you healthy.” He sat on the edge of the bed next to her and said “How are we supposed to be frisky with you wincing in pain all the time?” and he smiled at her.

Tara stood up and shook her head, smiling. “On that note, I’ll go see what I can do to help the others get settled.” and she walked outside.

Seamus