Colin's posts

Dom raised an eyebrow when she said that.

"Oh?" he asked.

"Interesting." he commented.

"What were you studying there?" he asked her.

"And before you ask, yes, I am curious as to what my son was studying there as well, and if you want to volunteer that information, I welcome it, but this is about YOU." he chuckled.

"But that seems like a rather serendipitous kind of meeting." he then added with a small smile.

Dom was quiet for a moment, and then sighed quietly.

"...you didn't deserve to have the family you did. You deserved better." he told her. "I can already tell you had it unfairly hard in your past, and I am sorry for that." he said further.

"And questions for you?" he then asked.

"Well... maybe some." he admitted.

"How did you meet my son?" he asked her.

"....see, that's apparently something that's been newly discovered." Dom responded.

"When... a hunter passes on his genes, so to speak... it seems that it has an effect on the one receiving the genes, and they adopt stereotypical attitudes and behaviours of a traditional hunter." he told her.

"If Marcus had known that... I like to think he would have stayed." he went on.

"And if I were to wager, he might be scared, or ashamed, to try and see you now." he then guessed. "Probably." he insisted.

"But I CAN try and find him for you." he then offered.

".....bearing in mind, I haven't seen him in... years." Dom replied.

"But last I saw him, he was alive. And well." he told her.

"And I haven't heard anything in the hunter circles I am privy to, so I don't think he's dead." he said.

"I can't say that with 100% certainty. More like.... 90% certainty." he elaborated further.

"As for why he left... he didn't trust himself." he then said.

"When you were born, he sensed the mana inside you... and he was very conflicted. Moreso than he expected to be. He didn't want to hurt you. And he didn't trust himself enough to make the correct decisions while around you." he went on.

"So he panicked... and ran."

"...." Dom was silent for a moment, and sighed.

"I'm still sorry." he said.

"Maybe if your father had trusted himself, this wouldn't have happened to you." he said further.

He then looked at her, and she could see how he hated that she had gone through the hell she had.

"I'll tell you all I know." he told her.

"Just ask whatever you want." he said.

"I'll try and fill you in on what Marcus couldn't, or didn't."

Dom was definitely surprised to see it, but what caught his attention wasn't her eye... it was the scars around it.

"....oh..." he said.

"Oh, no..." he mumbled.

He then leaned forward a little, hanging his head slightly.

"Marcus, you damn fool." he muttered to himself. "I told you not to make the same mistakes I did." he said further, before looking at Desiree again.

"Thank you." he told her.

"You can put your hair back now, if you want to." he said.

"And... I'm sorry." he apologised. "I... bet I can guess how those scars were acquired."

"DAMN IT!" Ryker cursed, as the connection was lost.

"Guess I gotta rely on instinct." he muttered, shaking his head and racing off towards the direction of a cave he knew.

"...it's probably huge." he told himself.

"Like... really big." he went on, narrowing down the search in his mind.

'I need to check the biggest ones first, and hope I get lucky.' he then thought.

"...and hope I make it in time."

"......." Dom was silent as Desiree said the last part.

"Indeed it is." he then said.

"....might I see a glimpse of it?" he asked.

"If you're not comfortable with it, then I understand, but... it's been a while since I've borne witness to the eye." he reasoned.

"They also say the eye reflects one's own soul." he then commented.

"Would you mind letting me see?"

"I'm surprised he didn't figure it out." Dom admitted.

"It's not a common thing to be able to do." he said. "...then again, it's possible that it was a combination of his warring genetics, as well as some degree of cognitive dissonance, that made him come to the conclusion he did..." he then mumbled, before shaking his head slightly.

"And from what I hear, YOU'VE played an integral role in getting my son to accept what he is, and who he is." he commented.

"For that, you have my deepest and eternal gratitude."

"...so it is." Dom replied, looking at the screen.

"Technology is amazing." he commented. "...not to sound as old as I am, mind..." he then added sheepishly, pursing his lips a little.

"Anyway..." he then mumbled, before navigating the screen and ordering what he wanted.

"Yes, hello." he greeted her.

"I am Dominico Bianchi." he introduced himself.

"...Jaden's father."

Ever since they had had their first exchange, there had been some more communication between them, but it was mostly to iron out details, such as where the cafe was, the exact time, and other such things. Desiree told him she'd be there beforehand, and he would know her to see her.

When the day and time arrived, Dom (outfitted with some clean and in-tact clothes, thanks to Sydney) approached the entrance of the cafe, and smiled a little.

"...looks like a nice little hole-in-the-wall place." he commented.

He then stepped inside, and scanned the area.

"....hmmm..." he mumbled, scanning for the strawberry hair he had been told about. He found it quickly, quietly cleared his throat, and started to make his way towards her.

He was a bit nervous, but composed himself, as he approached her from behind, clearing his throat again.

"Ah... Miss Desiree?" he addressed her when he was close enough.

Again, there was silence for about a minute, before she received a response.

My name is Dominico Bianchi. the text she received red.

However, Dominic is a modernisation of my name. Sydney called me 'Nico', some call me 'Nick', but most people simply call me 'Dom'. the following one told her.

So whichever one you're most comfortable with. the last one finished.

On the other side of the phone, Dom was smiling slightly.

"She seems like a nice girl from her texts." he said to himself.

"........." Ryker was silent, before sighing.

"I'm on my way." he told Eke.

"I will get in there, and I will get you out of there." he promised.

"Just stay alive." he continued.

"Stay alive, and I'll get you out of there." he vowed.

"...where is this cave? Which one did you go to, exactly?"

Early as possible next week. was the response.

With each passing day, it becomes more and more dangerous for those that aren't human. the next text warned.

I have no plans, either. I am relegated to waiting for my orders, but have been told that it will be a while before they come. the following one told her.

And cafe fare works. It can be quite delicious and filling. she then received.

What time are you thinking?