Kaminski Manor [Fixed Future: January 7, 2043]

It was a happy day at Kaminski Manor. Once again, the year was drawing to a close and a new one was taking its place. Like years prior, the Russian Christmas day was spent with a lavish party back at Saratov. The fact that it was also Viper and Sevastyan's youngest daughter, Lynn's birthday only added to the festivities. While lately it seemed that work at ECHO had consumed her, often to the point where there would be days, occasionally weeks straight when she would be at the office and not see any family members, including her husband. True, it got lonely at times, but the need to be constantly working, to be surrounded by a world of possibilities such as potions in creation... it was like a drug. The more she delved, the harder it was to leave.

And though the thought never occurred to the witch at this particular given time, incidentally, the more she delved, the further she was likely doomed to fall...

As she sat at the living room beside her husband, children, and a few members of the family, such as her brother, his family, and in-laws, the Potions Mistress mentally scolded herself for even considering skipping out on the festivities. Here they were, having a great time, with the family all together, and her grandchildren playing in front of her. There was only one person missing, but the problem was instantly remedied when a familiar voice called out from the halls, with a trademark optimistic tone.

"Hey family! Sorry we're late!"

A bright smile of excitement illuminated her features as she excused herself from her seat beside her husband and the company of the family to meet her son halfway through the room, engulfing him in a hug. Word had reached her ears through the grapevine that Viggo was bringing a girl to the party. A girl who, he was apparently quoted as saying, was "one he was hoping to spend the rest of his life with". After the Hell of a year he had been through stemming from losing his Quidditch career due to his severe CIPA condition, she was relieved that her son had taken her advice from the previous conversation she had with him and had found a girl to be with. True, it wasn't Lydia as Viper had wished and hoped, but as long as she made Viggo happy, Viper would more than likely accept her as a daughter-in-law with much more ease than she would have with her other children's respective other's. Why, Viggo's girlfriend would have to be an old diseased wretch for Viper to not approve of her!

"Mum!" he grinned brightly, wrapping his arms around his Mother in a tight embrace. "Mummy, there's someone very important I want you to meet." he added with a hint of nervousness upon his boyish, youthful grin.

"I've heard! Who is she? Where is she from? And where did you meet her?" Viper asked with enthusiasm as Viggo took her hand and turned her towards where he had come from, laughing at her enthusiasm, and praying it wouldn't fade once her matching emerald orbs laid rest upon the woman, albeit an older one, who had stolen his heart.

"Her name is Marigold. Mari, love, come on in," he called out with enthusiasm, reaching out his other hand towards her for her to grasp when she came. Viper's mind spun with excitement and mental pictures of who the mystery girl could be and what she looked like. Viggo had never been one to be involved with serious relationships and had taken a likeness to his mother's previous activities of mainly flings and one-offs prior to her marriage with Sevastyan, rather than long, stable, fulfilling relationships, so Viper knew the girl must have something extraordinary about her to change Viggo’s relationship philosophy.

However, instead of the youthful young woman Viper envisioned, something else graced her emerald orbs: a witch, tall and slender with reddish brown hair and dark blue eyes. She was beautiful, certainly, however, there was one slight problem: it was an older witch who came forward. One who was clearly a decade or two older than Viper herself. However, it was as though a strong seed of denial planted within Viper prevented her from putting two and two together, causing her to reply. "Ah, you must be Marigold's mother. Hello, I'm Amaranth Viper, Viggo's mother." she replied pleasantly.

Viggo winced, shooting Mari apologetic looks, though Mari's kind, patient demeanor was demonstrated as she wasn't the least bit irritated at the assumption, causing her to merely smile and shake her head. "Oh, no Professor. You've got it a bit backwards. You see, I'm Marigold." she replied brightly, taking the hand

Such a blunder would typically embarrass a person, yet Viper wasn't much of an embarrassed-feeling type. Not to mention the shock, and hints of anger and shadows of disgust at the news were coursing through her, thus causing her to forsake propriety, and instead reply with a low tone, with hints of venom present that those who knew her would easily be able to pick up on. "I see... I'm sorry, I suppose I was expecting... someone else." As she watched as the other witch took her son's hand, Viper swiftly let go of his hand, adding in a mutter. "Particularly someone younger, and not someone who was born before my own mother was..."

Mari was well aware of the mutter and venom she was receiving from the younger witch, but opted to not remark on it. She could understand the shock and perhaps even anger, considering the circumstances. Why, truth be told, there were many a times when she herself wondered how this relationship was even conceivable, but... nonetheless, it was there. True, there were complications. Many of them, in fact. However, a very simple fact lay between them that was the foundation of all: she loved him, and he loved her. And like a wise man once said, all you need is love.

An awkward silence prevailed as Viggo laughed nervously, though his insides were running cold as he struggled to keep control of his fear. "Well, erm, say, Mari, why don't we go meet the rest of the family..." he trailed off as he pulled Mari towards the area where he saw other members of the Kaminski clan situated, hoping he would have better luck with the others. With a rather fast pace, he more or less ran away, leaving his Mother to stand alone and stare with a look of ice upon her.

- - - - - - - - - -

An hour and countless glasses of vodka later, Viper was leaning against the mini-bar area, chugging away as she stared in annoyance and evident disapproval at the small crowd Mari and Viggo were situated near. While there was shock on most, if not all, and perhaps as much disapproval as Viper was feeling. She had been downing yet another cup when her daughter, Lynn, approached, taking a glass as well.

"You're not still upset about it, are you?" she asked, leaning against the bar, turning towards her Mother and taking a sip.

"No Lynn, I like sitting over here drinking away, watching my son coddle against a woman practically five times his age" she snapped back before throwing back another round.

Lynn nodded, staring at the situation as well. Unlike her Mother, without that overprotective, almost controlling, atmosphere upon her, she was able to view the humor with amusement. Personally, she felt her Mother was over-reacting and being far too dramatic, and decided to test the waters by throwing in a joke. "Imagine if they get married... You'd be her Mother Dearest!" A light cadence of laughter escaped her, even though emerald orbs were glaring daggers.

"It.Isn't.Funny!" Viper snapped. "Honestly, it's like watching a piglet nuzzle with an elderly swine! Sweet Circe, I feel nauseous..." she breathed out, taking down another round.

Still though, Lynn persisted, finding her Mother's over-dramatization rather amusing. "Mrs. Viggo Kaminski, Marigold Kaminski, Marigold Richardson-Kaminski..." before dissolving into further giggles.

This last comment stopped Viper in her tracks. "What did you say?" A look of pure seriousness and fear shadowed her features, causing Lynn to pause in her antics.

"Hey, look, Mum, I was just kidding. I wasn't serious-"

"That thing's name! Her surname! What is it?"

"Richardson, I believe. That's how Viggo introduced her to Babushka and Dedushka, anyways..." Lynn replied warily, wondering why, at this point, even Marigold's surname would faze her Mother.

A sickening feeling filled Viper as emerald orbs once again locked unto the woman. Marigold Richardson... she knew that name all too well. It had been one of the many people on the list of volunteers for Stefan's experimental potions for Lyncanthropy victims who were allergic to Wolfsbane Potions. In other words, the cradle-snatcher was a werewolf. One without control of her actions whatsoever. And her son was in the front lines and a victim-in-waiting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

While the evening had been a bit awkward with introductions, Viggo felt it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Despite the shock, family members, particularly his grandmother, made an effort to get to know Mari, and as a result, was able to see exactly what Viggo fell for: her charm, her wit, her compassion and most importantly: her sweet, loving nature. Certainly he wished his Mother was more supportive, but she would get over it in time, he felt. He was the baby, after all. Surely his Mother wouldn't be able to stay angry for too long...

He rested his hand upon Mari's, squeezing lightly with a smile as he listened to the announcements of members of the clan. The smile widened as his cousin made note of her engagement. It touched him to see the family so supportive, smiling brightly, giving out good cheers. It was intoxicating, really... He loved Mari with all his heart, and only wanted his family's approval and support. Surely that wasn't too much to ask for?

Well, there was only one way to find out. He gave a look to Marigold who instantly knew what it was just by reading the features of the man she adored. Smiling, she nodded her approval, standing up with him, their hands tightly entwined.

"Marigold and I have an announcement as well..."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dinner progressed as awkwardly as the evening had begun. With the stress of the revelation, Viper had taken to drinking far more than she was eating, as vodka seemed to be the only thing she could stomach as the urge to vomit still coursed through her. Concerned family members had asked if she was feeling alright, but she brushed them off with faux words of reassurance. While she felt an intense dislike towards Mari at this moment, she had enough decency to not bring it up in front of the whole family. No, she would be courteous, for Viggo's sake. She would wait until after dinner, and pull Viggo aside privately and take it from there.

Unfortunately, it seemed she wasn't going to get the chance. As custom after Kaminski Party Dinners, a time of announcements was made. Members of the clan would stand from their seat at the table and share news ranging from news of a new arrival, to a new promotion. One news trend as of late, particularly with the children growing up, was announcements of engagements; such was the case as one of her nieces made an announcement of an upcoming engagement. She smiled, genuinely this time, offering her congratulations. She adored her niece and was certainly pleased and happy for her. However, the smile faded and her blood ran cold, as she watched Viggo stand to make an announcement of his own...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

".... we eloped! On New Year's Eve, we went off to Italy we got married, and rang the New Year as husband and wife." he beamed, looking to Mari with utter, unguarded adoration.

However, instead of the cheers and congratulations he imagined, he received silence. Pure, shocked, possibly even disgusted, judging by some faces, silence. Gathering the last of his courage and chanced a glance towards his Mother and her reaction, a few seats down. Viper's face wasn't quite readable and was for the most part expressionless. However, her eyes glowed with a fury that was revealed as a whole and emphasized as the hand holding the goblet of vodka caused the goblet to shatter, sending pieces of glass flying everywhere, and blood to cascade down Viper's pale hand, though it went past her attention.

"Viggo, get up and go into the family room. We need to have a family discussion." Viper hissed as she and a few other members of the clan rose. A whirlwind of emotions, particularly anger, consumed her. She was sorely tempted to curse Mari to oblivion right then and there, but resisted the urge. At least, for now. She would try and get through to her son first, and take it from there.

Viggo's normally tanned face flushed with embarrassment, well aware of how silent it was and how all pairs of eyes were on him. “Mum, please, surely this can wait until after-"

"No!" she snapped loudly. "You will do as I say right now and leave your lycanthropic wife here." she spat out with venom, taking the opportunity to glare at her "daughter-in-law". More gasps of shock were echoed at this revealed news, causing Mari to flush with embarrassment as well as her condition was revealed to all.

This time, it was Viggo's turn to get angry. While he hated seeing his Mother upset, particularly at him, and she had good reason to, he felt she was crossing the line by insulting Mari. Not mention how she announced his wife's private medical condition to all occupants in the room... "Now wait just a moment, Mother. You can say whatever the hell you want about me, but not her! Now, I'll go to the Study as you wish, but Mari's coming with me. She's my wife, after all, meaning she's family." While he didn't voice it, Viggo also insisted on bringing along Mari because a small part of him was also afraid of what may happen should he leave her alone. True, it was jumping wildly to conclusions, but considering how angry some family members were... well, he wasn't taking any chances.

"Not to us!" she bit back. "Like I said, family only. Not whores who play with foolish, naive little boys." With that said, she pulled Viggo away from Mari, wincing as black manicured nails dug into his neck, and pushed him forward, hard, so that he would walk ahead of the rest of them.

Mouthing 'I love you' to his wife, Viggo did as his Mother commanded, moving towards the Study Room, struggling to control the shaking and terror he felt as he faced the elders of his family. There was nothing Marigold do as she watched her husband be dragged away. She didn't care about the cruel comments and judgmental looks she was receiving from some of the clan. All she cared about was Viggo. While she loved him dearly, the last thing she wanted was to shatter his relationship with his family.

What was interestingly uncanny about the seating arrangements of the Kaminski clan and their reaction to Viggo’s news was that there was not a simply shocked countenance beside a disapproving one and otherwise randomly scrambled about. Quite the contrary: most of those shocked by the news were in one cluster, those that were a bit disgusted at the notion were in a different cluster, and so on. There were a few friendly faces interspersed amidst those of contrasting opinion (such as the seats of Maksim, Praskovya, and Ivanna all being side-by-side), but admittedly not many. Sevastyan, sitting beside Viper, was also shocked but he had noticed the love between the two all evening long and for his son’s sake donned a slightly more approving expression than what most his age and older were wearing. True, the age gap between Viggo and Marigold was rather considerable... but Sevastyan knew he would be being a bit of a hypocrite if he disapproved solely because of the woman’s age. Sevastyan was at least twelve years older than his own wife, after all.

Maksim’s face seemed to be frozen into seriousness, though both he and Sevastyan had jumped when Viper’s goblet had shattered in her grip. Sevastyan placed a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder, but hadn’t noticed the blood. Maksim, on the other hand, had noticed the cut and muttered a quiet spell to discretely repair and cleanse the blood from his daughter-in-law’s hand.

As Viper stood, so too did most of those that also disapproved: Zakhar, Ivanna, Dmitry, a few other faces representing clans connected to the Kaminski line, and Maksim. Demyan rose automatically, as though his mother had called a staff meeting at ECHO. Even those that greatly approved of Mari – particularly Praskovya, Grigoriy, and Boris – rose at Viper’s words. Sevastyan also stood to follow, though he was conflicted. He wanted his son to be happy... yet at the same time he worried, most particularly when Amaranth revealed Marigold’s condition. They would definitely need to talk in private later, and with any luck he might be able to change Viper’s mind at least slightly towards the better. Then again, Sevastyan reminded himself, Amaranth clung rather stubbornly to such things when she put her mind to it...

When Viggo was pushed passed, Praskovya rested a brief but gentle hand upon her grandson’s arm. Although she didn’t say it, the Russian witch hoped to convey with a touch or a brief moment of eye contact that everything would be okay. Before joining her husband in the walk to the study, Praskovya shepherded Boris and Piper – the latter of whom she needed to separate from her fiancé, Gunther Althaus – to Marigold. “Вахта над ей… ((Watch over her...))” she murmured in hurried Russian to the pair, giving a quick sympathetic glance to Marigold before rushing after the small procession making their way to the study. Perhaps Praskovya, like Sevastyan, was a born worrier but she didn’t want to take that chance. Some of the Kaminskis were on the rowdier side, and to her relief in this instance she was glad that Boris was one of those. To her surprise, Gunther Althaus had joined the duo despite his uncle’s hisses of protest.

Scowling at his nephew, Stefan decided to give up on that task and instead attempted to slink off with the rest of the family. He ended up halted immediately by his brother. “You’re not involved...” Conrad muttered. “Nor are you family.”

“I’m just as good as, on the Vipers’ side,” retorted Stefan. “And technically, being disowned, you’re not part of my family, either, so why should I listen to you?!” he spat and shook himself free. “I’m more involved than you think, brother... I’m treating the werewolf, after all, and can attest to the state of her ‘condition’...” And with that Stefan joined the last of the group entering the study.


Dmitry and some of the assorted family representatives had intended to go in, but instead stayed outside as the room filled up rather quickly. While the Study Room was as lavish as the rest of the manor it certainly was not a large enough area to contain them all. Sevastyan paused in the doorway and silently urged Demyan to stay out of this. Demyan didn’t like it, and it showed, but he backed down and went to rejoin Rosalyn and their little Casey.

Angrily, Maksim transfigured various pieces of furniture to accommodate the occasion: a square-ish table and seats enough for all whom had entered if so desired. As though on cue, a few spectral chairs appeared, hovering in the air above, each containing a Kaminski ancestor long since passed. The ghosts watched as each of the living took their seats in silence, alternating this watchfulness with keen and disapproving eyes upon Viggo.

The couples stood together: Zakhar with Ivanna, and Maksim with Praskovya... though Maksim was also determined to stand near Viper, whose decisions he would support all the way. Sevastyan was at Viper’s other side and by the look on his face he and Viggo were almost in the exact same boat. Stefan decided to lurk in the shadows nearest his sister-like figure and former-enemy-turned-brother-ish-in-law, arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

“This is unheard of!” shouted the harsh but airy voice of Ivan Borisyevich Kaminski, one of the ancestor-ghosts as he floated down to the level of the Living.

“A Kaminski and a Verevolf... it is an insult to the purity of the Dynasty!” declared Vyacheslav, the oldest spirit present.

“Ve hunted verevolves in our era, Young Vone,” chided one of the female apparitions.

“Некоторые из нас все еще сделать… ((Some of us still do...))” muttered Zakhar darkly.

As Viggo entered into the the room and was soon surrounded by his Elders, he struggled to control the shaking in his limbs and stand tall. If not for his sake, then for Mari's. He worried deeply about her, being all alone there. Surely she must feel uncomfortable given the circumstances. He longed to race back to her to at least have her stand by him, but knew that he wouldn't be able to overcome all those who stood between him and the door. At least, not until the discussion was over, and his Mother had hopefully tired herself from screaming at him. Giving in, he took a deep breath to try and calm himself, and brace for a severe scolding. While the wizard knew he was in it deep when the ancestoral Kaminski ghosts arrived. He gulped as he stared with wide eyes as he stared at the transparent beings taking their transparent seats before him. He couldn't recall the last time, if ever, he has seen them, but either way, had enough sense to know it wasn't a good sign.

"Sit." his Mother commanded coldly as she crossed the room to stand before Viggo, not taking a seat herself.

Though he wouldn't dare voice it, particularly now of all times when he was skating on thin ice as it was, Viggo had a strong suspicion the reason for Viper's preference to stand was so for once, she would have the intimidating height advantage over him. Even when she wore her heighest pair of high heels, Viggo still towered her by a handful of inches, so it seemed fairly plausible. Regardless of her reasonings though, it did have impact over him, and add to his fear and trepidation of the whole atmosphere. His Mother's anger was frightening enough considering this would be just about one of the first timed she was ever truly angry with him, but coupled with the evident anger of other members of the family such as his Grandfather's, and the appearance of the ghosts, Viggo felt as though he were in midst of a crowd of angry Mafiosi. Wanting to risk as little anger as possible, fearing the gauge was high enough as it was, Viggo obeyed.


After taking a long, cold stare at her son, Viper took a moment to breath in deeply, in effort to pull her focus together and think straight. How could he, her precious youngest born, her son who had such a bright future before him, decide to just crumple everything and throw it all away? And for a woman decades older than him with lyncathropy nonetheless! What had possesed him?

"What the hell were you thinking?" she hissed angrily, demanding an answer, or answers, to her plethora of questions.

Viggo winced at the tone, but even moreso at the other voices that followed from his ancestors. They all seemed to just all merge together, creating a monster of pain, anger, and dissapointment. All fueled by what he had done. All he had done was marry the woman he loved... was it truly so wrong?

“This is unheard of!”
 

“A Kaminski and a Verevolf... it is an insult to the purity of the Dynasty!”


"I-I know our relationship is a little... erm... unconventional, but, well... I love her... Surely that is all that matters?" he pleaded softly, daring to make eye contact with everyone else in the room. "All I did was marry a woman I loved... what is so wrong about that?"

 

Pure annoyance escaped Viper as she scoffed at her son's foolishness. Had she made some horrendous error when raising him that made him oblivious to the obvious? Where had she gone so wrong? "It never occurred to you the differences of species between you both? Or, Merlin forbid, did the idea of furry, tailed miniature rodent offspring, assuming she's still in the age capable of reproduction, simply appeal to you?" she asked in a mocking tone, more or less insulting the idea, and future viewpoint, that would be presented if Viggo were ever to experience fatherhood, and how she would feel about her future grandchildren. The thought was painful to say the least, particularly since it had always been one of his dreams to have children of his own, especially after seeing his siblings with their children, and their mother and father being doting, spoiling Grandparents to them. The rest of the family's comments only stung more.

“Ve hunted verevolves in our era, Young Vone,”

“Некоторые из нас все еще сделать…


"Her lycanthropy wasn't her fault... She was attacked during a trip to Hogsmead during the war. There are treatments availible..." he muttered, looking sadly at the ground, fighting the urge to cry. He felt so alone, up against a mass of people condemning him for merely wanting to be happy. How long had he witnessed the decades long, happy marriages of his forbears? How long did he dream of finding such love as that between his parents and grandparents? How happy had he been when he finally found the woman of his dreams in Marigold Richardson?

But yet, now that he had found it, his family wanted to take it all away from him... A seed of resentment and agony planted itself within Viggo, fueled and driven by each and every word spoken. It only took the right words to releash it all and explode into oblivion. 

"My dear, foolish boy... How idiotic that... that... creature has turned you," his mother breathed out with a haughty flip of her hair. "Stefan, would you please explain to this idiot why that particular trial his creature is enlisted in is taking place?" she asked as she turned her head slightly to her breother-like figure.

Tanned palms dug into the table as Viggo heard his Mother once again insult his wife. He could care less about whatever she had to say about him. He was a big boy, after all. He could take care of himself. But to insult his wife so coldly, when she wasn't even there to defend herself and was left alone? Matching orbs flashed with anger, though obliged as he turned to listen to what his Uncle Stefan had to say.

"Of course, considering the circumstances, its not as though the trial matters at this point anyway. Considering your stupidity of marrying that monstrosity of a "human", the trial will have to be disbanded." Viper added with a hint of a smirk upon her face as her darker, vindictive side began to emerge.

"What are you talking about?" He asked slowly with suspicion.

"I mean exactly what I said. By marrying that whore, you've compromised the trial. As nauseating as it is to say, in the eyes of the law she stands as kin, making her participation illegal and legitimate reason for the trial to be ended." She shot haughty look at Viggo. "And you'd be even more of a fool to think I'd risk everything for that tramp."

A look of utter disbelief crossed Viggo's features as his Mother's words were engraved into his mind. He thought of not only Mari, but all the other lycanthropic victims relying on the trial. How could his Mother be so cold? "You would punish all of them, just to spite Mari and get your petty revenge?" He retorted sharply, with the disgust evident in his voice. The angelic light he had all of his life seen his mother in was shattered as her vindictive aspect of her character grew more pronounced.

"I did nothing. It was you who caused it all with your whore's gold-digging desperation to get a ring on her finger!" Viper hissed loudly in response, fully aware of how her son was speaking to her and growing more angry as a result.

Viggo's emotions matched his Mother's as his anger began to unleash as well, as he stood so that she no longer towered over him. "You know, its rather funny to hear you call Mari a whore, considering all the tales at the Ministry of how you rose to the top! Just another example of your hypocrisy since you're calling the kettle black!" He bellowed at his mother, no longer caring about the consequences.

Emerald orbs stared in a mixture of shock, anger and pain. Before she could stop herself, Viper raised her hand and rammed it hard across her son's face as her other hand reached within her robes for her wand. "How dare you!"

Sevastyan watched his youngest born carefully, keeping his expression guarded. An almost imperceptible nod left him at the deep breath Viggo took. ’Take a breath... stay calm... I’ll do vot I can, but first the storm has to tire itself out,’ the wizard mused, half-wishing his son could receive the thoughts of others. Then again, given there were not many allied to him in this room, perhaps it would be best if Viggo did not have such an ability. As even the family ghosts appeared Sevastyan bowed and shook his head. Their appearance was generally unpredictable, but given the odds, Sevastyan had a feeling they weren’t appearing to offer his youngest their congratulations.

Grigoriy, Praskovya, and Sevastyan all winced at the command from Viper even though it was not them being addressed. Each of them felt for the young man, and two of the three bore expressions advising Viggo do as he was bid. Grigoriy shifted and maneuvered through the occupants so that he could stand slightly off-kilter to Viggo’s left. His mother and brother each had their own respective “spots” beside their spouses whereas he held no such responsibility.

Maksim and Sevastyan each placed a comforting hand on Viper’s shoulders from their respective sides. Whereas Sevastyan attempted to convey leniency with his touch, Maksim’s gesture was an attempt to encourage Viper to do whatever she felt she must do. Cringing at his son’s wince, Sevastyan leaned toward Viper. “Please go easy...” he whispered gently. Whether she would heed him or ignore him was difficult to say.

The female apparitions in the room blinked at their descendant’s reply. Two of them were apparently wives of the two primary male spirits present, for they had glanced to their counterparts before vanishing in a cloud of smoke. Ivan’s spirit quirked a brow but otherwise kept silent. It was, instead, Vyacheslav that scoffed a reply, “Unconventional?! Un-natural is vot it is, boy!”

Praskovya scowled at the ancestral Kaminski patriarch. As her grandson’s eyes locked onto hers she nodded slowly to show him that she agreed with his reasoning. She was only one of a very small handful that seemed to agree with his reasoning. Those immediately next to her – Ivanna and Maksim – gazed at him with disapproving yet considering expressions.

“The age could be forgiven... marginally. But the lycanthropy...” Ivanna muttered, the last word dripping with disgust.

Sevastyan wanted to say so much, but seeing as he was outnumbered, as Viggo and he connected eye-to-eye Sevastyan glanced pointedly to Viper, and then nodded. Love was always a big component of any serious relationship, and Sevastyan had made it his goal to try and preach what he practiced. It was a credit to Viggo’s track record in romance, in his opinion, that the young man had found someone he was genuinely serious about. Sevastyan feared on the one hand that this negative reaction to what was normally a positive announcement would put his youngest back on the fast track through love once more... if the marriage became annulled, that is. Gray eyes lifted themselves a little ways in silent prayer that his thoughts and predictions would not come to pass.

"It never occurred to you the differences of species between you both? Or, Merlin forbid, did the idea of furry, tailed miniature rodent offspring, assuming she's still in the age capable of reproduction, simply appeal to you?"

Two voices snickered. One was Grigoriy, though he had an expression on his face of skeptic disbelief. The other source of snickers was far more sinister in nature, and came from the shadows behind Viper. Although his face was still grimly etched, the second culprit was none other than Stefan.

Seeing her grandson on the verge of tears, Praskovya could take no more of simply idling by her husband and approached Viggo. She set a reproachful countenance upon Grigoriy for the briefest of moments before sitting in a chair beside her grandson and taking his hand. “Of course it vosn’t her fault...” she’d begun quietly.

“Praskovya!” Maksim barked in warning.

“Dragon Pox is no vone’s fault either, yet if somevone has it you still stay avay ven they are... shall ve say... ‘contagious,’” Zakhar remarked, his tone still dark and disdainful.

“If she forgets even vone of her “treatments” she could turn you into vone of her lot!” Ivanna spoke up, crossing her arms. “I for vone von’t have a verevolf as my great-grandson... ven he vos a perfectly normal vizard before!”

Grey eyes narrowed when Stefan was called into the conversation, Sevastyan glancing back a ways to where he knew the other wizard lurked in the shadows. It unnerved him in a way that his wife’s friend and brother-esque figure had decided to stand some distance behind them. The relationship between the two wizards was still shaky, having terrorized each other as schoolboys, but they had put most of the animosity aside for the same woman: Amaranth Viper. Yet still Sevastyan had a feeling that whatever Stefan had to say, it wasn’t going to bode well for the situation...

“Gladly...” Stefan replied, pushing himself off of leaning leisurely against the wall. Uncrossing his arms, the wizard dressed all in black despite the holiday season stepped more into the light so that he could be seen, weaving between Viper and Maksim for a brief moment to stand in front of them. Stefan tilted his head to the left a little, as though it were he being spoken to and he had tilted his head to listen instead of the other way around. “Viggo... buddy...” he began, putting on the full Uncle-esque attitude, “The treatments available for lycanthropy do have their limits. Most popular and effective, as I’m sure you know, would be the Wolfsbane. I won’t bother you with a lecture on it, since I’m sure Amaranth has gone over it with you at one point or another... But I will ask you this: What good is the Wolfsbane when one finds they are highly allergic to its components?” Stefan paused for a moment to glance around the room, curious as to the amount of curiosity he may have just stirred up. It was quite a bit, actually, and was even enough for some of the older and ancient Kaminskis to start to look worried.

“Your mutt out there happens to be severely allergic to a few of the ingredients in the Wolfsbane potion – tested her myself. That means, come full moon, she will not have control over any of her actions. It also means, if she so much as nibbles your ear in that form...” Stefan paused again as a look of disgust crossed his features, “... you could end up just like her. My trial that she has enrolled in is still in the experimental phase and she knows this. At the full moon all of our trial patients are housed in a special block of the facility and monitored, but we have yet to acquire concrete evidence that this potion is any better or worse, or even as safe, as the Wolfsbane. All we do know is that it has been tested successfully without any allergic outbreaks.”

"Of course, considering the circumstances, its not as though the trial matters at this point anyway. Considering your stupidity of marrying that monstrosity of a "human", the trial will have to be disbanded."

At this, Stefan nodded in complete understanding. “Of course...” he remarked, able to pick up Viper’s vindictive side in a heartbeat. Had they really wanted, Stefan knew they could bend the laws a bit to make the trial barely legal... but he wasn’t about to tell Viggo this, or do such a thing for such a cause as those afflicted with lycanthropy. As far as he was concerned, the lycanthropic victims could be Drained of their magic and left to fend for themselves thereafter. However, his intellectual curiosity kept him from abducting too many werewolves from the trial’s patient manifest.

Once Amaranth explained the reasoning behind the trial being required to disband, Stefan couldn’t help but add yet another little piece. It was nothing against Viggo personally. Stefan, like Viper, had simply grown up with the notions of anti-lycanthropy. “For what it’s worth, Amaranth, Ms. Richardson may have ingested enough potion over the course of the trial to possibly render her sterile... one of the rarer side-effects. That’s assuming, as you’ve stated, she’s even within the range of age to feasibly produce offspring...”

It was shortly thereafter things started to get dicey...

"You would punish all of them, just to spite Mari and get your petty revenge?" Viggo shouted at his mother. Praskovya tried to place a comforting hand on her grandson’s forearm, but knew it would do little good. Stefan, on the other hand, merely smirked and shrugged as if to silently say ‘The law is the law... who am I to disobey it?’ Given all the laws and codes of ethics Stefan had broken in the past as well as the present...

"I did nothing. It was you who caused it all with your whore's gold-digging desperation to get a ring on her finger!"

The rest of the occupants could only look on as witnesses as the argument between mother and son escalated. When Viggo rose, looking livid, Stefan took that as a sign to get the hell out of the kid’s way and scurried to the empty place on Maksim’s left. Grigoriy nudged Sevastyan and quickly exchanged a glance and quirk of eyebrow before focusing on the pair once more. Something was up, and they both sensed the younger man's rising anger.

"You know, its rather funny to hear you call Mari a whore, considering all the tales at the Ministry of how you rose to the top! Just another example of your hypocrisy since you're calling the kettle black!"

Several pairs of Russian eyes blinked, mirroring Amaranth’s own orbs full of shock and anger. Sevastyan personally turned at least three shades of red. He was not oblivious to the tales his son spoke of; he had to deal with a few people that tried to tell him things about his wife that in his opinion did not match their own, current relationship. The embarrassment was rather difficult to wedge into a singular space but all Sevastyan knew was that whatever Amaranth may have done or been in the past, he did not appreciate anyone calling his wife a whore. And ‘anyone’ just so happened to include his children. Sevastyan closed his eyes against the slap Viper dealt to their youngest son on this basis. However, he panicked at the sight of Viper withdrawing her wand. “Amaranth, no!” he shouted, reaching for to stop her. If there was any way he could prevent it, Sevastyan was not going to just sit by and let this become a mother and son duel.

Grigoriy, at the same time, made to grab Viggo’s non-wand-arm. If a curse was sent his nephew’s way, he had every intention of pulling the young man out of harm’s path. Whether he was quicker than Viper, however, was yet to be evaluated.

Praskovya, noticing the possible danger she could be in by just sitting still, stood up and backed away from the immediate area. She withdrew her wand, just in case, but did not clearly declare a side.

The Kaminski ghosts vanished at this point, considering their part in this discussion, and the discussion itself, concluded.

“How dare you speak to your mother that way!” Maksim partially echoed Viper. His wand was already drawn ever since he had entered the room. Zakhar and Ivanna also withdrew their wands upon seeing Viper go for hers.

Stefan, ever the prime example of a Slytherin mindful of self-preservation, backed up against the wall somewhere behind and between Maksim and Ivanna. He, like the rest, had withdrawn his wand. Unlike them, however, Stefan was prepared to make a mad dash from the semi-crowded room at the first sign of serious trouble.

Emerald orbs closed briefly at the familiar voice cadencing into her ear, taking a deep breath. She knew Sevastyan cared for Viggo just as much as she did. Everyone in the room cared for Viggo, hence why they were taking this ïntervention"of sorts. It wasn't that she was fond of fighting with Viggo. Why, to her memory, she had never reached this level of anger with Viggo, or, possibly, with any of her other children. Normally, if there was a problem with one of them, she would do as she and Sevastyan often did during their childhood and merely stay calm, pull the child aside, and slowly speak to them to get to the heart of the matter. However, it seemed that this time, for the witch, desperate times had called for desperate, and in this case, destructive measures as her fury, not logic guided every word.

"'I daresay this whole scenario was caused by one of them being easy...'" she muttered venemously, revealing her assumption of Marigold and how all the events came to pass to reach the turmoil they all were in now. However, she placed her hand gently over her husband's upon her shoulder breifly to acknowledge his request, though she couldn't promise and give her word she would abide with it. She'd do her best, whatever that, at this point, may be.

“Unconventional?! Un-natural is vot it is, boy!”

Viggo winced as a reflex at the tone of his ancestor, though managed to gather enough courage within him to shake his head in a defiant matter. "Well, forgive me then, sir. I was not aware that there was a handbook on love and its ideals, as well as directions. It seems I was never handed one throughout life." he replied calmly, though with a hint of cheekiness in his tone. While he wasn't particularly as fond of arguing and debating as his older sister Ethelinda who made a career out of it, following their Grandfather's footsteps, he was capable of defending what he believed in, particularly in matters of the heart.

''It seems you were never handed a brain either..." Viper snapped back, rolling her eyes at her son's "'Pro-Free Love'" attitude. Did she fail to teach him that life did not go as one's heart desires? Was he blind to the fact, that often, what we yearn for the most, is almost always denied? Perhaps, at the end of all things, her son's behavior pointed out flaws in Viper herself, and her failure in Motherhood for leaving her son to kindle such highly dillusioned ideals.

“The age could be forgiven... marginally. But the lycanthropy...”

"Neither of which are Mari's fault... It was not Mari's fault she was left with such a condition! It wasn't as though she ventured into the dark arts and ended up with such a consequence. Not like some people..." he muttered, thinking of some people in the family, and looking pointedly at a few of the ones present. "Grandmama, would you truly condemn her for being just as imperfect as you and I?" he asked, attempting to persuade his Great-Grandmother. He had always held a closer relationship to females in the family, particular his Grandparents, and hoped to get at least them on his side.

Desperate for more allies, he looked to his Father for help, pleading. Surely he of all people would be able to understand what it seems his own Mother has forgotten. After all, their age gap was such that when his Father had graduated from Durmstrang, his Mother had only just begun the basics of reading and writing. True, the age gap between him and Mari was much larger... but age was just a number. And yes, the lycanthropy was an issue, but Viggo was more than willing to look past that in order to be with Marigold. He had seen the pointed look his Father had given, just as he had seen the love between them in all their tears of marriage. That was all he wanted in life: to be loved for what he he was, Viggo Kaminski. Not a former quidditch player, not a pureblood, not an heir of two pureblood dynasties. Just Viggo Kaminski.

"Dad..." he asked in a pleading tone. "Are you really going to condemn me for doing what you yourself did? All I did was turn a woman I loved into 'Mrs. Kaminski'. Not thing more."

"Enough with that nonsense!" Viper snapped. "Viggo,, nothing you did may be comparable to what any of us have done. We have all made respectable marriages, and have been able to carry ourselves upright with pride. Can you say you will be able to do the same thing? Can you say that you may walk with that abomination and not be ashamed?"

Viggo bit his tongue, taking a deep breath. He took his time before answering in a simple tone. "No. No I cannot be sure." He noticed outright the smirk his Mother gave him, but ignored it, finishing his thought. "I cannot be sure because it is very well possible I may feel shame. Shame that those who sneer at our relationship are so old-fashioned. amd so narrow minded that they cannot see it as love, but as an, as you put it, abomination." He was about to say that given the happenings surrounding him that the fact his family showed such outdated ideals was more embarassing to them than the woman he had fallen for, but held back, as of now. He was treading on thin ice as it was.

Eager for aid and support and relieved that he had finally found it with his grandmother, he eagerly took her hand in return, smiling his gratitude. He knew at the very least his Grandmother would understand, just as she always did. It was one of the reasons he was so close with her, however the smile faded when his Grandfather and other Elders chimed in.

“Praskovya!”

“Dragon Pox is no vone’s fault either, yet if somevone has it you still stay avay ven they are... shall ve say... ‘contagious,’”

“If she forgets even vone of her “treatments” she could turn you into vone of her lot! I for vone von’t have a verevolf as my great-grandson... ven he vos a perfectly normal vizard before!”

"I'm not normal!" he snapped back, a tear or two slipping past his guard. "I was never normal, ever! You all think you're all so high and mighty because you've got 'pure blood', but tell me, what does that mean these days? Nothing! Just in-breeding and diseases! Hemophilia, Huntington's, Parkinson's, Alagaesia, manic depression, CIPA!" he threw in with no amount of venom, bringing back to mind the moment of hell in his life when he had been kicked out of his position in QUidditch and banned from playing professionally due to his severe CIPA and the risks involved. "You blame her, scorn at her, ridicule her for having a disease, when in reality, everyone is ill in some way or another from years of the pureblood phenomenon, and if they aren't ill physically, it's all diseased in their minds for thinking in such a way!" he bellowed.

While he had always seen Stefan in an Uncle-like sort of manner, the affection he held wavered slightly as it was evident that Stefan was strongly on his Mother's side, and held the same prejudices, possibly even at a higher degree.

““The treatments available for lycanthropy do have their limits. Most popular and effective, as I’m sure you know, would be the Wolfsbane. I won’t bother you with a lecture on it, since I’m sure Amaranth has gone over it with you at one point or another... But I will ask you this: What good is the Wolfsbane when one finds they are highly allergic to its components?”

''Your mutt out there happens to be severely allergic to a few of the ingredients in the Wolfsbane potion – tested her myself. That means, come full moon, she will not have control over any of her actions. It also means, if she so much as nibbles your ear in that form...you could end up just like her. My trial that she has enrolled in is still in the experimental phase and she knows this. At the full moon all of our trial patients are housed in a special block of the facility and monitored, but we have yet to acquire concrete evidence that this potion is any better or worse, or even as safe, as the Wolfsbane. All we do know is that it has been tested successfully without any allergic outbreaks.”

Throughout Stefan's explanation, Viggo clung to his look of determined indifference. He knew of Mari's condition in the beginning, was even the one who suggested ECHO to her, so most of it wasn't new or a surprise. In fact, if anything else, it reaffirmed his devotion to Mari. If this was the fate that awaited his wife, then so be it, he would face them with her. "I know what the risks are. I just don't care." he looked pointedly and gave a nod of affirmation. "I married her, I vowed to love her, and stay with her, in sickness and in health. I’m a man of my word, just like you." he stated simply. He had learned from his Father well.

The turn from angry to hell's unleashed fury was evident by the stance now taken. Viggo himself had gone from frightened to annoyed to offended and no reached the same levels of unleashed fury as his Mother. While she defended her family from the "monster", so too did he defend his wife from the pack of them.

“For what it’s worth, Amaranth, Ms. Richardson may have ingested enough potion over the course of the trial to possibly render her sterile... one of the rarer side-effects. That’s assuming, as you’ve stated, she’s even within the range of age to feasibly produce offspring...”

"Thank Merlin for that. She's already besmirched the name 'Mrs. Kaminski'. It would be a tragedy for her to infect the entire bloodline from now on." Viper replied in a slow, cruelly-spoken tone, taking the opportunity to smirk at it all. It was little comfort, she knew, considering it was unlikely Viggo would ever pull himself apart from Mari, as hard as it was for Viper to admit. It seemed Viggo had inherited her stubbornness. Unfortunately, stubbornness wasn't the only thing inherited.

Seeing those surrounding him already with their wands drawn because of his, in his opinion, small comment of his Mother, the way Viggo saw it, he had nothing left to lose. In his mind, he had already lost the love and support of his family, what else could possibly happen? With this logic, he followed one of the pureblood mottos his Mother was so proud of and lived by: take what you can, give nothing back.

"Just like you did?" Viggo snapped back, looking pointedly at Viper.

Viper paused in her attempts to release herself from her husband's stopping touch to look at her son with confusion and annoyance. "I beg your pardon? Last I looked I never bore any children covered in fur with tails..." she hissed.

"No, but you certainly bore diseased ones!" he snapped back. He didn't need legilimency to know that instantly he hit a nerve with that statement. He knew his Mother carried immense guilt over the conditions her children were born with, considering how three of them had inherited some form of CIPA from her, and another had a history of mental illness. A flicker of guilt washed over him at the paleness that now covered her infuriated state, though he forced it out of his system. If she was going to be cruel, so was he. She hit him hard and low, where she knew it would hurt. He

"Which I now work endless hours at ECHO to try and amend..." she uttered lowly, in an almost-mechanical like tone that, as always, was thrown in as a measure of self-justification to it all.

"Bullshiit..." Viggo rolled his eyes. "I truly find it hysterical, Mother, how you can go on and on about how Mari's an embarrassment to the family, yet so were you!" he bellowed with a night's worth of bottled frustration. "You, an unbelievable hypocrite who goes on and on about the age gap, Mari's condition, and yet, when it all boils down to it, you did the exact same damn thing!" he shook his disdain as he regarded his now-silent Mother.

He turned to his Great and Grandparents, asking in a low, frustration-coated town. "Grandmama, Grandpapa, Dedushka... can you honestly tell me that when she," he pointed at his Mother in a harsh manner "Waltzed right in ?here, with a ring on her finger and her stomach full of a would-be bastard grandchild, were you pleased that your eldest son had to marry a woman he impregnated to save face? When you learned your grandchildren now had a genetic disease that would now be carried from here on out, were you proud of the match your son and grandson made? Why is it you condemn my wife yet welcome her with all of what she contaminated your precious bloodline with, with open arms?" he yelled at the top of his lungs, his tanned face now shades darker due to exertion as he panted. He waited with bated breath for a reaction, though from his Mother, he did not have to wait long.

While Viper resisted the urge to curse her son, she grabbed a nearby vase and flung it at Viggo, causing glass to pierce him."You son of a bitch..." she breathed out, a tear. almost unnoticeable making it's way down her face.

A mad cadence of laughter was the only response as Viggo eagerly nodded his head. "Yes. Yes, well-put Mother. That's exactly what I am."

Had now been an appropriate time to execute the ‘facepalm’ maneuver he’d spotted his students doing many a time before, Sevastyan would have done it at Viper’s comment. Before he could explain himself, despite having the feeling she knew good and well the intentions of his words, she had placed her hand over his. Request acknowledged, but not yet granted. It was an unprecedented event in the history of dealing with their children for either parent to take the enraged road. And, somehow, Sevastyan had a sinking feeling this would only get uglier as the confrontation wore on.

Maksim’s mouth had disappeared into a fine line at the pointed look from his grandson, not quite as level-headed as his own father tended to be. Ivanna was also deeply disgruntled. Stefan merely smirked at the young man and gave a very slight bow at the scrutiny. Grigoriy frowned slightly despite being on Viggo’s side, for he too had dabbled quite extensively in the Dark Arts. Sevastyan closed his eyes against the words, knowing he was just as guilty for having delved into the darker side of magic in his early days. “Some of us have progressed beyond that vice...” Sevastyan muttered quietly.

“... ‘As imperfect as you or I’?!” Ivanna scoffed, though not nearly as harshly as Zakhar did as she echoed her great-grandson’s words. “I have nothing wrong vith loving somevone for their flaws as vell as their perfections... but Viggo... she is not like how ve are. Perhaps before, but certainly not now. It is different... Perhaps it vosn’t her fault, I vill give you that, vnuk...” she paused, smiling a little sadly at the term of endearment that was Russian for ‘grandson’. While she wouldn’t fully let it show, the arguments in the room were having an effect on her, a part of her sincerely wishing to side with the younger man. “... but the fact remains that she is putting you in danger vith this lycanthropy business. It is not safe!”

Sevastyan swallowed as his son locked eyes with him. How he wanted to help... but with the pack of wolves that were his own family and ancestors just as much as Viggo’s – not to mention his own wife being in the mix as well – he didn’t dare approach them all as a group. It was better to persuade them singly and Viggo was quite thoroughly surrounded. From just out of Viper’s sight, Sevastyan shook his head in answer to the question. It was a valid point, and one he could not criticize his son for without being a hypocrite. “I vorry... greatly... and vish to protect you. I condemn no vone...” he offered, hoping his words were enough to pacify both sides.

“You are too lenient vith the boy! Alvays have been, and alvays vill!” Maksim accused Sevastyan from his place on the opposite side of Viper. “At least your vife has a head for discipline and correction on her shoulders!” Sevastyan opened his mouth to defend himself, though was swiftly cut off by the conversation between son and mother resuming.

“We have all made respectable marriages, and have been able to carry ourselves upright with pride. Can you say you will be able to do the same thing? Can you say that you may walk with that abomination and not be ashamed?"

“On all fours, he might...” Stefan muttered sardonically. Perhaps it wasn’t the right thing to say, but the wizard found it amusing on some level. And what better way to extend that amusement but to share it? At his pseudo-nephew’s simple and uncertain words, Stefan also smirked at first. However, as the young man continued his thought, Stefan found himself quickly etching a scowl back into his face:

"I cannot be sure because it is very well possible I may feel shame. Shame that those who sneer at our relationship are so old-fashioned. and so narrow minded that they cannot see it as love, but as an, as you put it, abomination."

“Ve are an Old Family... vot do you expect?!” Zakhar snapped. “You vill be sneered at everyvhere you go that has an old Vizarding family residing there. A laughing stock! It vould be like Sevastyan having married his thestral instead of your mother, in our eyes. Old-fashioned ve may be, but it has kept the Kaminski dynasty going for centuries, and I see no reason to qvit adhering to those ideals now.”

“Nor do I,” Maksim echoed, earning a disapproving smack on the arm from his wife.


Most of the Kaminski elders furrowed their brows in attempt to get their ears to rebel against the flood of sound that met them. Instead of Praskovya, it was Grigoriy that clapped a hand on his nephew’s shoulder at sight of the tears.

“Don’t speak to me of diseased minds, boy... I was a patient at Saint Mungo’s mental ward for nearly six years,” Stefan muttered partially under his breath.

“You are normal enough for me, vnuk. And I do not vish for that... that... thing you’ve bound yourself to, to change that,” Ivanna offered begrudgingly, the slight chill in her words due to the offense she had taken to his.

“Pure blood still matters to some. But at least a halfblood vould be better than a verevolf,” Maksim retorted.


"I know what the risks are. I just don't care. ... I married her, I vowed to love her, and stay with her, in sickness and in health. I’m a man of my word, just like you."

“You don’t care?” Stefan echoed almost mockingly, quirking a suspicious brow. “You don’t care that you will worry your parents sick, wondering if you’re lying in a pool of your own blood somewhere during the full moon? You don’t care that you’ll be endangering your entire family – your brother, sisters, in-laws, even your own parents... and possibly your next wife if you both attempt to claw each other’s throats out some night and you win – by consorting with this creature?” The wizard actually had the audacity to smirk. “And here I thought you were his son, not mine...” he said, pointing an almost accusing finger in Sevastyan’s direction with a snicker. “I’ll admit I love your mother... albeit, however, as her brother.”

The German’s scowl deepened at Viggo’s affirmations. “You do that... We’ll make sure the steak is extra rare for the pair of you. And you’re damn right I’m a wizard of my word. I keep most if not all of my threats and promises,” he sneered. The wizard had a feeling there was no prying his “nephew” from Marigold, despite all of their efforts. From what he could tell, Viggo had inherited Viper-lineage stubbornness, if not a mix of both bloodlines. Tough love and candid words didn’t even seem to be getting through.


"Thank Merlin for that. She's already besmirched the name 'Mrs. Kaminski'. It would be a tragedy for her to infect the entire bloodline from now on."

"Just like you did?"

Just as Viper had stopped struggling to reach for her wand, so did Sevastyan pause in trying to stop her. A look of confusion crossed his face, and the confusion spread to all the rest of those assembled. He blinked in shock moments later when his son came to the point. “Viggo...” the wizard almost whispered, on the verge of sounding crestfallen, searching for the right words he wanted to say. Sevastyan knew his son had gone through hell with his own round of CIPA, but it took him by unpleasant surprise to hear Viggo accuse his mother of faulty genes. It wouldn’t be a lie, given three of their four children had inherited CIPA from her, but Sevastyan had never blamed Amaranth for such a thing. One can’t simply pick and choose their genetics or their children’s genetics insofar as he was aware. Was ‘diseased’ truly how Viggo saw himself? How he saw his siblings? How Viggo even saw them all? What had he, or any of them, said or done to make the young man have such firm convictions? Unless he was just lashing out to hurt...

Considering the words already spoken, Sevastyan wouldn’t be surprised if Viggo’s objective was merely to hurt those that had wounded him. He wondered if Viggo’s comment had been directed at both of them instead of just one. After all, most if not all of the Kaminskis, himself included, were purebloods... Slowly Sevastyan backed off from trying to stop Viper from going for her wand, instead keeping his hand on her shoulder where it had started. If he had to, he would get between a curse thrown by his wife at his son or vice versa. But for now, there didn’t seem to be anything he could do without ruffling more than one set of metaphorical feathers.

Sevastyan couldn’t confirm or deny Viper’s projects, not working at ECHO himself, but that mechanical tone tore at his heart. He did know she put in some long hours. Sometimes weeks at a time... It was a lonely existence at times, but Sevastyan truly felt his wife was working towards answers to questions in medi-magical endeavors. Perhaps a naive belief according to some of the more suspicious types, but what reasons had he of anything to the contrary? Without justifiable reason to doubt, there was no way Sevastyan was going to question his wife’s work.

“Amaranth has never embarrassed the family!” Maksim barked in Viper’s defense, mere seconds before Viggo addressed him and a few of the other elders.

"Grandmama, Grandpapa, Dedushka... can you honestly tell me that when she waltzed right in here, with a ring on her finger and her stomach full of a would-be bastard grandchild, were you pleased that your eldest son had to marry a woman he impregnated to save face?

More than just Ivanna, Zakhar, and Maksim’s eyes darted between the young man at the center of the ‘intervention’ and Amaranth at the gesturing. Expressions turned from serious to pensive to shocked and offended in the matter of seconds. Sevastyan wasn’t sure if he was paling or going through the various shades of red. “Viggo Nikolai Kaminski!” Sevastyan hissed in an attempt to get Viggo to pause and reconsider the tangent he was going on, but it did little good.

”When you learned your grandchildren now had a genetic disease that would now be carried from here on out, were you proud of the match your son and grandson made? Why is it you condemn my wife yet welcome her with all of what she contaminated your precious bloodline with, with open arms?"

Zakhar and Ivanna stayed silent as Maksim took the lead. “Ve vere initially disappointed Sevastyan did not conform to Russian culture and have a traditional vedding... but that is easily overlooked. Their decision, not mine,” he ground out, avoiding looking directly at anyone. “As for the child, there is apparently much you do not understand.” Maksim favored Sevastyan with a pointed glance that clearly stated he wasn’t going to protect the wizard. Even after seeing his son’s face, now rather red, Maksim didn’t comment. “Amaranth vos a good choice in a mate, despite votever medical issues cropped up. Pureblood, secure occupation, her youth vos even a benefit... I vould not have married a voman more than five years my junior, but then again that is me and my, as you so plainly put it: ‘outdated, old-fashioned ideals’. At least Sevastyan did something right by marrying a voman of eqval pedigree. He vould have been insane to not have proposed to your mother.”

“Just because you have a medical condition does not mean ve don’t love you,” Ivanna offered.

“If Amaranth had contracted lycanthropy, ve vould not have been so accepting...” Zakhar muttered with a scowl.


"You son of a bitch..."

"Yes. Yes, well-put Mother. That's exactly what I am."


“Достаточно! (Enough!)” Sevastyan shouted, finally at his limit and stepping in front of Viper. The gray orbs were hardened by hurt. On one hand he wanted to grab his son by the collar and shake some sense into him, but that was not his way. However, he did make for to strike the younger man in a similar way Viper had slapped Viggo. A part of him not desiring to strike his son hoped the boy would evade the hand aimed for his face. “For your information, if in all your years you failed to notice, I loved and alvays vill love your mother! There vos no forced marriage, and Lara vos NOT the only reason I decided to marry!” Tears of pain leapt into the stormy-eyed gaze, remembering the scrutiny Sevastyan himself had been under from both Amaranth and his own family during proposals and the announcement that they had eloped. He couldn’t remember if Viper’s ghostly ancestors had also evaluated his motives. “Vot the hell has gotten into you?! Is this really vot you think of your family?!” Sevastyan attempted to convince himself his son’s words at this time were purely emotional rather than logical... but it hurt as both a father and a husband, cutting him deep and drawing blood, whether they had been meant for him as well or not.