Offenses made Right - Castle in the Sky

Addison led the way, stopping at a multi level, multi room treehouse hidden amongst a gigantic tree. She put her small fingertips to her lips, letting out a quick shrill whistle. A little, pigtailed head poked out of one of the windows, "Addison's back!" She exclaimed. Seconds later, a loud mechanic clank was heard, before a large ramp slowly began to lower for them.

"My humble abode." She offered in an amused sort of way.

Karl's eyes were wider than one might expect as if he saw something more than what was presented to him. He looked to Addison in humble shock, "My Lady Addison, you do me a great honor." His tone was reverent and genuine.

Addison's startling blue gaze swept over him briefly in silent regard, before she motioned him to follow her up the ramp. "Come." As they walked, he would see little heads bounce up, bright eyes gazing out each of the window, interested in this newcomer.

He did as she asked and his movements appeared to be more punctuated and formal. Much of his posture and demeanor seemed to have shifted.

As they enter the largest portion of the treehouse, he'll note finely crafted furniture scattered the room. Steel patterns worked up the backs of chairs and a couch, tables were created in the same manner. Most of the furniture gave the room the feel of a dollhouse, too small for a regular sized adult, though one chair near the largest table was suited for guests who were 'grown-up.'

"Please, sit. Is there anything I can get you?"

Karl took the seat and shook his head, "No thank you. I have to admit, it is rare to see someone of your apparent age surviving as well as you appear to be."

Addison nodded, clapping her hands together once. A little girl came running, flour over her cheeks. She appeared too young to be doing anything in the kitchen, though when Addison requested an "Earl gray with a mint leaf," she nodded and scampered off again.

"It isn't easy," Addison responded, returning her attention to her company, "I have to move often, as children age much more quickly than adults."

He watched with reserved curiosity, "I know that most of our kind in your specific 'condition' often take to keeping "parents/guardians" around. Did you just tire of playing the powerless child?"

"As a mortal, I was an orphan." She shrugged gently, "It wasn't a role I knew how to play."

He nodded, "I see." Karl frowned slightly before his pleasurable demeanor returned.

"So Addision, what do you do for enjoyment. To keep the nights going by?

"I teach and take care of my girls." As if on cue, the little one in the apron approached, carrying with her a cup of hot tea. She sat it in font of Addison, glancing to the man before tittering and running off.

"I do adore them."

He smiled brightly at the young girl, "And what do their lessons consist of?"

"It depends. Some medicine, some politics, some occult. Any knowledges they wish to become an expert in, I will teach them. Charlotte there is the first who has expressed an interest in owning a bakery."

He looked to the smiling girl, "It must be hard on them to move so often. And by proxy hard to see your girls upset?" His tone was concerned and conciliatory.

She nodded, the first hint of real emotion crossing her eyes. "It is. But they grow up, and eventually move on."

He thought for a moment then began to speak slowly and carefully eyes cast down, "What if...what if I could provide you a way to stay and not have to continue moving? Give the girls and yourself something more stable?" As Karl finished he raised his gaze and looked into Addison's eyes.

His eyes were held a powerful mix of compassion, loyalty, and determination.

Addison's gaze became skeptical, a brow quirked in curiosity. "And what would you propose, Mr. Karl?"

He continued to speak carefully, "I would have to look into it. But there is a chance that we could find a way to obfuscate the details of a group of non-aging girls. And I mean to use the term obfuscate as defined."

"I suppose I could obfuscate myself, my girls don't drink from me." She glanced out, a harsh gaze scattering a peeping pair. "I would not wish for them a lifetime as a child."

He nodded, "If your girls do not retain their features indefinitely, it would be a more achievable task."

"What do you mean?"

He gestured with a open hand towards her, "You hold many more years under you than your features suggest. As such you know hardship that most of these girl may never comprehend in their lifetimes. You having to modify your behaviors comes perhaps second nature at this point. Hence there needs only to be a solution to safely allow you to maintain your residency."

He then made a sweeping motion around the room, "Where as your girls if they were not to age we would have to ind individual solutions for each and everyone one of them. Not to mention ways for them to cope with the pressure and a way to deal with the strain when the break under said pressure. Because in situations such as that, each of them would break at least once.

"They are delicate little flowers," She mused quietly, her gaze that of one lost in thought.

Karl smiled warmly just before a ponderous moment came to him, "You know, I have had such a wonderful time speaking with you that I failed to learn even what family you are from? Would you might indulging my curiosity?"

A quiet, melodic laugh fell from her perfect, cupid bow lips. "You flatter me, Mr. Karl. I am of the Ventrue Clan."