Chapter 38 - Homecoming

The soldier looked on in silence after stepping out of the carriage at the brink of dusk, the last light of day hitting her back before vanishing over the horizon. Leaving Shena De Veso all alone, illuminated by a lone flickering street lamp, to bask in the ruin of what was once her family's home.

She planted her feet in an attempt to part aside the metal gate's with all her strength but It wouldn't budge. She grunted aloud awkwardly, snarling her teeth before tossing her bag over the wall in defeat, slipping her torso through as best she could. A deathly creaking noise resounded throughout the silent courtyard entrance as as she pushed the metal doorway's deeper and deeper outward, the doors hinges moaning from the strain of her efforts and years of disrepair.

Abruptly and without warning, the rusty iron hinges failed completely and fell to the ground with a crash against the gravel pathway. Scattering dirt, dead leaves, and dust clouds in every direction.

Shena, unaffected by the loud crash apart from a few cough's, dusted herself off. Simply sighed aloud and began to tip toe awkwardly in between the gaps of the rusted metal doorway now a metal doormat trying not to trip. As she entered through the courtyard cast in a fog of mist she began to eye the familiar surroundings. Only now not so familiar anymore as they had once been. It hurt her to see the state it had been reduced to. It had been so long...

The manner had fallen into a state of disrepair and decrepitude while she had been away on campaign. With the once beautifully maintained topiary bushes she remembered from her youth as two opposing towering green walls of shrubbery off to the sides of the front pathway leading up to the house were no longer anything of the sort. Their once clean cut strands and branches had grown wild and rampant with the passage of time in every direction. The yard before her infested with weeds and grass overgrown all the way up to her knee swaying in the soft sunset wind. She continued along the gravel pathway towards her home in utter silence before suddenly stopping.

Blocking Shena's path was a massive circular water fountain; with a mighty stone sea stallion statue reining on it's hind legs at the center on a cracked pedestal. A thin veil of steaming water protruding from head as a mane of rippling glowing blue hair before vanishing into wind as ghostly white mist. Shena approached and calmly sat down at the edge of the fountain beside the stallion, sizing it up before glancing down. She smirked somewhat impressed by what she had seen taken root. In the reflective murky pond beneath the statues hoofs, a vast collection of multi colored unevolved tropical koi fish had multiplied in the hundreds and were now calmly swimming about their business in their own private sustainable ecosystem, weaving in between the faint gaps of hundreds of pink water lilies, gilding gently side by side against each other atop the calm rippless water that hadn't been disturbed in years.

That was about to change.

Cause the shark was back. She sat at the edges of the marble rim and plunged her face into the water to face them with her familiar greeting.

"Heya fellas? Miss Me?" She spoke grinning at each and everyone of them.

The koi fish scattered and splashed in frantic route at the mere sight of the sharks familiar fanged toothy grin, quickly scattering all flowers the opposite direction and grouping together defensively with their own kin on the other side of the rim as far as physically possible from the shark's hungry gaze towards each of them. Shena lifted her head out and stifled a cruel laugh. She didn't mean to hurt them, but could she blame herself? It was too easy and fun for her. Fortunately for the fish however, this particular shark wasn't particularly in the mood for fish. Something else far more enticing had caught her attention as always. Shena carefully cupped a lone pink water lily with one hand out of her now fishless side of the pond. Shaking off a few droplets of water slipping down their petals before bringing the blossom up to her face and closing her eyes to let it all in. Shena let out a long intense whiff of the air around it's yellow pollen center with a quiet joyful euphoria, her superbly sensitive nostrils allowing her to enjoy it like no other species could, filtering its one of a kind feel out that of the countless exotic flower species imported to the estate from warmer tropical climates surrounding her in a grove overwhelming.

And it was all a gift. For her.

Snip Snip Snip.

A faint sound was coming from behind the bushes beyond and Shena couldn't help but smile at knowing what it meant.

Shena gently set the waterlily back down along with it's sisters in the center of the pond, the collection of quite shaken koi spreading out to return to their usual undisturbed meandering. Shena kept her distance not to disturbed them again as she walked around the fountain's radius to enter into the garden to the right side of the house to find the source of the only sound heard here in years.

Snip Snip. Snip. And now a slight mechanical humming and chirping was accompanying the sound. A very pleasant sounding humming and chirping indeed.

As Shena turned the corner around a hedge it was then she saw him. Only he hadn't noticed her yet. He was always focused on his task at hand whatever it may be as was his only focus in life besides serving her. He looked slightly different than she remembered though.

A thin metal man stood before her, once a polished glimmering copper, now rusted green and teal blue from the harsh elements, open sun, and lack of care. Traveling up his legs were tendrils of coiling flower weeds and green thorn covered vines severily restricting his movement while also adding a sense of beauty to his simple metal frame. His four dexterous arms however were free and always busy, holding numerous different tools from the essential butlers arsenal of weapons against his many foes in an epic never-ending war of dominion of the garden. A pair of rusted gardening shears slowly snipping away at rebellious loose strands from topiary bushes. A feather duster, perfect for purifying stone statues to the right whenever they dare get out of line. A pail of water gently tilted over to resupply the new flowers at his feet just beginning to sprout. And a bucket of bird seed to nourish his numerous unevolved companions who would often come to keep him company all around him watching as he worked. Some of his adoring little feathered friends singing in tune with him and watching him work from the comfort of the trees or on the grass eating his gifts and enjoying his calm non threatening company. He would not bother them. They were his loyal soldiers. And he, their consistent general who would never betray them.

From the top of his simple rounded face still focused in front of him sat the only piece of his body that had not changed at all. A lone and ancient blue sapphire eye, now with a red rose coiled around his neck to find itself stuck upon his forehead beside it. His new appearance of poor state didn't seem to bother him in the least however. He hardly even noticed it. It was but a trifle he would most likely say in a few moments. But it most definitely made the centuries old butler look more beaten down and worn than he already was. He now looked his age more than ever. Yet while is body was old. His mind was just as determined and loyal as ever as the day it was built for this family he loved so much.

Snip Snip. Snip. And of course more humming with the birds all around him.

Shena approached in silence behind unnoticed he was so busy and focused on this days tasks. One of the songbirds sleeping on his shoulder was the first to fly off frightened at the sight of her before being joined by all the others. They did not fly away entirely, not willing to leave their old companion, but still staying safely out of reach of the dangerous shark on the ground. Watching the two of them alone in the garden.

Shena tapped his free shoulder softly and slowly, trailing piles of dust along her fingers ready to say to her oldest and most loyal companion she had known all her life.

His head instantly rotated around three hundred and sixty degrees on its axis. His first thought was where did the birds go? Then his lone eye came face to face with hers. Growing wider than Shena an eye could possibly become at the wondrous sight of her.

"Such a long time..." He muttered.

And for the first time in five years. Codsa the automaton butler stopped cleaning and dropped all of his tools. At least for the moment. For this was what he had dreamed of for so long. And now his dream had finally become a reality.

"Master Shena!! Codswa shouted excitedly, all four of his now free hands curled together in a ball under his chin before hugging. "Oh thank the maker you've come home at last!"

It's good to see you again." Said Shena. Managing a faint Smile not wanting him to worry before hugging tightly back. Still manning the garden I see." She looked around very pleased with his work even if to any other estate owner it would be mediocre.

"Of course master! I have been waiting eagerly for your return. I have spent every hour of every day cleaning and preparing for your arrival, but the blasted foliage keep's outpacing me! Codswa uttered ashamed in his ineptitude, These players of poor quality I am sure of it. I am so very sorry Master! But I know words are no excuse for such an unpleasant arrival. I shall double my efforts from here on. I promise you! These grounds will rue the day they overstepped their bounds against you!

"It's ok Codswa. Shena quickly reassured the old construct before he could wage his war of dominance against a bunch of flowers. "It's hard for anyone to take care of a place this big. And you've done a fine job while I was away. So just take it easy on yourself. You can only do so much. And you've already done more than I can ever ask of you."

Codswa's old metal hinges creaked at the word's in relief. "Very well master.. As you command. I shall...reduce my efforts. Codswa felt strange saying that aloud. But his master's instruction he would obey. Without question. Shena looked in closer and saw a sight that made her mood shift from relief to worry to anger. Codswa's heavily tampered outer casing had been tampered by some outside and clearly unnatural force. An unfriendly one based on the sheer amount of dents she could see littering his metal frame, all targeted and deep.

"You haven't been maintaining yourself? She asked gravely concerned, inspecting his outer shell gently with her hand. "Taking care of yourself should be your most important priority before caring for the house."

Oh this? It is but a trifle master.

Codswa...

"Yes...Well... I have tried to. But I am afraid lady Nora has been...difficult in your absence. Codswa said hesitantly while still standing at proper attention trying to remain composed. "Her...moments have made it rather difficult to go about my duties. Though this is no fault of her own. I should know better than to disturb her unannounced.

Shena scowled disappointed at the artificial unease and fear this centuries old butler was attempting to hide. Shena then placed her hand across his metal shoulder feeling oxidized rust between her fingers. She sniffed. She knew that scent all too well. Not that of the drink. But the person who favored it far too much.

One of Alcohol. And one of dried pungent blood mixed with it.

"I'll have a word with her then. Said Shena with a stern but calmly voice.

Oh no! Please Master Shena! Codswa interjected frantically. Don't trouble her. "I would hate to Lady Nora in any trouble after all she has been through. It was nothing really. I didn't even feel it.

That's no excuse for her to do this to you Codswa. You're a valued member of this house and I will not tolerate any more of this behavior from her. I'm just going to have a talk with her. Nothing more. So don't worry. I'm not kicking her out.

'Yet.' Shena secretly thought.

...Very well master. Said Codswa timidly. "Whatever you desire shall be so."

They retraced Shena's steps back through the garden, around the fountain to at last climb up the mansion steps/ Shena not being in much of a hurry, as codswa was struggling to keep up. His footsteps noisly crunching pile's of dead leaves and flowers in his wake before finally coming to a halt at the top with a large wooden door blocking their path. The birds following and keeping out of sight just above, worried about where the shark was taking their loyal friend.

Please allow me master. He bowed. She nodded in silence and stepped to the side to open the door for her. She smiled. She would let him have this. She knew he enjoyed it. Codswa pulled out a finger from one of his four hands and a little rusted key emerged from the tip of his pinky. He still had it after all these years. The heavy door creaked open with a haze of dust and cobwebs. Allowing some much needed light to enter the old abandoned mansion. The two entered in silence as Shena took in her surroundings somberly.

From around the corner a small stubby creature reaching up to her knees came running at Shena. The old animal was already aware she was here, sniffing the air ecstatically upon her moment entering. The dwarf hammerhead shark hound began spriting on all four of it's stubbly little legs to greet her. Shena couldn't help but smile and brace for impact as he ran up full speed into her and topled her onto her back with the weight of years of pent up affection.

"Hey Jawbone." Shena laughed happily as the animal toppled her. She gently turned him off and over her to give him a belly rub, to which he was fully expecting. "I missed you too bud. Here I know I know. She smiled as she gave the nose scratches he so craved from her. He welcomed... No. Ravished in it. It was pure bliss. Especially since he couldn't reach there.

I'm not the only one who missed you it would seem master. Codswa joked beside them.

"Is there. Is there anything you both require of me this evening? He asked standing in place at the door at the entrance.. I live to serve you're every whim."

"So you've told me." She smiled fondly at his repetitive yet kind words before getting up. Slinging her bag off over her shoulder to hold in front between the two of them.

"Just one thing tonight." Said Shena. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you carry my duffle bag upstairs to my room and fetch my dress uniform from my closet for me while I meet with Lady Nora please? I'm just here to pick up a few things for tonight. I'll be up there shortly to join you. Oh and draw a bath for me if you please. I need to freshen up a bit for the galla tonight."

"It would be my esteemed privilege Master. One must look presentable after all." Codswa then bowed low to the ground, creating the creaking of rusted and damaged joints in his leg's and back. Shena wished he would take his own words to heart. It seemed the automaton would collapse into scrap parts at any second. But still he held himself together as always in order to fulfill his duties. There was always work that needed to be done. And he couldn't refuse. After all, It wasn't in his programing to be able to.

The ancient construct then quickly grabbed the heavy bag eagerly out of his master's arm's for her. "Master shouldn't trouble herself with such burdens." He stated eagerly. His lone blue eye flashed with a dignified pride despite his battered physique. I shall see you both in but a moment.

Shena smiled. Genuinely concerned for the metal servant who had always been there for her was still in high spirits. "Alright then. "I'll see you in a bit. And thank you Codswa. For everything. You honestly deserved this house more than I ever did. She said caringly and a bit ashamed at the truth of it."

Codswa looked stunned but didn't respond. He would never object to his master's words. As Shena began to walk past him. He inquired one last thing while he still had the chance.

"Will.. Will you be staying for dinner master? I have learned quite a few new dishes while you were away, and I am utterly positive you would enjoy them. Or perhaps I could prepare your favorite dish instead? Steamed Sea steak, medium rare with just hint of blood and garlic for added flavor, am I correct?

Shena smiled and her stomach abruptly growled hungrily at the mere mention of the wonderous combination. As did Jawbone. Drooling at the thought of it. She always loved his cooking. And his identic memory was still as sharp as ever. He knew her greatest weakness.

"Alright. Alright." Shena gave in. Her will was strong. But not that strong. "I'll have a few pieces later tonight before I leave. Him too. Shena scratched under Jawbone's chin, tilted upward and growling eagerly.

"With desert as well master?"

"You know it." Replied Shena. Putting her hands in her pockets with a slight smirk and raising of her shoulders. She admitatley had quite a sweet tooth she had no trouble in denying.

"Marvelous!" Codswa clapped his six copper hands together at once, creating a loud clanking noise throughout the empty dusty room. "Will Lady Nora be joining us as well this evening? We all have so much to catch up on!"

Shena looked down. Hesitating before responding.

"We'll see."

"Very well master." Said Codswa invigorated by his newly assigned task. "I shall carry these to your quarters and prepare the dish as a final farewell before you leave. And master...."

Codswa stepped forward, yet only slightly. Not wanting to overstep master's bounds too much, with him being a mere servant. His programming allowed him to rest only his old creaking hand gently atop her shoulder. A delicate and precise hand which had taken care of her when no one else did since she was a child. It was cold and lifeless. But it had more life than anyone in the entire mansion.

"It is good to see you again Master Veso. He spoke truthfully with a twinge of programed emotion so close to being genuine and real as he was to her. "I'm so very happy you've come home safe and sound. You're presence here....It..well It has been sorely missed. Things just have not been the same without you. Nor will they ever be.

The mechanical butler then slung the heavy bag over his shoulders as if it weighed nothing and proceeded to quickly march up the galley steps to her room. All while humming a cheery tune through his metal speakers every step of the way.

She smiled somberly. Some things never change. Shena looked down beside her slowly at the aging guard dog before sighing. "Come, on Jawbone. Lets get this done with.

The lieutenant than stretched her arm's free of the burden, and began to meander through the main entrance room. Seeing the dark shadow underneath the grand stairwell before her that she used to hide under with her collected sweets, or more often than not, whenever Nora and father argued, which was often. She didn't want to see her again. But she would not let the woman treat Codswa this way. If she was to live under her roof, then she would abide by her rules.

Or suffer the consequence.

Shena grabbed one of the few lit candle Codswa had managed to light from off the wall and carried it throughout the maze of hallways to keep the shadow's at bay. Jawbone traling behind her just out of the flickering lights reach. She knew the way and every inch of this dark and foreboding place. But she had never liked wandering the halls after dark ever since she was a pup. Not because of ghost stories or moving shadows. More so because of running into her of all people.

Nothing had once been more terrifying to her young self than running into her step mother while trying to get to the kitchen only to see her face lit from the shadows blocking her path and staring down at her with pure loathing she hid well from father and guests. Shena would often remain silent and timid patiently as her step mother managed another quick degrading insult or two with a snarl of her unnervingly quiet calm voice, careful not to be caught while father was asleep. Shena took it all the while, too afraid to speak against it at the time. For a long time. When she finished her dominating rant off by calling her a glutenous fat bastard (her favorite word of choice against her) once more. To add insult to injury she would then smile as she directed her to the kitchen saying there was no hope for her before walking past in agonizing arrogant silence without bothering to say goodnight or even look her in the eye, only wanting to returning to her bedroom separate from father to sleep on a job well done. Secretly eager to perform the humiliating process against his mistress dreaded offspring again if she got the chance.

Shena decided it best to stay in bed and not make any midnight snack runs anymore after these rather unpleasant encounters took their toll and left her hating herself, her eating habits, and her body for a long time. She would go against her very instincts as a shark and starve herself by avoiding meat as much as possible in the hopes to earn some recognition in her step mother's eye.

Not that it worked.

It only made her already poor health that much worse which seemed to be Nora's goal in the end, hoping she would off herself for good and be quickly forgotten. Father and her brothers had intervened at the right time thankfully and cut both of their bad habits dead. But in the end shena and even father to a degree were reduced to try and avoid running into mother around the mansion more than was required. For her own good. Shena had long since learned not to be near her when no one was watching. Or to be a snitch and tell father. Only now..She was setting out to do just that.

And father wasn't here to protect her this time.

Shena walked through the dark foreboding hallways holding the dim orange light high in the air, seeing dirty white tarps cascading down and covering all the priceless furniture to avoid degradation. This once lively and populated manor now felt cold and haunting as it passed her. The proud house of Veso now reduced to an empty cold building. All of her distant cousins, uncle's and brothers dead from the start of the war with her being kept safe and secure from any real harm. Besides Codswa and her room. There was no other reason she wanted to be here. Everywhere in this place filled her heart with memories of ghosts long since past. Only now. Mostly one's she would prefer not to have.

She surveyed the walls as she walked through the dark hallways. Hundreds of proud portraits of great white's dating back to her family's founding centuries ago in all their well dressed splendour stared back at her with high born contempt. They were all pure bred of course, as evident by their jet black and white patterning as opposed to Shena's abnormal dark blue and white. Not a bastard or half blood among them. Shena knew some hybrid children had existed, probably thousands. But they like their absent portraits never lived long or signified any noticeable achievements probably by order of their parents and were lost to history forgotten in the background as was expected of them. All but her. She was one of a kind in this long history whether she wanted to be or not.

Shena looked closer in on the first portrait. Unlike the others following him, this large and ominous looking shark in the portrait was the only one wearing a golden crown. Shena knew who he was in all his well dressed armored splendour. Shendaro. The last king of the great white sharks. Or more commonly known as the toothless for his willingness to kneel at the feet of others.

A thousand years ago When different races lived separately with their own kind and warred against one another. All the Great white's of the world ruled solely as one single small but powerful island kingdom of Vesonia to the far west. Governed by the seat of her infamous warlike ancestors, warrior kings of the sea who pillaged and plundered the oceans as pirates and sea raiders; long was this mighty predatory species' infamous and prosperous dynasty before the age of enlightenment and unification with other aquatic species to first form the Ocean monarchy as a united kingdom of shared habitat nationality that stretched to every corner of the high seas from island to island, coast to coast. Across the world. Everyone knew of this burgeoning civilizations ambitions. To rule the entire upper oceans as one single united power to deny it to all others who would seek to claim it first.

In due time. One aquatic species slowly joined into the monarchy fold after the other. For none could stand against their growing might. Prey races often peacefully through diplomacy and self interest. Predators more often than not through forced subjugation for any who were too stubborn to change their barbaric ways and make peace with their old prey enemies now evolved and seen as equals. Not willing to risk war against this new unstoppable force. The great white's and their shark armies, stubborn as always were the last ocean species to agree to join this new alliance of the ocean. Her ancestors title's, lands, and royal status were given up in exchange for lordship, representation in parliament, and for all of Shendaro's future descendant's to be given wealth, a family hold, and eternal esteem in the new order they would help build the following millennia. Even more important, they would get to keep all the treasure's they had stolen over the years, tucked comfortably away in their coffers which were practically overflowing like water through a broken dam. Making the great whites the second wealthiest animal house in all the monarchy behind their future rival, the crimson octopus house of whelorum. A bitter jealousy and feud that would endure for centuries.

But even as newly appointed sealords instead of independent kings, the new military house of Veso contributed greatly to the early formation of the monarchy's shared army, passing on their sea raiding tactics and shipbuilding expertise to transform these first ramshackle combined fleets into the mightiest naval power the world had ever seen since. It especially had been a golden age for these esteemed and respected houses who helped build and govern this new nation of the waves. Each of these three hundred sea lords controlled vast territories of island and coastal waters, Riches beyond count to fund their pursuits. Even small armies to serve their every whim. But such times had long since past. Over the centuries. These old aquatic houses squabbled and feuded with each other. Diminishing in size and their once influential power, meaning less and less until they were nothing more than wealthy figurehead families with a famous name and a few old traditions still attached. Her house words being feel our bite when they once had been something worth being feared and respected. Now, a more appropriate description would be bad blood and a great deal of wine to go with it, as her line had produced an astoundingly large number of antagonist alcoholic madmen and women in recent generations who would declare war or duel over the slightest of drunken insults. Slandered in the public eye as relic's of a bygone age and a perfect despairing example of how even the greatest of houses can collapse when placed in the wrong hands of their children. And now, Shena's house it seem was destined next for such a fate in the modern day just like all the others before. For they had been placed into her's. The worst possible choice.

She. Born a pale abnormal girl of worthless outdated noble blood. Corrupted useless hybrid blood. And impure bastard blood all rolled into one awkward sweaty package. Even if she was ruler of the whole ocean or the whole world. None of it mattered in the slightest if she could not even pass on the torch or do anything to save her family legacy from crumbling into dust when she herself was added to the wall one final time. The last in the Veso line.

Shena grew somber as she kept walking and stopped at the very end on a series of large newer painting's partially hidden in deep blue shadows that dwarfed her in size and were laid out in order like a slideshow to show the passage of time.

The first was her earliest family portrait that Shena had actually been allowed to be apart of that year after much arguments and objections from mother. But father had been very stubborn and steadfast in his word, saying she was one of his children and mother had to accept that or else no one was going to be in the portrait at all. Eventually she had to give in, albeit reluctantly. And thus was another of many hard victories father had fought for shena to be treated as close to an equal as she could be. The first being her arrival at the mansion in father's arms thanks to his scandal with her birth mother from the tropics whom he never talked about with anyone, not even with Shena for some unknown reason, who longed to know her real mother's name and even if she was still alive. He never gave her the answers sadly and avoided the subject long enough until his death so the truth would die with the cursed topic that made him become very remorseful every time she brought it up. Much to her step mother's constant disdain. Even more so to Shena. Who had searched for years to find her. And never found anything but shadows and painful mixed thoughts on what could have been had Dreagadon not sworn to raise her in luxury and wealth after finding out she even existed. Where would she be now otherwise had father done the sensible thing and denied her a place in his family and abandoned her just like her real mother? She didn't like to think about it. Yet she did all the time regardless.

Shena raised the candle and moved in closer. Gently caressing her hand across the side of the little hybrid girl's paper face who just happened to look like her. Shena couldn't help but release a faint fond smile at how far she had come in some ways. But that smile quickly vanished when she realized how far she still had to go.

There Shena stood at twelve. Still sickly and frail but with a nervous happy smile across her still unscarred face. Her father Dregadon standing behind smiling proudly in his military dress uniform and eyepatch with a soft hand placed on her exposed shoulder, not minding she was a mixed blood child. That was back when she still wore cumbersome black and blue dresses. It didn't really suit her, but she had complied for a long time while her brothers were the pride and focus of her parent's eye's and she acted the part of a proper lady, silent in the background as was expected of a half blood girl. Studying and playing dolls with codswa alone in her room. Reading by herself in the library by the fire to keep her warm as she read her favorite story from history about the ancient half blood liger prince Severan who rose up and became a great leader despite his father being a cruel lion and his mother a kidnapped tigress princess who he vows to find and sets free to love him unconditionally and rule beside him as the first half blood king in history. He had long been a hero of her's for what he had overcome despite his birth and she longed to be just like him in all his bravery and fierce determination. But how could she be? Her; a sickly pale shark pup who had not an ounce of courage in her. She instead spent much of her timid youth in the library tucked away from most people surrounded by tales that gave her hope. They filled her mind with knowledge and friends from stories real and imagined who would never leave her. And most importantly, it kept her from causing any trouble at least for a time by bringing her father's name and reputation into further shame by being front and center more and more in public life by encouragement of Dregadon. Father didn't much care what other's thought of her at first but over time coddled her more and more, to the point of not letting her out of his sight, especially when his two sons and only heirs were killed trying to make him proud in battle wanting to follow in the family military tradition. With each painting in the sequence of years showing him grow closer and closer to her and growing more worried for her well being with each passing year as the only child he had left, refusing to let her enlist at first out of sheer desperation. What little courtly prestige he still had left soon paid the price for his front and center grief, guilt, and insistence of bringing up Shena among other notable families to banquettes and parties as his successor despite the rules of inviting a half blood. Their family were invited to other galla's less and less after that and Dregadon's family name was dragged through the dirt because of her. Father felt betrayed at them all being shunned and called out regularly in fit's of rage to what he thought were his neighbors as bloody pampered fools for the insults they displayed to his true daughter and his families service to the country. He tried not to mind it as best he could. Mother did however. Another thing to blame Shena for.

Shena lifted the candle further to the left onto the next painting and was greeted with two young boys who at first had avoided her on encouragement of their mother, but over time. looked past their differences and had come to accept her as one of them. Shena looked on in sorrow as her fist tightened around the bronze candle base. Staring in quiet grief upon two faces of people long since gone.

Standing beside her in the painting at fourteen were her two pure blooded brothers. Taler the eldest at age eighteen. Tall, brawny, and handsome, the spitting image of father at a younger age, and Jedo beside him age sixteen, lean with glasses, intelligent and thoughtful. More resembling mother in cunning and appearance but none of her cruelness thankfully. In-between was nora behind them placing a hand on each of the two children she cherished more than anything, far away from Shena and Father. She looked genuinely happy. Even if she was quite a distance away from father in the painting. Shena glanced further down the line and noticed each time a portrait was taken the following years, especially after her brother's....absence, Nora would stand farther still from the two of them, until the commissioned painter could barely even get all three of them in the same picture they had grown so distant and wrought with grief. But for now at the beginning of the display when they were all still together. The five of them looked...content with each other in that moment in time. Close, smiling, and happy just like a family should be.

Shena grimaced in shame and glanced toward the cold dusty floor. Knowing it wasn't to last. She moved on to the very last painting and saw how radically things had changed. It was taken five years ago to this day, just before Shena departed for war.

Shena was standing at twenty years old front and center the apple of her father's eye in her fresh red and blue marine uniform with Dregadon behind her clutching tightly to his cane and her shoulder for support having aged substantially from drink and sheer sorrow. Nora. Far off to the side in her chair barely in the picture at all was of a similar despair to her husband she now hated. The three of them looked miserable. Her brothers completely absent from the picture. None of them were smiling. They hadn't in years during these paintings when they were all forced to be together.

And all thanks to her as Nora had told her time and time again.

Ironic that she herself now owned this estate rather than her step mother as everyone would have guessed. And a bastard mutant no less. A cruel joke. A final insult. The last and most unordinary in the veso line being given everything when father reenlisted and was killed during the attempted and failed invasion of the deep sea coalition. A costly battle from which the monarchy would never recover. Nor would it's navy. On that day they learned the cold reality they feared more than anything. They were not the masters of the sea anymore.

Things had not gone exactly as expected of life for all three of them as they had imagined they would. Dregadon had thought he would return alive. Nora thought she would inherit the family wealth and share it among her two sons to carry the families' esteem and reputation. And Shena thought she would never amount to much and stay in the shadows of her highly regarded brothers and father, an unfortunate stranger they were stuck with and couldn't get rid of. Never able to marry or have children to help further her family interests or do anything of real value. And yet...

You could imagine her surprise by the fact that Shena Veso had amounted to far more than any other in her family's history, her brother's or even her father could have ever dreamed of. But Shena knew legacy didn't amount to much anymore if no one was around to share it with you. She kept walking, turning her back briefly on the snapshot's of false image of what looked like a happy family; and away from the pictures of her esteemed ancestors who seemed to look down on her in disapproval from beyond the grave as the dim light left their faces. As if blaming and hating this bastard descendent for the act of her birth and reducing their once proud legacy and family hold into this crumbing pathetic crypt. They took pride in at least one thing though. Some day. Soon they probably hoped. She would join them and the other forgotten bastards as well in the cemetery outback so she could do them no further harm with every cursed breath she took.

Yet to their frustration. Shena Veso kept on living.

As Shena approached the door leading to the library. The scent of alcohol filled the air from the other side. Her hand creaking the door open slightly, before suddenly hearing a voice on the other side. A voice that made Shena's heart stop with fear.

Oh.. It's you.... The cold voice said without a shred of concern, sniffing the air repulsed.

"So..you've finally come back to me then..

There once was a time when just that would have been enough to send her running and crying. A part of Shena wanted to cower and hide back under the stairwell and do just that. But she was an adult now. She was now master of this manor. Not her. And she could do this. She had no power over her. Not anymore. She had endured father's grueling training so she wouldn't die like her brothers. She had faced countless raiders. Come close to death more time's she could count and survived the harshest of the elements. Nora veso was nothing compared to that.

Shena breathed and walked into the small dimly lit room. Being faced with a flickering red fire casting long dark shadows that crept up the red drapes and swirling gold fireplace mantle. Hidden and sitting slumped as usual in a lavish red chair wallowing in self pity, gazing with pure loathing toward the portrait of Father hanging above the mantle with multiple knives' sticking to his face, the pet Family Shark hound Jawbone, sleeping heavily at her feet in the heat of the fire, drooling on the carpet.

"Oh.. Its you."

Hmff Shena thought disappointed. 'Some things never change.'

"Hello Nora...." Said Shena not looking away. "It's been a while..."

"Hmmmff..." Nora grunted Throwing another knife at her husband's thankfully dead face. It was right on target on that stupid eyepatch of his and she let out a faint arrogant chuckle. Jawbone began to growl beside Shena at the action and inched in front to protect Shena. Immensely pleased with herself. She took another long sip of her blood drink from the polished wine glass held attentively in-between her long webbed black fingers, licking her lips slowly and preparing to throw another dagger. She was quite good at this game she had made. It was one of her new favorite hobbies. Her old one focusing on the bastard currently looming behind her. Fond times. When she still had real power over her and this manor. All of it lost. Thanks to him. And his secret child.

Another knife thrown.

Direct hit.

Another proud sip. Drops of faint sweet red flowing down the sides of her twisted pointed smile, before being licked away keenly. She loved the taste of this red wine more than any other. The blood inside it, even more so as it filled her senses and every core of her mind with bliss and euphoria. It made her feel alive in a way nothing else could any more. Like her true self she had put tucked away for so long. And she was done denying it.

Shena walked inside the dimly lit room in silence with Jawbone trailing beside her. The ominous red flame smoldering in the fire pit the center of the room even more intely. She observed the numerous scattered books and papers strewn about the family library which Nora had taken keenly to during her seclusion from public life just as Shena herself had done. Spending most of her days reading about lives' better spent than her own.

Shena stopped in front of Nora sitting slumped in her red felt chair. The lean and terrifying great white shark she remembered was donned in a extravagantly detailed spider silk red robe whose magnificence and liquid like beauty as it traped and draped down her shoulders far outshined the person who was wearing it. While Nora had been astounding in her youth, she had aged poorly from heartbreak and concealed rage. Her stern stoic face now held an aura of vengeful sadness and regret the like's of which Shena was starting to understand herself. But unlike her, she would not succumb to them. That was the cowards path.

After quite some time of standing above her in silence. Nora Veso responded abruptly to the new master of the manor, not turning her gaze and keeping her attention on her glass, swirling the blood wine inside carefully and precisely with all her focus. That was all she was concerned about at this point.

"You look hideous." Nora said coldly without a second thought. Gently tilting her glass and twirling the knife in her fingers to point out the large gash across Shena's face. "I think it suits you. Nora smirked faintly before taking another arrogant sip. You look even more like your father and that stupid eyepatch of his now. At least he had the sense to cover it up. It's disgusting. As are you. You're becoming more like him every day. A wonderful prospect I must say. You can both be deformed failures together.

"You're one to talk." Shena scowled. Her eye's narrowing on her step mother's face just beginning to wrinkle under the eyes.

Hmff. Nora grunted. Slumping back in her chair slightly. Twirling the dagger taken from the old dusty weapon case in the family armory. A case which hadn't been opened in years. Nora finally found a way to put the rusty trinkets to some semblance of good use. That was what she was once good at. Thinking of a new possible way to use something it wasn't meant for. Her best talent. And she had put it into use many times. Each ending in failure.

Like sending Shena away to boarding school as a child as a hope's to get rid of her for good. That plan failed when the bullying was discovered and she was returned to be homeschooled for good pathetic and crying like always. A pity it backfired and she was around more often after that. But she didn't give up. There was still hope.

Soon after Dreagadon passed, she had tried to forge the final will and testament of her thankfully late husband and at least inherit the family hold and wealth. That plan almost worked. But after a few months of Shena living on the streets, she was taken in by one of Dragadon's cursed friends Whelorum the old fool who looked into the matter closely. Too closely. The forgery was soon discovered upon further investigation and Shena was placed as master of this manner over her as Dregadon was foolish enough to intent. To add final insult to injury, now it was Nora who had no where else to go and was forced to live under the good graces of this mutant offspring or risk living penniless in the gutter after she herself had fallen into debt for her spending habits. Another thing to owe this arrogant creature who took pleasure in her suffering. Not matter how hard she tried to get rid of her. She always came back and made things worse. Story of her life. Usurper of the Veso legacy and reputation. Usurper who made her life a living hell. Parasite. One which would never leave her.

Why are you here? Nora asked. Come to finally evict me from my own home? Or just to trade insults till we both grow old. I think I have a slight head start in that regard though. Nora suddenly chuckled. Trying to find some amusement out of having to come face to disfigured face once again with this mutant of some foreign stranger.

I don't know. Shena responded. That depends..."

On what? Said Nora. Uncurling a sick twisted smile. Not looking up.

"On if you listen to what I have to say."

Nora chuckled aloud, amused at the threat. She, took another confident slow sip, making sure Shena watched before throwing the knife right past Shena's head to hit Dreagadon square in the temple. Nora was expecting at least a flinch or step back for a moment from the hybrid. But there was nothing. She just stood there like a statue above her unmoved. That was upsetting.

Finished? The hybrid asked.

Nora grimaced. And averted her gaze. She hated looking at that cursed blue eye of a stranger which had stolen her husband's loyalty. It made her sick. She didn't wish to see it any longer.

I suppose so. Nora said adjusting in her seat uncomfortable. Well then...By all means. Continue. You've' destroyed everything I love. I've got nothing left but time thanks to you and your father. So I suppose I can spare some more. Nora then gently laid her glass on the round table beside her, tilting it in proper place with two fingers and brushed her wrinkled red nightgown smoothly in place as she straightened her still slender back upright.

"Fire away." Said Nora. Resting her weary head in place by her arm held upright against the shoulder of her crimson chair. Barely affording any attention to this child she had despised from the moment she was born. Shena then breathed aloud and folded her arms inward as a show of strength before speaking to her as the appointed master of this manor.

"You promised you would behave while I was away. But clearly you haven't been upholding your end of the deal we discussed. You get to stay here as long as you don't cause trouble and listen to the rules."

"I think I've done quite well all things considered. Nora smiled. "I've kept quiet and ladylike just as ever. It's what your father asked of me even as he cheated on me. Now it's what you asked of me. It's all I've ever done. Be silent and act accordingly."

"Codswa says different."

Nora scoffed and turned her head aside slightly toward the fireplace. Her fierce but weary eyes upset not at her actions. But at them having been brought up."

"You place to much love on that machine. He's not even real.

Shena stepped forward.

He is to me.

The two stood staring at each other in an unconformable silence as the fire continued to burn behind Shena. Casting a dark looming shadow across the once terrifying woman beneath her. But Shena didn't like being a creature of intimidation. She didn't enjoy it as Nora did. She would see this over quickly.

Shena rubbed her eyes and sighed aloud.

"Look...If you are going to live here. You can't take your frustration out on anyone. Especially Codswa. He's just doing his job and you throwing things at him doesn't help anyone. Understand? All you have to do is just live accordingly. Is that so hard?

"Yes." Nora responded truthfully. "It really is."

Shena sighed aloud and rolled her eyes. Disgruntled and displeased from having to put up with this any longer.

If you don't listen. You are out. End of discussion. Understand?!

Nora continued to stare back up. Not turning away her cold dead gaze.

"....Very well.." She said under her breath in a quiet uncaring voice, still standing proudly upright trying to retain some sense of dignity where she had very little left thanks to Shena. "You win. As always."

Alright then. Said Shena. As she turned to walk back out the door. Not willing to give her any more time. She paused.

Below her on the small desk beside Nora's chair lay a small framed picture. Shena slowly walked over and reached for the frame that wasn't there last time.

Nora's sharpened teeth began to show as her lip's curled back in growing anger.

Don't....." She scowled, arching her back forward and grabbing the picture frame before Shena could reach it.

"Why did you bring this back here? Shena asked.

Nora turned the frame and gently caressed her hand over the withered picture of her two children and scrawled out images of Her husband and Shena. A new look devoid of any rage or anger slowly consuming her. One of pain. Loss.

"I just..."She hesitated. Unlike you.. I haven't forgotten them. They deserved better. They should be the one's alive here today safe and breathing. Receiving awards. Being honored at galas. Not you. It's unfair. It's not right."

Shena scowled at the sheer audacity. Kneeling down abruptly to look fiercely into the widow's eyes and snatching the picture frame harshly out of her hands.

I Have Not Forgotten them." Shena scowled shaking the frame in front the widow's face. "I loved them just as much as you. I have never been more sorry for what happened to them. But they are gone. I've accepted that. Why can't you?!

"Are you finished.?! Nora interjected. If you are just going to stand around insulting me there are certainly better ways of going about it. They were my children. You may tell me what to do. But you have no right to tell me I can't mourn.

"You've mourned long enough. Shena said aloud slowly. Kneeling in closer despite her better judgement, trying to break through and help her see the big picture despite her own mistrust.

"Codswa...Is preparing dinner soon. Said Shena hesitantly. Handing her picture of her two brother's in uniform back to Nora gently. Why don't you come join us?

Nora remained silent as she slowly gripped and clutched the frame tightly to her heart. Pondering what to say or respond. Perhaps she could leave the room...Just for a moment.

It's time mother...Said Shena. You've mourned long enough.

Nora's eyes rose with sudden fury.

YOU DON"T CALL ME THAT...." Nora growled savagely."

Shena's heart sank at the words. She had made a mistake. She had been so close.

"Nora I..."

"GET OUT!!!!!! Nora screamed. Throwing her carefully placed glass aside to the wall. Shattering the empty glass against the red drapery violently and scattering it's pieces throughout the room. Jawbone growling at the old shark countess. Standing in front to defend Shena.

"You are no child of mine!! You are a half-breed freak of a tropical blue shark whore that swindled you father!!! You stole everything from me the moment he first carried you inside these halls in his arms!!!! EVERYTHING!!! MY HUSBAND's LOYALTY!! MY CHILDREN"S LEGACY!! MY HOME!!! ALL GONE!!! I HAVE NOTHING LEFT BECAUSE OF YOU!!!! YOU BURROWED YOUR WAY INTO OUR LIVES BY BEING BORN AND DESTROYED EVERYTHING!!! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!!! A HYBRID PARASITE LEECHING OFF OF THAT WHICH YOU DO NOT DESERVE A SHRED OF GIVEN TO YOU!!! AND WHAT HAVE I GOT? NOTHING BUT THIS!!!!!!

Nora gripped tighter to the picture of her two true born children. Two kind and determined sons Destined for great things. Only to die two months into the war. Taler taking a artillery round to the head in combat trying to save a wounded soldier on the front line's as a shock trooper wanting to follow in father's footsteps and military career. Jedo shot down in a trident-22 fighter plane on a scouting mission by a deep sea coalition stealth ship and proclaimed missing in action, his body had never been found and both she and nora had at least one thing in common, they had given up the search and hope of finding him knowing it would never be so. While this walking talking reminder of everything she had lost had been left everything in her husbands will while she herself....Nothing.

"You...Should have never come back..." Nora Snarled. "Why couldn't you have died like you were supposed to as a child? Why do you do this to me?! It would have been better for everyone. You shouldn't have survived bastard." They should be alive. Not you. It's not right.

"And yet I did. Said Shena. Because Unlike you. I never gave up despite the odds. Neither did Taler and jedo to the very end because that's they example they helped set for me. I don't care what you say. Step brother, or not. They were my family. My only family. They were there for me when you and father weren't during those tough early years. And they made me stronger. And I will keep fighting no matter what you or anyone else thinks of me or what hardship in life I happen to face. I'm back. I'll always come back. And if you want to stay another second under this roof. Just remember. You are living here by my rules. Deal with it. Or you are cut off and out on the streets before sundown. Get the picture?

Nora nodded. Shaking and gripping tightly to her two lovely children's picture.

"Good." We're done here then.

Shena didn't respond any further. She wouldn't give her that satisfaction. Instead just staring in silence at her stepmother's rage consumed eyes staring below, now filled with tears on what might have been. The dignified face she had shown moment's ago was gone in exchange for the unrelenting primal anger which was buried deep inside her now brought full force to the surface. An anger she could not control. And anger she had blamed on Shena for far too long on the mere act of her birth.

But Shena, would no longer be there to receive it. Shena had nothing to be ashamed of. While Nora however. Was drowning in it.

Shena then grabbed the pieces of glass one by one of the floor. Placed them on her step- mother's table. And stepped outside with Jawbone to close the door behind her with a loud thud to leave Lady Nora to her thoughts. Only hearing the faint all consuming sob's and lost hope of Nora crumbling out of her seat onto the ground sobbing before they parted yet again in a long list of unpleasant reunions. Both always hoping it would be the last. Hoping it would be different this time.

It never was.

As Shena walked up the galley stairs to her childhood room with Jawbone. She stopped halfway and collapsed briefly against the railing over what had just occurred. She was out of sight of any one's view or judgment. No one would see her like this. She wiped away the faint tears she couldn't catch from escaping. She couldn't stop shaking. Why was she even back here she debated. Why did I bother trying to reason with her when it's impossible. To try and fix something that was always broken to begin with.

Shena looked up at the cobweb's above her again.

That's right....Shena remembered, clutching tighter to her Saber and feeling the silk stitches against her shoulder with her palm. A promise. One of many she had yet to uphold. But she would never stop trying.

Shena wiped away the tears. Jawbone offering her comfort by nudging againtst her shoulder. Encouraging her to keep walking up the steps undeterred.

The two scaled upward to the second floor of the manor and took a left to began the long walk to the other side of the compound corridor. Passing by hundreds of empty black and red suits of ancient paladin shark armor lining the walls from first generation to the very last. Every single one gripping tightly to a rusty Falchion Great sword the color of blue steel handled downward at attention and at the ready, waiting but not likely to be used any time soon on the battlefield as was their purpose and desire. They were old. And there was no more use to be had of them other than dusty decorations. Shena finished staring at the discarded metal remnants of her family's warmongering history in favor of one more she actually concerned her with lying in wait at the very end.

Codswa stood standing, waiting at the doorway to her room like a infatuated pet shark hound, still waiting eagerly for her to arrive not thinking of anything else bedside serving his masters every whim. With one hand he was waving high above to greet her again, ecstatic upon seeing her, with another, he was holding a large black garment covering that reached head to toe held up by a coat hanger that was in turn held up by one of his arms high in the air in order to keep it off the ground clean and unwrinkled as proper protocol demanded before a galla.

Master Veso! Codsaw called out from across the hallway as Shena approached in somber silence. "I've drawn you a warm bath just the way you like it and retrieved the item you requested as instructed! I hope you are pleased! A nice long soak is always a sure method to calm the nerves! He then shot out his arm eagerly. Handing her the wrapped clothing. She hesitated before receiving it with a slight disinterested nod.

Thank you...Codsaw. Shena said sadly with a teary eyed sniffle she attempted to hide. Why don't you go make dinner. I'll be down there shortly.

Very well master! Codsaw responded happily. Complete unfazed by another arduous command. I shall have it prepared before you's and Lady' Nora's arrival!

I'm afraid she won't be joining us tonight. Shena said dispirited.

Codswa's metal faceplate lowered aside.

"Oh..." He responded.

The two of them sat in silence for a brief moment, the dying light of the sunsets barely getting through the window beside them to shine across them both before vanishing for near darkness. Codsaw seemed genuinely upset about not being able to serve the both of them once again as a happy family one last time. She wouldn't correct him about that having never been the case.

I am sorry to hear that..Codswa said. For a second it looked as if Codswa had a flicker of life in him. Not programmed but real.

"Well...I suppose that means more for you master! I hope you worked up an appetite!

And with that. Codswa bowed and began his march downstairs not giving any thought to past unpleasantries any longer, Jawbone trailing behind him knowing there was food where he was heading. He had a task to uphold, and nothing else mattered. It was so easy for him, to switch off sorrow. To not give any thought to past unpleasantries. No fear. No hesitation. To get up every day and not have to worry about the pain's of living keeping them down. She wanted to envy him. But she knew she couldn't just ignore it like he did. For she knew the doing so would have clear consequence on those around her.

She could hear his gears and joints straining from the damage and strain centuries of Servitude and denial had put them through, and her step mother's additions to his battered frame certainly didn't help . She couldn't stand seeing him like this. So oblivious to the danger he was in. But before she could say any thing. Codswa vanished from her line of sight by turning the corner back down the stairs to the kitchen. Whistling all the way without any other care in the world other than making his master happy as he was built to. As was his only purpose.

Shena turned and faced the handle of her door. She hesitated before she entered into her childhood room. She cracked the door open and was greeted with a strange sight. A tidal wave of mixed emotions slammed against her. She kept them to herself. And just looked around fondly. While the rest of the house had changed significantly. The small dark room was just as she left it five years ago. Codswa had clearly spent more time in here cleaning than the rest of the place wanting to make it perfect for her return. It practically was. In every sense of the word.

She moved in closer and saw her old collection of dolls and stuffed animals still sitting on the bed huddled close together. Their smell was just as strong as ever. She leaned over and fondly picked up the very first most damaged one front and center when she was an infant, smiling as she inspecting the torn ear and numerous stitches carefully done by Codswa to keep it going. This was when she was only two years old and had seen every little object as prey practice and she had gotten her first set of teeth. The only question which concerned her as a baby pup was how do I tear it apart, where do I drag it? And how do I destroy it. Over the years these question's changed and became more civil as all predator children know must be expected of them. But that familiar comforting brutal feeling of tearing into something with their teeth never truly leaves them no matter how hard they try to deny it. Shena sighed as she set the old doll back in it's place. Wishing she could return to a simpler time, but knew there was no such thing.

Shena closed the door behind her and began to change in solitude. Unfastening and slipping off her bloodstained withered marine uniform she feared had well worn out's its use after tonight. She would most definitely be issued another uniform soon. A newer flashier replacement to replace the outdated attire from the start of the war.

The problem was she didn't want other one though. The thought of storing her old uniform away behind a wall to collect dust forgotten just like her father's power armor still left under glass locked in his study felt wrong to her. She didn't want to forget what it meant to her, and all that she had fought for and suffered while wearing it for the people she cared about. The blood staining its cuffs she had spilled alongside her men. The golden webbing stitches in it's shoulder's from a stranger who didn't have to bother trying to repair it. She begged not to part with her uniform which felt like a part of her now. But it wasn't her decision to make. She had orders. And she couldn't show up to the gala dressed as her true self.

She dusted out the tattered clothing in dispirited silence and walked over to the other side of the room unclothed. Hanging the old uniform in the center in the door of her closet. She left the door wide open. Never to forget.

Shena spent the next half hour submerged in the porcelain bathroom tub filled with steaming hot water. Falling half asleep as she switched from breathing through her lungs to her three slitted gills opening up on each side of her long neck that released bubbles to the surface everytime she breathed in and out slowly as if meditating. She didn't much like the brisk temperature of the normal costal waters just outside her family home whenever she went swimming with her brothers and unlike them prefered to use the warm controlled temperature of the family pool and her own bath instead, most definitely a trait of her real mother's side and her tropical adaptation. Shena couldn't' stand the cold. And would often stay in for hours and hours submerged below as a teenager as all time seemed to go by around her, wanting to never get out just like now. It was the first warm water she had felt in months. But this time Shena knew there was no avoiding the real world that still needed her outside her false bubble of safety. There still was a war going on, and she wouldn't stay here oblivious to the plight ever again.

Shena's eyes snapped to attention and emerged from the pristine tub that slashed and slogged around it's edges onto the clean tiled floor as she stepped out to take a long heavy breath. Taking in the scent of the warm misty air that had collected throughout the locked room, quickly lit with numerous pleasant scented candles by codswa. Shena smiled at the thoughtful action. Codswa. Always the overachiever.

Shena dried off quickly, and wrapped herself in a white towel as she exited and paced over to sit on the edge of her childhood bed in the near dark with only the last of the faint orange sunset light seeping through her window behind her, not knowing what to feel or do next. Her head buried in both her hands hunched over as the mist in the room began to spread like a thick fog and the lone warm ray of light slowly vanished in favor of moonlight somber blue illuminating her and her stuffed animals behind. She opened her eyes and was able to see her old nightstand as it caught her attention between the veiled cracks of her fingers soaked with dew. She stepped closer and noticed how abnormally tall she had become when standing beside it. When she was little, she barely was able to peek her head over the top of it and see her reflection she was so short and weak. Now at six and a half feet tall it was smaller than ever when compared to her and how much she had grown. Shena had long since found out painfully that hybrids are often born either stunted or abnormally tall as a side effect among numerous other birth defects. It looks as if she had clearly gotten the latter and had towered over her other family members, older brothers and even father himself upon reaching that certain uncomfortable age of adolescence and sudden uncontrollable growth spurt. A painfully unique and distinctive height characteristic she had grown to live with as one of only five other shark hybrids in the world still alive. Certainly the most famous. And the longest lived to have made it so far. Shena should count herself lucky. She had beaten the odds and survived where others had not. But it was a shallow victory if there was no one like you to share it with who could truly understand what it meant to be like this.

She glanced upward and was greeted with the tall blurred stranger who looked just like her hiding in the fog obscured mirror looking like a portal to a different time and place beyond she could step into at any moment away from her responsibilities.

Shena approached, and instead simply wiped away a solid horizontal line of wet condensation across the hazy mirror, revealing her two mismatched colored eyes of sapphire mako blue and great white shadow black staring back at her. She pressed and tilted the still freshly scarred and faded creeping red left side of her face up and down repeatedly as she held it inches away soberly from the line of clear blue glass. Watching as the mist began to at last slowly fade away to the four corners of the mirror to reveal the rest of her in all her new glory. Shena hoped she would feel less bothered by her new reflection over time the more she forced herself to gawk at it right in front of her. Was it worth it? The painful closeup reminder of how she had failed? Perhaps not. But she needed to do this until she didn't even care it was her's anymore. She had to put on her best face for tonight. All of it. And wear it proudly unafraid.

She backed away not bothering to feel sorry for herself any longer. She removed her towel and turned toward the black garment covering she had laid flat across her bed neatly and leaned over. She unzipped and slipped it off to be greeted with a familiar sight with not a shred of dust on it. One that filled her with pride and a shred of accomplishment she was all too glad to feel in herself again.

Her military graduation uniform. Still as beautiful and overly ornate as ever. Was it practical in battle? Hell no. But a military dress uniform was standard protocol for special public occasions. Not standing knee deep in mud or holding up to constant wear and tear. Tonight it's job wasn't keeping her safe. It was making her look like a soldier once again. And there was no way in hell she was wearing an actual dress again as Nora had always forced her to when company showed up.

Shena spent the next few minutes carefully dressing herself in the stylish streamlined regalia. Buttoning up her tight fitting and vibrant blue coatee jacket by it's brass buttons one at a time until it reached up to her collar intricately lace with teal and gold stitching to resembled swirling waves wrapping around her neck and the front of her torso. She straightened her golden colored cuffs into proper place and length to cover her sleeves. She donned her stylish and streamlined dark blue trousers before polishing her black knee high heeled officer boots with a wet rag until they were more spotless than even her new teeth which had finally grown back since the battle. As she finished fastening her belt tightly to her slim waist she finally stepped back far away from the nightstand in front. Hoping to see a difference.

She smiled at being able to see it.

Shena began to tilt her head proudly side to side as she inspected the clean cut and sharply dressed officer standing in front of her. She put aside her gawking with a smirk and stood quickly at attention with a snap of her boots beside each other. She wished to stay longer. But she knew it was time to leave. She had overstayed her welcome. And she was about to run late as it was. Shena quickly departed her room and closed the door shut, not willing to give into the temptation to stay and reminisce about days better spent. Only the future mattered. And she would make good use of it.

As Shena walked down the stairs to the kitchen dressed properly and feeling strong, She saw Codswa hard at work finishing up the small steak he had prepared for her before she left. Already having given away the meat shavings and discarded bones to Jawbone at his feet. Crunching and tearing away happily. She smiled fondly as she saw him work diligently once again.

Too diligently.

Her mood suddenly turned to horrified silent shock as she saw one of Codswa's arms suddenly fall off to the floor. He didn't even flinch. He had been working so hard to make her meal just perfect he didn't notice it was missing or more likely wasn't able to. He just kept cooking away whistling calmly as black oil slid down his metal frame from the stump. Nothing else mattered to him but obeying his master's instruction. Even at the cost to himself.

Shena silently approached behind him worried and picked it up off the ground.

Codswa? She asked. Holding it up with both hands. I think...You dropped this."

Codswa finished seasoning the meat just as he turned halfway to face her still as joyous as ever.

"Hmm? He muttered as he looked to his side. " Oh So I have." Not to worry master it is nothing but a mere..." He trailed off as he saw her.

Codswa? She asked concerned. Are you ok? What is it? She inched closer. "Is something wrong?"

No..master... He muttered through his speaker. Nothing is wrong. It's just....

He looked at her pin. And up to her face. His remaining seven arms folding into a tight ball held together uner his chin. The memories flashing back into his database in an instant as clear as they had been years ago.

"You look just like him." He said.

Shena struggled to keep her tears back again. This time she succeeded. She bit her lip and glanced away with her eyes shut in a strange mixture of happiness and pure sorrow. She didn't know what to do or say next. Codswa knew.

He stepped forward, and reached his hand toward her. She tilted her head down to see him adjust the only medal she had pinned on the left side of her coat. Twisitting it carefully into proper place.

"Still crooked as ever. He grunted displeased. "I thought you would have learned by now appearance is everything at formal events."

Shena smiled and rolled her eyes. Letting him finish adjusting her appearance as if he were her personal tailor. After much fiddling he backed away satisfied of his adjustment.

Now...That is much better!!! He said aloud exuberantly with a loud clap of his hands. But still he was not finished with her. "Now stand up and tilt your head like so for the finishing touch if I may be so bold to suggest master?

Shena listened and straightened her back standing tall and lean above him. She looked like a completely different person. Years older and far wiser. She wasn't. But with him. She felt like it. She was it. She watched in silence as codswa began eyeing her uniform up and down scanning for any wrinkle of flaw he could quickly fix. He found nothing. She was perfect. Now all she needed was a few words of encouragement before her departure.

I remember when you received this medal master. Codswa said aloud fondly through his eroded speakers. "Nothing escapes my memory. I have served many masters through the centuries. Some good. Some bad. I have seen many be born, live, and die under this very roof. I remember everything. But the day your father pinned this medal against that uniform stands out to me the most. You graduation is and will always be my favorite memory burned into my databanks. In all my time of nearly four hundred and twenty five years of uninterrupted service. Nothing else has quite come close to seeing you represent this house with as much grace and esteem before or since that day. And nothing ever will. Whenever I see you wear that medal. I'm reminded of why I couldn't be prouder to serve any other than you and this family.

It's just a piece of metal. Shena chuckled not thinking much of it anymore.

"No. Her snapped at her sternly yet with not a shred of anger. I am just a piece of metal. This is far different. It means so much more. You're ancestors earned that medal. You're brother's earned theirs. You're father earned his. And you have done so just as they had. It just took a bit more effort and hardship. But you faced it all regardless. Never giving up. And while this may just be my protocol talking. I couldn't be prouder of you. But if you don't trust what I say at least know this. It's nothing compared to what your father felt for you and your accomplishment that day. And I know he would be proud of you too. Remember. You have earned the right to wear this uniform and this medal. There is no reason you should ever tell herself any different or think any less of it or yourself. Wear it proudly. You are A Veso. You have always been one. And you always will no matter what anyone says.

Shena began to grin in a uncontrollable tearful gratitude and leaned in closer to hug him. She began to open her mouth to unleash every word of thanks she could think of. But before she could say anything. Codswa backed away with a sudden quick step.

Master careful!!! He panicked. I am afraid I am at somewhat of a mess right now. To stain your uniform hour's before it is shown to the world would be a crime I can never atone for! The stains oil would cause. Why I shudder at the thought!!!

She nodded amused and backed away to keep her distance and appearance in perfect order for tonight. Codswa then directed her toward the dining table in the seat of honor at the end. She didn't need guidance to sit like a child anymore but she played along for his sake. He wanted this to be special like so long ago. She owed him that much.

Codswa's legs rattled and shook as he carried the heavy tray with one hand raised high in the air. It was too much for him he knew. But he had to present it as a proper buttler one last time. Just as he carefully and precisely placed the tray down in front of her, another arm fell off to the floor.

Codswa...I could have carried it. Shena said upset with him pushing himself for something that wasn't worth him hurting himself.

It is nothing master. Codswa batted the arm to the other side of the room unconcerned with it. Master shouldnt' concern herself with such tribila maters as serving food. I'll just acquire a new arm with my design in mind and i'll be as good as new!

Codswa..Shena hesitated with a lump filling her throat. "They stopped making your model centuries ago.

Oh..Codswa said. Sounding genuinely surprised. And even a bit fearful.

Shena loomed up at her programed servant sworn to obey her thanks to her father's final will and testament. He was her, guardian, caretaker, nanny, groundskeeper, friend and cook all rolled into one. It was too much. Far too much for anyone to handle. Automaton's don't get to retire Shena knew. They either work until they are old and rusted or drop and replaced with a newer shinier model. He was the last one her family had. The very first. He had served her family line for centuries without question. But everything must end, even men of metal. She knew what would happen unless she did something to save him. Seeing him like this. It hurt her more than he could ever really understand. It hurt her so badly she couldn't stand to see him destroy himself over delivering a tray and making her happy. She had known him ever since she was a baby. And seeing him crumble to dust in front of her very eyes in the most literal sense was killing her inside.

Codswa....Shena raised her fork and knife. Slowly taking a bite. Her voice quivering.

"It's...perfect..." She said in perfect truth. As true and honest as she could ever be about this last act. She chewed her favorite childhood dish further before setting the silverware down slowly beside her plate and standing up to face him.

Once again....You've outdone yourself. She said tearfully.

Codswa responded with a simple tilt of his head.

I live to serve master. He said honestly. His legs shaking from the strain of the ages.

Codswa...Shena muttered. I think it's getting late. I should be going soon. And....I think...So should you..."

"Very well master I will see you again when you return, I hope you have a wonderful evening!"

Fully Pleased with having served her. He attempted a bow. Only to crash to the floor beside her. His legs falling apart like the last thread pulled from a withered cloth. Shena bolted and frantically knelt beside him watching as he attempted to stand back up.

My...thatzzzz....Waszzzzz...Embarzzzzz...Codswa attempted to speak. His voice box failing quickly.

Shena began to panic. She grunted with effort as she dragged the crumbling decayed butler to finally rest for the first time in centuries against the floor of a nearby wall hoping to fix him. She looked him up and down, soon realizing with a heavy heart that was a fantasy. Sparks were flying in between his chest from degraded circuits. His blue glowing eye flickering as it struggled to stay focused listening to every word she spoke. After all, master might have another command for him to fulfill. He feared he might miss it.

I am ssssomeeewhatttttt Innnn Disssspose...He tried to speak in a dignified manner fitting a servant. I...shalll doubllee my effforts to remmeedy thisss...."

No Codswa. Shena sighed and glanced toward his flickering eye. Knowing what she had to do. "I think you deserve a rest..Don't you think that would be nice?

Rest? What is this strange rest she spoke of? The concept was rather unfamiliar to him. He tried to protest.Only suddenly to spark more. His neck twitched as smoke began to eminte from his twisted circuits. He was going to burst into flame at any moment she could tell.. So could he. But he wanted to denied it as always and focus on his duties.

Master...comees. aboveee...allll elseee...." He said proudly devoid of any fear or true emotion..

"Thats true." Shena lied. "And so does whatever I say. So as your master. I order you to power down until I return one day and we can find a way to fix you.

That ended it. Her word was law to him. There was no refusing it now. And he knew all would be well when she returned and he was properly repaired to go about his duties to his currently assigned master. That was all he had ever known to care about. His devotion uncompromising.

Very...Wellll...Masterzzz. He sputtered. His voice growing quickly silent. I shall...Do aszzz...you...command..."

The ancient construct struggled to reach his powerswitch behind his neck so Shena gently laid his shaking arm down to the tile floor and reached around to do it for him. Not daring to take her eye's off her caretaker and leaving him with the final thought of having failed her. She would make sure she was his final master to have served. By her own choice and because of her unfortunate genetic lineage. Knowing as a hybrid bastard, she could never have children. House Veso would die with her. And she had accepted that long ago. Now it was time for him to do the same.

"Thank you Codswa..." Shena said with tears in her eyes her finger on the switch, vowing never to turn it back on "For everything....,You'll never know how much it meant to me."

Codswa's blue light flickered with pride in his work. He was glad so have served.

It wasss....myyy pleassssure masterrr Vessso. He tried to say. I always...."

The fire was spreading to his power core. She couldn't wait any longer. It had to be now.

She flipped the switch and just like that. He was gone.

Codswa powered down peacefully. As if he were falling asleep. His sparks dimmed and the smoke died down. He lay there silent and blackened with ash and seemingly damaged beyond repair. His mechanical body was beyond saving. But unbeknownst to Shena however. He was still active inside the prison of his mind waiting on standby. Just lying dormant and waiting eagerly for his next order from her whenever she returned. It may be days. It may be years. No matter how much time passed. He would wait patiently for master. He would keep waiting for all eternity if need be for his chance to serve again.

His chance never came.

Shena buried the hunk of old metal in the flower grove quickly but cleanly before leaving that night, not wanting to allow her butler's hard work of straightening her uniform go to waste by covering it in mud and being late. She departed her family manor once again in a spotless pristine uniform her head held high, her heart held low. She would struggle for years after with the fact he might somehow be able to be repaired under all that dirt. But the very real possibility of seeing him combust into flames the moment she flipped the switch back on was too much for her to bear. She knew he was done. Even if he didn't. His service was finally finished.

So she let him rest undisturbed from that day on.

And she never regretted it.

But the birds above the garden did. It was never the same without him.

Shena gave Jawbone a final heartfelt and sorrow farewell at the entrance of the gates, wanting to stay a while longer but knowing she couldn't. She knealt to her feet to give him one final head rub, promising to return same as always. Nora would take care of him while she was away, abiet enough. Shena couldn't take him with her just yet. But next time.

He and her would leave this cursed place for good.

And never look back.

She left the estate that evening. A Shark hounds wailing behind her being heard throughout the long cold night from behind the high walls of Veso manner.

Begging for her safe homecoming yet again.

Sh eying the chandelier high above her head covered in cobwebs from unevolved spiders. She pushed aside the sad reminder for any other in the room. Snapping her gaze away toward