Katja Pt. 16

Celia smiled, "Oh, I see dear. Yes, that might get her a bit nervous."

Brigette cocked her head and asked, "Why?"

Celia grinned, "Because she's not used to it, we don't normally talk like that."

Brigette nodded, "Okay. I think I understand." She thought for a minute then asked, "Do you think she'd feel better if I talked to her?"

Celia smiled, "It might dear one. Do you want to try?"

Brigette smiled and nodded. Celia grinned and put her down, and she walked over to Erin and put her arms up smiling.

Erin looked down at the little female Lyonness holding her hands up to her. She smiled and bent over slightly and picked her up. "Hello, your name is Brigette, right?"

Brigette smiled, then said, "Yes, that's what mommy and daddy named me. Daddy named me after his Goddess, sort of. Her name is Brigit and but mine is Brigette."

Brigette study her, then said, "You have something on your face, a bunch of little dots but you very pretty, I like the color of your hair."

Erin smiled, "Thank you, your very pretty also and the little dots are called freckles." That was all it took with Brigette to make a friend for life. She smiled and hugged Erin saying "Thank you."

As she hugged her new friend, she shared her message of love and goodness with her.

Erin was shocked, then overwhelmed with the feeling she got from this little girl. She was so warm and soft as she hugged her. Then she felt the message of love and goodness, tears rolled down her face. In her short life, she hadn't had much of either lately. Then she heard in her mind, "This makes us friends now."

Celia watched and smiled as Brigette hugged her new student. She had been the recipient of one of Brigette's hugs and knew what was happening.

Katja and the rest of them had also felt that message and knew what she felt. Helen smiled, and said to Erin, "Quite a feeling isn't it Erin?"

Erin looked at her and nodded still not believing what she felt. Helen smiled and Ariel added, "Yes, both my niece and nephew are very good at hugs."

Erin nodded wide eyed as she sat down still holding Brigette who curled up into her lap, happy that she made a new friend.

Geoff watched as his sister curled up. He grinned, then said to her, "Found another one who thinks you pretty sister?"

Brigette laughed in his head, "What's wrong with that? She's pretty too, and I like the color of her hair."

Geoff smiled, "I think its nice to." Then Geoff felt Gesa hug his arm possessively, then he heard her say, "I thought you like my fur, do you like her more?"

Geoff looked at Gesa and saw the look of concern as she looked at Erin, "I do like your fur Gesa, I just think her color is nice, I've never seen that color before. Besides, you have a pretty tail and she doesn't."

Gesa smiled again and hugged his arm. Then Geoff grinned happily as he smelled Gesa and she smelled nicer than before.

Brigette grinned and said to them, "Don't worry Gesa, my brother likes you better."

Gesa looked at her, "I know that, but I wanted to make sure." She looked at Erin once more and hugged Geoff's arm a little tighter.

Katja was watching her two children, she could tell that something had happened when it looked like Gesa said something to Geoff and she looked at Erin. Then Geoff looked at her and she smiled after a moment.

Katja grinned to herself. Apparently, Geoff must have said something about Erin that Gesa didn't like.

Then she heard in her mind, "Don't worry mother. Geoff said he thought the color of Erin's hair was nice. But Gesa didn't like that to much for some reason, but she's alright now, Geoff told her that her tail was very pretty."

Katja looked at her daughter and thought to her, "Thank you dear for clearing that up."

Erik came over to Celia and asked, "Could you come inside Celia? I want to show you something."

Celia smiled, "Sure Erik. Erin, I'll be right back." She grinned, "I think Brigette will provide you with company for a few minutes."

Erin nodded as she held Brigette and listened to the conversations going on.

Erik lead Celia into the house and once there, he turned and asked, "Ok Celia, who is she? I caught part of the conversation. When they get excited, their mind speech... leaks for lack of a better term, and some people can hear it."

Celia smiled, "She's my new student. Come and sit with me and I'll tell you the story."

Erik nodded, and they sat on the couch. The Celia said, "Thanks for accepting her dear and making her feel at home, she's had it rough. You know I volunteer at the woman's shelter, right?"

Erik nodded, "Yes of course I do, I remember you helping Helen. I guess that's where you met her then?"

Celia nodded, "Yes, the place is full of sad, horrible story's as it is, but Erin's was a little worse. Her parents died in a car crash when she was sixteen, and afterwards, she moved in with her aunt and uncle. Things were alright for a couple of years,"

She sighed, "Then, her uncle tried to sexually abuse her, forcing her to have sex with him, that type thing, I don't think I need to paint you a picture."

Erik shook his head in disgust, "No Celia, you don't. I've heard it too many times. I hope the Goddess punishes him or she lets me." He stood and paced trying to get hold of himself and calm down. He felt the warmth of his Goddess and Brigit said to him, "Calm yourself my son, it is being taken care of, my priestess and others have seen to it."

Erik nodded, "Thank you my Goddess, it's just that I can't stand to see this type of thing happen, nobody deserves that." Brigit caressed him, "Your anger is justified my son, that is one of the reasons for your children and what they will do."

Erik sat down and Celia put her hand on his, "It's all taken care dear, and everything will be fine. So, to finish the story, I was doing my normal volunteers work at the shelter and this young girl walks in. She was pretty, but she had a haunted look on her face. Then she said, "I was told to find someone named Celia."

Celia looked at Erik, "I came up and said, that would be me. What can I do for you?" She looked at me a little confused, "I don't know. I was just told to look for you."

"So., I asked her who told her that. She looked at me with those haunted eyes and said, I...I ...I don't know. I just heard a voice say to look for you, that you could help."

Celia looked at Erik, "Well, I had a feeling who it must be. So, I asked, and Brigit answered me saying she had sent her to me to help her and help heal her."

"I took her by the hand and led her to the office. I got her something to drink and said to her, "Tell me what's wrong."

Celia sighed, then said, "Well she did. Luckily it only happened once and she ran away. However, she's been on the street for about six weeks before she was told to come to me."

Celia took a drink. "Well, to make a long story short, I helped her. We got the police involved and they ended up arresting her uncle. Then I had her move in with me because Brigit told me to train her and she would take my place when the time comes. So, that brings us to now. I'm training her and she's getting better, that's why I brought her with me, she needed to be with people like everyone here." Then she smiled, "Especially your children. I could feel when Brigette gave her the message of love and goodness, and I think she's partially healed."

Erik nodded, "Interesting story Celia, what can we do to help."

Celia smiled, "Just treat her like family, like you do everyone that comes here. She needs to feel loved and be able to trust family again."

Erik nodded, then said, "Of course we will. But what are going to do when we move in a few months?"

Celia smiled, "Take her with me when I open my shop in New Lyonn or one of the towns. I'm looking for a place right now."

Erik smiled, "That's wonderful, if you need help, let me know." Then he grinned, "I also think you may want to get her tested, she understood the children's mind speech easily enough, she might be part Lyonness also. That's why I asked who she was."

Celia looked at him, "Do you think so?"

Erik nodded, then smiled, "I think I'll introduce her to Cleo. She'll know if she is, but she'll still need to be tested to find out how much. Why don't you bring her in and we'll find out?"

Celia smiled and walked outside, then Erik went to the kitchen. Tony and Nemo were fixing up the chicken and would put it on the grill once they were done. Erik smiled watching the two of them, then said, "You guys almost ready? I can start the grill when I go back out."

Tony smiled, "No, that's alright, I'll do it. This needs to sit for a while longer." Then he turned back to Nemo, "He's trying to find the secret. Whatever you do, don't ever tell him."

Nemo turned and looked at Erik and nodded.

Erik grinned, "Some friends I've got, I can't believe you don't trust me." Then he turned around as Tony laughed and said, "I know you to well."

Erik grinned and went back out to the living room and called to Cleo. Cleo and Caesar both stuck their heads out of their house, then Cleo came over and jumped up into Erik's lap while Caesar laid on the couch. She looked at him and meowed. Erik smiled, "Celia is bringing a new friend in and I'd like you to take a look at her to see if she's like me. Okay love?"

Cleo, meowed again and rubbed against him licking his cheek.

Taking that as a yes, he waited for Celia to bring in Erin, petting Cleo as she purred loudly. Celia and walked back out to the patio and came over to were Erin was still holding Brigette. She smiled, then said, "Erin, could you please come inside with me? Erik wants you to meet someone."

Erin nodded, and stood up. She was going to set Brigette on the chair, but she hugged her again. "I guess she wants to come also." She was a little surprised when Brigette purred happily.

They walked inside and came over to the couch. Erik smiled, "Sit down Erin, this is Cleo and that's Caesar over there. Cleo, this is our new friend Erin. Cleo looked up at him, then padded over and crawled up in her lap and made Brigette giggle by licking her face. The she looked at Erin, purred and rubbed her head on her arm and snuggled up.

Erik smiled, then looked at Celia. "Well, I guess that answers that." He thought for a moment then said, "Brigette, did you understand what Cleo said kitten?"

Brigette smiled, she like when daddy called her kitten. "Yes daddy, Cleo says she is."

He and Celia smiled, "Good. Erin, I've got something to tell you. it might be unbelievable at first, but it will be true."

Erin looked at him, then down at Brigette and Cleo. "Ah, did Brigette just understand what Cleo said?"

Erik nodded yes, "The Lyonness language and hers are similar enough that they can understand each other. Plus, Geoff and Brigette can use the mind speech with her and Caesar there."

Erin looked astonished, "That's remarkable,"

Erik nodded, "I thought so to, but what I'm about to tell you may be even more. You do know that the Lyonness were here once before a long way back?"

She nodded yes, "I saw that on TV and read about it."

Erik smiled, "Good. "Well, it seems that that one of your ancestors and theirs got together. If you know what I mean. Some people, myself included, have a combination DNA of both human and Lyonness. And so, do you."

She looked at him, then Celia. Then she asked, "You mean I partly one of them?"

Erik nodded, "Yes, Cleo can sense it. Of course, you'd have to be tested to find out how much. The average is between ten and fifteen percent. That's why you could hear Geoff and Brigette so easily."

Erin nodded slightly, "Do they do that all the time?"

To her surprise, Brigette said, "Not all the time anymore. Me and Geoff do it when we want to talk just between ourselves. Before, you were thinking about us, so that's kind of like saying hello."

Erin smiled. "Not many secrets around here then."

Erik laughed, "You have no idea. The Lyonness can sense things, as can you to a point I'd imagine." He smiled at her, "Don't worry, you'll learn since your going to be around them."

Erin nodded, then Erik asked, "You don't seem to surprised to find this out. Most people who do, are at least a little leery about it."

Erin smiled a little, "Well, what you said made sense, it's understandable that it could happen. I mean I have proof of it sitting in my lap." She smiled at Brigette.

Erik smiled, "Good. You'd be surprised how many people we've told this to, who couldn't believe it." He grinned, "Even with the proof standing in front of them."

She nodded, then Erik said, "Why don't we go back out." They agreed and Brigette stayed with Erin. As they were getting ready, Tony walked out of the kitchen and yelled back, "Oh, Nemo, I forgot, bring that tray with you."

He smiled, "Celia, it's good to see you. How have you been?"

Celia smiled, "Anthony, your looking well. I've been doing good. Allow me to introduce my new student, this is Erin. Erin, this is Anthony, he's Ariel's mate."

Erin nodded smiling, "Hello, it's nice to meet you." Then she thought to herself, I wonder were his axe is. He looks like the Viking pictures she saw in school.

Tony grinned, "It's nice to meet you also, I see someone took a liking to you. You must have told my niece she's pretty."

Brigette smiled at her uncle Tony.

Just then, they heard, "I've got the tray Tony." Then Nemo walked out of the kitchen and came to a dead stop as he saw Erin and almost ran into her. He stared at her his eyes wide and mouth slightly open. "Oh my Goddess, she's so beautiful." He thought to himself.

Erin 's eyes also went wide as she saw him, he was about her height and age. My God, he's so good looking.

Erik grinned, saying to himself, "Well, I guess we know who's going to be the next couple."

"Nemo, allow me to introduce my teacher, High Priestess Celia and her student, Erin.

He grinned, "Ladies this is Nemo, Ariel's brother."

Celia smiled, "Please to meet you Nemo."

Nemo tore his eyes away from the human female. Her name was Erin, what a pretty name. He shook his head and remembered his manners. He bowed his head, "Forgive me for my slip in manners Priestess. It's a pleasure to meet you and your student as well."

Celia smiled and came forward to stand before him. She smiled and stroked his face, "That's quite alright son, I understand. And please, just Celia will do."

He smiled at her, "Thank you Pries... Uh, Celia."

Celia looked back at Erin. "Come dear, greet our friends' brother."

Erin blushed and came forward, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nemo. Your sister is very nice." Oh god he's so good looking, He looks like a mountain lion in human form. His eyes are gorgeous also. She offered him her hand.

Nemo blushed as well and stammered, "It's a pleasure to meet you also Erin." Then he blushed again as he stammered slightly, I...I hope we can become friends."

"Oh Goddess, she's so beautiful, I love the color of her hair, and she smells so good." He took her hand and lightly kissed it.

Erin thought she'd faint as he kissed her hand. She had only seen that done in some old movies.

Tony grinned as he watched the two of them stare at each other. "Ah, I hate to break this up, but we need to get the chicken on the grill. Erin, I think you'll enjoy it, Nemo here made it."

Erin backed up and Nemo nodded, then he said nervously, "I'll talk to you later Erin." He followed Tony outside turning his head to look back and almost ran into the door jamb.

Erin watched as he walked out the door. The image of a mountain lion came to mind once more as she watched his muscles ripple and flex. Then she heard Brigette giggle in her mind, "Nemo likes you a lot, a real lot. I think you like him to."

Erin blushed as she heard this, so she answered her, "I do, he's gorgeous. I've never seen anyone like him and he smells so nice."

Erik looked at Celia and smiled, then Celia said, "Perhaps it's time to go back outside."

Erin looked at her and nodded, then quickly walked to the door.

Erik grinned at Celia, "Oh yeah, they got it bad." Then he asked, "Celia, do you think I should talk to him? Lyonness males can be a little open and outgoing when they find their mate."

Celia looked at him, "His mate?"

Erik nodded, "It may have looked to you like two teenagers having a thing for each other. But what you just saw was typical of when they find their mates. It sort of reminded me of Katja and myself. Erin must have high percentage of Lyonness DNA for them to "find" each other that quickly."

He thought for a minute, "It might help to have Helen talk to her, while not exactly the same, it's similar I suppose for both reasons."

Celia said nothing for a moment, "Well, you know more about this then I do. But, if it's like you say, it might be wise to say something to them both."

Erik nodded, "Ok, let's go back out." They both walked outside and closed the screen door.

Cleo and Caesar curled up together in their spot on the couch. Then he asked her, "Did that make much sense to you?"

Cleo purred, "Yes, the two young ones will be mates. The new female human is partly one of the ones like Katja, Ariel and Brigette.

Caesar rubbed against his mate, "Strange things go on around here. It's nice, but strange."

Cleo purred as she rubbed her head on her mate. "I guess, but I've been around it longer than you and I've learned many things from it."

Caesar purred back, "So have I since I was guided here. But that doesn't make it any less strange. The young female seems nice, though she seems a little sad."

"Yes, she does. I've been able to understand more of the human talking, and I think that she had something happen to her like us."

Caesar purred and said. "Yes, that makes sense I guess."

Then he asked, "Speaking of young, how is it that we do have young yet my mate?"

Cleo looked at her mate, "Does this bother you?"

"No, one was just curious."

Cleo thought for a moment, "I think it's something that happens or not happens. I have learned many things since the day I was guided here also. The main thing I've learned is that things happen in their proper time. So, I would say it's just not the proper time yet."

Caesar purred his understanding as they curled around each other.

Once outside, Erin walked over to where the others were and watched Nemo as he helped Tony cook the chicken. He had looked up as she walked out and followed her with his eyes.

As she sat down, Ariel said something to her. Then she blushed as she said, "Oh, excuse me, did you say something Ariel?"

Ariel smiled, "Yes, I said it looks like my niece has found a new favorite lap. She normally would do that with me if Erik or Azlan wasn't around." Ariel watched her as she looked sort of over her shoulder. Ariel turned and smiled, "Oh, I see."

She grinned, "Tell me, did you get a chance to meet my brother?"

Erin nodded quickly, "Yes, I met him in the house." Her gaze went back to him. "He's very nice." She rubbed her hand where he had kissed her.

Katja smiled hearing the conversation, she looked at Ariel and grinned. Then she said, "Yes, he is, I've known him for a long time. He's also very good looking, is he not?"

Ariel grinned as Erin nodded with a slight smile and went back to watching him. The Ariel said, "Yes, my brother has always been a good looking male. It's surprising that he doesn't have any playmates."

Erin looked at her confused, then asked, "Excuse me, playmates?"

Ariel nodded, "Yes, playmates. Oh, that's right, you call them something different here. Girlfriends, I think you call it."

Katja almost laughed out loud as Erin's eyes widen and said somewhat happily, "Yes, that's the word. He has no girlfriends, is what we would say, sort of." She quickly went back to watching him.