Private A family welcoming

Stefan joined her in a laugh at the thought of tossing a mortal to the traditions of their family. It would be an amusing sight, but one he would never have done to Zora. Shaking his head he replied, "No no. I would never just let her find out the hard way. And I definitely shielded her from a bit. I also got lucky that everyone was behaving for once."​

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The deep breath was all he needed to hear to know what was coming next. This was an inevitability Stefan knew he would have to face being in a relationship with a mortal, but maybe, just maybe, he could skirt the question enough.​

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"Look I get it. We aren't supposed to dabble with mortals in that way. But I'm a direct result of that. I can't just ignore what I am and continue on. Zoraida is great. Her whole family are powerful magic users. It's not like she's just a mortal."​

Stefan let out an almost exasperated chuckle. He hadn't gotten this much grilling when he had gone home after years of being away. Then again, his mother was the goddess of love and knows what she sees. Then when she's happy, everyone else fell in line.

"She's from an ancient line of Druid's. She personally can manipulate and control water. I've met a bit of her family as well and they all have some sort of magical ability."

The last bit of his drink slid out of the glass and down his throat as he placed the empty glass back down with a careful 'clink'. He looked up to Sylvi from behind mirrored sunglasses with a curious expression on, one that was obvious even without seeing his eyes.​

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"You almost sound concerned. Why the sudden interest in Zora?"​

There was a moments hesitation as Stefan mulled over her words. She had a point and perhaps he was being too defensive on the subject. Taking a breath and exhaling it slowly his lopsided grin came out.​

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"That's fair. Sorry I'm just used to being the oddball and people not really being interested past who my mom is."​

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Stefan knew many in the family looked down on him for being half blooded, but it didn't seem Sylvi was that way and it was wrong to be defensive when she gave him no reason to be.​

The truth seemed both detached and all to present as she spoke of being the only family they each had here on the island. It made him realize just how on his own he had been the last few years till coming here.​

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"Wait, stuck? What happened? If you don't mind me asking."​

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Stefan knew this could be a sensitive subject, but it was a big difference between the two. Sylvi was stuck here, whereas Stefan could return home whenever he wanted and basically forget his life on the island. Not like he would want to.​

Stefan couldn't help but let out a chuckle as Sylvi went into more detail about what happened. It all sounded so familiar, just the next generation playing out the same story.​

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"Ah so more defacto stuck here. Only because he's here and you have to keep an eye on him."​

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Stuck was stuck, but some stipulations would make things better or worse than others. She seemed like she got one of the better ones. As she could seemingly still go home to visit and potentially even fulfill her duties as a Valkyrie.​

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"Can you still go back to Valhalla? Like to visit or guide others there still? There are plenty of people here with the same heritage that might be worthy of Valhalla. Maybe you could adopt not only watching over the brat but also being MCI's link to Valhalla?"​