Maxine was walking with Lucas through a nearly empty park. She watched him like a hawk as he surveyed the area. This was their first outting and she wanted to be ready in the event he tried to attack someone. It was a nice distraction after the last five days that she had spent concocting potions and spending time with all of her parents, including Jonathan. She loathed the time she had to spend with her abusive father, but it was the only way she could spend some time with her precious baby brother Nathan. She found his shy temperment to be adorable.

Aside from all of that, she found the time to come up with a few solutions to eliminate ambassador Andrevich. The most realistic one was to hire an assassin. She knew a man like him would easily have a large number of enemies that were looking for an opportunity to get rid of him. However, she could only pay the assassin with potions or deadly poisons. That solution though left a very obvious trail back to her if the assassin was ever caught. It just wasn't worth the risk, but that didn't mean she couldn't kill him herself at a later date. Regardless, I bet he's straining his brain trying to figure out why the real reason I showed him such hostility. He probably still believes I'm just some random alchemst that he was probably ordered to lure to his country. Huh, that gives me a vicious idea. I wonder what would happen if I bypass him and let his leaders know why I hate him so much. Or I could see if there is a disgruntled subordinate of his that could do that for me. In any case, those guys may just kill ambassador Andrevich themselves to appease me enough that I visit their country for awhile. I could make a few high end potions while I'm there and that would be that. Although that method comes with some risks, but they are far more manageable than making a move myself. But there is always the chance that they see him as too valueable of an asset to kill over a possibility. That leaves me with an option that I really don't want to do. I really hate doing hours and hours of research, but the chance that it will lead back to me is virtually zero.

"Mama?" Lucas asked while tilting his head. That simple word caused Maxine to be jolted out of her own dark thoughts.

"Yes, Lucas?" Maxine asked, before her expression turned to one of joy, "You spoke!" It had literately been the second time Lucas had spoken since she found him. Unfortunately, he didn't say anything else to Maxine's disappointment. It seems this little guy only speaks when he finds it neccesary to do so. He must've been worried about me.

After a few minutes of waiting, she noticed him glancing at a playground. "Do you want to go play over there?" Maxine asked, but Lucas shook his head, "Then why do you want to go over there?"

Lucas simply pointed his finger towards a girl with golden blonde hair that was running joyfully near the playground before saying, "Pretty."

"You think she is pretty?" Maxine asked with a smile, "Do you want to go over to say 'hi'?" Lucas immediately nodded his head and Maxine gently took Lucas' hand into her own as they walked towards the blonde-haired little girl.

Unfortunately, as soon as they got within thirty feet of the little girl, she spotted them and froze with a fearful expression on her face. Maxine stopped in her tracks and waved at the little girl with her free hand. That small and harmless movement caused the little girl to burst into movement and flee towards her mother. Shit, I was afraid that would happen.

Lucas jerked in her grasp, but she didn't let him go. And there goes his predatory response. To most predators, anything that runs from you is clearly prey. She was prepared to swat him upside the head to knock him out of it, but surprisingly, he stopped trying to free himself from her grasp after only a few seconds. He turned his head to look at her with tear-filled eyes.

Maxine felt a pang of sympathetic pain as she knelt down and gently hugged him. "It's alright. I know you just wanted to play with her," Maxine said comfortingly as she stroked his hair, "But to her, the two of us look a bit scary, so don't hold it against her." In response, Lucas hugged her back with both his arms and legs. I can't really blame him for this reaction. He probably just wanted to make a friend his own age and he was rejected like that. He may be more feral than other children, but his emotions are just as strong.

Maxine stood up and walked away before the little girl's mother came to confront them. After walking for only a few seconds, she created a standing portal that lead back to Hellen and Guan's home. As soon as she walked through it, a strange thought popped into her head. Where exactly is their home? I think I remember one of them mentioning it was on the moon, but that just begs more questions. How the hell are they able to have a house on the moon without someone spotting it? And how the hell are they able to make the gravity feel like I'm on Earth? I think it's best not think about that too hard or I will give myself a headache.

"Welcome back you two. You weren't gone that long," Hellen said, "Did something happen?"

"Lucas wanted to play with one of the children at the park, but they ran away from him," Maxine said, "He didn't take it very well."

"Don't worry, Lucas. I'm sure you will find a friend soon enough," Hellen said comfortingly as she reached out and patted Lucas' head, "I take it that it was a little blonde girl that fled from him?"

"How did you know?" Maxine asked in surprise.

"He likes to watch TV shows that have pretty little blondes in them," Hellen said with a smile.

"So he has a thing for blondes, eh?" Maxine said with a smirk on her face, "There are plenty of those around, little guy. Just be careful. Some of girls can be really mean." Lucas only buried his face deeper into Maxine's shoulder and she could swear she could feel that shoulder heat up slightly. Is he ... blushing? That's adorable!

"Stop teasing him," Hellen admonished Maxine, "But you're right. It's better to err on the side of caution when finding friends of any kind."

"At least, you don't have to worry about scratching them by accident," Maxine said encouragingly, "Those gloves and shoes that your grandpa made will definitely keep that from happening." It still surprised Maxine that he was able to design and make them. They competely covered the claws on his hands and feet, but at the same time, they were easily removed in the event that he needed to defend himself. I think daddy was inspired by mom to make them. She was getting tired of having to repair the floors and furniture all the time. Although, this is just a temporary measure until Lucas learns to control his essence enough to form a protective coating over his claws.

"That they do," Hellen commented, "Although, I'm beginning to get concerned. Lucas hasn't spoken a single word thus far. Normally, beastkin like him learn to speak complete sentences by now."

"He can speak," Maxine said reassuringly, "But even, I've only heard him say three different words."

"Oh?" Hellen asked with curiosity, "And why havn't you mentioned this before?"

"Because before today, he's only spoken once," Maxine said, "I heard him speak twice while we were visiting the park. I think it's possible that he doesn't like to speak unless he has to."

"I think you're right," Hellen said, "Most hydras are solitary creatures and typically only travel together if they are mother and child."

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"I can see how that can present a few problems for his social development," Maxine said. He must be afraid of saying the wrong thing. That would explain he rarely ever speaks and even then only one word at a time to avoid any blunders. I bet he's listening in to our interactions to learn as many social skills as he can.

"He may just need more experience in that regard before he opens up," Hellen said, "Try taking him to see Amanda's daughter. I think her daughter's name is Sarah."

"I could," Maxine said with a thoughtful look on her face and asks Lucas, "Do you want me to set up a playdate for you and Sarah?"

"Yes," Lucas said very softly and Maxine saw Hellen's face light up.

"Lucas, why don't you talk more when you have such a lovely voice?" Hellen asked in a gentle voice. Now that she mentions it, Lucas has an amazing voice. It's almost angelic due to how innocent it sounds. But I know better. He's a cunning little shit and that will serve him well when he has to deal with any young masters or mistresses. Unfortunately Lucas didn't say anything else as he buried his face into Maxine's shoulder.

"Mom, he's known you for literately less than ten days," Maxine reminded Hellen, "And me for only a few days more than that. You can't expect a him to open up that fast." She felt Lucas tense up in her arms. I bet you didn't realize that I willingly adopted you until just now.

"That's true," Hellen said understandingly.

"In any case, let's slowly introduce him to more people. That should build up his confidence," Maxine said, "And on that note, could you look after him for awhile? I want to go talk to Amanda to see if it's alright to set up a playdate for Lucas with her daughter."

"That's fine. Just hand the little guy over," Hellen said as she gently plucked Lucas off of Maxine and held him in her own hands.

"Thanks, mom," Maxine said, "I'll be back later and Lucas, be good for grandma." Maxine created a portal arch infront of her that lead to the front area of the Fire and Ice guild and walked through it.

Without missing a beat, she immediately entered the building and felt annoyed when she spread her spiritual sense out. Amanda was giving ambassador Andrevich a tour around the building. When is that fucker going to leave?! This is at least the third time he's been toured around the building. Doesn't he have other places besides this one to visit? He's already tried to recruit Silky and Lan twice. She retracted her spiritual sense before her temper flared uncontrollably. What time is it? Maybe I can talk to Chris about a playdate since Amanda's busy.

Maxine glanced at the time before she walked up to the reception desk to ask, "Is Chris Maze in?"

"He walked in not five minutes ago with Sarah in tow," the receptionist said, "Would you like me to contact him, Miss Maxine?"

"Yes, please," Maxine replied.

"This will just take a second," the receptionist said before picking up the phone at her desk. Maxine took a few steps away from the desk and did her best not to listen in.

Thankfully, she kept her mind busy by following the route that Amanda was taking as she gave ambassador Andreviche around the building. She took this time to look over his bodyguards. It surprised her momentarily that they were all silver stage. Wow, I didn't think he had the political influence to get four silver stage bodyguards. That's actually rather impressive. They still wouldn't be able to stop me if I took a direct approach to getting rid of that asshole, but I can't do that without causing a shit storm of problems.

"Miss Maxine, Chris said to come up to the daycare room on the second floor," the receptionist said.

"Oh, thank you. I'll head that way now," Maxine said gratefully to the receptionist and made her way to the daycare room. She found Chris with his daughter, Sarah, playing tea party. Maxine did her best to avoid laughing at the sight, but failed in the end when she noticed that Chris was wearing a tiara and a tutu. Maxine involuntarily laughed at the sight.

The both of them turned their heads to Maxine and Chris looked confused to for a few moments before he asked in disbelief, "Maxine? Is that you?"

"It certainly is," Maxine said with a smile and shifted her gaze to Sarah, whom looked rather small for her age, "Is your daddy good at tea parties?"

"Yep!" Sarah said happily, "But he wouldn't let me bring any of my toys."

"Well, he probably didn't want you to loose them and get super upset," Maxine said, "I know I would get really sad if I lost one of my toys when I was your age."

"Really?" Sarah asked, "What was your favorite toy?"

"It was my dolly. She had red yarn for hair," Maxine said while smiling fondly at the memory, "In fact, my dolly's hair was the same exact shade of red as yours."

"Can I see it?" Sarah asked expectantly.

"Well, you can't see the original, but I can make a good copy of it," Maxine said as she flourished her hand and created a construct in the form of her childhood doll. It's head was cicular with a mop of red yarn hair and wore a simple green checkered dress.

"You can use magic!" Sarah said with eyes fill with wonder as Maxine handed her the doll. Sarah's eyes were sparkling as she examine the doll in her hands.

"You might be able to do something similar when you're older," Maxine said happily.

"Is that true, papa?" Sarah asked excitedly while looking at Chris.

"I can't say for certain, sweetie, but it's possible," Chris answered honestly, "It really depends on your attribute."

"He's not wrong," Maxine agreed, "You see your 'papa' can only use fire. That's not good for making a dolly is it?"

"No, it isn't," Sarah agreed and she immediately looked worried, "Will I only be able to use fire?"

"It's possible, but it's not for certain," Maxine comforted Sarah, "Take me for instance, I didn't inheirit my father's poison attribute. Instead, I got the shadow attribute. I can mimic any attribute I want, but it's not perfect. I'll never be able to create a flame as potent as your papa's or an illusion as perfect as your mother's."

"And they will never look as scary as you," Sarah chimed in playfully.

"Exactly," Maxine said, "Everyone is different. There's no telling what wonderful gift you will have, so you'll have to wait for now to find out what gift you have. You're just a little too young to cultivate just yet."

"But I'm already five years old!" Sarah complained, "I'm a big girl! I want use magic NOW!"

"Can you sit still for hours at a time while doing something that's boring?" Maxine asked.

"Huh? Why would I need to do that?" Sarah asked.

"That's one of the things you need to do to be able to use magic," Maxine replied, "Now answer my question." Chris was sitting quietly with a strange smile on his face.

"I can do it," Sarah said stubbornly.

"Prove it," Maxine said, "Try singing a song over and over again for hours at a time without moving from that spot." Sarah immediately started singing 'Mary had a little lamb' over and over. She sang like that for twenty minutes before her focus started to shift. She lasted longer than I thought. Still, it's not enough. It took another ten minutes before Sarah finally tired herself out and began pouting.

"Good attempt, but it's not enough," Maxine said honestly, "Give it another few more years and if you still want to learn, I will teach you myself."

"Promise?" Sarah asked hopefully.

"I promise," Maxine said, "Now, would you like to meet my son, Lucas? He's a bit older than you and he doesn't have my spiky hair."

"Can I, papa?" Sarah asked.

"We will have to talk to, mommy," Chris said and he added, "That reminds me. Amanda has been complaining that you still havn't gotten a cellphone yet. It's made it rather hard to contact you." Shit, I forgot about those things. I can literately talk to anyone within 100 miles with my spiritual sense, but most earthlings don't have that kind of range.

"I forgot that I needed one of those. I'll take care of that this afternoon," Maxine said, "What's her number by the way?"

"You can just call me later," Chris said as he handed Maxine a small business card, "But if you want to talk to Amanda, you'll have to call us after six."

"Got it," Maxine said as she stashed the business card into her dimensional ring, "I best go get that phone then. See you two later."

"Bye!" Sarah said happily before going back to playing tea party with Chris, "Papa, you forgot to add the sugar to your tea. It will taste icky." Maxine smiled to herself as she left. He's a very good dad, and he doesn't spoil her too much.

Maxine left the Fire and Ice guild and went straight to a walmart to buy a 'pay as you go' phone. It didn't take her very long to set it up. The only problem that she faced was how to use it without damaging it due to her claws. Eventually, she smacked herself on the forehead when she realized that she could just create a few tendirls to use the touch screen instead of using her hands. After doing all of that, she sent Chris a text message to let him know her cellphone number. Now with that out of the way, I think it's time to find a pawn to help me get in contact with the russian leadership. I wonder if the ambassador is a big enough fool to keep someone that hates him at the russian embassy. I can only hope that he does. If not, there are other routes that I can use to contact them. And if they don't want to get rid of him, I will have to take a different approach to getting rid of him.