Crossover Earth '98
PORTRAIT OF A SORCERER
JAY SHAFFSTALL & MICHAEL SURBROOK
Paul Stark hiked up the driveway to Avalon's place; it was fairly long as drives went, but not very steep and had been freshly cleared of snow, much to his relief. Stepping onto the walk that led up to the front door, Stark hoped that he'd be welcomed. Although he was arriving uninvited, he hoped to get some of Avalon's time for a personal interview. He'd interviewed the self-proclaimed sorcerer once previously, although that had been mostly related to Nightwatch and their activities, and Stark felt there was a lot more to Avalon than those brief snippets had revealed. The public deserved to know that Avalon was just as human as the rest of them, and not the self-important mystery man that most thought of him as.
Stark paused to catch his breath at the front door to the house. It was a compact three-story structure, with a look most would describe as 'modern', all wood siding and earth tones. His palms itched slightly, a sign of nervousness. What did he expect, dragons and damsels in distress? Heh, heh... shaking his head at his own flights of fancy, Stark raised a hand to the door and knocked.
There was a long pause, where Stark could hear faint music and the sounds of movement. Finally, he caught the unmistakable echo of footsteps and the front door opened.
Stark smiled as the door opened, trying his best friendly smile.
"Good aftern--" Stark broke off, surprised. He hadn't exactly expected Avalon to answer his own door, but he hadn't expected who did answer it.
That the person at the door wasn't Avalon was a given... but, as to who she really was, Stark had no idea. She was tall, standing close to 5'10", with long flowing white hair that fell past her shoulders and warm gray eyes. But what Stark found most startling was the unknown woman's ears. They were long and tapering placed at the top of the skull, and reminded Stark of a fox or a wolf.
"Uh... Hello," he managed.
"Hello," she responded, her voice soft, "Can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Avalon. Is he in?"
"Oh?" The woman seemed surprised to hear this, "I'm afraid Father is out right now. Was it some sort of emergency?"
Father? Father? Avalon was this woman's father? Stark forced himself to keep calm. This was as an unprecedented scoop! A chance for an interview with Avalon's here fore unknown daughter!
"An emergency?" Stark paused. "No, not at all... I'm Paul Stark, a freelance writer. I specialize in interviewing heroes, and the occasional villain. I'm here for an interview with Avalon." Not a lie, definitely not a lie.
"If Avalon isn't here, maybe you'd like to talk to me, give me an interview about the 'real' Avalon. I'm sure the readers would love to know what Avalon's like when he's not out defeating evil, or being stern in front the cameras after some emergency."
"Interview?" The woman's ears twitched slightly, causing her dangling earrings to jingle. She paused and thought for a moment. "I don't think Father would mind..." Stepping back she held the door open, "Please come in."
Stepping inside, Stark found himself in a short entry hall. To his right was a sunken living room, bordered by a low wooden railing. There was a cathedral ceiling overhead, open all the way to the third floor. The decor was simple, the house was furnished mainly in wood, with a scattering of shelves and bookcases. It certainly didn't look like some sorcerer's 'inner sanctum'.
"May I take your coat?"
"Oh? Yeah..." Stark handed over his jacket, which was then neatly stowed in a side closet.
Was the woman turned back to the closet, Stark surreptitiously looked her over. She was dressed rather plainly, in a long sleeved white blouse and blue jeans. It was then that Stark realized the woman possessed a long busy fox-like tail. It was white, with a gray streak down the center and extended almost to the floor. Stark shook his head, this was getting stranger by the minute.
"There," the woman turned back to Stark and held out her hand, "I am Ashley le Fay du Lac and I am pleased to meet you Mr. Paul Stark."
Stark took her hand with a firm grip. "Pleased to meet you, Miss du Lac" He then released her hand and moved aside to allow her to lead the way.
"Well, if you wish to talk, please let us do it somewhere suitable." Ashley said, indicating the back of the house.
Following after Avalon's highly unusual daughter, Stark did his best to glance about the house, with out trying to give the appearance he was openly gawking. He spotted what looked like an office or study on his left, followed by a library. Then there was the dining room and a spacious kitchen with attached breakfast nook. Finally, Ashley led him to an enclosed patio, warm and bright in the thin winter sunlight, and rife with a number of plants.
"Please, won't you have a seat?" Ashley pointed to a comfortable looking chair, before clearing a small table.
Sitting down, Stark took note of what Ashley was removing from the table. A plate and utensils, obviously she'd recently had breakfast. There were several books too, not the magical grimores he might have suspected, but all four volumes of Stephen King's Gunslinger series. Stark then realized that the music was still playing... Pink Floyd, recorded live from the sound it. Well, this Ashley certainly seemed to be shattered any preconceived notions he might have had about what any of Avalon's progeny could possibly be like.
Returning the dishes to the kitchen, Ashley busied herself for a few moments. "Mr. Stark?" she called, "Can I get you anything?"
"A glass of water would be great."
Returning to the patio, placing a tall glass of water on the table, Ashley resumed her seat, looking over at Stark.. "So, Mr. Stark, you wished to speak to me?"
Stark pulled a small tape recorder from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Do you mind if I tape the interview? I find it helps me focus on you, rather than taking notes."
Stark paused and then took a sip of water, trying to work through his thoughts.
"Perhaps you can tell me a bit about your father. The general public knows little about him, and certainly wouldn't imagine him as a father and husband."
"Husband?" Ashley's ears twitched and she gave him a surprised look, eyebrow's arched. "I am afraid Father isn't married, Mr. Stark." She paused and then gave Stark a slight smile, "Although I do think he has an over abundance of female acquaintances."
Stark returned Ashley's smile while his mind assimilated her statement. He wasn't necessarily interested in painting a picture of Avalon as a philanderer, but on the other hand single-fatherhood was very nineties.
"Does that bother you, Miss du Lac?"
Ashley stayed silent for a moment obviously mulling over Stark's question. "Yes and no," she said finally. "I mean, he's a grown man, and is quite capable of taking care of himself, but he has quite a weakness for beautiful women... and this has gotten him into trouble before..." Ashley paused and then shook her head, "And probably will again."
"But then, I've had my share of lovers, so perhaps it is not my place to talk, eh?"
Tactfully, Star decided to remain silent concerning that point, instead switching his line of questioning. "I'm assuming that your father didn't raise you," Stark smiled. "I don't see how he would have been able to keep you a secret with all the media attention he garnered while Nightwatch was active."
"If I'm out of line, just let me know, but I'd like to know a bit about your early relationships with your father. I'm not out to psychoanalyze you, but to get a better feel for both of you."
"I... understand..." Ashley responded slowly. "My father had nothing to do with raising me... but then, neither did my mother. My childhood was spent in the house of a sorcerer of Limbo. I didn't actually meet my father until fairly recently." Ashley paused and Stark couldn't help but notice the strained expression that flashed across her features as her ears folded flat against her head. "We... we became fairly close and spent some time together. It was then that my mother revealed our true relationship. I think she desired to try and drive us apart, but, in fact, it brought us closer together." Ashley smiled, her ears rising, "Since learning that I am his daughter, Father has doted on me to an almost absurd degree. He is every bit the loving father, although I think such an attitude makes him act a bit foolish from time to time."
"Foolish isn't exactly the word that springs to mind when I think of Avalon," Stark said.
"You haven't seen him come Christmas."
A mental image formed in Stark's mind of the normally somber Avalon in a Santa suit. He grinned briefly before continuing.
"You mentioned that you grew up in Limbo. Is that a place, or an organization?"
"Limbo is a place..." Ashley looked up through the glass ceiling panels of the patio, watching the falling snow. "It is a world quite unlike this one, where sorcery, not technology, holds sway. It is also where I make my home... when I am not visiting here."
Stark just looked at Ashley for a moment, then blinked and shook his head.
"I'm sorry," he smiled. "Even making a specialty of interviewing superheroes, I can still encounter things that surprise me. I'd be interested in hearing more about Limbo some other time."
Stark then took a moment to remember the next question he'd intended to ask.
"That must have been quite a shock, learning about your father in that way." Stark briefly considered asking about her mother, but decided it would hardly be polite to ask for details about Avalon's affairs. "How did your father react to your mother's deception?"
Glancing at Stark for a moment, Ashley then turned her head away, staring out the far wall at the white landscape beyond. When she finally spoke, her voice was devoid off almost all emotion. "When Father finds her, I think he means to see her dead."
"Does this bother you?"
"No."
Wisely, Stark decided to pull away from the subject. Obviously there was little love lost between Ashley's mother and Avalon, let alone Ashley's mother and herself. Duke Barren might choose to pursue that line into the ground, but Stark knew he had a bit more tact.
"Since you've been raised in Limbo, are you aware of the role your father plays in the world, as it's self-proclaimed protector?
"Yes," Ashley nodded. "In fact, that is why he isn't here at this time. He, Herrick and Manannan are visiting Arkham University as we speak. Father said something about a book."
"Ah, researching some magical tome, no doubt."
Ashley smiled, "Yes, you could say that."
"Why do you think he does it?"
There was another long moment of silence, as Ashley sat and resumed staring out at the slowly falling snow. "I think it is because when he arrived in Limbo, the first rule he learned was that of responsibility of power. Magic is a very potent art, and unrestrained use can have disastrous consequences. Father has seen firsthand what can happen if a magus is allowed to reign unchecked... it is something he would rather not have happen here."
Ashley paused and then turned back to Stark with a smile, "Father also tells me that his mother was rather strict in raising her family and he wouldn't even begin to consider using his sorcery for ... 'evil' ends."
Stark chuckled. "It's amazing how many of the heroes trace their noble attitudes back to their early years."
"You mentioned your father at Christmas. Can you tell me what Avalon does to celebrate Christmas?"
Ashley smiled and pointed to a corner of the patio, "There is always a tree right there, decorated in blue and silver. We open the stocking gifts the night before, while the rest of the presents aren't brought out until sometime after we all go to sleep. If he can, Father will try to have his friends stay for the holiday. Aunt Victoria is always here, and sometimes Master Owen, and while she was here, Katsumi."
"Presents have to be handed out just so, and no one is to open theirs before anyone else does. And of course, we make sure that Herrick, Baset and Manannan all get their fair share. Then dinner follows. Usually we can make the merriment last the whole day." Ashley's voice trailed off, as she stared wistfully out the window. "Life always seems so innocent on that day."
"It sounds like Avalon is a bit old-fashioned. Do you find that to be generally true of him?"
"I... I'm uncertain what you mean by 'old-fashioned'..." Ashley shook her head, "Although Father does adhere strongly to certain traditions."
"I suppose the term 'old-fashioned' is really just a way of saying that one adheres to tradition more than most." Stark smiled. "Or rather, that one adheres to traditions older than what most people adhere to."
"Ahh... I understand now."
"Most people have the sense of your father as a humorless man, rather severe. What is Avalon like when he's relaxed and at home?"
Ashley gave Paul a slight smile, "Father does have a sense of humor, and likes to relax with a good book, or music, or a movie. He has Herrick, Mannanan and Baset to talk too, and Aunt Victoria often visits." Ashley paused, and her ears fluttered, causing her earrings to jingle, "I thought best when Katsumi was living here, for Father seemed to be at his most relaxed and open then."
Ashley looked over at Paul, "She was his apprentice you see, and I do believe that Father likes her a great deal..." She paused and gave a thoughtful look to the sky, "And I like her much better than Hsien-ko."
"Apprentice? Just so the general public reading this doesn't camp out on the lawn waiting for their chance, what does it take to become an apprentice to Avalon?"
"Hmmm..." Ashley looked thought for a moment. "Well... recognizable magical talent I think. Which is easy for a sorcerer such as myself or Father to detect. Second, one should have a willingness to learn, as well as a willingness to aid others with your talents..." Ashley paused, and glanced over at Paul, "Father certainly doesn't want to unleash another Vivian on the world."
"Anyway, in Katsumi's case, it was all arranged by her father. He wanted someone of proper skill and temperament to instruct his daughter in the ways of sorcery, so naturally he chose Father." Ashley gave Paul a smug smile and settled back into her chair.
"Is Vivian a villain of some sort?"
"Well..." Ashley mulled the question over. "I would say so, considering how you define such things. I have always felt the terms 'superhero' and 'supervillan' to be quite silly. Father tends to agree."
"Granted, the lines between hero and villain blur quite often. Your father, for example, is seen as a hero by most, but there are those who fear the power he wields. They would wonder what's to keep him from using that power for his own ends." Paul chuckled. "They're usually the people that *would* use his power for their own ends, if they had it."
"Perhaps..." Ashley gave Paul a sharp look, "which is why father is so careful about those he chooses to learn from him."
Paul nods. "I'm glad that he's careful. The villains we do have are enough trouble."
"You mentioned Hsien-ko? Was this another apprentice of Avalon's?"
"Oh, her..." Ashley's voice went cold. "She's not Father's apprentice, she's a two hundred and seventy year-old, blue-skinned, kuang-shi that has Father totally taken in by way of her overly ample cleavage!"
Paul blinked, slightly surprised at this sudden change in temperament, "Uh, what's a 'kuang-shi'?"
"Oh, that," Ashley grumbled. "It's a ghost."
"A ghost?" Paul paused, at a loss for words. The image of ample cleavage and a ghost simply did not fit. "Is this ghost haunting your father?"
"Hah! I wish it was that simple." Ashley shook her head angerly, her ears flat, "She's sleeping with him is more like it."
"Sleeping with him?" Paul frowned. "I don't know much about ghosts, but what I did understand was that they were, well, mostly insubstantial. How is such an affair possible?"
"That is because a kuang-shi is not what most people think of when the hear the term ghost." Ashley stood and held her hand out at shoulder height. "Hsien-ko stands about this tall, and weighs maybe a hundred pounds - if she weighs anything at all - her skin is blue and her hair is black, and although she is cool to the touch, she is as solid as you or I."
That said, Ashley dropped back into her chair, "As I understand it, she doesn't need to breath, or eat, and fades away during the day. At night, she can act like any normal person, which is usually when Father meets with her."
Ashley sniffed and looked out at the falling snow, "I don't like her... she will bring Father nothing but trouble. But Father put her sister to rest, and Hsien-ko will be forever... grateful for that fact."
For a moment, Paul tried to imagine what a blue-skinned black-haired ghost would look like. With a small shake of his head, he banished the thought.
"It sounds as if your father has quite a human side to him. Most people see him as an unapproachable mystic, but I'm getting an altogether different impression. He seems noble in his own way, if with normal human flaws."
"Is there anything that you think the public should know about your father?"
"Well..." Ashley paused and thought, "as you said, Father is only 'human'. He is not omnipotent or omniscient, regardless of how he may act and present himself. He does take his work seriously, and does truly desire to help others. Just because Father regularly deals with things must people doesn't understand is no reason to fear him."
Paul nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
"Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me, Miss du Lac. I'll see that a copy of the published interview finds its way here for you to read."