alilmusebundle

[alilmusebundle]

Eleanor carries her sister through the doorway with her head held high, despite the nerves singing through her bones. She couldn't afford to look less than completely put together if they were going to pull this off; it was Ginerva, not Salvadore, that they would encounter first.

Somehow, someway, the door takes her in through the backdoor kitchen in the manor. The chef startles, the multi-handed monster immediately calling for their sous- the butler- anyone- to inform the queen of their safe return, and she placates the help as they swarm her with half a mind.

If only they'd been able to get back earlier. There would have been less people to deal with.

Through some horrible stroke of misfortune, her door formed after Evelyn's. She had been tempted to send Evie back without her, if only because she didn't want her sister to miss her medication in the morning, but had quickly thought better of it. Ginerva would want answers, and Evie was both not the best at lying under pressure, or comfortable going home without her. So, they waited.

The night was sleepless, spent checking the door progress and rushing back to her sisters side as quickly as possible. Only when Eveyln had finally fallen asleep, was she able to move her to the other space where the door was meant to form- and away from the mobsters.

The mobster duo had been kind enough to them despite her attempts to annoy them into leaving them alone. She will admit that she may have been more of a pain than was entirely necessary towards them. But, after the evening she'd had prior... leaving Evie out of sight or alone near anyone else for to long made her feel sick. Even if the two- or, moreso, the rabbit- were not of the same family that had almost-

( Overwhelmed by a swarm of rabbit monsters in black suits, Evie drugged and limp in her arms; terror and rage, not able to protect her, only strong enough to shield, to make sure they can't lay a single hand on her no matter what they do. Not strong enough to carve a way past, despite the lv singing within. Cornered, with only one way to flee- and through a hotel door, blackness overtakes her. )

-best to not think about it. She is just thankful Evelyn didn't seem to remember the less than savory details.

Eleanor is careful to not stumble as she makes her way into the house proper, the butler fussing away at her side. Mustn't show weakness, cannot drop her sister. Once they get to a living room, she waits, and doesn't bother to sit. Ginerva enters shortly after.

The Queen was massive, her cloven hooves silent on the carpet. She stalked towards them, silken robe flaring around her, lion-like tail trailing just above the floor. Eleanor meets her gaze evenly as she can. The boss monster cuts her off before she can say anything.

"Where. Have. You. Been?" The words are clipped, icy. It's difficult to not flinch. "The King has been out all night looking for you in Southside, and you show up spick and span right back home the next day. For the amount of trouble you've caused, the answer had better be good."

This, at least, is easy. She'd thought her words over all night.

"An attempted kidnapping, your Grace." She holds Evie tighter, and hopes desperately that they look sufficiently bedraggled. "Our drinks were spiked with something: Evelyn had more of hers than I, and it affected her faster. I managed to get the both of us away and hidden before passing out the same as Eve. I made my way back here with her once I thought the coast clear. It seemed the best course of action compared to going back to where those brutes might still be searching for us."

A carefully crafted, believable lie. This next part is fully the truth. "The Hares Family was behind it. I saw their insignia on one of the brutes that attempted to snatch us. But I am sure the King is already aware of this, if he went after us."

Ginerva stares down with narrowed eyes for a long moment. In the stretch of silence, Eleanor can hear an eavesdropping maid shuffle in the doorway, a butler wringing his gloved hands. No sign of Pierre, thankfully. She looked dreadful right now.

"...the Hares should no longer be an issue." Ginerva says with finality before she snaps her claws, and the eavesdroppers burst back to whatever they were meant to be doing. With a gesture of a giant clawed hand, a butler comes to take Evelyn from her. Reluctantly, she releases her iron grip, and watches her sister be taken back to her room. When a claw lands on her shoulder, she flinches- then immediately freezes.

"Fascinating that no one was able to find you this entire time... and lucky, that you were able to fight the drug for so long."

"Yes," she agrees softly, "Lucky that I only took a sip. Who knows what may have happened otherwise."

Ginerva hums and releases her with a push forward. "Go take a bath, child. You stink."

And that is that, she supposes.

---

"I don't rightly get why she's so short w'th ya, missus." The maid says while drawing her bath. "Doesn't seem right, not at all. Specially naut since ya had such a rough time ah it."

This maid likes to yap. Eleanor would be more open to it, if she wasn't utterly exhausted.

"She simply doesn't like nonsense, Fennel." Is what she says out loud in a tone that communicates, neither do I right now.

Ginerva, as far as she can guess, simply doesn't like her because she looks so much like her father, now that she's all grown up. Easier to be kind to Evelyn, when she looks more like their mother. It's probably hard to raise the children of your husbands side-piece and remain neutral towards the whole affair. She wouldn't know.

[alilmusebundle]

send “you okay?” to find my muse sitting alone on a roof at night.

[alilmusebundle]

Livia smirks to herself, a single fang sticking out with her victory. The goons had been useful to her after all. Using their stupidity to ease the tension and get her brother to laugh? Meant she wouldn't kill them the next time they opened their big fat mouths.

...and it was sufficient conversation for anyone listening to roll their eyes and dismiss as annoying nonsense.

The hidden dip down into the special side of Sisilya's shop is welcome; while she didn't need to visit the shop nearly as often as Juke, she still enjoyed sparing with the pretty fish monster every so often- when she wasn't mooning over her cute wittle Bee.

Juke opens the hidden garage door opener with such practice he hardly pays attention. She's itching to get out, but she waits for her brother to come around to open her door anyways; he got grumpy when he couldn't be polite to her like that. She gives him the usual slow blink of thanks, straightening her clothes while Juke goes to drop off his keys.

Trying to be presentable for pretty ladies ends up not mattering. Juke drags her off before anyone can even come out to greet them in a less violent mirror of her own action earlier. She eyes him, one of her ears folding back when no explanation is given. Then she eyes the new car they get into. Sisilya's personal vehicle?

She crosses her arms, one ear flicking in acceptance of his words, but otherwise silently squinting at him. Everything is fine and dandy until the earnest use of that nickname; then the wariness crumbles, leaving only uncertainty in its wake.

It seemed like she was gonna get answers... but, just how bad were they gonna be?

"...get me a damn milkshake, then keep goin' to the ravine." She says softly. "Shouldn't be bothered by anyone out there."

Razor sharp teeth glint in the light of the traffic light as he's forced to stop for a few minutes, turning his gaze over to his sibling as she exposed the meat heads and their 'commentary'

"I'm sure, I know, but I'd prefer to make sure~"

Fucking Dimitri.

He quirks a brow as he listens to the 'theories' and 'rumors' however, A rich lass outside the city?

He'd have to remember to let his 'rich lass' know about that one, a snort leaving him. The boxing champion thing...honestly? he could see it. He wouldn't abandon the family for that though. It'd be more like a side hustle if nothing else.

Living with the humans was just stupid.

Being with soul....makes him shake his head.

"If I was with soul at this point, then they wouldn't have seen me at all. I've seen a couple of the stupid fucks, they act like I've just disappeared in a puff of fucking smoke." he chuckles though and shakes his head even more.

He did miss the dumb asses.

They were stupid, but they were his boys. They did have his back, they were loyal to a damned fault. But mouthing off to Liv? That needed to be put into check even though he knew she'd already done it.

Don't care who you are, you don't disrespect his sister. Even Nox would be in trouble for that, and he'd expect the same if he'd ever genuinely bad mouthed Luca.

"Fucking morons, good to know they're worried or some shit, I guess." he shrugs his shoulders, finally pulling into the shops garage and parking the car inside.

Turning the key off and opening the door for his sibling again, he wrapped on the door three times to let Sissy know, then grabbed a pair of keys off the hook.

Not bothering to offer much explanation but this time dragging his sister along and once all the doors were shut and everything is locked.

He can breathe.

"We're taking this one, because I don't wanna make you wait around for damn bugs to be removed. Maybe I'm being too paranoid but he ain't even letting me know about regular business. I doubt he's gonna let me go anywhere without a fucking ear on me."

He takes in another breath and starts the car.

"I asked ya to come out wit' me because I wanna tell ya what the fuck is really going on. That, and I have missed the shit out of ya and hanging out but trust me, I ain't been very good company lately."

"The hotel shit? it ain't a lie, but it ain't what's been keeping me so god damn busy and....putting me outta sorts.....And I know that's obvious and that pops prob ain't even gonna buy it, but at the very least, the hotels might get a little bit of heat off my ass and get me back in some good graces." he pushes his hair back out of his face.

"I know I should've done this a lot fucking sooner and I'm sorry for keeping ya in the dark and being distant Livvy, Truly I am." he drops his forehead on the steering wheel for a moment.

"But the shit I gotta tell ya....it ain't fun. So my question I guess is, do you want the sweet treat as a fucking buffer first? or something to soothe for after?"

There was also no way he was going to be on the road when he talked about this, he already had a spot planned out where he needed to drive to, but he needed to know where he was going first.

[alilmusebundle]

Oh thank goodness it worked. With the tension cooling into something less serious and broody, her fur can lay flat again.

Adjusting in her own seat- sitting up, a hand wrapping through the handle above the doors window as she half turns towards Juke- she grins. "Ya sure about that? Think they'd enjoy ya slammin' their heads together~"

The thugs she'd affectionately named 'The Goons' may as well worship the ground the Family walked on- but also, they were morons. Muscle that at least know how to shoot a gun, throw their weight around, and generally cause a scene. Which had it's uses. Juke utilized them better than she could.

"The questions were shit like 'why do we have ta take orders from you' ta which I already made them my punching bag, and 'when's that pansy gettin' back on the field? Unless he likes playin' janitor'. I'm more than happy to point out who said that one later~"

"The rumors I heard were more fun." She raises her free hand in a fist, a finger flicking out with each thing she lists. "You're courting some rich lass outside the City, top secret hush-hush, but yer gonna make us all even more rich. You're fed up with this life, abandoning the family ta either go become a boxing champion? for some reason? or just ta go live with humans- cause you'd blend in sooo well, the morons. You're secretly with soul, and we're covering your ass while you carry? Which is just stupid, cause ya wouldn't be going out period."

His grip tightens and loosens on the steering wheel a few times, if his knuckles could turn white, they probably would have. It's difficult to keep his mouth shut right now.

Sissy's wasn't far....he could make it.

Talk about the other thing for now.

However with her own outburst comes surprise, and his eyes widen. If he wasn't focused on the destination, he might've even pulled the car over right then and there.

"For no fuckin' reason huh?"

He chuckles a little, and the razor grin keeps trying to stretch across his face.

"Can't say I disagree, haven't done nothing to bring about the suspicion being thrown on me, but, what are ya gonna do? Pops is paranoid, can't blame him but it does sting a lil."

He shakes his head. At least what he had for 'pops' to potentially hear, wasn't a lie.

"But, I've been working on something on the side. Something that I think he's going to be decently happy with. So, maybe that'll put his mind at ease about any 'shenanigans' he seems to think that I'm up to."

He gives a hard shrug of his shoulders.

"Not that I really know what he thinks I've been up to. Been working hard to get those hotels that he liked on the side of town. expand the territory a little? ain't been easy, since I'm not the person ya send to talk to people....but I've been managing."

Is he speeding a little? maybe.

Is a cop gonna give them any trouble? No, not in this part of town. their part.

He'd slow down when the border was hit, and he'd need to with the body shop being a few streets away from it.

"I've got a meeting with the owners in a few days, hopefully, if things go well, I'll have something to show him and he'll calm down a little."

"I'm sorry that I've been real quiet and distant about everything, just been really focused and worried about coming back with nada. don't wanna disappoint, ya know?"

A small sigh is released, narrowing his gaze on the road, making sure to hit the small bump to get the small rocks in the hood bouncing around. supply his banging noise to complain about.

"And since they're the ones that ma really fell in love with, kinda felt like if I fucked this up...it'd be disappointing them both. and last time I did that....didn't exactly turn out well fer me."

[alilmusebundle]

The hotels on the side of town? Was he talking about those quiet little villa's they'd rented out for Ma's birthday the other year? It'd been nice to have the entire family together for somethin' that wasn't business. She hadn't known their father had his eye on them. Not that he'd tell her about that sort of thing- she didn't do negotiating.

Neither did Juke, normally. They were a pair of violent cards, diamonds and spades, quick cutting jabs and brute force. Playing nice wasn't natural for them. So, the fact that Juke was going that far...

"You, negotiating with businessman? The hell. Shit ain't right." She glares outside the window, watching the world go by just a little faster than it should for a leisurely drive. What she says next is said so quietly, he might not even hear it... but a bug won't either. "None a it's right. Not a one. Then, and now."

It was never her. She never disappointed her parents, despite the many times she'd messed up family business over the years- all of it some of the same shit Juke'd done before her. Not the same disappointed that Juke got. They never held her to the same standard, even though she worked her tail off to be seen.

Did dad see her? Was she such a disgrace of a daughter, he simply pretended she didn't exist? After the last time Juke fucked up, and how badly pops reacted, should she still want to be acknowledged?

The tension in the car was making her fur spike. Livia huffs, shakes her ears to try and get rid of the feeling, and loudly decides a diversion was needed.

"Well, get that done with already! The goons miss their Spade. I'm not built to deal with thick headed thugs like you are. Getting sick an' tired a fielding questions and ridiculous rumors!"

Guilt is a very strong hammer, and with his siblings biting words...he can definitely feel his head pounding a bit from the pressure. Or was that just general anxiety that was slowly starting to fill up his head space?

The point of this...was to let her in. on all of it. She was his most trusted person, the one person that he could think of that he could comfortably say it all out loud to that was part of his family.

The first person that he would get to tell it to.

But with all this new information that had hit him like a semi-truck on a speeding highway, there was also a weird...fear.

He didn't like that.

He didn't like being afraid of shit.

And he sure as hell didn't like admitting it to himself either. But he was.

When this shit first started...him and Aurelio....he hadn't been afraid to die per say. He hadn't wanted to lose anything, to lose anyone. but back then....he also had the mindset that everyone would probably be better off if he was dusted.

That wasn't true.

He'd neglected to think about how much his sister relied on him...how for longest time, it'd been the two of them that stuck together as the 'misfit kids' or whatever title you wanted to tack on.

He hadn't known how much.....hurt that concept would bring about to not just Liv, but Nox.

And now....There was a new person he had to hang around for.

And it wasn't fair to keep Liv out of the dark, not with how important she is.

There's no biting remark in return, no flare up this time, but a simple allowance of himself to pulled violently to the garage for a short time, and an attempt to not laugh at how puffed her tail was.

His car is a welcomed sight, while yes he still drove it here and there for jobs and what not, spare time had been reserved for going to his other home and making sure Nox and Mia were taken care of. Mia still didn't like sleeping without them both there, so if he was able, he made the extra effort to slink in during the night.

He loops his arm around the crook of his sisters to get a better hold to take the heat off her heels and pull her this time to the passenger side door, to open it for her proper.

A gentleman always opens the door for a lady and what not. His sisterly cargo safely secured, he hops into the driver seat and is more than happy to get the hell out of the garage and start for the road.

"I gotta head over to the body shop real quick first, Car's been making a weird banging sound since last night. After that, I promise we're going straight to sweets."

Had to make sure dear old dad, didn't leave him any presents in the car first.

"In the mean time, if ya wanna bite my head off about being a piece of shit, feel free. I've been deserving of it."

[alilmusebundle]

Not even a little bit more snapping back? No responding flare of anger, even though her claws had to be poking holes in his sleeves, or because he could walk on his own, or or or-

Her tail whips. Was she... mollified by this? How absurd.

It wasn't like they were ALWAYS growling and snarling at each other, despite how easy it was to anger her. She was just angry with him, and, clearly, he was guilty. As he should be.

When he moves his arm, she has half a mind to not let him, but with his quiet acceptance she saw no reason not to. Grr. She should be annoyed just to spite him.

Liv tosses her hair as Juke opens the door for her, tail flicking one last time before she settles down onto the leather seat. The sent of the well cared for car settles over her tongue immediately. She resists the urge to sneeze.

Instead, she raises a skeptical brow at her brother. Banging sound, huh? In his nice, beloved, well taken car of hunk a rolling metal-

But, their father didn't trust him, did he?

"..can't bite your head off when you're drivin'. Even if ya do deserve it." She stares at him from the corner of her eye. "And ya do. When you're not workin', yer distant as all hell with me."

"I'm not the one who-" Ugh, possible bugs be damned!! "-who's punishing ya for no fuckin' reason!"

'Talk to yer sister'

A statement that is easier said than done, but if nothing else...his sister was one of few that he could still stomach after that damned meeting with....HER.

It'd be harder to be at the table, harder to sit down and pretend that everything was fine. harder to fucking lie to himself over and over again.

But today was a good day to try something. To let her in. Even though part of him was kicking and screaming that it was a horrible fucking idea.

A few raps on her door with his knuckles as he leans against the side of the wall, arm propped against the frame.

" 'Ey Liv? It's--" he pauses and drops his head, a small sigh and pushing the nickname through gritted teeth. "Ju-ju." "Was thinkin' 'bout going on a drive....did ya wanna come with me?" @thetraumazone

Liv is halfway out her window when she hears the knock on her door.

Years upon years of practice mean that she doesn’t tip over one way or the other in surprise. Instead, she freezes, tiptoes of one foot balanced on the windowsill, the other hovering over the window ledge outside, her long, bushy tail still mostly inside- and now spiking in agitation. Diamond pupils shift to glare at the door, an instinctive growl building in the back of her throat.

The only reason someone would be at her gods-forsaken door at this hour would be the butler wanting to ascertain her wishes, and she was quite certain she’d already told him she desired no disturbances for the evening. Which meant he was going to get her claws across his simpering face-

Then all her annoyance floods out of her as her brother calls from the other side.

Without hesitation, she gestures down at Lander waiting below to abort and slips back into her room without looking for his confirmation. Only when she is safely inside and sliding the window silently shut, does she allow her ears to angle to the sides in confusion.

What in the world was going on? To say that Juke had been.. distant.. would be an understatement. So, was he just here at her door cause he wanted something from her? Or… was this some sort of olive branch?

Liv draws herself together, eyes narrowing thoughtfully as if she could stare into her brothers soul through the wall. Well. She could bat at the ends of the branch and see if it was any fun… or a waste of time.

“Oh? Ju-Ju wants ta go on a drive with ‘lil old me?” She says as she cracks her door open, head tilting up at him with fangs bared. “What an unexpected honor~ ”

[alilmusebundle]

With her very obviously dressed for a night on the prowl, it isn’t surprising Juke immediately knows what she’d been planning. The way he so subtly acknowledges it while also trying to be placating, however, makes her annoyance flare along with her temper.

She jerked the door further open, eyes flashing as she takes a step after the retreating form of her brother. Continuing to walk forward into his space, forcing him to continue to step back or have her slam directly up into his business.

“OH! Me, to busy for YOU?” She says through her teeth. “Oh, a’course, that must be it! Clearly YOU aren’t the one who’s been too busy ta talk ta ya ‘lil brat’ about much a anything at all lately!”

Anger had always been a problem of hers. It was one of the reasons she’d never make a proper young women, or be competent enough to make good on any sort of marriage contract. To MAD, as her true Name so lovingly pointed out. To quick to fall from reason to rage… just like father.

‘His loyalty to the Family is still in question. Tell him nothing of our plans.’

‘It’s better to just leave them to sort themselves out, child.’

But, unlike their distrustful father and apathetic mother, she did want to talk to Juke. She had questions.

Claws quickly reach out, snatching Juke’s arm. Just as quickly as she was backing him up, she is swinging him around and pulling him along, his arm trapped in her bear-cat grip.

“You’re not bringing me back somethin’ sweet, yer taking me ta get it!” She practically yowls, determinedly matching them forward. And she wasn’t letting go until they were at the damn garage and he was climbing into the drivers seat!

'Talk to yer sister'

A statement that is easier said than done, but if nothing else...his sister was one of few that he could still stomach after that damned meeting with....HER.

It'd be harder to be at the table, harder to sit down and pretend that everything was fine. harder to fucking lie to himself over and over again.

But today was a good day to try something. To let her in. Even though part of him was kicking and screaming that it was a horrible fucking idea.

A few raps on her door with his knuckles as he leans against the side of the wall, arm propped against the frame.

" 'Ey Liv? It's--" he pauses and drops his head, a small sigh and pushing the nickname through gritted teeth. "Ju-ju." "Was thinkin' 'bout going on a drive....did ya wanna come with me?" @thetraumazone

Liv is halfway out her window when she hears the knock on her door.

Years upon years of practice mean that she doesn’t tip over one way or the other in surprise. Instead, she freezes, tiptoes of one foot balanced on the windowsill, the other hovering over the window ledge outside, her long, bushy tail still mostly inside- and now spiking in agitation. Diamond pupils shift to glare at the door, an instinctive growl building in the back of her throat.

The only reason someone would be at her gods-forsaken door at this hour would be the butler wanting to ascertain her wishes, and she was quite certain she’d already told him she desired no disturbances for the evening. Which meant he was going to get her claws across his simpering face-

Then all her annoyance floods out of her as her brother calls from the other side.

Without hesitation, she gestures down at Lander waiting below to abort and slips back into her room without looking for his confirmation. Only when she is safely inside and sliding the window silently shut, does she allow her ears to angle to the sides in confusion.

What in the world was going on? To say that Juke had been.. distant.. would be an understatement. So, was he just here at her door cause he wanted something from her? Or… was this some sort of olive branch?

Liv draws herself together, eyes narrowing thoughtfully as if she could stare into her brothers soul through the wall. Well. She could bat at the ends of the branch and see if it was any fun… or a waste of time.

“Oh? Ju-Ju wants ta go on a drive with ‘lil old me?” She says as she cracks her door open, head tilting up at him with fangs bared. “What an unexpected honor~ ”

[alilmusebundle]

'Talk to yer sister'

A statement that is easier said than done, but if nothing else...his sister was one of few that he could still stomach after that damned meeting with....HER.

It'd be harder to be at the table, harder to sit down and pretend that everything was fine. harder to fucking lie to himself over and over again.

But today was a good day to try something. To let her in. Even though part of him was kicking and screaming that it was a horrible fucking idea.

A few raps on her door with his knuckles as he leans against the side of the wall, arm propped against the frame.

" 'Ey Liv? It's--" he pauses and drops his head, a small sigh and pushing the nickname through gritted teeth. "Ju-ju." "Was thinkin' 'bout going on a drive....did ya wanna come with me?" @thetraumazone

Liv is halfway out her window when she hears the knock on her door.

Years upon years of practice mean that she doesn’t tip over one way or the other in surprise. Instead, she freezes, tiptoes of one foot balanced on the windowsill, the other hovering over the window ledge outside, her long, bushy tail still mostly inside- and now spiking in agitation. Diamond pupils shift to glare at the door, an instinctive growl building in the back of her throat.

The only reason someone would be at her gods-forsaken door at this hour would be the butler wanting to ascertain her wishes, and she was quite certain she’d already told him she desired no disturbances for the evening. Which meant he was going to get her claws across his simpering face-

Then all her annoyance floods out of her as her brother calls from the other side.

Without hesitation, she gestures down at Lander waiting below to abort and slips back into her room without looking for his confirmation. Only when she is safely inside and sliding the window silently shut, does she allow her ears to angle to the sides in confusion.

What in the world was going on? To say that Juke had been.. distant.. would be an understatement. So, was he just here at her door cause he wanted something from her? Or… was this some sort of olive branch?

Liv draws herself together, eyes narrowing thoughtfully as if she could stare into her brothers soul through the wall. Well. She could bat at the ends of the branch and see if it was any fun… or a waste of time.

“Oh? Ju-Ju wants ta go on a drive with ‘lil old me?” She says as she cracks her door open, head tilting up at him with fangs bared. “What an unexpected honor~ ”

[alilmusebundle]

Stargate: Atlantis — Whispers  {Sentence Starters}

“So, can you wake ‘em up?“

“Did I forget to mention that?“

“I think I’ve made myself clear.”

“I wish you luck if you’re planning to stay.“

“The locals might have some information.“

“Okay, I definitely saw something that time.“

“And she probably would have decked you.”

“C'mon, you cannot blame yourself, all right?“

“Now, you get back inside and lock that door.“

“You can’t be serious! You’re going out there?“

“I told you we should have started back sooner.“

“It’s all right. I’ve disabled the security protocols.”

“What about the others? Think they made it out?“

“What? Of course it is. What, are you kidding me?“

“Night is falling and this isn’t a safe place. I must go.“

“I wish you’d told me we’d be doing so much walking.“

“Actually, I just came to see if you needed some help.“

“Lower your voice. I think those creatures hunt by sound.“

“But, boy, that would make for one hell of a reunion, huh?“

“With all due respect, we’re not buying any of this, are we?“

“Well, you can just chalk that up to my sense of adventure.”

“Well, no. According to this, the experiment was a success.“

“Judging from that, I guess you already know what’s going on.“

“Going through all of this information may take a while, though.“

“Well, looks like the cleaning crew hasn’t been around in a while.“

“I’m sorry, but, for the time being, I realize that my place isn’t here.”

“Oh, great! Couple more hours of this and I can skip my cardio funk workout.“

“Well, I was told to pick the best and the brightest. Funny how that worked out.”

“Well, if we left when you had said, we’d have been returning home empty handed.”

“I followed you to find out what you were doing here and, if necessary, to warn you.“

“You also forgot to mention the fact that we’d be rappelling down the side of a mountain!“

“Well, it means there’s nothing we can do for them, because these things in here aren’t people any more.“

[alilmusebundle]

Very slowly, Maria turns to stare at her son.

As he continues speaking, she stares in silence. When he finishes, she continues to stare in silence. Unblinking. Until her son opens his eyes once more and meets her gaze. Sees the anger boiling within.

She had kept it to herself long enough.

“I know,” She says, fully slipping into their native language. “That this Suit is capable of speaking to me with his own voice, and defending his actions himself.”

The wineglass is roughly put down, chiming loudly against the spaghetti container in the silence following her words. As her eye-lights burn, a snake slithers out from the collar of her golden blouse, its scales as dark as her bones, its eyes the same burning red. Her magic made solid; a familiar responding to her ire.

( And around them, heard but not seen, the quiet slither of many scales along the floor. The Donna of the Fonts was not without her own defenses. )

“What is fair or what is not does not change how I feel. And I know that you will not tell your Mother how to feel, just as I will not tell you how you should. You may have forgiven your mate,“ her spines slip out as her familiar hisses, ”of his sins, but I will not bend so easily. He has hurt and killed Font family on numerous occasions. He has hurt you, intentionally or otherwise. These are points I will not- can not- forgive, and he is right to not ask for it. These are points I will Not. Repeat. Again.”

Maria carefully lifts her hand to sooth the creature coiling along her shoulder. With a few careful breaths, her own spines disappear as well. When she speaks again, it is no longer in their native tongue, and Juke is once more included in her unblinking stare.

“I have tried to forgive. I have tried to forget, and move on with life, as my dear brother wished. Doing so may just have led to the death of my nephew, who-” Pain ripples across her face, and she raises her chin against the well of tears. “Who I loved as fiercely as my own shining lights. If Arlan was truly the one that did it… who left Mattia to die slowly, painfully, without the merciful swiftness his own lost son had... there will be no 'atonement'.”

It was the small chance that it wasn't Arlan's own hand that kept her from foolish and unladylike violence on his person.

She closes her eyes to compose herself and feels a wave of tire rush over her. Her hand hidden beneath the table gently pets the small, thornless snake curled up in a tight, shivering ball on her lap. The one on her shoulder continues to look at Juke for her; the same unblinking stare.

"I have told you what no one else would dare share. Now I will ask you a question. Am I the first you've asked for help?"

He does flinch some from the sharp tack of his Mother's lashing tail striking the wood of her chair once, but kept his fingers' hold on Juke's at least until he shakes out of it, giving them a subtle squeeze before retracting his hand fully back to his side of the table.

And none too soon - the pointed glance at him momentarily misinterpreted, at least until they had shifted to her emptied glass, and he's quick to oblige her silent command.

The bottle is carefully seized and he stands just long enough to top off her glass, with a bit more tipped into his own before the bottle is set back down - Juke had yet to touch his, after all.

With her thirst quenched, his Mother launches into the concluding parts of their history, and briefly explains how, and where Madame had come into the picture, or at least her origins in regard to the Family.

It was still mainly an exchange between his partner and his Mother, so he keeps his silence and only listens, forcing down another bite of spaghetti though his appetite had definitely ebbed after the influx of information in Sir's vile deeds of the past.

Though he was aware of his Family's hardship in the years following his birth, he'd never realized where the loss of their reputation had truly sourced from, to this day they still had to grease the cops' palms from time to time, mainly the higher-ups with long memories.

To think, all of this death, generational hatred, and continuous conflict had been due to one man's bitter bid for vengeance - and likely, one to follow after his lost family, without having to do the deed himself.

A reflexive shiver runs up his spine, realizing what his Mother may be subtly alluding to in her mention of "decisive gun-fights", and suddenly very glad that Luca was still attending to Mia in the kitchen for the time being.

Mattia.. though Nox had been closer in age, Luca had been very close to their older cousin, he'd been the one to show them the ropes when they were old enough to take on safe jobs of their own, and Luca had continued to accompany him even once they were cleared to run solo.

He'd been brutally gunned down on what should have been a routine cash pick-up, and while the Suits had been suspected.. they couldn't act without the evidence to back it up, and as it had been a simple job.. he'd opted to go it alone, against the wishes of his father.

It hadn't been done.. clean, however.. and poor Uncle Matthias had begged his Father to do the deed for him, when it became clear that Mattia was both suffering, and would never wake.

It had been the Merciful choice, but Luca still held some modicum of blame and anger - that their Father and Uncle had both "given up" on him, that he had still been fighting.

With a firm set of his mouth, he placed his fork down and took another swallow of his wine, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes against the negative memory - he was definitely done eating for now.. that was for sure.

[alilmusebundle]

"Get rid of your stuff?" Keera's brows lift. "Why'd you jump to that?"

That stuff made Vesper happy. Getting rid of it all wouldn't change his infatuation going on, anyways. Maybe a re-evaluation was needed here.

"Keep your merch, getting rid of it makes no sense. It makes you happy. If you think it's part of the problem..." Keera shifts on the couch, fully facing Vesper with her legs crossed under her and hands on her knees. "Re-orientate your brainwaves. If I was to suddenly start making, uh, cool sticker detailing for airboards or ships, you would want to start buying them to support me, even if you didn't actually use them, right?"

Because, while Vesper had never turned to her and offered to cook every single meal for her, he would offer to do things like help pack up decorations. He wanted to help his friends- his loved ones most of all, but also every random civilian that struggled where he could see it on and off the job- and if random acts of labor were one way of showing it, than this was an easy jump to make.

"So, here's the re-wiring: You're not buying his merch because of an infatuation with his face, you buy it to support a friend."

The initial freeze-up, and instinctive flinch away when she joined him on the couch and rested herself against him, was at least only a brief flash of fear seeded deep at the root of him. As many times as this same scenario had occurred, he was getting used to being pacified in this way.

It didn't quell the shame of being caught crying - yet again, but with a finally audible sniffle, he relented into burying himself against her, seeking out the comfort she provided while still being mindful about butting his horns against her, his tail draping itself over her lap.

"It's not.. I mean.. I guess you contributed.. but it's just.. over-stimulation, I guess.. or maybe I'm still playing catch-up. Even if that seems.. unlikely, as many times as I have.. broken down like this. I dunno.."

He let out a shaky exhale laden with frustration at himself, but closed his eyes and marginally relaxed against her when the soothing rubbing along his spine began, gripping just a little bit to the hem of her shirt.

"Can I.. tell you something? It's just it-.. it's weighing so heavy on me, but.. I'm scared to say it out loud. I don't want to give it more power than it already has.. but.. I can't get the thoughts to stop.."

He was sure he was blushing at this point, and hated how obvious fluster was on him, especially with starry cheekbones already dampened with tears - but if he did tell her what was afflicting him so, it wouldn't really matter much if she noticed, anyway.

"You're.. the only one I feel safe telling. Since we're.. sort in the same cruiser..? Maybe..?"

[alilmusebundle]

Keera tips her head to the side, accepting the cruiser write-off. For now, till such a time that it was funny to bring up again. Or she forgot. Whichever came first.

The confession that comes... well, it isn't too unexpected, once Ves starts going. Had to admit though, she'd hoped it was gonna be something else, for Vespers sake. Her bluntness was probably going to upset him.

At least he stopped wringing his tail, because, as someone with a tail, that was how one accidentally hurt themselves. She stares at him, face buried in his hands, and tries not to sigh.

"You're very obvious, bud. Very obvious. Offering to be his personal 24/7 chef for free kinda obvious. That's 'I can rub your feet for you senpai' levels of obvious, bud."

"Orion's dealt with a fair number a fans clearly crushin' on him at this point. He can tell."

And boy, had Ody not known what to do about it. Still didn't, really; his discomfort in dealing with such fans was normally handled by putting on his performers persona and being backed up by whatever security Xenia had for the occasion. A situation like this, where he had an interest in regaining a friend, but said monster was also one of 'those' fans, had Orion stalled out.

"If you wanna be Oreo's friend, you gotta nix the Orion worship, bud. Full stop."

The initial freeze-up, and instinctive flinch away when she joined him on the couch and rested herself against him, was at least only a brief flash of fear seeded deep at the root of him. As many times as this same scenario had occurred, he was getting used to being pacified in this way.

It didn't quell the shame of being caught crying - yet again, but with a finally audible sniffle, he relented into burying himself against her, seeking out the comfort she provided while still being mindful about butting his horns against her, his tail draping itself over her lap.

"It's not.. I mean.. I guess you contributed.. but it's just.. over-stimulation, I guess.. or maybe I'm still playing catch-up. Even if that seems.. unlikely, as many times as I have.. broken down like this. I dunno.."

He let out a shaky exhale laden with frustration at himself, but closed his eyes and marginally relaxed against her when the soothing rubbing along his spine began, gripping just a little bit to the hem of her shirt.

"Can I.. tell you something? It's just it-.. it's weighing so heavy on me, but.. I'm scared to say it out loud. I don't want to give it more power than it already has.. but.. I can't get the thoughts to stop.."

He was sure he was blushing at this point, and hated how obvious fluster was on him, especially with starry cheekbones already dampened with tears - but if he did tell her what was afflicting him so, it wouldn't really matter much if she noticed, anyway.

"You're.. the only one I feel safe telling. Since we're.. sort in the same cruiser..? Maybe..?"

[alilmusebundle]

It’s spring again. Which, living on their long string of islands, means pleasant temperatures and the smallest increased chance of being caught out in the rain. Weather in the isles just didn’t fluctuate much!

Made it convenient to rough it on the streets, back then.

Bennie the saint bernard, a now extremely common board-pup, slows down, and Palatino matches the dogs pace. The big dog was getting older now, and he couldn’t keep up a run as long as he used to; it would be a sad day when Bennie no longer showed up at his door. For now, he was just happy to be able to walk the dogs himself again. No cane required.

The cane still sits by the front door, resting alongside the umbrellas in the stand, just in cause. He might always be paranoid about needing it after so long with it.

It was his fault that he’d needed it for so long. The break in his leg, (near-shattered patella, snapped fibula and fractured tibia; twisted and strained talus/ankle joint, many minor bruises and scraps), that should have, at most, taken 3 months to heal took much longer took more like half a year, simply because those first few months were Summer in the Isles. His most profitable- and therefore busiest- months of the entire year, thanks to both tourists coming and isle residents leaving on vacation. Which meant he couldn’t take time off.

(When his friendly barista 'fairy' informed him one day how quickly human bones are able to heal, he very nearly had another meltdown. Human shells were way more resilient than monster shells. It was absolutely, positively, unfair.)

He’d pushed himself, walking on crutches and then a boot, doing what needed to be done- what he’d promised his customers would be done- all while ignoring the pain with a smile.

Everyone he loved had helped as much as they could, of course. Avie had been very insistent on being his on-call doctor, even when he had to go back to school. Just as he’d thought, Angie had continued to come over to help with the smaller animals, cutting into her commission work time. Even his parents had visited the warehouse more frequently, which had been the most mortifying thing of all. But the one thing that had rankled the most, was that Vincent had taken time off of his work to help out near full time. Long enough that Pala hadn’t been sure if Vincent had actually just quit the job all together.

Then he’d found out that Vincent had, eventually, started to do both, with little to no sleep, when his boss, Gin, had shown up at the warehouse and… invited himself in, in a somewhat scary fashion, to talk! Which was how he somehow ended up PAID to have a continuous cycle of interestingly dressed ‘helpers’ every week! While he still wasn’t sure how it happened… it certainly meant he made more friends!! Lacie, Junebug, Bunni-Bee, Ballos, Walnut… all of them Vincent’s coworkers!!!

Bennie swerves to sniff along the grass, and Pala steps to the side to let him, automatically flipping through his inventory for a baggie. He shifts his weight back to both feet; he needed to stop leaning on the one all the time still.

While his new friends didn’t visit the warehouse nearly as often as they did when they came to help, he did see them occasionally! He had to keep up with his new friends after all. Lacie still loved to come coo over the little dogs, and she almost always dragged someone else with her. She was very fun to hang out with, very warm and welcoming. Even nervous Angie couldn’t help but feel comfortable around the cat monster! She only got a little catty when Junebug was with her.

Gin was… possibly using the warehouse as a place to store his exotics? Maybe?? He. Wasn’t sure what was going on, except he kept being overpaid to keep two snakes and an iguana, with food for all three being delivered that he didn’t order. Vincent had just told him to not worry about it, so, it was probably fine and not somehow someway illegal!!!

Being friends with Vincent’s coworkers had lead to some. Strange conversations as well. He knew more about strip-clubs and the proclivity of humans than he’d ever known before, or uh, wanted to know?

And, well, sometimes, the way they all talked to each other was hard to understand…

( “Like, you’ve got some moves.” Junebug comments after he ends up dancing, cane in hand, to a favorite of his. “Lightweight too!” Lacie purrs, having danced alongside him. “You’d dance great on laps Pally! The ladies would love you~”

“Nah, Lacie, he’s V’s spookie. So like, the guys, surely.”

“MRWOW! I know what’s up OK! Veedy would HAAATE that, lmaow. Ladies night, summer theme, slap some belts and leather on: It’d be open season on this bad boiiii!!”

…then they’d started arguing, and… he got a little lost at that point. Their use of the eastern Isle's crass dialect didn't help his confusion. )

Bennie leans his entire everything against him, snapping him out of his thoughts. He gives the good boy a vigorous pet before cleaning up after him, and steering them back to the warehouse. Back home.

Work would be steady until summer came, and it all got chaotic again... but, at least his shell was finally strong enough to handle it. The extra income from Gin had gone to use upgrading the warehouse into a boardinghouse worthy of the animals that he was trusted entrusted with. He was ready. Physically and, uh, more or less financially.

There were just other, more personal things he was wrestling with now...

[alilmusebundle]

𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

my original batch can be found HERE! i got all kinds of angsty and protective vibes took over, but if u think of any more that you’d like to see on the list, shoot me a DM so i can add it!

“ get behind me… ”

“ stay here. ”

“ don’t worry. everything’s going to be alright… ”

“ you shoot anyone who comes through that door who isn’t me. ”

“ when you love something, you protect it. ”

“ i’ll keep you safe. ”

“ do everything that i say, and we might both live to tell the tale of this night. ”

“ when i say run, i need you to do as i say and don’t even think about me. ”

“ get down! ”

“ close your eyes, you don’t need to see this. ”

“ why wouldn’t i save you? ”

“ it’s alright. they won’t be hurting you again… ”

“ of course i came for you… it would take far much more than that to stop me. ”

“ listen to me… i need to go back out there. but i promise you, i’ll be right back. okay? all i want you to do is stay hidden, and i’ll be back before you know it. ”

“ there’s nothing in this world nor any other, that would stop me from protecting you. ”

“ get out of here! now! ”

“ i knew you’d feel guilty; you do understand that i’d take a thousand wounds if it meant keeping you safe, don’t you? ”

“ i swear to you. as long as i’m by your side, you’ll never be harmed. ”

“ it’s my job to keep you safe, yes, but you could work with me a little to make it easier. ”

“ protecting you isn’t my duty. it’s my privilege. ”

“ who did this to you? where are they? ”

“ listen to me. i don’t think i’ll be able to buy you much time. and once i go out there, the clock starts. so the second you hear us fighting, i want you to run. as fast and as far as you can. ”

“ are you alright? “

“ can you move? “

“ why is it so difficult for you to believe that you deserve to be protected? “

“ you’re a good person. good people deserve to be safe. “

“ i’m going to protect you, now. because that’s what we do for the ones we love. we keep them safe. “

“ stay close. whatever you do, do not leave my side. “

“ i’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. no matter the cost. “

“ i’m on my way. ”

“ it’s alright… it’s okay… i’m here now. i’ve got you. ”

“ it’s all over now. don’t panic. it’s not my blood. ”

“ i don’t know how long i’ll be able to protect you for, but i guarantee you, i’ll only stop with my final breath. ”

[alilmusebundle]

Mage Drabbles, pt 4

---

It isn't a poltergeist.

Rhett crouches in front of Duff’s limp body and tries to breathe evenly. He faces the broken doorway- they were so gonna get docked for breaking shit in this house- and stares intently at the rune wards he'd reinforced. Soot walks a steady circle around the room with hackles raised, a silent guard.

“A fucking boggart,” Irene swears behind him, “how the hell did I miss a wraith-class monster?!”

Soot’s every step and brush of fur against the walls funnels power to the protective runes carefully drawn there by Duff earlier. Where the door once was, blood glistened- runes he’d drawn with his own blood, to strengthen the spell already transcribed there. It was the weakest point in the rooms defenses; so Rhett stares, tensed and ready.

When Irene tries to grab his arm, he pulls away. “Wait- Duff, did you-?”

“Why the hell would I take care of you before him?” Irene snaps. “He looked directly at a surprise boggart, of course I already- give me your damn arm!”

Rhett grimaces but lets her peel his hand away from the wound so she can slap something better than a wad of torn cloth on it. “You don't do healing spells. Are you sure-"

"Not everything needs a damn spell to fix it Cabra!"

Fair enough. Rhett grits his teeth through the rough field care, and carefully ignores the way Irene's voice wavers. She wouldn't appreciate him pointing it out.

The bloody runes sizzle as something he is very careful to not directly look at grazes against them. Soot freezes in place, a rumbling growl directed at the darkening hallway. Not good: They were running out of time.

Rhett exhales, testing his arm the moment Irene finishes securing the gauze. Movement wasn't to limited- not bad. He’d make it be good enough.

"It’s gonna waste a lot of energy breaking in. Stay close to Duff; his personal charms should cover you as long as you don’t look at it." Rhett says, and draws out his pocket knife.

Boggarts became enraged when perceived; it was a testament to how good Duff was at making wards that he hadn’t been brutally mauled, just slammed against the wall. The monster would have kept swinging him around like a rag-doll if Rhett hadn’t got its attention. Let it mark him instead, and played distraction until Irene could drag Duff away. Neither of them were training for active combat: Rhett was.

He would take care of this. No one else would be hurt.

"Soot can help you, so don't you dare try to fight it head on alone again," Irene says in a hissed rush. Rhett pauses in the middle of shifting forward, tilting his head in confusion without turning his eyes away from the sizzling runes, and she growls the same as her dog. "Just- distract it so we can get a good angle on it. Trust me."

There isn’t time to ask nice, clarifying questions, like ‘how is the dog supposed to help me here, exactly?’. The blood burns up, the acrid scent of smoke and copper strong enough to taste, the protective runes beneath immediately flaring to life. He hears Irene curse, the sound of her dragging Duff off, the kid groaning a bit as he starts to wake up with unfortunate timing. Rhett- momentarily, stupidly- stops looking at the glowing runes, eyes flicking over to where the hulking black canine stood, off to the side of the room. Irene’s familiar stares back, silent as the grave.

The protective spell breaks, the light abruptly fizzling out. He feels it, like a sudden, speedy change of elevation, pressure on his eardrums. Then the boggart is spilling in, a slithering hiss, a buzz of angry wasps, the clink of broken glass. It wont look like much of anything until someone is looking, an amorphous specter that feeds off emotion and dreams.

Rhett looks at it, (FUCK does that hurt, energy spiking into his brain as it screams, forced to condense into something physical, tangible, vulnerable), and throws his blazing knife at the core. It screams again mid lunge as the knife hits, the magic fire slowly spreading over it. He throws himself to the side, rolling out of the way, and it crashes against the wall. He rights himself as the thing falls to the ground, spasming as the spelled fire doesn’t let it fall intangible, and tries not to puke at the sight of flesh ripping and popping, glass spilling in and out of it and into his eyes, boring into his brain-

(Wraith-class monsters needed magic to kill, period. Boggarts were difficult because their ‘bodies’ were spread out, diffused into the air and near-invisible to the naked eye. Looking at it forced it to condense, therefore making it easier to kill. As long as you could take the constant barrage of magic damage it inflicted, in addition to not becoming paralyzed by it.)

A bark rings out, the pain abruptly clearing; Rhett gasps in air as Soot slams into the monster, black fur stark against the glow of white-fire. As the familiar bites into the blob of shifting glass and scales and drags it to the floor, head shaking back and forth, Rhett lurches to his feet. White fire glows in the dogs eyes, in his mouth, and his snarls compete with the boggarts paralyzing scream. Holding it down, giving him an opening the same as he gave the dog one. No time to think: Rhett grabs his main knife from his thigh and moves.

He plunges the knife into the creature, yelling at the burning pain as his arm passes through layers of glass. It doesn’t matter; the moment he can’t go any further, he channels as much raw power down his arm and into the weapon as he can, thumb pressed hard into the activation rune. Light glows, reflecting from a million impossible angles within the monster as it screams for a small eternity. Then it shatters into nothing, the pressure in the room abruptly dispersing with another head-spinning pop.

Rhett has enough sense of mind to fall on his face with his knife still firmly in outstretched hand, thankfully. He didn’t need to accidentally stab himself as he tried not to black out, thank you very much. After a moment, something wet drags against his burning arm, and uh, ow. Ears still ringing, he turns his head to see Soot licking him.

“Good dog… familiar… ow. Please stop.”

Irene scrambles over, blinking the remains of white-fire from her own eyes, and, oh, she must have been doing a familiar thing with her dog. Feeding the dog energy to become a living spell, or something. Weird druid stuff. That made sense.

He can’t really hear her yelling at him yet, so he just grins and lets her do her thing. It was time to focus on not passing out.

—

Later, after Judy gets there to help Irene assist him and Duff down the stairs to her pickup, Rhett can’t help but poke a bit of fun at it all.

“I want everyone to know, just, for the record: Bringing knifes to a boggart fight is not the way to go.”

Judy shakes him rather than smacking him. “Learn a damn ranged weapon then, nerd.”

“…you’re right. Gonna learn the whip, stat.”

That gets him a smack. Worth it.

[alilmusebundle]

Mage drabbles pt 3

---

"Wait, you want to be a warlock?"

Rhett glances to his fellow order member and raises a brow. "Uh, yeah, that's the plan."

Duff gapes at him in the middle of the sidewalk, very green eyes wide. Rhett snorts at his friends astonishment, mouth twitching into a smirk. "There a problem with that?"

Duff, the poor sap, snaps his hands up and shakes them alongside his head. "No no, no problem! No problem at all!"

Rhett makes an affirming noise in the back of his throat, then tips his head to the side before he starts walking again. After a second, Duff hurries to catch up, audibly stumbling over the uneven sidewalk.

"I just- ack- with you in the library so much- and, well, you're brilliant with infusing runes into stuff, can't even see them-"

"So you thought I was gonna be a sorcerer?" When Duff nods, Rhett chuckles and shakes his head. "Buddy, you can't just judge a book by it's cover like that."

"You can't blame me for thinking it! It's basic sorcerer one-o-one: infusing magic into runes you can cast later, or that passively go off in response to something- I've even seen you casting elemental magic from non-weapons! Sorcerer stuff!"

"I can still do all that stuff with a monster familiar." Rhett shrugs at the incredulous look Duff sends him. "Look man, warlock-hood has been the plan from the get-go. Just trying to be ready for it."

That statement seems to confuse the younger mage more, for some reason. His impressive eyebrows furrow together as his mouth works around whatever sentences he was trying to form. Internally, Rhett winces. There was no way to avoid a Duff-splosion this time.

"Trying to be ready? Don't most start by getting a common familiar so they can practice at actually being a warlock?" Duff starts waving his arms around again. "The principle of binding a low-level monster is really simple, and it helps to get used to the feel of a power-bank and taking care of a magical entity-"

Aaand, he starts tuning Duff out. Even if he starts out with a valid point. Maybe it would be smart to get a familiar right away: standard procedure and all. Something about it just rubbed him the wrong way.

Like... if you boosted your own magic capacity right away, what would happen if the source of that died mid-combat? Would you be able to survive if you didn't know your own bodies limits?

They stop at a light while Duff is still babbling, (now on the subject of common starter-level monsters to bond with), Rhett reaching over to make sure the kid actually stops walking with a tap on the chest. Duff was a true mage academician, getting so lost in the principles of things that the outside world just, faded away. Which was a shame. It was nice out for early spring.

"-personally, I wouldn't want to risk accidental assimilation when simple and more obtainable runes or staffs are right there-"

"Soooo, you're worried about me?" Rhett interrupts. "Don't worry man, I've got it all thought out. Just doing it my way!"

Duff goes quiet, looking away, and Rhett tilts his head to try and meet his eyes. "Hey, it's not like I won't team up with you if you ask after I do get there. Not interested in joining the stuffy warlock-club."

Duff's face goes through a complicated series of emotions before it settles on a small smile. Rhett smiles back with a nod.

The light changes, and they cross together in silence. Spring's crisp breeze makes his hair tickle his forehead; he needed a trim. Or maybe he should just shave it all, match Duff. Judy would freak. He's about to say this when the kid talks first.

"What color will you be?"

Ugh. Rhett wrinkles his nose. "I'm... not that found of the color categories man."

"Still have to choose one of the main ones; that's protocol." It's Duff's turn to smirk at him. "So, which one? Green wouldn't make sense- neither does blue, though you are good with protective spells. White cause of your talent with utility magic? Red cause you're obsessed with fighting?"

Rhett makes a show of sighing, lifting his head up to stare at the fluffy clouds. "Probably red at first, yeah. Aiming for black."

"The jack-of-all trades one?" Rhett nods, and Duff hums to himself. "There isn't that much notoriety to it. You sure?"

"Yeah. I mean, if I can't do a little bit of everything, can I really call myself a mage?"

Duff's brow furrows. "But, that's why we form parties? So we can all cover each other's blind spots??"

"True, but, consider: If someone gets incapacitated, I can cover whatever they were doing. Easy."

Hell yeah, they were finally at the building. Rhett quickly grabs the door, opening it with a flourish before Duff can finish formulating a counter argument or question his reasoning on anything. For some reason, the kid just shakes his head at him before walking in. No idea why that could be.

Inside looks like a pretty normal bakery, except for the short goth leaning against the counter. Said goth goes from looking bored out of her mind to pissed off the moment Rhett walks into the room.

"Hi Irene!" Duff waves as he hurries up to her.

"Hi Duff." Irene turns narrowed eyes on Rhett. "Cabra."

The giant mass of shaggy-black-furred dog at her feet turns to look at him in time with it's master. Human and animal should not be that in-tune with each other. Rhett resists the urge to hold his hands up in mock surrender. You accidentally talk about how freaky druids were when one is standing right behind you one time, and suddenly you're the worst guy in the world...

"Sorry we're late. Bus broke down." Duff forges on, either ignorant or oblivious to the animosity floating in the air. "You have time to scout the home out?"

Irene nods. "Confirmed what the original scout found. Magic levels are higher than average in the home, but not the store. Soot and I cleared the family before you got here, found nothing on them."

"Sooo, probably not a monster, but a spirit of some sort." Rhett says, ignoring the daggers immediately being thrown his way. "Probably a poltergeist, if it hasn't been very hostile?"

"Based on accounts from the family, yes."

"Perfect!" Duff exclaims. "Standard flush-out procedure then! Purify and arm each external room, leaving a central path for the entity to leave through. If an item of attachment is found, isolate and funnel the entity to it instead, so we can seal it off and dispose of it."

With his textbook-perfect plan stated, Duff looks at the both of them expectantly. Rhett gives him a thumbs up; Irene sighs and pushes up from her counter lean. "Stairs to the house are this way. Lets get this over with."

---

[alilmusebundle]

When Sinclair first tugs them in, they must actively force themselves to loosen stiff joints. The hug, and the affectionate kiss that comes with it, all serve to bring a horrible swirl of emotion through the core of them.

Useless, useless emotion. Guilt, hate, an uncertainty they must not linger on. A terror they ignore.

Everything went smoother if they did not give in to such feelings. The axis of the world spun on and on, the path leading forward unrelenting- but, which way forward could so easily be skewed by words or actions done in bitter agony.

They must keep their neutrality. They must do all that is necessary to keep what was left of monsterkind on the way to freedom, and to give those on the brink of no return a light to reach for. That is all that should have mattered to begin with. It shouldn't be something they repeat to themselves, over and over and over...

Cursed eyes ache beneath the patch. Lorna forces themself to exhale, imagines it expelling the 'poison' out in a rush of hot air. Then she gives her sibling a tight smile.

"Yes, you're quite right. But, I'm sure one understands how easy it is to forget such things?" She straightens, smoothing out the wrinkles in her cloak with a practiced flick of magic.

They walk out together, exiting the side room to walk down long, empty halls towards the real living quarters.

There was once more scientists- and guardsmen- that called this place a sanctuary. Some of those that weren't dust or fell now resided in New Home. Now, the lab was a largely empty husk. Their footsteps echo.

"Of that we are of perfect accord, my dear one. He will not be allowed to shelter with us if this continues. Even if it would make collaboration more difficult, this cannot be overlooked. We would simply have to confer elsewhere."

She watched her sister's very evident self-soothing behaviors with a frown, hopping down from her seated position, and pulling her into a reassuring embrace, planting an affection kiss to her temple.

While One was much more discomforted in learning of the shadow's conduct, the amount of distress that it instilled in her twin was on a different level entirely. She'd never seen her sibling deplore something so. She worried that there was something deeper that Lore refused to share.

And in all her memory, she couldn't recall them ever keeping anything but the most trivial secrets from one another. It unnerved her, knowing that her sister was so tormented, and being left in the dark about the core of it.

But regardless of the abnormal furtiveness of her twin, she would not pry, she trusted that eventually, all would be shared. She had after all, told her this much - when she had very much been ignorant of it previously.

It would be fine. But for now, Lore clearly needed a distraction.

"Thank you for checking me, and sharing what needed to be shared. Now.. One would like to nourish oneself before getting cleaned up. Will you join me for a late dinner, sister? One knows you likely haven't had much today, as preoccupied as you've been. Yes?"