Post by RedLenai on Aug 19, 2022 1:05:36 GMT
It was a very bright day, the sun warming the streets in New York before lunch time. Two adults were walking among the crowd of people, alongside the endless sounds of the city.
One, a woman wearing jeans, boots and a t-shirt while the other, a man that standed out a bit more, wearing a black suit and a beige trenchcoat despite the weather.
They were now standing in front of the entrance of a suburban apartment, one already grabbing the doorknob to enter, the other doubtful, standing still.
C’mon Tulip! They are waiting inside, unless ya’ want our guests to come back and make it more awkward - Elatha said with a big grin and holding the door open.
I- I should… Maybe, maybe another time? - He said nervously, blue eyes pleading at the Queen to reconsider, to spare him.
She turns around, hands on each side of her waist and a grimace - Vlad… these are yer’ nephews, they’re good kids - She said chuckling again - They’ll be more thrilled about ya’ existing than asking where have ya’ been this whole time
Leaving the door open, she walks down the small entrance, holding his hand - And even if they asked, they’ll understand… they went through a lot too - Her hand gently touched his face, caressing his cheek.
Walking up the stairs has been hard for him, it seemed that gravity became heavier with each step he took. He didn’t notice his hands were shaking, only when Elatha took his hand he became aware of it. He already knew what the children looked like, back when he met Gallerian at the Pole North and the angel offered his cellphone to take a look.
Of course, only one was missing now, the one that they had to save, the one that now was piercing his heart, if only he did better back then.
If only he had taken the Prince with him, if only he was faster and managed to hold tight on the child so both were casted away from the Kingdom... He felt ashamed, as a Driaochta, as a Paladin, as a guardian… but most importantly and shockingly, as a father. Elatha has already told him, this stuff was in the past. But was it, really? He clouded himself with his own pity and low image of himself, to even consider that it was only logical that if the Queen was bearing a child, it had to be from the closest person that was intimate with her… And Heavens they were intimate back then, but he thought she was blowing off some steam from the Civil War… And that her heart… it belonged to someone else, someone who left all of a sudden but it was wounded, so she clinged to the affection he gave her. He was so wrong that he wanted to punch himself and if it wasn’t by his electrical powers, he would have prayed to be struck by lightning too.
When they entered the apartment, they were greeted by the clean, white and minimalistic living room. The only big piece of furniture being the couch, then there was a coffee table, a gray rug under it, the tv hanging on the wall, a bookshelf and a few side tables. But what caught Vladimir’s attention was the several books on the furniture, and the plants. Some hanging, some in adorable colorful pots, he even recognized a few types, but barely.
The place genuinely felt like home, he wondered if the tidy “mess” was the product of all the people that were living under the same roof, according to what Elatha had told him, or if all these things were all Derek’s.
He kept waiting at the door, wondering if he had to take his shoes off, as he noticed everything was extra clean, if he paid attention he could even see his own reflection on the wooden floor. Probably the Queen’s doing.
Elatha just grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the sofa while he had a mortified look on his face. She also took his trenchcoat in the process and hung it in the coat rack that was in between the door and the tv. She walked past him to the kitchen and grabbed the kettle, she pointed at it and he nodded. They used to do this… this… voiceless communication, especially on moments like this, everytime he couldn’t talk, Elatha wouldn’t either. It was like a little ritual of theirs, boiling some water on the kettle, preparing some tea, sitting down together, waiting for the tea to cool a bit and once they took their first sip, they began to talk once again, but not necessarily about the important, urgent things, just anything comforting… just a small blissful moment.
Of course, that didn’t last long.
He could hear a door opening at the end of the hallway that was connected to the living room and a teenager boy came darting into the room, just to stop on his feet and look with wide eyes at the new individual in his home. He was petite and skinny, with almond skin, brown hair and emerald eyes. Behind him was another boy, taller and muscular, ivory skin, ginger hair and eyes that the Paladin knew pretty well.
The smaller boy’s glance went from Vladimir to Elatha at least 4 times before he spoke
Well… I can see where I get my skin tone and Andy where he gets his eyes from… Auntie, you should have spared him something because Derek, he doesn’t– - Then Thomas cut himself, embarrassed for what he was about to say, obviously his aunt immediately catching up.
Hey! Don’t say that, it’s because ya’ don’t have ‘em side by side! The shape of the eyelids, the jawline! Dee has Tulip’s nose too! He is a carbon copy of his dad but just blonde!
Hardly… - This time Andy spoke, extremely skeptical to the objection made by his aunt - He seems nice… Derek looks like a douche
You’re only saying that because you and Dee don’t get along - The younger boy protested back while sulking
Elatha sighed as her two boys were against her, she knew her son and her... her… whatever they were now, very well! She’s seen through Fergus’s possession several of Derek’s facial expressions and she could identify the ones that were solely Kearney traits. And while Derek was curious and liked to get in trouble, whenever he was in his home… At least that was Andy, Thomas, Gallerian and Chloe told her, He’ll be taking care of the apartment chores even if Chloe was there, would be sitting on the sofa reading a different book every day, on the first hour of being awake, he’ll be quiet until he had his morning coffee followed by a cup of tea afterwards, always with a sweater or a blanket on despite it wasn’t cold.
Derek was as domestic as Vladimir, outside their homes they may be and approach things differently, but once inside, it was all about being cozy and comfortable.
She also knew that her son had the identical grumpy face as Vladimir, the same sweet smile and great part of their interests! If Derek ever dyed his hair brown everyone would shut up for once and finally notice how similar they were!
I don’t mind… - That was what the ex-paladin said, slowly and finally sitting on the sofa. He felt extremely nostalgic by glancing over to the two boys, they reminded him so much of his own brothers. Andy and Thomas surely reminded him of their respective parents with their personalities and appearances, even if Andy had his mother’s hair and skin, while Thomas had his mother’s eyes and curly hair which wasn’t as notorious considering the boy kept it short.
Just one thing - The youngest boy changed the subject as he looked at the older man directly in the eyes - Gallerian said that you were cursed, that anyone dear to you would be in extreme danger if they approached you… So… how are you here?
Ah, yes… Well, Lucille, a friend of mine which I believe you and Derek helped some time ago with her nephilim child… She stole a spell from the Archangel Michael, a spell that breaks down curses or well… other spells that are extremely powerful, but mostly angelical - Vladimir explained, still tense at the mention of what the Angel of Communication did… He was probably an accomplice of her in the eyes of Heaven and probably they’ll have to deal with them someday… but as far as he knew and kept contact with the angel, Heaven couldn’t care less about the celestial criminals that have broken their laws, they have been informed of the existence of an Irregular… The corrupted angel born from two opposing factions, and with several issues between what the Driaochtas called Terra, the human world, and Matusaleia, the Hidden World… Heaven didn’t want to provide more to the constant destruction and creation that died and was reborn each day.
I’m glad Lucille and her child are alive, I’ve… I’ve heard that Jeremy is missing… - The Queen added, worried about what could have happened to Lucille’s partner - I think Fergus may be behind it, from what Thomas has told me, Jeremy disappeared covered in green flames.
Yes… Lucille has told me the same thing, I need to inform her… that Fergus is not possessed by an angel that went rogue… but that he is in fact an Irregular - The Ex-Paladin replied, as he was nervously fidgeting with his fingers.
The four of them went silent, and it was at that moment that the water was boiling. Elatha went quickly to turn the kettle off and serve the tea, maybe something warm and sweet could calm down everyone from this situation.
They needed a plan, first to rescue Derek… But they also needed a way to deal with Fergus and Heaven… There was a high chance that if they couldn’t separate the Corrupted Angel from the Prince, the Archangels wouldn’t hesitate to kill them both… but the problem was… How do they even kill an Irregular that has lived for so long? According to what Gallerian was slowly remembering after he himself had lost his child centuries ago… The best way to kill an Irregular was right after birth or as soon enough before they stopped aging.
She remembered that when her father had found him 430 years ago… he looked like a normal 10 years old kid, or well… a 10 years old Driaochta kid. When he was taken in by the Kingdom and its citizens, Fergus didn’t talk at all, and had no concept of eating, or bathing, anything whatsoever. For moments it almost felt that he only survived through sunlight and water, as he was originally found trapped inside an Oak Tree.
But if he was freed from there… He was taken care of and surrounded by the affection of her people, why was he doing all of this?
Well… we’ll have time to plan what we’ll do when my guests come back, and you! - She said, pointing at Vladimir - You’re going to introduce yourself to them, just a heads up! We have a Spynx and a Pharaoh, so even if we don’t like it, we’re dealing with Royalty. Then, we have another guest, from another world but not so different in terms of being a Warrior like our people… and finally! I’ve adopted a kid that seems to be an alien, you know, not from this planet! You’re going to adore him, so… that makes with Derek, Andy, Thomas and Leor, four kids! So, get ready athair Tulip!
One, a woman wearing jeans, boots and a t-shirt while the other, a man that standed out a bit more, wearing a black suit and a beige trenchcoat despite the weather.
They were now standing in front of the entrance of a suburban apartment, one already grabbing the doorknob to enter, the other doubtful, standing still.
C’mon Tulip! They are waiting inside, unless ya’ want our guests to come back and make it more awkward - Elatha said with a big grin and holding the door open.
I- I should… Maybe, maybe another time? - He said nervously, blue eyes pleading at the Queen to reconsider, to spare him.
She turns around, hands on each side of her waist and a grimace - Vlad… these are yer’ nephews, they’re good kids - She said chuckling again - They’ll be more thrilled about ya’ existing than asking where have ya’ been this whole time
Leaving the door open, she walks down the small entrance, holding his hand - And even if they asked, they’ll understand… they went through a lot too - Her hand gently touched his face, caressing his cheek.
Walking up the stairs has been hard for him, it seemed that gravity became heavier with each step he took. He didn’t notice his hands were shaking, only when Elatha took his hand he became aware of it. He already knew what the children looked like, back when he met Gallerian at the Pole North and the angel offered his cellphone to take a look.
Of course, only one was missing now, the one that they had to save, the one that now was piercing his heart, if only he did better back then.
If only he had taken the Prince with him, if only he was faster and managed to hold tight on the child so both were casted away from the Kingdom... He felt ashamed, as a Driaochta, as a Paladin, as a guardian… but most importantly and shockingly, as a father. Elatha has already told him, this stuff was in the past. But was it, really? He clouded himself with his own pity and low image of himself, to even consider that it was only logical that if the Queen was bearing a child, it had to be from the closest person that was intimate with her… And Heavens they were intimate back then, but he thought she was blowing off some steam from the Civil War… And that her heart… it belonged to someone else, someone who left all of a sudden but it was wounded, so she clinged to the affection he gave her. He was so wrong that he wanted to punch himself and if it wasn’t by his electrical powers, he would have prayed to be struck by lightning too.
When they entered the apartment, they were greeted by the clean, white and minimalistic living room. The only big piece of furniture being the couch, then there was a coffee table, a gray rug under it, the tv hanging on the wall, a bookshelf and a few side tables. But what caught Vladimir’s attention was the several books on the furniture, and the plants. Some hanging, some in adorable colorful pots, he even recognized a few types, but barely.
The place genuinely felt like home, he wondered if the tidy “mess” was the product of all the people that were living under the same roof, according to what Elatha had told him, or if all these things were all Derek’s.
He kept waiting at the door, wondering if he had to take his shoes off, as he noticed everything was extra clean, if he paid attention he could even see his own reflection on the wooden floor. Probably the Queen’s doing.
Elatha just grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the sofa while he had a mortified look on his face. She also took his trenchcoat in the process and hung it in the coat rack that was in between the door and the tv. She walked past him to the kitchen and grabbed the kettle, she pointed at it and he nodded. They used to do this… this… voiceless communication, especially on moments like this, everytime he couldn’t talk, Elatha wouldn’t either. It was like a little ritual of theirs, boiling some water on the kettle, preparing some tea, sitting down together, waiting for the tea to cool a bit and once they took their first sip, they began to talk once again, but not necessarily about the important, urgent things, just anything comforting… just a small blissful moment.
Of course, that didn’t last long.
He could hear a door opening at the end of the hallway that was connected to the living room and a teenager boy came darting into the room, just to stop on his feet and look with wide eyes at the new individual in his home. He was petite and skinny, with almond skin, brown hair and emerald eyes. Behind him was another boy, taller and muscular, ivory skin, ginger hair and eyes that the Paladin knew pretty well.
The smaller boy’s glance went from Vladimir to Elatha at least 4 times before he spoke
Well… I can see where I get my skin tone and Andy where he gets his eyes from… Auntie, you should have spared him something because Derek, he doesn’t– - Then Thomas cut himself, embarrassed for what he was about to say, obviously his aunt immediately catching up.
Hey! Don’t say that, it’s because ya’ don’t have ‘em side by side! The shape of the eyelids, the jawline! Dee has Tulip’s nose too! He is a carbon copy of his dad but just blonde!
Hardly… - This time Andy spoke, extremely skeptical to the objection made by his aunt - He seems nice… Derek looks like a douche
You’re only saying that because you and Dee don’t get along - The younger boy protested back while sulking
Elatha sighed as her two boys were against her, she knew her son and her... her… whatever they were now, very well! She’s seen through Fergus’s possession several of Derek’s facial expressions and she could identify the ones that were solely Kearney traits. And while Derek was curious and liked to get in trouble, whenever he was in his home… At least that was Andy, Thomas, Gallerian and Chloe told her, He’ll be taking care of the apartment chores even if Chloe was there, would be sitting on the sofa reading a different book every day, on the first hour of being awake, he’ll be quiet until he had his morning coffee followed by a cup of tea afterwards, always with a sweater or a blanket on despite it wasn’t cold.
Derek was as domestic as Vladimir, outside their homes they may be and approach things differently, but once inside, it was all about being cozy and comfortable.
She also knew that her son had the identical grumpy face as Vladimir, the same sweet smile and great part of their interests! If Derek ever dyed his hair brown everyone would shut up for once and finally notice how similar they were!
I don’t mind… - That was what the ex-paladin said, slowly and finally sitting on the sofa. He felt extremely nostalgic by glancing over to the two boys, they reminded him so much of his own brothers. Andy and Thomas surely reminded him of their respective parents with their personalities and appearances, even if Andy had his mother’s hair and skin, while Thomas had his mother’s eyes and curly hair which wasn’t as notorious considering the boy kept it short.
Just one thing - The youngest boy changed the subject as he looked at the older man directly in the eyes - Gallerian said that you were cursed, that anyone dear to you would be in extreme danger if they approached you… So… how are you here?
Ah, yes… Well, Lucille, a friend of mine which I believe you and Derek helped some time ago with her nephilim child… She stole a spell from the Archangel Michael, a spell that breaks down curses or well… other spells that are extremely powerful, but mostly angelical - Vladimir explained, still tense at the mention of what the Angel of Communication did… He was probably an accomplice of her in the eyes of Heaven and probably they’ll have to deal with them someday… but as far as he knew and kept contact with the angel, Heaven couldn’t care less about the celestial criminals that have broken their laws, they have been informed of the existence of an Irregular… The corrupted angel born from two opposing factions, and with several issues between what the Driaochtas called Terra, the human world, and Matusaleia, the Hidden World… Heaven didn’t want to provide more to the constant destruction and creation that died and was reborn each day.
I’m glad Lucille and her child are alive, I’ve… I’ve heard that Jeremy is missing… - The Queen added, worried about what could have happened to Lucille’s partner - I think Fergus may be behind it, from what Thomas has told me, Jeremy disappeared covered in green flames.
Yes… Lucille has told me the same thing, I need to inform her… that Fergus is not possessed by an angel that went rogue… but that he is in fact an Irregular - The Ex-Paladin replied, as he was nervously fidgeting with his fingers.
The four of them went silent, and it was at that moment that the water was boiling. Elatha went quickly to turn the kettle off and serve the tea, maybe something warm and sweet could calm down everyone from this situation.
They needed a plan, first to rescue Derek… But they also needed a way to deal with Fergus and Heaven… There was a high chance that if they couldn’t separate the Corrupted Angel from the Prince, the Archangels wouldn’t hesitate to kill them both… but the problem was… How do they even kill an Irregular that has lived for so long? According to what Gallerian was slowly remembering after he himself had lost his child centuries ago… The best way to kill an Irregular was right after birth or as soon enough before they stopped aging.
She remembered that when her father had found him 430 years ago… he looked like a normal 10 years old kid, or well… a 10 years old Driaochta kid. When he was taken in by the Kingdom and its citizens, Fergus didn’t talk at all, and had no concept of eating, or bathing, anything whatsoever. For moments it almost felt that he only survived through sunlight and water, as he was originally found trapped inside an Oak Tree.
But if he was freed from there… He was taken care of and surrounded by the affection of her people, why was he doing all of this?
Well… we’ll have time to plan what we’ll do when my guests come back, and you! - She said, pointing at Vladimir - You’re going to introduce yourself to them, just a heads up! We have a Spynx and a Pharaoh, so even if we don’t like it, we’re dealing with Royalty. Then, we have another guest, from another world but not so different in terms of being a Warrior like our people… and finally! I’ve adopted a kid that seems to be an alien, you know, not from this planet! You’re going to adore him, so… that makes with Derek, Andy, Thomas and Leor, four kids! So, get ready athair Tulip!
Wait, what!? - He exclaimed as his face was getting red... like a tulip, and almost dropping his tea, while the other boys laughed at the situation. Yes, they liked this flustered old man.