Neruo led the "gang" (as they were affectionately called by him) into the Feien shop. Inanna was mercilessly taunting Demetrius about his height, he was ignoring her, and Neruo was happy as a clam. All way well in the world of the Feien as far as these three were concerned. They floated into the shop, Neruo looking for someone to speak with, Demetrius to ignore Inanna, and Inanna was looking for someone more interesting to torment.
"What made you so short? Bad genes? Lack of nutrients? Stupidity?" she sniped.
Demetrius rolled his eyes. "Stupidity doesn't affect height, Inanna."
"Oh, look! Cookies!" came a pleasant cry from the orange one.
Silva scowled as he flew into the shop, not wanting to be there. But Aleric insisted on bringing Soho here. If they didn't the place would become more and more of an evil in her mind until she was too scared to go at all. Silva glanced over at Soho. She didn't look too traumatized. Really.
"Um... Aleric?" Soho asked. She was riding in the life feien's arms. "Do you think Dee will be here?"
"I'm not sure, but--"
Silva spoke then. "Neruo's here." He said calmly as he sighted the orange feien and his brood.
Neruo's ears perked at the sound of his name. He turned about in midair and waved to Silva happily. "Silva! And Mr. Aleric! How are you two today?"
Demetrius cast a glance in the other trio's direction while Inanna continued to verbally assault him. Tuning Inanna's whining out for a moment, he looked them over before deciding they were okay in his book. Inanna's bicolored eyes darted from Silva, to Aleric, to the girl behind them. Who was she?
Buzzing over to Silva, she stared up at him. "Who're you?" she asked, her voice low.
"I'm Soho!" Soho said with a happy grin. She loved meeting other juvenile females. "Well, it's really Ruby Soho, but I go by Soho most of the time. What's your name?"
Silva scowled at the sight of the cookies that Neruo had mentioned, memories flashing through his head. "Orange boy, we got to talk." He said.
Aleric smiled at them, then looked to Demetrius. "Good day to you, my friend. My name is Aleric. And you are?"
Neruo looked confused, but shrugged it off. He liked talking, and didn't mind talking to Silva in the least. He floated over to the maroon male and smiled. "What's up?"
Demetrius cracked a grin and bowed to Aleric. Finally, someone sane and polite. "I'm Demetrius. That's Inanna. Don't let her dig into you too much. She's annoying."
Inanna shot him a look from Soho's side. "You're just jealous I've got height on you, shorty."
"You're obsessed and petty."
She turned back to Soho. "I'm Inanna, the best one out of this sorry lot."
"Oh, I know how that is. I'm the prettiest of my family. Aren't I, Aleric?"
"Of course, Soho." Aleric said with a little grin of amusement before turning back to Demetrius. "You know, I've never gotten the chance to talk to you, although I almost swear we've met before. Neruo and Silva are rather close, so I'm sure we should get to know each other, as well." He said, knowing Silva needed to tell Neruo what had happened.
"We had a little ********, orange boy. Someone brought cupcakes into the shop, laced with drugs. Screwed up a lot of the juveniles." Silva said lowly, eyeing the cookies for a moment. "Keep your kids from eating anything unwrapped and not in the kitchen."
Neruo eyed the cookies, seemingly not disturbed by the idea of drug-laced confections at all. But then again, did anything get to him. He nodded, his orange curls bouncing. "Did you happen to eat one of the drug cupcakes? And are the effects permanent? You seem well and good right now." As well and good as Silva could be.
Demetrius was more than impressed by Aleric. Perhaps because he was an Ancient like Neruo had said. They must've come standard with respect and sanity. This was a breath of fresh air. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aleric. What brings you here to the shop?"
Inanna decided the one named Ruby Soho would make an excellent friend. Inanna scoffed. "I'm the prettiest in the family, too. It's hard being the only girl among all these boys. Especially being the pretty one." Her wings buzzed, waiting for an angry reaction from Demetrius. He merely winked at her.
"You sure you're the prettiest? Last I checked, my backside looked much better than your face, Inanna."
"Shove it, Banana!" she shouted back.
Soho giggled. "Well, I have to admit, Aleric is very pretty, as well, but I'm prettier. And you just have to think of what they can do for you! Mister Silva Demon even killed for me." She said. Her "Storytelling" was starting to kick in. And this time she had someone that would be willing to listen properly!
"Wound up killing Casca." Silva said softly. "He had Soho feed me a glass of the s**t, then almost killed her, Sunil, and a few other brats. Then they took me and the others to a hospital or something." He shrugged.
"Well, I enjoy meeting other feien." Aleric said, heading for one of the chairs to sit and talk. "And the shop is a good place for that, don't you think?"
Neruo looked genuinely shocked. Someone killed another? But at least Silva was drugged, and didn't know what he was doing. Or so he hoped. "Silva, you killed Casca...?" He looked down, gray eyes tracing the floor. He knew Casca. "But you didn't know what you were doing." He wasn't angry, but rather... saddened.
Inanna grew anxious. "You got Silva to kill for you? You'll have to teach me that. In all honesty, I want a henchman to take over the house, but most everyone is bigger than me. Sad, huh?" she whispered the last few parts to Soho. Her wings buzzed happily, the thought of running the whole house making her grin.
The yellow Feien looked back at Silva. Neruo looked different now, but he didn't want to be rude and pry. "The shop is a good place to meet new people. I haven't met many new people as of yet, but you're the best I've found thus far. Neruo told me that you are an Ancient...?"
"Why yes, yes I am." Aleric said. He sometimes forgot that fact himself, to be honest. "Not all feien are like... my brother. I've met several nice feien. I'll have to introduce you to Arae sometime. She's an ancient as well. But there are others, such as Aria, and Ian and Bertrand and Ernestine, and--" He shook his head, a little smile on his face at all of them.
"I knew what I was doing." Silva said. "He had four little girls bound and bleeding on a couch. And he had ******** me up." He fingered his toothpick with a scowl. "He was crazy. Hell, it was like he wanted me to kill him..." And he was telling Neruo all this... why? Because he wanted reassurance? Or because he wanted someone to see him for what he really was?
"Oh, Mister Silva Demon runs the house." Soho said. "He's the strongest." It was said so simply, as if it were an unspoken pecking order. "But I'm his little girl. He'll always protect me." She held out her scale necklace. "That's what this means."
Demetrius took mental note of those last few names. Something was up with them, and perhaps he had to avoid them. "What is it like, being an Ancient? Are you special in some way? No offense." He just liked to collect information. There was nothing on the vast expanse of the internet that offered anything on ancients. Best to find out from one in person.
Neruo took in this information, and was glad, by far, that he missed these events. But if Casca was hurting others, drastic measures had to be done. "I think, in the grand scheme of things, what you did was right, Silva." He placed a steady hand on the taller Feien. "You're a hero." The orange one smiled warmly. Hopefully, Silva would feel a little bit better about what had happened...
Inanna snickered. "You've gotten everyone bound by your ability to be adorable? Genius. Simply genius."
"Shhh!" Soho said, peeking a look at the two males in her family. "I try to keep that part quiet." She whispered. "But Mister Silva Demon already knows." she shrugged, as if it didn't stop it from working. "But you're so pretty, it must work for you, too!"
Aleric wondered if he had said something wrong. The hint of caution that entered the boy's emotions made him frown ever so slightly. But he went on gamely. "Well, as far as I can tell it means that I don't have a childhood that I can remember, and come from a stone, rather than a flower." He said thoughtfully. "You would think I'd be more powerful, but Silva is stronger and faster than I am. My abilities are more in the area of... helping and understanding others."
"That's what Ice said." Silva said with a scowl, looking away from the other feien. "But killing a kid's different from killing a rat." He went on. "Hell, I don't know. Maybe I did the right thing, but it was damn well for the wrong reasons."
Inanna ran a hand through her hair. "We do come from similar blood. Beauty must just run in it naturally. Too bad being pretty doesn't work on these morons. Neruo's a grinning idiot and, as you've seen, Demetrius is a short little a**. You've got it made, Soho." She gave the red female a gentle, playful nudge in the upper arm.
"You come from a stone? Interesting... I'm just asking because research is my hobby. I didn't mean to sound rude about it. I find Ancients quite fascinating." He took mental note of everything Aleric said. He looked back at Silva. "He may be more powerful, but you've got far more interesting markings." Demetrius explained with a nod.
The orange one nodded. "It was for the wrong reasons, but you chose the lesser of two evils, right? Don't be too hard on yourself, Silva. I'm sure I would have done the same thing in your place."
"That's what the princess said." Silva muttered. "But her I believed. You wouldn't be fast enough to kill someone." He snorted, shoving it to the back of his mind. "I also got involved with someone..." He said. "But damn, I almost feel like I'm cheating." As he had when he kissed Berra, and made out with water sprites, and... who else had there been?
Aleric laughed. "I'm sure that counts in some places." He said with a nod. "They are interesting, aren't they? I've gotten comments on them before."
"It's nice." Soho said. "But what's your bond like? Would it work on her?"
Neruo laughed. "No, I'm definately not fast enough to kill anyone, that's for sure, but you know what I meant." He shook his head. "I don't know anything about your current state of affairs, but I'm sure none of the 'cheating' was intentional. You were drugged, after all."
The smaller juvenile examined Aleric's wings. "They're by far more interesting than burgandy. All I've got is my primary colors." he said with a short laugh.
Inanna sighed unhappily. "My bond's missing some marbles upstairs." she explained with a wave of her hand above her head to emphasise the airiness of her Bond's head. "The only thing she's got going for her is that she eats people. I've seen it." She crossed her arms. "What about yours? You get a good Bond?"
"Ice is fun! She writes stories and watches anime and has this door that leads to other universes!" Soho said happily. The idea of the door was only just as interesting as the other parts. "She showed me how to listen to music on her computer. I like punk rock. But it drives Mister Silva Demon insane."
"Well Silva is a shadow element. I don't think he'd like having his markings draw attention to him." Aleric said thoughtfully. "Especially when he's hunting. But there's nothing wrong with primary colors. Yellow suits you very well, I think."
"Wasn't drugged when it happened." Silva said. "But Ruya's a bloom and hell... that was over months ago. What are you going to do when she's a juvie again and doesn't remember you?"
Inanna's ears perked. "Door to other worlds? Hell, how'd I get stuck with the maneater and you got the interdimensional door Bond? Not fair!" She huffed. Karma must've hated her.
"Thank you, Aleric. And what element do you happen to be?" He disregarded the comment about Silva. It wasn't Silva he was interested in, and besides, Silva was rude. He flapped his wings out to float more comfortably.
Neruo took that into consideration. He knew she didn't like him the way she loved Silva, and had taken that information in stride. Whatever happens with her was alright with him. "She's a bloom again? That's odd. Well, when she becomes a juvenile again and we meet, if she doesn't remember me, that's fine. As long as she's happy in the long run. As far as I'm concerned, she loved you more by far anyway." he said with a chuckle.
"Then maybe this is your chance." Silva said. "She won't remember me. Hell, if she hears about me it'll probably be that I'm the only feien killer around. Not exactly someone she'd want to meet." He went on. "Or have you decided on a new girl?"
"I'm a life element." Aleric said. "I enjoy being around living things. It's good that I've got such a large family, don't you think? And what element are you, Demetrius?"
"Well, I haven't gotten the chance to go through yet. And I'm not sure Silva would let me, even if I tried. He gets shot at when he goes through the door." Soho said with a nod. "And since I've almost died once this month I don't really want to get shot at just yet."
Neruo thought a moment. "Honestly, I haven't thought about other females. I've just been...around, you know? But I don't want to attempt anything that might jeopordize your chances with someone you truly love. Killer or no, I couldn't do that to you, Silva."
"Life element? My siblings are Life elementals, though I'm the only earth of the bunch. Lu says my bloom enjoyed potted plants. But she's a strange one." Demetrius explained. "But, do life elementals have magic as well? I've never seen examples of life magic..."
Inanna's eyes widened. A door that shoots people? "It shoots at you? With what, bullets? Lasers? Who's shooting at you?"
"Not the door, silly! The people in the other dimensions!" Soho explained. "Mister Silva Demon gets shot at by all sorts of people! It's probably because of how he acts."
"Life element spells are along the lines of healing and empathy. Understanding others." Aleric said with a little nod. "There's also some spells that let you read other people's minds, slightly. But I can't do that."
"I told you, I'm involved with someone." Silva said. "And I'd rather not try and explain all the s**t we went through in a life she doesn't even remember. She chose to forget it, man. Least I can do is let her." But was he? One snog (no matter how hot) did not a relationship make. But hell, he didn't plan on leaving it at one snog, anyways.
"Maybe the other dimension people have an a**-dar for tracking complete asswipes to shoot at." Inanna explained with a sage nod. "Maybe you should stay away from the door, if the people are always shooting at you."
Demetrius nodded. "I haven't found anything useful as far as spells are concerned for earth elements. But then again, it's not like I have a choice, you know?"
"I'm going to let things run their course. If Ruya and I end up together, then so be it, and vice versa. But it is very honorable of you to save her from any sort of pain, Silva. You truly do love her." Then, Neruo winked at him. "Who's the new lucky lady?"
Silva choked. Then the barest of evil smirks crossed his face. Hell, why not? "You've met Averno before, right?" It was all he had to say if the other male had met her. "She's mine." She'd probably stab him in his sleep if she knew he said that.
"Soho is an earth element as well." Aleric said. "She enjoys playing in the backyard. Perhaps you could join her sometime."
Soho giggled. "Maybe!" She agreed. "Your name's Innana, right? You'll have to come over sometime! We can look at the door."
Inanna smirked. "I'll pencil in a brush with the door of death sometime for you. And Trius here is too slow. He'd probably miss the door."
Demetrius sighed. "You wouldn't even recognize it as being a door."
"Well... you're short!!"
"Ooh. Nice comeback, Inanna. Smooth."
Neruo shook his head. "No, I haven't met her. Is she nice?" he asked innocently. Ruya was nice, and Silva had her. This Averno woman must've been really nice, but then again, there was that patented evil smirk of Silva's...
Silva laughed. An honest to God laugh, once again. "She's meaner than hell." He told the orange male. "She's threatened to kill me at least once every meeting since we were brats. Well, except for last time. She was a little too busy to think of it." He was almost grinning at the thought. He brought his hand up, toying with the toothpick to cover the grin. "You'll have to meet her sometime. You'd probably piss her off."
"It's good to see you have such a close relationship with your bondsister." Aleric said with a smile. He often got into arguments like that with Silva. They knew each other well enough that he could be rude without feeling guilty about it.
"Oh, you've got to!" Soho said. "It'll be fun!"
Neruo blinked innocently. "Why would you want me to piss off your girlfriend? I thought you could do that well enough by yourself." He chuckled, smiling. "I suppose if you really want me to meet her... I'm not adverse to meeting new people."
Demetrius rolled his eyes. "Yes, such a close, tender relationship. Like hugging a cactus." He stared at Inanna, who glared intensely back. She crossed her arms and growled.
"Loser." she scoffed and turned back to Soho. "Alright. Door of Death it is. When?"
"Oh, I can." He said. "But you wouldn't even have to work at it." He said with a wicked little grin.
"Sometimes those relationships are just as important as the more peaceful ones." Aleric said, glancing over at Silva. "I find my own has helped me through many things in this life."
"Oh, any time!" Soho said happily. "I'm sure Ice won't mind one bit!"
Neruo blinked, slightly confused, but shrugged it off. "Sounds good to me. I'd love to meet her. We'll have to arrange is sometime soon! But now we must get going. Lu expects us home soon. It was good to see you, Silva. And please, take care, okay?" He patted Silva on the shoulder before motioning to the rest of the group that it was time to leave.
"Any time. Yes. I'll come over, and I'll drag Banana Brain along with me." Inanna buzzed over to Neruo, awaiting her escort. Demetrius bowed to Aleric, mouthing an apology for leaving so soon, and shot Inanna a glare.
"'Least I'm not ugly."
"Your a** is ugly."
"Why are you looking at my a**?"
Neruo floated over and grabbed the both of them by the ear and began to drag them out. "Come now, children, time to go home!"
Aleric didn't laugh, but the amusement showed in his eyes. "Farewell, my friends." He called.
"Byeee Innana!! I'll see you!!" Soho called happily.
Silva just smirked, fingering his toothpick thoughtfully. "Let's get out of here." He said after they were gone. The others nodded and took to the air, following him out the door.
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