Family Feuds
இ ℭ h a r l e s Λ e o n இ
☀Azulia Ellison☀
☠Ｋｉｌｌｉａｎ Ｊｏｎｅｓ☠
☀Azulia Ellison☀
☠Ｋｉｌｌｉａｎ Ｊｏｎｅｓ☠
Time
Day 2 ~ Evening
Location
Charles House
Killian glanced towards the clock hanging just above what seemed to be some old styled paintings. The guy wrinkled his nose towards the one far left. It wasn't that he hated old farming pictures, it was more of seeing the same things day in and out was getting fairly annoying. Then again once he bought his own apartment, despite the disapproval of his professor, there would be a new personally drawn one every day. The young man shook his head as his legs stretched outwards. One was lying across the couch cushions and the other on the floor.
His newly redone tattoo was once again in full view as his figure loomed slightly forwards. During breakfast the man knew he had ignored the woman’s question completely. So if the girl attempted to ask again he planned on acting like he hadn't heard it.
Azulia watched him from afar pursing her lips in slight annoyance. All she wanted to know where he got the damn tatto, but he was acting like she didn't exist. She huffed and looked away from him. She thought about the letter she finally got to read, still left wondering how her mom and Charles knew each other since the letter just told him his thanks.
She stood up from the chair she sat on and went over to Killian poking his head. “Hey, hey. Don't act like I'm not here. Answer my damn question” She said poking him with each word.
“Question? When did you ask a question kiddo?” He said while glaring at her hand. The man grumbled as he took it gently and shoved it back to her side. Almost on instincts he knew this girl would be nothing but trouble. “If you want to know then why not play a simple game with me?” Killian asked calmly.
“The rules are simple. You expose something from you past before asking a question. I, in return, must answer after learning that small bit about you. Sound fair or do you want to drop the question? After all it's a give and take thing with me.”
“Fine then. When I was around 12 I became curious of what my power was. I knew my mom didn't want me to be in touch with my prae side because of what my dad when I was a child, so I began to do it when my mother was either distracted or not even where I was. I basically learned what little I know about my powers in secret” She said.
“Your turn Killian” She said
He sighed as she spoke. In a way the man hoped she would drop it. Then again at least she was playing by the rules unlike their ever pain in the ass guardian. “If you look closely it's obvious you're half prae. Granted when I first picked you up from the airport I didn't notice. As for your question the tattoo is from a gang I joined years ago. Not one of my proudest moments.” The African American said as he placed a bookmark inside his spot and closed it.
“My turn. Who told you about Charles?”
“My mother’s will. Apparently my mother knew Charles when she lived in Europe growing up, but how they know each other is still unknown to me since she hated talking about her time here. She didn't want my dad, whoever he is, to have custody of me and since he basically vanished, I was given to Charles” She said
“Most times when someone lies they look towards a certain side. If I remember correctly it's towards the left. I could be wrong so I'll get straight to the point on this. As you know Charles made me sit with you two instead of allowing me to go and eat in the kitchen. Since I've already heard this story I wanted to see if any details had changed. So congratulations on telling the truth kiddo. Keep that up and Charles won't drill you for information. What else do you want to know?”
“Not a whole a lot about you. Just enough since we are probably going to be seeing each other every day and I prefer to know some things about the person I will be seeing. I am just that way. Same as my mother was I guess” Azulia shrugged.
“I hope you two are getting along,” Charles’ voice interrupted before Killian could answer. The teenage immortal had traveled, his coat and suitcase placed on the bench at the foyer’s end, as he casually walked toward the living room. His hand raised to tug away the first button on his white, ironed out shirt on his way to check on both of his house guests. Iron grey eyes flickered from one individual to the next, studying them a moment, then carefully retreated toward his room.
The young man grinned as his professor's voice filled the room. In a way he was happy the oldest of the three entered the house. Now the guy didn't have to speak anymore of a time which was mostly in the past. The guy glanced towards him, wanting to chuck something just to see if his friend was still on edge, but decided against it completely. “We’re slowly getting to know one another. She asked about the tattoo you removed and I've had redone. I've also added to it.” He said as he stood up.
Charles words carried back toward them and echoed through the hallway, “Positively I hope, but it’s good to see you two getting to know each other. By the way, I’ll be ordering take out for your dinner tonight, Azulia. What would you like? Any favorites? Killian, you’ll be picking something along the way to the meeting tonight.”
“What's life without some mistakes which can be experienced first hand?” The human asked as he frowned at Chales’ next sentence. “Charles she's what? 13 or 14 at the moment? She's old enough to to come and see what the fuss is about. She can also decide on either going to help or not? Personally I think it's best she comes with instead of being treated as a child.”
Azulia watched as they talked before finally answering. “What meeting are you two talking about. Is it like something like what happened last night? Because if it is, I don't know why I can't go and I just turned 15 Killian so you kinda guessed my age right” She said sitting back looking at her new guardian and Killian.
Charles sighed, then paused as he pulled back to peer around the corner. His lips pressed into a tight frown and began to correct each of them, still fiddling with his shirt, “First off, you two, let’s keep in mind I’m the current guardian of you, Azullia. Second point, if this was the middle ages than yes at the age of fifteen she would’ve been an adult for about a year. A fact that it is the modern age has changed things. I’m currently responsible for your,” He pointed at Azulia, “well being and no, you’re not going.”
He turn jerked back down the hallway, his shirt nearly unbuttoned down the front as he ducked into the bedroom to change. While the door was left open enough for him to continue the conversation, he ducked behind an old fashion dress screen to continue his changing. Already three different sets of outfits had been laid out upon a chair back and were ready to be worn when he was ready.
“Trust me kid. No matter what Mr. I-don't-know-teens saids, you're an adult. They tend to sneak out for nights on end without their parents permission getting into all sorts of trouble. At least that's what I did at your age.” The man said to her with a smirk.
“That clearly turned out well for you…” Charles sarcastically pointed out.
“Care to share with the class, you little shit.” He snared while going into the hallway and standing at the door.
“Watch your language. Now, where did you end up? In a gang, which you’re currently running from and sleeping on your teacher’s property. Now you’re insulting me… brilliant.”
“I've already told you I'm going to move out as soon as I can. After all that girl you saw with me after class was a very good friend. Don't like me around then kick me out already. I did what I had to in order to live.” The man said kicking the door.
Charles began to toss the white shirt to the side, folding it to flop it over the chair edge and continued to work on his pants, “We both know you wouldn’t make it very far. Good friend or not, what happens when your gang comes knocking down on your door? I much rather not find my student dead… or worse.”
When Killian kicked the door, Charles frowned until his lips became a thin line, “Will you stop, Killian. I honestly don’t want to repair the door frame again!”
His tone snapped in warning, the only one that Killian was going to get, as he began to tug on the belt and remove his trousers. He reached for the decided outfit for the operation and pulled them on one by one.
Azulia watched them sighing. “A gang huh. Teens in America that go into gangs are often in jail by my age for the rest of their lives”She said. She was still annoyed that she was being treated like a child. True she was still under the age of 18, but she had already worked and earned money like an adult, did basically everything an adult had to do during the day minus doing taxes since she was still too young to file by herself. She got up and followed after him.
“Eh. Growing up in an orphanage and being bounced from place to place tends to bring out some issues. Most of the houses use you for either images or another paycheck so they don't have to work as hard. You can guess what all the homes I went to was like.” He explained as he mumbled some uncivilized words.
“I thank you that you care a lot about a total stranger like me, but I basically lived like an adult. I'm responsible, I don't drink, do drugs, I definitely haven't had sex like a lot of girls my age who are already pregnant with their first child, so what's wrong with a little meeting unless you plan on doing drugs and drinking then I would be happy to stay here, maybe raid your fridge and watch all the movies I want”Azulia said.
“Azulia, we’ve just met. You and I both haven’t known each other for very long, and we currently lack the time to correct that. Right now, I know very little about your life leading up to this and I much rather not be declared an unfit guardian,” Charles replied, pulling on his jeans and then his shirt, as he began to adjust until they fit well enough.
After being satisfied by what he spotted in the mirror propped up behind him, he began to move out from the screen and into the room. Mentally he was bitterly amused because breaking prisoners out from a local jail was doing exactly that. He coughed then continued, “As for the meeting, I wished it was that simple. I also regret to say that our ice box’s stock is rather low. Take out of your choice it will have to be, just make sure you order it before we leave.”
She looked at Killian and shook her head.“I can take a guess that you have a very bad temper when pushed beyond a certain limit line huh?”Azulia asked.
The man looked at her and thought for a moment. “Only when I speak really. Which as you know isn't often. Charles she's going. My car, my rules.”
“Then neither of you are going and I will walk there,” Charles retorted, his eyebrow raised in a daring gesture and looked to the pair of them. In the background two metallic wolves started to form and materialize, backing his statement. Their glowing eyes stared at the two as he held out his hand to make them heel.
Azulia watched at the wolves appeared out of nowhere very fascinated about it. She never seen that happened before. “That's cool. At least they don't have fur. I have a slight allergy to animal fur. Must be the human part of me” She said rubbing the back of her head.
The man glanced at the dog with a disgusted look then back at the guy. Oh how he hated these golems. Always nipping at your heels with the utmost violence. In a way it was good they were willing to do anything to protect the house but damn they hurt when attacking. “Again my car and my rules. The teenager comes or you’ll be homeless.”
Azulia looked at Killian confused. “And how the hell will he be homeless. Are you an arsenal happy person and light shit on fire or will you just turn on every faucet in the house and let the water flood and damage the house?” She said obviously have watched way too many movies in her life.
“Besides Killian, you are missing one thing about Mr. Charles being homeless, it would be me and Mr. Charles will be homeless. If courts found out, they could take me away and he won't be able to do anything about it” Azulia said.
“Or my golems sit on you until I get back.”
Killian glared at Azulia as she spoke, and then at Charles. His right hand began twitching as small sparks showed in the air. The young man glanced towards the golems, as if measuring the distance between them, before grinding his teeth. “Your shielding her from most of the damn picture Charles. The world isn't full of butterflies and rainbows and its best she learns this now. Because if your daughter doesn't see the full picture she'll make a mistake. One that will cost her either the lives of others or hers.” He snared before walking away.
Charles didn’t react, his eyes hardened and firm on what he felt was right. Just like Killian, both had been denied a childhood so what right did they have risking taking that away from Azulia? It was one of many questions he wanted to ask Killian. However, he wasn’t about to press the already steaming house guest who seemed to back down.
Azulia chased after him and walked beside him. “Hey, thanks for trying to convince to let me go, but it looks like he won't budge Killian. I know the world ain't easy. Hell I been through several school lock downs because a teen brought a gun to school. I seen someone jump from a building not far from my old home was. The world is pretty tough out there for a lot of people and I understand now what it's kinda like to be an orphan as my blood mother got hit by a drunk driver and my father basically abandoned me”
“Hey Killian, even if Charles is my guardian, am I still considered an orphan because my real parents aren't in my life or no. I really don't understand this stuff” She asked.
“Azulia you've never set foot in an orphanage so no. You had somewhere to go. A choice. I didn't at least not really. My parents just up and left. And you don't know what it's like. You've seen only certain things which can be forgotten. Once you see your friends shot up in a drive by shooting that, and only then, will you really understand.”
“That's the thing. I never really had friends so I really don't understand what it's like to be a friend, go out, get to hangout with people. I was either at home, school or work. I would get indifferent when I see people holding hands, or laughing at something another person said. It's like when it comes to that my emotions just...turn off” Azulia looked at him.
“It's best not to get close to anyone. In the end they either leave you once and for all, use you for their own gains, or practically pass away. It's not so bad Azulia. About not having emotions. Makes it much harder for people to read you.” He said looking away for a moment.
“But I do know this, don't let life pass you by like it did mother. Because you never know what good moments you will miss” Azulia said patting his shoulder as gentle as possible.
The young man seemed to freeze as he felt her skin touch his own. This gesture was familiar in a way and yet foreign in others. How could a single girl remind of him of her? They were strangers but in a way they understood each other from the day they met. “You remind me of someone. Someone I fell in love with only to lose her in the end.” He whispered out loud without realizing it.
The guy blinked a few times before nodding. “Sure kid. Whatever you say. Is there anything else you want to know. It can be anything.”
Azulia blinked but didn't comment what he just said. “Was it easy...leaving the gang or did you just find that one window of opportunity to escape?”She asked.
“I was wondering when you would ask this. It was more of an eye opener. You see in order to picture this you needed to be there. It wasn't...how do you say...totally bad. We were more of a family of misfits in a way. Each had joined in order to escape something that we couldn't control ourselves. When I first noticed by recruiter, I was looking down on them but as the years seemed to blend into each other I started wishing to feel something. Anything really.” He explained with a shrug.
“I was hanging out with some friends when it happened. Yes, I was hit as well but not as bad as the others. I held onto one of my buddies as they bled out in my arms. That's when reality hit and my life really began.”
Azulia nodded her head listening to him. “That must have been hard for you. Losing all those people you cared for and who cared for you. It was hard losing my mom. Life just sucks most of the time huh?”She commented as she leaned on the wall.
“Honestly I'm not completely out of the game. There are a few I keep in touch with but no matter how many times I attempt to keep away from them , they just keep coming back. In a way I'm happy they do but I'm still putting them at risk. Something which I never want to do. The one who really raised me was Charles. He was the one who kept me from going to jail and the one who didn't seem keen on letting a 16 year old fugitive ruin his life more.” He said as he looked up at her.
“Charles has been there for me more times than I can count. And I'm grateful for this but it's time to go. Time to keep a distance in order to keep those who you want to keep safe. That's one of the reasons I wanted you to come because once I'm forgotten he’ll need someone to protect him. Even if it looks as if he doesn't.”
“Well it's not the first time I been alone and it might not be the last, I'm fine with staying in the house. Might even take a walk later tonight, get to know this place a lot more. Might look for hiring signs so I can apply for a job if Charles will let me,” She said.
“And by the way Killian, I doubt you could ever be forgotten. He could have easily forgotten my mom, but he didn't and that was well over 15 years ago.” She said going back towards Charles.
Killian bit his lip as he walked towards the woman. His hand then gently placed onto her shoulder, the other on the girl’s upper back, before pulling her into a hug. ”Azulia, for as long as I've know Charles, he hasn't forgotten anyone he's met. Yes, the man will get hurt and tends to heal almost instantly afterwards but I guess that's the price for a person no longer being human. At least not in the death category.”
Azulia blinked when she felt Killian pull her into a hug. Surprised filled her when she heard his words before a smile,lit up on her lips and she wrapped her arms around him returning his hug.
The guy gently kissed her forehead attempting to act like a brotherly figure than a man trying to woe her. “You're rather unforgettable too kiddo. You remind me of someone I once loved. She was stubborn like you but Abigail tend to see the best in everyone. Hell she was the one who tried persuading me to become the gang’s leader just so the death would stop but I refused. Now I wished I did. Maybe then she would have been alive.” He said before releasing her and walking towards the bedroom alone.
Azulia looked at him as he began to walk towards the bed room. She had a feeling they reached an understanding. They both have lost someone they loved very dearly by their actions. Azulia convinced her mom to take the shift so she could get more hours and she was killed on her way home. She wiped her tears and followed after him.
Meanwhile, Charles decided once more try to get into contact with Mr. Cain’s office again. On their way back toward the hallway, they could easily overhear his voice conversing with someone over the phone. Someone stubborn as he tried to reason with them, “I know you’ve said he’s out, but can you tell me when he’ll be back? It’s important I get a hold of Mr. Cain.”
Charles inhaled then sighed, irritation laced his voice, “Yes, I understand, but-”
“Yes… yes… and no, I’m not trying to harass his office but you must- yes. Alright.”
With that, he hung the phone up in a harsh click. He then began to turn to the door as his steps betrayed his approach.
Azulia blinked when she heard his voice talking to someone obviously on the phone as she could only hear his voice. She frowned and looked at Killian wondering who her new guardian was talking to and who this Mr. Cain was. She stayed silent as she continued to eavesdrop and froze when she heard his footsteps approaching the door. She quietly pulled Killian away.
She then turned around and began to walk towards as the door opened. It would look like she was just returning.
Killian didn't pull away from Azulia. His eyes flickered from side to side as questions formed inside his own mind. Cain? Where had he heard that last name before. Wait. Charles couldn’t have meant that mobster of a fox. Could he? The guy bit his lower lip in thought before the girl stopped completely.
“This could end very bad for Charles.” He whispered. “Azulia mind coming with me on a bit of a snooping operation?”
Azulia looked worried and nodded. What could Killian mean? Was Charles was in trouble with someone name Cain. She followed Killian back towards the bedroom being as quiet as she could.
Charles, still irritated, exhaled as the sound of the phone clicked. His hand reached for the hand and gave it a quick twist, pushing outward on his exit. He shifted his eyes side to side before he spoke out loud as he moved down the hallway, [color=#7bcd8]“Alright, since you two are staying, Killian you pay for the food and keep the receipt. I’ll repay you when I get back home. Besides being disgruntled with me, is there anything else you two need?”[/color]
“New paints and pencils would be nice. The ones I bought for christmas are dying on me.” He said in a faked, but still irked tone. In reality this was ploy to keep the teacher away for as long as possible, and giving the two of them extra time to snoop around his room in order to find answers.
The immortal paused, then studied Killian a moment. His hands on his collar and gave it a light tug to keep it from choking him, his figure still and debating on the answer. After several long seconds, Charles subtly nodded his acceptance then breathed through his nose. His foot stepped toward the main entrance door and rested his hand briefly on it when he turned about,[color=#7bcd8] “Take care and I’ll be back as soon as possible, then we can have a talk about this. Please, don’t think about leaving the house. My golems will follow you and when I find you, I’ll haul you back here where I can chew you out over it. Understand?”[/color]
With those last words, he walked out and shut the door behind him.
“What am I? five?”Azulia muttered before looking at Killian. “So where should we start Killian?”She asked him as soon as Charles was out of earshot of them but being quiet enough to where the golems wouldn't hear them.
The man smiled as he glanced at the metal golems. “First we go out to eat and I don't mean take out either. I mean going to a restaurant and eating there so we don't have to clean up. I mean after all I don't know what your favorites are.” He said loudly towards the dogs before lowering his tone.
“There’s this guy I’ve heard of. Someone that every criminal didn't dare to mess with. Mostly due to rumors of him being raised by death himself or some crap. All I know for certain is that we don't want to get on his bad side.”
“Who is this guy and what does he have to do with Charles” She asked looking at him. “I like anything really” She said loudly towards the golems.
The man took the young woman into her new bedroom, shutting the door behind them, before sighing. “There. Hopefully we can sneak out through a window or something. As the answer to your question is unknown. Our loving teacher must have some reason for. Granted there has been one number which he keeps calling constantly. I have a feeling that he's hiding something.”
“Well you are alone in that feeling since I just got here and don't know anyone he knows or what he does in his off hours at work.” Azulia went over to the window and opened it. She expertly popped out the screen. She saw Killian give her a look and she shrugged.
“I often snuck out to the park down the street to practice my magic” She said before anything could be said before getting out the window onto the roof outside.
“That little minx. We’re definitely keeping her around.” He mumbled as he followed her outside and onto the roof. Killian glanced around, looking for those golems and not quite seeing them, before he slowly climbed off down. “Your weren't the only who liked sneaking out. Though in my case it was much easier due to the foster parents not even caring.”
The man glanced around once again and held out his hands. “Jump and I’ll catch you.”
Azulia nodded and jumped down and giggled as she was caught by Killian. “Thanks Killian” She got down and cracked her knuckles. “Ok now where? You know this place better than I do” She asked looking at him .
“I got some general idea on who to call on for that.” He said as two of the metallic golems came into view. The man groaned in disappointment as his eyes glared at the thing he hated most in this world. “So much for our fun. Ready to go for a ride you piece of shit?” The human asked the object. The thing seemed to smile back at him as its tail wagging in the air.
Azulia chuckled and grabbed a large stick not far from where they were. “Hey pretty puppy. Do you wanna play” She said waving the stick in front of it. She threw it far from them. “Go....GET IT!” She said watching it stare at it then her.
“Umm...it’s easier if we take at least a few with us. Or else the others will come after us. Plus where we’re going we’ll need the extra protection. I hate these things.” Killian said as they walked towards the car with their new comrades. He opened the back door and watched them go inside. Then he walked towards the passenger's side and opened it.
Azulia walked over and smiled at him. “Thanks. I think these things are the closest thing I could have as a pet. Just something about their fur made my eyes red and puffy and my skin get all rashy” she said getting into the passenger seat.
