"GET OUT!" his mother screeched, flinging a vase at the wall beside his head.

"Gladly," he hissed back. The sounds of the door shutting and the keys hitting the pavement almost masked the torrent of abuse she hurled from inside those walls.

Monster.

Freak.

Demon.

His pace increased until he was sprinting down the streets, trying to dislodge the feeling choking his insides.

Monster.

"Order up!"

The man sitting at the counter looked up and grinned at her. "Thanks doll."

"Anytime," she winked, keeping the flirtatious sway in her hips until the kitchen doors swung shut and she relaxed. The pub definitely didn't pay her as much as she deserved, but it still payed, and she got free drinks at the end of the night so she couldn't really complain. Another two months of hip shaking and puke cleaning and she'd have enough money to get out.

"Oi! Quit daydreaming and get back on the floor- we've got customers!"

She sighed, plastering on the facade again. Just two months and then she was out.

She didn't understand why her sister was so obsessed with setting her up. Just because she was married and settled and trying did not mean that her 21-year-old sister had to be.

This was an opinion she wasn't afraid to state while her hair was being pinned up delicately.

"Because we want what's best for you," was the immediate reply.

"Surely I would know more about what's better for me than you?"

Her sister smiled, humouring her with a 'then what do you think's better for you?"

"Not this. I don't even know him, but if he's anything like the last few guys you've made me suffer, I'm bound to hate him."

"Just suffer this one more? For me?"

She sighed, giving in to her sister's wide-eyed expression once again. After all, she was going to be wrapped up in her husband and their wonderful baby plans all too soon for her liking- surely a few crummy dates were worth her sister's affection?

"Remind me - where is this date taking place?" she asked, eyeing the chosen outfit disdainfully.

"Remind me - where are you taking this girl?"

He turned. Grinned. "Just this local place. Nothing special."

His mum crinkled her nose in worry. "Her family is quite an important one- a lot of links with the Ministry. Strong links too. Are you sure 'nothing special' is good enough?"

"Mum," he smiled, "we're barely in our twenties. I'd like to think that we can leave the reservations and ball gowns for another few years or so."

At this she backed down, though a few minutes while adjusting his jacket she said, "Just remember to be a gentleman. If you're anything like your father, I know you're bound to forget."

"Oi! I heard that! I'll have you know that..."

"Good luck," she whispered, strolling into the living room to listen to her husband's story. He gazed after them, admiring the gentle creases in their faces which crinkled when they looked at each other.

Shaking his head, he left, shutting the door quietly behind him. Best to not keep the lady waiting.

Author's Note

Long time, no see ;) My inspiration for Treacherous has completely fizzled out, and I've yet to figure out the plot for the other stories I had in mind, so I picked up this. I originally was going to do a proper Founders fic a year ago or something, but inside decided to do my own twist (mainly because I know zilch about the 10th century). The chapters will get longer- this is just an introduction to our four 'narrators'. Can you figure out who's who? :)