Date: September 1st, 2013

Setting: Radcliffe Way, 10:58 am

Event: Family is complicated sometimes. Or, with Deuce and Cleo, a lot more exasperating.

Blood Is Thicker, and Even More Messier

"Is there anything to do here in this town? Like, do you guys have cliques? How mean are the teachers? We don't have to share lockers do we? And what about the dress code? Because I have a pair of really cute shorts that I really want to wear-"

"Alyson, could you please be quiet for five seconds?"

He could feel her glare at him, imagining that she was already wearing her trademark pout and had balled her hands into fists.

Deuce had a lot of things to look forward to this year. Graduation, finally getting his own car, the promise of a promotion at his job, not to mention getting to meet some new faces. Yeah, the gorgon had had a lot of things that he was happy were occurring this year.

Having to spend said year with his annoying whiny cousin was not one of them.

He turned his head, not the least bit surprised to see his prediction was true. Sure enough, Alyson had her hands on her hips, the edges of her lips pulled downward in a frown while she puffed her cheeks out in disapproval, her brows scrunched together and her yellow eyes shiny with anger.

"Well, excuuuse me;" Alyson replied in a sarcastic tone, "I can't help it if I just want to make this walk less awkward since you're absolutely boring."

"You didn't have to come with me, you know," Deuce replied, crossing his arms and staring down at his cousin, outmatching her by a full foot and half. The snakes on his head lifted their heads as they hissed down at her, as if also expressing their disapproval.

Alyson glared back up at him, staring right through Deuce's shades as she wrinkled her nose, her own snakes lifting themselves from the back of her scalp and hissing in response.

"I'm sorry I want to spend some time with my cousin that I don't get to see all too often and just want to know how he's been these past couple of years!" she snapped, "What, are you suddenly too good to be seen with family?"

Deuce snapped back, "No, I just don't want to risk being seen with you."

The two relatives continued their argument with a silent staring match. Alyson, like him, had inherited her mother's trademark hairdo of spring green snakes, which she currently had pulled into a ponytail that was positioned a little off to the side, though that was probably the greatest likeness both gorgons had. While Deuce only had the scattering of scales on his bicep, Alyson was covered head to toe in them. From her arms to her legs to her torso (which looked a little bit like chest armor) to her face, the daughter of Euryale was pale green, evidence of her half-Naga heritage. Currently, this feature was highlighted by the violet diamond-patterned halter dress she wore, which the finishing details of green triangular trimming around the base- Deuce noted if his mom had saw it, she'd be on Alyson about modesty issues. Her yellow eyes were complimented by the rusty orange eyeshadow she wore as well as her bright red lipstick, though her skin tone made it, honestly, look a little tacky.

Neither relative backed down, the Greek side of their family coming out as they stood like time stopped, refusing to stray away from each other's stare nor switching stance or any sign that would show they were faltering.

Deuce mentally sighed. He did love his cousin- she was family after all, - and okay, he would be lying if he said there wasn't a small part of him that was excited to be able to communicate with a member of his family besides his mom face to face, as all of them lived with his aunts back in Greece. But Alyson was just so annoying. She was a big mouth, she was childish and naïve and narrow minded, and she just never learned to leave good enough alone. Definitely not someone you wanted to be out in public with, unless you preferred having all eyes on you because Alyson was known for making s cene.

Which was precisely why Deuce wasn't exactly high spirits when he found out she'd be staying with them for a while. 'A while' meaning the entire school year, and then some.

Before the two gorgons could continue dishing it out, however, both had their concentration broken by a regal voice across the street.

"Nebetah, let go!"

Deuce's head turned as he heard his girlfriend's voice. Sure enough, dressed in baby blue with the sunlight reflecting off of dozens of pieces of gold- making her look like a literal star- was Cleo de Nile.

And from what it seemed, she looked to be getting cheesed off at a girl on her left, who was latched on to the mummy's arm like it was a saving grace. Deuce could see by her shoulder's rapid movements and the way she shoved her arm at the latter that Cleo was trying to yank herself free, though the petite girl next to her didn't seem like she'd be letting go any time soon.

He heard Alyson whistle beside him.

"Geez, who's that hot mess?" She asked, raising a green eyebrow. Deuce grit his teeth.

"That 'hot mess' is my girlfriend."

Alyson turned and gave him a look, her eyebrow raised practically to her hairline.

"You mean that's who you've been talking about?" she shook her head as she turned her gaze back to the two in front, "Then again, it is you, Deuce."

Okay, female family member or not, Deuce was just about ready to smack this chick.

Cleo, noticing the two Greeks across the road, waved happily at Deuce as she and the other girl made their way to greet him. She didn't make it two feet before the other girl latched back onto her arm, invoking an annoyed groan from Cleo as she struggled to get across the street and free herself at the same time, the stroll from any other perspective looking like an awkward three legged race. As they made their way over, Deuce stepped forward to give Cleo a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey babe-" he greeted, before he was interrupted.

"Wow, you're really pretty!" Alyson blurted out.

Leaning in close to Cleo's face and carefully examining the mummy's pristine features, Alyson stared as she looked the mummy princess up and down, her expression akin to someone who just saw the third coming of Christ Almighty. Cleo leaned back, a disgusted look on her face- this girl was entirely too close! Luckily, it didn't last long before Deuce grabbed Alyson roughly by her shoulder, pulling her back, mumbling something about personal space. Cleo raised an eyebrow as the green scaled girl continued staring at her like a piece of art (normally she'd be flattered and welcome it, but this girl just made it uncomfortable...was she even blinking?).

"Um, thank you?" Cleo responded, "Deuce, who is this?"

Deuce rubbed his neck, feeling that this was going to go horribly wrong, "Cleo, this is my cousin-"

"Alyson Gorgon, his cousin. I'm going to be here for the year. Deuce has told me all about you!" Alyson babbled as she grabbed Cleo's hand and shook it rather harshly.

Deuce groaned at seeing Cleo's face contort into surprise before becoming irritation at how this peasant was touching royalty like her so harshly.

"Is it true you're really a princess? How old are you? Is it anything like the movies? Like, do you have any business with what's going on in Egypt right now? Funny, you don't give off the vibe I was expecting-"

"Anyway," Cleo interrupted, yanking her hand away, "Deuce, there is someone I'd like you to meet."

Cleo looked over her shoulder, where the girl that was walking with her was now hiding behind her, as if trying to hide from Deuce and Alyson. She stepped aside and placed both hands on the girl's shoulders, pushing her forward a little.

"I would like the both of you to meet my cousin, Nebetah Sakkara."

"H-H-Hello," said girl squeaked in a quiet voice.

For a moment, Deuce was taken back. The tiny girl standing next to Cleo was hardly anything like her. Where Cleo and Nefera had shining, sun-kissed olive skin, this Nebetah girl's skin was stark white, like fresh snow. From her neck down to her fingers and toes, she was covered in a bodysuit of bandages- faded white with little marks of aged yellow. Her waist-length hair was straight and dyed a vivid purple color with a few black streaks added in. She wore an asymmetrical one strap dress that was a nice shell pink color with hieroglyphics printed on, whose border she was currently playing with. Deuce smiled when he noticed that she did carry the de Nile family's trademark bright blue eyes; obviously Cleo's work, they were highlighted by eyeliner whose shape was drawn to that of the Eye of Horus, along with tan eyeshadow, her bow-shaped lips painted a rosy red color.

This girl definitely had a shy aura; Deuce speculated that chances are she was not very used to being around people, or that she wasn't used to being away from home. Cleo had told him over the phone one day that some of her family was going to be staying with her and her father for a while- apparently they had just been resurrected from their tombs and needed a helping hand while they got adjusted to the modern world. Understandably, it was no surprise that the poor purplette seemed so easily spooked, obviously still not used to the culture shock. Hey, thousands of years locked away could do that to a person.

"Aunt Nefertiti is going to be staying with us for the next year and half, which means Nebetah will also be here for the school year," Cleo had explained.

Nebetah lifted her head slowly and looked at him, seemingly a little fearful. Her eyes widened in shock when she glanced at his snake hawk.

"Deuce Gorgon," he greeted, holding his hand out, "And don't worry 'bout the guys on top. They're actually really friendly."

Nebetah looked at his hand, slowly raising her tiny bandage-wrapped one and giving him a hesitant shake. She grip was so light and delicate, Deuce felt like her hand was easily going to break in his if he just happened to squeeze.

"H-hi.."

"Oh, I love your shoes!" Alyson suddenly butted in, barging in front of her cousin and entirely too close for comfort to Nebetah. The mummy, not at all expecting the sudden surprise of the gorgon, lifted her head in surprise, looking down to where Alyson's finger was pointed. Cleo and Deuce followed suit, observing that both girls wore the same pair of golden strapped, open-toed high heels.

"Um, t-t-thank you," Nebetah stammered, refusing to make eye contact as a furious blush came upon her cheeks, fingers fumbling with the loose threads of her dress. Cleo, noticing her fidgeting, lightly nudged her with her shoulder to get her cousin to stop.

"Where did you move here from? Are you a princess too? Do you have any siblings?" Alyson asked, leaning in until she was almost nose to nose with the bandage-wrapped girl.

"Good god, Aly, give her some breathing room!" Deuce scolded as he pulled his cousin away again, noticing how Nebetah's face was so red, the poor girl looked like she had popped several blood vessels.

Cleo shot him a glare, obviously not very happy with the way things were going. Rolling her eyes and grabbing Nebetah's wrist, her jaw setting at the loud squeak that came from said girl, she started turning away.

"Well, Deuce, I'd love to stay and chat, but Daddy wanted me to show Nebetah around. You know, get her a little adjusted to the scenery with school just starting and her having such little time to get settled in."

Deuce noted how quickly she finished up her sentence as Nebetah struggled to keep up with her, before the sudden alarm of a car horn sounded a shriek from the purple haired girl, who instantly grabbed Cleo's arm in fear.

"Oi, let go!"

"S-S-Sorry, I-I was scared-"

"There's no need to be frightened of every single thing that happens, Nebetah," Cleo countered, "And let go of my arm already!"

Deuce and Alyson stood in silence as they watched the two royal girls walk away. Deuce crossed his arms in observation. He was pretty curious as to see how this was going to work out. Compared to Cleo's superior personality and her large confidence and ego, Nebetah was small and meek, and already gave off the impression she was not going to be in the same Queen Bee position as her cousin.

"I have to admit, your ghoulfriend's cousin is pretty cute."

"Alyson! Oh my goth," he sighed as he facepalmed, rubbing his eyes under his shades. Did his cousin really have to set her sights on a girl she just met two minutes ago? A girl who seemed to have a fear of everything, no less?!

"What? She is! She seems really in a shell, though….meh, I'm not worried about it. I'll help Cleo bring her out of it! I mean, it'd be a shame to see someone like her not enjoy here. And plus, you have to admit she seems like pretty easy bait for the sharks…."

Alyson continued rambling on. Deuce stared at her incredulously, putting a hand to his face and silently cursing the gods.

It was going to be a long, long year.

Fun Fact: Alyson and Nebetah are based off of the Create-A-Monster Mummy and Gorgon pack. Their bios are available on my Livejournal, under the entry 'Monster High: My Characters.'

Author's Note 7/1/2016: And Chapter 2 of the GR is done!

What did I change: Not much, because I actually was quite satisfied with this chapter, other than adding or taking away a few sentences, and rearranging the structure so it flowed more smoothly together.