Familiar: Eye of The Jabberwocky
Chapter 10: Labyrinth
The warm arm around his waist awoke Leo, along with the shining sun in his face. He moaned, his head hurting from the bright light so he turned to his side. He laid his head down on the first thing below his head, his new pillow rising and falling. Moving his legs he was met with the blanket on his bare legs. Still half asleep Leo sat up on his arm and looked down at the person he was sleeping on. Elliot was asleep and Leo was parched, so he threw off the blanket, hitting Elliot. The cold hit Leo's bare legs and he wondered when he had lost his pants. Looking down he realized that he wasn't in his shirt from last night, it was a different shirt, too big for him. He looked at the bottom of the bed and noticed his shirt. He got on his knees and stretched to grab it when he realized his shorts and boxers both were gone. He grabbed the blanket in embarrassment and look at Elliot. He tore the blanket off of Elliot and wrapped himself up before slapping Elliot across the face, waking the older man surprisingly. He sprang up clutching his cheek and growled at Leo.
"What the hell!?"
"What did you do last night to me!?" Leo yelled back, Elliot pausing for a moment to remember what happened last night. When he remembered he immediately held his hands up in defense.
"I swear we didn't do anything, you were seriously hammered. I brought you to my room to sleep and you started to strip. I was giving you a light weight shirt because you were hot. I turned and you were stark naked. Honest Leo." Elliot said, expecting another slap. When it didn't come he looked at Leo. He was flushed on the ears, face hidden in his hands.
"Either way you saw me naked, it's embarrassing." Leo said, a moment later his hands were removed by Elliot. Looking up Leo was met with a smile from Elliot, his eyes piercing Leo's.
"It was only us, I didn't take pictures and no one else saw you naked. I got a shirt on you after a little struggle, but you're fine."
"Where are my shorts and boxers?" Leo asked embarrassed.
"In the hallway, I'll get them." Elliot said, opening the door and grabbed the shorts and boxers a few feet away. Coming back in he shut the door and handed the two articles of clothing to Leo. The younger waited till Elliot sat down on the opposite side of the bed, facing the wall in front of him , only then did Leo began to change.
"You know, I only agreed because I thought it would help me forget about Dormouse's death…it didn't."
"It was a traumatic loss, he was a close friend. We have to mourn the losses we have experience. I was so upset I just couldn't think of how you felt, Ernest always said that I was emotionally stubborn."
"He was nice, Claude too. I'm sorry Elliot."
"I know it's the Jabberwocky, I know neither of you were capable of that." Elliot said, feeling arms around his shoulders.
"It's still my fault." Leo said, pulling Elliot's head back into a kiss. It was another short kiss, Leo hiding his face in Elliot's back. "I'm going to miss you the most Elliot." At this Elliot brought a hand up to Leo's and held it.
"Don't die then, form a contract with Humpty and you can live with us, everyone here loves you Leo. We could live together."
"But my body?" Leo said, snuggling into Elliot's back.
"I'll talk to Claud, she has many potions for healing someone, she's bound to have one for your body. You can live with us till the end." Leo smiled and let go, climbing off the bed, walking in front of Elliot. He flopped down on the snake boys legs and smiled.
"If she has something like that, I'll stay with you Elliot." Leo kissed Elliot again, this one happier than before.
"Lets go now, wake her up and get your body ready for tomorrow." Elliot picked Leo up by his by the thighs, carrying him over to the door.
"I can walk."
"I don't want you to till your legs are healed." Elliot said and threw open the door. Leo blushed a bit, but allowed Elliot to carry him.
"Why are there other clothing on the ground?"
"We'll Oz got lucky I'm guessing, then Jack and Lacie, lets not forget Claudia and Xeno. Those two…oh and Robin and Melissa. Sheesh those guys are crazy."
"Too much information. I need to talk to Sharon about borrowing Equus."
"Of course you can borrow him." Sharon said behind the two, scaring them. "Just keep in touch while you're in the abyss." Sharon smiled, her hair down.
"Thank you." Leo smiled.
"Anything for our Leo." She said and walked over to them. "Now lets get breakfast." Sharon said and skipped down the hall. Elliot followed her to the dining room.
The smell of stall booze made Leo gag, Elliot chuckling. They found the room had a few people in it, most with robes and hangovers. They sat down near Claudia, whom sat next to Xeno, both drinking Break's special hangover remedy.
"How was your sleep kiddo, bet you have a huge hangover, I think you drank second to most bottles." Break said holding up his hangover bottle.
"Actually I'm fine, sleep does me great." Leo smiled, Elliot making up a plate for himself and Leo.
"Really, interesting." Break smiled.
"So what are we doing today?"
"Getting you ready to face the abyss." Break said.
"You must learn about Equus."
"If you need my scythe I can strap it to Equus." Oz said as he walked in yawning. Leo turned his head only to look away. Oz was stark naked, Leo the only one to look away.
"Could it kill you to put a robe on like everyone else." Elliot growled.
"I'm never going to get this out of my head." Leo said, covering his eye. Oz walking over.
"Aw Leo, your such a virgin." Oz patted Leo's back.
"Don't touch me, I don't know where your hands have been." Leo said in disgust.
"Aw such a virgin." Oz said patting Leo's head.
"I'm going to shower now." Leo said and stood up.
"Take a steaming hot shower." Break said with a disgusted expression. Leo nodded, limping out of the room.
"Hey Claud, can you give him stuff for his legs and arms?" Elliot asked.
"He'll need them to run for his life." She nodded.
"Do you have something to stop the pain of his body, maybe stop his body from dying."
"My vines might work, they have life healing abilities. Why?"
"Leo considering living if his body stopped."
"Eh! Really!?" Oz yelled.
"Yep, we were talking about it before coming down here."
"I saw Leo's shorts and boxers in the hallway, what happened last night?" Oz snickered.
"You know idiot. Everyone had him stripping so I stole Break's blanket and wrapped him up. He was still shedding clothes, at least a managed to dress him before all his clothes were gone."
"Aw you didn't get lucky." Oz joked.
"Why would he want him, the boy murdered his family." Noise said walking in, her dress was the one she wore for the circus. A strapless bubble dress.
"Excuse me Noise?" Elliot growled.
"You two need to stop fighting." Oswald said, grabbing Noise by her arm.
"Hey!?" She yelled.
"You're in my house so act nicely children."
"Let my arm go!" She screeched and ripped her arm away.
"And I hope that's all you did Mr. Nightray." Oswald glared at Elliot.
"Eh!?" Elliot yelled. "How am I always the bad guy?"
"Because your dating my son." Oswald said, sitting down.
"Ugh." Elliot growled, but sighed.
"Whatever."
"I say we go explore town today." Sharon said with a smile. "Maybe take Leo to see the old hospital and that nurse woman."
"Alright, sounds like a plan." Lacie said, skipping in with Jack behind her, no clothes on him either.
"Fucking Vessalius." Elliot muttered.
"Has anyone seen the towel basket?" Leo asked walking in. He left after seeing Jack. Elliot chased after him, wanting out of the room as soon as possible.
"I'm going to go nuts here." Elliot said, receiving a chuckle from Leo. Smiling in victory Elliot picked Leo up by the waist.
"Your so cute when your happy Elliot." Leo said and snickered.
"I'm not cute! I'm handsome!" Elliot yelled.
"I need to get a shower Elliot, I reek of booze." Leo smiled, climbing from Elliot's arms.
"Meet me in my room when you get dressed." Elliot said, gripping Leo's hand he had managed to keep a hold of.
"What if I don't want to get dressed?" Leo teased, pulling his hand away and walking away to the stairs.
"Like you'd walk naked down the stairs in the morning, in front of everyone." Leo stopped, turning and winking at Elliot.
"I just might for you." Elliot's face went red with embarrassed at what Leo had just said. Leo made a sound, Elliot unsure what it was until said boy bursted into laughter. "Y-your face resembles a tomato Elliot." Leo laughed, continuing his walk to the staircase. He grabbed the railing and scaled up till his laughter couldn't be heard, Elliot trying to keep his anger in. Unfortunately he couldn't.
"Leo!" His angry yell filled the mansion, Leo's laughter heard soon after.
After finding the towel basket in one of the maids hands Leo took a shower for about twenty minutes, just thinking and soaking. He looked down at at his cut up body, his incuse standing still at three. Once the steam became too much Leo washed his body and hair, getting out into the hot, steamy room. The mirrors were fogged up, as well as Leo's glasses. With a sigh Leo grabbed his towel and walked out of his bathroom, cleaning off his steamed glasses.
He didn't notice the person staring at him till he put his glasses back on. Looking at him with wide eyes was Noise, her wide eyes turning to a glare from Leo's bed. Leo blushed and wrapped the towel around him. "Keep it hidden you damn streaker." She huffed.
"W-what are you doing in here?" Leo asked with a faint feeling amused from the mix embarrassment and the steam.
"Oh right. Listen up I came to talk about your decision."
"Oh about the abyss, I'm positive I can handle it."
"No you idiot, listen. I'm talking about living." She said her eyes softening.
"What about it?"
"If you are going to live…can you come live at the circus with all of us instead of here?"
"Eh, why?" Leo asked, sitting on the bed.
"Because…you're the best Ringleader there is. You don't know the dark side of the high top. What Yura did, what any normal Ringleader would do."
"Dark side?" Leo questioned. "You all seemed happy at the show I went to."
"Because Yura made us. We can't be upset on stage, on stage he was the only monster around. No one wanted you to know this, but you could die tomorrow so you should know what will happen to your circus. Break won't be able to always be the ringleader." Noise sighed, a quivering sigh.
"What happened at the circus?" Leo asked, looking at Noise with a curious look.
"Break managed to keep him out of Sharon's tent, but he couldn't save the rest of us. When I was inducted into the circus I wasn't part of any family. I was left in a mental hospital those hundred years by my family. Vincent came one day on just a whim. Walking through he found my room, and he fell absolutely in love with Doldee and Doldum, my Familiars."
"One for you and Echo." Leo smiled. Noise nodded and continued.
"Well he snuck me out, and brought me to the circus. The way there he was talkative…then we reached Yura's tent. He took me in with a frown and left me there after explaining to Yura. I'd never smiled as wide as he had. He told me that I was welcomed to be part of the circus…but there would be a regular fee to pay. I mentioned not having money, but he laughed." Noise shivered. "He forced me to undress and had his way with me." Leo's eyes went wide and his stomach churned.
"He did what!?" Leo yelled.
"It wasn't just me, everyone had to do this, except Sharon and Break. Break really did try to stop it, but it was far to done. Once it wasn't me, Echo had fallen asleep and he came in…" Noise held herself and cried. "I tried to switch with her, but she was so terrified she couldn't do it."
"He did this to everyone?" Leo growled.
"Vincent, Gilbert, Oz, Cheshire, Charlotte, even Elliot." Leo's glared turned furious, gripping his sheets. The thought that Yura had sexually abused his performers…his family behind curtains sent Leo's anger into a rage. "That's why when you became the ringleader I wasn't too eager, but you only wanted to be friends…you were deformed in some way as well. You understood us. We would never be lucky to find a person like you, so caring about us. We don't say it out loud, but we love you Leo, your our hero. Everyone here is allowed to have relationships and sex without worrying about consequences from our ringleader. Please don't leave us to another ringleader." Leo stared at the bawling girl before him, his eye soften behind his glasses. In a moment he had Noise in a hug, patting her head, and comforting her.
"I won't leave, I promise." He swore, his eye holding a sincere, but burning hate of the emotions he felt.
"Thank you." Noise muttered, hiding her face against Leo's chest.
"None of the parents said anything."
"No one told them, the circus would be shut down and we have these places to live around us, but no one would show us into society. Elliot would have returned to getting chopped up, I would have gone to the mental ward, Oz might have been thrown into the abyss."
"Well, none of that will happen any longer. No one will harm my performers, not even me." Leo said, backing out of the hug.
"Let me get dressed and we can hang out where ever."
"Ok." She smiled and turned her back to Leo. The teen smiled and grabbed a pair of boxers. "I think he was planning to have you join the circus, but luckily you were taken into the abyss. I didn't want to see him harm a sick boy." Noise said.
"Like I would have let him touch me."
"Elliot or Oz, maybe even me. I would have stepped in your place. Yura would have forced you."
"I would have told my dad at the time."
"Then we would have been shut down." Noise said, Leo walking up behind her, dressed and drying his hair with the towel.
"Lets go, I haven't eaten yet. Oz kind of ruined it with touching me."
"We usually just walked around like that, Yura made us when he proved a point."
"You poor souls." Leo said, wrapping and arm around Noise's shoulder. "You don't have to do that any longer, not in front of anyone you don't want." Leo smiled and helped Noise to her feet. "I'll keep this our little secret." Leo said as he led Noise out.
"It's ok if you don't, everyone already hates Noise." Noise muttered.
"I don't because we're friends and friends don't hate each other." Leo's smile widened as pink flushed Noise's cheeks. "Lets go our families waiting for us." Leo said and walked out, pulling Noise by her hand. As they started walking Elliot came up the stairs, Leo pausing in place, Noise's story coming back to him.
"Leo!" Elliot yelled. Leo had tears in his eye, hidden behind his glasses. "What took you so long…Noise what were you doing in his room."
"Talking to him."
"About?" Elliot asked suspiciously.
"Staying with us. He's the best ringleader we've had. After what Yura did to us." Elliot eyes widened.
"You didn't tell Leo, please tell me you didn't tell Leo." Elliot said, but the two people stared at him. "Fuck. Leo we didn't want you to know." Elliot said, grabbing Leo by the arms.
"I deserved to know what that man did to my performers, what he did to my family, and what he did to you Elliot. You all have lied to cover up so much, what he had done. I thought you wanted me to trust you." Leo said, the towel on the ground and his hair sticking to his face. "Your families need to know what he did to you."
"My mothers in a coma and Vanessa is wrecked, I don't need to add anymore mental damage to them."
"But he forced you too…do awful things."
"And we've forced you to do awful things. Murdering for advantage, he did the same emotionally to get us under his wing."
"He never helped you though." Leo said crying. Elliot released him, only to remove Leo's glasses. Though his attempts to see Leo's eye were futile because his wet hair slapped down in Leo's face. With a smile Elliot brushed away Leo's hair, peering into the golden sparkled and dark amethyst eye. Tears poured from his two eye holes, the eyeless one closed.
"Your helping us now Leo, all of us are slowly healing with your help. To you we aren't freaks, we are unique individuals with gifts. Sharon's body can withstand and produce flames, her father refused to acknowledge her, but she happy now. Equus is able to help you and she is proud of herself for being able to help you."
"Doldum and Doldee can protect you Leo, I'm happy I can do that for all you've done for us. You don't cut us open, or chain us to a wall in a straight jacket. You don't make us hate ourselves, you make things fun." Noise said, her atmosphere changing.
"Echo's happy to help Mr. Leo. She wants to thank you for helping Noise." Echo bowed.
"There's things our parents don't need to know, so lets leave it between all of us." Elliot said, looking over when he noticed two figures pass by him. He saw Oz and Gilbert holding hands as they walked down the halls, talking about what they were going to do today. The took a break and waved at Leo, noticing the tears and walked back over. "See, things we only need to know." Elliot smiled as Oz grabbed Leo's shoulders.
"What happened, what's wrong?!" He yelled worriedly.
"Are your cuts hurting?" Gilbert asked. Leo stared up at the two, not seeing two people who went through years of abuse, but two young men worried about him.
"I'm fine." Leo said grabbing the duo's hands. "I think I understand." Leo said and looked back at Elliot and Echo. "It's just our secret now."
"What? What secret?" Oz asked.
"Noise opened her mouth, Leo knows about Yura and what he did." Elliot explained, the two paling and having trouble swallowing their saliva.
"Everything?" Oz questioned.
"Abuse and all."
"Listen Leo, you have to understand why we didn't want to tell you."
"You were scared…scared to tell anyone, but you don't need to be. I'll be your ringleader till you don't need one." Leo smiled, wiping away his tears. "I know how you feel, it's scary to tell people what happened to you."
"But that's what the circus is for, trust and understanding." Elliot smiled. "Leo understands what we've gone through. He's not been forced into sex…right."
"Not that I remember, but I understand what it feels like to be held down and laughed at for my deformity."
"Non deformed people suck." Oz said a small silence followed.
"Uh, Oz. there are some of us who aren't deformed." Leo said, nudging his head over to Echo.
"What do you mean, we all are?" Oz said. "I guess some of us don't show ours." Oz said, taking off Gilbert's shirt. Leo's eyes widened. He wondered how he ever missed the feathers piled on Gilbert's back.
"Like a real raven." Leo said, sliding his hand across the feathers.
"Watch this." Gilbert said as Elliot pulled Leo back. The feathers extended out, blocking Leo's vision for a moment. When they cleared Leo was met with outstretched wings. They were a good ten feet long together and a good five feet tall.
"Doesn't that hurt having the folded up?"
"Not really." Gilbert said as Leo petted his back.
"Echo is a string doll." Echo said, Elliot grabbing her arm and tugging it. He pulled hard enough to rip Echo's arm off. Leo let out a gasp, covering his mouth.
"Ha! Leo looks like a ghost!" Oz laughed.
"Echo is able to piece back together." She said pulling the vein, that was like rope, and dragged her arm back into place. She pushed it together and moved her arm back and forth, it keeping together.
"How did I not know about this."
"We usually perform with our acts we put on, but there's a reason why everyone here is here. Elliot's not the only one that's deformed." Oz said with a smile.
"Shit…guess I've got a lot to learn about you guys." Leo smiled, calming down from his scare.
"Do that some other time!" A girl yelled from down the hall. Everyone turned, looking at Claudia, dressed in a casual dress, a red rose in her hair. "You there strip!" She yelled pointing at Leo.
"Eh!?" Everyone let out, staring in shock.
"I can't put that ointment on you correctly when your dressed in those clothes."
"Oh." Everyone sighed in relief.
"Just come to my room and I'll get you fixed up, you look like a damn broken doll." She said and walked down the stairs.
"She's lovely this morning." Gilbert commented, eyes on the stairs. Oz snuck his hand into Gilbert's, making the circus performer blush.
"Well, I guess I should go then. I'll meet you all in the dining room. Can someone get me something to eat?" Leo asked with a smile.
"I will, just get those wounds healed up."
"Lesson one of the abyss, don't trust the fruit, eat the sealed things. Like cookies." Oz said, Leo smirking.
"What ever you say, and thank you Oz for the scythe." Leo said before walking out of the hallway and down the stairs.
"Even though you spilled the secret Noise I'm glad you had the guts." Elliot said.
"It's Echo now." Echo said, blinking at Elliot.
"Tell Noise I said thanks." Elliot said with a wide smiled, staring at the stairs his boyfriend had disappeared down. "I couldn't tell him, I was too embarrassed and prideful."
"Will do." Echo said with a nod.
"Lets get some fresh food for Leo and plan some training exercises." Oz said. "The Familiars will freak him out."
"I'll lend him Raven as a guide, he did protect the eye." Gilbert said.
"Doldum can act as a guard." Echo said."
"We need an attacker…" Elliot brought up, the group thinking for a moment. As they went over the list of Familiars Elliot stopped thinking, followed by Oz and Gilbert, Echo's demeanor not changing. She gave a nod as she looked at the boys.
"Everyone got the same twist woman in mind?" Elliot asked looking around.
"The one who enjoys pulling out fingernails." Oz smirked.
"She loves to torture." Gilbert gulped.
"But a loving, protecting sister." Echo said.
"Her Familiar happens to be the king of the food chain." Elliot smiled as wide as he could.
"The same stuck up bitch with a hate towards the abyss." Oz and Elliot said with giddy smiles.
"I think she's downstairs in the dungeon." Gilbert said, the four heading off in the direction of the basement.
The basement had two stairways, the long, heavy lit, and many doorways awaiting stairs, or the dreary, spider infested staircase with a straight dash to the main courters. The four chose the quicker, drearier one, not caring about the spiders and other creatures living in the stairs.
There was a buzzing sound ahead, Echo stopping the three men. "Stop here." Echo said before continuing down the stairs and around the corner. There were three different doorways, Echo blandly looking at them. "Ms. Lotti?! Echo is wondering if you are down here?!" Echo said, the buzzing abruptly stopping.
"What is it Echo, I'm shaving my mane!?" She yelled ahead of Echo. The voice came from the second doorway, between the two outer ones.
"Echo, Mr. Oz, Elliot, and Gilbert need to ask you something?!" Echo yelled back.
"Give me a minute to finish this last section!" With that the buzzing continued and Echo waved her hand towards herself, to the boys on the stairs. The took that as an invitation to finish walking down the stairs.
"Why doesn't Lottie keep it, her manes pretty?" Oz asked.
"Like the rest of us, she's either embarrassed or trying to hide. None of us really came out to the strangers around us, like Leo. He didn't know all of us were this strange." Gilbert answered.
"We should have known by the way that he treated Elliot that Leo would have accepted us." Oz smiled. The buzzing stopped and clacking of heels hitting the brick ground approached then slowly.
"Must be urgent! You lot don't usually need me unless it's important!" Charlotte yelled as she came out from the doorway.
"Why did you choose the basement for a bedroom, it's so gloomy?" Elliot asked, Charlotte's eye turning to a narrow glare. She stuck her hip out as he folded her arms across her well developed chest.
"I'm guarding the mirrors…there's also torture artifacts down here, they make the best to sleep on." Charlotte growled. "What are you here for?"
"Can Mr. Leo borrow Leon for his journey into the abyss? We are secretly collecting Familiars to hide in his shadows and Leon would be the best choice in Echo's opinion." Echo explained. Charlotte looked at the girl for a moment, her face showing nothing but curiosity. She brought her hand up and pressed her index finger to her chin as she looked up at the dirt ceiling. She smiled and looked down at Echo.
"I guess he can borrow him if he takes care of him." Charlotte smiled.
"Thank you very much for your generosity." Echo bowed.
"You're acting so formal today Echo." Oz joked.
"Echo is only acting in place of Mr. Leo, responding the way he would." Echo said, flushing at Oz's remark.
"Aw." Charlotte said, pulling Echo into a hug, the girls face falling into Charlotte chest. "Echo is acting out, she's growing up."
"Ms. Lottie is suffocating Echo". Echo said as she tried to pull away.
"Seriously though Lottie. Thank you for lending Leo Leon."
"I am a servant to the Baskerville family, that is my job to protect the young master." Charlotte smiled. "Now scat, I need time to work on my costume." Charlotte turned her back, ready to take a step back to her room when Oz spoke up.
"Leo would love your mane…he'd say you look pretty, or beautiful." Unbeknown to the four Charlottes eyes were wide in surprise. After a moment she blinked, followed by a sigh and turned with a smirk.
"Why would I want to hear I'm beautiful from a young boy."
"Because it makes you feel better." Elliot answered. Charlotte let out a single loud, and sarcastic laugh. She turned and walked on without another word, the clack of her heels disappearing down the unlit hallway.
"I think Leo's set, he has defense and an attack. We can also leave the leading to Equus, he should know the way." Gilbert said, Oz and Echo nodding. The three of them scaled the stairs, leaving Elliot alone in the dark. His fists were gripped, his teeth clenched in anger.
"Your not ok with it, are you?" A new voice said, this time coming from the first doorway. Elliot jumped and turned to face the person coming from the doorway. It was Levi, a smile on his face as he was perched against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.
"No I'm not, I'm worried about Leo. He was horribly shaken when he got out of the abyss, but now he's returning. He's weaker than he was and I'm suppose to act like I'm ok with it as the chains pull him in." Elliot spit out.
"Ah, but you have him protected by Familiars. Do you not trust them enough?"
"I don't think Leo is safe with a bunch of Familiars on the loose. How much will they actually listen to them?" At this Levi's smirk widened.
"You don't trust them guarding the key." Levi stood up straight and walked over to Elliot. "We know Humpty hates him, so he's better off now with the four he has." Levi said, bring a hand up when he stopped and patted Elliot on the head. "He's my grandson, it's not like he's going to be ripped apart by the Familiars guarding him and he limbs be carried off." Levi's smile fell to confusion when Elliot's complexion paled. "What?" He said as Elliot growled.
"That won't happen, that wont happen." He muttered, tears in his eyes as he shook.
"Oh my, what I said was having the opposite affect then I thought." He muttered.
"Elliot!?" A voice yelled from the house above.
"Aw, your needed. Wipe your face and go."
"Elliot!?" The voice yelled again with worry.
"I'll take my leave." Levi said and walked back down the darkened hallway.
"Elliot!? Where are you?!" The voice was closer, up the stairs. Elliot was finally able to hear it clearly as Leo's voice, the worry heavier. "Elliot!?" The blonde decided to wipe tears in his eyes and headed up the stairs.
As he approached the open doorway he was met with Leo standing ahead, a smile on his face. "Elliot." He grabbed said boys hand when he was in reaching distance and pulled him up the stairs. Immediately Elliot was clung to and Leo looked up with excitement in his words. "Lets go to the mall, please. I've never been there and I'd love to go." Elliot stared down for a moment before smiling.
"Of course we can."
"Your eyes are blood shot…were you crying?" Leo asked. He brought up his hand and held Elliot's scaled cheek. He caressed the scales with his thumb, looking up at Elliot worriedly.
"I'm scared for you, those Familiar's don't like you, how do we know they won't turn on you." Leo's worry melted as he continued to rub Elliot's scales.
"Sharon will hear constant updates Elliot, if not then I'm taking a rest." Leo smiled.
"I don't want you to die, I don't want you to die alone Leo, and in that place."
"I'd ask you to come, but then they'd know something was up." Leo smiled.
"He had a hard decision to make…Barma. Your mother was his older sister." Elliot said, Leo just stared at him. "You and Arthur are his last blood relatives. He doesn't like the idea, but he follows the rules."
"We all get our hands forced, but I feel he could be a great asset to us." Elliot looked off to the side, secretly loving Leo massaging his scales.
"You didn't have to do this." Elliot reached forward and placed it on Leo's shoulder.
"Yes I do. I'm going to help you so we can live a happy life together. I don't want any casualties, all my friends I've made. I don't want to see anymore death like before…so if I kill Jabberwocky we can all get on in life."
"I wish I could take your place, I can withstand the abyss."
"I can too, even without Dormouse I'll be back. Don't worry." Elliot couldn't help smile.
"You have briefing before we go to the mall, a "what to except" lecture." Elliot moved his arm around Leo's waist.
"Alright, but why are you down here?"
"Talking to Lottie." Elliot pointed to the middle doorway.
"Ms. Lottie, do you want to go shopping with us!?" Leo yelled, his voice carrying through the underground caverns. A moment passed with silence, before a voice spoke up.
"Who's going?!"
"Zwei, Lily, Break, and practically the whole circus!" A hum came from the dark.
"Alright! I'll be up for the briefing!" She yelled, her heels clacking down the hallway.
"Alright, see you soon!" Leo said happily, leading Elliot up the few stairs left before he abruptly turned and yelled. "See you in a moment Grandpa!" He yelled, shocking Elliot that Leo had known he had been there. Leo saw his wide eyes and laughed, holding a hand out to Elliot. "He's Grandpa Levi, I know him well enough to know where he hangs out." Leo said as he dragged Elliot down the hallway.
"So Dad said he didn't want to go shopping, but suggested some stores." Leo chatted while they made there way down to the dining room.
"Why's he not going?" Elliot asked, swing hands with Leo.
"Said he's getting too old, but I think he just wanted me to hang out with the circus." Leo explained, approaching the door with an outstretched hand. He grabbed the handle and pulled open the door, everyone looking up from there conversation at the two. Leo smiled and pulled Elliot into the room.
"There you two are, Elliot where were you?" Sharon with a huff.
"I was talking to Levi."
"What a short conversation it was." Levi said as he sat next to Oswald.
"Everyone sit down for a moment." Oswald said as he stood. Everyone found a chair and sat down, Leo sitting in Elliot's lap. "Oz will explain what to expect." Oswald said, Leo nodding at him. Oz stood, looking as serious as he could. Leo was surprised at how official Oz looked compared to his usual goofy smiles.
"When you get there any belongings other than clothing will be removed, so any weapons must be put on Equus."
"Equus already knows his job so he will be trailing you." Sharon butted in. "He knows the way to the eye."
"Alright." Leo nodded.
"As they finish saying their words you should be on your knees. Chains will come from the mirror and wrap around you. Keep your arms behind your back and it should run smoother. Don't fight them and stay calm, if you struggle at all they will tighten. They'll pull you into the mirror in the blink of an eye so be ready to summon Equus, the more time you spend there the more we will miss you." Oz smiled.
"Seems simple enough. Anything in the abyss I should avoid?"
"Any type of Familiar, if they see you they'll kill you." Break smiled.
"In any case we expect regular updates to where you are." Charlotte said.
"Oh and watch out for Gryphon, he is a hateful Familiar." Oz said.
"Will do. I think I can handle all of this." Leo said, smiling at Oz.
"Wear something comfortable, it gets cold down there from the water." Oswald said.
"For Equus you must remember not to be aggressive, he doesn't put up with bull." Sharon said with a small chuckle.
"I understand plenty." Leo smiled.
"Don't get lost either! If you get lost we can't summon you back!" Claudia yelled.
"To get out use me scythe to open a passage way, or Equus." Oz said. "I think we've covered it all." Oz looked around. Everyone nodded in agreement and Oz's serious face turned to his normal smile. "Alright so lets go shopping!" He yelled happily.
"Alright." Leo said getting up.
"Elliot can't come." Oz abruptly said, confusing everyone, Elliot growling as he shot up.
"How come shorty!?" He yelled. Oz snickered and looked at Elliot with an arched brow.
"Haven't you ever heard they saying, "No shoes, No shirt, No service.",?"
"He does have a point." Leo muttered and turned with a smile on his face. "I've got an idea." Leo said and jumped up. He walked out of the room with hop in his step, Oz and Elliot looking at each other before shrugging. There were footsteps over top of them, the old boards of the home creaking.
"Isn't our room up above us?" Gilbert asked Oz.
"Actually it's the room where all the unworn clothing goes." Charlotte said with a smirk. "Young master found it when he explored the house."
"Must of found something." Elliot said as the footsteps became heavy and faster than before. Everyone's eyes followed the footstep and waited for him to come running into the room with a shirt. Instead Leo came walking into the dining room with an arm full of shirts. Leo was out of breath the moment he stepped in the room.
"I'm getting out of shape again." He mumbled and threw the shirts on the nearest empty chair. He picked up the first thing, it being a wife-beater. "I wear these all the time to perform, it feels like nothing's there. I don't think it would hurt you scales." Leo said and threw the wife-beater on Elliot, then he picked up a vest. "I'm not sure if it would be comfy or considered a shirt." Leo said and threw the vest on Elliot. "I found a lot of wife-beaters." Leo said and started piling shirts on Elliot.
"My my." Break and Sharon said while snickering at Elliot.
"I'll just have to see what looks good." Leo said proudly.
"I want to dress Elliot up!" Oz yelled, Elliot instantly throwing a wife-beater at Oz.
"You won't touch me you shorty!" Elliot yelled, throwing more clothing at Oz. Said boy was hiding behind Gilbert, whining about how unfair Elliot.
"How come Leo gets to dress you up?" Oz cried with a pout.
Leo let out a chuckle drawing attention. "It simple really." He said and pulled out a spiked dog collar from somewhere behind him. "I'm his owner." Eyes went wide, but not as wide as Elliot's and Oz's. Leo just chuckled sadistically.
"What the fucking hell!?" Elliot yelled.
"Where did you get that collar!?" Oz asked.
"On eBay." Leo smiled happily.
"Why?!" Elliot yelled, beyond freaked out and confused.
"For fun." Leo smiled. "I got several, I had your names engraved." Leo smiled, showing the name.
"Eh!" Oz let out. "That's my name Leo!" Oz yelled.
"I know, isn't it cute." Leo laughed. There were sounds of incomprehension being made, no words able to clarify what Leo. There was a heavy sigh in the room and everyone turned. Shocked at what they saw was Oswald's head hiding under his arms.
"You have you mothers love of torture items." He muttered as he shook in place, drowning in the memories of his wife. "Gentle and pleasant as rose, but scary as hell." It wasn't a moment later that he sighed and sat up. "What can I say, that's what I found interesting the first time I met her. She almost lost me when she showed me her collection of heads?" Oswald gulped from the memories.
"Heads?" Leo asked.
"She had a bunch of skulls, fake of course, but that woman."
"I bet Ms. Ada would love that."
"Why would my cousin like that stuff, she'd be frightened to death." Jack said, Leo covering his mouth. His heavy eye turned gentle.
"Of course she would." Leo snickered.
"Are we going or not?" Elliot asked, a grey wife-beater over his abdomen.
"Those dress pants don't go with that Elliot." Leo said, picking up a pair of jeans off the floor, in a pile of shirts. "Change into these and I'll grab my wallet." Leo said, walking off.
"That kids going to kill me." Elliot groaned and walked out of the room, the jeans over his shoulder. Oz let out a laugh at Elliot's misery.
"You guys are idiots, going to the mall instead of training. This is the person you suggested would make Pandora material. A prankster is all he is." Claudia growled.
"Leo never got out of his hospital and I want him to enjoy life now. He knows defense pretty well as it is."
"Leon will protect him, do not think young mater is weak kid." Charlotte growled behind Claudia.
"Damn bitch." Claudia muttered.
"Sour puss." Charlotte muttered back. Something snapped inside Claudia and she turned with a smile.
"At least I don't have whiskers." She chuckled. Charlotte's eyes went wide, her arms she had folding against her chest came out and grabbed Claudia by the hair, pulling her back. Her chair tipped over and she fell on the ground.
"Run that by me again, petals." Charlotte said with a smile. Claudia shot up only notice a section of mane Charlotte had missed.
"You missed a part Lion girl." Claudia pulled the section, Charlotte slapping her hands away and covering it up. "You better go shave it."
"Claudia!" Robin yelled, drawing the line. He was too late though as Charlotte had tears come to her eyes.
"Shut up you…you…!" Before she could think of a comment her tears broke free and she ran from the dining room in tears. On the way passing by Leo and Elliot, her wails carried on back to the dining room.
"Lottie!?" Elliot yelled, Leo turning in worry.
"Oh my." Break muttered, Leo turning in anger. He stomped into the room, fist clenched as he took in the scene.
"What the hell happened in here!?" He yelled, looking at everyone. Elliot came up behind him.
"Bitch deserved it for back talking to her superior." Claudia said as she sat her chair up. Leo's glare turned to Claudia and he marched over.
"What the fuck did you say to Charlotte."
"I just pointed out her deformity, she missed a section of her mane. Not my fault she's a cry baby, here I thought she was strong and use to being called a freak." Claudia smirk. Leo's eye was as wide as possible and his fist as tight as possible.
"Your a horrible woman." Leo muttered.
"I treat people the way they deserve to be treated. Like you. A pathetic child that has no use in life, but to be a key and wish for more use. Is that why you want to join Pandora, to be of more use." Leo's glare was focused solely on Claudia's smirk. The brief silences caused a dangerous atmosphere, no one sure if it was ok to speak or even move. However, Leo broke the silence, but not his stare down.
"Lily, go check on Lottie right now." Lily didn't argue, she took the opportunity and ran.
"Aw what are you going to do you, pretend to be worth something." Claudia antagonized. Leo brought his hand up and sliced it through air with such forced that Claudia was set off balance. A pop resounded followed by a thud of Claudia hitting the ground. She chuckled though, even when Leo forced her up by the hair.
"You think people deserve to be treated because the way they are. Are you saying I should burn every rose around because they deserve it for looking the way they do. Deformity or not they are our equals you snooty bitch." Leo said, smacking Claudia again, equally hard to before. Sharon let out a squeak as Break covered her eyes. The sound of flesh being smacked by flesh over and over made everyone's stomach curling.
"Why does it matter they're freaks."
"Shut your trap!" Leo yelled, throwing Claudia to the ground by her hair. He immediately picked her back up by her hair before Leo glare at her bleeding face.
"What's with the tough exterior?"
"You deserve this for speaking back to your superior. As a Baskerville you report to me." Leo said, smirking at the woman smirking back at him.
"What about your friends, don't you report to them…or did they not get the memo about being kicked out of the dukedoms for being freak."
"Shut the hell up now!" Leo yelled, grabbing Claudia around the throat and gripping it.
"Ha! A pathetic wimp like you thinking you have the upper hand here." Claudia said, kneeling Leo in the gut. She rolled away to escape, but Leo grabbed her ankle and pulled her by it, releasing her. He stood up and stared down at the girl.
"Fine, if you want to act high and mighty I'll put you somewhere to show your true rose color." At this Leo dragged Claudia out of the dining room and to the hallway closet. She growled on the way. Leo opened the dark closet, nothing inside except for shoes. He shoved Claudia inside and locked the door.
"Let me out you loser!" She yelled banging against the door. She was hitting it with such force that Leo had to put his back against it, in fear it would break. "Let me out of here!" She yelled, her voice a little shaky.
"Leo let her out." Elliot said, hurrying over to his boyfriend.
"Not until she learns her lesson."
"Leo stop it please, this isn't you. Don't let your anger control you." Elliot said, rubbing his hands up and down Leo's arms. "Just unlock the door for me ok." Elliot said, Leo nodded and reached back. He unlocked the door before Elliot pulled him into a hug.
Leo wrapped his arms around Elliot and cried into the wife-beater, holding it in his clenched fists. Xeno had come over and opened the closet, helping the scared girl out.
"You failed!" She yelled, holding Xeno. Leo looking out of the corner of his eye, her glare filled eyes also filled with tears. "You were suppose to show strictness in this test and you gave up on your boyfriends whim. This is why you won't make it into Pandora."
"I say we pushed him too hard." Break said, Elliot glaring at him.
"I shouldn't have gone along with it." He muttered, holding Leo closer. Leo turned though and glared at her.
"You did all of this to fucking test me!" He yelled. "You stupid bitch!" Leo yelled, a fist hitting him in the face. Leo collapsed to the ground, clutching his nose.
"That's for slapping me, you're damn lucky you weren't wearing those glasses." Claudia said, waving her hand back and forth to get the sting off. Leo removed his hand ready to smart off when he noticed the blood staining his hand. He put his other one up and tapped it in the blood running from his nose.
In a panic Leo covered it with his hands and looked around in a panic. Elliot kneeled down, saying something to Leo, but the boy couldn't hear anything. His head was spinning from the short panicked breaths he was doing. It was long after that he collapsed from the lack of air, Elliot lucky to catch him.
"Geez, I didn't hit him that hard." Claudia said, rolling her eyes. Elliot just growled and picked Leo up.
"Fuck you Claud!" Elliot yelled, carrying Leo to Elliot's room. "From now on count me out." Elliot said as he walked away.
"I'll go check on him." Gilbert said, standing up with Oswald. He left and passed Claudia walking in.
"Ms. Claudia, you're testing my last patients. Whatever ill intentions you have against my son better stop." Oswald growled.
"No ill intentions, I think she's jealous." Break snickered. Claudia growled at him.
"Oh, why then."
"She's jealous of Leo and ticked at Elliot." Robin said, Claudia's face going red.
"Shut up you bird brain!" Claudia yelled. "Anyway it's not jealousy and I don't have anything against Leo. I see potential in the boy. If we could use him the way we want we could answer so many questions about the abyss."
"My son isn't a tool."
"Not to you, but Pandora and Crimson Shell have already heard about your son. How he, without a Familiar, still bares a incuse, an Infinity Clock. He has a clock that will never run out. Crimson Shell wants to experiment on him." There was a banging resounding from the door being bashed into the wall. Heads turned with jumps.
Elliot stood, eyes wide with a glare at Claudia, Xeno, Robin, Les, and Melissa. "Fuck Crimson Shell! Fuck your fucking orders. They'd have to kill me before experimenting on Leo!"
"Now Elliot, you'd have to follow orders if you were given them by Pandora." Robin said, trying to calm the man down.
"Fuck Pandora! Pandora hasn't done an ounce of anything for my work! They gave me a Familiar that doesn't listen! They don't respect me or any of my friends! Why should I respect them and follow there orders!?" He growled.
"Because they come from your boss, you're telling me you haven't been ordered to extract that boy yet?" Claudia growled.
"That is correct, because my son does not need to be extracted. I find him no use to Pandora, only to Fairytales Against the Clock Circus. I don't need my workers hunting down one of their own." Oswald said, glaring at the girl.
"So your pitying your son, cute." Claudia smirked, flipping her hair back the calm down. "However; my orders were to find the circus and bring the child in. Since he is suppose to be dropped into the abyss we'll take him off your hands tonight." She said and made her way toward the door, followed by the four others. "I thought training him to be in Pandora would be a fun way to pass time, but he's a failure. He should be dropped in the abyss, but cut open is good enough." She said shrugging.
"Don't step any closer!" Elliot yelled, Humpty's tongue smashing into the ground before the Crimson Shell workers. "Touch Leo at all and I'll drop you all in the abyss."
"I'll get him." Les said, running past Elliot in the blink of an eye. Unfortunate for him Echo saw and used Duldee to string him in the air, Robin, Melissa, and Xeno charging for the open spot she left.
Oz saw this, charging after and grabbed Robin, throwing him to the ground.
"Equus!" Sharon yelled, blocking the doorway with flames.
"Cheshire stop them!" Alyss yelled, Cheshire charging after them, pouncing on Melissa.
"Get off me you damn fur ball!" She yelled, kicking and screaming.
"Cheshire doesn't understand?" Cheshire said.
"Get out of my way!" Xeno yelled, running through the fire, Claudia running after, using the horse as a platform to pivot off of.
"Not so fast you bitch!" A woman yelled, punching Claudia to the ground. Looking up at the person she notice the pink hair and matching pissed off eyes staring down at her. "No one touches the young master."
"Xeno! Get him and run!" Claudia yelled at the man, Lily standing up ahead.
"Bandersnatch, play fetch!" She commanded, a shadow beneath her. A dog type of Familiar pounced from the shadow and made a beeline toward Xeno, but a vine shot up and wrapped around his stomach, paws, and neck. Lily let out a gasp, ready to say another command when Xeno jumped over Bandersnatch and kicked Lily into the wall. She gripped her head and screamed in pain as she cried, Charlotte taking her eyes away from Claudia and looking over in fear. Claudia took the moment to shoot up more vines to the side of her. She jerked her head to the side, the vines following and smashing Charlotte aside. She felling to the ground, the vines going through the ground and around her body a few times before pinning her in through her hands. Charlotte allowed a growled to escape her in pain, but looked over to Lily curled up, holding her head with bloody hands.
"Pathetic." Claudia said turning to walk away when she was pushed to the ground by Fang, his face angry, nothing like anyone had seen before.
"Don't touch my sisters!" He yelled as he slammed her into the wall.
"Claudia!" Xeno yelled, stopping. The girl looked over with a bloody forehead and gritted teeth.
"Keep going idiot!" She yelled, thorns sprouting from her body. The thorns went far enough to penetrate through Fangs arm. He let out a yell of pain, but held Claudia to the wall.
Xeno nodded and turned to run, but came face to face with a gun. Gilbert stood with a glare at the green hair man. "Don't move!" He yelled over Lily's screams of pain, blood running down her face now from her head.
"Gil! Watch out!" Oz yelled, but was too late when a vine grabbed Gilbert around the arm and pulled him to the ground. Xeno stepped on Gilbert, Elliot turning around. A smaller Humpty Dumpty chased after Xeno, but he didn't get far before Les kicked Elliot into the wall by the head. The teen yelped and gripped his head. Echo was out cold on the ground next to Elliot, Oz pinning Robin down. Alice chased after Xeno as fast as she could.
"That's my blood your after!" She yelled, catching up and tackling Xeno to the ground. "Plus he was buying me meat today!"
"Let go you damn bitch!" Xeno yelled, bringing his foot back to kick her. A gunshot interrupted him, as well as anyone else. Attention drawn down the hall where Leo stood with a hand gun pointed at the group.
"Next one to move gets a bullet in the head. I don't care who you people are, but you trashed my house. Your god damn vines are everywhere, put them away and take anything else you've put in someone out." Leo said, the gun pointing over to Fang and Claudia.
"Fuck you!" She yelled against the wall. Leo sighed and looked down.
"Alice, can you get off Xeno please." She nodded and rolled off. Without warning Leo shot Xeno and the thigh, extracting a yell of pain.
"Stop!" Claudia yelled, the thorns in Fang's arm disappeared. The vines around Gilbert, Charlotte, and Bandersnatch disappeared. "Just stop!" She screamed, but Leo just smirked and shot Xeno in the other leg before he walked over to Gilbert and Alice. "Why'd you do that!?" Claudia yelled, Fang releasing her.
"Don't want him sneak attacking me." Leo answered, helping Gilbert to his feet. "You alright?" He asked Gilbert sincerely.
"Yeah, just bruised."
"I'm ok too." Alice said.
"Lily." Leo said and ran over to the girl crying in her curled up form. Leo kneeled down, pulling her hands away. He gasped see her head was busted open and pulled up his shirt. He used it to press against the wound. "What happened."
"Xeno kicked her into the wall." Alice growled. Leo glared and wiggled out of his shirt and pushed it against Lily's head as he picked her up in his arms.
"Gilbert can you take her to her room and get her wrapped up, I'll get Lottie, Fang, and anyone else sent to you." Leo said handing over Lily to Gilbert.
"Yes." Gilbert nodded, Lily sticking out a hand.
"Big brother Leo." She whined, Leo smiling at her.
"I'll be down soon, 'kay Lily." With a nod from her Gilbert walked over to the stairway. Leo waited till they were gone to turn around, and when he did his eyes were set in a glare at the Crimson Shell members.
"Unbelievable, this is Crimson Shell. Pathetic, good for nothing, greedy, assholes." Leo said as he walked toward Fang. "No wonder Shion left. I feel sorry for him now, after all he was the nicest person out of Crimson Shell." He said and grabbed Fang's arm.
"It's not as bad as it looks young master, a few stitches is all I need." Fang smiled his usual smile.
"I know you will be okay, but take Charlotte, Echo, and Echo to Lily's room. The poor girls scared." Leo smiled, Fang nodding and following Leo over to Charlotte. Claudia ran over to Xeno on the ground, checking on him in worry. She looked up with a glare and over at Les, standing off to the side.
Leo kneeled down to Charlotte and picked up her hands, her hands bloody and holey. "I'm fine, just needs wrapped."
"You really have to stop this act big sister." Leo smiled, helping her up.
"I'm fine really, I need to be with Lily right now." She smiled, a solemn smile.
"Go now, if they try anything use Leon." Leo said, glaring at Claudia.
"Alright." Charlotte said and ran off towards the stairs. Leo smiled and walked over to Elliot, said boy half way out cold from his head collision.
"Elliot…are you alright?" Leo asked, shaking Elliot's shoulder. The boy moaned and stared at Leo. Fang passed by and picked Echo up in his arms.
"My heads killing me." Elliot mumbled, Leo throwing his arm over his shoulder. The older man leaned again Leo's shoulder. Leo stood up and wrapped his arm around Elliot's waist for balance.
"Is anyone hurt?" He asked, everyone looking around.
"No, we're good." Oz answered.
"Good, now get these Shells out of here, by any means." Leo smiled, Oz returning it with a creepier one and nodded. Leo turned and walked the best he could with Elliot, Fang behind him.
Elliot moaned as he awoke later that night, his head throbbing. As soon as the moan escaped his lips a hand was on his cheek, massaging his scales. With curiosity Elliot opened his eyes, a purple and golden specked eye staring down at him. "Leo?" Elliot muttered. Leo nodded and kneeled down next to the man.
"Do you need some medicine for your head."
"What happened? I remember hitting the wall."
"Nothing much, we just excused Crimson Shell from the mansion." Leo said sweetly.
"How's…everyone?"
"Echo's out cold still, Lily went as soon as we gave her medication."
"Lottie and Fang?"
"They're fine, they're sleeping in Lily's room tonight."
"My head feels like it's splitting." Leo pouted, but continued to massage Elliot's scales.
"Just rest and I get some medicine." Leo said, stepping away for a moment. Elliot shut his eyes, opening them a second later to see Leo holding up a couple pills in his hand. "I'm sorry I was gone so long, I went to check on everyone else. You seemed to be resting well.
"You left?" Elliot muttered as he sat up.
"Poor thing." Leo muttered, kissing Elliot's forehead. "I have water for you." Leo smiled handing Elliot the pills and the water.
"It upsets me that we didn't get to do anything, I won't see you for a while and we didn't get to do anything."
"I only wanted to spend the day with my family, it was as normal as it could be Elliot. We can talk in the morning before the ceremony."
"I really don't trust those Familiar's, but I believe in you Leo." Elliot said as Leo sat down next to him. He smirked, leaning over and kissing Leo's lips. "I'll see you in a few years then." Elliot muttered after pulling away. Leo smirked, leaning his forehead against Elliot's. He leaned against Elliot's shoulder, the man laying his head on Leo's.
"I'll see you in a few years." Leo repeated, hearing Elliot's almost silent breaths. After nothing but the calming breaths Leo turned. Elliot was asleep. Leo chuckled and laid against Elliot, snuggling against him.
"I love you, you idiot." Leo smiled, closing his eyes.