His Name Is Maddox Kirkland
He used to be known as Wang Kong, but when he had put himself up for adoption on a whim he let his new dad change it to whatever he wanted.
Maddox was a very firm believer in one thing: it could be worse. Let something bother you and it might become worse. It was always better to think about things with a clear head. So he often chose to just not let things bother him. He was much more happy throwing other people off kilter than being off balance himself. Not that many people noticed.
At the same time Maddox did not mind the world around him being insane. He had never known what it was like to not be around people who probably should be in mental institutions and believed it would probably be boring otherwise.
Still, usually he could tell where the insanity originated from. Usually. And when he could not he was thrown 'off his groove', as Alfred would say.
"I see you survived the door frame," Maddox said to Heidi as she walked out of the house. By herself. That was the strange part. Not that he did not like seeing Heidi by herself, she really needed more time in the sun and less under a certain shadow, but without Vash? It seemed like something was missing. And it had been missing for a week now. "Where is Vash currently holed up?"
"In his study. He said he was busy," Heidi said, even more quietly than she usually spoke. "Maddox? May I ask a question."
"I cannot stop you. Unless I gagged you. Would you like to be gagged?"
As usually that would make her giggle and it did not, Maddox knew it was serious. Well, serious for Heidi. And though she had plenty of common sense... she did not. She believed that there was good in everyone. Which admittedly could be true, but one should never dictate their actions upon that possibility.
Maddox based his actions upon nothing but himself. It was the major difference between his pranks and Alfred's.
"I think I've upset brother." Of which Maddox knew immediately was not true. Simply because of Vash's unhealthy mindset. Heidi could not upset him. The things around her, however, were plenty capable of it.
"Me too." Maddox blinked back at the house.
"Oh, are you and Alfred not getting along?"
"No, Alfred and I are fine. He is locked in the attic at the moment." Wherein that would usually be a possibility for a joke, it was the truth, or at least was the hour before when he first locked him in there. Something was going on at home that he was missing too. Which was probably why this was bothering him so much. First Arthur was becoming a wreck of nerves, now this. Whatever this was. "I meant Vash. I have not seen him in a while."
"Do you think something is wrong?" Heidi asked nervously, wringing the front of her dress between her hands. "He hates to worry people..."
True enough, but Maddox would have known if something was going wrong. If it was to do with work he would have gotten it from his uncles (adopted). If it had to do with Heidi he would have been able to tell. If it had to do with Heidi, Heidi would have been able to tell. And if it was Maddox...
Maddox was used to causing trouble, but only when he knew about it. But if it had to do with him, then Vash would probably not be letting Heidi spend time with him. It was quite a conundrum.
Which Maddox did not really like. After all, he had not instigated it.
"He is probably just busy," Maddox lied. "I would not worry about it."
After all, Maddox did not worry about things. It was rather a pointless waste of energy.
"Of course, I'm being silly. Do you want to come in? iMarcus and I have been experimenting with some recipes."
"I would not miss an opportunity for a house to best me in cooking."
He did not see Vash while inside. Maddox was worried.
But just slightly.
Notes:
The long awaited chapter from Maddox's perspective! Well, at least I was awaiting it. Since Comedy of Errors, in fact. Welcome to your trip into his head, do not get lost on your way to the exit.
iMarcus is pronounced just like Marcus. The 'i' is silent. I have just become a hypocrite with my irritation against silent letters.
