A/N: I am sorry for the extreme delay of this chapter update.
Long story short, this past month and a half has been hectic for me; and I was unable to at least make a draft of some sort.
Anyway, I'm more or less back.
Sorry, again.
MACHINATIONS
"We can't afford you having another fumble like that," fuming and letting out an irritated growl, Eredar stopped abruptly in front of a jet black limosine. Taking a large breath before breathing out slowly "You're just a few months away from graduating," turning around and slicking back his maroon hair, golden orbs bore into crimson red ones "I'm sure you'll behave, hmm?"
Nodding out of discomfort, Nevermore hated it when his brother was angry; then again, when wasn't he? "S-sorry," smiling slightly at his younger brother's humbled response, Eredar opened the door to the limosine, prompting Nevermore to go inside "This isn't just for my sake, you know," entering the car right after his younger brother, Eredar reclined on the soft seating "You know how bad father's temper gets,"
Slightly shrinking in his seat, Nevermore pursed his lips "We're going back to the villa, Jeeves," as the car purred to life, the older of the two passengers let a sigh of relief escape his lips "How are your classes?" a small smile adorned Nevermore's face "They're fine, I guess," the smile on his lips quickly faded "I'm not performing as well as Terror, though," groaning in disbelief, Eredar shook his head "You know how much father detests us comparing each other, right?"
Nodding in an apologetic manner, the younger of the two passengers sighed "Where's Lucy?-" making a sharp turn, the car shook in a violent manner, the loud honking of horns rang outside "Pardon me, young masters," the elderly driver spoke without turning to look at his passengers "I am sure both of you are quite tired out from university related things," as the noise from the horns of other cars slowly died down, the limosine came to an abrupt halt.
"We seem to have ran out of gasoline," tapping at the glass that housed the speedometer and fuel gauge of the car, Jeeves exited the car "This will only take a moment," peering out of the window, Nevermore eyed the normal folk; going on with their normal routines. The setting sun covered the city in a brilliant orange light; while some of the street lamps were already lit, which gave off a faint yellowish glow "Lucy went home ahead of me," turning to look at his older brother who was doing something on his cell phone, Nevermore raised a curious brow.
"Said he was too lazy to do any prefect business," tapping at his cell phone screen with vigor, Eredar didn't even bother to look at his younger brother. Turning to look outside once more, Nevermore furrowed his brows slightly at how serene the afternoon scene looked to him. Children played at a nearby playground adjacent to the gas station, their mothers chatting with each other as they watched their offspring run and laugh.
A cacophony of people crossed the street, bringing along their office supplies, dinner for tonight or simply themselves. The neighboring buildings provided shade for the occupants of the playground, and a Nevermore couldn't help but smile to himself at the scene. Looking upward at the setting sun, a large billboard caught his attention, which made him snarl in disbelief "Hasn't father done anything about the Wraith, yet?" slumping in his seat and crossing his arms, Nevermore grit his teeth at the mere thought of that old codger.
"You know well that he's been in competition with Ostarion way before he adopted us," growling in irritation, the younger of the two huffed "Yeah, but-" placing his phone inside of his breast pocket, Eredar smiled a toothy grin "With what father's got planned, there's no way that old Ostarion would sit still," raising a brow curiously, Nevermore straightened his posture "What plan?" shaking his head, Eredar smiled mischievously "It'd be better if you heard it personally from father," furrowing his brows at his older brother, Nevermore was about to retort when Jeeves had suddenly entered the limosine and prompted the machine to life.
Whizzing by the other automobiles, the two passengers held onto the seating. Gritting his teeth, Eredar frowned "Why are you rushing, Jeeves?" changing gears and slightly slowing down, the elderly butler cleared his throat "Do pardon me, young masters-" taking sharp turns here and there, the limosine came to another abrupt halt "But your father has been wanting to see you two for a while," exiting the driver's seat and quickly opening the door for the two passengers, Jeeves bowed slightly.
"We appreciate the hasty trip back home, Jeeves, but you aren't that young anymore, you know," nodding in agreement, the elderly butler closed the door when Nevermore had exited the vehicle "I thank you for your concern, young master Eredar," approaching the pearly white gates of their villa, Jeeves spoke with the guards before the large gates had slowly swung open. Giving the car keys to a young servant, Jeeves prompted Eredar and Nevermore to follow after him.
Ascending the stone steps with the two behind him, Jeeves knocked lightly on the large double doors, which slowly opened after he had knocked. Leading them towards a large room to the right of the lobby, the elderly butler knocked on the wood of a nearby bookshelf "Your sons are here, master Tansa," sipping from his immaculate white cup while looking towards Jeeves, the large man delicately placed the cup on the small table in front of him, a large smile adorning his face "Ah, thank you, Jeeves,"
Bowing as a response, the butler quickly turned around and left "Come on in, I've got something I'd like to discuss," entering the large room, the two quickly sat themselves on their respective seats. Slightly letting his mind wander for a bit, Nevermore glanced around the large room, eyeing the towering bookcases with awe. This place was his father's study; and calling his father a book lover was an understatement. The study looked similar to the interior of the university's main building, but Nevermore thought the study looked more impressive.
"First things first, though," tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair, Tansa raised a brow curiously at Nevermore "I heard that you got yourself into a little scuffle?" stiffening in his seat and lowering his head, Nevermore slightly nodded "Y-yes, father," taking a sip from his cup, Eredar snarled "It was instigated by Lucy, though," frowning, the tallest of the brothers grit his teeth "But those Radiant losers provoked us first!" snorting, Eredar lowered his cup onto the small table in front of him "Actually, you did that, too,"
Reclining on his chair and grumbling something from under his breath, Lucifer crossed his arms and frowned "Now, now, boys," slightly chuckling, Tansa smiled "Let's not quarrel amongst ourselves, hmm?" a unison of 'Yes's' rang through the relatively empty room "I like how you're energetic, Lucy, but you have to remember that you're affecting Never's image whenever you're doing prefect duties,"
Lowering his head, Lucifer nodded apologetically "Yes, father," chuckling, Tansa roughly slapped the tallest of the brothers on the shoulder "I should know, since I always got into fist fights with my old classmates, too," wiping away a tear of mirth, Tansa guffawed "I remembered when that old fool Ostarion would fall to the ground after one punch to the gut," smiles adorned Tansa's son's faces "But then that bastard Aghanim would come in and throw a Chemistry lab made explosive on my face!" as their father's laughter and enthusiasm grew, the brothers couldn't help but feel awkward at how their father was having fun remembering almost having his face blown off.
"Don't even get me started on Arb-" wiping away a tear of mirth, Tansa cleared his throat and drank from his cup "Anyway, I've gathered all of you here today so that you'd be aware of my little… plan," returning his cup on the small table in front of him, Tansa smiled "You are all aware of Lunar Industries super soldier, right?" furrowing his brows, Eredar finished the contents of his cup "The Night Hunter?" crossing his legs, Tansa nodded "Exactly. I am sure most of you are aware that he is currently in prison now, hmm?"
"Well, of course," snorting, Nevermore shook his head "He slaughtered tons of Lunar's scientists and guards; not to mention he almost killed the Scourge," pleased at how knowledgeable his sons are, Tansa's smile grew even more "But he's not anymore," furrowing his brows, Lucifer straightened his posture "What do you mean, father?" snorting, Eredar shook his head "Are you really that dense?" furrowing his brows and glaring daggers at his older brother, Lucifer was about to retort when Eredar had continued.
"He's been sighted near the university, you dingus," Lucifer and Nevermore's eyes widened in disbelief "Very well done, Eredar!" clapping and chuckling, Tansa smiled proudly at the shortest of the brothers "This is exactly it, my sons," nodding his head, Tansa reclined on his seat "I've taken the liberty of 'freeing' the Hunter and have placed him under our employ," furrowing his brows, Nevermore stood up "Are you mad? He could go rogue on us too, father," shaking his head, Tansa's smile did not let up one bit "That's where Terror comes in,"
Three pairs of eyes turned to look towards their fourth brother, who sat silently in his seat "Your little brother will take care of pacifying the beast if he ever tries to attack any of you," nodding in agreement, Nevermore slumped in his seat "But isn't Lucy enough to handle the Hunter if he ever goes rogue?" raising a brow curiously, Eredar was retorted with a shake of his father's head "Lucy can easily overpower our little Hunter; but there's one thing that Hunter is able to do that Lucy can't-"
"That's killing another person,"
"What do you mean you don't know? Aren't you a girl?" looking at Puck with disbelief, Skitskurr furrowed his brows "Yes, I am. But I haven't really experienced anything similar to what Yurnero is going through right now," nodding his head in agreement, the masked student sighed "I appreciate the help you're all trying to give me, but I am sure I can think of a way out of this myself," snorting, Visage shook his head "You've been 'in' this predicament for over a year now, right?"
"I suggest you either tell her you're not interested or welcome her with open arms," taking a bite off of his food, Visage shrugged "Or you could keep this up 'til graduation," looking to be in thought, Yurnero nodded vigorously "I suppose you are right, Visage-san, I will try to take your suggestion to heart," snorting, Skitskurr downed the contents of his glass in one go "Since when were you our love guru, Visage?" opening his mouth to retort, Visage was cut off from his word when the prankster had snickered "This thing is right up Ru's alley, you know?"
Sighing in disbelief, Rubick shook his head "Can't I at least have a single day without the whole 'Lanaya' thing?" raising his arms up in a surrendering fashion, Skitskurr grinned from ear to ear "Hey, I didn't even mention Lanaya, Ru," groaning and lowering his face as his companions laughed along, Rubick shook his head "Speaking of the apple that takes Ru's eye, there she is right now," pointing behind Rubick, Skitskurr smiled.
"She's eating by her lonesome, unbelievable!" lightly pounding his fist on the table, Razor shook his head "Rubick, as a gentleman of extraordinary resolve, I am sure you will not hesitate in joining her as she partakes in her daily supper, yes?" furrowing his brows an shaking his head, Rubick was about to speak when Skitskurr had sneered "Come on, Ru, she's just begging to be eaten with,"
Groaning when his companions had started cheering for him, the raven haired student stood up and took his tray with him "Fine, fine, jeez!" turning around to walk towards Lanaya's table, Skitskurr cheered the loudest "Be sure to eat with her and not eat her!" feeling blood rush to his face, Rubick shook his head violently. Sometimes he questioned his friendship with Skitskurr.
"D-do you mind if I join you?" smiling nervously as his heart pounded like a drum, Rubick anticipated for the worst. Raising her head to look at the person who had just talked to her, Lanaya smiled when she had seen brilliant green orbs staring at her light blue ones "Sure," quickly taking a seat across from hers, Rubick gulped audibly "So, you studying for something?" shaking her head, Lanaya didn't avert her gaze from her book "Just reading something,"
Furrowing his brows when he felt a strange chill run up his spine, Rubick dismissed it as his friends silently cheering him on "So, what's it-" a paralyzing fear gripped at his senses, and Rubick instinctively looked towards his left. A clear window showcased the night outside; or lack thereof for that matter. Darkness engulfed everything, only small silhouettes of trees and the nearby 'Rax could be seen.
"Did you-" turning to look at Lanaya, the raven haired female closed her book and furrowed her brows "Feel that?" finishing his question, Lanaya looked towards the window as well. Nodding in a sheepish manner, Rubick was at least happy that he wasn't imagining things "It felt as if," wracking his thoughts for the right term, Rubick was surprised when Lanaya had finished his sentence for him "As if we were being watched from outside,"
Giving off a bellowing laugh, Tansa shook his head "Don't worry, I won't let our cute little Terrorblade kill that rogue," furrowing their brows at their father, the three brothers couldn't fully understand what their father was trying to say "It's simple, really, all he has to do is 'hurt' a certain somebody and he's done!" clearing his throat, Tansa fixed his necktie "Terror is simple there to… give him reminders. A sort of enforcer, if you will,"
Nodding their heads in agreement, the brothers relaxed in their chairs "But I'm curious about one thing, father," raising a curious brow at Eredar, Tansa nodded his head to prompt his son to ask his question "What are our roles in this fiasco?" shrugging, Tansa smiled "Just go on with doing whatever you do every day; there won't be any problems if you do," nodding in agreement, Eredar slightly slumped in his seat "I still don't think this is a good idea,"
Smiling widely, Tansa shook his head "I never said it was,"