Sup guys, I have something to say. I want you all to remember that since Nero and Anastasia discovered that they each didn't kill Elena, they are now basically friends. Like in my world they were friends because the Nero family had to live in Russia for a while and they met the Furans. Anastasia liked Nero but he really liked Elena. G.L.O.V.E was progressing. Nero and Elena eloped, against the other Furans wishes even though they were all friends they didn't want her to go. Then the Convit killed her because they knew Pietor was awesome and wanted him. And Elena just kind of disappeared. So now they are sort of rekindling that friendship even though Nero and Pietor have never loved each other. Then yah know, Nero kind of accused them of betrayal so that put a damper on things, but they still have that back history to mingle about. And like yeah the Furans feel "bad" but I'm guessing the Glasshouse was also a way that they were raising money, not just like they started the whole thing to kill Nero. They are kind of assassins too so they really aren't going to feel that bad because it's not like Nero hasn't been just as bad. He's probably killed plenty of his own students. Raven was just treated particularly badly because that's what they wanted her to kill Nero and she was really rebellious. And besides Nero is kind of a horrible person too so it's not like he can exactly criticize them for the Glasshouse. Raven can a bit more but he can't. Period. That's why they can kind of be friendlier now. He didn't necessarily hate them for the Glasshouse so much as what he thought they did to Elena.
I also updated the ending of chapter 8 in this story and chapter 42 in Russian Convit. They are much less stupid now because before they made the Furans sound like they were in a deranged state of mind when they began the Glasshouse which is not true. They knew what they were doing. Please go and reread them. Please do because it all makes Iliana a bit cooler too. And it fixes it because no the Furans do not feel bad for the GLASSHOUSE, they just kind of feel bad for the kids, but you know not THAT bad. And they shouldn't HAVE to feel bad because that's kind of what Nero and Furan people kind of do. Nero probably doesn't lose any sleep over students he's killed either so why should they. I am also fixing the Russian Convit because Anastasia was a bit too nice in some parts. I changed it so Pietor doesn't apologize to Raven, he just kind of silently says sorry instead?...but NOT because of the Glasshouse but because she was treated badly, but they still kind of believe the Glasshouse was a good thing to do.
My belief is that the Furans both have very awesome personalities so yes Pietor and Anastasia are still very scary. Pietor is just nice to his family and nicer to his friends and polite with his acquaintances. But he's still a very serious stoic person and so is Anastasia but she can be nice to her family and nicer to friends. Anastasia has a very cold personality and I want that to come through, but she isn't heartless, except she CAN be just like Pietor, Nero, and Raven etc. I just don't want them to come off as too nice and chummy when really it's only because they are "somewhat" comfortable with the people around them. Anastasia is a very intimidating person and can be scarier than Pietor, even though she doesn't necessarily LOOK scarier. She is equal to his height and everything though. Do you get me? I'm trying to reveal slowly what I believe are the parts of the Furans personality and have the others be sort of surprised. They are still assassins though. They just love their family. They can be fun and playful with their family. Furan love is strong. Like Pietor would sing to his little girl to put her to sleep but he would also mercilessly kill someone, ya know? I kind of ranted there; wow that was a long introduction. I just want everyone to understand why I make the Furans like they are it's because I really think they are like this, we just never get to see them with their family in the real Hive books. Like I'm pretty sure even when they were running the Glasshouse, the two of them still did things together. Pietor probably played basketball in his spare time... :) Like seriously they are people too.
So just take the Furans as they are now in the Russian Convit 2 because I am fixing the Russian Convit. The plotline isn't changing, mostly just Anastasia and how she interacts with Nero and the others. But yeah so they don't feel bad, but now they stopped and yes they are obviously happier but it's not exactly like they were deranged.
Pietor isn't Anastasia's puppet and he knew what he was doing just like she did. But they also were seeking revenge so they went a little far. I just feel like I made Pietor all weak in the Russian Convit and am trying to amend that.
Ummm COUNT DOWN TO HIVE 9. SUPPOSED TO COME OUT JUNE 1. BUT YA KNOW HOW AUTHORS CAN BE. It better come out or I will probably kill someone...
Raven was surprised to find music playing in the kitchen the next morning. She could hear it from the stairs as she walked down, along with occasional bouts of laughter. She could also smell bacon cooking.
"What's all of that?" Nero spoke behind her and Raven glanced around. He and his father were walking down the stairs as well.
"I'm not sure; it sounds too happy to be coming from anyone here." Raven replied and Nero raised an eyebrow.
"You still look exhausted my dear, you really should rest longer." Nathaniel said, eyeing her bandages from the days previous fighting. Her throat was still severely bruised from when Valerian attacked her.
Raven shook her head "I'm fine."
"Have you seen the medic yet this morning?" he asked "Some of those look nasty."
"That's what usually happens in hand combat." Raven replied, glancing at the kitchen door as there was another bout of laughing.
"It sounds joyous enough." Nathaniel agreed "Let's see what's it's about."
He pushed past Raven and walked into the kitchen and they both looked after him.
"Are you sure you two are related?" she asked, looking back at H.I.V.E.'s headmaster.
Nero sniffed in amusement "Sometimes I'd rather not admit to it."
"Is Diabolus down here?"
"I'm assuming." he looked sideways at her "But he does have a point. You were in the middle of all the fighting."
"I'm alright." Raven nodded and both of them continued into the dining area.
Iliana was behind the counter, laughing too hard at something to breathe. She shook a spatula at them in greeting, stumbling backward as she struggled to catch her breath.
Shelly's face was also red, indicating that she had been laughing as well. Laura was smiling and the two boys, Wing and Nigel, looked a little less tense. Darkdoom was seated, watching them with a gleam in his eye.
"Hey! Good morning!" Iliana half gasped out. Juliana turned around in her booster seat, staring at all three of them.
"Hi Nathaniel!" she said.
He smiled at her and Iliana finally had enough oxygen to speak.
"Okay now I'm making a ton of bacon so you guys need to eat a lot." she said, scraping the pan. She took in a deep breath "Doesn't it just smell so wonderful?"
There was a speaker sitting on the table hooked up to Iliana's phone which was definitely where the music was blaring from.
"Take a seat!" Iliana said "This could take a minute."
Neither of the Furans were in the room and Nero found that slightly worrying. Nathaniel pulled out a seat for Raven next to Darkdoom.
"Talya, I missed you!" Juliana informed her.
"We all missed you too, Juliana." Raven replied. Nathaniel smiled sideways at the assassin, who scowled slightly in return.
"I know! Daddy said he missed me lots!" Juliana replied "He wants me to sleep downstairs right now!"
Nero walked closer to Iliana and leaned in so the others couldn't hear him.
"Speaking of which, where are they?" he asked quietly "Is everything okay?"
"Does it seem okay?" Iliana asked, gesturing at the happy room. She nodded "Actually yeah I think everything is great. Pietor was in a really good mood this morning so that means Anastasia is doing better."
"Are you sure?"
"Come on, Max. Lighten up." Iliana replied "Of course I'm sure! Sit down!"
"When is David going to come over?" Shelby called over "You said he would."
"Oh he'll be here." Iliana assured her. She walked over and turned off the music "Okay now what do you want to eat? Like I can make freaking anything."
"Eggs!" Juliana exclaimed.
"Alright I got her order." Iliana said "Anyone else want eggs?"
"Can I show you something?" Shelby asked, standing up and going over to her "There's this thing that I always used to eat at home and it is so good."
"Sure!" Iliana said, beckoning her.
Nero shook his head slightly and went over to Darkdoom and Raven.
"Didn't she do this yesterday?" he asked.
"Apparently not to this extreme." Darkdoom replied.
"She said the Pietor and Anastasia are in better humor this morning." Nero said, taking a seat "It sounds encouraging."
Darkdoom's eyebrows went up "Indeed. You seem to want things to settle before we leave."
"It seems like a wise idea." Nathaniel said and Nero nodded.
Pietor came into the kitchen and few minutes later, also still covered in his injuries from the fighting. He looked about the same as Raven in that respect.
"Good morning babe!" Iliana said cheerfully. He raised both eyebrows at her as he walked over to the fridge. Juliana turned around in her seat again.
"Daddy! I am going to eat eggs!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah?" he asked and Iliana waved the spatula.
"What do you want to eat?"
Pietor grabbed a glass and began filling it with water, looking at her "I don't know."
"Dude come on, you need to eat. I'll make your favorite. Okay decided."
"I eat, don't go to the trouble." Pietor said. He took the bottle of lemon juice from the fridge and poured a good amount into his drink.
"Oh dude." Shelby grimaced along with several of the others "What are you doing with that? That's nasty."
Pietor scowled at her and tipped the bottle to drop some of the juice right into his mouth.
"Eh." Shelby stuck out her tongue "That's sick."
"Uh Pietor Furan fun fact number one, I love citrus. I will also kill you." Pietor said, turning back toward the door to leave. Nero rolled his eyes slightly as the Darkdoom and Nathaniel shared an amused look.
"How's the chest feeling?" Iliana asked.
"About the same as before." Pietor replied, pushing the door.
"I'm making the food." Iliana called after him "And take some pain meds!" she shook her head irritably, looking at Raven "What is about you two and taking care of yourselves? It's okay to be sore and tired after fighting like that."
"I never said I wasn't sore. Or tired." Raven replied.
"Yeah yeah." Iliana waved her off.
"Ya know I could have helped you guys out if only you would teach me, Raven." Shelby said from across the table.
"Based on what happened, I doubt it Shelby." Raven replied and the student glared at her.
"You should come and watch Wing and I." she said "I bet you'd be surprised."
"Would I now?" Raven asked.
"Yes, just wait until after breakfast and I'll show you." Shelby said, sticking out her tongue.
###
After breakfast, the group migrated out of the kitchen to where the Colonel was waiting to talk to Nero. Pietor was out there, sitting on the couch, looking at the screen of his phone with a slightly irritated look on his face.
"Hey Pietor!" Shelby went over to him, the other three following slowly.
The assassin looked up "Why do you always sound so happy to see me, I'm not even nice to you."
Shelby pulled her head back in offence, scowling. Darkdoom choked back a laugh and Raven looked at him, eyebrows raised.
"I'm sorry; does it bug you when people like you?" Shelby asked, making a face at him.
"Yes." Pietor replied.
"The only words he likes to hear when he approaches people are 'help, save me!'" Anastasia said as she walked down the stairs.
"Ahahaha. Very funny." Pietor replied, shooting her a wry look. She shrugged slightly, eyes challenging him to debate with her.
"That was disturbing." Laura said.
"Can I say hi to you?" Shelby asked Anastasia, half joking and still sounding put out.
"I don't care, but I'm not much nicer than my brother so you shouldn't go to the trouble." the woman replied.
"You do tend to have better people skills than me though." Pietor said.
"Well I try."
"You certainly sound nicer." Shelby said, glancing at the grumpy assassin.
"Look, my dear, I don't know what kind of an idea you have, but I'm still a Furan. We don't like people, we're not very nice to people, and no I'm not a very nice person." Anastasia replied. She walked past the students after she finished and Pietor gave one last glare at Shelby, looking satisfied, also making Darkdoom refrain from laughing again. Shelby sat down in a chair, looking disgruntled. Laura picked up her book, which was sitting on the table and joined her.
"You seemed pretty welcoming last time we were here." Darkdoom said to Anastasia.
"Oh that? Yes, that definitely wasn't my usual greeting. But we needed to be friends to take on the Convit, so what do you do?" Anastasia asked, looking over her brother's shoulder to his phone. Raven raised an eyebrow. Nero finished his private conversation with the Colonel and was walking over, looking in surprise at Anastasia. Darkdoom nodded subtly at him.
The kitchen door opened and Juliana came out, leading Nathaniel by the hand.
"I am going to show him my room with all my toys." Juliana announced. She skipped over to her father first though and jumped into his lap, causing him to lean back slightly.
"Good morning Daddy!" Juliana gave him a big kiss on the cheek before jumping off.
Pietor glanced after her "Did you ask if he wanted to see all your toys first?"
"Yes, Daddy!" Juliana said, running back over to Nathaniel and taking his hand again.
Pietor looked over at him and the older man nodded affirmatively, looking amused.
"She has a lot of toys." Anastasia warned in a low voice as he went by with Juliana.
"Don't worry about me." Nathaniel replied.
Iliana came following them out with a plate of food and brought it over to Pietor, who looked up.
"Iliana, I told you not to go to the trouble of making that. You need to rest." he said, looking at her in exasperation.
"So do you." Iliana replied "Come on." she waved the plate and smiled "It's your favorite."
Pietor raised an eyebrow before taking the plate.
"Spasibo, lyubov' moya."
"Vy ochen' privetstvuyem." Iliana replied, scrunching her nose at him affectionately "Wow it's good to speak that again."
"What even did you say? Russian doesn't make any sense." Shelby said. The others in the room all huffed quietly in amusement.
"Don't worry about it." Pietor responded. Raven rolled her eyes, obviously aware of what had passed between the married couple.
"Shelby, English doesn't make sense." Laura said "Trust me, sometimes I wish I could speak my mother tongue. Chan urrainn dhut fiù's gam thuigsinn urrainn dhuibh?"
"Oh fìor mhath. No Cuiridh mi geall nach fhaigh i." Pietor said, nodding at her.
Laura gaped at him "Holy cow, you can speak Gaelic? Man, I love hearing that. I haven't in so long. Tuilleadh a ràdh."
"Yeah sorry, I can speak it but I don't understand it." Pietor said, looking back at his phone.
"How is that possible?" Laura asked, frowning.
"I don't know. Too many languages."
"There are plenty of people who speak it at H.I.V.E." Nero pointed out and she looked over.
"Yes, but I don't really talk with anyone besides Shelby, Wing, and Nigel. And Franz." Laura said.
"You're just upset because you didn't understand either of them." Pietor said, scowling at Nero.
"Elena did try to get you to learn Russian, but you refused." Anastasia recalled with a slightly smug look and narrow of her eyes.
"Forgive me. I was busy learning a cascade of other languages." Nero replied, eyebrow rising.
"Anyway, Anastasia I made you some too. It's in the kitchen." Iliana said, beckoning her "Come and eat it while it's hot."
"Oh yes ma'am." Anastasia replied "Why did you have to marry someone who's so insistent, Pietor?"
"I imagined it would be a lot like living with you." Pietor said, shooting her a sly look.
Nigel watched the others leave with a confused look in his eyes.
"Are they always like this?" he asked.
"Like what?" Shelby asked, tipping her head. Nigel opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"I think he is referring to their irregular fluctuation of moods." Wing said.
"What?" Shelby blinked at him, confused even further "Dude plain English please."
"They're weird." Laura concluded for Nigel with a nod. Nigel looked over at his dad, who was talking with Nero and Raven now. Darkdoom saw his son looking at him and nodded, signaling for him to wait a minute. The Colonel walked over to join them. Pietor had resumed his silentness on the couch.
"It's really hard to tell when they're joking." Nigel said.
"Dude, Pietor's just sarcastic." Shelby said.
"And just slightly rude." Laura added "But I guess to each his own."
"Yeah but...Pietor and Anastasia are just...weird." Nigel said.
"I do find them interesting." Wing agreed.
"How are you doing?" Darkdoom asked, coming over to them. Nigel turned to him.
"Oh fine." he said "You guys just seem worried."
"No, not worried." Darkdoom assured him "The Colonel is just reporting. There were a few things he needed to discuss with Nero as we get prepared to leave."
"But we're not leaving yet are we?" Shelby checked.
"Unfortunately we can't leave for a couple days." Darkdoom explained "Well more specifically, some of us can't leave for a few days. Dr. Nero might have someone come and retrieve you students."
"Why do we always get the short end of the stick?" Shelby asked.
"You are aware, Miss Trinity, how long we've been here?" Nero asked, overhearing. He gave her a rather stern look and she shrugged irritably.
"We can't leave until I at least get to see David again." she argued.
"Is that all?" Nigel asked his father, returning his gaze to him.
"Yes of course. What are you so worried about?" Darkdoom asked, sounding puzzled and amused at his son's seriousness.
Nigel glanced over at where Pietor was sitting and Darkdoom followed his gaze.
"You live at H.I.V.E. with Raven all the time, what's your deal?" Shelby asked, also noticing.
"Well...it's slightly different." Darkdoom relented "But there's nothing to worry about, Nigel. They're still allies of G.L.O.V.E. In fact, what we thought happened didn't happen so they've been on our side the whole time."
"Do you like Iliana?" Shelby asked.
"She's nice." Nigel said and she stared at him when that was all he said.
"Diabolus, the meeting is scheduled with the council." Nero said and Darkdoom glanced over and nodded.
"I want to have a party before we leave. Like the one we had last time at David's." Shelby said. Raven raised an eyebrow at her.
"You could try to relax and enjoy it while you're out of the school." Darkdoom suggested to Nigel.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Raven?" Shelby asked "It was fun."
Nero took a seat "I hope you realize how different your H.I.V.E years have been."
"Oh for sure don't worry." Shelby replied, trying to sound as grateful as she could. She laid back against the couch, ending the conversation there as not to perturb him. Then she noticed something.
"Hey Pietor?"
"What?" he sounded just as grumpy as before.
"Where's your wedding ring?" Shelby looked pointedly at his bare finger.
Pietor glanced at his hand, almost as if asking himself the same question before responding without looking over.
"Put away."
"Why don't you wear it?"
"Because I don't want people to know I'm married." he replied.
Shelby frowned "You trying to attract other women or something?"
Pietor dropped his hands in exasperation and looked at the ceiling.
"Oh hells bells Shelby, I don't want people to know I'm married because it makes Iliana and Juliana a target. Did you not see what happened with Gavriil?"
"Oohhh. Gotcha." Shelby replied, nodding. The assassin didn't reply, scowling.
"That was stupid." Laura told her.
"What? The way he said it made it sound like that." Shelby defended herself. Nero shook his head slightly, whether at the student or Pietor was a mystery.
"You're going to get yourself killed one day just by being annoying. In fact I'm surprised it hasn't happened already." Laura told her, looking down at her book.
"Won't happen. I can defend myself. With no help from anyone here besides Wing." Shelby gave Raven a pointed look, who just ignored her. Shelby sniffed and turned her back on the assassin.
"Pietor, can we go in there?" she asked, pointing to the training area.
"No."
"Why not?" Shelby asked.
"Because it's my place."
"You let me in there before."
"I don't care."
"Come on. Please?" Shelby asked "You'll be impressed."
"Somehow I doubt that."
Raven smiled slightly and the student scowled again, dropping the subject. Darkdoom nudged Raven.
"Be kind, Natalya."
Raven shot him a look as Iliana exited the kitchen, carrying a glass of orange juice.
"Do you want something to drink?" she asked, walking unsteadily over to Pietor. She handed it to him and he looked her up and down.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, all good." Iliana replied reaching to pat his cheek. She glanced over at Shelby.
"Are you alright? You look a little upset."
"Pietor won't let me in there." she said, gesturing at the room.
"Oh he'll let you in." Iliana replied, kicking her husband gently.
"No, I won't." Pietor replied.
"Why not?"
"Because it's my place." he repeated.
"Then go in there and do something with her why don't you?" Iliana argued. She stared at him for a few minutes.
"Tell you what, if you let them in, I'll sit down and rest."
Pietor looked back at her, seeming to contemplate this. Iliana bobbed her eyebrow.
"Fine." he concluded "But only if I see you sitting down right now."
"Deal." Iliana turned around and flopped back onto the couch next to him.
"Yippee." Shelby said as Pietor got up. He gave her a look before walking over and into his room.
"Thanks Iliana." Shelby added with a happy smile.
"Sure." Iliana said with a wink "I know how to handle him."
"I'm glad someone does." Nero commented.
"Be quiet." Iliana replied and he smiled slightly.
Pietor returned with a small key in hand and unlocked the door to the room. He opened the door and flicked on the lights.
"Thank you!" Shelby half sang. She beckoned Wing, who seemed to watch for Pietor's reaction for a minute but the assassin had returned to sit by his wife.
"See that wasn't so hard." she teased him.
"Haha."
She smiled and snuggled up against him. She reached up to kiss his chin and he lifted it up, scowling.
"Hey."
"You never like it when I kiss you in public." Iliana tried again, laughing slightly as he avoided her, leaning away.
"Get outta here."
Iliana looked at the others, eyes sparkling. She shrugged slightly and laid back down against him. She grabbed her phone and clicked it on.
"Hey." Iliana rolled her head to look up at Pietor.
"Ow." he leaned forward slightly, wincing as she touched his chest wound.
"Oh. Sorry." Iliana sat up "David is coming over." she smiled at Raven.
"What are you looking at me for?" she asked.
"No reason. Except you know why." Iliana told her.
####
"What did the council think of the news?" the Colonel asked.
"They weren't impressed as predicted, but they took it fairly well." Nero responded.
"Fairly well meaning what?" Anastasia inquired "That's very relative term."
"Well you know how many of them are." he replied.
"Petulant would be the word I use." Darkdoom commented.
"And you made it clear the decision on Gavriil?" Anastasia asked.
"Yes. They were in agreement about that. None of them seemed willing to go to the trouble of retribution."
Anastasia nodded slightly and bowed out of the conversation, turning towards where Iliana was sitting beside David now. Juliana had returned, proud as she could be and Nathaniel and David seemed to be getting along quite well.
"She doesn't seem happy." the Colonel observed.
"She wants to make sure no one blames them for what happened." Darkdoom explained "After all they were accused of being part of it publicly."
"Though I'm sure they would have no problem fighting G.L.O.V.E. if any of the council decided to make trouble." the Colonel pointed out.
"Nor would I expect them too." Nero said "They do reserve that right. Besides I will see to it that the council doesn't make trouble."
"Where did Pietor go?" Iliana asked "Did anyone see?"
There came a muffled voice from inside the assassin's room "I'm in here."
"Well come out here. We want to do something." Iliana called.
"I want to play a game." Juliana said affirmatively.
"What do you want to play?" David asked.
"Hide and seek!" Juliana exclaimed.
"Oh my specialty." he replied.
"But the question is is it going to be hide and seek or extreme hide and seek?" Iliana asked.
"Oh that is a very good question." David said, nodding.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow "Extreme hide and seek being?.."
"Oh David and I used to pay it all the time when we were kids. It's like you hide but when the seeker finds you, you have to follow them around. Then if another player waves at you without the seeker seeing then they can run away and rehide. Best game ever." Iliana said.
"You knew each other when you were kids?" Laura asked.
"Oh she was my best friend." David replied, smiling "Still is."
"Yeah, I spent most of my childhood days over at his house." Iliana said.
"Extreme hide and seek sounds like it could be fun." Pietor said, coming out of his room "Emphasis on the extreme."
"What, adding guns to the rulebook?" Raven asked innocently.
"Something along those lines." Pietor was looking through the observation window into the training room. Anastasia rolled her eyes at their banter.
"Well since there will be children involved, how about nerf guns?" Iliana said.
The Colonel glanced at Nero, giving him the look 'what the heck is going on' but H.I.V.E.'s headmaster didn't catch it. He was too busy watching the others.
"Well it sounds like fun and this place is so fun to play it in because it's so huge." Iliana said "What are you doing?" she asked Pietor, who was still hovering at the observation window.
He was looking down in it, face stoic and arms folded.
"The dedicated students that you so nicely had me let in my room are now cuddling in there." he said.
Iliana covered her mouth, smiling "Wing and Shelby? They're so cute. Are they kissing?"
Pietor looked at her for a second, before resuming his watch with a big breath, shaking his head disgustedly.
"Oh boy, what would the punishment for that have been twenty years ago?" Anastasia asked, only half joking.
"Oh death." Pietor said, making a gun with his hand and pointing it at the window "Instantly. Boom."
"I thought so." Anastasia replied.
"Would you have supported me on that?"
"Sure, although, unlike you, 'cuddling', as you put it, has never really bothered me." she said.
Raven and Nero shared a knowing look, not sure whether to be amused or concerned at the vague mention of the Glasshouse.
"They do that a lot." Laura said, making David grin.
"Dude leave them alone. They like each other, is that a crime?" Iliana asked.
"Someone has to supervise them." Pietor replied, face dead serious.
"Does that bother you?" Darkdoom asked Nero.
"I've never been one to pay attention to it." Nero responded.
"Hey yo, come over here." Iliana said "We're going to play a game."
"Shelby's coming out." Pietor replied.
"Oh get over here; you're going to freak her out." Iliana said exasperatedly. The assassin scowled at her, but began walking over, looking back at the door.
"Should I be concerned about her safety?" Nero asked.
"No. The boy's." Pietor said "Although she deserves a beating."
"Wing? That's who you're worried about?" Raven queried "Don't be."
"They seem trustworthy enough." David said.
"That's what you say about all children." Pietor told him.
"Because it's usually true." David replied.
"Not in my experience."
When the door to the training room opened, Shelby walked out, calling something back in.
"Yeah I know, I'll be back in a second!" she turned back to the others but was headed for the kitchen.
"Just grabbing something to drink." she said, hardly stopping.
"I think it's cute the way those two pal around." Iliana said.
"You think everything is cute." Anastasia replied "And I'm not trying to insult you." she added as Iliana opened her mouth to protest "Just like David is also an overly cheerful person, it's just fact."
"I do not object." David said, smiling.
"Hey how come everyone here thinks I'm just a baby? I know how to shoot guns too, you know. I was part of the Convit and I was pretty cool." Iliana said, looking put off.
"No one thinks that." David assured her.
"Yeah they do. Would it surprise you all to know that I've shot several people before?" Iliana asked, wagging her head in a circle to accentuate her point that she was awesome.
"Good job." Pietor told her.
"Don't be a jerk!" Iliana flared at him.
"I wasn't! I was being serious." he said "I've seen you shoot before remember? Goodness."
"Well yes Iliana that does surprise me." Nathaniel said, looking accordingly "But don't be offended, I've only known you a short while."
"But see? I just want the record straight that I can take care of myself." Iliana said.
Shelby came out of the kitchen rather quickly and they all looked at her while Pietor scowled.
"What?" she asked, slowing down to a halt.
"You're in trouble." Laura told her.
"Why? What did I do?" Shelby asked indignantly, putting her arms out.
"You realize there is an observation window right?" Pietor asked.
"What?" Shelby still looked oblivious "Are you upset that I kissed Wing?"
"Wow, she has no shame." Pietor confirmed.
"And she shouldn't." Iliana said, shaking her head and nudging him.
"No really are you?" Shelby asked "Come on, how many girls did you kiss when you were a teenager, Pietor?"
"Umm none. Zip." he replied.
"What? No way. That is a lie." Shelby folded her arms.
"I am inclined to agree." Nero said. Raven and Darkdoom looked sideways at him. Anastasia just sniffed in amusement.
"No I kissed none." Pietor responded.
"Wow. That's just...wow." Shelby said "How about you David?"
David's eyebrows went up as the attention was turned to him. He smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
"Lost count?"
There was a moment of laughter from everyone in the room, except for Raven, who smiled only slightly and Pietor who rolled his eyes.
"See I'm not the only one." Shelby said, looking pleased.
"That's alright. Max kissed a lot of girls too." Nathaniel said.
"Whoa, why am I being brought into this?" Nero asked but his father ignored him.
"Now that's not surprising." Anastasia commented and he looked at her in exasperation.
"Okay this is a good conversation." Shelby said, taking a seat and crossing her legs "How about you Iliana?"
"Ehh I kissed a few guys. David being one." Iliana said, with a fond look at him.
"Yeah it was about the same for me." Darkdoom said. Nigel looked weirded out for a second, but he didn't say anything.
"You are all insane." Raven spoke up now.
"Aww...what are you saying Natalya, a pretty girl like you has never been kissed?" Iliana asked "That can't be possible."
"It is." Raven replied.
"Man I'm seventeen and I've kissed two boys already." Shelby shrugged.
"Watch out." Pietor said.
"Watch out for what? Wing is like the mellowest guy on the planet I'm not even sure he has hormones."
There was another uniform laugh and Iliana nearly fell on the floor after a few seconds. Pietor shook his head and plugged his ears to ignore the rest of the conversation.
"I kind of thought the same thing about Pietor when he was younger." Anastasia said.
Her brother pulled out one finger "What did you say?"
Iliana only laughed harder, hands on her stomach.
"Well you never had a girlfriend. I thought it was weird at the time but I can see it's just part of your personality." Anastasia told him.
"So because I'm polite, I don't have hormones? Makes sense." Pietor said.
"What happens when Juliana gets a boyfriend?" Nathaniel asked.
"I will take care of that. She'll tell me, right Juliana?"
"Yes, Daddy." the little girl responded, eyes big.
"Good."
"Oh boy, nobody go after Pietor Furan's daughter. You'll get killed." Nathaniel said.
"I never intentionally kissed a girl until I was married." the assassin said.
"Oh hold up, back the train up. Intentionally?" Shelby queried "There's a story there."
He glared at her and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, breathing out loudly.
"Please tell." the student said.
"There's nothing to tell."
"He did have a woman come up and kiss him once. It was at a conference we were both at." Anastasia stated.
"Yeah now that was weird." Pietor said.
"Hey look Pietor, your body just kind of flirts with women even if you don't." Iliana said, regaining her composure slightly "She probably thought you were attractive."
"What did you just…say." he asked.
Iliana just smiled back at him. Nathaniel was laughing, with a hand at his mouth.
"Oh but the winning question is how many men has Anastasia been with?" Nero said, staring at her challengingly, wanting to get back at her for her earlier statement. Pietor looked at him.
"Oh I've been with enough. Although they all were a bit uncivilized." Anastasia said. Nero widened his eyes at her.
She rolled her eyes "Oh come on, Max, you cannot be surprised I am not a virgin."
"Yes but the word all implies many." Nero replied, leaning forward "How many exactly?"
There was the sound of a pistol being cocked and Nero looked up to see Pietor pointing a gun at him.
"Wow, Max you really are an inch from death." he said, looking at him with a dangerous gleam in his eye "You want to ask her that again?"
Nero sat back, eyebrow raised, although he didn't seem concerned with the weapon trained on him.
Nathaniel's mouth was open slightly. Anastasia smiled with the usual coldness. Pietor also did.
"See? You can't even do anything to defend yourself."
Raven pulled out her own gun and aimed it at Pietor's head, face serious and Pietor gave her a sideways glance, partially amused, but mostly provocative. Nero smiled at him, flaunting in arrogance for a moment.
Anastasia snatched the gun out of Raven's hands incredibly quickly, pointing it at her, face flat "Do not point a gun at my brother."
"Oohh...my gosh." Shelby said, appalled by what had just taken place. Raven gave Anastasia a death look, still looking a bit shocked. Juliana looked up, but seemed unconcerned as she didn't know what the weapons were. Iliana and David were gaping at all of them and Darkdoom's eyes were simply wide.
"See Nero? Before you get all narcissistic, let's remember who has the guns." Pietor said, looking satisfied.
"Let's remember who's more powerful." Nero replied.
"Oh but see that's your problem because I'm pretty sure I could take on Natalya and I know Anastasia could take on you." Pietor said with a shrug "Pick a team everybody."
After a second, everyone looked at each other, confused on what to do.
"I take no place in this debate." David confirmed.
"Well come on you know we could get the students on our side." Anastasia said glancing at her brother.
"Well Shelby yes, she'll do what I tell her." Pietor replied as if no one else was in the room.
Anastasia nodded "And what about Wing, he could be a valuable asset."
Pietor cringed slightly "Eh, Natalya's got her claws in him already."
"Ah but we could persuade him. What about Laura?"
"She also seems highly loyal."
"We have Iliana though don't forget, she's nice and could easily talk her into it." Anastasia responded.
Nero and Raven looked at each other, eyes wide with surprise as the Furan's simply went on as if it were a private conversation. All the attention was on them.
"What do you think about Nigel?" Pietor asked, making the boy's eyes grow huge.
"That would be difficult after all his father is the headmaster's closest friend." Anastasia pointed out.
Pietor nodded but then recovered "Oh but we know his mother and I'm actually fairly good friends with her. And she doesn't particularly like Nero or Diabolus at the moment. "
"Good thinking, he'll easily follow his mother and you could ask her to talk to him." Anastasia said, nodding in satisfaction "Well done." the two of them shook hands.
Everyone looked at them, slightly dumbfounded.
"Yes, well." Anastasia tossed the gun back at Raven, who caught it with a confused scowl. "I suppose we're all supposed to be one team now."
"Alliances do not apply to boundary crossing men." Pietor said, giving Nero a glare.
Anastasia smiled slightly though she looked at Nero "There definitely haven't been many, Max, I prefer to keep my distance."
"Unlike some." Pietor growled, but he lowered his gun.
"I didn't bring up the subject Pietor." Nero replied.
"I wouldn't keep talking, Max." Anastasia said "He really will shoot you."
Pietor just continued to glare at the man.
####
There was a very angry sounding knock at the door a bit later. Pietor, Iliana, and David had just finished a very eventful game of hide and seek with Juliana, who had even persuaded Anastasia to play for a few rounds. She hadn't tried on Nero and the others but it was doubtful they would have been able to get out of it either.
Nero and Darkdoom were upstairs with Raven. H.I.V.E.'s headmaster was making their departure plan with the pilots at the school.
"The Colonel said he should be rounded up in a few days." Nero said, speaking to the man on the Blackbox.
"Very well sir, we'll be ready to transport." he replied and Nero nodded, ending the call.
"Are you going to have the students stay until then?" Raven asked and he sighed.
"I would rather not repeat the incident that happened with Nigel, even if we've quieted the threat."
"Agreed." Darkdoom said "Shelby will be pleased."
"I'm sure the Furans would like us out of their hair." Nathaniel said.
"Not Iliana, she tried to convince me to stay longer." Nero replied "I'm sure she would love it if you stayed to entertain Juliana."
"Somehow I think you're mocking me."
"I think there's someone here." Raven said, nodding towards the door "Did you hear that knock a few minutes ago?"
"I'm sure they answered it downstairs." Nathaniel told her.
"Well yes, but it sounded a little aggressive for just a friendly visit." Raven said.
The students could be heard talking down there now and Nero turned to walk out of the room.
"It sounds like Nigel knows them." Darkdoom said with a frown, hearing his son's voice. They went to the top of the stairs and were very surprised to see Alexis at the bottom, talking with the students.
"What is she doing back here?" Nero asked, frowning. Darkroom shook his head unknowingly.
The woman was talking to Nigel and the rest of the students. Iliana was down there too, on her feet talking to the newcomer as well as Nathaniel.
Nero and Darkdoom began walking down with Raven and Nathaniel following more slowly.
"Alexis? Darkdoom asked. She turned to look at them.
"Well hi there." she said, sounding far too polite. Iliana still looked happy, oblivious that anything was wrong.
"What...are you doing here?" Darkdoom asked.
Alexis smiled at Nigel and the others "Would you excuse me a second?" then she whirled around, leaning quite close to Nero.
"What the hell is the matter with you?" she fumed.
Hi guys there will be another chapter up shortly just a continuation of this one.