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Emily truly wanted to help out at the Hope mansion anyway she could. Despite Lindsey and the two detectives told her multiple times that they could take care of everything themselves, Emily insisted on lending an extra hand. So she found herself; on one sunny afternoon, happily washing dishes alongside Lindsey in the Hope mansion's kitchen while the two detectives that took such gracious care of her were out busying themselves with work.
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you that it's unbefitting that you work Lady Evans." Lindsey hummed warmly, finishing up the polishing of some china. Emily giggled slightly.
"I mean it. You're a guest. You don't have to do this." The redhead elaborated.
"But I want to help." Emily chuckled, scrubbing a plate over the sink. "I shouldn't even be here. But Detective Kirron and Bryson were nice enough to let me stay here just as a precaution to keep me safe. Helping out is the least I can do."
"Hm. You really are a sweet girl." Lindsey mused, offering a warm grin. "And may I say that you're handling everything well and your behavior is so pleasant? The young women of today are really amateur and rude." She moved over to pose the China in a glass cabinet, "But not you. I remember this one girl Masters Kirron and Bryson brought home for similar reasons to you. Oh she was awful. Made a lot of messes, demanded to be served, refused to answer questions or cooperate in general, bullied Bryson, harassed Valerian, and came on very strong to and challenged Kirron."
"Are you serious?" Emily gasped, moving on to another plate.
"Yeah. The boys had a tough time." Lindsey confirmed, "Master Bryson got into a fight with her, Master Valerian purposefully avoided her, and Master Kirron got so fed up that he gave up on the case."
"Wow." Emily mumbled.
"Yeah." Lindsey sighed, "In all honesty I think the boys are still probably a little discouraged by that case, which is why your company is so appreciated." Emily gave a hum in response. She strode over to wipe the counters. "Valerian's Kirron's baby brother right? Why haven't I seen him around? He at a friend's house or something?"
"Valerian's work has proven to be a bit more extensive than the Master detectives' sometimes." Lindsey laughed, gently ruffling Emily's subtle blond curls. "Don't worry, you'll meet him soon. Haha, but I see Kirron has taken an interest in you."
"I take it that's not normal." Emily grinned.
"Not at all. It's been at least six years sense Master Kirron has had an interest in anyone." Lindsey smiled.
"So, I've never been an expert on love. Do you have any suggestions as to how I should return Kirron's advances?"
"Haha, I've been with the boy sense he was born!" Lindsey declared, "Of course I do. So there are a few things you need to make an aphrodisiac for Kirron. And luckily you My Dear, have almost all of those traits. First you need to interest him, which you've already done. Next is beauty, which Kirron has specific standards for. You meet them. The next is competence, which your popular journalisms cover. Good, cause Kirron refuses to even consider a girl who doesn't do anything. Logic, rationality, manners, and appreciation of yourself is next. And finally; the only thing you don't have, is confidence. It's hard to be confident when you've got Kirron staring at you, but that attitude will have him all over you. Haha. I recommend sweeping your hair behind your ear or locking I contact with him. And of course just be yourself."
"Easier said than done." Emily blew with a smile, getting an amused smirk from Lindsey. Once finished helping Lindsey with the chores, Emily retreated back to her new room to perhaps get some writing done. She smiled upon sight of the orange and white Maine coon with sharp green eyes that perched on her bed. She recognized him as Dream. He was one of Kirron's cats. He seemed to take a liking to her quickly. The cat gave a lazy yawn, leaping off the bed and patting across the carpet to rub his head against her ankle in a demand for attention. Emily lifted him into fond arms, giving his neck and ears a scratch as she strolled to her desk and plopped down at her computer.
The hours past and the detectives had not yet returned to their beloved mansion. Emily really missed their company, solely because their eccentric personalities kept her lonely mind busy. With them, she didn't have time to grieve the sudden and unfortunate loss of her sister that began to eat up her insides. She stood on her room's big balcony, hands shakily resting on the firm silver railing as she gazed into the late afternoon sky. There were plenty of fluffy white clouds streaking the azure and the sun still shined. All she could think about was her sister. How she wishes she was with her. How she probably would've appreciated the warm weather. She felt tears gather in her eyes.
"Lady Evans, excuse my intrusion but you didn't answer your door." Kirron's velvety voice announced softly, "I just wanted to inform you that Bryson and I had arrived back." His expression shifted to one of confusion when she didn't reply. "Lady Evans?" He cooed gently, leaving the balcony French doors open as he ambled up to her. Emily didn't say anything, only gazing sadly down at the ground below.
"You miss her greatly." Kirron murmured knowingly, tenderly landing a hand on her shoulder. Emily couldn't help but break down into tears at those words. Her shoulders shook, her lips breaking into sobs and gasps, tears running down her cheeks. "She's never coming back! I won't be able to see her again! She's gone, and there's nothing I can do!" She whimpered miserably.
"Life goes on Lady Evans. This isn't the end." Kirron soothed earnestly, his arms caging around Emily to lock her in an embrace. The blonde melted into his big comfortable frame, hiding her face in the red button-up he was wearing. "But I miss her Kirron! What am I going to do without her!?" She cried.
"Now now, you can do it. Even if you feel like you can't, you can. Take as much time as you want to mourn and grieve, but don't let your sorrow take more away from you than it has to. You'll reunite with your sister … when the time comes. Until then, try your best." Kirron encouraged sincerely, his hands ghosting through her blonde tresses and down her back in a massage. "I'm sorry." He whispered as the girl continued to sob helplessly. And he was. He didn't like to see her so depressed. Ideas of how to cheer her up flooded his mind as her unstable fingers curled tightly around the sides of his black blazer. He walked her to the bed and settled her down on it, where Bean and Atlas cane to comfort her. Kirron paced in thought for a while, before stopping to take a look into her wardrobe. A slight smirk cut through his lips as he scanned the clothes present inside. He closed the amour behind him as he turned to face the weeping blonde. "Lady Evans, you really don't have a sufficient amount of clothing." He announced, his hands meeting his hips and his head tilted toward his right shoulder.
"I what?" Emily gasped, glancing up and wiping her tears away in confusion, "I, I don't?"
"Not nearly!" Kirron declared, "It'll take quite a while for Bryson and I to truly call case closed, especially with you mourning the loss of your sister. We may even have to go under cover and there is no way at all that you are prepared."
"So then, what do you propose I do?" Emily wondered, taking in all that he said.
"I don't want to impose anything, but I think visiting a shopping center I like in town would help a little." He spoke with an edge of playfulness in his tone.
"Um, okay." Emily replied hesitantly. She leaned over and reached for the purse on her nightstand, but Kirron's hand closing around her wrist stopped her mid-reach. She looked up to see him smirking down at her, waving a gold wallet in the air with his free hand. "I insist that you let me pay. It was my idea after all." He purred.
"If you really want to. But I really don't mind paying." Emily replied, examining the wallet.
"Good, let's go get Bryson." Kirron cheered, tumultuously toeing her from the room.
Emily rode in the back seat, her eyes fixed on Kirron as she observed his very interesting way of driving. He was an excellent driver no doubt, but always drove the speed limit or faster and seemed to get pretty angry with people who didn't meet his expectations of what a good driver was. Put simply, he drove incredibly fast and had severe road rage. It was a good mixture of both amusing and terrifying.
"Lady Evans, can you think of anyone else who may be targeted by your attacker?" Kirron wondered as he pulled to a red light.
"Hm, the only other one that close with me is my best friend Vanemy Rose." Emily answered thoughtfully, tapping her chin.
"I've heard of Lady Rose before. She owns a daycare." Kirron remarked.
"Yeah, we went to school together." Emily added.
"Where does she live?" Bryson asked.
"She lives in my neighborhood. Though right now she's out of state visiting family. She won't stop gushing about how much fun she's having over the phone. She should be back tomorrow." Emily explained.
"Have you told her about your unfortunate situation?" Kirron asked.
"Nope." Emily replied.
"Go ahead and let her know that you as well as a couple of friends will be picking her up tomorrow from her arrival point, which I am assuming is an airport." Kirron ordered gruffly, "I would like to question and examine her immediately. We don't want another casualty for such a fatuous reason again. I'll have my secret agent investigate Lady Rose's house. May I please have her address Lady Evans?"
"Of course." Emily chimed as they pulled into a parking space of the large shopping center.
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!"
Spandel took off his headphones at the sounds of his children's calls. It was amazing how kids always got your attention. The demon sat on his knees. He was digging out weeds from one of the front garden's flowerbeds. He was now focused on the six and three year olds standing beside one another. The younger was a girl; Poppy; and the older a boy, Eiyeré. Spandel still considered himself a new parent, despite having been one for four years. His heart still melted on sight of their cheerful smiles, and he still found it hard to say no to them. He beat Jasper in the disciplining department anyway. The two males made a good team. Jasper would make the rules, and Spandel would enforce them. "What is it?" He replied sweetly.
"Can we go to the pet store?" Eiyeré quizzed.
"Peeeeeease Daddy?" Poppy plead.
"Haha, go ask your dad." Spandel smiled. His grin widened as he watched the two vanish into the house as soon as they had appeared. Jasper could be found in his little office of his house. Actually it was Spandel's office for completing work from Awromott, but Jasper used it whenever the heck he wanted so it might as well have been his as well. His feet kicked at the carpet to push himself around in the rolly chair, a business phone pressed to his ear as he arranged plane tickets to France and reserved a sweet at a five star hotel. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling window, which Jasper just rolled by in amusement.
"Dad!" The two kids exclaimed, immediately giggling at their father rolling around in the chair. Jasper froze in place. "Please hold a second." He told the person on the other line, getting to his feet to ruffle their hair. "Sup Kiddos?" He laughed.
"Can we go to the pet store?" Eiyeré repeated his question.
"What'd Daddy say?" Jasper asked.
"Ask you." Poppy cheered.
"Mmkay. Gimme a minute all right? I gotta do something first. Then we'll see about going to the pet store." He beamed, getting obedient nods from the kids. The two children bolted from sight, most likely off to go play. Jasper plopped back into the rolly chair with a content sigh. "Okay I'm back." He announced to the female on the other line, "Now you said the kids' reservations would cost how much?"
Jasper strode into his and Spamdel's bedroom, having finished arranging everything for their trip to France. He half expected Spandel to be sprawled across the bed with Pinel, a book and headphones, or with the potential to accidentally seduce him. The running water coming from the bathroom showed that the demon had completed his gardening for the day and was cleaning up in the shower. Jasper wandered into the bathroom with a smile, singing the lyrics to the pop song playing from Spandel's phone. "You wanna go to the pet store Daddy?" He questioned teasingly over the music and running water. Spandel poked his head from behind the shower curtain to look at him with a smirk. "Do you?" He rumbled lowly.
"Yeah. That's cool with me. You?" Jasper chimed, throwing an offhanded shrug.
"Of course." Spandel hummed jovially. Jasper gave a devious grin, strutting over to the shower and pulling back the curtain. Spandel promptly shied away from him. "Jasper don't give me that look!" He whined.
"What's the matter?" Jasper snickered, turning off the water. "I'm only giving you a hand so the kids don't get too impatient."
"Would that really be so tragic?" Spandel retorted, feeling Jasper lift him into his arms. "You really like carrying me."
"You're fun to carry, like a little princess, even though you're tall." Jasper chortled, peering down at him. His skin seemed to glisten with sparkling water droplets and his ink colored hair was glossy. He didn't understand how he could look like a goddess just after showering. Must've been a demon thing. A faint pink rose to Spandel's cheeks as he felt Jasper's thumb graze along the sensitive white skin of his thigh and heard him whisper in his ear that he was beautiful.
"Wow, ten years and you still blush like a girl." Jasper commented, making the pink tinting Spandel's face turn cherry red.
"WHY DO YOU LIVE TO EMBARRASS ME!" Spandel whimpered, hiding his flushed face within Jasper's shoulder.
"Why are you so cute?" Jasper chuckled adoringly, squeezing Spandel to his body.
"Okay My Dear Boy. You know if you don't let me go so I can get changed, the kids'll get rather impatient." Spandel laughed.
"Oh, now would that really be so tragic?" Jasper threw his words back with a wink.
The shopping center was a whole lot bigger and fancier than Emily thought. She surveyed in aw at all the beautiful stores and cafes as she stepped out of the car, thanking Kirron for holding the door for her and helping her out. Bryson joined the pair. Emily's blue eyes scanned her surroundings and the vast marble fountain that stood in the middle of it all. The crowds weren't too big or anything, but she could definitely tell that the place was popular.
"where would you like to go first Lady Evans?" Kirron rumbled, his voice tinged with slight excitement as he settled his hands down on Emily's shoulders. The blonde blushed at the contact, noting how close he was. "Uh, how bout there?" She drawled, extending a finger out toward a store with a name she recognized.
"Good choice." Kirron hummed.
The woman at the front counter of the large clothing store was a tall and curvy one. Not to mention casual too, as she indeed sat on top of the counter with one long leg swung over the other. Her skin was a vibrant, almost tan tone. Her lips were painted blood red and her deep eyes were a coffee brown. Her milk chocolate hair fell down her back in lustrous curls, and she had lied some of it over her shoulder as well. She wore a black, long-sleeved, off the shoulder top and a pair of dark skinny jeans. She completed her outfit with a set of black heels and accessorized with a gold bangle or two and a matching pair of earrings. She glanced toward the shop's front doors as Emily and the boys trotted in. "Hey Kirr, Bry." She beamed jovially, "Who's the cute blonde?"
"Sup Ray Ray!" Bryson cheered with a wave.
"This is Lady Emily Evans. She's a journalist." Kirron introduced.
"Ah, so you're Emily Evans." The brunette at the front counter mused, hopping to her feet and sashaying over to the trio. "Well I'm Raven Stanfield, owner of the fashion line Your Choice."
"An. I new I recognized that name." Emily chanted, "My friend loves your clothes. It's nice to meet you. You're friends with Kirron and Bryson?"
"Yup. The big boys and I go way back." Raven laughed, "I know they're fancy detectives too. So is that why you're here? You're part of their new case? I can't imagine Kirry or Bry scoring such a hot and genuine lady on there own. Kirron's far too scary, and Bryson's way too clueless.""
"Look Raven." Kirron huffed as Emily's countenance was graced with a warm red flush, "Lady Evans is going through a lot right now, so if you could please not hassle her? … or us. We came here to get a bit of shopping done. Lady Evans's wardrobe is … somewhat lacking."
"Ooooo then I'm your girl!" Raven cheered, grabbing hold of Emily's wrist. "Come on Em, I'll get you some super cute jazz to satisfy Kirry's persnickety fashion palate." She sang, dragging Emily further into the store. Kirron groaned with a face-palm, before he and Bryson followed after the two girls.
"Children, behave yourselves!" Spandel called, though it was to no avail as the kids were too far gone in the store to hear. Jasper leaned against Spandel's chest in a half cuddle with an amused grin, a hand resting on his hip. Spandel planted one hand on his free hip and wound his other arm around Jasper, stroking his hair and massaging his back. Jasper sighed and closed his eyes in contentment, paying no regard to the ostracizing looks some of the heterosexual couples gave him. They all shied away at the piercing and annoyed stare Spandel threw in their direction. Having a 6'9 adult male with those eyes glaring at you wasn't exactly welcoming.
"Haha, so serious." Jasper teased, pawing in amusement at Spandel's chin. The older ravenette flashed his fangs with a playful growl.
"Dad look!" Their little girl Poppy cried gleefully, skipping up to her parents. She held a little white rabbit in her small arms, big amber eyes glittering with delight. Jasper glanced down at her with a grin, pushing away from Spandel and bending down. Poppy hobbled over to Spandel to show Spandel after showing Jasper. Spandel gave the rabbit's ears a short stroking.
"Can we get it Daddy?" Poppy asked.
"Mmm. I dunno. Think we better wait." Spandel mused, lightly shaking his head.
"Pa-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?" The child begged. Spandel looked to Jasper for consent.
"You realize you kids already take pretty bad care of Pinel, and he's low maintenance." Jasper stated, a smile sketching his lips with a hand on his hip.
"But Daaad, Pinel's Daddy's pet. This our pet!" Poppy mewled. At this point Spandel had to hide his amused giggles behind his arm, while Pinel had come from behind his leg to squeak amgrily at Poppy.
"Yeah, let's wait a couple years." Jasper declared, earning a petulant pout from Poppy. He tousled her little brown curls dotingly, digging his phone out of its nestled place in his pocket to take a few pictures of her and the rabbit.
The parents and their two tiring kids were trotting cheerfully through the shopping center after an hour or two spent at the pet shop. Poppy was squirming curiously in Jasper's arms, comfortably glancing around to take in the sublime, sunlit beauty and business of the shopping center and its various buildings and frippery. Eiyeré on the other hand excitedly waddled in front of Spandel. The clear air was full of jovial chatter from the people that cascaded in and out the different stores. The family of four were headed toward the parking lot with the parents discussing plans for lunch. Spandel was trying to listen to what Jasper was saying, but a sudden migraine that pounded in his head was burdening the coherent thoughts he tried to conjure up.
"How does The Rainy Spring sound?" Jasper questioned. His voice was muffled to the point that Spandel heard absolutely nothing though. He had to freeze in place as the illusion of perpetual black ink overtook his vision. The constant booming of gunshots thundered in his head and a debilitating sinking feeling made a swallowing pit in his stomach. He collapsed to the hot concrete in a moan, eliciting abundant cries of worry from his family members. He felt Jasper's firm palm against his back and Eiyeré's small fingers interlace through his quivering ones. In a panic, Spandel snatched his keyring from his pocket and held it out in the direction of where he thought the young boy was. "Take your sister and go start up the car ... please ..." He breathed.
"Yes Daddy." Eiyeré nodded, taking the keys and Poppy's hand and toeing the younger off toward their parents' parked car. Spandel groaned in displeasure at his pounding headache as Jasper knelt down beside him. "What is it Honey?" The younger spouse quizzed in concern, lying a hand on the demon's trembling shoulder.
"Agh, Jasper brace yourself." Spandel coughed vehemently. Jasper didn't hesitate to comply, knowing Spandel's warnings were never a joke. Quickly he braced himself to the ravenette's svelte back. Spandel dove to the ground, taking Jasper with him just as a thundering couple of gunshots echoed through the air. Jasper glanced up from his spot on top of Spandel with a sharp gasp to see three bullets pierce the wind above him, sailing just over his head and slamming into the concrete just a yard or two away. Instantly the surrounding civilians were thrown into a frenzy. Panicked screams and cries followed the three gunshots as people trampled one another to get to their cars or hide in a nearby store. Jasper remained glued to Spandel in fear, blue eyes piercing the crowd in an attempt to find the perpetrator. Unfortunately it was to no avail, aside from the black silhouette he spotted race off in the distance and disappear out of the shopping center. He stared for a long moment, his heart perturbed and thumping rapidly against his husband's spine. "Ooookay, so someone just tried to kill me. Great!" He huffed. The shopping center was quiet as still ice now, with all having evacuated or took their business to a store. Jasper rose to his feet, taking another alert glance around the quiet and sunny area, before returning his gaze to the slump of limbs on the pavement. "Oh Spandel." He whined sorrowfully at the sight of his struggling older spouse.
"Oh ... I'm okay Sweetheart." Spandel choked, "Just trying to recover from that horrid premonition. But ... I believe we should go home. I can cook for lunch all right?"
"Yeah we can go home." Jasper agreed, scooping Spandel into his arms. "But the first thing you're gonna do is rest." He immediately panicked at the sight of fresh tears dripping from his husband's big ebony eyes. "Are you okay Sweetie? What hurts?"
"I'm sorry." Spandel squeaked dejectedly as he vigorously shook his head and buried it underneath Jasper's chin, "I don't know what's happening."
Emily collapsed onto the divan of the large changing room with a relieved sigh, kicking off the high heels Raven had put her in. That had to've been the fifteenth or so outfit that Raven had forced her into. However, unlike most of the previous attires, she had opted not to show the two detectives out of embarrassment. The straight across neckline was rather low-cut, leaving an amount of cleavage that she wasn't comfortable with on display. The dress itself was colored scarlet, flowing to her knees with mid-sleeves made of intricate lace. To top it all off, a rose accessory decorated her wavy blonde tresses just above her ear. Raven was in the dressing room with her, leaning against the wall and texting. The pair, along with the detectives, weren't aware of the short commotion that recently transpired in the shopping center. Raven glanced up from her phone with a delighted grin. "Ever considered the modeling gig Em?" She quizzed.
"What?" Emily shot up to sit, swinging her legs over the edge of the divan. "No."
"You're like super cute, and you totally rock my clothes. Wanna give it a try?"
"No no, I couldn't." Emily sputtered, flushing red.
"To think that you're twenty seven years old and still go red like a lovestruck teenager." Kirron remarked on a careless taunt. Emily's face intensified in color to see him pop into the dressing room, Bryson not too far behind.
"You could at least have the decency to knock." Bryson snorted, chiding his younger co-worker as they advanced deeper into the dressing room. Kirron spat, unfazed as he scrutinized the red ensemble Emily was dressed in.
"It's nice." He spoke his verdict of approval finally.
"I know!" Raven sang, doing a giddy hop and striking one arm in the air.
"I wasn't talking to you!" Kirron snapped. He looked to Emily, "Let's buy it."
"Are you sure? You've already bought me so much." Emily sputtered
Kirron closed his eyes, nodding with a delightful smile. The two detectives and Emily followed Raven back to the front counter for check out. She chatted up a storm with Bryson as she bagged all of Emily's new clothes, while Kirron hung back with Emily. The albino rested against the counter, his cheek pressed against his fisted hand. Emily swayed back and forth beside him. "Kirron," She began, "You took me shopping ... you took me shopping to take my mind off my sister."
"That's right Ms. Evans." Kirron replied smoothly.
"B-but why?" Emily stared wide eyed, "I'm just one of your cases."
"Some cases, Lady Evans, are just a bit more important than others." Kirron hummed. He gave a flirtatious wink. Emily glanced away with a giggle and bashful grin.
Valerian Hope found himself on another roof. This time, on the house of one Vanemy Rose. He was crouching down, his phone pressed to his ear as he surveyed the quiet action going on below. It was late, night having already settled in. In fact, he was quite certain it was half past midnight. The journey to and from the Wina house had proved to be an exhausting one, both physically and emotionally. But analyzing Vanemy's house shouldn't prove to be all that arduous. Her house was vandalized for sure, quite similarly to the way Emily's was. He had snapped a couple of photos of the house for his fellow detectives, now on the phone with Kirron. "Yup, the house is totally trashed." Valerian sighed, "Yeah I got pictures, and the documents on Kirsten and Jiro. I'm on my way home."
"Oh nooooooooo you're not." The voice that sang its taunt was low, approaching Valerian from behind. The secret agent hastened to leap to his feet, hanging up the phone as he preformed a violent spin around to see who was behind him. A man, barely visible under darkness's cloak, slowly stalked toward him. He wasn't very tall. An unsettling smirk nestled on his pale skin, heterochromatic eyes of Ruby and emerald narrowed in a troublemaking glare.
"Of course Jiro, you would just have to show up now." Valerian groaned in exasperated annoyance, discretely pushing a finger to the face of his watch. "What are you doing here?"
"Examining my art." Jiro answered, his tone an eery melody.
"Uhhhh, so you're the one who jacked up Vanemy's house?"
"Emily's too." Jiro added, his smirk deepening.
"And you're the perp who murdered Ms. Lily?"
"Along with being a necessary piece to the puzzle, it doubles as a gift for you. I know you're into her, so that's what you get for rejecting my sister!" Jiro's voice raised unexpectedly. He withdrew a long sword the color of ebony from his equally black cloak, lifting it and then slamming it down toward Valerian. The latter dove toward the white of the roof and rolled, popping back up to deliver a roundhouse kick to the back of Jiro's neck. Jiro whipped around with belligerence, thrusting his sword into Valerian's abdomen. The younger stumbled back with a hiss, a new stinging sensation accompanying the blood that began to flow. Jiro lunged, making another jab for Valerian's stomach. Valerian strenuously evaded the attack by swiveling to the side. His hand swiftly shot around Jiro's neck, holding him in still as he slid a knife from his pocket and started jabbing it up and down his arms. "I didn't reject your sister! You didn't have to kill Lilian!"
"Oh but I did." Jiro chuckled. He swung his leg up, smacking Valerian's knee with it and therefore knocking him off balance. Valerian went flying off the roof, though he grabbed onto the edge of it before he could fall. He drew in a sharp exhale as he found himself dangling off the roof with one hand. His body quivered as he tried to pull himself back up. Jiro's boots clopped heavily against the roof's shingles as he neared him. He peered down at Valerian. "I'm afraid it's time for you-"
"To drop out." Valerian chanted with a flashing smile, deliberately releasing hold of the roof. He threw out his hand as he fell, pushing the trigger on the grappling gun he had retrieved from his waist bag. The grapple hooked onto the roof of another building yards and yards away, allowing Valerian to glide through the air to safety. Jiro watched, only half irritated as his rival vanished.
"You all right Spandel?" Jasper's tone was drowsy, a perfect exemplum to how tired he was. He shifted around in the sheets in a languorous spate of twists and rolls, a groggy hand reaching out for Spandel. Spandel gently gripped Jasper's hand, intertwining his long fingers through his. "I'm all right My Love. Just having a spot of trouble sleeping, but everything is tickety." He nearly whispered.
"Really?" Jasper wriggled closer, "Are you sure? You weren't feelin' so hot earlier."
"I know, and that premonition still banes me. I'm worried and tired."
"Do you think we should cancel our trip to France?"
"No, no. With what just happened, I feel it may be safer there."
"I wonder why-"
"Someone tried to kill you?" Spandel interrupted with inquiry, "I don't know." He left a kiss on Jasper's forehead, "But I swear by Eléni's graceful handwriting I won't let anyone hurt you or the kids."
"Thanks for the save by the way. How'd you know that was gonna happen?" Jasper snuggled his head against the firm softness of Spandel's chest.
"I didn't exactly." Spandel mused, "I just felt horrible and like you were in danger. I was blinded by black ink and I heard gunshots so I just assumed someone with fire arms posed bad intentions on you. The rest just came to me. I suppose it was a message from Kyadine. It felt like him at least. Though, I do wish he considered warning me in a less arduous and painful sense. Like the visions Eléni sends me, or the dreams Aanah sends me."
"The perks of being an oracle." Jasper laughed sarcastically, massaging the stress from Spandel's head and neck. "Though from what you've told me, Kyadine doesn't seem all that friendly."
"He's not! He's really not!" Spandel blurted out, melting into Jasper's touch. "In fact he's really mean. Gods the crap I had to go through to get his approval. But who's complaining? I'm fortunate to have six gods on my side, no matter their methods of help."
Jasper replied with a sleepy chuckle. "Try and get some sleep tonight My King-slash-Oracle-slash-Demon-slash-Sweetheart-slash-Warrior-slash-Healer-slash-Hero-slash-Protector-slash-Seducer-slash-Daddy-slash-Trickster."
"You're an idiot. Go to sleep." Spandel deadpanned, a humored smile playing on his lips. He elicited a giggle from Jasper.
Spandel wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping. Emily too, found herself restless late into the night. She roamed the dark Hope mansion in search of a way to clear her head. She ultimately decided on a glass of water, hoping that the other residents of the estate wouldn't mind that she quietly helped herself. After a few swigs of the cold liquid, she crept, glass of water in hand, from the silent kitchen. The sound of the front door clicking shut and locking was enough to make her scamper right back into the kitchen though. Her heart was a beating drum in a heavy metal rock song as she ducked down next to a counter. Who had entered the house? Whoever it was Indeed was headed toward the kitchen. Emily heard their boots slowly clap against the tile floor as they got closer, and she could also pick up the sound of unsettling and ragged panting. Quickly she crawled toward the kitchen's pantry. Once inside she retrieved one of the maid's brooms. She got to her feet cautiously, extending the broom out in front of her and patting from the pantry. She couldn't see much, as the mansion was dark and Emily had flipped off the kitchen light after grabbing her water, however she could see a lanky silhouette hovering at the juncture of kitchen and living room. As it neared the kitchen, Emily neared it. With a terrified yelp, she swung her broom right into the figure's head. The hard thud and cry that followed was more than satisfying. Emily moved to turn on the kitchen light to see who had broken in, the assaulted figure springing up immediately after her action. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU YOU STUPID LADY!?" He shouted.
Emily whipped around to face him. "Oops!" She squeaked, her hands cupping over her mouth as her blue eyes cane to rest on the fuming face of Valerian. Ashton. Hope.
So I know I said earlier that we wouldn't be seeing Spandel and Jasper for a while. Yes well ... ''twas a fib.
If I didn't already say it, Jiro Wina as well as the rest of the Wina family, belong to Pandore Hart. Thank you :)
Leave a review Beautiful Readers, and remember that feedback is love. ;)
