Author's Note: Sorry about the unpredictable updates. I haven't had much inspiration for writing lately, especially when concerning FF. WHICH, brings me to the following: I need your opinion.
What should I do to improve this story?
I brainstormed awhile back, and I pretty much have an outline with tons of ideas for the remainder of the story. But that's just an outline. I want to know what you think would be a good addition to the actual content of the story. Any suggestions will be taken into consideration, so don't hesitate!
Thanks :)
Equinox
Chapter Twelve
"Well this is quite the affair, isn't it?"
Anne's eyes narrowed, and her lips folded into a petulant frown. Her fingers visibly tightened around each other, where they were clasped on the table before her. To her left, Marian Janssen shot me a scathing look. If it weren't for the obvious differences in their features, they could have been mistaken for twins.
In contrast to the two, Dr. Martinez bit her lip to keep from smiling. She was seated to the right of Anne, and obviously uncomfortable with the arrangement. The rest of the conference table was occupied by various senior hunters, who all appeared absolutely bored out of their minds.
"Sit down, Maximum," Anne ordered, a terseness entering her tone that did nothing to obscure her exasperation.
Normally, I wouldn't be so obedient. I had a feeling this was going to be painful enough of a procedure, though. Normally, Anne didn't arrange for a full scale meeting when I was being scolded. Special occasion, I presumed. I slumped into the single empty chair at the opposite end of the long table without complaint.
"I'd give you the chance to defend yourself, but I'll save myself the headache," Anne began, flattening her palms against the cherry wood surface; applying enough pressure to turn her knuckles white. "You've done plenty of rebellious things in the past, but this is crossing the line. Even you must recognize that."
"As flattered as I am by this large reception," I said, indicating our audience, "I'm not sure I'm aware of what you're speaking of."
Marian snorted, and Anne flashed her a warning glare. Her mouth disappeared in a hard line, as she returned her cold gaze to my own. I grinned patronizingly, chocolate brown eyes wide and innocent.
"Don't play games with me. I'm had enough of it. This entire organization survives on secrecy. Now you've taken upon yourself the notion that you can prance around, bringing anyone you see fit into this life. Contrary to what you must believe, you are not, under any circumstances, permitted to do so. It's absolutely unacceptable." Anne's nostrils flared, and it took all of my impressive willpower not to erupt into giggles at the sight. The seriousness of the situation was more laughable than disciplinary. Most likely not the aura Anne was aiming for.
All eyes were on me, and I took it to mean it was my turn to speak.
"Let's be realistic for two seconds, here. You're not mad that I spilled all our dirty little secrets to a couple mangy kids. You're angry because I did it behind your back. Well, here's a news flash for you. When have I ever asked for permission?"
"Precisely the root of the problem," Marian responded, acid crawling through each word.
"Get over it," I spat at her, kicking my legs up on the table. I crossed my ankles, lounging as calmly as possible.
"I know it's proven difficult for you in the past, but you will respect your elders." Anne's voice cut through the icy, disgruntled silence that followed. I gloatingly took notice of the bulging vein in her neck.
Somebody was getting a little worked up.
I rolled my eyes, a smug smile falling languidly across my face. This was awfully entertaining for what had, at first, seemed like a death trial.
"Max," Dr. Martinez said, soft but stern.
My smirk fell, just as quickly as it had come. I sighed, returning to my former position. Straightening my shoulders, I stared Anne down across the small cluster of flowers that had taken residence in the center of the table.
"Look. I get it. It's a big deal. I should ask for permission, yada yada yada. But I didn't, and it's too late. The fact remains that, just because you don't approve, doesn't mean it wasn't a good decision on my behalf. You don't know anything about these kids." I was building up to a nice, long rant. To save myself the trouble, I clamped my mouth shut, awaiting a response.
"Because you do?" David Norman demanded. He was a hunter from somewhere in Virginia, most likely stopping by our base to check up on things, or on his way somewhere else. He had a son named Sam; my age. I had only met him a couple of times, but he had seemed nice enough. And cute, but that was beside the point.
"I know they have nowhere else to go. I know we'd be doing a good thing by taking them in. I know they're special, and I know they'll make great hunters. Give them the chance."
John Abate spoke next, looking thoughtful. "We'd have to train four more kids, when we've just finished with you and Dylan. A couple more years, and Gazzy will be ready to hunt. The difference between you three and them, is that you were all virtually born into this. How are they even supposed to grasp the magnitude of what's to come?"
John was a good a guy; one of the best. He was a phenomenal hunter, and had personally had a hand in most of my training. He was probably one of the closest things I'd had to a father since the passing of my own. His judgment was one of the few that I considered important, but I was sticking with the flock whether he agreed or not.
"I'll handle it all. None of you have to worry about a thing."
Anne splintered the space between us with a bitter laugh. "Where you're concerned, we'll always be worried. However, you seem surprisingly passionate about this. It might even be good for you. While I'm still disconcerted over your lack of communication, I know a loss when I see it."
Max: roughly two billion. Anne: 0.
"If that's all, I'd like to dismiss myself." I stood before she could muster a reply, flicking a strand of dark blonde hair over my shoulder.
She shook her head, but motioned to door. Resignation lapped at the creases in her aging face. It wouldn't be long before my shenanigans forced the gray hairs lurking within her scalp to sprout from their follicles. When she took on the position after my father, I don't think she had any idea what she was getting herself into.
Poor thing.
-o-o-o-
"It's time for dinner," I announced, poking my head into the doorway of our lounge room. Fang's eyes flickered to mine, and he nodded silently. The rest of his flock took this as a safe sign, and scrambled to their feet. Dylan, who had been quietly conversing with Iggy in the corner, loped past me and into the hall.
I turned, guiding our newcomers to the mess hall. The steel gray double doors were propped open, and gave way to the long room within. Square tables littered the speckled tile floor, but only a few were occupied. The hunters were too engrossed in their food to pay attention to our arrival.
"There's Gazzy." Dylan nudged my shoulder, tilting his head in the Gasman's direction. We had staked a claim on a cluster of tables in the far east corner years and years ago.
"I'll go talk to him. Take them through the line. You guys can have anything you want; as much as you want. The food itself is pretty generic, but I'll squeeze some dessert out of the cooks later tonight." I waved my hand toward the kitchen, attempting a comforting smile. They still appeared uneasy and on edge. Not that I could blame them.
It would take some getting used to, this way of life.
Gazzy shoveled a forkful of spaghetti into his mouth, giving me a sloppy grin as I approached. A noodle was making an escape from between his lips, and sauce was already spattered on his cheeks and shirt. Bottomless pit took on a whole new meaning when it came to Gazzy.
"Remember to breathe between bites," I reminded him, ruffling his curly locks as I passed to take a seat on his left. He ducked from my fingers, squirming away.
After swallowing carefully, he said, "I think I'm pretty good at eating by this point. Don't worry."
"Touche," I muttered, laughing despite myself. "Anyway, I don't know where you've been lurking, but I'm sure you've heard about the new additions."
"Yeah. You and Dylan brought in some group of kids. He was telling me about it last night before we went to bed," Gazzy replied, dragging a napkin from one jaw to the other.
"Right, well they're probably going to be staying with us for awhile . . . which means you'll have some new training partners." I figured this prospect would excite him. Gazzy didn't like being the youngest. From his point of view, it basically spelled: always left out. Hopefully, now he wouldn't feel so alone.
"Cool!" He proclaimed enthusiastically, before continuing his indulgences.
Dylan returned soon after that, the flock trailing apprehensively behind him. They scattered into various chairs, not so subtly drawing them nearer to each other. Dylan plopped down beside me, sliding a plate into my hands. I took the fork he offered, meeting Fang's dark, blank gaze from across the table.
"Everyone, this is the Gasman. We usually call him Gazzy," I said by way of introduction, clasping onto his shoulder. He smiled, almost shyly, baby blue eyes shining.
"Hi," he murmured, shaking a coil of gold onto his forehead.
"Hey!" Nudge exclaimed, lips stretching in a wild smile. She hummed in her seat, bursting with nervous energy. "I'm Nudge, and this is Iggy. He's Fang, and over there is Angel. You guys kind of look a lot alike, actually. A lot a lot. I mean, you both have curly blonde hair, and blue eyes, and you have similar noses," she concluded, cocking her head to the side, as if she was summing up all their comparable traits.
Though I probably would have stated it in a few less words, she was right. Angel and Gazzy did share quite a few physical qualities.
"Well, now that we've got all the introductions out of the way, let's eat," I pressed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "We've all got an early morning tomorrow."
Fang's obsidian stare burned on mine. Was it really necessary to be so intense at all times? I wanted to ask, but I was getting the notion that the answer was yes.
"Why?" he asked, raising one crooked eyebrow.
"Training starts bright and early."