What the hell?
Uma shields her eyes, but even closed, the light was still blinding.
The only thing she could hear was a soft, sweet melody.
She reaches out blindly, but she couldn't tell who she had a hold of, and who had a hold of her.
Was this some kind of an attack?
It didn't sound bad-
She takes a deep breath as the light finally begins to dim.
"Kitten!"
"Captain!"
"What happened? What was that? What the hell are you all doing?"
"Put me down."
She turns in concern when she finally blinks her vision back to focus and finds Hades looking Deez over in-
She narrows her eyes.
What game was the god playing now?
Cause if she didn't know better, she'd swear it was in concern.
"Lord Hades, if you please, I believe if we give them a moment to recover, they will be more than willing to walk us through what happened."
"Arachne? Did you try something?"
"Not that I know of, my Lord."
"What is this!" Hades grabs Deez's hand and holds it out, "who cut you? What in the Underworld is going on here?"
Faustina holds up her bleeding palm, "my Lord, if you would please place your daughter down, I'd be happy to share what transpired-" she turns to Yensid, "and hopefully Master Yensid will have some answers?"
Hades eyes widen as he gently places Deez back to her feet, "why are you all bleeding?"
"It would seem this family has performed a type of blood bonding ceremony."
Hades frowns, "but they're all fine?"
"Yes. Why the hell did you barge in here?"
"My apologies, Captain-"
"No, not you," she quickly amends, "him." She points at Hades.
"Wha- We were working and then," Hades claps his hands together, "Boom, magic in the face."
"My Lord, what I believe my Captain is asking, is why it bothered you."
"Seriously? Magic. Boom. Unexpected. Haven't you all dealt with enough of that shit? Though-" Hades taps a finger to his lips in thought, "this did feel different," he shakes his head, "still, magic. Boom. No."
She glares, "half of us are magical. It's not like we did it on purpose."
"Did I say you did it on purpose, Momma Squid? No. I thought you were being attacked."
"Well, we weren't." She crosses her arms with a scowl at the accusation.
"Well, excuse the fuck outta me for caring, yeesh."
"My Lord," Faustina frowns, "It's-"
"Thank you, for caring." Deez interrupts.
She looks at Deez in surprise.
"But," she continues, "right now, I'd really like to know what that was." She turns to Yensid for answers, "please."
They all turn to Yensid curiously.
"There is magic clinging around each of you, it has faded since our arrival, but it's there. It's the same energy I sensed in a wave that emanated from whatever it was you did." He holds out a hand palm up, "if I may?"
She nods as she places her hand in his, desperate to know what they'd just done.
As much as she hated to admit it, part of her agreed with the God. That light had been alarming.
"I see. Is there special meaning behind this mark?"
Uma nods, "it's to remind us that, no matter where we are, we're not alone."
"I see, so this is a mark that binds you all together."
She nods.
"Did you exchange blood with each other?"
"Aye…" She admits as her concern mounts.
What had she done? Had she, like, cursed them or something?
"You all never cease to amaze me." Yensid says, more to himself than to the group, before he looks up, "untrained in magic though you are, you are still able to come together and accidentally though it may have been, cast a rather powerful spell."
She sighs at the admiration in Yensid's tone, and her heart rate starts to return to normal. He didn't sound concerned.
"Fascinating. I can not tell you what the spell does, but it is a combination of all of you. Powerful, protective, healing, and most importantly the intentions behind the spell were of the pure variety."
"Sooooooo, everything is okay then?" Hades asks.
"Indeed." Yensid smiles at her, "sorry for interrupting, I wasn't expecting to feel such potent magic so suddenly." He turns to the god, "that being said, I believe we should leave them to their celebration. Though, please, keep me informed of any differences you experience after today."
"Aye," she nods as she looks around at her family, "we can do that."
"Come on then, Beardy." Hades rolls his eyes as he turns to exist with Yensid, "wait, what kind of celebrating do you think they're doing? Because let me tell you, I have seen what happens when Dionysus throws a party, and Guyliner has the same kind of vibe his followers have."
Faustina covers her amusement with a small cough.
Yensid eyes shimmer with mirth, "Indeed, what can you tell me about the parties you've attended, Lord Hades?"
"Ha. Not my scene. I was forced to attend the handful I've been to."
"My Lord," Faustina's eyes sparkle, "if you are concerned about us having an orgy-"
"Ew! Ew, fuckin- EW, wrong word choice, Ew! Arachne! Bad. That's a bad spider. Don't put things like that out there or give Loverboy any ideas. Ew."
Faustina covers her amusement, "you might be too late."
She turns to Faustina with her mouth agape.
Did she really just-
Deez's eyes widen as she also turns to stare at Faustina, her whole body turning pink.
"Whaaaat! Ya know what. Nope. Nope. Nope. No. No. Ew. No. Gross. Not okay." Hades shakes his hands in front of him. "You! Loverboy."
"Yeah?" Gil shifts in discomfort.
"No. Bad."
"My Lord, you're being presumptuous."
"I- you know what, ew. Just all the ew."
"The teenage years are fascinating."
"OH me!" Hades points at Yensid accusingly, "you knew!"
"I did not." Yensid grins, "But I didn't not know either. Stress is often relieved by carnal acts. It's actually one of the healthier-"
Hades slams his hands over his ears. "I don't need to hear this, if I can't do shit to stop it."
"My Lord," Faustina interjects, "I-"
"No." Hades glares at an unfazed Faustina, "you, no more talky."
"Come, Lord Hades, let us resume our work."
"Me, please, yes." Hades shakes his head as he shivers with exaggerated disgust.
Once more, Faustina covers her amusement behind her hand.
"You." Hades points at Faustina, "are deriving waaaay too much pleasure from this."
"I've no idea to what you are inferring, my Lord, I was merely-"
Harry quickly covers her mouth as he pulls her to him.
"Thank you Guyliner, fuckin- ew. I mean, Me dammit." Hades glares at Faustina, "I will not forget this, Arachne," he points at her before he turns and exits.
"I hope the seven of you enjoy your festivities, it seems I have a god sized ego to sooth." Yensid offers in amusement.
"Good luck." Deez sighs, "and if you find something that works-"
"You will be the first to know." Yensid chuckles before taking his leave as well.
A moment passes before Gil turns to Faustina, "Angel! What was that?"
"Not a damn Angel, she's a damn monster!" Hades' voice echoes back to them.
She turns when she hears Faustina's inelegant snort from beneath Harry's hand, her eyes shining brightly with an almost sadistic glee she only associated with T.
"Not really helpin' your case," Gil shakes his head as he covers his face.
She and Harry share a glance, one somewhere between amusement and horror, before he releases his death grip on Faustina.
"I hope that did whatever it is you wanted it to do." Deez says through her fingers as she shakes more of her hair into her face, "because that is going to bite hard."
"If he can broach the topic without stumbling." Faustina shrugs.
Once more, her jaw drops at Faustina's audacity.
"Angel, this isn't funny. That was- so uncomfortable."
Deez slowly nods in agreement. "You mean mortifying." She drags her hands down her face, "I was not ready for that."
"Neither was he."
"An' that be bein' the part bein' particularly hilarious."
Faustina turns to look up at Harry, "Thank you, my Prince."
Daniel tilts his head as he looks at each of them before he rolls his eyes and stomps over to her and begins to bandage her palm.
His Pirate Princess had a mischievous streak in her that could span oceans.
And she was brazenly unafraid to use it.
He kisses the top of Faustina's head before he releases her completely, "it be ah seemin' the Wee Demon be wantin' ta patch us up, so we can be ah movin' on ta the next part."
He rubs his hands together.
"Ya ready ta be showin' off yer surprise?" Uma asks as she helps Daniel bandage his own hand.
"Aye," he grins, "be savin' it for somethin' like this after I be pilferin' it." He grins before he rushes to retrieve the bottle and glasses.
Faustina turns to him with a smile, her eyes full of excitement.
"Really?" Gil perks up, "we haven't drank in months."
"I even be ah keepin' it nice an' cool like, should be enough ta be takin' summa the burn away." He winks at Deez.
"Thank the sea god's." Deez chuckles lightly, "but still, gross."
"We be welcomin' our new members here, Fire Princess, ya really gonna be turnin' yer nose up?"
"Don't push her," Faustina chides.
"It be me job," he chuckles as Uma takes the bottle from him.
"That's enough," Uma snorts before she settles next to the crate and pats it, "come on."
Gil looks from the bottle to Daniel, "are we givin' him some too?"
Daniel puts his hands on his hips and stomps his foot.
Faustina giggles as she scoops Daniel up and settles next to Uma, "I don't see a problem with it."
Gil turns to her in disbelief, "you are on a roll today. Are you on a rogue wave?"
"It's tradition." Deez pouts.
"Aye," he chuckles, "Fire Princess ain'nah be bein' wrong."
Gil humphs, but can't stop his smile when Deez grabs his arm and pulls him to sit with her beside Uma.
"I doubt it is much of a concern, my Lion."
"So stop being a grump and have some fun." Deez pecks Gil's cheek, "because later, I'm getting a tattoo."
Faustina bites her lip, "if you'd like to practice first, my Lion, me and T were looking forward to-"
"Really!" Gil's attitude shifts near instantaneously, "both of ya?"
Faustina nods, "if you're wil-"
"YES!" Gil cuts her off.
He chuckles as he sets the glasses up for Uma to pour. "I can be ah drinkin' to that."
Daniel raises his hand as he points to Gil's tattoo and then his own arm with pleading eyes.
"What? I- Uma?"
Uma shrugs, "looks like you've got another tattoo to create."
"Ah, ah-" Gil frowns.
"But not tonight," she continues.
Daniel pouts as he turns to Faustina.
"Our Lion is a perfectionist, my Little Demon, and it's best not to rush something so permanent."
"Thank you!" Gil sighs in relief.
"But whatever he comes up with, it's going to be amazing." Deez grins as she ruffles Daniel's hair.
All of them chuckle at Daniel's exaggerated defeat.
"I assure you, it'll be worth the wait." Faustina kisses the top of Daniel's head. "For now, however, it's time to drink to our family's health and happiness."
He grins as he passes around the small cups, "aye. Ya be ah takin' this an' waitin' for the Captain ta be sayin' words."
"Yeah, and then ya clink your glasses together, an' the best part is ya "get a drink for every toast." Gil grins.
"With seven of us?" Uma snorts.
"I don't think me and Daniel count." Deez chuckles, "and it's not like T and Faustina both want a drink at the same time," she frowns before she turns to Faustina, "unless you do?"
"No, thank you," Faustina chuckles, "we're not trying to pass out again."
"So, really, it's just four of you probably wanting more drinks."
"Aye," Uma chuckles before she looks between him and Gil, "half shots only, got it?"
"Aye Captain!" He salutes before he holds up his cup, "now, be regalin' us with yer wisdom."
Uma raises her glass,"how can I refuse?" She grins as she looks around, "this family, what we're able to do, I can't tell you how many talks I've had with Yensid about how 'extraordinary' we are."
He chuckles along with her.
They were a pretty extraordinary bunch.
And the fact they'd still somehow come together to form a family?
Actually, now that he was thinking about it-
Fate.
There had to be something fate-like interested in them.
How else had Uma found Deez?
How had the girl in the tower found the courage to leave it? Why had her brother somehow stumbled through learning to survive while also tripping into endearing himself to them?
How had he found enough trust to believe in Uma after all he'd been through because of his family before her?
How had Gil, a son of Gaston, accepted the love and leadership of a girl?
There were so many things that should have kept them apart.
And yet, here they were.
Joined by the boy who somehow managed to survive hell against all odds.
The boy who could be his and Fasutina's son.
Fate.
He shakes his head as Uma continues.
"I, well, I used ta brush it off. But seriously? We are pretty awesome. And I think it's because we all have the bond we do. The more we've added to the family, the faster I've noticed it, what binds us tighter than an anchor. So, that's my toast, to us. To finding those that we belong with. To helping those that belong with us see that they do." She playfully eyes Faustina.
"To the bonds that hold us together." He taps his cup to Uma's with the rest of the family before he quickly downs his drink, watching Daniel behind the rim of his glass.
He nearly chokes as Daniel's eyes widen before he drops the glass and sprays the drink in front of him with a cough, his hands flailing in a desperate attempt to stop the burn.
"What be wrong, Lil' Demon? Ya ain'nah likin' yer drink?"
Daniel drops his hands as he looks at him like he was unimpressed and flips him off.
"Daniel!" Faustina chides as she pulls him to her lap before she turns to him, her look nearly mirroring Daniel's, "couldn't help yourself, my Prince?"
"Aye, no." He grins, "not ah single bit."
Faustina laughs as Gil shakes his head, "ain't like you were much better when you had your first shot."
Deez chuckles as she tips the rest of her drink into Gil's cup, "I think T and Faustina are the only ones that haven't spit it back out."
"You all missed the first couple generations of my sleep draught."
"It was worse?!" Deez pouts.
"Gross." Gil shakes his head.
"Oh, very much so, and much thicker. We had to use spoons to take it."
Deez shivers as she closes her eyes, "no."
"Ugh," Gil groans, looking sick at just the thought.
"Well, now that my lovely toast has been ruined, who's next?" Uma chuckles as she pours more into the cups on the crate, while Deez pours water for Daniel and herself.
Gil raises his hand, "if Harry ain't jumpin' at it, I'll go."
He grins before he bows at the waist, "all you, Sweet Boy."
"To always inspiring each other, I'm not sure we would'ah made it this far without supporting each other's passions."
They clink their glasses together with a round of cheers.
"So," he grins as Uma and Deez set up again, "to findin' our reasons. Our reason to fight. Our reason ta hope. Our reason ta love. To each of us." He winks, "an' ya'll thought I couldn't be keepin' things simple like."
This time he pours the water for Deez and Daniel.
"To always striving for a better tomorrow." Deez says after a few quiet moments, "to seeing the best we can in each other, and accepting our own weaknesses. To knowing we're never alone."
He watches everyone for a moment.
Like all toasts, it was full of love and meaning, but he could tell he wasn't the only one to feel proud in that moment.
She'd just lost her fire, but here she was toasting to the acceptance of it and telling them she knew she wasn't alone.
"Deez," Uma whispers with an appreciative smile as each of them look at her with pride.
"Yeah, well, even I'm not completely deaf to what you've all been saying." Deez shifts in discomfort.
Gil grins widely as he pulls Deez to his lap and hugs her tight to his chest. "Finally sank in then?"
Deez grumbles under her breath before she clears her throat, "your turn, Faustina."
Faustina blushes as she places down the bottle she'd been refilling their glasses with, "oh, of course, my Constellation Chaser," she smiles as she raises her glass, "To our luck, the fortuitous and the unfortunate. Let us all continue to learn from the bad, and grow from the good. To reminding those who doomed us to this plight that love and light will always prevail. Let us be daring and clever, unflinching in this looming endeavor to unite the Isle and serve under our Queen."
"Hear! Hear!"
He chuckles at the look of surprise on Faustina's face when everyone vehemently cheers in unison, and quickly downs her shot to hide behind her glass.
Daniel taps his fingers together in an erratic beat as the glasses are refilled.
It still caught him off guard, how much Daniel looked the way T used to look.
Staring so intently at the crate, as if it would speak for him.
When the glasses are once again filled, or filled as much as Uma will allow them to be, Daniel stands up and raises the cup over his head.
Everyone falls silent as they watch him.
First he kicks the air then points to his butt. Then he brings his arms up, his biceps bulging slightly as he flexes.
He grins as he raises his glass. "I can be ah secon'in' that. To kicking ass and being strong."
Daniel's lips purse before he shrugs and nods.
"Close enough?" Uma asks with a chuckle.
Daniel grins and nods before he reaches up to clink glasses with the rest of them.
"To our family, together, no matter where we go or what we do." Deez adds softly.
The hair on the back of his neck tingles.
"To those not with us." He adds.
"Yeah," Gil agrees as he looks in the direction of Auradon, "and ta bein' grateful that they're not."
"And to being reunited, one day." Uma smiles.
So… The fuck knows what spell…
Anyone curious about what that means for the fam?
I know I would be.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead all over the place.
Fucking Faustina! Seriously!? Telling someone else's father and uncle they've been part of an orgy? While you and those you participated with are in the room? Party Foul, Tina.
Like, seriously? Rude. Rude. Rude all over the place.
It was fucking funny though.
What did you guys think about the toasts?
How ya feeling about the Sea Seven?
And, damn, what a bitter-sweet way to end the chapter.
Fuck if I don't miss the Core and their motley crew of HKz.
Speaking of-
The fuck do ya'll think the Rotten's would be doing in this war? What positions and jobs? How would they be dealing and coping-
Would Uma have extended an invitation to them to join her family if they'd stayed?
Things I've thought about, but can't write because it's not conducive to our actual plot-
Still, would to love your thoughts on these particular hypotheticals
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted