Colors of the Bound:
Elanye volunteered to watch Mirabelle for the afternoon during Charlie's bonding activity. Being Corbin and Hephzibah were being re- introduced to the child of the sins. Vaggie supervising something went wrong like last time. As Zon and Wywave busy arranging their Cabin for their new additions. Left little staff around to get anyone that came around this time. In the parlor, Elanye was found with a sewing basket next to her on a sofa. She was mending a few clothing items while humming the song, Part of Your World. As Mirabelle doodles away on pieces of paper. A few of her toys littered the coffee table with her crayons. A funny looking Zoetrope made of driftwood and sea glass also sat among mixed in. Sound of their repeat visitor to the hotel had Elanye looking up toward the hotel's entrance.
"We're over here," Constantine heard a familiar voice, "I am watching your niece while sewing."
"Uncle Constantine," Mirabelle happily squealed, "Come color with me."
"My sister needs to come up with a better way to greet visitors with an empty reception area," Constantine made his way to an occupied sitting area, "Not that I mind finding my niece and you."
"Why I chose here since I am not doing much today," Elanye tied off a seam, "I am repairing the jacket Alastor wore when he faced Adam. Rosie was a great help with pattern as my brother supplied the materials."
Constantine took a seat right next to her since she was sitting in the middle of the couch. He reached to pick up one of the sleeves of the Radio Demon's jacket to look over. Found she was at Weavelyn's level with just two hands with this garment.
"Your craftsmanship," He flipped the cuff around to look at the inseam, "Reminds me of what your brothers wore to my sister's grand reopening celebration."
"Just my attempt to have them have something formal to wear," She started on a new section of the coat, "To those types of events."
"Seems they don't get out much?" He asked, figuring neither had much of a social life.
"They both already know about horrors of the seven rings," She didn't need to explain to Constantine, "Like yourself, they prefer the solitary lifestyle the woods give while helping."
"Knowing my sister," He figured Charlie always had them doing something, "She keeps them busy."
They would have carried on about Zon and Wywave were it not for Mirabelle stepping in with her drawing. Pointing to Zoetrope that lay on the table and wanting to see the mermaid story. Again.
"Another one of your family's fairytales?" Constantine asked her.
"About the founding of Bloodmarch bloodline," She put down the jacket, "Youngest son of village head fell in love with mermaid instead of killing her like members of his village, were known for. Instead hid her away and fathered three children with her. Sons wouldn't live to see adulthood when killed when defending their mother. From the hands of greedy men belonging to their father's village. Leaving the father widowed and daughter to marry an unnamed nephilim male."
Thumping of Constantine's tail as she told him the story by reaching out to spin the Zoetrope. Had the images come to life before Mirabelle's eyes to watch for the 5th time.
"The mermaid left three gifts upon her descendants," Elanye went on, "Song, ancient magic, and heart."
"What humans are willing to result in, doesn't surprise me much," Constantine knew mermaid flesh granted immortality, "Your family's way of sharing their history is quite interesting."
"How we remember where we came from to never forget where we want to go," She went back to her work, "Despite the family curse?"
"I see." Constantine turned to his niece who watched the moving pictures in awe. His tail became still when the word curse was uttered by Elanye in such a way. Unfeeling how she spoke the last part made him quickly turn his head toward her, "Would you mind explaining this to me since it's rare to hear about curses existing in families spanning generations."
"Males are rarely born within the 13 generations of the Bloodmarch line in the living world," Her pulling of the needle slowed, "The sons of our ancestor, my brother, and my nephew have been the only reported ones."
"Has your family ever tried to figure out the cause? Sought out help to break this supposed curse," Constantine leaned forward slightly in his seat, "Find the root of where it started?"
"Twice," She lingered in thought, "My mother and my nephew's mother came close, but paid the price in the end. They theorized the sons of our mermaid ancestor were slayed in trying to defend their mother. Maybe that's when the curse was formed on our bloodline."
"Their results? Breaking a curse of any kind from my experience always has mixed reactions." He couldn't imagine what they went through.
"Miscarriage of their next child," She tied off her latest row, "Why I decided to not attempt to have children, if it doesn't mean I'll never get the son I dreamed."
He would have answered her with his own reasons for not wanting children. Elanye didn't prick her finger on her needle, swearing in Gaeilge while remembering she worn her thumbal. Those droplets of blood that dripped from her finger before she bandaged it. Constantine saw vivid reddish-orange coloring over usual bright red coloring. Almost coral hue left her using a piece of cloth from her sewing basket. Which Constantine would take over for her despite her warning to not come in contact. Stating her brother was the only one that could perform first aid on her. Since a single touch would send a stranger to the nearest emergency center from simple poisoning. Ended with her finger neatly bandaged by Constantine and he was quite fine.
8*8
What does a blank chess board have to do with a chess base drinking game between the prince of hell and red riding hood's Druid?
32 volcanic glass shot glasses with imprints of a single chess piece on the outside of the surface. Carefully set on that board like one was going to play chess against someone. Liquor used for refilling the empty glasses was a Maple liqueur or Pine Wine. While they were reset on the board for yet another round of drink chess. Which is how Constantine and Wywave did when they started to chat near the hotel's bar. All over the topic that Elanye brought up with Constantine sewing.
"How can you two not not curcome to Hell's equality of alcohol poisoning?" Husk has watched the two.
"High alcohol resistance." Constantine answered with a swaying tail.
"A really good Liver," Wywave checked the score, "2 stalemates, 1 loss and 2-2 wins."
Husk thought the two were crazy for hours they were spending moving around shot glass like chess pieces. One that knocked the piece odd the board usually downed it. In one gulp without hesitating even once before the glass was put to the side like the others.
"Ever heard a simple sitting in a parlor," Husk suggested, "Drink tea and One of Miss. Bloodmarch's desserts."
"This was brought up." Constantine made a move and down the drink.
"My sister is busy giving Alastor his fixed jacket." Wywave pointed out.
Elanye ended up taking Mirabelle to her parents while needing to give Alastor his jacket. Leaving her brother in Constantine's company as he dropped a case of his Liquor off. Sweet scent that came from the packed crate was picked up when Constantine inhaled. Being that he had a few questions he never got answers with a few new ones.
"Not how I wanted to spend my day," Husk face palmed, "Not that I am intrigued by the game."
"Taste of this brand doesn't carry the usual bitter flavor." Constantine watched Wywave.
"His highness asked why my Liquor smelled sweet," Wywave made a move and down the drinks, "I offered to give him a sample."
This was where Husk gave up on the two to put away the case Wywave brought for him. Mumbling to himself as he turned away from them when five moves were taking place. Quietly watching the glasses get stacked one move at a time as he worked. Knowing sooner someone was going to win the 7th round of a weird drinking game.
"Checkmate." Constantine won.
He downed his glass while Wywave downed his own for a pause to suddenly take place. Wywave sat reclined on his seat on the bar stool with his attention turning away. Becoming lost in thought for reasons that Husk didn't even know when he worked.
"Well your highness," Wywave recalled Constantine's question, "Our blood since our time in the living world has always had an unwelcoming poisonous effect. Making seeking medical help throughout the 7 rings hard for us until we met Belphegor in sloth ring."
"This family curse of yours?" He asked Wywave recalling what Elanye told him, "About males being rarely born into your family."
"A nasty piece of work," Wywave replied rather upset over the topic, "Made me weary of having children since I'd have a 30 percent chance of fathering a son."
"What do my eyes see?" Serenity asks upon spotting Constantine playing a drinking game.
"Drunken chess." Constantine responds with his tail laying flatly.
"Care to play since his highness is winning?" Wywave asked her.
That was how Serenity ended up taking over Wywave's side and learned of his Liquors during her first game. Amazed the flavor and way the liquid slid down her throat. Wasn't followed by a pungent aftertaste that usually burned her throat in one swallow. Slight sweetness with a Butterscotch, brown sugar, and molasses nodes had her interested in a bottle.
"Next game?" Serenity offered to Wywave, "Since you seem to be an entertaining factor this hour."
"I am to honored to be in the audience of Misfortune and Prince of Hell," He admiringly addressed her, "I'd rather just stay on the sidelines and watch since I had my fill."
"He's bested me once and we've come to a tie once," Constantine pointed out Wywave's score to Serenity, "Loss once."
"Means he has some talent," Serenity spoke aloud enough for Wywave to hear, "Up for a real game? I think we'd love to see what you got."
"I regret to inform you both, Misfortune and his highness," He honestly sighed, "My schedule this week is what one would call packed. Seems my splash at the her highness' reopening has made me a popular one."
He point was further made when Mirabelle came running from the elevator and pulled Corbin behind her. Her grip on his fingers from refusing to let go as he was forced to run at her leave. Left him as a disadvantage that left Wywave trying to not laugh.
"Do your thing," Mirabelle's two wagged, "Please."
"I kinda need something to use my threads on." Corbin reminded her.
"Here." Husk offered up an empty bottle.
When he tossed the pure glass container into the air, Corbin used his few hand to act. Misfortune and Constantine and Wywave saw thin threads form from magic with his eyes lighting up. Moved like silk from a spider or a web worm while expanding from his fingertips. Lashing out in midair toward the bottle until five perfect angled cuts. Sliced through the glass' surface with cracking or shattering taking place. Which landed perfectly in the middle of the game board on the bar.
"Magic threads with cutting edge?" Serenity surmised what Corbin did.
"Pretty much," Corbin pointed out, "Something I came up with without using much magic combined with just enough strength."
"He can also sew like Miss. Bloodmarch," Mirabelle held up her repair dollie, "Her arm was coming off and he made her all better."
"Opportunity arose when Princess Charlie had us demonstrating our magical talents," Corbin fairly stated, "Aunt Elanye brought her to her mom and I saw the doll needed a quick stitch. Two birds, one stone."
"Then you are to resume your lessons beside my existing student Octavia," Constantine voiced his opinion, "Same time and location, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, your highness." Corbin replied with the same unflinching expression.
Mirabelle broke the tension by looking up toward Corbin and asking if he wanted to color with her. He agreed with a charming smile as his only reply before Mirabell happily squealed. Her tail flailing around from the joy of a new playmate in her mits. Unlike Constantine's, he barely flinched since he stood with proper posture on barstool.
"Don't trust him?" Serenity asked Constantine with Wywave listening.
"If he can to do that on his own," Constantine pointed out Corbin's potential, "Further guidance is needed, aren't I correct?"
"I quite agree with your highness," Wywave didn't see the problem in it, "Only so much Zon and myself can teach a developing mind."
"Fun that boy is going to have." Serenity held up a glass in a cheering sense.