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Story
+ Angel Hunt ~ Streifen +
Future Effects
Thirty five years after the first...
A story collaboration between Angel Hunt and Streifen
Chapter One : Part One
“What in the world happened?” The younger Selestarri picks the fabric up off the table and studies it. It was the result of one of those damn charms Crow was teaching him in his free time. “Look, Ikkairius, I know Sen can get… rowdy, but-” He’s cut off mid sentence.
“I have come to you time and time again about this, Aki. I have had it with that boy. He does not want to learn and I do not want to teach him any longer. It has become impossible. He will not listen and spends his time causing more harm than anything else.”
“But…”
“But nothing! If he is to further his education, it will not be by my hand. I have had enough.”
“Then who will teach him?”
“I do not care. Perhaps he needs a more structured environment... or more involved parents. Either way, it will not be me.” Ikkairius spins around, storming out of the kitchen in a huff, leaving Aki somewhat dumbfounded. Ikkairius was the only one capable of teaching Sen. His expansive knowledge would provide the child with well-rounded skills and it had been going well for the past fifteen years. But over the past year or so, Sen had started to change. He was growing up, that was obvious, and apparently turning to pranks to keep himself entertained. While none of the pranks had centered on either of his fathers, those at the end of them never appreciated being the target.
Ikkairius had been complaining more recently, but Aki figured it was just Sen being Sen and Ikkairius being annoyed at his general youthfulness, as he has been for the past so many years. Kids can get irritating, but for the Ancient Bright to get to the point of refusing to teach was something new altogether.
The Eclipsed sighs, finishing his morning coffee in one swig and picking up the burnt fabric as he rises. He and Sen needed to have a little chat.
The Eclipsed knocks lightly on the doorframe. “Hey, Sen, you mind if I come in?” The clear red gaze turns to greet his father and he smiles, beginning to say something until his eyes fall on the burnt fabric as Aki enters. The hybrid looks away and brushes long bangs away from his eyes while his father seats himself on the edge of the bed. Aki tosses him the fabric and the teen reaches up to catch it, never even looking back.
“I’m sure you know what happened.”
Silence. Aki sighs.
“You really pissed Ikkairius off this time, he is saying he refuses to teach you anymore.”
Sen shrugs, still refusing to meet his father’s gaze.
“Sen, this has been happening a lot lately, what’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on, Dad.” The hybrid sighs, crimson eyes trailing down to the fabric in his hands. A small smile cracks over his lips and he snorts before his expression straightens and he turns away from the window to meet his father’s gaze, “Uncle Ikkairius doesn’t have a sense of humor is all…” He laughs, met with only a raised eyebrow in return.
The laughter fades along with his smile and he sighs heavily, rolling his eyes, “Okay fine. I’m bored Dad, really bored. All he does is drone on every day, yap yap yap, it’s always the same, he never says anything different, he never wants to do anything, no one around here wants to do anything.” The hybrid turns his body back, pulling his legs up and leaning against the window alcove once more, his voice taking on a tint of frustration. “I can’t handle it anymore, everyone in the house is old or getting old and there’s nothing to do around here except have tea like some old lady. It’s driving me insane…” Frustrated crimson shift to the side, meeting cerulean blue, “seriously Dad, it’s driving me totally insane, you have no idea.”
Aki can’t help but laugh himself. “If you only knew the kinds of things Ikkairius, myself and Jenova have been through, this would be a welcome retreat, I’m sure. We truly expect little of you in regard to responsibility and have never stood in your way. On one hand I want to ask how this life is so damn hard but on the other I understand you are young and other than those you see around you everyday, you have no one else to communicate with.” The Eclipsed lays back on the bed against the wall, sighing as he brings his fingers up to his temples.
“Since you have gone out of your way to not only drive off Ikkairius, but any other teacher we have attempted to bring in, I suppose we don’t have much of a choice but to try and send you for education outside the mansion. Jenova isn’t going to like it but you do need people your own age to spend time with. I’m just not sure where you could go considering how protective he can get and the fact that there really isn’t anyone else out there with your heritage.” Aki puts his hand down and looks over at Sen. “I really don’t want to have this conversation with Jenova, you know.”
The hybrid drops his gaze and fumbles with the burnt fabric, his voice low, “Sorry…” He sighs as his fingers still and he slowly looks back up, the worry clear in his tone, “you don’t think he’ll be mad at me do you? Because I didn’t mean anything, but…” Trailing off, a small tint of hopefulness creeps into his voice and he drops his gaze again, continuing to fumble with the burnt fabric, “do you really think he’ll let me go out?”
“Honestly Sen, you could probably burn this whole house down and he really wouldn’t be fazed as long as you were ok.” Aki catches himself, “but that’s not a suggestion.” He rolls his eyes slightly as the hybrid cracks a smile. “I don’t know what he will ultimately decide. You know how he is with things he loves, but you are generally hardier than most so I honestly don’t think there is much danger for you out there provided you were in an environment he was ok with. I will talk to him and we will see.”
The Eclipsed pulls himself off the bed and ruffles Sen’s hair with a smile. “Until we figure this out, try not to get into any more trouble, ok?”
He shakes his head with a small laugh as his Selestarri father walks from the room, “Yeah, yeah Dad, you got it.”
The Demon’s eyes remain closed as Aki removes his clothing and lowers himself into the warm water, wading over to Jenova and setting his head on the pale shoulder.
“I think Sen finally did it…”
A crimson eye opens to regard him.
“Ikkairius is done, he refuses to teach him anymore. The pranks are getting out of hand.” He sighs. “I went and talked to Sen and he’s bored. He has no one here he can relate to, he has nothing to do and I understand where he’s coming from. Maybe it’s time he got to leave the mansion and be around others his age.”
The Demon lifts his head from the inlaid marble ledge, reaching up to run claw tipped fingers through wet plaits as a small smirk plays on pale lips, “Despite the boy’s chronological age, you know as well as I that he is not a normal youth… and it would be irresponsible to allow him out amongst the mundane of the world. I will not jeopardize his safety by this any more than I would yours…” Pulling his fingers free of his hair, Jenova tilts his head in the slightest, clear red eyes holding blue as they rise to meet his gaze, “The boy will be fine and this phase will pass, he simply needs time.”
“I’m not sure he will, Jenova. This has been going on for quite a while now and has progressively gotten worse. He is young and he does need to socialize, but he really can’t do that here, he’s bored and frustrated. Sen’s not exactly capable of being solitary despite the heritage he shares with you and considering how social Selestarri are, especially in their youth, I can see why he would need it. I would send him to be raised on the Eyrie if I could, you know that.” Aki smirks. “You also know he’s not exactly a fragile thing. I’m pretty sure he could handle just about anything that’s thrown at him. Besides, in a structured environment, it wouldn’t really be an issue. I’m sure there is somewhere you know of. Don’t those in the Organization have children? They can’t just send them out into the ‘mundane’ either I would assume. Humans don’t exactly mingle well with Angels and Demons.”
Aki moves to straddle Jenova’s hips, placing his arms over broad shoulders and running slender fingers through snow-white, wet plaits. “He’s just a kid, let him be a kid. He only gets to be young and reckless once.”
Glass like claws slide slowly over Aki’s thighs, causing the barest of ripples to form in the water as a sly smile forms on the pale lips before him, “Perhaps you are right…” Jenova traces slowly up to slender hips, gripping down to pull the Eclipsed towards him and close the minimal gap between their bodies. Clear crimson eyes reflect amusement as the Demon slides a hand away to trace along Aki’s spine, causing the smaller man to gasp loudly and arch into him, his hands gripping tight in white hair when the tips of his nails graze fused flesh, “…there are indeed options for him that I might look into…” The Selestarri’s head rolls down, full lips meeting the Demon’s as words are spoken into his mouth, “…if I am given the right… persuasion.”
Aki chuckles as he brushes pale lips. “Well, if that’s the case, that was easier than I expected.” The two meet for a deep kiss…
But… if that’s what they are doing that must be a good sign. Maybe Father will actually let him leave this place once and a while, unless Dad was waiting until after to bring it up. Either way, the boredom of this place was killing him. There was nothing here and stuffy, old Uncle Ikkairius wasn’t helping matters any. It wasn’t that he didn’t know the kind of things they had gone through, he hears about them all the time, it’s just he can’t help himself. At least if he had gone through something himself, it would be different, but his life was the same every. single. day. Learning this and training that. Training for what? If they never let him leave the house there is no point to any of it. He might as well just lay down and die. Hell, what’s the point of even having a weapon if you can’t use it on anything?
He hears all these stories about how nasty things can be out there with the Angels and Demons but all the ones he sees come through the mansion have been pussy-whipped by Father. They hardly seem like they could have ever been a challenge for anyone. His grandfathers haven’t been around in years and even when they were spending more time in the house all they really ever did was bicker with each other. He doesn’t like them very much anyway.
So. Bored.
He sighs heavily, blowing out to puff away long bangs before rolling onto his stomach. Reaching up, he grabs a pillow and pulls it over his head, attempting to mute the loud cries that sound out down the hall from his fathers’ room.
Leaning his head to the side, he brushes his lips in long ginger locks, smiling when Aki’s grip tightens around his neck. “I dare say you are a master of persuasion…” he teases with a chuckle, pulling a smirk to full lips. Gold streaked blue open and rise to meet amused crimson. “I will have the necessary arrangements made within a day’s time for education outside of our home…”
The Eclipsed smiles, “Thank you, I know Sen will appreciate it and I think he’ll do much better this way.” He smirks. “Or at least not terrorize everyone else in the house as much.”
“What?”
“You know I can tell when you two are going at it…”
Aki’s face flushes slightly. “Ah… sorry. It’s not really something that can be helped… and besides, it’s what got good results anyway.”
Sen’s expression instantly changes to guarded hope.
“Your Father will be looking into some options for you to learn outside the mansion and we should know something in a few days. He has the appropriate connections to keep you somewhere that he will be satisfied with, most likely within the Organization, but at least it will get you out of the house and with people your own age. I know you need it and I also know if Ikkairius doesn’t get a break from you soon I’ll have hell to pay from him.”
“Oh way to go Dad!” Sen jumps up out of his bed, practically pouncing on Aki in excitement. Stumbling back a little to catch his footing as his son holds tight, excited crimson stay fixed with his father’s blue, “so did he say where? What kind of kids? Like Human kids? Would Father really let me be around human kids? But my age right? This is going to be so cool!”
The Eclipsed laughs. “You know Jenova, he never elaborates on anything. My assumption is that you will be attending school with children of those in the Organization, which would make them a mix of Angels, Demons and possibly some humans. I don’t know exactly. They would be your age developmentally, it’s pointless to go through all this only to have you go to school with students either much younger or older than you.”
Aki combs through Sen’s short milk brown hair and smiles. “As soon as I know something you will know.”
“Sweet.” The hybrid grins, more than a little excited at the prospect of finally being able to leave the house and be around someone other than the elderly of that occupies the mansion. He couldn’t wait, and while he knows his Demon father did everything in his own time, however many days it would take him to set this up was going to take forever…
“Ho shi, Father!” Sen sits up, reaching up to push milky brown locks from his eyes, “what – what’s up?” Father always did stuff like this but no matter how many years he lived with him, he didn’t think he’d ever get used to it.
The Demon drops a bundle of neatly folded clothes on his legs, “You will dress in this.” Turning in the darkness, heavy leather boots make little sound as he moves towards his son’s doorway, speaking as he goes, “your other Father and I will be downstairs, do not keep us waiting for very long…”
“Y-yes sir.” The hybrid says as Jenova exits the room without a backwards glance. It had only been a couple days since the possibility of leaving the mansion was presented. The first night he was so excited he couldn’t sleep, the next he figured it probably wasn’t going to happen and kind of gave up on the idea. He would be doomed to boredom.
Sen pulls himself out of bed and sets the clothing down, taking each article and laying it out over his comforter. Seeing a school uniform for the first time up close was strange and knowing that it was his was even stranger. Clear crimson eyes cut through the darkness as he grabs a towel and heads to the shower.
His mind began to race with thoughts about his first day at a real school with other kids. What where they like? He had really never met anyone else his own age. Occasionally some members of Father’s Organization would come through with a small child in tow, but he never got to meet them up close. His Demon Father was always very adamant that others stay away from him. He knew his Father was only trying to protect him, but he wasn’t quite sure of what exactly. It’s not like he couldn’t defend himself. Both his fathers had taught him how to do that over the years.
His Selestarri Dad always said it was because he refuses to lose something he loves so he will go through all measures to keep it safe. Safe was boring. Very boring. He wanted something, anything different from the same old crap every single day. The way his Dad would talk about their past, it always sounded exciting. Sen wanted that, he wanted to know what it was like to have your life on the line and fighting with everything you had to keep it. Of course, he didn’t really expect that from a school, but anything out of the house would do right now.
His mind continues as he exits the bathroom and begins to dress himself. Sen knew there was no one else out there with his heritage, so how would others treat him? Angels hate everyone but their own. Elitist punks. Father could kick all their asses and they know it. He can smell the fear on even the Higher council members when they come by for business. It radiates off them. There shouldn’t be any Selestarri since they are all taught on the Eyrie and Sen knows he wouldn’t be welcome there. Dad’s race was elitist in their own right as well. However he didn’t really know what normal Demons would think, considering he’s not a full one. The hybrid knows what Father is and how pure his ‘bloodline’ is, but others won’t and can’t know that.
Maybe what he is won’t even be an issue. That’s what Sen ultimately hopes as he buttons the last button of his blazer and adjusts his tie. He takes a deep breath and makes his way out of his room and down the stairs to the first floor.
As he reaches the bottom he’s met with the pleased gaze of his Selestarri Dad and the indifferent one of his Demon Father. Sen nervously approaches them. He’s never really been this nervous about anything before. He only hopes he can make his fathers proud and not give them any reason to stop him from going.
Aki steps forward and straightens the hybrid’s tie. “You’ll do fine, stop looking so nervous. If you really don’t like it then you don’t have to continue but you won’t know until you make it there.” Brushing the chin length bangs from Sen’s eyes the Eclipsed turns and pushes him towards Jenova. “Go let him know that you appreciate this and then get your ass to school. We’ll be here when you get home… and Sen, no fights, no weapons. Be good.”
Sen nods, not even sure he heard what he was agreeing to. He turns back around and stands at attention in front of his Demon father, tentatively meeting the matching clear crimson gaze. “Th-thank you, Father… for letting me do this. I’ll make you proud… I swear.”
Clear crimson regard his son for a minute before sliding his hand into the pocket of leather pants and pulling a small slim cell phone free. Grasping it between glass like nails, he hands it to the hybrid a moment later, “You will travel to and from this school by car. Do not hesitate to use this should you need assistance.”
Nodding, Sen’s gaze moves down to the sleek black phone and he turns it a few times in his hands before stuffing it in his pocket. Turning his attention back to his Selestarri father, he smiles nervously before reaching out and hugging Aki tight, “Thanks Dad, see you when I get home.”
The hybrid pulls away, matching crimson meeting once again. He nods, turning on his heals and stepping into the foyer, moving past the held open door and heading towards the waiting town car outside.
Aki moves next to Jenova’s side, watching as their son exits the mansion and hops into the back seat of the towncar waiting for him. “I’m sure I should be feeling something sentimental at this point but I’m more relieved to just be able to have a day free of him terrorizing everyone.” The Eclipsed looks up to meet clear crimson eyes with his blue, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Because you know it’s always me they come to when he pulls that shit. They’re all afraid of you. I suppose you like it that way.”
“Perhaps…” Jenova chuckles softly.
Apparently the Headmaster had arranged to meet him before the rest of the students showed up for the day so he didn’t see anyone on the way in. His chauffeured car would be waiting for him in the parking lot until the day was over in order to take him home. He actually felt bad that the driver had to basically sit there all day waiting for him. Sen had no clue what to expect of the Headmaster, probably that they were one of his Father’s cronies and would be keeping a watch on him the whole time.
Sen’s thoughts are interrupted as a slender woman in a dress suit enters, her long black hair tied back in a bun. The hybrid stands politely until she seats herself then returns to his own chair. He could tell immediately that she had Demonic roots, he could smell it on her, but according to the impurity of her eyes, she seemed to be a mixed breed as well. Sen breathed a small sigh of relief that he wasn’t simply entering into a school of purebred elitists.
The woman’s brown eyes, flecked in red from her Demonic heritage, regard him for a moment in silence, studying what sits before her. This was not sitting well with Sen at all, he didn’t want to be scrutinized. He could only imagine that she knew who his fathers were, but he didn’t know what that meant for him in the end.
“So.” The woman says finally, pulling Sen from his thoughts, “I trust your Father has already gone over the rules of this academy?”
The hybrid shakes his head slowly and she raises an eyebrow before sitting back in her chair, “I see… very well,” she shifts to the side, sliding her hand around the handle of a drawer to pull it open. Reaching in, she pulls a small bundle of clipped papers out and tosses it across the desk, nodding as Sen slowly reaches forward and pulls it towards himself. “This is your class schedule. You will find that this school unlike any other school out there. We house a variety of special students, most of which share heritage in some way with ourselves.”
Crimson eyes move over the paper as she continues, “Because of this, class structure is split between the non magical and magical, the latter of these being classes that only a select amount of students, such as yourself, has access to. Magic in any way, shape or form is strictly prohibited outside of these classes, as are weapons, wings and any other abilities related to your bloodlines. Because of your Father’s… special status within this school, you are to attend all related classes as you will see on your schedule there. Your homeroom class is taught by Professor Aduel and is located in section C, room 25. I suggest you spend the first few days familiarizing yourself with the grounds. Leaving the school during hours is also prohibited without escort so make sure you stay on campus at all times. I assured your Father that we would take good care of you and I do not wish to disappoint him…” She leans forward and crosses her fingers in front of her, “there are a list of rules and regulations on page twenty three, please take time to study them as all students, regardless of their status are required to follow them without question. Now, do you have any questions for me before you are off for first bell, Sen?”
Sen was dumbfounded. He really had no idea what to expect from any school, he had never attended one before so how could he know. This was all happening rather fast and he wasn’t sure he was ready for it. Looking down at his schedule, it became even more confusing. Classes were all over the place, letters and numbers marking their location but he had no clue where any of this was. He really wished he had gotten a bit more preparation than just waking up to a pile of clothing and being told to get downstairs.
“Umm… where is section C?”
The Headmaster smirks slightly and reaches forward to flip the first page of stacked papers up, revealing a map. “You are here.” She points to the location on the map. “Section C is marked here.” Her finger traces to the other side of the building.
“O-oh… ok.” Sen rises from his chair with papers in hand, flipping the map around until he gets his bearings. “Thanks.” Walking out of the Headmaster’s office, he closes the door behind him slowly. Other kids were starting to fill up the halls as they made their way to classes. His senses immediately flared to life, he was surrounded by all manner of Angel and Demon, some humans, mostly mixed themselves. It was frightening and fascinating all at once, but above all, it was nice to be out of the house and near those his own age.
The Hybrid fights his way into the halls, moving through other students the best he could while attempting to read the map at the same time. He barely had time to notice the Angels giving him dirty looks or the Demons moving out of his way. What if he was too pure a bloodline for any of them to like him? If they had half the senses he did they could tell immediately what his heritage was. Sen had never been ashamed of his genetics, in fact he was quite proud, but it was unnerving not knowing why they were regarding him the way they all were.
After quite a few wrong turns, Sen finally finds his homeroom. Opening the door slowly, all the students immediately turn from their conversations and look up at him. He didn’t like this at all. The hybrid drops his gaze and walks over to the only adult in the room on the assumption that it was the teacher.
“I’m… supposed to be here, I think. I’m Sen.”
Silver eyes stare coldly at the youth for a moment, “Yes I was told we’d have a new arrival today…” The man’s gaze shifts to the expectant class, scanning the room while the loud murmur of hushed excited tones surround them. “Settle Down and take your seats!” He shouts suddenly in Angelic, causing Sen to start in the slightest and the room to fall silent. “Now.” He turns his attention back to the hybrid, “I am Mister Aduel, this is my classroom and I will not see it disrupted in any way, especially by one such as yourself is that clear?” Long fingers point out into the class, every student sitting at attention and all manner of eyes fixed on him, “introduce yourself to them and take your seat in between Meiru and Samara over there, we begin on first bell, sharp.”
One such as himself? Sen already didn’t like this guy, fucking elitist Angels. His temper was starting to flare up and drown out any anxiety he may have had. Fine, if that’s how it’s going to be. A small smirk forms on the hybrid’s lips and he turns to face the class. He meets expectant eyes in all manner of red, silver and human mixed. We’ll see how it goes with ‘one such as himself’. After all, his Father owns this guy’s ass. The room goes quiet waiting for him to speak.
“Hi. I’m Sen, son of Jenova, the founder of the Organization.” He glances to his side as a whispered hush booms out into the room, meeting the highly annoyed silver gaze of Mister Aduel. Mister indeed. The hybrid smiles to himself as he walks to take the empty seat between the two girls pointed out to him earlier.
Deep red eyes widen, Meiru’s gaze flashing to the other girl’s briefly as Sen settles between them. A light flush washes over her cheeks and she’s careful to keep her eyes averted, working hard to stifle the excitement she feels from this totally hot new guy seated next to her. The professor clears his throat loudly, quieting the buzzing room as he taps his papers loudly at his desk to call attention just as the bell rings and he stands, turning and pulling a well worn piece of chalk from a groove to begin writing a series of equations out across the board. Paper and pencils rustle throughout the room as the entire class begins their work
Samara leans slightly to her side and nudges the hybrid, careful to keep her voice low as she speaks, “Hey.” Clear crimson turn to meet a unique mix of iridescent silver flecked with red, “way to go showing up Professor tightass there, I’m Sa-”
“Samara!” Aduel’s voice interrupts, pulling the entire class’s attention to them. She frowns and shifts her gaze to the front, meeting highly annoyed silver, “detention, 3rd period.”
“But-” Samara tries, only to be silenced immediately by the stern look from her teacher, “Sorry.” She says as he turns his attention back to the board.
“What an asshole…” The girl mumbles just loud enough for only Sen to hear.
The hybrid smirks, covering the obvious amusement on his lips with claw-tipped fingers. Sen leans back in his chair and takes a good look around him.
Yeah, this’ll do.