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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 Four : Part One
The Angel’s eyes narrow and he frowns. “What do you propose then, Ilahn? That we allow our bloodlines to be tainted to the point that we are no better than the filth surrounding us? Kashen has already begun by bringing that abomination into the world and matters only became worse when she and that filth’s spawn decided to couple…” Aduel’s expression twists into disgust. “That child is only the beginning… I can’t stand it anymore and I want something done about it.”
Ilahn shakes his head with a sigh. “Do you think it doesn’t bother me as well? The moment Kashen and that creature’s… child became public, it threw the entire Secondary sects into upheaval. If this were the days of old, he and that thing would have been strung up before us all and made an example of before that child ever saw the light. But it isn’t, Aduel, there are too many that believe that we, as a whole, cannot move on unless we learn to grow-“
“This is not growth!” Aduel hisses. “This is the decimation of our society!”
“Understand that it disgusts me just as much as it does you.” The other Angel interjects. “But you know what will happen should we be caught. You were given a choice once, you wouldn’t be so lucky again…”
“The risk is worth it.” Aduel says matter of factly as he sits back in his chair. “I would gladly sacrifice all to see this madness end. Simply make sure you are not caught and we will be fine.”
Ilahn falls silent, meeting the other Angel’s unrelenting gaze with a steady one of his own. Long minutes pass before he nods in the slightest, slowly rising from his chair. “I will speak with the others then and contact you before the week’s end…”
“Good…” Aduel says as the other Angel moves towards the door of the small café, watching as he exits before turning his attention back to his drink.
He knows that gathering the ones he’ll need to carry out his plan will take a fair share of convincing since he failed in his last attempt and had been caught. But he knows how many of them are tired, just as he is tired, of watching their society be dragged down the drain. So many have wanted that child gone from the day of her birth...
Up until that boy’s entrance into his school; he had hoped to be able to slowly mold the girl and push her closer to the old ways, maintaining that he would be able to purge some of her upbringing out of her system with enough coaching and enough time. But ever since she chose Sen and the two became mated, he’s watched her fall farther and farther and he’s come to realize that she may indeed, be beyond help. He will remedy this soon enough by ridding himself of one or the other and since the boy has been untouchable to a point, he will take the next best thing…
Aduel smiles to himself. It will be nice to watch the boy suffer when she’s gone. He’s seen their attachment grow over the last few months, seen how close they become, so he will enjoy being able to take something he seems to hold dear, away. It’s the least he can do for the disruption Sen has caused in his life since his admittance. So while he gets to have some form of revenge, the others will be able to rid their society of a child that never should have been created in the first place…
It’ll be like killing two birds with one stone. And it will be done soon.
Sen sneaks up behind slowly, grabbing Samara out of nowhere, lifting her off the floor and back into his arms. She fights for only a moment before relaxing once she realizes who it is and tilts her head back with a smile. The hybrid returns her grin with his own and leans down to meet full lips as they kiss.
“Get a room, you two…” Jacen smirks and shakes his head as he closes his locker. The half breed’s hand reaches out to smack Sen on the back as he walks past and heads off to class. The other teens just laugh as the hybrid lets go and Samara turns in his arms.
“Sorry I’m a little late; we actually hit traffic on the way in, some accident or something.” Sen looks up at the clock on the wall. “Shit, it’s almost First bell and Professor Tightass will really ream us if we’re not there on time. I’m not in the mood to listen to another berating speech. ”
Rolling her eyes, Samara slips out of Sen’s grip and turns towards the doorway, reaching back to wrap her fingers around the hybrid’s hand. “No shit.” She says as she pulls him out into the hallway. “I guess the asshole’s been doing better since that conference, but god, so not by much. Come on” grinning, Samara takes off, dragging the other teenager behind her as she darts across the facility and up towards Section C.
The two teenagers fly up the stairs, quickly making their way to their classroom. Sen opens the door, letting Samara in ahead of him and laughing loudly from their conversation on the way up. Cold silver eyes meet clear crimson as Sen makes his way to his seat and the hybrid simply smiles a very saccharine smile. Aduel had gotten much better since the conference all those months ago. He could still tell that he would never be liked or accepted by him, but the silent tolerance was more than good enough.
The Angel attempts to stare him down as he sits, visibly annoyed by the perfectly calm and unflinching gaze Sen was giving in return when Second bell rings, pulling his attention away. “SEATS!” His voice booms out in typical Aduel fashion.
The entire room scurries towards their assigned seats and instantly becomes still, eyes focused forward as the Angel turns and begins writing his lesson out on the board behind him. “Samara” he says without looking back. “Pass the papers on my desk out”
Sparing a quick glance to the teenager at her side, she stands and makes her way to his desk, turning to begin distributing the papers around the room.
“This four part test will be due by third bell.” Aduel says as he finishes off his last written sentence and turns to seat himself on his desk. “I want no mistakes, pens only. I will deduct points.” His words pull a collective groan from everyone as the white and black haired teenager reseats herself, immediately flipping through her own papers and giving them a distasteful look.
The entire classroom begins immediately, the sounds of scratching pens echoing throughout the room. Fifteen minutes in, the Angel glances up from his own work and narrows his eyes at the hybrid and the teenager at his side before he turns his attention back down, his words breaking the silence of the room. “Samara, to my desk”
Pulling iridescent eyes away from her work, the half breed stands and moves towards her teacher, clear crimson sliding up to watch as quiet words are exchanged. Reaching down to pull a letter free, the Angel hands it to the girl before returning to his work and she turns, moving back for her desk a moment later.
[Okay if he takes points off for this, I’m so going to throw a fit, I swear] she reaches out to Sen without giving any indication of doing so just as she steps in close to the desk and begins stacking her papers [I gotta go take some stupid letter to the Head and talk to her about office duty tomorrow. If I don’t get back before class is out, can you grab my stuff and take it to Weapons?]
Sen nods without looking up from his test. [Yeah, though it seems dumb to have you do this right now, wouldn’t you need to take the test? If I don’t see you before Third bell I’ll meet you in Weapons.] The hybrid returns to scribbling on his paper as Samara quietly leaves the room. At least Aduel wasn’t picking on him anymore to do everything.
Sen glances up, immediately met with the same annoyed gaze from the Angel as before. The fuck was his problem today? Not enough other things to hate on for being what they are? He shakes his head and goes back to the problem in front of him.
Samara practically storms into the locker room and weaves her way through surrounding students towards Sen’s side as he’s midway into changing. Without a word, she reaches out and swings the wooden door open, pulling everyone’s attention when it bangs loudly into the locker just besides them. Clear crimson stare for a moment as the half breed practically tears her hakama free and throws it onto the bench behind them, the annoyance in her features so clear it’s as if she has a storm cloud just over her face.
“Cheal is so on my shit list” she seethes just as Sen’s about to open his mouth to question her. Small hands reach up and begin tearing the buttons to her shirt open, ripping it free of her petite form and slamming it into the open locker before her. “Just because she cops out on her office duty, I’m stuck going out of cycle and have to cover. Sick my ass!”
“Is it possible she actually is sick? She is mostly human and they get sick all the time.” Sen shrugs. “If it’s such a big deal, I’ll switch with you and take it. It’s less time I have to spend in homeroom with Professor Tightass. He was acting real funny this morning, anyway. He wouldn’t stop trying to stare me down and then got all annoyed when I wouldn’t react.” The hybrid does up the final ties of his hakama and sits on the bench waiting for Samara to finish changing.
The white and black haired teenager scowls softly as she wraps the ties to her hakama around her slender waist. “Oh sure they do” she snorts. “But she was all fine this morning so I really doubt she’s actually sick. Lazy is more like it.” reaching out to close her locker, Samara turns around and steps in close to the other teen, her expression lightening notably. “You really wanna trade with me? Cause that would totally rock. I’ve already got extra duty this term and I so do not want to be stuck doing more or I’ll never get a passing grade…” glass like claws slide up to rest on the girl’s hips as a thoughtful look crosses her features. “Wonder why he was doing that to you? He’s been sorta good for the last few months… well as much as the asshole can be anyway.” She smirks, threading her fingers into milky brown hair while students begin to slowly file out into the gym around them. “He better not start anything though cause I’ll so have my Dad down here in a heartbeat to ride his ass if he tries.”
Sen chuckles. “Your Dad and mine. I don’t think he’s gonna want to deal with either of our Dads’ wrath anytime again. Let’s just hope he’s intelligent enough to keep it at nasty looks and not do anything beyond that.” Samara grabs on to the hybrid’s hand, dragging him out with her into the gym and he continues talking. “But, yeah, I’ll take office duty for you. I don’t mind if it gets me away from Mister Aduel.” The pair joins the rest of the class seated in a circle around the main mat. “Oh yeah, I was talking with Dad last night and since you’ve been coming over a lot and we’ve gotten pretty serious, he thought it would be a good idea to meet your parents since he’s the only one who hasn’t ever seen them. Father already knows them, obviously.”
Iridescent eyes widen and she smiles. “I’ll talk to mom tonight about that cause it’d totally be cool to get them together for dinner or something-“
The teenager is interrupted as the weapon’s instructor enters the hall and calls for everyone’s attention. “Samara, Sen” she smiles down at the pair. “Center floor.”
All eyes are trained on the two teens as they rise up one after the other and move into position just out in the middle of the gym, waiting for further instruction.
“I want a full demonstration of all techniques taught in 2nd Cycle.” The Demon says as she turns her attention back to the surrounding teenager’s “Watch closely and once they’ve completed all stances, both offensive and defensive, I will have you repeat. This is a scored test so make sure you pay attention. They will only show once.”
A few of their classmates groan quietly and Samara grins. [Oh man, good luck with them being able to keep up] she snorts.
Sen returns her smile. [Hey, it’s not our fault we kick ass.] The hybrid calls his weapon, hissing slightly as the naginata-type blade forming from his palm out in a quick snake of light. It always hurt, but thankfully he could heal it fast enough so the pain didn’t linger for more than a few seconds. He turns to the half breed just as the teacher is stepping back, having handed her a sword and they bow to each other before raising their weapons, slowly moving from one stance to another with practiced ease. This class was a total joke to him, everything they had taught here throughout the school year he had already learned by age ten. Father wouldn’t let him stay on the piddly stuff for long.
Samara twists her blade around and dips low, spinning back as the hybrid hops up to miss her sweep and arching to catch him in mid swing. Smiling when the two metals meet, the half breed swings out and twists around once again in an attempt to catch Sen by the side only to have him slide out of the way and turn the strike back, the metal of his sword missing her side by only an inch as she manages to pull back at the last moment. [Okay, this sword sucks big time.] She grins, twisting around and renewing her attempts all over again, the two moving in perfect sync as the travel across the wooden floor. [When I get my bonded, I’m so going to kick your ass for real]
The hybrid laughs. [I look forward to it. How long will it be before they finish making it? It’s been a few months now since you went in.] Sen spins his blade around, coming at the half breed hilt first and easily blocking anything she tries to throw at him. Swinging his weapon in a wide arc, the hybrid steps quickly to Samara’s side and slams the hilt into the back of her knees. He catches her in mid fall by the fabric of her top before letting go as he lowers her to the ground, standing shortly after.
Iridescent eyes stare up for a moment as the class around them breaks out in hushed whispers and gasps before a wide grin sweeps across full lips. Sliding up in a quick swift movement, she latches onto the hybrid wrist and yanks him down, using the momentum of the move to come to her feet just as he’s crashing back. [Dad said the ceremony will be soon, he wasn’t sure when because there’s a few who think I’m still too young, but he’s almost got it all squared away and I’m hoping by the end of the month] Twisting around, she spins her blade and swings it down on the other teenager just as he’s throwing his hand out to catch himself. Arching to the side, Sen’s sword slides harshly against Samara’s and he swings up to knock hers away while rolling in the movement and coming to his feet soon after. The white and black haired teenager had already caught her own weapon and by the time Sen twists around, she’s on him, the loud clang of the two blades ringing through the gymnasium as they meet. [Dad says I get to have one attendant besides him and mom, you wanna come?]
[Yeah sure, if they’ll let me. Considering most of them still hate Father, I’m sure they wouldn’t take too kindly to his son being there.] He smiles. [Then again, I would go just to annoy the crap out of them by simply existing. I’ve never seen one of these ceremonies so it will be interesting.] Sen pushes the half breed off, spinning around and bringing his blade out behind him to block without looking. He closes his eyes as they continue, their weapons meeting time and time again. [Just let me know when it is and I’ll be there. Also, find out from your mom when a good day for them to come over would be. Dad’s free anytime but I know your parents have to work.] Focusing on the sound of Samara’s movements, the hybrid ducks as a sword sweeps right over his head.
“AH! SHOW OFF!” Samara yells out when she notices Sen’s eyes are closed to her, pulling laughter from the entire class that’s quickly silenced by their instructor as the two teenagers continue to move. [Mom’s gonna be there too so they’ll just have to deal] she says as she sweeps around and strikes once again, only to have the hybrid step out of the way, his eyes still closed to the world around him. [Dammit, open your eyes!] she laughs as Sen twists around and begins taking the offensive, smiling but still refusing to open his eyes. [I’ll talk to mom and dad tonight so just give me a call later. Mom’s been talking about wanting to meet your dad for a while anyway so I’m sure they’ll just jump at the chance –SEN! OPEN YOUR EYES ALREADY!]
Sen simply laughs out loud, keeping his eyes shut. [And if I don’t, what are you going to do about it?] He teases while continuing to drive her back, spending all his energy and focus on the movement of her weapon that he fails to notice her shifting forward and punching him right in the stomach. Crimson eyes open and a loud grunt leaves his lips. The hybrid doubles over immediately, holding his abdomen and coughing as he looks up. “Ok, point taken.”
The instructor calls for them to stop and sit down, giving Sen a slight look of worry when he waves off her help. He follows the white and black haired teen back to their sitting spots, flipping the hilt of his weapon out in front of her feet, laughing as she trips and stumbles. Managing to catch herself just when her fingers touch the floor, the half breed spins around and latches onto Sen’s ankles, yanking him up and off his feet. The entire circle of classmates scatter as the hybrid falls back onto his ass with a hard thump and Samara jumps up, laughing even as the instructor is yelling at them to behave.
The pair sit down on the gym floor attempting to stifle their laughter. Sen recalls his weapon and leans back on his hands as the next set of students begin. “Yeah, you better be able to kick my ass with your weapon, because doing it by cheating isn’t any fun.”
He gives Samara a wry smile as she smacks him hard across the arm. “From what Father says, apparently he gave your parents the research information that helped them create you. So I guess Father’s known about who you are since you were born. He thinks it’s ironic that we ended up together but it doesn’t surprise him. He’s told Dad about your parents and everything, Dad just likes putting faces with the names. He’s also happy to meet any Higher that isn’t a completely ignorant asshole.” Sen chuckles.
“My dad’s anything but.” She grins before pushing on the other teenager’s arm. “and you are so gonna explain all that to me later cause I never heard of any of that from my mom and dad before…”
Clear crimson stare down the Eclipse’s front, long glass like claws slowly trailing along the suit pants draped over the slender form sitting in between his legs at the edge of the large oversized bed. Light blue eyes slip closed and his head falls back against warm leather covering the larger man’s chest, sliding tapered fingers along the Demon’s legs before moving up and back to thread into snow colored plaits. Arching back in the slightest, Aki tilts his head to the side and meets full lips to pale ones for a soft kiss that rapidly begins to deepen.
Lingering for a moment when Jenova pulls away, the Selestarri smiles into his mouth before sinking back against the larger man once more. Crossing strong arms over Aki’s bare chest, the Demon leans down to trace along the line of the Eclipse’s neck, speaking directly into his skin “Formal wear tonight is it…?”
Aki smiles, tilting his head to the side. “Yes well, I wanted to look nice and considering their positions within the Council, a sweater and khakis seemed rather casual. I am glad to finally be meeting them since I’m the only one who hasn’t yet.” The Eclipsed stands, sliding off the edge and turning in the Demon’s grip to brush full lips against pale ones. “Will you be joining us tonight?”
“If you so wish it…” a half smile forms on Jenova’s mouth as he tilts his head in the slightest to trace along Aki’s jaw before nipping lightly just under his chin. Chuckling softly, the Demon leans back in the bed while the chestnut haired Selestarri moves to the open wardrobe before them and pulls the rest of his clothing free, clear crimson watching every movement he makes while he dresses. “Perhaps this One should change as well, hm…?” he flashes Aki a sly grin.
The Eclipsed lets his open kimono drop to the floor. “I am sure they are used to your leathers by now.” He chuckles. “I doubt they would argue.” Aki pulls on his pants before gathering his hair back and reaching for one of Jenova’s ties in order to put it up, smiling as clear crimson eyes remain on him. The Demon stands, walking over just as the smaller man is sliding his dress shirt on and stopping in front to slowly do up the buttons with long, glass like claws. “At least these are people you already know and approve of and who are familiar with your… shining personality.” Aki chuckles. “Is there anything I should know about them beforehand that you have not already spoken of?”
“Mm…” Jenova continues to stare down at the smaller man as he finishes the last button. “Nothing comes to mind … while the father is proud as any of his kind are, he is tolerable… as is his mate…” white plaits spill forward as the Demon leans down to touch his lips to Aki’s ear, speaking softly. “Simply be yourself.”
The Eclipsed smiles. “I can’t be anything but…”
Sen taps his foot impatiently while the three of them stand in the foyer. This was taking way too long already and all he wanted was for them to just get here so he and Samara can stop playing all respectful. He really hopes they won’t have to stay for the whole dinner. The last thing he wants is to listen to Council small talk or have them exchange embarrassing stories about the two of them growing up.
Aki smiles down at his son, noting the hybrid’s impatience. “You don’t have to stay, you two can go off once they get here.” He ruffles milky brown locks. “Just try not to have sex while her parents are in the same building. I don’t want them thinking we don’t pay attention and let you run wild like that.”
Sen frowns and fixes his hair back. “But you told me you specifically try not to pay attention to when we do that and let us just do what we’re gonna do anyway because you know how teenagers are.”
“Humor me, Sen.”
The hybrid rolls his eyes. “Fine, fine… we’ll be good, I promise.”
Smiling at his son, their attentions are turned the moment a long black town car pulls up at the bottom of the mansion’s entrance. Coming to a halt, the engine switches off and the driver exits a moment later, opening the door for the three passengers to exit. Stepping gout first, the Angel nearly glows in the moonlight as he turns and offers his hand to his wife. Sliding small claws against the palm of her husband’s outstretched hand, Lyrian steps gracefully free while the driver is holding the door open for their daughter.
Clear crimson fall on Samara as she steps out of the car, surprised to find her wearing a small, spaghetti strap dress. Waiting patiently for her parents, she follows respectfully behind as they climb the stone steps to the mansion, the doors to the front foyer held open by a few neatly dressed servants with their eyes trained onto the floor. Iridescent eyes meet Sen’s briefly before the Higher and the petite Demon steps through the threshold, Kashen bowing in the slightest to the trio awaiting them.
“Good evening, Founder…” he says to the silent white haired Demon standing behind the Eclipsed before turning his attention to Aki himself, “And you, Akio.”
Before Aki can reply, Lyrian steps forward and wraps her arms around the Selestarri, pulling him into a polite hug. “It is so good to meet you, we’ve heard nothing but good things from our daughter and both your beloved and your son-” pulling away, the small woman moves towards Jenova and reaches out to hug him as well. “And you Founder, so good to see you again after all these months. You do not visit my section nearly as often as you should!”
“Mom” Samara whispers, wide eyed, “you’re totally embarrassing me.”
Aki stands, rather in shock that Jenova would let someone other than himself or Fuan casually hug him. He doesn’t join him in his daily work life, so who knows. The Eclipsed glances to his side and onto his increasingly fidgety son. Reaching a hand out, he pushes Sen in Samara’s direction. “Go. Just be good.” The hybrid gives him a look before grabbing Samara’s hand, pulling her off towards the stairs and away from the group.
The Eclipsed returns his attention to the pair in front of him, speaking in polite Angelic. “It is wonderful to finally meet the both of you. Between Sen and Jenova, I have heard much and have been looking forward to us finally meeting.”
Lyrian returns to her husband’s side and slides her arm around his, smiling at the Eclipsed while Jenova turns and begins moving into the hallway beyond.
“We are honored to be guests in your home” the Higher says without movement as the Demon disappears from view. “Our daughter speaks nothing but kind words of you and I must thank you for your hospitality when you host her within these walls.”
“This is true” Lyrian says with a soft smile, “she is rather fond of both you and your beloved, nearly as much as she is of your son I dare say…”
Aki motions for the pair to follow as he walks along, taking the same path as Jenova ahead of him. “Samara coming by is never a problem, she is always well behaved.” He smiles back to them. “Though I am glad Sen has found someone who can keep up with his… intensity.” The group laughs as they reach the large dining hall, the table immaculately set for a formal dinner. Jenova stands, leaning casually against the door frame as he waits.
Servants scurry in all directions when they enter the room, eyed riveted to the floor as chairs are silently pulled out for each one to sit. Aki thanks them as they move to fill the wine glasses and light pillar candles. Without a sound, they exit as fast as they came.
The Eclipsed raises his glass and takes a sip, hiding his grimace from the taste. Wine was never his thing, but for the occasion, he’ll deal. “From what Jenova has told me, it seems rather ironic that our children chose each other...”
White eyes meet flawed red briefly before Lyrian turns her attention back to Aki, “Yes, actually it was now that I think on it. If it hadn’t been for that man there,” she motions with a smile towards the Demon sitting besides the Eclipsed. “Our Samara might never have come to be. Angelic DNA is rather incompatible with most others, both my husband and I had been trying for years to find a way to unblock the holds between the races and with the help of the Founder, we were finally able to do so…”
Long fingers wrap around the glass before her and she pulls it to her lips to take a small drink while Kashen nods to the white haired Demon. “And we shall always be grateful for this.” He says quietly and Jenova nods in the slightest in response.
“It is fitting that our children would find each other years later” Lyrian laughs lightly as she slides her glass back onto the table. “Though Samara can be quite a handful, I do hope your Sen will be able to endure it…”
Aki smiles. “Sen is quite a handful on his own…” Cerulean eyes glance slyly in Jenova’s direction. “Considering whose son he is.” The Demon’s eyes flash in silent amusement before the Eclipsed continues. “I think they’ll be fine, they’ve only seemed to grow closer over the past few months once they finally realized they had feelings for each other. Samara makes Sen incredibly happy, which in turn makes me happy.” The conversation is interrupted by the servants returning with large trays of soup and bread, laying a bowl and plate in front of each diner. Aki smiles as he watches Jenova actually eat for the first time in what was probably months only out of politeness. He turns back to the couple across the table. “Sen tells me that Samara is actually getting a bonded Angelic weapon soon. That must be a first for not only a female but a non-pureblood, am I correct?”
“Yes” the Higher smiles proudly as he lowers his spoon, “it has been a struggle since the day she was born to convince some of my fellow Council that she be bonded… but no Angel, whether pure or not would be in the right standing without a weapon…”
“It made no sense to us” Lyrian says with a slight shake of her head, “That my husband’s child not be allowed her weapon solely based on the fact that she is half. If the society is to grow, they must learn to grow in every aspect, this included. We are stubborn creatures, my husband and I” she flashes a sly smile towards the Angel at her side, “and would not give up so easily…”
Returning the smile, white eyes move back to the pair opposite, “Her ceremony is at the month’s end and I have been meaning to ask for quite some time, Founder, if you would be so kind as to attend. Samara has chosen Sen as her One, but it would also mean a lot to us if both you and Aki would step in as ours…”
“Very much.” Lyrian smiles to them both.
Clear crimson eyes meet cerulean for the space of a moment before shifting back to meet both white and flawed red. “I have no objection to this…” Jenova says quietly.
Aki smiles. “Of course. I am honored that you would like us to attend. I am glad to see the Council moving along in its growth. Samara is a huge step in that I would assume. If it weren’t for stubborn creatures…” His gaze shifts to Jenova. “Then nothing would ever get done. From what Sen has described to me, it will be quite a weapon. He looks forward to being able to spar with her once she has it so they can more easily match skill levels. Sen has had his own bonded weapon for quite some time and he often complains that there is no one, except your daughter, who can give him any sort of challenge. I will be happy when she can shut him up.” He laughs.
Both Lyrian and Kashen join him in amused laughter, interrupted soon after by the servants as they carry in an array of foods for the main course .