Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:43 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis knew the tactics of most salesmen, having dealt with Raile on more than one occasion. That being said, when Tempest mentioned new ring designs, he was almost immediately sold on the idea, and knowing that she made the last ring was a big sell point. The ring that Simone had currently was amazing, but one designed by him, specifically for her…

“I’ll have to think about what design but…” He smirked. “I know and trust your work. It’s a good idea. I’ll just have to think of something…special. Just for her.” Lewis was impressed. Despite her attitude, Tempest seemed to be catching on to what was happening. He wondered just how much everyone else knew. Not that it mattered. The only thing that mattered was that Simone not find out.

“Just uh…keep it on the low, all right? It’s meant to be a surprise.” Lewis crossed his arms. “I‘ll be back, though, to figure out the ring.”

Lewis left with a happy heart. It was almost time to go home. He had done enough planning for the day. “The first few steps are done. I can start the next soon, though…” he said aloud.

I can’t wait… For once, he was excited.

Author: Tempest, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:33 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Tempest whistled a bit at the tiara she took it in her hands, “Yeah I can have it ready. Should cost roughly hundred crescents to fix it…” She was gentle with her touch as she moved the tiara around. It was amazing to her how different Lewis was. It occurred to her what it could be.

“You know. For anniversaries and such… Most men have a new wedding ring commissioned as something that matters a lot.” She brought over some sketches. “I had some ring ideas I had sketched out for if someone asked for something… special. Take your time to look them over and tell me later if it’s something you would like to do. Her wedding ring wasn’t designed by you and if I remember right you weren’t exactly thrilled about being married. It would mean a lot if you chose how it looked this time around.”

She showed her ring, “Belen got all kinds of fire to make mine and I love it! I’m sure she loves her current ring but just imagine what a ring designed by you would do… I also just happen to have a business I gotta run so this is good for me too.” She gave a big cheesy grin. “Any ideas you have just tell me and I can sketch them all the same. It’s my job.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:28 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was not it. He was having weird flashbacks to the time Toya had come over to console Simone and him, and sure enough, Tempest was almost the exact same way. He wasn’t sure exactly how to interact with her, so he went with his usual tactics of just being blunt and up front about everything.

“I have something I want restored,” Lewis said, pulling the tiara from his bag. “It’s really old, and I would like it to use…” He paused. Was it worth spilling the secret to someone who might spill it? “For a special occasion. I don’t have a date set for it, just yet, but it’ll be within the next few months. Also, I’m willing to pay whatever it takes to get it fixed, and even if I need to get materials…it’s just really important.”

He had no idea if the actual importance was being conveyed. Normally he didn’t care, but in this instance, he knew it was important. “It’s…for the one who was dying. She’s better, but…well…it’s important.” He smiled. “Please?”

Author: Tempest, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:22 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

There was an explosion that rang through the shop. The swords, daggers, and just about everything else rattled but didn’t move. “MAN THAT WAS A GOOD ONE,” there was a familiar voice as the now woman walked out. The last time he saw Tempest she was barely in her teenage years but now she was a woman though not a lot had changed.

The wedding ring on her finger was new though. “TEMPEST I TOLD YOU NOT TO EXPLODE THINGS,” the woman’s voice yelled from next door.

“Your house is fine you old bag!” Tempest yelled in anger. “Probably didn’t even shake your house… Just scared your fucking chickens,” she said just loud enough for Lewis to hear her. Her brown curls were still wild and her blue eyes lit up when she saw Lewis. “HEY! I REMEMBER YOU! You were that dying chick’s husband to be! How’s it hanging! I heard she’s back from my brother good. GOOD FOR YOU!”

She came up and shook his hand wildly. “Tempest Rose-Wintercrest Kyrie at your service. Most famous blacksmith, enchanter, inventor, alchemist on this side.” She let go of his hand. “So… How can I help you today?!”

Ka, the cat-sized dragon, was pulling himself out of the workshop covered in soot. “Oh stop your belly-aching you are fine. A little soot never hurt anyone… Don’t mind him he’s just dramatic.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:16 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis nodded, “I have a few people in mind who might be able to help.” The trio made their way out of Auclair, and went their separate ways. When Lewis made his portal, his first stop was to Jayou to meet with Kalina. It didn’t take him long to find her, as she rarely ever left the smithy that was attached to the Talon Shop.

Kalina was helpful in at least pointing Lewis in the right direction. In less words than she used, it wasn’t her speciality. And so, Lewis traveled to Sularia’s White District to a place that was called the Crescent Hammer. Supposedly it was here that he would find Tempest, the one who had made Simone’s ring all those years ago. Lewis was prepared for the worst, remembering a choice few warnings from those who had given him the directions. And so, as he walked in, he wasn’t entirely sure what to expect…

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:00 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

“Aye, most of it was in farms and such. Jurian valued his citizens the most and expected Simone to follow in his steps. Auclair was a small nation but prosperous and a nice place. The taxes weren’t much at all and he took care of even the poorest. It was idyllic. It inspired me much when I took over Sulwal.”

Rhenakos almost got hit by the elvish king but he took a sigh. “And we paid for you not being here trust me.” This would have been easier had the brute been here. “Go for it. Simone would want you to have it. To help your family. That’s the way Jurian would have wanted it too.”

The elf king cleaned up his knuckle easily enough and looked at Lewis, “Will you head off to have it fixed now?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:55 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis was a mix of impressed by Llywellyn, and ashamed that King Jurian had used such an easy date as a safe code. If Lywellyn hadn’t been here, even Lewis would have been able t o crack the code given enough information. He was positive that the dates were in Simone’s memories, and even without the resonance he could probably have pulled them.

“It’s not as much as I expected,” Lewis said looking at the small amount of wealth. “Most of the treasure must have been in the lands and its people. But, at the center was the price. The tiara that they had been searching for.

As with the treasure, time had taken its toll on the metal, but it was still in one piece, and more than likely serviceable. Between Kali and Tempest, one of the two could easily restore it, and if they couldn't, one of them surely would know someone who could. The ex-assassin grabbed the tiara gently, and put it into his pouch.

“I’d say that was a success,” he said with a smirk. “Let’s go ahead and get out of he-” Lewis paused, looking at the door. “Someone is here…” He drew a dagger.

A figure appeared at the doorway, making loud panting noises. Whatever concern Lewis had melted away as the demon hunter, Rhenakos, held up his hand, signaling he needed a moment.

“Why….why did you…leave me behind,” Rhenakos finally said. “I wasn’t…even with her for more than…five minutes. All I was doing was talking! You could have grabbed me!” He was annoyed.

“Sorry. We were just caught up in the moment,” Lewis replied, shrugging. He looked to Lywellyn. “Is it okay if he takes the rest of the treasure? I certainly don’t need it, and it would be a suitable payment, even though he didn’t end up helping.”

“Which WASN’T my fault, by the way…” Rhenakos reminded.

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:46 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Llywellyn grimaced as well when he saw the bodies. “I should have moved them out of here. They are still right where I left them… But that means that treasure seekers never made it in.” There was a sigh from his lips as he marched forward. “I remember all of their faces. Faces that Simone knew well. The housekeepers, her nanny, their children. All of it. I wasn’t here for their screaming, thank the gods for that but everything else…” He bit at his lip as they reached the vault. “But all I could think about was the one I knew was alive somewhere. Simone. Having to be scared over and over. She never knew where she was or who had her. I knew that. That’s why I tore apart the world looking for her.”

He punched the vault’s door hard enough to crack the skin on his knuckles as he thought about it. “You saw how she was when she reincarnated. I loved her enough that I was never going to try anything until she got her memory back because I thought that I could end the curse. The least I can do for her now is ensure her happiness. She is happiest with you and that is fine with me.”

Looking at the dial he took a heavy sigh, “The combination if set by Jurian is easy enough. It is one of two possible combinations. Two important dates. It’s probably the first one.” He messed around with the dial and at first, it didn’t want to move but after a little magic, he was spinning it just fine. “You might want to get back I don’t think this door is just going to swing open…” He could hear the cracks.

He got out of the way as the vault down cracked down. “The day he married Camille. First try. The second combination is the date Simone was born.” They went into the treasury and were surrounded by a small wealth. Time hadn’t touched it but it had made it dull… On a pedestal in the center on a worn-out cushion was their prize though.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:38 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

The ex-assassin had severely underestimated Llywellyn, but in the end, it was a good choice to bring him along. Lewis paused, and looked around. “I feel like I’m forgetting something…” He wiped the seat away from his brow, and sighed. “Must not be important.” He let out another sigh. “You’re right, though, Llywellyn. Thanks…I guess being out of resonance with Simone really does hit my mood.”

The two once more started to traverse the castle remains once more, navigating the treacherous terrain. At some point, they hit a stairwell, and started to descend into the depths. As it grew dark, Lewis and Llywellyn each lit a torch from the wall, using it to illuminate the path ahead of them. Soon, they started to see the skeletons of those who had perished, trying to hide from the flames that brought about the destruction of the castle.

“That’s…” Lewis grimaced. There were smaller bones among the piles, and it could only be one thing. Having children of his own now, this hit a new level of pain that he wasn’t expecting. I would tear the world apart if anyone hurt them… If the fae lord hadn’t already been dead, Lewis would have hunted him down to exact his vengeance again. He would have done it any number of times, and still he felt that he would not be satiated.

“Here it is,” Lewis said as they neared the vault. It wasn’t as massive as the one at the Granados estate, but…then again, those idiot brothers of his had made things as gaudy and grandiose as they could. This wasn’t meant to show of…no, it was meant to protect.

“Well…any idea how to get in? Worst comes to worst, I might be able to find a way around it, but…it might take more time than I can muster this trip.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:23 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Llywellyn paused for a moment from his work and focused a bit, “I think it is.” He said before throwing a larger piece of rubble. “For all of the bad things that happened in this castle… That tiara will make her happy. That will never give her bad memories. It’s the only thing her mother ever gave her and every child wants something from their mother.”

Watching him once more the elf king gave a smile. “After all if you two are one… This has to be her will too. She might not realize it and you might not either. She often overthinks things and thinks it's not worth it but… This is what she wants Lewis. She just won’t ask for it because she thinks it’s too much work. For her… To be able to give this tiara to your daughters on their own wedding day… I don’t think either of us understand how much that means to her.”

There was a hard slap to Lewis’s back before Llywellyn continued, “I hate it here but we are here for a good reason. Now if we wanted to bring back her dresses from her bedroom… I probably would have punched you in the face.” There was a sly smirk a bit and laughed.

It took them a good hour to clear the doorway and Llywellyn used his sleeve to get rid of sweat. “I haven’t worked this hard on something since that Somerset house that got set on fire. I sifted through everything looking for Simone.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:17 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

It hadn’t dawned on Lewis that Llywellyn would have terrible memories of this place. Of course, it made sense for him to have searched long and hard for Simone during the fires, and do his very best to save the castle and its inhabitants. That failure must have weighed down on Llywellyn, and shaped his entire life and soul. It must have crushed him.

“I’m…sorry,” Lewis said as he and Lly started to move the rubble from a collapsed doorway. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. I’ve brought up bad memories, haven’t I? For a selfish request.” He had come so far from his selfish ideals of ‘the ends justify the means.’ Now, he wasn’t so sure it was always justified. Dredging all of this up for a tiara? Even if it was for Simone, it was barely worth it if it means making them relive the past like this.

“We should turn back,” he said after a rather large boulder. “What if…getting this will only bring up haunting memories? What if this isn’t worth it?” He looked to Llywellyn. “Is this for her, or is it for me?” The smile she had on her face when she spoke of the tiara…was it hard for her to talk about? Did she long for it, or just cherish the memory? Would bringing it back hurt her?

“LLy…is this worth it?”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:03 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Llywellyn just shook his head and patted Lewis on the shoulder, “Don’t worry. I know how you feel…” He had bad memories too but his consisted of him screaming Simone’s name until she answered but… she never did. “This place holds a lot of bad memories. I can still taste the blood from screaming Simone’s name so much. I smell the fire in my sleep still. You never forget the smell of burnt bodies.”

The elf king was hesitant in stepping forward but he did so anyway. “During the great fires, there were people who managed to get down into the vault but… Something or someone killed them. Take your guess who it was. If I had to guess it was where Felix and the others hid until the fire was gone enough to escape Auclair. The vault only had one or two people who could get into it. I can take a guess at what the combination is if Jurian set it.”

As he looked around it looked like he was laying a mental map of the ruins of the castle. “A lot of it has collapsed but I can remember it like yesterday.” Once he got to a doorway that was caved in he looked at Lewis. “Ready to put those muscles to work? I would use magic to blast it open but I don’t think that would bode well for us with the castle in this type of despair.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:47 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Once more Lewis stepped into Auclair castle, he took a deep breath. It had been some time since he had come here in reality. There were several times that he had visited here in Simone’s dreams, and even once during a magical event hosted by Lady Angela, though that was a special occasion that meshed a lot of their worlds into one.

Still, it was always special when he came here, if not frightening. Lewis was not one to scare easily, but the silence that this place held wasn’t normal. It was as if it was holding back the screams of terror as those who lived here were slaughtered and burned alive. Now that he was bonded with Simone, the whole place took a completely new meaning, and even now with their resonance cut, he could feel the happiness and sadness clashing inside of him.

He took a deep breath, “I didn’t think coming here would have this effect on me.” Lewis let out a shaky sigh. “I can’t imagine what it would be like for her now…” He wondered if she would want to visit one day, and lay flowers at the throne for her father. It would be sweet…

“Well, let’s get going then.” Lewis looked to Lywellyn. “I’d rather like to get back home…” He realized that he was being snappy, and shook his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”

This place holds memories for me too. This was where I almost lost Simone…where we killed that bastard… Perhaps coming here was a mistake. The image of the tiara flashed in his mind, and he remembered the sorrowful smile she had when she spoke of it. No…it’s worth it.

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:27 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

“The Montes were a fan of showing their lineage. Simone is Simone’s great grandmother and Beatrice is her great great grandmother. Both made huge strides in bringing in large amounts of money for the family. Her grandmother Esmée would have been added onto Simone’s name had they gone with tradition but Jurian wasn’t a fan of it.”

Llywellyn rubbed the back of his neck and thought about it, “No she doesn’t. I wasn’t sure if I should show her it.” Thinking back on his knowledge of the tiara he hummed a bit, “I think Simone said the tiara had been in her family for one hundred and fifty years. From a time before the Montes were super rich so it was a symbol of their humble beginnings. It always got passed down to the eldest daughter.”

The elf king nodded, “Don’t see why not. I can protect myself and I can leave my son in charge for the time being. If anything happens I’ll just come back and kick their asses again.” He huffed as it had clearly been a problem in the past.

Once he got changed into another set of clothes he looked a lot less regal with his long red hair pulled back. “I can show you all the way to the vault. Simone once took me underground as a dare. She was scared because of how dark it was but with the way our eyesight works I could see it.”

It didn’t take long to get a portal set up and soon they were on the outskirts of Auclair. “I haven’t been here since the great fire,” the elf king looked sad. “The last time before that I had taken Simone out of the castle for a flower festival. She loved dancing and they never let her go so I took her out. If I had just taken her back to Sulwal…” He was beating himself up and he huffed a bit. “Let’s get going. There’s a corridor in the castle that leads down.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:11 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis followed Llywellyn down the hall. Rhenakos waved his hand, choosing not to go with. He wasn’t interested in the paintings, and instead focused his efforts on a pretty elf woman.

“That’s….a complex name,” Lewis said. He could almost understand why King Jurian decided to shorten Simone’s name. It was a mouthful to say otherwise. “She looks almost exactly like Simone. I’m…surprised,” he said with a smile. “I bet she doesn’t even know this painting exists.” He wondered how much it would cost to buy it off of Llywellyn, or if he would even part with it.

“That tiara…it’s…not what I expected.” Lewis had been expecting something large and gaudy, but this was more elegant than anything else. He wasn’t great when it came to aesthetics, though, but that didn’t matter. This was for Simone, and getting it would be worth it all in the end.

Assuming they could find it.

“We’d have to find the vault of a destroyed nation. Assuming people like Vela haven’t raided it…” Lewis sighed. Drake and Vela were in the business of relic hunting, and he wondered if someone like them had already scoured the place clean. “It wouldn’t hurt to look. Llywellyn, do you think you can come with? Even as a thief, I never went for something this intricate, and I wouldn’t know the first place to look for a hidden vault.”

This was mostly true. Lewis was sure he could find it given enough time, but time was short and he needed to get everything ready as quickly as possible. He had a surprise to arrange, after all.

Author: Simone, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 6:04 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Just be safe my love and keep in contact when you can… Okay? She would have her hands full.

–

Llywellyn thought about it and his wife was looking between the three of them trying to figure out the angle. “It’s possible it’s still there. I remember it, it was one of the first things I saw when I came into Auclair’s throne room. Jurian always kept it close because it reminded him of Camille.”

The elf king got up and beckoned them to call, “We have some portraits of our allies that we kept. We have them restored over time and I came across this one when Simone was staying with us.” Going to the royal library he opened a locked door and took them in. “Normally I wouldn’t let you in but you aren’t here for secrets…”

He found the painting and brought it out, “This is Camille Simone Beatrice Monet Auclair, the queen of Auclair. Simone’s mother. That is her tiara.” He pointed it out and it was picture perfect of what it looked like. “Simone was named after her mother. Simone Beatrice Auclair. Though she doesn’t talk about it often anymore. The Monets owned a gold mine and that’s how Jurian ended up engaged to Camille. Family ties and all but those two definitely fell in love. Simone is a spitting image of her mother but she has Jurian’s eyes.”

Thinking Llywellyn smirked, “I bet you they put it in the old treasury when the fire started thinking they could put it out. We would just have to make our way down to it though it might take a lot of work.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 5:55 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Lewis paused in the middle of what he was doing with Alshaya and Everett, and looked up at the ceiling. The words that Simone used sounded sad and melancholy, longing for the past. There was a spark of an idea, and immediately he cut the resonance, trying his hardest to contain the excitement he felt. Once he felt it was under control, he let it come back.

There had been an idea brewing in the back of his mind, a place where he could hide it from Simone as long as she didn’t dig too deep. It was a secret plan that required a lot of work and effort to pull off. He had already talked to Angela about it, and she had given her thoughts and ideas to add to it. It would take a lot of work to pull off, but he had a few tricks up his sleeve, and a lot of favors he could call in to make it work.

And as it turned out, there was one favor he could call in now.

Simone, there are a few jobs I need to do in order to wrap up the last of the assassin business. One of them is going down tomorrow, so I’ll need to leave early. I know this is sudden, but with Glyn and everything, I forgot to let you know… She would feel a little sad, but she knew the importance of tying up loose ends.

—

The next day, Lewis cut the resonance full force, and found himself in Sulwal. In the royal chambers, he and Rhenakos stood before King Llywellyn. As usual, Rhenakos looked gruff, and due to it being early, he was half awake, but otherwise geared up to explore.

Lewis was similar. Instead of an assassin’s garb, he was wearing more of an explorer’s garb, but still carried his bow and daggers.

“…and so, I need your help,” Lewis finished explaining. “What do you think? Is it even possible to find it? And…if not, do you think we can recreate it? After all…” He paused. “It would make the day even more special, and you know it.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 5:43 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Maybe we should have kept them home and got that private tutor… This Pearl is the reason why. Simone was stunned by the words her precious daughter used.

Shaya is gonna try to marry half the town.

Shaya is gonna be the death of you.

She cradled Glyn in her arms as she carried him upstairs to his nursery. It was nature-themed like how he was born. She sat down in her rocking chair and started to rock the tiny baby. “I love you so much, Glyn…”

She closed her eyes and she just started to talk not realizing that she hadn’t closed the resonance. “When I was little not much older than Shaya your little sister. My daddy took me into the throne room and he showed me the most beautiful tiara I had ever seen in my entire life.” Her gray eyes opened up and she smirked.

“He said to me ‘My Simone this was your mother’s and when you get married you can have it.’ and I daydreamed by it all the time. Dreaming of the day I would get to wear it. It was the only thing I had of my mother’s. Someday, I’ll have something for each of you to give you and I hope you take better care of it than I did my tiara. Wherever it ended up. It’s probably in Auclair’s bog knowing my luck. Time has probably ruined it. But someday I’m going to give you something and you need to take care of it. Just like how your daddy takes care of me.”

She lifted Glyn up and kissed him softly. His little gray eyes were full of life as he kicked his feet lightly. He took hold of her hair and Simone smiled. “Someday.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 5:34 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

With Simone finally settled with Glyn back at home, Lewis found himself playing with Alshaya and Everett. Alshaya was running around, laughing about how she was going to marry all of the boys in her class once they got older and stopped having cooties, and Everett was yell singing about Rex and Natayl kissing in a tree. Soon though, he ran out of lyrics, and switched to Rex and Alice.

“Hey Papa!” Alshaya said as she ran into his leg and laughed. “Did you know that Rex has a crush on Dala! Dala is too cool for him though!” Everett nodded in agreement, switching the song again to Rex and Veronica kissing in a tree. “Rex is a ho!”

Lewis shook his head, “Alshaya, you can’t say that. Where did you hear that?” He silently hoped that Simone was too distracted by Glyn to notice what their daughter had said.

“Class Pearl said so. Pearl is nice now, ever since I gave her a good one!” She started to run around Lewis again. “Her boyfriend likes me. I see him looking at me! I’m gonna marry him!”

The ex-assassin groaned, hoping that Simone was enjoying her time with their new son.

Author: Simone, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 5:18 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

Probably. The fear of being a parent should have gone away with how veteran they were but still she feared messing up.

“Everything is fine,” Simone pointed at Corrine who was showing Lewis that she could brush her own hair.

Once they had made their way into Elysia and Simone was in shock it only took a few moments for Everett to plop in his mama’s lap so he could look at Glyn. “He’s so… perfect.” Simone had tears and looked up at Lewis. “He looks like me…”

“Lewis’s preference for how he looked. Like you.” Angela came over and greeted Jules and Corrine. “I see what Xeik was talking about with your arm… Does it hurt?”

“Yeah… It aches a lot,” Jules didn’t feel compelled to hide Corrine behind him when it came to Angela as she felt safe.

“Here,” Angela took his arm and safely used magic on it. “There you go all better. Does it feel good?”

“I… can’t remember the last time I didn’t have pain.”

“Come here you two,” Simone was sitting by Lewis and moved Everett enough holding out her arms to them. Jules and Corrine came over and got in her lap too as they all looked at Glyn. “This is your little brother.” All of the kids were excited as they all shared in the moment.

Glyn’s gray-blue little eyes looked up at them as he let out a huge yawn. “Oh goodness,” Simone chuckled a bit. “Let’s get him home… Thank you, Angela.”

“Oh, it’s the least I can do for you both.” She waved them off. Once they were on their way back to the house she took Glyn into her arms and kissed him with all the love in the world. “The littlest Terrowin.” She whispered to Glyn. “You are so handsome.” The twins were excited to see Glyn as they were allowed near him on the couch.

Even Corrine and Jules were curious about him and they liked seeing how loving Simone was with children who weren’t her own.

“You are little number ten. You don’t know it but you are. You came before Jules and Corrine but they were here first. They are going to love you too okay? I know you never met them,” Simone let Glyn hold one of her fingers as she spoke to him.

Ezili found Rex who was getting ready, “We brought Glyn home!”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2021 5:00 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

This was the day that they were supposed to meet Glyn, and Lewis found himself staring in the mirror. It was rare for him to be nervous, but here he was, idly brushing the same spot, over and over with his comb. Everything was going to be okay, and he knew that. So why was he so nervous?

It’s probably mostly you, Simone, he thought. She must have been pulling at every ounce of calm that he normally exuded. Lucas came in behind Lewis, checking his own hair. The two of them hadn’t done a full dress down, but each of them sported a solid colour button down, Lewis with a sea green, and Lucas with a deep red.

Lucas was starting to get tall, and was a hair taller than Lewis was. It was noticeable today, for some reason. As the two left the shared hall bathroom, Rex waltzed in behind them, slamming the door.

The ex assassin came up to Jules’ and Corrine’s new room, and knocked, peaking in. “Everything going okay?” he asked. Simone was busy helping the two new kids get ready. Lewis was about to ask if she wanted help, when Mia came dashing into the room, throwing up hand signs like she was trying to cast a complex spell. It took a moment for her to read them, and when she did, Simone bolted up, and demanded they go to Elysia.

All of them followed, minus Rex who was still in the hall bathroom, and soon they all found themselves in Elysia, in Angela’s courtyard. The goddess was there, holding a bundle, and with a smile she passed it along to Lewis, who held the boy tenderly. Simone had fallen to her knees in shock.

Lewis cradled the baby boy, and smiled. “Glyn, is it?” he said to the baby. “Welcome to the world, little one…” He smiled, and walked over to Simone, plopping down next to her. Lucas and Ezili walked up behind them, looking down at the new bundle of joy. Each of them had one of the twins. Janus and Lila both were a little noisy, trying to figure out what all of the commotion was about. Alshaya and Everett came up on either side of Lewis and Simone, staring at the Glyn with wide eyes.

“This is your little brother,” Lewis said with a smile.

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Feb 8, 2021 5:11 PM, Post Subject: Nice to Meet You [P/R]

It had been a week since they brought Corrine and Jules home. Life had been busy and therapy had started, “Jules, please make sure to take your medicine okay?” Simone brought in some of the herbal remedy treatment for Jules and gave him some juice. “Corrine… Do you need me to brush your hair?”

“I got it,” the little girl was in front of her vanity trying to brush her hair. The two were sharing a room for now since that’s what made them comfortable.

“Okay,” Simone watched Jules took his medicine. “Lady Angela said she would be able to see you today… Isn’t that exciting? You won’t be in pain anymore.”

“I’m… hesitant,” Jules said as Simone helped change his clothes.

“It’s alright to be scared. You met Mia right? She had surgery on her feet… She could barely walk and look how she runs around now. It was Lady Angela who did that.” Simone kissed his head and he recoiled at first but Simone gave a smile. “I’m sorry Jules. I didn’t mean to cross your boundary.”

“…I’m not used to it yet.”

“Come on now, breakfast. Then –”

Mia came in and she throwing hand signs. “CALM DOWN,” Simone tried to calm her down before she scared the kids. More hand signs later, “What’s wrong with Glyn?! LEWIS WE NEED TO GO TO ELYSIA NOW,” Simone yelled and she picked up Corrine once she was done and pulled Jules. There was a worried look on her face but Mia couldn’t properly tell her what was wrong.

Simone put the kids down as soon as they got near the garden and she was in a full-blown spring with Lewis as they got near the patch. There was baby’s cry as Angela brought the new baby up with a blanket. He had black hair and gray eyes. When Angela had asked Lewis what his preference was… It had been Simone. “Congratulations.”

Simone fell to her knees and looked at the little boy in the goddess’s arms, “He’s… He’s…”

“He’s here.” With Simone seemingly out of breath, Angela approached Lewis and offered him the baby boy. “The children with you… They are Jules and Corrine?”

“Ah,” Simone could barely get it out as she waved the kids to come closer to see Glyn.