[center][h2][u]The Morning After[/u][/h2]
[h3][color=skyblue]இ [/color][color=#7BCDC8][i]ℭ [/i][/color][color=#57A3C6]h a r l e s[/color]  [color=#4E99C6][i]Λ [/i][/color][color=#3F88C6]e o n[/color][color=skyblue] இ[/color] 
[color=#BB8FCE]☀[/color][color=#6600CC]A[/color][color=#661DD3]z[/color][color=#663ADA]u[/color][color=#6657E1]l[/color][color=#6674E9]i[/color][color=#6691F0]a[/color] [color=#66CCFE]E[/color][color=#57BDFE]l[/color][color=#48AEFE]l[/color][color=#3AA0FE]i[/color][color=#2B91FE]s[/color][color=#1D83FE]o[/color][color=#0E74FE]n[/color][color=#BB8FCE]☀[/color] 
[color=#FFDAB9][color=crimson]☠[/color]Ｋｉｌｌｉａｎ Ｊｏｎｅｓ[color=crimson]☠[/color][/color][/h3][/center]
[center][hr][sub][h3][u][b]Time[/b][/u][/h3][h3]Day 3 ~ Morning (3-6 am) Evening[/h3][h3][u][b]Location[/b][/u][/h3][h3]Charles House[/h3][/sub][/center]
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Bacon sizzled on the skillet as she flipped them. Azulia, so used to getting up so early for school, was not affected when she woke up this morning around 5:45, according to what her alarm clock said. Back when her mother was still alive, she was always up early to make sure her mother ate properly after every late shift or before her morning shifts.

Azulia frowned and watched the bacon. It was slowly coming to her that she was no longer do that for her mom, that she didn't have to continue to do it, but this was her new home and she had to make sure the two men she lived with age their fill for breakfast before doing anything else.

The splash of bacon grease got onto her bare flesh making her hiss a little, and she began to remove the bacon, spreading it to two different plates neatly, one for Killian and one for Charles.

Killian strolled inside the room, an eyebrow raised high, before sitting down with the newspaper. He slowly flipped through the pages and then suddenly slammed down his hand down on the table loudly. The guy walked towards the front room and returned with a phone. He dialed some number rather quickly while walking up to the young woman. 

[color=#FFDAB9]“What did I just read in the paper Zoey?”[/color] the young man asked taking a look at the burn then mouthed for her to put her arm under cold water.

She looked at him with a raised brow before shrugging her shoulder. She continued to cook breakfast, silently as usual in the morning whenever she cooked. The bacon popped and sizzled and the aroma was filling the room quickly.

The man listened to the other woman on the line, rolling his eyes at the young teenager, and want to the sink. He grabbed a few paper towels during which he gave a scoff before clearing his voice.[color=#FFDAB9] “Zoey let me hang up for now alright. We can make plans to meet somewhere together and go from there. Yeah I’m multitasking...hmm.”[/color] The man remarked while nodding.

He placed the towels underneath cold water.[color=#FFDAB9] “No way you could have known Zoey. He’s good at making deals right under one’s nose. I’ll call back soon.”[/color] With that the african american hung up the phone.

[color=#FFDAB9]“Such a mess today. Az I told you to put cold water on the burn. Not continue cooking and ignore me.”[/color] The guy commented as he placed the towels around it.[color=#FFDAB9] “How’s ice cream sound today?”[/color]

[color=A569BD]“You sound like you are going to be busy,”[/colo] Azulia said. She seemed like she wasn't really paying attention. She looked at him as she finished plating the bacon on Killian and Charles’s plates. 

[color=A569BD]“I was thinking of going to town and check it out, you know since I live here now. I better like get to know my surroundings, especially around the school that I will be going to,”[/color] she took a glass and filled it with water. 

[color=#FFDAB9]“A little bit but I also want to spoil my sister. Zoey wants to meet you too.”[/color] The young man nicked a piece of bacon off his plate with a mischievous smirk. He popped it into his mouth, nearly burning the top, before swallowing roughly.

[color=#FFDAB9]“Hot. I think you would like Zoey much better since she’s like an older sibling. Even Charles has heard of her.”[/color]

Azulia looked at him.[color=A569BD] “Give me the time and place and I can meet her,”[/color] She said. [color=A569BD]“What have you said about me, huh, Killian?”[/color] she gave a small teasing grin as she nudged him playfully.

[color=#FFDAB9]“Hmm...That if anything would happen to you I would kill myself. Honestly you said you wanted to know my past Az. This is the best way to.”[/color]

Azulia smiled and hugged him. [color=A569BD]“Thank you so much....for trusting me to know about your past. I never had someone trust me like that before,”[/color] She said with a smile on her lips.

[color=#FFDAB9]“I’ll warn you Az. You won’t like what you find out. I’ve hurt people before I met Charles. Harmed them mentally and physically. In the end you’ll come to hate me for being a monster.”[/color] The man commented quietly.[color=#FFDAB9] “ We should hurry.”[/color]

Azulia touched his cheek smiling. [color=A569BD]“You are willing to change your life around a bit meaning you aren't the monster you say you are. You hurt people yes, but was it because you wanted to or was it because you had to to survive?” [/color]

The man gripped her hands by the wrists, as if searching for an answer to some invisible question in her eyes.[color=#FFDAB9] “Surviving and doing it out of sheer pleasure is different. Yes, in the beginning it was to live but in the end I could have stopped. Ran away from that life a lot sooner. I enjoyed inflicting pain Az. I still do.”[/color] The African American remarked tightening his grip on her. If this kept up there would be bruising on the young woman’s wrist.

[color=#FFDAB9]“I’m good at fooling people. Hiding the real me from others and wearing a mask. One day I will return to them and one day I’ll get you killed. Just like I did with her.” [/color]

Azulia didn't wince as he gripped her wrist. She didn't really feel pain as much, it was like she was numb to the core ever since her mom died. [color=A569BD]“If you were such a monster like you said you are, I wouldn't be awake, talking to you like this, or having my wrist gripped like this,”[/color] she said

[color=#FFDAB9]“Hurry up and eat alright? We’re taking a few of the golems.”[/color]

As if on cue, one of the golem hounds lifted his head and stared into Killian’s direction. It seemed Charles had been too exhausted to bother dissipating them since he had came home. They were looking rather light in weight since their Vis reserves were quickly reaching their last hour of ‘life’. Satisfied the targets- orders to protect Azulia and Killian were still active- were within the house, the single golem’s head lowered back down upon its paws.   

Azulia gave him a quick hug. [color=A569BD]“I'm not hungry, you eat ok. I made it just for you”[/color] She smiled a little and walked away going back to her room. Sitting down on her bed, she grabbed the picture frame on her nightstand. The picture was of her and her mother on her 15th birthday.

She felt tears coming to her eyes, but made no attempt to wipe them nor did they make attempt to leave her blue eyes. Normal people would be balling their eyes out all day or feeling depressed over a death of a loved one, but she, she just felt numb to the core over it.

[color=A569BD]“Am I a monster for not grieving yet?”[/color] Sighing, she placed the picture back down and went to get changed for the day. Dressed in purple galaxy leggings and a black tank top, she brushed her soft, blonde hair until it was tangle free and the waves naturally fell over her shoulders.

Ignoring the bruising forming on her wrist from the gripping, she grabbed her black purples purse/mini backpack before leaving the room, again. 

Charles laid in bed, his right arm slumped over the edge of the mattress and his left leg crossed over the full length to the other side. Right now the full soreness from the strenuous activity last night caught up with him. Upon his arm were four clear, discolored bruises where the guard had gripped him and also the slight swelling on the back of the head where he was hit by the baton. Though the helmet had protected him from the majority of the force, the impact still pushed the construct into his head and left a mark. It was that goose egg on his skull that made him stir earlier than intended. 

The ache throbbed and pulsed. Drawing a disgruntled groan over his pain, Charles gingerly raised a hand to touch the tender spot. He withdrew it with a hiss. His eyes fluttered open in a sour mood over his current condition. With a frustrated grumbled, Charles began to push himself to sit upright in bed. His feet hung off the bed and bottoms touched upon the floor as he collected himself. 

After a moment, he began to pull to his feet and wobbled briefly. Dragging his soles, he began to edge toward the kitchen where the scents of eggs, bacon and coffee greeted him. The aromas were drawing him closer while eliminating the hazy of sleep from his attention, waking him up gradually as he plopped down at the nearest table chair. His head leaned backwards for a moment then pulled forward and arm reached for the coffee pitcher and then his mug. He tilted it causing the brown liquid to fill the bottom before it stopped an inch from the top. The heat wafted off for several moments in order to cool as he downed a timid swallow into his mouth.  

Appearing back into the room, she looked at Charles with a brief look before sitting down on another chair near by. [color=A569BD]“I hope you like it. I made it all on my own”[/color] She said with a small smile. She saw the coffee and winced a little. Her mother always went after the coffee as soon as she woke up. 

[color=A569BD]“I didn't make the coffee though, I completely forgot about it”[/color] she said rubbing the back of her head, a small blush of shame brightening her natural palle cheeks.

[color=#FFDAB9]“It took me awhile to get the hang of it too Az. One day this house will become to just your’s and Charles’ home. Granted that if more people show he’s going to need a bigger house.”[/color] The young man commented as he turned a page. 

[color=#7BCDC8] “Only when you can stand on your own two feet without being shot up,”[/color] Charles irritably at Killian’s statement of moving out. While the  professor wouldn’t mind having his own home back again, he didn’t like carrying the knowledge that he had sent the man to his death or worse. It was a fact that would bother him despite how people he had lost. Pushing the morbid thoughts aside, he raised a hand then gestured for Killian to pass the paper and his food toward him. 

[color=#FFDAB9]“I’m taking Az out of ice cream today. Maybe have her help us shop or something. Granted I would like to take some of the hounds due to...something coming up. Don’t worry she’ll get to still be a kid. Zoey will be meeting us at an ice cream shop. You have my word.”[/color] He stated pushing the paper and plate to him. 

Charles took another sip, letting the caffeine wash over his mind as his awareness of Azulia grew, before he addressed her,[color=#7BCDC8] “It’s alright. Do you want to go with Killian or is there something else you rather be doing today? I’m completely free until four. I’m going to the College to check on your application and see if your records are closer to coming in so if you would like, we can tour the place together?”[/color] 

He reached for a piece of bacon then bit into it gratefully, chewing it to savor the taste. After finishing the piece, he then commented on it,[color=#7BCDC8] “First time I’ve actually eaten and [i]liked[/i] extra crispy bacon. Very delicious, Azulia.”[/color] 

[color=#FFDAB9]“I can’t help it if you can’t cook. Besides that was one time and back then I always ate instant noodles.”[/color] The human commented in a teasing manner as he slid the professor's plate to him. [color=#FFDAB9]“She hasn’t eaten yet though I’ll admit this portion size is a bit large for me.”[/color] He remarked before going to the cabinet.

[color=#7BCDC8] “I can cook edible food and something better than precooked and reheated noodles,”[/color] Charles protested. 

Attention turned to the paper causing the immortal to frown deeply at the article. He noted that Zeki Glaedwine had been apprehended and held for questioning over a massive jailbreak last night, no further details produced at the time to indicate the Geist’s fate. Charles suspected any future information would never happen since the Prae controlled the city and its news. His eyes tightened upon the numbers of the escaped prisoners then his heart sank. 

His breath sharply took a breathe upon scanning the list of named convicts and innocences, noting the information he had studied and obtained from Mr. Glaedwine for the mission. His knuckles whitened upon the mug’s handle until it was on the verge of breaking it. Noticing this, Charles paused and removed his hand before setting it upon the table. 

Azulia sat there. She wasn't as social as she usually was, though there was one time where she was extremely quiet and lost in her own mind and that moment was when she finally got to see the letter she had been aching to see since the funeral.

Azulia played on her phone, looking through music that she had, her eyes showing some emotion whenever she looked at a song title that her mother loved.

The young man glanced between the two with a raised eyebrow as he nabbed another plate. Each were doing their own thing granted that Charles didn’t seem happy at all at the fact Zeki had been caught. In a way it was kinda nice having a sense of family around him but this would only last so long. The African American walked towards the table, adding some eggs and bacon on to the plate, and slide it towards the girl.

[color=#FFDAB9]“You need to eat to or else no going to the movies and such. And I want you to stay away from the other unstable students in your class Az.” [/color]

[color=#7BCDC8] “I agree with Killian,”[/color] Charles spoke noting her lack of paying attention to his question. His right eyebrow arched in question for a moment as he digested his own thoughts, coming to terms what was best in this situation and how to handle it. It had been too long since he had raised his own children or even interacted with his grandchildren (even great-grandchildren) causing a spike of longing to surge within him. It faded with the realization of responsibly at having to raise Azulia now. 

He set his mug, plate and paper aside before he gently placed his hand upon the phone’s screen within Azulia’s grasp. When she raised her head to ask him about his actions, he interrupted her,[color=#7BCDC8] “Recall what I said about grief? Just let it go through its own pace. It will come in time and it will come hard. I’m a very old man, far older than I look, and I have been through exactly what you have several times in my life.”[/color] 

His fingers gripped her phone then guided her hands to place it at the plate’s side while he continued,[color=#7BCDC8] “It’s painful not feeling how you believe you should feel, but everyone reacts differently. To expect yourself to follow the expected cookie cutter mold that everyone assumes is correct, is an illusion and a harmful one. When you feel it, it will most like hit and very hard. Then all the emotions you felt you should’ve had will likely rush in and consume you, bring you down to your knees and leave you wishing it would just leave you.”[/color]   

Azulia’s eyelids lowered and something flashed in her blue eyes as she listened to his words.[color=A569BD] “My mom was the only person I ever trusted but she was taken away from me. First my father”[/color] there was a hint of anger and something borderline of hate as she said the word “father”. It was something that was slowly showing within her each day after the death of her mother.

[color=A569BD]“Now my mom. My best friend, yet I cannot grief. I feel nothing for it Charles! I feel like a monster just for that! She was there for me, she raised me Regardless how hard it was to be a single mom”[/color] she stood and gripped the counter.

[color=#7BCDC8] “I know what a true monster is, Azulia. You’re far from one as I can assure you, that is something you can trust me on. And I’ve lived long enough to be able to tell what one is,”[/color] Charles said as he let his thumb rub her hand, trying to ease her pain. 

Azulia gripped his hand as some emotions were starting to hit her hard. It was not the grief she was hoping that would hit. It was mostly the realization that she was not alone. Even with her mom gone, her mother’s letter blessed her with a father figure, something she never had before in her life before. She looked at him, tears in her eyes. 

She quickly pushed her chair back hard enough to make it fall back wards onto the floor as she just hugged Charles, her slim shoulders shaking from the intense emotions rushing through her veins. 

Charles barely had enough time to quickly shift his posture and prevent Azulia from smacking into the chair when she embraced him. For a moment he hesitated, but not because he wasn’t sure what to do. He wanted to ensure she wouldn’t pull away from him. As she continued to hug him, his arms carefully wrapped about her and held her tightly. It was at this point he could easily see her mother in her causing a swell of pride in his chest over being blessed by Azulia. 

[color=#7BCDC8] “I’ll always be right here when you need me. I will pick you up, carry you and help you to stand on your own once more when you can’t. Remember this. Now, eat and stop worrying about the illusion of what you should feel.”[/color] 

Azulia looked at him and nodded. She gave him one more tight embrace before pulling away. She finally had a smile on her lips. She sat down and began to eat. That was the first time she ever hugged a guy, but unlike women from movies who felt like they were in love whenever they were embraced, what she was feeling was something similar to when she hugged her mother. To her, Charles was her dad.

[color=A569BD]“Charles, you make an amazing father, I hope that one day you will be comfortable with me calling you dad and I hope you will be there for when my emotions finally decide to show themselves”[/color] Azulia said, just as sincere as her mother was when she thanked him for saving her. 

[color=#7BCDC8] “My own children would disagree with that sentiment,”[/color] Charles’ expression was amused for a moment,[color=#7BCDC8] “So, about my question earlier: do you want to go with Killian and would you like to tour the college with me this afternoon at four?”[/color]

[color=A569BD]“Yes! I re....I mean, I would love too go on a tour with you”[/color] She blushed, embarrassed at her obvious excitement to see her new school. She scratched her cheek lightly.

[color=#7BCDC8] ‘And you still want to go with Killian? If not, I could find something to do with you here or we could do something you want,”[/color] Charles asked, checking to see if Azulia wasn’t just being polite and going with Killian because of him asking.  

Azulia nodded.[color=A569BD] “Yes. I want to get to know Killian as much as he will allow me. He is trusting me with his past” [/color]
  
[color=#7BCDC8] “Don’t let him getting away with anything and let me get you my number,”[/color] Charles rose from his seat then reached into the cabinets, his mind returned to Killian’s lack of eating,[color=#7BCDC8] “Also, Killian… I expect those left overs to be gone by the end of the day and not in the trash or other means.”[/color] 

[color=#FFDAB9]“Charles not right now please. You know I don’t eat if I’m worried and right now I’m worried.”[/color] He said honestly. He used his hand to push the plate away.

[color=#7BCDC8] “And avoiding eating is going to help how?”[/color] The stubborn immortal pointed out,[color=#7BCDC8] “It doesn’t have to be right now, but at least at the end of the day try to eat please. I know you, you’ll starve yourself when you’re worrying and that helps no one when they need you.”[/color] 

[color=A569BD]“Actually my phone doesn't have cell service anymore. It got shut off when my mom died”[/color] Azulia muttered.[color=A569BD] “I mainly use my phone to listen to music.”[/color] She said wincing knowing that she hadn't told Charles about that.

[color=#7BCDC8] “That won’t do,”[/color] Charles paused then frowned, his hand held the pad and pen to write his number on. His figure turned then thought a moment before he began to walk back to his bedroom then return shortly with a small roll of a cash, savings from a canister hidden within the house somewhere, then passed it to Killian,[color=#7BCDC8] “Can you stop by somewhere, after your errand, and get her new phone, with a sim card. I doubt the phone she has can be switched to a new service and just put about thirty pounds on it. It should last her the rest of the month.”[/color] 

He held the money out for the man to take before he turned his attention to the golems,[color=#7BCDC8] “I need to create new ones as these are nearly expired and will take a moment.”[/color]

The guy sighed as he placed the leftovers in a container. He placed them in the back of the fridge. When the roll of cash was placed inside his hand the guy raised an eyebrow. [color=#FFDAB9]“Charles please don’t worry about her. I’ll take care of it and if worse comes to worse I’ll have to color in my tatoo later one. For now just let me enjoy spoiling my little sister.”[/color] He said giving the cash back.

[color=#7BCDC8] “Don’t worry, you’re paying for the gas and the ice cream,”[/color] Charles pointed out then walked away without even taking it back,[color=#7BCDC8] “However she’s my daughter now and [i]I[/i] will pay for the phone, sim card and minutes.”[/color]

[color=#FFDAB9]“Whatever you say old man. Whatever you say.”[/color] He remarked in a frustrated tone before looking towards  Azuila with a smile.[color=#FFDAB9] “Where to first? To Zoey or go to the movies. Oh, and if you see her swing at me don’t panic Az. It’s her way of saying she loves me.”[/color]  Mainly from the scratched words the had placed on his car time and time again. Once again the professor won so the man took the money back.

Charles snorted in disagreement at Killian’s statement,[color=#7BCDC8] “Just make sure you get ice on it this time.”[/color] 

[@Fallenreaper] [@Demonic Angel]