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[color=004b80][center][h3]Starbucks[/h3][/center][/color]

[i]'It was a peculiar development, for sure. Seeing that hand reaching out, old decrepit and gray, Angelo recoiled with fear now emenating from the base of his spine. Indeed, he had been told of a darkness hidden within, but never had he believed it. Skeletal, and clawed, digits longed for the flesh of living warmth, an ancient evil roaring for the light of life. All in an attempt to strangle the faint ember known as..-[/i]

"Winter?" A voice broke through, bringing dark eyes towards the shape now sighing in front of a young man's gaze. Beautiful indeed, it was one word commonly associated with Yuna's splendor, eyes like a raven's meeting her younger brother's as his attention seemed to return. "You there?" She asked, crossing her arms. 

"Yeah," a soft, raspy voice came to meet Yuna's ever present gaze. It was one of compassion, not annoyance. One of sympathy, and perhaps even remorse. She was aware of her brother's struggles, his resignation to a dark corner known as his apartment. Somewhat fitting, the harmonic tune of rain drops were constant outside the café, adding a layer to the windows which blurred the outside world in a way most mysterious. "Something, something, mom and dad," Winter shrugged, lowering his eyes to the notebook on his lap. 

"Did you get their letter, yet?" Yuna repeated, leaning across the small, circular table as a cup now half empty brushed against her exposed forearm. 

"Yes, I got the cash," Winter responded, somewhat distraught by the answer leaving his lips. The young man did not rely much on his parents, but he wasn't willing to let money go to waste, simply because it was they who offered it to him. It was a way to keep him bought, so to speak, a way to keep him quiet. As long as they kept giving him an annual paycheck close to Christmas, they could convince themselves of a truth Winter never intended to break, no matter what they did. As long as they kept paying him, they were under the delusion that he would stay hidden. Winter had no intention of using the Everdale name. It dripped with venom. 

"And..?" Yuna continued, turning the flat of her hand towards his forearm. 

"It's fine." Winter shot back, his silent voice now somewhat flustered. 

"Show me," his sister insisted, placing a pale hand on top of another, before gently pulling his sleeve up. Several old, now healed scars donned Winter's forearm, causing the woman to inhale a sharp breath. She had seen them several times in the past, but every time was an unwelcome addition, for sure. "No new ones?" She asked inquisitively, moving her eyes towards the remaining arm before inspecting that as well. Yuna was met by the same sight. "Good," she sighed, "at least you haven't kept this up." 

"Want to check my thighs, too?" The young man raised an eyebrow, earning a glare from his sister. 

"You know I will." She spoke back, nearly a hiss. 

Lowering his gaze, unable to maintain the contest of raven orbs, Winter pulled his sleeve back down over his arm, the over sized fabric covering his fingers. "It's fine, alright?" He tried, lightly clenching the pen in his hand. 

"Alright," Yuna nodded, "but I will still check in on you." She assured her younger sibling. Indeed, for the past two years, Yuna had been meeting up with Winter, and often times came by his home to keep the aspiring author company. She worried for him, as any older sibling would, and attempted to push him out of that personal bubble where he maintained all of his time. One day, perhaps she would succeed. "How's Hades?" 

"Still a brat," Winter's demeanor shifted somewhat, managing a soft smile, at the thought of his cat. 

"Well," Yuna chuckled, "I can see where he gets it from." She winked, seeing how Winter raised an eyebrow in turn, before managing a chuckle, as well.