[center][h2][color=9e0039]Aloysius[/color] & [Color=6ecff6]Salem[/color] [/h2][/center]
[hr][hr]A collab between [@jakeb1993] & [@HaleyTheRandom]
[b]Location: Barrowman High - Abandoned Gymnasium [/b] 
[b]Time:[/b] 11.00PM.[hr][hr]

The last two days had been unnecessarily long in Salem's opinion. She had watched someone die, found out someone who she presumed to be dead was alive, found out she had a [i]twin[/i], had an long ass conversation with Aliira and now... now she was going to have a civilized meeting with Aloysius. At least she assumed it was meant to be civil. 

The truth was, Salem was tired. Both physically and emotionally. She had been going over every memory she had in her brain to try and remember Rowan. There has been enough for her to count on one hand. Once when he attended a Guild celebration, another time when she caught him out of the corner of her eye leaving school. He has been there her whole life, just waiting in the shadows. She had had no idea about him whatsoever. Deep down, the young woman felt guilty. He has been thrown away because of her. She took a deep, calming breath of the night air as she walked across the school yard. 

Back in Georgia, she would sneak down to the river, listen to the roads croak and look at the stars. Now she found comfort in the sounds of the cars going up and down the streets; the stars replaced with street lamps. It was a mild night, but she decided to wear a hoodie anyway, mainly so she could shove her hands into the front pocket to keep them from shaking, as she did now. 

Soon, she found herself opening the rusted gym door, causing it to squeak ever so slightly. Salem walked inside, letting the door close being her. For a brief moment, she was surrounded in darkness. A million memories flooded her mind. Al and her training; she and him sneaking here to get away from everyone else. A light smile played on her lips as she raised a hand, sparks floating up to the ceiling to turn on one of the lights. She made her way across the dusty floor to sit on the bottom step of the stadium. Salem took another breath as she waited for Aloysius to arrive. 

Aloysius arrived not long after Salem. He had been careful to make sure that no one from the Dark Shadow. He didn't want any of them to find out that he was meeting with Salem, it would degrade his authority. Walking inside the of gym he looked around. There were many good memories here. Some painful memories too, but mostly good ones. Though the last memory here he could of done forgetting. Aloysius would walk towards Salem and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly "Hey, thanks for coming... And for not hiding and trying to get the jump on me I guess"

Salem sat on the step, twirling her thumbs, caught up in her own little world until she heard the familiar voice. She jumped slightly, Als voice unusually loud after the silence. She nodded softly. [Color=6ecff6]"No problem,"[/color] she said, her voice quiet. Salem cleared her throat before speaking again, her voice slightly louder. [Color=6ecff6]"I figured after last night we could both use a more civilized meeting. What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"[/color]

Aloysius would bring himself to sit down next to Salem on the bleachers. More and more memories of him and Salem here together were coming back to him, They had afterall spent most of their high school years together here. [color=9e0039]"Well first of all... we need to talk about Rebecca... I thought she was dead"[/color]

She turned to look at him. [Color=6ecff6]"So did I,"[/color] she said, her voice quiet. [Color=6ecff6]"All I can figure is that.... that day.... of the battle, I mean, I was just using my powers left and right, so I guess by the time I dealt with her, my powers were depleted?"[/color] Salem brushed her hair back behind her ear as she let her hands flop into her lap. She decided to stare at her hands now. [Color=6ecff6]"Speaking of B.... I got another surprise this morning."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I mean we were going pretty hard at it that night. You had most likely spent most of your power sending me into that stone column"[/color] He would let out a sigh. This was awkward. So very awkward right now. Salem and Aloysius hadn't had a civil conversation in such a long time. [color=9e0039]"Oh... What's that?"[/color] He asked her.

The young woman nodded at  words. He did have a point. She had fought and killed so many people that night... Salem took a deep breath before speaking again.  [Color=6ecff6]"So you know the blonde guy that came busting through the wall with Rebecca? He... um... he's my brother. My [i]twin[/i] brother, actually."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I had a suspicion that was the case. I remember seeing him around school lurking in the corner of your eye. I always made a note to follow through and investigate when I formed the the Dark Shadow. I just never got around to it."[/color] Aloysius ran a hand through his hair [color=9e0039]"Oh what a shit situation we have gotten ourselves into"[/color]

Salem turned to look at him, her eyebrows not in frustration. [Color=6ecff6]"You suspected that a person who was watching us from a distance might have been related to me and you never said a single word? Sometimes I thought I was going crazy seeing him and you never said ANYTHING?"[/color] Her tone was hostile now.

[color=9e0039]"It was one of those hunches. Sides, I didn't even think it was true. I was young and naive. Besides he did a really good job of staying far away enough to avoid attracting attention"[/color] Aloysius sighed [color=9e0039]"I am sorry. I should have told you before"[/color] He fidgeted in his seat and looked over at her [color=9e0039]"So what do we do now then?"[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"Maldición al infierno,"[/color] she shouted at nothing or no one in particular. [Color=6ecff6]"All I know is Rowan said Beck wants me deader than Hell.... He mentioned something about you dying too, but made it sound like her only target was me."[/color]  She paused for a moment, thinking. [Color=6ecff6]"What was the bigger threat you mentioned in your message?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Circe is becoming too wild. Even when I try and tighten the leash she just lashes. I am worried if we don't do something now... She may defect toward Rebecca and if last night was anything to go by... Rebecca will give her permission to go on as many murder sprees as she wishes"[/color] Aloysius stood up for a second to stretch his legs [color=9e0039]"I am not sure how to handle this one"[/color]

Salem looked him in the eye, her jaw set in determination. [Color=6ecff6]"So what you're telling me is she is responsible for yesterday's murders?"[/color] She took his silence as a yes. [Color=6ecff6]"I can Mute her. Killing that many mundanes is punishable by death. Muting her would be lenient. Deje que la perra loca viva el resto de su vida trabajando en una cafetería o algo así."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"She is a huge liability of titan proportions"[/color] Aloysius would only friend slightly when she started speaking Spanish again. He could never work out what she was saying [color=9e0039]"I don't know who we tackle first? Rebecca or Circe... And more importantly what does this mean for us right now?"[/color] It was a blunt question, but neither of them had time to mess about right now.

[Color=6ecff6]"We can just Mute her, or Mute her and wipe her memory, or we can just kill her. She's one of yours, so I'm leaving the decision up to you."[/color] She stood up, putting her hands in the pockets of her jeans before pacing back and forth on a small section of the dusty gym floor. [Color=6ecff6]"I don't trust you, Aloysisus. I haven't trusted you in years... but you already knew this."[/color] She looked up now, stopping in her tracks. [Color=6ecff6]"We have to stop Rebecca before she exposes both of our secrets. If that means setting our differences aside for however long, then so be it. But I can assure you: next time I see that bitch in battle again, she'll be fried to a fucking crisp."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Heh. This time last night we were busy shouting insults at each other. Now look at us. If Rebecca talks... Neither of us will have any control left. Where to we even begin trying to track her down though? She has been off the grid for 6 years and we all thought she was dead"[/color] Aloysius leaned back onto the bleachers staring at the dusty rafters. [color=9e0039]"I know you don't trust me. Since that night six years ago... We haven't really spoken much... Let alone talked about it"[/color]

Was Aloysius trying to get touchy feely? She supposed it was understandable. The last forty-eight hours had been nothing but filled with emotions. [Color=6ecff6]"I could start with Rowan. He didn't seem hostile. He was direct. Seems like the guy just wanted to make a point. I mean... He he even warned me."[/color] She just looked at him for a moment. If anyone had asked her at that very moment, Salem would swear that she still seen the boyish innocence in him that once was. She smiled slightly. [Color=6ecff6]"Honestly, all I wanted to do that next day was pick up the phone and call you. But then I remembered you turned into the enemy. I didn't think you'd want anything to do with many anymore unless it was out of bloodlust. So... I kept my mouth shut and now here we are."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"We shouted so much... We almost bought this entire building down"[/color] Aloysius sighed once more. He didn't feel great right now. Rebecca has turned his life upside down. [color=9e0039]"Maybe... Just maybe... I was wrong. Maybe I let Rebecca manipulate me into doing something terrible"[/color] This moment right now was taking him back through his past and all the decisions he made [color=9e0039]"I...I am sorry about...your father"[/color] he spoke slowly, showing he was apologetic.

It was weird being stuck on memory lane. What was even more strange was Salem didn't want to get off. It was nice just sitting here talking to him like the old days. [Color=6ecff6]"You don't actually believe that. One thing I can give you is that you've always thought out your decisions, no matter if I thought they were bad or not. Besides. I'm the one who sent her to you. If anyone is to blame for you being bitter, its me. I never thought you'd actually end up caring for her."[/color] She was slightly taken aback when he apologized for her father's death. [Color=6ecff6]"No reason for you to be. He always liked you, ya know? Thought you had tons of potential."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I wish I had the magic to bring him back. I wish I could bring Ty back"[/color] He would run his hands though his hair [color=9e0039]"I made a mistake Sal. A huge mistake. I believe that Magi should rule over the mundane, but.... To actually go and start my own faction for it. It ripped us apart...the one thing I really cared about"[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"You could bring him back. Ty, I mean. I can't tell you how, but I can tell you that I know there's a way."[/color] She say there and listened to what he had to say. Any other tome, neither of them would have got a word in edge wise for throwing punches at each other. [Color=6ecff6]"You could've voiced your opinion at the meetings. Sure, it would have caused a stir, but we all would have listened."[/color] Salem walked over to sit on the bleachers again. [Color=6ecff6]"I wish we could go back to, sometimes. But Heaven knows there's no way to change or fix it all now."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"This will only end when one of us dies won't it?"[/color] He asked, sadness lacing his words as he spoke. [color=9e0039]"I just wish I could take all this back"[/color] he looked over to her. [color=9e0039]"Maybe we can find a way to bring your father back and Ty back. I know of old magic that allowed if such a thing, but how you would go about it is completely alien to me"[/color] He would look away for a second, feeling guilty when he looked Salem directly in the eyes.

[Color=6ecff6]"It doesn't have to end that way. Come back to the Guild. Voice your opinion, take responsibility for your crimes. Yes, my people will want justice, but we can work something out. Hasn't there been enough death in both of our lives already?"[/color] Her voice wavered halfway through the last sentence. She could feel her eyes getting hot, threatening to spill the years that in them. She took a deep breath for what seemed like the millionth time today in order to steady herself. [Color=6ecff6]"You could save Ty, but Lucius has been gone far to long, I believe."[/color] Salem silently wondered if Aloysius was being serious. Even a mention of Necromancy was a crime, much less doing it. 

[color=9e0039]"I don't know. I can't help but think the damage I have done is too great. I mean, the Guild will want payback. And if you did save me, it wouldn't be long before a plot was started to have me killed. The Guild isn't a safe place for me. Everything just feels weird right now"[/color] Aloysius buried his face in his hands. This was tough. And what he was about to say was about to make it worse. [color=9e0039]"I miss you Salem"[/color]

Aaand that did it. Feeling the first tears fall, she wiped them away quickly with the back of her hand. She wasn't entirely sure what had gotten into her. The last time she had cried was the night her father died. [Color=6ecff6]"I could Mute you. You'd make a badass assassin until the vote showed you had proved yourself."[/color] She knew as soon as she said it there was no way that he would go do it, but she was more or less begging at this point. She turned her head and looked at him. Hearing his words, she bit down on her bottom lip to keep herself from saying something potentially stupid. [Color=6ecff6]"It's been a long forty-eight hours, Al. Your brain's fuzzy."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Ha. And say I did join you for a second. What of the rest of the Dark Shadow. What becomes of them?"[/color] He asked of curiosity. Watching Salem shed tears only caused Aloysius to do the same. He wiped his own face using his sleeve and let off a long sigh of both pain and relief at the same time. [color=9e0039]"I don't have to be fuzzy to remember what we had 6 years ago"[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"Same as you. We mute them. Give the security detail, make them recruits."[/color] Great. Now he was crying. Salem hung her head in an attempt to get her hair to cover her face. If there was one thing that her parents had taught her, it was that crying in front of others was weakness. Emotions made you weak. A good leader thought with their brain, not their heart. Salem never understood why someone couldn't do both. She laughed quietly, wiping away more tears. [Color=6ecff6]"Look at me, crying like a girl. I don't know why we're even talng about it, kid. It's in the past now."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Because the past is better. That is why. I made a mistake so huge it cost me the biggest thing I held dear to me: you"[/color] He wiped away a couple more years before composing himself a bit more [color=9e0039]"Over the years I have tried to suppress everything... Tried to convince myself that you were an evil bitch that needed dealing with. And that has worked great, now Rebecca is back... I can't seem to feel like that no more"[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"I agree... The Guild was happier. Dad was alive. Mom spoke to me. I had you... the last was and is better."[/color] Salem nudge his shoulder gently. [Color=6ecff6]"Well, I believe we've all done evil things, and you aren't entirely wrong about ne being a bitch."[/Color] She thought for a moment, looking up across the room at the wall, studying the design of the school mascot on it. [Color=6ecff6]"I cared about you too, you know? Quiet a lot, actually. I couldn't wait for those afternoons when we used to sneak away and come here.... I'm sorry she broke your heart, Aloysius."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"It's not your fault. I became obsessed with power, with control, wanting to rule everyone and prove to people what I could do. I mean my mother did spur me on"[/color] He smiled gently when she nudged his shoulder [color=9e0039]"Rebecca chose to seduce me, not you. And it was she who toyed with my heart. Not you. It is all my fault for being a fool and thinking I could have replaced that hole in my heart with Rebecca"[/color]

Salem wrinkled her nose in playful disgust. [Color=6ecff6]"No offense, but I never could stand that woman. Always tried to get me in a skirt... 'Sit with your legs crossed, Salem. It's more polite and lady like.'"[/color] She brushed her hair back behind her ear again, a nervous habit. [Color=6ecff6]"Do you think that there's a chance things could ever go back to the way they were?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Maybe.... Possibly. We would have to deal with Rebecca and possibly deal with a gone in the Dark Shadow who refused to surrender. But I am sure we could work something out. Worst case we could run away somewhere nice"[/color] He gave a light chuckle [color=9e0039]"God, could you imagine Aliira and Lanas reaction to finding us talking like this?"[/color]

Salem laughed light heartedly. [Color=6ecff6]"Somewhere like Cancún. Just spend the rest of our days relaxing on the beach...."[/color] When he mentioned Aliira and Lana, she laughed again. [Color=6ecff6]"They'd die. They'd have a heart attack, fall over, and die. I didn't even tell Aliira about this meeting or whatever."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I am not sure how Lana would react. I don't know how loyal she is to the idea of trying to take over all the mundane. Sometimes I think it is more about the hatred for her brothers Killers. Lana is a good girl. I just don't want to lose her to Rebecca. Or to anyone else actually"[/color] Aloysius rubbed the back of her head [color=9e0039]"I don't think I could cope with losing Ty and Lana"[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"That's fair. I guess you just need to keep your girl away from Rebecca then, eh? For what it's worth, I dont think you'd have to worry about losing her to the Guild. She's to revenge driven."[/color] She say thinking for a moment hoe he kept mentioning Ty. [Color=6ecff6]"He ment something to you, didn't he? Tiberius?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Yeah he did"[/color] Aloysius let out a sigh and sat on the floor now, keeping his head low [color=9e0039]"Shortly after founding the Dark Shadow and us having our huge argument... He walked into my life. He was the one who helped me pick up the pieces and helped me move on I guess. We grew.... Close... Very close as time drew on"[/color] he would move his hair from his face and back behind his ears. [color=9e0039]"Started as a casual thing, became serious for a while. Really serious. And intense. We then decided to keep it a more casual love as we didn't want to be seen as being together. Wouldn't want anyone in the DS to think he was getting special treatment."[/color]

[Color=6ecff6]"Makes sense. It's a good thing that you had someone like that. I suppose I owe him a thank you for not letting you go to awful far downhill,"[/color] she said jokingly. [Color=6ecff6]"I think you'll find someone else. It might take some time, but I like to think there's someone out there for all of us. You'll find that someone one day."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"But what if I have already met that someone else?"[/color] Aloysius asked. [color=9e0039]"What if I have already met them and I blew it. That just means that I am destined to live on this planet alone"[/color] He let out a small huff, he could feel the tears coming back.

[Color=6ecff6]"Only time can show and tell us things like that. For what its worth, I think you'll be just fine."[/color] She wiped the tears off her face as she felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket. As Salem unlocked the screen, she would squint her eyes, the bright light affecting her more than usual after the shed tears. She studied the message hard for a minute. [Color=6ecff6]"Which one of your play things killed my Lizzie,"[/color] she said, turning to look him straight in the eye. Her tone of voice was scary in its neutrality, revealing no emotion.

This was nice. The past, Salem and Al, going to memory lane and trying to repair a bridge burnt by years of war. Then she had to come up. She had to come ruin it. With a hefty gruff Al stood up [color=9e0039]"Who do you think? Circe if course of course.... Why do you think I called you here?"[/color]

Salem just gave him the kind of look that was laced with malice; one that seemed to say 'you dumb, idiotic boy.' [Color=6ecff6]"¿Y no pensaste en decirme esto antes? ¡¿Simplemente me dejas sentar aquí y tener un corazón a corazón contigo y simplemente OLVIDAR mencionar la muerte de Elizabeth?! You didn't say anything! Not a single word! Not even when we were talking about what to do with your little pest![/color] Salem was on her feet now, her hand unconsciously reaching out to grab him by the throat as she stepped close enough for their noses to be nearly touching.  [Color=6ecff6]"Give me one good reason - just [i]ONE [/i] why I shouldn't kill you right here and now."[/color] The young woman was crying again, this time years of anger. He had betrayed her trust again.

Al didn't have too long to react until Salem had him at the neck, her fingers coiling around and practically trying to crush his windpipe, her nails threatening to break his skin. For a second he just stood there and didn't  know what to say. He would decide not to fight in the end. His body was too tired, too exhausted to say much. So instead, tears overflowed from his eyes as he began to sob. [color=9e0039]"I couldn't bring it up.... We were having too much fun talking about the past. And how... How do you bring it that one of your more unstable members has killed a friend of yours?"[/color] He continued to sob.

Salem released him from her grip, shoving him away from her slightly as she turned away from him, unable to see the sight of him any longer. Rather he had a valid point.or not, she wasn't about to admit it to his face. [Color=6ecff6]"Y pensar después de todo este tiempo, todavía te amo..."[/color] She whispered as the tears feel more quickly. She crossed her arms, now staring at the ground as she but down on her lip again. [Color=6ecff6]"I- I... how.... what were you..."[/color] Salem just stood there, her back turned to Aloysius not knowing what to say or do next.

[color=9e0039]"Look... When I found out what she had done... I text you right away. I am sorry that Circe killed whoever it was... I am sorry. I didn't intend for that to happen. I only wanted Circe to cause a distraction... Not cause mass murder"[/color] he would reach out with his arm to try and hold her by the shoulder to attempt to comfort her.

She was torn. She wanted justice for Elizabeth, but she didn't want to drive Aloysius away. Not this time. She took a deep breath feeling his hand on her shoulder. She wiped her face with the sleeve of her hoodie, turning around to look at him again. [Color=6ecff6]"So help me Zeus, I know I should just walk away right now."[/color] She shrugged her shoulders weakly, laughing once with mock humor. [Color=6ecff6]"But I can't. I can't just walk out of here this time."[/color]

Watching her, Aloysius felt pain. He had helped cause this. By not keeping a tight enough leash on Circe, she had caused the death of one of Salems's friends. He didn't know how to correct this. Salem was upset, he was upset. The only thing he could think of was trying to cheer her up the way he used to a high school. He would turn her around to face him and place his hands on both her shoulder, leaning in slowly to start but then picking up the pace as their breaths drew closer. He would slowly plant his lips on hers, with a slow, inviting a warm kiss. At least it would stop Salem from crying.

At first, Salem was shocked. The she found herself kissing him back for a few moments before snapping out of it and pulling away. For a moment, she was that girl back in high school, stealing secret kisses with the boy she loved. She cleared her throat as she felt her cheeks turning slightly pink. [Color=6ecff6]"I'm not mad at you. Not right now, anyway. But rest assured if I cross paths with Circe, she's dead."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"That is understandable"[/color] Aloysius muttered under his breath. [color=9e0039]"Don't worry... I will make sure that Circe is kept on a tighter leash. And again, I am really sorry"[/color] he would then look at Salem closely and notice her pinking cheeks [color=9e0039]"Awh, you are blushing. I must admit... I have missed kisses like that"[/color] he smiled towards her weakly.

[Color=6ecff6]"No I am not,"[/color] She said, her cheeks becoming more red at him pointing aput the fact. She sighed, checking her phone to look at the time. It was not 12:15 in the morning.  [Color=6ecff6]"It's getting late,"[/color] she said matter-of-factly. [Color=6ecff6]"Probably about time we wrapped things up, wouldn't you say?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Yeah. It would be for the best...."[/color] Aloysius turned to leave and began walking to the gym entrance. As he opened the door he turned back to look at Salem. [color=9e0039]"I am sorry..."[/color] He called out [color=9e0039]"... Not just for tonight, but for everything these past 6 years"[/color] with that he walked through the doors and disappeared into the night.

Salem was walking towards the exist at the opposite end of the building. When she heard his voice, she turned to see him walk out of the door, unsure if she would ever truly accept his apology. [Color=6ecff6] "Hasta la próxima, viejo amigo,"[/color] she said, raising a hand to absorb the energy from the light, putting it out. With a sad half smile on her face, she turned to have one last look at the old gym before letting the door close behind her.


A good five minutes after they both left, the door to the supply closet, which was open ever so slightly, opened further. Out of the darkness a green haired female was looking at her phone, clearly pleased with herself.

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