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[hider=12-22 Solo Mothers Always Right]Salem watched as the school began to shrink in the distance. Passing by buildings, shops, and places he'd frequented while he was being sequestered from his family's home. As every streetlight went by the buildings began to be replaced with large oak trees tightly packed and forming a natural barrier from the hills that marked his home. There was a final break in the tree line and Salem could spot the large rolling hills that his family had sat upon. 

His face moved closer to the window, viewing his families home on the lower hill overlooked by the larger mansion of their vampiric partners. As they approached the greenhouses became more visible, the cobblestone facade and wooden beams that's decorated the front of the house.  A soft smile crept onto his face, it'd felt like a lifetime since he came home, since he'd heard his mothers voice, or even gotten to read her writings. When the car finally pulled up Salem ran towards the house, pausing just before the door as his hand hovered over the handle.

Salem opened the front door, stepping in and closing it behind him as he called out into the household. [Color=82ca9d]"Hello?"[/color] He looked around at the familiar surroundings, watching the darkwood walls, the grand staircases that descended down to the floor with green and gold runners, and the stand that held had held a vase he'd broken before.

The silence that lingered in his greetings wake didn't have much of an opportunity to settle. His mother came around the corner, her smile wobbly and her eyes shining with unscheduled tears, and she crossed the distance between them with fierce determination, her hug threatening to suffocate the poor boy. In the time they had been separated, a few strands of grey had worked their way in Alice's hair.

[color=83b44b]"Salem, you're finally home! It felt like so much longer than its been."[/color] She pushed him back, holding him by the shoulders as she inspected him.[color=83b44b] "Are you okay? Did they hurt you? We received your friend's letter but we've been so worried with this Red Hand business."[/color]

Salem matched his mother's tears as he welcomed the embrace. Holding her tightly as if she may be gone at any moment. When she pushed him back he smiled at her critical eyes, searching for any offense they may have done to him. [Color=82ca9d]"I'm fine Ma, they didn't do much to be honest. I was reassigned my partner with a very odd Astorio. He doesn't seem to fit the portrayals I've heard about but thats a blessing I suppose. Aside from that it almost as if the investigation was distant, making me worry that perhaps they had done something to you all here."[/color]

He gave his mother a looks, gauging her reaction and as if to plead with her to be honest about what had transpired while he was away. [Color=82ca9d]"How were things here? What has happened while I was gone? Did they do anything because of this ridiculous red herring?"[/color] He would tell her all about Lilie and how he was able to spend some nights at the Starags place but only after he knew she was safe and unharmed.

[color=83b44b]"Well, not really honestly. We received notice about all this hogwash, we had tea up on the hill with some stubbornly apathetic detectives--I even told the funny joke about the hare and the crow and neither of them laughed!--, and then we were informed the clinic's operations would be suspended." [/color]Alice explained, looping her arm in his and guiding him further into the house.[color=83b44b] "Of course, your father skirted a heart attack. The man wanted to be here to greet you but I decided he'd be better of with a double whiskey sour and a touch of my special lavender. Don't need that brute bothering my time with my darling boy after I hadn't see him in ages."[/color] She bopper Salem on the nose as they walked into the living room, depositing him on a couch and setting out some cookies and cakes.

[color=83b44b]"So now tell me all about school. It's been an eventful year for you, hasn't it?" [/color]She asked, nibbling at a cookie as she settled across from him.

[Color=82ca9d]"Sometimes I feel as though it's been a little [i]too[/i] eventful. Between dinner with the queen, the murders, étiquette classes, normal classes, training with an Astorio, and finally making friends, well its been quite a bit."[/color] Salem grabbed a small cake and took a bite out of it. Giving his mother time to process all he had just said. [Color=82ca9d]"The last break I ended up spending it with Aaron Starag. It wasn't horrible but it felt as if the whole manor had eyes and watched my every step. Not to mention the boy is more high strung than his aunt and mother. Both were rather sweet and caring, they had some warmth to them that is sorely missed from Aaron."[/color]r]

Alice made a sympathetic noise at Salem's list.[color=83b44b] "I was worried sick after the incident at Revel. I tried to demand someone return my calls about your health but eventually I had to ask Lucy to send an official inquiry. It still took longer than I care for but at least I got confirmation that you hadn't been hurt."[/color] Alice sighed, her eyes burning with the fury of that memory. She'd been so frustrated with everyone but her son was safe and home and thats all she cared about right now.

[color=83b44b]"I could only imagine the tension in the royals household. The things they must have to deal with compared to us, how strictly controlled the Starags are, must make it difficult to interact with those who haven't gone through the same things."[/color] She sighed. She picked up a cake and smiled at Salem. [color=83b44b]"But why don't you tell me about your friends. You must have made quite a few by now!"[/color]

It broke his heart to hear about the troubles she had to go through just to get confirmation of his safety. Putting even more blame and guilt on him than he already felt for having had this investigation launched in the first place. Salem looked down at his cake as he thought about his friends, thinking of only one that he could truly consider a friend.

 [Color=82ca9d]"I've been keeping it close to my chest after the investigation was launched. No need to pull others into my mess. Though there are a few id call acquaintances and even fewer id call friends. I met this lovely girl named Lilie, she's very...peculiar. A water mage who has yet to see her full power, but her hearts bigger than anyones I've ever met. She works out with me and watches over me like a second mother at times. Always fretting about things she can't help. Then there's the Starag, he [i]can[/i] be friendly if ever he could see past his own view points. He's made few friends and had a few rumors spilled about him. I think he'd be rather charming if he ever considered anyone else's worldview. Finally there's Max. Not much to say about him other than he has a tough exterior and immovable hatred for others. Or so thats the disposition he likes to throw up. But he can be spoken to and reasoned with more than Aaron ever could."[/color]

[color=83b44b]"Well with the investigation over, maybe you can lower your guard. Three friends, and only one you speak well of, isn't enough for you sweetie. I know you'll benefit from a large, branching network. But you aren't home for me to nag you. Give me a few more days and then we'll see."[/color] She laughed, taking a bite of her cake, and gave Salem a sly look.[color=83b44b] "Of course, maybe there's another reason you're complimenting Lilie so much?"[/color]

[Color=82ca9d]"I compliment her so much because she deserves it. Unlike a few of my classmates she's one who even after opening her mouth remained in good light. Before I even knew the Starag was who he said he was I had found myself with a slight crush I'll admit. However it wasn't long after he opened his mouth to speak that I realized he was all beauty and no brains. Which is to say he rarely opens his mouth and improves upon the silence. There was a small…[i]thing[/i] with Max but that was to hide a dead body and escape onlookers glares."[/color]."

[color=83b44b]"Salem, don't speak so poorly about your classmates. I'm sure Aaron and you have your differences but imagine growing up in a place without freedom. You were suffocating after one visit; imagine how you'd feel if it was your entire life."[/color] Alice lightly chastised her son. That was how his father spoke and she wasn't very well going to let him turn into that man no matter how frustrated Salem was. She sighed and stood to settle next to her son, pulling him into another hug.[color=83b44b] "I know this has been rough for you. You've had so much independence and then to have life shove this new arraignment on you is awful but it doesn't mean we can lose ourselves. The world is such a dark place sometimes--you've seen it yourself now--but we can keep the light going and oftentimes it just requires a bit of kindness. Always remember that, Salem. No matter how bad it is, you always have the power to make it better. Don't let them take that from you." [/color]She placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

[color=83b44b]"Now why don't you tell me about this vampire of yours and then I'll get you all caught up on family business."[/color] She suggested, staying on the couch next to him.

Salem wasn't sure what hurt him more, how disappointed his mother sounded at the way he spoke, or how it felt that she was able to draw a comparison between him and his father. Hr thought back to some conversations he'd had recently as he let her pull him in as he sat in his own mind thinking about what she said. He had been criticizing Aaron for being immovable and he hadn’t even attempted to fully place himself in Aaron's shoes. He let out a sigh as he debated messaging Aaron and how his conversation with Max had went.

[Color=82ca9d]"Well I'm currently paired with Victor Astorio after something had happened with Lucian of the Queens Guard. I wasn't exactly told what, just came to my dorm to find it emptied as I was coming back. But Victor’s actually not bad. He has his standards of course, has me drinking shakes, working out an enormous amount, and wishes me to be an ally in the fight against lycans. Though, I'm not exactly sure why. He has however given me a lot more freedom than other mages have, and allowed me to expand my views on plant magic in a more...offensive way."[/color]

Alice’s face paled at the mention of an Astorio of all people. She held him a little tighter.[color=83b44b] “Well, I suppose you’re making the best out of the situation. It sounds like it could be worse; although, I don’t know how I feel about him grooming my baby boy to be a war machine.”[/color] Not that her opinion held any sway here but she doubted any mother would be pleased to see their sweet child turned into a ruthless fighter.[color=83b44b] “Now, lycans? Aren’t they all dead or gone?”[/color]

Salem pulled away as his mother questioned him about the Lycan's. Offering her a simple shrug before proceeding. [Color=82ca9d]"They are to our knowledge, though I'm beginning to believe we don't have anywhere near a full picture. That, or maybe the Astorios need something to cling to and this is their way of being prepared in the event they ever come back in some way. I doubt he has any real plans to utilize me in such a way. It's more just for show for when I'm around other Astorio’s since they don't approve of weakness. Aside from that I've been free to do as I please so it seems like a small compromise."[/color] 

He offered his mother a reassuring smile, letting her know that everything was alright and that he wasn't becoming a mindless killing machine. [Color=82ca9d]"So how's the family been in my absence? Anything new or exciting happen?"[/color]

[color=83b44b]“Oh, nothing too exciting. Your father has been away on business for a few weeks. Something about solidifying a deal to increase production but otherwise, I don’t know. It’s just been blissfully peaceful around here. I’ve been enjoying a little bit of a break myself but work will call me back soon enough.” [/color]She tapped her finger on her chin for a while, humming. [color=83b44b]“The vampires are bringing in a new mage actually! We aren’t permitted to know the details but apparently she was taken away because the vampire in question was committing some unscrupulous acts with her and our benefactors agreed to take her in. She’ll arrive sometime next month so you’re next break, we’ll have a new friend!”[/color] She clapped excitedly.

[color=83b44b]“The poor thing will probably be a wreck but she’ll be safe here. I already spoke to the vampires about keeping her away from your father. No need to traumatize her more.”[/color] His mother muttered with an eye roll. [color=83b44b]“She’ll be in the guest wing for a while here until she decides if she wants to move to her own place or just stay here, at which I guess it won’t be a guest wing anymore.” [/color]She considered as she picked up another cake. 

Salem's eyes went wide at the news. He was glad that his family was able to and willing to help this poor mage. It was this sort of connection and conviction that made him the person he is today. He was excited, happy, and sad all at the same time. [Color=82ca9d]"Thats horrible news as to the why, but wonderful news that she was able to be pulled away from that situation and fortunate enough to come into our home. I'm happy to hear she'll be well looked after and cared."[/color] It was exciting the idea of adding someone new to the household, but for some reason it just kept reminding him of the dreams.

He thought for a moment on them, the mage in chains now helped out to be free. The Eve no one had seemed to hear from and the itch that burned inside to contact Count Benjamin and ask him of any knowledge he may have towards this person in history or recent times. His well had run dry with Aaron who was constantly attempting to rid himself of the nightmares and Salem debated on asking his mom. He thought twice on it, deciding it was best not to involve her especially after the Red Hand events. 

[color=83b44b]“Of course, nowhere better to heal than with the Spellmans. But that’s about all the exciting news I have for you, sweety. Otherwise business as usual.”[/color] She finished her cake and stood with a twirl. [color=83b44b]“Now, why don’t you come with me to the kitchen. You must be famished and a boy your age isn’t going to get full off some snacks.”[/color] She stood, daintily brushing off the crumbs on her fingers onto the platter and looped her arm in Salem’s, chatting away about all the preparations she’s been doing for their new guest.
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