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[b][i]A [@Venus] & [@Aces Away] Collaboration[/i][/b][/center][hr][hr]
[color=gray][indent][indent][color=2d9c21][i]"Maliq?"[/i][/color]

[color=104e09]"Mornin' momma,"[/color] Maliq replied, running a hand over his face as he turned over in bed. He looked over at the clock and realized several things at once: his bed was empty, it was thirty minutes passed when he usually awoke, meaning Nat or Jonie turned off his alarm. The fact that either of them awoke before him was surprising enough. The final thing his sleepy mind realized was that he almost always calls his momma first, and that her voice was shaky in a way that he only every hears on That Day. He was awake in an instant. [color=104e09]"What's wrong?"[/color]

[color=2d9c21][i]"I promise I didn't take anythin', Baby. I didn't take anythin' but I'm still seein' 'em. I need you an' Jonie ta tell me ain't crazy. Please."[/i][/color]

[color=104e09]"We're on our way."[/color] Creed threw the blankets off and got dressed quickly before shooting out the bedroom door, barely stopping at the sight of Jonie and Nat making out in the kitchen. [color=104e09]"Save it for the road, we gotta go see momma."[/color] He spoke up, tossing them both their jackets and heading for the door, holding it open for them before closing it behind himself.

[color=7B68EE]“Is everything okay?”[/color] Natalia questioned, alarm bells ringing immediately at the urgency in Maliq’s tone.

[color=d3baff]"What happened to Momma Kam?"[/color] Jonie asked as they made their way down the stairwell.

[color=104e09]"Don't know, but she's seein' our parents so it's nothin' good."[/color] Creed answered, nails digging into his palms as the three of them pressed forward.

[color=d3baff]"She's [i]what,[/i]"[/color] Jonie choked as they reached the parking lot, taking one of Maliq's hands and twining their fingers together while indicating to Nat she should do the same on his other side. The girl nodded and did as she was instructed. [color=d3baff]"That's usually more of a…more of an [i]anniversary[/i] thing ain't it?"[/color] He asked, referencing her use of psychedelics on the anniversary of her lovers' deaths.

[color=104e09]"She didn't take anythin', Jone, this is happenin' on its own."[/color]

The uncharacteristically silent Natalia had allowed herself to be dragged away from the apartment by her lovers without protest, worry bubbling up in the pit of her stomach with every step they took. From the moment she had started her relationship with Creed and met her, Kamilla Briteson had become Natalia’s second mother. The two women understood each other in ways a lot of Edenridge people couldn’t relate to. Being a Serpent partner came with risks and responsibilities, and although the Belmonte girl was aware of them, Momma Kam had taken it upon herself to be her guide. Even after she, Creed and Jokes had broken up, the relationship between her and Kam never changed. They still went out on their weekly lunch dates, still texted every other day, and she was still one of the two people Tal went to whenever she was overwhelmed, stressed, happy or in need of guidance. Now, it was Natalia’s turn to be there for the woman who had so loving and willingly taken her under her wing as the daughter she never had.

[color=7B68EE]“Wh-What happens on the anniversary?”[/color] Tal heard herself asking, more as a way to avoid any unnerving silence from settling between them.

The two men shared a quick glance before Creed's scowl deepened and he quickened his pace, pulling them along.

[color=d3baff]"Momma Kam takes a special cocktail'a drugs that kinda…gives her a mellow hallucination for the day? She basically slips back inta the old days when...when our parents were still here. When we show up at the end'a the night she'll have had made a whole dinner but been sure our parents helped. The stove is usually left on an' all the lil' things she said they took care of would be left undone. We gotta go through the house as she comes down from the high an' make sure shit's turned off or put back."[/color] Jokes dropped Creed's hand in order to wring his own together, cracking his knuckles in nervous habit as he recalls their yearly worry. [color=d3baff]"Aside from that, she basically just smokes pot the rest'a the year. But she OD'd once when we were thirteen so if anythin' weird ever happens she makes sure ta call us. Just in case."[/color]

[color=104e09]"Just in case."[/color] Creed echoed, turning onto his mother's street and heading to his childhood home. Natalia vehemently nodded.

Both their phones buzzed and Jokes pulled his out to find a text from Mordechai.

[color=d3baff]"Looks like it's not just Momma,"[/color] Jokes mumbled faintly, turning his screen so Creed could see the message. [color=d3baff]"Boa is seein' Danny, an' his buddy Poppy was seein' somethin' too."[/color]

Creed stared at the screen, his eyes distant and dark as he tried to process this. They were at the front door, just a piece of wood between them and his mother and maybe…

[color=104e09]"So they could be real."[/color] It was said with no inflection, despite being meant as a question. Creed had checked out emotionally as his mind went through the possibilities. He couldn't even deal with the thought of little Danny right now. [color=104e09]"Right-"[/color] he said, taking a breath and turning to Nat. [color=104e09]"You stay behind us."[/color]

The dark-haired girl nodded again, holding onto one of Maliq’s muscled arms with both of hers wrapped around it. She didn’t know what exactly they were dealing with here. Was it a bad batch of drugs? Had someone laced the latest batch with psychedelics or hallucinogens to give it an extra kick? She knew Prof would never allow anyone to mess with his brand like that, but you never knew these days. Whatever it was, she was somewhat relieved that she didn’t have any deceased family members that could appear to her as it was seemingly happening with the rest of the crew.

[color=7B68EE]“Are you sure I should be here, babe? Do you think it’s safe for me?”[/color] she asked him, a small frown of nervousness settling on her forehead.

Creed matched her frown, shaking his head. [color=104e09]"Don't much matter now, it's not safe ta leave ya out here. When I thought it was just hallucinations it was different but...just stay behind us, I don't know wh-"[/color]

The door opened with a small whine and Jokes pulled Natalia behind him as Creed turned to face the door, both their faces going ashen.

[color=104e09]"...[i]Dad[/i]..."[/color] Creed choked out, his father smiling at him and looking as pristine as the day he drove out of the city on a run and never made it back. Quintel Briteson opened his arms and his son fell into them like not a day had passed. 

[color=b7a929]"My baby boy, you got so big,"[/color] he looked over to Jokes, glancing curiously over his shoulder at Natalia before returning to his face. [color=b7a929]"You both have. Come on in, we've got 'er calmed down a bit but I think she needs ta know other people see us too. Then ya c'n introduce us ta your friend."[/color] He winked at Natalia as he retreated inside, the boys following after as if drawn by a magnet. 

In the living room, Kamilla was lying on the couch with her legs flung over Tama's thighs from where the woman sat on the last cushion. The room reeked of weed, and Creed quickly identified the source as the blunt loosely held between his mother's fingers.

Calmed down indeed.

Zeti was sitting in the recliner in the corner, the one that he always passed out on when they were alive because none of the adults could go a day without injury so they often crashed together in this very room to stay close to one another. Many times Jokes and Creed would join as well and they would watch a stupid movie and fall asleep all piled together. The nights always seemed colder after they'd died.

[color=104e09]"Hey momma, not that I didn't believe ya b'fore, but there's no doubt you're not crazy now,"[/color] Creed spoke up, kneeling next to her and making sure she saw him make eye contact with the ghosts. [color=104e09]"I don't know what's goin' on, but I brought Jokes an' Puff with me."[/color]

Kam gave them all a shaky smile, guilt in her eyes as they fell on Nat.

[color=2d9c21]"Sorry Babypop, I never wanted ya ta see me all outta sorts."[/color] She had always been the one trying to advise Natalia and help her along, be strong for her to show her it was possible, even if the Southside brought tragedy. The girl was the daughter she never had and a bright hope for both her sons' futures. Being weak in front of her always seemed to take more wind out of Kam's sails than it did with others.

[color=7B68EE]“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Kammy,”[/color] Natalia reassured her, rushing over to her second mother and kneeling next to her beside Maliq. She gently cradled the woman’s face between her hands before planting a tender kiss on her forehead, the woman's eyes fluttering shut in response. [color=7B68EE]“You don’t always have to be strong for everyone all the time, you know? It’s okay to reach out for help whenever things get overwhelming. You taught me that, remember?”[/color]

[color=732eeb]"Oh, I like this one,"[/color] Tama spoke up, lightly tapping Kam's ankle. Kam kicked her lightly in reply, a playful smirk tentatively growing on her lips. [color=732eeb]"You always wanted a daughter."[/color]

[color=2e9feb]"And one that can remember and spit back your life lessons, too,"[/color] Zeti spoke up, an inviting smile on his face as he saw Jokes inching towards him. He stood, wrapping his arm around him in a bear hug. [color=2e9feb]"Looks like things've changed a bit."[/color] Jonie gave him a watery smile before heading back to Creed, gripping the other man's hand tightly and murmuring quietly enough only the two of them could hear. Zeti turned his attention back to Natalia. [color=2e9feb]"Can ya fight too? Or are ya on the stealthier side?"[/color]

[color=b7a929]"If you're gonna harass the girl ya could at least introduce yourselves."[/color] Quintel cut in, arms crossed and eyes heavenward as he wrangled his lovers. Zeti sent him a bitch face.

[color=732eeb]"What, she don't know 'bout us?"[/color] Tama asked dramatically, hand over her chest in betrayal, only to break character and laugh when Quintel came up behind her and shoved her head forward. [color=732eeb]"Just kiddin'. I'm Tama Thunder, that's my husband Zeti Slick, and behind me is Quintel Intel. Nice ta meet'cha."[/color]

It was an acceptance, a welcome, to greet her the way Tama did: using both given and serpent name together. The lost generation was giving her [i]all[/i] of them, both facets, while they had the chance.

Natalia could only stare at the newcomers in wonder, her mouth slightly agape. The many photos and tales of the departed Briteson-Kraeter family members didn't do any of the justice. No image could ever capture the stunning beauty of Tama Kraeter's exotic features, or the confidence with which she carried herself (much like Natalia's own). No picture could ever recreate the playful sparkle in her husband Zeti's eyes anytime he smiled, his handsomeness, or how his demeanor was so irresistibly charming. And no tale could ever truly explain the pearly white brightness of Quintel's perfect teeth, his attractiveness, or the richness of his baritone voice. They were all so beautiful, so captivating, [i]so lovable[/i]... It was easy and heartbreaking to see why their passing had been so hard on the loved ones they left behind.

[color=7B68EE]"Tama, Zeti, Quintel: it truly is an honor to meet you all,"[/color] the young woman declared, taking the time to make eye contact with and address all three adults with the same reverence one would use when speaking to a very important person. [color=7B68EE]"I'm Natalia: Maliq and Jonie's girlfriend. The boys call me Puff. I've heard so many stories throughout the years, and I'm so glad I have this opportunity for us to meet."[/color]

[color=732eeb]"Oh I [i]really[/i] like this one,"[/color] Tama laughed. [color=732eeb]"You're adorable, I can already see what our boys see in ya."[/color]

[color=b7a929]"Pull back a bit, love, don't wanna scare 'er off,"[/color] Quintel said from behind the couch, smiling at Nat. [color=b7a929]"Not that ya seem ta scare easy."[/color]

[color=2d9c21]"Babypop kept both'a them in check when they started datin', she ain't scared'a much."[/color] Kam revealed with a light laugh, reaching out and squeezing the girl's hand.

[color=d3baff]"She didn't keep us in check!"[/color] Jonie cried indignantly, looking to Maliq for support only to have the other man shake his head.

[color=104e09]"That ain't a hill I'm boutta die on, J."[/color] He denied the other, pushing him forward into the room. [color=104e09]"Go say hi ta both'a your parents properly."[/color]

He stumbled forward before pinwheeling his arms to regain his balance. Brushing off imaginary dust, Jonie looked up to see his father had already stepped forward to stand before him, Tama slowly untangling from Kam's legs before the both of them gathered him into a proper family hug. They whispered affections in his ears as he cried silently into their shoulders, calling Maliq over halfway through the tears to join the hug.

[color=b7a929]"So,"[/color] Quintel spoke up from where he was now on the couch next to Kam, the latter having sat up and pulled Nat down to her other side while the others reunited. [color=b7a929]"How'd ya meet our boys?"[/color]

Natalia's green eyes immediately went to meet Maliq's brown ones across the room, and there was no disguising the way the corners of her mouth turned upwards before she immediately pursed her lips together. Her mind immediately traveled back to that Northside house party September of her junior year-- the one in which she and Creed had officially met. The scenes were replaying themselves back to back in her brain like the screening of a short film: the seductive dancing, the shameless flirting, the passionate kissing, the scorching hot hookup they'd had in one of the host's bedrooms--

[color=7B68EE]"We, um, we met at a party,"[/color] the Belmonte girl said as simply and matter-of-factly as she could, biting back a complicit smile.

Creed however seemed to be an open book to his family, his face flushed and eyes suddenly darting. Jokes snickering in the background certainly didn't help. Tama and Zeti shared a look as Quintel's eyes lit up with mirth.

[color=b7a929]"Oh, so it's like [i]that[/i], huh?"[/color] He teased, all of the adults laughing at the look on Maliq's face. [color=b7a929]"Hey, no shamin' here baby boy, I met your ma at a party too."[/color]

[color=104e09]"That was a serpent party,"[/color] Creed rejected immediately, still trying to regulate the look on his face. [color=104e09]"And ma was [i]workin'[/i], this was some Northie's party I was dealin' at."[/color]

[color=b7a929]"Come on now, ya ain't gotta defend it, ya ain't done nothin' wrong."[/color]

[color=104e09]"I know that…"[/color] Creed grumbled as he looked down, flustered. Quintel laughed again and pulled Creed down to his other side, the four of them officially filling up the couch. The Kraeter trio settled at the recliner and loveseat across from the couch.

[color=2e9feb]"What do you do now?"[/color] Zeti cut in, taking pity on Creed and attempting to get back to learning more about Nat in one fell swoop. He was pretty good at bulldozing conversation into new directions.

[color=7B68EE]"I, uh, I'm a college student, actually,"[/color] Talia answered, shifting around the couch to get into a more comfortable position. [color=7B68EE]"UMass. Finance and Business Administration major. Volleyball scholarship. Pledged Sigma Delta Tau in my first semester of freshman year. Starting my sophomore year spring of next year. There's a bit of a family emergency happening, so I took a break this semester to stay home for that."[/color]

[color=b7a929]"Wow,"[/color] Quintel murmured, slinging his arm around Maliq's shoulders. [color=b7a929]"You're one impressive lady. What drew ya ta our two delinquents here? No offense ta our boys, but that seems ta be a different social circle your comin' from."[/color]

[color=7B68EE]"I mean, have you seen those faces? How could anyone [i]not[/i] be drawn in?"[/color] she joked, and after the laughter around the room had subsided she continued. [color=7B68EE]"They're just… such amazing young men,"[/color] the dark-haired girl gushed, shooting both Creed and Jokes a warm, loving smile. [color=7B68EE]"They're hard working, sweet, caring, thoughtful, attentive… I could honestly go on all day about how awesome they are. They've been with me through some of the most challenging times of my life, and have never done anything other than protect me and make me feel safe and loved. I've always been a firm believer that there's more than meets the eye; that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from as long as you're a good person at heart. Maliq and Jonie are the perfect example of that. I couldn't have asked for or dreamed of having better partners."[/color]

There was silence from the parents as Maliq and Jonie beamed at Natalia despite their red faces. Zeti was the first one to break it.

[color=2e9feb]"...Can we cry as ghosts? Is it possible? I just might regardless."[/color] He spoke as him and Tama both put a hand on their son's shoulders and smiled at him.

[color=b7a929]"We are so proud'a you boys."[/color] Quintel agreed as he threw his arm around Maliq and gave him a loving noogie. 

[color=732eeb]"We always knew ya'd be good men, and we're so happy we got ta see it ourselves. Even some'a your good choices first hand."[/color] Tama put in with a wink to Nat.

Kam, relatively silent next to Nat as she watched all her favorite people interact, turned to the girl next to her and gave a watery smile while squeezing her hand. [color=2d9c21]"I'm glad your gettin' ta meet 'em, Babypop. I've wanted this for all'a ya since the first time Maliq brought ya home."[/color]

[color=7B68EE]"And I'm so glad I have the chance to,"[/color] Tal responded, wrapping her arms around Kam and pulling her into an affectionate hug. [color=7B68EE]"I know how much this means to you and the boys, Kam, and I want you to know it means just as much to me."[/color]

Kam smiled, patting her cheek and placing a kiss to Nat's temple.

Finally, after so many years of suffering, the world of the Briteson-Krater families was right again... Even if it was just for a little while.[/indent][/indent][/color]