Xerxes Arvanitis
and
Cassandra Arvanitis
Location: Arvanitis Household
Having extracted herself from her father when morning came, Cassandra was at the stove, flipping a piece of French toast over, clicking her fingers, and Chewy who'd been trying to steal a piece of bacon waiting patiently for the rest of the breakfast, and the dog slunk back to the ground. Putting the bacon in the oven to keep it warm, she checked the toast again, the coffee maker happily working away.
Cassandra was more than content with the everyday, home-y task. She hummed as she worked, and giving in, she gave Chewy a piece of bacon before he could beg, too soft hearted for her own good. She glanced at the time, pleased, and finished up the cooking, skipping the pan in the sink and letting water fall on it, sizzling as it did, dishing out the food, and pouring a cup of coffee, grabbing herself some juice.
After last night, she wanted her father to have a decent meal before going back into work.
Inhaling deeply out of being startled by his alarm, Xerxes grunted a bit as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone to turn it off, having to squint a bit making the creases on the corners of his eyes deepen.
It took him a few moments to realize why he was on the couch, and then that Cassandra was gone. Memories flooded back into his mind like a broken dam. He ran his hand over his face, tugging at the skin a bit and exhaled a sigh before then realizing that the smell of breakfast had infiltrated his senses.
His little girl - made him breakfast.
Grabbing his glasses that she had taken off of him just a few hours ago, he put them back on and slowly made his way into the kitchen where he watched her quietly being busy around the kitchen. He didn’t know if he'd have time to enjoy everything she did for him, but he would sure as hell make an effort.
"Bacon smells good." he said, somewhat groggy, making his presence known.
Cassie looked over and smiled brightly, and for a small time it would be like the attack didn't happen. She tilted the coffee into a to-go mug, just in case he'd eat and run and not finish the coffee off.
"Chewy thinks so too. I'll go for a run with him later." normal, and yet everything seemed to have changed. She wished her father would sleep a little more, but she knew he had to go in.
She handed him one of the plates, nudging Chewbacca as the dog wagged his tail, looking up at the plates as if they held the secret to everything. She gave a small laugh, and patted him, before sitting down at the table.
She had more questions, but they could wait. They weren't something she wanted to ask Zoé about, but rather questions that were about them. She knew her father didn't have much time, and they could wait.
"Are you okay?"Xerxes chuckled, walking into the kitchen and took his coffee from her, taking a moment to rub her back with his free hand and kissed the top of her head.
"I should be asking you that - ooh! Bacon!" Abandoning his daughter, flashing her a quick smile and a wink, Xerxes went to the plate of bacon and popped a piece into his mouth.
"You know, with all the bacon left over, we'll have to make maple bacon sundaes when I get home from work tonight." he said in between chewing different slices. Then he gave her a more serious look.
"Why don't you come with me to work today? Miranda can come to and visit with Syleste and you can shadow me around and help me out with her a bit." Truly, he just didn't want to leave her after the night she had. But it could help her in the long run if she really did want to become a surgeon like him.
Cassie laughed, and weakening, fed chewbacca another piece of bacon, the dog practically going ecstatic at such a rare treat.
"We both know I'm fine. I have to be, for my friends" She nodded at the sundae idea, smiling, yet it faded at his look. Go to work with him? She was sure that it was an attempt to make sure she wasn't alone, and she'd probably try and spend as much time with Syleste as possible anyway.
"Sure." she said, and with a piece of French toast in her mouth, rose to go to the freezer, taking out two pre-made meals that she'd cooked and frozen, putting them on the sink,
"sounds like fun" she said, after removing the toast, and giving him a smile.
”I’ll go wake up Miri. If the bacon hasn’t already done that” She said with a chuckle, turning to go head up the stairs to her room.
”Miri!”Watching her go with a small, prideful smile on his face, Xerxes relaxed back and sipped at his coffee, waiting for the two girls, his mind thinking of his conversation with his daughter when he finally managed to get home from the pizza parlor.
Gods it was late! Or early, depending on who you were asking. Xerxes didn't even dare look at the clock, knowing that he had to be back at the hospital by nine a.m. the next morning. If he didn't look at the clock, then his body wouldn't know just how much sleep he would be lacking come the next morning.
He wouldn't have changed the night for the world, though. After all the initial drama that had happened at the hospital that night, talking privately with Zoé for a few hours over a couple beers had been the most relaxing thing he had experienced in quite some time. She was gentle, patient, willing to answer any and all of his questions when it came to his daughter. At least… after he managed to calm her initial anger down.
Cassandra. She was his entire world. And now... now she belonged to Zoé, in a weird sort of way. His little girl... a Werewolf... He couldn't have done anything to stop it - though Zoé helped him come to terms with that, as well as many other things.
Pulling out his wallet, keys, loose change and pocket knife from the pockets of his pants, Xerxes placed them on the entry table as he came into the house, making sure to lock the door behind him. Exhausted, and hardly able to keep his eyes open, Xerxes walked heavily into the living room and upon seeing the couch, knew it would be his destination for the rest of the night. Not wanting to trifle with the stairs, he plopped himself down on the large, leather sofa in the living room, not even bothering to take his shoes or glasses off. His phone was already pre-set for an alarm, which meant he hadn't a thing to worry about, and that sleep would come soon.
Cassandra had fallen asleep leaning against the dining room table, having foolishly thought that would help her stay awake as she waited for her father, after carefully sneaking out her room when Miri had fallen asleep. Apart from wanting to make sure that he was okay, Cassandra wanted him. After everything...Cassandra was a little scared. Terrified really, about what was happening to her. Practically healed, Cassandra was exhausted, but had been adamant about staying up. It hasn't worked, and now she jolted away at the sound of the door shutting, rubbing her eyes. She blinked about a little blearily, listening but didn't hear him going up the stairs.
He'd probably just fallen onto the sofa, not bothering to take off his shoes, or glasses. Prepared for such an event, Cassie retrieved the blanket and pillow typically reserved for movie nights, stumbling into the living room herself.
"Dad?" She whispered, not wanting to wake him if he was asleep, but wanting him to know she was there if he was awake, as she put down the blanket and pillow, and watching him. To her, while everything seemed to have changed in one night, nothing had. She'd always need her dad.
Xerxes stirred slightly at the sound of his daughter's voice. He was nearly asleep, and for a moment he couldn't tell if it were something he had imagined, or reality. Forcing an eyelid to open with great effort, he peered into the darkness, seeing a silhouette he could recognize anywhere. He hadn't been dreaming. Cassie had been calling out for him.
He didn't want to... he
really didn't want to move from his somewhat awkward, yet comfortable state, but Cassandra was his number one, so he forced his body to move and sat up a bit.
"Hey there, sweetheart." he said, his voice coming out a lot more coarse and lower than normal. Clearing his throat, realizing this, he pushed himself up so that there was enough room for her to sit down next to him and let his outside leg fall from the couch, instead having his foot rest on the floor beneath them.
"How are you doing? Did Miranda end up staying the night?" He didn't have any indication as to whether or not Cassandra's friend had ended up over at their house, though he had hoped. It was something he had suggested when he sent Cassie home, unable to leave until he performed surgery on Syleste. He didn't want her alone.
Cassie was still wearing his coat, having bundled it about herself as she wanted the comfort of it, the scent it brought her, somehow just bringing to mind her father. She sat down, with it wrapped around her, and nodded
t"Yeah, she’s asleep in my room, Chewy’s probably snuggled up against her” She thought of her other friends, and she couldn't imagine them having to tell their parents why they didn't have any injuries to show, the difficult path between deciding to lie or tell the truth. She was glad she didn't have to make that choice. She could never lie successfully to her father.
"Is Syleste okay?" While she was sure that he wouldn't have come home until that was a given, but she found she still needed the verbal answer, as if to make it real. Or maybe she just wanted to hear his voice-soothing and comforting, the voice that had read stories to her, soothed her if she woke from nightmares, that was safe. She could after all easily text Gage and ask, figuring that he would be there.
She stifled a yawn, knowing that her father must be more tired then she. She wouldn't bug him long, but she suspected they both needed the comfort of each other. It had always been so.
Xerxes sat up a bit more, just enough for his arm to wrap around her shoulders so that he could gently pull her down onto him while he laid back down on the couch. His back, sore as it was, thanked him as a bit of a grunt passed through his lips.
"Syleste is going to be just fine. Eighteen stitches total between her left ribcage and her collarbone, but she's tough. A couple days of careful observation and she'll be cleared to go back home. Probably will have to skip school for a week or so for rest, but she'll pull through." he told her, letting his hand then move to the back of her head to pull it into his chest, letting her know that it was okay to snuggle into him - that he wanted her to snuggle into him - that he
needed her to snuggle into him. He stifled a yawn himself, just after Cassandra's.
"What are you still doing up?" It was a stupid question. He knew exactly why. She was freaked by the whole ordeal. The attack, the realization she was now a part of a supernatural world he never told her about, the fact that he too, was a supernatural, her friends...
Cassie nestled into him when he pulled her down, knowing full well that they'd probably end up falling asleep like that. Which was okay with her.
"She is tough. She'll miss music...I wonder if I can teach her some guitar..." Cassie mused, snuggling closer, happy where she was.
"I was waiting for you." She said simply, her voice soft.
"I love you, Daddy. Nothing will ever change that" she murmured,
"I wanted to know you were okay, and that you got home safe" she knew that so much had happened, that while yes, her father had kept a big secret from her, she knew it was to keep her safe. She knew that now he would no doubt worry even more about her. She wanted to be able to ease his mind.
She wasn't mad. Her father was a fricking angel. She did have questions, loads of them, but knew they could wait till morning. Like why she wasn't an angel, if he was. Maybe it didn't work like that.
"Besides, Miri’s there, and Chewy’s probably taken over my bed and I don't have the heart to move him""Chewy's a fatass and could use the brief exercise." Xerxes jested, able to pull off just enough sarcasm in his voice to make it clear that he was joking. Though soon after his words passed through his lips, he bent his head down so that his lips could kiss the crown of her head, his arm tightening around her just a bit more before easing up and laying back down, comfortably.
"I love you too, sweetheart. And I'm fine." He debated for a moment whether or not he wanted to bring up the subject of the transformation her body had gone under. On one hand, he didn't want to talk about it. Talking about it made it real. On the other, he knew that talking about it could ease her mind. But she seemed to be relatively okay, in that department. Either that, or he was missing something completely. It wouldn't have been the first time.
Cassie gave a soft laugh.
"He gets plenty" she couldn't tell her father that she'd been worried what the dog would make of her now. Best to let the dog sleep till morning. She listened to his breathing, deciding that he hadn't caught everything that had happened, a good thing as it might just be another thing to deal with tonight. And she didn't want to keep him up any longer than necessary.
"What do you want to know?" Xerxes then asked after a while, suddenly, in the still silence that had been created for through the last few moments.
"I spoke with Zoé tonight after I finished at the hospital. I... I may not have all the answers, but I know enough... Are you... are you okay?" he asked again, though this time it had nothing to do with her physical state, but her mental one.
She swallowed nervously at his questions.
"I'm okay. A little wrung out. I'm...I'm scared" she had experienced what one wolf could do, and she didn't want to be responsible for anything like that. She didn't want to be a monster. She hesitated, before whispering
"am I going to be a monster?" Just what would she miss out on, now? Could she go off to college, have a life if she was a risk to society?
"What's going to happen?"Her statement, and then question, had Xerxes wide awake. His once tired eyes opened, and stared up at the ceiling through the darkness. His hand began to rub soft, slow circles on her back as he kept her pressed into him tightly. He thought over his answer carefully, despite that he knew what he already wanted to say. She was in a fragile state. Even though she appeared tough on the outside, she was a mess on the inside. That was more than clear to him now.
"No. You will not become a monster. Nor are you one. Cassie..." Xerxes paused to sit himself up a bit so that his head was resting on the arm of the couch instead of on the cushion, more so that he could look down at her, hoping that he could meet her gaze.
"Nothing is going to happen that you don't want. The attack today... that was just some fuck, dicking around and looking to cause trouble. I haven't known you to want to cause trouble a day in your life. Just because he managed to turn you, does not mean that you have to live by the standard that he has shown you. That's... that's what Zoé is for..." his voice cracked somewhat, but he quickly cleared his throat to try and hide it. It was something he couldn't help with. To be able to control herself to the point that he was talking to her about, she needed another Werewolf's instruction. He could do nothing. And it killed him.
"She is a wonderful teacher, and can help you control any stray thoughts or emotions that lead you to believe otherwise." He lifted his free hand and pressed a finger to her chest, right where her heart was.
"This... this has not changed. So neither have you. You are still my daughter, my little girl. And I will love you to the ends of the Earth and beyond. Even if you make mistakes. Even if you can't control what is happening for whatever reason. I will always be your father. And I will always be there for you."Cassie could have easily fallen into a stupor, but she needed the answer. She needed it, needed that lifeline to clutch more than anything in the world. She glanced up, briefly meeting her father's gaze, as he spoke. The curse coming from her father, rarely used, was odd, and put her a little at ease. She hugged him tightly when his voice cracked, knowing he would give anything in the world to be able to help her with what was happening.
"But she's not you" she whispered, tears causing her voice to thicken, full of the unshed emotion.
She closed her eyes, as if that would help. Away from the hospital, with only her father and the sleeping dog upstairs, Cassie felt she could be vulnerable, and god knows she felt like that. His words washed over her, and she tried to let them sink in, to believe.
"I'll always be your little girl. I'll always need you. That's never going to change." It had always just been them, that she didn't know if she could take someone else teaching her. But she nodded, pressing closer and drawing in her father's scent, reaching up to take his glasses off, in case they fell asleep.
"I believe you"His eyes closed for a moment as she took his glasses off of his face. The gesture was sweet; he didn't even realize that he was still wearing him. Continuing to rub her back, he once more kissed the top of her head, and then moved down just a bit more to kiss her forehead.
"I know she's not me, but she knows about this much more than I do. But I will be there every step of the way. I want to learn - to know what my baby is going through, and how I can help when Zoé has other things to tend to." He sighed out, almost contently, and once more relaxed his head down on the arm of the couch.
"She is a wonderful woman. Full of love, and willing to sacrifice every bit of herself for anyone in her pack. And Cassandra, you belong to that pack now. She is your Alpha. In a way... that makes her more important than even me.""She has another wolf that I guess helps-the one that followed Gage in?" Yet the way her father spoke of the woman, had Cassie curious. She looked up, tilting her head, a slight smile crossing her face for just a moment
"do you like her, Dad?" It was almost teasing, before she sighed softly,
"she could never be more important to me then you. Never" if Cassandra was to be instigated into a pack, she wasn't going to let her father be isolated on the outside. A pack didn't have to mean the wolves as a pack, but...family.
She wasn't going to let it become him merely knowing and not being apart of it-he was. She bit her lip,
"I don't need to be treated like I'm learning to walk, not when I have you. I know I need help, guidance, but.... She's not going to replace you as the most important person in my life. That will always be you. And nothing's going to stop me from being what I want to be. Because you taught me I could do anything once I set my mind to it" she smiled again,
At the question whether or not he liked Zoé, Xerxes furrowed his brows in confusion and maybe even slight annoyance.
"What? No, 'course not. She's... far too young for someone my age..." He said it out loud, though as he said it, he wasn't even sure if he believed his own words. He hadn't really thought about it before...
did he like Zoe? Sure they had crossed paths in the past - she had approached him the moment he came to Klamath, alone, and confronted him about being an Angel. It wasn't at all hostile; she merely needed to know who he was - she was protecting the city. Something he would always admire. But that didn't mean that he liked her like that, did it?
"No one is clucking, Cassie." he then said, quickly switching the conversation. He didn't want to talk about this with her. Relationships on his part had always been a hard topic with her. No one could ever replace her mother - a woman that she didn't even know.
"But to the pack, you are a newborn. There are things that need to be learned by bare basics. You simply have to be patient and allow Zoé... and her Beta, to help you through it so that you don't have to be looked after by them constantly. Ask me anything about being an Angel, and I could tell you. But Werewolves are a new subject for me." He brushed his fingers through her hair for a moment.
"I taught you well. You're a smart kid and I have every faith in you. You decided to remain sober while your friends drank - don't think I didn't notice that at the hospital tonight." he lightly chastised.
"You are the beacon of strength within your group of friends - a prime example. You can do anything once you set your mind to it. So set your mind to this - let Zoé and the Beta help you - it'll be just like school. You can always come back to me, and I'll always be here."Cassie gave a shrug. Sometimes she thought her father held back from finding something with a woman because of her. But she wasn't a little kid anymore, and she wasn't going to get hurt if he started seeing someone. There were things that Cassie couldn't do, and she wanted him to be happy, yet she was willing to let it slide, lest the topic turn against her. Her and boys was not a suitable discussion before sleep. They'd had a few arguments about that before.
"They'll watch us, though, and that's the same as clucking" the thought of always being watched, of being watched because they might go out of control and need to be contained? She didn't like it. She wasn't looking forward to going back to school, and perhaps for the first time was thinking of skipping.
"I don't want to be watched. It will make me...paranoid. I didn't drink because someone needed to make sure they didn't drown in the water, although why they would go in is beyond me..." even as she said those words, she frowned. Good god, was she the mother in her group of friends? How had that happened?
She wasn't too sure about the strength part...Miri was always the one to cheer her up, bring her back if she ever fell into a mood, doing so before her father could see, could know. Maybe she wasn't over not having a mother, but she'd take her father any day over having one.
"Okay. But I'm not going anywhere." The way he made it sound it was like she was leaving, and she would never let that happen.
"I'm not asking you to. Nor do I want you to." Xerxes said, almost over the top of her last sentence. He couldn't imagine a world where she would be gone from him. Spending a few days out of the week at her Aunt's ranch was one thing, but going away? No. If Zoé ever decided to take her pack outside of Klamath Falls, he'd have something to say to the beautiful woman. He gently shook his head, ridding himself of the thought. Now that Cassandra had planted the seed, it seemed to only be growing. Dammit.
He gave Cassandra a light, reassuring squeeze, holding her closer to him for a few moments before once more relaxing. No. He couldn't think of such things. Especially now when Cassandra needed him most.
"No one likes being watched. But Cassie, until you learn to control the wolf inside, I'm not so sure you have any other options for now. I know you don't want to hurt anyone - you don't want to end up like the one that attacked you and your friends. It's my guess that the wolf had no Alpha - he was a stray that had no guidance or training and was just taking it out on anyone in his path. You and your friends." He looked back down at her through the darkness.
"I think it might be safe to cut school for a few days, spend some time with Zoé and really get to know her. I can write you a doctors note for the school and get your homework for you. But right now, Cassie, I just need you to focus on this one thing for me, alright? I... I don't want to see you get hurt again..."Cassie closed her eyes once more, weariness a heavy blanket over body. He was right. She didn't want to end up wild like the one that had attacked them, but she shook her head,
"Zoe said something about only an alpha being able to turn people. If that's the case, then that...that...that mutt chose to attack us. He didn't go for any kill shots-I know enough about human Anatomy to know that. He didn't do anything that would kill us before we healed" the thought had only just crossed her weary mind, and it was disturbing. She figured she was safe for now however.
Even as he spoke about cutting days, Cassie said
"No. it's okay" because it would be an abuse of her father's power, and she didn't want that.
"If the others are going, I will too" she needed to make sure they were okay, after all. She'd get Syleste's, and maybe Sebastian's homework for them. And plus she couldn't leave Kaylee alone on her first day of school.
"Okay" she said softly,
"I'll do it. For you" her words were heavy with sleep, but she still managed to say, carefully, so her words didn't slur,
"Dad? What classes do you think I'd need to get into OIT?" It was essentially saying that she was staying in Klamath Falls for good, but more than that, it was saying that she knew what she wanted, and that was to follow in her father's footsteps. She wasn't going to give the coat back. She'd wear it every day of her degree, even if she did have to alter it.
She struggled against sleep that wanted to claim her, safe and warmth she had no resistance to it.
"Thank you, Sweetheart. I have Zoé's number. I'll get it to you before you wake up tomorrow. Talk to her, learn from her. You'll be alright." He was quiet for a moment, then spoke even softer, more to himself.
"...she'll take care of you..."Almost nodding off himself, her sudden question of classes caught his attention. She was staying. But
why was she staying? Not that he was complaining, but if the recent events had her too scared to go off and discover life for herself, he wouldn't know how to talk her out of it. He hoped it wasn't the case. She was smart, almost too bright for her age group. She could do anything she wanted to - she didn't have to stay here.
"...my next day off, I'll go into the school and speak with your academic counselor about it. But I'm pretty sure you're already on your way into getting in. Your AP classes help alot - and by you getting your generals out of the way now means less time in college. If you want to go to OIT, we can make it happen."Cassie nodded, the movement slight, almost non-existent. She wanted to say that he'd take care of her. Wanted to tell him that she'd always, always, need him.
"I do want to go to OIT. I don't want to be miles away from here, from you, for so long. I can travel the world, but this will always be my home" And she didn't want to be too far from her friends. She didn't want to leave them, either.
Did she say the words? She wasn't too sure about that. Maybe they were in a dream. Maybe she'd wake up, and find that this whole night had been a dream. Or maybe not.
"I love you, daddy..." she murmured as she drifted on to sleep, the brief thought that she should get up early, cook a good breakfast. Her father deserved it.
"I love you too, Sweetheart." His body was finally giving in. Her shallow breathing on top of his chest was soothing, and rhythmic. He had a moments recollection of when she was just an infant and would sleep on him the very same way she was now. Not even time could change the close bond they shared. And he would do everything he could to keep it that way.
He dozed off to sleep, knowing fully well that his alarm would he going off soon. But even just an hour would help. Tomorrow was going to bring lots of new things. But after their talk, it seemed that Cassandra and he were finally ready to take them on. Together.
♦
