Up until this point Dante has been avoiding his gaze towards AJ but seeing his youngest daughter heading in the direction of the estranged Asylum and his partner, Dante took caution of seeing where the young girl’s curiosity would take her in case an intervention would be needed. But instead, the girl stopped and visited the Queen Anne’s two troublemakers again but with her glances towards him he knew that they were not her intended target. “It looks like the other bloodlines won’t be the only concern for me this time around but it looks like I’m not the only one with a little piece of history joining us for this trip .” The man said hinting at the ex Kain that came aboard the ship with the other asylums. “Even to this day he looks very much like you from the pictures I’ve seen of you in your younger years.”
Nima nodded, remorsefully. “He does, sadly, and I think that’s why many of the branch members believe I was a fool in giving him up to AMRO. Samad will always be a unpleasant… issue that will be brought up over and over again. Despite his loyalties no longer being with the family. Even Yaser felt he was a much worthier choice for Heir and I believe is what causes his issues, or least some root of it.”
The Shah sighed through his nose as he watched the twins’ head idly gaze over toward Antonia, their heads pulled back to look at Sahar, who nodded allowance. The twins giggled then started to dart toward the gathering.
Upon noting the Queen Anne’s two children there, Nima’s figure immediately tensed in stress and visible worry. It was obvious thick dislike ran deep between the two families, Namely as when the Kians formed pacts and alliances, they were often stronger than iron. This also made old wounds that cut deep enough, hard to forgive.
“It’s always a wonder on how children are able to find the weak points of their parents. It is almost as if they are intentionally seeking them out and craving to push past the boundaries we would want for them but alas, it’s a path many like to take as they grow up.” Dante said as he watched the children mingle. He didn’t trust Apate and Dolos but with the chaos and excitement that followed them, keeping Antonia away from the duo was a losing battle whenever the two families crossed paths which he came to terms with.
“The twins are getting older and with the training your children go through, I have no doubt they will be able to handle whatever mischief the two brats might throw their way.” Dante said with a reassuring nod as he took a glance towards Irene who was watching Antonia as well. Although Dara and Ziba were old enough to handle themselves, the impressionable ten year old was still young enough to get herself into trouble with the two older teens. “Although it will not be for the same reasons as it is between our children, it is good that the children can branch out and get to know the other future heirs and family. The knowledge gained about an enemy is important and this will be of use in the future when they are older and cast aside childish things. A friendship with the Queen Annes would never last and when the three of them reach the age to truly understand that, they will have an arsenal of knowledge to use against them.”
Nima relaxed at Dante’s words, his mind hoping the Patriarch was right. For all of their children’s sakes. “The bad thing about knowledge, it works as a two way path. As they learn about the Queen Anne parasites, they too will be revealing weaknesses and risk the parasites taking advantage over it. It is this matter that worries me most.”
Any more conversation was interrupted when Nima spied Zidane being wheeled toward one of the other families, his head turned to the Undertaker and bowed in small respect. His eyes narrowed in curiosity at not seeing the elder man’s young daughter with him or his Heir, a man that Nima had only met a few times. Through he knew better than speak of it outloud and instead focused on Dante.
Eyeing the same distraction Nima came across with obvious distaste, Dante pushed the conversation forwards to avoid allowing the long pause turn their talk towards the older man and his strange family. “It is an unfortunate gamble we are placing on our children but a lesson they must learn at some point and mastering it at a young age when the threats are smaller and the knowledge they possess hasn’t reached their potential is more beneficial compared to the future when greater matters are the focus instead of childish rumors and stories.” Averting his gaze from Zidane, Dante looked towards the children and watched as the two Queen Anne children make a fool out of themselves with the trickery they were playing on each other. “Besides, even with the mischievous tendencies they possess those two are quite foolish. The Queen Anne’s children are older and I believe the eldest is the same age as Irene but their age almost seem like another trick they are playing given their stupidity.”
“Define small. For a Kian, there’s no such thing.” Nima stated calmly, noting the topic change. His eyes followed Dante toward the two Queen Anne children, observing their dim witted mischief. “Children often reflects their parent’s teachings. I wonder how their parents could tolerate such behavior?”
“Given the nature of their father it is a wonder if discipline even occurs at home.” Dante scoffed as he watched the two suddenly depart as they followed a pair of Asylums upstairs.
The Patriarch frowned as he heard a rumble echo through the ship. His head looked about and wondered about the source, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “I hope the ship has a better reputation than its owners or we might be sinking without the Chrono’s help…”
“At least the waters might cool off some of the tensions present on board before the meeting.” Dante said as he scanned the room to see the reactions of the others present as he hoped to see a similar or equally obvious reaction that the cause of the noise wasn’t due to one of the families. However as he looked he noticed that something was off about the situation. “It appears,” The patriarch said slowly as he took a second look at those present to confirm his suspicions. “That there might be an incident occurring given the sudden decrease in those present.”
“I don’t like it. Absent Asylums often mean trouble and when they are having issues, things can only get worse. I know a few of them would have no issues eliminating anyone of the bloodlines from the eldest adults to the smallest child, their blood filled with ice. It’s not the first time after all.” Nima stated, his hand reached for a glass brought to him by one of the silent guards who then melted back into the background just as easily as he appeared. The twins seemed to keep close to his wife, yet the rumbled didn’t go unnoticed by any of them. His eyes spotted the key signs of nervous ticks signing him that none of them were responsible from Sahar’s casual sway of her eyes to pan the room in the hidden guise of adjusting her headscarf to Dara’s unreasonable efforts to remain at his twin’s and youngest sister’s sides. They were all nervous.
“I only hope no one was foolish enough to pull a stunt that could get us all killed before the meeting has actually begun…”
“Oh Lord, I hope not. Seeing that Henry’s children are missing does cause a concern though. Those two would find a way to cause mischief with the Asylums. ” Dante said as he watched his family gather after the noise before turning his attention towards his friend. “Although a single or pair of Asylum could be at fault with their judgement, I do put my trust in AMRO as a whole and if it came down to the elimination of a bloodline it would be due to a good cause.” The patriarch said, unwavering in his opinions.
“Unfortunately… my family history doesn’t reflect the same faith as you hold.” Nima stated, a slight and quiet warning in his tone over the topic. While he folded his arms over his chest, a display that caused Sahar to pause in her conversation with Dante’s wife and glance at him. It was simple, casual gesture that no one but another Kian would pay any mind to. From the corner of his eye sight, Nima noted the bodyguards become tension as if something unseen was threatening their Shah and they would eliminate it if given the chance. His fingers thrummed causing the three to settle quickly down before an already unnerved situation became a free for all rather suddenly.
He inhaled quietly then added. “However, if the brats were to be killed by their own stupidity… I would be the last to cry foul for ARMO’s decision. A first for everything, I suppose.”
“Such faith and ruthlessness. My, my what an assassin you’d make Dante. Pity you’re with the church. Regardless, I’ll offer a tiny little tidbit of advice. AMRO doesn’t give a damn about good causes or not. If you’re in their way, or they think you’re a threat, you’re being killed. Doesn’t matter what you did. If you prove yourself useful, you’ll be kept alive. Look at the Steins. Broke every law of nature known to man! By rights should have been eradicated. They’re still here, still breaking the laws of nature. Just now with AMRO’s permission.” Lucas strode up, smiling a smile that radiated arrogance.
“Nima, I know you enjoy our little game as much as I do but we agreed no bombs. They’re just cheating.” He chided, wagging a gold ringed finger at the Patriarch of the Kian. “They’re not even effective bombs. Just various hallucinogens and drugs.”
“And here I thought it was the shoddiness of your ship that created the boom.” Nima returned the comment, his eyes not bothering to acknowledge the arrival of Lucas while he maintained contact with Sahar. They seemed to be deep in a ‘telepathic’ conversation using subtle hints in their bodies or signals that told each other of their present mood. It was a bond which came with time spent with each other, love developed rather than entertained by the notion of love on first sight.
“It's a wonder the power religion has on the masses. Subduing and influencing them for AMRO's sake has kept our relationship with them in good terms.” Dante said with a mild interest of what Lucas had to say about the current situation. “Likewise my friend. At least if this vessel goes down we can trust it isn’t due to the lack of funds they receive from the illicit drugs they sell. It will be because they supplied the drugs.” The man scoffed as he waited for the newcomer to speak.
“I’m hurt Nima. Truly! You should know by now that everything I own is excessively gaudy and well built. Well. If it wasn’t you, then someone planted dummy bombs on the ships. They’re affecting all the Asylums right now. Our Exiles, Nima, are busily rutting in the bedroom. Their partners are waiting off the effects in the bathroom. Two of them are just hugging one another. Henry’s little hellion, whatever her name is, is getting bitten by one of them. Not in the suggestive way. On the hand. I think he went clean through.” Lucas ticked off all the Asylums on his fingers. “Why, if it wasn’t for the Chrono, we’d be free to stab each other all we want!”
“Exile would be a kind term for it.” Nima stated, his fingers digging into his arm over the information about Samad breeding a Peralta bitch. Sahar quickly whispered something to Francesa then pointed to the children, her figure rising while the woman nodded in understanding and allowed Nima’s wife to make her escape into his direction. Her movements were lithe and graceful with each step as she stroked a gentle hand over her husband’s heated skin. Her presence was enough to cool the boiling fury underneath.
Lucas raised an eyebrow at Dante, his eyes gleaming with a new way to get under Nima’s skin. “That’s awfully hypocritical,
Falso Sacerdote. You and I just sell different drugs. You drug the soul with lies, I drug the mind and body with filth. Really, the only difference is I don’t despise you for your trade.” Lucas gave a small bow to Sahar. “As beautiful as ever, I see. A pleasure to have you join our conversation.”
Sahar merely bowed her head, her polite way to acknowledge Lucas and leaned against her husband to continue to be his rock for the moment.
“Oh, by the way.” Lucas’s smile darkened, almost fading away completely. Almost. “The Delacour and Krichilsky Families have been wiped out.” He paused for a moment. “Though, to be fair, the latter was just a conglomerate of failures. No real loss.”
“Do we know the reason?” Dante questioned, ignoring Lucas’s prior comment for a future heated debate as he did his best to keep his mouth shut about it. “Was it AMRO or due to another source?”
Sahar tightened her grip at the news delivered by Luca, her eyes raised to Nima to gauge his reaction and thoughts. He merely stood like a statue, his figure too still to be natural. His mind was in a dark place and she knew it, her voice spoke into the conversation in order to draw her Shah out from his thoughts. “Facts are important regardless of whom they come from so be completely sure what you speak is the truth.”
Lucas’s posture shifted minisculely. It was likely only the two Kian noticed, trained as they were in Lucas’s arts. He had noted Nima’s stillness, and was ready for anything. “I don’t know Dante, why don’t you ask your God? Or perhaps those lies aren’t as comforting to you as they are the masses?” That last barb thrown out, he returned to the matter at hand.
“It wasn’t AMRO. We’d have heard about it by now. Repeatedly. And been made to watch live executions. Followed by live videos of everything those families loved being burned. They probably would have kicked puppies while we watched for good measure. No, it was whatever has AMRO so worked up and is attacking us. It’s grown bold.” Lucas shrugged. “Whether we like each other or not, something is hunting us and AMRO isn’t inclined to be protective.” His hand suddenly smashed downwards, moving unnaturally fast, against his thigh.
He flicked the dead bug off of his leg, looking up towards the heir of the Adesolas with that same smile. “It’s rude to eavesdrop,
Pequeña Leona. If you wish to join us, simply walk over. We don’t bite. Much.”
Folami cautiously made her way over, narrowing her eyes at Lucas. “That hurt.”
Lucas smirked. “Shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. You’re up-to-date on our conversation?” She nodded. “Good!” Lucas clapped his hands together. “Anyone have anything to add?”
“It is a shame to hear what has become of the Delacour. They were a good family with good standards but it does concern me who exactly is involved.” Dante said as he glared at Lucas, his patience chipping away with his continued comments towards him. “It’s not just with these two families that is out of place this time around. With all the deaths that have been occurring it is obvious that something has changed and for the worse. I only hope that none of you are the ones behind this turmoil because it will not be taken lightly by the Palladinos.” The man said clenching his fist as he thought about his uncle.
“That’s why we’re all here after all. To figure out who’s behind it and hopefully put a stop to it as for my family being involved, we have enough issues to deal with.” Nima said in a hard to read tone, Sahar’s eyes took on a concerned expression. Her hand gripped harder to rein in the Shah’s inner boiling point before he finally relaxed. All tension fell from his body like water pulling in from the sea and straightening out over the coastal lines, serene and calm once more. She let out a small breath of relief over finally tampering his inner rage. Her hand reached out to touch Dante, giving him an understanding look under her covering scarves.
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