SalemFlame

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

Closing the door behind him, he didn't even both to tell his mother they were leaving. What was the point? She would be watching from afar. He would get an ear full about it later, but he would make sure that Lola was far out of sight at that point. There was no need to drag her any further into any of this.

"It is because she is projecting her own insecurities onto you. She wasn't a success so she wants you to be. In a really roundabout kind of way, it is endearing. It is her way of showing she cares. Even though she does it with zero diplomacy or tact at all." Aloysius pondered as he walked down the driveway with his sister in tow. "On the otherhand, she is obsessed with power and status. She wants to she the Leighton's back at the top of the pecking order once again."

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

"Well, I only prefer the smaller pizza places anyway. I am not a fan of fine dining myself. Greasy food just tastes better!" Aloysius said with a soft chuckle. He would slowly lead the duo towards the front door, picking up his jacket as he did and sliding it on. "It is not like i could actually pull anyone. Sides, I can't remember the last time we had a family vacation. If I was to hazard a guess it was back to Japan when I was 13" Buttoning up his jacket, he took a moment to pull a comb out and run it through his hair so that the parting was nice and neat.

"It will be fun to laze around and take in some sun. We could even just drive and go somewhere else. So long as it isn't New York." Aloysius would then open the front door and hold it for Lola to let her out. "Besides, it will be nice to get close to the water, it might help you feel refreshed"

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

A part of all really wanted to contest the last part of Lola's statement. However in the grand scheme of things, it was a small point. He was not going to try and risk on causing a deeper rift. Time to let it drop.

"So, what kind of pizza place do you fancy? I know you gotta have a favourite" Al said with another goofy smile. He would take her books from her chest and place them on the side table. "Someone else can out these away. Come on. Let's go" Al said as he turned her around towards the front door. "Listen, I was thinking of going down to Miami in a few weeks, fancy coming along and lazing on a beach for a few weeks? Get away from this stuffy city?"

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

"I know. I know. But you shouldn't hold yourself back. If anything, just get stronger to spite mother. And I get what you mean. With dad being mundane. He was alot more centred than our dear old mother." Aloysius would take a step forward to cut Lola off before she stormed off somewhere. The pair were still grieving, and neither of them had seemed to be able to fully move on, despite the couple years it had been.

"Look. I know tonight has been a bit of a bust. How about we go out and get pizza for dinner?" Aloysius would smile goofily as he ran his hand through his hair. He knew that this wouldn't fix anything, but it could be enough to maybe cheer her up.

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

Esme raised her hand dismissively effectively dismissing her daughter without saying a word.

"Listen Aloysius. You are supposes to be the head of the family now. And yet you act like a 14 year old boy. So naive, so stupid. You need to be focusing on what matters, keeping our family at the top."

"Here is a thought mother, maybe being the head of the family means actually looking after them" With that Aloysius stormed off and caught up with Lola. "I was being serious about what I said. About being a stormage. You got the power and the control. Despite mother, you have an excellent amount of magical control for your age. Sorry bout sinner being a bust. I should have kept my mouth shut"

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

"Yep. Plus Lola is a full on hydromage, which some argue is actually better than being a aeromancer. Heck, with enough training, and a little experimentation there was no reason why you couldn't actually be a stormmage." Aloysius unravelled his arms and looked over to Lola encouragingly. He did want his sister to be strong. Not for the sake of the family, but more for herself. She deserved to feel like she was something, rather than not being something.

"This really is getting stupid if you ask me. Yes Lola, you scored higher than me. But neither of you came close to Salem, so I don't know why either of you feel any kind of smugness." Esme retorted, mostly aimed at Aloysius. Niether of the pair looked impressed with the other.

"Maybe I didn't want to be? Maybe I am content on not being the strongest. I know to you, the world is a zero sum game. I just wanted to be happy. Protect my family... what little family I have left." At the end of his comment Aloysius looked down at the wooden floor.

"Oh don't you start the feel sorry for yourself charade again..." Esme hissed towards Aloysius.

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

Esme finally glared daggers at Aloysius trying to get him not to speak by simply scaring him, but with a small smirk, Aloysius continued talking. "Oh yeah. You scored 9,924 on the test. As mother keeps comparing you to, Salem scored 11,478. Mother scored 8912. And what she really doesn't want you to know... I just scraped 10,021" Aloysius crossed his arms and watched the pair of them. He knew that he let the cat out of the bag, but he was secretly enjoying watching his mother be flustered. It was reminding him of when the will had been read out after his fathers death. Esme herself had fell entirely quiet. Not saying a word.

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

"You know dear, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" Esme responded, not even looking towards her and looking towards Aloysius instead. "Ddfending the weak might seem noble Aloysius, but ultimately they are leeches on your own power. Cast them aside and look after yourself"

"Now come on. That isn't fair and you know it." Aloysius retorted. He wasn't about to let his mother carry on when Lola was clearly hurting. "Lola is a strong woman. She is stronger than nearly everyone else in the Guild. Last I checked she scored higher than you did she not?" Aloysius glared at his mother who simply lowered her stare to the floor. "Or did you not tell her that?"

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

"I don't mean it like that" Aloysius said as he raised his arms up defensively and got up out of his own chair. "I know what I suggested is most certainly not the perfect solution. But I am happy to do my part and help. I don't have any ill feelings against you. Even if for some reason you think I might do" Aloysius was about to walk over to her when he was interrupted by the sudden sound of heels on wood. At the other end of the table stood their mother: Esme Leighton.

"Oh what is going on in here? Is my daughter being a nusicnance again" She folded her arms under her chest, not even looking at either Lola or Aloysius.

"Now come on, that is hardly fair now"

Family Matters (A Hedgehawk & SouffleGirl123 1x1)

Listening to Lolas words, Al's face furrowed in annoyance. He was legitimately trying here. He knew that he couldn't protect his sister from everything, but come on now, it was a better offer.

"Yeah, I had Dad. And he loved you too. You were just being so smothered by mother that he put his time into me instead. Didn't mean he didn't care. He left you the trust fund that mother can't touch. In theroy you could be out of here and be on your own. Part of me thinks you actually like being tortured this way" Was it a bit of a dick way to end the sentence? Yes. But did Lola deserve it? Of course. Snickering his offer away like it was nothing was just proof of how childish Lola could be, and that might be reason while she was always being treated like a child.