Aftershocks

Misha Caster appeared on the front lawn of the Hale Mansion in a puff of dark mist, the golems she had with her still holding onto the two weakened males, mostly her worry seeming to be on the critical Niall. She saw that he was in a dangerous state, and that if she did nothing, it was likely that he would die or at least the damage that remained would be less than appealing. ”Font of light: Restoration.” She held up her hand, and what looked like a small trail of light issued from her right index finger, in the form of white font and began to wrap around Niall, restoring and healing his body, soon making it appear as it was before the battle had taken place, which was pristine to say the least. She couldn't have Arianna accusing her of trying to do nothing for the two, not when she knew what that woman was capable of, though something caught her attention, something within the mansion that made her feel....wary.

Arianna immediately came through the door, and even in the dark her worry was obvious, and that also included the fact that Brandon and Niall needed to be carried around. Part of her wanted to accuse the young female of something, but in the end she could not, not when it was likely that the girl had done nothing wrong, and perhaps saved the two from something horrible altogether. ”What happened to them?” Her voice was strict but a certain amount of worry could be heard beyond that tough tone of hers, eyes on the large black wings that sprouted from his back, and it softened the Caster somewhat. She could not really help smirking, as the healing spell moved to Brandon and fixed what little damage he had, and treatment was done.

”They were fighting with someone, and got hurt. I simply stepped in and saved them before anything bad happened.” She added simply, noticing someone peaking out of one of the windows, though they quickly retreated before she could catch sight of them. All the Caster saw was a flash of blonde, and that was it. It was too bright to be Aaron's hair, and there were not many Hale's now that carried blonde hair, and only Arianna had hair bright enough to really match that color she saw, so it was some one new. The two males would be moved to one golem and then transported through the large front door, and that was when Arianna would be allowed full control on what was done with them. Niall was considered with the Hales, so he would get the same treatment any injured family member got, and that was the best that they could offer.

”Take care Brandon.” Misha noted with a certain amount of warmth dismissing her summons as what looked like an invisible force seemed to lift the two from their boney grasps. Aaron descended from the staircase, his face now clean shaven and something within his eyes that seemed different in a way.

”I'll take care of these two. Mom, you continue doing whatever it was you were doing.” He motioned and the two would follow his lead, though he made sure that they didn't hit anything on their little floating journey through the mansion to Brandon's room, with a bed large enough for the two. For now they would need to let the two rest, and then he could see how they were doing once the Irish male and his twin work up.

When Brandon felt himself float above the darkness of unconsciousness, his body felt....light. He felt something feathery folding over his back, something light, and he knew that what happened was not a dream. He had wings, and that meant that he and Niall had indeed fought that mecha woman; something that he did not want to be true. His eyes shot open, and he looked down to see that his wings had adapted and seemingly grown small, folding over his back in such a way that they were  barely noticeable, save for the stray feather’s that stuck out.

“Wow, nice wings you got there.” A youngish sounding voice noted, and it caused his head to turn towards the voice. A male that looked around eighteen with bright blonde hair, sterling silver eyes and a wide grin looked him dead in his eyes. His pale skin was contrasted by the silver markings that seemed to creep along his left side.  ”You are okay, right?” He was short too, maybe a good 5'2 or 5'3. He was dressed in what looked like the clothing Sean left, faded blue jeans and a hoodie with the picture of a chibi cat. Something about him felt good, as if he radiated life itself. Hell, something about him was familiar, but Brandon could not quite place it.

”Who are you?”

”So, you're awake.” Aaron said cutting into his questioning.

The young looking boy stared at Niall for a moment when he woke up, feeling the sheer self loathing radiating from him. He felt sorry for the guy, and part of him wanted to help, make him smile, though Aaron was ahead of him, before he said anything. ”Come here.” He said direly, and the kid listened, darting over to Aaron and clinging to his somewhat fading jeans, burying his face like a shy child. He was almost a child in how he looked in that moment, and Brandon found it....cute. His wings stirred restlessly for a moment, but did not really unfurl from their current position, as if they were responsive but would not extend quite yet, just laying against his back like decorations.

Brandon tried to push himself up, though his body sharply ached, and he was forced to slump back a little, though he rested his head on Niall's shoulder, letting out a fatigued sigh. Niall was warm, comfortable and he always was. ”Yes hello.” Aaron said raising an eyebrow, though his overall composure seemed to let on that he had relaxed slightly, pleased that his brother and boyfriend were alright. ”I do have to question why my brother was rushing head long into another conflict, but that will wait. You're okay, aren't you Niall?” He was showing what could be considered uncharacteristic concern for the Irish male.

It may be that he didn't want to see his brother go through what he had, but there was a lot of things that also came with that. Brandon would nestle against Niall a little, before moving and pecking him lightly on the cheek, perhaps through some kind of connection he could something negative coming from Niall, and it didn't sit well with him. The blonde would continue to peak around Aaron's leg, with those silver orbs of his, and perhaps he was a little shy, or something about the Ethereal being unsettled him a little. So he would stay behind Aaron, someone that would protect him from that strange feeling, his markings beginning to glow a luminescent yellow for a moment before returning to its silver coloration. He could also feel Brandon's eyes fall over him, and that only made him hide.

The blonde hale wrapped an arm around Niall, and moved up a little, propping himself properly against the headboard. 'So who exactly is this guy you have stuck to your leg like a leech? He isn't your new boyfriend is he?” Brandon said half joking, which made the kid turn slightly red at the face and hide completely behind Aaron, who kept his stoic expression.

”No, he isn't.” Aaron said sighing a little, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His beard had been trimmed and laying on the bridge of his nose was a pair of spectacles. ”When you're done laying around Brandon, you should try moving around. You've been out all night, and most of the day.”

The blonde boy peaked around from Aaron's leg, the silver pools curious, though something about the Irish male made him feel melancholy. He could feel the many sad emotions still radiating from him, and it hurt his chest, making him feel weird inside. However he wasn't expecting to be snatched up and pulled into a hug, which perhaps only added to the red color in his face, and added to the innocent demeanor. Somehow, the closeness only added to his ability to feel what the male was feeling and it made him feel uneasy, the negative feelings pouring into him like water into a vase. The suddenly severed contact did not really stop him feeling such intense emotions, but it did lessen what he felt. He scuttled back to hide behind Aaron's leg, and perhaps watch passively from his safe little hide away.

Niall smiled at Brandon, and left the room, leaving him worried, though all he could do was smile an uneasy smile back. ”Somethings going on. Brandon, did you do something to him? Maybe get a little rough during..”

”No! That is not it at all.” Brandon snapped, averting his eyes. 'But hey, you're in a better mood for some reason, did something happen?” Aaron didn't let his expression change, but Brandon knew his brother well enough to see these kinds of thing. Aaron did not really notice that the little guy had unlatched from his leg and had gone elsewhere, at least until Brandon noticed. ”Hey, your kid is gone.”

”No he's no.....” He felt for him, and he was not there. ”Oh no.” The blonde had slipped out of the room, and over to the next one where the gloomy blonde was, his pools looking somewhat warily at him. He crept silently into the room making sure not to make too much noise until he was close enough.

“Please...don't cry.” He said finally, sounding almost like a child though his voice was a little deep, though not too deep anyway. He moved closer, looking into Niall's puffy, and slightly bloodshot eyes, smiling weakly, perhaps still poisoned by the negative feelings. He didn't really know what he was doing next, though maybe that was the magic of it. The child pressed both hands against Niall's face, one on each cheek and the strange markings adorning his left side began to glow a bright yellow. Whether or not the Irish male protested was unimportant, all he knew was that he wanted him to stop feeling so sad.

That was around when Brandon found the guy, and was slightly confused by what the was doing. The room was filled with a pleasant aura that melted away all of his worries, and it seemed to originate from this child. One of the plants that had been wilting perked up, green returning to its leaves. It was as if the most positive energy within existence was flowing through the room, though it was focused on one point.

”Hrm, does he really need a bag of skittles this big?” Arianna wondered to herself carrying the largest bag of skittle she could under her arm, the small candies seeming to jiggle about in its red packaging. Brandon had mentioned that his lover boy loved them, so Arianna had gone out of her way to buy some while she was doing her magical duties. The female was dressed in her most casual of attire, and seemed to skip through the Hale yard as light as a feather until she reached the front door, using her free hand to open it and coming face to face with Niall. ”Niall? Going so soon?” She wondered watching the irish male walk past her. ”Brandon i'm home!” She said loud enough for her son to hear, who moved from the room with the little kid and Aaron.

Brandon noticed it first, the large bag of skittles under her arm, a little confused. The gaggle of blondes would follow after, Aaron still having the short male attached to him, but he was sobbing silently, perhaps the works of his magics. Something had suddenly fallen over him, and Aaron could feel that he was absolutely miserable, more than he was before when around Niall. All Aaron could really do was mess with his hair, which was already ruined by Niall really, though he didn't seem to have minded before. ”Is he okay?” She wondered holding the bag of candy now with both hands, a little confused, but not completely. ”Did Aaron say something offensive? Niall looks off and that kid is crying, doesn't look good at all.”

”I did nothing of the sort. I think I was being nice.” Aaron huffed, crossing his arms over his chest indignatly, the kid finally stopping his blubbering and whiping away a few of the tears.

'Well damn, I bought him the candy and everything.” She pouted.

”Hey, i'm sure he'll be back. You can save them or something, as long as Brandon doesn't get them first.”

”Pffft I don't like them anyway.”

”But you sure do like the...taste of the rainbow.”

Arianna lightly placed the excessively large bag of skittles on the kitchen counter, shooting a glance at both Aaron and Brandon before seeming to glide about the kitchen. ”Are you cooking? You know we have people to do that for us.” Aaron noted reclining against one of the counters, arms crossed over his chest. The blonde still clinging to his pants leg like if he stopped, he would drop dead or something. Arianna did not really stop what seemed like a flurry of movement, taking out various food items from the large white fridge, and other places.

”I know, but I feel like I could do a little cooking myself. Most of the cooking staff is off today anyway, so I thought maybe I could make a family meal, and if Niall comes back in time he can join in too.” She seemed more energetic in a way, but it was something that Aaron, nor Brandon could quite catch. ”And the little Titan can join too.” She added turning the stove on, and beginning a large pan of boiling water.

”Titan?” Brandon questioned a little confused, and now feeling a little tense at the mention of what Sean was, and then again Sean was not around, only his family and the strange blonde boy that would not let go of Aaron.

”Aaron hasn't told you?” She wondered, taking a small break from her frantic movement about the kitchen. ”Well, I guess its just a guess on our part, but the markings seem to signify that he is somewhat related to Sean, so for now thats what me and Aaron have agreed to call him.” That was when the young kid felt a cold chill run its course through his body, as if someone had placed a cube of his down his back, and the cold permeated through his entire being. He felt something cold, callous and a little uncaring was close, or at least not too far away. He shuddered a little, before the sensation passed quickly, though Aaron had seemed to notice it too, though not as intensely as the marked blonde did.

”Does he even have a name?” Brandon questioned as Arianna continued her movement.

”No, he didn't give us one, though he did react somewhat positively when we mention Sean around him, so I guess thats the name he will answer to.”

”We are not going to call him Sean. Sean is....evil or something, and that kid is like the exact opposite of that mon......”

”Okay, you made your point. If you're done picking the lesser of two monsters, maybe we can get to more important matters. We will let him chose what he wants to be called.” Aaron ran his fingers through the diminutive blondes hair. ”Do you like being called Sean? If not we can think of something else.” He raised an eyebrow being more gentle than usually expected of the Hale heir. The silver eyed child would peak out from where he had his face buried and nodded, perhaps not really knowing the stigma behind the name he was choosing, but then again it did not matter to him. The name sounded familiar, warm, and that was good enough for him. It felt like a piece of him was offered, and he took it in gladly.

A small brown golem rolled from under the counter and crawled up Brandon's shoulder, brushing past the wings, and standing in his shoulder. He somewhat heard what sounded like knocking on the door, so the Hale would go to answer it, while the other would continue to do what they were doing. Brandon didn't book it, but he didn't exactly walk slowly either, and soon enough he was at the door, and opened it. The person standing there was perhaps not expected so soon, but he was happy to see them. His wings flexed excitedly, though they did not break out of their confines of folding on his back.

Brandon was perhaps a little perplexed by the tone Niall held as he walked by, and left him standing there. His wings drooped lightly, feathers rustling as the wings extended outward some, growing cramped before returning to their position. With nothing he could do, Brandon moved from where he was standing, closing the door a little harder than intended, and stalked back to the kitchen, though all he saw was Aaron, and the kid. The kid poked curiously at the bag of skittles, not really seeming interested in eating them or anything while Aaron just sat there, blowing puffs of air at the stray strand of hair that was falling into his left eye. His mother was no where in the room, and that meant that she was likely speaking with Niall. So the winged Hale grabbed one of the ripe red apples on the counter, and bit deeply into it, sitting down and resting his head on one hand.

Arianna one the other hand was on a little learning expedition of her own, with Niall the wonderful host that would be showing her everything that so many mages had been trying to figure out for years, and yet she could do nothing in decoding it herself. Sad how even the most skilled were left dumbfounded like apprentices when it came to the secrets of the other realms. Hell, she knew almost nothing when it came to pure Nether, so Ethereal energy was another thing that she could not grasp, or possibly ever. Her mind would continue to run over everything that she read but nothing came out of it, except more confusion. Marie would have laughed at her foolish attempts to grasp the Ethereal, one thing that the Crimson Witch never wasted time with. She stole all of the forbidden knowledge from the families, and so many other realms, but that bitch would not even try to touch this.

Arianna would have been trying to uncover this all night had Niall not offered to help her understand what the hell she was reading, and that was a relief within itself.  The whole thing was more convoluted than she had realized, and it seemed to only have taken its toll upon the male. Still, he seemed to only agitate his own misery, and that troubled the Hale female far more than simply the truth of the Ethereal Energy. Still, she would hear him out until he was done with it, and then say what she had to say. He called himself a monster, and all emotion seemed to bleed away from his face, one that caused her heart to drop down in her chest, and there was only one thing that she could think of doing. In a blur of motion the palm of her hand came across Niall's face, likely stunning him from the ferocity of it.

”Niall, you are not a monster, and I will not hear that word associated with you again.” Her tone was soft, but held an edge to it. She then threw her arms around him, forcing the young man into an embrace, this held for a few seconds before she pulled back. ”Remember, We Hale's are a strong bunch, and we've been around for centuries. I've personally fought monsters, and you my dear are no monster. You didn't choose this power, so don't beat yourself over something you cannot control. Her expression softened lightly. Now put a smile on your face, melancholy doesn't suit you.” Something about her demeanor had changed dramatically. Expression had become calming, and soothing like a mother. ”And if it makes you feel any better, Aaron was pretty worried when you two were brought in beat up like you were. Hell, I never saw him look that way, not in a long while." Not since he had heard that Elena Marie had been murdered many years ago." So smile, I even bought you some skittles.” She added with a slightly impish wink, perhaps hoping to up his mood some.

Arianna was pleased, if anything that he somewhat half assed cheer up speech worked. While the woman was many things, charismatic did not always seem to come attached to the name, but maybe she said something right. If the skittles helped any was unknown, but then again they never hurt. Niall took the bag, and opened it, his expression saying everything as he looked over the large amount that had been stuffed in the bag. So mission accomplished, whatever that was, and with the woman thoroughly pleased with herself, they would make their way back to the others, who were likely bored beyond all belief.

Brandon tapping rhythmically on the counter top, while Aaron kept the food going and little Sean watched Aaron like a baby hawk waiting for mommy to come back. Black feathered wings would occasionally make some kind of movement, like a limb that had gained a nervous tick that would not stop. Soon enough, the winged Hale would notice his mother returning with his favorite Irish male, and that large bag of skittles his mom had gotten him. If he knew anything, it was that his mom was trying to weasel her way into the mans heart, mostly so that he would stay around her son, and perhaps not dump his ass like so many before.

Arianna was move over, and push Aaron from what he was doing, and that gave him more time to deal with the blonde that would not stay away from him. If anything, he was exactly like Sean when he was around six. Nostalgic for sure, but at the same time Aaron remembered why he disliked clingingness.

Niall moved over to him, but he brushed across one of his wings, and fell on his ass, which perhaps sent a jolt of shock through the winged Hale. His face twisted into an apologetic expression, reaching down, and pulling the irish male up with one quick motion that seemed fluid in a way. ”Yeah, I guess I do.” He said chuckling weakly, mostly feeling a little bad that his own body seemed to be scaring Niall, possibly mote than he found the energy arm to be scary. Granted he was weaned on violent action anime with Sean, there was not too much of a shock value there. ”Might have Aaron make me some kind of magical.....thingie that makes my wings vanish or something.”

”A please wouldn't kill you.” Aaron noted, moving a small spoon around with his mind, as the little Sean watched with almost uncontainable wonder. Something about Aaron showing off his magic seemed to make him happy, and Niall's more pleasant mood also helped.

Brandon could have warned the kid of the Ethereal pokey tendrils of eternal annoyance, but did he? No, he did not. Instead he would allow said poking while grinning partially sadistic while the kid would fidget about and try to find what tormented him so, much like a three year old. That would go on with him looking for these mysterious pokers, until Niall gave up and went for a hugging you tighter than a vice kind of thing. Brandon wondered what sort of sick enjoyment he got out of it, but at the same time it was cute really, so all he could do was watch as the kid was wretched away from what looked like the proverbial nirvana by his facial expression. Considering that he was now being held ransom, the question he was unable to answer came up, and boy did it leave a proverbial elephant in the room.

This moved onto the kid kinda stammering to himself, as he tried to remember what name they gave him. ”His names Sean, or atleast thats what he says it is.” Aaron answered for Niall, partially lying considering that he suggested the name first, but that was alright. He knew the kid would not argue with that, and it was true, Little blonde Sean nodded, still with a hyperactive Niall latched onto him, perhaps not so used to things latching onto him than the other way around. He was even more confused when he was offered the skittles, which he took only to not seem rude, and popped into his mouth like an unsure kid trying drugs for his first time. ”Can't say you missed much though.' Aaron noted making a spoon float about in the air, doing circles. He noticed the little silver lines on his body beginning to glow minute color of yellow, but nothing too noticeable.