"No..No, I'm done.." She sighed as she took Qhuinn into her arms. He had dozed off in his high chair, his thumb in his mouth. She held him against her chest and walked pass Zackary.
Zackary’s voice caught in his throat and he watched her walk away. Did he say or do something wrong? Just a moment ago she was triumphant and glorious in happiness.
"C'mon then." She called behind her. "I wanna show you what I did." She looked back at him. He had been through so much and wanted nothing but the essentials. In her mind, Juliet swore to give him more. Just this once.
Zackary stood up hastily and walked over. He hated being left behind by himself. He was used to being around people, being jostled and talked to. He’d actually grown to like it.
Slowly, the expression faded from Sariel's face and she nodded in agreement to the place Avilasa had chosen. Walking over to the girl, she stepped beside her. "I can teleport, though nothing too dramatic like to other countries. Is that how you'd like to get there?" Sariel asked, raising up her hands.
Avi nodded. "That's always faster than walking downtown. Le me teleport us though. That way I can get us to the restaurant without being seen." She reached out as if to grab Sariel's arm, but stopped a few inches from it.
Sariel gave yet another nod and readied herself for the always odd feeling of teleporting somewhere. This had always seemed to mess with her, even though she had been through much worse. Looking down at the thin girl's hand, Sariel gave her a questioning look. "What's the matter?" She asked, looking back up at her. (Sorry that my replies have been a bit repetitive.)
She went up the stairs and walked into her bedroom. She'd moved all her clothes in with Qhuinns and emptied out the bathroom of her most personal things. The room looked bare. "This is where you'll stay."
Zackary looked around. “Er… thanks. It looks kinda… empty. Vacant.” He grinned nervously at her. He’s never been given his own room before. It was a change.
"That's because you need to fill it, it is your room after all." She walked over to a double door, vertical to the kingsized bed on the far left wall. "Qhuinn and I will be in here." She opened the door to reveal another room. "So you won't be far at all, and this door will never be locked. Just knock before you enter if its closed."
Zackary walked over to the bed that was now his and sat on it. “Alright…” He didn’t want to admit that he didn’t have much to fill a room with. He only had one outfit.
Juliet smiled. This is going great! she thought as she set Qhuinn down in his crib. She went back into Zackary's room and looked about. "Soo… I noticed you didn't bring a bag or anything with you, nor has one made in appearance… Um, Do you have anymore clothes?"
Zackary rubbed his crusted with blood sleeve with a little shrug. “No, I don’t. I’ve… never had the time to go out and get new clothing.” He’d never even thought of it.
"Well, I'm off tomorrow. We can get you some new clothes from Goodwill or something…" She offered with a smile. She didn't have much to offer him, but she could at lest get him a nice shirt and a few pairs of jeans.
Zackary smiled back a bit and pulled out a wallet. It was strained with cash. “Here.” He tossed it over to her. It landed neatly at her feet.
“That’s all of the cash I’ve ever found, or was given. Keep it. You need it.”
"Wha-?" Juliet looked down at the wallet. Slowly, she crouched down and picked it up. "Are you serious? I mean, now that your here, you might need this for your room and what not…."
Zackary shook his head. “I can get more, I promise. I can help you get a better place for you and your son. I can do so much for you two.”
Sariel gave yet another nod and readied herself for the always odd feeling of teleporting somewhere. This had always seemed to mess with her, even though she had been through much worse. Looking down at the thin girl's hand, Sariel gave her a questioning look. "What's the matter?" She asked, looking back up at her. (Sorry that my replies have been a bit repetitive.)
(It's fine. Sorry I don't answer too often.)
Avi took her arm and muttered, "Nothing." Before teleporting them both into a filthy alley. She took her hand back quickly and walked down the dark backway. "This way." she emerged next to a small restaurant with tantalizing smells wafting out of it. "Mmmm… that smells good."
((Imma cry!!!!))
Juliet could feel the tears bloom to life. Her lips trembled as she approached Zackary, gripping the wallet tight in her small hands. No one had ever did half as much as he had done in a mere day. No one had ever cared to do anything of the sort. Her heart broke. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you…" she whispered. He had changed everything for she and her baby. She didn't have to fear or worry because of him.
(It's like, I want to insert Lillian back into this but I also just wanna sit back and watch these two stories play out ugh I'm so conflicted.)
Zackary hugged her close and half-closed his eyes. She was so warm and human. He relaxed into her, smiling a gentle smile.
“You’re very welcome, Julie.”
She took a breath and pulled away, though she hardly wanted to. She smiled, joy lighting her watery eyes. "I got tears on your shirt… I'm sorry." she sniffled, wiping her cheeks.
Zackary smiled warmly, setting his arms back down. “That’s alright. I don’t mind. Here, sit.” He patted the bed gently.
Juliet obeyed silently, stilled wiping her wet cheeks now pink and splotchy. She kicked off her shoes and brought her knees up to her chest, looking small beside Zackary.
Zackary smiled a little. “There’s no reason to cry about anything. I’m here to help and help only.”
Sariel's eyes had since directed themselves back down to Avilasa's hand, which she pulled away from the demon once they had arrived near the restaurant. Does she not trust me? Sariel wondered, following silently alongside Avilasa. Maybe she's bothered by what I am. The blonde thought, only somewhat bothered by this. She doesn't seem to be thinking of it anyway, so you shouldn't either. Sariel told herself, giving a quiet hum of agreement as to what Avilasa had said.
(Don't worry about it, I can understand internet troubles or just being busy.)
(bump)
"I know… I know…" She sniffled and waved a hand dismissively. "But, no one else has ever wanted to help, not without a price.."
Zackary smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “I understand that completely. That’s why I want to help.” He wanted to be part of this family as much as possible.
"And that's why I thank you." She slowly leaned her head on his shoulder. "And Qhuinn loves you."
Zackary wrapped his arms slowly around her shoulders, leaning his head on hers. He felt his heart racing. Why was it doing that? It never did that when he was sitting.
Juliet looked up at him. "You're really different… You know that right? Your kind and compassionate. You have that guardian aura about you." She laughed.
