Doomed and Determined Snippets

Meet Zephyr's parents

    There was a gasp, one that sounded fake and grated his ears. The female tiefling, Annasach?, he could see some similar things, but he frowned. Why was there no warmth to that smile? There was a difference between how this woman was responding compared to his own. His mother would have bulldozed him over with a hug by now, resulting in them laying on the ground for a solid few minutes. That was only after a few months, of him not being home. This was years. Something was not right, not right at all. Zerxes shooed the thought away though, letting Zephyr tangle their fingers together. She was the first priority here, not this... woman.

     "Verendus!" That was her father correct? It was strange to put names to faces finally. Faces he was sure that he wouldn't be seeing at all until they were all six feet under the ground. Even then it seemed unlikely. Something about the other male that came to the door made his instincts act up. He was tensing, something he was sure Zephyr would have noticed had she not been busy talking with her mother. There's a moment when the two older tieflings look at him, and he could almost feel their disgust and he almost wanted to tell them the feeling was mutual, and the way they ignored him as they made their way inside made his skin crawl.

     "I need to show you some of the spots I found as a kid!" Zephyr had turned towards him, almost tripping over the face past movement and Zerxes helped caught her before too much damage could be done, he helped her straighten, biting back the remark as it seemed both her parents ignored the almost potentially fall. It felt more like they were ignoring her altogether, instead of trying to spare her feelings.

    "I'm sure you found many spots, Dove." Many places away from them. Was left unsaid. Being dragged around the house wasn't the worst part of it all, imagining a smaller Zephyr crawling some of the spaces she pointed out brought a small smile out to play. He couldn't imagine living in a place this spacious... it seemed empty. Not something that a family would live in. Who was he to judge though? Growing up in a smaller household then what other people probably did.

    The longer they stayed at this house, dealing with the disapproving stares and the subtle hints that they wanted him gone, - one more "You wouldn't understand." and he might deck one of them- the more he wondered if he should of let Zephyr go alone. No, he wouldn't let her, even if she begged. Zerxes has spent too long protecting her from other threats that he'd never forgive himself if he left her alone in this aspect. He blinked as slim fingers tangled with his own again, Zephyr's eyes meeting his for a quick second.

    He was sure she could sense his anticipation, but she probably didn't understand why he'd been tense as a statue all day long. He still appreciated the gesture, lightly bumping his shoulder against hers. It brought a smile to her face and he couldn't find it within himself to be unhappy. She really was the bright light in the world, while he stayed in the dark. Such an odd pair, he thought to himself, quietly humming.

    They'd been shown around the house, a few points making Zerxes feel like a show pony before dinner was being served. Or so he guessed. Not once did they say anything to or about him that was...pleasant and Zerxes was sure his smile was close to turning feral. The temptation to cause a scene was boiling in his blood, but the promise to behave to his family made him think of something else. Something that didn't include where you could potentially stab someone and they wouldn't die. He reached up to tug at a few strands of hair that fell loose from Zephyr's hair, tucking them back and out of the way. She'd have to redo the braid at some point, better yet, they could just go back to their room and-

    "Stop." Came the subtle hiss, and he blinked back into the present. Golden yellow eyes stared up at him.

    "Stop what?" He grinned down at her, watching as her eyes narrowed further for a split second.