Welcome to Gaia! ::

He looked to his brother and sighed. Ben had always tried to seem rough and tough like them, but never quite made it. He felt he and Kiera were partly to blame for trying to protect him from the worlds they had seen. "We continue like always. We'll make it work. Me and Kiera have been working part time jobs so together we can try to find a place till hours can pick up, once you're old enough to get a job, you can help out." He motioned for him to stand and dusted him off. "Now, you're almost sixteen, as one of the oldest kids about. Like us, you have to put on a brave face for the others who are smaller, who don't have siblings or someone to look to for help or answers." He was serious knowing they wouldn't be there forever, people grew up, had lives, he didn't want his brother to be coddled when it would do him little good.

Kiera looked back to what was left of their home as Ben questioned them. She wasn't sure how to answer her brother but was thankful that Arthur Spoke up first. She would nod knowing their records should be easy enough to replace, though a roof for the night wouldn't hurt. "Guess I can go blonde for a bit." She said more as a joke though it was sobered as she noticed some of the younger kids. "I'm going to help with the little ones, and see if the dean needs help with a head count." She wasn't normally nice with the dean since they were constantly trying to split them up, but this was not the time for grudges.

As the police arrived he would offer the statement to their known associate Elisa Maza before letting them speak with some of the children for what had happened. Once finished he would return to the side of his employer. "A shame after such a great speech and donation." He looked to a datapad he had salvaged before looking about. "Although, I did see some potential here. The building did seem rather run down, perhaps this could be used as a way to do the upgrade you had mentioned without the messy zoning rules getting in the way." He paused only a moment before continuing. "The girl that helped us back there, her file says her name is Kiera Williams. she has a twin and younger brother. They're both eighteen, the younger is nearly sixteen according to the file. I believe the brothers are the ones we saw trying to help as many as they could getting out." He wasn't sure what his employer would do, but knew in a day or few he would ask his own end about the three.

He would let him speak with Elisa before he was addressed once more. "I am unsure as to what you are referring to Sir, but I will carry out your orders." He would adjust his glasses before moving about and making plans with the dean. Once that was done he called in to have the warehouse chose to be fitted properly for those that resided in the now destroyed orphanage. Once transportation and rooming was taken care of as well as food he would make his way to the three that had assisted. "I would like to thank you again Miss for your assistance, and you boys as well. Mr. Xanatos saw what you three did and was quiet impressed. As such he has offered to put you up in one of his hotels for a few nights till the replacement for your orphanage can be finished. As an additional thank you, I've made a list of hotels within the city that he owns for you to choose from."

Arthur turned seeing the lackey approach and was handed the list. "It wasn't anything special. We all look after each other. Its not like anyone else will." He was a bit harsh though it softened only slightly at the offer of a hotel room. He handed the list to his brother knowing it was a rare thing, but then looked at the other kids and adults. "What about everyone else? Are they getting put up as well?"

"The others are being put up in one of his unused warehouses. I assure you we are in the process of making it like a home as we speak and the buses to take everyone there should arrive after the police have their statements and such. Beds, clean clothes and food are provided till the completion of the rebuild."

Arthur thought for a moment before seeing the nod from Kiera and turned back. "Then we will have to decline and stay with the others. Tell Mr. Xanatos, we appreciate the offer, but its not right to be rewarded like this if the others aren't being treated the same. We didn't do anything special, we did what we do best. We survived another day."

Kiera smiled slightly as the offer was turned down. She felt good enough with the decision to back him on this, though a luxurious hotel would have been nice. Once the other left she smiled more and patted her twin's shoulders. "I got your back, but you knew that. I don't think I would have felt right either with it. Besides, now we get to see what these accommodations for the others are." She didn't have to remind them of the bad feeling she had woken with, though now it bothered her more on how she knew something was going to happen. She decided to think on it later an continued patching others here and there.

He nodded before turning and smiled. they were so much like their mother it was almost scary. He knew even without their powers these three were already a force to be reckoned with. After seeing the work done and an impressive set up in an unused warehouse that could rival one of his employer's hotels, he would return. the sun had begun to set so would need to make this discussion quick. "Mr. xanatos, I have news on those three. It seems they declined your generous offer to stay with the others of the home in the warehouse. I've seen to it that the warehouse was fitted in similar fashion to one of the hotels, and requested the staff of a doctor and a nurse should any symptoms show later in any of the children." He paused only a moment as the sun set and heard the familiar roar. "I'll let you be unless you need anything else?"

He nodded letting him be for the evening and retreating to his own room after the assignment had been done. He had already sent things for entertainment for the children and staff before it was offered. Once in his room he smiled and turned seeing his sister in her singular form. "Avalonia, you could have given better warning. Were those someone else's or from home?"

She had waited till her brother arrived. "They were from this world. someone doesn't like Mr. Xanatos being a good guy in the lime light, so are trying to ruin his name. His act with the children of that home and putting them up to great expense will only worsen. Those of the warehouse are still in danger, but for now are given rest." She moved to the window seeing the gargoyles outside and sighed. "I hope things are in motion to our advantage. I fear the darkness coming that I cannot see. I know one of the twins has their father's gift of future, and one has the gift of past, but being locked as they are they will not know this."

"I see, that is unfortunate. The children have proven some worth to Mr. Xanatos with the event today, even if he was unaware he was helping to protect them." He stood beside his sister looking out the window. "And I was having so much fun being Owen, oh well. I'm sure Mr Xanatos will understand."

Kiera looked in amazement at what was done to the inside of the place. From outside it had looked like a dump but inside, a game room, dining hall, even separate rooms were made for them all. "Okay, now I'm impressed. Guess he wasn't helping just for show afterall. She smiled not waiting as she went to one room and claimed dibs, her brother picking one across from them. She smiled plopping down on the bed and before she knew it, was out like a light.

Arthur had to admit this was beyond what he had expected. He wished his sister would get her arm looked at but having bandaged it he knew she'd be fine. "Come on Ben, roll call for bed." He smiled lightly seeing their sister call one of the rooms before taking up his own seeing two beds in this one. He took up the one closest to the door and settled in for sleep.

It had been a few days but he was still uneasy, not that he would show it. And not that his sister was showing it but he could tell just looking at her she wasn't sleeping either. He let Ben go do whatever he filled his time with before pulling her aside. "Nightmares again? I thought we were past this?"

She looked to her twin shrugging. "I thought so to, it wouldn't be so bad if I could remember them. Everything is always so bloody blurry. I see walls and snow and blue and shadows." She looked to Arthur a moment and sighed seeing the same sign as herself. "And your dreaming of a past that doesn't exist."

He sighed knowing she was right though didn't know what they could do. "I guess but Ben I think is starting to notice." She nodded knowing they had to at least appear strong though never really knew why. Another few days and news would come that the new home would be completed within the week. His dreams had become more and more unsettling, unicorns being killed, some bull thing and blue crystals. It was all jumbled making no sense, but seemed to start getting clearer. He woke one night feeling off as he had heard a voice laughing with him, though couldn't place it. He then turned to the door hearing Kiera calling out and rushed from the bed.

Her dreams had gotten worse as well as the bad feelings as the home was being completed. One dream bothering her the most. She didn't realize as she woke screaming seeing flames everywhere till Arthur burst through the door snapping her out of it. "Arthur, there was fire, it was everywhere." She felt sick to her stomach. "We.. we have to get out.. everyone.. now.. we.. we can't stay here." She began moving frantically the feeling had only grown with her nightmare.

Arthur looked to her before wrapping arms around her. He'd never seen her this bad, and they'd been through a lot. "It's okay, me and Ben have you." He watched her pull away and start dressing. "Kiera, come on it's the middle of the night.

"I don't care we have to leave. Everyone. I'm not crazy don't send me back. I can't explain it, I wish to heaven I could but we can't stay here." She stopped holding her breath as the fire alarm went off and saw the hall filling with smoke. She ran as Arthur took her hand and tried helping the kids and staff free. She sighed in relief as at least time they had all gotten out.

"Keira, you're our sister and I love you, but you're kinda scary." He could tell she was shaken between the nightmare that seemed made reality. Then would follow suit as the police took everyone in for the night at least.

It had been a few days and despite the updates he was sure with this new event he would have to move along in his plans. "Business plans for the day. Also, the warehouse with the children burned, everyone is accounted for. I spoke to the dean, she woke to the screaming of one of the kids, saw smoke and pulled the alarm before the fire spread." He paused a bit before putting the files of the three Williams children before him. "I did some research into those three that had made an impression. Kiera, her twin Arthur, and younger brother Ben Williams. These three have been placed in foster homes, but for one reason or another ran away or sprung the other sibling out. A couple years back the twins it seems stumbled into a gang drug deal, and according to the police used a nearby payphone to call it in, they got caught in the middle of the fight but came out fair enough." He let him review the files more before continuing. "I figure, why not adopt them? This castle is more than equipped, they show very strong qualities, and could give your son Alex some friends to hang out with I believe the term to be." He had hoped to appeal to the other side but wouldn't lie if Xanatos asked his other reasonings.

He listened not surprised by the reaction. "I arranged for security over the children and adults of the home before they arrived. I also have our own investigators on the incidents and they have a lead that points to Nightstone Unlimited. We're making sure of course before we make our official findings public." He paused looking to him and adjusting his glasses as he reacted about the children. He had already been prepared and was glad. He would have been disappointed in his employer had he not caught on. "Those children, teens rather are a special case." He debated how much to tell Xanatos before adjusting his glasses once more. "I am somewhat in charge of their protection. My sister, whom you know as the weird sisters, have been tasked by Oberon and Titania to keep them safe." He paused knowing that alone may spark some interest in him. "Now, before I go on, I tell you this at great risk. The more that know of them, the more danger then they're already in will happen. That being said, they are my niece and nephews, children of my brother and a mortal woman, as I'm sure you've heard, a near impossible feat." He would pause once more before letting a sigh slip. "They are bound until the youngest, Ben turns sixteen, which, is in another month or so. Goliath already knows of them, so to speak though neither he, nor Demona, MacBeth, Bronx or Detective Maza will remember. A specialty courtesy of my sister. They're mother told me a secret or two she only spoke of with I'm sure her husband. The youngest especially needs to be protected. He is after all, the only thing that has been allowing the sun to rise every morning. I had hoped when I was first in your employ as Owen and seeing your resilience, and the guardians you would be a great asset to assisting me, more so over the years seeing you with Alexander." He let the briefest of overviews settle before continuing. "Of course, it is still completely up to you if you would help them. Just know, when the time comes, I may not be able to stay as your secretary for some time. When the binding is gone, they'll be like a beacon to those that have been hunting them, and they will need guidance to survive it."

He would give the briefest of a bow towards his employer. "Thank you Mr. Xanatos, I'll see everything is ready." He then turned to head out before stopping at the door. "Thank you again Sir, this does mean a great deal to me." And with that would reign his emotion back and begin having rooms made ready for them. He then waited for the night to fall and watch as Goliath would eventually wake. "I trust you rested well Goliath?" He'd let him adjust some to being live once more before standing before him. "Mr. Xanatos has taken the liberty of adopting three young teens. I will have rules about the night and see how well this goes. If it goes well, they may not know of your kin here, unless you wish it of them." He'd wait for an answer before continuing. "The oldest two are Twins, about eighteen, and the youngest will be sixteen in a month or so. I expect this new addition to be mostly like young Alexander, but one can never be too sure. I felt an upfront notification at the very least was in order for you and yours to prepare for guests if need be." With that he would turn and head back to have Xanatos finalize the papers. All was finally falling into place, now all they had to do was wait for the binding to break, get the kids to the maze, free their parents and take out the Darkmoores and restore the balance of light and Dark to the world.

Arthur looked about the new building Xanatos Industries had given them. He'd never seen this place look so good, and more importantly was better equipped to handle more kids. What bothered him is when the house dean called them to her office. That was never good, though seeing Kiera's smile he had to wonder. "You're not nervous?"

She had felt oddly good for once when she woke. No nightmares of fire and shadows or their past in the streets. As they were called she had just finished picking a room and sighed. When questioned she simply shrugged looking to him. "I think Ben has infected me. Besides, we've been helping the others, saving the others, how bad could it be?" As they would enter the new office it would take a moment for her to focus on the dean and not the new office and realize the blonde man that had offered the hotels was also there. Now she was nervous.

"Children, this is Mr. Owen Burnett. He's Mr. Xanatos's assistant and has some wonderful news for you three."

He cleared his throat slightly before addressing them. "Yes, Mr. Xanatos was still very impressed with how you three not only hand;ed yourselves, but continued to be helpful. He understands you three have no desire to separate and has offered to adopt you together." He would let it sink in seeing the youngest seem excited though couldn't tell on the older two. "Mr. Xanatos as you're aware does have his own son, he felt the addition of siblings could also make him a bit more sociable on a younger level as he is used to more, older adults." Again he'd pause, they were so much what he remembered and yet just like their parents. It took everything not to change and whisk them away for some play. "Of course, knowing most of your things were destroyed, he had also taken the liberty of ordering new clothing at the least."

Arthur listened as the man explained and couldn't help but feel nervous despite the relief. This was rare but the last time someone took in all three it was only for the state's money, he was glad Ben was too young to remember. He rubbed the back of his head a moment looking to his sister then Ben. Xanatos was loaded so it wasn't a question of taking them for the state perks. He noted Ben wanting to jump and sighed. "I guess it couldn't hurt. Would be a challenge I'm sure to run away, but make no mistake if we don't like it, we will." He had to be clear and let his siblings know he wouldn't allow anything to happen to them.

Kiera smiled as the offer was made. Of course she hadn't thought like Arthur though was nervous. They would have a home, and a family before they'd be forced to leave this place at the end of the year. "Arthur,it's not like the home, we could still have a roof over our head at the end of the year." She would nod though as he had agreed. She always let him think he was the leader despite he was no older than herself, and with no parent or person who witnessed the event, it was still a tie. She knew he secretly liked the responsibility for them. "so when are we supposed to leave?"

He smiled lightly towards them as the offer was accepted, then gave a nod. Seeing Ben it only reminded him of their mother, the twins their father. It was almost night and day it seemed with them. "We've finalized the papers for the adoption, but the court has to run through their dance before you can officially move in." He nodded to the dean who let them have run of the office as she stepped out. "It should be about a week perhaps less. Mr. Xanatos as well as his wife are excited to have you with them. And while we are waiting on the court to make it official, He's made some plans if you would like to see and learn more about his business, among other things. The first of course would be a series of shopping trips. Mr Xanatos understands you, as well as many of the other children have lost most things you own, so, there will be clothes shopping, books and supplies as you will join Alexander Xanatos in his classes. You may find them a bit unique." He looked over the list then handed it to Arthur.

Arthur listened unsure and almost nervous about the decision but seeing Ben's excitement, he would push it aside, for now. He looked over the list, Kiera looking over his shoulder and had to admit it was more than he could ever dream. "I guess, I mean the most he would really have to worry about Mr. Burnett, is the cost of Kiera's beauty products." He got a punch to his arm for that but would only smile before handing he list back. "So we have a week then."

"Please, you can call me Owen. And yes about a week. The dean has given her permission, if at anytime you three wish to head out a car will be ready to take you."

Kiera had looked at the list noticing a few odd things, like uniforms and certain weapons and wondered. "Why would we need a sword and bows and arrows?" She heard her brother and punched his arm for his comment. "Oh please I'm not that bad."

He smiled at her question glad they were asking. "Those are for some of the classes you will be taking. Mr. Xanatos for one always wishes to be prepared and never off guard. As the same he expect it of his children to also always be prepared. However we will monitor progress, if it doesn't seem to suit you I'm sure there is something else we could always try that may be more of your styling."

He listened to them with a slight smile thought was too far reserved to show the excitement his 'Puck' self was feeling. At their questions he was curious about them. "The uniforms I assure you are mostly protective gear for some of your classes. There will be some formal wear as Mr. Xanatos does enjoy bringing his family to some of the events he attends." As the youngest asked about the others he nodded. "Mr. Xanatos has seen to that as well. The dear was given a list of places where the children could freely pick out some things such as clothes or toys. He feels upset someone is targeting him and taking it out on the children and adults of this home. I assure you, we have our own investigators assisting the police to catch the culprits as well." He paused letting things sink in before going over the agenda of the day. "I have a schedule for you three over the next week starting today. The first item up is actually within a few minutes. Since most adolescents detest formal wear, I felt it better to get it done and out of the way. The dean tells me, much like a regular school, this orphanage hosts something amounting to a Senior prom for those about to leave?"

Arthur listened figuring uniforms could be the least of their problems. Since they had a computer room now, he needed to do some digging about. He was a bit surprised at the generosity of Mr. Xanatos with the children. It made him feel like the man cared about the children, but his known reputation had him on edge still. However having and helping with the investigation was nice. At the mention of shopping soon and formal wear he shrugged. "I haven't been a suit since I was three, can't be all bad. And yes, it's moving out bash. When teens turn legal age they have a year to work up and get on their feet before we get the boot. This is me and Kiera's last year, which is why I'm a little surprised to adopt all three of us. We're practically grown adults."

Kiera listened to the men of the room. Formal wear bothered her. It wasn't that she was opposed, but had issues with normal girl activities in general. She was quiet for the most part listening to what was being said but glad that the others had a crack at things. Though she kept feeling like the other shoe could drop at any moment.