Disgraced: Twins of the Zodiac

Pressing Matters

    “What was that?” Aurora snapped.

    Her ribs weren’t fully healed but that wasn't the first priority on her mind right that second. She was angry-too angry; in fact, she was so angry that the pain of the healing process didn’t even occur to her.

    She rushed Azul and shoved his shirtless form back so hard that he stumbled, nearly falling on his backside. Her eyes were glowing with anger and aggression, wild like a feral animal as she confronted Azul.

    “Aurora, I-” 

    “Rorick!” Aurora snapped. “Rorick. Joaquin. Vale.” She growled that name-the name that she recalled him mentioning to her when they first met. Azul looked at her incredulously but didn’t say a word. Aurora remembered him dangling the name in front of her as if he was chancing the meeting. What if he had been plotting on her this whole time? The idea that of not knowing Azul's intention irritated Aurora evermore. “Did you know?” She demanded and again Azul did not answer right away. “Did you?” She pushed further.

    “Know what, Aurora?” Jeriko cut in, young Isaiah was closely following curiously and cautiously behind, refusing to let Jeriko's hand go. It was apparent that he was still afraid after what unworldly spectacle he’d just witnessed.

    Aurora was so caught up in getting an answer from Azul, she couldn’t even find the words to clarify to her brother what she was even talking about.

    “Did you...know?” Her voice was low and calm but one wrong answer and in her anger and frustrations she'd no doubt pounce. The anger in her words was an underlying threat for Azul that this would be the last time that she’d ask before they became unbenefited.

    Azul sighed. “I had my suspicions, yes.” He finally said. “But-”

    Aurora scoffed rolling her eyes. ‘Should have known’ she thought. “I don’t want to hear anymore.” She cut him off before he could get any further with his explanation. “I don’t want to hear it!”

    Seeming to finally realize that now was probably not the best time to try and make Aurora see reason enough to allow him to argue his case, Azul resigned. “I’ll give you some time to calm yourself.” He said. “We can talk more about this later.”

    “You really think I’d let you near my sister again?” Jeriko countered Azul’s suggestion as he glared at this Azul. As he carefully sized him up, he wondered what it was exactly, that he had gotten his sister into.  

    Azul paused for a moment staring at an angry Jeriko. His stance spoke of how he accepted this challenge from this brother of Aurora’s. He then took one last look at Aurora before he walked away.

    When the large and mysterious guy was out of Jeriko’s sight, he returned his attention to his younger twin, who since had turned her attending to the little boy. He hadn’t completely gotten over what had just happened moments earlier.

    Just as little Isaiah was assuring Aurora that he was alright, Jeriko approached her. “What...is going on here, Aurora?” When his twin didn’t answer quickly enough, Jeriko snapped a little. “Aurora!” he grabbed her arm. “What have you gotten yourself into now?” 

    Aurora expelled a harsh sigh, shaking her head. She was too mentally exhausted to retort her brother’s reasonable question with a smart sarcastic one.

    “Jeriko, I cannot even begin to know what is going on, despite what you may think, brother.” She looked at her twin. “I will say that I fear that there are far more pressing things that need to be dealt with right now,” Aurora replied, thinking about what Bellarossa had said earlier about Aurora recklessly creating these familiars and even potentially transitioning Marlo. 

    Technically, Bellarossa didn’t have much merit to stand on, but still, Aurora somehow had a concerning feeling that her would-be grandmother wasn’t lying. Not when it came to that at least. Why Aurora felt this way, she didn’t know; but if what Bellarossa said was true, she needed to make haste in finding her brother’s friend before he found his first meal. ‘Gah, I hope he didn’t find his first meal.’ She thought to herself.

    “And what exactly is more important than your life?” Jeriko sardonically countered his sister.

    'Marlo’ Aurora thought to herself but was entirely too afraid to admit this aloud-and to her brother no less. Especially not while their relationship was at such a delicate standpoint.

    Aurora knew, nevertheless, that this sort of thinking was considered selfish and a little childish. Taking this into consideration, she decided that she would tell Jeriko after they took care of little Isaiah.

    “Let’s take get this little one sorted first.”

    Jeriko doubtfully looked at his younger sister for a moment before he gave in to her suggestion. She was right after all. 

    “Fine.” He finally caved. “But I’m going to need a little clarity on this little one too.” He conditioned his sister while curiously glancing at the young lad who was so suddenly attached to Aurora; and even him.

    Aurora sighed, relief flooding her as she appreciated the fact that meeting the acquaintance of little Isaiah was a subject matter that she could easily tackle.

    “Now that, I can explain.”

    They started off the school grounds together and on their way to take the little boy home, forgetting about the mundanity of high school football and spirit squads. 

    “Jeriko!”

    The sound of her voice was like nails on a chalkboard to Aurora’s ears; it was as if hearing her speak sent her in a newfound fit of anger and frustration.

    Jeriko had already caught this feeling. However, he couldn’t intercept Jennifer fast enough before his sister expressed herself.

    “Jeriko, normally of late, due to our sensitive relationship as siblings, I’d at least try and hold my tongue about your...her.” She settled on saying. “But I am in no mood for it. Not today.”

    “Aurora,” Jeriko sighed. “She hasn’t even done anything to you ye-”

He could barely get the words out of his mouth before his sister cut him off.

    “An attempt has just been made on my life, brother.” She said in a dangerously low and agitated voice as she heard the girl getting closer. “And there are things-sensitive things that need to be discussed right now.” Where her gaze was averted from her older brother, it suddenly wasn’t. Their eyes met with one another simultaneously as Jeriko seemed to understand the seriousness of his sister’s otherwise nonchalant tone. “Get rid of her. Or I will.” She blatantly threatened.

    Usually, Jeriko would not have taken so kindly to a threat such as this-not on his girlfriend, especially; but something in him understood and could relate to why his twin was feeling the way that she was feeling at the moment. And while Jeriko was crazy about Jennifer and cared about her feelings, Aurora’s feelings were just as if not more important-if at no other time, in that moment at least, her feelings outweighed Jennifer’s. 

    As Jennifer approached and started to bombard Jeriko with questions, Jeriko stopped her. Even he had become annoyed with her constant interrogations of where he was all this time.

    “Jen, Jen! Just stop, okay.” Jeriko cut her off. “My sister just went through something traumatic.”

    “Is she alright?” Jennifer asked.

    Aurora could almost see the underlying distaste behind her words. “Do you really care?” She asked in amusement. Wasn’t like she could really say no, after all.

    “Of...course I care, what-” Jennifer said with a confused expression on her face.

    All the while, Aurora couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh, she is playing this to the max.’ “Of...course.” She sarcastically said in a mocking tone. "What was I thinking?"

    “Look, Jen, my sister and I have some business that we need to take care of.”

    “Is-” Jennifer glanced at the little boy. “Is this business about, well-him?” She asked, gesturing toward the little boy with an uncomfortable seeming smile on her face.

    “It’s...actually none of your concern.” Aurora chimed in.

    “Aurora.” Jeriko reprimanded. Before another word could ensue an argument, Jeriko intervened again.

    “Look, I’ll be back soon, babe.” He attempted to reassure his seemingly concerned girlfriend.

    “But the bus is about to leave. That’s why I came to get you two.” Jennifer rebutted. "You already missed the rest of the game. We won by the way, thanks to you! Surely you...and your sister wants to ride back with us-"

    "Yeah, like you really came to find me," Aurora muttered, rolling her eyes

    “Aurora, enough." Jeriko intervened before returning his attention to his girlfriend. "If that's the case then we’ll just find our own way home,” Jeriko said before kissing her forehead. “I’ll call you later, alright?” Before she could answer, he walked off with Aurora and the little boy, leaving her there.

    Aurora glanced back to see this Jennifer with an almost enraged look on her face before she suddenly regressed to a grimace. 

    Aurora knew that she had won this round but she didn’t grin in triumph at her brother deciding to neglect his conniving girlfriend. She knew that this wouldn’t be the last time that she’d have to go against her for what seemed like a battle for her brother’s soul. One thing she did notice, however, was that it seemed that Jeriko seemed mentally stronger when they were together.

    Aurora took little Isaiah’s hand. “Come little one.” She beckoned, her gaze still on Jennifer for a glaring moment before she, Jeriko, and the little boy walked away. "Let's get you home,"

    Aurora and Jeriko watched from a distance as the little boy stood at the front door of his home, incessantly ringing the doorbell until the door aggressively swung open.

    “What do you want?! I’m busy-” The woman’s words were cut off when she noticed who it was that was standing there at her front stoop. “Isaiah?” She incredulously looked at the little boy. “What are you doing home so early? You’re supposed to be at the park!” She snapped. “I’ll come and get you when I’m done!” She spat, slamming the door in the kid’s face.

    “I’m going to kill her,” Aurora said, stalking toward the door when Jeriko grabbed his sister’s arm.

    Anger welled up inside both of the Valentine twins but Jeriko knew that killing the woman was not the answer. He looked at Aurora for a prolonged moment, not having to say much of anything because she knew why he paused her.

    “Fine!” Aurora hissed. “But I’m still going to make her sorry that she slammed that door in his face!”

    “Of course.” Jeriko agreed before they both joined the little boy on his front porch. 

    Instead of incessantly ringing or even knocking on the door, Aurora kicked the door in so hard, it flew back and against the banister of the stair that stood behind it, shattering into pieces.

    “Stay with the boy.” She looked at Isaiah and gave him a smile. “I’ll be back.”

    When she heard the woman squeal, Aurora followed the scream until she found the woman next to a nearly naked man. “You…” Anger cut off her words.

     She stormed into the living room and grabbed the man by his throat. She thought to kill him, but didn’t want the mess that would come from it, and she certainly didn't want Isaiah to be witness to it. He'd seen enough for one day; while she was hungry, Bellarossa’s little news of her leaving a trail of followers in her wake retracted her from the thought even more.

    “Get out and forget that you were here-forget about this house-and forget about this w***e of a mother that you decided to lay with.”

    The man, in a trance, began to grab his things and briskly take his leave. Then Aurora turned her attention to Isaiah’s sorry excuse for a mom.

    She took the woman by her neck and slammed her against the frame of the living room wall, knocking the wind out of her.

    “Un..acceptable,” Aurora growled. “You’d better start treating Isaiah and his sister with the love and respect that they deserve and act like a real mother. Or so. Help. Me.” Her words trailed off and she let her growl and elongating incisors introduce her threat, her eyes dilating as they widened in rage. “I will end you.”

    Where the woman had started crying, she stopped after Aurora finished with her aggressive mind manipulation. The woman, then nodded, in a sudden trance-like state as she took heed to Aurora’s words. Her attitude had suddenly changed.

    “Isaiah? Honey, where-”

    Aurora stopped. “Not so fast.” She said, shoving the woman back against the wall. “You wait here until I’m done talking with the kid.” 

    The woman nodded before Aurora left the room and found the boy still standing there, with a now-fixed door, thanks to Jeriko and his magic.

    “Thanks for fixing the door, brother.” She said. When Jeriko nodded, accepting her gratification, she bent down to eye level with little Isaiah. “Actually had fun with you today, you know.” She smiled. “Until the mean old lady came.” 

    “Are you okay?” Little Isaiah asked, the concern of what happened earlier still worn on his youthful round face.

    “Of course. Just a few scrapes and bruises.” Aurora smiled. “Are you?” She asked.

    The little boy sighed. She could sense the sadness in his little being. “Are you leaving?” He asked, ignoring Aurora question while glancing back at Jeriko and then her again.

    Aurora didn’t want to disappoint the little boy so she was hesitant when she finally nodded a yes. Admitting to this broke her heart.

    “Can I go with you?” He asked.

    Aurora replied with a small and sympathetic smile, touching his cheek. “Then who’ll look after your little sister?” She asked. “I told you, us little sisters need our big brothers.” She didn’t want to look at her older brother, though part of her words were for him as well.

    “But! But she can come with us!” He exclaimed as he found a loophole in the problem at hand, a hopeful excitement emanating from him.

    Aurora looked at her older brother, both of them mirroring sympathy for the boy and the little sister that he had that they never met.

    “Little girls need their mommy. And so do little boys.” Aurora tried to reason, thinking about her own mother as she said this. “Give her another chance. Have a feeling things may be a little different this time.” She said and when she saw the sadness in his eyes, she immediately took his hand into hers. “But I tell you what; if she disappoints-if you’re still miserable…” Her voice trailed off as she enchanted the boy with a small alert charm. “I will take you both away from here.” She propositioned.

    “You promise?” Isaiah asked.

    Aurora took his pinky finger with her own. “Pinky promise. I don’t break pinky promises.” She smiled.

    After she ruffled through his hair, she got up to leave with her brother. “Will I see you again?” The little boy asked as Jeriko opened the door for Aurora to go through first. 

    Aurora turned around. “How else will I check on you and this little sister that you have?” She said with a wink. “Now go check on that little sister of yours.” 

    The little boy nodded with a big smile. Aurora hugged him and after pulling away the boy ran to Jeriko, wrapping his arms around his leg. This surprised Jeriko. He looked down at the boy and tried to fight the small smile that inevitably won over. He patted the boys back gingerly. The boy pulled away. "Please come back," He said before he turned and ran up the stairs. Not too soon after, his mother came into the living room seeming lost.

    Aurora’s smile faded. “Your boy’s upstairs.” She said. “I’ll be watching you,” Aurora warned before she and Jeriko left the house.

    When Jeriko closed the door behind him, he watched his little sister in silence, impressed with her display of character with the boy.

    “Didn’t think you had it in you.” He remarked.

    “What?” Aurora replied though she had a feeling as to what her brother was talking about.

    “You know, tolerance for people.” He teased. “Kids especially.”

    Aurora rolled her eyes. “You’re right, I don’t have tolerance for such things. But that one is different.” 

    “Hm, okay.” Jeriko accepted her vague answer as they started down the street. “You mean what you say? About taking he and his little sister away from there if you have to?”

    She would have erased his mind if she hadn’t meant what she said. Of course, she wouldn’t tell her brother how sincere she was. He already knew the answer anyway; still, she could still keep her hard exterior for character’s sake.

    “Guess we’ll find out if and or when the time ever comes.” She decided to say. “Now, enough about that.” Aurora quickly changed the subject. “There is a more pressing matter that I need to attend to.”

    “You mean we?” Jeriko corrected. Aurora sighed, her gaze suddenly unable to keep with her brother’s. This concerned Jeriko as Aurora never seemed the one be so anxious. “What is it, Ro? What’s going on?” He asked, knowing that it had something to do with what happened earlier.

    Aurora was reluctant in her answer before she finally spoke. “A lot, brother. But first...we have to find Marlo.”