CROWNED

BEAU BAIRD || CROWN PRINCE OF HELL

[soullessxpandora]

As one does. Witches often take account tracking the many moon phases, all it takes is identifying the right one capable of producing the Veil orchid. Henrik's a paranoid bottom-feeder leaving his own children defenseless against outside forces threatening his precious flower. We'll find it quickly, dearest, but I hope he hasn't already ensnared one of your friends.

[beau-baird]

I know the answer to that question, it's the new moon. There's a good chance that even with finding this weakness and weaponizing it, we might be too late. Cronus advised that Henrik will be targeting Violet, and we both know that it's best he doesn't get his hands on her. In any capacity.

[beatricexbaird]

You think I could speak a fake pregnancy into existence? Beau, come on, having a baby with a vampire is totally ridiculous. I mean, it's beyond the realm of possibility. There's no way I could bring a child into this world with a dhampir who's made it clear he'd marry me in a heartbeat and might turn out to be a really good dad. It's crazy talk, right? Dad having an aneurysm and hunting Sterling for blood sport are both equal hand-in-hand possibilities. Your girlfriend is part of the First Family, bro, and you can charm the pants off of anyone so you don't need the good luck. Okay, that's never a good bit of news. I'm happy Grunkle Nikki returned, but he wasted a whole honeymoon. And he's flustered? We're fucked.

[beau-baird]

Wow, hello Gluttony, haven't seen this side of you in a while. It's not crazy, Bea. The bottom line is, you love him– it sounds like he loves you too, since he is about two seconds away from dropping the knee, and you're an adult who can make this decision if you want. If you want to give Dad a heart attack with a fake pregnancy, you might as well make it real– you've obviously put a lot of thought into it and may actually want this. I'm not being biased at all with the fact that I would love to have a nephew or niece, or more, to be the absolute best uncle to. Especially with how everything is going... You might as well take the happiness where you can get it. So, leave the charming and figuring out how to unfuck us all to me, and go figure out your happy for the time being.

[soullessxpandora]

You seemed a little too preoccupied for me to come spoil your time with my introductions. Knowing a vampire's weakness would turn the tide of a war, Beau, you came to the correct person aside from my sestra. An intricate but quick location spell should do the trick. What is this weakness?

[beau-baird]

Enjoying the small moments before the battle is a necessity. That was exactly my thought, and why I immediately came your way. It's called a Veil orchid. Only blooms during certain moon phases, no doubt highly protected by Henrik's ilk. It's important we find it quick– the safety of one of my friends depends on it, more than most.

[soullessxpandora]

I saw you at the party with my granddaughter, dear, I know exactly who you are and which brother you hail from. You're here about the vampires, I assume?

[beau-baird]

Right... duh, of course you would know, but yes, it is about the vampires. I've recently learned of their true weakness, and I need help tracking it down. Figured I would go straight to the top of the witch food chain for assistance.

[soullessxpandora]

A little wine for partly celebrating and concocting plans never hurts.

[beau-baird]

Pandora. You may not know me, at least not personally yet. I'm Gluttony's grandson, Beau, and I'm hoping I could bother you for a moment of your time. It's important.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Oh, dearest, I knew a big fuss would drag us back home by the short and curlies. I've never seen my husband this heavily distraught, but he was quite insistent returning. As far as I know, he has not spoken to Violet yet, but it will not be long before he approaches her with whatever he saw. It frightened him, I think, which does worry me. You know how his visions work, Beau, I wish I was more privvy on the details.

[beau-baird]

It seems to be the way it always is. I know that what he and Violet see shouldn't be made common knowledge, which is why they always speak so vaguely, but I hate it. I don't like that they suffer on their own... and selfishly, it makes me feel as though we're going to fail before we even start.

[violetxjameson]

The goddess has stolen another witch for her army, an apprentice with abilities doomed to help Bellora dominate. It was not Azriel's destiny, but many factors shifted and made it so. Beginning of the end none of you will ever prepare yourselves for, not even the strategic minds of House Gluttony. Something's off...Nikki shouldn't be here.

[beau-baird]

So... a lot of people's futures are being altered in ways that are outside the gods' designs. I'm used to thinking of every outcome, every way to proceed forward to victory, but there's never a way to prepare for every single thing that could ever happen, even though I know that. Do you see why he's back?

[beatricexbaird]

I need you acting shocked, but basically, Dad's about to receive the surprise of his life when he discovers his little girl is pregnant. Not actually pregnant, but he won't know that. The bastard's paranoid as fuck like any baddie, Beau, he'll have it warded up the ass and around the corner. It's better I stay behind and keep my eye on the twins, but still send me updates. I'll pay her a visit and bring some of those cupcakes she likes when I can. If it's really as bad as you say, do you know what she's seeing?

[beau-baird]

I will put on my best acting pants and be the most shocked, but you know what they say– if you speak things into existence, then it... happens, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dad has an aneurysm or tries to kill Sterling again. Or both. I guess it's a good thing we know the location of some powerful witches who can streamline that; it's time I get cozy with the First family, and I will send you any updates I get along the way. Apparently, things are happening that shouldn't be, and shit's about to go down that Gramps and I can't account for. Grunkle Nik is back, and he's flustered.

[caelxdelacroix]

I like to believe I inherited equal parts dream witch and Prince pettiness, it just doesn't come out very often. This could make me a really bad son, but if I had a father like Ramiel which I'd rather stick a thousand needles in my eyes, I would have no problem humiliating my dads. Oh, Bea harbors a little crush, you're making my day so much better. Your dad really is a fucking idiot, isn't he? Your sister's a grown assassin and he literally decided to look through the 'she's a reckless in love teenager' lens. Kettle calling the pot black, I know.

[beau-baird]

You definitely did, and who knows– maybe you'll see a little bit of both coming out sooner or later. I guess it's a good thing you aren't his son. My father isn't a bad dad– he's only done things so far because he doesn't know better and has a massive learning curve, but it had to be nipped in the bud before my sister decided to stab him over the stunts that he's been pulling. Uh, it's way more than a crush– take it from me, who's been a pining simp for most of my life over a goddess, I know it when I see it, but it's weirdly a good thing. It's a choice that's hers. Imagine you wake up and you have a kid that you didn't think you'd ever have, they're adults, and even though they can protect themselves, you didn't see them grow up to get to that point. It doesn't excuse everything he's done, but it makes sense that he would stumble a little. There's a lot of that in the family, the whole kettle calling the pot black.

[timely-cronus]

You have so far and you will. So, you have uncovered the existence of the Veil orchid from your sister as I thought you would. All you do now is find the flower and then strike. Violet, yes...you understand that she cannot see visions of her own future which I'll admit that's adding to her overwhelming troubles. No doubt Nikki's seen it. If what's happening currently continues to snowball, Vi will play a role in the war likely to shift even when it's over. Trust me, Beau, I wish this is one of those instances where I could stop something so life-altering from affecting her. She's been through enough, but I...I can't make any more exceptions.

[beau-baird]

I'm planning on working with the Firsts if they will allow it to find the location and get my hands on it. I can see it in Violet's eyes, in Nikolai's sudden appearance... we're running out of time. I know... I know you cannot make exceptions, but this is Violet. As close to a daughter to you as Tati. She's innocent; she shouldn't have to go through whatever has even you wishing you could change it. Whatever has Nikolai so worried that he's barreled headfirst into a warzone instead of staying away on his honeymoon. There's... nothing you can do?

[sensiblyxmabel]

Oh, Cael and I both did knowing it seemed as if your father understood the picture.

You know, Beau, hearing such an authoritative tone from your lips really shows how attractive of a King you will be. I would like to hear it again with less clothes on.

[beau-baird]

Only time will tell with my dad, but if he pulls some shit again, I've got more material to chastise him with.

Mabel– are you making a move on me? You know, your affinity for my authoritative tone makes sense why you would make yourself scarce when I was in training mode back in Hell.

[slayerxariel]

You bend to the situation and adapt, it's what Mother Fearest taught. Your bias is to the point of sickening, but honestly, I have a sibling like that. Cael Delacroix...as in Prince of Lust and the dream witch's Cael. Don't see how he would be close to anyone but your mother, however, you mean I basically rescued you during every single lesson is what I'm hearing. Does your grandmother know you're heir apparent? She goes ape shit rubbing elbows with any royal and now seeing our relation to the family, I hope her head explodes literally.

[beau-baird]

Looks like that much about your mom hasn't changed between timelines. If you're referring to how much Uncle Kane fawns over you and thinks you're the coolest, that also hasn't changed much either. Uncle Cael is complex, but he does like some people, which I take as a badge of honor. However, you are correct. You would steal me away from every lesson until my grandparents put a strict attendance rule in place, but they at least worked in longer breaks so that you didn't raise Hell against the throne. I kinda hid that tidbit from her–but I would be willing to let her in on the family news if it brings you joy by making her head literally remove itself from her shoulders.

[timely-cronus]

It's only natural you fall into Kingly mode, Mr. Baird, your grandfather trained you to ensure moments such as these. You sought me out with a purposeful reason, Beau, what has Gluttony's greatest minds brought?

[beau-baird]

It's the only mode I know, but I'm hoping I make my gramps proud. Thanks to my sister's closeness to one of Henrik's many children, we now have a weakness to exploit against them when the timing is right. I'm worried about Violet, though. I know you can't say anything about her visions or go into detail, but her visions are troubling her far more than I have ever seen of her or Nikolai.

[caelxdelacroix]

Personally, I like knowing I occupy a little space in his mind and remind him that he's not getting rid of me. This is why you're my favorite nephew. You see, why worry about humiliating your father when it's exactly what he deserved? Small dose of his own medicine and for me to have a chance kicking his ass off of that high horse of his? Let me guess, though, Beatrice asked you to scold him after he, what, went after Sterling? That's Ramiel coded.

[beau-baird]

Now that's the level of petty that you could have gotten from either of your fathers. I do enjoy being the favorite, but there are certain things a son shouldn't have to do, and one of them is humiliate his father. Regardless of whether it was deserved or not. However, my scolding will be far better than whatever Bea would have up her sleeves if our dad went any further. Went after Sterling and tried to kill him, all in the name of protecting his daughter.

[beatricexbaird]

And if Father doesn't see eye-to-eye on our agreement about Sterling's freedom, I already have the perfect plan in the back of my mind that will set him straight. No one should be doomed to suffer for eternity at a monster's hand. I'd have my ways making Sterling far less grumpy without his sibling, but I'll spare you the details. I'll worry about the twins and you work on finding that orchid, the sooner we kill that fucking vampire, the better everyone sleeps at night. Beau, the last time Violet's visions were off the charts was when Henrik attempted taking over Hell. It seems too much of a coincidence it happens again when the fuckhead appeared. More importantly, is she okay?

[beau-baird]

Is this a plan I should know about, or does it go hand in hand with the details you're sparing me from? I'm sure I can find some strong enough witches to do a scrying spell to find the location in case Henrik has it warded or anything– I'll find it. Do you want me to key you in for when we go to retrieve them, or are you staying behind? She's not. You know how she gets when Violet goes into overload mode; there's not much we can do other than keep her comfortable until whatever her visions are telling her passes.

[sensiblyxmabel]

You never know what you'll hear on the opposite side of a door.

[beau-baird]

Hopefully, you got a kick out of it. I can't believe I scolded my father– that wasn't on my bucket list at all.

[caelxdelacroix]

Convenient your dad's a damn blabbermouth and isn't quiet about his vendettas. I don't want to kill him anymore, that's what I consider good terms. Ah, shit, you're about to lay the fuck into him, aren't you? Can I be there? Me being in the room might make your reprimanding worse, I'll take eavesdropping on the opposite side of the door.

[beau-baird]

I'm very aware of how much he loves talking about people that irritate him; that's a shared trait between this Ramiel and mine, but not wanting to kill him sounds a lot like good terms to me. While I love the enthusiasm, perhaps you shouldn't be in the room with me, Uncle Cael. I don't need to humiliate my father any more than I no doubt will with what I have to say to him, but how close you are to the door to hear is up to you.