Ace

Local writer with 0 ideas

[hdsc-ace]

Masterlist

Shush don't bully it its an EXTREME work in progress. It will be updated and further organised when I have the time.

INFO

Masterlists Kilig Masterlist- Gil || Grease: ROTPL Acosmist Masterlist - Moonknight Philocalist - Remus Lupin

Specials Prodigy - Anne With An E Ivy Walls - Newt || Maze Runner In between Glitch - Dream SMP Funeral - Umbrella Academy

Original Works Alexithyma Chess Prophecy You Called

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

XV. Scarab

Masterlist Rest of my work. Part 14

Warnings: none. Steven enters the neighbourhood and is almost convinced by Harrow despite Lucilla's involvement.

"Weird isn't it?" Jen questions once the door shuts behind Harrow, her curiosity peaking over her calm façade as she sipped gently on her drink.

"What is?" Lucilla replied, moving to place her bag on a chair that was placed by the door.

"This place," She smiled softly at Lucilla in a way that was almost comforting. "You'll get used to it over time."

However, Lucilla didn't focus on Jen's emotion. "I'm not planning on staying. I help Harrow, Harrow helps me and then I'm out." She explained in a cold tone and it was the honest truth. She's killing 3 birds with one stone: Ptah, Marc, and her history.

"Wow.." Jen dragged out, " Your life is really together." She sarcastically commented, leaving the two in an awkward silence.

Lucilla broke it once Jen moved to the kitchen once again. "Harrow said there's a room for me to stay in until we leave?" She questioned, following Jen with a distance.

"Yes." Jen nodded, "Follow me." She ordered, moving her way into a short corridor. There was directly three rooms at the end of the hall. "Your room is the one on the right," Jen explained gesturing to the room before point to the middle one, "That's the bathroom and my room's just opposite. So, umm.. shout if you need anything."

Jen smiled awkwardly at Lucilla as she moved to her bedroom but paused at the door, turning to Lucilla for a moment. "Or if you need to talk." She shifted back into her room.

"Thank you." Lucilla called out a loud thanks to the girl before walking into her own room.

It was small, no bigger than Lucilla's own room. The room matched the simple decoration as the rest of the apartment but the bed remained different with contrasting colours. A set of towels was set at the foot of the bed as well as a white bear sat by the pillows. It was the average guest room.

"Lucilla," Ptah's voice echoed around the small room.

"Yes, I know." The girl replied, moving to sit upon the neat bed as the God appear at the bottom of it. It was very clear what Ptah was going to say: that she shouldn't be trusting Harrow.

"Egypt is still our priority." He explained.

"I am aware," Lucilla retorted as she reached into her pocket to pull out her phone and a set of earphones. "We're still going to Egypt." She rolled her eyes as she placed a earbud into her ear and began to scroll through the music on her phone.

"With Arthur Harrow, not the avatar." Did he want Lucilla so close to Marc? Even after she made it clear she wouldn't go anywhere near her brother willingly. With Harrow, Lucilla can easily enter Cairo, help Harrow and then complete her business with Ptah before heading back to London alone.

"I am going to Cairo either way." She explained, finally pressing play on her music. Angelica by Wet Leg. Lucilla smiled to herself and she shifted to lay down on the bed.

It felt like only a blink of the eye when Lucilla awoke to the sound of a knock at the door. "Shit," She muttered. Falling asleep was the last thing Lucilla had expected. The room was now dark so Lucilla quickly moved towards the door.

"Hold on," she called out as the knock repeated. "Yeah?" The door opened to reveal Jen sheepishly standing behind it.

"Sorry to wake you," the women quickly apologised before explaining the interruption. "Arthur wants you to meet him on the courtyard. I'll wait by the door for you." She quickly moved back towards the main room. Lucilla followed, needing no time to get herself ready.

Jen happily lead Lucilla to meet Harrow in the courtyard where Harrow currently stood with Marc.. or is it Steven. Steven. If it was Marc then Harrow wouldn't be standing with a hand on his shoulder.

"He's upset Khonshu." Ptah informed Lucilla as the wind began to pick up around them. The girl's eyes jolted as a bin was thrown past her.

"Lucilla!" Arthur greeted the girl once he saw her carefully avoid Khonshu's destruction. "Kinda of you to join us."

Unlike Arthur's bright smile, Steven's is filled with fear. "You're with them?" He nervously questioned.

"No, just assisting with a deal." Lucilla explained as Harrow slapped a hand on both the Spector's backs.

"Come," Harrow smiled before walking ahead of the two. Lucilla quickly fell into place a few paces behind Steven as they blindly follow Harrow. "See, this neighbourhood used to have the highest crime rate in the city." He began to explain the area to Steven just as he did with Lucilla earlier on in the day. "There was so much suffering, so much pain…"

A smile braced Harrow's face as he started greeting people once again. "It was truly heartbreaking. Now people don't lock their doors at night. They feel safe." He continued to flaunt his achievements before getting distracted by someone walking past with a box full of fruit.

"But you don't want to tell anyone, no. People don't want to hear good news. They'd rather cling to their fear, cling to their pain." Harrow continued, letting his eyes wander to Lucilla at the last sentence but the girl simply let her eyes wander to anywhere else.

Steven's obvious observation of "Goat.." at the bleating of the animal brought Harrow back onto the main topic of conversations before quickly getting distracted again.

Harrow happily walked up to someone, speaking Mandarin as a football was tossed to him. He tossed it back as the group passed by.

"You all talk Chinese?" Steven questioned.

"Ah, Mandarin." Harrow replied smugly. "We all aspire to learn three languages. So, we teach each other. We share our knowledge." He was easily pleased by his own accomplishments.

Steven muttered a sign that the idea was impressive but Harrow quickly changed the topic as they reached the hall. "You hungry?" He asked in steven's direction, not even acknowledging Lucilla. "The food's free. You're a vegan, right?"

"Yeah," Steven answered, barely taking notice of anything that's not the building they were in.

"Yeah, so am I. You might wanna try the lentil soup. I made it this morning. It's Victor's recipie." Harrow began to ramble only stopping as he spots Victor sat on the wall widdling a spoon. "Gracias, Victor." He calls out before turning back to Steven. "He's from the Yucatan. He's.. No, he's very funny."

"Here," Harrow moves to pass Steven a tray then Lucilla. She quickly declined the tray and moved away to find a table for the group instead as the two men spoke.

"Khonshu isn't convinced by Harrow."

"Well, neither am I." Lucilla muttered quietly, keeping her head down as she sat at a table. "He's not the most convincing person in the world despite all of this." The girl flinched as the sound of soft metal slams together.

"He-" Ptah began to comment on khonshu once again but Lucilla cut him off.

"I think I've established Khonshu isn't convinced." She rolled her eyes as Harrow began walking towards her with Steven.

"He often throws temper tantrums, like a two-year-old." Harrow explained to Steven as they sat down beside the girl. "None of the gods respect him. Perhaps that's why he's banished."

Lucilla smirked as her eyes drifted to Ptah stood a few meters away from the group. Of course he wanted her to follow Khonshu, because no one else would.

"What's he saying now?" Harrow questioned as Steven moved to look behind him, probably searching for khonshu. "I am real justice." He mocked.

"Can you hear him?" Steven asked nervously.

"Not anymore." Harrow answered, focusing on his food. He moved an apple Lucilla's direction before touching his. "I was his former Avatar. Before you. I was the first of vengeance."

"I'm not the fist of anything," Steven shrugged as he touched his own food. "That's the little American Man living inside of me."

"That's uhh… Thats" Harrow began to question Steven's awareness of Marc but Lucilla cut him off.

"Marc." Steven nodded at the girl. She took the apple from Harrow and took a few bites.

"Soup's… Yeah, it's very good. It's ace. Yeah, it's lovely." Steven begins to fill in the silence.

"Khonshu punishes those who have already walked an evil path. His retribution comes too late. By the time his fist of vengeance arrives, people have already suffered." Harrow began to explain, "Ammit knows this too well. She tears evil up from the root, casting her judgment before any evil's done. That's why we must resurrect her."

"Wait," Lucilla jolted in her seat that the words. That was nothing on what Harrow explained her into a deal on. She never agreed to Ammit's resurrection.

"I did warn you." Ptah muttered in the back of Lucilla's head as the two brushed her away. "Leave"

"Right. But… Isn't that a bit dodgy? Like, trusting the judgment of a weird crocodile lady?" Steven questioned. He knew the most about Egyptian Mythology and even he was concerned.

"I didn't sign up for a resurrection Harrow." Lucilla argued but Harrow simply ignored the girl.

"You don't need to doubt her judgment." He told both of them. "Ammit will light the path to good by eradicating the choice of evil, which brings us to the scarab." The tone of the room instantly shifted as soon as the scarab was mentioned.

It was easy to say Harrow knew what he was doing. "That scarab functions as a kind of compass, leading us to Ammit's tomb. She's out there, waiting, longing to be freed." People began to stand and surround the table. They are expecting a fight.

Steven muttered a quick "Hi," to the people approaching them as Harrow continued.

"While the cruel masses deserve to face her judgment. And in the wake of their screams, evil eradicated. Steven, to exist at that moment? Heaven on Earth. So, the scarab." Harrow asked, hoping Steven would just hand it over.

"Oh, I don't have it." Lucilla glared at Steven. There was no chance in hell Marc would let Steven throw away the scarab, even if he refused to tell anyone about it's purpose.

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

XIII. Deals.

Masterlist Part 13 Rest of my work. Warnings: None.

Lucilla begins to talk with Harrow about their next steps.

Deals are what the Gods usually make to benefit themselves. Typically, they never included the avatar's best interests unless the deal is made whilst the avatar is on the brink of death. The reason for that is quite obvious. It was even more peculiar if the deal included other humans that are or were completely oblivious to the Egyptian Gods' existence.

This was what made the deal Antony Huffman made with Ptah ever so interesting to Arthur Harrow.

"What do you mean that they don't make those kind of deals?" Lucilla questioned the older man in a hurry. She tried ever so hard not to let her eyes wander on the God behind Harrow.

"I'm not sure," Harrow explained slowly. He moved his hands to rest upon the table, close to the edge. "Can I test something?" His hands moved to lay palms-up in the middle of the two. Lucilla carefully placed her hands into Harrow's. It was weird to hold hands with a stranger but the girl didn't focus on that. Instead, the unusual weighing scale tattoo on Harrow's are begins to tilt from side to side.

"What are you doing?" She inquired. Lucilla wanted to take her hands away from Harrow's for her safety but the possibility of it altering something confused her more. The man before her held his eyes closed but as Lucilla pulled her hands from his, his eyes snapped open almost instantly.

"Interesting," Harrow hummed, completely unaffected by Lucilla's actions. "Your scales don't fall either way." Like most people, Lucilla had zero idea what Harrow was going on about and she had no clue what these scales were. She didn't want to ask about it either. The less Lucilla knew the better. "But that may explain it," he points towards the scar on the girl's forearm. The exact scar Harrow questioned the girl about just the day before: The Ankh Djed-pillar.

Lucilla moved back to hold her arm before the two as she tried to figure out what Harrow was on about. "The origin of this was not at a party." Harrow explained, "do you recall the true origin?" He could easily see through Lucilla's lies. That part was obvious with how little he believed her lie about the Scar.

"No.." She shrugged, just like she did talking to Harrow yesterday about the scars but this time didn't cover with a lire. "I don't remember much about them, not even when I first noticed I had it." That wasn't a lie. To Lucilla during the past few years, the scars on her arm had always been there. She couldn't pinpoint when or where they first appeared.

"Interesting," Harrow hummed again. "Death and internal life all in one. I'm surprised Osiris himself didn't choose you to be his avatar."

"Death?" Lucilla questioned. She hadn't heard the relation to death before. The countless days the girl had spent trying to look for an answer she had read almost everything but that.

"The djed-pillar was used as an amulet on mummies so they can present themselves in front of Osiris," Harrow explained. "You truly are a mystery Ms Spector, one not even I can decipher. But this is the doing of the gods in some form." His hands moved to point at the scars as Lucilla's eyes wandered behind Harrow to Ptah.

The God stood tall behind Harrow but no shift in movement. Neither did Ptah speak a word. There was a large possibility that he did know about the scar more than Lucilla did but there was also a large possibility that they didn't. Besides if he did know there was no way the god would tell her anything like that anyways. They had no need to. It was something for Lucilla to discover herself, even if it meant that the God's end of the deal wasn't upheld.

Harrow caught her gaze and glanced behind himself at where the God should be standing for Lucilla and turned back to the girl.

"Ptah cannot be the source of all the answers." Harrow explained softly, bringing Lucilla's attention back on himself as if he was reading her mind. "I can help you," he nodded slowly. 

"After I help you with your business?" The girl finished what Harrow was going to say. She knew his ideas already. "I thought me coming here was your answer," her eyes locked onto Harrow as she led back in her arms with her arms crossed.

Arthur, however, exhaled deeply before grabbing the walking stick beside him. "Everyone deserves opportunities to back out," He explained in a blank tone. 

"I need answers, you need assistance in Cairo." Lucilla established, "besides, you'd be doing me a favour. I have business that needs attending to in Egypt." 

"Then I believe we have a deal," Harrow smiled softly at the girl. His attention shifted over to a group of men walking past the duo. He didn't speak until they passed.

"We have a visitor arriving later tonight," Harrow shifted to his second point. "I would like you to speak to them before we leave in the morning."

"What visitor?" Lucilla inquired with her curiosity peaking.

"Your brother." Harrow answered, shifted in his position to push the chair back slightly before standing up. "I need your assistance in persuading him to help us."

Lucilla let out a forced laugh at Harrow's reasoning. Of course he wanted the girl only to get to Marc. "Great to know my purpose."

"I can assure you Ms. Spector, we did not request your help to recruit your brother," Harrow reasoned with the girl.

A pause of silence engulfed the two as Lucilla thought. Helping Harrow to persuade Marc in joining Harrow's mission could get her one step closer in moving away from Ptah but it could also mess everything up. Marc already seemed to have a strong opinion against Harrow, there was no way he'd give in without a fight. Steven on the other hand would be easier to persuade. It just depends if Layla got to them first.

"Marc isn't the easiest person to persuade to join you," Lucilla began to tell Harrow about Marc. "He'll never join you."

"We already suspect your brother won't allow us to proceed," Harrow agreed.

"I suggest talking to Steven. He doesn't know as much as Marc." Harrow slowly nodded at Lucilla's words.

"Thank you, Ms Spector." He thanked the girl with a smile. "If you wish to follow me we can get you a place to stay until we leave early in the morning." 

Lucilla only nodded and stood up to follow the man back into the alleyway with her bag weakly resting on her shoulder. "Unfortunately the living arrangements here tend to avoid allowing one person to stay alone," Harrow began to explain the arrangement for Lucilla. 

But as Harrow spoke Lucilla couldn't help to notice that as they walked throughout the street, there was eyes following their every move. Similar to her arrival, people just stood stationary to watch the girl pass by with Harrow. The most peculiar part of these people was that still acted as a singular person. They also all had a mark on their forearm, the same place Harrow had his however it was too dark and Lucilla was too far away to even make out the design.

"Jen's a great roommate," Harrow added to fill the silence. "We usually house people with her. She's a brilliant guide for the neighbourhood." He greeted people as they passed them.

"I'm sure she is," Lucilla agreed with not a care in the world about this Jen. There was no chance Lucilla would sleep so she'd probably never encounter this women more than once. She'd probably be strolling around the area instead. 

"She's one of the few here that's aware of your deal with Ptah, so she won't be alarmed if you start talking to yourself." Harrow reassured Lucilla on a thought she wasn't even bothered about.

"That wouldn't be an issue. Ptah and I aren't on speaking terms." 

"We're not here to question or judge. Simply just to help each other mutually." He reassured again, stopping shortly at a set of apartments.

Harrow approached the building's door and pressed a small buzzer besides it. It took a few minutes before the front door opened to reveal a young girl behind it. "Hello," She smiled in a strong Newcastle accent. 

"Jen," Harrow smiled at the girl welcomingly. "This is Lucilla, the women I was talking to you about." He introduced Lucilla with a small nod of his head, leaving the girl to wave softly at the stranger. 

"Lucilla, hi." Jen greeted, moving to open the door wider for the two adults to walk in further. Harrow walked in first, leaving Lucilla to walk in cautiously before Jen closed the door behind them. 

Inside, the room was cosy but basic for a British apartment. There wasn't a lot of personal items but there were the odd photo of a family on a desk. 

"I'm not sure how much Harrow has told you but just come to me with any questions," Jen explained. "Apart from showing you around the house, you're free to do whatever you want until we leave." Her smile never faltered as she moved towards the kitchen but paused before entering. "Does anyone want something to drink?" 

"I'm okay, thank you Jen." Harrow declined the offer, "Lucilla?"

Lucilla simply shook her head, "No thanks." 

"I guess I'll leave you guys to it then," Harrow began to bid the girl's goodbye. "I'm sure I'll see both of you in the morning." 

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

XIII. Deals.

Masterlist Part 12 Rest of my work. Warnings: None.

Lucilla makes her decision.

Usually Lucilla was good at making the right decision when it came to the Egyptian Gods. However ever since Marc came back into her life alongside the introduction of Arthur Harrow, it's not been as easy.

So, if Lucilla Spector told you that she legitimately debated on the matter, then you'd have to believe it. Because she genuinely did.

"Do not go to Harrow, Lucilla." Ptah explained as he watched Lucilla pace around the living room once Arthur had left.

"Because you've been as honest as he has," she stated sarcastically. "It took you so many years just to tell me you were with Ant. It took him a day."

"There was a reason I never told you any of this. Antony specifically ordered it."

"Oh to hell with what Ant told you Ptah. He's not here anymore so don't pretend to care." Lucilla snapped. She was sick and tired of hearing about bloody Antony from Ptah. It was all they were talking about now. "You wanted to go to Cairo, Harrow is how we get there." She reasoned, making her way back into her room.

"There are other ways."

"None that I can afford," Lucilla muttered. Flights from London to Cairo were over £100 and she was struggling to pay her rent as it is. A trip to Cairo would only scupper her only living arrangement. She turned to her wardrobe and pulled out a large rucksack. There was pause as Lucilla recognised the bag. It was the bag that was returned to Lucilla with Ant's items from his last trip. Over the past few years his things were emptied and moved to different places around the apartment but a couple items of his remained in the bag. A dark green cap and a small dagger lied at the bottom.

Lucilla recognised the dagger almost instantly. It was the one Ant gave to her the day before he left. She had wondered where it had gotten to. Must've gotten mixed up with Ant's stuff a few years ago during her move from the house.

It was surprising. If someone had told Lucilla a couple of years ago that she was going to loose the two closest people to her from Marc's actions, she simply laughed it off. She would laugh mainly because she had close to none contact with Marc back then and a good relationship with an easy life forming. Everything was going great for the girl a few years ago. However, in the end, life is a single circle with a few twists. The same actions and consequences have so return every so often to haunt you.

"Please don't kill me," Lucilla whispered under her breath as she made her decision. She wanted answers to every single question she had about the people around her, and at the moment the only clear way of getting them was through Arthur Harrow. It wasn't what Ptah or Ant could've wished for but Lucilla wanted to know what happened and why she's now involved.

To who she was requesting to avoid killing her was unclear, even for herself. But Lucilla dug her hand into the bag and pulled out the hat. The scuff marks where exactly how she remembered them. A small smile came to her face as she remembered the Ant's face when Lucilla used to throw the hat at the man before leaving the house.

The cap was quickly placed onto Lucilla's head and the knife was carefully slid into her pocket. The woman took a deep breath before filling the bag up with clothes. There wasn't much that Lucilla put into the bag however it was only the essentials. It was enough to last a week minimum.

Ptah remained silent while Lucilla got ready to leave the flat. There wasn't much for him to stop Lucilla, once her mind was set to something there was nothing to do to stop her. Besides, she would still be completing what Ptah required either way. He even remained silent as the girl left her apartment and headed towards the place Mr Harrow said he'd be.

And be there he was. He was stood directly in the middle of the square, leaning on his cane just watching the direction Lucilla walked from. He wasn't difficult to spot as he didn't wear anything similar to average Londoners. He wasn't surprised by Lucilla's decision.

"Ms Spector," Arthur greeted loudly as the girl entered hearing distance. "Glad, you accepted my offer."

"Ditto," Lucilla forced a smile as she greeted the man. "I help you, you answer my questions, right?" She questioned, adjusting her sleeves as she reached the man.

"I believe that was what I implied," Harrow nodded. "Cairo isn't going to be an simple task, so I hope that suits you as a payment. We don't have much else to repay you with."

"It works," Lucilla nodded ever so slightly at the man.

"Perfect," Harrow smiled as he shifted. His eyes moved across numerous groups of people around them before looking back at Lucilla again. "How about we head somewhere more appropriate? You can leave your stuff there whilst we discuss?"

Lucilla nodded again, moving forwards as Harrow gestured for her to continue walking. He moved to lead the way towards a group of buildings. They weren't like the rest of the houses occupying the streets of London. Well, structurally they were exact copies however they felt and present as something else. It was hard for Lucilla to pinpoint the exact vibe it gave the girl.

"There are quite a few of us housed here so I do apologise about the faces," Harrow apologised as groups of people stopped whatever they were doing to acknowledge Lucilla's presence in their community. There was everything from young children holding their toys tightly to elderly struggling to walk down the steps from their home. They all stood to watch as if they were one person. "We don't get many visitors like you."

"Like Me?" Lucilla questioned cautiously. Her eyes looked over almost every single person there before Harrow let them into the building. However, once Harrow opened the door to a large dining area that could fit a whole town, Lucilla halted. Ptah stood directly in the middle of the dimly lit room with his arms crossed.

"A friend of us," Harrow explained, catching the girl's odd stare in the blank room. "He's there, isn't he?" He asked the question as if he could see exactly what Lucilla could.

She drew in a short breath before shaking her head. "No," was all she muttered before walking into the large hall. Arthur only nodded, knowing that Ptah was with the girl no matter what and they weren't alone in the hall. It was only the three of them.

There was furniture scattered throughout the room. Sofas sat by a large tarp showing a documentary with table and chairs everywhere else. A few storage filled with food units was placed in between the two areas.

"We are a neighbour hood that tries to help each other whenever we can," Harrow explained the neighbourhood to the girl. "We share and teach others our knowledge, grow our own food that's open to everyone." He began to gesture to the shelves beside Lucilla. "We've really improved this place over the past few years. It used to have the highest crime rate but now we don't bother to lock the doors."

"That's impressive," Lucilla replied. Feeling so safe that you didn't feel the need to lock your home's doors was a big trust in your community. The current society couldn't even do that but Harrow managed it far better than anyone could imagine. "Not many can achieve that."

"Everyone knows each other well enough to do so," he reasoned as he lead Lucilla towards the tables. "Are you hungry? The food's free here."

"I'm fine, thanks." Lucilla denied the offer as Harrow sat down at a table. She quickly followed his actions as sat across from the man, letting her bag fall beside her.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions," Harrow assumed, receiving a nod from the girl. "I'm afraid I can't answer all of it right now. If I did well, we wouldn't have an agreement here."

"What can you tell me now?" Lucilla questioned. She didn't care when she got the answers she wanted, she just wanted them.

"Your Fiancé was a good man," Harrow explained whilst answering the Girl's question. "He served us well throughout the time we knew him. It was a pleasure to know him before his death. I'm sure you had just as well of time?"

"He was," Lucilla agreed with a small smile. "How did he get into all of this?" She gestured to the building.

It was weird how Ant got into something like this. It was... weird. The community Harrow built wasn't normal. It was as if they were all one person.. sharing one mind.

A laugh exited Harrow's mouth as he smiled at Lucilla's questions. "Antony assisted a few of our residents over seas. He kept in contact with them afterwards for quite a while."

"And Ptah?" 

"I'm not sure about that part." Harrow paused to think for a minute, "I'd assume it was if he stumbled across Ptah's tomb in a moment of need but I can't be sure. He never spoke about it nor anything about the god's deeply." He watched Lucilla's eyes fall behind him to where Ptah stood. "Have you tried asking them?" 

"No," Lucilla stated, forcing her eyes back onto Harrow. "We haven't spoken much recently." "How come?" Talking to a God about anything was difficult, Harrow knew that with experience with Khonshu, but with Ptah it was even harder. Lucilla learned that from experience. Ptah never gave out information unless it was important.

"He was the one to tell me Ant was apart of this to begin with," She explained quietly. The last thing Lucilla needed was to spill stuff to the man who attack her and Steven last night. However, she had no choice. 

"And the deal they made?" 

"That i'd take over the role as protection once Ant was one." Arthur only hummed at their words as if he knew the God's deals well. "What?" Lucilla questioned. 

"Never knew a God to make a deal that protects anyone but their avatar."

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

XII. El-Faouly & Harrow.

Masterlist Part 11 Rest of my work. Warnings: None.

Lucilla has to deal with both Layla El-Faouly's arrival and Arthur Harrow's requests.

The past few hours consisted of Lucilla sitting on her bed in silence as she scrolled for cheap flights to Cairo on her laptop. Of course she could find easier to talk to her contacts to find but at such short notice there wasn't much they could do.

To be honest, Lucilla was looking for flights as an attempt of finding an excuse to discover her next move. She couldn't just not go like she would have liked but any delay Lucilla could make would please her dearly.

Luckily, a ping from her phone allowed for an distraction. Lucilla shut her laptop, placing it on the edge of the bed before picking up her phone.

Layla El-Faouly Got a flight - landing tonight-early morning. Can I stay with u until everything is done? I'll be no trouble Luck I swear

"Shit," Lucilla muttered as she read the text. She completely forgot that Layla was the reason she even ran into Marc again in the first place. She had gotten so caught up in everything to even contact Layla back. Cairo had to wait until everything was over. Layla shouldn't be kept waiting any longer.

"Ptah," Lucilla called out, hoping the God would understand the delay. "Cairo has to wait." Even if he didn't, he had no choice. They didn't have any power over Lucilla.

"Lucilla." Ptah responded sternly. He didn't want any delays if he could help it, that was obvious. All they wanted was to be in and out of Cairo

"We don't have a choice if you want to monitor Khonshu," The women explained. She quickly stretched to the battered laptop to turn it off before turning back to her phone. "Layla is a great tracker. We both have business with Marc. In and out, after that our business is done."

The God never responded. Lucilla took the silence as an agreement and texted Layla a reply.

Ill call someone to pick u up They'll know where to go Key is under the rack outside the door

Once Lucilla had texted Layla she quickly changed to her contacts and pressed onto Agent. The phone was quick to begin ringing. It rang for at least a few minutes before a young man picked up the phone.

"Phineas Mason speaking." The man answered causing for Lucilla to smirk at the alias as well at the obvious British accent. Of course he would use his father's name.

"Hello Rick," Lucilla greeted. "I need a favour." She could have sworn there was a forced laugh from Rick.

"No hi Rick. How are you Rick?" Rick joked, earning an eye roll from Lucilla that he would never see.

"I said hello Rick," Lucilla defended, "but you do owe me one." And he did. She couldn't exactly remember when the last time that the two spoke was but it had been sometime after Lucilla's last trip to Wakanda. And Lucilla  only remembered that due to Rick requesting for her to pick some Wakandan tech that neither of them actually understood.

"Yeah, yeah," Rick groaned, "I am well aware. What can I help you with Luce?" 

"You still got that old NSU prima?" The women questioned letting her eyes drift onto the God that appeared before her for a brief moment before disappearing again.

"Yes?" Rick responded in a confused tone. "Do I want to know why you are inquiring about the bike?"

"Nope." Lucilla stated bluntly before getting to her point. "If I send you a location can you get it there tonight?" If there was one thing Layla could drive the best, it would be a motorbike.

"Tonight? Luce are you insane? I have clients that need my talents and you just want me to drop off a motorbike?" Rick argued. He didn't want to give up the bike and to be honest, Lucilla wouldn't blame him. It was a nice bike.

"Your clients are either dead or off world. Besides you owe me." She fought. Rick's clients weren't always the best of people. He helped so many people that they all just merged into one. However it was still shocking to Lucilla that she know someone who was on a name-bases with Black Widow herself.

"Luce." He dragged on in a plea for Lucilla to stop.

"Rick, please." Lucilla begged for her request. "I need this done tonight i've got a billion other things to get on with before I need to worry about this bike." She wasn't wrong. She did have a lot to do before she could worry about Layla's arrival.

Rick paused for just a moment before muttering a relucent "Fine." There was a lot of shuffling from Rick's side of the line as he moved about. "Just this once. Where do I need to go?"

"Gatwick." Lucilla answered quickly.

"Airport? Luce I swear you've actually lost it." The man groaned. Gatwick was a good few hours away from Rick's base in Newcastle. It was a large journey.

"Rick." Lucilla sternly called Rick's name.

"Fine." He reluctantly agreed. "Got a deadline?"

"Next few hours. Thank you Rick." She thanked the man as faint pencil scratches transmitted over the phone.

"Yeah, yeah." He muttered before hanging up.

A small knock on Lucilla's door filled the silent void. She was quick to scramble to her feet just to reach the door and open it. It was 3pm on a Tuesday evening meant that it could have been anyone knocking on her door, not like anyone did. Lucilla wasn't close enough with anyone to do that.

"Yeah," She quickly greeted as the door opened but as soon as she recognised the figure behind the door, Lucilla was quick to push the door to. "A short "nope," accompanied her attempt to close the door.

However a cane slammed it way to stop the door from closing.

"Sorry to barge in Ms Spector," The man called out as he pushed Lucilla's door open slightly. Arthur Harrow looked at Lucilla innocently as he presented himself fully to the women. He often had a habit of showing up in places he wasn't wanted.

"I do believe our conversation the other night never reached an conclusion," Arthur explained with a gesture inside of the apartment. "That's if you wish to continue it."

Lucilla didn't want him to enter her one safe space. Heck she didn't want anyone near it but Arthur gave her no choice.

"Come in," she reluctantly invited the man inside with a small step to the side. There was nothing to loose from this interaction for Lucilla so she might as well see what the freak wanted.

"Can I get you a drink?" Lucilla questioned, watching the man carefully as he made his way to her couch. "Tea, coffee?"

"A tea," Arthur requests, "if you don't mind." The women nods, leaving shortly to the kitchen. Her eyes shift ever so often as she make the drink towards the older man before her. He seemed oddly calm in a way that Lucilla couldn't pin point.

"Lovely apartment you have here Ms Spector." He called out as he scanned the room. "Do you have any other family staying with you?"

"Just me." Lucilla respond, grabbing Arthur's drink before walking towards him, "This was a friend's apartment before he leased it to me." She lied, taking a seat inched away from the man. "What can I help you with Mr Harrow?" Every second more with this man annoyed her once again. All he wanted he was to get the Scarab off of Marc and get to Ammit. And that is not Lucilla's business anymore.

"Ptah's out of your head, it seems." The man states, changing the conversation's topic, "The noise that was once was covered by his is back?"

"I told you before I have no connection to The Ennead." Lucilla corrected Arthur with a lie.

"I know what it's like to have a god in your head." Harrow explained, ignoring everything she just said. "For them to be there for so long you become reliant on them."

"I wasn't reliant on him." Lucilla stated, picking up what he was accusing. There was no way to convince the man that she wasn't Ptah's avatar at this one point, he already knew that. Any lie that she told Arthur completely went over his head.

"You can lower your guard, Ms Spector." Arthur reassures her, "We all were in the same position with them."

"I need your assistance." He explained, taking the cup from Lucilla's hands. Arthur was quick to change topic after watching her silence figure "Marc is unaware of what Khonshu is getting him into. It isn't a place for minds like his"

"The Ennead and Marc's business is nothing for me to get into, Mr Harrow." She explained once again, becoming slightly annoyed at his repetitive action.

"I'm assuming you left Ptah's side after he told you," Arthur asked innocently, taking a sip of his drink as he does.

"About what?" Lucilla asked cautiously. Arthur knew more than he let on, every time they met he knew more than she did about everything.

"Mr Huffman." Mr Harrow explained calmly. His cut remained still in his hands. He watched Lucilla carefully as she remained quiet. Instantly, Lucilla could feel his eyes against her skin. "Anthony was a protective guy, Ms Spector. Especially of you. Everything he did with the Ennead was for your protection."

"I don't see the connection." Her eyes shift to the floor. "An avatar has protection and is unlikely to die in battle." Avatars are protected by those they serve and Anthony was under Ptah up until his death. Was Arthur hinting at more of a story?

"You speak of his as he is gone." Mr Harrow showed a strong lack of empathy in his words. They were more like scripted then meant.

"He is gone." Lucilla remind herself. "Ant died the same night that Marc survived from." She explain. Maybe he didn't hear about the death and still believed Ant to be alive.

"I don't believe that is true." The man shrugged, placing down his drink. "Anthony could be alive, Ms Spector. If my theory is correct, I need your assistance."

"With what?"

"Come to Cairo with me. I have business there for different occasions and I need a right hand man... or woman in your case." Mr Harrow explained, grabbing a hold on the cane next to him, "Help me with them and we can both work our way to your husband."

"Fiancé." Lucilla corrected with a shrug, watching the man stand up from his seat. "We never made it to the wedding."

"More of a reason to fight for him." Arthur joked softly, "I have a car picking me up from the square in a few hours." He explained, "If you wish to come, be there. I won't have anything against you or your decision either way." Arthur began to make his way to the door, Lucilla quickly got up from her seat and opened it for him.

"Mr Harrow." Lucilla asked. The man's head popped up, "How did you know about-"

"Ptah?" He cut her off. She nodded a confirmation. "Anthony and I had history a while back, Ms Spector. That's how I knew about you. It was the only logical sense for Ptah's avatar after Anthony gave up the position."

"Logical choice?" She questioned further, "I was nothing with no skill when I had him. Why did Ptah pick me?"

"Pity, Spite." Mr Harrow began to list, "It's unknown what happens in a god's mind. Sometimes, i don't think they even have a reason apart from need of someone to be their avatar. Maybe he saw potential in you." He explained in a way which didn't answer Lucilla's question, "If he did, he was right to follow that hunch."

She smile softly at his for a moment. "I'll hopefully see you later, Ms Spector." The man bids as he exits the house.

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

XI. Antony.

Masterlist Part 10 Rest of my work. Warnings: None.

Ptah begins to reveal the truth of why he's with Lucilla to her.

Lucilla's head perked up as a voice called out from the shadows behind her. "Lucy!" She held a confused look as she recognised the voice, One she hasn't heard in years. The call was followed by the sound of the front door closing. However, Lucilla stood by the front door. No one had came in following her.

"Hello?" She called out, walking over to the light switch. She flipped the lights on but there was no one there. Lucilla quietly crept through her apartment in search of the voice, stopping when she reached the living room. "Ptah? What's going on?" She asked.

"Just watch." He explained as sand spun around in numerous spots in the room, forming figures around Lucilla. The décor around her shifted as well, into a completely different room. The floor plan was open, whereas Lucilla's apartment was not. It also now accompanied a second floor with stairs directly opposite where Lucilla stood. She knew exactly what Ptah was trying to do and she didn't appreciate it. "I am sorry Lucilla."

"Lucy!" The voice called again from behind Lucilla. The girl turned to see a man rummaging around in a backpack that was carelessly thrown to the floor. His hair was messy and his face was covered in dirt. It was almost exact to how Lucilla remembered Antony.

"Ant." Another voice breathed out in a relieved tone as they came rushing down the stairs. Lucilla cringed at the sound of her own voice being happy. She continued to watch as her past self flew past her and into Antony's arms.

Lucilla's face contorted and her breath shifted as she recognised the day Ptah was showing her: the last day she saw Ant alive. But why? She didn't meet Ptah until a couple years after Ant's death, so he shouldn't even know what happened that day. He was also sorry for showing her this...

"You need to start warning me when you're going to drop signal!" The woman explains lightly through her smile as Anthony spun Lucy around with a tight grip around her waste. That day was one Lucilla wished she had forgotten a long time ago. Remembering it broke her more than getting the news of his death. She just wanted to get over him but right now it seemed impossible. To have someone close to Lucilla die rather than the one she'd prefer not to hurt even more.

Antony smiled back to the girl in his arms, placing her back onto the floor. "You know I would've if I knew." God did Lucilla hate that smile now. It used to make her feel happy and now that Ant's gone, Lucilla didn't know how to react.

"Doesn't make me hate it any less." Lucy had laughed back, brining Ant's lips onto her own. "Did you see him?" She had questioned, parting from Antony only to reach for the bags behind him.

Ant was quicker and grabbed the bags before Lucy could even touch them. "Who's him?" He questioned with a smirk, making his way to the stairway. 

Antony was the first person Lucilla had told everything to. He was the first person to actually listen to her. There wasn't anyone else Lucilla would have trusted with her life like she did with Antony. It just sucked that she couldn't save Ant's. 

He could read Lucilla like a book, noticing almost instantly any change in her mood. That's what Lucilla loved about him the most. Anything that bothered Lucilla, Antony would try his hardest to fix. Of course Lucilla tried to do the same to Antony but it never succeeded the way he did with her. At least Lucilla's attempts made Antony smile and laugh. 

"You know who." Lucy responded, knowing that Antony knew who she was going on about. He did very well knew who Lucy was referencing. She didn't like talking about Marc on a name bases. She followed closely as Ant lifted a bag into the first step. 

"I think I might know who you're going on about." Ant smirked, turning back to his fiancé. His arms moved to wrap around the women and brought her into him. Lucy smiled more at the gesture, trying to swat away Ant's hand as he moved a strand of hair from Lucy's face."Marc hasn't killed me yet if that's what you're asking me."

"I didn't ask if he killed you yet." Lucy stated, slapping Ant's chest playfully. Lucilla moved to follow the young couple curiously. She used to be worried how Antony acted around Marc because any wrong move could have gotten Antony killed. Quite frankly it did but back then Antony was Lucilla's only way of hearing from Marc. The work the boys did as mercenary was dangerous enough alone and having Antony with Marc most of the time caused Lucilla to become more and more cautious.

"He's fine, Luce." Ant reassured Lucy, glancing down at the girl's lips with a smile. "Even if he wasn't, you can't tell what goes through his brain."

"He's good at hiding things." Lucy explained, grabbing Ant's shirt's collar and pulled him down ever so slightly. 

"So are you." Ant hummed.

Lucilla looked away as her past self's lips connected with Ant's. It would be a lie if Lucilla said seeing Ant again wasn't like a knife carving her heart at an excruciating speed. It sucked that that very day was the last Lucilla ever saw Ant. They never got to say goodbye before Ant left. They never actually exchanged any last words. 

The scene continue to play and contort around Lucilla but the words become distorted. She couldn't make out a single word that the couple spoke as Lucy helped Ant carry his bags upstairs before the room shifted appearance again. Sand clouded her vision before revealing the new scene. Now, Lucilla stood in a bedroom that she once shared with Ant. The young couple were laying on the bed together, talking about Antony's last job before he shot up with a returning thought.

"I completely forgot about this," he explained, moving towards his bags that were carelessly thrown into the corner of the room. "I found this on one of the sites we went into." 

Ant pulled out a small wooden knife from the bag. It was carved with various designs: some were flowers, and some were carved lines. The knife barely fitted into Lucy's hand as Ant slid it into it, but the function was still there. At the time it was a momentum to Antony of his time in Egypt and a way for him to be reassured that Lucy could protect herself when she needs to. To Lucy it was a reminder of Ant's presence in her life but to Lucilla is was a reminder to keep fighting.

It had been a while since Lucilla had saw the knife Ant had gave her. It had gotten lost as she moved from one place to the next in attempt to forget about Antony. 

It felt like only yesterday that he was in her arms. Every moment she didn't see his face was hated. The couple had planned out their future event by event so they didn't have to think of what came next. The next thing they had to worry about was their wedding and only that. However, Egypt had other plans as it quickly replaced the wedding with a funeral.

Lucilla watched as Lucy pulled the man back onto the bed with a kiss. "You can stop now." She called out to the God, her voice breaking ever so slight as Lucilla spoke. She cleared her throat with a small cough before speaking again. "Ptah." 

Ptah didn't return a single word to Lucilla, instead the figures before her twisted into another room again. This time the sand blew harshly against Lucilla's skin, almost knocking her over as a hand rushed to cover her face.  

Everything died down to reveal Antony stood alone in a bathroom with his eyes locked on his reflection. He was half dressed, leaning against the sink in an awful mood. His brows were furrowed and his shoulders tense as he glanced to his side and towards where Lucilla currently stood in the doorway

Lucilla shifted to follow Ant's gaze behind her. It lead directly into their bedroom where Lucy currently laid fast asleep with the covers pulled tightly around her bare chest. 

"Ptah?" Lucilla called out again in confused.

However this time the God did replay. A small "Once again," brushed his words against her ear. "I am indeed sorry." Ptah apologised once more before Ant began to speak.

"Don't lie to me," Antony hissed, his eyes flickering through the mirror at the space behind him as Ptah appeared before Lucilla's eyes. "You told me you wouldn't touch her once I left you command." He explained to the emotionless God. "We're done. We've been done, Ptah. This does not mean you move onto her."  Ant's hands moved to grip the sink even tighter.

"You son of a bitch," Lucilla explained in shock. The last thing she had expected was for Antony to be apart of everything she was. He never spoke of Ptah or anyone of the others. Not once did she hear anything about it. She felt upset for never noticing.

"You are still in my command." Ptah explained, leaning against his staff. "Our deal was you complete my business with you and I will leave. I did agree to your one demand of Miss Spector gaining my protection as long as you are my avatar. I am simply upholding my side."

Antony became visibly angrier the more Ptah spoke. "What if I have said no? What if I say no now and demand out deal over?" He began to argue with the good. His eyes never once moved from the mirror. "Will you go running to Lucy?"  Ant gestured slightly to Lucilla.

"We both are well aware that Lucilla is a fighter, Antony." Ptah explained his answer. "She's also Loyal as-"

"Just stop." Antony cut off the old god, "Do not touch her." He order. "If you do, I am going straight to the Ennead and telling them everything we lied to them about. Khonshu, Ammit, Bast. Do I need to continue?" There was no response from Ptah after Ant's threats.

More secrets. Lucilla was fed up on discovering everything wrong with Ptah and how many secrets he actually kept from people. "Get out of my head," she yelled loud enough for the god to hear. She was done. 

"You needed to know," the god called out calmly as the figure behind Antony twisted to look at her for a moment before the room's façade collapsed to reveal Lucilla's run-down apartment.

"Don't." Lucilla snapped. She didn't care if this was Ptah removing any secrets between them. She didn't care if she was the backside of a previous deal. She just hated how out of all things Ptah had to be honest about, it was this. "Don't think this helped you." Lucilla explained, watching the God intensely. "You caused this."

She thought for years that Marc had been the sole reason why Antony had died in Egypt on the job but it was Ptah. Ptah drove him there just for someone to cut him open carelessly. Lucilla had been helping the villain to begin with.

"Go to Cairo." Ptah ordered, completely changing the topic back onto what they wanted. The issue was now that Lucilla knew there was two Killers attached to Antony's death, she didn't fancy helping either of them.

"Great show," Lucilla laughed at her own stupidity. Ptah only showed her Antony to get her to listen to his whole charade. "Just to follow Marc?"

"Cairo is the next step. It will provide you with answers that I cannot explain." The girl scoffed at Ptah idea.

"I shouldn't had agreed," Lucilla groaned, knowing that she had to follow Ptah's orders.

[hdsc-ace]

Kilig - Gil Rizzo || Grease: ROTPL

Part 1 - Errands

Masterlist Rest of my work.

Warnings: none.

Felicity Blanchet does the last errand of the summer, running into a date for the evening in the process.

The summer was the worst of Felicity Blanchet's short life. The entire time was spent running errands for her mother all across town and she had barely any time for herself and friends. The time she did have was so little that Felicity spent it reading a couple pages from her books. 

However, during the last day of summer, Josephine Blanchet still had her daughter running around town like a mad man to complete numerous errands. There were tasks that Felicity loved to do, like walking over to the post office every week or so to receive any packages from distant family, but there was also tasks Felicity despised doing. An example of this would be going to the deli to pick up large amounts of ingredients her mother 'Required' for the week's meals. 

It wasn't the place itself that Felicity wasn't fond of, it was one of the workers. Whenever Felicity came in to receive her mother's order, Gillian Rizzo was conveniently always working at that exact day and time. If there was more than one person working the deli, which was rare, Gil made it his mission to serve Felicity despite how many customers he had to serve before hand.

It would be a laugh to call Gil a Nice Boy however that's the only words Josephine ever described Gil with. Felicity could think of so many words that contrasted her mother's ideas of Gil. 

The only reason Felicity wasn't fond of Gil was from the first time they met at the start of the summer. Felicity had no clue what she had to get from the Deli after her mother's verbal shopping list that she completely embarrassed herself in front of the T-bird. He was nice to Felicity but Gil being Gil gave off some disturbing vibes. It was obvious he wasn't like any of the boys at Rydell, if you compare him to the Socs.

One of the last times Felicity had to visit the Deli on behalf of her mother was at the end of that very summer. However, she had another task to complete at the Deli. 

"Inquire about a job at the Deli as well!" Her mother called out to the girl before she left the house that day. It was either Felicity grew some balls and asked herself or her mother doubted her daughter's ability and asked about it ahead of schedule. Either way Felicity was dreading the trip into the Deli. She postponed it until the last minute.

"Hey beautiful!" A voice called out from the back as Felicity made her way into the store. She instantly recognised his voice as cheerful tone. "I'll be right with you!" One thing Felicity didn't appreciate about the Deli was the obnoxious bell that welcomed her presence every time she entered the store. Every time it rang Gil's voice accompanied it.

The sound of boxes falling over from the back announced Gil's entrance into the front of the store. He was unfazed by the boxes that crept out of the back and into the view of the front.

Felicity shook her head with a smile as she watched Gil almost fall over said boxes but he quickly recovered and pretended nothing happened. That was the only reason Felicity appreciated coming to the Deli: the laughter that came from accidental (Or purpose) accidents Gil always seemed to create.

"What can I help the lovely lady with today?" He questioned, tapping his hands upon the counter top, "Another pick up for Blanchet?" Gil's eyes moved to behind him to scan the shelf of pre-packaged deliveries. 

"It's almost as if it's a weekly thing." Felicity joked, her eyes scanned the shelf as well from the other side of the counter. She was surprised that Gil remembered her last name. It took weeks for him to get the girl's first name right at the start of the summer. 

"So..." Gil dragged out as he struggled to find the bag, "How's the summer?" He asked finally spotting the bag with a "there we go" accompanying his achievement.

"Boring," Felicity responded, "Especially when you're stuck at home all summer." The girl rolled her eyes at the thought of having every summer like the boring one she'd just had. She couldn't help but glance out of the window to see the common faces that overcrowded the Rydell High's cheer team having fun with their boyfriends beside them with his jacket over her shoulders. It made Felicity feel sick that they had lives like that whilst Felicity was stuck at home with a shitty one.

"Well if it makes you feel any better my summer wasn't that great either." Gil explained, placing the bag onto the counter before grabbing an empty one to place beside it. He quickly moved to a different shelf to receive a different thing for Felicity's mother. "Spent all summer working and not with my friends."

"The poor t-birds," She joked as Gil returned in front of her. He jokingly through a piece of tissue at the girl before proceeding with packing Felicity's order.

"Keep us out of ya mouth." He joked with a smile, pointing at Felicity as he wiped his hands on a cloth. "We don't need people like you ruining our reputation."

"What reputation?" Felicity joked again a smile slowly crept onto the girl's face as she scanned the contents of the first bag. It was filled with the usual vegetables: onions, carrots and celery. Not the greatest choices Josephine could have made.

"Right," Gil began, continuing with the joking tone as he began to finish packing Felicity's bag. "How about I show you how much of a reputation the T-Birds have tonight at the drive in?" He asked.

"This a joke?" Felicity questioned. Out of all the people to ask her to go to the drive in, it had to be a t-bird. "No joke." Gil lifted his hands up in defence with a smile on his face. "Genuine question."

"That's new." Felicity smiled at the thought of going to the movies with Gil, "You guys can barely fit in the car without me coming in." She explained, politely denying Gil's request as he slid another bag towards the girl. She didn't want to be a bother.

"It's a real watch tonight," Gil explained, "i'm sure we can shove potato and Richie into the trunk." He smiled before placing two more bags onto the counter.

"The t-birds never come to the movies to just watch." Felicity added, her eyes scanned the bags as she thought of the best way to carry the bags back to her dad's car.

"Maybe this will be an exception." Gil smirked as Felicity pulled some money out of her skirt pocket. "$7." He told her the bill.

The girl nodded before carefully counting the money she pulled out of her pocket. One five dollar bill and two dollar coins. Felicity placed them onto the counter and grabbed two bags. She stuffed one into the crook of her elbow, securing the second one in her left hand and against her chest before attempting to grab the second one.

Gil reached the bag first. "How far you gotta go?" He quickly placed both bags out of Felicity's reach.

"My dad's car is at the end of the block," Felicity explained, reaching for the bags Gil took.

"I'll walk you." he smirked, moving to place the bags onto a shelf behind him before walking to the back a bit. "Betty!" Gil yelled.

"I can walk alone it's fine." Felicity protested but Gil didn't listen.

"Betty!" He yelled again, his voice echoed through the Deli.

A small set of footsteps soon came hurrying down the hall. Arguing soon accompanying the footsteps. "What!" A young girl yelled as she entered the front.

"Tend to the front for five." Gil told Betty. He quickly grabbed the bags and move to the customer side of the counter beside Felicity.

"Why can't you do it? It's your shift?" She argued, moving into Felicity's view.

"I've covered you before, give me this one." Gil subtly begged, stepping in front of Felicity to look at the girl.

"Fine," Bettty reluctantly agrees, glaring at her older brother as he turned towards the door with Felicity. "Have fun with the sleep-talker!" She yelled to Felicity.

"Sleep talker?" Felicity questioned through a small laugh, turning to Gil as they began walking down the street.

"I went through a phase!" Gil defended himself. But Felicity wasn't convinced and still found the idea funny. "I ain't afraid of hitting a women." He joked.

"Oh wow, great defence tactic." Felicity informed him sarcastically. "Violence."

"Shut up." Gil smiled, accidentally bumping into Felicity. Gil didn't wait for Felicity to become stable on her two feet again before walking down the street without the girl. He only turned back to smirk.

"Wow!" Felicity laughed, quickly making her way back to the man. "So childish." She joked.

"Well, that's Betty for ya," Gil twisted the comment onto his sister rather than him.

Felicity bumped into Gil playfully before asking, "Is she your sister?" Gil didn't stumble as much as Felicity did when Gil bumped into her.

"Unfortunately," Gil sighed, "Real pain in the deli. Four of them in total."

Felicity inhaled through her teeth at the idea of having four younger siblings all of the other gender. "That must suck. But I get the pain of siblings. My brother's on 24/7." Felicity agreed, remembering the numerous times her own brother annoyed her.

"Older or younger?" Gil questioned, becoming more curious on learning more about Felicity.

"Twin actually." Felicity shrugged, knowing not many people were fond of the idea of twins. They were copies of each other to most. "Complete opposites though."

"How come?" Gil questioned, looking at the girl with intrest.

"He's a socs. I'm in band. Nothing more opposite then that." Felicity explained, adjusting her hold on the bags as she spoke.

"You're in band?" Gil asked before adding a joke, "I didn't know they allowed anyone in without two left feet.

"Thanks?" Felicity accepted the comment as a compliment whilst not exactly knowing how to take it. "The no social life is a down side.

"Better then being a thespian," Gil added and Felicity nodded.

"Better than a T-Bird." Felicity joked, gaining a small push from Gil in return.

"Don't go dissing our name again," he smirked. His eyes followed Felicity as she skipped ahead to an old car, placing two bags onto the hood as she reached it.

"I wouldn't dare." The girl smiled, "Watch the bags, i'll be two seconds." Felicity stated, backing into the building the car was parked outside of. Gil simply just nodded and turned to inspect the car.

Felicity cautiously entered the laundromat to find her dad talking to the manager. "Hello Mr Sloane," Felicity greeted, interrupting their conversation. "Apologises for the interruption but can I have the keys?" She quickly asked her father, holding her hand for the car keys.

Mr Blanchet's eyes moved past Felicity to Gil by the car with the grocery bags before moving back to his daughter. "We were in the middle of a conversation. He explained before switching the topic completely, as he placed the keys into his daughter's hand. "Get that no-good off of my car."

"Got it," Felicity nodded, quickly leaving after she getting the keys. The girl smiled as she walked out of the building an towards the car, "I've been told to get you off of the car." Felicity called out, causing Gil to lean against the car even more.

"Y'know you never gave me an answer," Gil explained, passing the grocery bags to Felicity to put into the car.

"To what question?" She smirked, knowing that Gil wasn't going to drop the topic of taking her to the movies.

"Six O'clock good enough for you?"

"I can do six." Felicity nodded, "Just don't anything T-birdy outside my house." She explained, "You don't want to see where that ends."

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

X. Buisness

Masterlist Part 9 Rest of my work. Warnings: None.

Lucilla makes a new deal with Ptah after the Ennead questions her about Ptah

"Ammit has been imprisoned for thousands of years, Ptah." Oirisis calls out to the god after hearing the news that Khonshu may be involved with Ammit. "No one has the ability to communicate to her. Khonshu does not have that power." Ptah had no ground to stand on before the Ennead. He had no proof of his theories about Khonshu. They may be true however the closest thing Ptah had to evidence was the scarab Marc had. Still with that information, the alligations against Khonshu were unclear.

"I know my accusation is not of strength, hence why I assigned my avatar to watch over Marc Spector," Ptah fought back, pausing on his words as he mentioned his avatar. "I assure you if you provide a trial-"

Osiris cut him off quite quickly, "The last you spoke, Ms Spector was no longer your Avatar. Do you really believe that Ms Spector will continue to watch over another of the same blood? Is this the wise decision you have made Ptah?" The leader judged, "Do you not believe that the evidence you find against Khonshu is conclusive? How would you know Ms Spector wouldn't betray you?"

"If you allow Lucilla to speak before you she-" Ptah attempted to convince the group but their continued to ignore his requests, cutting him off before they can even get a chance to ask them.

"Ms Spector will get her chance to speak." Osiris states over the top of the lower God with his head held high. "This predicament was not one she has an opinion in?" He was suspecting some foul play and actively looking for a wiff of foul play.

"My avatar does not do anything at my request unwillingly. Actions she is incapable of doing or unwilling to do, she will refuse to do them." Ptah stated, finally moving his stance to present taller. The only time he did that was when he was certain he could not win. "Unlike most Avatars, Lucilla has full control over what she does."

"Full control?" Osiris questioned curiously. All of the Gods before Lucilla were unreadable expect Osiris, which was reasonable. It was difficult to understand what they were playing at. Sometimes Lucilla could predict their plan but that was still when they wanted her to understand what could happen next.

"Lucilla has full control of being my Avatar, she has the decision on what happens when. I believe you understand enough of what I am speaking of Osiris." Ptah clarified the deal he and Lucilla made years ago. A deal Lucilla was no longer fond of, if she said one thing that she didn't mean then Ptah is gone. That was exactly what had happened.

"Horus." Osiris called out, taking his seat as he sat whilst Horus stood up in turn.

Horus only nodded in return, looking over at Lucilla as he commanded, "Let us speak to Lucilla Spector." His arms crossed over his chest as Lucilla stumbled foward.

She hated the feeling of Ptah exiting her body. It made her life feel like an illusion. Surprisingly, her life being a bit fantasy ploy would make more sense then Lucilla learning that a form of did in fact exist but the one she followed most of her life didn't exist.

"Define your relation to Khonshu's chosen Avatar." Horus demanded in a loud tone, much louder than Osiris.

Lucilla shook her hands nervously before explaining, "My brother and I aren't on the best of terms." Her stature shifted as she spoke, "He did something that is unforgivable. Therefore, Marc and I speak only when is necessary."

Lying to the Ennead would be impossible for someone like Lucilla because if she did then it could have severe consequences for not only her but also Ptah. The Ennead only sought the truth on situations regarding Ammit and Khonshu.

"And the past day?" The god continued, "The purpose of these interactions were for what?"

"Upon Ptah's request." The girl answered with a shrug. "Seeing my brother has no contact with me in every day life, I didn't know he was in London or Khonshu's avatar. Hence why I followed Ptah."

"Define the terms you and Marc Spector fall under," Horus calls out an order once more.

"With all do respect, Marc and I's relation is none of your concern," Lucilla called back in the same tone. I'd be a lie to say knowing Marc didn't mess up her duty to Ptah. It did, quite a bit but there's always a work around to that. Lucilla can easily fix what she did with Marc, she can just as easily fix it with Ptah.

"Apologises if this is inconvenient for you Ms Spector," Horus apologised scarastically, "We are trying to get a simple understanding of Khonshu's threat. So if you don't mind." He gestured for Lucilla to continue.

"It's not a topic I wish to discuss." Lucilla called back, standing her ground. Any mention of what Marc has done over the years won't let the meeting end well. He has done way too much to be forgiven so easily.

Horus began to open his mouth to combat Lucilla's defiance before Osiris interrupted his son. "Very well." He brought the attention to himself. "We thank you Ms Spector for your time today." Osiris appeared unsatisfied with the information Lucilla gave the Ennead however that was bound to happen when someone asked questions in the wrong way. "My recommendation is for Ptah's investigation to be continued from a far."

Lucilla nodded in agreement as she watched the God's stumble in a wave before the air hit her. She stumbled back ever so slightly before regaining her balance. The girl gave the podium before her a small glance, spotting Hathor looking down at Lucilla from the side of the seat, before leaving the Ennead.

"I wondered why you came back." Lucilla shrugged with an eye role. Ptah had no reason to come back to her if he didn't need her to present before the Ennead. "No use getting a new avatar when we need the other one to talk about someone she despises." Lucilla mocked as she entered London's streets agains "Because that history needs to be brought up again." She groaned as she placed an earbud into her ear.

"Go to Cairo." Ptah called out, "You need to follow them, Lucilla." He could already sense Khonshu's next move.

"I thought the Ennead made it clear we are not to interfere with Marc's affairs Ptah." She explained, making her way to her apartment whilst dodging people who cannot walk in a straight like for the life of them. "Besides, I thought I wasn't your Avatar anymore. Why are you still here?" Lucilla questioned with her eyes glancing up to see the god sat upon a set of roofs.

"You seek closure." He stated, "We both know you need it. With Marc you'll receive it."

"Bullshit." Lucilla explained. She quickly darted into an alleyway, unviewable from Ptah sat. But that didn't stop him from following the girl.

"Lucilla." Ptah called out.

"Don't." She ordered, skidding to a stop as she stood by a fire escape. "I screwed up. I get that okay. That doesn't mean I have to go following crumbs Khonshu leaves behind for you. Find someone else to stop him reaching Ammit."

"Lucilla." Ptah called out again.

"No. I failed, you go." Lucilla stated, turning to watch the God appear before her.

"That was not our deal."

"I already asked you to relieve me and you didn't listen." Lucilla argued. "You broke the deal."

"Be reasonable." Ptah told the girl. He paused for a moment to watched Lucilla move to rest again the building's wall. They continued to watch as she began kicking dirt and stones about. "Perhaps a deal will help?" He questioned. Lucilla's head perked up at their words. "You do this last thing for me. We stop the threat of Ammit and we'll part. We would both be happy."

Lucilla thought for a moment, thinking the best option. If she did this then everything would go silent again. There's no be Marc messing up her life again. There'd be no Ptah bossing her around. She'd be quiet.

"Fine," Lucilla agreed reluctantly. "But with one condition," she held up her finger to Ptah. "No secrets. I'm tried if you hiding things."

"If that's what you wish." Ptah agrees quickly to Lucilla's addition. He paused before disappearing before the girl's eyes. "I will need to inform you of something once you get home."

"Okay?" She cautiously responded, moving to walk out of the alley and towards her apartment. "You still think this will give me closure?" Lucilla asked referring to Ptah's original reasoning for why she should follow Marc.

"Marc will help provide that." He responded. "We both know Anthony meant to you."

"I can't talk about him to Marc," Lucilla explained. She hated how over the past few years she manage to spill her guts onto a silver platter for an entity that never existed to her before. Ptah was determined to make sure Lucilla was confident on talking about Anthony again. It was Marc's last straw with his sister.

"Lucilla." Ptah called out strongly. He could see right through Lucilla.

"Marc didn't help him, instead he crawled away cowardly and left him to die." She didn't hesitate to quickly make her way into the apartment building once she reached it. "He's quite frankly a coward." 

Ptah didn't respond. He continued to stay silent as Lucilla entered her apartment. "He has ruined so much in my life." She explained her issue with Marc to the god. "To the point where I cannot be without him coming along and shitting on the progress I made without him." She let her side fall into the door as she closed it.

Marc ran from every issue he's make, it became someone else's mess to clean up. He only did what benefitted him and no one else. He only cared about himself, always did.

Randal died because Marc was too much of a coward to even reach for him. Instead, he watched Lucilla cry as Randal screamed for help. She barely remembers that day but of what she did, Marc was helpless. He refused to help. Their mother agreed but she always took it too far. Lucilla forgave Marc after a while, they were only children and they have no power over their actions in a way. 

However their mother didn't forgive Marc, she let it get to the point where Marc felt like he was a burden of some kind to everyone.

Just as things were brightening up again in Lucilla's life with Anthony and her new life she made for herself and Marc so happened to come back. He became a mercenary over time they parted, he never told Lucilla of his work. But Ant was along the same path. She told him there was no use for that life and could only bring death. And it did.

"Why does he keep taking the ones I love away from me?" Lucilla questioned.

[hdsc-ace]

Philocalist - Remus Lupin.

Tea.

Masterlist Rest of my work. Warnings: none.

Ella stumbles across a order meeting whilst living with Sirius and reacquaints with an old love, when all she wanted was a cup of tea.

"With the threat on Harry's life only increasing I think it's only wise to-" Remus spoke in front of the order as Ella watched from the hall. His back was towards the girl as he leaned against the table.

Ella couldn't sleep and thought a cup of tea would help. The girl just didn't expect to stumble across an Order meeting and Remus.

There was some of the members stood around the dining table within Grimmauld place as they discussed Harry's upcoming ministry case. It was all Ella heard Sirius mumble about the past few days. She just didn't expect a night meeting about it.

"His best place is to stay at Hogwarts." Molly interrupted, shooting down Remus's idea almost instantly. "There he gets not only the protection of his professors but also an education. It's the best place for him, Remus."

"He could always stay here." Sirius piped in, "My godson is always welcome. It's not like anything would change." The man shrugged, making a reference at how the past few months Ella has been staying within his home. Of which the girl was obviously thankful for. She didn't know where else she'd be.

"People will start of expect that we're planning something." Arthur informed the group before agreeing with his wife, "To lower any suspicion the children should stay together, at least until Dumbledore thinks of a plan."

"He blew up his aunt into a balloon." Sirius repeats the situation, hoping the reminder will bring the group to some sort of conclusion.

"So?" Remus interjects. He was growing more annoyed as the group continued to avoid an agreement. "Sirius your home is hardly the place for Harry right now."

"Why?" Sirius questioned, leaning forward in his chair to rest against his hands. He was intrigued of where Remus was taking the conversation.

"You're housing a bloody death eater." Remus explained, "they could come back for her any minute. Do you really think that adding Harry into the mix would solve the issue?" He explained whilst glancing at his friend, who was refusing to make eye contact with anything but the table. So Remus continued, "If they come for Gabriella then they're coming for you too. Do you want Harry added into that?"

"Harry isn't the issue. It's your bloody obsession!" Sirius fought back, his eyes slowly moving towards his friend again, "She's made you crazy, Mooney. Like you said it's a matter of minutes." The man shrugged. Remus knew what he was trying to say; he had only a matter of time left with Ella.

"Don't compare your toy to his son." Sirius added, getting up to move closer to Remus.

Molly took this time to move past the men and walked into the hallway. However the woman instantly froze before quickly putting on a soft smile.

"Gabriella, dear!" Molly cried sweetly in a loud tone, alerting the group that the girl might of heard what they have said. "Why are you doing up so late? Let's get you back to bed." The mother tried to coach Ella back up the stairs but the girl didn't budge.

"I came down for a drink, Mrs Weasley." Ella stated, sticking with her original plan.

"C'mon dear, I'll make you one and bring it up to you." Molly continued to beckon the girl to come upstairs but Ella continued to refuse.

"No need." The girl smiled softly at the older woman before turning around. Ella didn't expect to be greeted with the three extra faces looking at her.

She refused to make eye contact with any of them, only Remus for a brief second before quickly making her way into the kitchen.

None of them uttered a word. There wasnt a word to utter. None of them knew what to say.

Remus couldn't think of anything that he could tell Ella to combat Sirius's comment. He couldn't think of anything the say to the girl in general due to not seeing her for months.

Ella on the other hand didn't want to say anything. She wanted to but couldn't. How could she talk to the very few people she trusted only think of her as an inconvenience and a ticket to get closer to the dark lord.

As the girl placed the kettle upon the stove and lit it, she began to regret her decision of disobeying Molly.

Remus and Sirius on the other hand were staring at each other as Ella clattered around the kitchen. Remus's stare was almost like daggers attempting to kill Sirius for ever saying the stuff he did. Whereas Sirius's was pity for his friend.

The two rooms sat in silence as the only noises came from Ella preparing her cup of tea and her small sniffles that almost sounded like she was crying.

Through the silence, Sirius gestured to Remus to go talk to Ella as he got up to find Molly and Arthur. This left Remus alone with Ella, the one thing the duo didn't want.

With a small pat on the shoulder as Sirius passed, Remus began to hate his friend even more.

The man inhaled shortly before walking I got the kitchen.

"Mind if I have a cup?" Remus asked, leaning against the doorframe. He watch Ella carefully as he rested against a counter.

"Mhm." Ella hummed, never making eye contact with Remus, "Sure." The girl shuffled to gather another mug, instead this time she went to get different container out of a cupboard as well.

Remus watched for a moment as Ella struggled to reach the container on the top shelf before stepping in and grabbing it for her.

"Coco powder." Remus smiled softly as he placed the container onto the counter beside the girl that was still staring at the counter.

"That's how you like it." Ella responded, slowly praying to herself that the kettle would hurry up and whistle already. She hated how much she underestimated the task. Spending more time with Remus than needed wasn't in her schedule.

"Surprised you remembered."

"Kinda hard to forget. I've never met anyone to like the combination apart from you." Ella smiled as she remembered all the times back at the castle. It wasn't long til her mind flicked towards the last time they saw each other at Hogwarts. The night Remus told Ella he was stepping down from the position, the night he... The girl was quick to shake off the memories.

[hdsc-ace]

Philocalist - Remus Lupin.

Rescue p2.

Masterlist Part 1 Rest of my work.

Warnings: none A fifth-year Slytherin student comes to her professor at the Weasley's burrow for help after escaping her family leaving her to the dark lord. Gabriella Montegomery is discovered by the golden trio and they aren't happy about her presence.

"What's that all about?" Harry enquired as he lead the six teenagers down the stairs alongside himself.

"Nothing for you to concern yourselves with." Remus shot down his questions, blocking the groups view to the living room. Who knows what their reaction could be if they saw Ella upon the couch.

"Head on back upstairs for a few hours." The old man ordered, attempting to usher the group back upstairs. He needed to plan a very well-throughout explanation for all of this.

However, Remus was quick to fair as Hermione ducked under his swatting arms to look around the corner. Her view was clear as she glanced over to Ella.

"Why is Gabriella Montgomery here?" Hermione was quick to question, gaining the attention of the group in the process.

They all barged past Remus to take a look for themselves. Each and every one of them saw the same thing: Gabriella Montgomery asleep upon the Weasley's sofa. Bandages were wrapped around her arms and a plaster rested upon her forehead.

"Mum!" Ron called out, moving away to find his mother. Out of anyone in that household, Ron was wanting Ella gone the most.

"She's staying for a while." Remus tried to reason to the group.

"She's tried to kill us!" Harry fought back.

"She's friends with Draco." Ginny argued.

"Many people are friend with Draco Malloy." Fred stated with a shrug, wandering off with George. The twins couldn't care less who Remus would invite into the house. If their mother didn't agree with his choices, Gabriella would've been gone before they even got up.

"She's dangerous, Remus. Why is she here?" Harry argued again, ignoring the twin's comments.

"Ella is not dangerous Harry." Remus finally added, his eyes glancing over to the young girl to make sure she wasn't being disturbed. "We just-"

"Ella?" Harry practically yelled. The last person he heard called Gabriella "Ella" was Draco a few months back. So it was safe to say that he was shocked to hear one of his parent's best friends called a girl he despised a nickname.

"She's just troubled. She fled and arrived at Molly's doorstep this morning. Very injured might I add." Remus tried to reasoned.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Harry." Remus scolded.

"She's a death eater, Remus!" Harry yelled back.

"Not by choice!" Remus yelled back in the same tone, watching the boy cower a bit. "Gabriella is here upon my request, Harry!"

Out of the people Remus thought he'd have to protect he never thought of Gabriella being one of them. However, defending the girl against his best friend's son was definitely not on his list.

Harry didn't fight back. He didn't dare as his eyes flickered over to the girl staring directly at the duo as she adjusted her position on the sofa.

The sudden drop of attitude of Harry caused Remus to follow his gaze towards the girl. His stomach dropped as he wondered how much of that she heard and if he was the one who woke her up.

Remus tried so hard at the start to maintain the quite atmosphere within the room that once Harry started picking his nerves, in a similar manner as Remus; he forgot about it.

None of them knew what to say or do, despite all three needing a conversation with each other. Harry, in a fit of anger, stormed out of the font door and into the garden; leaving the two friends alone.

"I'm here on your request?" Ella mocked the previous conversation in hopes of breaking the tension between the two. Instead, her comment let out a small embarrassed laugh from Remus as he moved closer to the girl.

"I was hoping you didn't hear of that." He rubbed his neck.

"Well the bits I heard wasn't too embarrassing."

"Come." Ella patted the spare seat beside her, beckoning Remus to sit next to her. She never missed Remus as much as she did now. She didn't think of his as much as she did now either.

[hdsc-ace]

Philocalist - Remus Lupin.

Rescue.

Masterlist Part 2 Rest of my work. Warnings: none A fifth-year Slytherin student comes to her professor at the Weasley's burrow for help after escaping her family leaving her to the dark lord. Gabriella Montegomery fled to the only place she could think of as soon as she was alone, taking what little strength she has with her.

"Molly!" Ella screamed through her sharp inhales, her hands pressing tightly against her side as she hobbled towards the peculiar house before her. Tears clouded her darkened visions as she did.

"Molly!" The young girl screamed again, watching the door of the home blur and darken as she yelled. "Please!" She called again before Ella's knees gave out. The girl instantly fell to the floor with a thud.

"Oh Merlin!" A faint cried out, "Remus!"

Remus didn't know what to do for the young girl before him. He hadn't saw Ella for such a long time that he forgot how she was. But now he was standing in the corner of the room watching Molly attempt to heal the young girl's wounds.

"She'll be fine." Molly stated, removing a wash cloth from Ella's arm before wrapping it in a bandage. "We'll know more when she wakes up."

Remus couldn't remove his eyes from the girl as she laid on sofa in the Burrow so helplessly.

"You hear that Mooney?" Sirius joked, nudging his friend lightly to lighten the mood. "She'll be fine."

"Mooney?" Sirius called out as he watched his friend's attention linger upon the girl.

"Hm?" Remus hummed, barely taking in anything Sirius said to him. His mind was too focused on Ella. He knew things were getting back with the war just not this bad.

"Staring isn't going to help her heal faster." Sirius stated, his eyes briefly scanning the girl laying on Molly sofa. The man was stumped on reasons why he was so fascinated on the girl.

Ella was the same girl Remus protected in the whomping Willow as Sirius threatened her but after that Remus insisted that she meant nothing to him.

"I know." Remus sighed. He knew that watching Ella could only do so much but nothing useful. But there was something blocking Remus from removing himself from the room. Knowing that Ella was in such a state forced him to wait until she's all fine before leaving again.

The two maurders stood in silence for a moment, watching the girl shift position in her sleep. Ella shifted in such a way that pulled against her sleeve, revealing a familiar mark to the two men.

Sirius was first to notice, his eyes shifting to her arm before walking closer. "She's one of them." He stated in a tone that wouldn't alert the whole burrow, pointing to Ella's wrist for Remus to see. "They'll come for her, Mooney. She can't stay here."

"She's not." Remus stated with a unwavering voice, his eyes stayed on the girl to avoid his panicky friend.

"What do you mean she's not?" Sirius cried, his tone gaining volume with each word. "The proof is bloody there!" If Sirius could make any other gesture to Ella's wrist that wasn't dramatically pointing towards the dark mark upon the girl's wrist, he would have.

"It's been there since the start of the year, padfoot. Ella expressed on numerous occasions that her family's views are not her own."

"She told you that?" Sirius laughed, finding it amusing that his friend believed the words of a young Deatheater. "And you believed it?"

"She's not like them Pads." Remus attempted to reason, finally looking up from the girl. "Trust me."

"Of course!" Padfoot yelled, a hint of laughter lingered in his voice as he threw his hands into the air. "Trust the man who brought a Deatheater here!"

Molly was quick to appear from the kitchen to investigate the ruckus and to scold the two men for making said noise like they were school boys once again. "Will you two keep it down!"

"Good old Mooney has brought a Deatheater into your house, Molly!" Sirius pointed to the young girl stirring in her sleep as he explained the situation to Molly. He didn't keep quiet about it either. Sirius's voice carried across the entirety of the Burrow as spoke.

"I know he bloody well did, Sirius." Molly states, ushering the two men to follow her outside, "Finish this outside so you don't wake the poor girl."

Remus was the first to make his way to the door but Sirius stayed put. "You've got to be kidding." The man laughed in disbelief. "She's in on it too?"

"I'm not in on anything." Molly stated, watching Remus glance back at Ella as she rested upon the sofa peacefully.

"Then why have we-" Sirius opened his mouth to argue once more before being shut down rather quickly by Remus.

"Sirius get outside now!" The man snapped for the first time that night. Sirius was quite frightened once Remus snapped at his and quickly made his way outside.

"Thank you, Molly." Remus smiled softly at the women before glancing at Ella once again. Her face was scrunched up but she remained asleep. It wasn't a shock after Remus's anger.

"It's no issue." Molly brought a smile onto her own face as she watched Remus's posture relax slightly at seeing Ella.

However that relaxation of Ella's presence quickly left Remus as he exited the house to greet Sirius's stupidity.

"You better have a good explanation for all of this Mooney." Sirius stated as soon as Remus stepped out into the garden. The scruff bag was learning against the wall whilst kicking stones with his feet, almost as if he was back at Hogwarts again.

"I do." Remus sighed as he thought of the best approach that wouldn't have Sirius kill himself or Remus.

What was Remus meant to say? He fell in love with his student who just so happened to be a Deatheater and as a desperate act he through out so many opportunities for him to see her again. Or that he offered Ella a place to stay with him or the Weasleys over the holidays to avoid the one place she continuously expressed that she hated.

"She was my student, Pads." Remus began to explain slowly, "I don't know what you expected as an offer to her but I offered for her to stay here in att-"

"You offered her a place here?!" Sirius's voice rose once again but before he could find himself in another screaming match with his friend, Remus quickly shut him down.

"Sirius." The scruff's name was called with a glare from Remus. "Ella was an exceptional student which so happened to bring us closer. In turn she told me about her family. And quite frankly Sirius, her situation is quite like yours."

"What do you mean, just like mine." Sirius spat, "I never became one of them. I left!"

"I never said it's the same, Sirius." Remus composed himself, adjusting his sweater as he spoke. "Ella didn't want to become a Deatheater and as long as we're concerned, she's not. All you know is she's a runaway from a pure blooded family who wants a fresh start."

"You're kidding me?" Sirius asked through a laugh, finding the whole situation ridiculous. Why on earth would a deatheater be welcomed into the Weasley's home with open arms. Who was this Ella and why was she so important?

"I am not." Remus states softly, making his way to the door. He paused to look at his old friend once again, "She's the same girl you met in the Willow. The same girl you wanted to kill after everything she witnessed." The man muttered before entering the Burrow once more.

However, instead of being greeted with the comfort of Molly, a group of teenagers stood staring at Remus in confusion.

[hdsc-ace]

Philocalist - Remus Lupin.

Expecto

Masterlist Rest of my work.

Warnings: none Gabriella Montegomery finds out her favourite teacher is leaving at the end of the school year and Remus does something before he left.

"Expecto patronun." Ella whispered, waving her wand as she did. The light lit up the dark lake. A small swan formed and skidded across the black lake. Ella gave a soft smile as she thought about the past year alongside her friends and Remus.

"You're out pass curfew, Ella." A voice called out as they trudged towards her and sat next to the girl. Ella stayed still as she recognised Remus. Her smile never differed as she pulled her knees to her chest, watching the swan fade away.

"Lighten up, it's the last day. We all leave tomorrow." The girl shrugged. She didn't want to go home. She didn't have the energy to compete with her family for another break.

It was the last thing Ella wanted to think about and with her friends throwing parties, she couldn't think about anything else. So at the first chance she got, Ella made her way down to the only place where everything washed away.

"But you don't want to leave." Remus stated, watching the girl's face differ as she mentioned leaving Hogwarts. "I would offer you to join me or the Weasleys this summer but after the year you've had I think you've had enough of us." He joked slightly.

"Never tired of that." Ella smiled softly at the joke, her eyes still lingering on the water before her. "It's been more chaotic here before. An escapee and a werewolf isn't even up there." The girl stated, recalling the past few years at Hogwarts and how messy they became since Harry Potter started.

"I'm sorry about that, Ella." Remus apologises, his face faltering at the reminder that he almost hurt the girl if it wasn't for Sirius. "You weren't meant to be involved."

"As you've said before. I wasn't meant to be involved, neither was Potter, Granger, Weasley or even Snape."

A while passed as the two sat in silence, unable to think of anything to discuss. However it was uncomfortable. It was fitting, similar to the times the two spent sat in his office as Ella did her homework and Remus marked some papers.

"I'm not returning next year." Remus blurred out, breaking the silence. He never knew when he was going to tell the young girl but what better than the last day.

"What?" Ella questioned in almost like a whisper, her head turned to meet Remus's for the first time.

"It's only reasonable after the events at the willow and Dumbledore-" Remus explained with a fumble of words. He was unaware how to explain it. But Ella's fallen expression said everything.

"You're leaving?" She interrupted, unable to get to grips with the news.

"I'm sorry, Ella." Remus apologised, reaching for the girls hand which he took tightly into his own. "I know I should of told you earlier on."

"When did you resign?" The girl questioned as he heart felt like it broke in two.

"A few months ago." Remus shrugged, "I am sorry that I can't be here, Ella."

"Don't be." Ella stated, keeping her head down upon her knees. Her mood completely dropped from when Remus arrived. The girl didn't know how she felt. Angry? Sad? It didn't help that it took Remus months to tell her that she wouldn't see her again. Now it was the end of the last full day of the girl's 5th year and Remus's first and last year of being a professor.

"Ella." Remus called out, watching Ella slide her wand into her skirt hem before standing up and moving away from the old professor. "Please."

"No." She bluntly stated without even looking at Remus. She didn't know why it effected her so much. People come into her life just to leave again all the time why is Remus making her so upset?

"Ella." Remus called again, catching Ella's hand as she began to walk away. His gently wrapped around Ella's to stop her in place and she did.

Ella stood for a moment with her gaze locked onto the ground. She didn't know what to do. Yes, she wanted Remus to stay. She wanted a decent teacher to stay in the DADA position for once. But Ella wanted a friend she could actually talk to about everything without consequences. She trusted Remus... She liked Remus. Alot.

"You waited until the last day to tell me. What did you expect?" She asked, slowly turning to the professor. " A sorrow goodbye?" All Ella wanted was to hug the man and beg for him to stay but after everything that happened with Sirius, he cant. "You've had a busy year here and of course the position is jinxed," her eyes flicked to the roof of hogwarts as titled her head up slightly. She could feel the tears forming. "but I didn't need any of that to happen."

"What do you mean?" Remus questioned, his hand on Ella's but he tightened the grip in comfort.

"Goodnight professor," Ella loosened her hand away from Remus's. She instantly missed the feeling but if she stayed any longer she'd never leave. "I hope you have a splendid time after the summer."

Remus didn't hesitate as Ella walked away from him. "Ella." He called, hoping to catch up to the girl but he couldn't move. "Ella!" He called again.

"What!" She snapped, turning back to the man with tears in her eyes.

"Don't leave it like this." Remus begged. Out of all the people he needed to say goodbye to, Ella was on the top of his list. She always was. She only managed to be the last one he told simply because he didn't know how to. Remus didn't want any of this to end, just like Ella didn't.

"I'm never going to see you again right?" She yelled back, "So why not? I'm never going to cross paths with you and your friends again so what do I have to loose?" She had enough. Remus had her feeling a type of way Ella knew would never end well, she couldn't avoid it before. With Remus leaving she could easily go back to how she was before. Back to the perfect girl her mother wanted. It was the least she could do after the year of mishaps her mother must've heard about.

Remus's face fell as Ella snapped at him.

"Me." He stated quietly.

"Already done that." Ella waved him off, her hands folding over her chest.

"I mean..." Remus struggled to find the words, instead her shook his head and mumbled a small "fuck it." and walked up to Ella. She didn't flinch or move away as Remus walked up to her. She didn't pull away as Remus placed his lips onto hers, instead she leaned into the man.

Remus gave a small smile as he pulled away from the girl. "I'm fine with leaving Hogwarts behind, just not you." He explained, watching Ella's face quickly fall with panic.

"This isn't right." She whispered.

"I know. And I'm sorry but I had to."

"Don't. Don't apologise."

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

IX. Ennead

Masterlist Part 8 Rest of my work. Warnings: none. Ptah recruits Lucilla to present herself to the Ennead on his behalf.

"This is why I wanted him gone." Lucilla groaned, hitting her head against a wall as she waited for Steven. He was currently talking to someone from the museum and leaving him alone wasn't the safest idea after earlier's example. She only stayed because of Marc.

The room that Lucilla waited in was quiet. It was becoming a common atmosphere wherever she went now. Ptah was really gone and Lucilla was slowly regretting her choice early. She just wanted everything to be over and for it all to go back to normal. No Marc. No Steven. Just her and Ptah. The normal where she wasn't alone.

"I messed up," Lucilla whispered, turning her gaze onto the ceiling. "You said you wouldn't leave." She explained, hoping Ptah was listening. "I should've listened."

Ptah promised to never leave Lucilla unannounced or unexplained, only once Lucilla asked him too. Instead, Lucilla didn't hesitate and asked him to leave. She wasn't thinking and wasn't expecting him to actually listen. But he was upset the last time they spoke.

The fact that Lucilla was aware Ptah had no plans on leaving the girl anytime soon was more upsetting. She can still remember the time she brought up that very question of their deal a few months ago. "Leaving you will become a burden if I do not find someone as suitable." Ptah explained, "and no one is as suitable than you are Lucilla."

They duo were travelling across the English Channel on a small boat that Lucilla had stumbled across. The week wasn't the greatest of their journey together.

"How will I know you have released me?" Lucilla had asked the god, turning her head away from the stare of the boat's captain. As she moved, her hands were pressed against the cold structure of the boat.

"Your world will become silent," Ptah explained in return, "The crowded state will return." Lucilla listened as her eyes fell onto the water that rippled away from the boat below. "You would know through the words you speak," They explained, referencing how they would leave Lucilla. "Remember that I will not leave unless you command me to." He reassured.

The issue was Lucilla didn't realise then that how being alone would leave her without the next move. It was an issue. She slumped down the wall she rested against, crouching on the floor. She should have never spoken this morning.

"The ennead requests your presence." Ptah's voice called out to Lucilla, appearing before the girl. She quickly rose and brushed herself down at the God's voice.

"What?" Lucilla breathed out in confusion. She didn't expect him to come back.

"The ennead requests my avatar," They explained in a tone that sounded off. It wasn't the same tone that Lucilla was used to hearing but it was one he spoke in when he was somewhere he didn't want to be. They didn't want to see Lucilla in these conditions. "And due to the circumstances of recently, you are the closest thing I have to an Avatar at this moment of time."

He listened to every word Lucilla said from the time she woke to now, even if he wasn't obliged to. The call from the Ennead caused him to go back even if they didn't know if Lucilla wanted him there.

"What did you do?" Lucila questioned, glancing over to the door Steven stood behind. He shouldn't be in there much longer but who knows. Maybe she could leave and come back before Steven even comes back out.

"Its regards to Khonshu." Ptah explained, following Lucilla's stare. "They are aware of last night's events and wish to converse."

"Reassuring." Lucilla states sarcastically. She moved to remove a set of earphones from her pocket and places one into her ear before making her way out of the building. Steven will have to figure out his own way out of Marc's mess. "What did they tell you?" Lucilla asked, stopping just outside of the building's entrance for Ptah's guidance towards an entrance to the Ennead. She just wanted everything to do with Marc and Khonshu to be over with. It causes too much trouble.

"So you accept?" The God asked. His figure towered over Lucilla's as he stood over the girl.

"You require an avatar to present themself before the Ennead on your behalf," she rephrased what Ptah already stated to her. "And you have no current avatar to fulfil that request?"

"I believe that is what I said,"

"So we have no choice," Lucilla stated, gesturing for Ptah to lead the way. Which he did, at a pace they were positive Lucilla could keep up with. As they walked, Lucilla questioned the sudden request from the Ennead. They wouldn't call upon someone like this unless it was urgent. "What terms did the Ennead say the meeting was on?" She asked as Ptah began weaving in and out of streets and alleyways throughout London.

"For such answers you will need to speak to them," Ptah answered. His words were toneless once again. Lucilla couldn't understand if the meeting meant someone for Ptah, he refused to let up any useful information. Unlike usual, she was going in blind. That was going to be a wild ride.

"What did you do?" Lucilla asked, hoping Ptah would finally answer. His silence when questioned typically meant that they somehow messed everything up.

"Just answer accordingly," the god coached as they stopped in front of a brick wall. "Do not deter from the questions being asked Lucilla. Just like last time." He raised his cane towards the wall, tapping the end against the brick a few times. The wall began to peal back, revealing a long tunnel behind it.

"Take a page out of your own book." Lucilla stated, turning from the tunnel for just a moment to look at the God. "I didn't mean what I said this morning," she explained. Her hands quickly fumbled in her pocket before pulling out the small dagger. "Can you?" Quickly changes the topic, Lucilla held out the dagger to Ptah.

The God didn't reply, instead the the dagger simply disintegrated and the next Lucilla knew, Ptah was gone. Trying to figure out what he was thinking now became near impossible. But Lucilla did know one thing: Ptah was avoiding the topic.

It was possible that Ptah could believe what Lucilla said to be true but it wasn't. Well.. it was at the time Lucilla said it but she couldn't think right. Everything she ran from the last few years just came tumbling down on the girl. It wasn't a reason why Ptah should take Lucilla back as his Avatar but it at least explained why she acted so rationally that morning. She made a mistake.

Lucilla inhaled, letting her attention drift onto the corridor before her. Glimpses of light broke through it's walls, illuminating the ground as Lucilla walked through. It felt as if it had been only days since she was last here with Ptah by her side. The fact that the last time Lucilla ever stepped foot into the pyramid was years ago when they sought permission to travelled to Wakanda to acquaint with Basset. Every antique in the pyramid remained in peak condition.

She walked further into the pyramid. Quickly, each of the Ennead's avatars made themselves present before Lucilla as they took their seats. Their eyes were watching the girl rather intensely, forcing some pressure onto her to not mess the meeting up. She didn't know what was going on yet why Ptah insisted on keeping her in the dark.

A small cold breeze blew against Lucilla as she stood before the Ennead. "Apologises, Ms Spector." Yatzil's voice echoed amongst the chamber as she took her own seat. The avatar of Hathor was the most comforting when someone was stuck in awful situation. "We are aware these circumstances aren't the best."

"I'm sure you're familiar with the process?" Salem called out to Lucilla, interrupting Yatzil's explanation. Osriris' avatars were always impatient. Salem was quick to take his own seat directly opposite Lucilla, right in the middle of everything. Osriris' favourite place.

However, this was definitely a time Lucilla familiar with the process of the meetings. She's presented herself on behalf of Ptah multiple times but the process was always uncomfortable. Either way it has to be done.

"Familiar enough to hate it," Lucilla called back, rolling up her sleeves before nodding over to the gods, signalling for the process to begin.

A wave of air washed over the group, each jutting forward slightly as their God took over. "In attendance, Horus, Isis, Tefnut, Osiris and Hathor," They each jolted back as their name was called, their eyes falling white for a moment. "To hear the account of Ptah." Lucilla's body did the same as Hathor called on Ptah. She was quick for a strange feeling to wash over her before it settled. The experience made Lucilla feel nauseous.

"Rumour has it, you are observing Khonshu's movements once again, Ptah." Osiris calls out to Ptah. He stared down at Lucilla's body, not moving as he spoke. "We need confirmation that you are not assisting him on his endeavours." Osiris quickly stood, towering over Lucilla. His tone was saying much more than his words was. The Ennead didn't want confirmation that Khonshu and Ptah wasn't collaborating, they wanted to know if Ptah is still loyal to them. That if they're still on good terms.

"We have no motive on joining Khonshu." Ptah called back. It felt weird for Lucilla's body to move on it's own.

"There is no 'we' Ptah. You no longer have an avatar." Osiris called back, picking on Ptah's words carefully.

"I have no motive on assisting Khonshu," Ptah rephrased. Lucilla's stomach churned at the correction.

"Then why did you insist on following him?" Osiris asked, returning to the topic at hand.

"I have the belief that he may have plans that none of you have recognised." Ptah explained. His stance didn't falter the entire time.

The information was new to Lucilla. She knew that Marc had the scarab but she didn't know what it was for. No wonder Ptah refused to inform the girl before hand.

"What is this belief?" Osiris questioned, becoming more intrigued.

"A connection to Ammit." Ptah answers clearly and calmly. "Khonshu's intentions with her is still unclear but-" Khonshu's intentions were never clear to Ptah, that was obvious to Lucilla from the last few days. She didn't blame him for watching over Khonshu to avoid something such as Ammit's return but protecting Khonshu just so he can remain well with the Ennead? He had already been banished before from the council and informing them that Khonshu is connected to Ammit... the god of the night with soon be turned into stone if they suspected he was dangerous.

[hdsc-ace]

Philocast - Remus Lupin

Philocalist ↳ lover of beauty; someone who finds beauty in all things. 

Gabriella Montegomery gets close her DADA teacher during his year teaching at Hogwarts. After Remus Lupin's resignation, the two keep running into each other away from Hogwarts and fall even closer.

This was written for a remus lupin x oc book I was doing. I got a lot of things pre-written before i scrapped it for a marurders era book. The Masterlist will have the chapters in order with like 0 context in between because why not.

Chapters Expecto. Rescue: Part 1. Rescue: Part 2. Tea

Rest of my work.

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

VIII. Camera

Masterlist Part 7 Rest of my work. Warnings: a few sexist coments. Steven gets fired from his job after being seen on the security footage. Lucilla saves her own ass in the process.

Lucilla's presence was quickly noticed as she walked into the male populated room full of construction workers. The room has no variation of the people, they all were messy in the same way. Almost a carbon copy of each other until one called out to Lucilla, "Hey, Hey! No women in here."

"Sorry!" Lucilla called out a small apology. She was quick to remove her helmet whilst attempting to hide her American accent with a British one. "I got told I had to help." She quickly lied, gaining strange looks from the group. "I'm doing the apprenticeship." Lucilla often found herself falling on lies like these mainly because they were so believable. Most workplaces offer apprenticeships to a whole load of students so no one second guessed the excuse, well until you find a place that didn't do them at all.

"Apprenticeship?" Another man questioned from the back.

There must have been five or six of them scattered across the room in different seats with drinks in their hands. Two payed no attention to Lucilla, and the interrogation she fell into, as they were stuck scrolling on their phones. A handful of the rest sat directly in front of Lucilla. They each held eye contact with Lucilla as they tried to sniff out the truth from the girl. It wasn't hard to notice their opinion on the work they do. Lucilla didn't care about any of them except the man who first called out to Lucilla was she entered. He sat in front of the girl just spinning the small dagger in his hand.

"Yeah," Lucilla nervously breathed, shuffling in her stance. "Boss sent me because you had a man down." She added an explanation, pointing to the door in the process.

"Mich sent you?" The man called out in shock, "he went to his wife and left us with this?" What the man meant by calling Lucilla 'this' was something she wasn't wanting to find out. She met too many men like him to actually care about what they think of the girl,

"He said you needed another set of hands," Lucilla stated, glancing around the room as she spoke. It was the one place that actually remained in tact after last night's fiasco. "And with this damage that deadline seems impossible."

"Pfft." A scoff from a man in the back caught her attention. He looked up from his phone to scan Lucilla. "You can barely hold a plank." A smirk formed on the girl's face at the comment. It was obvious where he was coming from with Lucilla's small stature but that compared to nothing with what she could actually do.

"You're just going to have to test me aren't ya?" She joked.

The man's face actually lit up with an idea at her comment. With a swift movement he moved closer to the man with the dagger and whispered a small, "keep her on errands all day. Less shit to cover up."

"Sorry, I can hear you," Lucilla stated shyly. "I'm not bothered what I do. As long as it's helping I'm fine." She gave a convincing small smile.

The men smiled before the dagger man stood up. "Take this to security," he explained, dropping the object into Lucilla's hand. "Tell them you found it in the hall with the rubble.

The girl only nodded before asking the simple question of "do you know who's it is?" Obviously he didn't know.

"Nope." He shook his head, "just give it to security."

Lucilla nodded once more before leaving the room. The dagger spun around her hand as she walked, it's hard wood pressed against her skin a couple times. Once out of sight, Lucilla quickly stripped of the high-vis jacket and helmet and dumped it behind a couple of artefacts before making her way closer to Steven.

She paused once she reached the entrance again, only for her attention to fall into the dagger. Lucilla knew she had to get rid of it but without Ptah it would be very difficult to remove it. That's if he actually let the girl go. That was the hard to tell but surely he was gone, everything was quiet.

So, Lucilla wrapped her hand around the dagger before squeezing it tightly. Normally, the object with disintegrate into sand but the dagger but it remained in Lucilla's hand. Ptah was actually gone.

She didn't waste a moment on the God, instead the dagger was quickly slipped into her pocket as she made her way to Steven. He couldn't have gotten into much trouble without her.

"Steven!" Lucilla called, jogging over to the man as she spotted him with a man by a bunch of screens. The British accent was completely gone in her voice as she called out to the man. "You lost me back there. London isn't small." She joked as she reached them. Lucilla's attention quickly shifted onto the security officer who just stared at her dumbfounded. "Hi," she greeted.

The officer shook his head ever so slightly before returning to his job. "Miss you can't be here." He explained, standing up to usher Lucilla away before she even set foot into the actual museum.

She gave the officer a small smile before explaining, "I'm with Steven." Lucilla pointed to Steven beside her, who stood there nervously.

The security guarded gave Steven a long glance before moving onto Lucilla in attempt of deciphering their story. At first glance, Steven and Lucilla was quite similar however when it came to personality they were complete opposites and that's without adding the accents into the mix.

"How do you know her Scotty?" He man asked Steven, not removing his eyes off of Lucilla as he asked the question. He was not convinced. "She your girlfriend or something?"

"Girlfriend?" Lucilla laughed as Steven attempted to explain the relation.

"No, no," he denied the guard's accusation. "She's my sister." He lied. It wasn't the worst lie only because it wasn't actually a lie, but Steven didn't know that.

"Lucilla Spector," Lucilla introduced herself. She moved her arm to shakethe guard's hand but he never took it. "I heard what happened here and I wanted to offer my services." She explained, pulling her hand back awkwardly.

"J.B." J.B introduced himself cautiously. "What do you mean services?" H questioned, unsure of how to treat Lucilla's presence. She didn't answer his question straight away, instead she only gestured for the man to follow her to the beginning of the tapped off corridor of the destroyed bathroom. "What's the cover story?" Lucilla asked, watching Steven make his way over with them.

"Burst pipe." J.B. Answered, he continued to watch Lucilla wearily as she nodded.

"No pipe does that amount of damage," she explained with points to certain parts of the wreckage. "The water pressure must of been sky high." If it was a burst pipe then everything would be soaking wet still but it wasn't. Marc went back and made sure the valves were closed before anymore damage could happen. "Parts of the sinks were thrown right against that wall there with speed. The way the rubble lies indicated that no pipe did that without leaving the museum floors as land." J.B watched curiously as Lucilla pointed to the wreck Marc caused. "You've got a bigger issue then a pipe, J.B."

"What are you saying," J.B questioned, not fully understanding the girl. 

"You had some people or things come through here last night," Lucilla simply responded. She glanced back at  Steven to receive a harsh stare in return. She didn't blame him for glaring at the girl. Steven was extremely paranoid after last night's events and Lucilla practically revealing that it was them causing the damage in the museum annoyed him. 

However, J.B didn't speak a word after Lucilla's comment. He instead quickly moved back to the security booth and straight onto the footage from last night.

"What are you doing?" Steven whispered angrily to the girl, "You're going to get us caught." It wasn't like he was going to do that by accident anyways. Lucilla simply just beat him to the punch on purpose.

She only stated a small, "Trust me," before walking over to J.B. It wasn't her first situation like this with a large risk behind it. A situation like this could easily be solved by a quick removal of the footage. However, this was the first time Lucilla had to solve a situation like this alone.

Steven moved in front of Lucilla to stand beside J.B whilst the girl stayed behind them. She let her eyes scan each screen carefully as J.B  began to scan through numerous amounts of footage. Each screen held a different angle of the museum. This was going to be hard to erase, who knows how many cameras caught them. 

The men before her began to talk as Steven attempted to explain his version of events from last night. "It's like Area 51, like MI6 bonkers, bruv yeah?" J.B didn't know how to react to what Steven was telling him but Lucilla did as she scoffed. What happened last night was nothing like Area 51 or MI6 level stuff. Yes, it appeared extraterrestrial  but it wasn't. It was just God-like and massively different.

"All right. All right, mate." J.B tried to calm Steven down whilst being annoyed at his description. He assumed it was a massive exaggeration.

"You ready?" Steven asked him before J.B pressed play. He was hyping up the situation more than needed as well of explaining it in a unnecessary way that was obviously not helping the situation.

"Just play it." Lucilla ordered J.B, shutting up Steven before he going on another spiral of nonsense.

"Roll the tape," Steven added, adding his input. J.B brought up the security footage from last night of Steven hiding behind a vase.

"Is that you, Scotty?" J.B asked Steven, not believing what he was seeing.

"Still Steven," he corrected, "and yeah, that's me. Oh, yeah." He was really into showing other people what he came across last night. It wouldn't of ended well when he did. "Watch, here it comes." Steven told J.B as they zoom in, leaning closer to the screen with intrest.

They watched as Steven got up and ran away from nothing but his own shadow. After switching angle, Steven was still running away from his own shadow, no Jackal in sight. The camera continues to follow him as he fled across the museum and into the bathroom. 

The look of disappointment on Steven's face was upsetting as he discovered that the camera's didn't capture the Jackal chasing him. They were only visible to Avatars or people with Ennead connections. Lucilla herself had to learn that the hard way, similar to how Steven is now.

"I swear to God," Steven tried to convince J.B, "there was a dog chasing me, like a big hound or.."

"Jackal." Lucilla finished his sentence. Steven turned to the girl and clicked.

"Yes, a Jackal. An Egyptian Jackal." He agreed.

"Steven," Lucilla called the man out of his fantasy. "Jackals are myth. They're not real." She lied, attempting to remove him from the topic. If he carried on going on about Jackals, J.B will think of him as insane. "We've been over this." She went to grab his arm to pull him away from the screen but Steven pulled away from Lucilla.

"Fast Forward." He told J.B, "Fast forward til when I come out. When I come out." 

"Steven." Lucilla called out sternly, "You're not helping yourself here." 

It wasn't Steven that Lucilla was worried about, it was herself. None of the footage that they just looked at contained glimpses of Lucilla but if they fast forward to later on there might be. The events they would look at next was when she was with Marc the most.

J.B reluctantly abides Steven's commands and fast forwards the footage until that said point. Within the footage they could see Marc walk towards the camera, looking straight into the lense.

"Shit." Lucilla whispered, watching herself walk towards Marc and grab his shoulder. Luckily, her suit never left her body so they didn't know who this person was but it was still a risk. 

Lucilla continued to watch as Marc rip her hand from his shoulder, letting her eyes follow as her past self glanced up to the camera before walking away, throwing something at the camera. The screen went black.

"Who was that?" J.B gasped, fixated onto the screen.

Lucilla squeezed past Steven and to J.B's side. She leaned against the desk to look closer at the figure whilst her hand pulled out a small USB from her pocket. She lifted her free hand to draw J.B's attention to the screen as she pointed to the Figure's clothes. "that fabric isn't something of a being." She lied, sliding the USB into the computer port under the desk as she spoke. "Steven." She called out, turning to the boy, "Do you know what this was?"

He didn't have to answer, J.B knew he had to go to the people higher up but at least the USB should remove some stuff of the system by then.

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

VII. Quiet

Masterlist Part 6 Rest of my work. Warnings: mention of abandonment. Lucilla returns to the museum to watch Steven at Marc's request alone.

Sleepless nights for Lucilla were quite common. However, Ptah would openly discuss random topics about Egyptian deities and their stories with her for hours on end.

Last night he didn't say a word. For once Lucilla's mind was silent, no sign of Ptah to be heard. There was no sigh, no feeling of being watch. Just peace. Some would say peace was relaxing but it wasn't for Lucilla.

She could never tell Ptah's emotions because of the fact that he had hidden them from her so well. Telling if the god was angry or upset in a situation was only done through the tone of his voice as he spoke. Either way Lucilla was usually left out of the blue.

"Well done." Was the last Ptah spoke the night before. It was obvious that Lucilla angered Ptah by what she said to Marc but she'd never expect him to be this upset with the girl.

"What did I do wrong?" Lucilla questioned. She prayed that Ptah was still beside her, just watching like he always was. She hoped he was close enough the hear the question and even give a possibility of giving Lucilla an answer. It didn't matter either way. She knew what made him upset.

The god was no where to be found as Lucilla scanned behind her in the mirror. "Ptah." She moved to pull her hair into a ponytail as she spoke. No response came. The room remained quiet and Lucilla still couldn't figure out what was going through Ptah's mind.

If Ptah was going to give her the silent treatment then Lucilla saw no need in remaining as an avatar. Ptah obviously sees her as an unfit avatar so why carry on?

Lucilla stared at herself in the mirror for a mirror before muttering a small "Release me." It was certain that Ptah could hear her and now she's made her request, it's their choice on what action to take next.

There wasn't a moment that went past that night where Lucilla didn't debate asking Ptah to do that very thing, and now she has it didn't feel as though anything's changed. She looked just as tired as she had when she first awoke and she felt the exact same. Well, Lucilla wasn't exactly sure how everything worked. She's never been in a situation like this before.

Without Ptah was a way of life Lucilla hadn't came to grips with. What would she do now? The last thing she wanted to do was pack everything up again and maybe move north. Everything was circling back to Lucilla so why not run? It's what Marc did.

But she didn't know what she wanted. So many things have came crashing down on Lucilla in the past 24 hours to the point that it is hard to choose what to deal with first. With Ptah at least she had someone to coach her through everything.

Besides, she'd be leaving everything behind. It seemed like a good idea on paper but now... maybe not. The idea of being alone again scared Lucilla. She needed someone to stop her from falling down into that pit again. Prah was that someone.

"Ptah." Lucilla called out on a whim but gained no response. Perhaps they was still listening, hoping and waiting for Lucilla to ask them to come back.

Her eyes drifted down to her watch as wind blew through her window. 09:32 it read. Steven's shift at the museum must be starting soon.

Seeing Steven wasn't on top of Lucilla's priority list but she did make a promise to Mark. If she didn't go after last night's events then she'd be at Marc's level, someone who's never in one place to avoid the truth. Steven had no right to be treated like that, he was innocent. That's the least Lucilla could do to the sweeter version of Marc.

Even the walk to the museum was silent. Painfully silent to the point Lucilla had to put her headphones in and listen to music just to fill the silence. She couldn't remember the last time she had to do that. It must've been long enough for her to forget how much she hated the sound of her own mind. The silence couldn't remain for long, and if it did her mind would always jump to worse-case scenarios. Why? Lucilla had no clue but maybe that's why she liked Ptah's presence.

"Steven!" Lucilla called out, spotting a familiar man stumble off of his bus. He turned towards the voice as Lucilla ran carefully across a road towards him. "Hey." She greeted whilst removing her headphone.

"What happened last night?" Steven asked, not even turning to look at the girl as they walked to the museum. He looked awful like he hadn't slept, meaning Marc didn't sleep. Steven also looked upset which wasn't something Lucilla couldn't blame him for as he did find out there was a completely different person living in the same body as him.

"What do you mean?" Lucilla questioned, attempting to figure out how much Marc knew to begin with. If he didn't know much then she wouldn't tell him too much. Marc preferred if that way. If Steven found out quite a bit in a short time frame who knows what could happen.

He soon stopped before the duo reached the museum's stairs, turning to Lucilla before walking up them. "Don't pull my leg with this mate," he groaned. "I know what I saw last night and I need you to fill in the gaps. You showed up and from there everything weird things started to happen. So...." Steven paused, realising he never learned Lucilla's name, "miss please keep me in the loop."

"Lucilla." She introduced herself before stating that, "None of this is for me to explain." Her hands slid into her trousers pockets as she watch Steven. He was annoyed, that was obvious. However he watched Lucilla for a moment as if the name was familiar. "If it makes you feel better, not even i have all the answers. Marc strictly said-"

Steven was quick to catch onto Lucilla's slip up. She tried so hard to not mention Marc. "Wait, Marc?" He asked.

Lucilla didn't speak, instead she walked up the steps and into the museum. Marc was quick to follow the girl. She only paused in her step to allow Steven to walk ahead, ordering a small "don't mention last night." As he passed.

The museum itself didn't appear in a better state than it was left in last night. Sections of the entrence were blocked off with police tape causing actually getting into the museum practically impossible. Construction workers also made their way into the building past Lucilla and back out again to retrieve certain tools. Steven watched one left the building.

"You guys did t-this?" Steven stumbled as he questioned Lucilla.

"No," she whispered back. "I didn't do any of this, but that was me." She was quick to direct Steven's attention towards a wall that contained a large human-shaped dent. That side of the building was yet to be touched, all the focus was on what Marc did. "I had no business with them but they still came for me." Lucilla explained.

She didn't know why the Jackals attacked her, probably because she encountered Mr Harrow but it still didn't make sense. They wanted the scarab but then Lucilla didn't even know he had it.

"What do you mean them?" Steven asked, stopping to look over at the secluded section.

"You saw them." Lucilla explained blankly, hinting to the Jackals that we're chasing Steven last night. "They want something you have. Something you cannot give them." She let her eyes drift over to the dent on the wall from last night. Everything seemed just as they left it. Debris was covering the floor, the wall still held the small cracks stemming from the indentation of Lucilla's body. The only thing missing was the dagger that flew out of Lucilla's hand when she hit the wall.

She moved to scan the hands and pockets of everyone around them until she spotted it in a construction worker's pocket. He was heading towards another room. "Shit," Lucilla groaned. If that was handed into the police then surely they'd find a connection to her.

"Luce?" Steven called out, clicking his fingers in front of Lucilla's face, "You got a plan?" He asked nervously.

"Security." Was all Lucilla mumbled as she returned to her original plan, "You need to see the security footage from last night to see how much they know. But either way you erase it." She explained, watching the construction workers as the did. Her hands quickly moved to her pocket to pull out a small drive before holding it towards Steven.

"Wh-why do I have to do this?" Steven exclaimed, "what are you going to do? I don't even know what's going on."

"I have a plan, don't worry," Lucille reassured the man, patting him on the shoulder as she spoke. She reassured Steven in the worse way possible by telling him that the museum was "your turf," and he should "own it," before starting "give me five minutes to do my thing and then I'll be right with you."

Steven nervously nodded. He didn't know whether to agree with Lucilla or ask her to stay with him. But the girl had a completely different plan: find and destroy the dagger from last night. After that, she can fix any mess Steven makes whilst she's gone.

She watched Steven slowly walk over to the security guard, talking as if they knew each other. A smile fell on Lucilla's face as she continued to watch the different side of Marc. He was everything Marc wasn't. Steven was nice, scared and caring. Marc was.. not that. It slowly made Lucilla wonder what would happen if it was the other way around and Marc was like Steven, would anything have happened in their lives?

Satisfied with how Steven held a conversation, Lucilla moves away to locate the group of construction workers from earlier. She turned as a construction worker enters the building before quickly following them. "I hope you're still there." Lucilla quietly prayed to Ptah despite being unaware if he's listening. He has to be listening. 

Outside the section of the museum the construction workers walked in and out of laid a jumble of the worker's uniforms. Lucilla quickly moved over to the pile and picked up a yellow hard hat and a orange high-vis jacket, which she quickly slid on before walking into the room.

[hdsc-ace]

Acosmist - Moonknight

VI. Sleep

Masterlist Part 5 Rest of my work. Warnings: mention of abandonment. Lucilla struggles to sleep as her mind keeps jumping to parts of her life that she wanted to remain hidden.

Lucilla couldn't sleep. Not like she wanted to anyways. With her mind constantly racing across memories that she tried hard to forget years ago that never went away, It was hard to for it all to be silent long for Lucilla to fall asleep. When she did fall asleep they always turned into nightmares that replayed over and over again until a different one took it's place before Lucilla awoke. They never left her mind afterwards unlike those good dreams you can't remember when you wake up. These memories always stuck around despite how hard Lucilla tried to shift them.

She could still remember the day they started. Just after she left Marc and Layla's place after hearing their arguing. It wasn't long since Marc returned from the desert one his own and Layla had recently invited the heart-broken Lucilla to stay with them.

"She's just a kid Marc!" Layla yelled at her husband as Lucilla walked into their house, "She shouldn't be abandoned like that!" It was obvious that they were talking about Lucilla, even she knew they were talking about her the moment she stepped into the house. Even if it wasn't, the fact that Marc had no one else to abandon made it obvious.

Lucilla had crept quietly into the house, barely reaching the kitchen to see the two face to face through the semi-closed door. "She's six years younger than us!" Marc fought back, "Lucilla is no way a child, she can fend for herself and sure as hell shouldn't be babied by us. She had a whole childhood for that!"

She learned from a young age that when two people arguing, it usually never ended well. It was obvious for Marc and Layla but what was worse was the fact that Lucilla was the cause of it. She never had a childhood of being babied, despite was Marc thought, her childhood was an overwhelming experience. Lucilla was often the one that everyone had forgotten about. However now, they didn't forget about Lucilla, the issue was that she was thorn in their side.

"She's you sister and she's grieving, Marc!" Layla added. Lucilla often agreed with Marc, she shouldn't be intruding on their lives like this. Layla's kindness is the only thing that kept her here the past week or so. She thought Lucilla should be with someone after the news.

"I lost my family years ago." Marc spat, "They're the ones who abandoned me."

"Lucilla didn't." Layla argued, folding her arms at her husband. "She followed you through everything. Why do you think she's still here?"

Layla was often the voice of reason between Marc and Lucilla. She was the true reason they are still in contact. She believed that since Lucilla tried to follow Marc through life in attempt to hold onto the one glimpse of the normal family she once had then Layla only had to help. Because the Spector didn't turn their backs on Marc. It was their mother that did. She blamed everything onto Marc as he was was the oldest and Marc was furious Lucilla got the easy road in life. Their mum was convinced it was Marc who left Randell in that cave so he quickly placed as the blame.

Lucilla was convinced it was her fault, not Marc's. She was the one who wanted to hang out in the cave but no once listened to her after the accident.

"Lucilla followed the easy road in life."

Sometimes Marc proved himself wrong by the simplest of comments. The year before he was discharged from the army, Lucilla was alone on the streets trying to make a small amount of money to survive the day. It had gotten worse by the time he became a mercenary.

Lucilla was practically dead in some part by the time Layla found her. She was searching for some of Marc's family as a surprise but from how Marc spoke about his Family Layla didn't search for most of it. Just Lucilla. The lucky part of the gift to Marc is that the only lead Layla had on Lucilla led her to the girl.

But Marc would have cast Lucilla as a burden more than a gift anyways.

She never chose the easy road in life either, just chose the paths that were handed to her. They were long paths that only changed three times in her 28 years of living. Layla was the first change into a different route.

Lucilla didn't listen to the couple's argument for long. She instead walked into the guest room that she occupied for the past week. "Fuck it." Lucilla mumbled to herself before pulling her suitcase out from under the bed and began to place her clothes into it. If Marc wanted Lucilla gone then she'd grant his wish.

Layla and Marc's argument continued as Lucilla dragged her stuff to the front door. She pulled out a notepad from her pocket and wrote "Thank you." and placed it onto the end table by the door along with the spare set of keys. They continued as Lucilla left.

It was true that she didn't want to leave them, she didn't want to be alone for the first time in forever but she didn't want to be the thorn Marc thought she was. If she did stay any longer then maybe another issue might occur but she didn't want to chance it.

Lucilla didn't know what happened between the two of them once she left, whatever happened next was out of her control. She assumed that by the time they shut up and noticed Lucilla's disappearance, she was already on a train to the next state.

She did what she knew best in these situations. Run. And that's what Lucilla did, she ran to the next state in hopes of finding something better. It wasn't like Layla and Marc would go looking for her. They had no right to.

Running was what Lucilla learned from Marc. He knew how to do it best as it was his go-to tactic. Run as fast as you can to avoid the unbeatable. It usually worked.

The entire night was spent by Lucilla tossing and turning in her bed in attempts of gaining a comfortable position that would drag her conscience into a deep slumber but it never did. She didn't sleep a wink that night.

In nights like these she'd think about what would of happened if she was alone her entire life after she left her childhood home, what would happen if she never was found by Layla and Ptah when she needed someone the most.

Maybe she was Lucky. Marc was right about something then. Lucilla was lucky. Just not the good kind of luck. It was lucky for everyone else because she survived for so long that she managed the escape the brink of death numerous times.

Still, she didn't need the help she got.

The biggest example of this was the night she met Ptah. It was almost a week after she left Marc and Layla. Lucilla was about to give up on everything as she sat on a bus bench in the middle of the night waiting for nothing.

"Sleeping will help you." A voice called over the girl. Lucilla shot straight up from her position on the bench, scanning around her frantically for the source. There was no one beside her. "A warrior must sleep." They continued as she looked around her again.

"W-Who are you?" Lucilla called out in hopes the source would appear and they did. A large figure appeared directly in front of Lucilla. She had to hold in her scream as the abnormal figure came from nowhere. Her back flattened against the glass of the bus stop as she attempted to move as far from this thing as she could.

"Your saviour." They stated in a hopeful and certain manor, "If you accept of course."

"Accept what?" Lucilla questioned, curious as ever. Who wouldn't be if a mysterious figure appeared out of thin air stating it's someone's saviour.

"The role of my avatar."

"Avatar?" She asked herself. Lucilla secretly convinced herself that this was a hallucination and there was a logical reason for the situation. This thing wasn't real. A thing with a black crescent shape for a head and a odd sphere floating in the middle of it.

"Someone who will continue my buisness on the human plain," they explained. They didn't breath nor move from their stance. It was almost as if they were a statue that appeared before Lucilla. "It isn't offered to just anyone."

"What do you mean?" Lucilla questioned. The only avatar's she's aware of were them weird blue people from that one James Cameron film. This thing was obviously not that.

"I'm unsure how else to explain it." They explained, moving to lift it's head to the moon before moving back down to Lucilla again. "I am Ptah," Ptah introduced himself. "And I provide you the opportunity to become my avatar in order to continue my journey of the arts."

Lucilla struggled not to laugh. The entire situation sounded like Ptah was requesting Lucilla to become a superhero. It was completely ridiculous. How could Lucilla become something that didn't even exist? Heck even if they did exist, she couldn't save anyone. She could barely save herself.

"Take the chance." Ptah suggested, "I will release you at anytime you wish and you can return to this life."

Release her to what? Lucilla had no life to return to, maybe that's why Ptah came to her. She was disposable, easy to remove from society after their business had finished. It was easy to let her go and have nothing about Ptah be released into the public because all they had to worry about was killing Lucilla.

Maybe that's why she should accept his offer, follow the flow even if this was her tripping. Why not get a kick out of it? Who knows when she would get another opportunity like this?

"What do I get out of this?" She questioned, arms folding over her chest.

"Anything you want." Ptah responded, "Within reason, of course." What Lucilla wanted was impossible. She'd never get it back. "You are able to escape this ditch you've carved for yourself." They continued, moving their head ever so slightly to look at Lucilla's broken luggage thrown to the ground beside her bench. "No one wants to live like this willingly. However, if luxury isn't what you desire then at least you will have an acquaintance by your side."

Lucilla didn't want a life of luxury. She didn't deserve it. But maybe having friendly face sticking around might help her through everything.

That's what made Lucilla decide to give Ptah a chance  as she mumbled a small "fine," And stated clearly that it was only on a "trial period." Funny enough that trial period never ended.