The Heir

blessed with beauty & rage

[liam-avraham]

embryxnewton:

Until now, Embry never really knew what she was good at. She never even had the chance to try everything out before she was moved around again. It was such a pain in the ass that the girl gave up early on just to avoid all the hassle. It didn’t encourage her to try again either when she would always feel that she disappointed the people on the team who took time and effort to train her, to help her be part of the group only to just.. disappear right after.

However, this time was supposed to be different. While she didn’t believe in promises, Embry had a feeling that Leo wouldn’t make her move again if she didn’t want to which was why she joined the team in the first place - other than the fact that the coach said she had a talent for it. However, none of that compared to the excitement within her over a simple game of catch with Liam. Embry always tried to cater to what the family wanted as an attempt to be the ideal child but it never worked out and right now, neither family member seemed to think she was a burden.

For once, she wanted to experience what it was like to have ‘family bonding time’ and she had seen many others throw with their fathers and while Liam wasn’t hers, it would be a shame to pass this up when he agreed without hesitation.

Her eyes widened at the ideal of paying a tutor to help her and she immediately started shaking her head before stopping abruptly when she realized that it could be considered rude to turn down such a generous offer. “I.. um. I..” She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t think she needed a tutor, nor did she think that it was neccessary to waste money on one just for her, nor did she think she should waste his time to teach her because that might require more work than expected sometimes. “..Can I think about it?” was the best she could say right now.

“Um. No.. She’s.. No, she’s not my boyfriend.. or girlfriend…” She mumbled, “She’s a librarian, and we happened to just.. run into each other one day. She-” She paused, wondering if she should say, “She’s the one who saved Leo.”

Embry took a bite from her meal, chewing it slowly. The food was fantastic and the girl couldn’t help but continually dig into it while attempting to stay polite about her mannerism. She looked up when Liam started speaking again but she didn’t know what to say so she opted for a small nod as she swallowed. Sometimes, she wondered what she did to deserve a family where everyone seemed to be … nice, and they didn’t even force her into anything she didn’t want - aside from her wolfish nature that she never even heard of until now.

In truth, the idea of helping Embry with her homework was significantly more appealing than hiring someone to help her with it. Besides, just because Embry expressed a lack-of-aptitude for the subject didn’t necessarily mean that her grades warranted a tutor. Still, he wanted her to have every advantage in life, just as he and Leo had. When the adoption went through, she wouldn’t be a foster child anymore that the Avrahams had taken in, she would be one of them. The tutors, the etiquette, the resources behind them and what they continued to amass were all different forms of armor. When she was older, they would protect her from the pressures and injustices of the world, just as they did the rest of the Avraham Clan. 

Where his mother often failed was the harshness in the way she could come across to her children. Constantly criticizing, constantly correcting, constantly pressuring. It was difficult for anyone, it’s why Leo had never really looked back and why Liam had rebelled as vehemently as he had in his youth. Some behaviors and skills were best learned by osmosis, Embry was kindhearted girl desperately wishing to find her place in their family. The very least they could do to ensure her success was not to place requirements or restrictions on her role.

“Of course Embry, it’s your decision,” Liam said easily, “you’re my sister - I just want you to be happy, and to help any way that I can.” He added, smiling softly as he cut a piece off of the rice balls which were just as delicious as he had been expecting. He couldn’t help but chuckle lightly when Embry said Evan was in fact a she, “sorry I shouldn’t have assumed, but I like her already.” He had a soft spot for books, and as evidenced by his sister, half-demons. Evan seemed a true and loyal friend, that was good enough for him. “You’ll have to introduce us some time, I’ll need to thank her properly.”

[liam-avraham]

moonchildjason:

“That’s good,” he smiled, glad that the other was enjoying his time in the small town. “You and I, we’re very different, I’m completely the opposite, especially because I never lived elsewhere,” he wouldn’t live in a big city, at least not at that time of his life anyway, maybe in the future, something would make him move to a big one. He didn’t see himself living in one at that moment though, small towns were his thing, he was a small town boy. He wasn’t sure if that would ever change, until he had a reason, he probably would continue living in small town, in that one specifically. “Seems like you found out small towns’ big secret, we don’t want too many people moving in our town, so we come up with lies about small towns.”

It wasn’t at all surprising, Liam hadn’t expected to meet a lot of people in the small town that he would share much common ground with. “Do you feel shortchanged? I can’t imagine I’d be content if this was all I knew.” Liam said honestly, as much as he had grown to enjoy Fallcrest’s pace, it was only because he was able to reflect on his past experiences in larger towns and cities that he was able to come to terms with where he felt he most belonged. In truth, the likelihood of him being able to stay permanently was rather slim, he had other business ventures to run, but some part of him was comforted by the knowledge that just maybe this place would always be one he could return to. Liam laughed lightly at the jest, “fiendishly clever.”

[liam-avraham]

embryxnewton:

Her smile spread infectiously when Liam confirmed again so easily. How long had it been since the last time a family were supportive of her activities? Both Leo and Liam had been surprising her day after day even though it wasn’t as much of a big deal as it was to the teen. Embry had grown accustomed to handling everything on her own that all of this still felt so surreal. In fact, it would be a lie if she was to think that she wasn’t scared that this would all go away even though her foster sister had promised to stay by her side. 

Embry didn’t hold many promises to heart since they were usually broken soon after. However, there weren’t any reason for her to think otherwise but it was natural instinct for her to be cautious about everything regardless. “O-Oh, you don’t.. really have to. I mean, I don’t want to bother you with it.. I’m already bothering Evan with Physics and Chem.. and then Leo’s trying to teach me French..” She had already bothered more people than she would like with her academics; Embry felt bad if she also dragged Liam down with her. 

Her eyes widened at the scent of the food. She could smell it from the kitchen but it was definitely more prominent now that it was in front of her. “..That smells so good..” She mumbled to herself as she waited for Liam to start. The girl learned early to never start until the other had so she sat there patiently.

Day to day, Liam was charming, he was charismatic, he was everything he needed to be to not only be efficient, but successful. Much of his life had been spent trying to gauge the best course for the most optimum outcome, plying people with an endless stream of platitudes and good-to-dos had earned him a reputation in both the business world of mundanes, as well as the supernatural world that lurked just below the surface. In truth? He felt little and less for those he worked with, and those who worked under him, he found that most people were pawns that simply waited for direction and they were genuinely happy living the sort of life that existed only for the demands of others. It was exhausting, and whatever joy he happened to bring into a person’s life had very little to do with them and everything to do with him.

On this occasion, as well as a handful of others that generally related to his children, Liam felt real and genuine joy at the smile he managed to bring to Embry’s face. He was someone drenched in moral ambiguity, with a justification for every distasteful act he had committed, but sitting here across from Embry his mind couldn’t have been further from his goals. It was, quite simply, a pleasure to be in her company and absently he wondered if Leo had similar experiences.

Although Liam had officially welcomed the girl into the Avraham Clan, he had done his part and smiled appropriately, as one did, but it wasn’t until this moment that he could acknowledge her fully. She had an innate small-town charm that made Liam root for her, in many ways she reminded Liam of someone from his past, though he kept his mindseye firmly away from that topic – feeling no small amount of shame over what had transpired so many moons ago. 

“I wouldn’t consider it any sort of imposition, I’d be happy to lend a hand with your studies. I also happen to be fabulously wealthy,” Liam joked, “so if you’d rather I can also hire a tutor - but obviously it’s entirely up to you.” to him the decision seemed obvious, better grades meant a better school but he was sure Embry didn’t need a lecture. Liam’s ears burned slightly, now genuinely curious about the girl’s life. Although his investigation prior to coming to Fallcrest had been thorough, he didn’t need to elude as much to Embry, she was young and too like Leo to fully understand his motivations. “Whose Evan, friend of yours from school?” Liam pressed a little further as his plate was placed in front of him and he motioned to grab his knife and fork, “boyfriend?”

He cut in and took a bite, rejoicing momentarily at the sensation of having something in his stomach, “please Embry, dig in.” He said easily after he’d chewed and swallowed his first bite, his mannerisms and etiquette befitting someone who’d been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. “My hope is that you will feel as comfortable here as you do at the Radcliffe, in your own time, of course.”

[liam-avraham]

I think I did all my replies I owe, if I missed you please shoot me a message!

[liam-avraham]

moonchildjason:

“Are you liking the town so far at least?” he asked the other, he knew that not every marriage work out, but he would be lying if he said that he hoped his first marriage would. He had his heart broken before, and the girls that did it were just his girlfriends, he probably would feel even more pain if his future wife hurt him. It was not something that he wanted to go through, but he also was keeping realistic, he knew was possible.

Liam chuckled lightly at the question as he thought contemplatively on the subject for a moment, “I am,” Liam said added easily, “the truth is I’ve spent most of my life going from one big city to the next. I believe this is the first time I’ve had the chance to live in such a small town. It’s nice, even if the spirit is still quite big.” He hadn’t planned on staying longer than it took for him to get what he had come here for, but more and more Liam was finding that the nature of the small town seemed to suit him just fine. “It’s surprising, one hears dreadful things of small towns but I’m coming to find that it’s little more than propaganda to keep people paying into more expensive lifestyles.”

[liam-avraham]

codexalpha:

“She strikes me a very genuine woman, who very clearly has an immense love and sense of responsibility where your younger sister is concerned. I can’t think of any other non-wolf relative that has so easily and without hesitation stepped up to help their pup quite like she has. I can only assume that she extends that dedication to all things she’s passionate about,” Col said with a small shrug. He hadn’t had the opportunity of interacting with the woman much, but the little he had been privy to, showed great character on her part.

Col met his gaze with one of his own that was just as unwavering. “My hope, Liam, is that no one outside of the pack ever has to come to learn that,” he stated simply. He didn’t blame the man for his skepticism, but he also wasn’t going to provide him details of the pack’s inner workings simply because he wanted to sate his curiosity. The witch could either take Col’s word for what it was, or he could spend his days in town constantly in doubt. Col himself would rather focus on not getting to that point if at all possible. “There was more than enough death over New Year’s, as I have no doubt you’ve already heard.”

Liam thought absently to the plethora of glib or sarcastic retorts that his sister kept at a constant ready for anyone outside the family, he and Embry saw similar levels of genuine behavior and in Leo’s heart of hearts she was a martyr before anything else. “I’ll have to pass along your kind words, I’m sure she’ll be over the moon at such praise.” He’d have to offer her some kudos at some point for learning how to at least behave with some sincerity towards others, but again when it came to Embry Liam surmised that couldn’t really be called much of an act. As tactful as she was, Embry was a clear weakness that even this wolf was aware of – not that Liam believed Col would willingly exploit such a thing, but the Avraham name was synonymous with suspicion and he’d be a fool not to check every avenue. It was becoming increasingly evident that protecting Leo would undoubtedly be tied to protecting Embry, and, likely, from herself as well.

He hadn’t expected Col to offer the information willingly, but it had been worth a try, “we share the same hope then.” Liam stated easily, the man would not be a member of the council were he not exceedingly capable, but, at present, Liam had significant doubts about the council. There wasn’t really anything Col could say to assuage these feelings, but he had hoped for some cooperation in the spirit of moving forward. Col might be more willing to provide the details had Liam been honest regarding his reasoning for coming to town, but too much was unknown – particularly where a wolf was concerned. Informing the man of his intentions was far too drastic a measure when there were far more subtle methods of getting what he wanted. “Yes, but too late, I’m afraid.”

[liam-avraham]

svnguisuge:

The laughter came easy at the follow-up remark. Quinn didn’t find it hard to charm the right people when he needed to, but it was always a very much appreciated rarity that the charm not have to be forced. Whether it was his practically forgotten life as a hunter or the decades after as a vampire, dealing with people wasn’t his forte. Granted, he’d mastered the ability to fake it once his very existence depended on it. He honestly hadn’t figured that his return to Fallcrest would yield anything more than the usual, but so far he’d come to found there were at least a handful of people he could deal with, and Liam had just been added to the list. “I can assure you, the establishment itself is immaculate. As are, of course, the many glasses and tumblers we use. The minds of regulars, and maybe even that of the staff? Questionable, at best.”

“Well I would expect nothing less, Bridgeport.” Liam mused lightly, he’d found that the minds of most people had a habit of wandering towards unsavory topics: particularly when their inhibitions were lower than they may have been accustomed. It was nice to meet someone of similar mind and disposition, truthfully encountering someone he could potentially relate to had been far from his mind. At this point, such a thing scarcely seemed possible, but that it was a vampire of all things only further added to what was quickly becoming something of a divine joke. “I could take your word for it, but I’ll have to see for myself.”

[liam-avraham]

embryxnewton:

“Really?” She was genuinely surprised that Liam agreed to it and with such ease. Honestly, Embry thought he might be too busy for it, being the owner of a restaurant and all but somehow this family just kept surprising her with the smallest things that meant the world for the orphan. Being able to play catch seemed to be the typical thing to do sometimes - or at least that was what Embry thought after seeing fathers and their kids play. Of course, Liam wasn’t her father but he was still a family member so in her mind, it was closest she could ever have. Besides, she doubt Father Avraham would play with her.

“I guess that’s true but.. I’m just bad at it.” It might be one of the few things she dread whenever she step foot into her English class. On the other hand, Embry enjoyed reading Shakespeare, finding that easier to understand than pure poetry itself. She turned to see a waiter walk towards them with their meals in hand. Even though it was a restaurant, the teen wondered if it was weird for them to be serving their boss like this. Embry would feel weird, but maybe it was just her.

His reaction had come as something of a surprise even to himself, the act was very pedestrian and didn’t really fit with how he was typically perceived. Yet, it was reminiscent of a more youthful time when Liam was still an optimist – and he may even go so far as to say that he was excited. Though, beyond a small smile he did an excellent job of containing himself. “Of course,” Liam said easily, he’d make a note of attending her games as well, he was sure that Leo was probably going to be there and they could make their own game out of who was holding the bigger sign. Obviously, Liam would win.

Liam couldn’t really argue with her, if it was something she wasn’t inclined to then there wasn’t much resistance he could put up. “Well, if you ever need help I’m happy to lend a hand.” He excelled in most areas, so that was a given, but English and languages in general were of particular interest to him. He smiled at the approaching food, despite the fact that it was coming from behind, almost forgetting how hungry he had been – “at last,” Liam enthused, “this is going to be exceptional,” Liam stated, already aware of the outcome, “please, send my compliments to the chef.”

[liam-avraham]

renegadexreconnoitre:

Releasing a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, Leo simply gave him small smile. “I’ll be more than happy to field any questions as they come,” she said. The gratitude that she felt at not having to hide an essential part of who she was from her own nice and nephew, was laced in every word as she spoke. The Avrahams weren’t a lot that was known for being vocal about their feelings, and regardless of how much of an effort she was making to remedy that for Embry’s sake, sometimes it was just easier to stick with the default setting…so to speak.

The nice feeling of even remotely belonging was short-lived though. As her brother brought forth a question that seemed so obvious now and yet she had never bothered to ask, Leo let her head drop on the table with an audible thud. She had spent so much of her life going against the grain and rebelling against just about every decision her parents tried to make her for her. She wanted so hard to prove that she would not be made to fit their mold, and her was her brother shining a giant spot-light on the fact that everything she’d done until now could very well have just been playing directly into what her father wanted…again. “…I feel like the world’s biggest ass right now,” she grumbled without lifting her head.

It would take another minute before she felt capable enough to sit back upright. “Right about now I’m not exactly feeling like I exemplify that as well as I once thought I did,” she replied, before rubbing her hands across her face and shifting her focus on what really mattered. “Regardless of whether I get to dodge the bullet or not, I need to make sure that however this plays out, it won’t affect Embry.”

Liam offered a smile, his children wouldn’t be raised in ignorance – particularly as far as his sister was concerned. It was for good reason perhaps that Leo had doubted him, he’d never really stood in opposition to his parents, it was far more his style to play their designs to his own advantage – but on this occasion Liam had stood firm. “Maybe just try and keep the eyes in check – at least initially, they’re a curious sort.” Liam mused, one glimpse and he could already hear Remus shouting ‘again again again!’

He watched, somewhat disheartened, as his sister all but disintegrated in front of him. He’d struggled in the past, quite significantly, with his relationship with his parents – more specifically his father. His mother had a habit of pushing him into the public eye, always smiling, always achieving, always succeeding. That was tolerable, Liam was a man who knew when to turn on the charm – but his father had long made him feel like no part of his life was truly his own. “He goes too far, whatever the case may be, I’m prepared to suffer his disappointment once again.” Liam was not a man who let things go, in his heart of hearts he was spiteful and resentful and he hated losing almost as much as he’d once hated the burden of his last name. Even now watching Leo he felt his dominant fist tighten reflexively before he loosened his grip and brought himself back to the present.

He had said little to address Leo’s feelings of discontent as her head remained firmly planted on the table, listening instead as she addressed her desire to keep Embry out of the situation. Leo was perpetually playing the martyr, she was far too willing to throw herself into the flames for the sake of others. “If she loses you, there’s no way this won’t affect her – she needs you alive more than she needs anyone else.” Liam stated easily, he needed her, his children needed her. “But.” Liam added, softer now, sincerer as the tenseness around his eyes loosened. “Should the worst occur, you have my word that she will be protected just as surely as I will protect my own daughter.”

[liam-avraham]

codexalpha:

It was interesting to see how other siblings interacted with other. It was always a reminder that Col was in a bit of a unique situation when it came to his own siblings. Being the eldest, he’d been quick to take the role of a parental figure for them when their own parents died, and as such had gone through a fair share of ‘you’re not my real dad’. Certainly a different kind of ‘rivalry’ to be sure. “It sounds like perhaps she was trying to avoid just that,” he said with chuckle of his own. “I know my sister isn’t the world’s biggest fan of having me or my brother swoop in to her rescue so she’s apt to go out of her way to avoid needing our interference in any way, shape, or form.”

Col could sense the unspoken ‘but’ that laced Liam’s words. He couldn’t blame the man. The Avraham family was well known amongst the supernaturals for having to be the ones to step in when noble efforts weren’t enough. At the question posed, Col didn’t hesitate to provide a direct answer. “It’s not something we’ve had to implement during my, nor my father’s tenure as alphas, but we do have pack laws in place to provide just punishment in accordance to the breach of conduct. Everything from excommunication from the pack and by extension the town, to death.”

Liam laughed lightly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes, “who wouldn’t?” He asked rhetorically in some form of agreement, nobody in their right mind would want their sibling swooping in and saving the day. “Regardless of how our parents feel,” Liam stated easily, “I’m immensely proud of all that she has managed to accomplish,” he added, absently thinking that he’d be here if she needed him, or even if it was simply as another obstacle for her to overcome.

It was no great surprise that the pack’s hierarchy had created laws for such occasions, but Liam had needed to be certain. “What level of crime would you consider deserving of exile or death?” Liam asked, his eyes fixed upon Col’s and unwavering. Cold blue eyes took in every word of what the man had to say, should the need arise, he intended to hold Col to his word. It was not a matter of believing the man to be in any ways dishonest or dishonorable, but in practice the law was much more difficult to uphold than it was to put down in theory. And, from what Col had stated, the man had no actual experience with carrying out these sentences.

[liam-avraham]

bittybattystamour:

“It’s short for Elizabeth.” She said, voice barely audible. Finally, she could fight it no longer and began wringing her hands together where they rested in her lap. Her mother had called her Batty, and Dotty had called her something that closely resembled the name as well. That’s why she’d used that name, whenever people asked her for her name, she’d introduce herself as Batty, like a Katherine might introduce herself as Kathy. Elizabeth was a name that reminded her of less than good things; less than good people. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mister Avraham.” The girl said politely, nodding as he spoke. Sure, he was another upper class guy that wanted to make sure that a girl living in a shoe box sized studio apartment didn’t mess up his new business venture. That’s just how the world worked. Still, he had stopped her from leaving and was giving her a chance, for whatever that was worth, so she tried not to judge him too harshly.

The girl nodded at his words, because, he was right, they weren’t the same thing, but he underestimated just how comparable they were. “No, they aren’t the same thing.” She agreed, “But the parlor gave me experience with taking orders, memorizing tables and who ordered which item, serving food, customer service, balancing two trays of empty glasses on one arm while slipping between the chairs of two large customers, and managing time to make sure everyone is being given equal service.” Batty told him, but that wasn’t what made her a good fit and she knew it. She needed this job, so she was going to have to tell him the truth, “But none of that matters. It doesn’t matter that I’m a hard worker, that I’m never late to work, or that I’m a fast learner.” She mused, already feeling her cheeks getting hot, talking was really not her strong suit. The words she said next were quick, strung together like she couldn’t get them out of her body quick enough. “What makes me a good fit is that I need this job. I don’t mean I need it because I need to pay for my iGalaxy infinity plus, or because I’m a college student that needs money to buy smokes and go out to the club. I mean, I need this job. I work full time at a drug store and that barely pays for my rent, utilities, and food, but now I’ve got a new source of bills on top of that. So for me it’s not about serving wine, it’s about surviving. It’s human instinct to survive, so if a job ensures my survival, you can bet I’m going to make myself the best match there is.”

Within moments of seeing the girl his third eye picked up on the fact that the girl had led a difficult life, Liam couldn’t speak to anything specific, but it was the sort of thing a person carried with them. Like an aura, and it was notably worrisome. He had hazarded a guess to say that she probably wouldn’t be a good fit, but there was a resilience to her character that he quite admired. Shortly into their conversation before she’d even joined him at the table, he’d dismissed her further, the girl was reserved and seemed content with placating her prospective boss. When Liam had dismissed her name and her experience, she had pushed back, and so, rather than cutting the girl off and dismissing her entirely: Liam listened.

Although his features remained quite serious, he couldn’t help but crack the hint of a smile as she explained how her experience at the parlor was not only relevant, but transferrable. There was a hunger to her, a drive that he couldn’t help but find admirable. Liam had considered asking the girl to do a reading, but that didn’t seem necessary – her secrets could remain her own. As Quinn Bridgeport had so eloquently phrased it earlier “don’t shit where you eat.’

“That’ll be all, Batty.” Liam said evenly as he motioned to stand from the table, his hand moved to grip his cane as he put most of his weight upon it. He’d thought maybe he could find a place for Batty in his establishment as a busser or something, but Liam saw now that it likely wouldn’t be a good fit.  “You start tonight, be back here for 3:30, Diana is one of our best waitstaff, you’ll shadow her for the week, she’ll tip you out nightly, and pending any disasters you can start on your own next schedule.” He’d need to notify the front of house manager on his way, but that was all. He offered Batty his hand once again, “agreeable?”

[liam-avraham]

moonchildjason:

“Oh,”  he said. “I get it,” he wasn’t sure if he would do the same, he was someone that wasn’t a big a big fan of moving, and he honestly loved living there too much to actually move, but he didn’t blame the other for moving away. He could understand that living in the same place as one’s ex wife could be hard. “I don’t really blame you for moving away, I can imagine that it’s probably not easy living in the same place as your ex wife.”

Liam chuckled habitually at the remarks, though truthfully there wasn’t much humor to be found in the situation. In one swift movement he finished his drink and set the glass back down at the bar, “C’est La Vie,” Liam shrugged noncommittally. He didn’t expect Jason to fully understand, but the truth was Liam hadn’t really given him the whole story but, for now, it would have to suffice.

[liam-avraham]

embryxnewton:

“I’m not that good so.. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. But if you really want to, I’d um.. Maybe we could throw a bit?” She shrugged as she played it off as if it wouldn’t be a big deal if he didn’t feel like doing so. Embry wasn’t the best pitcher on the team but her aim wasn’t bad in her opinion, and in the opinion of the coach. It might also be why that her coach kept trying to have her practice throwing against a target.  

“I like reading them but I don’t really understand the meaning behind them sometimes. I guess I’m just not very poetic.” Embry would be one of those whose favourite poetry books were by Shel Silverstein just because they were simple and understandable. 

Embry thought about the Shetland Sheepdog back at the hotel, “It’s more like he found me.” And she was thankful for it because his presence comforted the girl. She was grateful for her foster siblings but her pup gave a different sense of security and for one thing, he belonged to her. Oberon found her and he hadn’t left her side since. “He just.. wandered to the library when I was there, and.. yeah, he didn’t seem to have an owner..”

The blonde nodded, understanding if a child became a handful. She had met a lot of kids in her time in the system and she found that most of them were spoiled by their parents; not that she thought Liam’s kids were spoiled nor would she voice it, but she could imagine them making a fuss just because they could, unlike her. “They’re your children, it’s understandable.” She offered a smile.

Had anyone else made the request, or expressed any sort of interest, and Liam likely would have dismissed them entirely. But, when it came from Embry, Liam was happy to do so. She was more than just another foster sister, Embry was family and getting the opportunity to connect with her on a different level than he was accustomed sounded like a gift. “I would love to, after lunch?” Liam said easier than he may have expected, on some level he might have felt guilty, it was time he should have directed towards his children, or to his actual reason for being here but throwing the ball around with her sounded nice… Fun even.

“People have said the same thing about me.” Liam laughed, though the statement was quite honest. In the boardroom and in business he remained quite serious and literal, but the dichotomy that existed within him meant that he enraptured both the literal and the figurative. It took some time, but he learned well that nothing was so black and white as to not be left open to further interpretation. “More often than not I think poetry succeeds in communicating an emotion – if nothing else, and that, I believe, is what’s meaningful. Not so much the actual meaning.” He shrugged, not meaning to lecture the girl – she likely got enough of that between school and Leo.

[liam-avraham]

renegadexreconnoitre:

“Of course not! If anything, it’s expected. Much like my assurance that by the end of it, I shall be their favorite half-demon,” she joked back, but a thought occurred to her that made her pause and her brow furrow. “…do they know I’m not a witch?” Leo asked. It was one of those things that she had often taken for granted growing up, assuming that the people around them would know what her nature was much the same they seemed to just know that of the rest of her family. However, once she got older, she realized that her parents weren’t necessarily open about her half-demon nature -among other aspects of her nature- and weren’t too keen on having the information shared. It was dawning on her now that perhaps her niece and nephew, along with their mother, may not know with certainty who she was either.

Leo leaned forward slightly as Liam spoke, a habitual response that she’d consciously forgotten long ago. The male witch had a manner of speaking when relaying information that was considered imparting knowledge that had often led to a young Leora being enraptured, wanting to take in every word her big brother was telling her. Though the context might be different, the sentiment was the same. “I’m honestly not surprised in the slightest that the department has knowledge on-hand about this thing,” she said, after all the department was known to have information on many things long considered obscure or even lost to time. “Though it would’ve been nice to know, at the time that I informed father of my plans to move here and have Embry come with me, that not only could I essentially be handing myself over on a silver-platter to Erebus but, that father was fully aware of the possibility.” She could feel the shift even if she couldn’t see it herself. Leo knew that if she were to see her reflection, her eyes would be replaced by nothing but complete blackness.

Taking a moment to reign in her upset, she listened to her brother’s words taking the time to read between the lines. “Understood,” she said, the joviality from before having been ebbed away as the possibility of having to leave Embry to her own devices became more of a likelihood. “Self-fulfilling prophecies are the worst, though it’s often not until looking at things in hindsight do we note where things went awry. It’s definitely looking like one of those ‘damned if I do, damned if I don’t’ scenarios though.”

It was a bit of a difficult discussion, nobody wanted to tell their sister that they had withheld information about her state of being from their niece and nephew. As it turned out, Liam didn’t have to. “There was some pressure from Mother to keep the truth of your heritage a secret,” truthfully Liam himself had only learned at a young age because he had a talent for eavesdropping on conversations that his parents didn’t want to be part of. There was something to be said about his hunger for knowledge that was forbidden to him. “So naturally I told them both as they came into their magic, it was a conversation that Lydia and I both felt was important. Remus is still new to the information as his magic only developed last year, but I know Morgana will have questions for you.” It would probably read a bit like an interrogation, but it came from a spirit of wanting to understand things much the way Liam did. The difference being, Leo had answers that Liam simply couldn’t provide outside of an academic standpoint.

He watched his sister deteriorate somewhat before him, Liam understood well her frustrations.  The department had knowledge of the Nexus for some time, it stood to reason that Jon and Leo’s pursuit of the sudden influx of supernaturals was also preordained. “It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? This is Jon’s home, but was following Jon here with Embry ever even your idea?”  Liam didn’t mean to poke the bear, and to some the question seemed unreasonable or unfathomable or something out of the underbelly of a fairy tale. But that was the weight of the truth behind their families’ patriarch – the man had hunted Erebus to the ends of the Earth and committed countless other acts that most would find unconscionable. He was a man with access to nearly limitless resources and would exploit every single one of them to accomplish his means, his children included.  Much of it just seemed far too coincidental, at twenty-five Jon lost everything in this town, he joined the ranks of the Avrahams, was subsequently assigned to Leo’s protection duty, and now, years later returned to his home town to investigate an influx in supernaturals. As one blessed with sight beyond what most could perceive, Liam stopped seeing coincidences in his life and saw only the manipulations that took place behind it. “It stands to reason that he would toss you and Emrby into the flames, even if it was only to use you as bait. Or, perhaps I’ve just become paranoid in my old age.” Liam said this without batting an eye, whatever his father’s intentions were, their interests did not align.

His intention had not at all been to upset Leo, but he could see her struggling to control what was lurking just below the surface. He couldn’t exactly blame her, he’d simultaneously told her that she could very easily die soon and the man she called Father might have arranged the whole thing. “I disagree.” Liam said simply, though his tone remained quite serious, “despite what Father would have us think – we get to choose our own fates. You are living proof of that, Leo.”

[liam-avraham]

kenzingtonjames:

“I would hope.. pray that she wouldn’t be into that.” She had seen videos of the crowds during any of the events; whether it was just a concert or fan-signing, there were bound to be a lot of people consisting of mostly kids and pre-teens. “I don’t think there will ever be a solution to how to deal with it.” She might not have been the same when she was a child, but she had moments of defiance. Surely her parents felt the same headaches as she did now. 

“Some things to prepare for then I suppose,” Liam said easily, suddenly feeling as if perhaps he was intruding, he doubted little Thalia wanted to be held up by her Mom talking to some stranger about the trials of parenting. “At any rate, it was nice meeting both of you, I won’t take up anymore of your time.” Liam smiled from Kenzington to little Thalia, offering Kenzington a curt nod, “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you both around town.” One final smile and Liam turned with the assistance of his cane to go on about his day.

[liam-avraham]

svnguisuge:

Quinn seemed to mull over the question for a bit. The scent of magic wafting off the man’s blood let him know it was highly unlikely that the man considered him a mundane, and even if that happened to be the case, it would probably only be a matter of time before the man’s sisters set him straight…eh, no harm in some honest advice here and there. Not like he wouldn’t manage the time to bring the Bridgeport back from whatever brink new businesses might bring. “I would say the most important thing to keep in mind is that the people you serve, will also be the people who serve you at some point later on. The nature of a small town, after all. I won’t lie, I have a bit of a reputation for being an ass, but even I understand the truth in the age-old adage -please pardon my crassness- don’t shit where you eat.”

Liam was intrigued, Quinn had caught him somewhat off-guard, to be perfectly frank he hadn’t really expected to encounter as many supernaturals as he had to date – and while meeting vampires who had an air of superiority was in no way uncommon, meeting one with sound sense of mind certainly was. The fact that the man had managed to thrive within the town for so long where hunters existed actively was impressive. For these reasons, when Quinn was willing to provide some advice, Liam was actively listening, bursting outright into laughter at the pearl of wisdom that the man afforded. Subtlety was among the first things he had learned and none of his research, or real work would be done through the Manhattan – he simply enjoyed having his meals here. “A fair point,” Liam said easily, “I had heard as much about you Bridgeport, it seems we both have reputations that precede us but I will keep in mind, should I ever find myself in your establishment, that at least the tables are clean.”

[liam-avraham]

codexalpha:

Col couldn’t help but give a light laugh as Liam seemed to express relief at the hotel owner’s competence. It wasn’t unfamiliar, after all, he himself was the eldest of three and he was sure he’d had similar reactions where either of his siblings were concerned. He raised an eyebrow in question. “You speak as if you expected something completely different from her having come to town,” he said with a smirk fully in place.

He gave dismissive shrug as he said, “My family established this pack a very long time ago, and when they did they settled on naming it the Fallcrest pack over the Rendall pack, because as far as they saw it, anyone looking for a home would be welcome amongst us. Over he years many things have changed and many more will likely change in the future, but the one that I fully intend on remaining is precisely that. No one should have to deal with the burden that comes along with being a supernatural in a mundane world, werewolf or otherwise.”

It was true that the family, in general, didn’t exactly have high hopes or overly high expectations for Leo. She had very much turned her back on every expectation the Avraham’s had placed upon her in favor of forging her own path. Leo was a skilled hunter, but Liam hadn’t exactly expected the woman to be a shrewd businesswoman as well. “Well, to be perfectly honest, I was hoping she’d need a hand and then I’d swoop in, rescue her enterprise from bankruptcy and use whatever free time I had left over to gloat.” Liam joked, chuckling lightly as he did, there was perhaps a spark of truth as far as any sibling rivalry went, “but the truth is I never saw her as having much interest in business.”

Initially Liam was not certain what he should make of Col, the man was a werewolf, but further than that he had ancient ties to this town. His welcoming and his acceptance gave the Avraham some hope for the future, uncharacteristically optimistic, he felt that perhaps initially he had misjudged the town, but only time would tell. “Those are noble sentiments,” Liam stated easily, finding some confidence in that not only was Embry in good hands, but that the town had a line of defense in place regarding any wayward werewolves or supernatural that might come through. It could prove problematic, but for the moment it would suit his needs just fine. Optimism and noble sentiments were all well and good, but not all people were the same and certainly not all supernaturals carried the same soft-hearted ideals. “What is your protocol for members of the Fallcrest pack that fall out of line?”