#deltaxfrank

@orleans-jester

When all the holiday hubbubs had settled for the evening Diablo lingered longer than usual. He'd taken part in any gatherings in his human elder form this year. He was connected to Delta waiting for her to be at the point of dismissal for him. This way he was sure he wasn't interrupting anything. He was a quiet presence as a bird. That didn't change much in his adult form.

So, when he spoke it would seem slightly out of the ordinary.

"Frank? Delta? I haven't given my gift yet."

As a bird he'd been known to leave bird style gifts off and on, bones, or other captures much like a cat leaving a mouse as a gift for their humans. This year he was taking his gift giving further. He'd given gifts as a human before, but this year was different. He was really trying to show his appreciation and gratitude to the pair especially Frank's tolerance of a familiar. Plus, despite being a shared familiar with Maleficent, her absence in the fairy realm left him heavily leaning in for Delta's needs. Her mother was slowly letting go of him gifting her daughter her most trusted protector. It was just taking longer to let go than she expected, but the pull to Delta and the distance Heresy was putting between was a magic Diablo could not ignore.

"I thought for a long time what to give you both. I think I know what you both want the most and I might be one of the only ones who can give it. It can't be for too long as the living doesn't bode well on the other side. As long as we're back by morning I think you should both be fine."

Delta would look over at Frank. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Crow magic did cross realms after all.

"It isn't supposed to be done. I can't do it often as it would take its toll on you. But it's the most I can give. If you'd like to go back to your own darkness in the infernal space, I know the path. I can cross you both over for just a little while."

They were worth bending the rules over.

Delta's breath caught in her chest. 50 years. She lived longer in Hell than she ever had on Earth. "Home." She whispered gasping at the idea. It took a lot catch her off guard. Her thoughts would swirl of memories of their time in Hell, and her heart began to swell.

Their world. 

Their. 

She could almost feel America ready to cave and give her jurisdiction over it despite her already considering it hers to begin with. That was going to crack her up if it happened, but rightly so. She could see them shaking in their military grade boots out there. 

She felt like it was a bit of a rush job but she was an landscaper or an interior decorator. She wasn’t an architect, but it sure looked like it. The one thing that was really bugging her about the place wasn’t even the rabble of stray people in it as much as she didn’t always like people-ing. It was the name. 

Nola. Fuck New Orleans. It had it’s day. It’s time. It’s place. It’s history was in books where history belonged. She never quite fit in anywhere so Delta solved that problem by creating her own world. She’d fill her world full of monsters. She looked up her favorite one now, her other half. 

Valerie and Scout would have a freeze moment when they’d both be see what Chip was going through with swamp fires through the camp. No one would know for sure this was Piper but there would be suspicions after the magical reinforcements from camp were the best way to tame it. 

It was possible even Thomas got some connections with Raya on this one with her dead-side Hell-mind being so triggered. Valerie suspected Piper right away whether Brigitte did or not. She was too in tune waiting for news after Dale left. Laveau property being ground zero for a swamp inferno couldn’t be a coincidence. 

Valerie would tell Thomas about this tragedy. Her precious other world, her camp, Chip’s community, Zeke’s home, his mamma’s people, so many hurt, the village nearly destroyed. There was a selfish part of Valerie that felt her life in her new Lothlorien was exactly what she wanted with Thomas, protected, and safe, felt so fine. Then there was another part of herself that felt that natural inclination to need to help. It was in her blood to pull together with the group and help the village if something real went down. This was something real. But, not wanting the responsibility of it was also why she left and the guilt was going to be put to the test with this one. 

Zeke would have contacted Thomas personally just in case Valerie got any impulsive ideas. She was in no condition with the triplets to be coming home to all this mess. Physical labor was the last thing she should be doing and she didn’t need the emotional stress of seeing it all up close. He, Brigitte, Chip, and the elders left would handle it. 

That was one happening. 

The next happening was the most recent amazing moon. 

Thomas would change and head out like he usually does. Valerie would wish he’d not wonder too far. She couldn’t communicate with him, but she’d start to feel sick herself, nauseous, pain she wasn’t used to feeling. Victor wasn’t there. Jesula was in no way available. Scout stayed home on full moon nights out of habit and sense of duty ingrained, but she was still a kid, and no specialized nurse here. She had no idea how to help when her mother started to cry out in pain clutching round her middle. It had finally happened, the big it. The triplets were being affected by the moon and with three of them crammed in there Valerie could feel it and they would only get bigger. 

Valerie would be compelled to go outside swearing up and down to Scout the pups wanted their father and moon. In her condition, barely able to stand, Scout had to help her walk to the door, but would beg her to go no further. She was scared if she stayed on the porch she’d just be a target for other wildlife like that on a night like this. She didn’t trust her father was the only wolf left in New Zealand after the camp they plowed down. Who knew if there were any strays out there? So, Scout would sit on the kitchen floor with her mother right by door trying hard to muffle the sounds of a wounded animal Valerie might make by keeping the radio on unsure of what else to do as she tended to her mom with cold cloths, and they waited for Thomas to return. 

It didn’t end there. There was another happening. 

Flotsam/Valerie was groomed to have a connection with the other side. They’d had a strong one that had grown more powerful with age. Dr. F’s saying “He’s got friend’s on the other side” was one of Flotsam’s favorites. They tried so hard to appease the Gods, spirits, and such. That same full moon night would end with Valerie in an involuntary seizure-like trance ghost writing on the floor. It took a while for Scout to figure out to put pen in their hand. The writing would not be in her own handwriting, not even the parts that were clear, though most of it was scratchy and gibberish, hard to make out, like her body was hard to invade and control. Something possessed her and it was not Marrassa or Savvy. Neither entity had ever worked that way before. 

All of this was going to be what Maddy and Bastien were flying in from Nola to New Zealand to. As if their little miscommunication wasn’t a jumble of a mess of it’s own, the Laveau family stress just rose a little higher in worries that would feel a lot less petty or emotional and more life concerning. Valerie was still half in the dark about Thaddeus so she didn’t know Thomas had that piled on it too.

 Victor and Zero were traveling by the same Jolly Roger magic sea portaling and would be as long as Delta had anything to say about these trips. He’d be bringing Tree back to Nola with them. That said, if Victor were a guessing man, he’d guess Thaddeus better not test Thomas’s patience at this point in the game because his wife was now officially in a very, fragile, high risk state, and would get a doctor’s warning label over the phone before he’d arrive to see her. Emotions matter. Getting heated matters. Mamma gets upset. Babies get upset. They could have emotional changes too not just full moon just like daddy. 

Chip hadn’t even reached out to Maddy he’d been so exhausted and busy in the village. Though the fires themselves were all over the news, so the Bellerose’s had to have been wondering. If anything they might have been able to get more news out of Scout than anyone. Scout would be the most open line in the Laveau family at the current moment. 

Still, with all this going on in the background, Bastien and Maddy were going across the sea. So, were Delta and Frank. 

Delta and Frank were happening. 

Delta wanted to check out this place Tree had been. They thought about not making a move till Maleficent did something, but it was dragging out. They took a risk and left Heresy alone in the castle. It was a big risk, but damn it they were bored. Fuck it all. They would not even announce they were coming to anyone. They would just board the Jolly Roger right before they set sail, even Victor and Zero did not know. They would tell no one where they were going to stay. They would tell no one their itinerary and just show up and take over the Captain’s cabin. Smee would start to lift a hand when they chose that door and all it would take was one look from Frank and the ever slow slight bounce of one of Delta’s curls as if she might turn her head and he lowered that hand and opened the door for them. Delta never had to turn her head. Frank’s stares always did it. 

The Cap’n wasn’t going to be happy about this. He doesn’t like his things moved unless he’s the one doing the breaking or throwing of course. Delta decided it was much more fun to stow a ride on the infamous Jolly Roger and mess up Hook’s room than to hitch a ride a plane with the Hunch and Maddy if given the choice and since Victor was going they had a choice. So, Delta told Maddy they weren’t going and gave no other reason. She didn’t say they had another ride, just that they weren’t going with them. 

Bastien and Maddy went on a plane. Maddy got a plane all to themselves this time she said. Bastien liked that. He was not a fan of ear popping in planes and going deaf when going high and low, but he was a big fan of being alone. So he would sing his wife lots of praises for that.  

 This was a new place and Bastien got a little skittish about leaving the airport unless it was dark. He kept asking what time it would be when they landed even after he’d already asked. He was jazzed up in Paris on marriage confidence. In Nola everyone knew him as Delta’s hammer guy at the very least. Going out in the day just wasn’t so bad anymore, but this was a brand new world out there that didn’t know him. The nerves started to hit. He was very thankful their arrival was in the evening. They’d arrive at Valerie and Thomas’s most bragged about and highly recommended honeymoon hotel. They’d mention Valerie and Thomas and get the star treatment from moment one. With a pocketbook like Maddy’s they won’t be regretting it or wasting their time either. They’ll surely be amply rewarded for their hospitality. 

Still, Bastien had that groggy after-transformation face with extra travel exhaustion on top as he sat down on the balcony for a smoke without taking much of the room in yet. 

“Look at us in a whole new world again.” 

He was calming down after everything. Bastien always needed a moment to step back and recenter after the pain. He gained strength through the night. As confident as he’d become in Nola in the day his love for the night would always remain. He always longed for a day in the sun like a normal man but there was comfort in the dark. There was muscle memory in what this was. There was never pressure here to be brave or overcome. He could just be. 

He liked that feeling. 

When Thaddeus saw the Laveaus arrive at Hobbiton with so many tickets on the camera he’d get up and start to head over even though it wasn’t his night to work. The guy couldn’t help himself. He’d be late, but he’d show up eventually to play his Green Dragon part. 

Delta, Frank, Victor, Zero, and Bastien, Maddy, Scout, Thomas, and Valerie made quite the group. Frank got all the stares though Zero and Thomas might be a match for scars under the clothes and peeking out from the neck. 

There were two tour choices and Valerie was kind enough to give the Belleroses a choice. So, this was actually Bastien’s call. But, they actually came for the dinner tour which started in the day light and changed over to night and would end with the biggest dinner banquet and the lantern walk. Bastien wanted to be able to experience the grandest experience Valerie described. He felt bad if he chose the lesser experience. She even tried to tell them that they could come back later at night themselves because she had the keys, but Bastien insisted on doing the long tour so he could see all the little details in the light. That meant he’d be shifting at Hobbiton. That was a big deal shift. The tour was only so long and that took time and privacy. It was definitely going to draw attention. Valerie wasn’t sure if she should have let it happen, but the part of her that wanted to share Hobbiton with everyone, and that meant day time too, and night time, then by God Bastien was going to get to see it too. If something went wrong Valerie already decided she’d just force Thaddeus to fix it with that family of his. He just had to because she said so. 

She also never spared dressing up when going to Hobbiton. She often went elven something slightly in Middle Earth style when she went to fit the mood. She was really showing now and her styles were changing in general. She’d been wearing a lot looser clothes for comfort, lots of dresses so there was no restriction at all. Maddy liked to dress up a lot. This was one of those times Maddy couldn’t over dress because Valerie was on it too. She was in good spirits after their snow day the night before. She was dressed in green. She wasn’t bundled up for this one. Hobbiton was like her own backyard. She even took her shoes off and went running when they finally got a chance. She was a nature brat that liked to stay grounded with the earth. 

The tour had finally gotten to a point where they could drift more on their own and roam and she would take every chance to run over the grassy hills in the breeze, her green dress would billow in the breeze. She took a break and sat on the hill to enjoy the sun. She noticed Scout was getting a piggy back from Thomas while he was pointing more things out to Bastien. She thought it was funny even with Scout on his back they weren’t quite as tall as Frank. She’d give her husband a wave to let him know she was taking a break for a moment. Then she waved Maddy in hoping to get a moment alone. “Take a load off. They’ll take us up to for the banquet soon. Enjoy the landscape.. and me for awhile.” She grinned. “No, really. How do you like it? I missed saying goodbye last night. We got separated. You guys having fun yet?” 

Zero and Victor had been here before with them but they didn’t mind an evening tour. They came for the second breakfast short tour last time so this was fun to change it up for them. Delta wouldn’t have came to this place as a vacation spot all on her own without Valerie’s persuasion, but now that they were here she didn’t mind checking it out. A free meal was always cool, so was free ale. She liked the movies, but she wasn’t an uber fan in the way the Laveaus were, but she noticed Tree got pulled in, so she figured she’d entertain it. It was just sort of funny to be all fanboy about a story when they had a world in the fairy realm with walking Trees that were real and not fake. She preferred to focus on the fairy realm Moores than the Ents and other Middle Earth species because... well... reality. But, she thought they were all sort of cute they were obsession a storybook land to the point of Valerie moving to New Zealand and hoarding keys to the movie set on the regular for her own little fantasy. 

Zero came running when he got upset with the Pierre situation. He acted like he wanted to throw down all hyped up via text to Delta so she was in. But, when he got there before Maddy ever came up and they started warming up she could tell something wasn’t right. She didn’t even need Frank’s feed to feel it. Dance partners feel each other and he was off. So, they took it down a notch as she was trying to find the right chemistry for the body language he was putting off. But, she didn’t demand answers. If Frank was around she’d ask for a feed. But, she’d still not call him out. She’d let dance do what dance does. It was language she could speak with Zero only.  Frank was more a watcher and silly dancer for fun and slow dancing. Zero was her only technical dance partner unless Maddy ever really kept it up. Then she’d have a girl. There was a little part of her that wondered if she could get a whole crew again. 

That is what Maddy would walk in on. It was one they worked on every now and then but hadn’t perfected yet. All the choreography wasn’t done yet. But, they’d wing it. She was feeling him out her way. 

Zero would be in the state of mind he came for. He was trying to get lost in it and he was. Little ghost twink that liked to dance and nothing more pushing his problems away. He felt free from it all in that room with Delta. She might have been a crazy, malicious, 2 headed monster, but sometimes she had her own magic with people. This was one of those moments like whatever inspires her to to help the down and out all while being the same person who calls for the Butcher. But, this was a moment she extended to Zero of herself. 

Then when the music was over and his chest was hurting from whatever place he went inside the music and the motions Zero saw Maddy standing there watching. He hadn’t noticed her there he’d been so engrossed in it. 

The song was almost ironic to Delta realizing what was happening when Zero stopped and all he released came rushing back into his body. It was the very girl he’d yelled at and held such a grudge against only to over hear what he did on that phone call. Delta was a pretty private person. He knew they were in the dungeons, but he in no way thought she’d be up there in the dance room or even see her at all. 

But, part of him was scared. Another part of him was just thankful she was here.

“Hi.” 

There was a nervousness in his eyes and a softness Zero just plain didn’t usually wear, usually the hyperactive rearing to go guy, always on the move. Delta would look between them both wondering where this was going and Zero would say to Maddy, “Can I hug you?”  

To hurry this along so Flotsam couldn’t make it any worse than it already felt they got with Delta and decided they were doing this old fashioned way. They just plain didn’t care what they were supposed to ease into. They were knocking down the damn tower if only because Delta was excited for a new one now and didn’t want to disappoint her or make her angry. But, there was absolutely no talking them out of it for any sort of health reason. They were given the green light and they were going, end of story.  However, they couldn’t connect with the real reason they were doing this anymore. It became all about leaving so they wouldn’t make Thomas look so worried and sad anymore. They hated themselves even more for it. 

That was until the moment Delta led Flotsam up the stairs. That’s when it all flooded back. It was like their brother lived in those stone walls. They could hear the screams and Maleficent’s laughter echoing. It made them actually take a step back out of the room to catch their bearings and closed their eyes. 

Delta rose a brow and looked over at Frank. “Dude a PTSD freak that can’t handle his pain or what?” She asked in Frank’s mind trying to figure out what was going on there, but had a pretty good guess. The physical was one thing, but Maleficent knew how to be cut throat with the emotional too making all their mistakes fall on their brother. 

Flotsam would ask if he could have a moment alone there. “Then I’ll be ready. I’ll get this done.” 

Delta looked over at Thomas then up to Frank. It wasn’t like she intended to be in the tower when they took it down. She was a little surprised they didn’t have a team of people with them, but whatever. She didn’t care how they did it, just that they did it now that they’d gotten her excited for a new chamber. 

“Fine. Whatever. You guys just better not break anywhere else when it falls.” 

Flotsam nodded. They thought they had that challenge covered. That’s why they made Chip and Dale tag along. Delta would head down the stairs making eye contact with the one in camo. 

“Hick.” Popped into her mind as she passed. It didn’t matter if the guy had brains or not he looked like one. Dale looked like the guy at a frat party who was passed out in a bathtub with a lampshade on their head after every one else had already gone home. But, Frank would be the only one to hear those opinions. 

Well, they had to get him out. She thought about doing it the easy way and simply demanding it. But, the more she thought about it the more it annoyed her he was locked up in the first place. The Merry Men had an underground system going on that helped poor and it might have all started with silly rivalry over a Nottingham Country Club, a business competitor using the same Robin Hood theme which drove the two businesses into arch nemeses just like in the olden days. Still, the reality was, people knew by now those Merry Men (curse their name) people still seemed to know they were with Delta. So, the more she thought about it the more it felt like the asylum really thought they felt like they had the right to take one of her people even if she never really thought of Robin as one of her own minions like that before. But, suddenly, she decided she was offended. She didn’t want to do this the easy way and just make it happen. She wanted to leave an impression. 

Delta went to Dr. Frankenstein for some white coats so she and Frank would be able to blend in. Oh my, oh her Lurchy. Those lanky arms came out of those sleeves a good foot even with Victor’s man size coat. Meanwhile, Delta swam in it.

Security wasn’t a problem. She ported them in with her staff.  She gave  Frank one of Robin’s personal cloaks and daggers to keep folded and hidden away in case they weren’t together and the situation called for it. There was no specific plan, but she knew she wanted to make sure she had things from his Robin Hood life on both of them in case they got split up. She worried about what his mental state might be and him possibly needing a reminder of who he was. His bow would be too much to carry. So, if she had to she could conjure that later. 

She had no doubts she would leave the building with Robin Hood. She was however in doubt of the condition she might leave the building or it’s inhabitants, patients, employees, doctors, or visitors. She wasn’t going to guarantee anyone’s mental or physical state when it came to that. As a matter of fact the first thing she did while in the center of the building was gag and hog tie with magical binds the therapist who’s office they randomly ported into. 

She shoved her into a closet and then sat in her office and took her next 3 appointments. For each patient she’d tell them their usual doc was away dealing with unexpected personal problems and she was filling in. Then she’d get every patient to complain and vent about what her and air all their gripes about the facility or treatment. As a new face there it made them trust her like they were trying to warn her in hopes of getting something better from her. One in particular actually recognized her. So, Delta actually told this mental patient after reading her compulsive liar and schizoaffective file that this was her city now, and she had everyone trapped in a fae ring, the city would soon realize it’s wrongs fix them, or cower to their knees, or pay the price, including the wrongs here. Justice for The Hunch. Justice for Robin Hood. Then she’d ask her name ask what she wanted justice for. 

This would have the girl down in the community room later running her mouth about Doctor Delta being in the building which everyone would think was just another lie. Just this girl telling another tall fish tale. But, it would get others talking too. 

This community room forced Robin into the modern century with the shared television. All these people around talking about his life wasn’t helping. All sessions were getting to him, plus he was doped to the max or he’d be uncatchable to begin with. He was a patient on serious meds to the point of slurred speech and corner mouth drool. 

Delta however wasn’t ready to go barreling in to the rescue. She was observing him and sneaking around. She was getting a good feel for the place. It wasn’t like she’d ever really been in one, not like this. Once she got done screwing around with people a little and got the lay of the land she had Frank in a janitor’s closet and started to come up with a plan. 

“We need time to clear those meds out of his system.” 

Then she tapped her chin. 

“Actually, wouldn’t be more fun if no one was on their meds? I always did like Placebo. Great band. Even better plan. I say we wait out next med call before we approach for the great Undermedicated Uprising of the Asylumville Horror?” 

@orleans-jester​

Delta’s eyes had shifted to dragon from the moment she gripped Maleficent’s staff and they had not returned. 

The car they had stolen broke down not far from their destination at the bottom of the stony mountain trail. 

“We really should have gotten that convertible.” She stepped out and looked up. Frank’s words were still in her head. ‘You’re the powerful witch here.’ 

She’d held back all her life minus anger explosions determined not to be compared to her mother. She never wanted to stand in her shadow, but times had changed. She’d learned too much. She wasn’t so worried about those sorts of judgements anymore. Her priorities had changed. So, she took Frank’s hand and remembered one simple lesson she’d learned in Halloween Town High, Professor Cromwell’s class. 

“Magic is really very simple, all you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it.”

Delta wanted to be up at the top of the mountain and in her castle with her monster. She took Frank’s hand. She lifted her staff and she let herself have it. In a sudden whirl of green tornado shaped smoke they were ported right inside the kitchen with a thud hard landing. She almost fell over from the force of it but managed her footing. Both their heads would have windblown hair. 

She looked around at the filthy, dusty, abandoned castle so time worn. She wanted it clean. She wanted it back to normal, only not the same. This wasn’t her mother’s castle. This was hers and Frank’s. She eyed the walls, the floors, the high stone casting, pillars, ceilings. Then with the sudden splay of outstretched arms would boom more acid green. The sound of water would rumble through pipes that hadn’t been used. Lights burned bright in every room, chandeliers and candles lit. The electric emerald blast would climb up walls fixing damage from the war. Thorny vines would spiral around pillars and feed through cracks like ivy. Potted plants grew. Grandfather clocks began to tick. The whole place would come alive like it was never abandoned and just waiting to welcome them. 

The whole castle would glow from the outside with every single light on, hazy soft green. She’d cast Diablo off and he’d soar circles above the mountain castle, a look out for them, but a foreboding warning to the city below. They were here. Let the rumors soar. Frank was right. Everyone was about to know they were here. If no one believed social media or telephone gossip all they had to do was see the acid green beacon that now shone above the city. 

Delta, with horns spiraled, dragon eyes, and wings that drug on the ground turned to her monster. 

“How do you like our summer home dear?” She spoke in a mock Hampton’s voice feeling clever since their other place was always winter. Then as much as she did rather like Summer’s dress she snapped and her outfit changed from head to toe back to the one she lost. She wanted it and let herself have it. 

Then in an the most contradictory question that didn’t seem to fit with all the acid grandeur she asked, “You want some SPAM?”