#shadow keeper

Of course, you have experienced loud party’s because of your parents and siblings, but you were… scared then too. Too tense to fall asleep, hiding under what you had as covers. Closing your eyes to try and force yourself to sleep like some monster that was hovering above you. Waiting for you if you don’t, and it felt… weird to you. Perhaps you even think irrational for others can stand such things but you can’t? Was something wrong with you?

Everything is wrong with you.

No, there were definitely others that didn’t like the sounds right? Ah, but they had someone to find comfort in. All you could do was hide under your covers and wrap your own arms around you like a scared child. Try and sleep away the sounds when they could last hours. It was… an experience to say the least, but you do think you’re more afraid of the sound or what’s behind the sound as you do like thunderstorms. You like the smell of them and even the beauty of them despite the danger they may bring.

The Golden Knights- Custodies have figured this out. In fact, they took note of it when you were a child. Hearing that little heartbeat of yours quickening behind the door separating them from you when you were trying to rest but that fear keeps you from doing so.

So, they try their best to provide. Seeming trying to block off your room with their bodies and armor. Trying to dull the noise without interrupting you, but that brings in a some complications for if it was a thunderstorm? They are not keen on getting stuck by lightning nor could they stop Mother Nature… So they try to get permission into your room despite your childish age. Yet, you deny them every time and continue to suffer alone. It was… particular. Why did they listen? They truly didn’t need your permission of any age you were…

Yet they listened like vampires uninvited from an home, until now. When you have grown. Where the Shadow Keeper was allowed in your room after a deal for protection.

“Little one,” The Shadow Keeper gently calls for you. Taking a step forward from his original spot in the dark corner as the sky’s rumble with the sounds of fireworks going off near by. Painting the usually dark sky’s in unusual hues of colors for just a second. “Seek your solace within my presence. I shall be your shield.”

You simply stare at the sheets of your bed. Hands and body hidden under your blankets. Listening to all those crackles and booms of the fireworks. His words giving you a slight comfort as you know this being is far more powerful than what those sounds could do, but how could you find comfort in something that was- is such of power? That could hurt you more than anything else?

He sees that you don’t move and briefly hesitates. His black and gold armored form standing by your bedside, looking down upon you with glowing red visors. What does he do? He wants to comfort you, provide for you… Yet you seem… out of it. You’re aware, yes, but you’re making not effort to move from your position. Your heart still racing. Were you in some type of shock? Does he dare to brake you from this assumed shock?

“Little one.” He calls again, moving slowly and carefully with you. One of his gauntlets moving down to put it within your view before turning the gauntlet, rising it up, and brushing the stray hairs out of your face. Watching how your eyes flick up to him before looking away. Seemingly uncaring of what he was doing and it was… strange for him. You never let him nor anyone to close for your own comfort, and yet here you are; letting him move your hair out of your face.

The Keeper doesn’t say much about that but a low, soft hum. Wanting to test you further by gently settling his gauntlet on the side of your jawline. The sight amusing for others to see as his armored hands would- are covering your whole face. Blocking your ears from the harsh noises you realize after a brief moment of clarity. Eyes flickering up at him again.

“…” You don’t say anything, you never do and you don’t have to for your eyes and body language says enough. You’re being very observant with him. Seeing if he would make a wrong move, and your body language suggests you’re overly tense but ever slowly relaxing with how Celsus starts to gently thumb at your cheek. Creating a soft noise for you so you can ignore the bigger ones.

It will take a few minutes, but you do eventually feel the exhaustion come to you. Your eyes drooping, shoulders relaxing as he keeps up his gentle actions upon the frailness of your kind. A bit of a pride-like feeling washing through him as he continues to watch you, even when you have fallen asleep. Never stoping his thumbing until there was no longer a loud noise that he or his brethren can hear.

When you do wake up the next morning? It was one of the best sleeps you have had in ages… Not that you would admit the care was nice, but you’re pretty sure they know that already… They seem more content than usual…

“@kit-williams, @egrets-not-regrets, @bispecsual, @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan, @sleepyfan-blog.”

“+@c-u-c-koo-4-40k, @marcela2000, @passionofthesith, @insanity6666.” - Tagged

Can you just up and trust this- these golden beings that don’t belong? Can you trust the unknown? Can you trust them on watching over Eden, would they even do it? Would they even accept a written proposal from you? You don’t even trust them enough with your own voice…

“Speak your mind, little one.” The aquamarine visor of the golden knight glows a bit brighter on acknowledging you with a male, modified voice. That weird… what do they call it? Feathers? Plume? That red plume of theirs waving softly behind their cone-like helmet as the vent system of the mansion keeps the small library-like office cool. In fact, it is the only area in the whole mansion that was cold and very much protected by the golden knights for a reason your mind cannot grasp.

You don’t give a hum or a movement of acknowledgement to the golden knight, but your eyes? They do. They search him, judge him, strike him down if they could. You wanted information on the one that seems to be the… messenger of the group. Even if you would like to know more: where they come from, their purpose, but you know you’re limited by things unseen. Things that shouldn’t be true. Things that make you have a migraine just thinking of the golden knights. It’s preposterous, and cruel in its way.

“Come now,” The golden knight encourages you. His modified voice deep, rumbling, something that seems it was a genetic tone for them to have, including the Astartes. Yet his seemed to be more smoother; softer. You suppose not all are a copy and paste. There is something in them the makes them different like how all humans don’t have the same finger prints. “You do not sit there to stare at any one of us. You need something.”

His words speak truth. You were never one to just stare blankly. If anything, that was a trick to any on lookers, but these keen beings have read you just as you have read them. Well, in body language. There was nothing in books that could explain these beings. However, do you really need something? Were you really desperate enough to seek something they could provide? That is even if they accept your proposal, but you weren’t going to take a denial for an answer. If these beings stayed around this hellish household, they can made do on your proposal.

Your eyes shift up to his glowing visor, staring him down with such intensity from where you lounge on the dark brown leather chair that it makes him tilt his head to a centimeter to the side. Another thing you notice these beings having a same habit of doing. Always tilting their helmets when they seem curious of something in front of them that causes the head tilt.

Then, you stand. A bit tense at first, but the more steps you dare to take to be in front of the golden knight? The more your form is… unseeingly: hidden, more… confident. Your head having to tilt back and look up at him while he has to lean a bit to look down at you, and the both of you just stare at one another for a moment. His form shifting; straightening up. His eyes beneath his helmet watching as your hand reaches into your back pocket and bringing out on envelope with a wax seal on it. Your hand positioning the envelope where he can clearly see it as he was dumb enough to not to.

You keep the envelope in front of him, making sure that he is absolutely seeing it. You were not going to play around on this deal that you wouldn’t even have done, but your hand is forced. You would not be there for Eden, even if you wanted to. It was just not possible with your position. You are at a barrier with your family and you have other stuff going on that needed your attention. So, there guys are really your own best bet in this situation. If not? You suppose an Alpha Legionnaire wouldn’t mind taking that place. At least, until she finds her own bond or that Astartes might get lucky, who knows. You’re not against a bond, but you are not keen of one either, for yourself anyways.

The Custodies lifts his gauntlet slowly to take the small envelope into his armored fingers. Seemingly not wanting to scare you away as he was the height of a damn skyscraper, and he knows you feel a bit… differently about them. You’re not that easily swayed with whatever the warp holds over this ancient Terra like a regular baseline. Your little mind subconsciously notices they don’t belong.

You turn away from him when he takes the envelope, walking back to the chair and just stopping just before the end table off to the side. A cream colored, touched activated table lamp lighting up the area a bit more as the sun starts to set for the day through the picture window. The oak trees swaying slightly outside at the nighttime breeze. Your form leaning a bit to pick up a book upon the end table and flip through it for a second. Thinking of what you have done today while you hear the Golden Knight open your envelope.

You have gone out in the early morning, the air still crisp with frost. Your breath able to still make a cloud of carbon into the air that brings a certain nostalgia over you as mourning doves coo out, greeting the new day. It’s soft sounds definitely better than a rooster screaming at the crack of dawn. That would no doubt awaken the Golden Knights quick, not that you were sure they even sleep… You swear that Shadow Keeper doesn’t. You get caught by that one in the middle of the night all the time. You also get caught by that Solar Watch too, if you wandered a bit far from the property, but hey. That gave you a pattern to put them down on, sort of.

The Shadow Keeper liked sticking close to your places that one would find you mostly in like your bedroom and the current room you’re in present time. The Emissaries Imperatus liked being in areas where there was… knowledge? Like again, the current room you’re in: the office-like library. Aquilan Shield liked to try and follow you around, no matter if it was a singular step for him to do so, or if your family was near. (That always ended up in some sort of disaster.) The Dreaded Host? He was a bit more tricky one, but you mostly see him placing himself where the highest… damage could be done, verbal or not, and the Solar Watch? He is like the wanderer of the outskirts. Always keeping an eye on what comes in and what goes. So, you had no doubt that he had saw you leaving the property this morning. It was hard to avoid their watchful eyes, but you have ignored them long enough to not care too much. They at least don’t snitch on you. Well, as far as you know. You feel like they snitch on you to each other when you’re out of your… “boundaries.” Something that seemed unusual of you to do. That Aquilan Shield always seeming to know where to go to find you; scaring some Astartes and humans alike around you away, and that annoys you to no end. You have business: work to attend to. You know not to rely on your failing father.

Besides that, you have gone out into the world. Walking out onto the paved driveway with a few cars like a black BMW, deep red Ferrari and a couple more expensive cars sitting out in the driveway that belonged to your father and some annoying partygoers. Your form simply walking past the (rather unimpressive) cars and walking down the mile long driveway with just a landscape of fresh cut lawn. The lawnmower hire coming in the early mornings to finish the job they do rather good at for getting paid practically nothing. You feel bad for them, and sometimes even pay the man personally for his hard work which in return you get a praise from him. “You’re too kind.” He would say, and for some reason, that clenches at your heart. Were you really kind or were you just… masked sympathetic?

You shake your head in that moment of time, dismissing the thought quickly. Your form taking the sidewalk at the end of the driveway. Doing your duties that you set upon yourself like: picking up some lunch, checking up on Eden at a public school with said lunch and just do some personal things that you thought that was well earned of you. Indulging into things that could give you a bit more of a fraction of happiness into your soul. It wouldn’t be a whole lot as you could regret such a purchase later, but it was something, right? To at least feel something of what you could call your own?

You jump softly as you feel something wraps around your waist, snapping you quickly out of your thoughts of the day. Your heart jumping up in your own chest as you glance up and behind you while you get pulled back into a cold material, getting an eyeful of a glaring gold in your vision. Your face giving a wince at the bit of the contact, not at all used to it. Your form tensing up and twitching slightly as if expecting to be hit or on uncomfortable and/or uncommon grounds.

“You are injured, little one.” The golden knight rumbles down into the top of your head, his helmet blocking the breath that would have ruffled your hair. His body having to curl around you and kind of fit you underneath him like a puzzle piece. It was… it was strange, something you never experienced to much of. Was it a hug? Was he trapping you? Was he trapping you then going to throw you off a cliff? It just all felt… uncomfortable. You don’t think you would allow such… actions, but again, you’re forced to test even your own boundaries. You don’t like it. “Why?”

You don’t answer him, you never have. Why should you now? All just because he was claiming; assuming you to be injured? Why can’t they just back off for once? Why can’t anyone? Why do people have to be such drama seekers? Why can’t they just leave you alone? Stop calling you names-

“Little one.” He sighs and you inhale through your teeth. A sharp sting shooting up through your nerves, causing you to wince and twitch away again. Trying to get away from his prodding touch. It was gentle, but not gentle enough to your mind. Your body spinning around; quick to stick something into the Custodies gorget.

A dull sound rings out then just the sound of your breathing is heard as he lets go of you rather slowly, unaffected. Leaning back up again to his full height. Your own heart giving quick, rhythmic beats into your own ears as you back away from the Custodies immediately. Your feet heading for the closest exit. A low, repetitive-like zap barely just being heard over your own heart.

You watch with panicking eyes as the Custodies slowly rises his gauntlet up once more, towards his gorget. Seemingly… not surprised by what you have stuck him with. Simply pulling out the taser you kept on you for defense for all types, but clearly it didn’t work for the armored beings…Though, you should have expected that with a logical mind. His visor dulling, looking down at you as if you’re some piece of meat. “…I see, little one.”

You’re not sure if you should be running for your life now or just keep still like a deer in headlights. Perhaps even hide yourself in your own room until you starve within it by yourself. You’re unsure of what these beings would do to you after you ruined a chip of their precious armor. They were always unpredictable. You can’t find anything on them, and that unknown scares you.

“…We accept your proposition.” He speaks again, making you shift in your spot with unease as he crushed your defense object with undeniable deftness. The hairs all over your body going up. Not at all soothed by his words. “However, we would like to make one as well.”

You narrow your eyes at him, and you know full well that you shouldn’t. Not after sticking a god damn taser into a piece of his armor just a few minutes ago. Sure, you had the stoicism against your family, against the world, but them? Golden beings of the unknown? Your own feelings, your own personal boundaries don’t stand a chance. All the more reason to be untrusting of what they were about to propose to you as well.

“Allow the Shadow Keeper: Celsus Varon into your personal quarters.”

You and your own heart pause, a bit surprised at that request and incredibly stressed by it. You didn’t allow anyone in your personal- er bedroom. Not even a maid. The closest anyone has gotten was just standing right outside of it. You hated to think anyone would barge right in a take anything they wanted from you, not that one had tired yet, thankfully. They think you’re poor: a maid. Yet, what would an custodies need from you that would be in your room? Why would they want to be in your room at all?

A heavy sigh escapes you. Out of trying to calm yourself and at the situation that you put yourself in. You mind trying to think through the mental panic attack that you were having. Trying to get the pros and the cons of this… and well? There wasn’t much, but you wish there was. You wish there was something that you could pin these being down with, but they prove to be innocent until proven guilty.

You nod very slowly, very hesitant to even accept such demand in order for your own to be fulfilled before instantly heading for the exit of the room, nearly running into the damned Shadow Keeper as you quickly turn away from him too. Not wanting to be in a room with that custodies any longer, or with any custodies for that matter. You can handle Astartes, but you can’t stand a custodes.

God, you need to move out. Get a place to yourself. Maybe that would take the custodies off your back? Take everyone off your back? To be in your own world that others don’t have to worry about you? That sounds so pleasing, but atlas. The world, fate- whatever it is likes to keep playing its own, cruel game to play with your own life.

Its weird though, you have never really addressed them as their original titles: Adeptus Custodes or just Custodes in short. You have just been mentally calling them “Golden Knights.” Your pretty sure it was because you practically grew up under their eyes, and your younger, innocent self couldn’t fathom nor pronounce Adeptus Custodies. So your little mind settled on what was closer: Golden Knights. Knights also had happened to one of the things you admired then and well now. Admittedly, you like to think of a more… characteristic knight now since you figured out how exactly knights where back in the 12th century. It was a very stark contrast between a little fairytale and the real thing. All the more reason to avoid the Golden Knights though. You’re not sure how they act besides being annoying statues, and trying to follow you are despite your inner turmoil.

Maybe you should just settle for a War World II soldier instead? At least they cared for their nurses… Well, in the movies they did. You didn’t have enough information in written history to claim such. Maybe that is something you could figure out in the time being? Learn a bit more about War World II? You know you have heard of the Astarte's being first sighted there… Maybe that will allow you to get more information on the Golden Knights in your home er- household? No, those words don’t seem right to call this false security of a home…

You pause in your steps; in the middle of the hallway. Your head slightly down as you eye the shiny tile. Your mind in a sudden deep thought. What would you even call this household? Certainly not the Last name of the family, the blood is too mixed and… judging. You felt like they didn’t even deserve the honor of a last name. So, what would you call this… corruption?

‘Dysfunctional? Toxic? Tumultuous? Unstable?’ You almost amuse yourself with those definition's.

“Auntie?” A little, childish voice brings you out of your thoughts. Blinking, your back straightens up a bit again at your other- rather only friendly title you’ve been called here. Eyes flickering down to a little girl behind you, no more than 4 years old. Her wavy, strawberry hair stopping at just her shoulders; her sea green eyes innocent of youth. “Little Eden” you like to call her- mentally. Selectively mute you chosen to be. If you can’t talk in the home; voice your opinion's… Why bother talking at all?

You remember the first time you had met little Eden though. How her little fingers, grasped around your pointer finger while she tried to eat at her other hand, slobbering all over it. Her little cheeks chubby with cute fat, and her eyes a bit puffy with the cry’s for attention she desperately needed. Yet, she seemed to calm at your mere presence. Quieting down to soft sounds of nibbles. A few gnawing “yah, yah, yahs” leaving her. It would have been cute sight if it weren’t for the thought of the whys and hows she was crying for attention in the first place.

You were simply wandering the night halls of the mansion again. A routine you usually do to keep yourself and other things in check. Another party being hosted by your father as the walls thrum with vibrations, and through all that noise? You can hear a faint cry of displeasure. A cry of a newborn that you knew that was, and had come into the world, but just was never allowed to the hospital to see the brith of the new addition. So, you had to settle on patiently waiting for the time you would be able to see her without the foul glares and words of the family that might change her perspective of you at day one. It just… wasn’t a risk you were willing to take just to see someone new, but that wasn’t the thing you were most worried about. It was how the child was crying their heart out, wanting, seeking, needing attention. Their parent no where in sight, no doubt joining that damn party, and you’re not sure what scares you. The child’s obvious neglect or how you feel like you would be another failure to someone else. Even if they weren’t supposed to rely on you.

You sigh out, trying to calm your thoughts before your body would start to shake in anxiety. A hum leaving you to acknowledge the little one behind you. Your body turning a bit to give her your attention. Her eyes brightening up at your simple movements after she rubbed her eyes with her palms. Your eyes flickering to the shimmer of gold behind her, ignoring the… What was he again? A Shadow Keeper? Did she just wake up from a nap?

“Hi, auntie!” She greets you again, bounding up to you on her little legs. Her hands coming out to grasp at your pants. A huge smile on her face, and you’re not sure of what to make of it. No one has ever smiled so brightly at you before. Your brain thinks “logically;” to protect yourself, even from a child, thinking this was a trick. While your heart craves for such actions. Yet, you know better to have your heart to lead you, but it doesn’t mean you would neglect anything- anyone that would show you a smidge of kindness in this chaotic world.

Your eyes flicker over to the Shadow Keeper again. His form slow, basking in the shadows that a part of their armor seamlessly absorbs. His red visor softly glowing, even in the brightest areas, and it never fails to pull a shiver down your spine. These beings were so unnerving, but they have shown nothing to… oppose that. Opposite, really? You think? The people just somehow accept these… things that just appear out of no where, didn’t they think that was a bit suspicious? You weren’t at all judgmental of them nor combatant of them. You just wanted to know their origin, their purpose. Everything has it purpose you believe, but you can’t find anything to support your own ideals of them. Not even with the normal Astarte's. You just find they are kind of like different species: Primaris Marines, first-born, Iron Warrior’s to Salamander's…

Ugh, thinking about them just hurts your brain, brings you a massive migraine. You’ve gotten a bloody nose out of it one time, and you really don’t want to experience that again. It was one of the worst ones that you had, and even that, was suspicious to you. It wasn’t hard to notice that something was at play here as a mute watcher. Yet, something stops you from thinking of such. You wonder if you can get your answers from an Alpha Legionnaire or a Thousand Son. You heard it was a bit risky to deal with the mysteries untold, but if you wanted answers…

“Auntie?” Eden calls for you again, a tone of worry, perhaps defensiveness in her voice. Her hands tugging up at you. Wanting your attention again. “Did Mr. Varon offend you? You stare at them quite a lot…”

‘What? ’ You think to yourself, blinking away from the Shadow Keeper; rising your brow as you look back down at the child. Ignoring your own hint of embarrassment that grows inside of you that you were just… staring at things. Though, who's Varon? Wait…

Your head moves back up to the Shadow Keeper, your eyes narrowing at him slightly, judging him. His helmet tilting a centimeter to his right. His visor flashing a bit brighter as if he was… amused. Never in your life have you made on effort to learn the first and last names of the Golden Knights. You didn’t want to, you wanted the favor of your supposed parents then, but now?

You shake your head, ridding of any thoughts that could be driven by your heart. Turning your head back down to the child that was trying to pull you along somewhere. Her hands tightly grasping at you, grunting in… cute effort to try and move you from your spot. A singular twitch of your lips frowning upward, being shown for the trained eye before quickly going stoic again and following where the child wanted you to be. The shadows’ following at a respective distance right after.

She leads you a bit through the mansion, as if she was checking it out with you. Her hand never leaving their spot on your pants to pull you along. Taking you around the kitchen, living room, the outer rim of the mansion before taking you back inside and pulling you up stairs that has a loft near the entry way of the mansion. An honestly good spot to spy on the new people that come and go, and you suppose its one of the things you and Eden like doing together. Sitting in each others presence and watch the drama unfold just at the entry of the mansion.

“Father! I got someone new I want you to meet!” Ah, and so the show begins. A male and feminine figure slamming the front door shut upon entering the mansion. A click of heels echoing through the area as Father and Mother appear from just down the hall. Mother appearing from the laundry room. Something you take note of quickly as her being in the laundry room was suspicious, she never- doesn’t do laundry. Father appeared somewhere further down the hall. The rest of the hallway unseeable with the second story room wall’s in the way, but you would have to guess it was from his office.

Mother, something you don’t even call her anymore nor Father, but she was a rather fine looking woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. Good figure that would make her a model until you get to her shitty attitude. Most of the time she's a manipulator. Her tone untrue to others, including family. Seems like she just can’t stop being in a play. A fantasy she puts herself in. Something at least you can feel pity on her **for.

Father was all the dark a broody unless he was hosting his parties. Drinking away his worries. His dark eyes almost distant; black, slicked back hair seemingly always greasy now a days, but at least he occasionally shaved when a beard started to grow. That was something to show he wasn’t a complete failure. At least physically, emotionally? You, and only you knew he was drowning in silent debt. He should really consider rejecting some things… It will only be a matter of time before he breaks. You take a bet that he would even brake before your mother would.

“This is Linton Stokes.” Your stepsister, more like half-sister, but you don’t really even consider her blooded or even a sister. It’s another thing you think that many would need to earn the title of, but she introduces the new male next to her. Her arms wrapping around his neck while this “Linton Stokes” puts his hands on her waist. A sound of hushed disgust coming from the child besides you. “He’s my new boyfriend.”

‘What's the number now for that? The 12th one this year?’ You muse to yourself, shifting your weight as you lean up against the glass railing. That's also not even counting the past years she's had these flings of boyfriend's. Sometimes you feel bad for them because some of them seemed genuinely good material, only to be ruined by Lessas’ habits of being well…. a known whore, to put it boldly. Other times you can tell it was just a game to the men, and this male? Was going to be no different. You can just tell. It’s like a sixth sense.

“Oh! How exiting!” Mother gasps in fake excitement, but it has just enough training that it fools nearly everyone. Her hands clasping together. Her smile too bright, and the bright red lipstick she was wearing wasn’t helping her either. “What do you do, young man?”

“I, uh, I do business.” The guy retorts and immediately, you know that's a lie. If he was business he wouldn’t be dressed like a commoner. He would be more formal. Not only that, but he hesitated his words. He wasn’t confident in his position. So that's all the more reason to think that he was a liar or he just wasn’t doing well at his job that he was most definitely going to get fired sooner or later.

That, or you’re too judgmental.

“What type of business?” Father inquires, raising his brow. His fingers threading through his hair as he sighs out. Seemingly not in the mood to meet anyone else, unless of he was drinking of course. Friendly, deceiving person when drunk. Uncaring, tired man when sober. Pitiful, almost.

“Corporation, sir.” Linton speaks with manners but if he actually had any he wouldn’t be allowing himself the freedom of touching Lessa openly. He would have been respectful and shown promise in front of father, but you know the simple word: Corporation caught your father’s interest. His eyes regained a bit of light to them at the first syllable.

“Corporation, eh?” Father chuckles in a low tone, coming forward to remove Lessa from him and wrap his own arm around his shoulder. His daughter, not even of blood, pouting just a bit with a stomp of her black heels. “Say… I can teach you a thing or two? Hmm?”

“Mother!” Lessa huffs and puffs, never really liking the attention off of her. Another clicking stomp coming from her as she looks over to mother, expecting her to do something when another solid gold came into the room: Aquilan shield if you remember correctly of what type the Golden Knight was that has entered the entry way freely. His golden armor, and what you assume jewels imbedded in it having a bit of a reflex on the tile below. His figure more prominent in the tile reflection than anything else in the damn house. Probably the most expensive thing in the world too. It’s one of the few things why your father just… tolerates them because not only do they look intimidating, but your pretty sure there is dollar bills in your fathers eyes each time he glances over them.

Linton, probably and most likely has never seen an Custodies before, shivers in his spot. His adam apple signaling that he swallowed hard at the Aquilans’ sudden appearance, and man was it always amusing to see the new people crumble at just the sight of them. You had to at least give that to the Golden Knights. They were effective in chasing people off and keeping them off the property. Not they really intend to. It was just how they were built.

Yeah, built. You don’t believe these men or perhaps just things of armor: formed like golden bars were birthed like 1,000+ pounds at the getaway from a woman’s womb. They were definitely created in a lab unless they came from a line of giants or some mythical creature. Exaggerated? Maybe, but what else could you think of without getting a pounding headache that stops you from thinking further?

“Is…i-is that a Astarte's?” Is the first thing Linton says about them, and it’s almost a boring answer. Her eyes flickering over to father before looking back at the Aquilan with clear nervousness. His hands were shaking a little bit as he swallows again. It was a bit of a miracle that he hasn’t excused himself yet. It was a bit strange, but not everyone was the same. Maybe this guy has a bit of a back bone?

“No, that’s Atlas!” Eden speaks up right next to you. Her little mind not taking the disrespect for the Custodies, no matter if it was a simple question, and you… praise her for it, but did it have to be near you? You were just the playing object, perhaps a puppet in their eyes. Not even their child or sibling, just some random that lives in their house, eating their money, and you can just tell with how they look up to you with such disgust. It would sicken you, yourself if you weren’t used to it already.

“What are you doing out?” Your father more like comments up at you. His arm still wrapped around Lintons’ shoulders while they just seem to forget about the new Golden Knight in the room since they noticed you, and not in a good way as an uncomfortable silence stretches through out the area. Your mouth never opening to answer them. You never do as it would come with a cost of your own sanity. You just watch.

“Who is that, sir?” Linton speaks up with a slight waver in his tone. His brown eyes looking up at you in mild curiosity, and it leaves you skeptical. Your eyes tracking every movement that he does. Man should know what not to question around here. Especially with the attitude of your mother and Lessa. They do not do well with your mere presence or of an uttered word of/and/or about you.

“They are no one, honey!” Your mother grins too brightly, gaining the attention of the newcomer for a second and huff from her daughter: who smirks in response as if she won something she never even participated in. Her arms folding over her chest as she shoots a poor attempt of a sinister glare up to you.

‘Was that suppose to remove me from the plains of the Earth?’ You muse to yourself to keep your spirits up despite the prickling anxiety that feels like lightning was roaming across your back. Your form shifting your weight on one leg.

“Come, baby!” Lessa smiles too brightly as well, forcefully taking Linton back from her father, pulling at the mans’ clothes. Her tone so full of under toned venom, and she wasn't even hiding it. She never tries to. Probably one of the reasons she losses relationships so much…You honestly wonder how well she would do if she was paired up with a chaos Emperor Child? For you, you want it to be a form of punishment for her. You know that what you’re thinking of is… dark. You know the difference between chaos and a “holy” marine; have a slight concept of it, and by god you wished something akin to what was going through your mind happened to her. “Let me show you around my mansion!”

Your father face twitches at Lessas’ words, clearly taking in of how she says “my mansion.” Clearly displeased with her. Not only did she take away a potential victim of his… scam’s, but she was pulling a dominance card, and if you didn’t know any better yourself? Certain men don’t like that, like your father. It’s surprising he doesn’t do anything about it just yet. Most likely wanting to try and score some money off the “Linton Stokes” and spend it all in one go. That is if he was even a business man. This guy could be wanting to do the same to him.

“Hold on now,” Linton pauses their attempts to move him further down the mansion. His hands coming up to hold Lessas’ hands to try and stop her from dragging him. Lessas’ eyes giving him a glare that he simply ignores, looking back up at you. “I thought I was supposed to be meeting your whole family?”

‘Whole family, huh?’ You narrow your eyes down at him, meeting his gaze; making sure that you gather any more detail you could about him physically. He knows a lot more than what he leads on… His eyes flickering around briefly: at Eden then back to you, and something about that simple look around irks you. It sends a couple of negative mixed signal’s through your brain. Your form shifting a bit to cover Eden up more with your body, at most your legs. Her hands squeezing at your clothing at the unintended invitation.

Lessa was a absolute fool to bring this one in.

“She’s nobody.” Lessa hisses through her teeth with a happy tone. Her blue eyes sending you another glare up at you before lighting up again once Linton looks back at her. Smiling as if she hasn’t done a single unholy thing in her life before giving a light laugh. “A maid at most! Let me show you around, babe!”

You can see the man hesitate before reluctantly following her. Letting himself be pulled by her hand and lead him further into the mansion. Your parents lingering for a second, giving you a lasting glare before following their steps. You would feel… sorry, but with how many years you put up with their shit? It wasn’t even worth to waste such emotion.

“That guy is weird.” Eden comments up at you, saying whatever pops up into her head. Your figure leaning up from the glass railing while you decided that pinnacle of drama was enough for the both of you. Better things can be done besides being bait to some theatricals.

You nod down at her though: agreeing. This “Linton Stokes” was definitely weird. He knew that you were part of the household even if you weren’t really well… apart of it. His gives off an… strange aura that you can’t pinpoint just yet, but you know it’s negative. It’s not something to just brush off either. Not to mention the random look he gave Eden…

You need to keep an eye on this dude. Yet, you cannot always be there for her, no matter if you want to or not; could or not. The family would get suspicious, and start lies or something that was supposed to ruin your own reputation. She also could get targeted too, and you definitely did not want that to happen. No child deserved to not feel a mother’s love, father’s protection or even a siblings connections, and just because you didn’t have it yourself? It doesn’t mean you would revoke someone else of that… wholesomeness. That was just a low blow, or at least you think it was- is.

You sigh, your shoulders dropping slightly in some form of internal defeat. How would you even protect her? At least until you feel safe that she was safe? It’s not like you could hire a damn mercenary or bodyguard. The spent money would be suspicious too.

…Wait.

Your eyes flicker up to the black and gold Shadow Keeper that kept to the shadows and the gold and royal blue Aquilan Shield below that keeps his own red visors staring up at you. Your mind thinking… There are others that can protect her, but were you willing to take that risk? To finally make request them of something after years of trying to ignore them the best you could?

To finally give them a sliver of your inconclusive trust?