Regret

[Jisa]

Charred circles littered the bare walls and worn down floors. Black marks marred the brick work and dull wooden floors. A rust-laden skylight filtered weak light in through it’s dust crusted panes. Dust motes floated in the air, lit by the dim light of day. Shadows loomed in the lonely corners, battling for their share of space in the attic. In one of these corners, a dark figure was slumped.

His black jacket was wrinkled and faded, as dust had settled on it in the time he’d been there. A black tie lay undone under the collar of a dress shirt, hanging loosely over his torso. Ghosts of rings sagged under his closed eyes, stretched over serious features once full of life.

The house creaked on it’s foundations, seemingly alive itself. Books rustled downstairs, left open near an agape window, as the wind flicked through the pages. This whole building whispered with magic, as if it too possessed powers against any human science in it’s veins.

The first thing that Alex was aware of, was a skull splitting throbbing in the back of his head. Light stung and speared more pain through his head. He had never been able to hold his liquor. The second thing that penetrated the thick fog of sleep was the feeling of… emptiness. Not the usual black hole of nothing that resided in his chest, but a sense of being somehow drained.

Shrugging his muscles out of their tight locks, Alex got to his feet. As a reflex, he flexed his fingers, expecting the usual flow of energy to restore itself and manifest at the tips of his fingers. Nothing happened.

Deep gashes in brick and woodwork, still slightly ashen, revealed themselves to Alex’s returning senses. So he’d overused it last night. Wonderful. Groggily, Alex drifted to the kitchen with the intention of getting a glass of water.

[shadow]

The day wasn't exactly beautiful, but it seemed to be perfect so far. The cloud-gray clouds hadn't opened up over the pair yet, so everything was good. Azrael didn't need the sun to be happy. As she had always said, she prefered to be without a sun.

"Azzie! Look at me!" The older girl smiled as her little brother circled around the street on his small bike. He had just gotten the hang of riding without training wheels, and was undoubtedly proud of himslef. She smiled at the grinning boy. "You're doing great, Alex!" She called, sitting on the ground in front of a completely normal-looking house. She didn't see any lights on, so she supposed that the owners had gone out for the weekend, so she wouldn't be caught on their lawn.

[Jisa]

Alex opened a window to dispel the smell of stale air, dusty books and the remaining magic running in currents through the air as he drained a bottle of water. The taste of morning breath and aftertaste of alcohol washed out of his mouth with every sip. Light rays lightened up the kitchen a little bit, but didn’t have quite the effect they should have. Somehow, the shadows were darker and more pronounced. It felt like the silhouettes of the corners of his house were what was left in his heart, weighing it down.

For the first time since ‘that night’, Alex felt like a human, without the electric current of power running in his veins. Strangely enough, it was comforting. For a moment, he could pretend that his life had been normal, that there was no such thing as magic, but as he looked around him, it was apparent that this was not the truth. Books in different languages and scripts, of different volumes and series, varying thicknesses and sizes littered tabletops and the floor, even the dining table. So much knowledge… but it failed to fill the black hole of his heart.

Out in the front of his lawn, he heard a squeal of joy, or pure simple happiness. Startled, Alex looked back out the window he had just opened to see a dull sky, and underneath it a dull lawn belonging to a dull house. The two people out there were anything but; Azrael and Alexander.
Just for now, Alex watched. He had never had that closeness with his sister. The thought stung, but it was true. He didn’t realize he’d been staring, and when he did, he didn’t care enough to stop.

[shadow]

As Azrael watched her brother, a rare, unrestrianed smile grew on her face. The worries and concerns for what was left of her once-great family and Loki and Alexander pushed to the furthest reaches of her mind. She was content, for however long that would last. Watching her brother, though, she couldn't help but miss the childhood she never had, forced to grow up all too quickly. She shook her head, placing her head in the palm of her hand. She couldn't have such sad thoughts right now. She needed to cherish this small, perfect moment while it lasted. She knew all too well that it would be over all too quickly.

Kappa meanwhile slunk in the bushes of the normal-appearing yard, strange chills crawling through his fur. Such was the way of Familiars, and he sensed a danger to his Witch, a danger that was close, oh, so close. His chocolate fur stood on end, golden eyes streched wide as he scanned the immediate area, looking desperately for whatever was out of place. Nothing out of the normal popped out at him, but the sense of danger for Azrael didn't lessen. The sound of an opening window above him sent him leaping onto the sill, staring menacingly into the face of a now-familiar warlock. He stared at him agrily for a moment, before contenting himslef to sit on the windowsill, growling in a catlike-way to himself. He never thought to look up, but what would he see if he did? Only a flock of neighborhood crows, cicling above.

[Jisa]

Alex couldn’t tear his eyes away from the two content people on his lawn. It was crazy to think that anyone could be that happy, so simply. Alex had never known it. All of a sudden, a brown fur ball threw itself at his window, glaring out at him with golden yellow eyes. Alex jumped back from the sill, stifling a yell of alarm. His head pounded as the room rushed around him. Ugh, no sudden movements. Alex glared back at the cat until it turned away, sitting on his window sill.

Did Azrael not have a lawn of her own? Alex really didn’t want to be harassed by a cat that needed anger management. Taking a deep breath, Alex waited for the world to stop rolling around him, but not before he managed to stumble into a chair, sending it scraping across the floor. The noise was like a gunshot in his head. Sighing, he leaned against the counter in front of the window, still reproachfully glaring at the cat who’d caused this.

Again, he flexed his fingers, wondering what he could do to the little demon on his windowsill, when he remembered that he was all out. It wasn’t a good feeling.

[shadow]

Azrael reached into her pocket, pulling out a small, old-looking leatherbound book. It's appearance was old, and it probably was just as old as it appeared. Reaching down her shirt, the witch pulled out a key to unlock it, like a simple teenage girl's journal, before opening it. She studied the new spell inside closely, determined to know anything and everything that could go wrong before trying it out for the first time. She definately didn't want to spend the rest of her life as a cat, or any other sort of animal she would possibly transform into. That'd suck, besides she wouldn't be able to care for her brother if she did.

Kappa turned to meet the gaze boring into his back, decinding to make it clear that he would be staying at this excellent vantange point. He figured that he could see whatever was out there before it could get close enough to do his Witch any harm. Unless, of course, he happened to be too caught up in a staring contest with a certian human.

Meanwhile, a large, unusual bird landed silently in a tree nearby, hidden and silenced with the help of her Warlock. Similar in appearance to the Bald Eagle, she was far from the noble cousin, yet her appearance matched just enough so she could get mistaken for one at a distance. Her eyes focused with a seep stare on the brown-haired boy, her stare the intense one of a predator stalking it's prey. It was almost time. So close, so close.

[Jisa]

Alex glared at the demon cat, frustrated at the fact that he couldn’t give it a little zap because he’d been reckless enough to get drunk and get angry and fry his attic. Great. The little cat stared back defiantly, as if trying to tell Alex that he’d be staying there quite happily of his own accord and wouldn’t move just because Alex wanted him to. Well then. Wasn’t this his house? Why should he let a witch and her- what was it? Familiar, that was it- walk around like they owned the place. The nerve of some people… and their cats.

“Demon cat,”

He hissed at Azrael's familiar under his breath, flicking his hands in a shooing motion. Why couldn’t he be left to wallow in self pity for a few hours in peace? Without the sounds of general joyfulness ruining it.

“Get away from my house.”

He continued, staring the cat down, his voice a whisper. Could the familiar even understand him?Forget it. Alex sighed and ran his hand through his dark hair, looking up at the ceiling. The cat was going to stay no matter what he did, and that stubborn, confusing witch too. Just his luck.

[shadow]

Azrael suddenly looked up, realizing what was missing from this cozy little picture. "Hey, Alex sweetie, have you seen Kappa?" she called out to her brother, wondering where the cat could have gotten to. It wasn't as if he had been gone all that long. Actually, she could have sworn her was just here. The young boy looked over, pausing in his pedalling to answer before starting again. "No, Azzie."

The cat puffed out slightly, giving a warning to Alex that he may be occupied at the moment, he was not normal housecat, and he would go when and where he pleased, untaunted by a mere human, warlock or not. Though at the last comment, the brown cat simply had to hiss. did he not tread here? This was his as long as it served his needs!

Aliona perched, for now simply observing the actions. Now was not the time to intervene. Later, when there was less time for them to reorganize. Or perhaps she would do as she was bidden for once, and simply watch. Though, truthfully, when did the spirited bird ever do as she was told? Always there was something a bit more interesting to do, instead of following orders.

[Jisa]

Alex carried on glaring at the little intruding cat on his window sill. Azrael and Alexander were completely forgotten to him for the moment. The little beast fluffed up his fur, apparently trying to look intimidating and angry. Alex just thought he looked like an overgrown kitten. Quite immaturely, Alex stuck his tongue out when Kappa hissed before he became aware of the fact that he was arguing with a cat about who was allowed where in his own house. This was purely ridiculous, Alex realized. He let his attention swing to his lawn, where Azrael was still watching her brother.

“I’ll show you,”

He snapped at the cat and reached through, meaning to snag the cat and carry him outside to send him back to his witch. The same witch that had been so bipolar the night before, the same witch that seemed to look down at him, when Alex was pretty sure she wasn’t any better. Azrael, the witch that had left suddenly last night, when he’d just begun to enjoy himself for the first time in years.

She might as well have her cat back.

Kappa probably wouldn’t be happy that he’d just been snatched off of a window sill by the very warlock that he’d been threatening two seconds ago, but he’d have to suck it up. Alex stalked through his house with the demon cat and threw the front door open. The light set off bursts of light behind his eyes, burning his eyes; it felt like his brain was exploding.


**I think I powerplayed a little there, if you want me to change it, tell me**

[shadow]

Kappa hissed in surprise as Alex grabbed him; No other human had ever had the nerve to deal so roughly with him before. Of course, his surprise lasted only a few moments. Soon he was yowling and pitching a real hissy fit, enough to rival even Azrael, when she was in one of her moods. When the warlock let go of him at the door, the cat whirled around spitting, and looking very much like a giant brown puffball. The sight brought much enjoyment to Aliona, at least. She never had liked the little prey-cat, not even when he was a kitten. He knew she wasn't allowed to kill him, and he always had taken advantage of that. But, Aliona now thought with a delighted ruffle of her feathers, that was no longer true. She could hurt him now, and soon, if she so wished. She would no longer have to deal with loosing a mouthful of feathers.

Azrael jumped, the sound of the upset cat startling her, and she inwardly groaned. This wouldn't be the first time a neighbor complained about her lovely familiar. Imagine her surprise when she wheeled around to see that the captor of her cat was none other than the book lover, Alex. That did not help her mood. Not only did he fight her for the book, but she had made a complete fool out of herself the otehr night at that ball-thing that she never should have gone to. Well, this was going to be a pretty shitty day, huh? Why was it always this guy she ran into?

"Excuse me, but if you want to abuse someone's cat, get your own," She growled, golden eyes narrowing to glare at the warlock.

[Jisa]

Alex glared at the demon cat, the hissing creature of the devil. That would, of course, mean that Azrael was the devil. A slight exaggeration… but Alex wasn’t quite ready to admit that yet. He had never known a cat with such lungs and attitude. Alex’s surprise was matched only with humor when the little brown havana puffed up at his doorstep. Was there any other way for a cat to look so undignified, besides fluffing their fur up to twice their size? Glancing up, Alex saw Azrael start, alerted by the angry sounds of her- what had she called it? Her familiar. She spun around to see Alex standing just inside of his front door, her very angry cat indignantly still on the step.

The plan had been to leave the cat outside and go back in to resume with his day, not to get caught by Azrael. This would definitely not end well. Their past two encounters hadn’t, after all, ended well at all. Alex sighed, not in the mood to deal with this, especially with every sound and light hurting his head. He ran a hand through his unkempt hair, looking up at the sky for a moment before Azrael confronted him about the treatment her cat had received.

“If you want to have a field day in a yard with your familiar, get your own.” He quipped, irritated by the fact that she was disrespecting him on his own property. She had invited herself here, which meant that this was her fault, not his.

[shadow]

Kappa swung his head between Azrael and Alex, trying to decide if he wanted to further his punishment on the man, or if he wanted to go and egg on his witch. Eventually, he shook himself out, letting his fur lie flat as he went to rub against his girl's legs. He still glared at the man, however, not ready to let go of his indignity quite so soon.

Azrael sighed, leaning down to pick up her cat, though he promptly jumped back out of her arms. She then took a moment to look over her shoulder to make sure that Alexander wasn't about to be hit by a car before she answered. "Well, excuse me if my little brother wanted to ride a bike. Because heaven forbid a little boy be allowed to ride a bike," She grimaced, backing off the lawn and onto the sidewalk. Yeah, she was in his yard, so she kind of deserved it. That didn't mean she had to take it quietly, though.

[Jisa]

Alex looked down at the Azrael’s familiar, slight amusement gracing his face at the cat’s sudden indecision between the witches. What he was undecided about, Alex didn’t know.It was nice, that Azrael had her familiar, and a little brother to keep her company- if only they would keep her in check too. Alex, himself, had no one; just a house full of books to fill his days. Now, it seemed that bumping into Azrael, one way or another, was going to begin to fill his time too, as that had happened multiple times already. Alex shrugged at the havana brown, not sorry that he’d thrown the pesky little cat out.

It would be just satisfying to show how smug he was at her backing down off his property, but Alex knew that it would be hard to curb a little boy’s enthusiasm. However, wouldn’t they have a garden of their own? Unless they lived in an apartment building, but there was always the park, surely?

“You know, you might just want to ask, instead of surprising someone in their own home.” Alex began, coming to the conclusion that there was a reason that Azrael had Alexander riding around in front someone’s yard, while she watched from it, rather than anywhere else. "I wouldn’t have minded much, I mean, he’s having fun, and there’s no reason to ruin that."