A Few Nasty Surprises

Tristan would have been more than glad to throw around insults- or others in the room for that matter- but for the sake of his night, he kept his tongue in check. Not that his facial expressions were completely reigned in. At least Julie wasn't asking him to smile at Kalif and exercise extreme politeness- that would be too much. While he hated this man's guts, he had a point. "I agree; what do you guys have to say?" His voice had a rough edge. Too bad it was the best anyone was getting out of him.

He did not feel the need to echo Zhefarovich's question. Greece was a completely random place to want to convene. Not that he hated the scenery. The drastic meeting point told him that whatever they were going to say was big. He didn't ponder on the possibilities; he didn't feel like having any more gray hair, thank you very much.

The man's hand wandered up his left sleeve, bringing it up with his wrist as he scratched at the skin there. He didn't realize that the tattoo on his forearm had been partially exposed until he pulled the fabric back to its original spot. Voldemort's nipple. Good thing the half goblin had left to give them some room.
 
Julie took a chair with the others, grateful to be sitting down. She was starting to get ravenous and needed food soon or the baby was going to start complaining. Picking up the glass of water, she took a drink, then looked around the table for something to munch. Oh, crackers. Aw, poo. They are in front of the creepy guy. Maybe his friend would pass them. Julie looked over, trying to make eye contact with the other man, "Excuse me, could you pass the crackers over?" She was starting to feel a bit faint from the hunger, and was kicking herself that she didn't eat before heading out.
 
Chavdar glanced down at the crackers that the woman requested. He took the crackers and he passed him over. Chavdar gave her a polite smile, "There you are." He turned his attention back to Kalif and he whispered, "You need to calm down. Learn to control that temper of yours." Chavdar sighed and he frowned. His eyes wondered and he spotted the tiniest hint of flesh that Tristan revealed, and he raised his eyebrows. I thought they were a bit more secretive than that. His eyes wondered to Jaken and he bit his lip before closing his eyes. Oh no...
 
Jaken nodded at Estrella, understanding but saying nothing more. Taking a seat, he watched Tristan the most out of the entire group. His father-in-law and he didn't even know it. Jaken's eyes went down and saw Tristan scratch his arm. However, what he wasn't expecting was seeing that all familiar tattoo that his father bore, as well as the majority of his family adults. Jaken's throat locked up, his eyes widened. Tristan is or was a Death Eater? Jaken exclaimed, "Oh my God!" Jaken jumped out of his chair, and he almost had the urge to pull out his wand against the man.

However, that would be a ludicrous act. Tristan could easily beat him in a duel or just squish him. Jaken instead pointed at him and murmured, "You...." He glanced over at Estrella and he whispered, "Your dad is a Death Eater!" Jaken was glad that no one else in the room was not non-related to them. But did she know? Well, that was one thing that they had in common... Even though Jaken believed that Kalif had stopped his ways for now...
 
Kalif rolled his eyes at Chavdar and he hissed, "I am calm." However, how hard his expression was told otherwise. Kalif knew that he needed to gain control of his temper, but just things started to act up all within a few months time period. Sighing, he glanced over at Tristan, his glare not softening one bit since his arrival. However, after seeing what Tristan just committed, and Jaken standing up and flipping out, Kalif's gloved hand went to his forehead. He muttered under his breath in Bulgarian, "Moron." How on earth could he forget that he had the Dark Mark, even after he left the Death Eaters? Let's see how this evening goes now. If anyone shrieks, I swear I will end their lives. I am not in the mood for this idiocy.
 
The first- and possibly the last- laugh of Tristan's evening started softly, rising in a harsh crescendo to bounce off the walls of the room. And then he murdered it. "Was," he corrected the youth. Never rising from his seat, he pulled his sleeve upward to fully expose the Mark. He didn't hesitate to grab his steak knife, brushing the serrated edge against his forearm. "I've wished for a time I could hack this thing off- Merlin knows I've tried- but alas, it doesn't work." He paused, glancing at the way the metal caught the light. The large man's eyes wandered up to Jaken. "However, Styx, I'm certain I'd have no problem sawing your finger to bits, so I suggest you keep it out of my face."

He twisted the knife in his hand, concentrating on the tip and holding the threat. After a moment he set it back onto his napkin. He smirked at his daughter. "Don't worry too much about having secrets, sweetheart. Your boyfriend here- well, his daddy has a tattoo of his own. Isn't that right, Kalif?" He narrowed his eyes at Jaken. He was already jumping into hot water with Julie- then again, he'd been boiling in it for a while- but he was too far gone to stop himself, to reign in last insult. "I've made a point to stay the hell away from this family- never liked 'em, they're a rotten lot- and if you're smart, you'll do the same."
 
Estrella would've cheerfully stolen the crackers from Julie all for herself, but she fought temptation's seductive embrace by keeping her hands in her lap. If she wasn't able to sate her ever-growling stomach in a timely manner, she would get crabby. And that was not something she wanted to be at the moment. She found herself silently observing their guests- Julie, Josh, Tristan, Kalif, and Chavdar- who she all happened to like or at least have some degree of respect for. They would likely be angry, but at least telling them of the current situation would lift a weight from both Estrella and Jaken.

Kalif/Professor Styx didn't seem to be too happy, then again he never was. Hopefully he would react well. She would likely never get used to the idea of having him as an in-law. Hell, she wondered at the reactions of all of them. It seemed like she would just have to spill the beans and find out.

Peace didn't last long. Something snapped inside Estrella. Later she could blame it on a multitude of things- her hunger, the tension, protectiveness, extreme irritability as of late- but blame was far from her mind. Rising from her chair slowly, carefully, she grasped her husband's hand in hers. Her entire body was shaking, rage jumping to attach itself to her tone. Her words were sharp as she brought the other hand over the table, showing off both rings for all to see. "I hope your train of thought takes a different track, Dad, because I'm one of them now. And so is your grandchild."
 
Julie smiled at the man who handed her the crackers. What is Tristan's issue with him? He seems nice enough -- or at least willing to try to be polite in public. Then all hell seemed to break loose, with Jaken yelling something about Death Eater's and Tristan outing the scary guy as one too. Then Estrella stood up and announced to the room she was married and having a child. Choking on the cracker she was munching, Julie sputtered and sent a few crumbs flying out of her mouth. Her shock was easily registered across her face, but hadn't her mind been on this track just moments before? So they knew better and eloped so they wouldn't have anyone tell them not to get married. It was extremely romantic, and that they were having a baby was, well, a shocking extra.

Hearing the sharp intake of breath from Tristan, she knew he was about to snap. Before he was able to open his mouth and put his foot in any further, she stood up and placed her hands on his face and spoke softly. "Think before you react, darling. They are in love. Don't make me have to kill you before our child and our grandchild is born." She glared at him, then smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Walking over to the couple, she gave Estrella another hug, then moved to give her step-son-in-law a hug as well. "How wonderful! When are you due?" she asked happily, hoping that she was going to give birth to the last child in the family before the first grandchild came along.
 
Jaken narrowed his eyes at Tristan almost challengingly. About to open his mouth and seriously regret it, Estrella interrupted in the nick of time. However, there was something he wasn't quite expecting. She is pregnant? Oh my god, I am going to be a dad. Jaken started to feel a bit faint, but he did not hit the floor. His hand went to his forehead and he started to breathe in quietly. Shock overwhelmed him and he murmured, "I had no idea I was going to be a dad..." He was almost worried.

Not because of him. He knew that he could raise a baby, and be a better father than Tristan and Kalif put together (which should never happen in the same room, alone or not). Jaken received a hug from Estrella's step-mother, who luckily snapped him back into reality. He gave her a quick hug and he glanced over at Estrella, his beloved wife. "Um, why didn't you tell me this before we came? Then it would have saved me from almost having a panic attack." Jaken put on a happy smile, telling that he was happy for the baby, and for them as well.
 
Chavdar growled and muttered unspeakable things in Bulgarian at Tristan's reaction to Jaken. Jaken was not a fan of Death Eaters, and he knew that Jaken will give him hell over being one. Chavdar's hardened expression was washed away with shock at Estrella's outburst. They were married...and she was pregnant? Before or after the marriage? Chavdar chose not to ask that question. Chavdar was a little glad that someone other than him was reacting a bit better than the fathers' would be. Chavdar had half a mind to summon the half-goblin and say, "Check please!" but Chavdar did not. Instead, he murmured, "Yeah, I was right. There goes dinner down the drain." His head turned toward the couple and he smirked, "Jaken, I told you I liked her. I'm happy for you two."
 
Kalif rolled his eyes and he retorted darkly at Tristan, "Still immature as always. You sounded like Kailie telling on the kid next door that took her toy." An insult in many ways, but he was not prepared for what happened next. Kalif turned his head sharply toward Estrella, hearing the news. If Kalif had ever been pissed off before, that was nothing compared to how much he was now. Unable to mask his emotions for two long, the gloved hand that was clenching the tall, thick glass of water started to give away under pressure. With a few loud cracks. the glass shattered into a million pieces - just like the way he wanted to do the very same thing to their windpipes for being so idiotic - under Kalif's hand. The water socked the leather, but it was strong enough to withstand any damage that the water could give.

His glare was nothing compared to what he gave out before. It was a million times worse, and Kalif felt his darker side start to show. Kalif managed to keep under control, but he stood up and he glared at Jaken. "Fine, you tell me that I'm about to be a grandfather. Well, you have two more siblings. Hades Lutrov, a Death Eater in Training and after your blood for some unknown cause and Patricia Rogers, a result from something I don't want to bring back up." Kalif shoved his chair into the table, causing it to jar violently. "I'm going outside," Kalif muttered icily, as he did not waste a second before heading outside into the cool air, to clear his head. How could those two do this, so damned early? Oh how I wish I could just strangle them now.
 
Josh followed everyone into the room, content to remain in the background. He observed the behaviors of those around him when Tristan accidentally lifted his sleeve. His first reaction was to slap him upside the head, but held back, knowing that wouldn't help the situation at all. When Estrella made her announcement, his mouth just about hit the floor. This woman before him no longer was the girl that he would spy upon while she was growing up. As Godfather, he was protective of her even if her father was being a dolt.

Clapping Tristan on the back, he congratulated him. "So a child and grandchild all in short time. Only you, my friend." Smirking, he then stood and made his way over to the happy couple, keeping a watchful eye on Styx as he made his way out the door. Josh moved to give his Goddaughter a hug. "Congratulations, Estrella. Wonderful news." He then offered his hand to the younger Styx in congratulations as well.
 
Tristan kept a glare trained on Jaken and brought his right hand up to the table, waving it towards Kalif. The obscene gesture that threatened to morph his fingers never had its opportunity. He was drawing in air before the full implications of what his daughter had announced hit him. Julie's words sneaked into one ear and slid out the other, though her hands on his face and the quick kiss offered him a mite of calm. If the word calm could be applied to the middle aged wizard.

He didn't look at the lot of them as he rose from the table, his meaty hands curling into fists. One of them hit home on his chair. The back struck the floor with a loud thud. He was already digging for a cigar when he waved his hand at the door, slamming it behind him. Despite the tantrum that held him hostage, he had no desire to go after his enemy. He stared out to sea, not really taking in the scenery before him. It wasn't long before he lit and jammed his security blanket into his mouth, muttering to himself.

"Merlin's bleeding eyeballs, I don't want to be a granddad."
 
Kalif glanced over at his sworn enemy, and he shook his head. Still smoking... It's a wonder he hasn't coughed up a lung... I hope that happens in front of me so I can feel amused. Kalif chose not to chastise him today over that matter. After all, both were obviously upset about becoming a grandfather. "Drage, I must agree with you on that matter. They are much too young to be having that sort of...relationship." Kalif stared ahead now, not making any sort of eye contact. Kalif seemed to be utter fine with this, but the body language protested against his natural demeanor greatly. Kalif closed his black eyes for a moment, before opening them once more. Not even morbid thoughts could help ease his anger, and Kalif was wondering, besides killing the two of them, would assist in bring down that temper.
 
"Early April." Overwhelmed by how everyone in the room- well, nearly everyone- received their news, Estrella hugged her stepmother and godfather back tightly and smiled at Chavdar. It was reassuring that, for once, those around herself and Jaken weren't expecting them to fail. She could already feel the bite of oncoming tears. Her entire face was drowning in due time. She'd cried often and hard over the past few months, though she wasn't sure whether to give credit for this episode to her hormones or long absent relief.

"I- I was scared. I thought everyone was going to be muh-muh-mad at me," she sniveled. The eighteen year old felt less than a sixth of her age staring back at her family, people she loved. Five months wasn't a long time from now. She was grateful that she would have them all for support.
 
Julie felt her own tears flow as Estrella began to cry. Handing her a napkin from the table, she smiled and grabbed one for herself. "Damn hormones. I can't help but cry at the drop of a hat these days. Especially when someone else is crying." She laughed as she dabbed at her face. "Don't worry about your father. He will adjust. He actually had a similar reaction when I told him I was pregnant with Evan. I was so pissed at him I almost kicked him out of the house." She smiled at her stepdaughter, then continued. "At least this time he didn't flip out."
 
Jaken stood in utter shock when his father blew up, or rather crushed the glass with his hand and said some rather disturbing news. He has an older brother, a Death Eater no less, that is after him? Wait, was that the same Hades that came into his house? Jaken felt rather nervous now, but he was still pondering, who was Patricia? If she wasn't around when he was raised, then she had a different mother. A half-sister? So his father had an affair at one point? So many questions and no answers. Jaken turned to Estrella to see her cry, and then Julie as well. Chavdar seemed to be amused by this all, but he didn't stand nor did he look like he cared much. He put a comforting hand on Estrella's shoulder and he murmured, "You don't need to feel like that. Just give our fathers' some time..."
 
Dragging the tissue unsteadily across her face, Estrella wiped away the tears that just kept sending reinforcements. She smiled gratefully at Julie and let her hand fall to her side. Her drowning eyes widened when realization struck her. "You're- oh Merlin! I didn't even notice! Congratulations!" Still bawling, she hugged her stepmother back tightly, stunned at the idea of having yet another sibling. "I- I don't care about them as much, I don't think. I'm glad you guys don't hate me," the eighteen year old sniffed at Jaken and Julie. It was wonderful to know that she was not alone, that she had these three wonderful people to support her instead of wanting to lob her head from her shoulders.
 
"Indeed," the large man muttered. Tristan glanced sideways at Kalif, coughing forcefully into his fist. While the thought of Styx having two extra kids would have been immensely amusing to him normally, mocking the man was the farthest thing from his mind at the moment. This newest revelation only reinforced the reminder that both of them weren't young anymore. And hell, they had just come to some sort of agreement. Who would've known? He shifted on his feet, pressing them to the deck as if he wished to bury them in the planks. He pulled a polished pocket watch from his robes.

"Well, Styx, I hope you've brought your parka along. Hell began freezing over a few moments ago."
 
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