Chase The Devil At Night

Stefan Archer · Mar 11, 2013

This is set during the summer(Christmas) break of Y17, as in the one that has just past. I sort of forgot to post it/was super busy, so I'm putting it here, since I'd like to RP it out, but it would no longer fit anywhere else. The plot, is that Stefan is finally meeting his extended family, it's set in a small cafe, in an insignificant town about two hours walk from where Stefan is currently staying. Since this is in the Alternate Roleplay section, and I'm sort of lost about how to go about a reunion, I'm more than happy to receive advice, suggestions and things of that sort should anyone have any, via PM. Anyway, I'll just get to it.

Throwing his fists against the wall, the teen screaming. His fists erupted in pain, but this he did not care for, he just kept screaming, hitting the wall, hitting the door. He was in a dark and cold room, his stomach rumbled, and groaned. Like much else about him, it was empty, starved to the point where it hurt to merely stand. Yet, through this pain, he bashed upon the wall, yanked at the doorknob. Punching the door as hard as possible, the ever so recognizable sound of a bone cracking filled his ears. It was a moment of brief emptiness, his yells and fight subsided, until the pain took over. He'd broken bones before, but this was different, this felt so much worse. This felt like someone had taken a hot metal rod and place it upon his hand, never pulling away. Pushing hard, as if attempting to go through the hand entirely. Tears began to stream down the boy's face, sobs began to rack his entire body, he slumped to the floor of the dark, cold room. He couldn't see his hand, but he could feel it. Could feel the pain growing, a throbbing reminding him that he was stuck, and had been for too long. Alone, in a dark place for far too long. He couldn't stop the tears from falling, he could stop himself from shaking, from bringing his broken hand close to his frail body, holding it close to his chest. Covering it with the other, unbroken hand. Feeling at the hand, and the pain greeting him with a new strength. His breathing quickened, his heart raced at twice the speed it should. Gods, how he longed for this to be over. He wanted out. So, without thinking too much, the boy stood, ignoring the strain it put on his body, ignoring the way he swayed slightly on the spot, caring to use his unbroken hand, to feel for the wall beside him for balance. The world, though he could see it spun. After a few deep breaths, the boy found he was able to stand, without too much struggle. His eyes were set on the door, the doorknob, and the key hole, the only source of light in the room. Though with his eyesight, it did little help. He gathered what strength he had left. Gathered all he could, and with a final deep long breath, he rushed to the door, in the hope of being able to break it open. He felt the many splinters of the door embedded themselves in his skin, as the door shattered. The noise filled his ears, the pain, became too much, passing out on the journey to the floor, the last noise the boy heard, was the incredibly angry scream of an alcoholic man, "STEFAN"

Waking with a start, Stefan Archer could still hear his father's voice ringing in his ears. He sat up, and looked around himself. Glad to see his father was no where in sight, glancing down at his hand, he sighed as it was not broken. There was a thin layer of sweat covering his body, he was shaking, he was terrified, but he was at least safe. His father was gone, he'd been dead just about three years. As the teen thought about it, three years to that day. Three years on, and well, Stefan was glad to say that he was much better off. His life wasn't shaping up to be that bad. Sure, his grades weren't great, he was constantly watching over his shoulder, but he no longer felt the deep urge to just leave, run until he could run no more. Rubbing the back of his neck, Stefan stood up, there would be no hope of him getting back to sleep now. It didn't matter what time, once he awoke from a nightmare, there was little hope of him returning to sleep. They didn't plagued him as much, or to that extent normally, but he wasn't at school, safe with the knowledge that his friends were not too far from him. Here he was alone, and it was the house that the nightmare had occurred in that he was living in. The return of the nightmares were hardly out of the blue. Standing up from his makeshift bed on the floor, he wondered to the windows, where he pulled apart the curtains, and the let the bright light of the day stream in. Hoping that he had maybe awoken during the day rather than at night. Thankfully, it was a bright sunny morning. He assumed that it was no later than eight in the morning. He sighed somewhat happily, it was plenty of time to get ready, after all, it was very likely the events of that day were more the reason behind the nightmares than anything else. Stretching slightly the boy wandered back to his makeshift bed, tidying the sheets, making them look more presentable, though he wasn't exactly expecting anyone. He didn't expect that the events of the day would lead to his home. He sat down on his bed, and pulled the letter towards him once more. He'd received it the other day, and had done nothing but read it over and over since then.

My parents would love to meet you The writing of his cousin stared up at him. The two had met, and well, Stefan had found impossible that they were related, but, his cousin had been so much more adamant. Stefan who was reluctant to believe in anything good, had asked if they could test it somehow. He didn't want to get into something that could turn out to be a lie. He didn't want to get into something merely because they shared the same condition, because of one picture. As it turned out, as had been enclosed with his cousin's letter they had been confirmed as related. His cousin, had sent him many things along with that letter, a picture of his parents, the one he'd given to Kate to give to him, the letter of confirmation, and a letter asking Stefan to meet with his cousin's parents. At first the teen hadn't wanted to say yes. What if they met him, and hated him. Now they were confirmed as his family, the loss wouldn't be something he thought he could bare. However, in the end, Stefan had agreed to it, and the day had come all to quickly. He'd asked Kate if she would be able to come, but, he wasn't sure if she'd want to be part of a family reunion in which Stefan met the people who had deserted him. Deserted his father and mother. Not having even know that he had existed until the year before, when his cousin had started at the same magical school. Your family wants to meet you.

It seemed too good to be true, however, Stefan had been through worse, he'd felt worse, he doubted that one meeting would bring about his end. He had fought too hard for his survival for this to be the reason. Still, despite the encouraging thoughts he had, he was still worried. He didn't want this family to turn out like his last few. After reading the letter through several times, then staring at the picture of his parents in silence for the better part of an hour, a grumbling stomach brought him back to real time. Unfortunately, since he knew they were meeting at a food place, Stefan didn't eat anything. Mostly as he had not yet bought supplies, as he had wanted to keep what little money he had saved to put towards something from this place they were meeting at. He couldn't expect them to pay. He didn't, so, what was going without breakfast going to do to him. He had spent the last 5 or months at school, Stefan hadn't looked this health in years. While still thin, and having a fairly small appetite, he had put on some weight. A positive sign, that would not be destroyed by what these two weeks would do. After all, he would be eating, just not as frequently. However still more frequently than he would've been with his father. Stefan instead spent the next hour or so, getting very slowly ready for the day. Putting on his usual t-shirt and jeans, thinking that it might be a little hot for his jumper, he opted for carrying it. He was happily getting ready, happy to put aside the nightmares that had so rudely awoken him that morning. Avoiding looking at the cupboard he had been locked in in his nightmare. Two hours after he had awoken, the boy was finally ready to leave. Tying his shoe laces, the boy put his wand in the bag he was taking with him. It also held his jumper and a bottle of water for the long walk, everything he would need for that day was packed away. He lived a two hour walk away from the town they were meeting in, it was why he was leaving, two and half hours before they were suppose to meet. He stood outside his door, looking towards the road only thinking about how this was silly that he still had time to turn around, still had time to turn back and not bother. They wouldn't blame him though they knew nothing of his past. Stefan took a deep breath, taking the first step out the comfort of the home he'd been brought up in, and started on his way to meet the family he had never known about.

The walk gave him a lot to think about. Mostly about how hard it was see in the strong sun, his monochromatic-ness had never enjoyed the sunshine. But, that wasn't on the forefront of his mind. He was more worried about getting pretty badly burned by the sun. He didn't have any suncream, since he usually didn't go out into the sun much, but this wouldn't be good for him. He rubbed arms, conscious of the sun shining down on them. His eyes darted from scar to scar as he did this. Stefan hadn't had a normal upbringing, he hadn't ever been treated nicely by anyone who was supposed to be family until his cousin. The foster family, his father. He didn't even know about his mother. They had all treated little better than a flea. Good for nothing had been his father's favourite way of describing him. No better than the dirt on his shoes, deserving of nothing. The reason for everything horrible in life. Utterly Worthless. The words circled in his head as he walked. he sincerely hoped that these people didn't believe the same about him. They hadn't met him yet, but it had taken all of 5 minutes before the foster family had dealt the first spoken blow. His hopes were higher with them, his cousin seemed pretty nice, he had no telltale signs of the sort of upbringing that Stefan knew, a little small perhaps, but, nothing else. He was fairly certain that he'd had a similar up bringing to Kate and Sara, or Tara. Something normal, where the day to day wasn't a struggle. It took over two hours, but he reached the outskirts of the town. He fought with the urged to turn back, run back home, and just hide under the cover of the table, wait it out. Wait until he could back to school, and just avoid his cousin. There was just one problem, Stefan was too tired. He knew he couldn't turn back and walk back. The other problem was, that less than two meters in front of him was Kate. He needed to rest, needed to eat, needed to get out of the sun, and she was here. Instead of turning back, he mustered what strength he had walked to her, greeted her with a small smile and headed towards the cafe, taking her hand lightly in his and leading the way. It had been his cousin's choosing, and well, since Stefan had known it, and didn't know where else they could go, he had agreed. It didn't take long before the cafe came into sight. He couldn't turn back now, he couldn't. He was past the point where returning had been doable. Now, he just had to face this head on. Delay what was always going to happen. Stefan was suddenly very glad that Kate had both gotten his message and decided to come. He knew that if she wasn't there, this would've been so much harder. She gave him so much strength. He glanced over at her, and smiled slightly. She was so beautiful, and he was so lucky to know her.

Having never been in the cafe, Stefan Archer was unsure of what to expect. He stared at the door, and with a slightly shaking hand reached out to open the door. Now, all the fear from before erupted within him. He could feel his heart in his chest hammering away. Sweat began to form at his hands, he felt almost physically sick. Kate could hardly stop this from happening. He opened the door, and nervously walked inside. He was very clearly afraid of what sight might greet him. Of who these people would be. Before he had even time to look around, he was almost knocked off his feet, as a familiar person wrapped his arms around Stefan and hugged him, this movement cause him to let go of Kate's hand. A feeling he much disliked. Stefan hugged the smaller of the two back, and found himself smiling again. Stefan pulled away, keeping his eyes on the boy in front of him. "Tybalt, cousin." With those two words, spoken quietly he greeted the younger of them. The words felt right, cousin. His cousin beamed back up at him, moving away and leading the way, Stefan paused for a moment before following, nothing good would happen for him by standing awkwardly at the door. He put his arm around Kate's waist and held her close. Now more than ever he needed her. It was really the first motion of him letting her completely into his messed up little insignificant life. He could feel his heart hammering away. What would they be like? Would they like him? Would they even care? Surely they cared enough to even meet him. Stefan didn't really know what to expect. He instead kept his eyes on the floor, glad of the amount of light, since it meant it wasn't overly hard to see. Suddenly his cousin stopped and handed him something, Stefan noticed that they were glasses, without giving it too much thought he put them on and looked up. As his sight came into real focus for the first time in many years, he was greeted by an odd sight. A mother and father, a small girl in the arms of the mother leaning her small head on the mother's shoulder, Tybalt ran to the man, which Stefan would've never imagined doing with his father. The man put his arm around Tybalt, and smiled at the younger boy before smiling at Stefan. The mother was smiling at Stefan. The little girl, seemed nervous but happy. They all looked at him, with love in their eyes, he almost hadn't noticed it, since it wasn't something he saw often. They seemed happy to see him. He saw concern flash upon the face of the mother, he realised that to them, who were probably so much smarter, it would be fairly obvious by his size, and the scars that Stefan's life hadn't been easy. Little did they know. Still despite this, Stefan noticed that they were still smiling at him, with love. The father stepped forward slightly, Stefan Archer had to stop himself from stepping back. The man held out his hand to Stefan, he made no motion to hit him, it was the extended hand of friendship, a simple handshake, which Stefan nervously returned by taking the man's hand, once hands were clasped, the man spoke, "Son".

Kate Archer · Mar 12, 2013

Kate was packing the last of her clothes. She was returning back to New Zealand after a week at home. Christmas had been as usual this year, nothing strange of startling occured. There was a bit of tension in the home. It was understandable. Her parents didn't agree with Sara's new look. Kate didn't get involved anymore. Nothing was being said though everyone knew how everyone felt. It had snowed this winter. The grounds always looked beautiful when covered with snow. She did love the land her house was on. Once she left Hogwarts, she didn't plan on staying in England. There was nothing here for her. New Zealand had become more of a home for her and that's where her future lay. There was nothing special for her here. She didn't have many fond memories either. Ever since she moved into this house, bad things had happened. There had never been a time when nothing bad was going on with someone in the family. It didn't bother Kate that much. She had moved on from that part of her life and leaving England helped the process of forgetting and moving on. Though she was going to miss Hogwarts she was sort of glad to be leaving the place. The last seven years of school had been filled with too much drama and she didn't want to be seen as a drama queen anymore. Or be called stick, branch whatever. She was tired of being judged on what she had done. Load of bull in her mind and she was sick and tired of it. She was just fed up with it and she was glad that when she left she would never have to set her eyes on another issue again. She pitted the people who would have to continue reading that load of rubbish. Though some people loved it, how they did was beyond her.Kate hadn't even done anything over the past few years and the stupid magazine continued to say stuff. Kate zipped her suitcase with a bit too much force. She sighed, no point getting worked up about it.

She was going back to New Zealand to meet Stefan's family with him. She was looking forward to it but slightly nervous. She really hoped everything went well and that this family would accept Stefan. Tybalt was a lovely kid so she was taking this as a good sign. Stefan didn't need another let down in his life. Kate only wanted to see him happy and she hoped this would help. Funnily enough she was nervous about meeting his family. It was both of their first time meeting his family. It was much more nerve-wrecking for him. She was happy he had asked her to be there with him. The reunion was in two days time. The weather would be completely different over there. She was looking forward to the sun. She wasn't exactly sure what the dress code for this gathering was, she hoped nothing too fancy. She picked up her bag and left her room.

Next Day

Kate walked out into the sunshine. It was a lovely day. There was a slight breeze that cooled the day down slightly to a more bearable temperature.There was plenty people about the place. Kate didn't want to go back to school. NEWTs was something she was not looking forward to but she was going to put her best foot forward this term and do her best. The first term had flown by and she was barely keeping up with it but she was more prepared for the second half. Rearing to go because this was the final stretch before the start of a new life. Kate was starting to get excited. But one she try and get by a day at a time and today was an important day. She was meeting Stefan's family today for the first time and was he. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling and she was touched he had asked her to be with him. She was eager to meet his family also. Tybalt seemed like a nice, well brought up kid. This hopefully meant good things for Stefan. She'd love him to have a loving family, something he had lacked for the majority of his life. Kate walked along, looking into shops and taking her time. Soon she arrived at the cafe Stefan told her about. She was slightly early so she waited for Stefan. She looked inside the cafe but from her spot there was a shine on the glass so she couldn't see in, she didn't want to walk right up to the window and gawk in. So she waited for Stefan to arrive.After a few minutes, she saw his familiar figure. He looked tired. She smiled brightly at him, not wanting to give away that she was slightly nervous. She held his hand and followed him to the cafe.She squeezed his hand and smiled at him before they entered. She wasn't sure who to be looking for. She smiled widely as Tybalt surprised Stefan with a hug. Their hands were separated but Kate was glad to see that Stefan returned the hug and smiled. As Stefan put his arm around her waist, she came closer, letting him know she was there for him. She smiled supportively at him as he looked at his family for the first time. Kate smiled at Tybalt as he handed Stefan glasses. Kate looked over and the couple. There was a little girl in the mother's arms. Kate immediately relaxed. There was going to be no problem here with these people. The man came towards Stefan and Kate watched as he put out his hand and Stefan shook it. Kate couldn't even describe how she was feeling. She was just so happy that this was happening. Her wonderful boyfriend who had suffered so much in life was finally starting to get the break he deserved.

Elliot Archer · Mar 13, 2013

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<SIZE size="50">At this late point in her life, little surprises were expected. She wasn't exactly expecting for there to be more surprises in her life. She had her hands full with two children, and well, the fact she was married to an Archer. The only one who seemed to really see how terrible the family could be. She knew that her husband had not known half of what had happened in the Archer family. Which was why on the morning in which some questions were to be answered, the brunette woke early. She woke long before her husband, and long before the kids. They had decided to stay in a hotel in the same town they were meeting him. It made sense to. Her son hadn't really said where this other kid lived, and they hardly wanted to impose on a boy who hadn't existed in their minds at the same point last year. This was exactly what she thought was so awful. She had gotten pregnant around the same time, surely, if her first son would've been the same age as this other kid, if he had lived then maybe this would've happened sooner. She smiled slightly as she turned slightly in her bed, and was faced with the sight of her husband sleeping soundly beside her. He had been so worried about this, and she was glad that at that point he seemed calm, at ease. The same could not be said for her. Instead she was wrought with worry. Unsure as what to expect. Why would this boy even want to meet with them, after all, he had asked to be sure about the relation, and seemed just as nervous as them. Knowing her own son, she felt that had it been him, he would've literally run across a country to meet long lost family, but this wasn't her son. It was her brother-in-law's son. Her brother-in-law having made no mention or contacted them in many many years. Mostly she had been under the impression that he'd been dead for years. But, as she thought about the story didn't add up. After staring at her husband for another few minutes, she decided to get up. Rolling over to her side of the bed, she swung her feet off the bed, and left them dangling as she checked her muggle phone. Something that had proved to be very useful in recent years. After making sure that it wasn't too late, she got up and began getting ready.

A fairly long and relaxing shower later, Elliot Archer emerged from the bathroom and wondered back into the main hotel room they had. On the sofa bed in the corner slept her two children. And on the king sized bed, she saw that her husband was sitting up, checking his own phone, looking a lot less peaceful than before. Elliot took this as an indication that he was ready to get ready for the day. Grabbing some normal, muggle clothes, Elliot quickly got dressed for the day. Her hair was wet, but that didn't matter, since she could dry it soon. It could come second. She walked across the room to the window, and opened the blinds. Thankfully with a west facing window, there was no bright sun streaming into the room. Instead it was just bright, very bright. Elliot stood staring out this window for several quiet minutes, her mind wandered, would the kid be staring out an equally bright window. Would he even come? She was broken out of this trance when she heard her two kids groan from the annoyance of the sudden light. She thought then, that shaking them awake instead of using the light might have been better. She smiled at her children. Tybalt looked excited, he was clearly ready to start this day, and ready for the two parties to meet. From what she could tell, her son had grown attached to his new found cousin, the only male cousin on the Archer side, and so from what she gathered the only one who shared his condition. Lydia on the other hand seemed more apprehensive. After all, she had Ty all to herself right now, and suddenly there was someone else who had the attention of her excitable son. Though Elliot was happy, because from what Ty was saying, he'd had a great half year. Maybe not the perfect grades he had promised but she was impressed with everything else. She was proud like any mother bear would be. She made her way over to their bed, and told them, that they should start getting ready. It wasn't too long before they would meet him, and she was sure that they would need to be early. Early so he didn't have the chance to change his mind. If this kid actually made it to the cafe. Elliot glanced round as he husband spoke, coming out of the shower, half dressed, muttering under his breath about forgetting to take a t-shirt with him to put on after his shower. Elliot smiled, before, looking in their suitcase and pulling a t-shirt out for him. She walked over to him, smiling as he thanked her. She kissed him before handing him the t-shirt. This day would be hard on their family.

It took a little over an hour and half for the entire family to get ready, all had showers and dressed, by this point, it was a little over a half hour before they were meant to meet the boy. Elliot made one last check. Both Tybalt and Lydia were properly dressed, the hotel room was cleaned, though not as clean as it had been before the family had awoken. She made sure that all magical objects were hidden away she didn't want the maid finding them, should someone decide to clean the room. She smiled to herself, opening the window slightly, before calling for the family to clear out. Despite this day being about her husband, and Tybalt it was clear that she had to take control of most situations. After all, she was the only one with a sort of outside view of it. She was looking forward to meeting him, she just hoped that it all went okay. They hadn't traveled to New Zealand for a search that ended in disaster. She didn't want that to be the case, and all her Archers thought the same. She made sure she had the key, before, telling the family to start walking. To start going because they weren't going to be able to do anything standing stationary. She closed the door behind them, then followed at the back, taking the hand of her young daughter and feeling ever more anxious with each step. She could sense that her husband felt it too, Tybalt was the only one who didn't. He was carefree in that sense. Despite the struggles he'd had back home in Georgia, he was naive enough to believe that this would be easy. Outside, it was warm, a nice summers day, though not the same ones that she was sort of used to. Elliot walked beside her husband, taking his hand and giving it a light squeeze as they entered the cafe. It had been Tybalt's choosing, and she could see why, it was nice, small, it was exactly what they needed. She gave the name to the waiter, telling him that they would be there for some time. She had explained the situation somewhat over the phone while making the reservation, but she felt like explaining it again slightly. He just nodded in understanding, and showed them to the table, and then bringing some water to the table. Stating in a friendly tone that he hoped that everything went well. Elliot was thankful, the people were certainly nice. She made her family sit down, putting Ty at the top of the table, and herself and her husband facing the direction of the door. And Lydia beside her, at the other head of the table, though her chair was pulled somewhat towards her. Tybalt didn't sit for long before going to stand near the door. She was sure however to give Ty the extra glasses, since she knew for a fact that without glasses things for the monochromatics were hard to make out.

Under a half hour later, Elliot noticed that her son was moving to the door, flashing them a bright smile as he did so. Elliot took this as indication that the other kid was here. Elliot stood, taking Lydia in her arms, which the little girl was glad for. Leaning her head on her mother's shoulder. Her husband also stood, and they walked round to the side of the table, so that introductions would be easier. She kept her eyes forward, and in no time at all, her son, was showing two people to where they were. She smiled at the two, the boy, was the Archer, that much was clear, the exact blue eyes that all males in their family seemed to have. And Lydia too for that matter. Her son made his way back over to them, she let her eyes wonder over this boy. She was surprised, he looked exactly like her former brother-in-law, Mason. Like he had when she had first met him. There were small differences, but he took after his father. That could clearly be seen. However, she noted the boy was thin, she noted the way he seemed wary of them, the way his arms even from that distance seemed riddled with scars. What had happened to him? She was however pleased to see him, and she was smiling. A little part of their family was back, she knew that even though they'd just met this boy would be easy to love. She smiled as her husband stepped forward and shook his hand. Elliot waited taking this moment to look at the girl he had his arm around, girlfriend possibly. Ty had said that might happen. She stepped forward beside her husband. She was still smiling, "I'm Elliot, and this is my husband, Branson, your dad's brother." She explained in her usual Southern American accent, giving better introductions than her husband was. He seemed to have been startled into silence. "You've clearly already met our son, Tybalt, and this here is Lydia, our daughter." she motioned to the girl in her arms, before like her husband extending a hand to him, and then to the girl beside him. As this occurred the boy, she knew to be called Stefan introduced himself to her. Stating in a quiet voice who he and his girlfriend were. "It's very nice to meet you both."

There was a moment of silence before Branson suggested everyone sat down. Which they all then did, her family taking the seats they had before and the two remaining seats being for Stefan and his girlfriend. It seemed slightly awkward, while it was nice to finally meet him, Elliot couldn't help but feel a little awkward, it was natural for a meeting of this sort, so instead of letting it ponder much more, she took the menus and handed them out making sure everyone had one, before saying "Right, order whatever you like, it's on us." Elliot said smiling at the two, she was surprised when Stefan looked directly at her with a look of surprise, as if he hasn't expect that, she just smiled back at him, "We're family." she put her hand on Branson's, who nodded and seemingly agreed. "It's the least we could do."

Branson Archer Sr · Mar 14, 2013

Nerves had kept the eldest of all the Archers awake. He had been unable to fall asleep for hours, even resorting to standing at the window, looking up at the cloudless dark sky for aid in his quest for sleep. Nothing had helped. His mind had gone through everything about what this day would bring. About what the meeting would bring. After all, his brother had been gone for years, and to suddenly find out that it was a slightly different person left. The bloodline of his brother, the Archer bloodline. Destined to continue carrying the terrible genes for yet more generations to suffer. He felt bad enough that both his sons had the condition, he had felt bad with his own little brother having it, but the kid too. It was the condition he hated. Much like most others in his family. But, it went generally unspoken. He was instead left thinking of how hard it had been for him and his brother growing up. His brother had received the worst of it, since out of all the Archer's he had been the smartest. A real knack for knowledge, and a real thirst for life. This had gone horrible wrong as it turned out, and well, Branson was left awake half way through the night only hoping that his brother had been a better parent than their father had been. He didn't know much about the boy they'd be meeting, but he hoped that much would be true. The eldest of the family in the hotel room, finally grew tired, his mind finally deciding that it needed to rest. It was the early hours of the morning, and he would need to be up in a couple of hours, and face the day. He couldn't exactly do that without at least a little sleep. He had to try to look a less like a zombie, and more like an Archer who would help out the boy in any way that he could manage. Well, without cursing the boy with more horrible luck. He was hopeful that everything would turn out in his favour. That things would be okay. He climbed into the double bed next to his wife, sparing a glance over at his young children and finding a smile reach upon his lips, maybe this meeting would turn out to be great for his little family. The missing piece that had kept them distant for many years. He knew his wife was looking forward to the meeting. He lay down on the bed and looked up at the blank ceiling. It was going to be a difficult day, that much was for certain. His father had been opposed to this meeting, had been opposed to everything about it, but the evidence in the DNA had been enough for Branson to be absolutely sure it was the right decision. After a little time, without really realising it, Branson fell asleep.

He was staring at the road leading away from the house, dust was descending, almost like snow. It didn't fall from the sky however, it was the dust left by a car speeding off. Branson was left staring in the direction of the road. Of the driveway. The eyes glanced around at the family standing behind him, none of them seemed too bothered by what had just happened. Without thinking about it, he broke into a run, following after the dust cloud, running down the road. He had to convince him to come back. He had to convince him, that his father, their father hadn't meant it. The car however, was long gone, and a part of the man realised that the betrayed look of his brother would be the last time he'd ever see him. He was left screaming his name, until eventually he could no longer speak. "Mason" Much like the boy he would be meeting that day, Branson awoke that morning from a dream of a day he would rather forget. The day his father had sent his youngest son away. The day that Branson had never forgiven himself for. From that day on, no one ever mentioned it. Not even after his father had come to tell him, that his little brother Mason was dead. Little over a week later after the day he'd left. This was surely was a lie, he could see that now. He had never been certain, and had always taken the time to try to look, but he had kept up the lie, to his son, and partly to his wife. Now, it was all to be thrown back at him. Sighing, he sat up in bed slightly, grabbing his phone from the beside table and looking at the time. He could hear the shower in the background, and figured that it was Elliot, his wife getting ready. He looked through the small amount messages he had received, one oddly enough was his older brother, Cristian. Which he hadn't exactly expected. It was a small, simple message, I'm sorry I'm missing the reunion.. Branson hadn't really told many of the family members, but Cristian had always been close to Mason's wife's sister, so it made sense that he would want to be at the reunion. And that he would've told them about the kid. Though, Branson was happier knowing it was just them for now, they hardly wanted to overload him with family members, after all they had to explain the past seventeen or so years. Where they had been, and how they had never been in his life until now. As Branson typed a short reply, before glancing up at his wife, who looked a little nervous, like he was beginning to feel. As she began to get dressed, and as his message sent half way round the world to his most likely sleeping brother, Branson grabbed a bunch of clothes and went to get ready for the day. He was still a little tired, but the events of the day were dawning upon him, and this alone was enough to get him feel awake, and motivated to begin getting ready.

The shower he had was a lot longer than they were normally. For a long time, Branson, had just sat on the edge of the bath, and held his head in his hands. How on earth could he have possible thought this to be a good idea. He had to face his brother's son. His brother's son. His dead brother's son. A man, he hadn't known would live. He didn't want to know what had become of this kid, but Tybalt had met him, and kept talking about him. His cousin. His cousin, the only other male on the Archer side. Branson hadn't the heart to explain to Ty that this situation was tricky. That if all the things that Ty had been saying were true, that the kid had been alone for a couple of years, maybe didn't want more family. And who was to say that the boy would even turned up. All in all, Branson had sat with his head in hands for a while, plucking up the courage to face this day. As he got dressed, he realised that he hadn't actually really looked at the clothes he'd grabbed. Three socks, his t-shirt from the previous day that his daughter had managed to get dirty, and his wife's dress from the previous day. No clean t-shirt for him. Which was sort of understandable considering he wasn't exactly thinking very straight. He grabbed the wrong clothes and walked out the bathroom, mutter about how frustrating it was to forget a t-shirt. As he attempted to find one in the room, the muttering continued, until his wife, provided him with both a t-shirt and little bit of comfort he hadn't really realised he needed. Kissing her back he was glad he had her in his life. The man hadn't had the most luck with girls, having had a lot of charisma, but at the same time many nerves when it came to girls. She was perfect, and he knew he was lucky. He glanced over at his two children and found himself smiling. He had done pretty well for himself. Sure his family had issues, and it had it's fair share of heartbreak, but it was healing, and he was happy for the people that he had. He could look upon his kids and know that he had done a better job than his father. That he had raised his children so far in the best way he knew how. His smile didn't waver, as he helped them get ready for the day. Tybalt was pretty self sufficient, he just needed to be reminded that they had a time schedule, and Lydia, well she was younger and even in her younger age didn't seem so keen on this. However, after an hour the entire family was ready, and he was ready to get this day started. Sure, he could feel and hear his heart hammering away but this was a comforting feeling, almost. He was nervous, and he was scared, but he knew that if this went well, the boy would have a family who would give him the help he had maybe been lacking.

Leaving the hotel room was a quick process, he let his wife make sure the door was closed before he headed down the hallway. Walking along side his son, who seemed unfazed by the entire situation, which he was proud of. His son had no problems letting someone into the family, he was of a kind heart, strong and well, despite his small stature a better man already than Branson thought his father was. He was definitely proud. Branson knew without Tybalt, he would've never contacted this kid. With no idea what to say or how to address the situation. Walking down the street, Branson was glad when his wife put her hand in his. He was glad for the extra support, and well, he felt better doing this with his little family. The sun was fairly strong that day, the feeling was nice. He was used to much warmer weather all year round, but he quite liked the differences in New Zealand. It made for a good change. A good change to what he was used to. His mind was wondering with every few seconds, trying to steer it away from what he was doing. The cafe came into sight, and he felt himself grow ever more nervous. He hoped that the boy hadn't arrived first, he hoped he even came. It wouldn't be surprising if he didn't, but now that it was happening, he hardly wanted it to not. The cafe, picked by his son, was not the first place that Branson would've chosen. Something more private would've been better, but he realised that it was probably for the better. Branson just hoped that the place would be alright with them having their little family fuss. As it turned out, the place seemed sort of perfect. Quiet, but had a small hum of conversation. The staff seemed friendly, and it seemed to put his wife and himself more at ease. He sat down, and kept his eyes towards the door, and his son. Who appeared to be the only one who was actually excited about this. He was sure that once the kid arrived that his son would still be the only one who would be excited. The nerves seemed to get higher and higher as the minutes grew closer to the actual time, his brother's son would be arriving. He was counting it down in his head. All of a sudden, he noticed his son's expression, and he knew this was it. There was no turning back, the two families would meet. Well, one sort of full family, and what was left of the other. Following his wife's example, he got to his feet, and took a few steps round the table so that he would be facing the boy, and introductions would be a lot easier. This was it, and he knew this, as his son came round the small corner, and he was met with an odd sight.

Mason's son. His brother's son stood in front of him. He felt like he almost could see the ghost of his brother in this boy. A smile fell upon his lips. This boy was an Archer. Even with his monochromatic vision, he could see this. A boy who reminded him so clearly of the brother who had disappeared out of his life, but in the same sense, he could see that this boy was different from his brother. Where his brother had always stood tall, the boy didn't. Where his brother had been a little rash, from the look in this boys eyes, he rarely did anything because of anger. It was as his son stood beside him, that he realised more about the boy. The same tell tale signs that he knew from his family. From himself, and his brothers. He knew in that instant that it was very possible that his brother had fallen short at the duties that being a father meant. In those few seconds, Branson realised that he loved his nephew. That was truly sorry for how things had happened, and that he would never allow that to happen again. He took a small step forward, and extended his hand to him. No hugs, nothing overly touchy, not quite yet. He smiled as the boy took it. "Son" The word fell from his lips before he could stop it. He was maybe not the boy's father, but he would help him from there on out as much as a father possibly could. He let go of the boys hand, and found himself truly speechless, it was only as his wife introduced them, that he even realised that Stefan was with a girl. Tybalt had mentioned that, but, he hadn't expected her. Though it made sense when he thought about it. Branson knew if the roles were reversed he would've done the same. He shook her hand also, giving her a warm smile. Stefan and Kate. Seemed sort of right. "very lovely, Kate and Stefan" He motioned to the table, "Let's eat" His accent much like his wife's and his son's was a fairly strong American south accent. he took his seat, and watched as everyone else followed. He aided his wife in handing out the menus before letting the silence wash over them. He wasn't sure what to eat, since he was hungry, but he was also very aware of the situation, which made him slightly less hungry.

Squeezing his wife's hand back lightly, he nodded. They were family, that much was true. He wasn't going to make him pay, that was for sure. He flagged down a waiter, and got some water to be brought to the table. Everyone would need a little time to decide what they were having. He was unsure what to talk about, how to possibly break the ice between all of them. How did conversation start, he quickly picked what he wanted to eat, and let everyone just talk in hushed tones until everyone had picked. Once again, he flagged down a waiter, and everyone ordered. Surprised slightly by both Stefan's very quiet nature, and the way Branson was sure he might've picked the cheapest item on the menu without giving it too much thought. But, that wasn't something to talk about. Not yet. Instead, Branson looked at the people at the table. Not quite believing that after something like eighteen years, he was sitting opposite his younger brother's son. Who would've been the same age, as his former eldest son if he were alive. He looked at the boy, and gave a small warm smile, "So, Stefan, how much do you know about your family? Did your dad ever talk about us? And, Kate, did you ever meet him?" he asked with a polite tone, hoping this wouldn't be too much of a touchy subject. He looked to his wife, who seemed to agree with his question, giving him the encouragement he needed. "And Stefan, you don't have to be completely honest with us just yet. I understand if you feel nervous about telling us anything. My brother, your dad and I were really close growing up when my brother left, we lost contact. He sort of disappeared, so, we don't know what happened. I looked but I couldn't find any trace of him."

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Stefan Archer · Mar 15, 2013

If this is really poop, it's because I almost fell asleep writing it. I'll fix things in the morning, when I'm less sleepy

His mind fell blank soon milliseconds after the elder man had spoken. He was staring at the man, he could almost imagine seeing his father in this man, but with no real memories he wanted to cling to, the Slytherin didn't really see. He hardly wanted to think of his father in front of these people. He was more stunned because of how the man had addressed him. The friendly tone, the friendly fashion. Like they'd known each other for years, but it was merely months. His mind was already coming up with excuses as to why he shouldn't be acting like that towards him. But the words failed to pass his lips. The wouldn't form. It was not a silence of preservation, but a stunned silence. This was simply not the kind of family attention he was used to. All he could do was stare blankly ahead at this man in front of him. This man, his uncle. It was all very new for the young male. He wasn't used to being the one in the centre of attention, much less the centre of a family. He was the discarded part, families used him to just keep their house clean, used in the name of anger. While Elvera and her family had never been like that towards him, he hadn't exactly stuck around long enough to really give them the chance. He doubted that they were but, he wouldn't really ever know. He never wanted to know, the family had been so kind to him, he didn't want any negative memories to change that. They had helped him in his greatest hour of need, no questions asked. Stefan knew he would soon be of age, in both the wizarding world and the muggle world, as soon as that was true he no longer had to worry about as much, and he could finally attempt to repay the Le Feys for their kindness. He wouldn't need any family to care for him, or any to pretend that they cared for him. Stefan didn't need this family in front of him to care for him, or to pretend that they gave a sh1t about him, when they maybe didn't. He much less needed a family who wouldn't hide their hatred of him, though this family, in the few seconds had shown him nothing but kindness. They seemed very unlike his father.

These people seemed nice, Tybalt was certainly nice. He had to take after his parents, so the slytherin assumed that this family that was standing in front of him was just as nice. He let go of his uncle's hand, and had to mentally stop himself from moving away slightly, moving out of reach in case he took a swing at him. Had it not been for Kate standing beside him, he would've. He would've possibly turned and walked away. No matter how tired, hungry or curious he was, he would have quite possibly walked away. While he was somewhat aware of their names, it was nice to be formally introduced. There were no titles, no family titles, it was like meeting soon to be friends for the first time. Stefan, looked between them, Elliot, Branson, Lydia, and well, he knew Tybalt. Like she had said. Stefan shook her hand, and gave a small smile, she sounded like Tybalt, and he was sure that his father had spoken with an accent somewhat similar, but not a match to it. It would make sense, if they were family. Stefan's eyes looked to Kate beside him, and he smiled again. "I'm Stefan, and this is my girlfriend, Kate." He said, this was his family, he didn't expect Kate to have to introduce herself. Not in this early stage. He returned the smile that both of Tybalt's parents gave him, feeling that it was the polite thing to do. As if on cue, as Branson said they should sit, Stefan's stomach gave a low grumble, one that it was possible he was the only one to hear. Well, he'd walked quite a while, on an empty stomach, would make any person hungry.

There was a moment, as Stefan watched all the others sit, that he waited to see where they would be. As it turned out, he was at least closer to the door. Stefan wasn't thinking that this meeting could take a bad turn, but experience had taught him to know how to get out if things got bad. He had to remind himself that these people were suppose to be family, and he was sure, that they wouldn't agree to meet in such a public place if they had the desire to hurt Stefan. But family had betrayed him before, Archers had. His father, had never really taken Stefan out of the house much when he'd been growing up, mostly it was trips to the hospital when he'd been too violent, and later to buy school supplies but, when in public no matter how badly Stefan could have maybe behaved, which wasn't really 'bad' in most people's eyes, his father had always waited until they got home. Something that was both a good thing and a bad thing. This had shifted slightly as he'd gotten older, and his father had been less and less in control of himself at all times. Shuddering slightly at the memory, Stefan took a seat and reached over to Kate, putting his arm around her chair and bringing himself slightly closer to her. Just so that they were closer. He needed to be able to tell her things quietly if he didn't want others to know. Like if he felt unsafe, and wanted to leave. Something that he was sure Kate would respect, and something he hoped he wouldn't have to actually do. He said a small thanks before taking the menu, and looking over the prices. He was consciously aware of what money he had, and could therefore afford to spend. Considering that the money he had was suppose to last him until they went back to school, he didn't have much to spare as school was still a little while away. His eyes darted up, when it was Elliot who said that they would be paying. He wanted to tell her no, that she didn't have to. But before he had any real chance to she continued, talking about how they were family, but surely they hadn't been family for long enough for him to deserve this kindness. His father had only spent money on him when it was necessary. When it was absolutely necessary. Even at that, there had been winters without heating; weeks without warm water; days without any real food. These people, that man, Branson Archer, had been related to his father, and yet, Stefan couldn't help but think that the two couldn't have been more different. His father would've never given Stefan a menu, and told him he could have what he wanted. It would've required his father to care enough to remember to even allow Stefan to eat. However, this didn't bring Stefan much comfort, instead it brought more questions. Why was it that it had to be his father who hadn't cared? Why hadn't they ever tried to teach his brother differently? Why had they never taught him how to be kind or how to not beat your own blood within an inch of their life? Stefan let his eyes drop back to the menu. For the first time that day, and most certainly not the last, he felt tears well up in his eyes. Instead of letting the tears fall, he looked to Kate, his pillar of strength. It didn't make him really feel better, but it made him remember that it was in the past, and things were good now, and that was what mattered.

"I'm so glad you're here." He whispered to her, "I don't think I could've even walked through that door on my own." His eyes darted to the ground between them. Slightly embarrassed at how difficult he was finding this. His mind told him that this was a fairly normal situation to be in. That most dealt with it easily, little did he know how hard it was to have any form of family reunion. How could he have? He hadn't ever had a real family. Not until now. Not until these people sitting in front of him now. His looked back up at the prices on the menu, and soon his eyes fell upon something he liked the look of. Well, the look of the price of, and the thing itself didn't seem too bad. He didn't want to have to take any form of control of this day, so he let the adults do all the talking. While Stefan hadn't had parents, or people to look after him in a few years, he still felt the same towards adults he didn't know. He didn't want to interrupt them, and he sure as hell didn't want to piss them off. He knew that it would be simple enough for them to reach across the table and hit him. He didn't want that to happen, so he waited for his turn to order, ordering in a small and quiet voice. Glancing over every few seconds at Elliot and Branson to see their reactions and if he had done anything wrong. Hoping that what he ordered would be okay with them. Part of himself still thinking that he should offer to pay his part, or his and Kate's at the end. Instead of bringing it up however the boy reached across and took the water, pouring both himself and Kate a glass, letting his thoughts quieten down. His eyes didn't ever linger on the people in front of him for long. He just kept glancing between his hands, Kate, his glass and them. He had no idea if it was up to him to start the conversation or if it would be up to them. He knew that he wanted to find out what had taken them so long, why they hadn't really ever searched about him, had they known anything about him. What had his father been like before him? Was everything his father had done to him in the years following more because that was the kind of man his father had been, or had it been because of him. His hand was trembling slightly noticeable enough as he picked up his glass, he was not cold, but still it trembled. He kept the glass close to the table. Taking small sips, letting the cool water make him feel better following that walk. Despite the water in his bag, this water tasted nicer, it was certainly less warm that his.

As Branson spoke, Stefan looked up at him. This was odd, his vision was so much better with the glasses. His eyesight had always been sort of terrible that he had grown accustom to it. Now, he felt that he wouldn't be able to give the glasses back. Instead he wanted to see in this high definition quality always. The question was an odd one. Stefan thought it was silly, had his father spoken of them, Stefan would've reached out. Would've tried to use them to get his father to stop. To just let him rest, let him recover. Give him even a moment's peace. But his father hadn't. His father had forbidden all questions, and it had only taken the threat of more serious violence to make Stefan never bring it up again. Never even really think of it until he'd returned to the house. Stefan had spent those first years of his life believing that there was not much of the world beyond him and his father. Much less that he had an entire family with people who seemed perfectly nice. Stefan had been about to reply, but Branson continued speaking, asking Kate if she had met him. Stefan could only think of a few times, and that hadn't really been meeting. More like, she had just been there when his father had also. He remembered the first time, they'd sat together on that bench, and the times which followed. He remembered the time he had gotten wet because of the rain, and made to walk home. His father had roughly shoved him out the car, Kate had seen that. He didn't know how much she had really seen it, but he knew that what Kate knew of his father wasn't exactly positive. However, as Stefan continued to listen, he could tell that Branson had been close to his father, and probably wouldn't take too kindly to the news that Stefan had about the man, and how he been possibly the worst example of a father. He wondered if Kate would say anything. He wouldn't mind if she did, he was prepared to lie to them. Keep everything a secret. He didn't expect her to. She would probably be the person who could tell them, since Stefan figured if he did, he would just sort of freeze up. In his mind, they didn't really need to know about what had happened in the past. "All I know is what Ty told me." Stefan said, quietly. It was then Tybalt who jumped in, explaining very rapidly and in an shortened sense what they had talked about. Stefan's voice as he spoke was quiet, he wasn't sure if what he was saying was right, but he couldn't think of anything else. He didn't wish to make them feel bad, but the way he spoke, it showed that he was angry about things. He had huge amounts of reason to be as well. Stefan was even lost as to what to address his father as with these people should it be dad, though he wouldn't mean it, or father. Either way, the tone of voice which accompanied it would be enough. It would feel empty.

"He wasn't keen on talking about most things." Stefan said, carefully thinking and picking his words. He didn't want to say too little or too much. He didn't want these people to think he was ungrateful for what his father had done for him, like a home, and magic school, but he didn't want to create an illusion that things had been all rainbows and butterflies. Reaching out, Stefan took the glass once more, and just held it in his hand. "He was a man of few words." Which was in part true. His father hadn't been much of conversationalist. He was a man of actions, only speaking to insult, and even then only if the situation really called for it. Stefan didn't want to talk about that, instead he bowed his head slightly, hoping that the conversation would not always be centered around him. Though he assumed it would. Which then made him think. It made him looked up at the two, how much did they really know about him. He wasn't sure if he wanted to ask, unsure as to if he really wanted to hear the answer. Stefan could almost here his father muttering insults in his ear, calling him weak and pathetic. He could still feel the realness of the dream he had had during the night. He took a sip of water, placed the glass on the table and then, smiled at them both, "What do you know about me? Did you even know that I existed?" He felt his words were a little harsh, he hadn't meant them to be, but he was slightly bitter. He was annoyed. He had been dragged through hell too many times to count, he wanted to know why this family of his that had always been there had never truly looked for him or his father. Sure it couldn't have been that hard. His father hadn't change their names or anything. Had they simply not cared? Why did they suddenly care now? Why the change? So many questions circling in his brain. "My family fell apart, where were you then?" Stefan's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes wouldn't meet theirs. He knew that they probably had their own problems, but they were together, everyone seemed fairly happy. He could see that they loved their children. Stefan just wanted to know why it had taken so long for this to happen.

Kate Archer · Mar 20, 2013

Kate had only seen Stefan's father and handful of times. The first time being when she and Stefan met for the first time. He had shown up in the car. Hadn't sounded like the nicest Dad in the world and Kate had gotten suspicious. Well more curious over his family life. It hadn't been her place to ask questions. They hadn't been close friends at all then. But as they had got closer, especially the ordeal in second year she had started to question things more. She became worried. He had started to mean more to her. She hadn't realized how much for another while. It had taken a long time for her to realize it. She had gone through a lot bull to realize it. But look where they were now. They at least had a strong foundation. They had been through a lot together. That helped them be so close.She was glad he trusted her enough to be here with him. She squeezed is hand reassuringly and smiled over at him. She wanted to be there for him and help him through this. She smiled as she was introduced, nodding at the two. They seemed like lovely people."Nice to meet ye both"She said.She gave a little wave to Lydia. She was adorable. She was happy that they were, they seemed to want to get to know Stefan. They seemed interested. But what Kate didn't understand was, what happened that made them think Stefan's dad was dead. They had known nothing. She was glad she had found Tybalt that day.

She moved around to sit at the table. She smiled as Stefan moved closer to her. She smiled, liking being close to him. Kate was going to shake her head with Elliot offered to pay. But she thought it would be rude. She just looked for the cheapest thing on the menu. She didn't want to be a burden on this family. Kate had plenty money at home, in her bag even and they had too much really. She didn't want people spending their money on her. But she kept quiet for the moment not wanting to make it awkward by refusing. She met Stefan's gaze and saw the tears in his eyes. She put her hand on his under the table and squeezed it ,smiling reassuringly at him. She wanted this to go well for him. She knew it could be hard. "I'm glad to be here"She whispered back. She really was and if Stefan needed anything she was more then ready to help. Its one of the reasons she was here. To help him through this. It was never going to be easy. She doubted it was easy for anyone to meet family they have never seen before. Especially in this sort of situation. It was weird how the family had never known about Stefan. Something had obviously happened, something bad and Kate wanted to know what. Help her understand the situation.

The next question had Kate bursting to tell them what Stefan's Dad had been like. What they had let go one for all these years. Had he always been like this? How did they actual believe he was dead? So many questions and they hadn't known these people long enough to ask them. Well in her mind it would be inappropriate. She did want to tell them about Stefan's treatment as a child but she didn't know how he would feel about it and really did she want Tybalt and Lydia to hear? Of course not, they seemed to have a lovely upbringing and loving parents. A lot like herself. Branson spoke about his brother. It was interesting to say the least. She got the impression that, if these two had been close either Mason had hid his violent tendacies to people or just had a nasty temper that no one had thought much of. Or maybe there was something else entierly. Kate didn't know what to think. She was sure she would find out more in due course. "Do you want me to say anything"She whispered to him. If she was saying anything she wouldn't be elaborate. Basically just let them know, Stefan's Dad wasn't the man he had been. She wouldn't say anything if he didn't want to. For years he hadn't said anything to her nbut he seemed a lot more confident these days so who knew? "Only a few times, I never got properly introduced though"Kate said, her gaze dropping to her hands.

Kate listened as Stefan spoke. She didn't really know much about Stefan's dad. Only what he had done to Stefan. She wondered what did Stefan know about his Dad. It would hopefully be nice to hear from Branson what Mason had been like growing up. What sort of person he had been. She hoped Stefan would like it. She took a sip of her water. She was quite enjoying this meeting even though it had only started. Her smile fell slightly as Stefan spoke once more. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. They were justified words. She wondered how the two would react.

Branson Archer Sr · Mar 31, 2013

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<SIZE size="50">Growing up for Branson had not been the simplest of tasks. His father was, and still is, a stern man. Strong, easily angered and not much of a joy to be around. His father had all in all not been a kind man. In his entire life, Branson was sure that his father had never shown more than an ounce of affection. Once to tell him he was proud of him during his wedding, and the second time, when he and Elliot had produced a daughter, who would help break the chain of seriously unlucky Archer males. There had been no other points where Branson could easily say that his father had been proud of him. Which considering he was in his late thirties was not a warming fact. It was because of this, that Branson tried his hardest to be the best goddamn father that he could be. Why when he got angry, instead of lashing out, like his father had done, he left the room. Went for an angry walk, or back in America, an angry drive. It was the best way to cool off he had found. He knew that his elder brother Cristian did pretty much the same, though he had less to be angry about, as their father preferred him, with his two daughters. His sister with no children had no problems, though when she was angry, he knew that she generally channelled this anger into doing something productive. But, he had no idea of how his baby brother had conducted himself. The man he had known had been kind, he had been loving, but he was short tempered much like their father, and acted so much more rashly than Branson had thought was healthy. Sitting at this table, with his family at his side, and his brother's son in front of him, it was surreal. He had never imagined that anything of this sort would ever happen. And if his father knew. Oh, if his father had any clue of this. Branson would have hell to pay. His father had strictly forbidden this. Told them to let the kid go, let him be alone. However, Branson had found he could not do that. Not after how affectionately his son had spoken of the boy, his cousin. Not after his wife had told him to put himself in the shoes of the young boy. All alone in a world, knowing that he had family but they didn't want to meet him. At that point he could no longer justify not meeting him. It didn't matter what his father thought in the end. It didn't matter that his father would be furious, this was his brother's kid, family. More to that, it was just a kid. A boy with nothing.

As the waiter took their order, he payed attention to the two who were sitting in front of him. Both of them went for the cheapest things, while his kids went for whatever they wanted, regardless of what it cost. He was curious as to if they had consciously done that, or if it was just that they had wanted that. He noted Stefan, watched him as he conducted himself. Mostly, Branson was attempting to see his brother in the boy, but apart from a few tell tale features, the boy was nothing like the man he remembered his brother being. Maybe, quietly affectionate, possibly this was the wrong situation to judge how much like Mason Stefan was. That fact did not stop his mind however. Branson's first questions were a little blunt, that he had to admit. There was little to dance around, his family had known nothing of Stefan. They were curious, probably as much as he was. Since there was basically, a eighteen/nineteen year gap in their knowledge of what had happened. Years of them knowing next to nothing, and there was living proof that something had happened. That they'd been feeding each other lies, that there had been a huge miscommunication, which in the Archer family was really hardly surprising. Branson put his arm around the shoulders of his wife and just listened the the young boy, his answers were not all that surprising, his accent on the other hand was. It was clearly more of a New Zealand accent, but it was not as distinct as he had heard it during their time in New Zealand. It made him quite easily understandable, though he spoke quietly. His accent was very unlike what he remembered his brother's being, though some thing that oddly did remind him of his brother was how quietly he spoke. Who had never really been much of a loud person. He nodded as the boy spoke, a man of few words that was something he knew for sure. While, Branson was a lot calmer, a lot more about talking things out, both Cristian and Mason had been men of action. His sister was a mixture. Mason had always acted without thinking, spoke without thinking which had very often landed him in trouble. He noted that Kate whispered something to Stefan, he hadn't heard what had been said, but it was odd. She answered his question in a way, that made him all the more curious. Like she possibly knew more How long had the two been dating, and why hadn't she ever been properly introduced. He was about to ask her a question, and answer those that Stefan had posed, when Stefan had spoken again. It was so quiet that he almost hadn't heard it. Where were they.

While his daughter was happily sitting at the edge of the table, playing with her napkin, giggling every so often, Branson could only wish to be her in that moment. He leaned forward in his chair, opening his mouth to maybe say something. Try to explain what had happened, why they hadn't been there, but, he couldn't. There was no way that anything he said to him in that moment would justify what had happened to Stefan, Branson's brother, and his sister-in-law. He leaned back in the chair and cleared his throat. What could he say to this kid. He watched him, noting how he was closer to his girlfriend, that he was watching him, much like he remember himself doing when he was younger and around his father. "Stefan..." He started, but words escaped him. There was nothing that he could say that would make what happened okay. Nothing they could promise. They didn't even know what had happened. They had no idea where his brother had gone, and despite it's size, New Zealand was a populated country. Mason also had the unique ability to always manage to really hide if he wanted to. Branson had never imagined they would've ever found him. Or found what he left. Looking down at his hands, the eldest Archer was left speechless, unable to find the words to explain. But as silence grew longer, he couldn't let it hang in the air. He felt that this needed answering. He felt that he could answer it, but it would be hard. He cleared his throat once more, and tried again. "My brother left home when he was seventeen, him and my father, your grandfather got in a huge fight." He stopped, wondering how much to say about this. "Your father was a very smart man, but his heart ruled his head. Your father got married to your mother earlier in the year, and he loved her a lot but he rushed into that, without thinking about what the consequences would be." He paused again, he sighed slightly, this was hard, "The argument between your father, and your grandfather ended the way they always had. My father would yell at Mason, your father, to get out. And that time, your father never came back. A week later, we get a call from your mother's family, to say that their daughter had gone missing. We assumed that they ran off together." He knew that wasn't answering the question directly, but he was getting to that. "I looked for him. Mason was my little brother, and he was just angry, I thought he just needed more time to cool off. I found out that he went to New Zealand, the same day my father told the family that Mason had died. In an angry rage, had driven off and crashed the car, some in the Mid west in America" He looked at Stefan, he was truly sorry for how things had gone.

"Everyone believed it. My father refused to let anyone talk about it, or him. I looked for him, but, I never found any trace of him. Your father was a very smart man, he knew how to not be found." It was always the worst part of the story, Branson was trying to keep his eyes on Stefan, but he found he couldn't for long. This was hard enough, he didn't want to see the disappointment that the boy would probably have for his so called family. "After a while, I had a family on my hands, and I stopped looking so much. It was only when Ty was ready to go to school, that I remembered New Zealand, and I started looking again. I found out he died just after Ty went to school. It was the only trace of him I found, and there was no mention of a son. I did find the news article about your mother's death, they mentioned a child in that, but no name, and no relation. It was a small article and I thought nothing of it." Mason, looked to his wife as he finished, not able to imagine losing her, the grief his brother must have felt. He was glad that Elliot had come with him to this emotional support. Doing this with him. It was above and beyond what was needed. "I'm sorry Stefan. You have to believe me, I'm sorry we didn't try sooner. We had no idea. I know it's not a good enough excuse, but it's the only one I have" He stopped once more. This was hard, to explain that they had wanted to, but other things had come up making it hard. That they hadn't really known. "Your father kept to himself, he loved your mother, and I'm sure he loved you. But, your father was a proud man, he would rarely turn to his family for help. We had no way of knowing." Branson couldn't think of anything else to say. How else to explain that they were sorry. Though it wouldn't change what had happened. That this was looking to the future. "But, at least we know now, and we can move forward from here on out."

Tybalt Archer · Apr 8, 2013

Finding the cousin he had never known had been a very interesting experience for the youngest male in the Archer family. He was used to being the only other male of his generation since it was clear that all of his uncles were having girls, all of them, even those on the other side. He only had one male cousin, and that was some guy who had never met in person. They were similar in age, but that was the only common trait between the two. Finding out about this Archer cousin, and then meeting him had been a very interesting experience for the young Gryffindor who had truly believed he knew all about his family. It was clear that he did not, it was clear to him now that his grandfather had lied about so much more than he would ever let on. Ty was happy to have managed to convince his cousin that this would be a good idea, that meeting his parents would be the best move forward. After all they had made sure it was fact, though Tybalt would've always considered Stefan a cousin regardless, there was no reason why the family shouldn't have the opportunity to meet. There was no reason which made it all right for Stefan to stay in the dark about the family he had. It wasn't perfect, it was a little broken, a little rough around the edges but that was family. Ty couldn't understand why his family were being so odd about it. Why they hadn't told his grandfather, why they hadn't mentioned that they had any contact with him. It was so odd. Tybalt was sure that his father had also not told his brother, or sister. No one bar the ones turning up on that day, as far as Ty was aware, knew of the meeting. The night had been restless for the young Gryffindor. His mind had been filled with many terrible ways in which this could go. How they might make this worse, how they might end up saying something they regret. That might cause him to not want to be a member of the family. Or other ways in which this day could wrong. All in all, it had left Ty feeling less than well rested. He would find the energy for the day, but it would come slowly, and make him by the end of the day feel like all the life had been sucked out of him. It was in the early hours of the morning that he had finally managed to get some deep, dreamless sleep. Of course it was at this point that he was awoken, a light shaking, which got him to open his eyes, and then the sunlight which easily blinded him awake. It was a bright and beautiful day. Hopefully this would stay like that. Tybalt as soon as he was a little awake had jumped out of bed. He rushed to the shower, grabbing the right clothes as he went. Despite his tiredness, he was excited for the day ahead. He thought that Stefan would be too. Meeting family had to be exciting.

A little under an hour later, Ty was barely able to sit still before they left the hotel room. He was bouncing around, moving things, making noise, and just in general being excitable. It was odd, since he didn't think he would get this excited and simultaneously nervous about a meeting. He was the only one of the lot that knew both parties, and he knew both parties would enjoy and benefit from this meeting. He knew that Stefan would be glad for family, he knew his father would be glad for his brother son, the man that was just like them, and his mother who would be mothery and take Stefan under her wing. It was odd. He was excited and he noticed he was the only one. Which was why he kept trying to get others to be like him, excited. Once his mother had finished getting Lydia ready they left the room, and headed in the direction of the cafe that Ty had picked. It was a simple little place, at a sort of neutral ground for all parties. He walked beside his father, keeping a happy smile on his face, knowing deep down that this had to go well. Believing that it would. Despite his fears during the night, the morning light had shown him a different path. This would be fine, he knew it. He just knew it. Stepping into the sunlight, and towards the meeting place, Ty felt his excitement grow, he felt the good feelings about this seep through, letting everything negative be forgotten. A positive outlook would surely go a long way. It didn't take long for them to reach the cafe, Tybalt took the lead, running off in front to get to the place. He was the first to step in before his parents followed behind. They were the ones to talk to the waiters, while Tybalt found himself going for a small wonder. Looking around the place. Yes, in his mind this was the place for his family to do this. It was warm, seemed fairly friendly, and had enough space to not make anyone feel contained. Which he figured that his cousin would want. Rather than a place with no where to go and too much regulation and rules. This was laid back, it had enough on the menu and was just right. He knew it was the right choice, and he was glad that Stefan had agreed to this place. Tybalt felt comfortable in this place. He felt comfortable knowing that this would be the place of the first meeting. He was all round pretty happy, and probably the only one of his family to feel as such. His little sister was really a little young to fully understand what was going on and why this was very important. Though he somewhat envied that, he was grateful to be able to be a little more part of the conversation. To know more.

Once they had been shown to their table, Ty had found that he couldn't sit still, taking the glasses that they had brought for Stefan, as per Ty's request he went to stand close to the door, walking to and from, peering out the slightly clouded windows to the street outside seeing no one there. Seeing that it was empty he would walk for a bit, shake his head at his parents. While trying to keep himself as calm as possible. Trying to be calm for this meeting. Finally, he peered out the window, and saw both Stefan and Kate walking not too far away. This caused a smile to erupt on his face. He went back to his family and smiled at them. Showing that this was it. His cousin was here. He rushed back to the door, as fast as those little legs of his would allow. Stefan was taller than him, which was why when he hugged his cousin, it was a good hug, where he could lean his head against his cousin's bony chest. Hearing the reassuring heart beat of his cousin, a nice reminder that this was real, and this was happening to his family. He smiled as his cousin spoke, greeting him in the ever friendly tone that he was used to. Rather than saying anything, Ty just stood back, and lead them to where their family was waiting. Taking the time to had him the glasses He noticed they had stood, Tybalt walked over and stood beside his father, letting his father put an arm around him, while he carefully watched his cousin stare upon the sight of his family. It was odd, he could see the boy smiling, he could feel his father smiling. This was completely new to everyone. They had no idea how to be. How to react to such a thing. He watched as his father took a brief step forward, greeting his cousin. Stating just one word, that Tybalt was glad to hear. They were family, they should be greeted as such. His mother was quick to also take the small step forward and fill in where his father had failed in the way of introductions. She introduced them, and while Ty knew his cousin, and his cousin knew him, he still smiled brighter at his name, meeting his cousin's gaze. This would be the perfect fit for all of them. He was sure of it. His mother seemed to do a lot of this first talking he noted, but it wasn't a bad thing, it appeared that his father was relatively lost for words, and unlike for his mother, this was a much thicker blood relation. It was the son, of his father's dead brother. Which was hard enough to understand on it's own. He could forgive his father for being less forward than he might be in any other situation, because this was a very different situation.

With everyone else, Tybalt took a seat. He took a menu and began to read it over. While he had organised it, this day would not be about him, and he knew that he would have very little involvement in it. He would be the person who was responsible and that was all. He would however, listen and watch the conversation. He knew that his parents would be fine, but he knew that Stefan had more reservations about it. Ty had been in part convinced that the boy might not show. Of course he had, and now they had to deal with that. Silence fell upon the group as they decided what they would eat. Tybalt very quickly decided what he would eat, and got a little excited at the prospect of eating it. He was one of the last however to order. Once, all of that was done, conversation started. He noted that his father's first question was fairly blunt. He wasn't sure that it was the right question to open with, but he wouldn't argue, surely his father knew exactly what it was he was doing, and he wouldn't get it wrong. Of course, Ty was referenced as they spoke. He just followed the conversation, his eyes flicking between, his father, Kate and his cousin. Not sure if the conversation was going well, or if his father was scaring Stefan away. It was odd for him. He was usually quite in tune with everything, but not today. He had to really listen to hear what his cousin was saying, he barely caught the last words. Ty realised that he knew very little about his cousin, merely what Kate had said about him being less than ok, and that he was dead. It was all. This interested the young Gryffindor a lot, he couldn't help but listen more intently, though his parent might disapprove of such a thing. His father seemed lost for words. Tybalt had no idea why they had never looked, sure, his grandfather had said that his uncle had died long before he was born, but surely they would've known that he hadn't. Surely someone would've known that there had been a son somewhere. Surely, his grandfather, his father, his family could never be that cruel. Surely. His eyes did not leave his father as he spoke. This was also fairly new to him, since his family had very rarely spoken about the brother who had been lost, much in the same way that they never talked of what they'd now have to call Mason Jr, for things to make a little more sense. He listened to his father's answer, though could give nothing more as reassurance, nothing that would make this any less painful on his cousin. He wanted to blurt out that they were now family. That the past didn't matter, but by the look on his father and his cousin it did matter. It would matter. Everything that they said would be the first impression that his cousin had on their family. They hadn't looked for his cousin, it was hardly surprising that he might want nothing to do with them. Somewhere down the line, his family had lost track of what being a family meant, only now were they fixing those mistakes.

Elliot Archer · Apr 8, 2013

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<SIZE size="50">It was on her mind that this would be a very odd meeting between two halves of a very divided and private family. From her time spent with Branson, and therefore with his father, all she could really take from it was the it was a relationship very heavily built upon lies. Lies that were the sole reason behind this meeting needing to be something to be done. She could tell from the careful way Stefan spoke, introducing himself and his girlfriend that he was nervous, almost scared even. They had all sat down, and Elliot was glad for the silence that followed, she brought herself a little closer to her husband before picking up a menu. She for the first time in a long while, noticed all the colours of the menu, the brightfulness that also resembled where they were. She noticed it, as she noticed that half the table couldn't see it. That for the first time in a long time, the number of Archer's who couldn't see colour was more than those Archer's who could. She wondered what it would've been like for the boy to grow up like that, not seeing colour, and worse than that not having glasses, or a supportive family for that matter. She literally could not imagine living without colour. It was hard enough on her son, who had everything he could possibly want or need, this poor boy had little in comparison. She hadn't thought like that in a while, hadn't noticed the colours so clearly in so long. It was almost upsetting to be reminded that her son, her husband and her nephew could not see what she could see. Could not see the dark hair, or the bright eyes that they shared. The Archer family traits running in the members who couldn't see it. It was the irony. It was the sad irony that they lived with, and would always. It was terrible, this disease which she was sure was the reason the family was in such a mess. Why this was the first meeting with this poor boy. Why her husband had had such a terrible time growing up, why her son had such problems getting his grandfather to like him, as he liked his sister. Elliot was the first to order food, ordering both for herself and young Lydia who was still a little young to be ordering without screaming at the poor waiter. She looked to the menu as the others ordering, noting the way in which Stefan had moved closer to Kate, how both ordered so little. She could understand Kate, for her this must be very weird, a family that she wasn't really in meeting. However, Stefan, that poor boy looked like he could do with a little more food, yet he ordered so small. She wondered what had caused him to be so thin. She had a few ideas, but she couldn't imagine any of them being true. Had it been that he was just without anyone, without money, or had he always been like that. Elliot Archer had maybe suffered a lot in her thirty-eight years of life, but she still believed in the best of people. Always.

Once she handed back her menu, her eyes went to her husband who took no time at all in launching straight into the harder hitting side of things. She thought it was a little overly blunt. She squeezed his hand a little, but she got the impression that Stefan too would rather not beat around the push. It was silly considering that they had gone this long without contact, no one wanted to wait. Others might be happy to wait ever so slightly longer, but these were Archer's they didn't like waiting. They had all the puzzle pieces, they just had to put it together so that it would make sense. So that it could possibly make at least a little sense. It would be funny, if they left this meeting with more questions than they'd come with. But, it would be the nature of such a meeting. It could go either way. It might be informative, or it might not. She was happy however, in seeing the two. In seeing Stefan, seeing the way her husband could see his brother in him. Mason had been a good man when she had known him. A little rash, a little easy to anger, but he had always been kind to her, always been gentle. Always shown her affection in a way that she knew that Stefan's mother must have been a very lucky woman. What had become of this man that she had once loved. Why were they only meeting now. Why were they just meeting at this point in everyone's lives. From what she could tell, as both pondered the answers to the questions Branson had asked, she at least was able to tell that the two loved each other. Which was at least a positive. It made her feel a little less bad for the boy's lack of family until now. He had someone, maybe more than just this one person. She didn't know, but she hoped it would be true. Glancing to her son, she wondered what he had said of them. elliot had to guess that what she had said had been mostly good or he wouldn't be there now. There was no need to bring up anything else. They could talk of terrible mistakes later, when everyone was slightly less uncomfortable with one another. Although, the way that Stefan described Mason, as a man of few words was very much true. The Mason she remembered had always been somewhat silent for the most part. "Mason was just like that. He said few words. Kept them for when he believed they mattered most" Elliot nodded in agreement with what Stefan was saying, smiling a little. Trying to reassure Stefan, what of, she didn't know. A part of her figured that any reassurance could go a long way. Her gaze that had been fixed on Stefan, moved to Kate. Who spoke quietly and briefly. Elliot figured that Kate had never met Mason in person. It just seemed like the two were a bit young for the parent introduction. Even this wasn't anything like a parent introduction. It wasn't like they were judging her for going out with their nephew, more that they needed to get to know Stefan, make up for lost time and the boy needed the support of someone who already loved him. Elliot knew that if it were she would want the same. She was sure that she would never have been able to gather the same courage as him. As he had for what he was doing currently. It was crazy thinking that it had taken close to nineteen years for this to have ever happen. For the two families to be finally reunited. The question which Stefan posed, both of them, stunned her into a similar and odd silence.

Bowing her head was the only thing she felt she could do. Letting the strands of brown hair fall down in front of her face as she did so. She hadn't expected such a question. She hadn't expected anything so blunt, the boy seemed so shy, so reserved, why would that be one of the first things he asked. The more she thought about it however, the more she understood it. Elliot's own parents had died while she had been at magical school. She had to be bring up her siblings for the most part. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to go through all she had to then find out that she had family that just hadn't cared enough to check to see if she existed. She very suddenly felt awful for all that had happened, and for all that hadn't happened. She saw no way of excusing what had transpired. No way of letting herself forgive the father of her husband for how he treated the members of his family. For how he had treated Mason, for how he treated Branson and Tybalt. It was awful, and she knew that there was nothing they could say, nothing they could promise which would resolve anything. Sighing to herself slightly, she raised her gaze up to him, giving a small reassuring smile to her husband, while reaching out and taking his hand. He began to speak. She nodded along, still giving the reassuring look so that if he needed her help she would just step in, in any way that she could. There wasn't much that she could add, the man had been her father's husband. She didn't know what more she could add. What more could even try to justify it. What terrible things had happened to him were things that could not be changed. How things had happened could not be changed. One thing had just set of a chain of events that lead right to this moment. Right to this second with these two in front of them. The family had broken apart, and it was now that the family was finally being put back together. It had definitely taken long enough. Putting this family back together she realised would probably fall upon her. However much that her father in law hated her. She nodded along to everything that Branson was saying, every so often glancing at Stefan, who had bowed his head, listening to all the words that her husband spoke. Listening as he tried to explain as best he could, but really there was no way of doing it without making them sound like awful people who did not care enough about family. Who were to self-centered to look for the lost member's of their family. Only looking again, really upon the death of their eldest son, years before. Never looking seriously until the move to New Zealand. Only finding something, when it was very much too late. Once they had found out about Mason's death, they had just decided that they would stop looking, and yet had they looked a bit further they would've found the boy that now sat in front of them. She watched as Branson finished and the boy looked up, his eyes glossy with unshed tears, she got the sense that the boy had been through a lot. Had seen and suffered a lot. It almost pained her to see that. It somehow made her feel even worse for never attempting to really properly look for a son, or a child for that fact. "We were very sorry to hear about your mum in the article. She died when you were really young." Elliot said with a sympathetic tone. She remembered the article more than her husband, it had been a horrible article, the poor woman who had been destroyed by grief had just driven off the side of a bridge. The child mentioned in the article had been left without a jacket or shoes mere metres away. Left to freeze in the cold April, watching the scene unfold. She had read in the article that the boy had been found half dead. Yet, if the article had been about Stefan's mother, she could only assume that it meant the boy in the article was Stefan.

"We truly are sorry" She gave him a small smile, knowing this would do little to improve things. Knowing that Stefan probably had no memories of his mother, or what she had done. Elliot also knew that she would never tell him. She couldn't. What if he believed in his mother more than his father, what kind of a person would she be if she was honest about it. A terrible person. An awful person, and Elliot was far from an awful person. "I'm sure your parents were incredibly happy to have you in their life. Like, my husband said, I'm sure they are very proud of you." She said in agreement. She didn't realise how wrong they were. How wrong, Stefan believed they were. "We think, me and Branson, that your father Stefan, got your mother pregnant, and that was why he left. Why he didn't come to us for help, or list us as kin for if he died is beyond me" She hoped that while this wasn't much reassurance, or would make anything easier the effort would be at least a little appreciated. "Do you know what happened after he left America? Like what he did for a living?" Elliot believed she was asking very general and obvious questions, the answers for which would not cause much trouble. How little she knew. Their family would take a while before it got to be even resembling normal.

Stefan Archer · Apr 9, 2013

The monochromatic Slytherin had no idea what sort of answers he would receive during this talk. He had no idea of the things he might just learn. He had no idea of the stories that they would have to tell of the father he hated so much. These people were family and while that much was true, they were new and they had no idea of the horrors that Stefan had faced. They had no idea that he had been alone for so long. That even when his father had been around, Stefan hadn't had anyone. He had gained more from his father's death than he had ever gained during the man's life. The blue eyes of the middle Archer moved to the woman, Elliot as she spoke of his father, agreeing with the statement a man of few words. It almost made him laugh. His father had always used his words to insult Stefan, to make him feel like utter sh1t. To make him feel like nothing would ever be right, and no one would ever love him. That he didn't matter. That his passing would bring only joy. Here were these people who had no idea how Mason, Stefan's father had used his words. How it now confirmed in Stefan's mind that his father had hated him. Everything that he was. Treating him like he was no more than the dirt on the carpet. No more than a pet who was simply an annoyance. He knew they had no idea. He knew it wasn't there fault that this was had happened. He knew that they couldn't be blamed for not knowing how his father had used his words. In many ways, Stefan thought that the insults he'd gotten were so much worse than the continuous beatings. Far worse, because he could block out the memories of the beatings much better than he could quieten the worries inside him that constantly told him that he wasn't and would never be good enough. This was why he forced a small smile, while not keeping their gaze for long. Lowering his head as he had continued on with speaking. Choosing to ignore what she had said. He fell silent, letting Kate speak, oddly he hadn't imagined that she would ask him if he wanted her to say anything. He was not quite ready to really tell these people of the upbringing he had had. He wasn't ready to delve into something that would only bring horrible memories. He would talk more freely about the foster family, though it had always frustrated him more. Family, fake family were two very different things. Added on to that was this idea that Stefan had, that while this family appeared to be nice, they were no really better than any of the other family he'd had. All in all, he didn't want to say just yet, but he wasn't going to forbid Kate from talking about it. He wasn't going to tell her to not do anything about it.

"Say what you want to say" his voice low enough so that only she would hear what he had to say. He let a small silence elapse over, and that was until he spoke again, asking a question which he knew was a little unfair, but he couldn't help it. Stefan looked at this family in front of him. He looked at the two healthy and unafraid children, at the two parents who had loved in their eyes and Stefan was annoyed, upset. How could he not be? After all this Archer family maybe had some bad luck - he was just yet to learn of it - but it simply had not destroyed the family. The Archer bad luck had torn apart his family. It had picked apart each member, slowly destroying each part of them until all that was left was an emotionally broken young adult with little confidence in himself and those around him. Only at the age of seventeen had Stefan truly felt that his heart, and his mind were on the mend. That things would in the end be all right. That one day he would stop dreaming of what had happened, that one day he would awake and not just be glad to have managed to have not died in the previous day. Where he could go a month without one horrible memory or flashback. Where he could go an entire year without having to forgo one meal because he could not afford it. Stefan always wondered what his life would be like now, had his parents been....normal. He glanced at this thought at Kate. Would she even like him if his past wasn't something that had happened? Would he have gone to Hogwarts? So many questions, and while he would never know the answer, it did not hurt to think of such things. He wondered what it might've been like had his family not been so alone, or so far away from the extended family they had. His question was a little blunt, and a little uncalled for so early on, but he had too many questions, too many wonders. He couldn't not. He couldn't just let this be avoided. His family had fallen apart. He had lost both his parents before he'd hit fifteen. He'd been left alone in the world that seemed to have dealt him the worst possible hand, and suddenly these people wanted to be family. Where had they been before. Why was this only happening now. When it was too late for things to be made better. Too late to erase what damaged this man's brother had done to him. He wasn't sure with this outlook what to expect these two people to say. He kept glancing up at them, noting as they too failed to find the words to describe this. Failed to find the words that would make things better. Stefan doubted that whatever excuse or reason they gave would ever satisfy him. The fact that they hadn't been there when it mattered was in the past. It could not be changed.

As it turned out, it was Branson who spoke first, Stefan's gaze moved to him as he began. He was unsure suddenly if he really wanted to hear this. What ever they would say, Stefan was sure that he would know different. However, the only thing that the man managed to say was, Stefan. Not exactly a good start. Stefan looked down at where his plate would be. He leaned his elbow on the table, and let his hand support his head. This was hard. The blue eyes closed as he attempted to keep composure. Everyone who sat around this table knew that this would be hard. Stefan rubbed his eyes, and let out a long sigh. Quietly sighing so as to no one really could make it out. It was a little shaky, as if it was taking him all his effort to not either burst out in angry or tears. This was helped by the fact that Branson appeared to try again. Stefan looked back up at him, leaning back slightly in his chair. Moving his arm slightly, so it was lying on the table, and the other was reaching out to Kate's hand. He had no idea what to expect from the man's words, so all he could do was hope that he liked them. Just a little. Maybe, hopefully. Listening he realised that his father had not been too much older than he was then when he'd left home. That his grandfather had gotten in a fight with his father. Stefan looked away at this, he knew what fights with his father were like. They always ended badly, at least they always had for him. He wondered if this grandfather of his could hold his own, or if he was as helpless as Stefan had been. His father smart? Stefan couldn't remember his father ever keep a job longer than two months. He had gotten married young, to his mother. A woman that Stefan couldn't have much of an opinion on considering how young he had been when she had died. He had left, asked to leave, kicked out. His parents had run away together. Followed their hearts and the love they had for one another. At least he could understand more his father's grief, how it had so badly affected him. How it had caused him to let his grief be what drove him. Mostly as he couldn't imagine his father as being the kind of guy who was full of love. Who bought flowers or chocolates. Who went on dates and gave compliments. He simply couldn't imagine his father as a loving man. Too much of his life had been spent with the contrary being true. This made a wave of sadness wash over him. Maybe he had been the reason for his father's anger. If his father had been a loving man before leaving and then him, then he had to be the reason for it. Stefan bowed his head, letting the strand of dark hair fall in front of his face. Moving his arm away from where it sat on the table, and using it rub his eyes. Trying internally to convince himself that he wasn't to blame for any of this.

The young slytherin continued to listen, keeping his head down, and his eyes closed. Listening to what the man was saying and feeling ever more lost at what to reply. His father had been smart enough to never be found, and his own family had easily believed his grandfather. It was safe to assume that by this point Stefan did not like the sound of his grandfather. It seemed that he was the reason that his family had been so seriously broken off from the rest. Why this was the first meeting. Why would anyone lie about the death of their son? Stefan could imagine his father doing that, but mostly because he knew his father hadn't ever given two sh1ts about him. He couldn't come up with anything to say. Words escaped him more than they had ever done before. Generally he was able to attempt to put what he was feeling into words, but not this time around. He couldn't even nod without feeling immense sorrow over this situation. It wasn't like he would ever be able to really know. It wasn't like he could ever learn what had driven his father to being so unkind towards him. There would never be an opportunity for apologizes, so as much as he felt like it was ok for them to have not been there, it still didn't fix what had happened because of the absence of family. It was at all possible because Tybalt, his cousin. Stefan managed to raise his head and glance at the boy, flashing the smallest of smiles at him. A small thanks, though it would mean little in reality. Stefan managed to finally meet the gaze of his uncle, who seemed to be struggling with this last few parts. When they had found out that he had died, but there had been no mention of a son. Stefan shrugged at this, looking down at his hands, briefly glancing at Kate for a little bit of support. Just reminding himself that she was there. He looked up once more however at the mention of his mother. They had mentioned a child but in little to now detail. Well, that definitely didn't make him feel better. It had however happened long ago, and he knew he was blame for that, so why should he continue to be upset about it. He missed her dearly, and he loved her though he'd never met her. Her death had however, he believed, been because of him, so he tried to not think too much about it. Which worked for the most part. Mostly when he was busy enough, and mothers were just not a topic brought up. All in all, even the love he had for his mother didn't stop his father's words from being seemingly true to him.

Glancing back down at his lap, Stefan listened as Branson apologized to him. It didn't make him feel much better, he had never expected it to. The way that he'd explained everything just made it more understandable to him. He could see why that had been the case. Why that had occurred. The words that followed made Stefan fall if possible more silent than before. He couldn't stop himself from squeezing Kate's hand lightly and shaking his head. I'm sure he loved you. Stefan looked up at them, his eyes were wet with unshed tears. He had such sorrow shining in them. Little did they know how untrue the statement was. His father had never loved him. He barely registered that Elliot spoke. His mind was stuck on the words that Branson had said. They could move on, his father was too proud to ask for help. His father was sure to have loved him. If he had, then he had a fairly rotten way of showing people that he loved them. Stefan's hand that wasn't on Kate's slowly moved to his stomach. To the largest and most horrific scar that he had. When his own blood relation had been determined to finish both their lives. He remembered in that moment the pain that had erupted. The blood spilling on to his hands uncontrollably. Collapsing pretty quickly, since his body had already been so weak. He had lost so much blood already during the time before. He had had hope in the moments before. He had been meant to be meeting Kate the day after. He had said he wouldn't go, but Stefan had planned to go no matter the consequences. The happiness and hope he had gotten from that had been enough to get him through the particularly horrible beating that had followed him accidentally forgetting to correctly clean the plates, that had been a less than five hours before his father had acted. He had missed one piece of dirt, and that had been enough. Stefan had dealt with it. Taken it. His father had snapped, his last act towards Stefan had been far from love filled. He remembered staring into the eyes of the man who was his father, who was half the reason for Stefan's entire existence and seeing nothing but hate. The slytherin closed his eyes, letting his head lean forward. His hand now clutched the area with the scar. The words of Elliot washed over him. Incredibly happy, proud of you. They'd left because his mother had been pregnant. They'd left the family behind because of him. Didn't contact them because he was too overcome with grief to correctly function. Stefan let out a shaky breath. These people had no idea what kind of man his father had become after having left their company. No idea of the things he had done. No idea of anything. He couldn't even with real conviction say that his mother had been truly happy to have him in her life, she had killed herself after all. At least he could agree that his family had been closed off, private.

The questions were left hanging in the air. Stefan didn't have the courage to answer them. He wasn't sure that he could answer them without breaking down. Without letting the years of grief and torture finally hit him in front of these people who knew nothing of the horrors he'd seen and lived. He felt a few stray tears slip down his face. He wiped them away quickly. Opening his eyes and looking to Kate. The usually white area of his eyes were slightly red making the blue of his eyes stand out. He was on the verge of tears. He didn't want to break down. He didn't want to, not now. Not in front of these people. This was not the time, nor the place. Instead, Stefan used Kate as reassurance. That everything was now ok. That he couldn't be hurt any more by his father. That he would be ok. His eyes were still glossy when he managed to look back round to the people he'd call his aunt and uncle. He had been about to say something, but found that words failed. "My father loved my mother deeply. He never quite got over her death." Stefan managed to say. Flashing a small, but pretty forced smile. "He was definitely too proud to ever ask for help. He never would have" Stefan was speaking slowly and quietly, carefully picking his words. He didn't want to outright say that his father had never loved him. That he had loved his mother, but he had never loved him. "My father, he never" Stefan was interrupted by the arrival of food. It placed in front of each person in turn. He found that the moment was gone. Whatever courage he'd had to maybe tell them was gone. "My father loved me dearly. He was a great father. Losing him was the hardest thing I've ever had to do" Instead of telling these people, his family, the truth the usual lies fell from his lips. He knew this wasn't exactly right of him. Not telling these people the truth about someone they had known. But, he couldn't bring himself to be the person to break the spirits of these people. Eventually they'd know, they possibly even saw through Stefan's lies. But, he couldn't tell them the truth. To them, his father was still the seventeen year old who had gotten married too young, who had started a family too young. Reckless but lovable. Stefan didn't want that to be the image he destroyed, and who was to say they believed him anyway. He didn't look to Kate, feeling that she would be fairly disappointed in him for lying. He didn't want to be reminded of what a coward he was. Least of all by the one person he loved more than anything in this world. He didn't want that.

Instead of speaking much more, he took his fork and gladly ate the food in front of him. He ate gladly, since he was fairly hungry and this looked incredible. After a few mouthfuls, he remembered that Elliot had asked him something. He looked to her, "Oh, he did odd jobs. Mostly computer work. It was enough for us to get by, and I don't know. He never spoke about it. He didn't even tell me he had family outside of me and my mother." Stefan found lying simple, he could do it without thinking, but he was also very poor at it. He generally didn't get away with it, or people just left it. "What do you both do?" Stefan paused for a second, glancing finally at Kate, and giving a small apologetic smile, "How's your food?" He asked her quietly, before he thought of something, "What about my mother's family? Did she have any?"

Branson Archer Sr · May 23, 2013

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<SIZE size="50">There was no denying that Branson was having difficulty understanding the situation in front of him. He understood in the simplest ways, the way this would be hard for the teen in front of him. Branson's own childhood had been tricky, and he couldn't imagine losing all the family he had it then out of the blue people who had never in the life before appearing out of no where. It was hard, he understood that. The mind of the eldest Archer told him that it would be no easy task apologising for all the mistakes that had occurred during the years of the absence that they were supposed to be within his life. He also couldn't change it, and he was sure that even if possible, with his brother's stubborn nature it would've been hard to attempt to contact him. It might've been better, but it was difficult to tell now. With everything being mostly in the past. And there being little telling what had really happened in the intervening years. So much time had past, so much else had occurred it was difficult for Branson to see the possibilty of moving on completely. He knew that whatever he did, moving on would be hard. Moving past it would be hard. In the situation with his own father Branson had really yet to forgive him, yet to truly be all right with everything. Each day made it a little better but this was slowly. This, what was going on between them, was a slightly different situation, but he believed with all his heart that there would come a time, when the forgotten years, the missed birthday's, emails and letters would be but a faded memory. He wasn't going to lose his brother's son now. He had a duty, he felt that for the sake of his brother, he should care for the boy. Though he was mostly old enough to care for himself. He should help however he could. To make up for forsaking his brother, and forsaking the nephew he'd never known of. It was pretty obvious that Branson felt guilty. How could he not. His brother had made it hard for anyone to find them, but, he knew his brother, he had known his brother, each day since hearing of Stefan, each moment he saw his brother's mannerisms in the teen guilt travelled relentlessly through his viens, he felt he should've known where to look. He just, he understood why he'd be angry, frustrated, upset over everything that had happened, and over what should've happened in their family. It was the curse of Archer, of the monochromatic-ness which plagued half the table, to the most awful hands dealt in the worst fashions. Branson had desperately attempted to shield his own son from such things, but he'd been fairly unsuccessful. Only now, in this far off place from the home he knew had things gotten better. It seemed to him, that very possibly the Archer sitting in front of them, in losing both mother and father had taken out all of the awful luck that there could be in New Zealand.

Following his own words, he'd spared a glance to his wife beside, who'd through out it, shown him the strength that he needed. Gently squeezing his hand. Not interrupting, therefore he'd pretty much dealt with the matter well on his own. He couldn't imagine doing this just him and his nephew. The words would fail him, much like how he imagined that they'd fail his nephew. They'd sit in silence, until someone blurted out something, and then the silence would return. He wasn't sure how long it would take in that situation for both him, and his nephew to call it a day. This made more sense, it was like two adults meeting for a lunch, no pressure. It probably looked that way. Though it was also likely that the small amounts of tension, and unresolved question hung in the air above them. As he spoke of his brother, what had happened, he couldn't help but feel upset about it. His wife, kindly filling in where he failed near the end on the subject of his sister-in-law. Or so he believed was his sister in law. He'd never been certain as to if they had actually managed to get married. As to if all the talks of them having been married had been based on real facts. He hoped so, his brother had always been so happy with her, much like how he was with his own wife. He couldn't help but imagine if the woman from the article had been his own wife, and not just his brother's wife. Some woman that he knew but not nearly well enough. He knew the woman's sister better than he knew her. He could see part of her in him too. The much gentler nature he remembered the few times they met. The little smiles, and careful nature that she'd possessed. He let his eyes linger upon his wife, glad that what had happen to the teen hadn't happened to him and his family. He couldn't imagine leaving Ty, or Lydia like that. He knew that it was a different situation, he was older, his family stronger, but he couldn't help but wish for his children to always have them, until they themselves had their own families. He knew that his last statement would be hard, how were to move on? How were they to really forgive and move on. No matter the excuses he provided for their lacking in his nephew's life, nothing could quite make up for it. Nothing would make it okay. He was glad that his wife took over at that point, speaking, and getting the point across that they were sorry for what had happened, and for what lacked. Asking the questions that Branson couldn't. Finding the words going from within him. The memories of his young brother surging in his mind. He remembered all the times his brother had seen the brunt of the anger. Where he'd been the brave little sh1t, which had almost always ended in disaster. Too stubborn and proud for his own good.

Wondering himself about what had happened to his brother following what he knew, he felt that even as his wife spoke, the boy in front of them grew hesitant, as if these were hard questions. He didn't know much about the boy, he didn't know what he had been through, what it had been like, or what sort of person his brother had become. Now, he was worried, had he turned. Branson had always thought the world of his little brother. It was only ever his wife who had spread concern in his mind over his brother. The only person who had ever called out his brother when he'd been mean towards her for no reason. One of the many reasons he loved his wife. But, he feared that nothing good would come of what was to follow. The disappointment he would feel towards his brother, considering everything would be greater than any guilt, though the guilt would not be so far behind. Since all he could think would that it would be his fault. His fault for not trying harder in every sense. But, it seemed the boy had just been picking his words. He never noticed the forced smile, or the rigid way in which the words were spoken. As the boy was about to continue a waiter arrived with the food. Clearly not really knowing the meaning of waiting, or the meaning of good timing. He placed the food upon the table, and this stemmed the conversation for a few seconds, as they waited for the waiter to leave. It was then that his nephew spoke again. Branson, felt himself smile. While it was hard to hear of the difficulty of his brother's death on the son, it was a part of him that was happy to hear that his brother hadn't become the man that it had been very likely for him to become. A smart man, who had the potential of being truly awful. When it came to Mason, Branson was more than a little blind. It was the curse of it being the little brother. No wrong could be done by him in the elder's eyes. Though Branson was not the eldest of the Archer lot, in many ways he had been to the youngest. Though, Branson realised now, that he was the youngest of the brothers. Not the youngest overall, but of the brothers he was. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Stefan" He gave a small sympathetic smile to him. He couldn't imagine quite how hard that would be. Left alone in a world following the death of a part. Branson had always disliked his father, but he wouldn't have wanted such a thing to happen to him. Branson knew that if his children were to suffer something like that, he wouldn't ever be able to forgive himself. He loved his family dearly, he didn't want to lose any more members. And he certainly didn't want to leave his children alone in the world.

Taking his fork, the eldest Archer took a large bite of the food in front of him. Making the most of the silence which had erupted around them. Which was normal, as they had all begun eating. His hand reached down to Elliot's giving it a light squeeze before, returning it to the table to aid him in eating what had been placed in front of him. He fell into a comfortable mind set when eating, ignoring what was going on, just so he could enjoy the food in front of him, but Stefan broke that silence, speaking of his father's odd work. It was so surprising, considering that Branson knew that Stefan's father was an intellengent man. High IQ, all that. A lot smarter than Branson thought he himself was. He looked to his wife, with a sort of curious expression. He wondered if he lost her, would that also cause the end of his functioning career. He had pretty much lost it since travelling to New Zealand, now that they were slightly settled, he was hopeful that the tides would change, and his luck in the field of work would improve. Or at least that he would get some job. Something, anything that brought money into the family. He was now, once again thinking about three children rather than two. While he'd only just met Stefan, they wouldn't throw him back out into the world with nothing. Like his own son Ty, was always saying they were family, and family had to stick together. Branson also believed in part that Stefan was sort of owed that much. In short, Branson didn't mind, but his mindset was back on full parent mode. While travelling around New Zealand to begin with it hadn't. He'd been much more focused on finding his brother, that it had sort of slipped from his mind, he felt that it was more than the right time to get back to full time parenting. He gave the middle Archer a small smile, before replying, "I'm an architect." He was proud of what he did, despite the eyesight problems, he loved it. "I might be monochromatic, but it's never stopped me, or my brothers from doing what we want." He was talking of both Cristian, and the now gone Mason, "Mason, your father, was one of the brightest men I knew. He was a computer genius. A coding god, as I liked to say, and Cristian, who would love to meet you, and wanted to be here today but couldn't as he has two young girls to look after is a" He was once again speaking with the same pride of his siblings, that despite their obvious inabilities, they'd all done well in life. "It's a wonder your father didn't get a better job. Smartest man, I've ever known" There, once more was the pride in the man's voice. A simple pride of the elder brother he was.

While Elliot explained what she did, he looked over to Lydia, who seemed more than a little bored by the conversation. The girl was happy to be meeting her cousin, but the girl was six, and she was generally happy about most things. This wasn't exactly her speed. It wasn't something she'd really want to spend her day doing. His wife squeezed his hand again, and Branson was brought back to the two teens in front of them. The boy was asking after their mother. His wife looked lost, she didn't know much about the woman, only brief details, little bits and pieces. "Your mother, only had one sibling. A younger sister. I don't quite recall her name, she's married now, living somewhere in either Florida, or Georgia. I couldn't tell you for sure. We lost contact about a year after your parents disappeared" He gave a small shrug. He wasn't too sure about her. Though he knew that all the information he would want about her would arrive the next day when it no longer really mattered. He gave his wife a warm smile, before the thought occurred to him, "And as far as we know, your mother was not of" Branson paused, he wasn't sure if this was the place to bring it up, leaning in slightly Branson gave a small smile, "of Magical blood" He said quietly, before leaning out. It had always puzzled him, how it was possible for his nephew to have also managed to be a wizard, when he had no relative who was magical. "How did that happen? When did you even realise that you were?" Branson didn't understand magic for the most part, all he knew was that his wife was, that his kids were because she was, but he didn't understand how he could be. Had the death of the mother in one so young caused something magical to appear. So many questions appeared, this was exactly what happened when family lost contact for so long. Branson knew he only had himself to blame.

Chase The Devil At Night

Stefan Archer

head librarian

Kate Archer

Well-Known Member

Elliot Archer

Member

Branson Archer Sr

Member

Stefan Archer

head librarian

Kate Archer

Well-Known Member

Branson Archer Sr

Member

Tybalt Archer

healer

Elliot Archer

Member

Stefan Archer

head librarian

Branson Archer Sr

Member

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