Gambling My Life Away

[Axelle Lefevre]

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Axelle Lefevre knew the consequences of cheating very well. But in her opinion it was something that was merely looked down upon but that was it. Supposedly there was repercussions, but Axelle had yet to see them. Then again, it wasn't like she cheated all the time. Only when she got into gambling did she ever really try to pull something like that. There was just something about losing and losing big that really bothered Axelle. So Axelle did whatever she could that was within her power to make sure she didn't lose, and tonight was no different. Months ago, Axelle had gone to Benjamen and asked if could brew her a vile of Felix Felicis and have it be done in time for the big game. With a couple of drops of that, there was no way she could lose this match. The blonde made sure to keep it hidden from all the other people that intended to play to so there was no way they would suspect her of cheating. They weren't people from the family or immediate friend circle so it wasn't like they would know of her ways when it came to gambling. It was just too easy! Axelle had been warned by several people that her decision to cheat like this was incredibly stupid. Most of them sourcing from Nicolette who often believed that dirty play was part of life. Apparently she thought the use of potions to cheat wasn't the brightest idea. Axelle could care less though, Nicolette was no fun either. The only one who really seemed to be behind her in all of this was Benjamen who had agreed to brew the potion for her. Not even Arnost really knew about this whole thing because Axelle didn't want to get a lecture from him too about all of this.

"Ohhh Benjamen!" Axelle called as she approached the man's work area. It smelled of potion ingredients and strong mixtures, but Axelle ignored the smell for now because she was just that excited. Axelle could barely imagine all the money she would get from tonight's winnings. Axelle approached the man and stared carefully about the room, hoping to see a vial of her potion sitting around somewhere for her to take. "Do you have my potion ready?" She thought she had given him plenty enough time to have it brewed and ready, so now she wanted it. Axelle refused to go to the game tonight if she didn't have it, because then she would lose. Axelle refused to lose after she had planned so much into this night. "If this potion works, I'll personally give you a percentage of what I win, got it?" Axelle figured that he deserved a little something for helping her out. This wasn't an easy task. Most of the time people came to Benjamen for little potions that could cure sickness or something, Axelle had to wonder if anyone else in the family but her had ever request such a complicated and possibly risky potion. The glimmer from Axelle's ring that Arnost had given her the day they married caught her attention for a brief moment. Though after he had died she had taken it off for awhile, when he came back and proved that his spirit would stay and that he loved her over the other woman, she had decided to put it back on. It definitely wouldn't be leaving her finger tonight. Axelle returned her head back to Benji, showing that she was growing a little bit impatient. ​

 

[Benjamen Zhefarovich]

Benjamen Zhefarovich was a little unsure about this whole ordeal. Gambling seemed like fun, but cheating to ensure of a win, that sounded even better. That was, until was asked by Axelle Lefevre, his aunt that was a little younger than he, asked him to brew Felix Felicis for her. That was the thing, he had not brewed the potion much, but he knew that one slip, and it was all downhill from there. Benji knew that he would have to be really careful. Axelle would be drinking it. However he was the potions master in the family, surely he could brew anything and everything correctly! When it came down to love potions, he often added a secret ingredient to make sure that it ran with an extra kick. It was not something he gave to his family members for sure. That would be sick on a whole new level, and he was definitely not that sick. Benjamen continued to brew the potion that Axelle had asked just hours ago. Everything had to be precise. Everything. Benjamen was getting really good at this potion business. He supplied his brother’s store, one that Leviathan worked in. Benji was heavily big into potions. Most of them brought death and misery but it was fun anyway. He was sure that someone in the family was going to hammer him down over this, but did he care? Nope. While he was keeping an eye on adding some of the final ingredients, he looked up and saw Viviana walk by, gorgeous as ever. He accidentally added too much of one ingredient as she walked by, and Benjamen did not even notice. By the time he was finishing up, the color appeared to be the normal color, like gold. It looked liquid gold but he did not see the tiniest glimmer of red.

Then he heard the call of Axelle by the time he vialed the precious potion. He thought about testing it by drinking it himself but he did not have the time to. Axelle came in and she seemed to be too excited for him to try it. He had warned her of the consequences. He did not think of the potion itself but more or less if the others found out, then they would be hurting. That was about it. "Yeah I have it right here. One dose is good for two hours, and in here would be three doses. Use it sparingly." He hoped that she would use some before they got to the gambling area. They were going in for big bucks, and he needed to make sure that they were not caught. She offered him a percentage of what she won, and that was generous enough. Benjamen smirked a bit, and he said, "Forty percent. I need to replace the ingredients that I had used. Don’t think for a second that you are going alone either. You will need an escort, and your husband cannot fight them off in case they get a little handsy." He gave her a wink before he held out the vial of liquid luck to her. He glanced down and viewed her wedding ring. He felt a little guilty about doing this with Axelle. She was gambling, and he knew that Arnost would not approve. Not with her gambling, and now with Benji helping her out, even encouraging it with the potion that he just cooked up. He was positive that it would work, because it was his potion. They always worked, for him and everyone else he had made potions for.​

 

[Axelle Lefevre]

Axelle shot Benjamen a stern look when he demanded forty percent. He was killing her here. Of course she would give him what he wanted, he deserved that much. But it still sort of killed her inside a little bit to have to share even more than she had originally expected. Axelle took the potion gingerly in her small hands and snorted. "Fine. Forty percent then, you greedy bastard." Axelle was kidding about the last part for the most part, but she needed something snarky to say back. Otherwise he would start to get a little ego going, and that was never much fun to deal with. Carefully, Axelle pulled the cork from the potion and stared at it carefully. Never in her life had she tried one of these potions before, but she had heard many good things from people who had. It was her one way ticket to riches. Axelle was torn from her thoughts when Benjamen explained that there was no way that she was going alone. Which meant that he must have been trying to inform her that she was going to be joined by him on this little trip. Not that she could argue against it. It would be nice to have someone there in case things got a little out of hand during the game. There was no way Arnost could do it, so Axelle would gratefully accept Benjamen's presence. "Why how kind of you." Axelle smiled at him softly as she brought the bottled potion up to her lips and took a big sip. At least enough for a dose and a half. Axelle hoped it would take affect quickly too, because she didn't want to waste any time at all with winning this game. Especially if Benji was going to join in the game too.

Axelle motioned for Benjamen to follow her and started off down the hallway. Right now, she felt lucky. Like she could do anything she wanted and it would go her way. It was the most wonderful feeling. Axelle felt free, she felt happy, she felt....sick. Axelle paused in her walking. "Am I supposed to feel sick?" Axelle asked as she felt a horrible feeling wash over her. Suddenly, she felt nauseous, and weak, and cold. Like a horrible sickness was washing over her like a tidal wave. Axelle tried to shake it off and keep going, but not even three steps later and she felt even more weak than before. Axelle felt like she was having an out of body experience. Like she wasn't really herself anymore. Was Felix Felicis really that powerful of a potion? Axelle turned to ask Benjamen what was going on, but before she could utter a single word, every ounce of energy she had was suddenly gone. The last thing Axelle remembered feeling was the familiar taste of metallic in her mouth. Then there was nothing. Not a single thing. No thoughts, of feelings, or even phrases. Eyes rolling into the back of her head, Axelle's body fell to the ground. Her heartbeat steadily grew slower and slower until it finally ceased to beat anymore, and the breathing ceased as well. The very life that Axelle was ready to gamble away had ceased. Her careless ways of trying to cheat the system had ultimately cost her, her very own life. ​

 

[Benjamen Zhefarovich]

Benjamen watched as her elegant hands took the potion from his own large hands. Benjamen sighed and he looked forward to the winnings coming from this. He chuckled when she agreed, and then called him a greedy bastard. He knew that he was being a little difficult anyway. Benjamen smirked and he retorted, "You get more than half so don't even go there with greed." He could be greedy when he wanted to. After all, he needed some money to buy some more ingredients, and after using so much of his money to fund the store that Chavdar opened up, he needed to brew some more potions for the inventory. She had taken the cork off of the potion, and she stared at it. Benjamen looked at the potion and narrowed his eyes at it. He wondered if he should have tasted it first, before allowing her to try it. He thought that she would probably be better off making sure the potion actually worked. He wondered if it wouldn't. If it did not, then they would have to rely on skills, and then it would be less fun. There would not be a guarantee way to win. He smirked at her when she smiled at him for saying how kind he was for doing that. He nodded and wanted nothing more, but he did not comment on it. Then she drank enough for a dose, and a half. He raised an eyebrow. He told her to drink that sparingly! Plus she drank a bit too much. Could one overdose on the liquid luck potion? He did not say anything though because he had not known any sort of bad effects from the potion. He knew everything there was about that potion so he did not worry at all. Why would he?

The large man followed Axelle down the hallway, and so far she walked fine. If anything, she was supposed to act like, drunk or something. Very happy and very lucky. So he kept his eyes on her. Then she asked if she was supposed to feel sick. Benjamen almost stopped walking. "No, you aren't." Benjamen noticed that she was walking slower, and then she collapsed to the ground. "Axelle!" Benjamen rushed to her aid, and took her smaller body into his arms. He held two fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse. He felt a bit of a pulse before there wasn't one anymore. He had killed her! Benjamen panicked before he set her on her back and then he used two of his hands to press down on her chest to perform CPR. He even tried breathing into her mouth, trying to get her heart to beat and trying to get her breathe. But it was not working. After a few moments, he wiped his mouth, noticing there was a bit of blood. What had he done wrong? "Axelle, breathe damn it. Come on. There is no way..." his voice broke, as he lifted her into his arms, and then carried her to the one place he knew that he could get help at. Asparuh and Danielle. They were in the Patriarch's lair with the great family tree. As soon as he entered, he rushed to the couch where he set down Axelle's dead body. He held his hand over his face as he managed to say to them, "I killed her." It was such a shock to him, that his potion did this. That he had done something wrong, that cost Axelle her life. It had yet to register to him. Killing someone he actually liked really broke his pride.​

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

It was probably hard for most people to believe, but when Danielle and Asparuh were alone, they weren't as stoic and cold as they were perceived to be. Danielle knew that Asparuh didn't like for others to see that he had a softness still, which she respected. That was why she rarely let others see her being intimate or gentle with Asparuh. Only when they were alone could one really see how being together for most of their lives really affected the way they were with one another. Like today for example, not only did Asparuh tolerate her being in the Patriarch's lair with him, he also tolerated her actually acting like a wife every now and then. "You really should take a break, I don't want to see you get stressed out again." Danielle warned as she tucked away the book she had been looking through. Danielle knew that Asparuh had been raised up to do many things that were unhealthy for him. Such as never sleeping, and constantly living a life that was filled with stress. As she approached her husband, whom was currently sitting at his desk her fingers grazed his shoulder. Ever since he had come back from this long journey, Danielle had been very protective of him. Making sure he ate, and relaxed. He of course seemed unhappy to have someone trying to take care of him, but Danielle couldn't help it! When he turned to face her, Danielle's tiny hands went to his face. "Please?" Danielle asked, her tone was cold but it held meaning behind it. Ever so gently she kissed his face. He was so cold, and so far from being the type to love, but at least he didn't snap her neck for choosing to be so.

When the door opened abruptly, Danielle recoiled quickly, as if she were trying to hide the fact that she and Asparuh were being intimate. Her bright blue eyes fell on the form of Benjamen, who was carrying her sister. She was set on the couch, and Danielle raised an eyebrow. Especially when Benjamen said he had killed her. Danielle thought it was a joke. Axelle was known for playing little tricks and jokes on people, but it was usually Arnost that assisted her with these. When did she manage to recruit Benjamen into doing them too. Danielle left Asparuh's side and moved closer to Benjamen. "Benjamen, don't aid Axelle in her little jokes. Quit playing around." Danielle wasn't in the mood to play these childish games with her sister today, whom was actually playing the part well. Aside from being more pale than usual, she was also very still and lifeless looking. Axelle must have been practicing for this. Either that or Benjamen aided in helping her look the part. ​

 

[Asparuh Zhefarovich III]

Even after making a horcrux, Asparuh Zhefarovich the Third still behaved similar to how he did when he was in fact, stable. However he was colder now, and he was easier to anger and aggravate. Asparuh right now as in his lair with his wife, having some time alone with her. It was definitely something that they had needed since he took care of the issue that happened while he was away in a very dignified manner. Perhaps Danielle would have been pleased. Now the Zhefarovich family were forbidden to have any sort of relations with the Pisces family. Even if they were pure, he did not care. He did not want to have to deal with another idiot like him. He heard Danielle tell him that he should take a break, and he looked over at his wife with the blackest of eyes. She did not want to see him stressed out again. He sighed, "The Head is teaching at a school, I have no choice but to lead in his absence. Controlling many people takes a lot of effort, Danielle. You should know this above everyone else. No amount of pleading will change my mind." He would love to take a break, however it was proven to be impossible. He felt her fingers graze his shoulder, and he then felt her hands touch his face. She would know that no one had every touched him as she was permitted to. He had known her for ages and ages, thus she was given the privilege. She kissed him as well, and as soon as she pulled away briefly, he gave her what she gave him, but on the proper place, on her own lips. However it did not last long, since someone decided to interrupt.

The doors opened, and he watched Benjamen and Axelle came through, only Axelle was in his arms. He rolled his eyes at the interruption. They would never receive any privacy, would they? He then stood up as soon as Danielle left his side. He brushed off his robes and he did not comment on the interruption. Benjamen said that he had killed Axelle, and instead of going over to the two, now three if one counted Danielle, he went over to the family tree, where he found Arnost's name and then Axelle's. Below her birth, there was the death date, which registered as today. Danielle just lost her sister. Asparuh turned slowly to face them, and he said, "It is not a joke. She is dead." He walked back over to Benjamen and then ordered, "Tell us what happened." Benjamen soon explained it, and Asparuh looked over to Danielle, before he shook his head. Arnost would be devastated. He came back to haunt them as a ghost for her and their kids. And now she was gone.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle swallowed hard. There was no way her sister could actually be dead was there? Danielle and Axelle were never super close to one another, But Danielle felt sick at the thought of her sister being dead. Danielle didn't like the concept of death when it came to her loved ones. The thought of someone disappearing from this world never to be seen again scared her to death. Danielle kept her eyes on Asparuh was he went over to the family tree, seemingly checking if what Benjamen claimed was true or not. Danielle prayed that it wasn't. The last thing she wanted was to see her sister dead. Not Axelle. When Asparuh turned to give Danielle the news, she instantly turned a sickly pale color. "What..." Danielle felt like her stomach was trying to crawl out of her throat. Her throat felt so heavy and swollen. Axelle had been killed. Danielle lowered her gaze and looked around the room until it fell onto her sister's body. Benjamen was in the midst of explaining to Asparuh what happened, but Danielle barely heard a word of it as she stared at her sister's lifeless body. Her little sister was dead because she failed to keep an eye on her like a big sister was supposed to. Danielle didn't want to lose anymore family because of how careless she was with showing her relatives that she cared before it was too late.

Approaching Axelle, Danielle brought a hand to mouth to stifle a sob that wanted to come out. It killed her, it literally killed her inside that the last sibling she had, was dead. How did she manage to outlive Axelle who was at least thirty years younger than herself? Danielle didn't want Asparuh or Benjamen to see her get upset like this, especially since they rarely let themselves show emotion. But it was a lot harder than it looked. Danielle's little sister was dead. They grew up together and that made it even more heartbreaking. It brought her memories of the day Arnost had died. He was like a brother to her. Danielle wondered Arnost would think when he found out that Axelle had died. Tears rolled themselves out of her eyes at Danielle struggled to keep a hold of herself. Finally she realized that she couldn't let them see her like this. "I need to go...." Danielle managed out before she left the Patriarch's lair and slammed the door behind her. She hadn't meant for the door to slam but she couldn't be in there anymore. Especially not when she was breaking down like she was. ​

 

[Arnost Zhefarovich]

Arnost Zhefarovich decided that it was time to go visit his family, and before appearing into the Zhefarovich Manor's foyer, Arnost looked around with his onyx eyes, before wondering if Axelle had left yet. He did not know what she was doing here, nor what she was doing in her free time, but he knew one thing for sure, their relationship was just complicated. It really bothered him that he could not touch her. But somehow they were working things out, pranking others, it was a real deal. Arnost loved the fact that no one could hurt him or jinx him. The joys of being a ghost were limitless. Though he had heard about Asparuh's little journey, what he did, he did not know. Arnost floated into the Patriarch's lair just in time to see Danielle slam the door closed, and he wondered what was going on. He could tell that there was something seriously wrong. Arnost was about to ask what was wrong before he turned and went further into the Patriarch's lair. He did not want to see what was going on, but there was Benjamen bent down next to a body on the couch, and Asparuh was blocking his view. Asparuh seemed like he had sensed his twin's presence before turning, and then stepping out of the way for Arnost to see. What was there, was something that Arnost could not bare to see at all.

Asparuh left to go after Danielle, and Arnost turned to look at her before his voice was locked. His one true love, died. It was like facing the death of Thorine, times ten. No pain could feel like this. Arnost could only ask, "How? How could have this have happened?" Axelle was just so young, but it seemed like every woman he gave his heart to died. Arnost never wanted to live again, his afterlife now meant nothing without Axelle, which meant a lot for the ghost of a Death Eater. Arnost heard the story, again, and he immediately blamed Benjamen. If he had not had screwed up that potion, Axelle would have still been alive! Arnost shouted, "How could you have done this to her?! Have you not messed up enough lives in this family, you had to mess up my afterlife now?!" As soon as he saw Benjamen's reaction, Arnost kept his mouth shut. Benjamen actually felt bad, and Arnost sighed, "I didn't mean that. I just... I'm upset." Was... Was Benjamen crying? Arnost put his hand to his mouth and he closed his eyes. This had to happen to their family. To him. Danielle suffered so much already, as did this generation.​

 

[Axelle Lefevre]

Axelle wasn’t really sure what had happened. One minute she was happy and smiling, and then she felt sick. It honestly felt like nothing more than her going to sleep like she did every other night, only different. Axelle wasn’t sure how long she had been asleep for, because when she awoke, it was like a dream. Everything looked different, and everything felt different. The first thing Axelle remembered, was hearing her sister slam the door as she felt. "I wonder what has my sister so upset." Axelle thought to herself as she sat up, still obviously to the fact that she had just died, and was no longer able to consider herself as one of the living. Axelle also watched as Asparuh went after her, likely to either comfort her or try and relieve her mood. How could Danielle not see how much he cared for her when he after her like he just did. Question was…why was it necessary? Axelle heard the voices of Benjamen and Arnost heated arguing about something less than a couple of feet away, and it sounded as if Arnost was pissed. Axelle got up from the position on the floor and started over towards them with every intention of calming Arnost down. Axelle had never liked it when he was mad at anyone or anything; it was a completely different side to him than the fun-loving Arnost she had come to love. He wasn’t like that all the time either, which made his scary self even more frightening when he decided to let it show that he was upset. The closer Axelle got to the couch, the more confused she became. From what she could see, it was a woman that was lying there. Eerily enough it was a woman that looked just like her too.

"What the hell?" Axelle muttered under breath, finally coming so stand next to the two men, why was she lying down yet still standing here? This had to be some freaky induced dream she was having, why else would she be able to witness herself sleeping? Axelle looked around, trying to get a sense of what had happened, but then she noticed herself. She looked just as if Arnost did. Pale and transparent. "Did I….did I die?" Axelle was nearly speechless. Almost to the point where she hadn’t noticed how she and Arnost were now the same as one another. They were both dead and in the same reality. Could they be close once again? But right now her shock was much more powerful than anything else was. Axelle hadn’t considered death when she took that potion. All she could remember was feeling like she had gone to sleep when she wasn’t feeling good. A ghostly hand went up to her lips as she attempt to keep in the noises she wanted to let loose. Axelle almost refused to believe that she was actually dead right now. She was still young! What would happen to her babies if she wasn’t around to take care of them? Axelle was at a loss for words right now. In fact, she half expected herself to wake up from this nightmare any second now. All she had to do was open her eyes, and everything would be okay. Or would it? "What happened?!" Did they even realize that she was standing there or was this one last glimpse of her life before she went on to the next life? Surely Arnost could see her! Axelle didn’t want to be alone right now, not when she was so confused and lonely. ​

 

[Benjamen Zhefarovich]

Seeing Danielle and Asparuh escape from the lair away from Axelle's corpse just made Benjamen break down more, and Arnost's yelling did not help. Instead he remained knelt down, trying to fight the fact that he actually could be pained like this. He felt like he had lost his best friend or something. It was not something he could handle right now. He muttered to Arnost, "It was an accident." He could not believe he had made this mistake, but he could not believe it either. He looked at the body and then he could have sworn that he heard Axelle talk. Was he losing his sanity now? Benjamen was hurt but there was no way he was hurt bad enough to cause hallucinations. Benjamen slowly rose to his feet and he dusted the dust off of his knees. He looked over at Arnost, before he saw another ghost in the room. The form of the ghost was Axelle, and he looked at her, shocked as ever. Benjamen wiped his eyes and he made sure that he was seeing things right, and right there she was. She was in the same reality as Arnost. Arnost might be happier now, since he could probably touch her again, but Benjamen was still in shock. He uttered, "Axelle? You are...a ghost?" He stated the obvious but right now he was not even looking at his uncle. He was paying attention to the aunt. "I'm so sorry, the potion went wrong. I should have taken it instead of you." The guilt was overwhelming, but right now he had to go find Danielle. He turned and rushed out of the room, to go find Danielle to inform her that she did not lose Axelle completely.​

 

[Arnost Zhefarovich]

Arnost was not entirely sure what he should be feeling right now except just utter despair. The pain of losing Thorine was a cake walk compared to this. Nothing could replace Axelle and he wanted her to just jump up, yell that she was still alive and how everyone fell for he prank but it seemed like she was not going to be doing that. He reached down and his hand looked as though he was caressing her cheek, if he could touch physical matters that is. Benjamen stated that it was an accident, and it felt like he had been on a circle. Just saying that over and over. He was a potions master, why can't he reverse this? Oh right, no amount of magic can bring back the dead. He sighed and wished that it was not like that. Arnost looked down at the ground and he floated up just a bit before he covered both of his eyes with his hands, trying to hide the corpse from his vision. He had absolutely no idea that Axelle was still there, in corporeal form but still there regardless. Axelle was his life and now his afterlife meant nothing without her here with him. They had gotten so close over the years while he was a ghost, watching their children grow up. They would be attending school soon, and now he would not get the chance to see them love on their mothers or anything. His life now meant nothing. Sighing he would have to plan the funeral that he had dreaded, but much too soon from what he was wanting. He was hoping for another hundred years or so. He sighed and he looked down at the ground, hoping that he would end up waking up from this nightmare. He never should have died that day.

Arnost finally looked to Benjamen and saw that he was looking at something, and then talked. The words made Arnost immediately turned his head and he saw Axelle standing there, pale and transparent. His lips parted slightly, as he could not believe what he was seeing. Axelle was in his reality now, and Benjamen even stated that he was sorry, and how he should have tested the potion first. Arnost did not care about all of that now. He did not lose Axelle! She did not move on which meant that she was staying right here. Arnost could not believe this, but he slowly went to her before he was standing, or hovering, in front of her. He whispered, "You stayed...?" His went out to grab hers, and amazingly, he could. He could not feel anything, but with the strong memories he had, it was like touching her flesh and blood. The memories could keep it alive for him, and that was good enough. He did not lose her, and he was so relieved. "...I am speechless that you are still here." He had not lost her after all, but in a strange sense, he kind of got her back. She was no longer a widow, and he was no longer...whatever he was in their odd relationship. What were they now? Husband and wife? Did they have to start over from day one? If that were the case then she would be getting pregnant with a ghost child, but that was impossible. For now, he had Axelle back and more. They could spend the rest of their afterlives together. They would never feel pain or anything bad again, but it was worth it. Plus the fun they could have with their families. The possibilities continued to rise.​

 

[Axelle Lefevre]

Axelle was still in shock that she able to witness her own body lying there, completely lifeless. It felt almost like nothing more than a mere dream to Axelle. How on earth could this be happening? Axelle could have sworn that just five minutes ago she was live and well, and now she was apparently dead. Benjamen was the first to come into her view, and Axelle gaped at him. He was apologizing for letting her take the potion that had ultimately ended her life. "That potion killed me? Ugh, wasn't it supposed to bring me good luck?! I end up dead, and broke as ever!" Axelle was confused. Unless it was brewed incorrectly or something, but even then Axelle wasn't that upset with Benjamen. Potions were tricky at times and Axelle knew that there were risks of any potion causing problems or complications and she agreed to drink the potion without any second thought. Her untimely demise was nothing more than a mere accident that her recent addiction to gambling had caused. What would the others say to her once they fought out what had caused it? Gambling seemed to be a weakness as much as it was an addiction, and her family would likely dislike the idea of it overtaking Axelle.

Benjamen, and that left Axelle alone with Arnost. They were the same now. I guess so...." Axelle breathed out softly, surprised by the fact that as a ghost, they could touch one another. There wasn't the same feeling to it as when they were both alive, but there was a recent memory of the warmth that living human flesh brought. "I can touch you again!" Axelle let out, and found herself jumping forward to wrap her arms around his neck tightly in a hug. For so long now, Axelle had be graced by Arnost' ghostly presence, and she could easily admit that she missed being able to hug him and touch him. It wasn't the same as it once was, but it was better than nothing. Axelle released her former husband and stared up at him. Suddenly being dead wasn't all that horrible. There were a lot of things she knew she was going to miss about being alive, but at least she was able to have her man back in her arms once more. Was he happy that he was able to hug her again too? Or did he miss her being alive?​

 

[Arnost Zhefarovich]

One could never imagine how happy Arnost was. He had his wife back. Well, to him, they were still married, and likely they would stay married too. He chuckled when she said that she ended up dead and broke as ever. "My love, you won't need money now. You are a ghost. You can do as you please, to whoever you please." Surely she remembered the times that he had as a ghost, and that she could do the same thing now. Only he could no longer peak on her while she was in the shower. That was one of the bad things about being a ghost. At least she stayed around. They could watch their descendants grow up, and then see them happy. They were orphans, but almost not at the same time. It was hard to say. Half of his children were orphans. It seemed that whatever woman Arnost mated with ended up dead in some untimely demise. He took a mental note on that, and wondered if there was a patter. Axelle said that she could touch him again and then somehow embraced him. He couldn't feel it, but since he was newly dead, almost, he could imagine it. He wrapped his own ghostly arms around her form and he imagined how it would have been if they were alive. "My afterlife will have newer meaning now that I have you again, fully and completely. Well, almost." This was certainly better than nothing. He did not let her go either. He could not find himself able to release her. He had waited so long for this, he relished in every moment. They would live together, eternally. They would see the end of the world and the ever after Nothing seemed empty now. Not with Axelle by his side once again.
​

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Fin​

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