One Less of Us

[Hades Styx]

Normally, Hades Styx would not be over here in Saint Mungo's of all places. However, due to the circumstances, he had to show up. He asked for Etoile to stay with their children. As much as it was to ask, he also gave her some help when he called up his maternal uncle, Draegan, to come by and help out while he had some family matters to deal with. From what he understood was that during morning in New Zealand time, Kailie passed away. He had to break the news to the siblings that were living away from the Styx Manor, so the first person he want to find was Kaleb since he was sleeping. He ensured that he was awake, before breaking the news to him. Hades thought that crying would have been beneath those in the family, but Kaleb was definitely one that cried. However, the two were rather close with age. Kaleb and Kailie hung around a lot, and when Kaleb was in school, Kailie clung to Hades' legs before she went to school. Bringing up memories like that did hurt Hades, but he had to stay pretty much in control since he could not apparate when he was emotionally distressed.

Entering the corridors, Hades did not bother checking in. Someone asked who he was here to see, and one simple glare caused them to immediately silence. He was not in the mood to deal with people right now. He just lost someone he cared about and watched grow up. He could not tolerate any nonsense right now. Not to mention he was a grandfather too. He couldn't imagine what his father and Nicolette were feeling right now. Hades did not know what he would do if he lost one of his kids. Hades managed to stop by Patricia's floor, where she worked. He sniffed the air slightly, and discreetly. She was here, definitely. Hades motioned for Kaleb to follow him, before he looked around with his dark eyes. Hades almost looked like he was ready to kill someone here. Perhaps he was on another day, but definitely not today. Today, it was a family day. He finally noticed that curly mass of brown hair. She definitely did not look like many of the Zhefarovich women. Perhaps she took after her muggle mother? Hades vaguely wondered why she was still alive, and if he could rectify that... He paused simply, and stopped walking. His figure was definitely enough to grab her attention without him saying anything.​

 

[Kaleb Styx]

The fact that Kaleb Styx was already up to feed Selvanna, to give Artemisia some time to herself, which was sleeping in, it seemed like fate to have someone knock on his door. Kaleb tucked his daughter in the crib before he answered it, only to see Hades. Hades was definitely one that Kaleb loved, hated and feared all at the same time. He folded his arms across his chest, until Hades told him that Kailie was dead. Of course, the questions came out. How did she die? It was during childbirth. She bled out, much like Asparuh the Fourth's mother. Kailie did not have healers, and it seemed that she refused care by healers. Kaleb, of course, broke down. He woke up his wife, to keep an eye on Selvanna, while he goes with Hades to deliver the news to the remaining Styx member that did not like in the Manor. That was Patricia. Despite that she was the only non-pure-blood, she was still treated equally. Kaleb was kind of glad that he did not have to worry over spreading the line. His siblings were doing that for him. He was happy with his woman, and how supportive she was.

Taking Hades' arm, Kaleb wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, as they apparated to Saint Mungo's. He could not believe how calm Hades was right now. They just lost a sister. Kaleb might have been seven years older, but he grew up around her at all times. Kaleb watched her from infancy to adulthood. It was hard to picture life without her. Kaleb walked through the halls, feeling almost empty inside. He figured that if anyone could find Patricia, it would be Hades. He was the master of finding people. He did not know how, and did not want to know how. Kaleb followed after his brother, before Hades stopped completely. His grey eyes looked around to finally see Patricia. Kaleb did not hear Hades say anything, so Kaleb thought that it was best to catch her attention, "Patricia!" He did not want to yell the news. Now that would be rude.​

 

[Patricia Styx]

Patricia had been busy at work as usual. She had been working in St. Mungos now for quite some time and she loved every day of it. Sure some days were harder than others and she had to take a lot of abuse and whatnot from patients, and some staff, but it was all in a day’s work and she really wouldn’t have it any other way. While she did love her job it kept her busy and while there was not really anything wrong with that she did miss having a social life. She wasn’t a complete hermit, she did go out every so often with ones from work but it was usually just for one or two drinks and would be too tired to stay out any longer. The only people she saw a lot of outside of work was her family, and even then that was at main family gatherings, she rarely had the time to just drop by for a chat – not that her family were the kind that you could just drop in and have a chat with really. That aside she did like to keep in touch with them so she made sure to send an owl at least once every few weeks just to keep up to date with the family members and find out if any of them went off and got married or pregnant again – it really was surprising how often it happened.

Today was like any other day at work. She was in the office she shared with a few other healers doing up some paper work. She was soon to finish up for the day and was starting to feel drained as she had just done a double shift and through part of the night she couldn’t help but feel something was off, wrong and she wasn’t sure what it was. Taking a moment to she sat back on her chair, let out a yawn, stretched and took a few sips of her coffee before going to continue on with her work. As she picked up her quill she hadn’t put tip to parchment before someone said her name. Quickly turning round and looking up to where the voice came from she was surprised to see two familiar faces, her brothers – well two of them anyway. “Hades? Kaleb? What are you guys doing here?” she asked in a tired voice, confused as her family never visited her at work. As her eyes scanned their faces she could sense something was wrong. Then she saw the noticeable redness in Kaleb’s eyes – had he been crying? She frowned her eyebrows, her confusion now turning into worry – had she been right to feel that something wasn’t right?

 

[Hades Styx]

Hades figured that Kaleb would remain a blubbering mess, and thought about telling him where to stuff it. However, Hades too was grieving, but in his own way. Did he really have a right to judge? No. Hades let out a sigh, and he stepped in front of Kaleb, before giving a very small hand gesture, telling him that he should stay quiet, or leave. Hades was definitely not comfortable here, but he was going to deliver the news in his own way. Bluntly. Just as he did with Kaleb. He expected sadness and grief when it came from Patricia. She knew Kailie for a long time. They all did. She was this bouncing bundle of joy at first that grew up to be a typical Styx/Zhefarovich. Depending on how one looked at it. Hades finally managed to say, "We have some good news and bad news. Obviously, the bad news is going to be last." He did not know how much more he could take of Kaleb and his emotional mess. Artemisia really taught him to be open with his emotions. Something he was glad that Etoile never did. No, Etoile was his perfect bride, and she always would be.

"The good news is that you have a new nephew and niece. Amarantha Nicolette Styx and Kalif Ivaylo Styx the Second. I believe you knew that Kailie was pregnant." Almost everyone knew when someone was pregnant within the family. It was expected when someone had a copy of the tree. Hades kept an eye on it daily, for new engagements because he would be the one to marry them. It was custom nowadays it seemed. He allowed that to settle in, before he finally added, "The bad news is that Kailie died as soon as she delivered." Kaleb started to silently cry, which made Hades roll his eyes somewhat. He was strong, but in his lifetime, he was made to be strong. That was all there was to it. Now, he had to be strong for his siblings. Let them come to him. Etoile even seemed sad over the news. She was around with Kailie for a little while. Hades remembered picking the blonde girl onto his shoulders, and handling her like a ragdoll, just to hear her giggles. At least now, he could do the same for her daughter.​

Out of Character:

Imma just godmod myself with Kaleb to make things easier on me