Ariel
+1+
My pilfering from the kitchen liquor cabinet hadn't gone unnoticed. I'd overheard Anne having a stern conversation with the kitchen girls about a particularly "watery" vodka she'd had last night.
It was bad because I wanted it. I wanted to go to that warm carefree place that the liquor took me to. It was medicinal. . . almost. I was treating myself. Without it I'd go crazy with a head full of bad emotions. With a head full of bad images.
No longer able to borrow from Anne, I knew exactly where to look for a new source. Helio's mansion. Specifically Seraphina's room.
This afternoon the bottom floor is empty, I'd hoped I could sneak in unseen, but I see a lone white figure on one of the cots. When I step inside I realize that it's Aria.
I pad over to where Aria is sitting , her hand around her growing belly. She had always been so fashionably thin and delicate that I was so afraid she might break carrying all this weight.
“Morning”, I said and sat next to her, “Can you feel the baby ?”
“No”, she says her eyes trained on the stairs, “ I mean not as much. I think she’s sleeping”
“Do you think she is going to have wings ? Won’t that be adorable like a real cherub--”
“It doesn’t matter”, Aria said, “The wings will have to go no matter what. . . that’ll just be awful.”
I look down at my hands and then back at Aria. She is in a plain white dress and a fluffly long cardigan, she was always complaining in her nice way about being cold. I wondered how long she would be here, I had to sneak in and out without Seraphina seeing me.
“Won’t you be more comfortable in a chair ? I can get one. We can sit outside--”
“No, I’m fine”, she says smoothing her long straight ponytail.
"What are you waiting for ?"
She says nothing and after several moments Titus comes down the steps dressed in grey with his head freshly shaved. Aria instantly stands, holding on to me for balance.
“Where is he ?”, she says as Titus walks by.
He raises his hands in an unknowing gesture, the quick way he does it is uncaring, not even stopping to speak seems to ruffle Aria.
“Titus”, she yells to him, “You promised you’d find him you said. . .”
He’s already around the corner and Aria is to slow to catch up to him.
"Titus", she yells but Titus is gone.
“Are you looking for Leon ? He’s probably with Helios or something.”, I say trying to help.
“No”, Aria said, “Helios is gone and it's Leon’s day off and Leon promised we could talk or go on a walk . . ."
She stops when she hears a tiny jingle of bangles. Seraphina walks casually from the around the corner, dressed for the day in a sleeveless blouse and dress pants, and daringly high heels and so much white gold jewelery.
Her bracelets jingle every time she absently shuffled the playing cards in her hands. It's so strange seeing her without Helios. It must make her sad. I take another sip from my half empty water bottle.
“Hey”, I suggest, “ I bet Seraphina knows--”
“Where is he ?”, Aria barks at her.
Seraphina slows down her pace and studies Aria and I.
“I don’t know--”
“Don’t lie to me Seraphina”, Aria's tone is so short. I'd never heard the tone from her.
Seraphina opens her mouth but thinks better of it. She and Aria had always been very cordial
“Aria I---”, Seraphina begins
“Those are his cards”, Aria says pointing to Seraphina’s hands, "Don't lie to me."
I realize at this point Aria is almost in tears and Seraphina looks down not wanting to meet her gaze.
“Rest, Sister”, Seraphina says, “You carry a heavy burden. This is not a place for you to be."
“Just tell me where Leon is, Seraphina."
Jerking away from me Aria snatches the cards out of Searphina's hands and throws them across the floor. She tried to rip a few in half but the cards are tough.
Not sure what to do with her hands Seraphina backs away and continues her slow walk down the northern hall.
“It’s not fair”, Aria yells at her, “Hippolyta, then Helios, that handyman and countless others. You couldn’t just let him be mine. You are a horrid wicked person Seraphina, You don't belong with your Sisters and you most certainly don’t belong with SGI.why does everyone want you. Why couldn’t you let him be mine. Just this once.”
Seraphia turns on her heels
“Aria it’s not like that. You know--”
“You stay away from me. Or I’ll make sure everyone on this campus know what a home wrecker you are.”
Seraphina walks a little faster and disappears around the hall. Slightly exhausted Aria sits back down on the cot. I cringe realizing it’s Ares empty cot.
“Oh, Aria”, I said, "I don’t want to gossip but trust me Seraphina is madly in love with Helios. She’s always wearing perfume, writing secrets notes, locking her door, wearing. . . things. Aria. . . she was singing to herself. Really, Aria. . . I don’t think it’s like that with Seraphina and Leon. Honest”
“I know”, she said so quietly a misplaced smile on her lips. An exhausted smile, “ I know. I really don’t even care that much.”
“You don't ?”
"I know Seraphina isn’t trying . . . and I know what happened between Leon and I was just impulsive, but I. . . I just wish he’d give me just a few moments of attention the way he does her. He's the nicest one of them all and I...I don't know."
“I’m sorry. Leon will come around. He has to, right ?”
She laughed a little and I helped her stand.
“Seraphina was . . .singing ?”, Aria questioned
“Well, humming. It was really pretty.”
“Well, then she must see something deep deep down inside Helios.”
"Aria", She never peaks out of turn.
"Helios may have the face of a god, but he is far from love--"
The ground shakes and Aria tumbles into me. I try to hold her up, but I feel sluggish and my coordination is a bit off. Then we hear the screams. Aria goes pale and is holding on to me so tight she doesn't realize how unsteady I am.
"It's the Demons", I asked, "They're attacking aren't they ?"
"Don't panic", Aria warns.
Aria hurries to the door and peers out the window, then opens the door. We have an emergency plan if we were to be attacked. We are all supposed to go to the North Hall dormitory basement and take a head count. The dorm was clear across the quad. Aria would never make it.
There is another rumbling and I start to smell fire. It's an instant and harsh scent. As if on cue the SGI who were working iut in the basement pound up the stairs. They move quickly and head out the door. Aria and I step out of the way.
From the spiral staircase Leon walks down, slowly adjusting the clear ear piece in his ear. His eyes look tired like he'd been sleeping. He is stunned to see Aria and I.
"Pick up, Helios. Dammit", he says into the ear piece, "Where are you?"
Aria holds on to me, looking at Leon for an explanation and for what to do next. She seems to have forgotten all about his disappearing act.
"What's going on ?", she asks,"Is it the Demons. . . is it safe ?"
He looks at her and then back at me, lost for an answer.
"We don't know. . .hold on. . . . all of them ? How ? What ? Shit."
He leans into the ear piece and guides us outside. He putsa protective arm around Aria and she settles into his touch almost naturally. I follow behind and see all the Sisters are outside.The bottom floor of the dorms has caught on fire. A human fire truck has already pulled up and everyone looks nervously at the approaching humans. We always did out best to avoid humans, especially those with authority.
Everything I own in the world is in that building. My books, clothes and mementos. The only picture I have of Caden.
"No."
I run towards the dorm and I'm almost at the backdoor when I am grabbed and pulled back into an overgrown topiary.
Seraphina has me tightly by the arm, her face is a light red and her clothes smell like smoke. She looks lose to panicked.
"Listen to me Ariel. If anyone asks I was with you all afternoon."
"But. . . Aria saw you."
"Forget Aria. You want to get my favor back, you will do it."
"I--I. . . okay."
She looks up to see Leon guiding Aria to a bench that is far enough away from the burning building, where a few others have taken cover. When Leon turns to see us, Seraphina quickly turns the other way.
+2+
Through rumors and midnight gossip I learn that Helio's cars that had spontaneously combusted. Helios' fleet of white BMW's had been parked on the private drive behind the dorms, on weekends watching the SGI wash them had become a pastime for some girls.
The sparks had caught on to one of the trellis attached to the South Hall dormitory and caused the fire. Only the bottom west wing had been damaged, thankfully I was in the east wing, my picture of Caden still safely tapped to the desser. On the downside we were now vastly overcrowded, making it harder to hide things. Some speculated that perhaps the attackers meant to burn down the west wing because that was where the library was. The firefighters and their water hoses had done damage to centuries of preserved work.
Anne had come out after the commotion, wearing the most human outfit she owned, a dowdy looking coral suit. She put on her brilliant facade of being the Dean of Queen Anne's College. She calmly explained that the incident was a fraternity prank gone awry. In response to 'since when does Queen Anne's admit men' . . well that explained all the men didn't it ?
When Helios returned that evening he didn't even as much thank Anne for covering up the incident... the attack really. No one could prove it was an attack though. No one could prove how they got on campus or how they blew up the cars. Everyone knew why though, know one would dare speak aloud hat it may have been Helios who blew up the Demon's shops.
I watched this punishment from my perch on Seraphina's balcony. I had snuck back into her room after everyone had calmed down. I just wanted to be alone. I reallt liked her room, but refused to do the things she did to get it. No one even notice me watching from her balcony, the tiny glass bottle clutched between my fingers.
Down below Seraphina was angry, sweating and visibly exhausted from Helios' orders . . . she was lying on her back in the grass and Helios was yelling at her to "get the fuck up" and do more push ups, when she did he moved to yell at the next Angel who fell out.
Titus looked equally wiped out, but he cheated. Whenever Helios looked away Titus went into a resting position and when Helios turned back Titus picked up again. Leon was the only one who was truly enduring. He didn't once complain or rest. He kept himself focused. He was strong and solid. I could see what Aria saw in him.
Helios cursed again as another man fell out
This unlucky Angel was Troy and he did not get back up when he was ordered.
"I said back in position", Helios yelled at him.
Troy buried his face in the grass.
"I can't sir... I. . ", He tried to get back up and fell flat.
"Come, on", Leon encouraged him, "We don't fall out, we're survivors get up."
Troy moved to get back in position and he feel out again, curling his tired body in. Troy was one of the younger SGI. He had probably been a scout or possibly a drummer boys. Traine like an SGI, but never treated like SGI. They did grunt work ; laundered, cleaned weapons.
As a result they lacked the girth and muscles of most SGI. To the average human they may have seemed superior and athletic but compare to their compatriots they were weak. Callopie said they made great conversation but were a bit immature. I'd been to afraid to approach them.
Helios stood over Troy and reached for something on his belt. . . a weapon but it wasn't there. Rumor also had it that all of SGI scary weapons had been destroyed with the cars.
Helio grabbed Troy and threw him on his back. Then Helios raised his foot and kicked him in his face. I turned at the ugly sound and took a sip from my now re-filled water bottle. Helios kicked him again and he screamed. Screaming was probably a mistake.
"Helios", someone, maybe Leon or maybe Titus said in a warning voice.
"Helios", That voice I recognized.
I looked back and Seraphina had moved in front of Troy, blocking Helio's next kick. Helios reaches down and hauls her up by one arm. She twist her arm to get loose and brings up her other hand to hit him, he blocks it, bringing his other fist to her mouth, pushing her flat on to the ground in one powerful move. I see Titus smiling in the background.
"Don't you ever", Helios says. It's so quiet I barley hear it. With his foot turns her so she is on her stomache , "Back in position."
She does what she is told. Troy on the other hand is still curled into himself on the grass.
I hear the wet smack of Helio's kicking Troy continue. He slams his boot into him over and over again. Leon calls Helios' name a few more times to try and distract him, but it's useless. When I could finally look again, I see Troy isn't moving anymore.
"If you can't get back up . . . then you are no use to me", Helios said to no one in particular, "Are we survivors now."
He directed this at Leon who moments ago had said this to empower Troy.
"We are", Leon says, "He's not."
Leon was amazing, though. He was the only one that never fell out, he never lost his posture or complained. When Helios finally dismissed the SGI, Leon didn't even pretend to be tired. I don't know if Troy is alive or dead, but four men are carrying him away.
Leon hovers, while the others limp away to bed. Searphina is back to lying on the grass. Her white attire now covered in grass stains. Leon grasps her hand and after a beat, helps her up.
"The fuck was that ?", he said
"Somalia all over again."she says.
"Not Troy. I mean you. I saw you by the cars before it happened."
"What ? I have no idea what you are talk--"
"Don't Seraphina. I saw you opening the gas tanks. What's going on ? What are you involved in. You don't have to do this alone. . . you know you're not the only one who--."
"The only one who what, Leon ? Do you really want to finish that sentence with your baby on the way ?"
"Let me in, Seraphina. Just me. You think I like this ? Watching Helios lose his mind. I told you I haven't felt right about Helios since what we did during the war."
I briefly wander what war it was. Probably world war II. Certainly that one.
"Stop this nonsense, Leon. Helios has done a lot for you and me. Let it go unless you want to end up like Ares or Troy--"
"Or Hippolyta", he finishes and walks away.
I take that moment to get out of Seraphian's room before she finds me. First I need to finish liberating her stash of mini bottles.
While hiding out in her room I had discovered she had pulled up a floor boards in her room to hide her birth control, so she wouldn't have to hide it in the dorm and face me in the morning. It was also where she hid all matter of black and red colored silky underclothes, they were a big change from the standard white and cotton she usually wore. I was no longer jealous of her and Helios. . . but hated them.
I dashed out of her room as fast as I could, no one paying me any mind as I slipped into the foyer. They were all crowded around Troy. . . some with regret in their voices, but not much.
Paris
Is this how it goes ?
I'd turned the television low in the background while I went back to work. The story about Queen Anne's had finally caught the evening news. It was short. The police had been called to Queen Anne's after a fire broke out. Lots of property damage, no deaths. At no deaths I let myself smile.
I'd been in shop #45 in Harlem since the afternoon and it was now almost midnight. I was doing the work of four men on my own. I hadn't even stopped for dinner and caught myself almost calling Isobel to pick something up and join me. . . I'd shaken off my misstep pretty poorly and made another pot of coffee for dinner.
There is a chime from the front of the shop. It was way to late for a walk in and I realize I must have forgotten to lock the door. I stand up on stiff knees and walk to the front.
I'm only a little surprised to see Seraphina framed in the outline of the door. Her arms are folded and she is looking down.
"It's done.", she says.
"You shouldn't be here. Someone could see you."
She put her hands on her hips , still looking down.
"It's so risky, so damn risky."
Her cursing get my attention. I turn a few of the lights off and come from around the counter. She smells like soap and her hair is wet, yet her lips are painted mauve, cheeks tinted and her eyes are perfectly lines.
"Is--uh-- everything okay, Sera. "
"For now, I just. . .I made a mistake. I could have burned down the dorms. Leon thinks he saw me and Helios is losing his patience."
"It's fine. This is working. We handicapped Helios. This gives us time"
"He will retaliate."
There is a long silence and it's so dark in the shop I can't tell where she is looking. There is another painfully long silence.
"It goes both ways you know." , I tell her.
"What ?"
"That switch you have. The pleasure to business thing you do so well... It goes both ways."
She steps into the light and I can't read her expression, but she's close enough that I barley have to reach out to touch her. I unzip her sweatshirt, she doesn't say anything but watches me. Without her lead to follow I'm very unsure of myself. I don't know what she wants or how I should go about touching her.
She had decades of experience with this kind of thing(centuries maybe), Sera was the kind of woman who knew what men wanted. She knew what men liked, what made them feel good. Made me want to spend hours taking anything and everything she would give me. Taking the lead had always seemed pointless, I was never going to catch up to her anyway.
Her form fitted tank has the SGI logo on it, and I'm tempted to work up a sorotiry girl fantasty. I ignore the impulse and let my hands slip underneath her shirt. My eyes dart around to make sure all the blinds are closed.
What I really want to do is ask her out to a late dinner. To talk, to know if there is more to this. I at least want to know about her life. Was it the same or very different from mine ? I want her to want to know about me, but I know that's not really on the table. Which is to bad because that is what I'm very good at. Talking. . . and maybe romance.
"Wait", she says even though I hadn't really done anything
"Sorry, I thought--"
"What ?"
I step away and she has her hand on her ear, she is speaking into a clear earpiece.I
"Yes, Leon. I understand. I--"
She brings her hand down.
"I need to leave. Helios is angry. Leon says he's out for blood and --"
She's cut off by a buzzing coming from behind the counter.
"He's out for blood and wants to talk to me", I watch the phone buzz on the counter with Helios' number flashing.
She nods and leaves, I hear the bell chime when she opens the door, she stop in the doorway then just as quickly hurries out. I pick up the phone on the last ring.
"What do you want now , Helios."
A/N
This is another of those chapters that goes inside life at Queen Anne's College. The section with Aria/Sera/Ariel was something I did when I was just writing a slew of Leon/Sera scenes to explore their world. This one just kind of slipped out and fit perfectly in this section. All the other scraps I wrote have already been used.
Yes, there is a bit of dramatic irony here, because Ariel thinks Helios is the reason for Seraphina's. . . singing.